+MrQuazarr@Zone> The AC Dev Chat will begin at 5:00 pm PST (Current Time: 4:25 pm PST)
+_L_Train> .
+MrQuazarr@Zone> ======================================
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Welcome to our Monthly Asheron's Call Developer's Chat.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> With us today is one of the Lead Designer, Eri Izawa and Producer, James Cowgill. With us today is one of the Lead Designer, Eri Izawa and Producer, James Cowgill.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> A few reminders of the ground rules: A few reminders of the ground rules:
+MrQuazarr@Zone> 1. Only one questions per person. 1. Only one questions per person.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> If you ask more then one, we will have to pick the one to answer, and it will most likely be the one you cared the least about. If you ask more then one, we will have to pick the one to answer, and it will most likely be the one you cared the least about
+MrQuazarr@Zone> I will be doubling everything I say today
+MrQuazarr@Zone> 2. Have your questions typed out in word pad and ready to copy and paste when your turn comes up.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Due to the volume of people, we will only wait a short period for the questions before we move on.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> 3. Watch for repeat questions. If you are asking a question that was already asked, we will simply reply with an: "Asked and answered" and move on.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> 4. Final one, which has never been a problem for you guys, but I have to say it: Remember, the Code of Conduct is in force here ;-).
+MrQuazarr@Zone> OK, I will hand the floor over to Eri to introduce everyone else here today and then we will be off to the questions.
rei@Turbine> I'm Eri "reijin" Izawa, co-lead designer for Asheron's Call and general spec shuffler.
rei@Turbine> With me today are these great flavors of the AC Team:
rei@Turbine> Jesse "Nei" Kurlancheek, game designer, scripter, general systems guy.
rei@Turbine> David "Crowley" Javier, game designer, dungeon maker, and dialogue meister.
rei@Turbine> Dave "Sarneho" Namerow, Turbine-side Community Manager.
rei@Turbine> ...and introducing newest catchy flavor, James Cowgill, AC Producer.
rei@Turbine> I will go through the usual introduction:
rei@Turbine> To give you an idea of our schedule, we are already hard at work on the August event. So we can with some confidence answer questions about that material (though we won't give away all the secrets ;-).
rei@Turbine> That said, we usually cannot give you concrete dates or feature details for anything new beyond one or two months out. And even then we may not be able to.
rei@Turbine> This is because of many factors, including the experimental nature of events, schedule changes, and the fact that something that looks simple may turn out to be very complicated or even impossible!
rei@Turbine> In other words, promising specifics for many of your suggestions would be premature. We don't like promising things we might not be able to deliver.
rei@Turbine> Also, because we have so much planned, new requests on the boards or from here may not be implemented til some time after the suggestion is made.
rei@Turbine> But I want to assure you that we are listening! The spellcasting UI changes happened in large part because of your suggestions at a chat much like this one some months ago.
rei@Turbine> Again, thanks for coming! Let's go....
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Alrighty....
Solamar> Hello! Thank you for such a cool game! One question. We really need some type of "Stash" for characters. Are thier plans for this? This would be VERY useful to Patrons and Monarchs. Not to mention those who love bartering with others as I do. ...
Solamar> Down with the mules I say! Maybe use an NPC and allow us to buy space at 10K per Pack? This would go hand in hand with the Secure Trading System many were hoping to see in this months patch. Thanks! GA.
rei@Turbine> It's on our list of things we'd like to do, but there are no current plans for it, as we are hard at work on some other systems.
rei@Turbine> Item storage has a host of technical issues and would require a LOT of time.
rei@Turbine> In an ideal world we'd do it in a flash :)
rei@Turbine> Done.
jhaw> Hello. I noticed that monsters are allowed to cast spells with out the aid of channeling devices. Why are we not allowed to cast spells with a weapon in hand like shadows? ga
Crowley@turbine> Most of it simply boils down to complications with the animation data.
Crowley@turbine> I'm not totally up on the technical issues involved, but it's actually difficult to have monsters hold on to wands.
Crowley@turbine> As for in-game responses... Monsters are more innately magical...?
Crowley@turbine> Done
Kr0n1K> When will Lugian Hammers use "Axe" skill like they SHOULD instead of "Mace" skill which they currently feed from?, I mean, what is the point of a Hammer when lugians already have a mace and morningstar.., It should be easy so I hope it rhymes with must,
Kr0n1K> i mean it would be a good olthoi weapon with def, GA
Crowley@turbine> It's a known bug, actually in my "to fix" queue.
Crowley@turbine> So Lugian hammers should start behaving normally soon. Unfortunately, I won't be rhyming tonight.
Crowley@turbine> Done
SirXavier1> Sit tight, you are in for a long question or rant, whatever you wish to call it. In June new spells were added to war magic, same in the most recent update...
SirXavier1> The known ones, two of them are useless, streaks and walls. Even rings are useless without life magic. The most expensive skill ingame is the most useless without life magic. In PvM and PvP. High level PvM with just war magic, is beyond annoying, every mo
SirXavier1> every monster over 100(except magmas and altered drudges) have uber health, and/or uber spells. High level melee by far surpasses war magic in PvM...
SirXavier1> Currently war magic is worthless at high levels, unless you have life magic. Why? Why must the most expensive skill in game require you to have life magic to be viable? War magic is not worth 16 to train or 28 to spec, even with the new spells...
SirXavier1> Something still needs to be done. Either give skill points back, 1 for trained, 3 for spec'ed so it won't throw anything out of balance, or new uber war spells that are not effected by life need to be added. Is anything planned... Done
Crowley@turbine> It has been somewhat acknowledged that War Magic is underpowered. However, don't expect to see a decrease or "giveback" on War Magic skill credit cost.
Crowley@turbine> We want to improve war magic's effectiveness, but as you can see, balance is a very tricky issue.
Crowley@turbine> Additionally, there are some tech issues involved. I saw Jesse bumping his head into some of our tech limitations recently.
Crowley@turbine> We haven't given up on War Magic, but I don't think you can expect any more War Magic buffing soon.
Crowley@turbine> Done
RESiSTANCE_JaS> Great game guys, Really love what you have done with it. Lot better than that "other" game ::coughs:: EQ ...Ok... the question, Even though we just got Solclaim, are we getting any other worlds any time in the near future? um Snowreap? among others =) GA.
rei@Turbine> Ken's got it :)
+MrQuazarr@Zone> We are always looking at performance and concurrency on a near daily basis to ensure that we have adequate worlds for the current player base. When we see a trend, we will act on it. There is always a possibility of new worlds.
Cowgill@Turbine> Turbine and MS aren't finished optimizing the code or servers. We are always trying to both, increase the server load and looking at how many total worlds are needed.
Cowgill@Turbine> done
Liart> Suggestion: Create item spells. Level one would make a crude lockpick/healing kit for exampe. Level six would make a peerless. Then when the spell expires the item would expire...
Liart> Especially nice now that hollow weapons nullifies items main usefulness.. Ok, now for my question...
Liart> Have you seen my corpse? Oh, and on a side note, Decado (FF) wants to know - "How much would a woodchuck would chuck if a woodchuck would chuck wood"...
Liart> *slaps Nei and Crowley around with an IRC-brand trout* :) GA!
Crowley@turbine> Okay... thanks for the suggestion...
wynterwolf> To expensive to have archers with atlan and hollow arrows but any plans for some new arrow heads? Race specific for PvP? Critter specific? Exploding to knock open those stubborn locked doors? I can think of plenty!
wynterwolf> Here is one way to add a money sink and give high fletch skill something to do. Besides, we need something to do between snapping bow strings! Done
Crowley@turbine> Unfortunately, there's a lack of support for item creation within our code. It'd demand new tech, and we already have a lot of new tech backloaded.
Crowley@turbine> I saw your corpse, you should get to it soon. And woodchucks don't chuck wood.
Crowley@turbine> Done
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Sorry about that wynter, I moved you up a little too fast.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Reading your question now.
rei@Turbine> There are currently tech reasons why we can't do critter specific, race specific, or exploding missile weapons....
rei@Turbine> We are still looking at bows & thrown weapons for possible future features, though.
rei@Turbine> As Davej said, we have a lot of new tech queued up in the schedule already.
rei@Turbine> Done.
shefner> With the last update and some of the bugs <specifically the bug relating to stamina to mana it has become obvious that there is little or no actual playtesting…
shefner> of the patch materials. (Sorry, but a SINGLE casting of the adjusted spell/spell effect in a playtest would have revealed the problems,…. of the patch materials. (Sorry, but a SINGLE casting of the adjusted spell/spell effect in a playtest would have r
shefner> revealed the problems, therefore I can but think that it was not tested at all.) Further, with
shefner> with these patches, it is also obvious that there is little or not thought being given to play balance <Tusker Slave =14kxp, Bone Lord = 8kxp … think about it Do y'all see this as a problem, or do you think your quality control / play balance efforts are
shefner> appropriate? <ga
Cowgill@Turbine> I can understand your perception of with some of the bugs which make their way to the live servers.
Cowgill@Turbine> Unlike other software products and games, AC can't be fully tested until something is actually on the live world.
Cowgill@Turbine> The fact is, it's a huge world which has two dedicated test teams (one at MS and one at Turbine.)
Cowgill@Turbine> With the rate that events are created and propped, we do make mistakes.
Cowgill@Turbine> We try very hard to put up clean props, and when we make a mistake, we try to determine the effect and correct it as soon as possible.
Cowgill@Turbine> There is no way that we will ever have a perfect game, but the goal remains to make it as good as possible and a lot of resources are dedicated to doing that.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> It is unfortunate that some bugs make it into the game, and we do regret that. But having a complete "bug free" game probably will not happen either, no matter what the game.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> One of the restriction we have, that other MMORPGs do not have, is that we constantly are evolving our storyline with new events and content.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> It is very important for this information to stay confidential until it is rolled out.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> This is why we do not open our next update to public testing as other do.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> DONE.
Seifer_Rules> this is a long question, not sure if im cutting and pasting right, but here goes.. /me is frustrated..
Seifer_Rules> Why is it that the new dispell spells cost so much mana.. i mean seriously you have to cast it multiple times to dispell everything, and the only spells i care about are the level6's.. then i have to fully rebuff.. i think the mana cost should be brought
Seifer_Rules> wayyyy down, at level45 my mana isnt even 280 yet. i have been casting 6's for the last 15 levels it kinda sucks because you add these great spells, and make them not even worth casting. then you go and make the spell comp impossible to replenish, so we a
Seifer_Rules> are scared to even cast the spells.. why cant you guys make mages fun to play anymore. i have made a melee guy now because my mage is worthless.. im sorry to be a whiner but i was so happy to see that dispells were added.. and now i cant even use them bec
Seifer_Rules> ecause my mage is worthless.. im sorry to be a whiner but i was so happy to see that dispells were added.. and now i cant even use them because you only get 40 spell comps EVER, then the mana cost is way to high to even cast them.. whats the point in addi
Seifer_Rules> whats the point in adding the stuff if people wont even use it. i thought you guys would learn from last month when the only time people used the disk spells were to p
Seifer_Rules> reform light shows in the middle of town for noobs to ooo and ahhh over..
Seifer_Rules> im just very frustrated, i love being a mage, but every month is just like another slap in the face, every month since the game went retail.. please will you guys do something to show us that you want us to keep playing? I guess my real question is...
Seifer_Rules> what are the chances that you will be making the new spells worth the effort...
Seifer_Rules> PS to stormy, if you can see this! everyone on SAGE TOWER and Hall of Lore misses you =( oh and good luck to myth and her followers on solving the new quest on the island!
Seifer_Rules> done..
Crowley@turbine> As far as I can tell, the question you asked is "why do dispell spells cost so much mana."
Crowley@turbine> Look at it this way. For each dispel you cast, you negate several spells. That's a deal.
Crowley@turbine> But the real answer to the question is that they have to be balanced. If they didn't cost as much as they did, balance might have swung too far in the wrong direction.
Crowley@turbine> We'll keep looking at the costs of new spells, but I don't expect to see them changing any time soon.
Crowley@turbine> Done
Kilmorx> First of all, great game, thanks guys. Kilmor from the german AC Mystics Team -Your First German Resource For Roleplaying Games- here. Now my question. With the new patch some interesting features have been introduced...
Kilmorx> But the one thing I am really missing are (not counting housing, storage, etc. *g*) some new spells like summoning of creatures....
Kilmorx> or enchantments like charms or control spells, is there something up your sleeves or is that an impossible thing to hope for ? http://ac.mystics.de <ga (Sorry about the adverts, couldn't resist *g*)
rei@Turbine> It's not an impossible thing to hope for....
Kilmorx> YES !
rei@Turbine> We're seriously interested in that kind of thing, but it IS new tech, and as such is extremely expensive.
rei@Turbine> It's not currently scheduled anywhere, but like I said, we're interested in doing some of those.
rei@Turbine> Done.
Shadedelthor> Hi jiggas, Will you be making buffs last longer in future updates? And war magic is useless now on DT due to the fact of the nerfing of wand monkey'in, and the new hollow weapons cut right through a mages protects, and turbine favors archers, so war magi
Shadedelthor> ic is useless
rei@Turbine> We are unlikely to make buffs longer in future updates ... but as we said above, we are still looking at ways to improve War Magic down the road.
Crowley@turbine> If we improve buffs, we have to improve debuffs also... So watch what you ask for.
Crowley@turbine> (done)
rei@Turbine> (done)
MidMoPub> Here is something new ========== Shout out to the Dasterdly Clan Morningthaw Crew, wa'up!?! Comment #1: IMHO an "Uber Chest" has no business only spawning throwing clubs and non magical 1-4 base
MidMoPub> UA weapons. Please up the min. to med. value jewlery or something we can sell of value. Keys are just to rare and high trade commodity to get jiped like that. Comment #2: There is severe lack of Good UA weapons as loot.
MidMoPub> I have gotten at least ten each 8-16 swords, axes, etc for every one barely above normal UA weapon. UA has a bad wrap as being to easy. Might be a bug. God knows all the Thrown Weapon Mastery gloves i have gotten
MidMoPub> has to be! Question (finally): Love the new Debuffing spells, woops, Siefer took my question... umm, ok, STOP MESSING WITH MAGES!! I created a mage to take adavanage to its strengths. Now EVERY month some new nerf.
MidMoPub> Some months multi nerfs! Just once i would like to have a Great Skeleton cast Sword Inept 6 on me as i try and run by!! Please Turbine, enough already. Are you plaining any new nerfs for the mages to balance in PvP (which a majority of players will never
MidMoPub> Thats all, Thanks Turbine for a great game in Janurary, wish it wasnt getting worse ever month =( - Berry II, lvl 43 PvM ArchMage of MT
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Thanks for your comments.
rei@Turbine> I think the only question was whether we are planning any new nerfs for the mages to balance in PvP .... We are always working for the sake of balance. There's no specific plan at the moment except to continue to try to make the best decisions we can.
rei@Turbine> Done.
PaladinsOfFate> Hi guys! Love the game! Question from a friend:
PaladinsOfFate> With the introduction of hollow weapons, the use of robes with no AL is not a viable option for a mage any
PaladinsOfFate> longer. For those who based their character creation on those variables and have no real strength for heavy
PaladinsOfFate> armor, will there be robes with a base AL in future updates?
PaladinsOfFate> Gwen Normad -- Frostfell Archer (asking for her Mage friends)
rei@Turbine> There might be some robes like that, but don't expect robes to be as powerful an asset as they were before.
rei@Turbine> i.e., they may have certain limitations, etc.
rei@Turbine> No, no specific robes are planned at the moment.
rei@Turbine> Done.
__MOO__> Golly
__MOO__> i'm up!
__MOO__> Is there a future for the skill of thrown weapons?.. will you even consider working on progressing the skill like what has been done with sword (rapier) and mace & spear.. i'm leveling from 53-65 in order to get the skill just don't want it to be a bust
__MOO__> M0000oooooOOOOooo!! i want Pong Back along with Bessy the lvl 126 aurcoh cow that we can tip (This is a statement, not a question : )
__MOO__> Pana Taber Tayway Terra (TD) #1
__MOO__> o don't forget Kallikrates
Crowley@turbine> Yes, there are things being planned for thrown weapons.
Crowley@turbine> Historically thrown weapons has been difficult to improve because you can't enchant a stack of items.
Crowley@turbine> We are thinking up clever ways around this technological limitations. We have some clever plans. So clever you could put two pointy ears on them and call them weasels.
rei@Turbine> (or not ;)
Crowley@turbine> So soon (no rhymes, unfortunately, or specific dates) you should see some stuff that will make thrown weapons more fun and functional.
Crowley@turbine> Done
lagzilla1> Heya, guys! UAs crave your sweet luv!!! When will there be a quest cestus? (ga) *waves at Auren al'Mais & Azrakin* =) ! Oh, and give us a curtsey emote before I "go Atlan" on your weenie team. :D *bribes everyone with Twinkies to promote peace and luv*
lagzilla1> w00t!
rei@Turbine> <-- can't eat twinkies these days
Crowley@turbine> UAs have a lovely smoking katar. I think before we shower UA with more quest weapons, we need to address the questing needs of other weapon classes.
Crowley@turbine> Done
BYOB_SmackDaddy> Thanks for a game unrivaled in its class...Diablo 2 has an ending...AC will be a new game every month. I numbered things i would like to see changed and have only one question
BYOB_SmackDaddy> 1.) My question is about the greater skeletons/ bone lords ect. Im a 40th level archer with a bow skill of 260+i cant hit tusker guards for 90 hps non vulned
BYOB_SmackDaddy> and they are level 126+ but i cant hit a friggin skeleton for more than 10, unless i get a critical in which case i hit them for 120+ somethings not right there
BYOB_SmackDaddy> are you aware of this?
BYOB_SmackDaddy> 2.)Monsters that can cast imperil/vuln combos should be nerfed. i dont mind the war or creature spells being cast on me to damage/weaken me but this is ridiculous!! skeletons arent worth the loot or xp for the vitae i take.
rei@Turbine> (done?)
rei@Turbine> We've heard about the skeletons ... in the past we have upped loot and XP on occasion; that is a POSSIBLE solution for this situation. We will (and I know you have it when I say this) have to look into it.
rei@Turbine> Done
_Zorlin> Greetings all, love the game btw :)... my question concerns the widening gap between high level mobs (ie vapor golem is a good ex) and player skills.
rei@Turbine> Is that the question, or is there more?
_Zorlin> an example on my server (td)... read that tim the enchanter, a level 86 swordmens wasn't able to even scratch a vapor with 400+ sword skill
_Zorlin> I'm sure to raise his skill would cost tens of million of exp a pt
_Zorlin> why not create high level mobs with slightly lower defense but with lots of hp (ie.. 5000+ hits)
_Zorlin> something it takes a group to kill.. give them increase healing rate so they cannot be solo'd
_Zorlin> but also reward the group with a good amt of exp.. something in a decent ratio
Crowley@turbine> People asked for difficult monsters. They got them.
_Zorlin> true... but I know I will never have 400+ buffed life/war skill. being a non-spec'd mage
Crowley@turbine> It gives you something to build up to. There's no thrill in killing easy monsters. We're trying to challenge our players.
Crowley@turbine> Done
brettkushner> I feel bad...all these people yelling at you! I disagree with all of em...play balance=BLAH...it's your game! it's your world! yes...you wanna make people happy! but life isn't always fair...anyway:
brettkushner> My Q...which I thought up 10 min. ago is: What is the most spectacular and advanced thing you can do? Give us an example of something that will make us shiver at the thought of...*shrug* it was all I could come up with...the game is just too good :) DoNe
rei@Turbine> In the game as it is, I assume....
brettkushner> yeah
Crowley@turbine> We could make it rain cows...
Crowley@turbine> Rainbow cows...
rei@Turbine> Or Olthoi queens?
Crowley@turbine> from our whiteboard: TM+(blue) cow = event
Crowley@turbine> Done
Shewanna> Some enigmatic dev dropped a hint about a mage wand quest? Does such a thing exist? Is it just as difficult as the portal spells quest?
Shewanna> If not, some multi-part customizable wand quest would be really cool! - some hints would be even better :-) Done.
rei@Turbine> (On previous question) Very seriously, I think the most spectacular thing we've seen or can do is to give the players a world to live, grow, and play in together.... May sound cheesy, but that's what I think.
Crowley@turbine> There is a wand quest in the game now.
Crowley@turbine> It's a toughie.
Crowley@turbine> No hints, though, sorry.
Crowley@turbine> Done
alecmuzzy> First off, I love the way that the new hollow weapons quest works. There is absolutely no camping! As a result, a lot more people are able to do this quest and enjoy it. You did your homework and came up with an A+! I hope you do more quests this way.
alecmuzzy> Now for my question...
alecmuzzy> Why are there so many changes made to the game to balance PVP (removal of Mattekar Robe, Nerfing of Shadow armor) when less than 10% of the customers play PVP? It seems a little unfair to us PVM players who just feel nerfed as a result.
Crowley@turbine> There were *two* changes in July directed at PvP: wand animation slowdown and the hollow weapons.
Crowley@turbine> The Hoary Mattekar robes were never intended to be available for more than that one month.
Crowley@turbine> The shadow armor change was not because of PvP considerations, though those were part of the equation.
Crowley@turbine> As for numbers... It's more than 10%. PvP is not a majority, but they are definitely a significant minority.
Crowley@turbine> And while we do not think primarily in terms of PvP, we do have to consider them also.
Crowley@turbine> Done
Evil_Elvis_> hmmm... sec plz.
Evil_Elvis_> Well, mages still rule all when it comes to damage, and continue to get stronger as they level. Melee now is the second best class, being cheap, doing good damage, and having that nice shield. Archery, however overpowered it is in the early levels, comp
Evil_Elvis_> completely caps off damage-wise at lev 45 or so.
Evil_Elvis_> Considering the new monsters super-high melee skills, complete debuffs, and crazy high missle defense, it seems you've forsaken archery to be the woste class. You have to have fletching or a fletching mule, and then waste alot of time, just to do max dam
Evil_Elvis_> damage. Evading the new monsters is NOT an option, seeing as after we're debuffed, we're one hit kills (and you'd have to be level 90+ to evade these things well at all). What do you have planned to make archery a viable class again?
Evil_Elvis_> Evil Elvis owz j0o?
Evil_Elvis_> <done
rei@Turbine> We don't have anything currently planned for archery, though yes "we are always balancing things and looking at these issues" -- and frankly, we think archery is a viable class.
rei@Turbine> Done.
_PePsI_1> Ok, if 2 people in the same house have 1 AC disc can they put it on both computers =) GA BABY! and are there any new armors quests?
rei@Turbine> Next question?
rei@Turbine> (hey:)
_PePsI_1> hi rei
_PePsI_1> Finally get to meet ya!
rei@Turbine> *grins*
rei@Turbine> Looks like Ken's got this one.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> You may put it on two machines, however, you will only be able to have one account for each copy of Asheron's Call you own. If you want to seperate accounts, you will need to purchase two copies of Asheron's Call.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> DONe
Gooopsta> Whatever happened to pong (@logopolis)? I miss that almost as much as I miss not having any invuln jewelry *wink wink* ;)
Gooopsta> done
+MrQuazarr@Zone> While we all enjoy a great game of pong.. it was removed for legal consideration. Sorry ;-(
Sentinell> A large part of this game has been based either on or around allegiances. When will we see more contect directed towards them in the form of allegiance wars,quests etc
rei@Turbine> We have some ideas we'd like to see implemented for allegiances.
rei@Turbine> Right now our New Tech Queue is full-up, but actually allegiances are very high up on the priority list.
rei@Turbine> And we definitely know you want some easier means of communicating within an allegiance.
rei@Turbine> Allegiance Wars remain probably the most difficult, as any time you have a lot of people fighting a lot of people, you get a TREMENDOUS server impact.
rei@Turbine> (In case anyone remembers how April went)
rei@Turbine> But anyway, that's what the status is: high priority, but without a definite date we can give you.
rei@Turbine> Done.
Kain_Mendax> <--- Jordan Manx, Monarch of The Empyrean Legacy based on Solclaim. :) For more info, check out http://www.the-legacy.cc in about two weeks. ;) I have some comments before my question.
Kain_Mendax> Hey guys. Love the game. Simply mah-velous. Not gonna whine or cry about any changes you've made, or complain about "nerfing" such and such.
Kain_Mendax> Anyone who whines and tells you that you MUST change the game to suit their needs needs an attitude adjustment. :) And anyone who says you only love archers must have never played one. We're quite balanced, thank you.
Kain_Mendax> Mages are the best tanks in the game. I can't tank anything that a buffed mage can and they don't even have melee defense (normally), and I do. So quit whining. :)
Kain_Mendax> Just one little suggestion, and I want to know if you could look at it. I'm an archer with fletching. I have 500 arrowheads and 500 shafts.
Kain_Mendax> I fletch me some arrows. I find out that the fletched arrows are HEAVIER than the heads and shafts when they're separate, and pre-fletch.
Kain_Mendax> Uh, this doesn't really add up to me. When can I expect a possible fix to that? If there won't be, I'll deal by raising strength. :) Thanks for Solclaim! It rocks! GA
rei@Turbine> Originally encumbrance was a reflection of not just mass, but how bulky/difficult to carry something is.
rei@Turbine> i.e., something light but oddly shaped would cost more in terms of load.
rei@Turbine> Finally, consider that this is a BONUS to fletchers.
rei@Turbine> You get to carry around relatively more in the way of raw materials.
rei@Turbine> Done.
JackTam_Z> I like the raining cow idea and olthoi queens, we could use another olthoi invasion! Now for my question :) Oh and raining food products would be nice too I get hungry at times
JackTam_Z> When will staffmasters get a quest like Hamud's etc? We seem to be a neglected class, anything planned for the future, because we really need some loving! Perhaps bumping up variances or more damage types. And for any women who want to call me up 555-700
rei@Turbine> (there's a missing digit in that phone number)
+MrQuazarr@Zone> LOL.. Sorry Eri.
rei@Turbine> (Hey, don't look at ME)
Crowley@turbine> If we put in a staff quest, I doubt anyone would use that staff instead of the Atlan staff.
rei@Turbine> (I've got more'n enough)
Crowley@turbine> However.
Crowley@turbine> I'd like there for be at least one quest item for each weapon class.
Crowley@turbine> Mace got a quest this month, hopefully in the future, schedule permitting, I/we will be able to put in quests for the other melee weapons.
Crowley@turbine> I can't promise any kind of time frame, though.
Crowley@turbine> Done
x_bLaZe_x> HI, most of the things I have to say are just suggestions :)
x_bLaZe_x> Only 3 things to mention, first MIDDLE MAN NPC!!!!(for trades), < second- a new sword, maybe a huge sword bigger than overlord sword(hey it looks cool :), AND a bludgeon sword...pllleeeazzzz< third-can u make some new staff art?
x_bLaZe_x> all staffs are just the same stick but dif colors :( < --o yeah great job on the game!!! (o yeah thanks for the hollow weaps.....mages are wussies now....... all done
x_bLaZe_x> o yeah - a rant to some peeps on harvestgain, stop being a wussie cause somebody 7+ levels lower than ur 40 something level monarch got a quest loot/kill.......haha
x_bLaZe_x> and why the "heck" is everyone messaging me with questions for u ...grrrrrr
x_bLaZe_x> ok getting some more something about 50 variance?
x_bLaZe_x> ehh i'll stop.....
x_bLaZe_x> done
rei@Turbine> (trying to find a question ;)
rei@Turbine> (hold on)
rei@Turbine> Uhhhh, lots of that sound cool, though we'd rather go with a Secure Trade UI than a middle man NPC, and as for staff art....
rei@Turbine> Yes, we can do new staff art, though it depends on what new staff material is going in, and eventually we're likely to put in new staff quests.
Crowley@turbine> Sarky comment: a bludgeoning sword is a baseball bat.
Crowley@turbine> (done)
rei@Turbine> Done.
LuckyCerridwen> This Question is for Nei (::shakes him to wake him up::) Hello, I am Trinidy of Frostfell. Ive waited 6 hours (and countless weeks) to ask this long question.
LuckyCerridwen> I have noticed since the two most recent updates that 1) Mages (life and war mages in particular) are getting far less exp as opposed to there warrior type counterparts. I'm not speaking of draining through walls - life mages- , I'm referring to life mage
LuckyCerridwen> who go toe to toe with Gigas. And get bunkus for exp And 2) Sword users seem to be doing significantly more damage these days. I am a lvl 34 axe user and I have the quest item Crimson Silifi
LuckyCerridwen> with BD VI, Coord VI and Def VI activated. And sword users 5 to 10 levels lower then me with significantly lower stats are getting these kills over me. Is there an explaination
LuckyCerridwen> explaination for either of these occurances? I am at the point where I HATE sword users and refuse them as Vassals and even Friends. Will something be done about this in the near future Something that rhymes with bust?
Crowley@turbine> We haven't done anything to life mages' XP, aside from the "drain behind the wall" code from some time ago.
Crowley@turbine> As for swords... Sword mechanics haven't been touched since they got the variance bonus months ago.
Crowley@turbine> I hate to call this observer error, but there certainly haven't been any changes in the data that would account for this.
Crowley@turbine> So no need to discriminate against sword users. You might want them in your allegiance if they're kicking butt.
Crowley@turbine> Done.
rei@Turbine> (It also depends on what monster you're fighting, obviously.)
rei@Turbine> (done)
rei@Turbine> ?
+MrQuazarr@Zone> vegetto?
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Ok, going down the queue.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Wizzy?
rei@Turbine> We've stunned them into silence.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> middle of the line fell asleep I guess.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Brando...
Brando__187> Ok first off, thanks for the hollow weapons. Finally us mages have a challange PK, was getting boring fast, oh and heres a small Suggestion, maybe make flettching / Alchemy be able to enchant Throwing weapons...
Brando__187> Question: Can you make a tusker that casts spells? *cackle*
Brando__187> all done
Crowley@turbine> We could. Don't think it's not a tempting idea. There are in-game reasons (backstory and such) that Tuskers should be nonmagical.
Crowley@turbine> Some month, if we're feeling puckish, there could be spell-lobbing Tuskers. But don't count on it.
Crowley@turbine> Done
andy_beardsley> Are there Plans to fix the Collier Mines Quest? The key you get from the banderling up top
andy_beardsley> says collier Mine on it, yet does not work on anything in the dungeon,
andy_beardsley> and the High chest next to the Baron is 700 Difficulty and there is no key?
andy_beardsley> done
rei@Turbine> There are plans in the work for the Colier Mines....
rei@Turbine> err, in the works
rei@Turbine> Can't give you a specific ETA, but hopefully you'll see your concerns addressed.
rei@Turbine> Done.
Defariak> first my comment! yall have made robes useless ! wtf thats BS! and yall talk about balance,... RIIIIGHT! right when melees were balancing out to mages, yall pull this BS! im tired of yall #^@#^@ mages over!
Defariak> my question, is why do yall keep screwing over people by removing stuff w/out notice, thats BS! yall have ^#@$*&! alota people over by doin that in this update this is bs! <GA!
Defariak> btw add a staff quest
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Defariak, please remember that the Code of Conduct is in effect here.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Next question.
Reprisal_X> Hello all
Reprisal_X> Recently, there has been a revelation on many of the message boards that people have been exploiting a duping bug to duplicate large numbers of items utilizing a bug when the servers are reset. Apparently, the bug was thankfully only used by a small
Reprisal_X> group (some whom have apparently even sold duped items on E-bay making a RL profit) and although it appears it is harder to do now it is still exploitable. Question: Are you aware of this situation? If so, what have you/are you going to do to deal with
Reprisal_X> it?
Reprisal_X> Apparently one guy sold enough duped stuff on E-bay to buy a used car.
Reprisal_X> Finished.
rei@Turbine> We are aware of the situation....
rei@Turbine> Basically there were some problems a little while back that made this easier to do; hopefully it should be much harder now.
rei@Turbine> If you continue to see major problems please do point it out. Thanks!
rei@Turbine> Done.
corbitt12> do you guys keep track of the highest level people? and if so, what is the highest level person currently on all the servers? and, i still feel like melee warriors are being striped of their potential. will that change soon? and ty for the sturdy iron key
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Top players in each world is something we track. Until recently, we really didnt have an effective way of report that though. We are working on some things for the web page that will report those type of statics. Keep your eyes out for it!
+MrQuazarr@Zone> DONE
Horde_Nest_Lag> The olthoi horde nest was laggy before, they slowed the spawn rate down and yet the lag still continues. Did you ever take into consideration that the lag is cause from the Olthoi's extremely large sense of awareness? I have them come from up to 3 times
Horde_Nest_Lag> the compass distance to attack me. You should try and cut this way down and see if that helps with the lag. Also move the spawn rate back to where it was at. Why does it take so long to solve these kind of problems? Lag has become very bad and should not
Horde_Nest_Lag> be tolerated. WazZzZup DT!
rei@Turbine> If the problem is with DT dungeons in particular, there were some particular DT server problems recently.
rei@Turbine> If it's in general, I believe (and I could be misremembering?) it wasn't just the Olthoi dungeons... but I'll have to check.
rei@Turbine> We're looking at lag issues AND the respawn in the dungeon issue as well.
rei@Turbine> Done.
ShadowSkylark> I Know You Probably Wont Give Me A Straight Answer But: Do You Have Any Plans Of Bringing GSA Back? <PS: If You Do Bring It Back Please Dont Leave It That Horrid, Ugly, Geeky Stuff. (Not A Question) GA -The Lark-
Crowley@turbine> Shadow armor is coming back in a different, improved form. We would not have removed the old armor pipeline without plans for a suitable replacement.
Crowley@turbine> Will the new stuff be as powerful as pre-July armor? Apples and oranges, I can't really say.
Crowley@turbine> Keep tuned for our shadow armor improvements.
Crowley@turbine> And it'll look different too.
Crowley@turbine> Done
rei@Turbine> Next question?
johnmers2> My Guess: You can't fool me, I know this is a SciFi game in disguise :) ...
johnmers2> My Suggestion: Make alchemy easier by allowing spell comps in the numbered shortcut bar, and please autostack items...
johnmers2> My Question: does the char you play, have ANYTHING to do with what a creature drops EVER? If so can you cite examples...
johnmers2> Bo True gives Special appreciation to: Sanjo, Wekar, Ogawa, Mao, Huie, Zenrith, Hakim My WONDERFUL patron Eowlyn and the Dcengrites - GA
rei@Turbine> The character you play does not have anything to do with what the creature drops.
rei@Turbine> I think that about covers your question?
rei@Turbine> Done.
rei@Turbine> Hi, question?
tjmax> this is kinda long
tjmax> I am a level 76 archer (TD), First, Sorry but, you're mad if you think archery is a viable after 50, vs most new monsters with out a shield your just road pizza, tickling the monsters and
tjmax> running away or being killed in one or two shots.
tjmax> Don't know if you noticed but there are alot of frustrated players around. Being one shot killed at high levels (70+) shouldn't happen in my opinion, and its causing
tjmax> way too many veteran players to quit. I play PvM, Monster stats, fighting and casting abilities seem way out of balance compaired to live playing chars. The ability to hunt alone is virtually gone and that takes away from the role
tjmax> playing aspect somewhat.
rei@Turbine> (Is this in the Dires or where?)
tjmax> Are you intending to increase the players abilities to become more powerfull (stats, spells weapons and armor) and ballance it out PvM so they can attempt to play the new area's with out loosing all the best equipment they have gathered for the past 9 m
tjmax> months or possably introducing area's that are actually playable for high level players? a suggestion...
tjmax> Maby have a @body command to retreave you body taking another 15% vitea if you cant find or get back to it. People HATE loosing 9 months worth of gear hunting in a single swipe and would much rather take the penalty, even 40%
tjmax> done
rei@Turbine> Are we intending to increase the players abilities....
rei@Turbine> If necessary.
rei@Turbine> Balance is ongoing... I've long been interested in tuning higher level play.
rei@Turbine> However, it must be done very carefully.
rei@Turbine> A level 30 player can get one-shot killed by a level 100 monster....
rei@Turbine> A level 70+ player can also get one-shot killed by something equivalently tough.
rei@Turbine> Again, extending higher level gameplay is something we're interested in doing, but it will require some serious analysis first.
rei@Turbine> Done.
Qmann> Hi, a suggestion first, can u pls post some more "technincal" info about the working of the game, like the explanation u did about the XP reducing code, examples would be to explain how the spell economy works, or why do we still take damage during lag
Qmann> without doing any damage... My question is why did u reduce the spawn rate in the Horde Nest? it is unbearable now! u should rename it the "abandoned" nest. If it was because of lag, then at least make it something in between!
Qmann> BTw I kinda like it that u nerfed the GSA because evryone was starting to look alike! Done.
Crowley@turbine> People don't seem to believe it when we tell them this, but the BSD and the Horde Nest were causing problems with the servers.
Crowley@turbine> Not just in-dungeon lag, but they were actually causing a strain on the entire server farm.
Crowley@turbine> The lag wasn't the only reason involved in the reduction of spawn rates, but it was the strongest reason.
Crowley@turbine> We're trying to figure out ways to bring back the experience of being cornered by a dozen angry Tuskers, but there are technical issues we have to dance around.
Crowley@turbine> So we'll probably keep tweaking the Horde Nest and the BSD. Hopefully we can find a happy compromise between play experience and server load.
Crowley@turbine> Done.
+MrQuazarr@Zone> And our last question for the eveing will be feebz.
feebz> i am not a disgruntled mage :) of course, i'm only lvl 25, but i'm an aluvian 4-schooler that just went on the impious quest, and loved it.. Don't want to spoil it, but Harlune's quote, "Fix Your Useless..." had me LMAO... ok here goes:
feebz> quick question: how hard would it be to integrate CAPES into the game? This game is FAR FAR better than UO, but i liked the cape wardrobe element of that game at least.. Shoutz to The Silence, Bane, Moto Monarchy- you are NOT a unique snowflake! GA
feebz> weal question hehe
feebz> weak
rei@Turbine> Capes are difficult.
rei@Turbine> Unfortunately.
feebz> tell us about next months event then!! hehe j.k
rei@Turbine> Trust me we all wanted ones for ourselves :)
rei@Turbine> Can't tell you about next month's event, but we will be trying to address some long-standing concerns (then again, we always try to do that).
rei@Turbine> (Hmm, sorry it's vague; it can't be helped)
rei@Turbine> Done.
rei@Turbine> Thanks everyone for your questions and suggestions!
+MrQuazarr@Zone> Great. I want to thank everyone for coming out this evening, and thank Turbine for another great Dev Chat!
+MrQuazarr@Zone> We will see you all next week.
Crowley@turbine> Props to the IRC gang and to that ugly Evil Llama
rei@Turbine> We appreciate your time, and while we can't answer everything the way you want us to, we try our best.
rei@Turbine> Good night all.
Dave@turbine> night all
nei@turbine> Power to the vagabonds! Good night.
Crowley@turbine> And Shollos sucks
Crowley@turbine> Night all
rei@Turbine> Clarification: Crowley says:
rei@Turbine> "Shollos asked me to insult him"
rei@Turbine> So we're not really being rude here ;)
rei@Turbine> That's it ;)
Crowley@turbine> Because he is a sad, strange little man.
Crowley@turbine> Night all!