Sean, in case you're just tuning in - I don't have enough developers and no administrative support. I'm not looking for the "The Update", I just need to start steering Zone in the right direction and building the base player count with the few resources I have.
I'd love to say the same for you, but I don't want to get anyone's hopes up - we all know how well you play THAT game. :frown:

:confused:

Base playercount?

A playercount that will last a week and then once again leave?

Limited resources doesn't mean the project can't be done. It just takes time.

I agree

awesome!!

Observer Mode is long gone from zone. Its been gone for quite some time now

Those ideas aren't to fix the playercount, it's to actually fix some of Zone's problems and suggest some subtle additions that should be easy to do. Being realistic helps. I wanna see Zone as it was in 2004 like any of you but there's really no going back.

Stephen wanted simple and doable ideas, that's what we should be giving him. It's our chance to suggest something and actually be listened to for once.

Than what is the point..?

Petty little things to make the game look nicer while attracting no players, and granting no income for Graal itself (Not like that's really a big one..).

Zone's problem?
The game is too repetitive.
Trials aren't lacking much to anything anymore besides the classes..and of course there's the gelat system.

Wouldn't really be our fault if that doesn't occur much.. :asleep:

Why work on some tiny update every day that'll do close to nothing for the server and you won't receive credit for?
Do you want to become similar to SN's time as manager? I'm sure he did a lot of work, but all of it made no progress to Zone's playercount.

I'd rather you spend that tiny bit of time every day on a bigger release that'll effect the game, but maybe I'm being unrealistic like you said.

Because a positive change is just that. It's a step in the right direction. You start small then go big. Stephen has been thinking up of plans to use gelats and although I personally despise the system he has money in mind.

I disagree, repetition is not a problem. There are many games with repetitive gameplay yet they are kept alive because of the changing metagame and the players themselves. It's like any other PvP based game like CS or Dota. Gameplay wise it's the same thing over and over yet it's the metagame that changes. That and updates to add nice spices.

Trials? Lol, I don't even consider logging onto Zone because trials/classics can't be a commando (since arctic is the only map I would want to play). 80 hp and guild restrictions? No thanks. I'd rather not have my data saved and start with 100 hp, take part in guilds, and get access to the fastest class on arctic than sit there crippled.

Gelat system I hate as well but, if you remember, Zone died before it was even thought of.

Credit? Do you know how Graal works? The majority of the content is uncredited, look at any of the top 3 servers and then try asking your average Graalian who made what and they won't know. I don't know what SN did but when I logged onto Zone I didn't really see anything different.

I'd rather spend time getting the easy and simple things out of the way first and then move onto the hard stuff. It's like that with anyone you do, you should start with the simple things first then work your way up. This thread is for the simple things, even if they go unnoticed.

.Make something new like a mission or quest for a reason to play and acheive stuff. Like if you beat this quest you can get money and a limited gun or melee weapon. And for harder quest on mission you can earn hp. Maybe this one can be for gold to earn more hp. These mission can lead to more player count and more fun.

I really want to see a new tileset on Zone, but I'm not sure that is the easiest task.

I want to believe that's what SN tried to do, but without any real show in progess, I don't see many players supporting it. Same goes for Stephen.

Crono, when was the last time you actively played Zone for more than a month?
Of course I haven't been particularly active, but I can at least say Zone has no metagame. The gameplay itself never changes. It's continuation of laming, and when a pvp event comes forth, any metagame is equivalent to laming.

You've been there for these updates, I think. What happens anytime a new weapon is released, a new planet? How long does that player count last? How long til someone pulls out a over-powered weapon and destroys the new community?

I'm almost always there for every update. Maybe deep down I'm still hopefully for the server, despite my pessimistic attitude for it. But, trying to please a player base you don't have is dumb. If you want to do small updates to maintain players, do it, but please attract players first, because without any real maintenance on the gameplay/weapons, you'll end up in a bigger hole.

Guild restrictions was a big one, yes. With the Squad system now, that's not needed anymore (?). Although squad and global guilds tend to mix.
I think the old system was better too, if you wanted to save, you upgraded, simple. Too bad it's not what Stefan thinks, one whom rarely plays and knows about his own game.

Commando is a personal choice, of course a majority of players tend to learn to love it, but it's not a requirement. I remember starting off using EP and Chaingun.

Gelat is fine really, besides the balancing of weapons.
It should give an edge I suppose, but the boost you get from them is far too great.
Adding easy and simple content isn't a way to start. You're just delaying the real problem itself.
Zone has plenty of content from what I know, but no player base to support it.

This might prove true to a server with a steady player count going for it, but not for one that averages 1-5 on a daily basis.

More reason to try to win a game on Iricia, so it's not just a baselaming war, such as a bigger cash reward or something.

Also, something to toggle the bars above your head, because it makes me lag (unless there's a way to do it already that I'm not aware of).

The last time I actively played Zone was right after it died. There was no reason to stay there any longer so I left. The better question is, when's the last time anyone actually played Zone for more than a month?

How can you deny Zone's metagame? It used to have a pretty solid one revolving around countering weapons when people actually fought eachother. Laming wasn't a big problem and amongst the actual good sparrers it's not an issue.

Yeah, weapon updates tend to be overpowered but that's not the kind of updates we're talking about here. I also have ideas for zomg big updates but this isn't the place for that.

How is it not? Zone has always had problems and quirks, isn't it better to start with these simple ones then work your way up to the bigger ones? What ARE the big problems anyway? The answer will change between player to player but I found a pretty strong correlation between trials getting shanked and playercount dropping. Just sayin.

That's not a precise time, and from what you say afterwards, I'm guessing it's a very long time ago, meaning you're slow on how the server's developed.
Now, be reasonable, people do still play. I know some folk that log on at least once a day. Maybe not for long, but they do.
This is what makes me think you haven't been updated on how things work.
As of now, too many players pull out an obsessive overpowered weapon and decide to lame players.
Besides, what's more fun? Everything Zone does, it always ends up with players on iricia laming the other base.

Oh, lets not forget how we'll gather up all our friends so all the "pros" don't fight each other and we're left getting kills and exp by newbies consistantly.

Crono, I was ET during the time period it died, I'd like to say I brought the server back (Seeing as a majority of the players online I had some connection with). I brought back the newer generation of Zone whilst doing so. I know what's going on.
It may not be, but Zone isn't the place to start off with simple updates either.
It needs a change, something dramatic.
It's not, because Zone has no steady player count. Zone's reliant on players, meaning if you have players that are on for a time period doing something, a few others join, and more, a chain reaction.

Simple updates, like new weapons, vehicles, whatever, should be to maintain a player count the way Zone is. None of these will change the metagame for long, if it does, it'll make the game more horrid.

Trials getting shanked? I feel that's just your own personal vendetta since..well..that one time you logged on and realized what had happened.
I knew a bunch of trials that enjoyed being able to save now. They only lose so much now. Something most players would upgrade for. Otherwise they could play it out.

Player count dropping is because of many things.
Jesse's thread pretty much covers that portion.

If Zone can't pull off simple updates/fixes, what chance does it have of pulling anything off?

Of course we all want that magical update that makes 50 players play on the regular again but that's just completely unrealistic especially considering how understaffed they may be.

There's no sense overworking on a large update that could possibly flop, and leave you with burned out staff members.

Did you read that thread I linked?

No way that's unreasonable.
If you can't do that, because you're understaffed, there's a problem, and part of it may as well be you.
Get the picture? (This isn't directed at you, of course)

rushed edit
Small updates won't help the server, it'd be a waste of time and effort.
Mine as well put that to better use.

I read the thread and saw a lot of small updates (updates that don't require a significant amount of work), since a lot of it was just undoing changes that were made in the first place.

Now is probably the best time to start removing the gelat shop, and other things that completely ruined the balance Zone may have had.

Being able to legally buy yourself into OPness with real money should of never happened in the first place but it's obvious that some amount of greed took place.

Obviously there's been a miscommunication between what a small and large update is. The time taken, and amount of people required to perform the task are what I consider, not the amount of small details or effect that it'll have.

Add rainbow rifle :D

A positive change is a positive change no matter how small or large. I wish people would stop thinking that it's a "waste of time" to fix smaller things just because bigger changes are needed.

Sorry, it just doesn't work like that.

This isn't fixed no, But the mines don't do any damage when they explode in a new round? ;o

Um, I believe I quit in 2006 and stop by every now and then. Nothing really changed since then, arctic was used a laming map and cash shop gave noobs with no skills an advantage. A few events were added and planets no one goes on.

About sum it up?


That is nothing new. Players always flocked to the most "op" weapon. In 2004 appirces were the de facto weapon yet people countered it with the lrpulsar and eventually aprippers. That's just an example. The metagame now may be broken but to deny that it exists is simply retarded. Ya I brought up the friends not fighting b/s before.

Laming has also always been present but there was a time when laming and actually playing arctic were two seperate things. The same applies to sparring, where it matters the most.

lolwat

There's no denying that Zone needs a big change. I'm saying that this isn't the place for the "big" stuff yet, for whatever reason Stephen has. It's obviously more efficient, due to the complete lack of developers, to start with small things that can actually be done as opposed to giant updates that will never surface.

I'm pretty sure Stephen has some "big" plans, he just hasn't presented them yet.

I'm fully aware of the playercount chain effect, it's been like that forever. According to your logic, when the "big changes" come in, these small updates will help players stay so what's the problem? I haven't suggested anything to change Zone's metagame yet, however small weapon balancing should not take much effort and would help to fix this. I was always a VIP when I played Zone, meaning trial on weekdays and "p2p" on weekends. I for one found Zone more tolerable when I was on an even field with everyone.

Priorities. The bigger changes (if they are usefull) have a way higher prior then little changes.

You were ET when it was DEAD. The players that logged on were wannabes.

I think that Zone's needs a better Manager, Not just talking about Stephen.. He is a good manager, Though not for Zone. Also Stefan shouldnt be needed to make updates and stuff.. The manager should do that with his staff.

Unixmad/Stefan doesn't trust anyone else to do so.

Well Stefan likes Zone, It's actually ''his'' server.. If he likes it that much he should find someone who he does trust.

:confused:

It's not? I thought stefan owned zone

Your wording made it sound like Stefan created Zone which isn't really true, although he did rescript it with some help from Jagen I think it was?

Ohh.. I thought he created it rofl, Sorry :S

Ya, there are priorities, but like I said... that's just not how it works.

Seems like our views are clashing. Prior changes are required no matter how big or small the change is and imo zone needs a big change and from there on work on the smaller things. Because Zone in it's whole is fail atm.
But this thread isn't here asking us to give idea for big changes so i'll drop this.

I forgot to say, but I'll give Stephen a thumb up for asking us what we want to see in Zone.

I would like to see this more in Graal, the communication/idea sharing between staff and players.

Considering changing zone to what was essentially a "gold only" server was one of the things that killed it, giving trials a reason to play again might be a good idea

What? Zone isn't horrid.

I've briefly been playing Zone, and if there was something to keep other players there, it wouldn't be too bad.

Also, option to hide playerchat.

Give trials more freedom like they used to have. Bring some of the old stuff that made it great back.

--New--
-Maybe add a new vehicle like a truck on Ircia? (Only 1 in a random location with a turret on its top?) Maybe noobs will like shooting people with the turret?

-Maybe remove bunker planet? (If possible) Why keep it if no one plays it. Try and keep a low number of planets that people play. Ex: Koth, Spar, Ircia, DM and the Events Planet for the newbies.

-Putting in more achievements/medals? I mean when I was getting medals it was kinda fun.

-A more squad based/team based Ircia? Maybe each Ircia team can be divided into 3-4 squads. When you die and go in the portal, if you have teammates still alive you could respawn in their location to help them out?

-When you run out of ammo with a weapon you could press P and punch people? Lol I think that'd be funny. Punches should do 15 damage. It'd be hilarious to watch.

-Maybe for each team, 1 member is chosen at that particular round to be the leader. This "leader" can make himself invulnerable for 4 seconds (He can't move though) if he's getting damaged and waiting for backup. The "leader" can only do this once every round. Once a team wins a new leader (for each time, of course) will be chosen randomly again to use it again ONCE (Per round)


-Make the roll make your energy go down. You don't have any kind of cool armour on that will make you stronger. Your a human in clothes in Zone in a futuristic time. Rolling should make your player tired, thus making your energy go down.

-Capturing a base. Most bases, you will just stand on top of it and capture it. In base 1, however, because there is a bunker, you should have to go into the bunker and destroy some kind of computer device kind of object by shooting it. It has some health so you have to destroy it. Once you destroy the computers controlling the base as one team, the guy on top captures the base. Once they capture the base another team must come in and destroy the computer device and then go on top and re-capture it.

-Maybe putting turrets on Ircia that don't shoot lasers would be okay. Like they shot bullets like a chaingun, the same speed, just less bullets so its fair. And while you turn the turret it slows down its gun fire and has to be powered up again.

-Add a new kind of thing to get in the Zone-Money shop to get. TNT! Players can buy TNT (Only holding 1 at a time and they have to come back to buy another after they use their first) . They take their TNT out on the icy land of Ircia and plant the TNT. The TNT has the same explosion as a mortar but you can carry it while being any class. You just press D and it plants down on the ground and it has a time limit. Its almost like a proxmine. If someone steps on it, it'll explode. It can be seen like a proxmine from a speed bike.

-Put mini map back!

Depends on how much health it has.

People only play Koth and DM if events going on. So by your logic, they should be removed? No. Improved? Yes.

Agreed.

Other words, you want iricia to be like Battlefied?

Hotkeys fixes this problem (Should be removed...)

Sounds alot like Armor Lock in Reach.

You know you can already throw the knife in any direction?

Agreed.

Depends on how much health the computer device have.

Put this in the iricia bases, shoot the enemy team automatically. 100 Damage. Prevent base laming.

No, if you're facing a team of Dutchies, it'll be over for the other team.

Do this.

I agree, these are excellent ideas. It would be interesting if TNT could make traps in the ground (Pit of death, ankle injuries from rough ground (Speed reduction), lava flows revealed to possibly change the map (That'd be a bit far fetched)). These types of ideas in a group update could be a wonderful breath of fresh air. I'm not sure on the minimap.

Wait.. Isn't this supposed to be the part where the GDT comes flying in on white stallions?




Change the GFX and name of the Gravity Hammer.

If they are ever going to help a server it should be the golden ones.