Are you really going to release this update with no new PrE's? Really?

[Natashaelle]

So let me ask this then. How long are you willing to wait for them to get the PrE's right before they release anything?

New Mods/Updates should not be delayed just because in-development content X isn't ready, in situations where there is quite enough content Y that's ready for release to constitute a new Mod/Update.

[Bunker]

So let me ask this then. How long are you willing to wait for them to get the PrE's right before they release anything?

Trick question but I will answer anyways.

Most fans of DDO will probably answer by saying they will wait as long as possible for them to get it right. Sure there will be some players that will get fed up wit waiting for releases. Heck, we already lost some players because of just that very thing.

It isn't always about the speed at which they release stuff in game. I think it has a lot to do with communication or lack there of between the devs and the players.

It is coming up on 1 years since this:

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=166967

.....was posted. We have seen little to know update of when these PrEs will be avaiable in game since then. Yeah yeah, I know, the new Mod, EU, ddo store......The list goes on and on *** what they have been busy doing.

So if they are busy, say so. Lets see that communication. Isn't there someone employed with Turbine that does that very thing. Tolero or something like that? But please, respect the players and kick the "Vast & Mysterious" answer into the trash. A few REAL answers would be great.

One other thing, if the devs don't know when they will be coming out, I bet they still have a date in mind. I'm sure they are scared to give the players a date for fear of not hitting it. Not like that hasn't happened before. Again, it comes down to communication.

P.S. Why is that a trick question you asked? We play the game. We like the game. Who would say they won't wait as long as it takes and then log back in and continue playing.

[KoboldKiller]

New Mods/Updates should not be delayed just because in-development content X isn't ready, in situations where there is quite enough content Y that's ready for release to constitute a new Mod/Update.

This is my point. People are asking for PrE's to be released with this update which appear to not be ready so either they do not delay the update and release without them upsetting some people or the delay the release upsetting other people.

[Bunker]

This is my point. People are asking for PrE's to be released with this update which appear to not be ready so either they do not delay the update and release without them upsetting some people or the delay the release upsetting other people.

Do you think that they should continue with the "Epic" quests before finishing and releasing the PrEs?

[Twerpp]

I dont think its a horrible update, this last one focused on the launch of EU and aimed at newbs for the most part. This next one with True Reincarnate and re-specs obviously an attempt to please the hardcore. We are getting some long-awaited long asked-for stuff. As long as it doesnt take a year to launch or a year til the next mod I'm happy with it.

[bobbryan2]

This is my point. People are asking for PrE's to be released with this update which appear to not be ready so either they do not delay the update and release without them upsetting some people or the delay the release upsetting other people.

It wouldn't be an issue if they would do smaller updates. But when things are delayed 4-5 months when they don't make it to the next update... it gets to be a big deal.

Taking your point to the extreme... We shouldn't have updates, because they should just release something as soon as it's finished. Not that I necessarily disagree with that assessment... but that's not how the devs do it, either.

[jakeelala]

Talked with a dev ingame.

The update is complete. What you see there now, is what's going on live soon.

that was awfully forthcoming of them to just up and tell you that.

[Lear_beta]

well i seriously don't mind much that we wont get the PrC in module 10 (i'm primary a Europe player), but i would very much like to know the planned effects of the missing prestige enchancements and the set effects on ToD rings. I'm getting closer to crafting my two rings on my main (clr), and well i have to swap around equipment, refarm SoS and prequests to get the right effects on armor. and well if i choose the wrong rings i have to do that again later on. and seriously i think farming for the right armor once, is bad, twice is horrible... if i have to do it 3 times.... i'll track down a dev and tickle him untill he cries!

[MDS_Geist]

So if they are busy, say so. Lets see that communication. Isn't there someone employed with Turbine that does that very thing. Tolero or something like that? But please, respect the players and kick the "Vast & Mysterious" answer into the trash. A few REAL answers would be great.

If would be great if the Developers would give us some sort of Weekly Announcements or Updates. We could call it the DWA - Developer's Weekly Announcements, or maybe the WUD, Weekly Update (from the) Developers. Wouldn't that be a swell idea?

[Public service announcement: Yes, I know that we use to have a WDA and I looked forward to it each week. This is a not-even-close-to-subtle hint that it would be a good thing for that to come back]

[Mjesko]

It has been almost a year since they release the PrEs that would be coming into the game. The released a few finished ones but there are still many more to be put into the game and some that need finishing.

It is nice to see all the new projects that i'm sure is taking up developers time, but how about FINISHING projects before starting new ones.

Yeah that is exactly how Turbine acts at the moment. They start many new projects (TR, epic quests, ...), but do not finish the old ones (ranged combat, prestige enhancements, ...).

[KoboldKiller]

Do you think that they should continue with the "Epic" quests before finishing and releasing the PrEs?

Actually with the constant complaints I have seen by long term players about lack of content and things for them to do, plus the speed at which they blow through the new content, yes I do.

[crooth]

I'm about to speculate, and thus I could be completely wrong. But...

It looks to me that this team just went through a pretty major vision change. They went from producing an MMO focused on competing head-to-head with WoW/<all others> to a new business model that has them competing but in a different way (for them and much of the US - I know this model is similar to the Asian market approach.)

Given what got released in EU, you have to imagine the leadership went to the team and said "Team, remember that old priority list? Throw it out - we're starting over with a new vision, and a new set of priorities. This new vision is why we will win in a market otherwise crowded with competitors." Of course you know why they did this, right? They were losing.

Now this doesn't meant the old list is literally gone, but I suspect there are several new things on the list. Also, I bet they are seeing what works/doesn't work with the new business model and tweaking the product as a result. All those new things will have a higher priority than the old things. I really believe they will eventually get to the old things because the game is incomplete without the PrEs and other stuff, but it will take longer than they first anticipated or promised.

What I see now is a new set of features aligned very strongly with the business model and that is focused on getting people to use that DDO store. Why introduce reincarnation? Because it has you starting over and if you're doing that who wouldn't want to use those cool XP potions? Oh, and if you've flipped from VIP to Premium, it has you interested in buying adventure packs for lower level content you otherwise wouldn't need. I'm sure you can see other reasons to use the store. And if people use the store, they win.

[Mjesko]

What I see now is a new set of features aligned very strongly with the business model and that is focused on getting people to use that DDO store. Why introduce reincarnation? Because it has you starting over and if you're doing that who wouldn't want to use those cool XP potions? Oh, and if you've flipped from VIP to Premium, it has you interested in buying adventure packs for lower level content you otherwise wouldn't need. I'm sure you can see other reasons to use the store. And if people use the store, they win.

Hmmm yes, but the new prestige enhancements could encourage the players to test new builds and to purchase more character slots, tomes, ...

[smatt]

I recall a post by Eladrin not to long ago, maybe 3-4 weeks where he mentioned in a very brief manner that he was currently working on new PrE's...... So it's likely going to be update 2 or 3....

[smatt]

I'm about to speculate, and thus I could be completely wrong. But...

It looks to me that this team just went through a pretty major vision change. They went from producing an MMO focused on competing head-to-head with WoW/<all others> to a new business model that has them competing but in a different way (for them and much of the US - I know this model is similar to the Asian market approach.)

Given what got released in EU, you have to imagine the leadership went to the team and said "Team, remember that old priority list? Throw it out - we're starting over with a new vision, and a new set of priorities. This new vision is why we will win in a market otherwise crowded with competitors." Of course you know why they did this, right? They were losing.

Now this doesn't meant the old list is literally gone, but I suspect there are several new things on the list. Also, I bet they are seeing what works/doesn't work with the new business model and tweaking the product as a result. All those new things will have a higher priority than the old things. I really believe they will eventually get to the old things because the game is incomplete without the PrEs and other stuff, but it will take longer than they first anticipated or promised.

What I see now is a new set of features aligned very strongly with the business model and that is focused on getting people to use that DDO store. Why introduce reincarnation? Because it has you starting over and if you're doing that who wouldn't want to use those cool XP potions? Oh, and if you've flipped from VIP to Premium, it has you interested in buying adventure packs for lower level content you otherwise wouldn't need. I'm sure you can see other reasons to use the store. And if people use the store, they win.

Yep, you're likely close to the mark here... As I'e said all along, the game as time rolls on will be designed in ways to get you into that store.... The quests will be designed with this in mind, everything will. Kind of like how sports stadiums for a very longtime had very few drinking fountains in them.... Why give free water when they can charge you for a drink... Or how Disneyland USED to have a nice picnic area inside the the gates wehre a family could pack in their own lunch and eat away... Well that picnic area dissappeared....
I've also said from the beggining I think this is a good move business wise, it's a good model looking in rom the outside, and likely the best way they could've gone.

I think the game has been vastly improved with DDO-EU... It's better than I thought really, they pulled it off after a very rocky year. I don't blame them for taking the approach they have at all. There indeed are some very glaring, wait....... MANY annoying bugs and broken things left unfixed.... But it's pretty good overall....

I'm just hoping they do another bug patch soon...... The bugs new and long standing are piling up....

[crooth]

Hmmm yes, but the new prestige enhancements could encourage the players to test new builds and to purchase more character slots, tomes, ...

Hmmm maybe, I'm not sure how many people create new chars for this purpose. Sounds like you do?

Given how cheap it is to respec enhancements I suspect PrEs are a gold sync more than they are a revenue source. But I admit I don't know for sure.

[Yurtrus]

How about we just wait until they arrive, not complain and enjoy the game as it is now and for whatever they throw us each update?

[404error]

No new PrE's for Update 1 but keep your ear to the ground for Update 2 in a month (or two).

[Dylos_Moon]

No new PrE's for Update 1 but keep your ear to the ground for Update 2 in a month (or two).

well at least someone finally said something heads or tails about PrEs, there have been hordes of posts asking about PrEs, good to finally be thrown a bone.

[Bunker]

well at least someone finally said something heads or tails about PrEs, there have been hordes of posts asking about PrEs, good to finally be thrown a bone.

He really didn't say anything about PrEs. He just said keep your ear to the ground. For all we know, we could be keeping our ear to the ground to hear them say nothing will be coming out for undate 2.

I feel a touch of Vast and Mysterious about to hit the horizon.