Network Maintenance: 5.4.13

dezstravus · May 2013

We will be performing a maintenance tonight at 8:00 PM pacific time (approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes from the time of this post) to further enhance the performance and stability of our network. We expect it to last approximately four hours. We'll keep you updated on the progress!

cybersoldier1981 · May 2013

So basically for the third night in a row, servers are going down.

/me shakes head and closes laptop, walks away.

xanna31 · May 2013

Wow this Neverwinter being added to the server line up is taking its toll, huh?

nepht · May 2013

All three down well thats just great! What ima ment to do for 4 freaking hours. You want me to go outside and talk to people. Well I have to tell you people are dumb and they smell U__U"

gamehobo · May 2013

Look at the bright side! Dev Communication.

Unknown · May 2013

This content has been removed.

zedbrightlander1 · May 2013

nepht wrote: »

All three down well thats just great! What ima ment to do for 4 freaking hours. You want me to go outside and talk to people. Well I have to tell you people are dumb and they smell U__U"

Well I know what I'll be doing for the next four hours.

Kicking {BLEEP } out of the Neverwinter pages using the KA web page destroyer.

It's not nearly as much fun as giving villains a beat down, but it feels pretty good. I think I will try the Klingon D-9 tonight. :biggrin:

navar · May 2013

So all three nights on the weekend are a no go for gaming. Got ya.

ikonn · May 2013

If they didn't pull the server down intentionally, it probably would have crashed again sometime later today anyway.

chaelk · May 2013

nigth wouldn't be a problem.

This was staurday afternoon for the crash, sunday afternoon for this fix..
oh well time to write up a RP letter.

Hmm what shall I make the ship attackers do?

tumlinson · May 2013

So why are you doing maintainance at 8:00PM on a Saturday night, posibly the time of the highest traffic? Seems like 8:00AM on any weekday would have been a better choice.:mad:

boulderaine · May 2013

Wow, a Saturday night maintenance down following days of crash. My son and I left our previous games for this. Definitely was a mistake to become a gold member. I have a feeling this is all for bringing Neverwinter up. Why would I join that one?

monkeycurler · May 2013

Perhaps the servers shoulda been properly adjusted and improved before throwin another game into the lot. Can only have so many games tied together before crashes become common-place. But...at least there is some communication goin on finally ^^. Lets hope this "maintenance" really does the trick. Off to play Dragon's Dogma ^^

chaelk · May 2013

Update: Saturday 4:30PM PDT

The time of the maintenance has been locked down to 8:00 p.m. to midnight, Pacific Time. The goal of this maintenance is to apply another round of stability and performance updates to further support the high volume of players that are logging in to participate in the Neverwinter Open Beta. If the maintenance finishes sooner than the planned window, or is extended for any reason, we will definitely let you know right away.

Update: Saturday 3:30PM PDT

from the nevermind forums, they get more info than us. So if you want to check if its us, see the nevermind forums
http://nw-forum.perfectworld.com/showthread.php?189911-Maintenance-Tonight-8pm-to-Midnight-Pacific-Time

neverbourne · May 2013

Any chance of getting your games separated a bit? I understand the need for emergency patches, especially where betas are concerned, but Neither Champions nor Star Trek are in their beta stages, and the constant crashing and shutdowns of all three games is really starting to be annoying.

daekyn · May 2013

I can't help but point out the obvious that many of my fellow gamers have pointed out.
Seriously? 8 pm on a weekend evening? Especially after an extended maintenance and down time? Did you just already know it was going to crash and are covering yourself or do you just have a really poorly trained project manager who thought "oh sure, those are plenty of hardware to support all that traffic".

And of course, lets add to the mix, bring down active game servers down because of a beta release? So glad I am a Gold member

PMBOK Fact
Number one reason projects fail is insufficient stakeholder involvement.

mmogamer71 · May 2013

tumlinson wrote: »

So why are you doing maintainance at 8:00PM on a Saturday night, posibly the time of the highest traffic? Seems like 8:00AM on any weekday would have been a better choice.:mad:

^

This, it's called fail planning, also why are we on Star Trek Offline and Champions Offline getting hosed for Neverwinter because you failed to plan? Maybe with all the overpriced Neverwinter Founders pack sales you can hire competent people. Big mistake resubscribing to Champions Offline after along break. Will not make that mistake again and taking my $$$$ elsewhere.

So who has been fired?

flyingfinn · May 2013

Come on guys. After the network testing and Neverwinter coming out of the Beta, CO has better working server tech and other improvements.

tachyon10 · May 2013

It seems CO is in a death spiral. I have never played a game where I felt so abused by the sponsor and support staff. Of course when you complain, you get "well quit playing then". So, I am off to find another MMO to play. One that has no relationship with Perfect World Enter-screwment...

neobeethoven · May 2013

mmogamer71 wrote: »

^

This, it's called fail planning, also why are we on Star Trek Offline and Champions Offline getting hosed for Neverwinter because you failed to plan? Maybe with all the overpriced Neverwinter Founders pack sales you can hire competent people. Big mistake resubscribing to Champions Offline after along break. Will not make that mistake again and taking my $$$$ elsewhere.

So who has been fired?

Bye.

How did they fail to plan? Specifically, please.

What so many players fail to understand is that hardware fails. There's no way to foresee it, there's little to do to plan for it, you just deal with it as it happens. It is impractical, expensive, and dumb as hell to try to stock up on "spares" for hardware.

Suggesting that Cryptic was not prepared for tens of thousands of people to flock to Neverwinter when it launched its open beta is silly, because why would they ever consider anything less? It's a well-known IP, has a large fan base. Hell, some people will give it a try just because it has the D&D brand stamped on it. Suggesting that Cryptic, a multi-million dollar company with its toes dipped into two OTHER MASSIVE IPs, lacks the foresight to prepare for handling another rush of connections is, at best, lazy.

Oh, and in case you missed it, Neverwinter is down right now, too. So you can stop blaming it for all your woes.

Seriously. All it takes is one fan failing, and suddenly the hardware practically starts to melt. I've seen it happen. There's no way to tell in advance, and the only way to deal is to trace where the problem lies and fix it.

bwdares · May 2013

tachyon10 wrote: »

It seems CO is in a death spiral. I have never played a game where I felt so abused by the sponsor and support staff. Of course when you complain, you get "well quit playing then". So, I am off to find another MMO to play. One that has no relationship with Perfect World Enter-screwment...

Bye.

.

jonandre1 · May 2013

The problem wasn't that they failed to plan. The problem is that they couldn't possibly have foreseen the massive amount of interest in Neverwinter. The amount of traffic from the Open Beta not only overloaded the system, it broke something.

They repaired the malfunction, of course, but the problem still remains -- the massive amount of traffic is overloading the network. It's going to require much work to reinforce the network to the point that it can handle the traffic -- or limit the traffic to the point that the load can be handled. (PWE is going to avoid the latter as much as they can, because the latter means login queues -- and login queues drive people away, and they know this.

Why didn't they plan for this? Why didn't they add more server infrastructure? I can't say why, but I can guess: The bean-counters told them they couldn't. "What's the use of adding additional server infrastructure -- additional cost -- when it won't be necessary in three weeks?" Because people who watch money know that eventually the newness and the excitement will go away and people will drift away and the current server infrastructure will be able to handle the load, and PWE won't have had to pay for additional servers that they won't need.

So, like most companies, they ixnayed the additional expense, and told IT to handle the problems. These are the same people who fire half the IT department because they're seen as an 'unnecessary expense' -- and then complain bitterly when the network crashes and they can't check the latest news on their iPad 2s. Never mind the fact that they ixnayed the extra wi-fi network infrastructure; it's all IT's fault, because to corporate, IT are a bunch of cable jockeys, not actual technicians or engineers.

Anyway, folks, if you really want to know whose fault it is, it's yours. It's all the people wanting to play NW "because it's free!" It's all the people who aren't patient enough to wait until launch. It's all the people who overloaded the servers, which broke something, and now either they have to perform an emergency fix to make sure it doesn't break again, or they have to perform an emergency fix to update the thing's replacement so it doesn't break like the first thing did. They know darn well that a four hour server downtime during prime time on the west coast is a disaster -- the only reason they're doing it is because they were forced into doing it. If they don't do it now, something else will break and then we'll all be screwed.

Oh, and the whole shebang being connected has some good points -- I don't hear people ******** about how they can use the same chat channels from NW to talk to their friends who play STO.

chaelk · May 2013

flyingfinn wrote: »

Come on guys. After the network testing and Neverwinter coming out of the Beta, CO has better working server tech and other improvements.

Really? I've noticed the game running worse since Nevermind started and I don't mean the crashes.

Unknown · May 2013

This content has been removed.

bwdares · May 2013

jonandre1 wrote: »

The problem wasn't that they failed to plan. The problem is that they couldn't possibly have foreseen the massive amount of interest in Neverwinter. The amount of traffic from the Open Beta not only overloaded the system, it broke something.

They repaired the malfunction, of course, but the problem still remains -- the massive amount of traffic is overloading the network. It's going to require much work to reinforce the network to the point that it can handle the traffic -- or limit the traffic to the point that the load can be handled. (PWE is going to avoid the latter as much as they can, because the latter means login queues -- and login queues drive people away, and they know this.

Why didn't they plan for this? Why didn't they add more server infrastructure? I can't say why, but I can guess: The bean-counters told them they couldn't. "What's the use of adding additional server infrastructure -- additional cost -- when it won't be necessary in three weeks?" Because people who watch money know that eventually the newness and the excitement will go away and people will drift away and the current server infrastructure will be able to handle the load, and PWE won't have had to pay for additional servers that they won't need.

So, like most companies, they ixnayed the additional expense, and told IT to handle the problems. These are the same people who fire half the IT department because they're seen as an 'unnecessary expense' -- and then complain bitterly when the network crashes and they can't check the latest news on their iPad 2s. Never mind the fact that they ixnayed the extra wi-fi network infrastructure; it's all IT's fault, because to corporate, IT are a bunch of cable jockeys, not actual technicians or engineers.

Anyway, folks, if you really want to know whose fault it is, it's yours. It's all the people wanting to play NW "because it's free!" It's all the people who aren't patient enough to wait until launch. It's all the people who overloaded the servers, which broke something, and now either they have to perform an emergency fix to make sure it doesn't break again, or they have to perform an emergency fix to update the thing's replacement so it doesn't break like the first thing did. They know darn well that a four hour server downtime during prime time on the west coast is a disaster -- the only reason they're doing it is because they were forced into doing it. If they don't do it now, something else will break and then we'll all be screwed.

Oh, and the whole shebang being connected has some good points -- I don't hear people ******** about how they can use the same chat channels from NW to talk to their friends who play STO.

Personally I think it is due to their horrible public image. They are not seen as one of the top teir companies anymore and they treat their games like crap.

So not expecting a ton of players is logical for a BETA IMHO.

flyingfinn · May 2013

chaelk wrote: »

Really? I've noticed the game running worse since Nevermind started and I don't mean the crashes.

Sorry, i thought the sarcasm shined thru.

chaelk · May 2013

gradii wrote: »

I got an idea, I am going to start a thread under player to player in the introductions section called introduce some of your more developed heroes, so we can talk about some of our heroes that we did write stories for while we wait for them to finally finish the network maint.
see you there if you are interested. I will name the thread Gradii's Hero discussion thread.

I have between 100 adn 200 word documents. but thats covering about 20 of mine and ten of someone elses.
we email scenarios back and forth, easier than trying to match in game since he's on night shift (US) and I'm on dayshift (Aus)

flyingfinn · May 2013

bwdares wrote: »

Personally I think it is due to their horrible public image. They are not seen as one of the top teir companies anymore and they treat their games like crap.

So not expecting a ton of players is logical for a BETA IMHO.

If the gamecompany itself doesn't have that much trust of it's own product, do they think that players will?
Well, in here we still do.
Some of us.
Little bit.
Every 3rd friday.

Unknown · May 2013

This content has been removed.

Unknown · May 2013

This content has been removed.

bwdares · May 2013

flyingfinn wrote: »

If the gamecompany itself doesn't have that much trust of it's own product, do they think that players will?
Well, in here we still do.
Some of us.
Little bit.
Every 3rd friday.

I WANT to trust them. But sadly there is less and less reason o do so. It is a double edged sword. I am extremely unhappy with the product that is CO. But I have a great player base in my SG, so I keep playing. It is just hard to see this game treated the way it is by a company who doesn't seem to care.

I used to blame only PWE, but looking at the fact that our Executive Producer...do we even have one anymore? does not even try to communicate to us has me placing blame on Cryptic. Minus TT, he is simply to cool for me to blame for anything. (no sarcasim intended)

Unknown · May 2013

This content has been removed.

bluhman · May 2013

Go out and tell our story
Let it echo far and wide
Make them hear you
Make them hear you

How justice was our battle
And how justice was denied
Make them hear you
Make them hear you

And say to those who blame us for the way we chose to fight
That sometimes there are battles that are more than black or white

And I could not put down my sword
When justice was my right
Make them hear you
Make them hear you

My path may lead to heaven or hell
And god will say what's best
But one thing he will never say
Is that I went quietly to my rest

Go out and tell our story
To your daughters and your sons
Make them hear you
Make them hear you

And tell them in our struggle
We wre not the only ones
Make them hear you
Make them hear you

Proclaim it from your pulpit
In your classroom with your pen
Teach every child to raise his voice
And then, my brothers, then

Will justice be demanded
By ten million righteous men?
Make them hear you
When they hear you
I'll be near you
Again.
end despair event horizon.

lighttechbizz · May 2013

neobeethoven wrote: »

Bye.

How did they fail to plan? Specifically, please.

What so many players fail to understand is that hardware fails. There's no way to foresee it, there's little to do to plan for it, you just deal with it as it happens. It is impractical, expensive, and dumb as hell to try to stock up on "spares" for hardware.

Suggesting that Cryptic was not prepared for tens of thousands of people to flock to Neverwinter when it launched its open beta is silly, because why would they ever consider anything less? It's a well-known IP, has a large fan base. Hell, some people will give it a try just because it has the D&D brand stamped on it. Suggesting that Cryptic, a multi-million dollar company with its toes dipped into two OTHER MASSIVE IPs, lacks the foresight to prepare for handling another rush of connections is, at best, lazy.

Oh, and in case you missed it, Neverwinter is down right now, too. So you can stop blaming it for all your woes.

Seriously. All it takes is one fan failing, and suddenly the hardware practically starts to melt. I've seen it happen. There's no way to tell in advance, and the only way to deal is to trace where the problem lies and fix it.

"""How did they fail to plan? Specifically, please.""

well in my world I am a electrician and a portable generator operator if they think they "need" 1200 to 1600 amps for a job --I bring the 3000 amp plant --reason they are ALWAYS wrong --reason !!! because the rich morons in charge don't want to spend cash if they don't have too --and since star trek came on-line with the same issues why would you even think it would not happen twice ??!!!!

and you can "rent" servers for a month and see what happens ?? then add or buy or own instead of just standing there "watching" them meltdown
its always better to go "i better fill the gas tank on this long trip even though I just know that the 5.87 gallons in the tank will get me there (through the big hot dessert)
its better to fill the tank just in-case!!

chaelk · May 2013

but that would be sensible

asktoybox · May 2013

The sad part about this is that even with all the people complaining about how this company runs things, they're doing a stellar job compared to companies like Gamer's First, who run APB Reloaded.

Still, not really happy about losing game time because some OTHER game is having issues. Just because one company runs a bunch of games really doesn't have to mean you host them all on the same servers...

jennymachx · May 2013

Excellent. Not only does CO have to suffer in terms of development for NW's benefit, now the CO players have to be dragged along with its downtime.

This being on a weekend too, where a lot of us have the most gameplay time. Brilliant.

Unknown · May 2013

This content has been removed.

Unknown · May 2013

This content has been removed.

gruff2 · May 2013

jennymachx wrote: »

Excellent. Not only does CO have to suffer in terms of development for NW's benefit, now the CO players have to be dragged along with its downtime.

This being on a weekend too, where a lot of us have the most gameplay time. Brilliant.

I was going to write that but you beat me to it.

Like another poster noted they could have rented servers just for a while just in case.

I understand that this is a business, but in this business pleasing the customer should come first. And pleasing the customer, and making them feel valued is the exact opposite of what is happening right now.

ashiaka · May 2013

Hmmmm, well, it still has server maintenance little box for me, but I was able to log on, in case anyone is still here and doesn't know this.

cybersoldier1981 · May 2013

Well, here's the thing:

On one hand people are saying that the company should have planned for this and Cryptic is failing its customers and loyal fanbase.

On the other, people are saying there's no way they could have anticipated this, and that things will be improved and these things just happen.

It doesn't matter. Look at this situation:

We haven't gotten a damned thing for communication. Unless you're on the facebook page... and let's be honest, I'm certain Trailturtle is being told to do this, but we're sick of reading about Neverwinter and Star Trek on the facebook page.

Cryptic is doing NOTHING to mitigate the disaster their game is becoming. So- true or false, who cares? They don't. It wouldn't matter if we said they were in there doing this to sabotage it on purpose, they aren't coming to explain or reassure.

sistersilicon · May 2013

Remember when I went snapshow in January? And they promised we'd have better communication after that?

We've seen more Neverwinter promotion on Facebook and Caliga jokes on this forum than we've seen meaningful updates on Cryptic's studio-wide outages.

Now where did I put those matches?

gingervitos · May 2013

sistersilicon wrote: »

Remember when I went snapshow in January? And they promised we'd have better communication after that?

We've seen more Neverwinter promotion on Facebook and Caliga jokes on this forum than we've seen meaningful updates on Cryptic's studio-wide outages.

Now where did I put those matches?

The games in bad shape when that life noob is our endgame.

trailturtle · May 2013

gradii wrote: »

I've seen TT around but he was probably afk last time I saw him, Iris was just standing there not moving and she didnt say anything when I said hi.

I've been in Europe since 4/21 -- I've poked my head in the forums, but haven't been in-game or making any substantive posts on the forums or Facebook. I get back in the office 5/6.

typhonus · May 2013

So..those Neverwinter posts on the CO Facebook page wasn't you?

trailturtle · May 2013

typhonus wrote: »

So..those Neverwinter posts on the CO Facebook page wasn't you?

No, wasn't me. I still would have made them, though I would have my own wording.

gamehobo · May 2013

So i decided to log in.

Framerate was horrible and there wasn't even anyone online.

themightyzenith · May 2013

gamehobo wrote: »

...................... there wasn't even anyone online.

We knew you were coming

theravenforce · May 2013

gamehobo wrote: »

So i decided to log in.

Framerate was horrible and there wasn't even anyone online.

Alot of people are poking NWO for some odd reason...Q_Q

So yeah..also RL's annoying especially around this time of year..at least for me...month of psychology exams X_X

Mentella would be proud

bwdares · May 2013

trailturtle wrote: »

I've been in Europe since 4/21 -- I've poked my head in the forums, but haven't been in-game or making any substantive posts on the forums or Facebook. I get back in the office 5/6.

Hope you enjoyed your vacation, sorry you have to comeback to more and more negativity, even if I am part of that negativity

Network Maintenance: 5.4.13

Comments