DDO Producer's Letter July 2014

[Vyvyanne]

Hello! I’m writing today to tell you more about our plans for DDO in the coming months, and introduce you to a few folks you might not know. We’ve made some adjustments to our “road map” for 2014 that we think you’ll be excited about, and we’ve added a few folks to the team that we want to introduce you to.

For those of you who missed my letter written for DDO’s 8th anniversary (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/437022-Happy-8th-Anniversary-DDO!), my name is Athena, and I’m DDO’s Franchise Director. I’m the person heading up the DDO team, working with our partners, producers, and teams leads, and making various business decisions that keep the engines running. We’re really pleased to have added Design Manager Severlin to our team in recent months, and I notice that you’ve already been seeing his design leadership in action in the Official Discussion Forums (https://www.ddo.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/166-Official-Turbine-Discussions) (and in the game!) Severlin comes to DDO from Asheron’s Call, where he served as Producer (and wore many hats) for quite some time. Additionally, we’ve added two other members of the Asheron’s Call team to our staff: NoWorries and Kintani, who are working on items, quests, systems, and more! Of course, it takes a huge amount of creativity to keep DDO going, so I also want to thank the many other developers, quality assurance, production, operations, art, and community people I work with every day for all of their hard work – thank you!

When Rowan spoke with you back in December (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/431908-Holiday-Producer-s-Letter), we outlined a plan for 2014 that we’ve delivered so far (like Epic Three Barrel Cove, Haunted Halls of Eveningstar, etc.) However, we’re making a few changes to our calendar for the rest of the year, and I want to make sure you are up-to-date on our plans. Initially, we were considering creating Anauroch for Update 23, and raising the level cap to 30 in Update 24. Rowan also talked about the concept of “Sentient Weapons” in his letter, although that wasn’t assigned to an update. You can expect all of these things to happen! But, our team has been looking at alternatives, reading your ideas on the forums (and Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Twitch, etc.), discussing our plans with the Players Council, and gathering their feedback on what they’d like us to work on. We’ve been talking amongst the team as well, assessing what it is we’d like to do, and when the right time to do it is. In that context, we’ve shifted our plans slightly.

Update 23 will bring Epic Orchard of the Macabre to DDO, along with a new Epic raid! While the raid will share some locations and similarities to the current Accursed Ascension raid (“Abbot raid”), our team will bring a whole new series of challenges to adventurers brave enough to enter. We’re not simply “adding hit points to the Abbot”, but are rather re-thinking the raid space for an entirely new battle, with a new story line, baddies, loot, and more! One of the things we’re looking to do in the coming year is to provide more high-level questing and raiding to DDO, and we think an Epic Orchard of the Macabre fits nicely with that goal.

Besides newly Epi-fied versions of the quests found in Orchard of the Macabre, we’re also planning to make sure the Orchard itself is ready for high-level adventure with exciting battles against rare enemies, werewolves (yes, in Eberron!), new loot, and more! We’ll be talking a lot more about the Epic Orchard of the Macabre in the coming months, and I can’t wait for you to see what our devious devs have planned.

Update 23 will also feature a series of improvements aimed at making sure heavy armor-wearing adventurers feel powerful and ready to go toe-to-toe with some of DDO’s toughest enemies, updates to improve the Paladin class, and other changes that will give our melee players a boost. We’re also creating new Augments for our Crystal Cove event that higher-level players can slot into their favorite weapons, armor, and items, and expect to bring those new Augments to you when Crystal Cove reopens after the release of Update 23.

Update 24 will round out the year with new quests, new Festivult cookies, and a new event that centers on something we can all agree on: looting chests! We’ll be continuing our work on the Anauroch Desert (in the Forgotten Realms), planning for Sentient Weapons, and developing another Classic Dungeon like the Haunted Halls of Eveningstar. We expect these to be something you’ll see in the first half of 2015. We’re pushing out the level cap for now to make sure we have plenty of questing to support your journey through the highest levels of DDO. Hitting level 30 will be a big milestone for DDO, and we want to put it out when the timing is right, and make sure its design keeps up with the way you, the players want to play DDO.

And these are just the tip of the iceberg that is our whiteboard. We are constantly reviewing our ideas and your suggestions, and making adjustments based on your changing needs and requests as well as our own excitement on new ideas for you to play with, so you may see a few more surprises pop in over the next year as we get closer to releasing our updates.

Thank you for reading, and I look forward to hearing from you about these plans, and anything else you’d like to see happen in DDO! Happy adventuring, and we’ll see you in Dungeons & Dragons Online!

Cheers!
Athena “Vyvyanne” Peters
Franchise Director – Dungeons & Dragons Online

[Phidius]

I love the Orchard, but I was really hoping for Epic Twilight Forge. Oh well, maybe in 2015...

[Memnir]

http://i.imgur.com/RIYMo3L.gif

[Bridge_Dweller]

So two more updates in 2014?

[mezzorco]

Game balance changes, such as heavy and medium armors adjustment and paladin enhancement, are greatly appreciated and surely needed before aiming to new game content.
I truly agree with your decision and I wish good work to you all! :)

p.s.: I hope that update 23 will include spellsinger/warchanter overhaul, too :P

[Glenalth]

The continuing increase in level cap without the content to support it was my biggest problem with the game. I'm glad to hear that something may be done about it.

[R1ncewind]

My hopes are that we get an Epic Version of The Ascension Raid ( with epic versions of old items, an a new raid with new items, if you do this, this update will be great and nobody will care about pushing the schedule one update with something that for some will be a refill.
three more things, i would like to see is more news on the random loot tables ( we were told you guys were working on them but its been a while since we hear any news), keep the communication going allowing Council members to talk about somethings after a while could be a good way to do it without using developer time. And what i think is the most important...
Create a new way to attract new players and keep them hook to the game, the game need new players, maybe you should just make some of the old packs free those low lvl packs that are not run or bought often but will keep players interested in the game enough time that they want to put money on the game...
And welcome Hope you will stay longer with us ;)

[sebastianosmith]

...developing another Classic Dungeon like the Haunted Halls of Eveningstar.

WATERDEEP! Please, Athena. Pretty please?!?!?!

[Schwarzie]

We’re also creating new Augments for our Crystal Cove event that higher-level players can slot into their favorite weapons, armor, and items, and expect to bring those new Augments to you when Crystal Cove reopens after the release of Update 23.Will you also fix the Crystal Cove Items that were broken? Specifically the Cavalry Plate and the Ornamented Dagger, both were excellent Items since then got the status of vendor trash.


Also Epic abbot sounds kind of frightening, even though the biggest danger in that Raid was lag on the invisible bridge, not the soon-to-be-god-Lich :cool: Also, one of the coolest Raids in the game since it wasnt only a bash down and enforced good teamwork to succeed. And some very unique loot items in there aswell.

[Silverleafeon]

keep the communication going allowing Council members to talk about somethings after a while could be a good way to do it without using developer time. And what i think is the most important...

Aye, the push back of the level cap rising to 30, is something pressed by some members of the player's council.

Myself, I made a rather large list of potential augments,
including some I know you folks have asked for in the past.
Hope things go well in that area.

I am really enjoying Sev, Varg, and Steelstar interacting with the Player's Council.
There is a lot of back and forth feedback behind the scenes and I am enjoying it.

Which pack to epicfy next was centered around several threads,
including a discussion of what our expecations of certain packs might be.
So there was a lot of thought in the matter.
This in turn probably resulted in the push back of level 30 to next yearish.

I really feel like the Player's Council is helping guide the Devs,
and that the Devs are listening much more to the players this year.
The Bard, Pally, and potential someday Barbarian changes are much needed,
imho, I hope we can make them work out, love for those classes without overpowerness.


Create a new way to attract new players and keep them hook to the game, the game need new players...
Under discussion, brought up by the Player's Council.
Seeing some potential sideways direction that may help possibly coming, if things work out.


And welcome Hope you will stay longer with us ;)Aye.

[Marupal]

Looking forward to 30 but I'm happy to hear it has been pushed back.

All kinds of good news in the OP.

A new event, looting chests? Sounds intriguing.

[Arnez]

As much as I like the idea of Epic Orchard- there were others that I'd like to see Epic'd first:

1. One of the best stories in the game: Sharn Syndicate should be epic'd so we can enjoy the story at high levels.

2. Epic Catacombs. One of my favorites when I first started, now we just run once for favor.

3. Epic Restless Isles. Let's be honest- does anyone even play this pack anymore? Might as well be free. Overhauled or Epic'd if you want to keep charging TP for it.

[Vellrad]

I'd prefer to have new item type instead of sentient weapons.

For example, characters get 4 slots, and they can be filled with class artifacts.
Artifacts gain levels, but they can't exceed class level (so for example, 17cleric/2fighter/1wizard/4epic can equip holy symbol that is cappped at 17, sword sheath that is capped at 2 and spellbook that is capped at 1, and generic epic artifact, capped at lvl4, while barb20/epic 8 can equip barbaric fetish capped at 20 and generic epic artifact capped at 8, with 2 other slots permanently locked). When character loses levels (i.e. reincarnates) items are deleveled, but their progress is not lost, so at lvl1 your artifacts are capped at 1, but as you level character, they level up with you, without having to regrind their XP.
They should be made in a way that higher level opens better upgrades, so equipping 1 lvl20 is better than 18+1+1 (small, but noticable and original boost to pure classes).
Also, they gain augment slots: lvl1 colorless, lvl5 yellow lvl10 blue lvl15 red (applies extra damage to all weapons held) lvl20 choice between purple and orange and green. They stack, so at max level character gets 1 extra slots of each color.
I don't like one weapon to rule them all, one weapon to find them and in darkness bind them, because it makes all other weapons in game worthless.


Off topic wall of text apart, I wonder how is Turbine going to make any money this year?

We had:
u20: free for all
u21: 1,2k TP for premiums
u22: free
u23: free
u24: not this year

So, in order to buy all new things this year, premium player must spend $15 or do 2 or 3 true reincarnations.
This means, there will be more new p2w items in the store.

[Lonnbeimnech]

Hitting level 30 will be a big milestone for DDO, and we want to put it out when the timing is right, and make sure its design keeps up with the way you, the players want to play DDO.

http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/mt/assets/science/theatermove.gif

[arminius]

Yay to level 30 cap releasing later.

Everything else seems good too. Please consider adding in Epic Tempest Spine in there too, somewhere. I don't think it would need a new class of item or anything, the fact is that quest is just FUN. It became a pain to run in heroic because of the quality of pugs, and I think people will bend over backwards to run it on epic just for the sheer fun of it.

[Livmo]

TY for the post!

My RL has been all doom an gloom lately. This was some much welcomed good news and a nice break from today's storms.

Thanks for the ray of sunshine on a cloudy day!

[Silverleafeon]

For example, characters get 4 slots, and they can be filled with class artifacts.

Artifacts gain levels, but they can't exceed class level

(so for example, 17cleric/2fighter/1wizard/4epic can equip holy symbol that is cappped at 17, sword sheath that is capped at 2 and spellbook that is capped at 1, and generic epic artifact, capped at lvl4,

while barb20/epic 8 can equip barbaric fetish capped at 20 and generic epic artifact capped at 8, with 2 other slots permanently locked).

When character loses levels (i.e. reincarnates) items are deleveled, but their progress is not lost, so at lvl1 your artifacts are capped at 1, but as you level character, they level up with you, without having to regrind their XP.

They should be made in a way that higher level opens better upgrades, so equipping 1 lvl20 is better than 18+1+1 (small, but noticable and original boost to pure classes).

Also, they gain augment slots: lvl1 colorless, lvl5 yellow lvl10 blue lvl15 red (applies extra damage to all weapons held) lvl20 choice between purple and orange and green. They stack, so at max level character gets 1 extra slots of each color.

An interesting idea, thank you for it....



Off topic wall of text apart, I wonder how is Turbine going to make any money this year?

I know I spent some astral shards making my tiny guilds airship look nice?

[Toozdae]

Yay to level 30 cap releasing later.

Everything else seems good too. Please consider adding in Epic Tempest Spine in there too, somewhere. I don't think it would need a new class of item or anything, the fact is that quest is just FUN. It became a pain to run in heroic because of the quality of pugs, and I think people will bend over backwards to run it on epic just for the sheer fun of it.

Yes.

I'm also interested in the devs' plans for Sentient Weapons. Throw us a tidbit of info soon?

[The_Human_Cypher]

WATERDEEP! Please, Athena. Pretty please?!?!?!

Yes, I have been asking for Waterdeep for some time now. But as an entire expansion area, not just a single quest.

[TrinityTurtle]

WATERDEEP! Please, Athena. Pretty please?!?!?!

If I'm remembering my geography right, Waterdeep is over in the area near Neverwinter and Baldur's Gate, to whom a different company owns the license. It's probably not on the table.

[Kerria]

While it may not be totally on topic I just want to make you aware that in my area the points cards are not sold anywhere anymore. The stores that did carry them don't now. This is not good for business. Just seeing them is advertisement for the game. Many don't want to put credit card info on game sites. Just wondering why this is.

[Cordovan]

To clarify: Update 24 is scheduled to be released later this year.

[die]

I cant believe every one is so excited, basically the rest of the year will only bring Epic re-hash orchard? and a pass on pally's? you all must work for Turbine. This is **** news update 24 put off until 2015 LAME

[die]

To clarify: Update 24 is scheduled to be released later this year.

Its like you were reading my mind as I was posting, she does stat 2015

[The_Human_Cypher]

Off topic wall of text apart, I wonder how is Turbine going to make any money this year?

We had:
u20: free for all
u21: 1,2k TP for premiums
u22: free
u23: free
u24: not this year

So, in order to buy all new things this year, premium player must spend $15 or do 2 or 3 true reincarnations.
This means, there will be more new p2w items in the store.

The astral shard airships.

[CaptainSpacePony]

I cant believe every one is so excited, basically the rest of the year will only bring Epic re-hash orchard? and a pass on pally's? you all must work for Turbine. This is **** news update 24 put off until 2015 LAME

While I agree with your assessment of the facts, I do not share your judgment. It is true rehashing old content is easier than developing new, but in light of the resources DDO has available, I felt that everything in the OP was good. Nice prioritization, and a good opportunity to maybe even get a bit more caught up on bugs.

I've very happy to hear the lvl cap is being pushed off. I'm not opposed to the new lvl cap, just the lack of content to support getting there.

[The_Human_Cypher]

If I'm remembering my geography right, Waterdeep is over in the area near Neverwinter and Baldur's Gate, to whom a different company owns the license. It's probably not on the table.

People keep mentioning licensing issues on the forums but where is the evidence that Neverwinter Online and DDO can't develop similar areas of pencil and paper D&D? I'm pretty sure that there is at least some overlap between the two games right now (i.e., the Underdark) so why couldn't there be more?

[SirShen]

Its like you were reading my mind as I was posting, she does stat 2015

Read it again - Update 24 will round out the year with new quests, new Festivult cookies, and a new event that centers on something we can all agree on: looting chests!

Round out the year means the end of this year. I think she could have made the next bit after that a new paragraph but thats just me.

[Atremus]

Looking forward to Epic Orchard.
Looking forward to game balance.
Looking forward to L30 being pushed back

Looks like sanity has prevailed.

[CaptainSpacePony]

As much as I like the idea of Epic Orchard- there were others that I'd like to see Epic'd first:

1. One of the best stories in the game: Sharn Syndicate should be epic'd so we can enjoy the story at high levels.

2. Epic Catacombs. One of my favorites when I first started, now we just run once for favor.

3. Epic Restless Isles. Let's be honest- does anyone even play this pack anymore? Might as well be free. Overhauled or Epic'd if you want to keep charging TP for it.

I agree restless Isles could use some love. Threnal too.

I'm glad Turbine is savvy enough to stretch their resources by fleshing out existing content. I'm all for new stuff too, but like whatever I can get. DDO is full of rich content that can be further developed if resources are too tight to release a new adventure pack every update.

[die]

Read it again - Update 24 will round out the year with new quests, new Festivult cookies, and a new event that centers on something we can all agree on: looting chests!

Round out the year means the end of this year. I think she could have made the next bit after that a new paragraph but thats just me.

quote We expect these to be something you’ll see in the first half of 2015. Hmmm....maybe it you that needs to re-read

[Jango-EX]

At first I thought "Jesus Christ Cordovan, of course it will be by 2014, everyone got that already. That's what round out the year means!"

Then I did read the next post... so... hmmm... go on, clarify. Jeez...

[Jango-EX]

quote We expect these to be something you’ll see in the first half of 2015. Hmmm....maybe it you that needs to re-read

Lol, reading comprehension is hard, I know... but try harder and read that part again. You'll get it eventually.

[die]

Lol, reading comprehension is hard, I know... but try harder and read that part again. You'll get it eventually. Sounds like she is being cryptic about weather the desert willbe part of update 24 to me quote "We’ll be continuing our work on the Anauroch Desert (in the Forgotten Realms), planning for Sentient Weapons, and developing another Classic Dungeon like the Haunted Halls of Eveningstar. We expect these to be something you’ll see in the first half of 2015."

[UurlockYgmeov]

I cant believe every one is so excited, basically the rest of the year will only bring Epic re-hash orchard? and a pass on pally's? you all must work for Turbine. This is **** news update 24 put off until 2015 LAME

If the Dev team communicates and coordinates as well for U23 and U24 (specifically eOrchard) as they did with U22, both will be awesome.

What she isn't saying is ALLOT of work behind the scenes on updating the 10 year old code. This is also awesome as it means DDO has a future.

Next HHoE is probably Temple of Elemental Evil or Tomb of Horrors. Both I am praying to both Faerun and Ebberon dieties come to life even better than HHoE!


Pushing the level cap to 30 back to first half of 2015 with the release of eVale makes sense. People should understand the storyline, and IIRC the events of Orchard lead to the events of Vale.

The Shroud was brought out, and remained THE end game raid / activity for the longest time. The Shroud has a cult following. The Shroud brought us Greensteel.

SO

The Shroud redux (eShroud) needs to be endgame as well.

Now add finishing the guild system and updating cannith crafting as well.

Keep up the excellent work and free flow two way communication!

[-Zephyr-]

This all sounds awesome.

[Missing_Minds]

Sounds like she is being cryptic about weather the desert willbe part of update 24 to me quote "We’ll be continuing our work on the Anauroch Desert (in the Forgotten Realms)........
Could also mean that AD may be released in two parts.

Who knows. I find not having high hopes and not being a complainer about things coming helps one to keep a higher level of sanity and the least amount of emotional rollar coasting.

[Cleanincubus]

Update 24 will round out the year with new quests, new Festivult cookies, and a new event that centers on something we can all agree on: looting chests! We’ll be continuing our work on the Anauroch Desert (in the Forgotten Realms), planning for Sentient Weapons, and developing another Classic Dungeon like the Haunted Halls of Eveningstar. We expect these to be something you’ll see in the first half of 2015.


quote We expect these to be something you’ll see in the first half of 2015. Hmmm....maybe it you that needs to re-read

Seemed pretty clear to me that the first sentence was in reference to U24, and the rest of the sentences in the paragraph were referencing a future Update. As in U24 by the end of the year with new quests, new festifult cookies, and a new event. Then a new Update (U25) in the first half of 2015, with Anauroch Desert content, Sentient weapons, and new "classic dungeon" content.

Edit: Nevermind, clearly you're trolling. Congrats, a lot of us failed our saving throws.

[The_Human_Cypher]

Next HHoE is probably Temple of Elemental Evil or Tomb of Horrors. Both I am praying to both Faerun and Ebberon dieties come to life even better than HHoE!

Posters have brought up licensing issues a number of times on these forums but I think what you are suggesting is an actual (verifiable) licensing limitation of DDO. Wizards of the Coast would probably not allow DDO to put a Greyhawk module in the Forgotten Realms. The next classic module will again be something from the Forgotten Realms catalog.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Forgotten_Realms_modules_and_sourcebooks

[die]

Seemed pretty clear to me that the first sentence was in reference to U24, and the rest of the sentences in the paragraph were referencing a future Update. As in U24 by the end of the year with new quests, new festifult cookies, and a new event. Then a new Update (U25) in the first half of 2015, with Anauroch Desert content, Sentient weapons, and new "classic dungeon" content.

Edit: Nevermind, clearly you're trolling. Congrats, a lot of us failed our saving throws.

I disagree about the trolling. we were told we would see the desert this year. the way I read the post is we will get epic orchard this year. woot I Do agree about the part with update 24 not being released, i missed that all i saw was 2015. that part should have been in a new paragraph. And maybe I see Doom all the time now I have been here a long time and had my hopes dashed more than once

[arkonas]

I'd prefer to have new item type instead of sentient weapons.

For example, characters get 4 slots, and they can be filled with class artifacts.
Artifacts gain levels, but they can't exceed class level (so for example, 17cleric/2fighter/1wizard/4epic can equip holy symbol that is cappped at 17, sword sheath that is capped at 2 and spellbook that is capped at 1, and generic epic artifact, capped at lvl4, while barb20/epic 8 can equip barbaric fetish capped at 20 and generic epic artifact capped at 8, with 2 other slots permanently locked). When character loses levels (i.e. reincarnates) items are deleveled, but their progress is not lost, so at lvl1 your artifacts are capped at 1, but as you level character, they level up with you, without having to regrind their XP.
They should be made in a way that higher level opens better upgrades, so equipping 1 lvl20 is better than 18+1+1 (small, but noticable and original boost to pure classes).
Also, they gain augment slots: lvl1 colorless, lvl5 yellow lvl10 blue lvl15 red (applies extra damage to all weapons held) lvl20 choice between purple and orange and green. They stack, so at max level character gets 1 extra slots of each color.
I don't like one weapon to rule them all, one weapon to find them and in darkness bind them, because it makes all other weapons in game worthless.


Off topic wall of text apart, I wonder how is Turbine going to make any money this year?

We had:
u20: free for all
u21: 1,2k TP for premiums
u22: free
u23: free
u24: not this year

So, in order to buy all new things this year, premium player must spend $15 or do 2 or 3 true reincarnations.
This means, there will be more new p2w items in the store.


one way for them to make some money is goodies in the ddo store. Things that will make us want to pay for them, but not break the game if that makes any sense. For example rift clearly works on the store being bought from and people paying for the "vip" aka patreon status. So i think they will probably give us things like the tomes, cosmetics, companions, potions, otto's box's etc. im ok with that stuff since they do need money to keep the doors open. people don't have to buy any of it unless they want to. i know i wasn't able to get any of the big stuff but i got a few small things from the store in the last few months.


you also have to remember when some people buy stuff from the store say the otto's box it they don't win anything. some things are a bit much +6 tomes for example since you normally have to do some high level epics to find one. i don't want rare items in the store for easy purchase. i want things that won't be better then stuff you could find at level etc. if that makes any sense to anyone.

[Seikojin]

WATERDEEP! Please, Athena. Pretty please?!?!?!

I can't agree with this more! I sure hope they get waterdeep, temple of elemental evil, and pools of radiance (but that is more NWN, which I could imagine is held more closely to nwo's camp).

Vyvyanne,
Thanks for this insight into the change. I am really excited by this news and can't wait to see and test new content as it hits Lamannia. Please make sure Lamannia get's drops like it did for U22. The earlier the better, and seems to be the best way to get proper feedback to help aggressively develop these features.

[dunklezhan]

I love the Orchard, but I was really hoping for Epic Twilight Forge. Oh well, maybe in 2015...

This except I don't love orchard to begin with.

Massively disappointed to see Cannith Crafting continued to be abandoned.

Always thought, and still think, that Sentient weapons are a huge disappointment waiting to happen. 'Underwater combat' anyone?

I ONLY CARE ABOUT NEW HIGH LEVEL ADVENTURES IF THEY ARE FINISHING OFF THE UNIFINISHED STORIES STILL LEFT OVER FROM EBERRON! I couldn't give a monkeys about FR or new high level content for the sake of it, I really couldn't. I'd honestly be happier if they gave me more L11-15 options because I can't frickin' stand necro which is always what people tell me to do at that point.

I know, I know, I'm in a minority. Everyone else seems to love those packs... I hate them. Avoid them completely except for orchard itself but that's because I like explorer areas (though of all the necro packs, Necro IV have the least unfun quests, so small mercies I suppose).

Normally I really try to see the positives in the Producer letters because there's usually lots of good stuff. This time, all I can think is "Oh well, I got a 3BC update out of this year I guess".

Sorry Vyv. Thumbs down from me.

[Ovrad]

Glad to hear lv 30 is getting pushed back, content is way too thin in the 25+ levels.

- Is the proposed change to commendations of valor set from U23?
- Will you look into the zone crashes bug? Because loading orchard still crashes me 90% of the time. Which places a big damper in epic orchard...
- Will you look into the double login?

EDIT: - Oh and does werewolves in Eberron means we're heading towards shifters? We could use a new race!

[Seikojin]

To clarify: Update 24 is scheduled to be released later this year.

Yeah, I was wondering how people would think u24 wasn't this year. LOL

[Taurnish]

I am glad the level cap has been pushed back. I am looking forward to epic Orchard. It is a really well laid out series of quests and explorer area. I hope the rest of the year brings a revision of some classes (as you have already begun to work on...bards, paladins, barbarians). The new augments from the Cove is a great idea. I also thoroughly enjoy playing some of the old quests like Delera's, Gwylands Stand, Redwillow, Tear of Dhakaan, Stormcleave and Threnal. All of these would be exceptional epic quests and many already have a long list of named loot and creatures that can be upgraded. I do hope Cannith crafting improves as well.In regards to crafting, has any thought been given to a Wildcard type crafting ingredient? One that is hard to come by but could be used in recipes from Deleras, Crystal Cove, the cannith challenges and the new ones to come? These could be unbound in chests or bound if obtained from an end reward. Given we have a lot of various ingredients from various events and challenges it would be nice to have a standard "wildcard" ingredient that could be a common method for trade and allow some leeway with crafting instead of having to run all the same challenges over and over. Yes, I know you can trade for other ingredients but this would also be usable (maybe in limited amounts) for event crafting as well.

[Captain_Wizbang]

Thank you for the update.

.

[arkonas]

I disagree about the trolling. we were told we would see the desert this year. the way I read the post is we will get epic orchard this year. woot I Do agree about the part with update 24 not being released, i missed that all i saw was 2015. that part should have been in a new paragraph. And maybe I see Doom all the time now I have been here a long time and had my hopes dashed more than once

yeah i understand how you feel since i know you're jaded about the game. usually negative responses. Its ok though. they need to hear that stuff as well. i don't mind rehash of stuff if it gives us more things to work with or helping to our goal of 30. i do agree it gets frustrating when they say some things get pushed. for example i would like to know if we will ever get Racial destinies or was this idea stopped cold.

honestly with the letter i was pretty excited to hear some of the changes. Some of them are going to help the classes struggling atm.

[Vargouille]

for example i would like to know if we will ever get Racial destinies or was this idea stopped cold.

We've always expected each Epic Destiny to appeal to a variety of races and classes. We haven't seen a great need or great player desire for something that explicitly supports being an Epic Dwarf (for instance).

[Vyvyanne]

Game balance changes, such as heavy and medium armors adjustment and paladin enhancement, are greatly appreciated and surely needed before aiming to new game content.
I truly agree with your decision and I wish good work to you all! :)

p.s.: I hope that update 23 will include spellsinger/warchanter overhaul, too :P

Spellsinger and Warchanter improvements will actually arrive before Update 23. These changes are currently expected to be in our next patch, which is slated to release this month (in July.)

[Furelli]

We've always expected each Epic Destiny to appeal to a variety of races and classes. We haven't seen a great need or great player desire for something that explicitly supports being an Epic Dwarf (for instance).

Erm, I believe the request is actually to do with each race tree linking to a class tree - like Elves link to Arcane Archer. It has always been banded about on the forums of giving Drow access to the Tempest tree, and Halflings getting the Assassin tree for example.

Furelli

[Jango-EX]

About Cannith Crafting, since it was mentioned... any plans in the foreseeable future to put the new stuff as shards? I would love that.

[mezzorco]

Spellsinger and Warchanter improvements will actually arrive before Update 23. These changes are currently expected to be in our next patch, which is slated to release this month (in July.)

Praise and glory to Vyvyanne :D

[ranthrock]

another Classic Dungeon like the Haunted Halls of Eveningstar.

Tomb of Horrors?

Please be Tomb of Horrors!

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/Article.aspx?x=dnd/toon/TombHorrors

-Purr

[Robai]

<snip>


The main and the most important question: how many teams are working on increasing BtC bank space?

[The_Human_Cypher]

We've always expected each Epic Destiny to appeal to a variety of races and classes. We haven't seen a great need or great player desire for something that explicitly supports being an Epic Dwarf (for instance).

Racial past lives and destinies are probably unnecessary and would overly complicate the TR leveling process. Moving toward Iconic Completionist with a total of 13 iconics (one for each class) instead would be preferable and is also a way of introducing sub-races such as the Sun Elf or new races to the game.

Something that hasn't been mentioned at all is new volumes for the Monster Manual. Has the Players' Council discussed this with the devs? Even if DDO had to charge everyone Turbine Points, including VIPs, for new volumes there is a good deal of interest in this feature which remains unfinished.

[Vindraxx]

Spellsinger and Warchanter improvements will actually arrive before Update 23. These changes are currently expected to be in our next patch, which is slated to release this month (in July.)

Any ETA on the heart seed change for quest completions at level cap?

Also, really looking forward to these updates!

[Erofen]

The main and the most important question: how many teams are working on increasing BtC bank space?
^This like always. Please give us more space!

[Psiandron]

Thanks for keeping us in the loop.

It sounds as if you all have things well in hand and I'm looking forward to the remainder of the year.

I would like to ask, and yes I know it's kind of beating a dead horse, but could we please get a roll-back on the bag/bank/barter box/party invite/etc. thing. It really is the height of annoying and there's good reason to doubt its efficacy.

[The_Human_Cypher]

^This like always. Please give us more space!

More space is the most frequently requested new game feature, even above the Monster Manual and possibly even above new content.

[Nascoe]

Spellsinger and Warchanter improvements will actually arrive before Update 23. These changes are currently expected to be in our next patch, which is slated to release this month (in July.)

Thanks for that one Vyvyanne, good job.

[Missing_Minds]

Praise and glory to Vyvyanne :D
PFFFFFffffff... Hail the Cube!

[Firewall]

Actually i would have liked to see level 30 this year very much. Also epifying Orchard instead of an all new setting in the Anauroch desert feels to me like warming up cold coffee plus i'm a bit tired fighting nothing but undead in dark gloomy places in endgame content lately.

So for which update are sentient weapons scheduled now?

[Atremus]

Actually i would have liked to see level 30 this year very much. Also epifying Orchard instead of an all new setting in the Anauroch desert feels to me like warming up cold coffee plus i'm a bit tired fighting nothing but undead in dark gloomy places in endgame content lately.


It will be free epic content assuming you own Necro4 and Turbine doesn't go the expansion route again. I say that is good. Plus putting the brakes on too many level increases slows down the WoW feeling where gear is obsolete after a week. The keys are Loot and XP. They need flawless execution here.

If Epic Orchard has as much Loot as Epic GH did, we could see lots of play in there.

[Cordovan]

Actually i would have liked to see level 30 this year very much. Also epifying Orchard instead of an all new setting in the Anauroch desert feels to me like warming up cold coffee plus i'm a bit tired fighting nothing but undead in dark gloomy places in endgame content lately.

So for which update are sentient weapons scheduled now?

We do not yet have a formal update assigned for Sentient Weapons, but are instead moving forward on the design of them, and will release them when we are ready.

[Vyvyanne]

Any ETA on the heart seed change for quest completions at level cap?

Also, really looking forward to these updates!

Yes, this is change is also in our upcoming patch.

[Vindraxx]

Yes, this is change is also in our upcoming patch.

Thanks you guys are the best :). Hope you all are enjoying your summer!

[DefecTalisman]

What ever happened to re-working the old epic items(the ones that required crafting a scroll, shard & seal)?

Also I would rather have epic Merdia and Shroud with epic greensteel rather than Necro 4.

[cdbd3rd]

Dev Sev mentioned in another thread that the low/mid levels aren't being forgotten about.

Anything that can be addressed in this regard?

[Aelonwy]

We've always expected each Epic Destiny to appeal to a variety of races and classes. We haven't seen a great need or great player desire for something that explicitly supports being an Epic Dwarf (for instance).

Almost certainly this poster meant racial prestige enhancements, speaking of which are racial prestige enhancement trees ever going to be implemented? I understand if you are still balancing the current enhancements, barbarian next please.

The current plans look good to me.

As to moneymakers for the game... more MonsterManuals, convert more cosmetic armor to the new glamored armor, new hairstyles, new hair dyes (periwinkle, blue-violet, dark blue-green,) more iconics?, some alternate cosmetic pets like a shadow beholderling, maybe a panther cub that looks like a baby razorcat? Why aren't we getting pseudo dragons with more color choices like white, blue, green, shadow, prismatic? Why not a fairy dragon cosmetic pet?

Also please look into finishing the fix to the random loot debacle, and upgrading cannith crafting.

You mention new augments available next time to Crystal Cove, but I just want to make certain you do still intend to upgrade the current cove loot to at least level 24? Right?

[DANTEIL]

Dev Sev mentioned in another thread that the low/mid levels aren't being forgotten about.

Anything that can be addressed in this regard?

This is kinda my question, too. I recognize that there is a genuine need for additional Epic-level content in order to support the future level 30 xp cap, but I'm hoping that there are still plans of some sort to provide new/interesting things at the Heroic levels, also.

But thanks for the communication of the future plans!

[The_Human_Cypher]

Almost certainly this poster meant racial prestige enhancements, speaking of which are racial prestige enhancement trees ever going to be implemented? I understand if you are still balancing the current enhancements, barbarian next please.

The current plans look good to me.

As to moneymakers for the game... more MonsterManuals, convert more cosmetic armor to the new glamored armor, new hairstyles, new hair dyes (periwinkle, blue-violet, dark blue-green,) more iconics?, some alternate cosmetic pets like a shadow beholderling, maybe a panther cub that looks like a baby razorcat? Why aren't we getting pseudo dragons with more color choices like white, blue, green, shadow, prismatic? Why not a fairy dragon cosmetic pet?

Also please look into finishing the fix to the random loot debacle, and upgrading cannith crafting.

You mention new augments available next time to Crystal Cove, but I just want to make certain you do still intend to upgrade the current cove loot to at least level 24? Right?

I suppose that revised Cannith Crafting will have to wait until the level cap is increased to 30 in order to properly balance the new crafted gear with the permanent level cap.

Monster Manuals, yes! Cosmetics aren't that important but everything you mention would be nice. I suggested a mimic treasure chest as a new companion, whose release could coincide with the new loot event mentioned above.

[brian14]

Any ETA on the heart seed change for quest completions at level cap?

Yes, this is change is also in our upcoming patch.
I must have missed the memo. How will heart seeds change?

NVM, found it: While your character is at level cap, completing epic quests adds 2 Heart Seeds into the End Reward list for that quest. This only applies to quests where Commendations of Valor already show up, including Epic Quests, on Normal, Hard, or Elite, that aren't ransacked.

[Vargouille]

Almost certainly this poster meant racial prestige enhancements, speaking of which are racial prestige enhancement trees ever going to be implemented? I understand if you are still balancing the current enhancements, barbarian next please.

Additional racially unlocked enhancement trees are still one of the things we may do in the future. We don't have specific plans that would come Soon.

[Tarinia]

We do not yet have a formal update assigned for Sentient Weapons, but are instead moving forward on the design of them, and will release them when we are ready.

So it will only be a dream?
In my opinion the Anauroch area will be missed most- guys, we already know the orchard. Of course it will feel fresher but all quests basically have similar if not the same design.

So from standpoint of how many resources Turbine used this year for new contend, for me it seems, they reduced the output sharply downward.

One 3 level cap raise and one totally new epic area with new quests vs. putting new monsters into an old area with only one modified raid? It all depends on the classical module and if it comes in the forgotten realms,
how popular and contendheavy it will be.

I would assume that you can epify 2 - 3 or more areas in using the same resources as doing one huge area with all new quest totally from scratch (like anauroch)...
Not, that I want to start a Doom chain, but the last dark times from DDO (license swap) all started with getting less and less contend in the same period... and wont there be a license discussion next year?


best regards
Tarinia

[Nascoe]

Yes, this is change is also in our upcoming patch.

Now its getting even better. Yes, I think you guys have really looked well at prioritizing what you can and will do in the near future.

[Rastamanjojoboy]

Was hoping for more linked to the Tyranny of Dragons stuff and maybe an epic destiny line that would be more xbow artificer focused, having to work through the wheel towards shiradi is a waste of epic destinies, but the things you have planned for roll out look good. Thank you for continuing to update and improve the game.

[stoopid_cowboy]

Is there any news on Barbarians being "fixed" anytime in the near future?

Bard's have been getting a lot of attention. Pally's are coming. But there has been no mention of Barbarians at all. None, zero, zip, notta!

[cdbd3rd]

Is there any news on Barbarians being "fixed" anytime in the near future?...


One "fix", coming right up!
http://www.gifs.net/Animation11/Everything_Else/Stationery/Scissors_3.gif


:p

[Rasczak]

I wish I knew of these letters beforehand so I could have time to buy marshmallows. You're very rude not forewarning me...

[IronClan]

Yes, this is change is also in our upcoming patch.

That is great news, I think you'll see a lot of players return just because they wont need to grind out so many CoV's to ETR.

[losian2]

Hello! I’m writing today to tell you more about our plans for DDO in the coming months, and introduce you to a few folks you might not know. We’ve made some adjustments to our “road map” for 2014 that we think you’ll be excited about, and we’ve added a few folks to the team that we want to introduce you to.

For those of you who missed my letter written for DDO’s 8th anniversary (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/437022-Happy-8th-Anniversary-DDO!), my name is Athena, and I’m DDO’s Franchise Director. I’m the person heading up the DDO team, working with our partners, producers, and teams leads, and making various business decisions that keep the engines running. We’re really pleased to have added Design Manager Severlin to our team in recent months, and I notice that you’ve already been seeing his design leadership in action in the Official Discussion Forums (https://www.ddo.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/166-Official-Turbine-Discussions) (and in the game!) Severlin comes to DDO from Asheron’s Call, where he served as Producer (and wore many hats) for quite some time. Additionally, we’ve added two other members of the Asheron’s Call team to our staff: NoWorries and Kintani, who are working on items, quests, systems, and more! Of course, it takes a huge amount of creativity to keep DDO going, so I also want to thank the many other developers, quality assurance, production, operations, art, and community people I work with every day for all of their hard work – thank you!

When Rowan spoke with you back in December (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/431908-Holiday-Producer-s-Letter), we outlined a plan for 2014 that we’ve delivered so far (like Epic Three Barrel Cove, Haunted Halls of Eveningstar, etc.) However, we’re making a few changes to our calendar for the rest of the year, and I want to make sure you are up-to-date on our plans. Initially, we were considering creating Anauroch for Update 23, and raising the level cap to 30 in Update 24. Rowan also talked about the concept of “Sentient Weapons” in his letter, although that wasn’t assigned to an update. You can expect all of these things to happen! But, our team has been looking at alternatives, reading your ideas on the forums (and Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Twitch, etc.), discussing our plans with the Players Council, and gathering their feedback on what they’d like us to work on. We’ve been talking amongst the team as well, assessing what it is we’d like to do, and when the right time to do it is. In that context, we’ve shifted our plans slightly.

Update 23 will bring Epic Orchard of the Macabre to DDO, along with a new Epic raid! While the raid will share some locations and similarities to the current Accursed Ascension raid (“Abbot raid”), our team will bring a whole new series of challenges to adventurers brave enough to enter. We’re not simply “adding hit points to the Abbot”, but are rather re-thinking the raid space for an entirely new battle, with a new story line, baddies, loot, and more! One of the things we’re looking to do in the coming year is to provide more high-level questing and raiding to DDO, and we think an Epic Orchard of the Macabre fits nicely with that goal.

Besides newly Epi-fied versions of the quests found in Orchard of the Macabre, we’re also planning to make sure the Orchard itself is ready for high-level adventure with exciting battles against rare enemies, werewolves (yes, in Eberron!), new loot, and more! We’ll be talking a lot more about the Epic Orchard of the Macabre in the coming months, and I can’t wait for you to see what our devious devs have planned.

Update 23 will also feature a series of improvements aimed at making sure heavy armor-wearing adventurers feel powerful and ready to go toe-to-toe with some of DDO’s toughest enemies, updates to improve the Paladin class, and other changes that will give our melee players a boost. We’re also creating new Augments for our Crystal Cove event that higher-level players can slot into their favorite weapons, armor, and items, and expect to bring those new Augments to you when Crystal Cove reopens after the release of Update 23.

Update 24 will round out the year with new quests, new Festivult cookies, and a new event that centers on something we can all agree on: looting chests! We’ll be continuing our work on the Anauroch Desert (in the Forgotten Realms), planning for Sentient Weapons, and developing another Classic Dungeon like the Haunted Halls of Eveningstar. We expect these to be something you’ll see in the first half of 2015. We’re pushing out the level cap for now to make sure we have plenty of questing to support your journey through the highest levels of DDO. Hitting level 30 will be a big milestone for DDO, and we want to put it out when the timing is right, and make sure its design keeps up with the way you, the players want to play DDO.

And these are just the tip of the iceberg that is our whiteboard. We are constantly reviewing our ideas and your suggestions, and making adjustments based on your changing needs and requests as well as our own excitement on new ideas for you to play with, so you may see a few more surprises pop in over the next year as we get closer to releasing our updates.

Thank you for reading, and I look forward to hearing from you about these plans, and anything else you’d like to see happen in DDO! Happy adventuring, and we’ll see you in Dungeons & Dragons Online!

Cheers!
Athena “Vyvyanne” Peters
Franchise Director – Dungeons & Dragons Online

Needs more playable-race kobolds.

[uriilh]

hello,

is it possible that you can improve the AI of the artificier iron defender?
seems it is very buggy (unlike the druid wolf).

many time the ID just stop following or becoming inactive.
it switches targets to frequint and stucks in lava.

the dog is avery important for the artificier gameplay and its too bad it full of bugs.



10x.

[patang01]

I'm glad that you're pushing the level cap. I think it's the right thing to do since there's just not enough content for it. Second, Epic Orchard - not my cup of tea but a solid epic area for undead stomping. Sounds like fun. And redoing the raid sounds like a good idea. Looking forward to check out those changes.

And also thanks for thinking about our heavy armored toons - for most part the ideas around them seems okay - we'll just see how they do in practice.

[LuKaSu]

Spellsinger and Warchanter improvements will actually arrive before Update 23. These changes are currently expected to be in our next patch, which is slated to release this month (in July.)

Oh sweet! I just wanted to mention that I am thrilled with the fact that you guys are going through and revamping the less-used classes and trees. It really lets us know that you're really trying to make this an awesome game. The news looks great! Thanks again!

[Maxxcore]

If you intend to make orchard Epic, please first fix Litany flagging. I have tried 3 consecutive times to go through it, and each time I have been stopped at the ambush, unable to continue. Stayed in there for 10~ minutes and the DM said nothing, and nothing happened.

Thanks

-Maxxcore

[Dilbon]

If you intend to make orchard Epic, please first fix Litany flagging. I have tried 3 consecutive times to go through it, and each time I have been stopped at the ambush, unable to continue. Stayed in there for 10~ minutes and the DM said nothing, and nothing happened.


Did you turn the wheel?

[Shinjiteru]

Thanks for the updated roadmap. Sounds fine, I would have prefered epic vale, but I am fine if Epic vale is going to be level 28-30 content with an epic crafting system that is as good as the current greensteel crafting just for epic levels. :)
But I hope there is some time left to squeeze in the conversion of the missing armor kits to the new cosmetic armor system. ;)


Spellsinger and Warchanter improvements will actually arrive before Update 23. These changes are currently expected to be in our next patch, which is slated to release this month (in July.)

I really like this announcement in general.
But I am worried if this is enough time to make the warchanter tree to something valuable that is able to compete with the spellsinger and swashbuckler tree. :S

[Heynone]

I know it is the wrong setting but I would be a very happy player if a version of Expedition to the Barrier Peaks was added. Come on devs, you know you want us to fight vegepygmies and robots, err I mean steal constructs.

[Seikojin]

Spellsinger and Warchanter improvements will actually arrive before Update 23. These changes are currently expected to be in our next patch, which is slated to release this month (in July.)

If that is the case, please push to have a lam build up this weekend.

[Oxarhamar]

Did you turn the wheel?

Not only that but, there was a steath change a while back if you turn the wheel and hide in the corner the wheel resets. Someone must stand near the wheel now.

[DagazUlf]

Well, I'm highly disappointed at the delay for the level cap increase. I have 12 alts sitting at 28 and my main character is on his last epicTR right now. The level cap increase was dangled in front of us for this year and I worked diligently to be ready, only to now have that rug yanked out from under me. Yay. I may just have to sit a few updates out until I have some reason to go gain XP again.

As for more adventuring against undead foes in a gloom-filled location that I've already run to death... total bleh. Been doing that for years. Could really care less, new raid or not. I wager an update to the Orchard is only going to hold people's attention for a very minimal amount of time.

Have to say that I wasn't impressed with the idea of Sentient Weapons before, and still think they're a waste of effort at this point. But on that note, it is great to see new team members join, especially those of AC caliber.

Boosting melees is going to be a great boon from my perspective. Hopefully the heavier armors are not going to turn into something that is basically required for effective/efficient melee, though. I really don't want to turn my light armor fighter that I've been running for years at this point into some kind of plate mail character.

To summarize....

Yays: Melee boosts, new U24 quests, new Classic Dungeon, new augments, new team members
Nays: Rehash of Orchard, Sentient Weapons, and no level cap increase

[Seikojin]

Yes, this is change is also in our upcoming patch.

I hope that intended distribution is as follows:
EC 0
EN 0 or 1
EH 1 or 2
EE 2 or 3

[EllisDee37]

I hope that intended distribution is as follows:
EC 0
EN 0 or 1
EH 1 or 2
EE 2 or 3As someone who doesn't run EE, that would work for me.

/signed

[Violentbeginning]

While giving existing quests and adventure areas an epic difficulty is ok, they are nothing when compared to actual new content.

-For U23, instead of a brand new area with quests (Anauroch), we are getting another quest pack that has been around for several years made epic.
-So for U24, when I hear "new quests", I immediately have to wonder if "new quests" actually means NEW quests, or reused quests.

Also, whats the deal with Crystal Cove? A lot of folks have been asking for upgrades to the existing items. We have been told over and over and over that there be loot upgrades, but instead we get, what, a couple new augments?

[dunklezhan]

Any word on an ETA on changes to the awful awful awful changes to inventory management from the recent exploit fix (i.e. where if a bag is open the AH, bank or barter window cannot be)?

In fact, any thoughts on maybe an update dedicated to bug fixes and quality of life updates (e.g. sizable UI, additional auction house categories for gems or new lootgen effects, and no doubt a whole raft of other stuff)?

[wraxzz]

It's good to hear about the improvement plans in order Vyvyanne, although I have 2 big concerns. Assuming the changes to heavy and medium armor doesn't "improve" the brokenness of barbarians enough to make them at least playable, the class requires almost an enhancement overhaul. As mentioned in other threads, other classes have their enhancements or class abilities scale with their epic levels, but barbarians sit with the same rage boost from levels 20 to 28, i.e. you are playing a glorified level 20 barbarian if you are level 28, and not playing a level 28 barbarian when you are level 28. It used to be possible for barbs to be health-tanks due do their almost exclusive high hp, shared with paladins and occasional tank fighters, but since epic levels they are again, just glasscannons. And what the heck is with 11/- dr at epic level 28? Getting hit for 250's after 11 damage is taken off, is pointless. barb dr after heroic levels are negligible currently. Some barb enhancements like vicious strike also don't scale to epic levels. the same vicious strike you use at very low levels because it is OKAY (just), is the same vicious strike you use on an EE crucible hobgoblin with 300 000 hp. seriously? At the very least, barb enhancements require an audit. You need to revise enhancements such as occult slayer dodge. a medium armor wearing barb has a 8% dodge cap (8% medium armor, but 2% guild bonus to cap is possible- don't tell me this enhancement is guild amenity dependent? that is inappropriate), and you have an occult slayer enhancement giving 3% dodge at tier 3. So thats 6% uncanny dodge bonus at level 20, so what is the enhancement even doing there if you can't fully benefit from it unless you multiclass or join a guild with the dodge cap bonus amenity? And also, this berserker of the wild that you call the barbarian class, is just as susceptible to the new poison damage as any other class- i.e. not lore friendly anymore, and thats just the 1 ability. And as for the ravager tree, otherwise for the meager power attack bonus, i find the tree useless too. Heck, new players don't even enjoy the barbarian class. Just checked the khyber lfm list out of curiosity, out of 47 visible characters, only 2 had barbarian levels (but sure, this isn't an overall accurate claim, but it does point towards the direction that i'm making points).

My other concern is with your mentioned of epic orchard. remember, you aren't making this game to keep it difficult for the select few EE min/maxers. Everytime you make a change to address these players, you deter the rest. If you do bring in an epic orchard- that would be awesome, but seriously, you can't have raids that casual players cannot cope in. Thats why I never run the FoT raid anymore. after prepping TO and SR to their respected health values, a casual player tagging along will draw aggro or keep attacking and just screw up the raid- everytime. With that all said, my point is that if you provide a game to the general public, it should be at the very least playable by the general public. Heck, no one runs the twilight forge anymore because there is no incentive for the large casual player base, and anyone not playing casual has no need to run it anyways. Really, these things have to be taken into account before just dishing out more content- ladder bug since forever, anyone? Not to mention the in-game lag 2 days ago, was mabar all over again, only just in madstone crater for my ee pug. and the day before in ee high road. Also, don't ever bring out mabar again unless it works flawlessly, because everytime you bring out such sought-after events like mabar and it fails, you infuriate a large portion of the community, and some of us have pockets with grudges.

Heck, I can go on all day with the senseless things in DDO. "Hey players heres a new <insert content here>, but we weren't thorough in the implementation, so takes this here <insert value here> of new ingredients to find place for, enjoy the game!".

Cannith crafting needs revision to suite end-game or at least epic levels from 21-26. I mean really, why not just make the vendor trash drops a universal +10 greatsword or something, why have stuff like flaming IV on a ml20+ weapon, if no-one will be using a non-named weapon at that level? Sure, lots of spelltouched shurikens and stuff floating around, but there is no demand for lootgen weapons at epic levels because their effects just dont cut it. However, if we could cannith craft say, an ml24 weapon effect to be used at level 20- now thats a start. I have crafting levels to craft anything I want, and there is nothing worth crafting. Figures.

Someone was saying they would've preferred epic vale over epic orchard. Wake up good sir, its called thunderforged. Sure its a little different, but what would the point be if it was a literal transition of greensteel into epic levels?

BUT, I'm otherwise not all gimme this and gimme that- I sincerely commend everyone that worked on epic 3bc. I have seen so many complaints regarding the named items from 3bc- 1 player cries that the mitt's aren't this or the boots are just situational. Too bad, these items are clear indications that dev's are starting to dish out more powerful items with their new content. Why, I'm not even inspired by my skybreaker or ee manacles anymore. Thunderforged greataxe and lootgen str/con gear anyone?

So, my concerns have are now written on digital paper for dev's to see. Good work on epic 3bc, and I sincerely hope you bring out a public-balanced epic orchard, because that would really be a morale boost to dedicated DDO players and a strong lure for prospective gamers, casuals or not.

edit: Searching the auction house right now, seeing 5 posts of 20 flawless green dragon scales, all posted at the same time- the duping has effffffervescented up the auction, and has largely contributed to a boring ddo experience. Who wants to keep playing if they can buy duped scales at 20% of the normal price and then not having to play to get their end-game items. BORING. ps: im pretty sure the masses of draconic soul gems, gems of vitality, globes of true imperial blood and jewelcrafters kit's are all duped. in 3.5 years of playing ddo, I can now on a daily basis see the same amount of those items as I have in the entirety of that 3.5 years. Please, be vigilant in your new releases- do not let duping exploits slip through. This makes the game so much less fun to play than skipping up and down a ladder bug for 4 years.
Edit: i feel I need to complain more. there's over a thousand dragon scales on the khyber auction house right now- I have lost total interest in running a lot of ddo content because why? I can just buy it? Won't be surprised if there are people sitting with 2500 spectral dragon scales or signet's of night. Free +5 tomes anyone? Free, because dupe exploits apparently cost nothing

[wraxzz]

Any word on an ETA on changes to the awful awful awful changes to inventory management from the recent exploit fix (i.e. where if a bag is open the AH, bank or barter window cannot be)?

In fact, any thoughts on maybe an update dedicated to bug fixes and quality of life updates (e.g. sizable UI, additional auction house categories for gems or new lootgen effects, and no doubt a whole raft of other stuff)?

SHEESH, just had to comment on this. Whoever is in charge of bringing improvements to the DDO auction house, please, I beg of you, take 5 minutes in front of the WoW auction house- the customizable searches (with or without mods) are superior. WE NEED IMPROVEMENTS TO DDO AUCTION HOUSE SORTING AND SEARCH FILTERS

[arkonas]

Additional racially unlocked enhancement trees are still one of the things we may do in the future. We don't have specific plans that would come Soon.

that is exactly what i meant. racial. i said nothing of epic destinies. Elven/Helf got arcane archer. Dwarf was suppose to get stalwart. warforged ravager etc. these were suppose to come out when shadowfell did, but no one said why they didnt and if there would ever be anything like that.

[Shindurza]

u21: 1,2k TP for premiums
u22: free
u23: free
u24: not this year

So, in order to buy all new things this year, premium player must spend $15 or do 2 or 3 true reincarnations.
This means, there will be more new p2w items in the store.

Well, this may be nitpicking but Update 22 was technically not free, unless you already owned 3BC or were a VIP. I pretty much don't know anyone that didn't already have it anyway, so they probably did not make a killing off of new sales of it.

-Shin

[Kalevor]

Overall great news!! Like it !!

[arkonas]

Well, I'm highly disappointed at the delay for the level cap increase. I have 12 alts sitting at 28 and my main character is on his last epicTR right now. The level cap increase was dangled in front of us for this year and I worked diligently to be ready, only to now have that rug yanked out from under me. Yay. I may just have to sit a few updates out until I have some reason to go gain XP again.

As for more adventuring against undead foes in a gloom-filled location that I've already run to death... total bleh. Been doing that for years. Could really care less, new raid or not. I wager an update to the Orchard is only going to hold people's attention for a very minimal amount of time.

Have to say that I wasn't impressed with the idea of Sentient Weapons before, and still think they're a waste of effort at this point. But on that note, it is great to see new team members join, especially those of AC caliber.

Boosting melees is going to be a great boon from my perspective. Hopefully the heavier armors are not going to turn into something that is basically required for effective/efficient melee, though. I really don't want to turn my light armor fighter that I've been running for years at this point into some kind of plate mail character.

To summarize....

Yays: Melee boosts, new U24 quests, new Classic Dungeon, new augments, new team members
Nays: Rehash of Orchard, Sentient Weapons, and no level cap increase

while i do think the sentient weapons will be fun, that is just me. I think it goes the same for epic orchard. if people hate orchard they will never enjoy it fully or maybe they have ran it to death like you have. I guess its hard to make someone like it right? i know i loved epic 3 barrel cove because i liked the feel and the quests were a little different from the rest.

[Ilindith]

[...]Athena “Vyvyanne” Peters[...]

http://www.radioplaystation.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Kratos2.jpg

[viktorserak]

These are absolutely fantastic news, you guys are doing a great job!

I must say, I am very happy about this, especially in face of previous events!

Thank you!

Just one single question, that I believe, is on many people s minds:

There were three super weak classes.

Bards are almost saved.

Paladin are about to be saved.

What about Barbarians?

[die]

Well, I'm highly disappointed at the delay for the level cap increase. I have 12 alts sitting at 28 and my main character is on his last epicTR right now. The level cap increase was dangled in front of us for this year and I worked diligently to be ready, only to now have that rug yanked out from under me. Yay. I may just have to sit a few updates out until I have some reason to go gain XP again.

As for more adventuring against undead foes in a gloom-filled location that I've already run to death... total bleh. Been doing that for years. Could really care less, new raid or not. I wager an update to the Orchard is only going to hold people's attention for a very minimal amount of time.

Have to say that I wasn't impressed with the idea of Sentient Weapons before, and still think they're a waste of effort at this point. But on that note, it is great to see new team members join, especially those of AC caliber.

Boosting melees is going to be a great boon from my perspective. Hopefully the heavier armors are not going to turn into something that is basically required for effective/efficient melee, though. I really don't want to turn my light armor fighter that I've been running for years at this point into some kind of plate mail character.

To summarize....

Yays: Melee boosts, new U24 quests, new Classic Dungeon, new augments, new team members
Nays: Rehash of Orchard, Sentient Weapons, and no level cap increase

Bingo! Thank you for putting into words what I was unable to do! +1

[PookaWitch]

People have really been wanting an epic version of the Orchard, so I'm pretty happy for them. ^_^ (I'm kinda odd that I've never cared for Necropolis myself.) I was really looking forward to Anarouch for the next expansion, but honestly would rather wait and have it done well with another great classic quest then rushed, so I can wait. I really love Haunted Halls, so this excites me. (Please look at my suggestions thread about more themed packages for DDO, if it's being pushed back to make it bigger, I would so love to see some type of TP extra package option of Desert/Anarouch flavour. :D )

Generally, I'm happy with this, a little 'meh' about updates to something I never cared much for but happy for those who have really wanted it done - it does show that you guys do pay attention to what the players like. I'm pretty stoked about paladin adjustments! There are other 3.5 based games out there who fixed the problem with how paladins seem to fizzle off after a few levels by giving them more abilities through to level 20, and DDO adding more in makes it pretty great. (Enhancements already had a big part in that, IMHO, compared to tabletop.)

[Karadon_II]

Welcome to the newbies from Asheron's Call.

Yay to L30 being pushed back, this will be welcome when it's time, but it's not yet time and won't be at end of year.

Yay to Epic Orchard but please have Tolero do the new narration again [at least I think it was her the first time].

Yay to Paladin improvements.


Please consider adding in Epic Tempest Spine in there too

Agreed.


Massively disappointed to see Cannith Crafting continued to be abandoned.


Also please look into .... upgrading cannith crafting.

An acknowledgement of the fact that crafting needs to be addressed would be a start.

[PookaWitch]

Oh, I nearly forgot...

In the new year letter there was mention of looking into possible player housing by the end of the year (not guaranteed, but an idea being looked into). Is that still something being thought about, or abandoned with the fun new ship rooms sort of taking that place anyhow?

[mna]

Well, this may be nitpicking but Update 22 was technically not free, unless you already owned 3BC or were a VIP. I pretty much don't know anyone that didn't already have it anyway, so they probably did not make a killing off of new sales of it.

Hey, I got the Landlubber Bundle on purpose just two days before U22... oh, sure, it was all f2p-farmed TP anyway, and mostly because there was no advance information on the bundle pricing changes (which there turned out to be none of, so I could've waited for a sale...)


Anyway, I don't think it's accurate to describe the updates themselves as "free" or not, since the associated game core changes are for all players anyway. Access to new content really should be discussed as a separate thing... someone remind me to maintain separation between those if I ever make a MMORPG...

[Cordovan]

Oh, I nearly forgot...

In the new year letter there was mention of looking into possible player housing by the end of the year (not guaranteed, but an idea being looked into). Is that still something being thought about, or abandoned with the fun new ship rooms sort of taking that place anyhow?

The word "abandoned" is too strong, as it implies that something was started and then ended, with the presumption that it will never happen. That said, there is no current plan to add player housing by the end of the year. As with any of a large number of features, if the right combination of factors fall into place, it could be something that might happen in the future, but the currently outlined slate of development does not include player housing.

[Tristan-Kalaman]

We’ll be continuing our work on the Anauroch Desert (in the Forgotten Realms), planning for Sentient Weapons, and developing another Classic Dungeon like the Haunted Halls of Eveningstar.

Rather new to DDO, but for the love of all that is good and decent please do not make the Sentient Weapons like the Legendary Items in LOTRO! Having to constantly grind out and level up new weapons every time there is a level cap increase has ruined the experience for me. Please insure that these items can stay and grow with the player until the player decides they need to move on to something different.

Regards,
Tristan.

[Satrov]

(sorry i'm using google translator)Is very good news, but I wonder if you are also planning on improving Quests Necropolis I, II and III, giving them epic levels or modifying certain things that hinder the development of the same, as a quest that requires to be group to solve it. What about Merket place when we leave it better and with more news?

[Captain_Wizbang]

We've read a lot of discussion on enhancements and paths from you (devs)

My question is......

What about better capstones for pure class builds?

IMO it would be a real shame if you exclude this from a patch or update this year.

[Cleanincubus]

The word "abandoned" is too strong, as it implies that something was started and then ended, with the presumption that it will never happen. That said, there is no current plan to add player housing by the end of the year. As with any of a large number of features, if the right combination of factors fall into place, it could be something that might happen in the future, but the currently outlined slate of development does not include player housing.

Out of all the statements and outlines of future updates, made by turbine in this thread, this makes me the happiest. The only thing that could make me happier would have been a flat out "no".

[PookaWitch]

The word "abandoned" is too strong, as it implies that something was started and then ended, with the presumption that it will never happen. That said, there is no current plan to add player housing by the end of the year. As with any of a large number of features, if the right combination of factors fall into place, it could be something that might happen in the future, but the currently outlined slate of development does not include player housing.

I should have said 'not necessary' due to the guild ships, because I do just love them. ^_^ If it's still floating around as a possible future thought somewhere in the background that's great. I loved the idea of it, but thought that many of the ideas for it were used with the ship. It makes me curious if it does happen what sort of things would be in it. O.o
Anyhow, not something on the drawing board right now. I'm super, hugely excited about Anarouch and don't mind the push back. When it comes to such iconic things I would rather have them done well then rushed. :D

[Xezrak]

Excellent news, a big thanks for the update always good to hear that DDO is moving a positive direction and very happy that heavy armor/pally getting a boost :)

[HatsuharuZ]

My first character in DDO was a paladin, and I was massively disappointed at end-game when I learned how great she wasn't. *sighs* ;___;

Which is why I'M DOING A DANCE WHILE TYPING THIS. Why? Because the dev team is spending time improving paladins! :D

[AtomicMew]

No mention of the pervasive problems afflicting the current DDO. I would prefer if Turbine did not take the "sweep it under the rug" mentality with regards to important negative issues.

[The_Human_Cypher]

No mention of the pervasive problems afflicting the current DDO. I would prefer if Turbine did not take the "sweep it under the rug" mentality with regards to important negative issues.

All of these new developments and content are great but the problem of persistent bugs and connectivity to the game needs to be addressed soon. In order for DDO to grow and retain its population, the bug problem has to be worked on.

[Silverleafeon]

What about Barbarians?

Sev has already said, Barbarians are on his radar,
and I will help make sure he does not forget.

[Dawnsblood]

Rather new to DDO, but for the love of all that is good and decent please do not make the Sentient Weapons like the Legendary Items in LOTRO! Having to constantly grind out and level up new weapons every time there is a level cap increase has ruined the experience for me. Please insure that these items can stay and grow with the player until the player decides they need to move on to something different.

Regards,
Tristan.

I logged in just to agree with this.

[HatsuharuZ]

While I do like making another pack epic, I am worried that the devs will not change any of the scenery in the epic version. We've had a lot of undead, shadow and gloom recently, in Wheloon, the Underdark and Thunderholme.

Thus, if the devs are going to epicify Orchard, I hope they put in some flowers.

[GeoffWatson]

Will the XP requirement for levels 29 and 30 keep the same progression? I hope not.

Level 26 to 28 feels like a long, slow grind, with over million XP per level (especially on an ETR where you don't get first time bonuses).

The current progression would add over 3 million XP to an ETR or ITR. That would be too much for me to bother with.

I think you should reduce the Epic XP requirements, and even them out, say 600k per level.

Geoff.

[vms4ever]

I agree restless Isles could use some love. Threnal too.
.

Epic Coyle. I can't tell whether to quake with fear or laughter.

[HatsuharuZ]

Epic Coyle. I can't tell whether to quake with fear or laughter.

Naturally, he'd be a lich, and we wouldn't be able to find his phylactery, requiring us to seal him up somehow, or drop him into another plane.

[Nightmanis]

I'd prefer to have new item type instead of sentient weapons.

For example, characters get 4 slots, and they can be filled with class artifacts.
Artifacts gain levels, but they can't exceed class level (so for example, 17cleric/2fighter/1wizard/4epic can equip holy symbol that is cappped at 17, sword sheath that is capped at 2 and spellbook that is capped at 1, and generic epic artifact, capped at lvl4, while barb20/epic 8 can equip barbaric fetish capped at 20 and generic epic artifact capped at 8, with 2 other slots permanently locked). When character loses levels (i.e. reincarnates) items are deleveled, but their progress is not lost, so at lvl1 your artifacts are capped at 1, but as you level character, they level up with you, without having to regrind their XP.
They should be made in a way that higher level opens better upgrades, so equipping 1 lvl20 is better than 18+1+1 (small, but noticable and original boost to pure classes).
Also, they gain augment slots: lvl1 colorless, lvl5 yellow lvl10 blue lvl15 red (applies extra damage to all weapons held) lvl20 choice between purple and orange and green. They stack, so at max level character gets 1 extra slots of each color.
I don't like one weapon to rule them all, one weapon to find them and in darkness bind them, because it makes all other weapons in game worthless.

Without some serious balancing, this could just end up being something that only promotes multiclassing.

[Silverleafeon]

Something that hasn't been mentioned at all is new volumes for the Monster Manual. Has the Players' Council discussed this with the devs?

Deadlock is making sure the Devs don't forget about the Monster Manuel,
he bumps his thread to keep it in view.

Not sure if I can repeat the Devs replies on the matter or not.
But we will remind them about it.

[R_2_D_2]

New material sounds nice and all, but... yeah that's not what we really need. Its been said time and time again, but I'm gonna say it again.

We need more feats! Tactical feats (real ones from Complete Warrior and the like, not just for sunder, trip, etc..). Heck even Combat Form Feats from Player's Handbook II, Weapon Mastery Line, Weapon Supremacy and so forth would be nice. More weapons would be nice too given that you can never have enough weapons but that's just me. Also, the Fighter could not only use a third enhancement tree but maybe some work on their others. The Stalwart Defender needs Stalwart Defense since level 1 not at level 6. Plus needing a shield to gain the benefits of greater stalwart stance is not fun at all. Please guys. The fighter needs some love. Lots of it in fact. Heck the Paladin could use those modifications to Sacred Defender. Maybe some work on their enhancement trees as well.

Divine feats for the Paladin would be nice too. Heck even the Cleric could make use of them. Consider removing Remove Disease from the Paladin and give them bonus feats. The ability is mostly useless here on DDO and feats would be nice. Reserve feats would be nice too. You know, since we are on the topic of feats.

We could also use an expansion of classes and races too. You guys got all the base classes but not the base races. Give us Gnomes! We want gnomes. Shifters too. Psionic races too like the Half-Giant, Aasimar, and so forth (especially the half-giant, they are my favorite race). Psion, Psychic Warrior, Soul Knife, so forth. There are plenty of psionic classes and prestige Classes to choose from in Complete Psionics and Expanded Psionic Handbook. Psionic classes and races are very important in Eberron.

That's pretty much my two cents.

[G_Lich]

Spellsinger and Warchanter improvements will actually arrive before Update 23. These changes are currently expected to be in our next patch, which is slated to release this month (in July.)


Good news there. I'll be glad to see 22.2 fix all the things left broken in 22.1 - I really like the 3BC line but droprates hurt and bugs don't make it any better. (If any designers out there want to improve Precious Cargo, namely non-existant looters and an aiming reticle on the broadsides that doesn't appear until already fired, please review, thx)

Thanks for the update... 8 more years!

[G_Lich]

Sev has already said, Barbarians are on his radar,
and I will help make sure he does not forget.


Arti ED and runearm equipment bonus DC's also pls. Arti core enh's are boring.

[sgt.pendragon]

This would be a mass error to not even bring out a new class or iconic race ..This Game been more and more push to TR so for more sales you think they would bring word about them ...

would not hurt to say maybe we trying to fix the Dupe/ bugs before we r lvl 30!!!


34 years of Role playing books to use Monster Index from, And we just get old Quest turn into epic with the same mob...ZZZZzzzz

[Magictones]

I agree with many others in this thread, in that Epic Orchard does not excite me too much. I do like a lot of the other upcoming changes, but would love to see some random quest made epic: Gwylans, Redfang, Invaders, or TR. You know something fun.

[Drevok]

Thanks for the news. Is Anarouch going to be an expansion pack with the level cap reaching its final destination? If so, please keep in mind Shadowfell that felt much less of an expansion that motu.

[Thar]

Update 23 will also feature a series of improvements aimed at making sure heavy armor-wearing adventurers feel powerful and ready to go toe-to-toe with some of DDO’s toughest enemies, updates to improve the Paladin class, and other changes that will give our melee players a boost. We’re also creating new Augments for our Crystal Cove event that higher-level players can slot into their favorite weapons, armor, and items, and expect to bring those new Augments to you when Crystal Cove reopens after the release of Update 23.



Will these changes make characters as good or better than evasion toons? I'm not saying that melee doesn't need help against the stupid levels of damage going around, but this is just addressing one area, not the non evasion, non heavy armor toons. A decrease from the 2000 hp splat damage that isn't fun is probably warrented on most quests and TBC adventure area. Not to meantion that evasion gives up a lot to be able to tank as an evasion toon, why do these toons furthermore have to give up more ac/prr in giving up heavy shields. They already give up enhacement skills and capstone. Someone slapping on heavy armor for free with no "cost" isn't fair.

[Thar]

Additional racially unlocked enhancement trees are still one of the things we may do in the future. We don't have specific plans that would come Soon.

this would be awesome and fair to the non elf races.

[Chatarra]

New material sounds nice and all, but... yeah that's not what we really need. Its been said time and time again, but I'm gonna say it again.

We need more feats! Tactical feats (real ones from Complete Warrior and the like, not just for sunder, trip, etc..). Heck even Combat Form Feats from Player's Handbook II, Weapon Mastery Line, Weapon Supremacy and so forth would be nice. More weapons would be nice too given that you can never have enough weapons but that's just me. Also, the Fighter could not only use a third enhancement tree but maybe some work on their others. The Stalwart Defender needs Stalwart Defense since level 1 not at level 6. Plus needing a shield to gain the benefits of greater stalwart stance is not fun at all. Please guys. The fighter needs some love. Lots of it in fact. Heck the Paladin could use those modifications to Sacred Defender. Maybe some work on their enhancement trees as well.

Divine feats for the Paladin would be nice too. Heck even the Cleric could make use of them. Consider removing Remove Disease from the Paladin and give them bonus feats. The ability is mostly useless here on DDO and feats would be nice. Reserve feats would be nice too. You know, since we are on the topic of feats.

We could also use an expansion of classes and races too. You guys got all the base classes but not the base races. Give us Gnomes! We want gnomes. Shifters too. Psionic races too like the Half-Giant, Aasimar, and so forth (especially the half-giant, they are my favorite race). Psion, Psychic Warrior, Soul Knife, so forth. There are plenty of psionic classes and prestige Classes to choose from in Complete Psionics and Expanded Psionic Handbook. Psionic classes and races are very important in Eberron.

That's pretty much my two cents.

Agreed. Sometimes it seems that the programmers use the D&D books as doorstops. Along with paladins that can't really tank, and fighters that need more feats, there's the turning a class like BARD into a melee class, of all things. It's a magical class, for both support and healing, with LOTS of boosts. It should do enough damage with magic, and be askill monkey, like a rogue. Anyone remembers how the original bards were created? In the original AD&D, that is. You started as a fighter, then rogue, then druid. And, by the way, you started with 15 in Str, Dex, Cha, Wis, and Int. It was a pretty powerful class. But NOT a melee class.

The latest thing you added to the already meleed class was more melee, when what it needed was a better class based on bard music and arcane magic. How about Seeker of the Song, Sublime Chord or Fochlucan Lyricist?

Please, slow down the new material, and try making DDO closer to what it's supposed to be, which is an mmorpg version of D&D, in some way or other. Because, in my opinion, and many people I've talked to in and out of game, is that it's way too different. Try making better what you already have. Try giving a third tear to paladins, try making a bard that doesn't die too fast, and that is NOT melee (if I wanted melee, I would've gotten a fighter). Oh, and since we are in Eberron, how about getting the Shifters, and other races from that particular setting? You don't even have the gnomes, which are basic D&D.

I could go on. But the point is, what we have now needs to be fixed, first, instead of eventually getting the levels up to 40 or 50, which is what you seems to be aiming at. Please, don't. If you do, you would have created yet another WoW.

[raggedtopper]

We've read a lot of discussion on enhancements and paths from you (devs)

My question is......

What about better capstones for pure class builds?

IMO it would be a real shame if you exclude this from a patch or update this year.

Its a joke, some have been on the know issues list so long that they should be more honestly listed as the "No issues" list, as in it doesn't cost Turbine so it is no issue.

Pathetic.

New, sheesh.

[Chatarra]

This would be a mass error to not even bring out a new class or iconic race ..This Game been more and more push to TR so for more sales you think they would bring word about them ...

would not hurt to say maybe we trying to fix the Dupe/ bugs before we r lvl 30!!!


34 years of Role playing books to use Monster Index from, And we just get old Quest turn into epic with the same mob...ZZZZzzzz

It's nice that many have played the game so long they are already bored with the material in it. However, there are many new players, and some that when they get in, they have no idea what this game has to do with the real D&D, which is NOT about iconic races. The base of the game needs more fising, more quests, and above all, more of the basics of D&D, like for example Gnomes. Then, since we are in Eberron, other races from THAT place, like for example Shifters, would be nice. And all of this, should be for BEFORE lvl 20, which is what Gary Gygax intended, and not yet another imitation of WoW. They want more sales? They should make the game more unique, instead of more of the same.

The only think I like about Never Winter is that you can do your own adventures. With so many role players I don't remember DDO ever putting out a competition for new quest stories. That could be done for every new update, and have the winning quest or quests featured in the game, with some nice incentive for the creators. IDK, just a thought, since sometimes it seems they're running out of ideas... Well, of good ones...

[ComicRelief]

*snip*

We’re also creating new Augments for our Crystal Cove event that higher-level players can slot into their favorite weapons, armor, and items, and expect to bring those new Augments to you when Crystal Cove reopens after the release of Update 23.

*snip*

*cough* Doubloon Exchange System *cough*
;)

[Eelpout]

Fairly tasty stuff

Please consider doing things in multi-level options. Like Devil's Assault. When you add Iconic stuff like Haunted Halls. Try and make them available to several class levels. Devil's Assault is a brilliant example of that. There are 3 different levels in Heroics, plus all the Epics. When you bring in D&D, which is what this game is supposed to be about, don't limit it to level 30 only. The fact that you have 30 levels means there are 29 other levels that, hopefully, enjoy playing the game as well. When you limit new content, especially old school D&D content, which I for one have stuck around over 8 years for even though I don't have a maxxed character, it feels as though my $120+/yr doesn't matter.

Yeah, I am an old fart. I get it. Back in my day D&D required your imagination. Yada, yada. Anyway, you guys have proven that you can bring classic modules to an amazing life. I would like that to be more approachable to characters at several levels. I am not asking you to ignore end game, where the $$ is at, just PLEASE, please, don't ignore us sentimental types who may have kept things going in the leaner years.

Thanks for reading an "Olde tyme rant"

[The_Human_Cypher]

Deadlock is making sure the Devs don't forget about the Monster Manual, he bumps his thread to keep it in view.

Not sure if I can repeat the Devs replies on the matter or not. But we will remind them about it.

Thank you, I really appreciate that the Players' Council is doing that. Even if DDO has to charge a Turbine Point premium for additional Monster Manuals for all players, this feature of the game needs to be finished. As I stated previously, I don't think DDO's management realizes how popular the Monster Manual is among the community or how much of a fresh feeling the MM brings to old content.

[The_Human_Cypher]

The only think I like about Never Winter is that you can do your own adventures. With so many role players I don't remember DDO ever putting out a competition for new quest stories. That could be done for every new update, and have the winning quest or quests featured in the game, with some nice incentive for the creators. IDK, just a thought, since sometimes it seems they're running out of ideas... Well, of good ones...

I suggested an annual 'Design a Dungeon' contest on the Suggestions sub-forum.

Neverwinter Online does have the Foundry, which is an interesting feature for an otherwise mediocre game. Neverwinter is also relatively bug free, which is one of the reasons that the players I spoke to play NWO instead of DDO. When I was in a NWO Guild, many people said that they stopped playing DDO because of the bugs / exploits and went to NWO instead. NWO is a very bland game but at least everything works most of the time.

[Yaga_Nub]

... I don't think ddo's management realizes how popular the monster manual is to me and how popular it is to the rest of the population even though I have no data to support that statement.

qft

[Yaga_Nub]

We've always expected each Epic Destiny to appeal to a variety of races and classes. We haven't seen a great need or great player desire for something that explicitly supports being an Epic Dwarf (for instance).

Then you're blind or haven't read previous posts in ALL the various forums.

[Wildseed]

Rather new to DDO, but for the love of all that is good and decent please do not make the Sentient Weapons like the Legendary Items in LOTRO! Having to constantly grind out and level up new weapons every time there is a level cap increase has ruined the experience for me. Please insure that these items can stay and grow with the player until the player decides they need to move on to something different.

Regards,
Tristan.

I agree with this idea if they're sentient they should be able to "know" what level its user is and change its level accordingly, so if it's bound to account and I pick it up on my lvl 7 TR it should be able to say something like "I sense you are 7 I shall adapt to close to your level" and instantly go to 6ish-7ish after that character interacts with it. If I in turn switch to my 23 she should be able to interact with it, and it jump to 23, It should literally grow to the character that is using it's level. So if I pull a lvl 1 sentient weapon it should be able to instantly jump to level 6 if I forgot it in the bank or something. It should not be something that requires anything other than interaction. However if I'm on my TR after it hits the current level I wouldn't mind if it leveled up with me using exp or whatever you guys want it to level up with.

[Chatarra]

I suggested an annual 'Design a Dungeon' contest on the Suggestions sub-forum.

Neverwinter Online does have the Foundry, which is an interesting feature for an otherwise mediocre game. Neverwinter is also relatively bug free, which is one of the reasons that the players I spoke to play NWO instead of DDO. When I was in a NWO Guild, many people said that they stopped playing DDO because of the bugs / exploits and went to NWO instead. NWO is a very bland game but at least everything works most of the time.

I was sure I couldn't have been the first one to think about this. DDO is in dire need of new quests AND NOT JUST FOR EPICS. My guild specializes in new players, and they get bored easily with the game, specially if they're trying on classes, to see what they like, and now they have to do all of Khortos AGAIN. Oops, I messed up the build, let me redo the character... and Khortos one more time... Wait, I have to do it HOW MANY TIMES to get enough favor? And I had a friend who lost one of her character to a glitch, and all they told her was that she had to start it over. How nice. Lots of people have rage quit games for less than that, here they don't see it as a big deal, because she didn't have an iconic, I guess, although she was VIP.

No glitches would be ideal. A solid basic game would be ideal. A game that delivers what it promises, in terms of a D&D related experience would be ideal. To have all these BEFORE venturing into unknown territory that has nothing to do with what this game is supposed to be about, is not ideal.

[Oxarhamar]

Sev has already said, Barbarians are on his radar,
and I will help make sure he does not forget.

ED aimed for Arti nudge

[maddmatt70]

So the reincarnators win again. The level cap should go up asap to 30 and then constant end game material should be produced. What we are getting is more level 28 content and gear which will be outdated whenever they decide to go up to level 30. So for an endgamer why play until the cap goes to level 30? This game continues to run the end game players away. Who elected these non representative people to player's council anyway?

[azrael4h]

We've always expected each Epic Destiny to appeal to a variety of races and classes.

So when are the ED's going to appeal to a wide variety of classes? Most are only worthwhile for one specific build or class. Non Bards aren't going to be doing much in Fatesinger other than grinding Fate Points. No one will be doing much of anything else in Magister, etc...

[Chatarra]

So the reincarnators win again. The level cap should go up asap to 30 and then constant end game material should be produced. What we are getting is more level 28 content and gear which will be outdated whenever they decide to go up to level 30. So for an endgamer why play until the cap goes to level 30? This game continues to run the end game players away. Who elected these non representative people to player's council anyway?

Oh, I SO agree with you. It's been concentrating on endgame for a long time. DDO stopped being about the adventure of Eberron from D&D a long time ago. I mean, level 30?! I wonder about Gary's reaction, if he had been alive.

[Silverleafeon]

ED aimed for Arti nudge

Thanks.

[FAQ]

Seems like more good times are coming! :)

But, I must ask some burning questions (at least for me!!):

1. When do we get more bank space to store all that BTC gear!? I remember when you guys released 20 additional inventory slots it was said 20 more were going to be released in the future. More please!

2. Any faint shadow of an idea about some type of Item Manual?! We hoarders would love that, as I have seen suggested on the forums over the years.

[Noctunicus]

....and developing another Classic Dungeon like the Haunted Halls of Eveningstar.

Go old school back to basics and do a Gygax classic. Against the Giants (G1, G2, & G3) is a great original series. Or even "Expedition to the Barrier Peaks" and incorporate the technology aspect via the Warforged race.

[xberto]

Thanks for the update and I support your priorities, except.... I can't imaging it would take so long to come up with updated Crystal Cove items. It seems you could implement these changes pre-U23 and let us have some Cove leading up to the release of 23.

Thanks again for the update. Can't wait to rock my Dwarven Fighter in EE!

[Vellrad]

I agree with this idea if they're sentient they should be able to "know" what level its user is and change its level accordingly, so if it's bound to account and I pick it up on my lvl 7 TR it should be able to say something like "I sense you are 7 I shall adapt to close to your level" and instantly go to 6ish-7ish after that character interacts with it. If I in turn switch to my 23 she should be able to interact with it, and it jump to 23, It should literally grow to the character that is using it's level. So if I pull a lvl 1 sentient weapon it should be able to instantly jump to level 6 if I forgot it in the bank or something. It should not be something that requires anything other than interaction. However if I'm on my TR after it hits the current level I wouldn't mind if it leveled up with me using exp or whatever you guys want it to level up with.

Idiots whining at lotro that they have to aquire new LIs are idiots that bellive they should have best in slot items starting at lvl1, and they should still be best in slot at cap.

Sentient weapons need to be min lvl30, so endgame, otherwise, all other weapons in game can as well be removed.

[LucidLTS]

When Rowan spoke with you back in December (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/431908-Holiday-Producer-s-Letter), we outlined a plan for 2014 that we’ve delivered so far (like Epic Three Barrel Cove, Haunted Halls of Eveningstar, etc.) However, we’re making a few changes to our calendar for the rest of the year, and I want to make sure you are up-to-date on our plans. Initially, we were considering creating Anauroch for Update 23, and raising the level cap to 30 in Update 24. Rowan also talked about the concept of “Sentient Weapons” in his letter, although that wasn’t assigned to an update. You can expect all of these things to happen! But, our team has been looking at alternatives, reading your ideas on the forums (and Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Twitch, etc.), discussing our plans with the Players Council, and gathering their feedback on what they’d like us to work on. We’ve been talking amongst the team as well, assessing what it is we’d like to do, and when the right time to do it is. In that context, we’ve shifted our plans slightly.


This is great news! Many of us thought Rowan's plans, as stated, were overextending DDO, and DDO has a track record of pushing things out the door prematurely to meet arbitrary deadlines. Hearing that you are willing to reconsider is truly cause for hope.



We’re not simply “adding hit points to the Abbot”,


Yay!



We are constantly reviewing our ideas and your suggestions, and making adjustments based on your changing needs and requests as well as our own excitement on new ideas for you to play with, so you may see a few more surprises pop in over the next year as we get closer to releasing our updates.

OK, first, a bit of skepticism. We've heard this so many times we can mumble it in our sleep. I take your willingness to delay the level cap as an indication that maybe you might be different, but we definitely need to see some actions to back up those nice words before we fully buy them.

With that said, if you really do listen to our suggestions and make adjustments based on our needs, it will be the biggest improvement to the game in the 4 years I've been here.



Thank you for reading, and I look forward to hearing from you about these plans, and anything else you’d like to see happen in DDO!


Thank you for sharing with us, and yes, as a matter of fact I do have something I'd like to see. I'd like to see you post here more regularly.

I know Fernando set a precedent for executive communication frequency, among other things, but before you adopt his methods please consider how successful he was at retaining players.

New game directors spend a lot of time connecting with their players to drum up excitement, and it works. You're trying to give DDO a rebirth, we could use some excitement like that.

You don't have to appear in every thread, you'd get a huge amount of "street cred" if you gave a serious answer in a couple of threads a week, shared your vision about some aspect of the game once every few weeks, and came out with a statement and some reassurances promptly after something like U22 happens.

Thanks for listening

[Plantman81]

Hello! I’m writing today to tell you more about our plans for DDO in the coming months, and introduce you to a few folks you might not know. We’ve made some adjustments to our “road map” for 2014 that we think you’ll be excited about, and we’ve added a few folks to the team that we want to introduce you to.

For those of you who missed my letter written for DDO’s 8th anniversary (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/437022-Happy-8th-Anniversary-DDO!), my name is Athena, and I’m DDO’s Franchise Director. I’m the person heading up the DDO team, working with our partners, producers, and teams leads, and making various business decisions that keep the engines running. We’re really pleased to have added Design Manager Severlin to our team in recent months, and I notice that you’ve already been seeing his design leadership in action in the Official Discussion Forums (https://www.ddo.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/166-Official-Turbine-Discussions) (and in the game!) Severlin comes to DDO from Asheron’s Call, where he served as Producer (and wore many hats) for quite some time. Additionally, we’ve added two other members of the Asheron’s Call team to our staff: NoWorries and Kintani, who are working on items, quests, systems, and more! Of course, it takes a huge amount of creativity to keep DDO going, so I also want to thank the many other developers, quality assurance, production, operations, art, and community people I work with every day for all of their hard work – thank you!

When Rowan spoke with you back in December (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/431908-Holiday-Producer-s-Letter), we outlined a plan for 2014 that we’ve delivered so far (like Epic Three Barrel Cove, Haunted Halls of Eveningstar, etc.) However, we’re making a few changes to our calendar for the rest of the year, and I want to make sure you are up-to-date on our plans. Initially, we were considering creating Anauroch for Update 23, and raising the level cap to 30 in Update 24. Rowan also talked about the concept of “Sentient Weapons” in his letter, although that wasn’t assigned to an update. You can expect all of these things to happen! But, our team has been looking at alternatives, reading your ideas on the forums (and Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Twitch, etc.), discussing our plans with the Players Council, and gathering their feedback on what they’d like us to work on. We’ve been talking amongst the team as well, assessing what it is we’d like to do, and when the right time to do it is. In that context, we’ve shifted our plans slightly.

Update 23 will bring Epic Orchard of the Macabre to DDO, along with a new Epic raid! While the raid will share some locations and similarities to the current Accursed Ascension raid (“Abbot raid”), our team will bring a whole new series of challenges to adventurers brave enough to enter. We’re not simply “adding hit points to the Abbot”, but are rather re-thinking the raid space for an entirely new battle, with a new story line, baddies, loot, and more! One of the things we’re looking to do in the coming year is to provide more high-level questing and raiding to DDO, and we think an Epic Orchard of the Macabre fits nicely with that goal.

Besides newly Epi-fied versions of the quests found in Orchard of the Macabre, we’re also planning to make sure the Orchard itself is ready for high-level adventure with exciting battles against rare enemies, werewolves (yes, in Eberron!), new loot, and more! We’ll be talking a lot more about the Epic Orchard of the Macabre in the coming months, and I can’t wait for you to see what our devious devs have planned.

Update 23 will also feature a series of improvements aimed at making sure heavy armor-wearing adventurers feel powerful and ready to go toe-to-toe with some of DDO’s toughest enemies, updates to improve the Paladin class, and other changes that will give our melee players a boost. We’re also creating new Augments for our Crystal Cove event that higher-level players can slot into their favorite weapons, armor, and items, and expect to bring those new Augments to you when Crystal Cove reopens after the release of Update 23.

Update 24 will round out the year with new quests, new Festivult cookies, and a new event that centers on something we can all agree on: looting chests! We’ll be continuing our work on the Anauroch Desert (in the Forgotten Realms), planning for Sentient Weapons, and developing another Classic Dungeon like the Haunted Halls of Eveningstar. We expect these to be something you’ll see in the first half of 2015. We’re pushing out the level cap for now to make sure we have plenty of questing to support your journey through the highest levels of DDO. Hitting level 30 will be a big milestone for DDO, and we want to put it out when the timing is right, and make sure its design keeps up with the way you, the players want to play DDO.

And these are just the tip of the iceberg that is our whiteboard. We are constantly reviewing our ideas and your suggestions, and making adjustments based on your changing needs and requests as well as our own excitement on new ideas for you to play with, so you may see a few more surprises pop in over the next year as we get closer to releasing our updates.

Thank you for reading, and I look forward to hearing from you about these plans, and anything else you’d like to see happen in DDO! Happy adventuring, and we’ll see you in Dungeons & Dragons Online!

Cheers!
Athena “Vyvyanne” Peters
Franchise Director – Dungeons & Dragons Online

First of all, thank you for keeping the community informed about these plans. It's good for our emotions. Now the question:
When can we expect an update to Cannith Crafting? I noticed nothing was mentioned concerning this. When it was rolled out the lvl cap was 20. It was a great addition to the game. Sure, some people do not have the patience or inclination for grinding out crafting levels, but that just creates a market for the skills developed by those who do. With that said, an update is sorely needed. One reason many players do not build their crafting levels is the lack of relevance to the end game. Cannith crafting is still excellent for TR'ing, but beyond that it's a bit 'meh'. Thank you for reading and I am looking forward to your response.

[DrWily]

So when are the ED's going to appeal to a wide variety of classes? Most are only worthwhile for one specific build or class. Non Bards aren't going to be doing much in Fatesinger other than grinding Fate Points. No one will be doing much of anything else in Magister, etc...

Turn of the Tide + Reign + Damage Boost + Inflame + Manyshot + Pinion + twisted Stay Frosty. On a Favored Soul. I personally enjoy the carnage I do in Fatesinger.


Racial past lives and destinies are probably unnecessary and would overly complicate the TR leveling process. Moving toward Iconic Completionist with a total of 13 iconics (one for each class) instead would be preferable and is also a way of introducing sub-races such as the Sun Elf or new races to the game.

I would love to see something like the Drow Scorpion Wraith made into an Iconic. And (I think I've said this in another post) Gnomes.

[PsychoBlonde]

It's nice to have an idea when Epic Necro 4 is coming out and I really strongly approve of the direction we've seen with Epic Gianthold, Epic Three Barrel Cove, and now, Necro 4 in creating a SEPARATE epic storyline and adding some differences into the epic version of the quests. To me, at least, this makes a HUGE difference in how enjoyable the content is.

[DagazUlf]

So the reincarnators win again. The level cap should go up asap to 30 and then constant end game material should be produced. What we are getting is more level 28 content and gear which will be outdated whenever they decide to go up to level 30. So for an endgamer why play until the cap goes to level 30? This game continues to run the end game players away. Who elected these non representative people to player's council anyway?

Ack! I'm in agreement with maddmatt and Yaga in this thread... everyone, stop what you're doing. I'm afraid the world is about to end. Sorry.

[piedenfer]

Hello! I’m writing today to tell you more about our plans for DDO in the coming months, and introduce you to a few folks you might not know. We’ve made some adjustments to our “road map” for 2014 that we think you’ll be excited about, and we’ve added a few folks to the team that we want to introduce you to.

For those of you who missed my letter written for DDO’s 8th anniversary (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/437022-Happy-8th-Anniversary-DDO!), my name is Athena, and I’m DDO’s Franchise Director. I’m the person heading up the DDO team, working with our partners, producers, and teams leads, and making various business decisions that keep the engines running. We’re really pleased to have added Design Manager Severlin to our team in recent months, and I notice that you’ve already been seeing his design leadership in action in the Official Discussion Forums (https://www.ddo.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/166-Official-Turbine-Discussions) (and in the game!) Severlin comes to DDO from Asheron’s Call, where he served as Producer (and wore many hats) for quite some time. Additionally, we’ve added two other members of the Asheron’s Call team to our staff: NoWorries and Kintani, who are working on items, quests, systems, and more! Of course, it takes a huge amount of creativity to keep DDO going, so I also want to thank the many other developers, quality assurance, production, operations, art, and community people I work with every day for all of their hard work – thank you!

When Rowan spoke with you back in December (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/431908-Holiday-Producer-s-Letter), we outlined a plan for 2014 that we’ve delivered so far (like Epic Three Barrel Cove, Haunted Halls of Eveningstar, etc.) However, we’re making a few changes to our calendar for the rest of the year, and I want to make sure you are up-to-date on our plans. Initially, we were considering creating Anauroch for Update 23, and raising the level cap to 30 in Update 24. Rowan also talked about the concept of “Sentient Weapons” in his letter, although that wasn’t assigned to an update. You can expect all of these things to happen! But, our team has been looking at alternatives, reading your ideas on the forums (and Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Twitch, etc.), discussing our plans with the Players Council, and gathering their feedback on what they’d like us to work on. We’ve been talking amongst the team as well, assessing what it is we’d like to do, and when the right time to do it is. In that context, we’ve shifted our plans slightly.

Update 23 will bring Epic Orchard of the Macabre to DDO, along with a new Epic raid! While the raid will share some locations and similarities to the current Accursed Ascension raid (“Abbot raid”), our team will bring a whole new series of challenges to adventurers brave enough to enter. We’re not simply “adding hit points to the Abbot”, but are rather re-thinking the raid space for an entirely new battle, with a new story line, baddies, loot, and more! One of the things we’re looking to do in the coming year is to provide more high-level questing and raiding to DDO, and we think an Epic Orchard of the Macabre fits nicely with that goal.

Besides newly Epi-fied versions of the quests found in Orchard of the Macabre, we’re also planning to make sure the Orchard itself is ready for high-level adventure with exciting battles against rare enemies, werewolves (yes, in Eberron!), new loot, and more! We’ll be talking a lot more about the Epic Orchard of the Macabre in the coming months, and I can’t wait for you to see what our devious devs have planned.

Update 23 will also feature a series of improvements aimed at making sure heavy armor-wearing adventurers feel powerful and ready to go toe-to-toe with some of DDO’s toughest enemies, updates to improve the Paladin class, and other changes that will give our melee players a boost. We’re also creating new Augments for our Crystal Cove event that higher-level players can slot into their favorite weapons, armor, and items, and expect to bring those new Augments to you when Crystal Cove reopens after the release of Update 23.

Update 24 will round out the year with new quests, new Festivult cookies, and a new event that centers on something we can all agree on: looting chests! We’ll be continuing our work on the Anauroch Desert (in the Forgotten Realms), planning for Sentient Weapons, and developing another Classic Dungeon like the Haunted Halls of Eveningstar. We expect these to be something you’ll see in the first half of 2015. We’re pushing out the level cap for now to make sure we have plenty of questing to support your journey through the highest levels of DDO. Hitting level 30 will be a big milestone for DDO, and we want to put it out when the timing is right, and make sure its design keeps up with the way you, the players want to play DDO.

And these are just the tip of the iceberg that is our whiteboard. We are constantly reviewing our ideas and your suggestions, and making adjustments based on your changing needs and requests as well as our own excitement on new ideas for you to play with, so you may see a few more surprises pop in over the next year as we get closer to releasing our updates.

Thank you for reading, and I look forward to hearing from you about these plans, and anything else you’d like to see happen in DDO! Happy adventuring, and we’ll see you in Dungeons & Dragons Online!

Cheers!
Athena “Vyvyanne” Peters
Franchise Director – Dungeons & Dragons Online


One thing I'd like to see happend in DDo would be an harmonisation and compatibility of epic items system with the Eveningstar commendations and the forge systems and same for the Eveningstar items with the forge. I'd like, for example, to upgrade my Sword of Shadow with a planar conflux in order to use it with my Planar focus and make it alloy with all new abilities. Then it would worth the pain to chase a SOS shard for 2 years... and have more than 1 SOS with different crafting, of course... I'd like too to be able to trade my Commendations of valor for Heroic ones... that would help to upgrade more items. That would be very incentive to acquire all packs or become VIP for all players too...

[Bloodskittle]

We've always expected each Epic Destiny to appeal to a variety of races and classes. We haven't seen a great need or great player desire for something that explicitly supports being an Epic Dwarf (for instance).

You say this yet i would love an ability that lets me turn my warforged into a titan for a short period of time! :P

[Bloodskittle]

While I do like making another pack epic, I am worried that the devs will not change any of the scenery in the epic version. We've had a lot of undead, shadow and gloom recently, in Wheloon, the Underdark and Thunderholme.

Thus, if the devs are going to epicify Orchard, I hope they put in some flowers.

I got to agree with you on the doom and gloom point, give us some epic xoriat stuff! those are by far my favourite quests just cos of the sheer fun of them!

[supott]

First reaction to Epic Necro 4 for me is positive.

I keep thinking, how easy it should be to Epify more content compared to making new, and would enjoy playing epic versions of all packs.
Also it includes a raid..

Now for my fear - Necro 4 is not a pack very popular with the non-hard core players.

-Compared to GH, this one is more difficult to solo and learn the quests.
-The flagging mechanic for Litany is dreadful
-The flagging mechanic for Abbot is also dreadful
-ONLY the elite players run Abbot raids. In 3+ years of DDO, i haven't been allowed to join an Abbot Pug! The only one i was accepted, the leader asked me if he could have my loot and when I said I wanted my loot, he kicked me.

Conclusion: Not everyone will benefit from Necro 4 epic.

[Pandir]

Bleh another raid that will be underutilized.

I pretty much hate Necro too, although the Orchard is at least the best part of it.
Hope you'll look into the quests to change some of the mechanics to make them less of a hassle to solo. Looking at fleshmakers for example.

All in all I'd rather have Aunaroch but oh well.

On the positive side i assume you're doing this because Aunaroch isn't ready yet, so i think it's a good idea you put out some more filler content instead of pushing it out unfinished.

[eachna_gislin]

*blah blah* Not capable of sticking to a one-year plan *blah blah* lots of positive spin to pretend not being able to stick to this plan is "listening to community feedback"

Frankly, you're doing things in the wrong order. You need level 30 plotted out and introduced to the game _BEFORE_ you go and rebalance everything.

The rebalancing projects are very very VERY clearly being rebalanced to the game *now*. "Now" is level 28 with no idea what level 30 will be. When 30 comes out, the systems that were fixed closest to it will be the only ones that will have a hope of functioning.

[Pandir]

First reaction to Epic Necro 4 for me is positive.

I keep thinking, how easy it should be to Epify more content compared to making new, and would enjoy playing epic versions of all packs.
Also it includes a raid..

Now for my fear - Necro 4 is not a pack very popular with the non-hard core players.

-Compared to GH, this one is more difficult to solo and learn the quests.
-The flagging mechanic for Litany is dreadful
-The flagging mechanic for Abbot is also dreadful
-ONLY the elite players run Abbot raids. In 3+ years of DDO, i haven't been allowed to join an Abbot Pug! The only one i was accepted, the leader asked me if he could have my loot and when I said I wanted my loot, he kicked me.

Conclusion: Not everyone will benefit from Necro 4 epic.

Well to be fair i don't like another raid nor the Necro4 but all those annoying parts can be changed in the epification and I'm pretty convinced they will be.
If GH is any Indication the mechanics that make some of the quests such a bother to solo will be changed and the flagging will be easier.
I expect the raid to be more accessible like FoT not so much like the old Abbot.

I also fully expect crying about this and calls to tune the pack in a way that only 2% of the player base can reliable play it.
It's a pattern :P

[ycheese123]

-ONLY the elite players run Abbot raids. In 3+ years of DDO, i haven't been allowed to join an Abbot Pug! The only one i was accepted, the leader asked me if he could have my loot and when I said I wanted my loot, he kicked me.


jeez, sounds like you picked a bad server.

[aldror]

Hey devs, you think after 8 years can you guys finally get around to adding Cure Critical Potions to the game? Yea, and can they be sold at the in game potion shops? IDK maybe, just maybe that will help Barbarians out just a little....you remember...Barbarians? (please don't mention the silver flame potions or the DDO store bought)

[Ausdoerrt]

Please do not touch the Abbot loot. It is interesting, excellent and unique. Instead, give us a way to upgrade the loot with reasonable ingredient drop rates. Both eGH and e3BC did this wrong.

Also, please get rid of the sigil flagging for heroic and epic. It sucks having to run the same quests dozens of times just because you just can't find that ONE random sigil piece.

[janave]

I feel like the Twilight Forge would have been the more deserving adventure area to get a major revamp. But, of all the necroplis, Orchard was the best choice to work on, the amount of quality you can inject there is promising.

Please make all new content Pick Up Group friendly, Abbot in its current incarnation is a very (Guild Members Only) raid. Not everyone enjoys the "Guild mentality", and PUGs are still "the game" for many players, even if they are members of a Guild.


I would personally like to see:

1. Improvements on the gamelauncher/client, with stability in mind. The freezes might be deeprooted, but easily worth the trouble to fix them.
2. Random Loot (return the sanity please, with some of MotUs improvements)

I would like if Random Loot would be interesting again, and with high enough rolls, providing solid alternatives to gear from other sources. As well as improved blanks for crafting.

[wraxzz]

A whole page to myselfzies? Awesome!



Just one single question, that I believe, is on many people s minds:
There were three super weak classes.
Bards are almost saved.
Paladin are about to be saved.
What about Barbarians?
Glad to see other players raising the concern of barbarians.
*** queue barb enhancement rage ***


The word "abandoned" is too strong, as it implies that something was started and then ended, with the presumption that it will never happen. That said, there is no current plan to add player housing by the end of the year. As with any of a large number of features, if the right combination of factors fall into place, it could be something that might happen in the future, but the currently outlined slate of development does not include player housing.
no current plan to add player housing by end of 2014? good! And please, don't ever bring in player housing. That would be such a turn-off. As an architectural intern, I'm already (as I've previously said to turbine dev's) annoyed by the placement and layouts of many areas. Things are placed where they fit, not where they ought to go. There are so many subtle and major examples, i'm simply not going to waste time giving any now.
I will however, commend DDO staff in charge of producing maps. They tend to be far superior i.t.o. finishes, joinery and junctions vs any other mmo. Heck, DDO has a lot better quality than mass effect 3 based on my previous points. Don't for a second think we won't notice if something is modelled for the sake of progressing and ends up with a tiny unreal element- people will notice it and it will lessen their experience of the game. Wish I could have otherwise assisted with architectural-related things in DDO but sure, they are a company on their own and I cant be held responsible should a floating obelisk by my design topple over and hurt a random passing-by npc. GOOD JOB DDO, your quality modelling is probably what has kept me coming back to bump my head over and over again since july 2010.


Rather new to DDO, but for the love of all that is good and decent please do not make the Sentient Weapons like the Legendary Items in LOTRO! Having to constantly grind out and level up new weapons every time there is a level cap increase has ruined the experience for me. Please insure that these items can stay and grow with the player until the player decides they need to move on to something different.
Please, no sentient weapons. If I personally wanted sentient weapon I'd play spiral knights or frankly any other Asian-related mmo on the market. I prefer crafting a lot more over sentient items.


We've read a lot of discussion on enhancements and paths from you (devs)
My question is......
What about better capstones for pure class builds?
IMO it would be a real shame if you exclude this from a patch or update this year.
I would also like to know. As a barbarian main class, I'm utterly bored with the mighty rage capstone. 2 more rage? big deal. the weapon effects are nice thoug, but requires building on them or the capstone is an utter waste of 20 barbarian levels.


All of these new developments and content are great but the problem of persistent bugs and connectivity to the game needs to be addressed soon. In order for DDO to grow and retain its population, the bug problem has to be worked on.
Yes. Happened twice over the past weekend on 2 seperate days, once in ee madstone crater and during a wheloon chain ee run. Felt like it was mabar all over again.

AN IMPORTANT POINT I WANT TO MAKE, is that DDO urgently requires a new form of getting in-game. If I want to play WoW, it's 5 seconds to start the game, 5 to login in, max 10 to load and start running in-game. For DDO, its 20 seconds just for the launcher loadscreens to not download (read only of course. I'm also aware of the fact that WoW is p2p and ddo now f2p).
DDO takes too long in regards to:
1- logging in
2- switching characters

HOWEVER, if this grievously slow method of logging in contributes at all to preventing of another (personally) game breaking dupe exploit, I'm all for it.


Sev has already said, Barbarians are on his radar,
and I will help make sure he does not forget.
And you sir, will have my respect as a wild bushman. Here, have some of my ox heart.


While I do like making another pack epic, I am worried that the devs will not change any of the scenery in the epic version. We've had a lot of undead, shadow and gloom recently, in Wheloon, the Underdark and Thunderholme.

Thus, if the devs are going to epicify Orchard, I hope they put in some flowers.
I agree with Hasuharu's point here. As much as I enjoyed necro the first few times, the doom and gloom turned boring (or despressing?) real soon. came shadowfell, same story. Also, I have light sensitive eyes (apparently), and every ******* time there is glitterdust or a shadowfell atmosphere change or sunburst, I scream like a ******* ***** on fire! Really, be considerate as to the peoples eyesight. Sure they might love you for pretty colours, but in 10 years they will hate you for designing things that detriment their eyesight.


We could also use an expansion of classes and races too. You guys got all the base classes but not the base races. Give us Gnomes! We want gnomes. Shifters too. Psionic races too like the Half-Giant, Aasimar, and so forth (especially the half-giant, they are my favorite race). Psion, Psychic Warrior, Soul Knife, so forth. There are plenty of psionic classes and prestige Classes to choose from in Complete Psionics and Expanded Psionic Handbook. Psionic classes and races are very important in Eberron.
The thought of a Psionic race sounds intriguing. Althought I personally find the rest redundant: shifters-druids, half giant-halforc, gnomes-sturdy hafling (of course im aware that there would still be differences, but still not enough to merit them imo). Also, for all the siberys shards in eberron, please don't implement gnomes. As if half-orcs and pdk's arent ugly enough that I don't use them, gnomes would just look fugly as the end result on your shoe after someone leaving an inconspicuous brown paper bag on fire on your front porch.
As much as I find the idea of playing as driders etc. intriguing, I dont believe it first so well into the DDO Eberron concept of adventurers vs the world.


I could go on. But the point is, what we have now needs to be fixed, first, instead of eventually getting the levels up to 40 or 50, which is what you seems to be aiming at. Please, don't. If you do, you would have created yet another WoW.
In spite of all my "look how WoW approached it"-references, I strongly agree with what Chatarra says here. I do not believe that continually increasing the level cap works with what makes DDO unique i.e. the TR system. There are enough generic mmo's out there requiring a grind to level cap, rebirthing and doing it all over again to no end or unique goal- everyone just ends up playing a different level template character. A solution along the lines of sticking with the current levels but making them drastically more immersive is needed, or TR'ing needs to be subdivided into categories if level cap continues to rise- I'm still against that however.


Neverwinter Online does have the Foundry, which is an interesting feature for an otherwise mediocre game. Neverwinter is also relatively bug free, which is one of the reasons that the players I spoke to play NWO instead of DDO. When I was in a NWO Guild, many people said that they stopped playing DDO because of the bugs / exploits and went to NWO instead. NWO is a very bland game but at least everything works most of the time.
Same reason I stopped playing NWO. My raptr app tracked 300-odd hours in NWO, but most of it was just logging in, getting bored very soon and then minimizing or loitering (probably 95% of those 300-odd hours was spent looking loitering i.e. looked at the modelling, textures, wondering the formulae behind some of the game aspects). One thing NWO has that DDO urgently needs to match is the level of bug and exploit fixes that NWO has achieved. DDO has the opportunity to be so much more, but utter **** bug that linger in the game since release hold it back.


I agree with this idea if they're sentient they should be able to "know" what level its user is and change its level accordingly, so if it's bound to account and I pick it up on my lvl 7 TR it should be able to say something like "I sense you are 7 I shall adapt to close to your level" and instantly go to 6ish-7ish after that character interacts with it. If I in turn switch to my 23 she should be able to interact with it, and it jump to 23, It should literally grow to the character that is using it's level. So if I pull a lvl 1 sentient weapon it should be able to instantly jump to level 6 if I forgot it in the bank or something. It should not be something that requires anything other than interaction. However if I'm on my TR after it hits the current level I wouldn't mind if it leveled up with me using exp or whatever you guys want it to level up with.
What wildseed says. Sentient weapons, if implemented (hopefully not, sounds too much like the whole WoW heirloom extravaganza all over again), should not just be another front (*glares at epic destinies) for xp farming i.e. it shouldn't be like Aika online where u level up your pran or battle of immortals with your pet-levelling.



1. When do we get more bank space to store all that BTC gear!? I remember when you guys released 20 additional inventory slots it was said 20 more were going to be released in the future. More please!

I think FAQ makes a fair point here. Thinking about it now, new content, ingredients, items have been implemented which translates into more items (epecially btc) being stores for ETR lives in addition to HTR lives, but character bagspace has remained the same as well as character/account item storage space (not including deposit box bag- I like the idea, but it has been poorly implemented. Enjoy manually looking for your essence of cleansing amongst 510 other items). It is like some kind of messed up inflation happening here.


I also had a comment regarding Fatesinger in the multiquote but removed it. I want to say that I find it really plain old senseless, that my barbarian as a maxed out fatesinger with minimal points spent (just sonic boom on vorpal and the confirm crit), had 16 uses of bard songs i.e. 8 songs than barbarian rage counts, and the songs lasted 4 minutes at 0 perform (it even said N/A to my perform), while my barbarian rage lasts under 2 minutes with 40-something con. Why else would I call barbarians broken, if not for inconsisntencies (imo) like these? Point being, barbarian class needs an audit. Hopefully before u23 because really, been playing the same old wish-i-wash-not-broken barbarian for too long. I'm making so many barbarian references because I almost exclusively play barbarian- hoping that it will one day soon be as fun again as before epic barb breaker expansion ear smacks.

DDO has had some good (general content) and bad (Commendations of Valor and simplifying of content like crafting and bugs) developments since release of epic content. Curious to see if the coming developments draws me and the community more in or whether coming developments finally break our remaining interest in DDO. Im very eager to see!

[Galeria]

There is no mention of crafting or fixing inventory management.

The windows closing constantly is insane. Bank closing when you get a party invite is insane. Not being able to have a bag open and a crafting altar is insane. The purchased bag storage having limited stacking is insane.

Please let us sort/search our TR cache/character bank.

Please let us tag our bags so we know what is in them.

Please come up with a better way to organize the bag storage.

Modify the UI so free/premium players can easily see which packs they own/don't own.

Quality of life- we've been promised quality of life fixes for years now by many producers, but little has actually been done.

[Flavilandile]

Now for my fear - Necro 4 is not a pack very popular with the non-hard core players.

Some of your points have already bene discussed with the PC.



-The flagging mechanic for Litany is dreadful
-The flagging mechanic for Abbot is also dreadful


This one has been especially discussed... I suspect I can safely say it : the flagging should [ nothing is set in stone until it reach Lammania ] change to a normal flagging ( do the flagging quests and be done with it ).



-ONLY the elite players run Abbot raids. In 3+ years of DDO, i haven't been allowed to join an Abbot Pug! The only one i was accepted, the leader asked me if he could have my loot and when I said I wanted my loot, he kicked me.

The raid should [ nothing is set in stone until it reach Lammania ] not reuse the current Abbot mechanisms.

[Vellrad]

First reaction to Epic Necro 4 for me is positive.

I keep thinking, how easy it should be to Epify more content compared to making new, and would enjoy playing epic versions of all packs.
Also it includes a raid..

Now for my fear - Necro 4 is not a pack very popular with the non-hard core players.

-Compared to GH, this one is more difficult to solo and learn the quests.
-The flagging mechanic for Litany is dreadful
-The flagging mechanic for Abbot is also dreadful
-ONLY the elite players run Abbot raids. In 3+ years of DDO, i haven't been allowed to join an Abbot Pug! The only one i was accepted, the leader asked me if he could have my loot and when I said I wanted my loot, he kicked me.

Conclusion: Not everyone will benefit from Necro 4 epic.

Its very good, its finally time for something to do for good players.

[supott]

Some of your points have already bene discussed with the PC.



This one has been especially discussed... I suspect I can safely say it : the flagging should [ nothing is set in stone until it reach Lammania ] change to a normal flagging ( do the flagging quests and be done with it ).



The raid should [ nothing is set in stone until it reach Lammania ] not reuse the current Abbot mechanisms.

Thats good to hear! Thanks for your reply

[Silken-Akira]

thanks for the update and hi to the new people.
My 2 cents on it all:
Overall good, but 1 point I don't understand is the dropping of player housing.
-It could be a way to solve some inventory complaints that is a long time a hot topic still.
-It would mean an income from the same kind of people who now spend money on pets and such. which I am sure you always could use. (and lure new players who like such things)
-It would be an ideal location for some future features instead of building a new location every time.

As for attracting new players and keeping them. I know this would be very work intensive, but building some apps for on mobile and tablets is perfect that (although a bit shameless too maybe). But a lot of people get hooked on checking whatever constantly.

I did like the proposal of Vellrad on page one a lot.

and a personal want is Psionic class (and even race and expansion on top of it)

[supott]

Its very good, its finally time for something to do for good players.

Even if you are a good player, currently, you will still have trouble joining a raid for Abbot if you don't know anyone. It was much easier to join a TOD raid. I didn't reach DDO where the cap was still 16 so I don't know how popular Abbot was when it was new, or if it was easier to join the raid, or if the mechanics of the new epic raid are similar, if people will run the Epic version. Chances are, more people will run it but it is something that I fear a lot of players won't get the privilege of also.

There were difficult packs like Shavarath, and comparing a possible Epic Shavarath to Epic Necro 4, i don't see Shavarath as something that would be unpopular for non hardcore players because of its more straight forward design. It still took team work and roles, and still was a blast. The mechanics of the Abbot raid, along with the tedious flagging mechanics is something I fear alot of players will pass on and therefore won't make as big an impact on all DDO players.. I see that the player council agrees also.. And hopefully the DDO team can make a compromise while still letting the hardcore players enjoy.

[poltt48]

Hello! I’m writing today to tell you more about our plans for DDO in the coming months, and introduce you to a few folks you might not know. We’ve made some adjustments to our “road map” for 2014 that we think you’ll be excited about, and we’ve added a few folks to the team that we want to introduce you to.

For those of you who missed my letter written for DDO’s 8th anniversary (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/437022-Happy-8th-Anniversary-DDO!), my name is Athena, and I’m DDO’s Franchise Director. I’m the person heading up the DDO team, working with our partners, producers, and teams leads, and making various business decisions that keep the engines running. We’re really pleased to have added Design Manager Severlin to our team in recent months, and I notice that you’ve already been seeing his design leadership in action in the Official Discussion Forums (https://www.ddo.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/166-Official-Turbine-Discussions) (and in the game!) Severlin comes to DDO from Asheron’s Call, where he served as Producer (and wore many hats) for quite some time. Additionally, we’ve added two other members of the Asheron’s Call team to our staff: NoWorries and Kintani, who are working on items, quests, systems, and more! Of course, it takes a huge amount of creativity to keep DDO going, so I also want to thank the many other developers, quality assurance, production, operations, art, and community people I work with every day for all of their hard work – thank you!

When Rowan spoke with you back in December (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/431908-Holiday-Producer-s-Letter), we outlined a plan for 2014 that we’ve delivered so far (like Epic Three Barrel Cove, Haunted Halls of Eveningstar, etc.) However, we’re making a few changes to our calendar for the rest of the year, and I want to make sure you are up-to-date on our plans. Initially, we were considering creating Anauroch for Update 23, and raising the level cap to 30 in Update 24. Rowan also talked about the concept of “Sentient Weapons” in his letter, although that wasn’t assigned to an update. You can expect all of these things to happen! But, our team has been looking at alternatives, reading your ideas on the forums (and Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Twitch, etc.), discussing our plans with the Players Council, and gathering their feedback on what they’d like us to work on. We’ve been talking amongst the team as well, assessing what it is we’d like to do, and when the right time to do it is. In that context, we’ve shifted our plans slightly.

Update 23 will bring Epic Orchard of the Macabre to DDO, along with a new Epic raid! While the raid will share some locations and similarities to the current Accursed Ascension raid (“Abbot raid”), our team will bring a whole new series of challenges to adventurers brave enough to enter. We’re not simply “adding hit points to the Abbot”, but are rather re-thinking the raid space for an entirely new battle, with a new story line, baddies, loot, and more! One of the things we’re looking to do in the coming year is to provide more high-level questing and raiding to DDO, and we think an Epic Orchard of the Macabre fits nicely with that goal.

Besides newly Epi-fied versions of the quests found in Orchard of the Macabre, we’re also planning to make sure the Orchard itself is ready for high-level adventure with exciting battles against rare enemies, werewolves (yes, in Eberron!), new loot, and more! We’ll be talking a lot more about the Epic Orchard of the Macabre in the coming months, and I can’t wait for you to see what our devious devs have planned.

Update 23 will also feature a series of improvements aimed at making sure heavy armor-wearing adventurers feel powerful and ready to go toe-to-toe with some of DDO’s toughest enemies, updates to improve the Paladin class, and other changes that will give our melee players a boost. We’re also creating new Augments for our Crystal Cove event that higher-level players can slot into their favorite weapons, armor, and items, and expect to bring those new Augments to you when Crystal Cove reopens after the release of Update 23.

Update 24 will round out the year with new quests, new Festivult cookies, and a new event that centers on something we can all agree on: looting chests! We’ll be continuing our work on the Anauroch Desert (in the Forgotten Realms), planning for Sentient Weapons, and developing another Classic Dungeon like the Haunted Halls of Eveningstar. We expect these to be something you’ll see in the first half of 2015. We’re pushing out the level cap for now to make sure we have plenty of questing to support your journey through the highest levels of DDO. Hitting level 30 will be a big milestone for DDO, and we want to put it out when the timing is right, and make sure its design keeps up with the way you, the players want to play DDO.

And these are just the tip of the iceberg that is our whiteboard. We are constantly reviewing our ideas and your suggestions, and making adjustments based on your changing needs and requests as well as our own excitement on new ideas for you to play with, so you may see a few more surprises pop in over the next year as we get closer to releasing our updates.

Thank you for reading, and I look forward to hearing from you about these plans, and anything else you’d like to see happen in DDO! Happy adventuring, and we’ll see you in Dungeons & Dragons Online!

Cheers!
Athena “Vyvyanne” Peters
Franchise Director – Dungeons & Dragons Online

Okay got to say love idea of epic necro 4. By far one of my favorite pack even though hate the abbott raid. Did have a question about the werewolfs in ebberon though. In the history the silver flame paladins and cleric hunted them all to exstinction so how are there werewolfs in ebberon? Hoping Epic Necro 4 will be like Epic 3BC in that all the zones had changes to them and all new bosses. Thing do hope though is loots drop a little more then Epic 3BC it like a joke trying to get a loot there. Can do 20 quests on EE with full group and get no loots at all. Do like heavy armor changes coming but thought fighters where getting new enhancement line as well as pallys or has that been scraped for 23?
As for Update 24 like were most this going too. Glad that pushed back level 30 till you get high end taken care of. As for people complaining about sentient weapons they where in D&D pen and paper since first edition and should be in the game. I love idea of another annual game event especially if has relavant loots. Also love the idea of another Classic dungeon. HH is by far my favorite quest in the game.
Things did not see addressed that think should be. Arti really need to have a ED. They just do not scale into epic levels like other classes because they do not have a ED. Think there should be a race based on Wis. How come all 5 other stats have race that can start with 20 but not wis. Really sucks for monks and clerics. They also really need to get the duping taken care of. Also next year would love to see a Update just for bugs. People have been asking for fixes for a while so dedicating a whole update to just fixing bugs would really show people that trying to get rid of all the bugs in the game. Would also love a new raid with U24 if possible. Giving us 4 new raids this year would be great. Love how your changing all of the bard enhancement trees. Would really love to see 1 to 2 classes get all there trees looked at and revamped each update till all balanced.

[wraxzz]

thanks for the update and hi to the new people.
My 2 cents on it all:
Overall good, but 1 point I don't understand is the dropping of player housing.
-It could be a way to solve some inventory complaints that is a long time a hot topic still.
-It would mean an income from the same kind of people who now spend money on pets and such. which I am sure you always could use. (and lure new players who like such things)
-It would be an ideal location for some future features instead of building a new location every time.

As for attracting new players and keeping them. I know this would be very work intensive, but building some apps for on mobile and tablets is perfect that (although a bit shameless too maybe). But a lot of people get hooked on checking whatever constantly.

I did like the proposal of Vellrad on page one a lot.

and a personal want is Psionic class (and even race and expansion on top of it)

It is annoying enough for me to travel back and forth between different pawn shops to maximize my plat earned from trash sales. It is a lot better with the new guild amenities, but it is still annoying running back for 30 resist buffs. It is going to be increasingly frustrating and annoying to have a house to run to when i want to store/swop items, have to do further admin on (as if maintaining the current bank interface isn't time-devouring enough). Personally, just a big no to playerh ousing from me

[Hendrik]

Have to say that I wasn't impressed with the idea of Sentient Weapons before, and still think they're a waste of effort at this point. But on that note, it is great to see new team members join, especially those of AC caliber.



This is one of the few time Dag, we have disagreed.

I like what was discussed about them and the idea's that people brought to the table about them. IF they can be done right and well, they have some great potential. However, as most things in DDO, time will tell my friend.

[Hendrik]

Vyvyanne;

First off, thank you for the post! The Community needed to hear from you and please continue to interact with us, we are in DIRE need of communication from you.

Second, what you and the teams have in store for us has given me hope for our future right when my hope for our future was and is at an all time low. I have never been a big fan of Necro but have it Epic would get me to adventure there once again. The mention of a new tribute module has me VERY excited! Haunted Halls is hands down THE BEST Adventure DDO has EVER put out! It really set the bar on how an adventure should be and what the DEVs are capable of doing - very glad you are going to do another and please do not stop with the next one!

For the most part I am very happy with the road map you have laid out before us.

My only issue right now is exploits and those that abuse them, seek them out for personal gain, and have ruined the gameplay experience for so many. Not to sound entitled, but as a paying customer, I want and to be perfectly honest with you, think I/we deserve to hear from you specifically on what your plans are to deal with them and the bugs that allow for these exploits to happen.

I hope you will reply and address these specific concern.

Finally, thank you again for the post.

With respect and renewed hope,

-Hen

[Mryal]

Vyvyanne;

My only issue right now is exploits and those that abuse them, seek them out for personal gain, and have ruined the gameplay experience for so many. Not to sound entitled, but as a paying customer, I want and to be perfectly honest with you, think I/we deserve to hear from you specifically on what your plans are to deal with them and the bugs that allow for these exploits to happen.


This.Dunno how it is on your server but on my server (Argo) theres entire guilds of 50+ members talking openly about item duplication trades, and unammed macros.
Theres also guilds on the server that won over 20 lvls in a week (from bellow 90 to 110+).Not naming names of course, but at least one is from a well know poster in these forums...

[Cantor]

Love the idea of 13 iconics, some of the obvious ones give things people have asked for for a long time...

barb= dwarf battlerager

sorc= kobold (blood of dragons thing)

arti= gnome tinkerer

just to start.

Aslo the thing that comes to mind with this is one iconic stance for 13 lives... how about 3 stances: 1 melee, 1 spellcaster, and 1 specialist.

[The_Human_Cypher]

I got to agree with you on the doom and gloom point, give us some epic xoriat stuff! those are by far my favourite quests just cos of the sheer fun of them!

Either Reign of Madness or Harbinger of Madness could be the next story arc for Epic treatment. After pirates and the undead, Xoriat would add more variety.

http://ddowiki.com/page/Reign_of_Madness

http://ddowiki.com/page/Harbinger_of_Madness

[Lanadazia]

i dont want to be the negative nancy here,
but i really dont like another already-well-known-and-well-run adventure pack to be epified.
new raid? **** YES! older, bit stale content for epic difficulties too: PLEASE NO!

i'd rather see the staff putting their work into new stuff, like the other classic dungeons! yes please, this was so much fun and still is
but just don't do old content, that is many years old. not sexy
like the gianthold epic quests were just boring and a pain to run, since there wasnt changed anything in that quests
this was a case of 'adding hitpoints' to the creatures... and one had to run it to stay updated loot-wise

on the other hand i actually like the 3BC update, since that content is not well-run and in addition you guys changed the actual quests,
altered ways in there, changed mobs, objectives etc. its almost a new quest!

if you really plan on doing orchard epic, please take it the way you did 3bc, not like gianthold

the rest of the news are very exciting!
i like the overall way DDO is going, i like the graphics from the new quests alot!
you really notice, how much effort the devs put in that new content, to make it fun, exciting, and worth to revisit!

also i'd really like to see more quests with other mechanics like 'a study in sable'. i really enjoyed the interrogation and playing the detective!
keep up the good work!

[The_Human_Cypher]

also i'd really like to see more quests with other mechanics like 'a study in sable'. i really enjoyed the interrogation and playing the detective!
keep up the good work!

The "new quests" mentioned in the letter for Update 24 will probably be free to play stand alone quests like 'A Study in Sable' and 'Brothers of the Forge' released at the end of 2013. A Study in Sable is one of the best quests in the game, and I'm hoping for something along those lines in terms of uniqueness and replay value.

[Deathdefy]

All updates are good updates, but Orchard is a weird choice.

I appreciate it's way too late, but maybe just adding an epic version of Abbot would have done the job.

People haaate Orchard.

- Mid-Inferno "Does anyone have a wand of ice storm?" isn't cool. Can you please put 2 barrels at the start which, when smashed, give a wand of ice storm and wand of fireball - like in Bargain Bazaar or Two-Toed Tobias' guaranteed bow and arrows drops. Thank you.

- I can see the GoP "I had deathblock on but still got level drained and/or disintegrated" threads re-appearing already. I see no solution to this. Just don't add any annoying as all get out Kludjarglhgtcgs to the beholder encounter and I'm happy. Thank you.

- "Fleshmaker's needs a party and has annoying air elementals". How about no-air-elemental respawn, runes permanently on for epic?
In exchange, every time you light a rune 5 random scrolls are auto-looted right into your backpack as if you'd just looted a scroll-bomb gold pile. Thank you.

- "Vol needs evasion now" (Can you please make the stupid spinny blades trap corridor actually spin visibly again so you can time it?
The gate-drop down mechanism when running the warrens is also just an annoying newb trap. Please remove it and add some Indiana Jones style rolling boulders to the 'easy' corridor at the top instead of the dart traps. Make them killable or dodgable by running into the blade alcoves. Thank you.

I personally still run Inferno, GoP and Vol each life, and hope to pick up a party along the way for Fleshmaker's, but it's not like people are clamoring to run the quests for fun.

Also, epicing explorer areas seems like it would take a lot of development resources, but they're almost as 'one and done' as looking at the new art assets for the ship buffs. Needs unique loot or bust (and not a trillion Kobold Admiral Wheel).

Even most of the weirdo explorer completionists just grab all the messages/explorer points and are done with it. Though, since you're doing it, adding another Wheloon style Shipwrecked Clothes secret vendor would be cool. Maybe Mentos' sweet suspenders outfit.

I don't know. Epicifying old stuff makes sense, but I had figured Necro and Threnal would be bottom of the list. Where's Tempest's Spine in the queue incidentally?

I appreciate this is near-universally negative, but good job on Spellsinger and Warchanter, and I sincerely expect I'll be at least somewhat pleasantly surprised as usual anyway.

[Silken-Akira]

It is annoying enough for me to travel back and forth between different pawn shops to maximize my plat earned from trash sales. It is a lot better with the new guild amenities, but it is still annoying running back for 30 resist buffs. It is going to be increasingly frustrating and annoying to have a house to run to when i want to store/swop items, have to do further admin on (as if maintaining the current bank interface isn't time-devouring enough). Personally, just a big no to playerh ousing from me

No Problem, I can totally understand that it is totally not your thing. But for me it is a total yes, I am just a different kind of player. Since it was in Rowan's plans, I just guess there enough players who would like that like me.
I don't have a clue what is wanted most, even when reading the forum, because even that just gives a peek of what is wanted, but I know a lot of players who didn't touch the forum even once. those kind of players even post the things they would like.
Also beside the fact if it is something I or you would like isn't the only factor. will it net new players/keep people from leaving or just the opposite/ Make them some extra bucks. all those things are important too. I have a feeling the overall effect would be positive. compared to me wanting a psywarrior won't and thus I would be expecting this more from a marketing viewpoint.

[Pandir]

The "new quests" mentioned in the letter for Update 24 will probably be free to play stand alone quests like 'A Study in Sable' and 'Brothers of the Forge' released at the end of 2013. A Study in Sable is one of the best quests in the game, and I'm hoping for something along those lines in terms of uniqueness and replay value.

Actually i think they had some really good hits with their new quests lately, Haunted halls was great, Study in sable was too, and i really like precious cargo. Brothers of the forge was the only kinda meh one.
Definitely looking forward to the new quests.

[oradafu]

Hopefully Epic Necro4 will be more along the line of the new epic 3BC quests where the dungeon is basically the same, but there are real changes to the quest instead of just a rehashing of the same old, same old. Honestly, I have to say I'm not looking forward to this update much; but if these quests aren't altered in someway ala Epic 3BC, I can see these quests as being no more than one and done for a life, if that.

Since this will be the next update, it appears that its probably already in the can. I think there are a few things the Devs should try to do.

First, hopefully there will be enough Favor in Epic Necro4 to hit the 700 Silverflame favor mark. Yes, I know it's a long shot since 160 favor added to an old pack will probably never happen.

Second, there are several abandoned systems in the Necro series. I'm hoping these can be updated. I know asking for old items to be updated is a long shot, but as a minimum the Emerald Claw/Silver Flame Nuggets into Shields or Armor should have Epic upgrades. Of all the systems that continued to upgrade with each addition to the game, this is one that has always advanced.

Third, another system that should be revitalized is the Scarab collectibles. No, I'm not asking for new Scarabs to be added, but for a potion vendor to be added so players can unload the existing scarabs in the game. Something as minor as letting Necro1 Scarabs to be traded for Shield of Faith potions, Necro2 Scarabs for Lesser Restoration potions and Necro3 Scarabs for Restoration potions. Just something so the scarabs can be useful for something besides clutter since the old items quit being useful a long time ago.

[swadesblynx]

everything that is coming in the next months sounds awesome & ty bunches for always making the game a pleasure to play. :)
i have one suggestion: can the false life augment be changed to another color?.....because it is so hard to find armor pieces with a blue, green or purple slot on them. :)

[DagazUlf]

IF they can be done right and well, they have some great potential. However, as most things in DDO, time will tell my friend.

Unfortunately, I feel the odds of them being done right and well are bad enough that they should be tabled. (Per past history with other bright shinies dangled before us.)

[DagazUlf]

There is no mention of crafting or fixing inventory management.

The windows closing constantly is insane. Bank closing when you get a party invite is insane. Not being able to have a bag open and a crafting altar is insane. The purchased bag storage having limited stacking is insane.

Please let us sort/search our TR cache/character bank.

Please let us tag our bags so we know what is in them.

Please come up with a better way to organize the bag storage.

Modify the UI so free/premium players can easily see which packs they own/don't own.

Quality of life- we've been promised quality of life fixes for years now by many producers, but little has actually been done.

Just a purely excellent post.

[mezzorco]

Modify the UI so free/premium players can easily see which packs they own/don't own.

I ended up writing what I bought on a .txt
You should somehow tell me what content do I own.

[9001]

I ended up writing what I bought on a .txt
You should somehow tell me what content do I own.

I have a bit of a workaround I use to check the content I have. I just turn on show everything in the store and check which ones I can't buy. But yeah, a better way to check would be better.

[Vyvyanne]

Thanks for the news. Is Anarouch going to be an expansion pack with the level cap reaching its final destination? If so, please keep in mind Shadowfell that felt much less of an expansion that motu.

Anarouch is intended to be a content pack, not an expansion.

[UurlockYgmeov]

Anarouch is intended to be a content pack, not an expansion.

was thinking that might be the case (expansion). If it was and it was along the lines of MotU - would buy. Won't need to since it is going to be an expansion pack.

[Tarinia]

Just a purely excellent post.

I would sign this immediatly- especially the search function over all characters and all banks is a must in my opinion- I equipped recently a swashbuckler L10 bard and used nearly 4h because on my 20 chars I not remembered
where I put the low lv. swashbuckler shield and lots of other special euipment from the past.
With a search function, I would have saved 3h time. At the moment I mostly buy a new item just because its quicker then using the one in my bank... (because it takes so long to find it). And note, I have special bank chars and handwritten lists with the most important items...
this is just loosing time lots of real time I could play instead...

Best regards
Tarinia

[patang01]

Anarouch is intended to be a content pack, not an expansion.

Thank you again; I don't mind expansions even if I'm a VIP - but it has to come with a clear lasting value. Like MOTU. Shadowfell did not. Please also consider a few more iconic options. I can easily see a wealth of different options leading eventually to a iconic past life completionist. It's nice to have a few more class/race options with unique looks.

[The_Human_Cypher]

was thinking that might be the case (expansion). If it was and it was along the lines of MotU - would buy. Won't need to since it is going to be an expansion pack.

Anauroch could still be part of a large paid expansion which builds out the Forgotten Realms. If the expansion was the Waterdeep area, however, Anauroch might be too far away geographically to include in the same paid expansion.

[Yaga_Nub]

...
My only issue right now is exploits and those that abuse them, seek them out for personal gain, and have ruined the gameplay experience for so many. Not to sound entitled, but as a paying customer, I want and to be perfectly honest with you, think I/we deserve to hear from you specifically on what your plans are to deal with them and the bugs that allow for these exploits to happen.

I hope you will reply and address these specific concern.

Finally, thank you again for the post.

With respect and renewed hope,

-Hen

While I love disagreeing with Hen on most topics, I have to agree with him on this one. However, and I'm sure he'll disagree with me on this, I don't want you to focus on enforcement, I want you to focus on fixing your code. I know it's hard but if you fix the code so that various exploits can't occur then there is a good chance that we'll get a better running game altogether. I realize that it might be a small chance but I'd rather not have things like Crystal Cove lag, jump lag, the perpetual ladder bug, and I have to believe that cleaning up your code could help with that. You guys never release numbers, which I really wish you would, but I can't believe that perma-bans or even anything longer than a day or two would be a good way to keep what players we have left.

On a related topic, while I'm sure that you guys know all about the various exploits in the game, but maybe you could start a bug reward program like Google or other services. Offer XP grants, give away items based on the impact of the possible exploit, etc. When it comes down to it, everything in the game is a digital good so a lot people would probably rather use the exploit than report it because they get something. It's like looting a chest, we do it because we want something. But if players could report the exploit, be rewarded for it, AND see the exploits fixed in an expedient manner then you have get something good going among the player base. Just an idea. Now tell me how dumb that idea is Hen.

Love,

Yaga

[patang01]

Well to be fair i don't like another raid nor the Necro4 but all those annoying parts can be changed in the epification and I'm pretty convinced they will be.
If GH is any Indication the mechanics that make some of the quests such a bother to solo will be changed and the flagging will be easier.
I expect the raid to be more accessible like FoT not so much like the old Abbot.

I also fully expect crying about this and calls to tune the pack in a way that only 2% of the player base can reliable play it.
It's a pattern :P

I'm sure they will change around a few things; like they did with GH and I'm sure there will be teeth gnashing when they do, by purists. But honestly; if it makes people like me - who previously didn't like Necro or 3BC and now like E3BC and add plenty traffic there, it should be a clear good thing. Lets be honest; Necro 1-4 isn't all that popular because there mostly dreadful quests. Some like that type of torture. If anyone runs them it's mostly because it's good XP. I know, it sounds presumptuous but I think the record speaks for itself. Any change that adds more traffic to these floundering packs is a good thing.

[patang01]

Either Reign of Madness or Harbinger of Madness could be the next story arc for Epic treatment. After pirates and the undead, Xoriat would add more variety.

http://ddowiki.com/page/Reign_of_Madness

http://ddowiki.com/page/Harbinger_of_Madness

I dunno, not everything need to be epified - I rather have new Xoriat Epic content, maybe even building on the previous stuff.

[patang01]

Actually i think they had some really good hits with their new quests lately, Haunted halls was great, Study in sable was too, and i really like precious cargo. Brothers of the forge was the only kinda meh one.
Definitely looking forward to the new quests.

I like Precious Cargo too - hopefully they can fix the crew tho - they seems to derp up as soon as the first hooks land on your ship. Leaving all their assigned stations and eventually won't follow anything you tell them to do. There are some very interesting mechanics in play there,

[Silverleafeon]

Hey devs, you think after 8 years can you guys finally get around to adding Cure Critical Potions to the game? Yea, and can they be sold at the in game potion shops? IDK maybe, just maybe that will help Barbarians out just a little....you remember...Barbarians? (please don't mention the silver flame potions or the DDO store bought)

quoting and shifting this to nevernever land because I agree with you

[Yaga_Nub]

Ack! I'm in agreement with maddmatt and Yaga in this thread... everyone, stop what you're doing. I'm afraid the world is about to end. Sorry.

Wait, what? You agreed with me? Stop that!

What did I say?

[Yaga_Nub]

I feel like the Twilight Forge would have been the more deserving adventure area to get a major revamp. But, of all the necroplis, Orchard was the best choice to work on, the amount of quality you can inject there is promising.

Please make all new content Pick Up Group friendly, Abbot in its current incarnation is a very (Guild Members Only) raid. Not everyone enjoys the "Guild mentality", and PUGs are still "the game" for many players, even if they are members of a Guild.


I would personally like to see:

1. Improvements on the gamelauncher/client, with stability in mind. The freezes might be deeprooted, but easily worth the trouble to fix them.
2. Random Loot (return the sanity please, with some of MotUs improvements)

I would like if Random Loot would be interesting again, and with high enough rolls, providing solid alternatives to gear from other sources. As well as improved blanks for crafting.

EPIC Titan FTW!!!

[DagazUlf]

EPIC Titan FTW!!!

Would be so much awesome-sauce.

[The_Human_Cypher]

I dunno, not everything need to be epified - I rather have new Xoriat Epic content, maybe even building on the previous stuff.

I would prefer new Xoriat content as well, but making existing heroic content Epic requires less time and resources. If we do have new Xoriat content on the Epic level, it could involve actually going to Xoriat (that would be trippy) or exploring an Illithid community in the Underdark with a portal to Xoriat.

[Lorianna]

WATERDEEP! Please, Athena. Pretty please?!?!?!

No. If they're going to do a "Classic Dungeon", it should be a REAL classic.

Tomb of Horrors. :)

[Silverleafeon]

I would prefer new Xoriat content as well, but making existing heroic content Epic requires less time and resources. If we do have new Xoriat content on the Epic level, it could involve actually going to Xoriat (that would be trippy) or exploring an Illithid community in the Underdark with a portal to Xoriat.

Interesting, quoting and shifting to neverneverland...

[Vyvyanne]

Vyvyanne;

My only issue right now is exploits and those that abuse them, seek them out for personal gain, and have ruined the gameplay experience for so many. Not to sound entitled, but as a paying customer, I want and to be perfectly honest with you, think I/we deserve to hear from you specifically on what your plans are to deal with them and the bugs that allow for these exploits to happen.



We take exploits very seriously. Over the last year many offenders have been caught, banned and had items removed from their accounts. When we hear of the exploits we jump on reproducing and getting out hot fixes to stop the behavior. Many of the patches over the last few months have had remedies to ones we know of. Unfortunately some of that is things many of you dislike such as closing windows. We are working on other less clunky ways of stomping them.

If you know of exploits or people you suspect have been exploiting, report them to Customer Support, and we will investigate. If the person is found guilty, there will be repercussions.

[SilkofDrasnia]

We take exploits very seriously. Over the last year many offenders have been caught, banned and had items removed from their accounts. When we hear of the exploits we jump on reproducing and getting out hot fixes to stop the behavior. Many of the patches over the last few months have had remedies to ones we know of. Unfortunately some of that is things many of you dislike such as closing windows. We are working on other less clunky ways of stomping them.

If you know of exploits or people you suspect have been exploiting, report them to Customer Support, and we will investigate. If the person is found guilty, there will be repercussions.

Thing is that fix of closing windows didn't fix anything, it just makes things very very very annoying for honest players.

Now any news on the paladin changes? The official thread seems to have died down when it comes to any feedback from the devs.

[Psiandron]

Thing is that fix of closing windows didn't fix anything, it just makes things very very very annoying for honest players.


Agree whole-heartedly

[Bladedge]

We the players would like like to see an overhaul of the character sheet. So many different abilities, numbers that have been introduce over the years but are not listed any where. But we keep getting new UI for just about new feature, new UI for cards ,mm, dice but not the one that matters, the character sheet.

[Captain_Wizbang]

Anarouch is intended to be a content pack, not an expansion.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm299/chefricochet/animated/happydance.gif

[B0ltdrag0n]

Report everyone. Let the witch hunts begin!

[John_Rove]

Now any news on the paladin changes? The official thread seems to have died down when it comes to any feedback from the devs.



Update 23 will also feature a series of improvements aimed at making sure heavy armor-wearing adventurers feel powerful and ready to go toe-to-toe with some of DDO’s toughest enemies, updates to improve the Paladin class, and other changes that will give our melee players a boost. We’re also creating new Augments for our Crystal Cove event that higher-level players can slot into their favorite weapons, armor, and items, and expect to bring those new Augments to you when Crystal Cove reopens after the release of Update 23.


Bolded for emphasis, directly from first post.

[Nascoe]

Bolded for emphasis, directly from first post.

As its targeted for release later this month, my guess is the devs are working on the bard tree improvements right now to get it out on Lamannia soon and will get back to the discussion on Paladins and Armor/Shields when the Bard work is further along the lines towards just bug fixing the new bits.

[Raiderone]

I would love to see a Heroic & Epic Stones of Experience with multiple uses, one with 5 and another 10. Drop all the additional items from box and decrease the price with discounts based on quantity.

It would be a major selling item, IMO.

[Seikojin]

As its targeted for release later this month, my guess is the devs are working on the bard tree improvements right now to get it out on Lamannia soon and will get back to the discussion on Paladins and Armor/Shields when the Bard work is further along the lines towards just bug fixing the new bits.

Except that she specifically called out paladin classes. You will only really know when Lamannia goes up. :D

[Seikojin]

I would love to see a Heroic & Epic Stones of Experience with multiple uses, one with 5 and another 10. Drop all the additional items from box and decrease the price with discounts based on quantity.

It would be a major selling item, IMO.

That, and that alone is why it should not be that way. The frequency of appearance for stones is bad enough as it is. They need more content to incentivize people to open their wallet, not bypasses to existing content for those who want a wallet to completionist.

[SilkofDrasnia]

As its targeted for release later this month, my guess is the devs are working on the bard tree improvements right now to get it out on Lamannia soon and will get back to the discussion on Paladins and Armor/Shields when the Bard work is further along the lines towards just bug fixing the new bits.

Ah I knew armor/paladin changes came with u23 but didn't see anywhere in the OP a mention of bard changes coming before u23 or anything like that and since I do not have any bards I haven't been reading any threads about them so indeed that may be the reason why they have gone silent on the subject.

[Oxarhamar]

We take exploits very seriously. Over the last year many offenders have been caught, banned and had items removed from their accounts. When we hear of the exploits we jump on reproducing and getting out hot fixes to stop the behavior. Many of the patches over the last few months have had remedies to ones we know of. Unfortunately some of that is things many of you dislike such as closing windows. We are working on other less clunky ways of stomping them.

If you know of exploits or people you suspect have been exploiting, report them to Customer Support, and we will investigate. If the person is found guilty, there will be repercussions.


you are aware that closing multiple windows had exactly zero effect on exploiting and is a inconvenience for every player.

you want to fix the duping?

Kill all ingredients as items make them more like a currency in its own tab still trade/auction-able transferable to other charicters on your account but, not an item any longer. then just kill bags and be done with the duping.

[Chatarra]

*blah blah* Not capable of sticking to a one-year plan *blah blah* lots of positive spin to pretend not being able to stick to this plan is "listening to community feedback"

Frankly, you're doing things in the wrong order. You need level 30 plotted out and introduced to the game _BEFORE_ you go and rebalance everything.

The rebalancing projects are very very VERY clearly being rebalanced to the game *now*. "Now" is level 28 with no idea what level 30 will be. When 30 comes out, the systems that were fixed closest to it will be the only ones that will have a hope of functioning.

Frankly, the lvl 30 thing should never have happened. D&D is up to lvl 20, and maybe 25 for epic. If they wished to contemplate such a travesty, they should've first balanced things well to lvl 20, then start carefully up, creating whatever monster they wanted to come up with.

Whichever the order, however, they should make that what they have works well enough before going on. Instead, they reshape everything every so often. And come up with ideas such as Bards that melee, and palys that lack feats to tank appropriately, or do enough damage...

[Silverleafeon]

I am not familiar with 5th edition, but plan on purchasing the basic rules whenever I happen to be in a bookstore
and see them.

4th edition clearly goes to level 30 with heroic, paragon, and epic features.

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/epic/basics.htm
SDR clearly shows 3rd edition D&D going to level 30.

First Edition had level limits for non humans,
however human had "___ xp needed for level 20 and each level thereafter"
Since the character sheet only had a two digit box for character levels,
one could assume that one was expected to stop at level 99.


Please feel free to stop by any bookstore (or goggle) to verify this information.

[Talon_Moonshadow]

While I do like making another pack epic, I am worried that the devs will not change any of the scenery in the epic version. We've had a lot of undead, shadow and gloom recently, in Wheloon, the Underdark and Thunderholme.

Thus, if the devs are going to epicify Orchard, I hope they put in some flowers.

Undead Flowers?! ;)

[SilkofDrasnia]

Frankly, the lvl 30 thing should never have happened. D&D is up to lvl 20, and maybe 25 for epic. If they wished to contemplate such a travesty, they should've first balanced things well to lvl 20, then start carefully up, creating whatever monster they wanted to come up with.

Whichever the order, however, they should make that what they have works well enough before going on. Instead, they reshape everything every so often. And come up with ideas such as Bards that melee, and palys that lack feats to tank appropriately, or do enough damage...

Maybe maybe not.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/00/Epic_level_hndbk_v3_cover.jpg

Epics level started as early as 2.0/3.0 and this book was updated for 3.5.

[Talon_Moonshadow]

Anarouch is intended to be a content pack, not an expansion.

Thank you.

I am not totally against paying for expansions, but I am already paying you guys to be a VIP.
I need to feel like I am getting my money's worth. and not feel like you guys are greedy.


But just make the expansions really big and I'll be happy to pay for them.

[merridyan]

Report everyone. Let the witch hunts begin!

I am just going to report the people I don't like and hope they duped.

[Hendrik]

We take exploits very seriously. Over the last year many offenders have been caught, banned and had items removed from their accounts. When we hear of the exploits we jump on reproducing and getting out hot fixes to stop the behavior. Many of the patches over the last few months have had remedies to ones we know of. Unfortunately some of that is things many of you dislike such as closing windows. We are working on other less clunky ways of stomping them.

If you know of exploits or people you suspect have been exploiting, report them to Customer Support, and we will investigate. If the person is found guilty, there will be repercussions.

Thank you for your reply.

Impossible for any of us to report what many of us believe to be duped/exploited goods on the Astral Shard Auction House where duped items are sold for the equivalent of real monies.

My home server is a hotbed of duped items on the Shard Exchange and needs to be looked at in depth.

Again, thank you for your time and reply!

[Talon_Moonshadow]

Report everyone. Let the witch hunts begin!

Death by Ooga Booga!

[cdbd3rd]

Undead Flowers?! ;)

Yellow Musk Creeper's zombie. Close enough?



http://www.rpgnow.com/images/3367/102706.jpg

[moo_cow]

I am actually very excited about epic necro 4. I'm hoping litany will be the new tor for wide range of loot. I am curious as to how the loot is going to be done though. The litany and questing area could definitely use some new items. I hope however that the loot for this new abbot raid upgrades the old items from Ascension Chamber to epic, sort of like how they did reavers to fot. I would usually like a new selection of item but the loot for Ascension Chamber was done incredibly well the first time around. Those items would make amazing epic items. The loot is amazing for heroic leveling and even still in epic play. The quiver, litany, maximize clicky, heighten clicky, and the sp clicky are even still used in end game so having epic versions of these same times of items would be great. There also should be an addition of other items as well of course but anyways ... what are the plans for teh lootz if there are any as of yet.

[merridyan]

Thank you for your reply.

Impossible for any of us to report what many of us believe to be duped/exploited goods on the Astral Shard Auction House where duped items are sold for the equivalent of real monies.

My home server is a hotbed of duped items on the Shard Exchange and needs to be looked at in depth.

Again, thank you for your time and reply!

What server are you on? ;) I have read that the people looking into this issue think that a stack of 10,000 khyber/siberys shards is an indicator of exploiting.

[Tscheuss]

Ah I knew armor/paladin changes came with u23 but didn't see anywhere in the OP a mention of bard changes coming before u23 or anything like that and since I do not have any bards I haven't been reading any threads about them so indeed that may be the reason why they have gone silent on the subject.

No bard? You? Hmmm.

I know a Maiden of the Spear who would be glad to teach you how to sing. :)

[Hendrik]

While I love disagreeing with Hen on most topics, I have to agree with him on this one. However, and I'm sure he'll disagree with me on this, I don't want you to focus on enforcement, I want you to focus on fixing your code. I know it's hard but if you fix the code so that various exploits can't occur then there is a good chance that we'll get a better running game altogether. I realize that it might be a small chance but I'd rather not have things like Crystal Cove lag, jump lag, the perpetual ladder bug, and I have to believe that cleaning up your code could help with that. You guys never release numbers, which I really wish you would, but I can't believe that perma-bans or even anything longer than a day or two would be a good way to keep what players we have left.

On a related topic, while I'm sure that you guys know all about the various exploits in the game, but maybe you could start a bug reward program like Google or other services. Offer XP grants, give away items based on the impact of the possible exploit, etc. When it comes down to it, everything in the game is a digital good so a lot people would probably rather use the exploit than report it because they get something. It's like looting a chest, we do it because we want something. But if players could report the exploit, be rewarded for it, AND see the exploits fixed in an expedient manner then you have get something good going among the player base. Just an idea. Now tell me how dumb that idea is Hen.

Love,

Yaga

First off, DIE YAGA DIE!

Ok, now that that is out of the way, I do not disagree with you Yaga. I would love to see the bugs fixed that allow exploiting and while I would also like to see those punished that do exploit and repeat exploit, I have given up on Turbine in that regard. I have far to often seen someone banned for exploiting, and numerous times, only to see them back again and exploiting again, and again. It is a game of Wack-A-Mole and it is the same Mole most of the time doing the worse exploiting and Turbine can't even hit him when they are told about it, over and over.

Now as far as your idea, I love it! Even posted something very much like it not to long ago. Even mentioned how much I missed ML in that very aspect of being able to show a DEV/QA an exploit in person.

While you should die in a fire of epic proportions, you have some very good ideas here and oddly, I support them.

Now If you will excuse me Yaga, I feel dirty and must shower.

Have a great 4th Yaga and may you loose only one finger this year to match your missing teeth!

;)

Take care friend!

[SilkofDrasnia]

No bard? You? Hmmm.

I know a Maiden of the Spear who would be glad to teach you how to sing. :)

:p

[Hendrik]

What server are you on? ;) I have read that the people looking into this issue think that a stack of 10,000 khyber/siberys shards is an indicator of exploiting.

We should collectively point at them and laugh, Turbine employee or not.

A better indicator is ownership of several thousands of new Scales or hundreds of Souls with a /questcompletion that does not support such numbers.

Does not take a rocket scientist to look at the ASAH and get a good idea of what is duped or not.

Good place to start is right there and who posted such things.

Just takes time to do and the staff to do it.

[sebastianosmith]

I know a Maiden of the Spear who would be glad to teach you how to sing. :)

I'm pretty sure this is some sort of euphemism... :o

[Tscheuss]

I'm pretty sure this is some sort of euphemism... :o

WoT, Robert Jordan, Aiel

Those search terms may help you. ;)

[sebastianosmith]

Those search terms may help you. ;)

I need no terms of search to interrupt that statement.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxuCeHUxoBY

[Seikojin]

We should collectively point at them and laugh, Turbine employee or not.

A better indicator is ownership of several thousands of new Scales or hundreds of Souls with a /questcompletion that does not support such numbers.

Does not take a rocket scientist to look at the ASAH and get a good idea of what is duped or not.

Good place to start is right there and who posted such things.

Just takes time to do and the staff to do it.

Something that would drop that or at least offset the explosion of it: adding a sold by column to the ASAH and AH. I know blind auctions are nice and safe for the person placing the object of desire and helps stop cost/economy controlling, but not having it allows rampant duped items appearing, or at least looking that way.

[Drwaz99]

with a /questcompletion that does not support such numbers.



I've seen this posted a couple of time by people who can't seem to comprehend that their ideas might cause more problems than there currently are. This is very, very dangerous as quest completions are not carried over on ITR's or TR's. Your suggestion would sweep up hundreds and hundreds of innocent players. Is that what you want? That would be FAR worse than Mayban.

[Seikojin]

No bard? You? Hmmm.

I know a Maiden of the Spear who would be glad to teach you how to sing. :)

Now that gave me a good laugh. However the way of the leaf and ogier are the singers. :) And the Tinkers are more bardlike than anything, since bards can be pro-non-violence.

I think what Hendrick and Yaga bring up would be good too; incentivize reporting by offering a reward.

As tot he topic: I hope things roll out smoothly.

[Tscheuss]

Something that would drop that or at least offset the explosion of it: adding a sold by column to the ASAH and AH. I know blind auctions are nice and safe for the person placing the object of desire and helps stop cost/economy controlling, but not having it allows rampant duped items appearing, or at least looking that way.

You can still have blind auctions with the [Sold by] column. It would not need to be visible to players, just to GM or other staff. :)

[Lifespawn]

I've seen this posted a couple of time by people who can't seem to comprehend that their ideas might cause more problems than there currently are. This is very, very dangerous as quest completions are not carried over on ITR's or TR's. Your suggestion would sweep up hundreds and hundreds of innocent players. Is that what you want?

Hundreds of players would have 2 tier 3 weapons with extra phlogs to spare? I think not.

Tr's would further limit the amount of phlogs because 20 completions is one of the best ways to get them

[merridyan]

Hundreds of players would have 2 tier 3 weapons with extra phlogs to spare? I think not.

Tr's would further limit the amount of phlogs because 20 completions is one of the best ways to get them

Do raid bypass timers not work for the new raids? Are the phlogs blocked from being traded in the chest? Not sure since I have not ran these raids.

[Drwaz99]

Hundreds of players would have 2 tier 3 weapons with extra phlogs to spare? I think not.

Tr's would further limit the amount of phlogs because 20 completions is one of the best ways to get them

You're talking about one type of ingredient out of hundreds.

What about large devil scales? Or red dragon scales? Many of which have been used as currency before all this started. Do you think that the possibility of banning a good amount of innocent people is outweighed by the benefit that banning dupers who duped just one ingredient that is relatively new?

I hit 20 competitions on 2 of my toons, TWICE on Thunder Peak and Shadow Dragon before I TR'ed them. I hit 20 in fact for the reason you state alone, to get pholgs. Many people grind out 20 competitions before they TR all the time. It's a regular thing. Even your suggestion could ensnare everyone who ground out then TR'ed. I know scores of people who had 20 completions in the first week!

It's a horrible idea. /questcompletions and then comparing it to your inventory will not work. I've ran entire raids where guildies gave all of their pholgs to one person cause they needed just a couple more and it was easier than running 5 more times.

I'm all for good ideas, but seriously people, think it thru.