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A Few Suggestions to Improve Neverwinter
wanderingkyng
Member Posts: 280 Arc User
I love this game! Really. It's tons of fun and I am really enjoying it, but there seem to be a few areas that could use improvement so I wanted to submit some suggestions here even though I realize these forums get very little attention from staff. I feel like these small things would be relatively easy to implement and are pretty much common sense:
1) Chat filters - I should be able to chose which channels I am in. For example, when I'm not looking to buy or sell anything, I should be able to opt out of Trade. When I'm not looking for a group, or group members, I should be able to opt out of Looking for Group. Etc.
2) VTK system tweaks - Unlike most of the whiners, I realize the Vote to Kick system is necessary to make the game playable with a matchmaking system (especially now that they have modified the queues to be less particular about class roles). The real issue is with people who abuse the system. I think a few small modifications, while not fixing all the problems, would solve most of them and be a significant improvement:
- Prevent people from initiating a VTK during combat, and after the final encounter in any dungeon. One of the worst abuses of this system has people being kicked near the end of a boss fight, or at a loot drop, for cruel or greedy reasons.
- Limit the rate of VTK per player. After initiating a VTK, I should have to wait 2 minutes before initiating another. In the scenario where my group is specifically seeking a healer or tank, group members can work together to keep initiating kicks as the cool-down wouldn't affect the whole group just the person initiating a vote. This would, however, prevent certain VTK trolls from spamming VTKs. It would also act as a deterrent for lobby stealing.
- Show the reason. People usually just VTK with the reason "yyy" but I suspect they'd be more encouraged to type out a reason if the person being kicked could see it. I realize this creates an opportunity for trolls to troll, but it also might prevent some frustration. E.g. "You have been removed from the group for the reason: 'need healz'", "You have been removed from the group for the reason: 'getting in a friend'". It also might educate some of the newer players who think that having the minimum gear-score for a queue means you're ready for it. E.g. "You have been removed from the group for the reason: 'not geared enough for Dracolich'".
3) Graphics tuning - I should be able to disable particle effects or tune down some of the graphics to reduce lag, screen bleed, and frame-rate issues during peak play hours or certain graphically intense events. I get that your game is pretty and you want me to marvel at the pretty colors, but sometimes the game performance is abysmal and I'm certain the ability to tune down the graphics would help some players, especially during visually demanding fights like the Heroic Encounters where 30 people gather to cast all sorts of glowy magic and frame-rates usually drop to half a FPS.
4) Loot rolls during combat - Simple. Any items picked up during combat should not pop-up as a loot roll until combat has ended.
1) Chat filters - I should be able to chose which channels I am in. For example, when I'm not looking to buy or sell anything, I should be able to opt out of Trade. When I'm not looking for a group, or group members, I should be able to opt out of Looking for Group. Etc.
2) VTK system tweaks - Unlike most of the whiners, I realize the Vote to Kick system is necessary to make the game playable with a matchmaking system (especially now that they have modified the queues to be less particular about class roles). The real issue is with people who abuse the system. I think a few small modifications, while not fixing all the problems, would solve most of them and be a significant improvement:
- Prevent people from initiating a VTK during combat, and after the final encounter in any dungeon. One of the worst abuses of this system has people being kicked near the end of a boss fight, or at a loot drop, for cruel or greedy reasons.
- Limit the rate of VTK per player. After initiating a VTK, I should have to wait 2 minutes before initiating another. In the scenario where my group is specifically seeking a healer or tank, group members can work together to keep initiating kicks as the cool-down wouldn't affect the whole group just the person initiating a vote. This would, however, prevent certain VTK trolls from spamming VTKs. It would also act as a deterrent for lobby stealing.
- Show the reason. People usually just VTK with the reason "yyy" but I suspect they'd be more encouraged to type out a reason if the person being kicked could see it. I realize this creates an opportunity for trolls to troll, but it also might prevent some frustration. E.g. "You have been removed from the group for the reason: 'need healz'", "You have been removed from the group for the reason: 'getting in a friend'". It also might educate some of the newer players who think that having the minimum gear-score for a queue means you're ready for it. E.g. "You have been removed from the group for the reason: 'not geared enough for Dracolich'".
3) Graphics tuning - I should be able to disable particle effects or tune down some of the graphics to reduce lag, screen bleed, and frame-rate issues during peak play hours or certain graphically intense events. I get that your game is pretty and you want me to marvel at the pretty colors, but sometimes the game performance is abysmal and I'm certain the ability to tune down the graphics would help some players, especially during visually demanding fights like the Heroic Encounters where 30 people gather to cast all sorts of glowy magic and frame-rates usually drop to half a FPS.
4) Loot rolls during combat - Simple. Any items picked up during combat should not pop-up as a loot roll until combat has ended.
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments
I understand in dungeons it's much more beneficial to know what is happening in great detail, but still not 100% necessary.
Loot during combat is just plain annoying and my group will warn twice about it then you get the boot. There is nothing so exciting in a green drop at level 60 you have to have an immediate roll on it before the boss goes down. For that reason alone I am fine with the kick system the way it is. But I run with no less that 2 other friends at all times.
FeelTheBern
For I wish to build a throne.
The chat channels are usually out of control. So many people think that saying the same trash over n over again is fun. Put a timer on messages, not VTK. Make it so you can't press up to copy previous message then instantly post it. Just take the copy previous post feature out. Sure it will be a burden for the real people trying to trade, but it will help with spammers so much. Trolls n spammers are lazy. If they have to type out each message, especially with only using the controller and not the smartglass app, then they will most likely be deterred more often then not.
Instead of changing it so you can't pick up items during combat, why not just change the UI n put the message somewhere that isn't directly in your way to see what your doing. I for one have no idea what the devs were thinking. " ok guys, the UI for the Need/greed window, where should we put it" after several minutes of pondering " lets block their field of view so they can die, wipe, then have to respawn. Maybe some will get kicked, but that's just replayability" " while were at it guys, lets take away the mini map, and add the player just won out of a lockbox message to spam in the middle of the screen as well."
What needs a change, is the UI. The way the clutter these messages in the middle of the screen instead of a small little tab like the heroic encounter rewards is just mental. I don't know about anyone else, but that need/greed window has ruined too many a pug run.
One small correction, my suggestion was not to prevent people from being able to pick up items during combat, it was to delay the roll for items picked up during combat until after combat has ended.
I think the VTK at campfires only idea is another excellent solution to the existing problems with the system, which I agree with you is a necessary evil for matchmaking to work.
FeelTheBern
If someone disconnects and doesnt return in a timely manner the game can replace them.
If you dont like the current make-up of the team than you should leave.
You shouldnt be in matchmaking if you require a certain make-up for the team.
If thats what you want than make your own 5 player team.
Oh sage. Teach me your ways. What happens when your in a t2 with an incompetent healer or tank? The whole group leaves to try n get a better one? Nope. Kick them m replace them.
What about when a tr tries to tank? A player starts pulling mobs that you LITETALLY can not deal with all at once whether they are tough, or too much lag? So we again should remove ourselves so we can try to make up the progress we lost? No sir.
Vote to kick is needed. Just because people think that any 5 classes can do any dungeon doesn't mean they can. And the PC people who say we 5 man all dps t2 dungeons, I imagine their Gs is pretty high.
The problem is the vast majority of vote kicking isnt for any of the reasons you mentioned.
So we should just let this abuse continue because of the rare times there are players like you described?
At the very least the vote kicking system needs to be modified.
It should say on the screen who is initiating the vote kick and the player getting voted on should be able to see this and what everyone votes.
This way you could block the players who voted yes and maybe friend the players who voted no.
Removing anonymous voting might go a long ways toward mellowing things out.
The problem is, most people don't know why they are kicked. Yes, trolls run rampant, and if you look at some of my previous posts I always am pro trying to fix the system. I said make it so you can only VTK at campfires. If people truly are stuck, they will be at a campfire waiting for the right helper. It would eliminate people voting to kick in and after boss battles for sheer loot greed or trolling. And if you hadto be at a campfire to participate in the vote, it would solve the issue of lazy people just voting yes. If they truly wanted to kick, they would have to go out of their way.
If you put who kicked you, that could start all kinds of nonsense. I know in forza off the top of my head, if you were in a lobby and a vote to kick you started, not only could you see, but you could participate in the vote(some players realize when they just should leave). If they made it so the person was aware, and I'm assuming he has a mic(if not I'd kick them) then he could ask why. Or apologize for whatever wrong he did. So maybe they could just let the player know. Like the queue box and say " A vote to kick you has been initiated" and then shoe a reason If text would be applicable, and the number of votes as checks and x's.
Just my ideas I've gathered from reading multiple threads and seeing different ideas thrown out. Both seems like an easy solution the dev could implent (switch VTK so it works like prayer with no cooldown(yes no cooldown or set times you can do it)), but I'm no developer so it could be a huge pain. Cheers.
The only people who think it would even be possible for the game to have matchmaking without VTK either haven't yet reached or just barely reached level 60 or are so bad at playing the game that they get kicked from every group and have never completed a dungeon. It's necessary... maybe not in tier 1 dungeons but in Castle Never and above it would certainly be impossible to use matchmaking without it.
The problem with people like you, I imagine, is you don't realize why you're being kicked so you assume it's arbitrary instead of for good reason. You probably simply don't know any better.
That being said, it definitely is abused and could use some minor adjustments.
FeelTheBern
The current VTK option makes 20% of the population happy while upsetting 80%. A better option, and one that will make 80% of players happy while only upsetting 20%, is the plain old leave group option. If you aren't happy with a group -- YOU leave. After all, if you're voting someone out, chances are YOU are the problem anyway.
FeelTheBern
If we're to believe those numbers you pulled out of your butt, I'd still argue the 20% that are happy are the ones who understand the game and know how to play - because only those who don't understand the game and don't know how to play could possibly think removing VTK is a viable option. The 20%, therefore, are the only players PW should cater to, because they're the lifeblood of the game.
FeelTheBern
You're funny. No, the 20% are the elitist nimrods who think you need a healer and a tank (i.e. the people who don't know how to play). Regardless, the highest profitability is in serving the majority, so PW siding with the 80% is the only option that makes sense. Oh, and for the record, I used 80% and 20% as values because it's typical in probability and cost/benefit analysis. Look up the 80/20 rule for more information.
I find it extremely unlikely you're not simply making up anecdotal evidence to support your point. These examples you give of miraculously clearing this content by popping potions and saying a prayer seem fictional. I can't really argue with lies I mean... you're right. I tested it myself and was able to kill Dracolich with just my 9500 TR and nobody else in the group. Dunno what I was thinking... *sigh*
FeelTheBern
As for the validity of what I'm saying, don't take my word for it. Go watch the videos on YouTube of people doing all the dungeons with only DPS classes. Go look at the numerous posts on the PC forum saying exactly what I'm saying. Go read the posts in the DC and GF class forums (PC) asking if their classes even matter. DCs and GFs can help, sure, but they aren't necessary for success. It's all about add control for boss fights, and CWs do that amazingly well. Single target damage (boss)? TRs, HRs, and GWFs (even SWs) got that covered. AoE? CWs and SWs (not to mention GWFs, who can provide relief with a well-timed knockback of groups of adds) have that covered. The fact remains, most of the time full DPS parties can run all content just fine. The strategies change in full DPS parties, but all content is still very doable. If there are any PC veterans reading this, please chime in.
OOOOOH do you play on PC? You see there are no examples that can be drawn from PC because it's an entirely different game. They have/had more boons, stronger boons (twice as strong), more and better gear/companions/etc. available when they did this content so there is no basis for comparison. They did a lot of re-balancing for the Xbox release. I absolutely believe you that you did this on PC... now please exit the Xbox forums because you're giving out bad information.
FeelTheBern
Initiating a VTK should cost 10k AD. If the vote succeeds unanimously the AD would be refunded. I'm tired of entering dungeons with my one buddy and one or the other of us getting voted out. I was recently in a dungeon where I was playing far better than another SW, who decided to vote me (all other players were moving while the SW had stopped for a few moments, indicating is was that player). My buddy then backed out of the dungeon (after we'd killed the first boss ourselves due to the rest of the team wiping), because we want to play together. It's BS.
Listen, it's okay to admit you're wrong, man. Everyone already knows anyway...
You're right about the loot rolls happening after combat and being able to filter chat windows though. We can agree on that much.
My name is Brandon and I endorse these requests.
This is an excellent method of mitigating the risk of abuse. As a bonus, it's an effective AD sink and would help keep inflation under control.
I have two other thoughts on kicking.
What if it was just possible to fail a dungeon, but still walk away with the consolation prize of what you already earned and maybe a consolation prize pack that your group "finds" on the way out while exiting the back door to escape the too-scary monster? I think the idea that you can't fail these is the problem, and frankly it is too much babying of the players. Maybe the prize pack would have some semi-useful item like a profession or enchantment of decent level for the dungeon, or even unique cosmetics?
Second: what if the devs viewed the party mechanics as more of a challenge, such as a group can sometimes only have either a tank or healer, but not both? Or if there were achievements or specific rewards earned for finishing a dungeon without a character of a certain class? I realize these aren't perfect solutions, but frankly from what I'm reading I may just create 2 characters, level them to 60, and then not really play after that. I like the game, but I'm not going to spend money on it or play it long term if it is so cookie-cutter and cutthroat at the end game. On the other hand, fix this popularity/trolling aspect of kicking and give us zen pricing equal to the pc players and I would like to purchase either the extra race or character slots.
would anyone complain if the AD/Zen cost to kick were given to the kicked player? That way, you did get something for doing the dungeon (I suspect on most dungeon runs a player would be happy with 10k AD or 100 Zen in lieu of any dungeon rewards.)