Old Mans thoughts on SOtA, Flame proof suit on.

Grinding / Leveling - this is going to delve into single player / multi player a little. The ability to grind / level is nice but in Single player mode exp. should only the about 1/4 the points. Also as you get higher up, creatures killed should either get harder or less exp. I know it takes more points to go up but? Killing Elf mages over and over and getting 1500 each time :-(

Single Player / Multi Player - Honestly think this should go away. I see the points of playing in single player to reduce the computing work load / connection issues for some players but the ability to grind, gather, craft etc. in single player needs to be looked at to force more players to play in Multi mode. Also as above gaining in single player needs to be handicapped.

PvP - I admit I haven't done much and probably wont do much but I think a PvP instances would be AWSOME. Like a PvP Deep Woods, if you are killed here you are removed from the area for 60 minutes. But in the PvP are perhaps a Experience boost and resource boost, 25% exp increase and 50% resource boost?

Resource Gathering - since it is going to be a player driven economy I think the amount of resources gathered should be tweaked to the level of the gatherer (point spent in mining, LJ, Harvesting etc.) should grant a much higher return for that action. Also as above Gathering in a PvP are gains even more of a boost, before I get cant go into PvP are as a gatherer, you would need escorts to protect you

Skill Balancing - as of now a DPS monkey will win out PvM, it is super easy to grind as a Bludgeon Dexer ATM without much risk of death. I have been playing 82 hours according to steam and have been grinding a bit. I started out playing around with an archer and mage then flipped to Bludgeon to start up grind. I gain about 200k in 45 - 50 minutes. I would have NO chance at accomplishing this as a Mage / Archer / or Mage Archer Hybrid. I have work al of these and the ability to survive and deal damage are HUGLY Disproportionate. I also am fully aware that all the skill trees are not yet full, BBUUTT

Decorating - AWSOME I know there are issues here but haven't done to much with it as of yet.

Oh can we PLEASE PLEASE get the Satyr camp back to this publish.

 

I don't agree that the single player section should "go away". It was a feature of the kickstarter and not optional.

The whole game can be completed single player.

 

As rune said the single player has nothing to do with server demand, it was a feature which the game was sold on. In fact people wanted and pushed so far and hard for single player than single player offline was created too in addition to the single player online mode.

This is not just another MMO this is a single player game, a friend coop game, an open MMO, and has selectable PVP if you want.

As for PvP getting incentives why? if people chose to play PvP "for the challenge" (if it is more challenging that is a failure of programming) then good on them, why do they need benefits for it?

 

I totally agree... SotA is a single player game w/ multi play aspects added, there's no denying that... I quite enjoyed getting 1800 exp for killing a Mimic, but if I were to wait for it to respawn... I'd be bored silly, so I move on to the next fun encounter. I don't see it as a "grind" because before I have a chance to look at my exp level, boom I hear that wonderful sound of the next level being achieved, and after having so much fun... The "mages" have low quality loot, and run at the first chance they get, the "archers" are too funny, trying to lure players back to the fighters, all one needs to do is back up, and they will soon follow you anywhere...

 

Single player doesn't need to go away but if you play single player you should not be able to gain the same levels as somopne playing in multi and as for PvP Rick vs reward.

Also as I STATED this are my thought TY for you input but present a problem without a solution is worthless.

 

I have no idea why the OP is so obsessed with single player mode being penalized. I don't plan to play it, but I might, but I frankly don't care how others play the game. It just seems like an irrational obsession to me. /puzzle

 

The single player option - without any difficulties or penalties - was a promise of the kickstarter campaign and without this feature I hadn't pledge the game. I wonder why people are against this mode - or want to penalize the use of it. What's wrong? If you don't like this mode just play multi player! And let the other players the freedom of choice.

 

Right, I certainly wouldn't have backed $150 without a full singleplayer experience. I'm onboard because of the mainline Ultima series not UO.

 

The SP-part is the reason for me to have pledged and be interested in this game in the first place. If SotA would be an MMORPG only, I would not be a part of this community.

 

Single player and friend only are the ONLY reasons I pledged, I may play open occasionally (especially in town) but for the most part peole annoy me. Give me NPCs over most of you guys any day

 

Thought I'd just post that I disagree with most if the conclusions in the OP. I think I know where this is coming from but I think it goes against the stated goal of the game.

The greatest idea of this game is the joining of the shards, hence the name, without the concept of Selective multiplayer it wouldn't have been as successful in crowd funding as it is.

The strength of this concept is already evident for those of us who go back and forth between single and multiplayer.

I'm one of those who like the social aspects of multiplayer but when doing the grand tour for the hat I went directly for single player because I don't want people ruining the guides and I don't want to be rude when just running past everyone.
I could give a dozen such examples but that is the most obvious one.

 

OK here is the reason I have an issue with the single player option.

At some point they have eluded to having "special items", so now I go out and try and gather this "special item" and find it can be used to make a Sword that is %50 better than any I have found previously. I learn how to go get this and just go out and, in single player which guarantee it is there for ME, farm it. Now I have many more items to make with and sell to you. True EVERY one can do this but then it make the game very individual and selfish. I fell it should still be a game more aligned with community. I know many don't agree but that is my reasoning ???

 

If people are playing online SPO everyone will share all resources in an overall amount....it will not always be there if it has been farmed elsewhere. At the moment it isn't set up like this. You will have the same chance mp and sp to get that node.

 

Wow, you are a really good level grinder Weins201... Only level 19 atm... )

 

Ok, OP doesn't like single player and doesn't want anyone else to do it either. He wants it to be forced social. This is not the game for you sir.

 

I take it, that you're not played much SotA test, to make those assumptions... "special items" have always been "cosmetic" in nature, the Dev's have never said "swords w/ 50% more power" or armor for that matter. SotA is NOT an item base game (like UO), what you find as Loot will most likely be player crafted or basic game generated.

These special hats for doing the Tour quest is a RP tool, and you can try to obtain a second if you like, but 1 per account will be registered by the game...

 

Three misconceptions here
1
Rare/unique items are shared among the instances.
For example you are in multiplayer and I am in single player we both go up to a vendor waiting for wares to respawn. Whoever closes the deal first will get them regardless of single player or multi player.
The only way to get your own economy is to play "offline"
2
There is a scene payoff metric and if the devs see that any type Single/Friends/multi is exploiting something they will change the distribution. There is no mode that will gain 'more' than the others.
3
SotA is looking for a diminishing curve instead of a linear one. So while there will be good gear the last % isn't that much better than the one before.
I would be surprised if you'd find overpowered gear in the wild compared to crafted.

Hope this makes you more friendly vs other modes.
Selective multiplayer is a great concept.

 

If there had not been promised a single player game/mode, there would not have been near as many pledges. I know they would not have had mine. Single player is what I am in it for first and foremast.

 

Exactly and therefore they should shift their focus to the SP-part of the game and make it a true Ultima with a believeable world that feels alive, NPCs with daily schedules and a purpose in the world as well as backgrounds and personalities and managable companions with their own backgrounds, personalities and agendas! The SP part of SotA has to play like other true SP-RPGs, especially like an SP-Ultima!

 

Single Player may be why a bunch of you have donated and started but it is Multi Player that will give this game longevity