Critical review

Candyx · 12-08-2014, 05:34 AM

There are a number of flaws in this game that detract from the enjoyment and seriously limit player retention. These flaws come under 4 categories:

General Bugs
Server Failures
Experience Points Requirement
Realm Balance

General Bugs:
General bugs covers everything that is but was never intended to be. The best example of this is probably the truly shocking resits mechanic. Random resits are required as they are the spell equivalent of the evades however the rate of spell resists is clearly too high and the occurrence of more than 1 resits in a row should be very rare. For example if the typical resist rate is 1/10 spells cast then it would make sense if the chance of 2 resits in a row is 1/10 * 1/10 or 1/100 (equally for 3 resists 1/1000 and 4 resists 1/10000). However the way the resits are currently calculated seams to lead to a higher probability to get a resist if you've had one recently ( get 1/10 for a single resits, 1/20 for 2 resits - equivalent of 1/4.4 for each resist OR 1/10 for first resit 1/2 for second resist).

The majority of bugs in this game are not complicated to diagnose the origin of. Players typically diagnose the origin of a lot of the bugs and report them without any action being taken by NGD. A recent example of this is the new noble quest You have recently logged into another realm error. This message occurs when a player has relogged/logged onto the game any time after the relics that initiated the invasion have started to move. It is clear that the error is only supposed to apply to players who have played an alternate realm recently however any relogging will trigger the error.

Server Failures:
The ability of the server(s) to meet the demand of the population apparently ranges on a hourly basis. Frequently large groups of players will crash during a large battle allowing the realm who had fewer crashed a significant advantage. This is further annoying to players as when a player is able to log back into the game their character has likely been killed and they will respawn back at their save with 0 hp. The server is a key component in the game process yet it is ill equipped to offer sufficient service - find a better server host. Also add a conditional clause to the code when a player disconnects when dead that checks in more than 3 others players have done the same, if this is found then allows the players to relog with full hp.

Experience Point Requirement:
I've largely covered this in another thread, however here are the key points:

primary reason for low player retention
doesn't adequately represent the experience
for an RVR based game focus of XP should be on WAR

Realm Balance:
The realm balance has recently been improved due to the war confidence boost, however I think a lot more can be improved. For example calculation of the war confidence should be based on the number of allies and enemies at a fort or castle, this would allow for more balanced battles; clearly this number will change frequently so a time averaged value would likely be more appropriate.

Finally:
This was intended as constructive criticism. This game has a lot going for it, but it also has a lot that need fixing. In my opinion reducing the grind to level 60 from months to DAYS is going to have the most positive effect.

Sentan · 12-08-2014, 05:43 PM

I agree with you. I would add to this list balance between classes and items/economy (boss jewelry, drop rate, value of gold, free mount etc.)

12-08-2014, 05:34 AM	#1
Candyx Initiate Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 171	Critical review There are a number of flaws in this game that detract from the enjoyment and seriously limit player retention. These flaws come under 4 categories: General Bugs Server Failures Experience Points Requirement Realm Balance General Bugs: General bugs covers everything that is but was never intended to be. The best example of this is probably the truly shocking resits mechanic. Random resits are required as they are the spell equivalent of the evades however the rate of spell resists is clearly too high and the occurrence of more than 1 resits in a row should be very rare. For example if the typical resist rate is 1/10 spells cast then it would make sense if the chance of 2 resits in a row is 1/10 * 1/10 or 1/100 (equally for 3 resists 1/1000 and 4 resists 1/10000). However the way the resits are currently calculated seams to lead to a higher probability to get a resist if you've had one recently ( get 1/10 for a single resits, 1/20 for 2 resits - equivalent of 1/4.4 for each resist OR 1/10 for first resit 1/2 for second resist). The majority of bugs in this game are not complicated to diagnose the origin of. Players typically diagnose the origin of a lot of the bugs and report them without any action being taken by NGD. A recent example of this is the new noble quest You have recently logged into another realm error. This message occurs when a player has relogged/logged onto the game any time after the relics that initiated the invasion have started to move. It is clear that the error is only supposed to apply to players who have played an alternate realm recently however any relogging will trigger the error. Server Failures: The ability of the server(s) to meet the demand of the population apparently ranges on a hourly basis. Frequently large groups of players will crash during a large battle allowing the realm who had fewer crashed a significant advantage. This is further annoying to players as when a player is able to log back into the game their character has likely been killed and they will respawn back at their save with 0 hp. The server is a key component in the game process yet it is ill equipped to offer sufficient service - find a better server host. Also add a conditional clause to the code when a player disconnects when dead that checks in more than 3 others players have done the same, if this is found then allows the players to relog with full hp. Experience Point Requirement: I've largely covered this in another thread, however here are the key points: primary reason for low player retention doesn't adequately represent the experience for an RVR based game focus of XP should be on WAR Realm Balance: The realm balance has recently been improved due to the war confidence boost, however I think a lot more can be improved. For example calculation of the war confidence should be based on the number of allies and enemies at a fort or castle, this would allow for more balanced battles; clearly this number will change frequently so a time averaged value would likely be more appropriate. Finally: This was intended as constructive criticism. This game has a lot going for it, but it also has a lot that need fixing. In my opinion reducing the grind to level 60 from months to DAYS is going to have the most positive effect. __________________ I don't need an introduction.

12-08-2014, 05:43 PM	#2
Sentan Master Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Poland Posts: 472	I agree with you. I would add to this list balance between classes and items/economy (boss jewelry, drop rate, value of gold, free mount etc.)