Just another invasion

>.> I am waiting for the day one of these event spawns to get huge AOE defense auto powers just to screw with people.

I guess my expectations got in the way. Something about the original announcement made me think it would be something other than just an invasion. Also how disappointing there’s no badge.

What to do to make them better? Based on what Zwill said I don’t know that they can. I appreciate that they are trying to do something but at this point I’d prefer a moratorium on invasions or at least keep it down to just the holidays and the ones that can be triggered in game. I guess it doesn’t matter I can skip ‘em if I want.

Wait…. Objectives. That’s what most of them are missing. Objectives. To end the Nemesis invasions you find the mole machines and destroy them to stop the soldier spawn and then you take down Nemmie. So for this one there are some number of Arachnos flyers in the air and on the ground. Take ‘em out and fight Mako. There timed events so you only have so long to do it to get the goodies (badge, XP, INF, what ever) Yes. I’m suggesting no xp or inf unless you win. Now there are stakes. Now there’s real motivation to win.

So standing in one spot spamming powers is fun for you?

I think you're *entirely* missing the point, "Fista" (and let's hope that name isn't meaning what I hope it doesn't mean).

This *event*, which is what it is, not an invasion, was suggested by a player as a way to celebrate the Discovery Channel's annual "Shark Week" of shark-themed programming that's become a bit of a big deal over the years in the US. It's not an actual holiday, as some (non-American, I assume) players have believed.

It was suggested to the community reps, and the community reps wrote the backstory (mostly for fun, making fun of Shark Week's TV programming) and the community reps are manning the enemies. Zwil and Co. decided Arachnos bosses, Corolax and Lusca were natural fits for the fun of "What would happen if Mako did decide to go nuts in Paragon?" and Zwil himself actually played the NPC of Captain Mako. On Pinnacle, anyway, the banter was hysterical, the challenge was real, and not EVERYTHING in this game has to be about badges and xp. There wasn't a badge because badges require programming and coding, and the community reps don't really do that.

This was just a fun event, to get together as a server and do something completely unique and have a fun time, and the special temporary titles and Dark Matter aura codes were just icing on the cake. It was an opportunity to directly interact with Zwil and Co. in-game, which is rare, and serves to bolster the relationship between the player community and the community reps.

If all of that is completely unimportant to you, then yes, I'm sure you were disappointed. It's a good thing the event wasn't designed for people like you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EarthWyrm But I do understand that there is an internet rule that any bad idea must be presented by someone at least twice a year to remind everyone who hasn't already read every previous thread on the topic precisely why the idea is bad.

Fista is right.

I like the idea of adding objectives to invasion-style events, to mix things up. I'm also willing to wait for the time and effort to be put into this.

Again, I think you're entirely missing the point.

There can't be objectives, because objectives require coding, and programming. What part of "the coders and programmers had absolutely nothing to do with Zwilinger's Mako event" is so difficult to grasp?

Quote:

Originally Posted by EarthWyrm But I do understand that there is an internet rule that any bad idea must be presented by someone at least twice a year to remind everyone who hasn't already read every previous thread on the topic precisely why the idea is bad.

*chuckle* Again, as I pointed out:

Captain Mako was not an NPC, computer-controlled character. Captain Mako was Zwilinger, on a level 50 stalker. Hard for him to be in more than one place at once, hence his stress trying to manage manually spawning enemies in up to four zones on up to two different servers at the same time.

I think we should be applauding the man for his diligence and patience to have to deal with all that!

Quote:

Originally Posted by EarthWyrm But I do understand that there is an internet rule that any bad idea must be presented by someone at least twice a year to remind everyone who hasn't already read every previous thread on the topic precisely why the idea is bad.

I did read it. Don't presume.

For the future, yeah, maybe they can add some objectives, but won't the objectives make it more like "Rikti with Corolax?" The fun part of the event, for us on Pinnacle, was being together for a completely unique event and defeating enemies for, you know, fun.

Again, if Zwil's work (and it was hasty, I'll admit) didn't strike you as fun, then just be happy there weren't objectives you could miss or achievement badges you didn't earn.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EarthWyrm But I do understand that there is an internet rule that any bad idea must be presented by someone at least twice a year to remind everyone who hasn't already read every previous thread on the topic precisely why the idea is bad.

That's...kind of what all the other invasions are. If you'd like to ask everyone else to stick to single target attacks only, that's between you and your league.

For example: On Pinnacle, we all gathered up on the hill by the tram in Talos; 48 heroes strong. The Corolax streamed in from the beach, and we beat them back. The fliers appeared in the skies, and we destroyed them. Mako (Zwil) decided he wanted us off the hill, so he sent in HUGE waves of level 54 bosses, splintering the group and sending most of us to the hospital. He, thusly, took the hill.

After gathering our forces at the base of the hill and providing a stirring motivational speech (and buffs and such) we stormed the hill to take back the territory that was rightfully ours.

There's your objective right there! Like an actual, no-mutant-shark no-pancake invasion attack. Also, fun because Zwil gave us the tools and the opportunity, and we created the scenario. *Decidedly* more entertaining, to the point where even my completely game-unfriendly girlfriend sat and watched the entire thing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EarthWyrm But I do understand that there is an internet rule that any bad idea must be presented by someone at least twice a year to remind everyone who hasn't already read every previous thread on the topic precisely why the idea is bad.

It's not a question of taking more time to do them better. There is no programmer time here to play with, period. It's either do it with what a handful of community guys are capable of with existing tools or just not bother. Given the choice between doing them and not doing them, I'd certainly prefer to see them happening. It was an entertaining change-up from the usual.

Are these events memorable paragons of cool functionality and epic storytelling?

No, not really.

They're amusing if you're in the mood for them. They don't offer any exceptional rewards or get in the way of other content (See: Invasions, Rikti) so you're free to ignore them if you're not (except the spam in Admin).

For a few of the community team hopping on some admin accounts and trying to give everyone some light-hearted fun, they live up to billing. Keep in mind, they're doing this manually. For hours. On each and EVERY server. Much respect to the community team for the effort.

I ran up a full level on my Warshade on a calamari league on Infinity, taunting Mako and telling bad fish jokes the whole time. No code at the end, but oh well. Were the rewards epic and gloat-worthy? Nah. I'd have done better on an ITF. I've fought through ITF dozens of time, though. That's the first time I've EVER tangled with a hundred-armed tentacle monster off the shores of Talos Island.

From what I saw, those who showed up for nothing but a code, a badge, or epic XP may have gone away annoyed that this wasn't worth their precious time, but those who just wanted to have a little fun generally left well-satisfied.

Well, I'm sorry that you personally didn't enjoy the event. In trying hard not to provide hyperbole and strawmen (as much as those terms, themselves, kind of constitute it) are you the type of person who doesn't enjoy just "hanging out" with your friends? There always has to be some sort of identifiable objective?

And what Forbin means by "work" is:

- Writing the two backstory pieces
- Creating the marketing designs
- Simultaneously manning a player character *and* manually spawning hundreds of enemies at once in multiple zones and multiple servers

So, seeing as how I'd hate to assume you didn't read my post detailing how we didn't just stand still and spam powers, I'll instead have to surmise you simply disregarded it, or worse, found it contemptible.

That said, if you find "standing still and spamming powers" isn't fun, then why are you playing the game? Does "running around and spamming powers" provide enough entertainment for you? If so, that's a mighty minuscule difference.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EarthWyrm But I do understand that there is an internet rule that any bad idea must be presented by someone at least twice a year to remind everyone who hasn't already read every previous thread on the topic precisely why the idea is bad.