Discussion: Message From Positron 4 Year Anniv!

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one of the things I can talk about is a feature that we are planning. Similar in concept to our character creator, it allows you, the players, to create missions and story arcs for your characters and others to participate in. You’ll be able to pick the map, villain group, and objectives, as well as write the dialog and any clues needed for the missions. When you are satisfied with it, you can upload it and have other players across all servers play it and rate it. Fame will come to the players whose stories rate the best overall.... but are excited to be able to offer players very soon.


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HOLY CRAPPP!!!

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I can’t tell you how excited I am for our game’s future, and although we have some major announcements yet to be made,


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What could be more major than this announcement?

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Red Hot Rage lvl 50 scrapper
SG: Visions of the Victorious

I have been playing MMOs since EQ was in beta. I don't think any news in any game I have tried has ever impressed me or made me so excited as this. I love this dev team.

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Five to one odds that enemies in these missions give 0 rewards. At least until reviewed. That, or we are going to get handcuffed on all sorts of things. Or maybe we'll get to choose the xp or the handcuffs?

This is going to be really amazing, though, either way.

I wonder if "any servers" could also mean Test servers? That would allow us to respec into crazy builds in order to handle crazy missions without mangling our characters.

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Wow... umm, Actual* player created content.. I honestly wasn't expecting that after Jack left. This is very good news and shows they're ready to compete directly with CO


*-I don't consider Bases to be "Content" b/c there's no reward for PvP'ing in them.
They may be a time-sink but they're not unique or balanced enough to provide real entertainment.

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Like everyone here I think this has the potential to be something that will breathe new life into the game. The potential for this is as much awesome in it's potential as it is scary in it it's implementation. There are several features that I'd like to see as part of this.

1) ability to select more than "generic warehouse map" "generic sewer map" "generic cave map" and "generic office map". I really don't think that we'll have full design control of the maps. I highly doubt that we'll be able to edit them room per room as like we can with the bases. The ability to select between x number of maps of each style is _probably_ where closer to what we're going to be seeing.

2) some way to limit who can play the missions. I would like to make PERSONALIZED missions for my SG. Missions based SOLELY on some of the characters in my group, and perhaps around my characters as well. I wouldn't want ever Tom, Dick and Mighty Man to be running these missions. Would I want to make some general content ones for everyone? Sure, but the ability to custom tailor some missions for friends will be a big selling point of this.


this being said, I have some predictions about how this will all be implemented.

1) It will not be until I14 or I15 at least.

2) the mob spawns and ratios of Minion/Lt/Boss/EB will not be uber tweakable.

3) Exp and Inf and Salvage drops will be solely based on existing formulas. We won't be able to edit them. (if anything they'll have a built in factor that will make them less attractive as far as exp/inf and salvage, just to curb any potential abuse)

4) We will not be able to include things like ambushes into missions.

5) enemies will still be limited on their current level spread. I really don't think we'll be seeing level 52 hellions.

Now, I'm hoping that the system will be more flexible than what I'm foretelling here. Even if it is it will STILL be a WONDERFUL addition to the game, and one that i will use with GLEE.

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Arc #1267 The Key of Brass and Flame

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I can’t tell you how excited I am for our game’s future, and although we have some major announcements yet to be made,


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What could be more major than this announcement?

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Ponies. Duh!

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What could be more major than this announcement?

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The game will be switching to an optimized version of the CryTek engine which looks a bit better than Crysis and runs great on my grandma's old Pentium 2 PC.

OK, so it isn't realistic. I thought the idea of user created content wouldn't be realistic, either. Yet there it is.

Now about that City Vault.....

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I can’t tell you how excited I am for our game’s future, and although we have some major announcements yet to be made,


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What could be more major than this announcement?

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Ponies. Duh!

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I thought the mission creator would let us make our own ponies.

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That blue thing running around saying "Cookies are sometimes food" is Praetorian Cookie Monster!
Shoot on sight, please.

Oh dear. Looks like my big ol' Notepad file (and the character story arc entries in my SG's global wiki) is finally going to see some action. o_o It would be nice if Task Forces are included since a couple of my drafted things are better suited for them, but they can be converted into normal story arcs, too.

Possibly... this may supplant the Archnemesis system that's been speculated upon? Especially if you're allowed to design the boss. (I hope one can! Some of my characters also serve as enemies in others' story arcs!)

I also predict that some of us villainous folk may want to "rewrite" certain patron arcs so they can choose not to betray them (even if said patron still fails due to Arbiter Daos butting in as he loves to do). :P

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@Yoshi Ayarane -
Ayarane Project | Character Listing

Even if you can't design your own boss/archnemesis when this thing launches, you can bet the first thing I'll do is make myself a villain arc where you can beat up Recluse for forcing his patrons' attentions on you.

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In reality, I think it might be CoX's version of Mad Libs...


Select a Villain Organization.
Select a Map.
Select Mission Type.
Insert Primary Antagonist's Name Here.


As I said before, I think it will give players a chance to expand their creativity, but I think that's about it. I doubt you'll be able to select where mobs will be located at or where the important object will be placed. The Devs will put up safeguards to ensure there aren't ubermobs or unique and rare item drops.

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^ That was exactly my thoughts when I read this:

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Similar in concept to our character creator, it allows you, the players, to create missions and story arcs for your characters and others to participate in. You’ll be able to pick the map, villain group, and objectives, as well as write the dialog and any clues needed for the missions. When you are satisfied with it, you can upload it and have other players across all servers play it and rate it.

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The maps most likely are the ones already in the game with preloaded spawn points and specific layouts of rooms. No where does he say you will be able to customize your own spawn points, only that you pick your maps.

However, I am still enthused about this. Its very good news.

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Re the mission creator being a 'mad libs' affair... I doubt it. Positron said that players could play your missions, so if it was just Defeat All <mob type> in <map type> why have the sharing at all? It's not going to be absolute control, but I bet there's more to it than just setting some of the parameters for the already extant random mission generator.

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wait, didnt posi always want to have an arch nemisis system?

do you think he'll let us make them for these missions?

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Just think, odds are we won't see this until Issue 14 , 13 if we are REALLY lucky. But think of how many new maps will be created by the devs between now and then for us to choose from..=)

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@PlasmaStream
"Big Bada Boom(tm)!"
1295 Badges
http://GuardianForce.Guildportal.com - Virtue
Niska: Are you Familiar with the works of Shan Yu?

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Here's what I think the devs will do.

They'll create a brand new base editor that's much easier to operate and has about 100 times more items and options than the one we're currently saddled with. Once that's tested and debugged and gone live and further debugged by in-game use then they'll start work on the mission editor version.

The mission editor will essentially be the new base editor sans certain base only things (like storage and teleporters) and with new things added. Specifically spawn point flags and dialogue entry boxes.

One of the biggest problems with player created content will be the huge amount of it. There are two very good ways to cull the gold from the [censored]. One of those ways was already mentioned by Positron: player ratings. The second way is to create a barrier to entry. This makes it more likely that missions will only be created by those people that are really really interested in creating missions. The best barrier to entry would be to package the mission creator in a box and charge real money for it.

Neither one of these things alone will ensure that you will never play in a player created mission that is anything other than garbage. But together they seriously increase a player's access to only the best missions. They also make it much easier for the devs to take only the best and most popular player created content and officially add it to the game.

As an added bonus by doing it this way they will be able to kill two birds with one stone and save time and effort in the process.

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I concur and endorse this course of action.

I'm also guessing that player created missions will be just for-fun: "Here is my map of a thousand sappers. See who can complete it in the best time."

Based on a player ratings and Dev approval, certain maps may have their own reward system: "This map is worth 10k inf. if you complete it in time." Or, "This map is worth 10 NCCoins."

And then certain maps the Devs might actually make into missions or Strask forces and put them into the game (properly adjusted for 'normal play and rewards' expectations).

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Speeding Through New DA Repeatables || Spreadsheet o' Enhancements || Zombie Skins: better skins for these forums || Guide to Guides

I don't think anyone should get too excited about "custom farm maps", I think this feature will be more of a side-game, not for xp or drops or badges. Purely for fun, and fun it will be.

But I could be wrong.

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Could you even generate content for your SG that can be *gasp* run from the base Mission Computer/Oracle!?

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Can you say Danger Room? *er well, uhm... maybe Dangerous Room?
Well probably not - but you get the idea.


And the first thing I thought of when someone was talking about putting Hellions in a mission, in addition to someone mentioning they might work like Radio missions - is the ability to put in humorous things in the mission texts.

Example: I ran into a Radio mission featuring Hellions, who'd kidnapped Dr. Frank N Scott, and were trying to get information on a ritual from him.

I just about died when I saw some of the NPC text in the chat window "We know the first part of the ritual is a jump to the left..."

It sounds good to me, I'm sure they have something in mind to deal with the really Obvious potential exploits - customizing a map to maximize Drops, XP, or whatever.

It's also been pointed out that there are plenty of farmable missions now anyway so if people want to run through their own boring maps over & over - that's not much different than what people can do now, or what you always been able to do.

That is by making a new character to re-do all the missions from the beginning (choosing the Origin that will tend to give you whatever you prefer to fight/farm).

If people choose to do that fine, But hopefully more people will actually be interested in using it as Posi Described

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" to create missions and story arcs for your characters and others to participate in. You’ll be able to pick the map, villain group, and objectives, as well as write the dialog and any clues needed for the missions. When you are satisfied with it, you can upload it and have other players across all servers play it and rate it. Fame will come to the players whose stories rate the best overall.

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I'm intrigued by the idea that there might (possibly) be a new type of reward/currency - basically something new to strive for, or work towards = "Fame".

A reward/goal that couldn't be gained be Grinding, would most likely be not transferable (a least to some extent - it could be tied to a player account, not to specific characters), and its something the RMT'ers won't be able to offer for sale!

Even if the aforementioned "Fame" is just literal fame = bragging rights (maybe with a pseudo-scoreboard?) it would be something new for players to work for.

Obtaining fame, whether it's quantified or ranked (or maybe not - although this would be passing up a great opportunity) - It would be a new spin on the idea of "End-game content" that people are always clamoring for.

Although there really should be a new term for it, because "End-game" would be an extremely oxymoronic way to describe this New Element of the game - because it would allow us to have a nearly "Endless Game".

Even if it part of the system works out to be several large lists - that the "GM"(?) will choose from - aka "Pick X number of factions, on map type Y, with a semi-generic mission goal of Z".

You would still be able to do Tons of storytelling - only limited by your imagination, using the Mission text, Npc dialog, various props = "glowies", hostages, Npc "pets", etc.

And ideally the destructible "Mayhem Mission" stuff, maybe side-missions, ambushes/events and who knows what else the might be cooking up?

I'm Totally Stoked about this Announcement, and can't wait to hear more details about it.

Oh and for all the people worried about Created Missions effecting the ESRB Rating... They could easily use a disclaimer to the effect of "Player created content not rated by the ESRB", very similar to the way Tabula Rasa does with "Online Interactions Not Rated By The ESRB" shown prominently on the login screen.

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"The U.S. is in no more danger of coming under Sharia law than it is the rules of Fight Club." - Will McAvoy.

I'm in shock. Gah, that is just amazing.

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But it's MY sadistic mechanical monster and I'm here to make sure it knows it. - Girl Genius

List of Invention Guides

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I don't think anyone should get too excited about "custom farm maps", I think this feature will be more of a side-game, not for xp or drops or badges. Purely for fun, and fun it will be.

But I could be wrong.

[/ QUOTE ]I expect you're right. Otherwise it would be ridiculously easy to build the perfect farm map that would be used endlessly.

On the other hand, for legitimate use, it's awesome news!

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http://www.fimfiction.net/story/36641/My-Little-Exalt

*after reading this thread starts doing the happy dance for an hour....returning to his after he forgot what he was so happy about and starts reading the post all over again*

JoyGasm!!!!
Holy smokes....
This is freakin prefect you can combain Great stories with awsome XP... A TF with wide open areas, Lots of AVs, and a decent challenge!!!
OK i think i better go chain myself to the bed before i go complitly insane....

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Just think, odds are we won't see this until Issue 14 , 13 if we are REALLY lucky. But think of how many new maps will be created by the devs between now and then for us to choose from..=)

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About as many as have been created in the last year... I.E: two. Rikti and Roman. (Unless I12/13 contains more new map types than that.)

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http://derekl1963.livejournal.com/

kewl beans

Kick [censored] announcments toay

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I think we have added more free features with our updates than any other MMO on the planet.

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Apparently hasn't played Asheron's Call 1.

No worries, I forgive you!

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All I have to say is ...oh man oh man! This is awesome!!!

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S.thug ((level 50 Invul/ss tank Pinnacle))
Wild Childs ((Level 50 Nin/SR Stalker. Virtue))
Quote="Not Racist. Not violent. Just choosing to no longer be silent."

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I can’t tell you how excited I am for our game’s future, and although we have some major announcements yet to be made, one of the things I can talk about is a feature that we are planning. Similar in concept to our character creator, it allows you, the players, to create missions and story arcs for your characters and others to participate in. You’ll be able to pick the map, villain group, and objectives, as well as write the dialog and any clues needed for the missions. When you are satisfied with it, you can upload it and have other players across all servers play it and rate it. Fame will come to the players whose stories rate the best overall. It is features like these that we never dreamed of including when we first shipped, but are excited to be able to offer players very soon.

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IT'S HARD TO OVERSTATE MY SATISFACTION

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