“Power”-based Avatars Won’t Replace Regular DM Avatars
While the EQ2 team continues to test allowing players to use their regular characters in Dungeon Maker dungeons, additional changes are planned to make Avatars (nee Adventurers) more interesting and dynamic.
Recently, a new mechanic for Avatars went to Test, namely a “power” bar which can be built up to unlock more powerful abilities. At first, we compared it to the Beastlord Savagery bar, but Testers universally knocked this analogy, with less favorable comparisons.
In light of this reaction, Lyndro has indicated that existing Avatars won’t be changed to the new system — instead, a new line of Avatars will be added with said mechanic:
Hi folks!
Thanks for your feedback, this is exactly why we put stuff like this on test before putting it out live. Based on your feedback, instead of changing the gameplay of existing adventurers, we’re going to introduce a few new avatars based around this style of mana management. This way if you want to experiment with something different the option is there, but you can continue playing with DM in the manner that you’re used to.
Thanks again for the feedback!
Our Take
Given our druthers, we would have gone with 6-8 fully fleshed out “Characters” with a full hotbar of spells and buffs that players might learn to love, rather than gnolls and mermaids with 4 spells apiece. People can warm to playing prebuilt characters, if they’re interesting and dynamic. Squaresoft made billions on Final Fantasy before they offered installments allowing you to create your own character. People will get absorbed in a character, if it’s interesting.
Tags: design your own dungeon, dungeon maker
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Comments (5)
Taka
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You paragraph about the more flesh out “Character” was basically my feedback in conjunction with the other style. Having both and eventually “fleshing” both out with more spells/abilities is ideal in my mind.
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Feldon
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It’s what I said at Fan Faire, but I guess the right ears didn’t hear it. 😉
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Aethn
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Pretty much everyone who as tried this new “Power” system overwhelming does not like it, so why is SOE continuing its development? It seems a waste of resources and time to continue to develop something that will not be used. They should scrap further effort here and concentrate on something else that is either more appealing or improve upon what is already in use. Seems like a waste to throw good money after bad resources.
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skippydippy
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Its dead in the water already isnt it?
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Stepchylde
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@Aethn
Seems like its already been developed, so why not offer it as an alternative?
Its not what the players wanted, but at least they listened to the feedback and adjusted, rather than just force the change down our throats.
Kudos to SOE for making it an option.
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