A sneak peek at Update 24’s dungeons … and beyond

[Loromir]

Replies in Blue



Well these are amongst my favourites after 4 years playing this game - The quests I'll happily run again and again and again:

Prove Your Worth {Heroic}
The Legend of Two Toed Tobias {Heroic}
Gwylan's Stand
Tomb of the Shadow Guard
Tomb of the Shadow Knight
The Xorian Cypher
Tomb of the Tormented
Tempest Spine
Relic of a Sovereign Past
Purge the Fallen Shrine
Chains of Flame
PoP

I pretty much agree with this list with one big exception....Tomb of the Tormented. Standing around watching one person attempt to herd a rat through a maze is boring. I would say, it's even boring for the puzzler.



I would add to this list: Tear of Dhakaan. You need a specific party make up if you want to do all the optionals. I run this quest about 3 or 4 time each life.

[Loromir]

Sev, I am very surprised at the decision to launch more low level (CR26) content. I could have sworn that you guys were done with that phase, and would from now on churn out endgame stuff.

What happened? This is going backwards.

Although I agree with you about the need for more CR30+ content...I'm not sure Xoriat is worthy of being called "End Game" content. I do believe that these Xoriat quests were probably a way to roll out new content with a relatively low development cost. I imagine they are reusing and repackaging lot of old assets to deliver "New" Xoriat content. Lets face it, the DDO staff has been thinned down to not much more than a Skeleton crew. I think they are doing all they can to try to give us as much content as they can deliver with the limited resources they have available.

I'm not sure we're going to see a ton of CR 30 stuff to be honest. I'm skeptical if we will even see the level cap raised to 30 as they previously stated. There just isn't enough content to support that. I hope I'm wrong.

[General_Gronker]

but the truth is we’ve been listening to what excites you guys when it comes to D&D settings.

Clearly, you have not been listening.

Yep, we will be creating our own version of the original, classic Temple inside DDO.

I wish I could get excited about this, but considering the content you've put out over the last two years, I just don't trust you to do it right. I think what we'll probably get is, at best, a homage to ToEE. Especially since you said it right there:

our own version

I don't want your version, I want the module's version. Or at least as found in the stand alone video game (without the bugs). And that's not going to happen unless you all take a long, hard look at how you design your modules and critters.

[General_Gronker]

I'd like to see each level of ToEE, or at least group of related levels, be it's own dungeon as apposed to one massive dungeon.

That's not really The Temple of Elemental Evil then, now is it? So, no, your idea is bad.

[jozzcooper3]

Ohhhh he just said Temple of Elemental Evil. 'Scuse me while I change my pants.

[Loromir]

I think bringing ToEE in at lvl 7 for Heroic is actually a great marketing move (If they make an effort to advertise it). Over the past 2 years all of the new content has been focused to appease the veteran crowd. The average new player coming would not expect to have an opportunity to play the new high level stuff. How many time do we start up a new MMO only to play the first few levels and then quit (Never getting to the really great higher level content).

Now ToEE might appeal to the old time PNP'ers and possibly draw them into the game. And the fact that it will be playable at the lvl 7 range puts it within reach of even the casual gamers who never expect to reach the higher levels. And Maybe, by the time these casual gamers spend enough time to get to lvl 7 and ToEE....might be just enough time to get them hooked.

I think this might be a good marketing opportunity Turbine. A way to breath some new life and new revenue into the game. Don't drop the ball on this one. The D&D world needs to know that you are rolling this out.

[Uska]

That's not really The Temple of Elemental Evil then, now is it? So, no, your idea is bad.

To you but not to everyone

[legendkilleroll]

I thought you guys said: "We will concentrate on creating more end-game so players will have enough content to play with when the cap will be raised to 30". I see you say one thing and then make another. Wasn't expecting any better honestly.

Does it matter what level it is really? If its atleast challenging and has some longevity to it should be the question and doesn't have loot farmed in a week

[Uska]

It wasn't meant for you but the Developers, I'm pretty sure they know what they said and when. Do a little research, I can't be bothered to find the quote among 20 livestreams and the dozens of Developers posts just for you.

PROVE they said it I read the forums every day and don't recall that statement. I don't think it was ever said

[Seljuck]

If You Devs have enough development time and resources for UP25 and ToEE, You could also revitalize Restless Isles with Titan Raid!
This raid is so different from what we have now. It's a shame that this great piece of code is underestimated. Please consider adding epic levels to it.
That would be great addition to our epic Raiding.

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

I'm not sure we're going to see a ton of CR 30 stuff to be honest. I'm skeptical if we will even see the level cap raised to 30 as they previously stated. There just isn't enough content to support that. I hope I'm wrong.

A ton, maybe not. But I bet they can churn out Update 25 quality at least once a year with current crew in addition to smaller updates throughout the year without missing a beat pretty much indefinitely. I wouldn't bet against Turbine. I say we see new content for the next three years at least... Im also betting on level 30.

Now as far as will there be enough Level 30 content that will be the challenge. Personally, I would put a new notch on the dial and turn many quests up to "Supreme 30" difficulty setting. Basically adding a new level of difficulty across the board gamewide -- for the most part killing 2 birds with 1 stone.

[The_Human_Cypher]

For those of you who are curious about what the original 'Temple of Elemental Evil' video game from 2003 looks like:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkBJWibmmsE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bh8HNcLHokU

[Eth]

PROVE they said it I read the forums every day and don't recall that statement. I don't think it was ever said

We’re pushing out the level cap for now to make sure we have plenty of questing to support your journey through the highest levels of DDO. Hitting level 30 will be a big milestone for DDO, and we want to put it out when the timing is right, and make sure its design keeps up with the way you, the players want to play DDO.

Best I could think of.

[brian14]

Hey, what happened to Anauroch?

Earlier we had mentioned Anauroch as one of the places we wanted to go in 2014. Obviously that’s not happening.

Why the change? It’s tempting to blame it all on Xorian madness, but the truth is we’ve been listening to what excites you guys when it comes to D&D settings. We may still make it to Anauroch eventually, but don’t expect it any time soon. It’s a long, long walk from Cormyr. Instead of the blazing hot desert, we’re going someplace cooler instead.

I was never particularly excited about deserts, so I have no problem with Anauroch being put on hold. But speaking of some places cooler and shadier, how about Araumycos? I would love to see it as an explorer area connected to Underdark!

[Wizza]

Does it matter what level it is really? If its atleast challenging and has some longevity to it should be the question and doesn't have loot farmed in a week

Well, it does. Not being level capped will mean that it will not be challenging, loot will NOT be worthwile to people playing endgame and we won't even be able to farm it to sell it because it will be BtAoA. So yeah, not being at cap makes a huge difference.

PROVE they said it I read the forums every day and don't recall that statement. I don't think it was ever said

Good think I don't really care if you believe me or not. Also see Eth's reply.

Best I could think of.

This is one, there was another statement, maybe in one of the Livestreams. Either way, that one is enough, so there you go Uska. Good thing you read the forums every day.

[catouse9]

They aren't robots and they retrofitted the forged into the better they were nuked and forgotten realms

I don't understand what you mean by this sentence.
they look like robots... they are not golems.

[patang01]

Although I agree with you about the need for more CR30+ content...I'm not sure Xoriat is worthy of being called "End Game" content. I do believe that these Xoriat quests were probably a way to roll out new content with a relatively low development cost. I imagine they are reusing and repackaging lot of old assets to deliver "New" Xoriat content. Lets face it, the DDO staff has been thinned down to not much more than a Skeleton crew. I think they are doing all they can to try to give us as much content as they can deliver with the limited resources they have available.

I'm not sure we're going to see a ton of CR 30 stuff to be honest. I'm skeptical if we will even see the level cap raised to 30 as they previously stated. There just isn't enough content to support that. I hope I'm wrong.

This - adding an entirely new setting like Aunurach would probably take a long time with a high cost of development. Reusing the same settings but adding a fresh quest is probably easier and quicker. And not complaining tho. Most of the Xoriat ones are fun, but it's really a love or hate type of deal. Personally I'm glad that they're saving their resources for things like ToEE and tying up some story arcs instead of opening up new ones.

[Uska]

Best I could think of.

Doesn't even say they are concentrating on it but I guess people will read,into,things,what they want to see

[Uska]

Well, it does. Not being level capped will mean that it will not be challenging, loot will NOT be worthwile to people playing endgame and we won't even be able to farm it to sell it because it will be BtAoA. So yeah, not being at cap makes a huge difference.



Good think I don't really care if you believe me or not. Also see Eth's reply.



This is one, there was another statement, maybe in one of the Livestreams. Either way, that one is enough, so there you go Uska. Good thing you read the forums every day.

It doesn't say what you said they said now does it it says pushing out not concentrating on or working exclusively on and the other mythical post doesn't either

[Uska]

I don't understand what you mean by this sentence.
they look like robots... they are not golems.

Yes they are a type of golem they certainly aren't robots