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lanessar13
Member, Neverwinter Beta Users, Neverwinter Guardian Users, Silverstars Posts: 8 Arc User
Today, I got an email. Pretty simple and standard spiel. I've gotten two others like it, offering little goodies if I return.
Spoiler: I've ignored them all.
This one, though, got my attention. And since the marketing department is trying so hard to get me back, I figured I would respond, so the developers could read it.
It read as follows:
I wanted to address this directly, and hopefully get the attention of a developer. I don't hate the game, I don't think that feature XYZ missing has got me all b*tthurt.
But free levels?
And free epic item?
Really? This is what motivates players? I feel like I'm reading an email from a used car dealership.
I really want to come back.
In fact, I supported the game from the re-launch of the website, and followed it. I've done alpha, beta, heck, even Charlie and Fred testing on the game. I've given feedback, posted my issues, and you know what?
There is one thing which made me drop this game and move on. Only one thing. And honestly, I think that one thing is what is lowering your player base, lessening the login numbers, and why people moved on (not everyone, but quite a few of my friends).
The whole "player base" thing is sort of assumed.
Maybe I'm just paranoid.
It's just I've never been offered free levels and an epic item to return to any game before. I've played most of them. (read: I'm a functioning addict - well, barely functioning)
All right, back to the one thing: It is the one thing which killed the longevity of the game for me, personally.
And I'm pretty sure it's increased the workload for the devs to create more content.
And if you handled that one thing (rather than pushing out loads of modules and races - which are nice, but don't add longevity, really), I'd be back the day I get the email that said it was patched. Heck, I'd probably help you on the test server with it.
Aside from more classes.
Because, you really need more classes.
I mean, really need classes.
In fact, I think that was 9/10 feedback posts in the BWE tests from the public testers.
I digress. Back to the "one thing":
You've deviated from your mission statement on the one point of the game that gave it longevity.
I'll refresh your memory. You can watch this link to the GDC where you describe UGC or I'll summarize the screen:
The verbal portion of the video from the Executive Producer says:
If Foundry content were a viable alternative advancement path, equal in rewards to "official content", I'd return.
I'd always have stuff to do. Without killing the same darn four orcs, over and over and over again.
I'm really tired of that guy with the spear. I'm sure he's tired, too. He should get a week off, don't you think?
And even at top level, if there were alternative pve rewards to tiered raiding content, all you would have to do is add races, classes and features.
Because the new content would be made by some awesome UGC guys.
Hint: You have some awesome UGC guys. They even make dev content look boring.
In summary, if you want players to return (well, me specifically):
I'll be back when I see that announcement. Until then, good luck.
Spoiler: I've ignored them all.
This one, though, got my attention. And since the marketing department is trying so hard to get me back, I figured I would respond, so the developers could read it.
It read as follows:
Free levels in Neverwinter!
Come back now!
Redeem the key below for FREE items from the Rewards Claims Agent in Protector's Enclave:
[XXXX-HAMSTER-XXXX]
*Two Free Instant Levels
*Random Epic Weapon *Greater Stone of Health
I wanted to address this directly, and hopefully get the attention of a developer. I don't hate the game, I don't think that feature XYZ missing has got me all b*tthurt.
But free levels?
And free epic item?
Really? This is what motivates players? I feel like I'm reading an email from a used car dealership.
I really want to come back.
In fact, I supported the game from the re-launch of the website, and followed it. I've done alpha, beta, heck, even Charlie and Fred testing on the game. I've given feedback, posted my issues, and you know what?
There is one thing which made me drop this game and move on. Only one thing. And honestly, I think that one thing is what is lowering your player base, lessening the login numbers, and why people moved on (not everyone, but quite a few of my friends).
The whole "player base" thing is sort of assumed.
Maybe I'm just paranoid.
It's just I've never been offered free levels and an epic item to return to any game before. I've played most of them. (read: I'm a functioning addict - well, barely functioning)
All right, back to the one thing: It is the one thing which killed the longevity of the game for me, personally.
And I'm pretty sure it's increased the workload for the devs to create more content.
And if you handled that one thing (rather than pushing out loads of modules and races - which are nice, but don't add longevity, really), I'd be back the day I get the email that said it was patched. Heck, I'd probably help you on the test server with it.
Aside from more classes.
Because, you really need more classes.
I mean, really need classes.
In fact, I think that was 9/10 feedback posts in the BWE tests from the public testers.
I digress. Back to the "one thing":
You've deviated from your mission statement on the one point of the game that gave it longevity.
I'll refresh your memory. You can watch this link to the GDC where you describe UGC or I'll summarize the screen:
UGC Rewards
- Reward the players in the same manner as core quest content.
XP, items, gold, everything....
- A daily mission where UGC rewards are increased
- Regular event where UGC rewards are increased
The verbal portion of the video from the Executive Producer says:
Make sure you're rewarding the players in the same way that other quests reward the players. Make sure that you keep an eye out for exploits and you stop them without harming the normal player.
If Foundry content were a viable alternative advancement path, equal in rewards to "official content", I'd return.
I'd always have stuff to do. Without killing the same darn four orcs, over and over and over again.
I'm really tired of that guy with the spear. I'm sure he's tired, too. He should get a week off, don't you think?
And even at top level, if there were alternative pve rewards to tiered raiding content, all you would have to do is add races, classes and features.
Because the new content would be made by some awesome UGC guys.
Hint: You have some awesome UGC guys. They even make dev content look boring.
In summary, if you want players to return (well, me specifically):
- Restore non-exploitive item and XP rewards for doing UGC content (viable alternative to quest leveling).
- Add the option to make group or PvP content for the UGC creators.
- Allow UGC to be a viable end-game progression alternative.
I'll be back when I see that announcement. Until then, good luck.
Post edited by lanessar13 on
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I got the email, used the code, and nothing. Don't get asked to claim them, no in game mail or anything.
Check the rewards vendor. They don't always hook up in-game mail for things in the rewards vendor.
Edit- Nvm found him.
He's on the north-west side of Protector's Enclave. There should be an icon on your map for him.
Oh yeah! In the game where you can gain 1 level a week just by Invoking, let's give out 2 free levels, lol.
level up to 58, redeem code, BAM, best use ever!
Awesome.
I expected to be able to respec my class without having to pay $6 to do it, to be able to buy bags and inventory space for less than $5 per bag, per character. I expected to be able to level up my companion without having to buy one of the $35 epic quality ones, or to be able to compete in pvp without having to buy the $40 mount. I wanted to customize my character without having to buy 1 time use dye for real money.
I like to spend money in games when it feels like a fun activity to get something I want. Like buying skins in League of Legends, or buying silly toy items in Guild Wars 2. Not when it's necessary to spend money or suffer having your companion instantly die every fight, or throwing things out because you have 3 bags of decreasing size, or watching yourself fail combine after combine, trying to make a decent rune for your armor without spending real money on it. Especially when the amount of runes you can carry is so limited because of your tiny bank space.
The player content was my favorite thing about the old Neverwinter Nights games. It's too bad that this game is crippled by other things that make it a terrible platform for User Generated Content.
I like the gameplay here. The combat is one of the best and I like the game world. I like playing through the zone adventures and I hoped that the Foundry would be a viable way to play the game. The foundry needs to be as rewarding as running developer created content and it's not. Dungeons are the only level capped activity that is rewarding and I'm not interested in that.
Like rekia said, I also like to support my games, but some items in the store are just outrageous even still. Paying for respecs is ridiculous. Having the best companions and bags locked behind the store for high prices that are per character just discourages me from purchasing. Unrewarding lockboxes only add to the incentive to hold onto my money.
One last thing. If PWE is going to use the Arc launcher, then make the program professional. PWE, or whoever is behind the design of Arc should be embarrassed by the clunky bolt on workflow. Seriously, I haven't reinstalled either STO or Neverwinter since I've replaced my mechanical hard drives with SSD drives.
I want to play your games again and I want to support you financially. Please give me incentive to do so. Free levels and gear, just like buying companions, mounts and gear, don't do it. I added the code and if I play again I might use it, but that's not why people play games. People play games, especially D&D lovers, to get that stuff while adventuring.
Excuse me, kind Sir. Are you for real?
I was like: Hey - wow - a thread with a reply of a PM!! I went ahead reading the thread and was amazed by what the author came up with. "Oh yeah, I can see why a PM would reply to a topic as constructive and well written as this one". Then I scroll down just to find this message. You guys should REALLY reconsider the way you communicate with your community - and especially with those who try to support you and your game like the OP. If even I feel offended by this, how do you think he feels?
Well, thanks for answering this random question, though.
Also, maybe the Community Managers, or Product Managers want to share more with the community, but aren't allowed, or maybe they don't get informed themselves by the design-team or the higher-ups about the plans for the game.
This game needs an SPOKESMAN, somebody that will keep in touch directly with PWE (not via support system or forum PMs) and speak on behalf of PWE, meaning he will share the info with the community, discuss, and report back to PWE with the complaints or suggestions of players.
PWE needs to share more of their plans, for example : "We are planning an update that contains a new map, a new class, blah blah blah. The content should be ready in about 2 months, then will be added to the Preview (Test) Server, and will go live in about a month after that". This will keep the community happy, and interested in the game, knowing they have to prepare for some new adventures, instead of staying in PE and thinking what to do. I've seen this method work on a game I played for many, many years, and the upcoming updates, that were revealed prior to the actual update, kept me playing, and constantly wanting more, just to be ready for the new update. It's a method of keeping players interested that REALLY WORKS.
As a closing note, this is for any PWE employee that might read it : HELP US HELP YOU ! Let us get more involved, give us ways of giving feedback, suggestions, complaints, show us that you listen.
Best Regards,
Yggdrasil
lol oh well I guess.
That was my reaction too and I agree with the points you are making and the OP, but on the the other hand is good that someone is reading the posts and maybe taking into consideration the issues that are brought up, even if the original post was not addressed in any way. I know I am clinging to a little-tiny-next-to-nothing thing here, but it's more then we usually get on this kind of posts.
I have waited for Neverwinter since it was announced a million years ago. I love playing this game and it has a lot going for it now and it feels like it has lots of potential for the future, but even 3 months after launch the game seems rushed and unpolished. They need to let us know what is going on and what are the plans for this game, how the game is going to be improved and what's going to be added to the game - give us something to look forward to. That's what keep the players interested not free levels and cheep items.
This last patch was great, but they need to let us know that they're aware and they're working on fixing stuff and how long it's going to take before stuff is fixed, not let us rage and complain on the forum for weeks. It just creates a bad atmosphere and it makes us feel like no one cares and nothing is being done.
You use the Arc launcher? I located the neverwinter launcher in program files and created a shortcut on my desktop. I now have to type in my password every time. But, that is a small price to pay for using less system resources. It works and updates just fine.
*I tend to clean and trim the programs on my gaming machines to get the max performance from them*
/10char
Som, I honestly think you didn't actually read the original post. Seems like you might have just read the subject line.
Unless there's an email in my box about what I posted... let's see...
Nope.
I didn't intend to particularly post again, but... I saw that I had two posts from staff.
Yay! Someone had read it!
And then...
I read what they were responding to.
.....
Yeah.
As far as the other people asking where said merchant is...
Really?
C'mon.
You'll make 50 separate threads asking about when the new classes are coming out, but you have to piggy back and throw this thread off-topic to ask where the guy is.
/facepalm
I'm crying a little bit inside.
Now a good few months in i want to come back, i just wonder what major changes there have been. If anyone could give me the quick rundown please that'd be great.
Hope i can get some more friends on board again aswell...
If you care about zen store additions, they have added tons of zen stuff since you have been gone. Sadly, many of the bugs/glitches/issues that made you/others leave are still quite prevalent.
Hope you enjoy it if you do come back though. Good luck
let me give you some advice:
if you want to come back, come back and check it out for yourself. if you want to read about the changes like fury of the feywild or patch notes, there's an entire news section for that. it will give you unbiased information so that you can make your own decision.
asking this question in the forums is just asking for doom and gloom responses.
sorry... just being facetious. i love the game and can't wait for more (this part is not facetious).
Couple points.....
You talk about how horrible things are, yet you find time to cry on the forums...you actually spend a HAMSTER load of time doing that...perhaps if the game is that horrible you should consider moving on? As far as the bug/glitch thing goes..it is intermittent which are the most difficult to track down and address, but progress has been made on that front, also the loss of the GTA crowd..isn't necessarily a bad thing.
umm, i understand that part. I was only pointing out that the key code i received via email does not work, no more, no less. No, sense in paying someone to send out key codes via email if the key codes dont work.