Stone of Shared Experience Promotion Feedback

[mefugly]

I too have some old friends that want to come back but most of thier toons are TR's at verious levels. Making the stone available to them would be the icing to get them to return for the expansion. The way it is now with just one per account being able to use it I dont see much room for exploits. Please make them TR Friendly!

Other than that... I like the idea!

[Tolero]

When the MotU goes live...

This will not be available when MOTU goes live. The Stones disappear from the world on launch day (i.e. any in inventories etc that are not used up disappear).

[Tolero]

Still reviewing. Good discussion in here, thanks to all who've responded thus far!

Re: TRs

On the topic of TRing, this is something that we're also heavily debating... there are pro's and con's to allowing TRs to use them. Can definitely see the application for returning players who are TRs. On the other hand the new grouping tools would allow players to specifically seek TRs for groups if they're trying to play with super-seasoned players. It cuts both ways, so definitely interested in hearing more from folks on the TR part of the equation.

Re: Newbies

In terms of "new" players... the program is designed to minimize "newbs" getting their hands on these. Limited offering, given by experienced players (most likely being friends who used to also play and know what they're doing, just took a break), that can't be horded past Xpack day, that need you to be level 8 before you can do anything with them. Vet status ends at 7. You can't buy Vet Status until you've leveled yourself up first. And if you're a player who can figure out how to jump in the limited window, navigate some edge case to try and jump up, find the path to plow through 7, then use a stone... you're pretty much smart enough to figure out how to play the game.

(on the other hand some of you who've been here since 2006 are still wiping my PUGs, so I'm not sure that there's ever a cure for that short of inventing a way to predict the future and foresee the fail before it strikes )

[MsEricka]

on the other hand some of you who've been here since 2006 are still wiping my PUGs, so I'm not sure that there's ever a cure for that short of inventing a way to predict the future and foresee the fail before it strikes

There is no cure for the disease, but there is prevention. That's what my posts were about. Preventing new players who are clueless about the game simply due to a lack of experience from jumping levels where they can learn so much.

[Arthnoxx]

Still reviewing. Good discussion in here, thanks to all who've responded thus far!

Re: TRs

On the topic of TRing, this is something that we're also heavily debating... there are pro's and con's to allowing TRs to use them. Can definitely see the application for returning players who are TRs. On the other hand the new grouping tools would allow players to specifically seek TRs for groups if they're trying to play with super-seasoned players. It cuts both ways, so definitely interested in hearing more from folks on the TR part of the equation.

I wish it worked for TR's. I only play a single character, and I TR him when I get the chance and currently he is a legend build. I was disappointed to find that even though he is level 10 I can't use this stone. Even with the 400 percent xp boost there is no groups and I'm a bad soloer, especially on a fighter with not enough silver flame favor for potions. The only thing I have interest in besides him is my druid, and once you hit 10 you cap currently :/. Guess I won't be testing the forgotten realms and epic stuff after all...

[Tolero]

There is no cure for the disease, but there is prevention. That's what my posts were about. Preventing new players who are clueless about the game simply due to a lack of experience from jumping levels where they can learn so much.

Well, I meant more that we haven't even started this promo yet and players already cat-fight with each other over who is/isn't a newb/piker/elitist/ninja looter/out-to-ruin-their-group/totally just died from lag yeeeah that's what happened, etc. Watching you all interact in various incarnations of DDO's progression over the past five years, I don't know that this is going to change that dynamic very much. People said the same things about free players "they're all kiddies who are gonna ruin my groups and kill DDO!!!" Yet here we are still. Ultimately you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it be a good player.

[Full_Bleed]

It's a limited 8 level gift with only a 30 day window to use it... and only 1 per account... I don't see the harm.

My Suggestions to address the core concerns I keep seeing--

1) Newb exclusion clause: Exclude Vet I and II's.

2) TR Use Clause: For TR's just make it a 930k XP gift (the XP value of a 1st life level 8 to 16.) That should be a sufficient enough "gift" to get retired TR's off their butts to ready themselves for the expansion... or, it might just make them consider starting a new 1st life character.


And, yes, in all honesty this is likely to benefit existing players more than returning players. But at the end of the day, whether it gets new players, returning players, or existing players ready to play the new content, I don't think it should matter all that much. Promotion is promotion.

[ArkoHighStar]

Still reviewing. Good discussion in here, thanks to all who've responded thus far!

Re: TRs

On the topic of TRing, this is something that we're also heavily debating... there are pro's and con's to allowing TRs to use them. Can definitely see the application for returning players who are TRs. On the other hand the new grouping tools would allow players to specifically seek TRs for groups if they're trying to play with super-seasoned players. It cuts both ways, so definitely interested in hearing more from folks on the TR part of the equation.

Re: Newbies

In terms of "new" players... the program is designed to minimize "newbs" getting their hands on these. Limited offering, given by experienced players (most likely being friends who used to also play and know what they're doing, just took a break), that can't be horded past Xpack day, that need you to be level 8 before you can do anything with them. Vet status ends at 7. You can't buy Vet Status until you've leveled yourself up first. And if you're a player who can figure out how to jump in the limited window, navigate some edge case to try and jump up, find the path to plow through 7, then use a stone... you're pretty much smart enough to figure out how to play the game.

(on the other hand some of you who've been here since 2006 are still wiping my PUGs, so I'm not sure that there's ever a cure for that short of inventing a way to predict the future and foresee the fail before it strikes )

The thing is most returning players etc who haven't been gone more than 3 years will not want to roll or run first life chars they will want to continue the TR's they left behind etc. So if I am giving these to any of my friends they will look at them and throw them out as useless.

This leaves me with giving them out to as many newbies as I can to maximize the chance of getting 3 people to us them

[tihocan]

Re: TRs

On the topic of TRing, this is something that we're also heavily debating... there are pro's and con's to allowing TRs to use them. Can definitely see the application for returning players who are TRs. On the other hand the new grouping tools would allow players to specifically seek TRs for groups if they're trying to play with super-seasoned players. It cuts both ways, so definitely interested in hearing more from folks on the TR part of the equation.

I'd love to be able to use this on a TR character. Obviously my goal has nothing to do with being able to play high level content from the Xpack.... I just want to skip part of the TR leveling process. Although I understand this isn't the intent you have, I would appreciate being able to gain something out of this: since I already have more characters than I can afford to play, I have no desire to roll a new one. What about a stacking XP bonus for TR characters for instance? (that would only work up to L16)

TBH I don't see much harm in letting TRs use it "as is": it's a nice bonus, makes everyone happy, and who will get hurt?

[Alcedes]

What if instead of this setting your level to 16, it simply just set your current XP to 1.2m? Then anyone could use it. First lifers would get the most gain from it as this would make them level 16. While 2nd lifers would simple be boosted to 13 and 3+ lifers would get a quick boost to like level 12.

that way everyone can enjoy it, but for the TR's there is still MUCH work to be done.

[MaximumCharisma]

I still don't understand the jump to level 16. I mean I understand that the pre-quests are level 16 but I don't understand that either. The new quests are for level 20 only right? I have not had time to go check out new content, I actually just got the email about it 2 hours ago.

If epic content and ALL of the new content is only for level 20, I don't really see why you don't make the jump up to 18 if not 20. Barring the "newb" arguement, which would be applicable in either case, I don't see much reason in stopping at 16. Why not jump players to 20? That way they could run the pre-quests on Epic-Casual to flag and at the same time taste epic.

Ignore this if <20 can do epics now

As a side, I'm still in favor of TR having access as I think a lot of returning players (i can personally think of one) would make use of it exactly as it is intended. The desire to not have to re-grind the gear made a lot of players TR even if they were not connected enough to the game to do the TR grind.

[Hokiewa]

Re: Newbies

In terms of "new" players... the program is designed to minimize "newbs" getting their hands on these. Limited offering, given by experienced players (most likely being friends who used to also play and know what they're doing, just took a break)

The thing is most returning players etc who haven't been gone more than 3 years will not want to roll or run first life chars they will want to continue the TR's they left behind etc. So if I am giving these to any of my friends they will look at them and throw them out as useless.

This leaves me with giving them out to as many newbies as I can to maximize the chance of getting 3 people to us them

Sorry Tolero, your comment about newbies is counter intuitive to the promotion. Arko has it correct here. In fact, if you allow TRs to use the stone, you will likely have far less "newbs" gaining access to one. Considering a returning TR is going to use it, a newb may not level to 8 in time to. I would hand them out, but the people I know that are on the fence are TRs....

A fish that has never been fed bacon will not eat it. A fish that has will return for more. (Hey you brought animals into...yes a fish is not an animal...)

[rjbutchko]

(on the other hand some of you who've been here since 2006 are still wiping my PUGs, so I'm not sure that there's ever a cure for that short of inventing a way to predict the future and foresee the fail before it strikes )

BWAHAHAHA!!!!!

2) TR Use Clause: For TR's just make it a 930k XP gift (the XP value of a 1st life level 8 to 16.) That should be a sufficient enough "gift" to get retired TR's off their butts to ready themselves for the expansion... or, it might just make them consider starting a new 1st life character.

AWESOME idea!
+1

[Feanor74]

1) Newb exclusion clause: Exclude Vet I and II's.

2) TR Use Clause: For TR's just make it a 930k XP gift (the XP value of a 1st life level 8 to 16.) That should be a sufficient enough "gift" to get retired TR's off their butts to ready themselves for the expansion... or, it might just make them consider starting a new 1st life character.

I really like this ideas - especially the first one excluding vets. I think it really fits in the original intent of the promotion and prohibites this "I start at level 7, just quest for 1h to get level 8 and whoops - here we go, level 16" that disturbed me all the time...

so: Signed+

[dynahawk]

To me, excluding vet I & II's doesn't only hurt new players. As I posted earlier, to me and my guildies level 10 seems to be a wall with a character. A few who have played almost 2 years have Vet status II and no character's higher than level 10. But they make and remake lots of characters using vet status to find out what they like playing. Use of these stones would get them to a new place in the game and maybe buy the Xpack.

[slimkj]

it will be abused among vets to powerlevel new toons for them. Allow me to show you how.

Some people choosing to use it not in the way it was intended is not a good enough reason to deny it to the general populace who are less enterprising/devious, imo.

[slimkj]

Regarding TRs; I don't think there should be a distinction. A player is either low level and wants a boost to be able to quickly join their friends in the expansion, or they are not. Status of lives earnt shouldn't have anything to do with it, if the motive is to allow people to play the new realm together.

[Uska]

I cant wait until this is live hope to find some people wanting these as I am rully ready to pass out a couple asap

[Shtinkie]

I'm a member of a small guild (about 7) a year or so old and all VIPs. We all have jobs and real lives, but get together once a week for a few hours. Some of us play more often and have a few alts 'cause were holding back for the guys with less spare time. I play more often than my guildies, so I'm the only one with a capped toon (the next highest is lvl 14 and average lvl 11). This is why I'm the only one to have purchased MoTU. Simply 'cause the others see no point in paying for something that they can't yet use. If I was able to help them raise their mains to a point where they could join in, then there would be at least 5 more people BUYING MoTU, and I get to run it with my guildies.

[Oletta]

I think this is a good idea even though my highest toon on live is level 7. My boyfriend is level 19 now. So this may work out good for us.