DDO Producer's Letter!

[Cordovan]

Click here (https://www.ddo.com/en/news/ddo-producers-letter) for the latest Producer's Letter from Severlin!

[Qhualor]

:( gnome Iconics. Just started my final lives on my characters, which means I'll probably want the past life and not done yet.

[Sunglaze]

I am really excited for the gnome race!

[FranOhmsford]

- A greatly improved random loot system?

Please tell me Sev's kidding? This is absolutely full of bugs! Makes many items of named loot utterly worthless and how exactly am I supposed to fit in all these Insightful bonuses while maintaining the absolute requirements like Heavy Fort {Don't get me started on the new Fortification numbers in low level random loot - That's the one specific are where named loot is unequivocally better than RNG!} and Resistance!


Oh and Please tell me that you're not going to release Gnomes looking like that - The Hair and Beard look like cheap costume wigs from a fancy dress shop! And the faces and bodies are way too similar to Halflings {Gnomes should be more like smaller Dwarves!}.

[Feagor]

Why gnome is shorter than halfling?
Gnomes stands between dwarves and halflings!
;););)

[Basura_Grande]

Wouldn't a producer letter be better if it told us more about what's coming next year than what happened in the previous year? I mean we were here for 2015.

[SableShadow]

"Greetings! I'm Severlin, Executive Producer for Dungeons & Dragons Online, and I'm writing today to update you on our plans for the coming months. "

I decided to read this in King Raiyum's voice as:

"Greetings, mortals! I, Severlin the Dread, Lord of the Game, Ultimate Ruler of Your Reality, Executive Producer for Dungeons & Dragons Online, declare my demands for the coming months!"

:D

http://ddowiki.com/images/thumb/King_Raiyum.jpg/350px-King_Raiyum.jpg

Gnome is good news; I've a couple old friends that might be tempted to come back just for that...

[Jiirix]

I am not happy with every decission the DEVs made and some bugs bother me, but all in all I enjoyed DDO in 2015 and think it was a lot of good new contend for year nine/ten. So lets get festive :)



- A greatly improved random loot system?

Please tell me Sev's kidding? This is absolutely full of bugs!

You are both right ... kind of. The new loot sytem still has some bugs that should be fixed and it IS a great improvement to what is was before. I vendored ALL random items before the pass and I keep some now. That is an improvement to me. (Don't you play any other game you can pick on by any chance ?)

[Daine]

Thank you to whomever did the gnome artwork!

[Cleanincubus]

Is this really the Producers Letter? This is everything we already know, expect for the Anniversary dungeon. What about stuff beyond U30... an Update that will be here in a month? How about some idea of what to expect for U31?

I understand you guys no longer like giving us a general idea of things coming in the year, because plans have been dropped the past 2 years. But these can't be the only concrete plans for the next 3-4 months. Come on. Give us something to be excited about for the future.

[Vooduspyce]

Svirfneblin!! That's pretty cool, I hope it's a good IPL. I would've liked to see more in the producer letter, but I am excited about what was there. Looking forward to the 10th anniversary event, cannith crafting pass and as much as I like to make fun of gnomes, I look foward to that too :)

[salmag]

GNOMES, finally...

One question:

Why is the Halfling as tall as the Gnome? Gnome's are skinny Dwarves. Halfling's are 1/2-humans. The Halfling should come up to the Gnome's shoulders.

[Krelar]

GNOMES, finally...

One question:

Why is the Halfling as tall as the Gnome? Gnome's are skinny Dwarves. Halfling's are 1/2-humans. The Halfling should come up to the Gnome's shoulders.

The halfling is a completionist the gnome is a first lifer. :p




Conceptually I understand and like the idea of giving us more frequent producer's lettera, it really makes this letter feel short and light on information though.

So is the gnome/crafting update going to be like warlocks, no new quests? (other than the one anniversary quest which may or may not actually be part of the same update, it wasn't quite clear to me on that)

[Vellrad]

Yay so another update with just dumb race and nothing to do.

I'm sorry, they said 4 raids, I can only see 1- DoJ.

[cave_diver]

Everything in your letter we pretty much knew as players. Nothing new.

What about long term plans? Any raids with end game gear (Legengdary Green Steel is not End game IMHO).
Any plans to re-look some of the balance passes ( all melee classes are way behind ranger...well to tell the truth everything is way behind ranger atm).
Any plans for Iconic completionist feat or something to that effect?

Spill the beans on something.... like tomb of horrors?

[Saekee]

Glad to learn of the 'bug zapper' and crafting overhaul. Celebration event sounds cool! Please include Lars Heyton defending against the Sahuagin again, somehow.
They HAVE his scent!!!

[Steve_Howe]

The Gnomes look a little light in their loafers.

[Heynone]

Just want to point out to people complaining about halfling/gnome sizes that in the eberron campaign halflings are actually taller than gnomes, marginally so but still.

Also halfling barbarians ride on dinosaurs but I don't think that will happen anytime soon. (Edit:Ohh! But Talenta Halflings would be cool enemies. Glidewings and Clawfoot hordes would be a blast to take down.)

[Saekee]

Oh and Please tell me that you're not going to release Gnomes looking like that - The Hair and Beard look like cheap costume wigs from a fancy dress shop! And the faces and bodies are way too similar to Halflings {Gnomes should be more like smaller Dwarves!}.

The one featured looks a little creepy TBH. But are they supposed to be? I think so.

Doesn't help that he was the one that was not told to just show up in underwear. The female human and male halfling were probably saying, "Hey, c'mon, just drop the armored robe!"

[TitoFireknife]

Gnome Iconic....NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

i really dont want to TR my Final Life Toon 3 more times....why this ****

just make a normal race its enough....

[HastyPudding]

The gnome looks more like a halfling with a beard than a gnome. Gnomes are supposed to be shorter than halflings, slightly chubby, with round figures and big noses. That's if you're going for the traditional gnomes; if you're going for more of the eberron style, then they're still shorter than halflings, with large eyes, thin frames, and very angular features.

[Livmo]

Yay great to hear from Sev!

Also, in-game bosses and their behaviors, pathing, and such are easy to memorize. A live opponent that is unpredictable would be a more fun challenge. Perhaps throw the PvP folks a bone and let them compete for whom can be a live boss on server X for a given DDO event? I'm not into PvP, but think that would be neat for PvP'ers to compete to be a live boss and get to kill real PCs in a dungeon party in a raid/quest. Maybe an annual event (once a year)?

[jalont]

Wouldn't a producer letter be better if it told us more about what's coming next year than what happened in the previous year? I mean we were here for 2015.

I think it did. In the next quarter is u30, 10th anniversary, crafting update and gnomes.... What more do you honestly think they'll have in a quarter? In fact, that seems like more than what we usually get per quarter.

[Faltout]

What exactly is the "bug zapper"? Should we get our hopes up? This could be the best out of what we can expect.

Totally disagree with the "GREATLY improved random loot system". Unless you mean improved in power, which is opposite to improved in quality.

I hope prizes and stuff will not be subject to exploits...

[moomooprincess]

I like the defeat the DEV idea. How will we know we are playing against a DEV?

Will we have enough time to scream out in general chat to get more help? Is there a limit on the number of people that can come at a DEV? Is there some sort of special badge we get to wear for defeating a DEV?

Will it be a fair fight or will there be god-mode?

[jalont]

I like the defeat the DEV idea. How will we know we are playing against a DEV?

Will we have enough time to scream out in general chat to get more help? Is there a limit on the number of people that can come at a DEV? Is there some sort of special badge we get to wear for defeating a DEV?

Will it be a fair fight or will there be god-mode?

I... think it's just a boss with their names. :P

[Frogger1234]

I... think it's just a boss with their names. :P

Will the DEVs be in the appropriate parts of the Monster Manual?
Here's hoping. :)

[SableShadow]

I... think it's just a boss with their names. :P

That's a pretty big boss. o.O
We could nickname it "Giga-Dev", and it should do an assembly animation.

[Frogger1234]

"Greetings! I'm Severlin, Executive Producer for Dungeons & Dragons Online, and I'm writing today to update you on our plans for the coming months. "

I decided to read this in King Raiyum's voice as:

"Greetings, mortals! I, Severlin the Dread, Lord of the Game, Ultimate Ruler of Your Reality, Executive Producer for Dungeons & Dragons Online, declare my demands for the coming months!"

:D

http://ddowiki.com/images/thumb/King_Raiyum.jpg/350px-King_Raiyum.jpg

Gnome is good news; I've a couple old friends that might be tempted to come back just for that...

I wonder if you just gave Sev his in-game avatar.

[Cetus]

What the hell?

That's a ridiculously weak letter. Wrote out pretty much everything we already know.

[Theolin]

I was hoping for the garden variety for the iconic

[Puddletoes]

Gnome Iconic....NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

i really dont want to TR my Final Life Toon 3 more times....why this ****

just make a normal race its enough....


:( gnome Iconics. Just started my final lives on my characters, which means I'll probably want the past life and not done yet.


"Update 30 will also debut the long-anticipated Gnome race, along with the Deep Gnome Iconic!"

Gnomes are a standard race.

Deep Gnomes are an Iconic race.

[Zebedar]

The Gnome is too large, and the cosmetic effect is very amateurish compared to many of the existing races. Please don't go live with this, or if it is already a done deal let us know so we can refrain from commenting on it. Because until it is a done deal anyone who is into Gnomes or D.G. will feel the need to point out the size and proportions are wrong and show a ignorance of the source material in hopes of someone at Turbine caring enough to get it right. The last thing the game needs is another travesty like the Half-elfs, to this day they look like their faces are incomplete or melted, and their awkward proportions are terrible.

Additionally, while not a perfect for wisdom, either the Gnomes or Deep Gnomes will need to be Wis based race. The player population has been asking for a wisdom based race for thee years now, and it's time they were delivered. The Deep Gnomes are the closer fit to that.

Otherwise, interesting producer's letter, a little short and very thin on details but okay.

[cdbd3rd]

I was hoping for the garden variety for the iconic

Contract negotiations with Travelocity faltered. :p

[Elsbet]

"Greetings! I'm Severlin, Executive Producer for Dungeons & Dragons Online, and I'm writing today to update you on our plans for the coming months. "

I decided to read this in King Raiyum's voice as:

"Greetings, mortals! I, Severlin the Dread, Lord of the Game, Ultimate Ruler of Your Reality, Executive Producer for Dungeons & Dragons Online, declare my demands for the coming months!"

:D

http://ddowiki.com/images/thumb/King_Raiyum.jpg/350px-King_Raiyum.jpg

Water on keyboard is bad. Please don't do this again. ;) And I'm annoyed even after a four year break, I still can't +rep you again yet!

[Zweisteine]

Spill the beans on something.... like tomb of horrors?

I wish... They'd probably need to go through licensing hoops or something just to try...

And there's no way it could be made as deadly as the original, because of how traps work in DDO. One optimized traphunter could probably walk through it if they knew what to expect where.

Maybe if they made some kind of Dynamic dungeon that's never quite the same...

[Delacroix21]

Excited about gnomes, but.....


Very disappointed no mention of unarmed fix coming in Update 30.


This is not a MINOR issue in the game, its huge. =(

[Coyopa]

Overall, the letter is not just "pretty 'meh'", it's completely underwhelming. Nothing in Update 29 is anything to brag about. Where's the over-arching vision for the direction of the game? Where's the enthusiasm for his work? That letter could read as being more perfunctory and "I wrote this because my boss told me to" than it currently does. This is not an encouraging letter. It makes me happy I am looking for a different game to play. (Of course, whether I find one that's worth playing is an open question.)

[PsychoBlonde]

Why gnome is shorter than halfling?
Gnomes stands between dwarves and halflings!
;););)

DDO halflings are slightly oversize--basically the same height as dwarves (or the dwarves are shorter in DDO, take your pick.) I think they look pretty good--different enough to be noticeable without being overwhelming.

Also, who called the Deep Gnome Iconic? THIS GAL.

[Duetotheseverity]

- 4 Raids a **** raid and 3 good old raids ruined
- 3 Monster Manuals meh
- 11 new quests, including the Temple of Elemental Evil classic dungeon most of the quests are **** like demon assault
- Rogue, Ranger class updatesranger is fine and rogue mechs ridiculous op
- New class: Warlock (along with its associated enhancements, spells, etc.)ridiculous op
- New seasonal event: The Night Revelsgarbage event
- A greatly improved random loot systemgarbage system
- Legendary Greensteelbroken abnd lame
- A level cap of 30, along with Legendary and Epic Destiny Feats and no end game worth running

Great year you said? You guys just ruined the game, congrats.

[jalont]

Overall, the letter is not just "pretty 'meh'", it's completely underwhelming. Nothing in Update 29 is anything to brag about. Where's the over-arching vision for the direction of the game? Where's the enthusiasm for his work? That letter could read as being more perfunctory and "I wrote this because my boss told me to" than it currently does. This is not an encouraging letter. It makes me happy I am looking for a different game to play. (Of course, whether I find one that's worth playing is an open question.)

LOL this entire thread should be stickied and referred to whenever the devs finally decide to stop engaging on the forums. The producer's letter went over what to expect in the next quarter. Anything you were expecting beyond that is just crazy. It doesn't exude enough enthusiasm for you? Really, ***.

[PsychoBlonde]

Excited about gnomes, but.....


Very disappointed no mention of unarmed fix coming in Update 30.


This is not a MINOR issue in the game, its huge. =(

I don't recall them ever saying that the unarmed fix was scheduled for Update 30. Just that it's coming Soon.

Handwraps, while not delightful, are at least functioning the way they are. Crafting is not and has to be fixed ASAP.

I was hoping for some teases on upcoming content, tho.

[JP457]

You mean like the murderous light crossbow that I pulled last night? How exactly does one assassinate with a crossbow in this game? And then there's armor with Keen. Another busted system.

[Wizza]

Nice letter...said noone. I think we all lived the 2015 year with DDO. How about posting actual upcoming quests and updates?

This letter can be shortened to "2015 was great. 2016 will have gnomes that look SCARY (seriously, whats that face?)"

[QuantumFX]

Developers,

Could you *PLEASE* make sure this gnomish hairstyle is available:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UqFPujRZWo

Thanks.

[slarden]

Thank you for the great year and the gnome pics.

I am extremely excited about Cannith crafting more than even gnomes.

Augments can use a refresh. We are getting +15 on random items and the highest augment dropping is +8. For insightful it's +7 on GS, +6 on random loot and +2 for augments.

You also need more augments: spell pen, healing amp, riposte to name a few.

[FAQ]

- A greatly improved random loot system?

Please tell me Sev's kidding? This is absolutely full of bugs! Makes many items of named loot utterly worthless and how exactly am I supposed to fit in all these Insightful bonuses while maintaining the absolute requirements like Heavy Fort {Don't get me started on the new Fortification numbers in low level random loot - That's the one specific are where named loot is unequivocally better than RNG!} and Resistance!



Yes, I almost spit my beverage into my screen when I read "A greatly improved random loot system". For me, the best thing you can say about it is that's it's new. Burn it to the ground for all I care. I still love DDO, but U29 was just a train wreck for me...

[Mryal]

Interesting, i really like the gnome.And a new iconic is great.
Deep Gnome will probably be the first +2 Wisdom race.If so, please dont make the same mistake as Sun Elf and release a Deep Gnome Artificer, use Druid, cleric or even monk for Deep Gnome Iconic.

[Memnir]

Click here (https://www.ddo.com/en/news/ddo-producers-letter) for the latest Producer's Letter from Severlin!
http://i.imgur.com/4cGFaap.gif

[knightgf]

Looking at this letter, some of it is ok, but I gotta say the new loot system is definitely not where it should be due to all the bugs. Was Servlin not aware we had to do a hotfix, a emergency downtime AND disable cannith crafting to fix up some of the fatal flaws with this system? Also, gnomes look like a joke. They're just halflings with a beard! I guess the beard is to try and fool us into thinking they look different from halflings but I guess they could not make them slightly smaller or rounder to make them more gnomish. All I can say is I will not waste TP on gnomes because I don't even want to try them.

[Zigiltarg]

Svirfneblin!

[geoffhanna]

What if you gave us a whole year's worth of Producer Letter and then updated it every quarter?

[G_Lich]

IDGAF until there are new AND merged servers.

[fourrumtest]

weaksauce

[Qezuzu]

u29 would have been fine if you waited till after holidays before launching. Game was basically down for an entire weekend between the rollback and the Riposte bug (which not only lagged out the world to all hell, but prevented some players including me from logging in at all).

Besides that it was pretty good. Lootgen overhaul was good despite the minor bugs. Keen on armor? Okay whatever, there are a lot of sexy, valuable items floating around now.

Leg. Tempest's Spine is prob my favorite raid now.

LGS equipment could really use a buff though. Add some tier3 effects.

[relenttless]

LOL this entire thread should be stickied and referred to whenever the devs finally decide to stop engaging on the forums. The producer's letter went over what to expect in the next quarter. Anything you were expecting beyond that is just crazy. It doesn't exude enough enthusiasm for you? Really, ***.

A few hints of what will happen later in the year would have been nice. This first quarter thing smacks of "I have no idea" for the rest of the year.

[axel15810]

Devs, I hope you all slow things down a bit and focus on quality over quantity this year. You did have a very ambitious schedule in 2015, I think it was too ambitious for the dev resources available and it showed. Most of the new 2015 content way too many corners were cut. Short quests with little depth in most packs,no new adventure areas, a temple with little in it but mob after mob, short raids. I could go on.

And we still have so many bugs and still bad lag issues. Defiler comes to mind, it is still having lag issues. And the new raids in U29 are still having lag issues. Random loot is a mess. I'd be fine with less updates and more quality this year, even if you need to charge more to compensate for extra manhours put into it.

Or convince the higherups to spend more money on DDO to hire more devs...which would obviously be the best solution.

Event looks cool. Gnomes look too human/halfling to me, I'm hoping there's a variety of nose and face options and that it's all not just a rehash of halfling or human facial appearances.

[silinteresting]

a new iconic woot woot, more tr's to do thankyou.
any reason for me to tr is all good. please be wisdom
based though.

your friend sil :)

[Qezuzu]

Also, just gonna agree that this letter is really lacking. It'd be nice to have a slightly clearer picture of where the year is headed... we already knew gnomes are coming with strong possibility of iconic version, and that something would happen in relation to 10th anniversary.

[The_Human_Cypher]

What if you gave us a whole year's worth of Producer Letter and then updated it every quarter?

Good idea. The quarterly Producer's Letters should tease content for the coming 12 months or so and then flesh out what is approaching as we draw closer.

[Full_Bleed]

In 3.5 gnomes were bigger than halflings. But in Eberron, they are not.

From the Eberron Wiki:

Halflings (http://eberron.wikia.com/wiki/Halfling): 3'10" - 4'2" / 75-85 lbs.
Gnomes (http://eberron.wikia.com/wiki/Gnome): 3'4" - 3'8" / 50-75 lbs.

Gnome Description:


Gnomes are one of the smallest humanoid races, even smaller than the halflings. They resemble their eladrin cousins, with pointed ears, chisled facial features, high cheekbones, and sharp jaws. Gnomes from Thelanis have a more wild look to them, while gnomes from Khorvaire wear the garb as many other races do.

Gnome skin tones range from tan to brown to gray. Their hair can ve almost any color, including white, blonde, brown, orange, or even green. Their eyes are glittering black orbs.

Like eladrin, gnomes are extremely long-lived, living 300 year lifespans. Unlike eladrin, however, gnomes start showing their age at 100 years old, with their hair going white and their skin show wrinkles and weather lines.

The notion that they should be pudgy or "rounded" in Eberron does not seem supported by sources. They sound more elven/pixiesh than dwarvish to me.

That said, what we see right now does look like a Halfling with a beard. I guess I expected that.


As for what's coming in the next 3 months:

1) 10th Anniversary Event/Free multi-character-level dungeon
2) Bug Fixes
3) Gnome Race / Deep Gnome Iconic
4) Updated Cannith Crafting

Looks pretty substantial to me. I know people want to know what's coming after that (since most of this has been mentioned before)... but quarterly letters are, obviously, going to reel in the horizon. And I'm not so sure that might not be for the best. When people are anxiously waiting a year for something I think it's inevitable that their expectations will exceed the current reality of this game and its development.

[Natashaelle]

- A greatly improved random loot system?

Please tell me Sev's kidding?

Personally, I think the new **system** is a lot better, but that its implementation could use a bit of tweaking plus some extra work.

[eris2323]

Personally, I think the new **system** is a lot better, but that its implementation could use a bit of tweaking plus some extra work.
Everyone I know now stops to check their treasure in quest endings now, and makes sure to check their chest loot too. Sometimes we even see something amazing for a party members current class, and we'll take that to help them out a little.

I think that's a sign it's a LOT better, as opposed to the junk we used to get that was just sent to vendor.

So I agree, a little bit of tweaking and extra work, and this system is AWESOME. Right now, it is pretty darned good though.

[Natashaelle]

Why gnome is shorter than halfling?
Gnomes stands between dwarves and halflings!
;););)

In 5th Edition, they're about the same height -- 3' tall. Which was their original 1st Edition Monster Manual size, that the 1st Edition DMG then contradicted LOL

[The_Human_Cypher]

I am looking forward to meeting our friends, the Gnomes.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v5IXzImaAKc/T4JIGDfiFSI/AAAAAAAADIw/vy1mBQjsi4E/s1600/snerveblin.jpg

[Axeyu]

Wouldn't a producer letter be better if it told us more about what's coming next year than what happened in the previous year? I mean we were here for 2015.

That usually doesn't turn out so well.

[mraz]

im really excited about new event and i cant wait to happen but... i dont understand this logic, hows a new race more important then improving some old classes like fvs, arty, fighter... :confused:

[dunklezhan]

I can't agree that the new loot system is much improved - not until its actually working properly. I can see the potential but it's too early to cry victory, I'm sorry Sev.

[dunklezhan]

In 3.5 gnomes were bigger than halflings. But in Eberron, they are not.

The notion that they should be pudgy or "rounded" in Eberron does not seem supported by sources. They sound more elven/pixiesh than dwarvish to me.

That said, what we see right now does look like a Halfling with a beard. I guess I expected that.



It does. A stuck on beard at that, which I really hope is just because its an early model and they wanted to show us something. I'm all for the gnome looking like an eberron one but obviously it won't be what people were necessarily expecting in their heads - on the other hand, it is also very possible that the iconic deepgnome will be a more conventional Gnome, as it may be FR based. At least that works to an extent - there's no point having a FR gnome starting at L1 in this game

[LuKaSu]

Interesting, i really like the gnome.And a new iconic is great.
Deep Gnome will probably be the first +2 Wisdom race.If so, please dont make the same mistake as Sun Elf and release a Deep Gnome Artificer, use Druid, cleric or even monk for Deep Gnome Iconic.

Considering the complexity that it would take to have a Premium player, who doesn't own Druid/Artificer/some-other-p2p-class, that wants to purchase the iconic, I'm guessing it won't be a p2p class.

That being said, I'd love it if they just decided to have a higher tier Vet Status, so we could just take whichever class we want and still start at mid levels.

[Thar]

I'm worried that lack of communication plan for the remaining 2016 = start of maintenance mode :o

[dunklezhan]

I'm worried that lack of communication plan for the remaining 2016 = start of maintenance mode :o

I think its more likely that he wants the freedom to change plans without people being unreasonable about it.

[FranOhmsford]

Considering the complexity that it would take to have a Premium player, who doesn't own Druid/Artificer/some-other-p2p-class, that wants to purchase the iconic, I'm guessing it won't be a p2p class.


Complexity?

What's so complex about:

Druid 1495 TP
Svirfneblin Iconic 1295 TP {Same as every other Iconic}
Druid+Svirneblin Pack 2495 TP {295 Discount for buying both together, Throw in 5 XP pots and 5 Slayer Pots while they're at it.}?

Heck the Devs could probably give an even bigger discount or have Svirfneblin Free with Purchase of Druid for the first two weeks and rake it in.

[Vellrad]

Everyone I know now stops to check their treasure in quest endings now, and makes sure to check their chest loot too. Sometimes we even see something amazing for a party members current class, and we'll take that to help them out a little.

I think that's a sign it's a LOT better, as opposed to the junk we used to get that was just sent to vendor.

So I agree, a little bit of tweaking and extra work, and this system is AWESOME. Right now, it is pretty darned good though.

Everyone I know was doing that for a week or 2, now its just vendor all again.

[Amundir]

As far as the letter having a recap of 2015, who cares. Doesn't hurt anything. And not listing a lot of stuff they are going to focus on this year is fine. Sev mentions he wants to do it more often. If that's the case it would make sense to not include everything you think you may work on in 2016 and only mention some of the stuff they think they'll work on until the next letter.

If the letter wasn't what you were expecting, there's a simple solution. Expect less. *lol* Kinda fanboyish, but seriously. They don't meet your expectations? They can't meet everyone's expectations. They're just going to tell you what they're going to try to do. Anyway.

Gnomes: I could really care less. Never played them in pnp. *weak yay*


We're also bringing out the bug zapper in the coming weeks to get rid of some of the things we've been hearing from you about.

Some? Heard (recently?) from you about? This makes it seem like your only going to try to fix recent bugs. Not long standing bugs that players have possibly stopped reporting on cause they've existed for so long. ?!?

[IronClan]

Personally, I think the new **system** is a lot better, but that its implementation could use a bit of tweaking plus some extra work.

I do as well. Thumbs up, the bugs not withstanding.


I can't agree that the new loot system is much improved - not until its actually working properly. I can see the potential but it's too early to cry victory, I'm sorry Sev.

Maybe you see the 6 or 7 bugs and they see Renown, Seeds and Comm's ratios from end rewards dropping dramatically as people actually take random loot end rewards?

I'd call it a success, I guess empty scepters and 0 concentraition items and naming kerfuffles make some people frightened, but I ignore them as they are all totally trivial and almost zero impact on my gameplay.


I'm worried that lack of communication plan for the remaining 2016 = start of maintenance mode :o

So you think he's lying about quarterly updates so he can fool you temporarilly? Nice shiny hat you have there :)


Everyone I know was doing that for a week or 2, now its just vendor all again.

I can't imagine not mousing over items that can be best in slot if you get lucky, that can also have affixes and combinations that are available from no other source and stack. Buy hey whatever floats your boat, the game has plenty of room for flower sniffers, casuals and role players who don't care about that stuff more power to you. :D

[KoobTheProud]

Complexity?

What's so complex about:

Druid 1495 TP
Svirfneblin Iconic 1295 TP {Same as every other Iconic}
Druid+Svirneblin Pack 2495 TP {295 Discount for buying both together, Throw in 5 XP pots and 5 Slayer Pots while they're at it.}?

Heck the Devs could probably give an even bigger discount or have Svirfneblin Free with Purchase of Druid for the first two weeks and rake it in.

Can you name another occasion when Turbine has undercut one product in the DDO store with another?

[ArekDorun]

Complexity?

What's so complex about:

Druid 1495 TP
Svirfneblin Iconic 1295 TP {Same as every other Iconic}
Druid+Svirneblin Pack 2495 TP {295 Discount for buying both together, Throw in 5 XP pots and 5 Slayer Pots while they're at it.}?

Heck the Devs could probably give an even bigger discount or have Svirfneblin Free with Purchase of Druid for the first two weeks and rake it in.

Actually, because of the way Druid is handled, it would make more sense to simply include Druid with the purchase of Deep Gnome.

This is because it's easy and cheap to get Druid. The most common way to get it with MotU.

--ArekDorun

[FranOhmsford]

Can you name another occasion when Turbine has undercut one product in the DDO store with another?

How about the Newbie Pack?

When they bunched a number of disparate low level packs together, threw in a Gold Seal Hire and some Pots and made a killing!

Or how about the Half Breed Bundle - H-Orcs and H-Elves could be bought separately but you could also buy them together and get a slight discount!

Ooooh and of course Iconics and the Expansions!


Druid is pretty blatantly overpriced at 1495 tp as well so bundling it in with Svirfneblin at a discount won't cost Turbine anything and will make them a few more friends!

[The_Human_Cypher]

Good points made here regarding the Deep Gnome Iconic. To what class should this Iconic be assigned? We already have Fighter, Cleric, Rogue, and Paladin Iconics, so that leaves 10 more classes from which to choose. I hope that the devs don't repeat an existing Iconic class with the Deep Gnome.

http://ddowiki.com/page/Classes

http://ddowiki.com/page/Deep_Gnome

I am not sure what the Deep Gnomes class should be, but I think Artificer may be the only one that makes any sense. Any ideas?

[Angelic-council]

Good points made here regarding the Deep Gnome Iconic. To what class should this Iconic be assigned? We already have Fighter, Cleric, Rogue, and Paladin Iconics, so that leaves 10 more classes from which to choose. I hope that the devs don't repeat an existing Iconic class with the Deep Gnome.

http://ddowiki.com/page/Classes

http://ddowiki.com/page/Deep_Gnome

I am not sure what the Deep Gnomes class should be, but I think Artificer may be the only one that makes any sense. Any ideas?

Not sure, but we need bonus to wisdom.

[Zebedar]

im really excited about new event and i cant wait to happen but... i dont understand this logic, hows a new race more important then improving some old classes like fvs, arty, fighter... :confused:

Because they can sell a new race, and sell a new iconic race. For that reason the new Gnome and Deep Gnome tree will be more powerful then any of the other current races except perhaps human (all bow before our homosapien overlords! :)) with it's boost and attribute buffs. That's the same reason the Warlock was introduced and was given such fantastic powers, and trees. Turbine needs to drive revenue.

I do find it interesting that the work load on the last year has been so slanted towards systems development, (I.E. rule changes, feats, legendary feats, lv 30, loot change, multiple crafting systems, and events) rather then playable content. The make up and strengths of the personnel must lean that way. ToEE was a lot of space with some content, but other wise almost the entire roll out of "new" content has been rehashed versions of the existing content lifted to higher levels, and the limited new content the created such as the Gambit quests could all be complete within two hours. So clearly the weakness of the team is in content design they don't play so they don't know how to write quests.

But what can you do?

[Zebedar]

I do as well. Thumbs up, the bugs not withstanding.


I'm worried that lack of communication plan for the remaining 2016 = start of maintenance mode :o


So you think he's lying about quarterly updates so he can fool you temporarilly? Nice shiny hat you have there

He didn't say lying, you did. That kind of comment is way out of line and smacks of someone trying to get someone he disagrees with in trouble with Cordovan and the other mods. Additionally, that tin-foil hat reference is obnoxious. Throwing that term at people who obviously love the game but may disagree even caused poor Cordovan some grief last summer when he used it offhandedly in a rare slip. So what possibly makes you think that you have any right to use it in such a fashion? Is that really the way someone who had the chance to be on the PC should be acting? is that the example you want to set for others? or perhaps you might like to take the high road in the future and use the experience you gained from working closely with Turbine to help the game and the player base rather than irresponsibly using terms like "lying" and tin foil hat comments to further split the population?

No need for you to respond, just give it some thought before you use that kind of verbiage next time, and learn to accept that your responsibility didn't end when your term on the PC did, especially when your forum icon trumpets the time you spent on it.

[FranOhmsford]

I am not sure what the Deep Gnomes class should be, but I think Artificer may be the only one that makes any sense. Any ideas?

Arti would work but Svirfneblin are a +WIS RACE!

They also worship the Earth and have an affinity for Earth Eles {are able to summon them} - This screams Druid to me!

[Silverleafeon]

Arti would work but Svirfneblin are a +WIS RACE!

They also worship the Earth and have an affinity for Earth Eles {are able to summon them} - This screams Druid to me!

A druid iconic, that sounds like fun.

[The_Human_Cypher]

Arti would work but Svirfneblin are a +WIS RACE!

They also worship the Earth and have an affinity for Earth Eles {are able to summon them} - This screams Druid to me!

True, some kind of oddball Druid Gnome Iconic with a focus on earth-related powers might work. A Gnome Favored Soul Iconic as a Wisdom based class is also a possibility. Garl Glittergold would be their patron.

http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Garl_Glittergold

[Robai]

- 4 Raids
- 3 Monster Manuals
- 11 new quests, including the Temple of Elemental Evil classic dungeon
- Rogue, Ranger class updates
- New class: Warlock (along with its associated enhancements, spells, etc.)
- New seasonal event: The Night Revels
- A greatly improved random loot system
- Legendary Greensteel
- A level cap of 30, along with Legendary and Epic Destiny Feats

So, just another year without:
- increasing BtC bank space
- sortable TR cache
- raid counters persisting through TR


- 4 Raids
It's good, but there are Raid Bypass Timers, which means the lifetime will be short (not to mention random loot pass).


- 3 Monster Manuals
Good!


- 11 new quests, including the Temple of Elemental Evil classic dungeon
Good!


- Rogue, Ranger class updates
Rogue pass was good.
I'm disappointed with Ranger pass though. (my Tempest is lacking defenses, for comparison: Rogues are MUCH more survivable since they have Uncanny Dodge/Defensive Roll/Spinning Staff Wall, btw, Elaborate Parry sucks since you must hit the target in order to get the dodge bonus).


- New class: Warlock (along with its associated enhancements, spells, etc.)
For me it's meh, but a friend loves it a lot.


- New seasonal event: The Night Revels
The unique bonus (spooky bonus) augments was a good idea (I hope that spooky bonuses won't be available outside this event)
Disappearing matts sucks though.
Also I miss the real event (meaning with a Dragon, even if that Dragon always comes with his cousin Lag Monster).
Dragon fight in Mabar also had a unique grouping mechanics (that was probably a reason for more lag, but it was fun).


- A greatly improved random loot system
Sorry, it's a lie.

1) The names of random items should have the information about bonuses (at least, the main information), in AH you should be able to search the item you want (ideally, including searching by augment slots and the number of enhancements).

Compare the names of an old and a new random loot:

http://cdn.pbrd.co/images/QErPl5R.pnghttp://cdn.pbrd.co/images/QEjt5Rp.png

The naming of most old random loot was good, except that the names didn't have info about augment slots.
But now random loot was so greatly improved that the names don't show the effects at all.

If an item has an augment slot I would add a letter of the slot ([C], [R], , [Y], [P], [O], [G]), for example:
Charismatic +8 Helm of Bluffing +17 [C]
Invigorating Helm of Resistance [G]

The latter would be much more informative with this name:
Invigorating +255 Helm of Resistance +9 [G]
But since Wizadry is a shorter word (not to mention a more convenient name) I would use this name:
Wizadry +255 Helm of Resistance +9 [G]
(btw, what was the point of these new names like Invigorating?)

The 3rd effect should be seen on the name too:

http://cdn.pbrd.co/images/QEUC2hX.png

I'm not sure how to name it, but these would be MUCH better (especially if searchable in AH):
Reinforced +55 Mask of Diplomacy +17 of Incite +28
Reinforced +55 Mask of Diplomacy +17 [Incite +28]

How much the name [b]Belt can tell you?

http://cdn.pbrd.co/images/QIJ5y4l.png

2) Lots of bugs with +0% bonuses (most of them are fixed, but not all)

3) It's fun to farm named items. This new random loot made less attractive many named items, which means this game has less goals to achieve (named items are no longer that important since you can just buy stuff from AH).

4) It was a plain increase of power creep (no packs, no time farming, nothing was needed for that).

5) Keep in mind that the future named items should be attractive (at least some of them). +8 Con at lvl 15 is not impressive now (random loot can have it at lower lvls).
And what does that mean? Yes, even more power creep incoming.

6) I don't mind useless things on random loot though (like keen on armors, doubleshot on handwraps, etc., but since keen is confusing and doesn't actually provide the bonus to weapons, I would exclude them from non weapons), but it should be seen in the names of such items so that you would vendor (or ignore) them without spending the time examining them, I mean in the current random loot system the hidden bonus quite often is the main bonus (keep in mind that examining every single random item is annoying).


- Legendary Greensteel
Accessories are nice (more power creep btw).
Since there are RTBs this raid will die.


- A level cap of 30, along with Legendary and Epic Destiny Feats
The only problem is that this is yet another increase of power creep.
You forgot to mention that XP curve was changed, meaning that lvl 21 now requires twice as much XP as before. So, lvls 20-24 are much slower than before, which also means that lvls 26-30 will be short (which also means less raiding).

[Vellrad]

It's good, but there are Raid Bypass Timers, which means the lifetime will be short (not to mention random loot pass).
Since there are RTBs this raid will die.


Yeah, because logging once in 3 days for hour or 2 required to beat new raids, then having 0 reason to log in other than boring XP grind on alts is so much better.

[esojiul]

im really excited about new event and i cant wait to happen but... i dont understand this logic, hows a new race more important then improving some old classes like fvs, arty, fighter... :confused:

Actually, after the u29. Arty, fighter, monk, fvs, rogues. Need some changes on their enhancements. but they are going the right way, so they are small changes..

[tion]

Thanks for the info! Really looking forward to see what you have for us this year. 2015 had great additions to the game. Glad to hear that you are working hard to continue to provide us content. Just wanted to let you know that I've been playing since start. And I'm haven't been this excited about DDO for a while.
Thank you

[AbyssalMage]

My only question:
What has the development team decided they are going to "be" in-game? Are they going to be a single class (pure) or they going to multi-class? Or will there be a mix? Or they going to become a "monster" to hunt us down?

I know certain developers have let it be known they have a preference for certain classes while playing on their own time. Will this transfer into the NPC we get to defeat? Spoilers on what some of the development team has chosen would be entertaining.

[FranOhmsford]

True, some kind of oddball Druid Gnome Iconic with a focus on earth-related powers might work. A Gnome Favored Soul Iconic as a Wisdom based class is also a possibility. Garl Glittergold would be their patron.

http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Garl_Glittergold

Not if they're Svirfneblin he wouldn't!


Callarduran Smoothhands (Greater God) is the master of stone, worshipped
primarily by Svirfneblin. The Deep Gnomes consider him equal in might to Garl
Glittergold, though he is largely ignored by the other subraces. It was Calladuran who
taught Svirfneblin how to summon and befriend earth elementals. He will often send
his avatar to aid his people; his appearance is that of a wiry Svirfneblin miner,
indistinguishable from virtually any other Deep Gnome except for a golden ring with
a star insignia he always wears.

[Stoner81]

Finally the Cannith Crafting overhaul! w00t!

However...

Random loot needs to be looked in great depth, months ago you guys changed how random loot was generated and it altered a lot of things with enchantment numbers and stuff. Nowadays enchantment numbers mean squat because of how the system is currently borked beyond recognition!! This needs to be fixed and some sort of structure added to random loot, once that is done add back in ALL OF THE OLD EFFECTS FROM WAY BACK WHEN and then look at Cannith Crafting. That would allow you to focus on updating/creating new recipes in Cannith Crafting while having the underlying systems fixed, in place and most importantly WORKING PROPERLY!!!!!!!

Generally I don't ask for much (I don't think), but Devs please please please I implore you do not eff this up!

Stoner81.

[Saekee]

https://cdn.pbrd.co/images/QEUC2hX.png


Insightful fortification + Diplomacy + Incite =

"The ambassador of x was renowned for being terrible at his diplomatic duties and relied on this helm
for a boost to both his tact as well as some extra defense for his inevitable failures.
Little did he know that it also had a hidden effect that further aggroed his trade partners.
Unfortunately, he only read its title and not the little tag inside!"

[Saekee]

https://cdn.pbrd.co/images/QIJ5y4l.png



"This seemingly innocuous belt allowed its unaware user to resist many lesser spell attacks,
leading them to believe that they could charge beholders regardless of real protection. Hence why it is often in
circulation, looking for another witless victim of hubris."

[The_Human_Cypher]

Not if they're Svirfneblin he wouldn't!

I am hoping the Svirfneblin look significantly different than the image we have been provided with so far for the common Gnome.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a8/D%26DSvirfneblin.png

[Tarinia]

Hi,

I am disappointed about the producer letter, really. In fact its more like a interview with some interesting news but far away from the producer letters of the past, where a big stone was set for the coming year.
Not even the classic module is named- my wish was castle ravenloft the ever best gothic horror module but I also heard "tomb of horrors" in ddo cast- which is in fact a big undead place with lots of deadly traps and puzzles and a demilich at the end (we already have tomb quests in mass in DDO)- its not on my top list even during play in pen and paper it was boring.


Best regards
Tarinia

[FranOhmsford]

I am hoping the Svirfneblin look significantly different than the image we have been provided with so far for the common Gnome.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a8/D%26DSvirfneblin.png

Now that's a Svirfneblin!

I said earlier that Svirfneblin unlike Drow aren't Black skinned but so long as you give us a choice of skin colours and the Svirfneblin actually look like Svirfneblin {see pic above!} I won't mind.

[Steve_Howe]

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a8/D%26DSvirfneblin.png


Now that's a Svirfneblin!.

No.



http://inkwellideas.com/fate_creatures/images/svirfneblin__tadas_sidlauskas.png

Yes.

[FranOhmsford]

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a8/D%26DSvirfneblin.png



No.



http://inkwellideas.com/fate_creatures/images/svirfneblin__tadas_sidlauskas.png

Yes.

Nice pic {and I note the skin is neither black nor grey.} but not all that different to the black and white drawing if you look at them {better mouth and chin yes but otherwise pretty similar}. Oh and the nose is way too small.


Oh and I'd be ecstatic if Svirfneblin in DDO looked that good btw {no matter if the nose is too small - Just need multiple nose options with at least one being ENORMOUS!}.

[esojiul]

1) The names of random items should have the information about bonuses (at least, the main information), in AH you should be able to search the item you want (ideally, including searching by augment slots and the number of enhancements).

Compare the names of an old and a new random loot:

https://cdn.pbrd.co/images/QErPl5R.pnghttps://cdn.pbrd.co/images/QEjt5Rp.png

The naming of most old random loot was good, except that the names didn't have info about augment slots.
But now random loot was so greatly improved that the names don't show the effects at all.

If an item has an augment slot I would add a letter of the slot ([C], [R], , [Y], [P], [O], [G]), for example:
Charismatic +8 Helm of Bluffing +17 [C]
Invigorating Helm of Resistance [G]

The latter would be much more informative with this name:
Invigorating +255 Helm of Resistance +9 [G]
But since Wizadry is a shorter word (not to mention a more convenient name) I would use this name:
Wizadry +255 Helm of Resistance +9 [G]
(btw, what was the point of these new names like Invigorating?)

The 3rd effect should be seen on the name too:

https://cdn.pbrd.co/images/QEUC2hX.png

I'm not sure how to name it, but these would be MUCH better (especially if searchable in AH):
Reinforced +55 Mask of Diplomacy +17 of Incite +28
Reinforced +55 Mask of Diplomacy +17 [Incite +28]

How much the name [b]Belt can tell you?

https://cdn.pbrd.co/images/QIJ5y4l.png

2) Lots of bugs with +0% bonuses (most of them are fixed, but not all)

3) It's fun to farm named items. This new random loot made less attractive many named items, which means this game has less goals to achieve (named items are no longer that important since you can just buy stuff from AH).

4) It was a plain increase of power creep (no packs, no time farming, nothing was needed for that).

5) Keep in mind that the future named items should be attractive (at least some of them). +8 Con at lvl 15 is not impressive now (random loot can have it at lower lvls).
And what does that mean? Yes, even more power creep incoming.

6) I don't mind useless things on random loot though (like keen on armors, doubleshot on handwraps, etc., but since keen is confusing and doesn't actually provide the bonus to weapons, I would exclude them from non weapons), but it should be seen in the names of such items so that you would vendor (or ignore) them without spending the time examining them, I mean in the current random loot system the hidden bonus quite often is the main bonus (keep in mind that examining every single random item is annoying).


Accessories are nice (more power creep btw).
Since there are RTBs this raid will die.

.
Actually, the random loot is ok. But it will be great updated name items. My suggestion, make a list all the effects on name item and weapons, example epic telekinetic:
Effect: Targets that suffer a critical hit from a Telekinetic weapon must make a DC 35 Strength or Dexterity check or be knocked down. The target will then be forced to make DC 16 Balance checks to recover from this effect. The trip otherwise lasts 30 seconds and allows a recurring balance check to get up every 2 seconds..
Design a update version like legendary Telekinesis: Where it will work 30% of the time on Legendary Levels, example:
Effect: Targets that suffer a critical hit from a Telekinetic weapon must make a DC 70Strength or Dexterity check or be knocked down. The target will then be forced to make DC 40 Balance checks to recover from this effect. The trip otherwise lasts 30 seconds and allows a recurring balance check to get up every 2 seconds.. The DC it an example could change.
Then in each item upgrade it effect, dmg etc etc to legendary version. Went the time come, put a legendary level to the quest or raid (lob, wk etc etc)that drop the item. The quest drops Scroll, seal and Shard to upgrade a Epic weapon to legendary (like old times). People are force to farm. Have to get the item, improved to epic and then to legendary.

[IronClan]

He didn't say lying, you did. That kind of comment is way out of line and smacks of someone trying to get someone he disagrees with in trouble with Cordovan and the other mods. Additionally, that tin-foil hat reference is obnoxious. Throwing that term at people who obviously love the game but may disagree even caused poor Cordovan some grief last summer when he used it offhandedly in a rare slip. So what possibly makes you think that you have any right to use it in such a fashion?

Tin foil hat is a classic short hand for conspiracy theory, not some sort of insult as you seem to suggest. Which is exactly what the theory contained in that guys post is; he posited that Sev didn't post a full size producers letter because he actually doesn't have more new ideas for the coming year, because there wont be new things which obviously implies he never intends to make quarterly producers letters because if maintenance mode was forthcoming, no such letters would be necessary.

Seems logical enough?

[UurlockYgmeov]

Thank you Severlin! It has been a great year (IMHO) for DDO and the players and the Dev Team!

Can't wait to see what '16 brings!

[Magil]

Will the named items from before be updated to match up with the changes to the randomly generated loot?

[Vellrad]

Will the named items from before be updated to match up with the changes to the randomly generated loot?

Oh silly you, of course not, because, how else would they sell loot jewels?

[Magil]

Oh silly you, of course not, because, how else would they sell loot jewels?

One can dream.

[Doctorivil]

With Curse of Strahd coming to D&D in march, wouldn't it be great if this year revised module would match the setting?

I would love to see Ravenloft in DDO

[Xoham]

Thank you for implementing the warlock class last year! I had been hoping for warlock for a long time. It is not everything I had hoped for; but I am very much enjoying playing it nonetheless. Proof of this is that I reincarnated my character into a warlock right away, and still have no intention of changing to anything else.

As for the bug zapper, I posted my top bugs in a different thread so as not to distract:
https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/470716-Top-10-list-of-bugs-for-bug-zapper-of-DDO-Producer-s-letter

[Cordovan]

We are looking into what it would take to have the names of items dynamically update with random loot, although our initial investigation indicates it will be a time-consuming development effort.

The change is due to the way item properties now automatically update based on the minimum level of the item. In the past, there were separate effects for Strength +1, Strength +2, Strength +3, etc., distributed based on the maximum potential of the item. Now, the item simply applies Strength and the bonus is assigned based on the minimum level of the item. Our current item naming system does not have the ability to add the benefit to the title when it is determined; to do so will require us to implement a new system in order for it to do so.

[JOTMON]

We are looking into what it would take to have the names of items dynamically update with random loot, although our initial investigation indicates it will be a time-consuming development effort.

The change is due to the way item properties now automatically update based on the minimum level of the item. In the past, there were separate effects for Strength +1, Strength +2, Strength +3, etc., distributed based on the maximum potential of the item. Now, the item simply applies Strength and the bonus is assigned based on the minimum level of the item. Our current item naming system does not have the ability to add the benefit to the title when it is determined; to do so will require us to implement a new system in order for it to do so.

It may be time consuming, but its for 'the greater good'

Adding a description search feature to AH would help too.. (not just short text search)..
to find things like Insightful stat x that is a tertiary effect.

[Kwyjibo]

We are looking into what it would take to have the names of items dynamically update with random loot, although our initial investigation indicates it will be a time-consuming development effort.

The change is due to the way item properties now automatically update based on the minimum level of the item. In the past, there were separate effects for Strength +1, Strength +2, Strength +3, etc., distributed based on the maximum potential of the item. Now, the item simply applies Strength and the bonus is assigned based on the minimum level of the item. Our current item naming system does not have the ability to add the benefit to the title when it is determined; to do so will require us to implement a new system in order for it to do so.
Wow, wasn't this kind of thing discovered during internal testing? It shouldn't matter how long it takes...the system should not have been implemented, yet.

Once again the player base has to pay for the "hurry up and get it done" mentality of Turbine...very sad.

[dunklezhan]

We are looking into what it would take to have the names of items dynamically update with random loot, although our initial investigation indicates it will be a time-consuming development effort. The change is due to the way item properties now automatically update based on the minimum level of the item. In the past, there were separate effects for Strength +1, Strength +2, Strength +3, etc., distributed based on the maximum potential of the item. Now, the item simply applies Strength and the bonus is assigned based on the minimum level of the item. Our current item naming system does not have the ability to add the benefit to the title when it is determined; to do so will require us to implement a new system in order for it to do so.

I'm far more interested in just being able to see all the effect names and the effect names being clear. E.g.

Where weapons DO have actual damage effects, this is often not seen in the name.
Where something has a featherfalling or speed effect it doesnt' show any of the other effects
Where something has a slayer effect it does not say *which* slayer effect

These are examples. Its not an exhaustive list by any means. All of these in my view are more fundamental pieces of information than knowing whether or not an effect level is +1, +2 or what have you. Slayer for example is not a useful effect name. Monstrous humanoid slayer would be. Whether it's 1d6 or 10d10 doesn't matter anything like as much, because we know its going to be appropriate for the item level.


The lack of clear labelling is causing me real problems in gearing, it is embarrassing and it is a step back from what we had before. Please fix, I don't care if its a time consuming development. Not to sound like your mom, but you really ought to have thought of that before you made the mess.

[Spoonwelder]

It may be time consuming, but its for 'the greater good'

Adding a description search feature to AH would help too.. (not just short text search)..
to find things like Insightful stat x that is a tertiary effect.
REally if they have this details search function in the AH - the problem is mostly solved.

As an aside Cordo - I got a 'Belt' the other day - no descriptors.....can you guess why?

No it wasn't a blank - but it had spell resistance and insightful spell resistance so the descriptor was just 'Belt' since spell resistance is one of the hidden effects.

[mikarddo]

We are looking into what it would take to have the names of items dynamically update with random loot, although our initial investigation indicates it will be a time-consuming development effort.

The change is due to the way item properties now automatically update based on the minimum level of the item. In the past, there were separate effects for Strength +1, Strength +2, Strength +3, etc., distributed based on the maximum potential of the item. Now, the item simply applies Strength and the bonus is assigned based on the minimum level of the item. Our current item naming system does not have the ability to add the benefit to the title when it is determined; to do so will require us to implement a new system in order for it to do so.

Thank you for the reply Cordovan.

I definitely suggest that you look into having the names reflect all the effects on the item even if the values cannot be show. Showing all 3 possible effects as well as any slots and master/wonderous in the name would go along way. "Wonderous Dire Combustive Ring of Deadly with Insightful Spell Resistance [G]" for example where [G] shows a green slot.

[Seikojin]

It may be time consuming, but its for 'the greater good'

Adding a description search feature to AH would help too.. (not just short text search)..
to find things like Insightful stat x that is a tertiary effect.


Wow, wasn't this kind of thing discovered during internal testing? It shouldn't matter how long it takes...the system should not have been implemented, yet.

Once again the player base has to pay for the "hurry up and get it done" mentality of Turbine...very sad.


Thank you for the reply Cordovan.

I definitely suggest that you look into having the names reflect all the effects on the item even if the values cannot be show. Showing all 3 possible effects as well as any slots and master/wonderous in the name would go along way. "Wonderous Dire Combustive Ring of Deadly with Insightful Spell Resistance [G]" for example where [G] shows a green slot.


LOL! It is a bummer it is not automatically displayed. And it is a bummer that it would take more time than desired.

However, I am sure they have known this from day 1 of making this change and eventually it will be worked in to display the names. But I am also sure it will be well after everyone is used to looking at the tooltip details of the linked item.

[PsychoBlonde]

We are looking into what it would take to have the names of items dynamically update with random loot, although our initial investigation indicates it will be a time-consuming development effort.

The change is due to the way item properties now automatically update based on the minimum level of the item. In the past, there were separate effects for Strength +1, Strength +2, Strength +3, etc., distributed based on the maximum potential of the item. Now, the item simply applies Strength and the bonus is assigned based on the minimum level of the item. Our current item naming system does not have the ability to add the benefit to the title when it is determined; to do so will require us to implement a new system in order for it to do so.

I don't care about displaying the + on the item. I just want them to display EVERY BONUS ON THE ITEM (in some *suitably brief* way, I don't want to end up with item names like Yellow and Colorless Augmented Tactful Gloves of Insightful Magnetism and Spell Lore). I can check for the exact bonus level by mousing over, but I want to be able to SEARCH for things like Insight stats, which right now is IMPOSSIBLE.

[Kamode_Corebasher]

Cordovan, please re-read.

This root issue described by dunklezhan (below) is what you should have been focused on...something that is broke and needs fixed. Instead you thought the issue is with adding a new feature showing the + in the description, which would be great to have but not the issue.


I'm far more interested in just being able to see all the effect names and the effect names being clear. E.g.

Where weapons DO have actual damage effects, this is often not seen in the name.
Where something has a featherfalling or speed effect it doesnt' show any of the other effects
Where something has a slayer effect it does not say *which* slayer effect

These are examples. Its not an exhaustive list by any means. All of these in my view are more fundamental pieces of information than knowing whether or not an effect level is +1, +2 or what have you. Slayer for example is not a useful effect name. Monstrous humanoid slayer would be. Whether it's 1d6 or 10d10 doesn't matter anything like as much, because we know its going to be appropriate for the item level.


The lack of clear labelling is causing me real problems in gearing, it is embarrassing and it is a step back from what we had before. Please fix, I don't care if its a time consuming development. Not to sound like your mom, but you really ought to have thought of that before you made the mess.

[Gratch]

Personally, whatever cleanup they've done on random items with the smallest number of patches required is fine by me. I'd much rather the devs spend their limited time on other systems than cleaning up names of random items. They've taken random items from "leave in the chest" to interesting effects with sometimes bonus 3rd effects. The best updates would be making things stack which should (does "insightful <spell power> actually stack?) and possibly fixing some of the item types that have unusable effects listed on them "armors with damage effects that can never go off", etc. I also see a ton of "elemental melee damage fx" of "spell lore" weapons.

Back to the enhancement updates and new fun dungeons please. (Note: Oozes in Legendary are not "fun" nor "Legendary"). Also, I'm fine with paying 50% more TP for a dungeon or dungeon set if you get Patrick Stewart and/or Ian McKellan for the DM voice(s).

[Rog]

I happy with the new loot system. people link items they find again:).
as for a quarter updates. I am happy to be in the loop.
It would be nice to have a +2 wis class. if this is true I will I.T.R.
into a gnome monk. would like to see changes to the monk's Handwraps, starting to feel a bit underpowered.
I think at cap. you should come out with a set of handwraps with a x4 crit mod. since we don't use duel weapons it would be a quick fix. it would get monks to raid ,and raid a lot.
I hope we get new quest with the Gnome class, since the Icon comes from the underdark it would be a great place to add some quest. its been a while since the underdark had some love and new level 30 quest would be fun.
mojomuscle

[arkonas]

We are looking into what it would take to have the names of items dynamically update with random loot, although our initial investigation indicates it will be a time-consuming development effort.

The change is due to the way item properties now automatically update based on the minimum level of the item. In the past, there were separate effects for Strength +1, Strength +2, Strength +3, etc., distributed based on the maximum potential of the item. Now, the item simply applies Strength and the bonus is assigned based on the minimum level of the item. Our current item naming system does not have the ability to add the benefit to the title when it is determined; to do so will require us to implement a new system in order for it to do so.

will we see anarchic return to the table soon? i noticed none of the new gear has it.

[EllisDee37]

We are looking into what it would take to have the names of items dynamically update with random loot, although our initial investigation indicates it will be a time-consuming development effort.

The change is due to the way item properties now automatically update based on the minimum level of the item. In the past, there were separate effects for Strength +1, Strength +2, Strength +3, etc., distributed based on the maximum potential of the item. Now, the item simply applies Strength and the bonus is assigned based on the minimum level of the item. Our current item naming system does not have the ability to add the benefit to the title when it is determined; to do so will require us to implement a new system in order for it to do so.The + value is almost irrelevant. I mean, it would be nice to have in the name, but the hassle you describes makes it probably not worth it.

But the name really needs to include all the effects. Whatever work needs to go into the system to make the name include all the base effects would be justified.

[Kompera_Oberon]

Why gnome is shorter than halfling?
Gnomes stands between dwarves and halflings!
;););)

Because money. It's cheaper for them to put a few new skins on halflings than it is to actually make a new race.

Is this really the Producers Letter?
Yes, that was really the producer's letter. They have over and over again set the expectation for mediocrity and you're actually surprised that they meet it?

What exactly is the "bug zapper"?
It's probably intended to eliminate bugs, like a bug zapper eliminates insects. But that is a poor analogy. A better analogy would be a game of Whack-a-Mole, where they fix one bug and another new bug pops up to take its place.

A few hints of what will happen later in the year would have been nice. This first quarter thing smacks of "I have no idea" for the rest of the year.
I read it less as "I have no idea" and more as "I am incapable of setting a schedule and keeping it, so why bother to even try?"

Devs, I hope you all slow things down a bit and focus on quality over quantity this year.
And I hope they stop entirely and focus on fixing the dozens, nay, hundreds of existing bugs.
But Christmas does not come twice a year.

Originally Posted by Basura_Grande
Wouldn't a producer letter be better if it told us more about what's coming next year than what happened in the previous year? I mean we were here for 2015.
That usually doesn't turn out so well.
And that is exactly why they should try to address that failing, rather than throwing their hands up in despair and claiming "It's just too hard! We can't possibly do it right, so we may as well not do it at all!"

i dont understand this logic, hows a new race more important then improving some old classes like fvs, arty, fighter... :confused:I, too, would love to see this point addressed by the producer or any dev at all.

I think its more likely that he wants the freedom to change plans without people being unreasonable about it.Don't you mean "Without people actually expecting that a business person, a professional, should be capable of making a projection and sticking to it?" Because that expectation is not unreasonable at all. If they simply cannot meet that expectation then a 12 step program may be needed. First, admit they have a problem, etc.

Now, the item simply applies Strength and the bonus is assigned based on the minimum level of the item. Our current item naming system does not have the ability to add the benefit to the title when it is determined; to do so will require us to implement a new system in order for it to do so.
So: Can dynamically determine bonus based on the minimum level of the item, but can't dynamically determine name based on the bonus type. Gotcha. It seems as though you have the system being requested developed already, you're just not willing to do the work necessary to export the functionality from the bonus level to the name.

[Hephaistor]

Because money. It's cheaper for them to put a few new skins on halflings than it is to actually make a new race.


I am glad they didn't spend more resources on gnomes. IF they were doing a new character model it should be something amazing and Gnomes are… fine… but not amazing to me.

[Astoroth]

Because money. It's cheaper for them to put a few new skins on halflings than it is to actually make a new race.

Yes, that was really the producer's letter. They have over and over again set the expectation for mediocrity and you're actually surprised that they meet it?

I read it less as "I have no idea" and more as "I am incapable of setting a schedule and keeping it, so why bother to even try?"

And I hope they stop entirely and focus on fixing the dozens, nay, hundreds of existing bugs.

Don't you mean "Without people actually expecting that a business person, a professional, should be capable of making a projection and sticking to it?" Because that expectation is not unreasonable at all. If they simply cannot meet that expectation then a 12 step program may be needed. First, admit they have a problem, etc.

So: Can dynamically determine bonus based on the minimum level of the item, but can't dynamically determine name based on the bonus type. Gotcha. It seems as though you have the system being requested developed already, you're just not willing to do the work necessary to export the functionality from the bonus level to the name.

Well I have no problem with gnomes, I don't think it will be much work and they need new products to sell. They should paint half orcs green and sell half/trolls (half/skrag for the iconic) version. Its about all this amounts to. For the low low price of 1295 tp you can have a character with regenerative self healing in its enhancement tree.

As regards to the producer letter in general it was a far cry from the lotro letter where they made a commitment to provide some quality of life improvements. Our producer mentions two things from this last year like it was a huge accomplishment just to get those two done.

I tried to provide them lamania feedback, but honestly a few weeks before the release they were still discussing design basics. It's no surprise it blew up in their face. The way I see it they have an unmotivated staff, and the only tool their management has is hard deadlines to make them push stuff out ready or not. Otherwise nothing would ever get done. In such an environment I don't see how bugs and quality of life issues will ever be addressed. As much as I'd like to see it happen.

[Captain_Wizbang]

Every open-instanced "event" has been a lagfest.
I pray you are not making the new one permanent.

As for a Dev vs player scenario. June '08 when you blew up the tent and we battled, it didn't go so well for the devs. Bring it on. Especially Eladrin, the Cube & Kookie Kobold.
Too bad feather of a sun isn't around, I'd like to whoop him with a ghost-bane club.:cool: