Pages: [1] 2 :: one page |
|
Author |
Thread Statistics | Show CCP posts - 4 post(s) |
|
CCP Fallout
|
Posted - 2009.04.15 18:05:00 -
[1]
Here's something you may not be aware of: our missions and deadspace content are not forged in the land of fire and ice, but in the humble state of Georgia, land of peanuts and Billy Beer. In our newest dev blog, CCP Technobabble shares with us the story of the Atlanta Content Team and the growing importance of in-game stories in EVE Online.
Fallout Associate Community Manager CCP Hf, EVE Online Contact us |
|
Ancy Denaries
Caldari Solaris Operations
|
Posted - 2009.04.15 18:24:00 -
[2]
Edited by: Ancy Denaries on 15/04/2009 18:25:08 I can't believe this...FIRST!
And of course, it all sounds totally awesome! I'm actually considering bringing an alt thru these epic missions (since my main has too much of a dent in her sec status >.<)
I'm excited to see what these epic missions can be used for, and how many of them we'll see in the future. Keep up the ozom work! ----- Why doesn't anyone ever read the forums before posting? EVE is a game of adaptation and planning. Adapt or die. |
ArmyOfMe
The Athiest Syndicate Advocated Destruction
|
Posted - 2009.04.15 18:53:00 -
[3]
second
oh, sounds awsome btw
|
TimGascoigne
The Graduates Morsus Mihi
|
Posted - 2009.04.15 18:59:00 -
[4]
excellent so soon we will have 100 more excuses for the princess getting captured.
not to worry I'm sure it will still be the same set of tanking modules and same damage type.
|
Nova Fox
Gallente Novafox Shipyards
|
Posted - 2009.04.15 19:58:00 -
[5]
Just waiting on better journal layouts.
Pre-order your Sisters of ≡v≡ Exploration ship today, Updated 6Apr09 |
Pottsey
Enheduanni Foundation
|
Posted - 2009.04.15 20:27:00 -
[6]
Edited by: Pottsey on 15/04/2009 20:32:52 "Together, we built you a story that runs at least fifty missions while our toolset was being reworked. We wanted to make this first story accessible to everyone, particularly with wormholes already being geared at more experienced players. We wanted to give new players an idea of the complicated back-story of our little universe, so we set up a framework that weaves through all four factions, where everyone has hidden agendas, and where the player has a chance to interact with some characters we hope are memorable"
I hope that is not in reference to the first epic mission this really worries me. Are CCP aware of how the epic mission story is widely regarded as very rubbish, and makes little sense and just generally very poorly done. I have yet to meet anyone who enjoyed or liked the epic mission. The epic didnt even end it just stoped, many people though it was broken, not the end it was that bad.
I am still very disappointed with the overall story from the expansion. It's been very poorly implanted and well below subpar. The wormhole part was good but the two NPC races were done very poorly. The epic mission has been a major disappointment, I bet if there was a poll it would be largely negative.
"and we're very excited to have a number of new tools we can now really begin to put into use" How many years are CCP going to feed us this rubbish? I am sure I am not the only PvE fed up of reading that but seeing no results month in month out, year in year out. CCP have been saying that for years now, still no decent results. When it comes to story and PvE Eve is well behind the times. Stop telling us about new tools and go get some decent PvE content out that does not involve PvP or 0.0 style space. Its been years since any decent PvE content was added that did not invole PvP or 0.0 style space.
"We wanted to give new players an idea of the complicated back-story of our little universe" Then why did you remove all the great complicated back-story from the introduction and come up with the new introduction which is story lite? Not only does the new intro look very poor with it being blocky and low quietly but the old intro was far better from a story point of view.
New players have a worse time of the story as you removed all the great bits. I would like to see a poll on how many thing the old intro not only looks better but how many think its a better intro. At the very least you should up the quality of the intro to remove the blocks. ______ How to Passive Shield Tank T2
|
Pottsey
Enheduanni Foundation
|
Posted - 2009.04.15 20:41:00 -
[7]
The biggest problem with the Eve storyline is the players are not involved. chronicle and books should have little mentions of players or player corps or player actions every so often. Nothing major and not focuses around players but just little things like the person in the story could say I bought a module of player corp X. Or let's take a detour around sectors X due to alliance/corp war B. Just little things so the players feel like they are a part of the story.
The players need to be integrated more into the story. Instead of Sleepers being 100% known from day 1 you could have had unidentified ships that over time become unidentified after we recovered parts and delivered them to science corps to study. That would have been a great way to integrate the story into the game and make the players feel like they are a part of the story. Then a patch and story a few months down the line say there is a sensor update due to corps xxx handing in parts of the unknown ships for study. A link has been drawn between the sleepers of old and new unknown ship so we call them sleepers.
______ How to Passive Shield Tank T2
|
Dex Nederland
Caldari Lai Dai Infinity Systems
|
Posted - 2009.04.16 01:25:00 -
[8]
Originally by: Pottsey "We wanted to give new players an idea of the complicated back-story of our little universe" Then why did you remove all the great complicated back-story from the introduction and come up with the new introduction which is story lite? Not only does the new intro look very poor with it being blocky and low quietly but the old intro was far better from a story point of view.
New players have a worse time of the story as you removed all the great bits. I would like to see a poll on how many thing the old intro not only looks better but how many think its a better intro. At the very least you should up the quality of the intro to remove the blocks.
The current SoE arc actually does provide a bit more depth beyond even what the previous introduction did. Granted, I didn't play all the way through it on an alt (Dex is not a fan of SoE, CONCORD, or the Federation), but from the few acts I did play, actually reading the info text provided; a fair amount of information was provided. Basic explanation of the Guristas, Serpentis, Mordu's Legion, the war between the State and the Federation and previous relationship, etc, all had a decent basic introduction.
This basic introduction could be improved with better IGB and wiki IGB design and use of links to the wiki material in the mission text (and info blocks). This lets the new player interested in learning more explore the material available immediately.
The SoE mission arc however is almost a continuation of the tutorial; it is a basic intro to the background. It really is designed for new players; the tip of the iceberg that you and I are familiar with (and we are familiar with different parts of the very complicated world).
All this being said; Pottsey's basic point stands. There is near-zero impact (FW news item objectives not withstanding) players can have on the NPC world. Also there is little reason for anyone to actually play PvE in a multiplayer format.
In-Game Browser : http://ldis.caldari-made.net |
Aethrwolf
Caldari Home for Wayward Gamers
|
Posted - 2009.04.16 02:04:00 -
[9]
So.. when do we get higher level arcs? When can pilots with bad factions standings be viable to run epic arcs? (my alt will never run missions, its not why I have him around, and I see no point in creating an alt JUST to see what an epic arc is like) When can we do missions that actually AFFECT the EVE universe? When can pilots have a viable means of fixing bad faction standings? (in some cases that way on purpose, in others via ignorance, and yet others sheer apathy) I fall under the ignorance group as I was guilty of "just playing" the game and didnt realize how quickly standings can fall until it was much too late to quickly fix.
suggestions: 1. arc choices that let you avoid places you cant go due to standings. 2. missions that are specifically intended to mend bad standings without hurting your good ones (at least not MUCH) maybe no rewards but standings. 3. possible "passes" to allow missions that take you into hostile faction standings. maybe something like a tag given to you for the duration that tells the faction navies you are allowed to be there that goes away when you turn the mission in?
as to no reason to pve in an online multiplayer setting.. I play to relax most of the time and pve lets me do that and still interact with ppl. Call me a carebear if you will, but think about this.. its still pvp even if I'm only trying to get away. I also dont throw a fit if I do get nailed while trying to flee. ticks me off sometimes, sure, but I calm down pretty quickly. After all, if popping basically defenseless ships makes someone feel better (cause I always seem to get nailed when I'm in a hauler or some such), then who am I to complain since most mission rats are pretty defensless when I warp in on them.
Absolutely everything is subjective. |
Deviana Sevidon
Gallente Panta-Rhei Guardian Federation
|
Posted - 2009.04.16 08:51:00 -
[10]
The epic storyarc was not really logical. Still it was funny to see the Caldari Agent yelling at me and tell me to GTFO because my Caldari State really hates me, but still gave me the mission.
I would like to see a few more storyarcs and also some better rewards. The rewards do not have to be always ISK wise, a bit of more background lore to the history of the EVE races, after completing a storyarc involving archaeology would be nice for example.
Quote: Disclaimer: All mentioned above contains my opinion and is therefore an absolute truth (for me anyway, my universe, muhahaha.....ok, done
|
|
Bartholomeus Crane
Gallente The Crane Family
|
Posted - 2009.04.16 13:03:00 -
[11]
A starting point it may be, but there has been a lot going on before this point, and not all has been very positive. As such you'll appreciate that you face a task in convincing the players that this is not yet another red herring made up out of broken promises. All during my time in EVE I heard that new tools and new things are being implemented for missions. What is missing all this time is any noticeable effect of this in the game itself. I have no doubt that the capabilities for the writers have been expanded, but too many missions still feel the same. The epic mission arc is a step in the right direction as it allows for more player interaction, but it is a small step thus far. You've thrown down the gauntlet on yourself, one can only hope that this time, you'll actually be able to deliver on it. -- Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? |
Jowen Datloran
Caldari Science and Trade Institute
|
Posted - 2009.04.16 13:18:00 -
[12]
Edited by: Jowen Datloran on 16/04/2009 13:18:41 I have done the epic arc mission too. And I am sorry to say that even though I tried (and wasn't drunk) I did have some real problems finding out the point and following the flow of the story.
I mean, take a look at the mission debriefing list that tells you have your mission has progressed so far. The statements there give me no clue why I was doing the single mission or what my major goal is.
The single missions seems to connect sequentially well but they don't in a broader view. Did different people write the different parts and you just "glued" the endings together?
Btw. I have run and documented all the Amarr COSMOS missions and they are awesome. Not only is there an intriguing back story that the different agents give little bits of information about, but the variation in mission designs and goals are great. I have even forgotten how old COSMOS is, but I clearly remember the promises made at that time and they seem awful close to what you are promising now. Nothing happened at that time. Most missions are still generic and nearly identical in design and objective.
I am a bit puzzled why the people designing the deadspace complexes aren't the ones writing the mission descriptions too. Or am I one of the very few people who both are capable of coding software and writing stories?
You make sound like now you can mass produce innovative and variating missions, I really hope that will be true. ---------------- Mr. Science & Trade Institute
|
Kuranta
Minmatar Pator Tech School
|
Posted - 2009.04.16 13:19:00 -
[13]
Nice to hear some from you content guys and your shiny new tools.
Although you thought of this allready: Wouldn't it be cool to drop a ransom at a site and after deliverance having to scan down the attached tracing device.
one thing I'd like to know: how the hell do you guys get your CCP xxx names? Do you get to choose yourselves? Or does Oveur give the names in an occult ceremony? CCP Big Dumb Object is just hillarious, among others.
|
Jowen Datloran
Caldari Science and Trade Institute
|
Posted - 2009.04.16 13:26:00 -
[14]
New mission suggestion: Encounter/courier
Location: Deadspace complex, acceleration gate only allow access for industrial and transport ships.
Opposition: Light, just enough so you either have to fit a tank or a gun to shoot them down.
Objective: To pick something up or deliver something of considerable size to the deadspace pocket. Opposition does not need to be destroyed. ---------------- Mr. Science & Trade Institute
|
|
CCP Jasonitas
|
Posted - 2009.04.16 14:30:00 -
[15]
Quote: one thing I'd like to know: how the hell do you guys get your CCP xxx names? Do you get to choose yourselves? Or does Oveur give the names in an occult ceremony? CCP Big Dumb Object is just hillarious, among others.
Some dev names are foisted upon a person. Others are born of the ether. The lucky few choose their names. Mine, of course, was mandated from the heavens.
|
|
|
CCP Jasonitas
|
Posted - 2009.04.16 14:44:00 -
[16]
Quote: I'm excited to see what these epic missions can be used for, and how many of them we'll see in the future. Keep up the ozom work!
You'll be happy to know that we have started work on the next batch of epic arcs (plural!). Their focus will be on the major empires. That's all I can say for now (CCP Molock only allows me out of my box for fifteen minutes a day). But, thanks for all your suggestions. We are keeping a lot of the issues you are bringing up in mind, so I want you all to know that we are listening. Thanks!
|
|
Nyphur
Pillowsoft Total Comfort
|
Posted - 2009.04.16 14:51:00 -
[17]
Shameless plug: EVE Evolved: Storytelling in EVE Online
|
Pottsey
Enheduanni Foundation
|
Posted - 2009.04.16 15:29:00 -
[18]
Edited by: Pottsey on 16/04/2009 15:30:15 Another problem I have with Epic missions are all the immersion-breaking bits. It didn't matter what you did in the mission everything always defaulted. What I mean is I was doing the epic mission part "An Economy Under Threat" and stuff I had blown up in mission "Passive Observation" had automatically respawned in "An Economy Under Threat". Things you do in the older missions do not matter as the next time your in that area the area defaults and everything just reappears as though you where never there.
I love the idea behind epic missions but what we have seen so far needs a lot of work and a decent reward adding for getting to the end.
______ How to Passive Shield Tank T2
|
Bom Bommer
|
Posted - 2009.04.16 21:16:00 -
[19]
Edited by: Bom Bommer on 16/04/2009 21:20:08 Hmmm, I've got mixed feelings with the first epic arc. The characters and writing style were enjoyable, the mission's environments were well designed and some mission's objectives were original with interesting ideas. Besides, the references to the background and frequent travels were nice. All in all, it's more a success than a failure imho. But there are also very annoying parts, things that seem to be here just to make the arc longer and, after some time, I lost interest and even found myself to forget why I was actually doing that. Clearly, you could have make the arc shorter and far better. If a part is bad, please cut it or rework it : two excellent arcs > three good ones > five medium ones.
Now, I'm not a native English speaker and, although I'm used to read in English, I'm quickly bored by it. It's certainly a big problem and I don't think I'm the only one like that. But there are a few things you can do to make things better : * Larger UI fonts. Damn, we're no longer playing in 1024*768 nowadays and you use dark backgrounds, which make things worse. * Better mission layout. You did progress in that field but the left part could still be better. Maybe it could be made larger. * Maybe add a picture once in a while, like you do in chronicles, to strenghten the mood. * One or two kinematics (not sure it's the correct word : movies ?) per arc would be great but it probably won't happen (although ambulation makes me hope). * Better summaries for what have been done so far. * Shorter arcs
Finally, yes, give us choices that matter please. Not like the one in the current arc, where you just do the same thing for one of the four faction. Let us betray, let us lie, let us be good, let us choose whether to take risks or not, etc... Yes, it means that some of the content will be unreachable after those choices, which means less content to experience, but it also means great content, which is ten times better. And it means also it is interesting to redo the arc with another char, to test another choice.
PS : I think I saw somewhere you were going to add more translations. Although you will probably choose to prioritize the UI and items descriptions to make the game more accessible to non-English speakers, the missions, chronicles and all background-related stuff are what I consider as a priority. Don't think it will happen, though, but it would make the game twice more interesting from my own point of view.
|
Chainsaw Plankton
IDLE GUNS IDLE EMPIRE
|
Posted - 2009.04.17 02:04:00 -
[20]
Originally by: Bom Bommer kinematics
not Kinematics, you were looking for Cinematics. never noticed how similar these two words are
I just posted something about using epic arcs to fix standings. faction a, and b are fighting, while you are running a mission for faction c. how you go about "fixing" the problem could have +/- small/large changes to factions a, b, and c.
|
|
Typhado3
Minmatar Ashen Lion Mining and Production Consortium Aeternus.
|
Posted - 2009.04.17 05:49:00 -
[21]
not sure if it's you guys who deal with it but any plan to change some of the older mission stories, in particular some of minning mission dialog such as "yawn sounds boring....", "it was awfully dull.....", "that's one boring scenario......". I know it's mining but do we really need npc's telling us eve is boring? It ****es me off whenever I read these descriptions
ccp fix mining agent missions % pls |
Bom Bommer
|
Posted - 2009.04.17 14:25:00 -
[22]
Edited by: Bom Bommer on 17/04/2009 14:30:18 Edited by: Bom Bommer on 17/04/2009 14:25:15
Originally by: Chainsaw Plankton not Kinematics, you were looking for Cinematics. never noticed how similar these two words are
Thanks for the information, Chainsaw. :) Curiously enough, in French, they are the same word ("la cinTmatique"). It gave me an intuition and, after some googling, it appears that "cinematic" actually derives from the French word, while "kinematics" is obviously much older and directly derives from Greek, hence the two different writings in English. Now the question is to know how, at first place, the "kinēma" Greek word evolved into the "cine" sound in French. I suspect the Ancient Rome to be at fault ("cinematica" in Italian), or maybe the Arabs or their translators at the time the ancient Greek writings were rediscovered. However, I fear the Arab version of the wiktionary won't be of much help to me. Too bad, another unanswered question...
Quote: I just posted something about using epic arcs to fix standings. faction a, and b are fighting, while you are running a mission for faction c. how you go about "fixing" the problem could have +/- small/large changes to factions a, b, and c.
I sign this up but I wonder whether CCP considers this as a problem or as a feature...
|
The Snowman
Gallente Aliastra
|
Posted - 2009.04.18 09:52:00 -
[23]
One thing which makes the epic, and every other mission for that matter, really boring is the fact that you have to read!
Now, I dont want to sound like a complaining child who moans about having to do his homework, but very few people have the time, or desire to sit there and read! Lets not forget the alarming amount of gamers who are actually dyslexic.
So why not have the missions commentated? Aha! I know what your gona say "This would fatten the size of the client too much" soooo, why not have the commentry on a server and stream it? you could have a little button on each mission which says 'play audio' and a disclaimer 'please alow audio to buffer'
Maybe in the future you could even put video on. We are in the age of fast internet speeds, audio and video streams, so why not make use of it?
|
Pottsey
Enheduanni Foundation
|
Posted - 2009.04.18 15:13:00 -
[24]
As much as I love audio I can understand why it's not done. The problem is once the audio is done the text cannot be changed easily. If some line of text needs changing or rewriting then the whole things needs re-recording.
One solution might be one of those computer text to speech programs. Some are very good now and sounds human and you wouldn't fatten the size of the client as no audio files. You can also change the mission text as much as you like, no more re-recording.
______ How to Passive Shield Tank T2
|
Bom Bommer
|
Posted - 2009.04.18 15:50:00 -
[25]
Edited by: Bom Bommer on 18/04/2009 15:51:21 Edited by: Bom Bommer on 18/04/2009 15:51:09 Errr, understanding an English voice is far more complicated for non-native English speakers than reading English, especially with some accents (including the ones we can hear in Iceland ;) ). So it could be nice as long as it doesn't lead to neglect the ones who will prefer to read text. Besides, since it is slower to hear a text than to read it, it would be better to let the audio broadcast after the mission has been accepted and the agent interaction window closed (first you check the rewards and such, then you hear the story). Now, it would certainly help to enter the mood. Well, with real actors at least, I don't think a machine can create a mood, even if it sounds natural.
On a side note, I don't think it would be that huge (a couple of hours) but it may be expensive (actors' wages, increased traffic, etc). Besides, either it would be translated for localized clients, which would be even more expensive, either it would be left in English at the risk of creating a cheap impression.
Finally, I think it just won't happen.
|
Syekuda
Caldari United Resistance
|
Posted - 2009.04.18 23:13:00 -
[26]
Does this mean you will concentrate more on epic missions than the "regular" missions ?
Also, I've been thinking about agent location and is it possible to add more agents so that in turn will decrease the traffic in certain systems like motsu for example ?
Besides that, good work on the storyline (while were talking about stories). I've been reading the chronicles while im at the job (good thing ALT+TAB works)and there awesome.
|
Syekuda
Caldari United Resistance
|
Posted - 2009.04.18 23:22:00 -
[27]
On the last comments on audio, why not begin with "communication links" that pops up while your doing the mission. Right now in some missions, you go in a deadspace pocket and your agent gives you information either with a popup or on the local channel. How about replace that with a video (your agents face with some simple animation) that tells you the update.
If all goes well (codes, comments and that stuff) make the briefing on a need to know basis. This makes more sense since your agent works for a mega corp you know. She could tell you "heres the bookmark, go there and I'll give you the intel when your there". The only thing you could know is what faction or enemy your fighting. This gives you a chance to properly fit your ship. Then you go to that location and with a small video (deadspace <-- awesome dos game) she gives you the intel. Of course there could be a small button that says "text only" which could be the same thing but in text.
With this method, its still linear but a bit more dynamic since you don't know what to expect.. only at the last minute.
|
The Snowman
Gallente Aliastra
|
Posted - 2009.04.19 11:52:00 -
[28]
yea, I can see how the need for altering text would be a tumbling block.
As for the problems of people whos english isnt first language, I say again, it would be an option NOT a replacment additionally, since its off the client and on some otherserver, multiple languages could also be an option
text to computer voice certainly has improved over the years (cough, we'll forget about vent however) I had a mate with a mobile phone that read his texts, and it was pretty good, but to get it to sound real you had to tweak the spelling, still may not be smooth enough for CCP's high standards.
Hell, with CCP's long term view on eve they may already have an expansion planned for video interaction and in-game movie clips |
Bom Bommer
|
Posted - 2009.04.20 15:34:00 -
[29]
Hmmm, I previously talked about text size, layout and such as things that make the text easier and more interesting to read. It stroke me I forgot to mention one of the most important things : font face and antialiasing. Let's face it, those crippled texts are not only ugly, they're also boring and tiring to read on the long run. Maybe, we could have something better, either for the whole game or just for the missions.
Although I think Eve would greatly benefit from it, achieving a good AA algorithm for DX is hard and there may be patent issues. Worst, users are strongly used to their platform's native algorithms (MS emphasizes reading comfort at the cost of a distortion of the fonts while Apple emphasizes the respect of the font face's design - once you're used to one of them, you find the other one horrible). However, a simple trick would be to make the missions window opaque and pregenerate at compile time images of the mission texts on a predefined background colour.
|
Popsikle
Minmatar Caffeine Commodities Company Dark Taboo
|
Posted - 2009.04.20 17:12:00 -
[30]
Originally by: Pottsey The biggest problem with the Eve storyline is the players are not involved. chronicle and books should have little mentions of players or player corps or player actions every so often. Nothing major and not focuses around players but just little things like the person in the story could say I bought a module of player corp X. Or let's take a detour around sectors X due to alliance/corp war B. Just little things so the players feel like they are a part of the story.
The players need to be integrated more into the story. Instead of Sleepers being 100% known from day 1 you could have had unidentified ships that over time become unidentified after we recovered parts and delivered them to science corps to study. That would have been a great way to integrate the story into the game and make the players feel like they are a part of the story. Then a patch and story a few months down the line say there is a sensor update due to corps xxx handing in parts of the unknown ships for study. A link has been drawn between the sleepers of old and new unknown ship so we call them sleepers.
Players will never really change the story lines ever again. Goons made sure of that. You want more interaction without some space fgts complaining that is unfair, get rid of the goons first. ____ <t20> i want to be in a manager potition at Hooters <SaraDawn> Garthagk, do you have it up ? <Garthagk> I can get it up anytime. |
|
|
|
|
Pages: [1] 2 :: one page |
First page | Previous page | Next page | Last page |