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Post by DEV Jlf2n on Jul 14, 2008 8:32:34 GMT -5
I have been wondering about which direction to go in with so many presenting themselves. After pondering it I thought this would be a great opportunity to hear from you guys.
So tell us, what are some of the things you think should be added soon to help out the community. I'm not looking for grand schemes, or things that would be a massive undertaking. More along the lines of the little things that help give PCs something to do and keep them logging in frequently.
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Post by whenwizardswar on Jul 14, 2008 8:42:38 GMT -5
This is a tough one, the server has already had more options put into it for pcs then any other server I have played on.
I know alot of people who have come here for the first time have stayed, so continuity isnt an issue if you ask me.
I'll think of something
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Post by DEV Jlf2n on Jul 14, 2008 8:46:57 GMT -5
Yes but you can't get good ideas if you don't ask. I think our biggest thing right now is needing more NPC's and more quests. Once I get my Cloud Peaks project done I plan on going back and adding a lot of npcs to the interiors and exteriors of the world. Hopefully I can write a few more quests as well. If anyone is good at writing easy to implement, quick hitter quests let me know. The more of these we have the better.
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Post by Sojourn on Jul 14, 2008 9:00:14 GMT -5
I think that since there are a good number of areas in already, the next step would be to polish the current areas instead of adding more. I think after the implementation of cloud peaks, this would be a good time to do this.
One thing I've noticed from the heavily populated servers (like SoH) is that every single one of their areas is detailed to the max. To be honest they don't even have *that* many areas - reason is because they use the world map travel system - which eliminates alot of traveling and transition areas. But the reason they're successful is cause they have immensely detailed areas, and their loot/death/xp etc systems are purely balanced.
So far I know this is still beta, but we are making excellent progress. What we have now is about 75 areas (with beta 5), while we started with only about 15. Also, the areas we have so far are extremely beautiful, but I think its time to detail them (not environmentally, but rather content-wise) in the form of npc's that are fully functional, examinable signs and objects, functional doors / storage devices, and most importantly, fully working and error free spawns and loot.
Finally, I think the looting / gold / economy could use some better balance and much more variety as well. I think we should focus on these things after cloud peaks rather than expanding with new areas and scripts since we have an awesome core and baseline already.
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Post by grassblade on Jul 14, 2008 9:54:40 GMT -5
I've only just attained level 3, been killed some 7 or 8 times, only gotten as far as the gates of Friendly Arms Inn, and have yet to explore all of the Gate areas. So take the following with a large grain of salt.
As a newbie (to the server & PW in general), I found the lack of direction both disconcerting and exciting. An NPC who provides some info at the point of creation might be a nice addition. S/he could point out points of interest (eastern gate, starter quest) and basic advice (don't go too far until you've attained level X)....one of the dialogue options has to be "thanks, but no thanks" or somesuch, so experienced players with new PCs can avoid the dialogue.
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radium
Active Member
... ON THE DARKNESS!
Posts: 169
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Post by radium on Jul 14, 2008 10:09:09 GMT -5
I would probably like to see the addition of more higher level non-undead creatures and monsters. Once a character hits level 12 it's basically undead slaying time, and I know a lot of people (especially rogues) that get lucked out in this respect.
Sojourn raises some good points I think. Especially the loot system. A lot of our characters have reached higher levels and are still running around with +1 equipment that they earned from levels 1-6. I'd go against persitant loot containers such as bones/chests as this is generally unbalanced as it tends to produce "farming" for gold. Perhaps what we've discussed in the loot thread - a bit of gold for each monster slain, with the addition of "treasure hoards" - chests or loot containers e.g. The Orc Chief's treasure.
Finally, the xp system needs a few tweaks. I know I'll get flamed for saying so, but it needs nerfing. I myself find more accomplishment in building a good character over time rather than gaining 20th or 30th level in matter of a few weeks. But it's gotta be balanced.
What I've found in the past on other servers is if the XP is too easy to get, people get bored/or there is a great deal of "godly" characters running about. At the other end of the scale, if it's too hardcore and you're getting only a few XP per kill, people just give up. A balanced and fair system makes doing quests and working as a party together more rewarding (as far as XP, gold and overall fun go) and it also encourages people to take part in DM-run events more willingly, as there is more of a reward (as opposed to - "Bah I can earn that much gold/experience killing goblins for an hour")
So my 2c is really, we need to balance the XP/gold/encounter system so the server has a great Forgotten Realms feel to it and is lots of fun for everyone!
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radium
Active Member
... ON THE DARKNESS!
Posts: 169
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Post by radium on Jul 14, 2008 10:11:10 GMT -5
As a newbie (to the server & PW in general), I found the lack of direction both disconcerting and exciting. An NPC who provides some info at the point of creation might be a nice addition. S/he could point out points of interest (eastern gate, starter quest) and basic advice (don't go too far until you've attained level X)....one of the dialogue options has to be "thanks, but no thanks" or somesuch, so experienced players with new PCs can avoid the dialogue. Very good idea.
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Post by Zealote on Jul 14, 2008 10:39:02 GMT -5
About the chests, i was surprised last night with some of the loot... i found a few hundred gold on most of the chests, and a starscepter +1 on the last....quite odd. About the things i would like added...is it possible to add some music from the original BG? I just love those songs... Way better the NWN songs -Zealote
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deserk
Active Member
Posts: 200
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Post by deserk on Jul 14, 2008 11:12:50 GMT -5
Hi, I just registered a couple of mins ago and I am really liking this module! Beeeautiful and large areas. I was actually pleased to be killed, was a very cool of the concept of the death system. I guess only thing I can think is more NPCs and polishing, and this server is gonna be a hit! (well for me definitely )
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Post by Iceshard on Jul 14, 2008 11:29:18 GMT -5
Yeah I could go for more NPC's that are moving around and doing things, not just standing there. The quests would be cool to have in a polished area for when DM's arent around or tending to other things, and scattered merchants would also be nice.. Like have a few hidden, then some outside in markets all selling different things.
But overal, yes it would be nice to have things polished up a bit then we can move on from there. -Ice
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Post by whenwizardswar on Jul 14, 2008 12:11:53 GMT -5
I would probably like to see the addition of more higher level non-undead creatures and monsters. Once a character hits level 12 it's basically undead slaying time, and I know a lot of people (especially rogues) that get lucked out in this respect. Sojourn raises some good points I think. Especially the loot system. A lot of our characters have reached higher levels and are still running around with +1 equipment that they earned from levels 1-6. I'd go against persitant loot containers such as bones/chests as this is generally unbalanced as it tends to produce "farming" for gold. Perhaps what we've discussed in the loot thread - a bit of gold for each monster slain, with the addition of "treasure hoards" - chests or loot containers e.g. The Orc Chief's treasure. Finally, the xp system needs a few tweaks. I know I'll get flamed for saying so, but it needs nerfing. I myself find more accomplishment in building a good character over time rather than gaining 20th or 30th level in matter of a few weeks. But it's gotta be balanced. What I've found in the past on other servers is if the XP is too easy to get, people get bored/or there is a great deal of "godly" characters running about. At the other end of the scale, if it's too hardcore and you're getting only a few XP per kill, people just give up. A balanced and fair system makes doing quests and working as a party together more rewarding (as far as XP, gold and overall fun go) and it also encourages people to take part in DM-run events more willingly, as there is more of a reward (as opposed to - "Bah I can earn that much gold/experience killing goblins for an hour") So my 2c is really, we need to balance the XP/gold/encounter system so the server has a great Forgotten Realms feel to it and is lots of fun for everyone! Quoted for Emphasis. As for quests and NPC's I do have a few NPC's and quests brewing in my mind, if I can settle upon specifics (after some in game exploreing of options with the client) I will probably whip up the npcs in the toolset, and submit them to driller and mr J for approval and hopefully implementation.
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Post by grassblade on Jul 14, 2008 13:42:44 GMT -5
OOC for the topic, but a switch to vBulletin for the forum would be nice. It may be simply because I'm used to them, but they tend to be self-maintaining in that threads with new posts rise and static ones fall.
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jasonpauldegraaf
Senior Member
"There is a crack in everything God has made." -Emerson
Posts: 331
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Post by jasonpauldegraaf on Jul 15, 2008 1:24:09 GMT -5
This server is so fun. Here are a couple things that you may want to consider...
1) Polish off both areas of Baldur's Gate like someone suggested. The town looks amazing, and it just needs to be finished off with NPC's quests, temple stores, etc.
2) Gold and XP need to be balanced (which you all are currently working on).
3) Healing kits in at least one of the stores please.
4) Basic items for sale in Beregost would be amazing. There's some nice gear there, but nothing to help a server with low gold drops.
5) Choosing a Diety at the beginning is a bit tweeked. You are limited to a range of deities that does not include racial deities (like Elven gods and such). Such choices affect Favoured Souls and Clerics.
Hmm, that's all for now. Keep up the good work!
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Post by Iceshard on Jul 15, 2008 8:24:25 GMT -5
Keep in mind for the dieties section, this server starts at 8 years before the time of troubles... so some gods arent gods yet. The timeline system we are doing is 1 month = 1 year and I think JLF was going to implement that after launch.
-Ice
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tlantl
Active Member
Posts: 198
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Post by tlantl on Jul 15, 2008 11:38:32 GMT -5
The addition of a crafting system is my first suggestion.
I agree with the need to polish up some of the areas, but we knew that.
My second suggestion is to add a world map and fast travel. Having to run through three or four areas to replenish scrolls and bolts is tiring.
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