DDOCast 321 - Ask the Devs: Producer Rowan

[pjstechie]

Patrick is joined by Cordovan and very special guest Executive Director Rowan for a new Ask the Devs and the latest Update 21 news!

Want to win some points? We are giving away 2 @ 500 point codes. Just leave a comment and let us know what you were most excited to hear about from this episode and we will pick 2 winners!

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Interview with Producer Rowan - 2:17
News - 37:21
WWBD - 1:18:03
Lightning Post - 1:20:30
Closing - 1:24:58

DDO Chronicle 77
Haunted Halls Alpha Preview
Lammania Release Notes
DDOGamer Hit Point Curve
Order of Syncletica Sneaks Through Splinterskull
Evennote’s Tomato Stat Theorem
Cordovan’s Streaming DDO Thread

[pjstechie]

and again, a huge thank you for cordovan and rowan for taking time out of their weekend to hangout with DDOCast! Much appreciated guys, keep up the good work, cant wait to see what's coming up next!

[Lerl]

Update 21 and Update 22. Also, MOAR inventory space!!

[Havok.cry]

Player Input on sentient weapons.

[Erdrique]

I'm also very curious to see how the sentient weapons will work!!

[Fafnir]

Rowan is a champ. I like what he said and was really on top of it. Good stuff.

[Arcath]

Wow, love all the info that was put out. Excited for more inventory space! You asked for suggestions on VIP perks, you want an increase in VIP sign ups? Make one of those inventory spots a VIP perk.

Other VIP perk suggestions:
Guildship portal key - (think eveningstar key except drops you on your airship)
Random surprises - Thanks for the free epic heart. It wasn't expected, but added value. Very much appreciated.

[Khorae]

I am most excited about the Haunted Halls.

[Ebergar]

Definitely sentient weapons. I want a hammer that talks like dwarf, or a sword that comments my victories with cheesy quotes .

[Thumbed_Servant]

New content is always great, but...potions drinkable by barbarians while raged?!? THIS is a MAJOR long term bug...IF they can fix THIS, it portents the possibility that they might be able to and might actually fix other long term major bugs. *crosses fingers*

[Avenir]

Looking forward to the Sentient weapons, wondering if these will be similar to weapons in LOTRO.

[Trogloditas]

Wow, pirate ships droping from the sky?
Gona love the new 3BC!

Cool stuff from this video:
/raid completions
Yay!

I like Cordovan at his best (0:52:33):
If you can't beat it it's YOUR fault!

Also liked the reaction of Cordovan (at 1:05:10):
Patrick: All potions should now be able to be used while enraged and all the barbarians rejoiced!
Cordovan: ... Yeah! ...

[Robai]

1:20:30
It was mentioned that Iconic gear can't be equipped by non iconic characters.
Oh, really?
That's very useful thing to know (also sad news).


And the big excitement news on this video:
1:21:01
On Lamania 2 extra bank bases?
Wow, that's THE NEWS!

[btolson]

Sentient weapons are pretty interesting, but the concept is still too vague for me to get really excited about it.

What's got to be the most exciting thing mentioned is the prospect of getting hirelings fixed, since I use them all the time (and sometimes deeply regret it). No more Hireling Fails would get me very excited indeed, right down in my special places!

[Grosbeak07]

I most excited about the potential of some bard love via Swashbuckler.

Although the new way of communicating with the player base is also very much appreciated!

[Myrddinman]

There's some great stuff in this episode!

Things that caught my attention...
- Swashbuckler = shut-up and take my money! I've been wanting to roll a Bard for so long, but can never bring myself to do it
- Sentient weapons = I agree, it's a little vague right now; but I like the direction
- Guild Airship attention = giddy-up
- A possible 3rd raid = I'm sure this will get some folks tingly
- More inventory space = my inner hoarder is swooning. This being said, why can't we get scroll cases and spell component bags...wouldn't this really help the issue?
- VIP love = keep it coming
- Dedicated focus on more communication

What I found odd...
- No mention of DDO's 8th Anniversary = weird, considering how close we are to the date


All in all, I'm really looking forward to this year

[silinteresting]

divine epic destiny at last.

bard love at last.

and finally a bid thx to the devs for more
communication.

your friend sil

[Postumus]

Like a lot of what I'm hearing so far in the Rowan interview:

1- no plans for PvP

2- big plans for guild ships

1. personalized cosmetic stuff
2. permanent ship items you buy ONCE not rent
3. more flexible layouts - more player choice about what goes where
4. centralized buff point! (no running around to get buffs)

3- foster and expand slate of events run by players

1. Cordovan mentioned if anyone puts together something like a PvP tournament or event to get in touch and he can help providing 'cool stuff.'

4 - plans to include player council in upcoming design of sentient weapons

5- plans for VIP perks

1. solid, steady updates for VIPs throughout the year
2. and.... "love to hear your ideas?"

Things I was a bit sad (but not surprised) to hear:

1. No real plans to do anything with crafting until possibly end of year
2. No plans for new monster manual pages - too artwork/cost intensive to do well and would require a lot of player demand.

[Postumus]

Great response regarding player feedback.

"I think that Epic reincarnation, even though the early versions of it got a lot of flames, for example, was actually a really good exercise for us in terms of having that communication. And that's fine we can take a bit of fire to get the right answer."

[krzyysiek098]

What was most important for me?
1) guild stuff update - customization of airships (decorations), balancing amenities, make them long-lasting (finally, no more rentals!), new airships, 1-click gimme all-buffs shrine
2) update to hirelings' AI
3) 2-3 new raids this year
4) news about Monsters Manual - good to know that it involves lots of work, but we love it! Keep it coming please!