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Falka Lakadaka
BakaLakadaka Street
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Posted - 2008.03.18 12:52:00 -
[1]
Guys and girls of CCP,
I know that this timezone is your smallest demographic and the 11:00-12:00 daily down-time fits with your work schedule, but the last few weeks have been particularly frustrating for those of us trying to play Eve from down-under.
Extended down-times cut right into our play time, not because we choose to play at this time, but because of where we live. Daily down-time is something we've learned to live with, despite hating it occurring in our prime-time. Each time you extend the down-time, you cut further into the time we have online. The last couple of weeks seem to have had more occurrences of extended downtime than regular one-hour breaks.
Could you please try to give us a few days in a row where we can log in on time after down-time and get some decent game time. We realise that there are issues with the server, but we're getting more and more frustrated with the continued extensions to down-time.
Perhaps you could offer some sort of discount or other incentive to us long suffering Aussies and others in our timezone who miss out on an hour (or more) of prime time each day. We love the game, please make it easy for us to continue to love it.
Cheers Falka
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1. Read the Guides Sticky 2. ???? 3. Profit |
Falka Lakadaka
BakaLakadaka Street
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Posted - 2008.03.18 12:52:00 -
[2]
Guys and girls of CCP,
I know that this timezone is your smallest demographic and the 11:00-12:00 daily down-time fits with your work schedule, but the last few weeks have been particularly frustrating for those of us trying to play Eve from down-under.
Extended down-times cut right into our play time, not because we choose to play at this time, but because of where we live. Daily down-time is something we've learned to live with, despite hating it occurring in our prime-time. Each time you extend the down-time, you cut further into the time we have online. The last couple of weeks seem to have had more occurrences of extended downtime than regular one-hour breaks.
Could you please try to give us a few days in a row where we can log in on time after down-time and get some decent game time. We realise that there are issues with the server, but we're getting more and more frustrated with the continued extensions to down-time.
Perhaps you could offer some sort of discount or other incentive to us long suffering Aussies and others in our timezone who miss out on an hour (or more) of prime time each day. We love the game, please make it easy for us to continue to love it.
Cheers Falka
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1. Read the Guides Sticky 2. ???? 3. Profit |
Waxau
The Fated Odyssey.
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Posted - 2008.03.18 13:04:00 -
[3]
Fair points, but at the end of the day, CCP work best during their own timezone :P Which happens to coincide with your prime time. Lets face it - If you were asked to work at 2AM instead of 2 pm, which would you choose?
CCP are a business sadly, and if you think about it - They use their dt in the most convenient slot, for both players and staff. Sadly, that would outweight the desire to be 'considerate' for a few.
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Waxau
The Fated Odyssey.
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Posted - 2008.03.18 13:04:00 -
[4]
Fair points, but at the end of the day, CCP work best during their own timezone :P Which happens to coincide with your prime time. Lets face it - If you were asked to work at 2AM instead of 2 pm, which would you choose?
CCP are a business sadly, and if you think about it - They use their dt in the most convenient slot, for both players and staff. Sadly, that would outweight the desire to be 'considerate' for a few.
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Zarin
University of Caille
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Posted - 2008.03.18 13:14:00 -
[5]
Originally by: Waxau CCP work best during their own timezone.
We certainly don't want to see how they work outside of it if this is the best. Downtime is one thing, but repeated extensions earlier and later for weeks on end are abit much. It's not what we signed on for, occasionally for a new patch or expansion, no problem. But we're getting fixes for tiny insignifican't problems meaning that almost daily 2+ hours is cut out of the precious few hours we have to play. Worse, it's un-announced. If we could plan around it there wouldn't be half the complaint.
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Zarin
University of Caille
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Posted - 2008.03.18 13:14:00 -
[6]
Originally by: Waxau CCP work best during their own timezone.
We certainly don't want to see how they work outside of it if this is the best. Downtime is one thing, but repeated extensions earlier and later for weeks on end are abit much. It's not what we signed on for, occasionally for a new patch or expansion, no problem. But we're getting fixes for tiny insignifican't problems meaning that almost daily 2+ hours is cut out of the precious few hours we have to play. Worse, it's un-announced. If we could plan around it there wouldn't be half the complaint.
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Baka Lakadaka
Agony Unleashed Agony Empire
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Posted - 2008.03.18 13:34:00 -
[7]
Edited by: Baka Lakadaka on 18/03/2008 13:35:20
Originally by: Waxau Fair points, but at the end of the day, CCP work best during their own timezone :P Which happens to coincide with your prime time. Lets face it - If you were asked to work at 2AM instead of 2 pm, which would you choose?
CCP are a business sadly, and if you think about it - They use their dt in the most convenient slot, for both players and staff. Sadly, that would outweight the desire to be 'considerate' for a few.
I fully understand the rationale behind downtime - I work in the computer industry, providing risk assessments for a 24x7 insurance system. That's what makes it hard for me to ask CCP this.
I haven't asked for downtime to be moved and I don't want this to be a CCP bashing thread, as I believe the game is good and without CCP it wouldn't exist (a view that many share, but sometimes are reluctant to admit).
What I'm asking is that CCP put their heads together and come up with some sort of incentive for Aussies. An average pilot with a year in the game makes what, 10 million ISK per hour missioning or ratting? Downtime therefore deprives me of 70 million ISK per week on a good week. On a bad week it's double or more.
What I'd like to see is CCP come up with an innovative way to help Aussies out. Maybe some extra special loot drops just before or just after downtime on a random day once a month, maybe a special event with prizes in the time just before or just after DT. I'm sure there are people at CCP who can come up with something.
Edit: oops damn alts - for anyone who hadn't worked it out, I'm the OP.
Cheers Baka ______________________ Isn't it time you learned to fight back? Agony Unleashed Home of the PvP University. |
Mar'Dur Taren
The Copernicus Institute
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Posted - 2008.03.18 13:54:00 -
[8]
I just want to support my fellow Aussie here. Down time comes right in the middle of the evening for us. We have to fit what we do around DT. The un-announced extensions make life difficult. Tonight I sat around until midnight waiting for a 3 hour DT to finish because one of my accounts finished a skill during the announced DT.
I think a greater emphasis should be placed on trying to avoid the unexpected extensions. Catch the problems in testing. True we don't know the specifics of what's going on. However the regular occurrences of these extended downtimes is a worrying trend.
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schmarty pants
State War Academy
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Posted - 2008.03.18 13:57:00 -
[9]
Edited by: schmarty pants on 18/03/2008 13:58:26 psst, edited for kiwis like right now, extended downtime and it's 11.54pm, ffs, I'm off to bed now.... And when it's all you wanna do on a particular night, it's hard to justify playing this game at all.
Ohh and as far as 'a few'
I think you will find a large portion of eve players are Australian & Nz, and as far as I am concerned, 2 hours pre DT - 2 after is Prime time for us, and when most of us would play.
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Nian Banks
Berserkers of Aesir
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Posted - 2008.03.18 14:14:00 -
[10]
For the eastern states, just +1 hour later for down time would be a blessing.
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Monkey Brother
Happy Life Creator
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Posted - 2008.03.18 17:16:00 -
[11]
I just had an idea.
Why not simply have a different downtime for each time zone? Then everybody will be happy!
-------------- Monkey Brother CEO of HAPLI For standings, contact Monkey Brother |
Life Machine
Caldari Provisions
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Posted - 2008.03.18 18:08:00 -
[12]
Originally by: Monkey Brother I just had an idea.
Why not simply have a different downtime for each time zone? Then everybody will be happy!
Possibly the most stupid idea ever? Not only would you then cut into the aussie prime time, you'd cut into the American and european ones as well...what is the point in that?
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Falka Lakadaka
BakaLakadaka Street
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Posted - 2008.03.18 22:49:00 -
[13]
Edited by: Falka Lakadaka on 18/03/2008 22:50:23 Moving downtime isn't really an option. CCP have chosen it for good reasons. Us Aussies just deal with that. Reducing extended downtimes and advanced warning of extended downtimes would be most beneficial.
Different downtimes for different timezones? I can't see this working. Imagine a fleet battle where half the participants suddenly get kicked while those in a different timezone line up for a turkey shoot. After the downtime, half the participants log back in to a clone bay. Having a common downtime means that if a battle is still raging at downtime (unlikely) everyone gets logged together and it means that you don't suddenly get a whole group of people having to leave the battle because they're about to be kicked from the server. At a technical level, you can't apply patches if only half the people are logged out.
Cheers Falka
________________________________________
1. Read the Guides Sticky 2. ???? 3. Profit |
DuKai
FSF Holdings Inc
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Posted - 2008.03.19 04:10:00 -
[14]
Edited by: DuKai on 19/03/2008 04:12:04 I have to agree with the OP.
Yes, I am Aussie.
For more than 3 years I have been used to the downtime being right in the middle of my prime time. I'm sort of used to it.
I understand the need for it given the memory issues this system has.
But it does get incredibly inconvenient when there is a string of patches and repairs over the course of a week.
CCP has introduced a string of maintenance-heavy devices in eve: - POS operations - Construction/research processes - Exploration site and storyline mission timers... To list just a few
How can we meet these demands when we simply cannot get online?
It would be nice if there could be at least an attempt at "rolling patch times"... not always the same time slab which happens to be exactly the same as the Asia/Oceania after hours primary game time.
That way, the logistics and management pain won't ALWAYS hit the same people...
Ooops: posted with wrong char...
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Tajen Kata
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Posted - 2008.03.19 07:36:00 -
[15]
Edited by: Tajen Kata on 19/03/2008 07:41:04 *Daily* downtimes are just a load of *******s used to keep badly designed systems and algorithms from crapping over themselves. Given that Python is used the code can be easily patched without taking down the server or the client.
The best excuse for a downtime is to avoid the problem where you have "self-healing" system designed to run "forever" and then when it one day comes down there is no one alive that knows what how to repair it or get it running again and the life support of the planet goes down and everyone dies. I learned this from Star Trek.
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Chruker
Murky Inc. G Thanks Alliance
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Posted - 2008.03.19 09:11:00 -
[16]
Originally by: Tajen Kata Edited by: Tajen Kata on 19/03/2008 07:41:04 *Daily* downtimes are just a load of *******s used to keep badly designed systems and algorithms from crapping over themselves. Given that Python is used the code can be easily patched without taking down the server or the client.
The best excuse for a downtime is to avoid the problem where you have "self-healing" system designed to run "forever" and then when it one day comes down there is no one alive that knows what how to repair it or get it running again and the life support of the planet goes down and everyone dies. I learned this from Star Trek.
Ahh good old episode 132
Anyway, that'll take many generations to forget, unless CCP decides to boost the beer delivery schedule at the same time.
----- http://games.chruker.dk/eve_online ----- Top wishes: - No daily downtime - Faster training on sisi - Speedup IGB table rendering |
Lord Fitz
Antares Fleet Yards SMASH Alliance
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Posted - 2008.03.19 12:15:00 -
[17]
Not whinging about daily downtimes, those were what we signed on for, so it comes in the middle of our playtime. ok, an hour's not so bad. But getting yet again tonight, for a second night in a row, and a common theme these last few weeks, an extension to downtime announced AFTER the servers have gone down, and for what looks to be something that they had pre-planned, (at least based on the very limited communication given), rather than something discovered after the server went down.
Let us know and we'll just stop playing for a few weeks until things are sorted. Since instead we seem to be just spending a few weeks waiting for the server to open.
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Sanfrey Statolomy
Agony Unleashed Agony Empire
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Posted - 2008.03.21 04:25:00 -
[18]
Wait till DST ends in April and DT starts at 9pm. Then thank your lucky stars you're not in New Zealand, where DT begins at 7pm nightly. My game time is about 7pm-10pm local time, so after DST, my play time will go from 3 hours/day to 2 hours/day.
I thought China would be our great hope - that if CCP gets a grip on the Chinese market, they would be large enough to possibly bump the DT around the globe a little. So, learn Chinese and advertise Eve :)
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Life Machine
Caldari Provisions
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Posted - 2008.03.21 11:53:00 -
[19]
Originally by: Sanfrey Statolomy I thought China would be our great hope - that if CCP gets a grip on the Chinese market, they would be large enough to possibly bump the DT around the globe a little. So, learn Chinese and advertise Eve :)
China is on a different server, so I'm assuming they have their own DT. So changing the DT for the Tranquility server is very unlikely to ever happen. It was probably picked due to everyone will be in the office working at the DT, therefore if anything goes wrong or needs fixed, they don't need to do it late in the night.
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Tital
Ordos Humanitas Brutally Clever Empire
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Posted - 2008.03.26 19:18:00 -
[20]
Originally by: Life Machine
Originally by: Monkey Brother I just had an idea.
Why not simply have a different downtime for each time zone? Then everybody will be happy!
Possibly the most stupid idea ever? Not only would you then cut into the aussie prime time, you'd cut into the American and european ones as well...what is the point in that?
I think you just missed a joke |
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DuKai
FSF Holdings Inc
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Posted - 2008.03.27 09:23:00 -
[21]
Edited by: DuKai on 27/03/2008 09:23:47 Eve has grown too complex and demanding for placing the downtime burden on one timezone.
The issue is not why CCP has its downtime, patch installs and many, many fixes set around 12:00 UST. We know the drinks trolly is rolled out with lunch... ;)
The point being made here is that perhaps CCP does not appreciate the effect this regular outage has on particular players because of the game's many, many time-critical game elements...
For those of us who work or study, we are generally limted to the two hours before and after downtime in Australia for gameplay. (It tends to be either 8pm or 9pm depending on daylight savings).
I guess the question boils down to:
- Should we petition not being able to fuel pos when we have a string of patches and fixes? - Should we petition the penalties for not being able to complete missions / plexes before specified times? - Should we petition being booted from alliances/corps for not being able to meet our obligations?
Of course, the solution to the issue is to make the planet flat...
The baby's simply grown too big for specific bedtimes.
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Bunj
GREY COUNCIL Hydra Alliance
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Posted - 2008.03.29 01:27:00 -
[22]
/signed
I dont mind DT and have become used to it, infact i use it to eat dinner these days. However the extended dt's are killing me.
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Kaldani Malankori
Dragon's Serenity Holdings and Co.
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Posted - 2008.03.29 04:29:00 -
[23]
Anyone else had this? I don't know why, but I read this thread through, and the english in my head had an aussie accent xD
Nevermind that, ofcourse it's sort of unfair, and probably could only change with rolling downtimes (say 8 the first day, 16 the eigth day) or something.
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Seth Ruin
Galactic Exploration and Mining Corporation
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Posted - 2008.03.29 06:25:00 -
[24]
Originally by: Kaldani Malankori Anyone else had this? I don't know why, but I read this thread through, and the english in my head had an aussie accent xD
Nevermind that, ofcourse it's sort of unfair, and probably could only change with rolling downtimes (say 8 the first day, 16 the eigth day) or something.
Having DT, for example, every 25 hours instead of every 24 hours might help with our friends Down Under and give us all a chance to feel the frustration of losing an hour+ of prime-time play. However, as was already pointed out: The reason that time was chosen is so CCP can hopefully fix an issues that arise.
I'm with the OP on this: I'd like CCP to try harder to avoid these extended downtimes. How can major issues not be resolved before patch deployments? Why does downtime really need to be extended so often? Unfortunately, there's really no way to know without actually working there, but I sure would like to see better QA.
Besides, Australians and New Zealanders are some of the hardest workers and best fighers in this game in my experience
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DuPuy
Scrap Iron Flotilla Namtz'aar k'in
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Posted - 2008.04.15 04:54:00 -
[25]
Here we go again...
Entire primetime for a day wiped out... ... with less than 24 hours notice.
Oh: notice has been on eve-o for several days, they say.
Why would I bother reading eve-o when you havent even updated your online database for more than a year, I reply...
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schmarty pants
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Posted - 2008.04.16 09:24:00 -
[26]
Originally by: DuPuy
Why would I bother reading eve-o when you havent even updated your online database for more than a year, I reply...
Fuc.king A
But Eve online is a shi.tty game now, ever since the release of Trinity.
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Emperor D'Hoffryn
No Quarter. Vae Victis.
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Posted - 2008.04.16 18:47:00 -
[27]
What time does DT occur local time in Iceland? 10am or something?
I know CCP is hung over from the night before, but kicking DT a few hours earlier, so it occues during primetime of the middle of the pacific ocean, might be something worth looking into. intead of a 7pm DT for NZ, it would be a 5pm DT for NZ.
Plus, it would get me into bed at 2am, instead of 4am. |
Ace Rothan
Minmatar ORKS
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Posted - 2008.04.16 21:57:00 -
[28]
Originally by: Sanfrey Statolomy Wait till DST ends in April and DT starts at 9pm. Then thank your lucky stars you're not in New Zealand, where DT begins at 7pm nightly. My game time is about 7pm-10pm local time, so after DST, my play time will go from 3 hours/day to 2 hours/day.
7pm? Really?
My clock must be different as I am in Wellington NZ, DST has finished and DT is 11 to 12pm.
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Dro
The SMITE Brotherhood
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Posted - 2008.04.16 23:27:00 -
[29]
Originally by: Waxau Fair points, but at the end of the day, CCP work best during their own timezone :P Which happens to coincide with your prime time. Lets face it - If you were asked to work at 2AM instead of 2 pm, which would you choose?
CCP are a business sadly, and if you think about it - They use their dt in the most convenient slot, for both players and staff. Sadly, that would outweight the desire to be 'considerate' for a few.
2am because id be on double hourly rate =D I live in Aus and my playtime gets cut due to downtime, i arrive home from work at 6pm and the server goes down at 9pm so i can atleast get an hour or two in before DT. Actually its probly a good thing dt is at 9pm or id stay up all night playing eve and wouldnt make it to work in the morning |
DuPuy
Scrap Iron Flotilla Namtz'aar k'in
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Posted - 2008.04.17 05:12:00 -
[30]
Edited by: DuPuy on 17/04/2008 05:13:57 Downtime is a necessity.
I can live with downtime.
What I cannot live with is: - Lack of advanced warning. - A string of long downtimes affecting the same time-block.
There are a lot of time-critical elements in this game (Pos fueling, exploration, mission, research, manufacturing timers).
Without adequate warning - and adequate TIME - to do these things, there is a significant impact on people who are limited to operating around downtime.
What i want to know is:
a) Can we petition the above list if it adversely affects us?
b) Can CCP give us more than 18 hours (in game) notice in order to prevent the need for a)
Recently, we had more than three patches/fixes within one week. All with minimum notice. This made keeping our various time-critical projects alive quite harrowing...
It is NOT a burden shared by those in European and Americas timezones as it does not fall in their primetime (evening after work, after school etc).
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