Betrayed by MA?

[Roger Wilco]

First, let me say that I hate the whining, complaining posts as much as anybody. But, lately I have been thinking that with each VU we seem to lose a little bit of that which makes the game enjoyable. I have played (nearly) every day for several years and I feel as though our skills, loot, items, etc. are being slowly eroded.

Just a few examples: My Maddox IV w/Dante amp was a decent combo for hunting.. THEN the amps were nerfed, my prized Shadow armor set was nearly complete lacking merely the gloves... NOW I also need footguards, I finally upgraded my weapon and was able to kill an Aurli weak in 6-7 shots... NOW it takes 20. (all with worse loot it seems)

CP now seems to be only a place to go if you need to unload some ammo, not long ago a team of a few ppl could get 5 or maybe even 7-8 globals on a decent hunt in CP... NOW your lucky to get 1 global per hunt.

While I don't expect to global every hunt it sure doesn't seem to be as much fun as it was before. Which brings me to my real point. I didn't mind some limited depositing to obtain items because due to inflation it seemed to be a good investment, I saw that some players were able to trade or purchase items and make a small profit. And this is really only a game to me so there no expectation of profit, but it was a nice feeling to know I could sell my items and rarely if ever lose PED's, and the popularity of EU was validated by the ever increasing number or players.

The concern however has always been that my government might take action to ban this game or that MA could possibly make some business blunder causing them to cease operations and that one day we simply cannot log-on as MA has closed their doors thus making our inventories worthless. After all I don't think there is any oversight as would occur in the stock market or legalized gambling etc.

Now my concern is that MA, by making these constant incremental changes may end up with a game that is simply no fun to participate in.
Maybe its my imagination but there seems to be quite a few ubers whom I never see ingame anymore.

Sorry for the long post but I am just wondering if I am the only one thinking this or not.

[EggRollOneDolla]

your just echoing the same sentiments i made in another thread about "what will throw you over the edge"

those plenty of room in this boat so have a seat.

if we all stick together we can improve EU just has much as MA can change it!

[MysterLV]

This have been discussed a lot. I agree for some part and have alway said:

Better are 100 ppl who lose 10 ped and all is happy then
10 ppl losing 100 PED and not all happy.
(numbers are just for example)

EDIT: even 100k posts and threads there will not make MA change something. Evolution .. we have to adapt

[Berul]

Those changes are called "adjusting the odds" so not all the people win. As has been said thousands of times, a lot loose, one hits the jackpot.

[Witte]

In MA terms: EU is dynamic.

It basically means you constantly need to adapt, and change your strategy. I personally like that because it gives you oppertunity, stand out from the rest. But it also means that things that worked a year ago, might be big moneydrains nowadays.

[thoreau]

Your post actually touches on a lot of points that may or may not be related to the overall issue which seems to be, 'What about my investment?'

First, it's difficult to find a big ticket item in EU that MA hasn't helped maintain its value by keeping drop rates low. Generally speaking, MA helps protect those players who invest large amounts of money. This is why we don't see Mod Faps dropping every day or islands being auctioned off every month.

Specifically, you seem to join gov't regulation and fun together in an 'and / or' scenario. If the gov't regulates EU and / or it's no longer fun the value of my items will decrease.

I think it's good to remember that when you deposit money, technically speaking, you are only entitled to the TT value of the items you purchase with those PEDs. Above I said that MA seems to try to protect the value of 'uber' item but be sure that you are only entitled to the TT value.

I think that many of the changes by MA have moved EU away from the casino model and better allows them to argue that this is a skill based game. Personally I don't believe this but the game mechanics have been tweaked to allow this discussion to take place. I think the likelihood of gov't involvement is small. Perhaps only requiring MA to report 'large' amounts of money being deposited or withdrawn.

With regards to the fun factor, EU has never been a game with a high ratio of dollars to fun. You can get much greater value out of a dragon killing MMO - unlimited fun for $15 per month. It stands to reason that since you have uber gear you get more HoFs and globals than the average ham and egger so maybe for you there was a lot of 'fun' but for the rest of us I think that EU is more challenging than fun.

Perhaps the reason why you see less ubers in game is because once you get elite gear and have a lot of PEDs on your card - EU is nothing more than point and click. Always has been - probably always will be.

The moral of the story? Life is kind of boring once you have all the toys. The challenge is getting them.

[Eelco]

Originally Posted by Witte

In MA terms: EU is dynamic.

It basically means you constantly need to adapt, and change your strategy. I personally like that because it gives you oppertunity, stand out from the rest. But it also means that things that worked a year ago, might be big moneydrains nowadays.

The changes indeed suck.
but everything also have a positive side.
looking at the quoted part above this.

[PINKY]

I have to agree that it really does seem to be one change after another that results in a higher cost to everyone. You missed out paying to change clothes, paying to change armor...

However, there are numerous other changes that have helped players, or saved us money. For example:

Free Gold Card protection for depositors,

The introduction of (L) items that can be maxed out easily and be far more efficient.

Upgrading all the graphics (twice if you count the cry engine soon to arrive) making for a better looking game.

The introduction of stones (or rocks) to pick up along with fruit and dung for non-depositing newbies

The introduction of two full time guides at the NAZ helping new players with their first few steps (helping the retention rate)

A massive increase in promoting the game with IRL events at game and computer shows, including taking players from the game and paying for their accomodation etc. (all this to increase the player base)



So while I appreciate what you say, and heartily agree it is becoming more expensive, it does seem this additional revenue is being pumped back into the game which for me softens the blow a little.

I like to compare it to IRL, where we are taxed to help pay for unemployment benefit and the national health service (in the UK at least ). MA are doing the same thing, a couple of pec for changing armour and clothes from everyone, pays for two guides to be permenently stationed at the NAZ... Upping the creature regen rate and HP help pay for the introduction of the more efficient (L) weapons etc etc.

I know its not perfect, but what system of government ever is - and this government has to make a profit too!

Just my thoughts, dont shout at me anyone!

[Nirfu]

Prity much my feelings since 9.0. so welcome to the club, thogh u had a late awakeng. IMO 9.0 was the last nail. But at the same time 2008 looks very promising with all changes announced. I had a 1 month break while I thought things over. Draw new plans and made some addoption. New weapon setup, new hunting grounds etc, don't forget more depositing... I'm still expereimenting with my weapon setup and hunting grounds, but the small changes I did in the beginning at least made a change. (L) weapons, sad to say it, but that helped me.

[Ekholm]

Originally Posted by PINKY

I have to agree that it really does seem to be one change after another that results in a higher cost to everyone. You missed out paying to change clothes, paying to change armor...

However, there are numerous other changes that have helped players, or saved us money. For example:

Free Gold Card protection for depositors,

The introduction of (L) items that can be maxed out easily and be far more efficient.

Upgrading all the graphics (twice if you count the cry engine soon to arrive) making for a better looking game.

The introduction of stones (or rocks) to pick up along with fruit and dung for non-depositing newbies

The introduction of two full time guides at the NAZ helping new players with their first few steps (helping the retention rate)

A massive increase in promoting the game with IRL events at game and computer shows, including taking players from the game and paying for their accomodation etc. (all this to increase the player base)



So while I appreciate what you say, and heartily agree it is becoming more expensive, it does seem this additional revenue is being pumped back into the game which for me softens the blow a little.

I like to compare it to IRL, where we are taxed to help pay for unemployment benefit and the national health service (in the UK at least ). MA are doing the same thing, a couple of pec for changing armour and clothes from everyone, pays for two guides to be permenently stationed at the NAZ... Upping the creature regen rate and HP help pay for the introduction of the more efficient (L) weapons etc etc.

I know its not perfect, but what system of government ever is - and this government has to make a profit too!

Just my thoughts, dont shout at me anyone!

I like your thinking