tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015737272343810105.post3602200449074325924..comments2024-03-29T05:19:30.673-04:00Comments on The Grumpy Elf: 10 Reasons for a Solo Play OptionTheGrumpyElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07621615711198405365noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015737272343810105.post-34934285268125195222012-07-03T16:22:11.476-04:002012-07-03T16:22:11.476-04:00Ooops...obviously meant ''gearing up is ea...Ooops...obviously meant ''gearing up is easier in PvP than PvE''NetherLandsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015737272343810105.post-36701065546956757282012-07-03T16:20:18.303-04:002012-07-03T16:20:18.303-04:00The object of Polls is to fill in the most appropr...The object of Polls is to fill in the most appropriate/fitting answer.<br /><br />So if you don't really like PvP, it's 'I don't reallly like PvP'.<br />If you like all forms of PvP, it's 'I'll PvP anytime, anywhere' etc.<br /><br />Also, while you say you are not a PvP'er, you are a willing consumer of PvP content - which is what these polls (and debates) are about: how many people like consuming this type of content?<br /><br />But no worries, the Devs later talked these Polls down, also, for pretty much the same reason (if clearly more people like to consume PvP content instead of the type of content the Devs want to focus on, it stands to reason in a subscription game that more time gets devoted to developing said PvP content).<br /><br />But I agree that Gearing up is easier in PvE than PvP, which is at it should be: not so much iLevel progression is the focus of PvP (although I'm the first to admit that the current system brings in a lot of leechers who are only doing it for that purpose; lowering the iLevel of PvP gear might be one of the good changes in MoP) but the pitting of one team against the other and see who's best (although, again, I'm the first to admit that that's the ideal, the practice too often leaves much to be desired), which requires that Gear differences aren't too big (which Cata however completely ignored and one of the main reasons Cata BG's tend to be so lopsided, at least here in the EU)NetherLandsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015737272343810105.post-9699945507780135222012-07-03T14:36:32.766-04:002012-07-03T14:36:32.766-04:00The post, from blizzard itself, said 2.5M characte...The post, from blizzard itself, said 2.5M characters have finished dragon soul on at least LFR difficulty. I will try to find the link if I can.<br /><br />That is why I call it spin. They know people know there are 10M players, they put a quote saying 2.5M characters have finished and wanted people to think 25% of the players have when in fact it was not 25% of the players because most players have multiple characters that have finished it so it is most likely a lot less.<br /><br />It is spin, them trying to make it look like a much bigger success than it was. Nothing wrong with that really, that is what companies do.<br /><br />Can't actually expect them to say they put in all that work for the LFR and only 2% more people raided. It would make them look bad when in fact that is a lot closer to accurate than them trying to trick people into thinking 25% did.TheGrumpyElfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07621615711198405365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015737272343810105.post-26628320689363137312012-07-03T14:32:33.405-04:002012-07-03T14:32:33.405-04:00Many of those options fit me personally. So if I ...Many of those options fit me personally. So if I ticked one of them that makes me a PvPer? Nope.<br /><br />I would not argue it is skewed, I would argue that it is misleading.<br /><br />Example...<br /><br />I fit many of those...<br />1) I enjoy normal Battlegrounds, while leveling and/or at level cap.<br />2) I tend to focus on Arenas. There can be only 2s! (Or 3s, or 5s.)<br />3) I like getting together with guildies and playing War Games the most.<br />4) I'll PvP anytime, anywhere. As the saying goes, "if it's red, it’s dead."<br />5) I'm not really into PvP, but I will happily defend myself if attacked in the open world.<br />6) I prefer not to PvP at all. Can't we all just get along?<br /><br />So 6 of the 8 apply to me, and I am NOT a PvPer. I am sure there are many players, just like me, that are not PvPers that ticked one of those.<br /><br />The poll is pure spin at best. It is not even close to accurate in telling how many PvPers there are. I could have chosen any of those 6 and it been 100% truth, 4 of those six would label me as a PvPer when I am not and the other two just means I would PvP if I had to, even the can't we all just get along one does not say they do not PvP. <br /><br />The poll is spin, nothing more, nothing less.<br /><br />And yes, we do agree there. PvP has many more ways to enjoy yourself in the game and that is why I think it is so huge in the game.<br /><br />You still get honor for losing. In PvE you get nothing unless you win. That is one huge reason PvP appeals to a much larger audience. In PvE one person being bad can destroy your chances of winning, in PvP one player being bad is not a problem, they can't mess the whole fight up for you. Those are some reasons why so many PvEers do PvP when they are bored, because there is nothing to lose. Even if you lose you win and even if you are bad you can't really cause a wipe, so to speak. PvP is just easier and in a game that caters to casuals, PvP is the way to go. <br /><br />Note: Not talking top level PvPers because that stuff is vicious hard at the top level. I am talking the average person that put they do PvP in that survey that are not actually PvPers. If you are talking hard core PvPers, I would say that number is about equal to raiders. Just a guess of course but looking at the number of players in ranked arena and RBGs would lead you to believe that might be accurate.TheGrumpyElfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07621615711198405365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015737272343810105.post-15983241196111821652012-07-03T12:08:36.819-04:002012-07-03T12:08:36.819-04:00The Poll included the option ''I prefer no...The Poll included the option ''I prefer not to PvP at all', which those that prefer not to PvP at all would tick.<br /><br />So if one truely thinks that money shouldn't be spent on PvP content, he'd tick that as well.<br /><br />You can argue that the sample group is a bit skewed (primarily the hardcore visit Fora and blogs, the numbers of Rated PvP and Twinking are in all likelyhood lower and those of regular BG's relatively larger), but the same goes for all the Raider whine on the Fora etc. (because the hardcore visit the Fora more, and Raiding is a hardcore activity, they are more likely to post on the Fora. Of course, this leaves the possibility that the group who e.g. complaint about 7 instead of 8 extra bosses each Patch may just be a little more...vocal than the groups that don't get new content each and every Patch, but let's not dive into that one).<br /><br />Do also note the similarities between the two Poll results (EU being a bit more hardcore), to me it suggests that those numbers are pretty accurate.<br /><br />Twitch PvP doesn't make fun PvP for those interested in it, the deplorable state of (esp. low-level) Cata PvP attests to that one could argue.<br /><br />From a gamedesign perspective it's entirely possible to first fix the numbers for PvP, and then apply it to PvE, with individual buffs for bosses/class if there are any issues left. <br /><br />Yes, it could mean e.g. that bosses may not have zillions of HP's anymore and an ever-increasing hitbox despite smaller Raid groups, but one could argue that from a game stemming from a RTS title that still holds e-sport competitions it would be quite natural to work that way. <br /><br />But truth be told I don't think we should overly argue about this, we both agree that there are way more PvP-focussed players than Raid-focussed players, which is basically what I wanted to put across.<br /><br />And I also sincerly doubt 2.5 M players would have finished Dragon Soul, simply because it doesn't hold up to the interest/capped characters-numbers.NetherLandsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015737272343810105.post-21709024650435827572012-07-03T10:34:33.568-04:002012-07-03T10:34:33.568-04:00I am not a PvPer and have 30% of PvP achievements....I am not a PvPer and have 30% of PvP achievements. Many people in my guild are not PvPers, but they do it.<br /><br />I'd love to see the statistics of people that primarily PvP because I assure you it would not pass 30%, which is honestly a great deal larger than the raiding community, but it is still only 30%.<br /><br />The game is a PvE game and should be designed as such. They need to stop screwing up the game in their efforts to make PvP more balanced. Why should a PvE game be balanced around PvP?<br /><br />Again, that is just my opinion.<br /><br />I think PvP should be its own entity. Gear should mean nothing. When you enter a battleground or arena everything should be normalized. It would be easier to balance, it would not interfere with the main focus of the game, PvE, and it would make it 100% skill based and no longer a case of who has the most PvP gear.<br /><br />PvP in the open world would be a blow you up in 3 seconds affair, which with large groups would be amazingly exciting compared to the way it is now where the one group that has the one massively geared healer always wins. PvP is boring the way it is designed in this game and only mildly amusing the way it is now to pass the time.<br /><br />Yet with those mentioned statistics, I am classified a PvPer, when I am not.<br /><br />They fib stats to make themselves seem more like they are heading in the right direction. Like when they said 2.5M have finished dragon soul. Yeah, 2.5M characters, not 2.5M players. Huge difference when you figure the average raider has at least 5 max characters that has run it. They love to obit the truth from their statements.TheGrumpyElfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07621615711198405365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015737272343810105.post-2226644502857560362012-07-03T10:25:47.904-04:002012-07-03T10:25:47.904-04:00I think the option to do things solo or in a group...I think the option to do things solo or in a group of various sizes would give people more options in a good way. My personal opinion of course.TheGrumpyElfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07621615711198405365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015737272343810105.post-88287328877946757182012-07-03T10:24:52.276-04:002012-07-03T10:24:52.276-04:00Yes, option.Yes, option.TheGrumpyElfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07621615711198405365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015737272343810105.post-32668446230742717022012-07-03T10:24:35.790-04:002012-07-03T10:24:35.790-04:00I understand that. The social reason of my guild ...I understand that. The social reason of my guild and my feeling they need me is the only thing that keeps me playing.<br /><br />This is not saying you could not do them in groups as well. Just saying that there would be a solo option.TheGrumpyElfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07621615711198405365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015737272343810105.post-56896264685385298652012-07-03T09:52:34.648-04:002012-07-03T09:52:34.648-04:00(I fully intend to talk deeper about earlier posts...(I fully intend to talk deeper about earlier posts ASAP.)<br /><br />I do see the advantages of solo-Dungeons, as a matter of fact e.g. Turbine has for a long time seen the advantages of solo-Instances (be it with the main Story Quests in LotRO - no interferance from Mr. Discoball - or DDO's solo-Dungeon scale).<br /><br />It is also a reason why some/many/take your pick PvE Twink: you can do more stuff with less people, in fact some of my fondest PvE moments involve two- and three-manning 60 content meant for full Groups (even 'outdoor Raids' - though they had been nerfed). <br /><br />You could perhaps also add another advantage: Setting your own pace of clearing.<br /><br />Dungeons are/were meant to be delved, and the GOGOGOGO-Crew Blizz caters to make exploration rather impossible. Soloing allows you to explore every nook and cranny at your leisure. <br /><br />However, I disagree with your statement they care too much about PvP, given the numbers.<br /><br />According to the Poll on this http://us.battle.net/wow/en/forum/topic/2016273567<br />http://eu.battle.net/wow/en/forum/topic/1679609273<br /><br />only about 24% don't ever choose to do PvP content on their own (the majority of those 24% will defend themselves if attacked; if you exlude that group, the numbers of PvE-only are even lower).<br /><br />Compare this to the numbers on Raiding (and capped characters), and what we see is that despite all the bluster regarding Progressive Raiding, the ACTUAL interests are in all probabillity quite differently from what GC and his cronies like: you average WoW player has no capped character (let alone Raids) and likes (some form of) PvP , mostly regular Battlegrounds (btw: I hope we can agree the numbers on Rated Bg's and Wargames are pretty pathetic)<br /><br />Given that one of the main assets of WoW are its comparatively smooth controls vs system requirements, this isn't actually that suprising.<br /><br />It is however surprising that GC's interests get funded so much when the majority of subscribers clearly has a larger interest in other aspects of the game.NetherLandsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015737272343810105.post-88167475792239992092012-07-03T09:37:26.886-04:002012-07-03T09:37:26.886-04:00I agree with Anonymous. WoW and games like it are...I agree with Anonymous. WoW and games like it are supposed to be social. I think part of the problem now is they decided to try things like LFG, and people don't have to depend on a guild or manners to find a group anymore. I really wish they would stop trying to be all things to everyone. It's either an MMORPG or just an RPG. And yet, I can see the reasons for wanting both. *SighAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17028523904208148476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015737272343810105.post-31250915273385913652012-07-03T09:25:23.435-04:002012-07-03T09:25:23.435-04:00Ah, you meant a solo play *option*. My bad, sorry ...Ah, you meant a solo play *option*. My bad, sorry for misreading. Disregard my comment above.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015737272343810105.post-69400447192675412232012-07-03T09:22:36.661-04:002012-07-03T09:22:36.661-04:00Reason #4 for this not to happen: Many of the exis...Reason #4 for this not to happen: Many of the existing players won't like it. Perhaps this is even more true for players who are bouncing on and off between expansions. Quite a number of people play this game in large part due to social bonds they developed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com