+MrQuazarr@Zone> *** ASHERON'S CALL DEVELOPER'S CHAT - Starts at 5 pm Pacific ***
+MrQuazarr@Zone> *** THE DEVELOPERS CHAT WILL BEGIN IN APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES ***
Dave@turbine> HI everyone
Dave@turbine> we'll be starting soon
nei@turbine> *waves*
+MrQuazarr@Zone> *** THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE GANG -- WE WILL GET UNDERWAY IN ABOUT 3 MINUTES ***
nei@turbine> methinks crowley has cut in line :)
Dave@turbine> lot of people tonight, have your q's ready so we can get to as many as possible....just 1 per please
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Hello and welcome to the monthly Asheron's Call Developer's Chat.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> We will start off with a few words from the Producer of Asheron's Call, Scott Herrington, them jump into questions from you the players!
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Please have your question pre-typed in notepad and ready to copy and paste when your time comes.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Questions must be limited to 1 question to give the most people a chance to ask questions.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> If you ask more then one question, the developers will only field your first question.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> So without any further delay.. Scott, the floor is all yours:
Scotth@Turbine> Hi, and thanks for attending the chat! As was said, I'm the Turbine producer on AC, Scott Herrington.
Scotth@Turbine> I'll introduce the rest of the staff here with me in a minute or two, but I want to say a few things first.
Scotth@Turbine> We're trying not to nerf players in this or any future updates. The changes that we're attempting are just that, 'attempts' at fixing problems.
Scotth@Turbine> We don't always get it right, but we're trying.
Scotth@Turbine> The changes that we're making hopefully won't upset the balance of the game.
Scotth@Turbine> We'd rather boost player's abilities over a few months than go too far one month, and have to nerf them the following month.
Scotth@Turbine> With the complexities of a game like AC, there's always a bunch of things to fix or improve. We prioritize the problems and the events, so that we address severe problems first, and then minor ones.
Scotth@Turbine> Sometimes, we fix the minor stuff just because it can be done quickly - or by a person who isn't working on another problem.
Scotth@Turbine> With a limited staff, allocating the resources to fix problems is the biggest challenge we face.
Scotth@Turbine> In the February event, we're trying to help our warrior players a bit. That's all I can say about it for now, but I think they'll be happy with the changes.
Scotth@Turbine> We rely on your feedback to make sure that we're moving in the right direction with our updates... So keep posting to the message boards.
Scotth@Turbine> We do read them - even if we don't post often to them!
Scotth@Turbine> With that said, I'd like to introduce the Turbinites' who come up with the events, design dungeons, and in general, bust their butts on a monthly basis to give you new stuff to do!
Scotth@Turbine> Eri Izawa is the head of the content team. She oversees all the content people and the general structure of each event. Without her, we'd all be lost!
Scotth@Turbine> Chris L'Etoile, many of you know by his plan file. Often controversial, he's really not nearly as cranky as his plan suggests. He's responsible for a lot of the writing you read or hear in the game, as well as the immense Frore quest from December.
Scotth@Turbine> David Javier is a recent addition to the content team, and for some reason, is facinated by the story surrounding Neydissa Castle and vows to continue that storyline no matter how late he has to work.
Scotth@Turbine> Jesse Kurlancheek is also relatively new to the team. He's half-content, half-programmer, and all... erm... all good.
Scotth@Turbine> Yeah, that's it.
Scotth@Turbine> Chris Foster, the lead designer, couldn't be here tonight. He's on a press tour in Europe.
Scotth@Turbine> (yup, that's right, the game's coming out in Europe in March)
Scotth@Turbine> If you ask us questions about anything we don't have an answer to, we'll say "That's Foster's stuff, we don't know anything about that."
Scotth@Turbine> There may be a few other Turbinites lurking around who may pop up to answer a question or two as well
Scotth@Turbine> Anyway, enough of my ranting. If any of my fellow Turbanites have anything to add, do it now. After that, we'll move right in to getting your questions answered.
Scotth@Turbine> Guys? Anything to add?
rei@Turbine> TurbInites.
Crowley@turbine> Turbinites, Scott
letoile@turbine> I am too cranky.
rei@Turbine> And Foster is scum for being in Europe
Dave@turbine> HI everyone!
letoile@turbine> And I prefer "Teleturbies."
Scotth@Turbine> Ok, let's move on to the questions....
Scotth@Turbine> enough of the team's friendly banter...
nei@turbine> banter
+MrQuazarr@Zone> GA Araman
Araman_Kain> Hail! I love your guys's work! A few questions however: 1) What are you doing to improve melee warriors and when can we expect the change you have hinted on? 2) What's with the shadows on the mainland? It has made travel/exploration very hard for newbies.
nei@turbine> since we only take one....
nei@turbine> melee it is: right now we've sped up the "sword" and "sword and shield" animations, so all melee weaps minus unarmed are going to enjoy some more speed
nei@turbine> we're also tweaking the dmg formula so that it takes into account your stats with more weight (ie higher str/coord = more dmg)
nei@turbine> done
rei@Turbine> And we'll be monitoring the situation.
rei@Turbine> For any further refinements.
rei@Turbine> done
alecmuzzy> In the world of Dereth, there are two kinds of people. Those with portal magic, and those who walk. This causes a lot of tension between those two groups. Are there any plans of introducing gems enchanted with portal magic - like a Lifestone Recall Gem?
letoile@turbine> Not at present. That would defeat the purpose of them being so hard to learn and use. They're a mark of distinction -- and darn handy.
letoile@turbine> done
Sir_Sherwin> Many people seem to be growing bored of the game, mostly in my opinion because most of the % of people are powerleveling rather than exploring and/or roleplaying. Are the teleturbies planning on introducing more quests and adventures into the game
Sir_Sherwin> or planning on pushing quests and roleplaying more than powerleveling?(i understand you haven't pushed people towards powerleveling but are you going to try to get people out of that mind set)
Sir_Sherwin> or planning on pushing quests and roleplaying more than powerleveling?(i understand you haven't pushed people towards powerleveling but are you going to try to get people out of that mind set)
Sir_Sherwin> Oh and 1 other thing, the healing shortcut bug where you lose your shortcut key for healing whenever you inscribe an item needs to be fixed big time..Thanks!
rei@Turbine> Oh my goodness, if I told the team they can't make more quests and roleplaying opps, they'd rise up and slay me.
nei@turbine> *sharpens the knife*
rei@Turbine> while we can't always put in more quests due to time restrictions, you can be there're more in the wings, and that we love 'em.
Scotth@Turbine> We've got plans for the "power-levelers",... hehehe....
rei@Turbine> And yes, we prefer RP to powerleveling ourselves (except maybe nei :-p)
rei@Turbine> done
DiReCtX4> Ok
DiReCtX4> Hail Ken, Dave, and the rest! I have been here since *3:15 PM EST*...awaiting this momment..and i am still only 4th in line!..Finally!...Ok..heres my question..not as interesting as the rest..but..its still good! ;o)
DiReCtX4> Whats up so far with Jaraq's little team of happy "scribes"? What will they -exactly- do? Is it 18+? When will it start? Wait..thats 3 questions...gr...you get what i am trying to ask? Last i heard of it was on CoD..and from there, nothing more.
DiReCtX4> done
Dave@turbine> speaking for ken
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Jaggo, you're up.
ACJaggo> Greetings all. Thanks for being here to answer questions. Hi mom! Anyways... my friend and I have been searching on the Frostfell server for some time now for the Olthoi Queen. He also stated that on another server someone had a cuirass. Please dispel
Dave@turbine> The team is still in the process of being developed, there are so many things to do, ti is just taking time
ACJaggo> the fact\foction of the rumors that the queen exists, as well as Silifi of Crimson Stars, and Brogard's Axe.
Dave@turbine> expect it to come soon....
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Thanks.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> badguy, your question
badguymike> i hope i dont tread into foster's domain here but i think that a new server of any kind would breathe new life into the ac community, not that it is particularly in need of revitalizing, but a fresh start would be very fun imho.
badguymike> can you give any specifics on when you think the current servers will become saturated and what will happen when they are?
nei@turbine> hold on... we seem to have developed a backlog
rei@Turbine> OK Jaggo's question: We don't necessarily see it as our role to dispel incorrect rumors.
Scotth@Turbine> I'll take badguymike, while somebody else taks Jaggo
badguymike> new servers imo would be as fun as new quests, even if no specific mods like race wars or the like are attempted.
rei@Turbine> Jaggo's question 2: On the other hand, if someone DOES find the queen someplace, let us know....
Scotth@Turbine> We're pretty comfortable witht the performance levels on the servers with the current crowds.... but once they go up a bit more...
Scotth@Turbine> we'll start looking into opening up more servers.
Scotth@Turbine> No firm time or date as to when they open, it's all about demand, performance, and game play
Scotth@Turbine> done.
rei@Turbine> (One last note on Jaggo: We DO sometimes dispel rumors, though. Like the Frost King)
AwkwardDruid> I think one of the best things about AC is the sheer size of the world, but even DarkTide is starting to feel cramped with camping of the interesting spots. I'm wondering if and when we might see additional landmass to explore?
Crowley@turbine> Gradually. We are hard at work. Whoa, deja-vu...
Scotth@Turbine> How about more interesting spots? There's still a lot of unused property out there!
Crowley@turbine> That too. We're on it all.
rei@Turbine> We're working on adding interesting material wherever we can cram it (er....)
Scotth@Turbine> We'll be adding content to spread out the crowds a bit more...
Crowley@turbine> Done
Gooopsta> i have seen a lot of things being auctioned off on web sites. what is your opinion of people selling their items/accounts on auction sites like ebay?
Scotth@Turbine> Well...
Scotth@Turbine> we really don't care too much for people selling stuff...
Scotth@Turbine> because it's the "easy" way for others to buy their way into the game
Scotth@Turbine> we hope that people would role play and actually go on the quests, rather than buy it off ebay.
Scotth@Turbine> done.
Spaxillian> What improvements will be made to the client interface? Specifically, the spellbar is clunky and doesn't help a mage use a wide range of spells. Perhaps we could see a way to save/load spell bars via hot keys. =) (Member of Crossroads Consortium) =)
Spaxillian> Wynder made me plug the guild =)
rei@Turbine> Man, is that a Foster question.
rei@Turbine> We're aware of that issue, definitely, but Foster is both lead designer AND Mr. UI.
rei@Turbine> So we're keeping tabs on it.
rei@Turbine> done.
Scotth@Turbine> Quikslilvr, whassup?
rei@Turbine> ?
Binky413> When will more spell and trade skill content be added to the game? Alchemy, for example, is only useful to one character class and the cheap draughts that can be made are useless (besides not being able to make stamina varieties), and War Magic is onl
Binky413> projectile based (no fire walls, etc).
nei@turbine> *grins* real soon now on the trade skill question :)
rei@Turbine> And we're also adding more trade skill content gradually.
rei@Turbine> No new trade skills just yet, though.
letoile@turbine> *pines for more craft skills*
rei@Turbine> So is it confusing to have both nei and rei?
rei@Turbine> You may see some new stuff in Feb!
rei@Turbine> done
Scotth@Turbine> rei =Eri, nei=Jesse... go figure.
rei@Turbine> ?
DA_hOsTiLe_DtH> I'de liek to thank you guys for making a great game..now for my question.. Ive noticed that there at least 20 small quests for the newbies at outposts.
DA_hOsTiLe_DtH> And there are not many Quests for the higher *power lvlers* like myself, or at least i have not seen many. I was wondering if u guys are planning to put some in soon?
DA_hOsTiLe_DtH> done =)
rei@Turbine> We're definitely adding more quests.
rei@Turbine> The only issue is time. So we're adding them as fast as we can.
Crowley@turbine> More quests for all levels.
Scotth@Turbine> But to add more high level quests takes a lot longer than some of the newbie level ones....
rei@Turbine> Hey, you stole my lines.
letoile@turbine> Yeah, Frore took a full month to do right.
Crowley@turbine> Sorry, boss.
Scotth@Turbine> done... I think.
rei@Turbine> yep
letoile@turbine> A Newbie quest we can whip out in three ot four days.
rei@Turbine> Not QUITE.
rei@Turbine> DONE
+MrQuazarr@Zone> OK gang, quick announcement:
+MrQuazarr@Zone> We have run in a snag where the limit for this room is only 500
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Lots of people are waiting outside to get in.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> We need to stop and restart this lobby in order to raise the limits
+MrQuazarr@Zone> How we will do it is this way:
+MrQuazarr@Zone> WE are going to take questions through HYDROPONIK
+MrQuazarr@Zone> When we do the restart, you will lose your place in the queue.. however!
+MrQuazarr@Zone> we are righting dow the list from HYDRO on, and I will pull from that list for the next person
+MrQuazarr@Zone> so we will not go directly from the queue
+MrQuazarr@Zone> if we get through that list, we will go back to the queue.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Sorry for the inconvenience
Scotth@Turbine> We're stopping question camping!
+MrQuazarr@Zone> the down time will be about 1-2 minutes
rei@Turbine> Whoa, not yet!
Crowley@turbine> No! Don't leave yet!
+MrQuazarr@Zone> You do not need to leave yet
+MrQuazarr@Zone> we will tell you when
Spirithex> *bows deep* Greetings Turbinites.. How about incorporating an -Allegiance Name- option? [right below monarch nick] There is -one- free line in char dolls after all :) thnk you. *vanishes in thin air*
Scotth@Turbine> At the top of the Hour!
+MrQuazarr@Zone> actually
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Right after HYDROPOINK asks his question
rei@Turbine> That's a good idea, and it's another Foster Question.
Scotth@Turbine> Spirithex, thanks for the idea!
rei@Turbine> I think the idea has already been entered over here, if I'm not mistaken.
Scotth@Turbine> Hopefully you'll see it in an update somewhere down the line (no promises though)
rei@Turbine> done
Cryingpan> Hello, i would like to know if you plan on making any kind of banking system like in EverQuest, so that players wouldn't need to make "mules"
rei@Turbine> The really long-term solution for that is probably a form of player housing.
rei@Turbine> That's still being discussed, but we have hopes for getting it in!
Scotth@Turbine> (REMINDER: She said LONG TERM solution. please don't expect that next week from us. we'll do it as soon as we can)
rei@Turbine> L'Etoile wants to point out he mentioned it in his .plan page.
letoile@turbine> Look in the Archive (Nov-Dec 1999)
rei@Turbine> Yeah, it's definitely not something we can just add in a week or something.
rei@Turbine> done.
ChrisHays> Time and time again adventurers carefully struggle to the bottom of a dungeon, collecting keys, flipping switches, defeating beasts and generally doing the dungeon the way it was designed...
ChrisHays> Only to find a huge line of people at the bottom, camping the chest, telling them to "take a number"...
ChrisHays> What specific plans do you have to significantly deter chest-camping, while preserving the ability for all members of an adventuring party to equally share in the rewards earned by conquering a dungeon?
Scotth@Turbine> Yikes....
Scotth@Turbine> Well, it's something that I've been discussing with the program manager over at MS....
Scotth@Turbine> we both realize that it's a real touchy issue.
Scotth@Turbine> if we make any kind of mistake in the way we go about solving it, you guys are going to yell
Scotth@Turbine> like crazy.
Scotth@Turbine> we'd rather take a bit longer to make sure we've got the best solution possible
rei@Turbine> (Even then, no solution will make everyone happy)
Scotth@Turbine> rather than rush something out that doesn't work, and will need more work to fix.
Scotth@Turbine> the coders over here are working on a few solutions that I think will probably work....
Scotth@Turbine> more news as we dream it up.
Scotth@Turbine> done.
Crowley@turbine> Props to the weenie team.
fayr> It was my understanding that, during the last update, many of the magical items for warriors would have lower difficulties. However, one of my swords has the same difficulty (86) as it did prior to the update.
fayr> Considering how difficult it is to raise a warrior's Arcane Lore, I was wondering: Was the item just missed, or were previous weapons not changed? (done)
letoile@turbine> We can change the limits on new items generated by the treasure system easily...
letoile@turbine> Changing stuff that already exists is a MAJOR job of work...
rei@Turbine> It's not really possible.
letoile@turbine> done
Skitzophrenia> I have noticed that many items are described as being of high-quality, good-quality, well-crafted, and so on. Are there any bonuses for such items besides a higher value?
letoile@turbine> None at all, I fear.
letoile@turbine> That's really all there is to say - done.
rei@Turbine> (Oh, one more note on previous question: this applies to treasure system stuff only -- because they are unique items.)
IAmMeSoHa> ok... with months update i saw something about trying to reduce camping.. and i agree it is bad... but with the new update u have released shadows into the open world... but the problem is resist everything.. run faster than us.. and kill us easily...
IAmMeSoHa> this has forced me and many of my friends into camping which i dont like... why release such a terror into the open??? or will we hope to find out the reason with Feb. event???
Scotth@Turbine> The reason will become clearer over the next few months
Scotth@Turbine> But, I actually kinda like that Dereth has become dangerous again...
Scotth@Turbine> People are no longer walking around with no fear....
Scotth@Turbine> It's not that tough to avoid them for the most part...
Crowley@turbine> And Shadows are by no means unavoidable. Just be careful while adventuring...
Scotth@Turbine> done.
Purrpetual> We have seen some preliminary discussion of possible enhancements to melee fighters to bring them closer to parity with the power of archers and mages...
Purrpetual> As hybrid warriors (with some spellcasting ability) are currently known to be fundamentally more powerful than pure melee fighters, is there anything in these changes that will provide an incentive to play a non-magic-using warrior over a hybrid?
Scotth@Turbine> Dave J steps up to the plate.....
Scotth@Turbine> with an amazing answer....
rei@Turbine> (drum roll)
Crowley@turbine> Specializing has its perks. I've got a level 18 hybrid, and can only look with envy at people with similar level to me and much higher Str and Coord...
Crowley@turbine> Done
letoile@turbine> What, we gave you a great build-up for that? Siddown ya putz!
_SD_JAGMAN> Hello ?
letoile@turbine> Hi!
_SD_JAGMAN> hi
Scotth@Turbine> (there was a really good hint in there...)
Crowley@turbine> I am sitting!
Scotth@Turbine> Hi
nei@turbine> good question
rei@Turbine> Kids, do I have to break this up?
Scotth@Turbine> what's up Jagman?
RoBz26> guess i should go...
RoBz26> I would like to ask you guys about rank required items. I was a Reeve in beta but went Solo in retail. So now I am 'Robz', lvl 26 with no vassals and no patron. I know that getting to a high rank is an achievement, so there SHOULD be items only useable
RoBz26> by those people - I also feel the amount of items is a small, good number. My complaint is: Why was Tremblant's Ivory Staff, a quest item, made for rank 4+ only?! If I did the quest I should use the item without having followers! So my question is:
RoBz26> Will there be more, quest items or things like houses that are rank only? (Houses for having ranks is only a rumor) And think about adding something that we without an allegience can use. If it's a Yes, then I guess I have to start baiting followers with
RoBz26> my kewl loot(tm). I hope the answer is a No, because I don't see why I MUST have followers to experience the fullness of Asheron's Call, the best game I've played, BTW.
RoBz26> Very sorry for the long question, but I feel that my posts at Message Boards and NG's and email to comments@asheronscall.com go unnoticed, so it's better to ask live =)
RoBz26> There - Done =)
letoile@turbine> ONe question only, m'man. :)
letoile@turbine> To answer the thing on the staff...
letoile@turbine> For one thing, the guy who wielded it was a knight - a noble himself...
letoile@turbine> ...for another, we figured that Frore would be unbeatable without a concerted effort...
letoile@turbine> ...That players with allegiances would rally to go in and beat the dungeon...
Scotth@Turbine> And we do actually read the boards, so even though we may not post there often, we know what's going on...
letoile@turbine> ...and hence that a level restriction was appropriate for the item's backstory-genesis and the dungeon's difficulty and design intent.
letoile@turbine> done
EBnow> Why do you need to be a damn mage to be good in this game , I am a unarmed/bow fighter lv 18 currently on the darktide server , i never played on any other server , I dont attand to use magic at all , any attempts at making special techniques only very
EBnow> skilled melee/ranged fighters can use and have?
Scotth@Turbine> whoops, sorry
Scotth@Turbine> thought one of the others was going to answer
rei@Turbine> Oh ... I should add that Pierson has visions of cool combat things to do down the road.
Scotth@Turbine> the improvements to combat should help you out a bit.
Scotth@Turbine> we're trying to make each character class have their weaknesses and strengths even out...
rei@Turbine> It's a continuing balance issue that we're aware of. However, magic items will still tend to confer an advantage over non-magic items.
Scotth@Turbine> archers, on darktide can really do some major damage
Scotth@Turbine> done
HYDROPONIKRONIK> Is the Silifi of Crimson Stars just a fairy tale that is taking up space on page 49 of the Instruction Manual or will this thing actually ever be implemented? Rumors of Bael'Zharon being released/surfacing is talked about... :)
Scotth@Turbine> Well
Scotth@Turbine> the silifi right now hasn't been discovered...
Scotth@Turbine> for a very good reason.....
Scotth@Turbine> which would give away some of the future story of the game if I told you why....
Scotth@Turbine> as for the rumors....
Scotth@Turbine> yeah, I've heard those too.
Scotth@Turbine> done.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> OK Gang.... we are going to restart this lobby now. We have the queue written down and when we come back, we will go from that first, then to the newly formed queue. I will call out who is next so you can have your question ready.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> We will give 5 mins for everyone to return
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Our first question will be from Grimaud... the second will be PaladinOSU
+MrQuazarr@Zone> OK Grim, your up
Grimaud> Hi, I just want to say thanks for the great game. The only problem I have is it is too adicting! Mr. L'Etoile, I really enjoy reading your plan site. Keep up the great work.
Grimaud> Well, my question is are you/could you impliment a place where you could fight other characters without the danger of losing something or where you don't have to go full time PK to fight other players? Possibly a type of arena?
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Next PaladinOSU followed by HeIIgo
Grimaud> done
Scotth@Turbine> I've got this one...
Scotth@Turbine> Grimaud... you're reading our minds
Crowley@turbine> Good question, Grim.
Scotth@Turbine> that's something that the design and content team have been disucssing with the programmers
Scotth@Turbine> and I've been discussing it with MS... so....
letoile@turbine> (discussing = badgering)
Scotth@Turbine> hopefully, we'll be able to find the time and allocate the manpower to get combat arenas in at some future point
Scotth@Turbine> the plans have been in the works, so it's just a matter of the time, really.
Scotth@Turbine> done.
PaladinOSU> Man you scared me for a little MrQuazarr, I've been here since 5 EST. ;) I'm glad I made it back in time...
PaladinOSU> Ok, I have been playing since beta2 and I still love the game. Just wondering are you planning to remove the new armor types after this event? I didn't have the chance to get my own Matty Robe, and I don't want to lose out on stuff again. [DONE]
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Paladin up, Akye next
Scotth@Turbine> L'Etoile is feverishly typing his reply....
letoile@turbine> The new armor will stay for all time. Unlike the Hoary Robes (a limited-time quest item), they're in for the duration. Don't fret about getting it immediately.
letoile@turbine> done, methinks...
rei@Turbine> There WILL BE some armor that is limited-time-only
rei@Turbine> Later.
Scotth@Turbine> and some stuff may reappear from time to time.....
Scotth@Turbine> done.
Akye> Ok, in the Sybex book, AND THE MANUAL, it is emphasized that coordination affects dagger damage, not Strength...
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Ayke up
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Kommander0 next
Akye> But this is not so, Strength affects damage, not coord...
Akye> When is turbine either going to a) fix it or b) admit they totally misinformed everyone and wasted alot of our time.
Akye> done, cant ask my thrown weapons Q
nei@turbine> guess what? it's B. the formula has a bug right now
nei@turbine> STR should NOT be affecting dagger, but it is right now.
Scotth@Turbine> (and we're doing some fixes to thrown weapons in the next month or so...)
nei@turbine> done *wave to akye on irc*
Kommander0> Hello Turbine, you have done a great job, my question is about generation how its works, To the point of Loot on monsters to what monster spawns to the point of why that Tumerok gets A Bow and the other gets a sword? hows this work ?
+MrQuazarr@Zone> EnviroWallace is up next
Scotth@Turbine> Figuring out who's best suited to answer the question....
rei@Turbine> I'm a little confused by the question, but monsters have a somewhat random selection of loot and equipment they carry.
rei@Turbine> Different monsters wield different weapons, depending on their tastes and aesthetics.
rei@Turbine> What items they have left on them when you nuke them thus depends on the monster.
rei@Turbine> done?
_EnviroWallace_> My frind on AOL (he HAX!) sez U can DUPE and HAX on AC?????! HOW?$! ???? If U tel me i sware I wwont do it cuz Im kewl OK? i will treade som pron or my warezz versin of JILL OF THE JUNGLE PLZ???? d00dz?
+MrQuazarr@Zone> HeIIgo next
nei@turbine> LOL
Dave@turbine> heh
Scotth@Turbine> ummmm.... yeah.
letoile@turbine> *falls down laughing*
nei@turbine> d00d, j00 cann0t h@x0r AC
Crowley@turbine> *rofl*
Scotth@Turbine> next.
nei@turbine> (though if your friend does, please have him drop us a line)
rei@Turbine> done.
nei@turbine> done
_EnviroWallace_> =P
letoile@turbine> Speak the queen's English, man. :)
Dave@turbine> I like jill of the jungle... darn
heIIgo> after the mages rebalance, what kind of boost can we expect for archers in the balanceing effert?
Scotth@Turbine> We'll take one character class at a time....
Scotth@Turbine> so, for this month, we're looking at melee
Scotth@Turbine> then we'll see how that plays out....
heIIgo> so archers arnt even getting a thought right now?
Scotth@Turbine> and then make adjustments to them, or start looking at the other character classes...
+MrQuazarr@Zone> MrHitman7 next
Scotth@Turbine> we'd rather take one at a time than try to tweak everyone and hope it works out.
Scotth@Turbine> done.
mrhitman7> Have you thought about a player loot list? like /loot <name so you won't have to run across Dereth to find your corpse with a friend right next to it.
rei@Turbine> (Imagine the chaos of changing everything at once)
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Bytenator next
rei@Turbine> If you mean allowing friends to loot your corpse
rei@Turbine> it's ultimately a kind of Foster question. However, I know it has been requested many times, so we are very aware of it.
rei@Turbine> There are a lot of these neato features that we'd love to get in... we just can't do them all at once.
rei@Turbine> (I hope that was the question)
rei@Turbine> done
Bytenator> Do you have any suggestions for a quest a level 12 mage can take on? (and don't say green mire, I already done that)
+MrQuazarr@Zone> BriOmega next
letoile@turbine> Hang on, we're con-fabbing. :)
nei@turbine> Let's see... there's the dagger of tikola (might be a little tough)
nei@turbine> there's also bandit castle/neydissa
rei@Turbine> I don't know if these are solo-able.
nei@turbine> done
BriOmega> Hi there..long time, first time :0P My question regards new skills being added. Has there been discussion as to how new skills will be implemented and how players can get them?. . .
BriOmega> Perhaps increasing the amount of skill points you can gain at higher levels? or as i once suggested on Crossroads, perhaps adding quests for skills? done
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Next Buffy_Becca
rei@Turbine> Yes, there has been discussion of how to add new skills.
nei@turbine> LOTS of it ...
rei@Turbine> Last time we had the discussion it was not actually resolved.
letoile@turbine> We were distracted by something shiny.
rei@Turbine> Quests for skills is something we like, though we're not sure how it could fit in.
rei@Turbine> (hits L'Etoile)
rei@Turbine> doe
rei@Turbine> Doh
rei@Turbine> done
letoile@turbine> (hits Rei back)
Buffy_Becca> what are and where did the Virindi come from? ((nerf jayna = ))
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Next up Allen_xrgaming
rei@Turbine> They come from France
nei@turbine> They come from France!
Scotth@Turbine> They come from France.
letoile@turbine> They come from France.
Dave@turbine> france
Crowley@turbine> They come from France.
rei@Turbine> done
Scotth@Turbine> done
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Buffy?
Crowley@turbine> Thank you for your question, fellow human.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> OK, moving on
allen_xrgaming> Hey all. :) While I really appreciate the lengths that the team has gone through, I'm wondering what smaller things are being done to make the story more alive from day to day. Sorty of mini- events that are not announced and just happen.
Scotth@Turbine> Allen, thanks for the q.
rei@Turbine> We hope to continue adding little bits of content tweaks and changes as time goes on (and as time allows ... that's always our biggest issue)....
Scotth@Turbine> One of the things that we've tried to do is populate the world with big stuff that everyone knows about....
Crowley@turbine> I know I'd love to add in ongoing content, evolving quests that change from event to event. But it's all an issue of time and resources...
Scotth@Turbine> while slipping in some smaller things.
rei@Turbine> Also, we're hoping to facilitate more player-run events down the road....
+MrQuazarr@Zone> _skidoo23 next
+MrQuazarr@Zone> followed by DeLT
rei@Turbine> I know that's vague but we do like slipping in the details when we can.
Scotth@Turbine> As our processes get smoothed out, you'll start seeing some smaller stuff slide in there.
Scotth@Turbine> done.
rei@Turbine> done
Crowley@turbine> Like colored packs.
letoile@turbine> I wish I could clone myself. :(
_skidoo23> So far there are quest weapons for just about all types, but any plans for unarmed, xbow ones or lower level quest weapons?(better than random ones, unlike SOLL) btw archers do not need boosting they are way overpowered as it is at high lev
+MrQuazarr@Zone> DeLT next
Scotth@Turbine> What, somebody admittng their character class is overpowered?
nei@turbine> the quick answer: yes, yes, yes... yes to all the items :)
Scotth@Turbine> done
Crowley@turbine> Look for a funky new unarmed quest soon...
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Rukes next
DeLT> Hey Sean, we(yes, we) miss you in chat =) You should really join us on IRC; Jesse can tell you which server...
DeLT> Looking further down the road, is there going to be something introduced in the way of War Magic spells to help war mages who currently have a capped maximum damage?...
DeLT> That is, at level 85, a mage will no longer be the class doing the damage which makes it not worth long term since they have so much working against them.
letoile@turbine> (Sean sez Hi back :)
rei@Turbine> I believe that we have some ideas upcoming, but Foster is the guy who knows all.
rei@Turbine> And he's off on a different continent, the scum.
nei@turbine> right now, i have a list of "spells" on the whiteboard behind me... war/life/creature and more... so it's on the proverbial plate, i reckon
Scotth@Turbine> done?
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Blasto65 next
rei@Turbine> Yeah....
Rukes> Most of my freinds have been playing almost non stop, and exploring everything pretty quicky. Most of them have stopped playing AC because they feel like they have done everything...
Rukes> What do you have planned to keep those addicted people from jumping ship, besides huge monthly events?
Scotth@Turbine> I've got it....
Scotth@Turbine> Well, I can't go into a bunch of details
Scotth@Turbine> But I will say that we're going to be giving away features
Scotth@Turbine> that other companies would probably charge you for....
Scotth@Turbine> wait a month or two, and you'll see what I mean.
Scotth@Turbine> done
blasto65> You have done a great job. I'v heard that there is going to be horses and guild houses is that true and if so how long before we would see it ?????
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Genjuro_1 next
Scotth@Turbine> Nope, only guild horses.
Scotth@Turbine> :)
Dave@turbine> heh
rei@Turbine> Horses that have doors that you walk into. Immobile, even.
Scotth@Turbine> Houses, horses, and ..... other stuff...
rei@Turbine> I think we've said that houses are something we're seriously looking into. I don't think we've said anything about horses....
Scotth@Turbine> maybe little ponies....
Scotth@Turbine> Check out L'Etoile's plan file to see how much work would go into doing something like that...
Scotth@Turbine> he broke it down really well and explained all the aspects of putting in something as "simple" as horses..
Scotth@Turbine> done.
Genjuro_1> Question--- Can you make/is there any plans to add: weapons that cast offensive spells on monsters/pc's during combat for example a sword that casts slowness other on its target (the npc/player) or other spells that are "offensive" and if not why?
Genjuro_1> not question -- I know alot of people will hate me for this but you really need to raise the lore and or stat req's on higher level magic items and perhaps lower the mana use rate a bit to comp.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Archemist will be next.
Scotth@Turbine> Part of that answer would lie in tech needed....
Scotth@Turbine> and another part would lie in the design/balance issues that would raise.
Scotth@Turbine> creating new weapon types - with extra magic benefits is a really tricky proposition.
rei@Turbine> I don't think there are any plans right now. (I think that answers the question). But we are always looking at suggestions.
Scotth@Turbine> Don't think we won't, but we don't have any plans for that at the moment. Good suggestion though, and thanks for the last bit too...
Scotth@Turbine> done
+MrQuazarr@Zone> ARchmage_Shark will be next
Archemist> First Off Great Game, can't wait for melee fighters to get their day in the sun, someday. Now, my question, "The armors greaves, gloves, and boots, have me confused. Can one wear greaves (to protect upper AND lower legs -- there IS NO upper leg armor)....
Archemist> and Non or low AL (magic stat boost only) gloves and boots to protect against attack (creatures dont target hands/feet and greaves cover whole leg?)?
nei@turbine> without any base AL, an item will offer no protection
nei@turbine> however, if you cast spells on a shirt/pants/something, it's possible to wear armor over that and enjoy the double layering
nei@turbine> done
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Tafflehos will be next
Archmage_Shark> How does a weapon skill amount effect "chance to hit,damage,speed, or a combonation" Does strength, coordination, and quickness effect anything besides the total for other stats? If this is in the manual what page, I didn't and don't plan on reading it ;)
Scotth@Turbine> Well, if you're not going to read it, it's on page 12
Scotth@Turbine> :)
nei@turbine> weapon skill affects your chance to hit
nei@turbine> quick affects speed, str/coord affect dmg
nei@turbine> done
Tafflehos> Hail Turbinites. Tasslehof Windrunner of the Lost Order of Akalabeth (Http://www.lostorder.com ) here. Are we going to be allowed to purchase extra Accounts without having to buy Another copy of the game itself? How soon Can we expect to see this? ...
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Shadowtiger will be next
Tafflehos> and many thanks for the great stuff in the Events ;) keep it coming :)
rei@Turbine> Thanks :)
Scotth@Turbine> Tass, thanks for the question.
Scotth@Turbine> That's a discussion more for MS than Turbine, but now that you've brought it up, I'm sure that we'll be able to at least start soem discussion on the matter
Scotth@Turbine> Why do you want an extra account?
Scotth@Turbine> Run out of mule slots? :)
+MrQuazarr@Zone> It will be something that we consider at a later date. No immediate plans however.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Zotar99 will be next
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Shadow?
Zotar99> Specialization does not appear to be worth the skill points it costs - are you looking at improving it, possibly by flattening its curve vs trained so the gap grows at higher skill levels? (perhaps from 15 points at level 20 to 30 points at level 30-40?)
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Merlin071 next
Scotth@Turbine> hold on, concocting an answer now..
rei@Turbine> Actually, there some stuff we want to do with the skill costs in general.
rei@Turbine> I'm not sure when we will be able to address it, BUT I definitely want to see changes made to skill costs, especially at higher levels.
rei@Turbine> Specialized skills would be included in that.
rei@Turbine> done
Scotth@Turbine> If it's on Eri's "I want this feature" list, odds are it'll probably get done at some point... sooner rather than later if I know how persistant she is...
Merlin071> Greetings! Great work on the game guys. :) I haven't played a game so much since my days of the Atari 2600. I was wondering if you have plans for a better spell interface? The one in place now is rather cumbersome and I am forever switching spells for....
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Baalpon will be next
Merlin071> 1-9 hot keys. I have all 4 schools of magic and it can be frustrating hunting for a spell with the clunky scroll bar (even when it didn't do the hokey pokey, 4 steps forward 3 steps back)
rei@Turbine> Hey, I think I've seen this question many times today.
rei@Turbine> So it's on the radar screen. Again, Foster is not only lead designer but Mr. UI, so I can't really speak for him.
Scotth@Turbine> But, if something like this comes up a lot, you can be assured we'll look into making improvements
Scotth@Turbine> done
BaalPon> Love the game, and your interest in the players, great job. Thank you all. Here's the question...
BaalPon> Most item's diff's are lowered when there is a heritage restriction, why don't magic wands, staves, and orbs have these restrictions? Seems it would be fair, warriors are often frustrated to find weapons they can't use, but not us mages. ga
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Silverion next
nei@turbine> pierson would be the person to ask on that one... but...
Scotth@Turbine> don't say it!f
nei@turbine> casting items often can have rank requirements, so that can lower the diff on them significantly
nei@turbine> done
Silverion> *bows to turbinites* This game is like a sand in desert more you try to hold in your hands faster it slips out *he makes strange moves trying to hold his turban in place but it looks like it's moving?* My good's ... We desert people wish to unders
Silverion> *hold a turban with both hands* Actual rank sistem is best used only if you have ONLY 2 followers and they only 2 followers and so on so at and you gain ranks fast .... but this have serious disadvantages as every person in piramid is limited to only 4 d
Silverion> finaly menaged to sit on his turban* ... but a question is how exactly work a sistem of loyality and leadership ... how much experience is worth this 100 points more in loyality ... and how much exp is passed from a ones vasals vasal to him? from 1000
Silverion> *turban makes a quick turn .. silverion falls in turban hole? (sound from "hole" ) "oppsss this exploration of new continent make me losing concentration ... maybe it's not time yet to be tere master I WAS TALKING YOU .....*
Scotth@Turbine> Sorry, but we don't have the huge charts here in front of us
Scotth@Turbine> with the exact numbers you're looking for.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Erenon will be next
Scotth@Turbine> AC has about a zillion different tables and charts associated with every facet of the game
rei@Turbine> Don't forget equations.
Scotth@Turbine> and there are a lot of things to keep track of (which is why we write 'em down)
Scotth@Turbine> So.... sorry.... we don't have the answer to your question... ummm, interesting question though....
Scotth@Turbine> done.
Erenon> Is there or will there be a way to create 'add-ins' to interact with the AC front end (via COM)? For example, someone could write an add-in to retrieve the spells the currently logged in character...
Erenon> has learned, inventory, vassals, etc. (shameless plug) Hire Eric Heikkila [Turbinite-wannabe, Programmer & AC addict] ;) Thanks! ga
Dave@turbine> www.turbinejobs.co
nei@turbine> there's no supported way to do this, but if you can, more power to you
Dave@turbine> .com
Scotth@Turbine> How do you think Jesse got hired?
Scotth@Turbine> done.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Arty you are up
Crowley@turbine> Some of us are still trying to figure that one out, Scott.
ArtyD> First of all i copyed all of the first chat and will continue to record all of this. My question is based upon Magic items. Where do they come from, or can we make items eventually? fyi all others, i intend to email this chat to stratics. more to say...
Scotth@Turbine> YEOW!
rei@Turbine> Yay, our words are chiseled into eternity.
ArtyD> when i started loging this i expected this to be a pain in the neck, since then my oppinion has considerably lowered.
Dave@turbine> the chat will be available to all
+MrQuazarr@Zone> On the zone tomorrow ;-)
rei@Turbine> I don't think there are currently plans to make permanently enchanted items. That said, Mr. Magic (Pierson that is) isn't here, and I know he has nefarious plans and ideas up his sleeve.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Ferrier13 will be next
rei@Turbine> done for me.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Tportman will be next
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Ferrier?
Scotth@Turbine> What's your question?
tportman> great game! Too addicting though, carefull or you'll get a surgeon general warning or some class action lawsuits... Oh and the classes are balanced, the warriors/archers can fight without even lifting a mouse... enough rant. Easy question/sugg.: <more
tportman> Re: the recent increase in portal storms at Fort Tethana (a bad place to get portaled stormed away): It seems that low lvl players are in abundance at the fort. Since it is improbable that they ran to Teth we know that they were portaled in <more
tportman> via players tied to the exit of a nearby dungeon. that has a lvl restriction on it's entrance of lvl18+. If lvl18+ restrictions were placed on the exit, that could reduce the number of low lvl's at teth, thereby reducing the frequency of the portal storms
tportman> at the fort. can you do this? please? Also, ditto's on the spellbar tweeking, it needs to be done badly! and Why can't foster join the chat from Europe? this is the internet, right?. Great game BTW.<done
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Sonicsmit will be next
Scotth@Turbine> Foster issue: I think he's sleeping at the moment.
Crowley@turbine> It's probably about 3 AM where Foster is now.
Scotth@Turbine> Protals storm question....
rei@Turbine> We are trying to be careful in where we put in portal restrictions. I don't know if the number of low levels is so much the problem as the crowding at Teth....
rei@Turbine> We have plans for trying to relieve crowding at Teth when we get a chance. Nei can tell you about it if I'd let him.
rei@Turbine> Which I won't if it comes to certain details.
rei@Turbine> French details.
rei@Turbine> Hope that answered the question.... done
sonicsmit> Hi guys! good game... but needs a lot of improvements...
sonicsmit> My question is simple: What do you guys plan on doing to improve the lack of role-playing? The team may be made up of RPers, but it still doesn't fix the game, and as new mmoRPgs come out, Dereth may end up filled with powergamers... thanks!
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Kakori Next
letoile@turbine> We're going to replace all the players with actors. ;P
letoile@turbine> Seriously, there's only so much we can do on our end.
rei@Turbine> I think the best approach is to continue to add to backstory and other story elements that encourage RP.
letoile@turbine> Most of it is up to the individual player - we can't force you to roleplay.
rei@Turbine> We do prefer RPers of course, but as letoile said, we can't and in fact don't WANT to force modes of play in AC.
rei@Turbine> But you can bet that people here are dedicated to story. I got yelled at today for an idea that letoile thought didn't fit the backstory :)
rei@Turbine> done
Kakori> Well two people have already requested more "newbie-like quests but for higher levels", so let me ask another one: Any chance of getting more of the lore or history from Ispar placed in Dereth libraries or for sale in shops? I know...
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Geniusclown is next
Kakori> I know it's a little thing, and needn't be addressed, but for content's sake this is yet another way to add richness to the world and expand the cool fiction in AC. It also involves close to zero-coding, just filling in books.
Dave@turbine> HI Kakori, great job on the Recipe....
+MrQuazarr@Zone> We have 5 minutes left gang.
letoile@turbine> Hi Kakori. :)
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Just a few more questions.
Kakori> I love the stories Chris does on the Zone, by the way. Im done
Kakori> Hi!
Kakori> ^^/
nei@turbine> man, that carrot cake sure is good
Scotth@Turbine> Dave, coming up with an answer.....
Scotth@Turbine> really soon....
rei@Turbine> Kakori (I still remember your contest entry), trust me, we want to add more stories to the libraries.
Crowley@turbine> We're constantly developing new backstory. Good lord, the oodles of backstory we're working on here... Just wait for more events, you'll see more backstory.
Crowley@turbine> Done
rei@Turbine> There's really a LOT of stuff we want to put in.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> GA Genius
rei@Turbine> (done)
letoile@turbine> Writing backstory has pretty much become my sole job lately. ;)
letoile@turbine> done as well
geniusclown> I've found 2 exceptional things about being a Vegabond, but we're still ~severely~ underbalanced (masters of stealth, my butt!) to the point that I haven't seen even 1 other actual Vegabond in Leafcull. In "Spin from Turbine", Foster acknowledged this.
geniusclown> (...this kinda ties in with all the complaints/suggestions and such about non-magic users and perks of playing a class rather than hybrid Adventurer...)
geniusclown> What can we expect for Vegabonds, and when? If the answer is "Foster question" answer this: how many "special abilities" do Vegabonds currently have that no one else does? (just asking for a number, not specifics)
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Ginx13 next
letoile@turbine> As a fellow vegetarian vagabond, let me assure you that getting some real thiefy-skills in is something I want badly to see...
Scotth@Turbine> L'Etoile is cooking up a reply (thought + keyboard)
Crowley@turbine> L'Etoile's typing out a response now...
Crowley@turbine> Oops.
Scotth@Turbine> more lockpicking!
Scotth@Turbine> still typing....
letoile@turbine> But you should be aware that we really don't have any skills that are class-only; we're not that sort of game. Vagabonds start off with Lockpick right now...
letoile@turbine> ...and Deception, that most useful of skills...
Scotth@Turbine> (for now)
letoile@turbine> ...but I'd like to see "sneaking" and possibly "backstabbing," myself. :)
rei@Turbine> Yeah, I would too.
Dave@turbine> me too
letoile@turbine> No plans on when or how - that's also a Foster question.
nei@turbine> i wouldn't - vagabonds would be a powerclass
letoile@turbine> Bite me, Nei!
letoile@turbine> ;P
letoile@turbine> done
Scotth@Turbine> as you can see, there's some dissention in the ranks about vagabonds....
rei@Turbine> Next, before we get into a biting contest.
Scotth@Turbine> done
Ginx13> how ironic that the last question was about theives...
Ginx13> Theivery in the form of taking items while muling and while trading is a big problem. The house situation will obviously help the muling problem, but I suggest a trade window like the shop window that can be opened between players to view trade items
rei@Turbine> Ahhh yes Secure Trade!
Ginx13> I'd also like to know if you care about this happening
Dave@turbine> I got this
Dave@turbine> The problem is a large one as we see it, but it can only really be solved by education in the short term
Dave@turbine> don't trade with people you do not trust
Dave@turbine> use a 3rd party if need be....read the message boards, be aware of scams....
Dave@turbine> we cannot help you if you agree to a trade and get burned
Dave@turbine> educate yourself, and you should be fine....be a wise consumer
Dave@turbine> done
+MrQuazarr@Zone> And our last question of the night belongs to Jmcginley1
jmcginley1> Why doesn't armor effect the damage dealt by a spell? Whirling Blade...
jmcginley1> for example is a huge blade shot at you chest. Shouldn't armor help lessen the damage from that attack?
rei@Turbine> That is a very old issue, actually, and one we've struggled with quite a bit.
rei@Turbine> (Really)
rei@Turbine> But at this point to change it would be to greatly nerf magic, and we're pretty sure that this is probably not a good idea.
rei@Turbine> And despite the cries of "nerf magic," we have to be very careful on issues like that :)
rei@Turbine> done
+MrQuazarr@Zone> I would like to thank everyone for coming to the Chat this evening. Thanks everyone at Turbine for spending a few hours with us!
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Zone Chat Log 02/03/2000