Mandatory Arc

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
In order to combat PLing and farming further, how about a mandatory arc?

Of course there are already tailor/cape/aura missions, but these are not mandatory. But I was thinking more along the lines of an arc or mission that must be completed in order to attain a certain level. This would ensure that players have to experience some of the game outside of MA.

[/ QUOTE ]
The best ways to combat any perceived PLing/farming within MA are:
[*] Run your own non-MA teams.
If the game is still good outside MA then you'll gain converts by showing them the good time and fun that's to be had.
[*] New and absorbing/exciting/unusual dev-content at a variety of levels.
If there's much more fun/exciting things to do outside MA then even the long-timers who just want to blitz a few levels may be more inclined to play the dev-content than any MA farm.

Any limits/penalties/mandatory arcs imposed upon players aren't going to make someone who wants to play MA farms stop playing them - they'll just annoy them and act as an irritant that could help drive them from the game.

Fine if that's your objective - but if it's to get more players experiencing non-MA content you're better running teams doing non-MA content. Or if it's just to avoid players doing nothing but MA farms run your own MA teams that don't do farms.

Enough people object to this perceived problem that I'm fairly sure you'd have a succesful team going before long. Invite a few newbies and have a fun time and that'll do more good than any amount of upset and suggestions on the forums.

[/ QUOTE ]

Indeed I do run teams outside MA a fair bit.

I feel I didn't communicate the purpose of the suggestion very well (yes, it's only a suggestion).

I have nothing against MA farms or even noob 50s, it's the new players that I've seen come and go over the past few weeks, it concerns me regarding the future of the game.

New players who just PL several toons to 50 without experiencing the game outside are fairly likely to get bored quickly and move on, I have seen this happen, my point I guess was to try to think of something to temper this kind of thing happening. With experienced players it's fine and I have no issue with that, after all they know what the game has to offer. But the game population and our community needs to try and retain new players and I guess I was viewing MA as a risk to that end, agreed there are better suggestions than mine in this thread.

Remove the MA's from Atlas, Galaxy and Mercy. That way people that want story can do so with no penalty, those that want to farm or get a new alt to a decent level like 20 without so much mooching around are not so crushed, and new player aren't instantly bombarded with Farm broadcast in Atlas. Which would move to Galaxy if only Atlas was removed, hence both removals.

Simple as pie.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zwillinger GG, I would tell you that "I am killing you with my mind", but I couldn't find an emoticon to properly express my sentiment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain_Photon NOTE: The Incarnate System is basically farming for IOs on a larger scale, and with more obtrusive lore.

[ QUOTE ]
In order to combat PLing and farming further, how about a mandatory arc?

Of course there are already tailor/cape/aura missions, but these are not mandatory. But I was thinking more along the lines of an arc or mission that must be completed in order to attain a certain level. This would ensure that players have to experience some of the game outside of MA.

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh yes please i just love it when im told how to play a game i pay for!............jog on

[ QUOTE ]
Remove the MA's from Atlas, Galaxy and Mercy. That way people that want story can do so with no penalty, those that want to farm or get a new alt to a decent level like 20 without so much mooching around are not so crushed, and new player aren't instantly bombarded with Farm broadcast in Atlas. Which would move to Galaxy if only Atlas was removed, hence both removals.

Simple as pie.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'd prefer them to reduce the rewards rather than remove the buildings from some zones.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Becoming more Influencal or Infamous for playing Dr Aeons fun-time-pretendy-games doesn't make sense to be at all.

[/ QUOTE ]
But then nor does trading Inf on an Auction system. Or being able to give it to friends.

[/ QUOTE ]

Bah, you and your logical extensions of people's arguments. However I'll attempt to counter with the use of extremely tenuous counter-points & examples:

The trading thing is obviously "Hey, Superdude was hanging around with Beetleman today. That Beetleman sure is cool"

And the AH thing is "Oh hello Superdude, why yes we do have some [uber recipe]s around, was going to give it to Beetleman but you're far more famous so here you go"

*watches his examples stretched waaaay beyond breaking point*

Run for your lives. She's gonna blow!

[/ QUOTE ]

TBH I view it more along the lines of a favours/threats kind of system,

I.e. Hey Superdude, Beetleman asked me to help you out a little, need a few enhancements.

The AH issue I just chose to ignore, or assume they get actual money from Hero Corps/Arachnos.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Remove the MA's from Atlas, Galaxy and Mercy. That way people that want story can do so with no penalty, those that want to farm or get a new alt to a decent level like 20 without so much mooching around are not so crushed, and new player aren't instantly bombarded with Farm broadcast in Atlas. Which would move to Galaxy if only Atlas was removed, hence both removals.

Simple as pie.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'd prefer them to reduce the rewards rather than remove the buildings from some zones.

[/ QUOTE ]

But it's the MA being so prevelant, namely in Atlas, that's the problem. Or at least it seems to be.
Atlas used to be about low level teams, hunt teams, and sewer runs. Now it's farm central, which used to be PI. Now, you still got lvl 1's in PI, asking to join farm missions, I know. But they were normally players who had played the game before. Not people who had literally just finished installing the game. Which is what they are confronted with when they go to Atlas now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zwillinger GG, I would tell you that "I am killing you with my mind", but I couldn't find an emoticon to properly express my sentiment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain_Photon NOTE: The Incarnate System is basically farming for IOs on a larger scale, and with more obtrusive lore.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Remove the MA's from Atlas, Galaxy and Mercy. That way people that want story can do so with no penalty, those that want to farm or get a new alt to a decent level like 20 without so much mooching around are not so crushed, and new player aren't instantly bombarded with Farm broadcast in Atlas. Which would move to Galaxy if only Atlas was removed, hence both removals.

Simple as pie.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'd prefer them to reduce the rewards rather than remove the buildings from some zones.

[/ QUOTE ]

But it's the MA being so prevelant, namely in Atlas, that's the problem. Or at least it seems to be.
Atlas used to be about low level teams, hunt teams, and sewer runs. Now it's farm central, which used to be PI. Now, you still got lvl 1's in PI, asking to join farm missions, I know. But they were normally players who had played the game before. Not people who had literally just finished installing the game. Which is what they are confronted with when they go to Atlas now.

[/ QUOTE ]

This. Also I can attest to the new player bit too.

[ QUOTE ]
But it's the MA being so prevelant, namely in Atlas, that's the problem. Or at least it seems to be.
Atlas used to be about low level teams, hunt teams, and sewer runs. Now it's farm central, which used to be PI. Now, you still got lvl 1's in PI, asking to join farm missions, I know. But they were normally players who had played the game before. Not people who had literally just finished installing the game. Which is what they are confronted with when they go to Atlas now.

[/ QUOTE ]
This is exactly it. Farming and powerlevelling are always going to go on in any MMO and as much as I dislike the activity I actually understand there are benefits to the economy etc that come from it. BUT, it shouldn't happen in lowbie zones because new players shouldn't be bombarded with that kind of thing right from the off.

First thing's forst, remove the auto-sk and cut the rewards (Inf/Tickets/everything) so that they are slightly less than other activities. This means you will still see progress, but 1-50 in a week not a day.

Also put a min/max level on the MA buildings, in Altas once you hit 10 you have to move on etc. The buildings should all be linked so a team can form across zones and all use their own MA to get to the missions, but it keeps the farmers in the high level zones without ruining it for new people. With this you are not forced into a mission or arc you don't want to do, but you are forced to go somewhere in keeping with your level range.

For people gaining levels in MA missions there should also be more 'person x would like to speak with you' pop ups too.

Farmers will be slightly effected by the lesser rewards, but then they will still be high enough to be worthwhile.

Personally I wish they would remove tickets (Replaced with standard drops like normal missions - but worked out to give the same rewards/time) as I think it has ruined the market for salvage and purples, but not being an expert in that I can't say for certain.

I would also love to see a system that automatically stopped xp gain if you exceeded x amount in a certain time, but give veterans the opportunity to start at 20 or something once you reach 3 years? You could add 10 levels to that for every year afterwards.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aggelakis PrincessDarkstar: "RAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGHHHHHHHHHH SOMEONE IS *WRONG* ON THE INTERNET!"

I don't like the idea of removing the Auto SK as some missions seem to vary quite a bit in level range (i realise with i15 level ranges can be set on mission creation) and i would find it very annoying to be able to do the first 3 missions in a MA arc and then not be able to do the last because it has a higher level range especially as i cant put the arc on hold and come back to it later

I would leave the XP level as is because if its reduced your going to drive away as many normal players as farmers possible more normal players in fact as they would come of worst.

Inf should probably be removed MA has tickets to cover the purchase of things like enhancements so the inf is not needed

I'm not a fan of the removal of the MA buildings from the low level zones as there there now but perhaps something could be done with them turn them into architect training facilities perhaps with with some kind of level limitation system so when you look at the missions available you can only see missions up to a certain level say level 10.

imho:

remove the auto SK - this is what really kills things.

remove or reduce the Inf reward (you can still get to level 50! and you'll still be able to kit out your toon with recipes/salvage from tickets).

increase the cost of selecting specific salvage or recipies. random roll is the way to go, if anyhting it would add to the whole gameplay flavour of the MA! at least you still have more control over it than outside the MA where you dotn get to choose if you get salvage or a recipe drop.

keep XP at the same level. If a level 5 toon enters a mission (assuming auto sk is still on), gets sk'd up to lvl 40 and defeats a level 40 boss, he/she gets xp the same as if he/she just defeated a level 5 boss. If he/she is a member of a team, then this xp reward is split evenly among the whole team and then adjusted to the correct level for each character (therefore level 20 toon, level 50 toon, level 5 toon , lvl 50 doesnt care, lvl 20 will level at the same rate as the level 5. all will fight at level 40).

Make an optional mission in the game at each 10 levels. On completion you gain a title/badge and a choice of reward: storage increase in the city vault , a pass to access level restricted zones before you reach that level , bonus temp power representing your access to the freedom phalanx/arachnos stocks, etc. the mission should be a multi choice mission with more than one way to complete it, or multiple missions suited to each alt.

this way the character has the option to become part of the city lore and take part in the city. it encourages (but doesnt force) players to play outside the MA and experience external content - possibly even find out that they havent a clue how to play the game if they've been Pl'ing from day 1.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Just drop INF/PREST from the MA...

[/ QUOTE ]

I thought it was mostly farmed for XP and drops? I think the ability to get a 50 in a few hours is the big draw, not the phat lewt.

[/ QUOTE ]

The devs made the biggest mistake in advertizing the 1-50 levelling possible in just MA. It is a virtual surrounding.

Half all xp in MA, remove the buildings in the starting zones and remove the auto excamplar. Also... don't allow more then 5 allies using the same powersets in one mission. It will not be needed for story progressing. And the forcefield cocoons will be gone instantly.

Sorry farmers...

[/ QUOTE ]

Halfing xp earned in the MA would put people (like me) who don't farm the MA off it.
I agree with JD on this. IMO the MA is a great addition because I love creating my own content to add to a game, the downside of the farming is there are not many people around for teaming because 1) they're farming or 2) they're soloing because they're sick and tired of people saying it's a normal team when it turns out to be an MA farm.

LIke JD said, making your own teams and joining SG teams is possibly the best way to deal with this. Removing the buildings from starter zones wouldn't be a bad idea, along with removing auto sk.

Personally I feel that from a strickly Town Planning angle the profusion of MA buildings makes no sense.
If you think of it like an Imax Cinema then you would not expect to find it in every zone of the game.
A more logical approach would be to situate them in existing major enterainment hubs of the city.

For the Rogue Isles the most sensible would be St. Martial as its already a major entertainment hub and Cap Au Duable as its the most like a downtown CBD and also a media hub.

For Paragon city I would say that Steel Canyon is a major CBD and thus warrents one and so does Talos Island.

As a dedicated enterainment zone i think Pocket D is the most logical place to have a neutral one, it should be its own attached shard like the Ski Lodge.

If you have to have one in the RWZ make it a room in the base rather than out in the zone - hey Rikti, what to kill a load of heroes on one hit? nuke the AE building :P

Vets who have half a clue about aggro radius should have zero trouble getting to one of those places.

The MA contact should only contact you once you get to lvl 15.

I case you were wondering I work for Architects

[ QUOTE ]
Personally I feel that from a strickly Town Planning angle the profusion of MA buildings makes no sense.
If you think of it like an Imax Cinema then you would not expect to find it in every zone of the game.
A more logical approach would be to situate them in existing major enterainment hubs of the city.

For the Rogue Isles the most sensible would be St. Martial as its already a major entertainment hub and Cap Au Duable as its the most like a downtown CBD and also a media hub.

For Paragon city I would say that Steel Canyon is a major CBD and thus warrents one and so does Talos Island.

As a dedicated enterainment zone i think Pocket D is the most logical place to have a neutral one, it should be its own attached shard like the Ski Lodge.

If you have to have one in the RWZ make it a room in the base rather than out in the zone - hey Rikti, what to kill a load of heroes on one hit? nuke the AE building :P

Vets who have half a clue about aggro radius should have zero trouble getting to one of those places.

The MA contact should only contact you once you get to lvl 15.

I case you were wondering I work for Architects

[/ QUOTE ]
^^This.

And remove auto-sk.

Fixed.