A possible solution for the AE Babies?
By
BBQ_Pork,
Posted on: 2009-07-25 06:17 in Suggestions and Ideas
[ QUOTE ]
We can't remove XP from AE. The box advertises it as an alternative way of getting from Lv1-50. To change that would be to open themselves up to a lot of trouble.
But who says that the toons playing AE from Lv1-50 *has* to be Lv50 in the "real" game?
I propose this: Virtual XP and Virtual Levels.
The idea is that it doesn't matter how good the simulation is, it's only a simulation. It cannot prepare you for the real thing. A pilot can spend hours and hours in a flight simulation training until he gets the hang of things, but he's never going to be a real pilot until he actually flies a *real* plane and gets some hands-on experience.
The same applies for being a superhero. You can spend a ton of time honing your fighting skills ... but that doesn't mean that you're ready to take on Lord Recluse himself.
So while you're in the AE, doing AE missions, you get Virtual XP and gain Virtual Levels. This is an alternative leveling path that applies only to AE missions. So if a Lv1 newbie enters a boss farm and goes to Lv50 ... he's Lv50 *only* in the AE building. When he steps outside of the AE building, he's back to being a Lv1 newbie because all of his experience was virtual.
But what if you're already a Lv37 superhero? Does that mean that when you're in the AE building, you're Virtual Lv1? No. You already have 37 levels of real experience, and those real experience are going to help you in the simulation. If you're Security/Threat Level 37, then when you enter the AE building, your Virtual Level is also 37. You can get up to VL50, but when you exit the AE building you'll go back to being Lv37.
Bottom line is, if you want to make it to Lv50 in the real game, you have to play the real game itself. But if you're contend to stay in the AE all the time, you can make it to VL50 and be powerful in the virtual world. You can level from 1 to 50 in AE ... but only in the AE virtual reality.
I'd remove inf and prestige from AE, and increase the ticket output. You could use tickets to purchase slots for both your "real" build and your "virtual" build. Anything that is put into your real build is duplicated into your "virtual" build.
[/ QUOTE ]
Interesting. So a third build added to the Dual Build system?
If you copy into the third build from one of the two existing builds, it would have to know which one to copy from. And you would have to be unable to pull and sell copied enhancements from the virtual build. Otherwise, I could grab a character with purples slotted, copy into a VR build, respec ten of the fresh copies out and sell them, and repeat as needed, using vetspecs, freespecs and respec recipes.
It might also be difficult to keep track of multiple amounts of XP on the same character.
[ QUOTE ]
Thoughts? Suggestions? I'm a horrible person and should be tarred and feathered?
[/ QUOTE ]You might be. I don't know you in RL, though. I only know the Virtual You so far. 
I propose this : instead of putting all that effort to think about how to change a system many people enjoy, try to put that same effort to think about how could you improve your own gameplay experience.
Possible suggestions : not reading broadcast, forming your own teams and not minding other people's business all the time.
holy cow, some one sounds hostile "not minding other peoples business" that doesnt sound like the best way to make friends, the idea sounds good to me, it sounds like it would be hard to implament though, good suggestion
[ QUOTE ]
So while you're in the AE, doing AE missions, you get Virtual XP and gain Virtual Levels. This is an alternative leveling path that applies only to AE missions. So if a Lv1 newbie enters a boss farm and goes to Lv50 ... he's Lv50 *only* in the AE building. When he steps outside of the AE building, he's back to being a Lv1 newbie because all of his experience was virtual.
[/ QUOTE ]If your L50 character is one who got there via AE, using "virtual levels", then would it unlock a EAT/VEAT that was only usable while within the AE? I would assume not, since all characters spawn outside of the AE.
[ QUOTE ]
But what if you're already a Lv37 superhero? Does that mean that when you're in the AE building, you're Virtual Lv1? No. You already have 37 levels of real experience, and those real experience are going to help you in the simulation. If you're Security/Threat Level 37, then when you enter the AE building, your Virtual Level is also 37. You can get up to VL50, but when you exit the AE building you'll go back to being Lv37.
[/ QUOTE ]
Okay. Here's one for you.
A L1 enters the AE and levels to L20. He exits at levels L-MG-1/L-AE-20 (Main Game / AE).
He then plays the main game to L14, so he is L-MG-14 / L-AE-20? Or would the AE XP add together with the MG XP for L-14 / L-AE-25+?
[ QUOTE ]
If your L50 character is one who got there via AE, using "virtual levels", then would it unlock a EAT/VEAT that was only usable while within the AE? I would assume not, since all characters spawn outside of the AE.
[/ QUOTE ]
No, you'd have to unlock Lv50 in the main game in order to get the epic ATs. A toon with virtual Level 50 would not unlock the epic ATs.
[ QUOTE ]
Okay. Here's one for you.
A L1 enters the AE and levels to L20. He exits at levels L-MG-1/L-AE-20 (Main Game / AE).
He then plays the main game to L14, so he is L-MG-14 / L-AE-20? Or would the AE XP add together with the MG XP for L-14 / L-AE-25+?
[/ QUOTE ]
Nah, your virtual level would still be 20. It'd only start to increase when your main game level surpasses 20. At that point, your "real-world" experience would compensate for your lack of "virtual" experience.
I have no idea how hard that would be to code, though. I imagine that it'd require a lot of coding, and allow for a lot of potential bugs to slip by.
Play my MA arcs!
Tracking Down Jack Ketch - ArcID #2701
Cat War! - ArcID #2788
Okay. Your answers are pretty much what I expected in responce to my questions.
And I'm glad that you remembered: [ QUOTE ]
We can't remove XP from AE. The box advertises it as an alternative way of getting from Lv1-50. To change that would be to open themselves up to a lot of trouble.
[/ QUOTE ]
I think that the thing to do is to wait and see what I-16 brings in the "set yourself to count as a team of 1-8 for setting mission spawn sizes". Especially if it only works in main-game missions.
If farmers have the best reward/time ratios in main-game missions, they will not be in AP. Nor will they pad thier main-game missions with doorsitters who will take a split of thier drops.
Less spamming in AP. Fewer farm teams as the more competent farmers head for greener pastures.
Less PL'ing leading to fewer L50's who don't have a clue.
I'm really digging this idea. AE build, with AE levels, AE drops that can only be used for that build, etc. That would stop the Farm Belt Avengers from running amok in Paragon City, throwing off the bell curve for the rest of us.
So basically, "What happens in AE stays in AE".
Then what's the point of playing in AE? This is no better than just removing XP altogether.
Not A Good Thing.
If you want to get the Farming/PLing out of the starter zones, do something aimed at that. Don't throat cut those of us who enjoy using it as an alternate way to level, but don't PL.
[ QUOTE ]
So basically, "What happens in AE stays in AE".
Then what's the point of playing in AE? This is no better than just removing XP altogether.
Not A Good Thing.
If you want to get the Farming/PLing out of the starter zones, do something aimed at that. Don't throat cut those of us who enjoy using it as an alternate way to level, but don't PL.
[/ QUOTE ]
And once again Neptune is in Venus and you find Tripp and I agreeing.
On some parts anyway. 
Wouldn't work, at least not in accordance to game lore.
Select below for spoilers:
According to Doctor Aeon in Dev Diaries, the "simulation" is actually a custom-tailored pocket reality.
I love how the OP wants to complain about the MA, and then advertises his AE arcs in his sig, that is priceless!
[QR]
I, too, wish to complain about certain aspects of MA and possible ways of improving them. See my signature for details.
[ QUOTE ]
I love how the OP wants to complain about the MA, and then advertises his AE arcs in his sig, that is priceless!
[/ QUOTE ]
Trying to help the AE Babies play the game and enjoying one's AE arc are two different things.
I sit in my zen of not being able to do anything right while simultaniously not being able to do anything wrong. Om. -CuppaJo
It is by caffeine alone that I set my mind in motion. It is by the beans of Java that thoughts acquire speed, the hands acquire shaking, the shaking becomes a warning. It is by caffeine alone that I set my mind in motion.
While reading a thread about "AE Babies" (aka new players who have no idea that there's a game outside of the AE building) and how little they knew about actually playing the games with their Lv50s, I was struck with an idea.
We can't remove XP from AE. The box advertises it as an alternative way of getting from Lv1-50. To change that would be to open themselves up to a lot of trouble.
But who says that the toons playing AE from Lv1-50 *has* to be Lv50 in the "real" game?
I propose this: Virtual XP and Virtual Levels.
The idea is that it doesn't matter how good the simulation is, it's only a simulation. It cannot prepare you for the real thing. A pilot can spend hours and hours in a flight simulation training until he gets the hang of things, but he's never going to be a real pilot until he actually flies a *real* plane and gets some hands-on experience.
The same applies for being a superhero. You can spend a ton of time honing your fighting skills ... but that doesn't mean that you're ready to take on Lord Recluse himself.
So while you're in the AE, doing AE missions, you get Virtual XP and gain Virtual Levels. This is an alternative leveling path that applies only to AE missions. So if a Lv1 newbie enters a boss farm and goes to Lv50 ... he's Lv50 *only* in the AE building. When he steps outside of the AE building, he's back to being a Lv1 newbie because all of his experience was virtual.
But what if you're already a Lv37 superhero? Does that mean that when you're in the AE building, you're Virtual Lv1? No. You already have 37 levels of real experience, and those real experience are going to help you in the simulation. If you're Security/Threat Level 37, then when you enter the AE building, your Virtual Level is also 37. You can get up to VL50, but when you exit the AE building you'll go back to being Lv37.
Bottom line is, if you want to make it to Lv50 in the real game, you have to play the real game itself. But if you're contend to stay in the AE all the time, you can make it to VL50 and be powerful in the virtual world. You can level from 1 to 50 in AE ... but only in the AE virtual reality.
I'd remove inf and prestige from AE, and increase the ticket output. You could use tickets to purchase slots for both your "real" build and your "virtual" build. Anything that is put into your real build is duplicated into your "virtual" build.
I'm not sure how the logistics of that would work out, and I'm aware that it would essentially create a "game within a game." But that seems to be the best way to deal with the "AE Babies" who are woefully inexperienced with the overall CoH game.
Thoughts? Suggestions? I'm a horrible person and should be tarred and feathered?
Play my MA arcs!
Tracking Down Jack Ketch - ArcID #2701
Cat War! - ArcID #2788