Turbine isnt a fan of powergamers

[Borror0]

So why does it seem the rest of the forum crowd is having such a hard time accepting this reality?

Think about it. Why do people get frustrated when they get a tax increase? What is good for the group might not make the individuals happy.

Also, if they don't make their voice heard, they might get nothing. It is in their right to voice their frustration about the way things are done. Also, it's all nice to try to attract new players, but you don't have to forget the current playerbase is paying your bills. Investing in the future is good, but you have to remember the future won't pay your bills now.

They can also complain about wasted efforts, like the Black Loch.

[DoctorWhofan]

Agreed.

So it seems pretty much everyone is on the same page in this thread (not on the specific examples, but on the general direction). So why does it seem the rest of the forum crowd is having such a hard time accepting this reality?

Because reality is something some people cannot handle. Remember, for some, the world revolves around them andwe all must cater to that.


Personally, I cannot handle Reality. It's rather overated. Give me Science Fiction and Fantasy instead!

[Stormanne]

I look at the current trend they've taken as a positive sign. They're trying to reel in new blood to the game, and while we, the veterans are feeling left out, we're not. In a way, they are going to reward our patience and loyalty with an outside the norm level cap raise. Yes, it's still three months away at best, but considering the company has repeatedly done two levels at a time, four levels in one whack is definitely a big undertaking. And for all you powergamers out there, think about this...When mod 9 goes live, there will be enough new, high end content ( at least there had better be ) to fill in four levels worth of XP. As long as the content is challenging; and contrary to popular belief, casual players do want a challenge; and engaging, it should be enough to keep you all busy for at least a weekend...

[Strakeln]

I think it's an attempt at balance, not necessarily a shift of commitment. From what we have heard about Mod 9, it should be one of the largest content updates we have had:

• Level cap incrased by four levels
• new race(s)
• new raid

Don't get your hopes up. The following is an attempt at a realistic interpretation of what we will actually see (come back when mod 9 is released to see if I was at all accurate):

1) Level cap by 4 levels? Possible, but I wouldn't be surprised if this changed to 2 levels with the a non-committed promise of 2 more with mod 10
2) New Race(s)? /snicker. Someone has been telling me to expect this "in the next mod or two" since I first started the game 2.5 years ago. I highly doubt it... oh, wait, there is a new tactic: they could make the races available so that they can take credit in newsarticles, but then disable the races so no one can use them! Best of both worlds!
3) New Raid? Highly likely. I'm really hoping they will break out of this STUPID "run old content to flag" paradigm. Hello? Turbine? I've been running your old content for A MINIMUM OF SIX MONTHS. Whoever thought this idea up should be taken out to the parking lot and shot.
4) Mod 9 in February! See ya in April. If we're lucky.

[Turial]

....
They can also complain about wasted efforts, like the Black Loch.

I do like my own personal pirate cove though. Yarrr, I be the only one in Stormreach with me own ship!

[KoboldKiller]

Sweet, another negativity thread.

Feel the love.

[Deathseeker]

Sweet, another negativity thread.

Feel the love.

KK, did you actually read through the thread? With a few exceptions, almost everyone is in agreement that the direction is correct and ultimately good for the game...at least that's how I read it. That's about as positive as you'll see these days on the forums!

[Milolyen]

Don't get your hopes up. The following is an attempt at a realistic interpretation of what we will actually see (come back when mod 9 is released to see if I was at all accurate):

1) Level cap by 4 levels? Possible, but I wouldn't be surprised if this changed to 2 levels with the a non-committed promise of 2 more with mod 10
2) New Race(s)? /snicker. Someone has been telling me to expect this "in the next mod or two" since I first started the game 2.5 years ago. I highly doubt it... oh, wait, there is a new tactic: they could make the races available so that they can take credit in newsarticles, but then disable the races so no one can use them! Best of both worlds!
3) New Raid? Highly likely. I'm really hoping they will break out of this STUPID "run old content to flag" paradigm. Hello? Turbine? I've been running your old content for A MINIMUM OF SIX MONTHS. Whoever thought this idea up should be taken out to the parking lot and shot.
4) Mod 9 in February! See ya in April. If we're lucky.

1) I doubt they would have told us they we're going from lvl 16 to 20 if they were not 100% sure they are going too.

2) Thought they did say mod 10 for the new races so Tim is mistaken about this point but could be wrong as I did not listen to it.

3) I have to agree with you there.

4) Just like when they said Mod 8 in oct everyone was saying nov/dec right?

Milolyen

[KoboldKiller]

KK, did you actually read through the thread? With a few exceptions, almost everyone is in agreement that the direction is correct and ultimately good for the game...at least that's how I read it. That's about as positive as you'll see these days on the forums!

I was being silly. Totally not intending to be negative forgot my little

[Timjc86]

Don't get your hopes up. The following is an attempt at a realistic interpretation of what we will actually see (come back when mod 9 is released to see if I was at all accurate):

They definitely have a history of, to put it nicely, being a bit overambitious when planning modules. Your interpretation may compare well to Mod 9 release notes.

2) Thought they did say mod 10 for the new races so Tim is mistaken about this point but could be wrong as I did not listen to it.

That is correct. I was semi cramming for a test when I first posted, so I didn't bother to track down mod 9 tidbits and make sure I was accurate. The recent GameBanshee interview has Kate Paiz as saying:

"The Half Orc and Half Elf will be coming sooner, probably in Module 10, and will also echo their classic, D&D player handbook selves. Everyone is very excited about the Half-Orc’s +2 strength bonus as well as customizing their tusks."

So no new races for mod 9. Edited previous post accordingly.

[Gunga]

Is 30-40 hours a week powergaming? I spend that here, and never any other game before. I love that broad statement people are consistently proven wrong.

[Dymond]

Is 30-40 hours a week powergaming? I spend that here, and never any other game before. I love that broad statement people are consistently proven wrong.

Hell I know I maybe play half that if I'm lucky and I only have one capped toon in 2 1/2 years? I often wondered what is considered the amount of hours somebody needs to play in a week to have 8+ capped toons on a server.

[Gunga]

Hell I know I maybe play half that if I'm lucky and I only have one capped toon in 2 1/2 years? I often wondered what is considered the amount of hours somebody needs to play in a week to have 8+ capped toons on a server.

I have 8 capped toons....you runnin with the wrong cru.

[Noctus]

I have 8 capped toons....you runnin with the wrong cru.

Or he has severe alteritis.

[Thrudh]

Is 30-40 hours a week powergaming? I spend that here, and never any other game before. I love that broad statement people are consistently proven wrong.

Umm.. yes, 30-40 hours a week is equal to a full-time job

[Deathseeker]

Is 30-40 hours a week powergaming? I spend that here, and never any other game before. I love that broad statement people are consistently proven wrong.

In the original post, I was referring more to the broad "stereotype" of a powergamer, roughly meaning (or at least as I referred to it):

1. Plays consistently 25+ hours per week
2. Generally focuses on end game
3. Focuses on highest level of loot possible to acquire
4. Generally min/max's their build
5. Prefers fastest possible way to complete a quest
6. Prefers to run with like minded, similarly able players

I am not in any way suggesting that this is a good or bad playstyle (whatever gives you fun from your subscription fee is up to you), that's just what I would describe a "powergamer" as.

If that describes you, then my premise is that DDO is not focused right now on your type of playstyle. After Borror0, Tim's and Mithran's posts, that was altered to "not right now, but likely will come back to it in the future".

As with any stereotype, this is a broad statement of course. But I still think it applies..if the above describes your playstyle, then the latest mod is probably not your cup of tea. That's intentional on Turbine's part IMO, as the focus is elsewhere. And IMO, I think it's a wise choice on their part for the overall health of the game.

[Dymond]

I have 8 capped toons....you runnin with the wrong cru.

Or I like sunshine and exercise and spending time with my family.. but yours sounds more convincing...

[Voalkrynn2]

Looks to me like Turbine has made a conscious commitment to target newer and more casual players, at the possible expense of the more traditional long time power gamer. I think the evidence is fairly obvious that they are moving resources away from end game much more than in the past…

1. New player area focus
2. New player generation paths
3. Hirelings
4. New raid loot system random oriented vs rewarding dedicated grinding
5. Icey raiments for all
6. Rainbow now as intended, which makes it a slow run and not as easily farmable
7. Eldritch rituals based on lowbie collectibles
8. Named loot in NPE minimizes twinking need
9. Mod 8 content all able to be run by 6
10. Large increase in number of outdoor areas
11. 3 barrel cove addition
12. Monk addition

Etc, etc, etc…

I think the pinnacle of end game content targeted at the powergamer was the Shroud mechanic, and it worked fantastically. For some reason (I’d guess a business reason), they seemed to move away from that. Maybe it didnt help the bottom line as it wasnt seen until months into a new subscription, and they were losing the player before they ever got there? Just a guess...

Is this change in focus good or bad? Well, if you love farming the Shroud, love having the most exclusive loot on the server, and completely power level through low end content, well, I’d say you see this as bad. If you like messing with rerolls all the time, like different playstyles (RP, PD, solo, or just creeping), and raids for the top end loot aren’t your main focus, then I’d say you are happy with the direction in general.

I think this is why you see such a polarization on the forums. Will be interesting to see if their strategy pays off in a better financially performing subscriber base, or has the opposite effect.

For me, I like the direction. I think chasing the powergaming crowd is a neverending struggle. Attracting and satisfying new customers faster than losing long time players seems a more realistic strategy. That’s great if your Turbine, not so hot if you are one of those powergamers.

Just my opinion of course…

Might it be the high end content is the domain of the power gamer?