I just read the patch notes on the test server and I'm disappointed that research assistants will not be working out of people's homes. I think it would have been great if the research assistant worked out of people's homes. I was really looking forward to putting one in mine.
Of course, putting research assistants in player housing would have required some rules. First, since a research assistant needs room to work, it could have been a requirement that the player own at least a three-room apartment/house. I don't think an RA could really output master quality work if just shoved into a corner someplace. I've been thinking about upgrading from my home at the inn in North Qeynos, and this requirement would have pushed me into upgrading my home.
Next, the RA would need a workstation to work on. After all, if we have to give the RA an App IV or Adept 3 to study, we'd need to give our NPC something to study the spell on. So depending on the spell being researched, the homeowner would need either an engraved table, a work table, or a chemistry table depending on the spell being researched.
Of course, our RA would need to eat and drink. We already feed our house plants to get goodies, why not our trusty researcher who's going to be dishing out the masters? We'd just need to keep him well supplied with food and drink during the course of his/her studies. If the RA gets hungry or thirsty, the research stops.
The research would also stop if the rent goes unpaid. After all, what self-respecting RA would work for a deadbeat? The fact that the RA would be kicked out of the house by the landlord would probably hurt the research as well.
Okay, maybe I'm being too much of a role-player, even though I don't play on a RP server. But I really think that the devs missed the boat on this aspect of bringing research assistants to Norrath. At the very least, people would have to put a little effort into getting their masters, like logging in every 3-4 days to check up on their trusted employee. And the devs could have reminded people that the RP in MMORPG stands for role play and had people engage in just a tiny amount of it.
Noaani wrote:
I honestly hope CCP see this gap in the market first, and try to fill it, or maybe Scott Hartsmans startup.
EVE scares too many people away -- arguably the most hardcore of MMOs, *and* a rough learning curve (world, UI, everything); that said, I've now had at least one EVE sub, and played regularly ... for longer than I did with EQ1, EQ2, LotRO, or any other MMO. There's just so bloody much to explore, do, and be afraid of there! =^)
And the social game there ... puts everyone to shame. The economy remains the best of any game out there (in no small part to the PhD running their economics).
That all said, it's a very different gaming environment, so it's rare that it's the only MMO I'm playing actively at any given time.
Relevant to the main topic of the thread, everyone in EVE trains a skill, whether they logon or not; they can train faster with better implants (costing in-game money); so in that sense, you *can* get ''something for no effort'', but since it's only one facet of the game, it doesn't feel unbalanced. If SOE limits the once-a-month-or-so upgrading from an Ad3 to M1 (5-12% effect boost to ~one-thirtieth of someone's repetroire), and doesn't introduce armor research agents, weapon research agents, quest research agents, and the like ... I don't see it as unbalancing (still, I know I've made the point before).
I also don't want to see Station Marketplace selling spell upgrades -- I doubt this is in the cards, but may as well voice my opinion! ^_^
edit: typos
Kigneer wrote:
If the masters were made a rare random no-trade drop for a random class in the group that is actually fighting, the whole masters headache would be solved. It can also solve the class discrimination problem very quickly, if 2 of every class has to be represented for a drop (special 8 group). No more of this " LFG" spam in chat. Want those masters? Start clearing the chat of couch potatos and group up! No more excuses for not grouping now, as everyone can be represented.
What? Maybe your describing it wrong but your first sentance is out of joint with the rest of this paragraph. Why would "class discrimination" be solved? Why would you force people to put 2 of every class in a group? What the hell is a special 8 group? How would this eliminate LFG Spam (if you're required to be in attendance for a drop i would think LFG spam would increase!)? Everyone is represented how?
/head explodes
QuestingCrafter wrote:
Noaani wrote:I honestly hope CCP see this gap in the market first, and try to fill it, or maybe Scott Hartsmans startup.EVE scares too many people away -- arguably the most hardcore of MMOs, *and* a rough learning curve
EVE scares too many people away -- arguably the most hardcore of MMOs, *and* a rough learning curve
Thats the point.
Malachani wrote:
Kigneer wrote:If the masters were made a rare random no-trade drop for a random class in the group that is actually fighting, the whole masters headache would be solved. It can also solve the class discrimination problem very quickly, if 2 of every class has to be represented for a drop (special 8 group). No more of this " LFG" spam in chat. Want those masters? Start clearing the chat of couch potatos and group up! No more excuses for not grouping now, as everyone can be represented. What? Maybe your describing it wrong but your first sentance is out of joint with the rest of this paragraph. Why would "class discrimination" be solved? Why would you force people to put 2 of every class in a group? What the hell is a special 8 group? How would this eliminate LFG Spam (if you're required to be in attendance for a drop i would think LFG spam would increase!)? Everyone is represented how?/head explode
/head explode
Think too much, and that can be the result! lol
It's pretty simple:
1. Special instances.
2. 8 Players required.
3. 2 of each main class.
4. Masters drops are random BUT actually for anyone playing in that group -- not some master that no one in the group can use (so players playing can expect maybe a 5% chance that master they're looking for may drop).
Wash. Rinse. Repeat.
Think too much, and that can be the result! lolIt's pretty simple:1. Special instances.2. 8 Players required.3. 2 of each main class.4. Masters drops are random BUT actually for anyone playing in that group -- not some master that no one in the group can use (so players playing can expect maybe a 5% chance that master they're looking for may drop).Wash. Rinse. Repeat.
2 of each main class? What the heck does that mean? Do you mean the ARCHETYPES? Like 2 healers, 2 scouts, 2 fighters, 2 mages? Because the way you're stating it is like bringing 2 SK's, 2 Mystics, 2 Coercers, and 2 troubs or something crazy like that.
And if it is in fact archetype, why are you forcing such rigid group setups? How do you think making them so rigid would reduce LFG spam? It would increase frustrations because groups couldn't roll with who they could find (be it 5 mages and a healer, or 4 scouts or 3 fighters, whatever) and would have to sit and wait for another scout/mage/healer/fighter to even be able to enter these special instances.
And if it is in fact archetype, why are you forcing such rigid group setups?
It exists already (class discrimination), so why complain about this now? Even better, what's the motive for the complaining? Can't farm CoA for masters????
If it's confusing to you, ask someone else to explain it to you, as I believe if I spent another 20 minutes trying, there will be another "huh?" from you (no one has every complained about me explaining anything, they'd say I'd OVER explain! lol).
It exists already (class discrimination), so why complain about this now? Even better, what's the motive for the complaining? Can't farm CoA for masters????If it's confusing to you, ask someone else to explain it to you, as I believe if I spent another 20 minutes trying, there will be another "huh?" from you (no one has every complained about me explaining anything, they'd say I'd OVER explain! lol).
I'm not complaining about class discrimination, I'm saying that your idea would not do any of the things you claim it would do. It wouldn't reduce LFG spam, it would increase it. It wouldn't reduce class discrimination, it would in fact increase it. The reason i'm saying "huh" isn't because I don't understand what you're saying, i'm saying it because the idea is completely lacking any logic behind it. It will not solve any of the issues you claim it will and in my opinion would cause more problems that don't exist at this time.
I have game breaking news for everyone! I'm not sure exactly how this is going to effect the economy on my server since I've been afraid to ask. I'm sure they will be hundreds of upset wizards worldwide and I hope none of them /ragequit over this news.. but just today.. A guildy gave me Bolt of Ice M1 for FREE!!!!!! I feel so overpowered! I shall immediately /log so that I don't ruin anyone elses game.
/sarcasm
RA might be lame... big deal. I think the ones most opposed to it are just mad because they paid too much for thier masters. The fact that I can't find my Gloves of Imperceptable Beauty bothers me much more than the Research Assistant.
bks6721 wrote:
I have game breaking news for everyone! I'm not sure exactly how this is going to effect the economy on my server since I've been afraid to ask. I'm sure they will be hundreds of upset wizards worldwide and I hope none of them /ragequit over this news.. but just today.. A guildy gave me Bolt of Ice M1 for FREE!!!!!! I feel so overpowered! I shall immediately /log so that I don't ruin anyone elses game./sarcasm RA might be lame... big deal. I think the ones most opposed to it are just mad because they paid too much for thier masters. The fact that I can't find my Gloves of Imperceptable Beauty bothers me much more than the Research Assistant.
I believe the bigger issues for RA are NOT for this tier but are for the next tier. See when SoE balances new content (yes they do this) they base it on what is the norm or commonly expected for certain character profiles like a casual player(this is a horrid term I am sorry but atm I can't think of a better one) for example. NOW with RA's it will be expected that every character will have atleast one if not more masters as default, so then the content will be adjusted acordingly. So those thinking they will be overpowered because they have a few masters will find themselves being just the norm nothing special. Only those that are mostly to completely mastered out will be above the curve. Although honestly (IMO) the increase from ad3 to masters isn't really as significant as the upgrade from legendary to fabled which to me will still be the large gap.
I have game breaking news for everyone! I'm not sure exactly how this is going to effect the economy on my server since I've been afraid to ask. I'm sure they will be hundreds of upset wizards worldwide and I hope none of them /ragequit over this news.. but just today.. A guildy gave me Bolt of Ice M1 for FREE!!!!!! I feel so overpowered! I shall immediately /log so that I don't ruin anyone elses game./sarcasm
Hi you obviously have missed or did not even understand the arguments against the RA...its for doing nothing!
Your friend had to do something to obtain it he did not go to a magic master spell fairy and mgically it appeared into his bag.
I dont understand why we cant have fabled adornments also as well as fabled set armor given out this way....wouldnt make the game unbalanced at all!
Ohiv wrote:
bks6721 wrote: I have game breaking news for everyone! I'm not sure exactly how this is going to effect the economy on my server since I've been afraid to ask. I'm sure they will be hundreds of upset wizards worldwide and I hope none of them /ragequit over this news.. but just today.. A guildy gave me Bolt of Ice M1 for FREE!!!!!! I feel so overpowered! I shall immediately /log so that I don't ruin anyone elses game./sarcasm RA might be lame... big deal. I think the ones most opposed to it are just mad because they paid too much for thier masters. The fact that I can't find my Gloves of Imperceptable Beauty bothers me much more than the Research Assistant. I believe the bigger issues for RA are NOT for this tier but are for the next tier. See when SoE balances new content (yes they do this) they base it on what is the norm or commonly expected for certain character profiles like a casual player(this is a horrid term I am sorry but atm I can't think of a better one) for example. NOW with RA's it will be expected that every character will have atleast one if not more masters as default, so then the content will be adjusted acordingly. So those thinking they will be overpowered because they have a few masters will find themselves being just the norm nothing special. Only those that are mostly to completely mastered out will be above the curve. Although honestly (IMO) the increase from ad3 to masters isn't really as significant as the upgrade from legendary to fabled which to me will still be the large gap.
Thats one of the reasons....the other being getting endgame stuff for free without even having to log in.
/shrug.... SoE will do whatever they want...nomatter what valid reasons people give. I am marking down all the names of the people that were pro RA so I can tell them to "suck it up" and "I told you so" next expansion when stuff gets too hard for them to do at all.
They thought that the difficulty was ramped up for RoK ...HA....wait until next expansion.
Kizee wrote:
Ohiv wrote:bks6721 wrote: I have game breaking news for everyone! I'm not sure exactly how this is going to effect the economy on my server since I've been afraid to ask. I'm sure they will be hundreds of upset wizards worldwide and I hope none of them /ragequit over this news.. but just today.. A guildy gave me Bolt of Ice M1 for FREE!!!!!! I feel so overpowered! I shall immediately /log so that I don't ruin anyone elses game./sarcasm RA might be lame... big deal. I think the ones most opposed to it are just mad because they paid too much for thier masters. The fact that I can't find my Gloves of Imperceptable Beauty bothers me much more than the Research Assistant. I believe the bigger issues for RA are NOT for this tier but are for the next tier. See when SoE balances new content (yes they do this) they base it on what is the norm or commonly expected for certain character profiles like a casual player(this is a horrid term I am sorry but atm I can't think of a better one) for example. NOW with RA's it will be expected that every character will have atleast one if not more masters as default, so then the content will be adjusted acordingly. So those thinking they will be overpowered because they have a few masters will find themselves being just the norm nothing special. Only those that are mostly to completely mastered out will be above the curve. Although honestly (IMO) the increase from ad3 to masters isn't really as significant as the upgrade from legendary to fabled which to me will still be the large gap.Thats one of the reasons....the other being getting endgame stuff for free without even having to log in./shrug.... SoE will do whatever they want...nomatter what valid reasons people give. I am marking down all the names of the people that were pro RA so I can tell them to "suck it up" and "I told you so" next expansion when stuff gets too hard for them to do at all.They thought that the difficulty was ramped up for RoK ...HA....wait until next expansion.
Don't forget all the social stuff too. Even if SOE doesn't change it, if they play alts they'll feel it.
Ohiv wrote:I believe the bigger issues for RA are NOT for this tier but are for the next tier. See when SoE balances new content (yes they do this) they base it on what is the norm or commonly expected for certain character profiles like a casual player(this is a horrid term I am sorry but atm I can't think of a better one) for example. NOW with RA's it will be expected that every character will have atleast one if not more masters as default, so then the content will be adjusted acordingly. So those thinking they will be overpowered because they have a few masters will find themselves being just the norm nothing special. Only those that are mostly to completely mastered out will be above the curve. Although honestly (IMO) the increase from ad3 to masters isn't really as significant as the upgrade from legendary to fabled which to me will still be the large gap.I am marking down all the names of the people that were pro RA so I can tell them to "suck it up" and "I told you so" next expansion when stuff gets too hard for them to do at all.They thought that the difficulty was ramped up for RoK ...HA....wait until next expansion.
I am marking down all the names of the people that were pro RA so I can tell them to "suck it up" and "I told you so" next expansion when stuff gets too hard for them to do at all.
I'm not in love with the whole RA thing, especially as implemented, but that balance argument is absolute bull.
Even with the RA, final tier masters are still more difficult/slower to come by than in EoF.
The main concern for me is that most people here disagreed with the way RA are designed.
On the one hand many people claimed that getting masters especially some of them was nearly impossible (except in a military guild) , or that is was too random (imagine yourself rolling in a PUG on the most important bard raid buff or the templar main heal the winner just made 2000 pp) . Almost nobody denied the fact that the way master get distributed to players should be adjusted.
On the other hand almost everybody disagreed with the fact that RA just ask you to log off 30 days. Even people considering that RA would have a positive impact often expressed concern with the fact that much better "costs" than real life time could have been used.
The main trend of all the post about RA is that they adress a valid question but that the answer is wrong.
What i find totally crazy is that facing a general disagreement of the players (i know that posters here are a biased sample but anyway it's still a wide sample) SOE team is not reacting or adjusting the system.
Things are like written on the code of laws, they cannot be changed. It seems that the commercial & finance department decided to sell within a few monthes master on SC and that RA were enforced and that the Dev team just enacted the decision.
Soe attitude is quite weird,
They refuse to adress class balance issue , this is slowly destroying the game since the new tendancy is to do anything with 2 bard and an enchanter (knowing human caracters it's quite logical, it's so much easier and faster) and many people will simply quit rather than rerolling the new fashionnable toon. There is absolutely no open debate on that probem, other balance issues (as example priest balance, tank one) which are much less striking are also totally ignored. Any MMO manager should know that perenity can only be achieved via a constant debate with the plaer base and that class issues have to be adressed quickly whenever they are real.
They enforce a decision that is highly contested even when many simple alternative are possible....
I remember how the early-WOW had one person playing each class and responsible for it, the dialog with the class representaitve was very constructive since he/she would undertand the class concern. The dev team used then to implement small changes very often to adjust things by local optimisation. This was 4-5 years ago, since Wow customer base had radically changed and i heard that the content is also now quite different.
But anyway the initial dialog beetween players and playing staff members was impressive. I wonder why SOE is not applying this sound way of managing the relation with the player base. It's one of the key for success.
The RA issue is there an exemplary matter
