T7 Improvement Ideas/ENN Log

2014-03-22 18:11:37	Pluribus: Tap, tap, tap... Just checking to make sure this thing still works... I will see you all roughly 80 minutes.
2014-03-22 18:35:03	Obol: must have been a foot of dust on that mic
2014-03-22 18:35:41	Pluribus: Yes it did. Many cleaning slaves perished to clean that mic.
2014-03-22 18:36:29	Remases: free the slaves of dusting duty!
2014-03-22 18:36:30	blondie: wait, you said in an hour, i gotta go prepare my snacks for them
2014-03-22 18:36:31	Obol: lol
2014-03-22 18:36:31	Harvey: lol
2014-03-22 18:36:57	Pluribus: The dust bunnies mounted a considerable defense.
2014-03-22 18:38:58	Obol: u could have sent ur killer beetles after them
2014-03-22 18:38:58	Tyreus: they were here for so long that they managed to invent wheel
2014-03-22 18:39:08	Tyreus: and started their civilization
2014-03-22 18:40:49	Obol: killer beetles is april fools event still?
2014-03-22 18:40:49	Rabble: If this tale lasts another 2.5 months, it will be the longest tale ever
2014-03-22 18:42:49	Pluribus: Please hold your questions and comments for the event. I will most definately be taking questions and I am done talking. (I have blocked out 90 minutes for the event in the off chance that Teppy can attend after he is done with prior commitment.)
2014-03-22 19:32:01	Pluribus: Hello all
2014-03-22 19:32:04	Remases: All bow...
2014-03-22 19:33:12	Pluribus: Lots of players on right now... That is a good sign. Today I would like to let everyone know what is going on with the game, where it is today, and where i would like to take it.
2014-03-22 19:33:16	Sabuli: Long live the Regent!
2014-03-22 19:33:17	Jaylenaeybarre: hi, and I'm taking a front row seat
2014-03-22 19:33:18	Honasha: Hello Pluribus. Ty for taking the time to speak with us today
2014-03-22 19:33:19	ChiliPep: hi :)
2014-03-22 19:34:17	Pluribus: Please hold your comments and questions for a bit as I would like to get a bunch of things covered before getting distracted :-) I promise that I will give plenty of time for questions / comments following my talk.
2014-03-22 19:35:35	Pluribus: Ok, As you all have heard by now, I am in the process otaking over management of ATITD. That is still in process untill Teppy and I can make a joint announcement. The atitd.pluribusgames.com website is the beta to replace the live one :-)
2014-03-22 19:36:59	Pluribus: The devil is in the details. At this point, I am treating the game as if I manage it. You will notice that I try and spend a significant amount of time in game
2014-03-22 19:38:33	Pluribus: I will make this commitment right now. If this goes through, I intend to continue being visible and working on player issues. (Rough meaningless stat... I have done more code changes in the last 30 days than have been done in the last 4 years.)
2014-03-22 19:39:55	Pluribus: The game codebase is again under active development. However, I am just one man, so right now the things that are important to me are the things that get priority. I DO however take many side bar trips to fix issues currently effecting players.
2014-03-22 19:41:22	Pluribus: So, Current State: Billing is Disabled. Why? It broke about 6 months ago due to payment processor changes. With the switch to a new company, there is a change in requirements by the new payment processor.
2014-03-22 19:42:20	Pluribus: This code is taking longer than expected to complete, but I hope that everyone will be happy with it. (It should allow for better tracking of transactions and unrolling of transaction errors better)
2014-03-22 19:43:47	Pluribus: I also needed to re-implement the email system, the new payment processor wants me to send reciepts for payments, so I will be implementing that. (The players will have the option to get them in game or out of game when fully implemented)
2014-03-22 19:44:44	Pluribus: Expected time for the email system is another week or so. First pass at the payment system will be a week or so beyond that. (The accounting system rewrite was by far the hardest)
2014-03-22 19:45:43	Pluribus: I need to discuss with Teppy the thoughts on the timing to re-enable billing. I will give at least a weeks notice before requiring payment. Most likely more.
2014-03-22 19:46:40	Pluribus: So, my CURRENT priorities are the mail system, followed by the billing system (Credit card, then bitcoin payments), then the final 4 tests.
2014-03-22 19:48:21	Pluribus: Where are in the telling: This telling has gone on way too long, The players are bored, the game suffered greatly from a lack of dev involvement. I plan to correct that. Unfortunately, this late in the telling is too little too late. I would like to wrap up this telling and regear for T7 with a fresh start.
2014-03-22 19:49:16	Pluribus: T7 Plans: First off... I want to bring back EVERY legacy test that is possible to bring back. Title of Oracle will still be for 7 tests passed, not passing all available. (I may make achievements for that)
2014-03-22 19:50:53	Pluribus: Second, I will most likely be dropping the monthly rate (to about the $12 rate per month) with discounts for longer terms. Bitcoin payments will have steep discounts over that. (Sorry, but bitcoin doesnt have a concept of chargebacks so it is lower risk)
2014-03-22 19:51:25	Pluribus: Things that I know that want to change for T7...
2014-03-22 19:52:59	Pluribus: Mentorship needs to be tweaked to encourage longer term interaction between mentor and mentee. I recently heard comments from players who I had known for at least three months tell me that they just found out that it was possible to build a shrine to thier mentor, that indicates a flaw in the process.
2014-03-22 19:54:13	Pluribus: Ah, someone just mentioned, Conflict tests... I cant bring back the discipline of conflict, however, I will bring the games and work out something for the players to do with them.
2014-03-22 19:54:50	Pluribus: (Kinda like tests, but not "really" tests in the storyline perspective.
2014-03-22 19:55:29	Pluribus: I think that about covers the main things that I wanted to say. I will take questions now...
2014-03-22 19:55:33	Renard: hello Pluribus :)
2014-03-22 19:55:36	Ekko: wow...joined by incident
2014-03-22 19:55:36	Sabuli: hi
2014-03-22 19:55:36	SmokeyBear: Hello Pluribus
2014-03-22 19:56:00	Ekko: Thank you so much! this is destiny... atitd has so much potencial! i am a passionated game-designer and currently building up a streaming-community. I'd love to contribute what i can if its possible
2014-03-22 19:56:04	ChiliPep: hey bud :)
2014-03-22 19:56:05	Aubery: Are there any plans to market the game at all ?
2014-03-22 19:57:02	Pluribus: Marketing... Plans, I will have to do additional marketing, although my current plan is to get the game back into shape first as otherwise people will see it as more of the same thing
2014-03-22 19:57:10	Nemoder: What is the goal for how long tale 7 will last?
2014-03-22 19:57:26	Pluribus: The IDEAL telling should last 1 year to 18 months.
2014-03-22 19:57:33	Obol: so each disipline will have more then 7 test but we will pick the 7 we want to do?
2014-03-22 19:58:11	Pluribus: That is the goal. That does mean that some of the "easier" tests will have to be tweaked some, but the overall flavor of the tests should still be there.
2014-03-22 19:58:25	Coors: have you ever thought about pure "mules" at a discounted rate, but unable to pass tests or vote?
2014-03-22 19:59:42	Pluribus: Actually, I have toyed with a couple of concept to either make mules less needed or reduce the cost on them. It isnt likely for the beginning of T7 but hopefully when I have my head wrapped around.
2014-03-22 19:59:48	Shemei: we are just so happy to have you take over, Pluribus
2014-03-22 19:59:50	Hounddog: i know alot of players would like to see Oyster Catcher back for End...
2014-03-22 20:00:01	Pluribus: Oyster Catcher.... Hmm...
2014-03-22 20:02:45	Pluribus: Here are my thoughts on Oyster Catcher... It is currently slated to be replaced with Isis' Bounty. That test is the only likely bit of planned content for T6 that is likely to delay the ending. I can have Oyster Catcher ready in a day or two, Isis' Bounty will take a close to a month to code/test/debug. I am willing to put that test up for a vote to the players to decide if they want that test or Oyster Catcher to the end of the telling.
2014-03-22 20:03:18	TheMazeEcho: do you have an idea of the order of the release of the last 4 tests?
2014-03-22 20:04:46	Pluribus: Promotion is the easiest and will be first. The Artists are already working on the buildings for Throne of Pharaoh, so it will be next, Messenger is a fairly straightforward one to code. so likely next, Isis' bounty is the hard one...
2014-03-22 20:04:57	DisShovel: levels remain I assume and content still gated by level?
2014-03-22 20:05:47	Pluribus: Levels will remain. Too many years and too much content to re-write to remove the levels. (Note: Levels were added at the request of players so that they could gauge were they were in the content)
2014-03-22 20:06:24	SmokeyBear: Is there an expected date when this tale might end, and new one start up?
2014-03-22 20:07:28	Pluribus: My hope currently (shot in the dark really, but I thing realistic) is late june to wrap up, a week of "open beta" then a reset and go live for T7...
2014-03-22 20:07:44	redcrowley: I notice you mentioned "If this deal goes through". What would be the stopping points for the deal going through between you and Teppy?
2014-03-22 20:08:59	Pluribus: Currently, it is just making sure that we can come to a financial agreement that gives me enough funds to keep ATITD afloat. Currently it take about 300 paying subs just to pay for the hosting. (after taxes, and fees)
2014-03-22 20:10:21	Pluribus: I want it to be fair considering the current state of the game for both of us. Either way, I will continue working on the game. However it needs to pay its own bills.
2014-03-22 20:10:27	Remases: Pluri, beyond the existing cornerstone system, maybe consider flat selling a fix number more? More revenue potential and more convenience for guilds and such.
2014-03-22 20:11:05	Pluribus: That is a good idea, part of what I meant with trying to figure out a way to reduce the need for mules.
2014-03-22 20:12:35	Pluribus: If a good method can be determined to allow the selling of those type of things or balance it so that it doesnt throw off the game, I will likely proceed with it. The game is the important thing, I dont want to kill it for short term monetary gain.
2014-03-22 20:12:56	Sabuli: A question related with more than 7 tests per line. Body tests increment stats. Can a player select 2 tests that increment the same stat and get 14 in that stat?
2014-03-22 20:14:32	Pluribus: That is a good question. The body tests will need some of the closest looks, I am concerned with the seeming runaway in stat stacking, I would like to come up with a way to control that and still make body worthwhile
2014-03-22 20:14:46	Nemoder: Will there be any major changes to the legal system? how often will new laws be implimented?
2014-03-22 20:15:58	Pluribus: Legal system... I dont have anything currently planned for it. Implementing them generally is a lower priority task... but they do stay visible to be done.
2014-03-22 20:16:18	Tyreus: question about this tale: is it still possible to pass marriage test by "casanova rule"?
2014-03-22 20:16:42	Pluribus: Casanova rule? New one on me, what was that one?
2014-03-22 20:16:59	Lothaire: Question: In Tale 7, do you intend to make a real work-around about levels ? Be it based on petitions (achievements...), previous suggestions (bribes to schools and univerisities), experience points, or any other idea you might have come up with ?
2014-03-22 20:17:46	Pluribus: I had not planned on it, but let me put that on the list to investigate. It probably isnt bad idea.
2014-03-22 20:18:50	Lothaire: Not true, Pluribus! Levels were implemented by Teppy hoping for a higher player retention, it was never a player request !
2014-03-22 20:19:48	Pluribus: It was a request / suggestion at the first player gathering... That Teppy liked... (Note: the old timers universally hated it)
2014-03-22 20:20:05	TheMazeEcho: Yes, but Teppy did say that levels wouldn't hamper anyone to do what they please. Levels were considered to be some sort of achievements, techs and skills were supposed to be accessible by all.
2014-03-22 20:20:47	Pluribus: It is already on the list to investigate...
2014-03-22 20:21:11	Hounddog: for the ppl that were not here at the time of teppy putting on the demo of oyster catcher you missed alot and he was very proud of it and ppl loved it, so maybe a demo of it again would be great for the many new ppl who never got you see it so they could make up there minds..
2014-03-22 20:21:33	Honasha: In the beginning of this chat the first few statements were of support and offers to help. What can players do now, and in the coming months to assist you with making this game a success again?
2014-03-22 20:22:24	Pluribus: Right now, I would say let your friends know that ATITD is alive again. My goal right now is to bring back the game that I loved..
2014-03-22 20:22:34	blondie: oh, gift subscriptions are something that maybe could be thought about. Many friends have helped others in giving a month of a game. An extension of that might be nice ( like the 3 month, 6 month, 12 month packages)
2014-03-22 20:23:27	Pluribus: Agreed. The old billing system was TERRIBLE about gift subscriptions... The new one will make it much easier to deal with.
2014-03-22 20:23:37	Nemoder: Would the game be more profitible as a free-to-play with hats?
2014-03-22 20:24:44	Pluribus: LOL, Free to play has lots other impacts other than revenue... (Think not being able to take paid status into consideration for DPA laws :-) )
2014-03-22 20:25:08	Hatsheput: what about selling various item for real money to players instead of the only way to get them is events, like cucumber seeds, sickle, good fishing pole etc
2014-03-22 20:26:19	Pluribus: This ties right back to the concept of reducing the need for mules, I can forsee a store to allow some items to be purchased. Some will have to stay exclusively event rewards (otherwise there is less incentive to participate :-) )
2014-03-22 20:26:32	Rabble: You can end stat stacking by fixing the bug in herb stacking
2014-03-22 20:26:55	Pluribus: Please detail what you see the bug is in a private chat please
2014-03-22 20:27:06	blondie: casanova pass is older, it's not currently in use for marriage
2014-03-22 20:27:07	TheMazeEcho: you marry as many times as possible
2014-03-22 20:27:07	ChiliPep: marry all the toons possible lol
2014-03-22 20:27:38	Tyreus: i was told that you can pass marriage test for getting married 5 (or more) times
2014-03-22 20:27:50	Renard: I work hard at monument of body in T5, to find last wine flavors, and wait since then to see this new test, will be very disapointed if we dont get it, i think we can wait again abit insted of oyster catcher( like you said 1 month or so)
2014-03-22 20:28:11	blondie: we used to be able to pass marriage through using the "casanova' method, but that's not been the case for 2-3 tellings. so it's currently not happening that way. It would open up chances for more marriage passes and people do have complaints about getting into the game too late to pass marriage.
2014-03-22 20:28:38	Rabble: The levels were compressed a lot in T5 and that took away some complaints about them. Compressing them more would probably help imo
2014-03-22 20:30:07	Honasha: I'd like to give a shout out to Nikara and TheMazeEcho for their extraordinary contributions to the society. Thank you both and any other GMs out there I haven't met yet. (dont' mean to leave anyone out)