My biggest concern probably comes from the popular-on-the-forums fact that there isn't enough information going around about the game. I've mentioned NWO to all my RPG friends, and not a single one has been following the game (if there was anything to follow, that is).
Marketing and hype are extremely important to building a good following later, and at this late in the stage of development, Cryptic should be doing a little more so that the name is at least known. There are lots of games that deserve recognition (or at least a play through) but just weren't advertised well enough. On the other hand, take something like the WiiU. Almost nothing, including the system specs, were known about it and the day 1 launch titles were few, but someone in marketing was sure doing their job, as lines formed for hours to attempt to get the brand new system that sold out before it was ever released.
I want to have lots of people playing and creating and stuff for NWO, but knowing is half the battle, right?
I'm not asking for just new info and updates, but I want to know that other people are looking forward to the game, too.
Well hype is a double edged sword. It can be highly beneficial but it can also be detrimental. Cryptic is renowned for making lackluster games, it is known as the factory production line of MMO making which while efficient is not that great of quality. This was even brought up in an interview with the CEO of Cryptic a long time ago when NW was being made as an OMG. On MMORPG.com, initially, was nothing but Cryptic name bashing when it can to threads on Neverwinter just like how many bashed TSW mainly due to it being done by Funcom or AKA Failcom.
However Cryptic is getting their presence known with the awards they've bee getting and people have really turned around. Neverwinter in 3rd or 4th on the hypemeter on MMORPG.com, granted there really isn't a whole lot of exciting games being developed atm. I think Cryptic's approach is right, do demos that will woe the audience even if it means really holding back on information. Once they gear up for hyping then I believe it'll be a beast.
I jut hope that they release some real info soon as I'm tired of nothing about the cleric is released and wish one of the Devs or Cryptic staff would comment on when some real info will be handed out and not the tiresome "soon" phrase that Stormshade likes to chirp.
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ausdoerrtMember, Neverwinter Beta UsersPosts: 0Arc User
edited November 2012
Well, I'm positive the news will explode whenever the Open Beta starts, which hopefully shouldn't be long. It seems reasonable not to show off a product that's far from ready for showtime. Better say too little than too much and be blamed for breaking promises.
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popsook69Member, Neverwinter Beta Users, Neverwinter Hero UsersPosts: 0Arc User
...
I jut hope that they release some real info soon as I'm tired of nothing about the cleric is released and wish one of the Devs or Cryptic staff would comment on when some real info will be handed out and not the tiresome "soon" phrase that Stormshade likes to chirp.
I agree and on a personal note, I am not expecting them to reveal details on the entire game but tidbits of something new every week as Closed Beta approaches, whether that's screenshots, class reveals, other racial traits, etc would be more than satisfactory. I mean we aren't talking about the game being a year away here, assuming what they said about early 2013 release then we are talking months and maybe 5 weeks til closed beta.
Just my opinion but that's what I'd like to see. 1 tidbit of new info per week.
My experience with PWE betas thus far as that they are not provided for player input or bugfixes, it's just a market test to see how much money the cash shop will be drawing in.
If I had to guess, I would say that they are polishing Alpha as much as possible right now and thus delaying Beta, because Cryptic knows that PWE will rush them out of closed and open beta without the ability to make any relevant changes or fixes to the game based on player input.
So right now, yeah, I'm pretty skeptical about it. Zellex might have a point but I'm just too pumped to stay out of Beta. But suggesting that player input can actually make a difference in a PWE beta... well, in my experience, that's just asking for disappointment.
IF I may add this isn't just a PWE issue, I don't think any major company really listens to player input. I think the only company that has really listened to it's player base is Trion.
In my experience betas is not to change things to make players happy but rather to have players test what the companies decide should be and find the bugs and any player beneficial exploits so they can plug those up...
I endeavor to remain positive but deep down I know we are really just blowing smoke.....lol
I've had very positive experiences with Trion, but also with Cryptic when I was beta testing (and then a subscriber for) City of Heroes (yep, that was a long time ago).
The Dev team for COH was pretty responsive, beta was for bug testing (not market testing), and beta testers were rewarded aptly.
Since then obviously Cryptic is now being published by PWE, and I didn't beta test any of Cryptic's newest games, but I HAVE tested some of PWE's newest games... much to my dismay.
So I guess in short I have faith in Cryptic but I'm pretty pessimistic about PWE.
It would help a lot if the devs would show up here every once in a while... as it is we're gleaming info from twitter feeds and chinese and french translations.
The communication has been pretty lackluster... which is usually a terrible sign.
My biggest concern probably comes from the popular-on-the-forums fact that there isn't enough information going around about the game. I've mentioned NWO to all my RPG friends, and not a single one has been following the game (if there was anything to follow, that is).
Marketing and hype are extremely important to building a good following later, and at this late in the stage of development, Cryptic should be doing a little more so that the name is at least known. There are lots of games that deserve recognition (or at least a play through) but just weren't advertised well enough. On the other hand, take something like the WiiU. Almost nothing, including the system specs, were known about it and the day 1 launch titles were few, but someone in marketing was sure doing their job, as lines formed for hours to attempt to get the brand new system that sold out before it was ever released.
I want to have lots of people playing and creating and stuff for NWO, but knowing is half the battle, right?
I'm not asking for just new info and updates, but I want to know that other people are looking forward to the game, too.
Well, if what I mentioned here and this response underlined for emphasis here by me not the OP (also posted in my FAQ) still hold true:
We intend to have a long, multi-stage beta process that will test many aspects of the game. Cryptic has always valued player input, and PWE has given us the time and resources to execute the beta cycle we've always wanted to do. I should also note that the Foundry will have a similar, but somewhat separate beta cycle.
It's certainly not going to be a last-minute marketing-only beta.
BTW, this was before the announced delay in August 2012, so if anybody was wondering why it's not out in November 2012 if it's suggested there, this is why.
Well hype is a double edged sword. It can be highly beneficial but it can also be detrimental. Cryptic is renowned for making lackluster games, it is known as the factory production line of MMO making which while efficient is not that great of quality. This was even brought up in an interview with the CEO of Cryptic a long time ago when NW was being made as an OMG. On MMORPG.com, initially, was nothing but Cryptic name bashing when it can to threads on Neverwinter just like how many bashed TSW mainly due to it being done by Funcom or AKA Failcom.
However Cryptic is getting their presence known with the awards they've bee getting and people have really turned around. Neverwinter in 3rd or 4th on the hypemeter on MMORPG.com, granted there really isn't a whole lot of exciting games being developed atm. I think Cryptic's approach is right, do demos that will woe the audience even if it means really holding back on information. Once they gear up for hyping then I believe it'll be a beast.
I jut hope that they release some real info soon as I'm tired of nothing about the cleric is released and wish one of the Devs or Cryptic staff would comment on when some real info will be handed out and not the tiresome "soon" phrase that Stormshade likes to chirp.
Long story short: it's Atari that caused this and respectfully, they deserve 99% of the blame for this if you look historically at multiple publishers branded under them (Including those for DDO and AoC) for proof this is how they handled all their games for years.
But image is everything and Cryptic still has to "dig itself out of this hole" for how it looks. Neverwinter is that chance, and better right than quick when it has so much riding on it for its "comeback" as well as "fighting PWE negative views" (including the alleged "lockbox only change" from end of beta to live for RaiderZ.)
I agree and on a personal note, I am not expecting them to reveal details on the entire game but tidbits of something new every week as Closed Beta approaches, whether that's screenshots, class reveals, other racial traits, etc would be more than satisfactory. I mean we aren't talking about the game being a year away here, assuming what they said about early 2013 release then we are talking months and maybe 5 weeks til closed beta.
Just my opinion but that's what I'd like to see. 1 tidbit of new info per week.
yoooo joe!!!!!!
And knowing is half the...
I mean, I'll bring this thread up with my go-betweens ask if some Cryptic/PWE people could poke their heads in and say something here as well as a tiny winy bit more on the site about release stuff. No promises, but know I asked.
Edit: The Drow Racial Features are out as this Cryptic Forum Link shows! But abilities have not up updated on the Race FAQ yet...
I just think it's kind of silly that the chinese site has more up to date information than this one.
Where exactly is this game being made?
Perfect World Entertainment is the North American Subsidary of Perfect World China, the latter of which explains why their homeland site would naturally be more robust and eye-captivating. As well, they have a different audience to reach out to as well as must meet any set standards to attract and maintain sponsors, share holders and other investors. What works in one Country, for various reasons, may not work or be well suited for another Country, when dealing with the economy and gaming merchandise and promotion there-of.
There really isn't a whole lot more on the China site, just a few tidbits here and there. As well, their site lacks some info we have here also. The China site is just more flashy and things stand out better there.
....
I mean, I'll bring this thread up with my go-betweens ask if some Cryptic/PWE people could poke their heads in and say something here as well as a tiny winy bit more on the site about release stuff. No promises, but know I asked.
Edit: The Drow Racial Features are out as this Cryptic Forum Link shows! But abilities have not up updated on the Race FAQ yet...
Sweet!!... and double sweet on the new info!!! I'm satisfied for the week.
Ive played them both, Im not worried at all, I thikn fantasy looks awesome in Cryptic's engine, definitely gonna check this out. I just hope this comes before ELder Scroll Online. 20 euros a month is really fine by me. Not to mention this is gonna be in Steam and Perfect World is a quite big player, there should be plenty of player too.
Sad part it will take months till we get actually new info. If we're not lucky it's be a video of foundry info we know.
Wow, failed perception check anybody? They had just posted a whole bunch of new answers and the Drow racial info last week. But don't take my word for it, go to that little thing called Dev Tracker
My real worry is the fact it's based on 4th edition. The video for the control wizard said one of the better low level crowd control spells is a daily ability. How do they define 'daily'? Is it in-game day? Real World day? Once per dungeon? Do you have to hang out in a tavern to refresh them like originally happened in DDO with 'per day' abilities such as paladin Smite Evil? Are there safe points in dungeon where you can rest to recover them? The whole idea of having once per 'day' things isn't new. But doing so with critical things like your "Control Wizard" crowd control spells sounds... bad.
Yeah, I know in 3.5 D&D (and earlier editions) wizards have limits in how often they can cast spells of any given tier. That's game balance there. While in PnP 3.5 a high level wizard can be truly beastly in a fight, they can't do so very often. In 2nd edition AD&D a high level spell duel might take days or weeks to recover from for a wizard. That works in Pencil and Paper games. In a video game however it doesn't work quite as well. Hence why DDO 'house ruled' spell points in with memorized spells being what you can chose to spend those spell points on. Thus making DDO wizards kinda like sorcerers in a way.
Who ever heard of Eleminster only being able to throw ONE fireball per fight or per day anyway?
Sorry for the slight rant.
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ranncoreMember, Moderators, Neverwinter Beta Users, Neverwinter Knight of the Feywild UsersPosts: 2,508
edited December 2012
almost all of your questions are answered in the FAQ.
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quorforgedMember, Neverwinter Beta UsersPosts: 0Arc User
My real worry is the fact it's based on 4th edition. The video for the control wizard said one of the better low level crowd control spells is a daily ability. How do they define 'daily'? Is it in-game day? Real World day? Once per dungeon? Do you have to hang out in a tavern to refresh them like originally happened in DDO with 'per day' abilities such as paladin Smite Evil? Are there safe points in dungeon where you can rest to recover them? The whole idea of having once per 'day' things isn't new. But doing so with critical things like your "Control Wizard" crowd control spells sounds... bad.
"Daily" in Neverwinter is actually a charge-up ability. We don't have specifics, but they've said that you fill up a meter when you do certain class-based things, and when it fills up, you can use your Daily. So how often you can use it depends on how you play your character.
Now, as for the Wizard, they get a pretty solid looking control ability as an at will (ray of frost, which can immobilize a target). I'm sure there will also be Encounter control stuff as well (which have a short cooldown). 4E Wizards certainly have useful Encounter control powers.
Overall, it looks like there aren't actually any "rest" based mechanics. Which is, I think, for the best. Rests just aren't a very good way to balance at-will abilities with limited-use abilities. Even DDO has been moving away from basing every thing on rests (more and more SP recovery, recharging clicky abilities, etc.)
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zebularMember, Neverwinter Moderator, NW M9 PlaytestPosts: 15,270Community Moderator
edited December 2012
It's been said flat out that while the game is "technically 4th edition" that it does not follow 4th edition strictly that they use 4th edition more as inspiration for Neverwinter's Ruleset. So, in essence, NWO will be it's own version of 4th edition, e.g. "4.NWO Ruleset."
It's been said flat out that while the game is "technically 4th edition" that it does not follow 4th edition strictly that they use 4th edition more as inspiration for Neverwinter's Ruleset. So, in essence, NWO will be it's own version of 4th edition, e.g. "4.NWO Ruleset."
Even though 4E is by far my favorite edition of D&D, I'm glad they are doing this. The realities of MMO video game and PnP game design are just plain different. I think DDO could have avoided a lot of problems if they hadn't held themselves so tightly to the 3.5 ruleset in the first place.
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iamtruthseekerMember, Moonstars, Neverwinter Beta UsersPosts: 0Arc User
edited December 2012
It's been made clear we swap spells out at "campfires" (those fires with the blue spiral around it in videos) as well as heal. Powers are influenced from 4E not literal translations. As said earlier, "Dailies" are used with an action point system where doing class-related things fills your meter and allows you to activate the "Daily" powers when full. Wizards cast spells, rogues sneak attack, fighters attack and defend, and clerics attack and heal (we think since nobody has seen video on the cleric yet.) That's all we know.
Of course, all the daily info is in my FAQ link in my banner.
Glad to hear that. It clears up my biggest worry. The whole 4th edition ability rules was one of the major reasons I didn't like it. That, and the fact the core books felt like they were insulting my intelligence. The idea of a spell you can only cast once per dungeon but is core to what you're suppose to be doing was a bit alarming. I'm actually more excited now!
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iamtruthseekerMember, Moonstars, Neverwinter Beta UsersPosts: 0Arc User
Glad to hear that. It clears up my biggest worry. The whole 4th edition ability rules was one of the major reasons I didn't like it. That, and the fact the core books felt like they were insulting my intelligence. The idea of a spell you can only cast once per dungeon but is core to what you're suppose to be doing was a bit alarming. I'm actually more excited now!
Actually 4E tabletop is a Daily power takes time to recharge due to the strain on the user after activating it, which is why an extended rest is needed.
It worked the same as Vancian Magic so it had nothing to do with insulted intelligence. Why do you need to rest to rememorize earlier edition spells instead of just sitting down and spending a few minutes again? Because the body needs time to recharge from casting spells. Same is true with 4E daily powers. I'm not saying you have to like it, but just how it works is the same as the old magic system.
If you guys just watched and read the interviews available all your worries about paying wouldn't be necessary as they explain the only things they are selling in the cash shop is cosmetics and utility and nothing that gives you advantage over other players, also they have said nothing is going to be restricted to paying players everything will be available free to play.
Pretty much this, Jack Emmert was pretty adamant at last years Gencon that we will never pay for content or power.
Actually 4E tabletop is a Daily power takes time to recharge due to the strain on the user after activating it, which is why an extended rest is needed.
That wasn't how it made me feel like Wizards of the Coast was insulting me. It was other things, like describing dwarves more along the line of Disney's snow white and the seven dwarves when D&D had always been based to an extent on folk lore. Or the player's guide with it's descriptions of humans. While it might have been intended as a joke, "You should know how to play one, you are human" felt more like an insult to me and my friends. The description ignored the differences between modern society and a feudal society. Never mind the different geo-political mindsets involved, or how different a person in the 7th century would think about things from someone in the 21st century. Completely ignore the fact there's other sentient races with their own cultures.
Speaking of which, what about human cultures? Depending on era and location that's vastly different. Social moors in Europe around 400 ad were different then the same social moors in Africa or Asia in the same time period. Even within a general area such as Europe society was different depending on where you were. France had a far different culture then England, which was subtly different then Scotland or Ireland, which were different in turn from Transylvania. Hell, even life between peasants and the nobility was frequently drastically different.
I enjoy learning about cultures from the past. One of my favorite books deals with life within a castle from the servants point of view. Reading it brought up things which I might never have considered before. Previous editions didn't go into great detail, but still gave some explanation into typical culture and society. So having a blanket "You know how to play a human, you are one" was an insult to me.
Again, sorry for the rant. Nothing against you or anyone else. Well, maybe the writers of 4th edition but that's a whole other ball of wax.
Pretty much this, Jack Emmert was pretty adamant at last years Gencon that we will never pay for content or power.
I believe that we won't pay for content. Cryptic has kept their word on that without fail in Star Trek Online. As far as not paying for power, on the other hand... I'll believe it when I see it. The official party line in STO is still that there is no paying for power, and when STO launched, it was with the same exact promise: cosmetic and convenience only. But dozens of item types are cash only, the entire top tier of ships is ONLY available through the cash shops or lockboxes, and there are even items and ships that can be upgraded... only by buying improvements through the cash shops. I hope that that doesn't come to Neverwinter, I really do. But I don't trust Cryptic on this one, not for a second.
I believe that we won't pay for content. Cryptic has kept their word on that without fail in Star Trek Online. As far as not paying for power, on the other hand... I'll believe it when I see it. The official party line in STO is still that there is no paying for power, and when STO launched, it was with the same exact promise: cosmetic and convenience only. But dozens of item types are cash only, the entire top tier of ships is ONLY available through the cash shops or lockboxes, and there are even items and ships that can be upgraded... only by buying improvements through the cash shops. I hope that that doesn't come to Neverwinter, I really do. But I don't trust Cryptic on this one, not for a second.
Doesn't STO also have a system where you can buy cash shop currency for use in-game via in-game earned currency? Could swear before I stopped playing I sold in-game earned resources for cash shop currency that could only be used in STO. Wish that CO allowed you to buy perma access to freeform builds though. It's not fun enough to pay monthly for. And I can't afford a lifetime sub. But the various premade archtypes to me are a bit bland.
I believe that we won't pay for content. Cryptic has kept their word on that without fail in Star Trek Online. As far as not paying for power, on the other hand... I'll believe it when I see it. The official party line in STO is still that there is no paying for power, and when STO launched, it was with the same exact promise: cosmetic and convenience only. But dozens of item types are cash only, the entire top tier of ships is ONLY available through the cash shops or lockboxes, and there are even items and ships that can be upgraded... only by buying improvements through the cash shops. I hope that that doesn't come to Neverwinter, I really do. But I don't trust Cryptic on this one, not for a second.
This has been argued into the ground...as I told Andre ages ago there is always going to be someone screaming pay2win no matter what cryptic offers. I fully expect these forums to be lit up with the same Anikinesque whining.
Doesn't STO also have a system where you can buy cash shop currency for use in-game via in-game earned currency? Could swear before I stopped playing I sold in-game earned resources for cash shop currency that could only be used in STO. Wish that CO allowed you to buy perma access to freeform builds though. It's not fun enough to pay monthly for. And I can't afford a lifetime sub. But the various premade archtypes to me are a bit bland.
CO allows you to buy a freeform character slot (unfortunately, not a conversion of an existing character to freeform) for 5000 zen. Both CO and STO have an ingame currency (questionite and dilithium, respectively) that can be traded to other players for zen that those other players purchased.
CO allows you to buy a freeform character slot (unfortunately, not a conversion of an existing character to freeform) for 5000 zen. Both CO and STO have an ingame currency (questionite and dilithium, respectively) that can be traded to other players for zen that those other players purchased.
Thus negating the 'it's pay to win' argument. If one can acquire the cash shop currency via in-game earned actions (even if it's a horrible exchange rate) then one can accurately argue that the cash shop having stuff with actual stats on it isn't 'pay to win'. You can get the same stuff via work in-game. DDO lets you earn cash shop currency via running quests. It's slow and tedious , but you could get everything in the cash shop for free. Same with STO, not that I play it anymore.
Huh, CO added something like that too? Nice. Might have to go questing in that. I've got a few freeform characters I REALLY like. Including a kick butt gadgetry char I can't play since I can't have play freeform char. The blocking of freeform character was a big reason I stopped playing CO. That, and I refuse to spend money on Perfect World's cash shop currency. In part cause it seems like too many hoops to jump through.
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quorforgedMember, Neverwinter Beta UsersPosts: 0Arc User
Thus negating the 'it's pay to win' argument. If one can acquire the cash shop currency via in-game earned actions (even if it's a horrible exchange rate) then one can accurately argue that the cash shop having stuff with actual stats on it isn't 'pay to win'.
No it doesn't. Selling power for real money is pay to win, period. The only question then is how much of an impact the pay to win has on gameplay. Selling basic lowbie gear, for example, is still technically pay to win, but not really a big deal. The availability of items in-game only changes how much or little pay-to-win undermines the game. It doesn't make it not pay-to-win.
If STO is their idea of not selling power, and Neverwinter follows suit, then Neverwinter will be blatantly a pay to win game.
And no, stormdragon, there are plenty of things they could sell that would not be pay to win. Cosmetics, content, classes (provided they are balanced with free ones), and true convenience (fast overland travel, more character slots; XP boosters are borderline).
No it doesn't. Selling power for real money is pay to win, period. The only question then is how much of an impact the pay to win has on gameplay. Selling basic lowbie gear, for example, is still technically pay to win, but not really a big deal. The availability of items in-game only changes how much or little pay-to-win undermines the game. It doesn't make it not pay-to-win.
If STO is their idea of not selling power, and Neverwinter follows suit, then Neverwinter will be blatantly a pay to win game.
And no, stormdragon, there are plenty of things they could sell that would not be pay to win. Cosmetics, content, classes (provided they are balanced with free ones), and true convenience (fast overland travel, more character slots; XP boosters are borderline).
This argument holds more water when you MUST pay via real world money instead of time spent playing. If a system is in place to allow player A to get items from the cash shop via spending hours and hours playing instead of spending money, while player B spends the money instead of spending the hours playing... to me it all evens out. Oh sure, grinding the in-game resource is a pain in the bum in STO and Champions (just spent several hours doing that in Champions). But you need never hand money over to the company in either game.
Granted, SOMEONE bought the zen your trading in-game resources for. But that person felt spending money to get in-game resources was a valuable trade. And others obviously feel spending in-game resources to get money is an equally good trade. The question then becomes "What is more valuable to you, time spent playing or money spent" In CO it seems the current exchange is about 200 questtite (or whatever) for one zen. So then, how fast can you earn the resource? And are you willing to grind it out to get enough zen for what you want?
Your idea of "pay to win" with such a system then becomes "Pay OR Play to win". Course that also assumes that items from the cash shop will ensure your victory.
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k44mosMember, Neverwinter Beta UsersPosts: 0Arc User
edited December 2012
Most of the things you lined are ok to be set into a shop.
If it does not at all influence the power scale/balance between the players as in more survivability/damage output, I think it's fine.
As you have stated, cosmetics and others like that would be more than fine.
For the content part, give me the option of unlocking all the game through hard work and dedication if you ever plan of placing any important content in the shop.
Cash:
- cosmetics - suits, dyes, pets? (would be fun to have a Boo) etc.
- boosters (XP?! - that boosts "non-intrusive" stats (does not frack up the balance)
- regions/instances
- classes
- races
Special currency you earn ing whilst actually playing the game:
- regions/instances
- classes
- races
Give the opportunity to players to unlock important content through playing whilst also giving the option of a quick-buy and everybody will be happy with that.
You should only be able to buy only with cash those things that have absolutely no impact on the game at all or limit it or its fun.
Comments
Well hype is a double edged sword. It can be highly beneficial but it can also be detrimental. Cryptic is renowned for making lackluster games, it is known as the factory production line of MMO making which while efficient is not that great of quality. This was even brought up in an interview with the CEO of Cryptic a long time ago when NW was being made as an OMG. On MMORPG.com, initially, was nothing but Cryptic name bashing when it can to threads on Neverwinter just like how many bashed TSW mainly due to it being done by Funcom or AKA Failcom.
However Cryptic is getting their presence known with the awards they've bee getting and people have really turned around. Neverwinter in 3rd or 4th on the hypemeter on MMORPG.com, granted there really isn't a whole lot of exciting games being developed atm. I think Cryptic's approach is right, do demos that will woe the audience even if it means really holding back on information. Once they gear up for hyping then I believe it'll be a beast.
I jut hope that they release some real info soon as I'm tired of nothing about the cleric is released and wish one of the Devs or Cryptic staff would comment on when some real info will be handed out and not the tiresome "soon" phrase that Stormshade likes to chirp.
I agree and on a personal note, I am not expecting them to reveal details on the entire game but tidbits of something new every week as Closed Beta approaches, whether that's screenshots, class reveals, other racial traits, etc would be more than satisfactory. I mean we aren't talking about the game being a year away here, assuming what they said about early 2013 release then we are talking months and maybe 5 weeks til closed beta.
Just my opinion but that's what I'd like to see. 1 tidbit of new info per week.
yoooo joe!!!!!!
Well, if what I mentioned here and this response underlined for emphasis here by me not the OP (also posted in my FAQ) still hold true:
BTW, this was before the announced delay in August 2012, so if anybody was wondering why it's not out in November 2012 if it's suggested there, this is why.
Long story short: it's Atari that caused this and respectfully, they deserve 99% of the blame for this if you look historically at multiple publishers branded under them (Including those for DDO and AoC) for proof this is how they handled all their games for years.
But image is everything and Cryptic still has to "dig itself out of this hole" for how it looks. Neverwinter is that chance, and better right than quick when it has so much riding on it for its "comeback" as well as "fighting PWE negative views" (including the alleged "lockbox only change" from end of beta to live for RaiderZ.)
And knowing is half the...
I mean, I'll bring this thread up with my go-betweens ask if some Cryptic/PWE people could poke their heads in and say something here as well as a tiny winy bit more on the site about release stuff. No promises, but know I asked.
Edit: The Drow Racial Features are out as this Cryptic Forum Link shows! But abilities have not up updated on the Race FAQ yet...
Where exactly is this game being made?
There really isn't a whole lot more on the China site, just a few tidbits here and there. As well, their site lacks some info we have here also. The China site is just more flashy and things stand out better there.
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Sweet!!... and double sweet on the new info!!! I'm satisfied for the week.
Sad part it will take months till we get actually new info. If we're not lucky it's be a video of foundry info we know.
Wow, failed perception check anybody? They had just posted a whole bunch of new answers and the Drow racial info last week. But don't take my word for it, go to that little thing called Dev Tracker
Everything. Indirectly. So don't worry.
but I play one on the forums...
:P
Yeah, I know in 3.5 D&D (and earlier editions) wizards have limits in how often they can cast spells of any given tier. That's game balance there. While in PnP 3.5 a high level wizard can be truly beastly in a fight, they can't do so very often. In 2nd edition AD&D a high level spell duel might take days or weeks to recover from for a wizard. That works in Pencil and Paper games. In a video game however it doesn't work quite as well. Hence why DDO 'house ruled' spell points in with memorized spells being what you can chose to spend those spell points on. Thus making DDO wizards kinda like sorcerers in a way.
Who ever heard of Eleminster only being able to throw ONE fireball per fight or per day anyway?
Sorry for the slight rant.
"Daily" in Neverwinter is actually a charge-up ability. We don't have specifics, but they've said that you fill up a meter when you do certain class-based things, and when it fills up, you can use your Daily. So how often you can use it depends on how you play your character.
Now, as for the Wizard, they get a pretty solid looking control ability as an at will (ray of frost, which can immobilize a target). I'm sure there will also be Encounter control stuff as well (which have a short cooldown). 4E Wizards certainly have useful Encounter control powers.
Overall, it looks like there aren't actually any "rest" based mechanics. Which is, I think, for the best. Rests just aren't a very good way to balance at-will abilities with limited-use abilities. Even DDO has been moving away from basing every thing on rests (more and more SP recovery, recharging clicky abilities, etc.)
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Even though 4E is by far my favorite edition of D&D, I'm glad they are doing this. The realities of MMO video game and PnP game design are just plain different. I think DDO could have avoided a lot of problems if they hadn't held themselves so tightly to the 3.5 ruleset in the first place.
Of course, all the daily info is in my FAQ link in my banner.
Actually 4E tabletop is a Daily power takes time to recharge due to the strain on the user after activating it, which is why an extended rest is needed.
It worked the same as Vancian Magic so it had nothing to do with insulted intelligence. Why do you need to rest to rememorize earlier edition spells instead of just sitting down and spending a few minutes again? Because the body needs time to recharge from casting spells. Same is true with 4E daily powers. I'm not saying you have to like it, but just how it works is the same as the old magic system.
Pretty much this, Jack Emmert was pretty adamant at last years Gencon that we will never pay for content or power.
That wasn't how it made me feel like Wizards of the Coast was insulting me. It was other things, like describing dwarves more along the line of Disney's snow white and the seven dwarves when D&D had always been based to an extent on folk lore. Or the player's guide with it's descriptions of humans. While it might have been intended as a joke, "You should know how to play one, you are human" felt more like an insult to me and my friends. The description ignored the differences between modern society and a feudal society. Never mind the different geo-political mindsets involved, or how different a person in the 7th century would think about things from someone in the 21st century. Completely ignore the fact there's other sentient races with their own cultures.
Speaking of which, what about human cultures? Depending on era and location that's vastly different. Social moors in Europe around 400 ad were different then the same social moors in Africa or Asia in the same time period. Even within a general area such as Europe society was different depending on where you were. France had a far different culture then England, which was subtly different then Scotland or Ireland, which were different in turn from Transylvania. Hell, even life between peasants and the nobility was frequently drastically different.
I enjoy learning about cultures from the past. One of my favorite books deals with life within a castle from the servants point of view. Reading it brought up things which I might never have considered before. Previous editions didn't go into great detail, but still gave some explanation into typical culture and society. So having a blanket "You know how to play a human, you are one" was an insult to me.
Again, sorry for the rant. Nothing against you or anyone else. Well, maybe the writers of 4th edition but that's a whole other ball of wax.
I believe that we won't pay for content. Cryptic has kept their word on that without fail in Star Trek Online. As far as not paying for power, on the other hand... I'll believe it when I see it. The official party line in STO is still that there is no paying for power, and when STO launched, it was with the same exact promise: cosmetic and convenience only. But dozens of item types are cash only, the entire top tier of ships is ONLY available through the cash shops or lockboxes, and there are even items and ships that can be upgraded... only by buying improvements through the cash shops. I hope that that doesn't come to Neverwinter, I really do. But I don't trust Cryptic on this one, not for a second.
Doesn't STO also have a system where you can buy cash shop currency for use in-game via in-game earned currency? Could swear before I stopped playing I sold in-game earned resources for cash shop currency that could only be used in STO. Wish that CO allowed you to buy perma access to freeform builds though. It's not fun enough to pay monthly for. And I can't afford a lifetime sub. But the various premade archtypes to me are a bit bland.
This has been argued into the ground...as I told Andre ages ago there is always going to be someone screaming pay2win no matter what cryptic offers. I fully expect these forums to be lit up with the same Anikinesque whining.
CO allows you to buy a freeform character slot (unfortunately, not a conversion of an existing character to freeform) for 5000 zen. Both CO and STO have an ingame currency (questionite and dilithium, respectively) that can be traded to other players for zen that those other players purchased.
Thus negating the 'it's pay to win' argument. If one can acquire the cash shop currency via in-game earned actions (even if it's a horrible exchange rate) then one can accurately argue that the cash shop having stuff with actual stats on it isn't 'pay to win'. You can get the same stuff via work in-game. DDO lets you earn cash shop currency via running quests. It's slow and tedious , but you could get everything in the cash shop for free. Same with STO, not that I play it anymore.
Huh, CO added something like that too? Nice. Might have to go questing in that. I've got a few freeform characters I REALLY like. Including a kick butt gadgetry char I can't play since I can't have play freeform char. The blocking of freeform character was a big reason I stopped playing CO. That, and I refuse to spend money on Perfect World's cash shop currency. In part cause it seems like too many hoops to jump through.
No it doesn't. Selling power for real money is pay to win, period. The only question then is how much of an impact the pay to win has on gameplay. Selling basic lowbie gear, for example, is still technically pay to win, but not really a big deal. The availability of items in-game only changes how much or little pay-to-win undermines the game. It doesn't make it not pay-to-win.
If STO is their idea of not selling power, and Neverwinter follows suit, then Neverwinter will be blatantly a pay to win game.
And no, stormdragon, there are plenty of things they could sell that would not be pay to win. Cosmetics, content, classes (provided they are balanced with free ones), and true convenience (fast overland travel, more character slots; XP boosters are borderline).
This argument holds more water when you MUST pay via real world money instead of time spent playing. If a system is in place to allow player A to get items from the cash shop via spending hours and hours playing instead of spending money, while player B spends the money instead of spending the hours playing... to me it all evens out. Oh sure, grinding the in-game resource is a pain in the bum in STO and Champions (just spent several hours doing that in Champions). But you need never hand money over to the company in either game.
Granted, SOMEONE bought the zen your trading in-game resources for. But that person felt spending money to get in-game resources was a valuable trade. And others obviously feel spending in-game resources to get money is an equally good trade. The question then becomes "What is more valuable to you, time spent playing or money spent" In CO it seems the current exchange is about 200 questtite (or whatever) for one zen. So then, how fast can you earn the resource? And are you willing to grind it out to get enough zen for what you want?
Your idea of "pay to win" with such a system then becomes "Pay OR Play to win". Course that also assumes that items from the cash shop will ensure your victory.
If it does not at all influence the power scale/balance between the players as in more survivability/damage output, I think it's fine.
As you have stated, cosmetics and others like that would be more than fine.
For the content part, give me the option of unlocking all the game through hard work and dedication if you ever plan of placing any important content in the shop.
Cash:
- cosmetics - suits, dyes, pets? (would be fun to have a Boo) etc.
- boosters (XP?! - that boosts "non-intrusive" stats (does not frack up the balance)
- regions/instances
- classes
- races
Special currency you earn ing whilst actually playing the game:
- regions/instances
- classes
- races
Give the opportunity to players to unlock important content through playing whilst also giving the option of a quick-buy and everybody will be happy with that.
You should only be able to buy only with cash those things that have absolutely no impact on the game at all or limit it or its fun.