LOOOONG Summary of the 2nd David Dobson Interview.

Bass you seem to want the Ark team to start bulding up the economy somewhare in the middle instead of at the start and a model like that is destined to fail.

Their prioritys may seem strange to you but again (I feel like broken record) Arkadia currently has the strongest economy of all the new planets so the way they are doing things must be right, sorry that you cant see this simple fact.

 

And I'm sorry you're blind on some things also Ark people admit, if you take the time to talk to them.

People should try to talk about topics; defending just saying "ark is the best of new planets" may sound shining for an Adviser, but doesnt add anything to a constructive discussion.

BTW topic closed for me, if I'm the only one complaining about things it must be something wrong with me as you say.

 

As many have already said, "many things are under MA's control". For some reason you refuses to accept the differences between a content developer that uses the tools provided vs the software developer that provide the tools.

jc

 

Bass I just knoticed that your taling about marketing and that you agree that marketing is a good thing. Now I have a question for you. Who is the marketing aimed at, current EU players or gaining new players ? Will it be worth it to do marketing if the new player experiance is lacking ?


Edit: o and this have nothing todo with trying to look good as an adviser to the A-team. Your basicaly complaining that they focus on stuff that you think is not important for now and that other things is more important so it is duscussing the topic when I'm telling you that what their doing is working.

 

I'm not talking about culprits. I dont care. I'm saying that focus (and pressure on MA) should be placed in other things, BP and native content FIRST of all. If MA is slow on Arkadia things there is a problem in relationship balancing.

 

This gos hand in hand with each other. Without the A-team presuring MA for change they are unable to implement change. MA is directly responsible for the A-team having to redo every BP they created already. Also incase you havent noticed Calypso has some tools to do stuff that the other planets cant do witch gives Calypso a sort of unfair advantage, this is something a lot more imotrent to sort out then implementing some extra BP's.

This does not mean theire not working on what you want.

 

And now I have a question for you. What events have been done since Ark was launched? Who joined that events mainly? When there were peaks of activity and everybody was happy? Who won the prizes? It's not nice to name other players, but I bet we all know that people making economy were mid-to-high players.

New players will be the economy in the next 5 years maybe (if you consider average retention rate), but the pump must be the existent player base. What would this planet be without people who CAME FROM CALYPSO? New players are important for sure, but cant be the main focus RIGHT NOW. At least, that is my opinion, is just risky.

So let's put it simple, from a stupid miner point of view: what retains Ark/MA to deliver Terramaster 5 and above BPs? or decent Terra amps? What is the misterious drawback in letting people craft and use native tools? Balancing? Hasn't the balancing been sorted out after 6 months of planet life (without counting the pre launch design time?).

Then again, we have completely different points of view that probably wont never match, but my intent is not to attack anybody. So please put the shileds down.

 

And let me say that this is THE FIRST thing Dave as CEO should take care of. An Arkadia lack of power - if it exists, of course - is Arkadia fault. Full stop. Accepting the situation is not enough, do we agree?

 

Well we can agree to agree on some part and agree to dissagree on others. Like you said we have 2 completely diffrent views about this situation.

Just on a note some of the lack of power or imbalance between Calypso and Arkadia was only recently brought to the A-teams attention by members of the comunity so its not fully their fault as It was basicaly MA that hid it from them and us players. David already mentioned in the Interview on friday that they are bussy presuring MA to lvl the playing feeld for all planets including their own planet (calypso). The bigest problem witch is probably also the reason why Calypso was sold off in the first place is that the devs for Calypso wortk alongside the platform devs and they also have MA official powers on Calypso witch allowes them to know whats comming and plan ahead and to also bypass a lot of redtape the planet partners have to go through.

 

Hi,

at first a big phat "Thank you" to Zume for the summary, +REP!
(Such a written summary is priceless for not native English speakers ...)

Then, @ Bass:

Well, I forgot when I came here, but it was very early, too. One of the first days, I took the 40 PED teleport. Since then I have spent maybe 30 minutes on another planet, Calypso, the time it took to empty my storage there and to TT what I couldn't carry, before returning to Arkadia, and staying here since.

Bass, I understand that you see some priorities different, and this is OK. I'm very sure most of us fellow Arkadians would love a quicker progress in the development of the planet. But we have to face the fact that very much of the things to come are dependent of MA, and that they are, at the moment, massively pushing their own planet.

I don't agree with all and any decisions of the A-Team, too, but I have to admit that they do a very good job - and they have, for sure, a ways deeper insight and ways more information available, then me. And this way I sometimes say to me "I don't understand this decision, but I trust in you."

As already mentioned, Arkadia seems to do very well, it has the strongest economy of all the new planets, and there seems to be a high contentedness among a quite stable population. We've been given a clear view of the things to come, with ETA's. We are enjoying the best communication I have ever seen in all EU, questions or suggestions are answered quickly, and I have already met more Arkadian "officials" in game then MA ones in all the years before.

I'm quite sure that your critics will be read, and considered, too. And I don't mind it, a little "pushing" doesn't hurt, right?

I'd not mind a concentration on new players. This would give me an edge, harhar ;-)

Seriously, I think what EU needs most is a massive influx of new players. With us few thousands of old timers, and a few stubborn newcomers, this game will not survive for so much longer - there might arise a competition suddenly, and such might be deadly for the EU, and for our investments.

So new players are the key to survival, IMHO. A new planet will not profit much from old semi Ubers (and old perma-nOObs like me) , it's the "skilling youth" that makes the money. Concentrating on improving the newbie experience first, then starting the marketing as mentioned here, seems to be a very good strategy to me.

All in all, I'm quite content on Arkadia. For me, all 3 main activities are offered in a sufficient way. Surviving on Arkadia is doable, more trade would be most welcome. Mining is just plain awesome for me, Arkadia is, from my view, the wet dream of any miner. One big problem though:

I agree. But I know that we'll never learn what goes on behind the curtains. MA is, IMHO, walking borderline with the way it privileges Calypso, and I'm very sure that this is not ignored by all the other, not-MA Planet Partners. But, again, this is something we'll rarely ever learn of.

So I just can ask for a bit of patience with the A-Team. In my book they have done very well until today, and have honestly earned our trust. And I'm sure, they value your opinion as well as I do - isn't this the most prominent feature of Arkadia, developers that actually listen to us?

Best wishes, have a good time, and ATH's for all of us!

 

And please tell me on where has the A-Team has NOT shown they have been doing what you just said?

1. Local economy - due to MA rolling out Space which killed ALL the interplanet trading. A-Team - Done. Spent weeks to redo ALL the BP requirements so instead of using generic materials, switched the requirement to local materials.
2. Mining: Balanced, and rebalanced, the ores at least twice.
3. Arkadian BPs: Done. Created events/contests, to increase crafting activities, hence increase drop rate. I am sorry, but this is one example I can use to say why I totally disagree with you that the A-team should focus on existing players. Why? Because way too many players just come for the event, take their reward, and leave the planet. I have seen way too many Arkadian UL BPs that are listed on Caly auctions, and not on Ark auctions. Who is it benefiting there? Ark, or Caly? Unless those skilled Caly players have moved to Ark, they have very little interest in Ark development and growth, other then profiting for their own pockets, while spending that profit on Caly.
3. Many, many, many, hunting, crafting, and mining events with terrific rewards that are worth hundreds and thousands of PED. But guess what, Uber players came and went and the rewards went with them. What did we new players get? Zip.
4. Textures: Done.

You want to start over from day one where you cannot even obtain TT+1 items, and all you have is a VSE? Many TT+1/+2 are STILL missing today due to the issues with MA. What are you uber players doing to help us newer players? Are you guys crafting low level items, such as hotfoot 5 and 10, or you guys are just interested in those uber items that benefits you, such as the LAW-404?

I have created thread asking for crafters to help craft TT+1/+2 items and I have created thread asking for input of materials/loot that are either missing or lacking on Arkadia. How about providing some input in those threads to help Arkadia's grow?

I give the A-Team full support on their choice to focus on new players experiences for the next 6-9 months, as IMHO they have already spent way too much time in the past 6 months on existing player experiences. Arkadia needs to offer new players interesting content that will have those new players come play to stay, and not make Arkadia be just another breeding ground of new players for Caly players to come and kidnap.

I am one of the first batch of totally new Arkadian players, born and created on Arkadia. Compare with your experience, you have it easy.

jc

 

This summarizes pretty well my thought too, you got it. That's why I'm here complaining instead of flying back to caly of FOMA, right?

 

-> 1. Local economy - due to MA rolling out Space which killed ALL the interplanet trading. A-Team - Done. Spent weeks to redo ALL the BP requirements so instead of using generic materials, switched the requirement to local materials.

So what? Missing or broken MA<->Ark communication. That's not players' fault, we agree? And IMHO the very first concern that must be addressed.

-> 2. Mining: Balanced, and rebalanced, the ores at least twice.

You're joking. We find here tons of solis, energ crystal, acid root, even azur pearls and terrudite... and guess on what BPs are they used? Not to mention the K-PED of zulax I've been TTing in these months.

-> 3. Arkadian BPs: Done. Created events/contests, to increase crafting activities, hence increase drop rate. I am sorry, but this is one example I can use to say why I totally disagree with you that the A-team should focus on existing players. Why? Because way too many players just come for the event, take their reward, and leave the planet. I have seen way too many Arkadian UL BPs that are listed on Caly auctions, and not on Ark auctions. Who is it benefiting there? Ark, or Caly? Unless those skilled Caly players have moved to Ark, they have very little interest in Ark development and growth, other then profiting for their own pockets, while spending that profit on Caly.

Done? Done?! I say it again in case you missed it: TerraMaster Finders above 4? Terra amps above joke ones? UL crafted extractors?

-> I am one of the first batch of totally new Arkadian players, born and created on Arkadia. Compare with your experience, you have it easy.

You see? You're a new player and talk like a new player. I'm fine with it. I'm not new and I don't care about newbie things because they're out of my playing style. IE, just like I dont care about FPC Hussk because it would be well out of my skill scope.

Get as many mission on carabok or oro you want, get as many newbie starters and rookie items as you want, I'm fine with it. And believe me, there is non sarcasm in my (non native) english.

But please, along that, consider that there are players out there that are in the "middle" range and have some "less basic" needs. Man, there are people out there chopping huons and korwils like mad, and not getting a single good MU item.

I still consider stupid relying on amps that are created on another planet, using resources that cant be found on ark. Shop and flats are another thing I've mentioned before.

Then, I'm repeating myself to death, so I better stop

 

Solis >> local BP: Cetus Harness (L) Blueprint (L)

Energized Crystal >> local BP: Intensity Amplifier Blueprint

acid root >> Local BP: Headshot 2 Blueprint (L) > Herman CAP-303 Desert (L) Blueprint (L) > Ursa Foot Guards (L) Blueprint

azur pearls >> Local BP: Herman ASI-40 (L) Blueprint (L) > Herman ASI-40 Arctic (L) Blueprint > Herman ASI-40 Jungle (L) Blueprint (L) > MAKO FAL-3 (L) Blueprint (L)

terrudite >> Local BP: Herman ASI-40 Desert (L) Blueprint (L)

zulax >> Local BP: Herman Cap-404 Jungle (L) Blueprint (L) > Herman CAP-404 Arctic (L) Blueprint (L) > Herman CAP-404 Desert (L) Blueprint (L) > Herman LAW-404 Desert (L) Blueprint (L) > Herman LAW-404 Jungle (L) Blueprint (L)

Not to mention that some of these mined items have more of a demand on other planets that can lead to interplanatary trade.

Edit: copy paste messed with colors and underlining that I cant get killed. Will sort it out later

 

Check here http://www.entropedia.info/Info.aspx?chart=Blueprint&id=1986

also take a look @ your BP books. If its listed there then it is ingame and ether still has to be looted or have already been looted but whoever has it isnt crafting it, etherway Ark studios have no controle over distribution.

 

Not yet had time to read it all, but big thanks to Zume for doing this. Moved both summary/transcript threads over to About Planet Arkadia section.

 

Jim,

While I applaud your support for the PP dev team, I dont think you are being fair here. Established players are doing what they can to support the success of this planet.

I and a number of other players do craft the low level items but frankly it is difficult to sell reliably. As a result I have a number of low level weapons in storage tying up my ped. They aren't really suitable for my hunting needs owing to the mobs I hunt and the gear I already have. I am hopeful that when shops are released we will be able to use those to provide higher availability of the weapons and amps you want without risking the auction fees. Personally I wish the devs had placed a higher priority on release of shops for a number of reasons relating to growing the economy. I undestand a few booths will be available when the content release comes out. There wont be enough and I worry about the pricing of a scarce commodity - shop floor space.

But anyone who wants specific TT+1,+2 weapons please feel free to contact me and I will see what I can do to keep you supplied. And if I dont have the BP and there is genuine intent to buy regularly then I will do my best to obtain the relevant BP. Same goes for low level armour.

I and a number of other players try to buy the mining or hunting loot from newer players without cutting our own throats. Other players pay over market value for sweat. Then there is the effort put in by Arkadian advisors (whom I note include yourself) as well as the people who give their time mentoring.

We arent ubers, I doubt there are many uber players based on Arkadia but there are a number of people including myself who play on a higher budget and being able to hunt for MU is critically important to sustaining that level of play. That's difficult to do on Arkadia, though not impossible. Being able to sell what we craft is key to being able to buy the loot that others get though hunting. I sell a few weapons but not that many at the moment. I can't sell furniture at all because there is no use for it on Arkadia. I'm not a miner so cant comment on the situation there.

I understand the PP dev focus on sorting out the new player experience. They have a business plan that they are working to and they can't do everything at once. But at the same time, their priorities and plans have generated a bit of pain and frustration for me and I expect for other players also.

You say that the higher level players have it easy (and we arent all that high level) and that simply isn't true. What we have is a dedication to seeing Arkadia succeed and so of course we speak up when we have issues with the way things go. I know the Devs will take our views on board even if they dont agree with us and thats great!

Regards,
KikkiJikki

 

I know, but that does not mean that they are ingame.

I remember Dave saying that higher finders BPs and amps were "too critical" item and that letting them drop was a matter of balancing to be discussed with MA. How long will it take, YEARS?!

 

Fopsie, I reply without quoting because of colors.

A fast question: who is crafting those? Hint: nobody. Why? Because nobody buys them.

Second hint: as KikkiJikki explained also, crafters STOPPED crafting here because there is no mid market to sell to; newbies are out of scope, they are into other things (TT hunting, sweating). I'm sure we both know at least 2 big crafters that STOPPED crafting lately.

When will some newbie be able to buy a CAP-404?

 

This...

Also, as David said, they are not interested in making profit right now, they want to build a player base for arkadia not steal players from other planets. Of course the tourism is welcome but there is no way to compete with a PP that can spawn eomon migrations and bot invasions every time another Planet Partner plans an event; and Ark economy cannot be based on people that comes for the rewards and leaves with the profit to expend on their home planet.

If The A-team manages to do things right, as they have planned, and manage to get the interest of the HUGE asian market of MMORPGs there will be a time when people in Arkadia will say... Calypso what?

Keep up the good job A-team, good things will come in time.