Rarebit wrote:
For most of this year, updates have consisted of three main items: 1) weekly critical missions, 2) a replayable "quest," and 3) daily live events.This is going to change to: 1) a new cinematic, 2) quests with missions, activities, and rewards for each organization, based on the latest advancement of the story seen in the cinematic, and 3) an organization-wide meeting announced well in advance so that as many members as possible will be able to attend.
1) cinematic performs the job it is intended to do but in no way replaces the live events we used to have.
2) quests with missions are very good and encourage players to inhabit other areas of the city other than the usual 4-5 hardlines.
3) the first round of meetings were a disgrace to be honest and with no meetings announced as of yet for this patch it would appear these arnt going to be the monthly meetings we were led to believe. Considering this is a direct relacement for the live events extra work should have been put into these meetings in order to make them enjoyable for all instead of just what is basically a Q and A session with the org representive who for the case of zion didnt actually know anything that was going on in the matrix, now although this was due to Role Play reasons because of the fact that niobe had not been jacked in you would think that as a Captain and also our direct contact with zion from the matrix she would have been kept aware of bothe her crews and others of zions actions and be able to share with us some findings or glints of knowledge it would of been better if the kid had shown up to provide us with technical specs and knowledge he learnt about the oligarchs in the real.
Then we have the Party's while i respect that some people do like attending parties in the matrix i for one get no enjoyment at all for standing around doing nothing in /dance(random number) emote. In order for the parties to be more enjoyable for both those people who like to attend or those who like me cant be bothered to just stand around how about having something along the lines of the brewko quizies in order to give everyone something to do while they /dance. I think the only party ive enjoyed was the one when effy popped a pink box on each server and that was only because recursion finished it first.
If we are only going to have limited interaction with Live Event characters i would hope these would be quality sessions with either detailed conversations about current events with feedback coming and going both ways or some sort of task such as the ones used in the 01mainframe puzzle giveaways where by a character comes on for instance, the one i remember clearly was the sous chef and we were given a list of items to collect the first team back recieved a part of the puzzle. This could be done in place of the meetings on some updates when meetings arnt required and would require very little work from Rarebit. All it would take is for Rarebit to set a unique mob spawn somewhere like he did for the neo agents and overide node spawns in the past and have these drop a series of unique collector items any players that return with all the items on a list given by the Live Event character within a set time limit recieve a reward, kind of like the old perp FX rewards but not as special. For instance you could recieve a stack of 20 overide bits (the ones that spawn npcs) or something to that effect.
In summary a new approach was needed and parts of the format in action at the moment work where as other ideas do not it would be nice to see if rarebit plays with the format a little more and maybe we can get more small scale live events like the ghost one we had on recursion.
Oh and another point I almost forgot about where is the new sentinal we were told previously it would be coming out more frequently this could be used to advetise more private live events like we used to have where by those willing to decode hidden messages could find out the time for the event. I remember everytime a new sentinal was released i would spend hours scouring over it decrypting messages and such and provided me with out of game content. This should be produced more often maybe at least a new copy released every 2 updates. Which also brings me round to scanline on the 5/8/08 it was posted that BA52 was coming soon now its been 5 months since then and nothing when are we going to hear about it or will this be left as another plot hole like the sarah edmonton story and the other many storylines that have just been abondoned.
I do like how each new update gives players something different and interesting to do in different parts of the city. It's also a good way to make various gang outfits available in the form of items with interesting buffs. That sort of thing makes me keen to see new patches but once they come out I suffer a mysterious procrastination about actually going and doing the content. I'm very sad though about how many people have given up and left MxO since the change. I think it would have helped a lot if LEs had just been reduced instead of practically removed.
Personally, I think it's still a little early to say exactly what the outcome of the "new approach" is. Going by the previous patch, all of the obvious problems with the updated method of content delivery brought up in the pre-release notes were dropped into the game with no changes.. at all. From the lack of day to day and story content to the brick wall stopping new players from taking part in the very things that make (made?) MxO different from other MMOs, it was all there.
Now, with the most recent patch, we get a bit of a reprieve, but the positive impression should be taken with a grain of salt. Keep in mind that in this update we've not only received the 12.1 stuff but also the chaper 11 arcs and the winter event. Also of note for the naysayers (such as myself) is the holiday period that we're currently in. That may explain why we haven't seen hide nor hair of the org meetings, parties, once in a blue moon LEs, etc. In a standard update from this point on, we will only be getting the subchapter content and that's it.. no special holiday content and no newly archived stuff to pad things out.
So, as far as the stuff we have seen.. my previous complaints not only remain but have actually been amplified slightly.
- Nothing but a brick wall for new/low level players. No change at all here. We can all see why the level restrictions on the critical missions make sense now based on the challenges to be overcome in the simple act of progressing from one storyline mission to the next, never mind in actually collecting the extra stuff. I'm still feeling that the act of restricting the content based on XP level is not necessary and is a negative change. We know they can scale spawn levels and restrict drops based on the level of the attacking player. Forcing a spawn (not including a boss style character) to be at a set level is not necessary.
- No continuing storyline content. The new developments in the storyline are at the least intriguing, even if I'm not totally sold on yet another dead character coming back to life so to speak. But, once again, with no weekly released content, no daily (or even just regular) LEs, and no liaison interaction, the story is stuck in stasis until we reach the next patch. Looking at things logically, we have new Intruders in the system who obviously know a lot more about what's going on than they've said, the Architect is possibly cowering in fear over what they might do, and the BIP has been revealed as Trinity and is on the run.. all things that should be causing daily disruptions in what we see and do in the Matrix. But sorry, unless Rare decides we need an event, nothing can actually happen until that next patch so no matter how urgent things seem they are going to stay as they are for another 3 weeks. I know Rare has said we are getting just as much story now as we did before (which I respectfully disagree with) but even if we are the lack of movement and momentum is killing any flow the story had even if the same amount of content is being dispensed.
- Forced teaming. This is a new issue for me because in the past the stuff that's really required teaming has all been optional stuff that generally consisted of collecting better gear for PvPing, which I rarely do. I like team oriented stuff, I really do. I also like challenges. Problem is, if things keep progressing as they have in this new patch, we're losing population but gaining mostly content that requires teams of players to complete. Not only that, but this is the story based stuff, not the optional stuff on the side. It's bad enough when there's so little content now to begin with, but add the fact that a decent chunk of said new content can only be done when you can get a group together to tackle it?
Anyway, on the bright side, I really do like the fact that things are not just stuck in Richland any more. I'm kind of fearing the day when every single neighbourhood is pock marked with purple icons because of all of the quest givers/collectors, but introducing the whole of the city to players is never a bad thing. Here's hoping the next patch varies things even more. Also, I like the boss area and the fact it seems the legitimate challenge the more combat hardened players have been looking for.. as long as this sort of thing is kept optional and perhaps tied to but not required for the storyline.
Best update ever.
Why? Because we have more veteran players than ever in game, more frequently; even with the number who have left either in disinterest, dissatisfaction or protest.
Even those who have decided to no longer jack into the Simulation still taking a great deal of interest in the game and how it is being developed and how those who still plays' enjoyment is derived from doing so. A presence which has a very positive influence within the walls of the Simulation.
Also, far more relaxed. No longer have we the "critical missions" accessible simply by initiating a button on a pop up screen, nor the pressure to try attending Live Events. Thus; the focus shifts toward player interaction and farming. PVP being a given.
I believe that while Rarebit may no longer express such through interation in Live Events, he still continues to shape the Matrix and our experiences within and around it in a very positive manner.
Controversial XElite is controversial.
/ontopic
I just want the Live Events back. I don't even need to be present: if I can get a regular "fix" of screen shots in the Live Events forum, I'd be happy.
If that mean surviving without new content/collectables and no pen & ink cinematics, that's fine. Hell, I'd be happier with a few scripted Live Events being played-out by devs on a test server, with no players present!
It could even be that these screenshots/video doubled as a replacement for the cinematics; as it would avoid laboriously drawing the story developments, by hand. For the cinematics, the chat window could be removed and a text screen could flash up; like in the ol' black-and-white movies.
As ExternalError said, this topic should be for civil discussion of both the pros and cons of the "New Approach" now that we've had something of a chance to see it in action. We've had enough topics about it locked in the past for various reasons, we don't need this one locked too.
Please refrain from the silly oneupsmanship and keep your posts in the spirit the OP intended.
Perhaps the mods can clean this up before it gets worse than it already is and needs to be locked.
I think the New Approach format is working fine. I like the idea of "playing' the story and having to team with others. However, I do feel as though we've lost something by not having in-game events. Personally, I've only been to one event since I returned almost two years ago (had a ton of fun btw). The biggest loss for me in the change has been not being able to read event recaps. I miss being able to see your friends in the event and laugh at them later for something silly they said or did . If the devs can give 1 event per org/per update period, I think this game is ready for some SOE.com banner exposure. How about it?
JEasy wrote:
I think this game is ready for some SOE.com banner exposure. How about it?
From what I gathered from Virrago (I think it was him via PM) on the subject, SoE has had issues for as long as I've been here, possibly since their aquisition of MxO, with Warner Bros and the amount of legal red tape needed to be sorted through by both companies legal teams to advertise MxO on their posters/banners etc.. and thats just for fan faires! I'd love to see it getting some banner space, it doesn't even need to be a recognisable figure from the films... Also I agree that a couple of LE's per org, even if advertised first, would be great to see.
If the devs can give 1 event per org/per update period...
Yea we need that at minimum, most definately.
Once again, I have to chime in here. 'Cause, you know, even tho I quit and all, I still put a chunk of change into this game; nearly $700 over the years in subscription alone. Not to mention a few thousand hours, give 'r take a few.
I'll say this for all you johnny-come-lately types that like to sound off like drunk trumpeters in Sunday morning mass. . .
Rarebit did not kill The Matrix Online.
And while, I'm at it, Sony Online Entertainment did not kill The Matrix Online.
By the time they got their hands on it, the game (for you optimists) had already missed it's chance to realize it's potential. For us pessimists, the game DID realize it's potential, in that it had it's "moment in the sun", giving game developers everywhere an idea of what NOT to do with their games.
Monolith's idea for this MMO came at a time when the industry thought the online gaming market was faaaaaaaaarrrrrrrr more vast than the measly 7 million subscribers to that Blizzard game. Unfortunately, they were wrong; the gamer market hasn't really grown that much over the years. Plus, their idea was too aggressive, under-researched (marketing-wise), and ultimately unsustainable. I mean, if you consider that the original LET was 60 strong, with an average salary of $30K per year, that's $1,800,000 per year just in labor expense, and that doesn't include their bennies like medical insurance and vacations. Or, of course, the devs and producers, equipment, and overhead.
Couple that with the fact that MxO was widely considered by the players to still be beta-quality after launch, plagued with so many bugs that it became a running joke in the industry. Then, with so many exploits in the combat system, MxO was a cheater's paradise. Naturally when they fixed that, the game really went to hell in terms of subscriber base.
Which brings us to the time when SOE and Rarebit had just gotten comfortable in their new goo-covered, jack-encrusted skins; it was shortly before CR2 that SOE took over and Rarebit began working with Paul. The game was considered a failure already, by all standards that MMO's were measured at that time. It had less than 2000 subscribers, a skeleton crew for a dev team, and it had no potential for new actual content, like abilities or animations. It couldn't even get a boost from the franchise, as the creators of the original story had didi mao'd from anything Matrix as fast as their bizzare little butts could go in favor of a live-action adaptation of a cartoon that almost no one ever watched and which failed miserably at the box-office, failing to attract either the kids who might appreciate it OR the now-adults who might have caught an original airing or two of the stupid thing.
If you want to blame someone, blame Monolith. Blame WBIE. Maybe most especially, however, blame the Wachowskis. They cashed and dashed on MxO without even the slightest glance in the rear-view of the Mach 6 as it sped away.
XElite wrote:
Best update ever.Why? Because we have more veteran players than ever in game, more frequently; even with the number who have left either in disinterest, dissatisfaction or protest.Even those who have decided to no longer jack into the Simulation still taking a great deal of interest in the game and how it is being developed and how those who still plays' enjoyment is derived from doing so. A presence which has a very positive influence within the walls of the Simulation.Also, far more relaxed. No longer have we the "critical missions" accessible simply by initiating a button on a pop up screen, nor the pressure to try attending Live Events. Thus; the focus shifts toward player interaction and farming. PVP being a given.I believe that while Rarebit may no longer express such through interation in Live Events, he still continues to shape the Matrix and our experiences within and around it in a very positive manner.Controversial XElite is controversial.
Don't mean to rain on your parade but I just wanted to point out that the Winter Events always have produced a spike in players as vets come home from school, ppl are on holiday etc. The proof will be in the pudding come late January or so, after the holidays.
This is why I've vowed to keep mum until then, since this time of year is always an absolute anamoly and it would be totally unwise at best to read anything whatsoever into it at all. So, as much as I'd like to chime in I will refrain at this time.
Only 1 thing to say God bless the LESIGS!
I think patience is a virtue , but many virtuos here start loosing patience and soon we need a sign of cooperation between dev and players, holydays is ending every one need start to work again.
Or many promises will be only vaporware.....
I think somewhere out there the content still stands.... lesig as SEPET said is still around and ive noticed mob spawns and alot of heavy RP which leads me to believe the story is there is you look for it. I've yet to as i said look for it but we'll see. i just havent been able to devote as much time to mxo and i guess i've lost interest with it. either way, im tired waiting this out...
LESIG is the game's first and last line of defense.
-Qoute Phrack of the Pluribus Neo Faction, Recursion.
I think that sums it up pretty much, if the live events are going to be the few short ones here and there, LESIG has more actual storyline telling power than ever to make the game fun for it's gamers, and that of course demands a little attention here and there by the Devs. A few more tools, maybe a special mask or two for LESIG only that lasts until jackout, (Lupine, Vampire and SWAT comes to mind). Only thing that needs to be better organized then is the LESIG teams internal coherency, of course working and studying and trying to get on your main now and then isn't really just a cake walk, but I'm a big fan of LESIG (give and take since Merovingian Vector haven't seen a liaison in three months but we're used to that.. /shrug). But overall - I'd say LESIG do have a much bigger role to play in the Matrix story (with subplots) if they so choose to pick it up.
