Dear Devs, Is it safe to reincarnate?

[redoubt]

Thanks for your response.

[Mofus]

Judging by all the threads about lost items and tomes, I for one would have to say no. And since you will not get a response from the dev's, I put in my 2 cents.

[blerkington]

Oh yeah, it's perfectly safe to reincarnate. Safe as houses. And contrary to what you've heard, the more gear you have and the harder it would be to replace, the safer this process is.

No gaming company that deserves to stay in business would so careless as to let a core gameplay mechanic fall into disrepair and endanger the progress made over a span of years by their loyal customers, whom they love as much as life itself. That is just unthinkable.

In the very unlikely event such a serious problem ever did occur you can be **** sure it wouldn't be ignored for years while the incidence of the problem occurring grows, spiking suddenly at a time when the company has just crept out of the nest of its corporate overlord and is spreading its wings for its tenuous first flight alone. SSG has a metric ****-ton of spare cash set aside in a war fund for situations like this, and if it does occur it will be all hands on deck and no expense spared to fix it.

Well okay, maybe it did - allegedly - happen, but as we've been told, it's only affecting a very small number of people. If you squint hard enough, most of those threads about it on the forums will just disappear, la la la, it's all fine now. Those threads are probably all written by one inexplicably malicious trouble-maker anyway, using a variety of sock puppet accounts. He or she is the sort of person who will 'never be happy anyway', because of their completely unreasonable expectation that years worth of effort and hundreds of dollars spent shouldn't disappear in a flash due to no fault of their own.

Anyway, if by some vanishingly small chance you were somehow affected, the customer service team would recognise the seriousness of your issue and contact you immediately after you submitted your ticket. They would fix the problem in a totally reasonable amount of time, restoring all your lost items, tomes and xp, and show you the company's deep appreciation of your custom in this competitive market with a sincere apology and a gift of store items for your trouble. The service would be so good you'd find yourself wishing the bug would happen again, just so you could experience this special kind of love once more; life away from it would seem empty, bland and meaningless.

They would certainly not make you wait around for weeks for a response, lie to you about not being able to restore items, and try to pension you off with an insultingly small offer of DDO points for gear that may be wildly impractical or even impossible to replace. Throughout the whole experience, you would be constantly enveloped in the warm glow of feeling like a valued patron of the game, not a liar, exploiter or inconvenience.

So go ahead, punks. Make their day and yours by pressing that reincarnation button. And don't forget to tip on your way out.

Thanks.

Edit: Oh snap, I can't believe I forgot to mention that obviously if for some reason a customer lost their gear and was not helped, they would be filled with zeal to play and spend even more money than before. It wouldn't even cross their minds to leave the game and take money SSG doesn't even need elsewhere.

They and their friends would be galvanised into recommending the game to other people, so subs and store spending will rocket up. With customer confidence at an all-time high and positive word of mouth spreading like wildfire, DDO would have its golden age. So you see, if this 'problem' is even happening at all, it's all part of the master plan.

[Azriel_Angelus]

Oh yeah, it's perfectly safe to reincarnate. Safe as houses. And contrary to what you've heard, the more gear you have and the harder it would be to replace, the safer this process is.

No gaming company that deserves to stay in business would so careless as to let a core gameplay mechanic fall into disrepair and endanger the progress made over a span of years by their loyal customers, whom they love as much as life itself. That is just unthinkable.

In the very unlikely event such a serious problem ever did occur you can be **** sure it wouldn't be ignored for years while the incidence of the problem occurring grows, spiking suddenly at a time when the company has just crept out of the nest of its corporate overlord and is spreading its wings for its tenuous first flight alone. SSG has a metric ****-ton of spare cash set aside in a war fund for situations like this, and if it does occur it will be all hands on deck and no expense spared to fix it.

Well okay, maybe it did - allegedly - happen, but as we've been told, it's only affecting a very small number of people. If you squint hard enough, most of those threads about it on the forums will just disappear, la la la, it's all fine now. Those threads are probably all written by one inexplicably malicious trouble-maker anyway, using a variety of sock puppet accounts. He or she is the sort of person who will 'never be happy anyway', because of their completely unreasonable expectation that years worth of effort and hundreds of dollars spent shouldn't disappear in a flash due to no fault of their own.

Anyway, if by some vanishingly small chance you were somehow affected, the customer service team would recognise the seriousness of your issue and contact you immediately after you submitted your ticket. They would fix the problem in a totally reasonable amount of time, restoring all your lost items, tomes and xp, and show you the company's deep appreciation of your custom in this competitive market with a sincere apology and a gift of store items for your trouble. The service would be so good you'd find yourself wishing the bug would happen again, just so you could experience this special kind of love once more; life away from it would seem empty, bland and meaningless.

They would certainly not make you wait around for weeks for a response, lie to you about not being able to restore items, and try to pension you off with an insultingly small offer of DDO points for gear that may be wildly impractical or even impossible to replace. Throughout the whole experience, you would be constantly enveloped in the warm glow of feeling like a valued patron of the game, not a liar, exploiter or inconvenience.

So go ahead, punks. Make their day and yours by pressing that reincarnation button. And don't forget to tip on your way out.

Thanks.

+1

[Carpone]

Reincarnating with the current bugs is DDO's equivalent to Russian roulette. DDO devs don't care enough to make this multi-year-known-issue a priority.

[scipiojedi]

Thanks for your response.

It's safe. I TRed last weekend with no difficulty.

[Carpone]

It's safe. I TRed last weekend with no difficulty.
The plural of anecdote is not data.

[Cantor]

It's very rare. (I've done 100+ reincarnations with no probs other than losing tomes once on a ER, no issues once I started taking my time in the process) But, it's a possibility. So I'm TRing like usual and just taking off everything that is not btc.

I don't have a lot of btc stuff I couldn't replace relatively easily. I'd hate to lose my GS, but they are very old (from when you had to do all 3 tiers the same to get max boost to a skill) and not in the best slots/builds anyway. I'd hate to lose my CitW weapons (almost a complete set), but even those are mostly outdated. If it happened to me it wouldn't kill my gameplay, but I'm not someone who has tons of gear from raids that are not run anymore / not easily shortmanned. I can see how for many it would be a game killer.

[Renvar]

I've reincarnated 3 times in the last week or so. All went smoothly. That said, the bug still exists. I would highly recommend taking the following precautions:

1) Move all unbound and BtA gear to the shared bank and/or alts.

2) Move any BtCoE gear gear you can to the Shard AH. List it at insanely high prices and only an 8 hour window so it isn't actually bought.

That should limit your exposure to the inventory issues to just BtC gear.

3) Take a screen shot of your feats that list out your stat tome bonuses, fate tomes, and any skill tomes you have.

4) When reincarnating and arriving at the beach in Korthos, don't move. Just stand there for 2-3 minutes. Go get a drink. Take a bio. Chill. Give the game time to move your stuff and setup your TR Cache. It seems like a lot of the heavy lifting of the TR happens not when you click reincarnate or go thru character creation, but between when you click CREATE and when the game loading screen ends with you on the beach. Let the game catch up a bit, just to be safe. Take this time to setup your UI, join your channels again, etc.

It's not a guaranteed solution, but it has worked for me so far.

[Keladon]

The plural of anecdote is not data.Thanks for the laugh, this is equally applicable to those experiencing issues though.



2) Move any BtCoE gear gear you can to the Shard AH. List it at insanely high prices and only an 8 hour window so it isn't actually bought.


I had no idea you could do that, thank you for the helpful tip!


I have to say, I do take some precautions aswell, even if they don't help, I'm sure it won't hurt either.
Did 8 TR's in the last month (pretty much all the past lives I have) and had no issues at all.

For me it's mainly about limiting the amount of bound items I have in general (thanks again for the tip) and completely closing the game before a TR.

[Cantor]

2) Move any BtCoE gear gear you can to the Shard AH. List it at insanely high prices and only an 8 hour window so it isn't actually bought.



Great idea, I hadn't thought of that one.




4) When reincarnating and arriving at the beach in Korthos, don't move. Just stand there for 2-3 minutes. Go get a drink. Take a bio. Chill. Give the game time to move your stuff and setup your TR Cache. It seems like a lot of the heavy lifting of the TR happens not when you click reincarnate or go thru character creation, but between when you click CREATE and when the game loading screen ends with you on the beach. Let the game catch up a bit, just to be safe. Take this time to setup your UI, join your channels again, etc.

Seems to be what I've noticed too, there is sometimes a noticeable time when you still have some stuff on you after a TR login.

[scipiojedi]

It's safer than my daily commute. I tell you, I see 2-3 fender benders everyday. Wish people would learn how to drive.

[SpartanKiller13]

Just my bit of anecdotal evidence, I had no issues TRing in the past week.

My process:

1) Toss in heart of wood.
2) Log out.
3) Close game.
4) Wait a while (I usually play another game here).
5) Open game.
6) Reincarnate.

Nothing complex. Although I don't have a lot that I'd miss too much (Except for the fresh set of Slaver's gear I just made :P).

[cpw_acc]

It also helps if you stand on one leg and whistle while TR-ing.

Honest.

[Cantor]

(Except for the fresh set of Slaver's gear I just made :P).

BTA! don't risk it.

[zehnvhex]

I've reincarnated 3 times in the last week or so. All went smoothly. That said, the bug still exists. I would highly recommend taking the following precautions:

Solid advice. I have a DDO backup folder with screenshots of all my gear (and add to it when I get new items), feats, reaper/crafting xp (because we've had guildies in the past who entire characters were deleted when TR'ing) and I also backup my keybindings and layout files because even those have gotten corrupted in the past.

The TR bug is pretty much here to stay. Best we can do at this point is just prepare for it.

[Hobgoblin]

The TR bug is pretty much here to stay. Best we can do at this point is play another game.

fixed!

[Livmo]

Just my bit of anecdotal evidence, I had no issues TRing in the past week.

My process:

1) Toss in heart of wood.
2) Log out.
3) Close game.
4) Wait a while (I usually play another game here).
5) Open game.
6) Reincarnate.

Nothing complex. Although I don't have a lot that I'd miss too much (Except for the fresh set of Slaver's gear I just made :P).

This is what I do with one change:

1) Toss in heart of wood.
2) Log out.
3) Close game.
4) Restart computer (MS updates can get in the way of a good TR.
5) Open game.
6) Reincarnate.

[UurlockYgmeov]

This is what I do with one change:

1) Toss in heart of wood.
2) Log out.
3) Close game.
4) Restart computer (MS updates can get in the way of a good TR.
5) Open game.
6) Reincarnate.

you forgot the following:

sacrifice 1st born, give away all worldly possessions and pray.

[Livmo]

you forgot the following:

sacrifice 1st born, give away all worldly possessions and pray.

This is what I do with one change:

1) Toss in heart of wood.
2) Log out.
3) Close game.
4) Restart computer (MS updates can get in the way of a good TR.
Missing step- make/eat snack after computer boots and checks for updates. This part is key. Nobody wants to be the poster toon for a Snickers commercial
5) Open game.
6) Reincarnate.

[SpartanKiller13]

Except for the fresh set of Slaver's gear I just made.
BTA! don't risk it.

Eh I already did risk it, but no problems. I'm already leveling up nicely :) Good advice for next time though. I just like having everything I'll need in one useful bank that isn't wasting space like throwing it in my shared bank would be.

I'm beginning to think that the reaper enhancements are OP. I have all of 6 points, but that's 58 hp regardless of where I throw them at the tank tree. No wonder people with lots of Reaper xp can do whatever they want lol.

[Renvar]

give away all worldly possessions

This is actually the bug...

[Captain_Wizbang]

read my sig......

[LT218]

The TR bug is pretty much here to stay. Best we can do at this point is just stop giving SSG more money until **** like this is fixed.fixed!
I fixed your fix.

[Ullikummis]

give away all worldly possessions

If we weren't attached to our material possessions, we wouldn't keep reincarnating...

[Fallout47]

Thanks for your response.

If you want to speak to someone at SSG check in with Kylstrem's thread offering suggestions for better communication of weekly specials started 8-24-17, it received a response in 16 minutes from Cordovan.

The speed with which Cordovan responded should enlighten the community on their intentions of ever responding to the TR issue. Please prove me wrong Cordovan, and offer these people some concrete answers on what SSG's plan is to make things right in regards to lost items, both acquired in-game and with real world money.

[Jasparion]

Reincarnating with the current bugs is DDO's equivalent to Russian roulette. DDO devs don't care enough to make this multi-year-known-issue a priority.

That is a bit unfair. It could be they just dont have the skills to fix the problem.

[Nonesuch2008]

This is what I do with one change:

1) Toss in heart of wood.
2) Log out.
3) Close game.
4) Restart computer (MS updates can get in the way of a good TR.
Missing step- make/eat snack after computer boots and checks for updates. This part is key. Nobody wants to be the poster toon for a Snickers commercial
5) Open game.
6) Reincarnate.

When exactly do I use the chicken foot in the process though? Somewhere in between ???? and Profit?

In all seriousness, the monitoring routine has been in place long enough to gather plenty of data points, the question is do they have enough of the relevant data points to extrapolate what the cause or contributing factors to the issue are?

Someone else posted a great idea, they should open up Lamma & let people do rolling reincarnations there to monitor and gather data. Even if we came up with an "it only happens after the 9th reincarnation" type of answer, that would still be something to work with & help people to avoid the issue.

[PermaBanned]

...offer these people some concrete answers on what SSG's plan is to make things right in regards to lost items, both acquired in-game and with real world money.I'm faily sure they've already told us everything they intend to do towards rectifying things for the affected players/characters.


In all seriousness, the monitoring routine has been in place long enough to gather plenty of data points, the question is do they have enough of the relevant data points to extrapolate what the cause or contributing factors to the issue are?Well... this post (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/488776-Where-is-t-he-additional-monitoring-to-look-into-TR-cache-I-lost-all-my-gear!?p=6008073&highlight=#post6008073) from Lynnabel seems to indicate that at least some sources have been found via said monitoring, and that some steps are being taken towards correcting the problem. Afaik that's their only comment on the results of the monitoring.

[Isolani]

After epic + heroic TR last week, I lost all my stacked xp boosts, my +6 Supreme Ability Tome, and all of my skill tomes from sagas and a +3 UMD skill tome. Didn't lose any equipment, which is strange, since people seem to lose equipment more often. Submitted a help ticket 6 days ago, haven't heard anything at all yet. Some kind of response even just to let me know I submitted my ticket to the proper people would be nice. Instead, I'm just completely in the dark. So my anecdotal advice is that reincarnation is not safe yet.

[Marshal_Lannes]

Have Heroic TR'd twice in the last two weeks, everything is just fine.

[LT218]

Have Heroic TR'd twice in the last two weeks, everything is just fine.
Having known and run missions with someone who just TRd in the past 3 weeks and lost everything, TRing is buggy as hell.

[Fallout47]

Have Heroic TR'd twice in the last two weeks, everything is just fine.

Can't argue with that 'statistically significant' piece of data. I'm out.

[Pyed-Pyper]

Thanks for your response.

Do you feel lucky?

[Keladon]

Can't argue with that 'statistically significant' piece of data. I'm out.

Works the other way around too.

[Carpone]

That is a bit unfair. It could be they just dont have the skills to fix the problem.
Not my circus, not my monkeys.

[Mr_Helmet]

SSG's business plan:

1. ruin the end-game and make it all about TRing.

2. Break TRing.

[airbornerangers]

SSG's business plan:

1. ruin the end-game and make it all about TRing.

2. Break TRing.

if you can!

[Wonedream]

I got an infraction for using profanity on another thread about this.

The point was this...

If this doesn't get fixed, handled, dealt with and fast...

DDO will lose its players.

[Fallout47]

Thanks for your response.

4. Communicate on the forums about the "lost items during Reincarnation" bug. Even if you say every week: "We are still working on this, but it is a tough nut to crack". and/or "We apologize if you lost items. At this point we do not have a way to restore your gear. We hope to offer recompense/solution in the future". Update that each week if you need to. Staying silent is not the way to approach this. It is obviously a problem, so just own it. Your customer base will appreciate that more than complete silence. Complete silence is interpreted as "We are not reading this", or "We aren't worried about it", or "you are screwed". Again, just a weekly update even if it is the same update is better than what you are doing now. Sticky it at the top.

This is from Kylestrem and his thread suggesting SSG better communicate their weekly specials and events. I apologize for inadvertently contributing to derailing that thread with my shocked reply on Cordovan's 16 minute response to the OP. I think the quote above is a measured and logical suggestion.

Contrition can be a powerful tool in 'disarming' your detractors. It takes a certain amount of maturity to reach this conclusion, however. At present, SSG seems to be succeeding in alienating their oldest and most dedicated customers with their wall of silence.

I have too much invested in this past time, including many friends, to just let this one slide. Too many of our community have left already. Man-up SSG, and tell us, your customers, what you are going to do to improve the service we pay for. Give those who have lost gear/tomes, a process for submitting a list of their lost items, if you are unable to provide a back-up copy post TR. Do not allow this 'ticket' to be auto canceled because your customers can't languish on-line for days awaiting a response. This isn't rocket science, hell, it's not even computer science, it's more like 'common sense 101'.

[Isolani]

I did an in-game help ticket last night, and after 2-3 hours GM Crane contacted me and mailed me all my lost tomes. So I lost a few 20% xp boosts and a whole lot of 10% xp boost time is all in the end, which still shouldn't happen and I hope they can get these TR issues fixed. I'm not sure if they can even give xp boost time back. I was so happy to get my tomes back, I forgot to even ask the GM about the boost time I lost. I just won't stack time on boosts anymore until they get these TR problems ironed out.