POE - One Year Later
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Feedback & Suggestions
I recently passed my one year mark of playing POE and thought I should give some feedback and suggestions as a thank you for a great 12 months. By no means is this meant to be taken as ‘the game sucks’ – in fact quite the opposite. I’m not a game developer, but do have significant engineering and management experience so have some sympathy for the things I’m saying being difficult/impossible and accept if not a single one is implemented. Aside from my supporter tags, I figure this is the least I can do.
Background
Just to provide a bit of insight into my limited gaming background so that it does not seem like I’m just some 12 year old kid who stopped playing Call of Duty for a few minutes to bitch and moan. If you don’t care, close the spoiler. I would describe my gaming habit as mainly a serial monogamist. Rarely have I played two games at once, the only exception being DOTA/DOTA2 and various other games. The nature of MOBAs gets me in a trouble so I do it sparingly. More recently, I fall more into the casual crowd – setting realistic goals over a longer period of time rather than no-lifing my way to win a virtual trophy that no one cares about in the long run. I started on a Commodore 64 when I could barely walk with my first true love being “Might & Magic 1 – The Secret of the Inner Sanctum”. I recall grinding The Castle Doom’s inner most rings for loot (maybe this is where my love for grinding came games came from). Several other notable games on Commodore 64/128 include: • Wasteland (The Original) • Mars Saga From there I moved on to Nintendo and basically ruled Super Tecmo Bowl and a host of short lived games. My parents eventually sprung for a PC (Windows 95) that was nothing special but a huge upgrade for our family. I would say the two primary games were Civilization and Colonization. Found just about every way to beat those two games with my eyes closed. Then came the ‘dark period’, when I went to college and was introduced to something called MUD (Multi-user Dungeon) -- the specific game being Helliconia. This became basically the ‘drug of choice’ with short breaks for other short lived games through mid 2000’s, the better part of 10 years. Say what you want about a text based game, I have yet to find a game more adaptable to a player – you just can’t beat player generated text for building the type of persona that you want. During a short hiatus for approximately 1 year, I played a game called Diablo 2.. maybe you guys have heard of it? This one will always stick out to me for several reasons, including that is what I was doing when the planes struck the towers in 2001. Then came DOTA – which almost ended my marriage. A game that you can’t break attention for 40 minutes to an hour is bad for all relationships. My wife is good for putting up with me but I took that too far. Obviously, I moved on. It was replaced by Warhammer – Age of Reckoning. Primarily a PVP raid type MMORPG. It was ok but inability to effectively trade and Bind on [equip/pickup] pushed me away. A multiplayer game with limited interactions does not make much sense to me. Also, subscriptions make me play way too much to get the most for my money – which I have plenty of but there is something inside of me that can’t help it. Enter DOTA 2 – same problem as DOTA. Had to quit. Then came DIABLO 3 (pre-ROS). I actually enjoyed the fighting/combat mechanics of this game. The Auction House was a bit much and led to more spam and non-human garbage but it was tolerable. Then ROS, and I bid the game goodbye for the same reasons I left Warhammer. Bind on [whatever] is just garbage for me. And then there was POE – my current love and the rightful replacement for my beloved MUD. (Yes, I loved MUDs).
General Feedback
Overall, I love this game. The complexity of the character builds being the primary ‘drug’ for me. The game play is rich and original as well with true penalty for making a bad decision. I also love that level cap is not a guaranteed thing that a player must hit a minimum. It is a potential goal that is by no means required or necessary. The end game is original and dynamic for players of most backgrounds and preferences. Although some describe parts of end game gated behind RNG, I don’t recall too many games that were not like that *and* enjoyable – in fact I can’t name a single one. The game does not cater to the instant gratification crowd also – some view this as a terrible thing. I honestly believe this is one of the crowning achievements. It makes the reward worth so much more *if* you get it. I love that it is more of an ‘if’ than a ‘when’ That being said, nothing is perfect and me rambling about the things I love does nothing to help anyone. So, here are my suggestions based upon what I can recall from the last year.
Suggestions
Quests
Suggestion: Timed quests worth more reputation w/ Zana since they are significantly more dangerous than the untimed variants. Reason: The risk on timed quests is significantly higher on these types of quests. If the reward is the same, players are less inclined to do them (similar to skipping bosses in maps). ------------------------------------------------- Suggestion: Give lower level crafting mods an alternative cost in favor (a ton of favor). Reason: Favor is simply a function of time and patience. It will accumulate and there is not enough hideout to use it. This will give those who do not grind currency/trade hard an alternative approach to paying those alchemy orbs which are actually precious. ------------------------------------------------- Suggestion: Make Vorici have a percent chance to agro you if you kill his target that increases with each failed quest. Reason: Because it is funny and incompetence should be punished -------------------------------------------------
Maps
General Feedback
The mapping system is a genius end game design. Providing a huge variety of variations for players of different backgrounds.
Bosses
Problem: In general, killing bosses does not present much reward that is noticeable other than a timely drop of higher rarity items with significantly more risk. The smart playing method is to compensate for the risk by decreasing clear speed of white trash mobs w/ IIR than risk death against bosses (avoidance). Vague Suggestion: Bosses should have some tangible reward that is difficult to compensate for otherwise but cannot be abused. Atziri was a good step in this direction, very difficult to abuse with a known set of rewards that can only be found on Atziri. Specific Suggestion: Make a unique (or set of uniques) that can only drop on a specific boss. Do not make it guaranteed and ensure that it *does not drop anywhere else*. The reward being a chance for a unique that can only be gotten through killing that specific boss.
General Maps
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Suggestion: Create a modification that increases rarity. Reason: Not all builds stack IIR and can’t take full advantage of the IIQ. ------------------------------------------------- Suggestion: Limit the # of levels a dropped map level can be below the current map level – perhaps max being -2 levels (for a total range of 4 levels, +2 and -2). Compensate by decreasing overall map drops a small percentage. Reason: Getting a 66 map in a 78 map just causes people to rage – possibly more so than if they had not gotten the map at all. I do realize that makes no sense but we’re talking about human emotions, which rarely reference the logical part of our brain. Hah. -------------------------------------------------
Quality of Life
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Suggestion: Ability to manipulate stash through the web browser Reason: Each of has been in a situation where we have had access to the website but do not have access to the client or cannot game for a variety of reasons. This would push what can only be described as a mundane task to off-gaming hours. And yes, this would take away from work productivity for some us but that is not GGG’s concern. ------------------------------------------------- Suggestion: Provide easier, non-command line type way to know the item level of an object. Imbed it in the graphic or have a key that provides the answer for where your mouse is hovering. (AHK can do this too but 3rd party macros isn’t a great solution) Reason: Command line inputs are not the reason gamers play a graphical game. Otherwise, my MUD would still be around. ------------------------------------------------- Suggestion: A portal out of corrupted areas opens after killing the corrupted boss. Reason: Backtracking is lost time that feels useless. ------------------------------------------------- Suggestion: Auto-away messages for private messages in game. Reason: Obvious – occasionally people afk. I feel particularly bad for summoners who do not log off and look like pricks that are ignoring people. ------------------------------------------------- Suggestion: DND status tells person sending message that person is DND Reason: Pretty straightforward. ------------------------------------------------- Suggestion: Enable skill tree to highlight shortest path to a given node. Reason: 3rd party sites already do it and it’s a nice feature. ------------------------------------------------- Suggestion: Enable selecting target passives in skill tree, kind of like flagging spots in mine sweeper. Reason: Helps players get a graphical representation of what they are trying to do and not having to alt tab to remember their theory crafting. ------------------------------------------------- Suggestion: Option to have right click always hold position (similar to Right Click + Shift) Reason: It does help to decrease desync and every little bit helps for some players. -------------------------------------------------
Trading
The antiquated and sometimes awkward approach has grown on me. An auction house brings a whole host of problems that I don’t think are worth it. So my suggestion is keep whatever changes coming simple and *do not make it automated or asynchronous*. If it is predictable, a bot can easily exploit it.
Leagues
Suggestion: Give challenges to standard that occur at the same time as expansions and new leagues.
Reason: Temporary leagues have a target audience as does Standard. I am more of a standard type player, although I do play Torment right now. New challenges does help to keep it fresh, and standard league players are people too…at least that is what I’ve heard. It’s a small bone to throw standard players considering they are a consistent and focused part of the backbone for the game.
Ideas
Recipes +1 Item Level : 5 White ilvl 75 items w/ the Blue or Rare item you want to increase level of all with same base. Socketed Item + Chromatic Orb + # of Colored Gems: Increased chance to roll item with the color of the gems being vendored. Not sure on the algorithm, but something that increases the chances of the color being rolled versus a normal chromatic orb. Example: Vendor 6L Shavs w/ Chromatic Orb and [10] Green Gems and have an increased chance to roll green sockets (chance increased by # of gems). Nothing ground breaking, but a use for gems. Gems Make the rampage ability a gem. Other Things Make a ‘Mana Gain on Hit’ similar to ‘Life Gain on Hit’ gem. Melee only because melee needs some love. Increase crit multiplier for 2h weapons. I don’t think the base damage compensates for the natural low crit chance.
Continued Suggestions - 12.29.2014
GGG Supporters
General Commentary: I think the forum titles are a great way for individuals to display their support of the game and be proud of their contributions to the game and the community. Unfortunately the current support ‘swag’ only applies to those that buy a very specific support pack – and neglects the various other supporters who may actually have had more impact both financially and through other non-monetary based means. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Suggestion: Create forum titles for other heavy supporters of Path of Exile. Examples: Rookie Supporter: Support exceeding $50.00 Veteran Supporter: Support exceeding $500.00 . .. … Interstellar Supporter: Support exceeding $500,000,000.00 Reason: This would include all purchases, not just support pack so that supporters of all types are given the opportunity to demonstrate their proud support of this game and community. Counterargument: This may be an indirect shaming technique for those that do not support, that can currently hide in anonymity of possibly only buying MTX or stash tabs outside of support packs. This approach would specifically call out folks who do not financially contribute – possibly leaving them open to shaming indirectly. I could completely understand this being a bad idea because of this. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Suggestion: Create forum titles for certain elite achievements. Examples: #1 [Insert League] League Top 10 Torment League Level 100 Beyond League Level 100 Standard League (Yup, I said it) Reason: Gaming swag. What else is there to say? Although this may not seem like a support type role, this is a gaming industry that needs gaming elites that support simply by playing. It attracts people to play – look at the influx/outflow associated with some of the streamers in the past. This type of ‘swag’ might mean little to them so might be pointless. --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boss Only Skill Gems
Suggestion: Make Gems that only drop off of specific bosses. Example (this is only an example, not a real skill gem suggestion): Touch of God Attribute(s) Strength, Intelligence Keywords Attack, AoE, Melee. Lightning Required Level 70 to 90 Mana Cost 32 to 68 Radius 25 Attack Speed 3 Seconds Damage effectiveness 500% Per 1% Quality 1% increased Area of Effect Slam the ground with your melee weapon or fists inflicting area damage 50% of weapon increased attack speed modifier applies to skill 30% to 59% more Physical Damage 50% to 25% less Accuracy Rating 50% of Physical Damage converted to Lightning Damage Deals 500% of Base Damage Cannot block or evade attacks during channeling Palace Map Dominus Drop Only Reason: Might be another incentive to fight bosses if certain gems only drop off of certain bosses – particularly if they are top tier skill gems like Multistrike, Concentrated Effect…or even the Enhance/Empower level rarity. Thanks for all the fish! Последняя редакция: Nubatron#4333. Время: 29 дек. 2014 г., 16:50:55
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[Reserved, because I have more but ran out of time]
Thanks for all the fish!
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Well... there's a forum for feedback, and one for suggestions... any bets on where this ends up?
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" Whoops, completely forgot -- honestly ran out the door to something that was cancelled. Support: Please move to feedback. Thanks. Thanks for all the fish!
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Nice write up. My friends and I grew up in similar fashion. I remember playing the original Heroes of Might and Magic games, I still play HoMM2 and HoMM3 every now and then. Also MUDed. Can't remember the name of the main one we played, but man... I still don't think modern RPGs have really filled that "niche" yet.
Overall, I agree and really like a lot of the ideas put forth here. Some of them are things I've never even really considered. In particular, I think doing some sort of challenges or events for the permanent leagues would be nice. Also, I have wondered for two years now why a 77/78 map can drop 66 maps. You are right, everyone I know (including me) would rather find NO maps than a 66. It's just such an insult. I'll post more comments later, I have to take my grandmother to A Christmas Carol, heh. [Removed by Support] EDIT part 2: I will say I disagree with your stance on asynchronous trading, but I know why you feel that way. I play Hardcore perma league, the emptiest league in the game. Probably less than 1% of the population actually plays it now. So for me, syncing up with people online is actually a serious issue, sometimes it takes me a week or even two to find the guy online, and half the time the item is gone by then or the person gave it to a friend, decided to keep, etc. Standard probably will never have this issue, anytime I log on there I am amazed by how active the trade chat is. So who knows, we'll have to agree to disagree there, because having the ability to trade on the forums while away from my computer or unable to login to the game would be amazing and really helpful. Team Won Последняя редакция: Jared_GGG#0000. Время: 23 дек. 2014 г., 12:41:11
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" I'm not sure there will every be something that scratches the itch quite the same (at least in our lifetime). Graphical representations shortcuts long descriptions, but it also spoon feeds you a standard set of templates that you can never have much 'personal touch' on. I used to spend hours sometimes writing up my player physical description, develop the RP associated with it and the rumor (basically a story you write for your character that people can reference -- 'Rumor Nubatron' would give you insight into the player generated story). It sounds tedious to most, and it is....but the flexibility is unmatched. Thanks for all the fish!
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" And so the bullying continues, even with the holidays around. *sigh* |
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" Agree w/ your sentiment on hardcore -- it's a tough problem. Auction Houses always bother me because it is easy to script against and take advantage of the 'slowness' of the human. Bots will always get the lowest items on the market, and then mark them up and repost -- instantly in many cases. GGG does not have an army to combat that. Hell, Blizzard does have an army and they failed. It is all a subjective point, that is a value proposition that each of us view differently. I definitely feel your pain though, permanent HC is a ghost town. I might throw my hat in the ring at some point (going to try to hit 85 in the temp HC and then let it roll to perm HC). Edit 1: If there is a solution that a bot could not exploit, I would *love* the idea of having one btw. Thanks for all the fish! Последняя редакция: Nubatron#4333. Время: 23 дек. 2014 г., 12:19:30
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" You made some malicious/useless comment, and then complain about being bullied? The kid that punches another kid on the playground, then gets pummeled into the ground IS the bully in spite of the outcome. Thanks for all the fish! Последняя редакция: Jared_GGG#0000. Время: 23 дек. 2014 г., 12:41:48
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" You made a comment about your supporter tags, and i simply stated that i stopped reading from that point on because to me it sounded like bragging but yeah, im the bully. Thats what all bullies say anyways. |
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