1 Reply by Arkangel

(26 replies, posted in General discussion)

Line wrote:

Well, I do agree on most points. Perpetuum really needs something to make newbies interested as hell right from the start. Like, when you're logging first time in LA2 just to check wtf is that game everyone talking about and in the next moment you're realising that already several hours passed. It's not about adding elven and paladdins big_smile But the first impression should be exactly the same, and it shouldn't stop close to the end game.

What's for 90% running...whoa I've thought it's 90% mining lol


Yes I agree totally!  When my friends log in, they look around and think only negative thoughts, where is everyone, what do i do, how do I do it... what is it... looks empty, looks boring, wait this is a pain in the arse, log out...

Again: Devs - stop what your doing, your last release patch (gamma?) did not increase your income or subscription base, get a clue...

Fix the content, you NEED to make it fun for a new player, you want them to pay right?  They need to be entertained... there is no time to waste, there are other games in the world being released and existing which they can play, ask yourself why should they play Perpetuum?

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2 Reply by Arkangel

(26 replies, posted in General discussion)

Line wrote:

Isn't there an instruction in topic of help channel how to restart tutorial?

I cant log in now to look ( at work) however, for him to get frustrated I guess it was not obvious ( and he is a hardcore eve player) imagine the average gamer....

The start of this game needs to treat the new player as if they have never played a game before... they shouldnt have to look for help, it should be shoved into their faces, this would really ensure they stick around.
This game is like eve, complex with a steep learning curve, we need to make it as easy as possible for a new player to adjust.

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3 Reply by Arkangel

(26 replies, posted in General discussion)

I just spoke to my friend (Who plays Eve Online and I work with him)...

His experience last night:
1. He logged into Perpetuum
2. Closed the tutorial window thinking the next time he logs in it would pop up again and it did not
3. He got frustrated because he was not sure how to proceed in the game nor could he figure out how to get the tutorial back up
4. He logged out and said he would wait for me to help him
5. He noticed it was very empty where he was started out at


This cannot happen!

Recommendation:
1. Fix the tutorial so it is easy to find, make it more simple and straight forward.
2. Add many more bots to the islands.
3. Take a lesson from Guild wars 2 beta, when you start out your in the middle of a battle!!!
   a.  Add bots all over, tell the new player they need to assist the defending bots by killing attacking bots

Make it fun!

These are off the top of my head, I am sure the devs can come up with something clever, HOOK THOSE NEW PLAYERS!!!

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4 Reply by Arkangel

(26 replies, posted in General discussion)

Arkangel wrote:
KUSTOMROD wrote:

I really think that the nerf to spawns on all the islands that happened ages ago was the point where what the OP is talking about occured.

I remember when I first started you had to learn quick that the NPCs didnt mess around.  I lost quite a few castels in the early days but it was exciting, heart in your throat stuff.  Running out in your new bot to kill or be killed and getting away with 3hp got the heart going and hooked me.

Looking at the alpha 1 islands now its Arkhes every where (NPCs).  You need to go a long way to find a spawn that will give you a run for your money.  Bring back the alpha spawns close to the terminals and the roaming mobs/observers.  First time I meet an observer it supprised the ^$#* outa me, was only a Baph but trying to work out a way to kill them in a light bot gave me hours of fun.

Not sure this has made sence but I have had dealings with a few new players over the last couple of weeks trying to get some of them to stay, but trying to find a spawn close to terminal enough as they need to use plates due to only starting out which means they are going slow so a 10min walk or longer looking for a spawn for just the 3U cargo of a light bot minus the ammo they are carrying I will admit is very dull.

Hope they bring back the good old days...

It sounds like it was more fun prior to the nerf of the Alpha spawns.
I enjoy adventure, danger, exploration, surprises. 

In regards to not joining a corp or playing solo:
People should have a choice in a Sandbox game to go solo (to a certain point) or join a group.  This is not a theme park game.

Seriously, Devs:

I am sure you guys can figure out a way in which you can add MANY more bots in all areas and make things more exciting for new players.  Keep in mind that whatever change you make cannot be limited to the NOOB islands, you must make it to the next tier of islands as well so they do not have culture shock when they progress....

It is pretty simple, if you want to retain an audience they must be entertained.  You need to add more bots to the areas and PLEASE at least give them different visuals for fun factor...  Why not make some big and that look intimidating, how about mini bosses or rare spawns that are not on the edge of the map?   
When I or a new player logs into Perpetuum, I want to be excited, I want to log in with my friends (By the way I am trying to get a few people to play, but they are not at all impressed, which makes me sad) and together set out from the station searching for roaming mini bosses and their guards, or rare spawns and work with each other for a reward...   The placement of mobs is horrible as it stands now.  There need to be patrols, road blocks, check points, random spawns, how about random invasions where 1-5 robots patrol around the base (not impossible to kill for one person however, this would help bring the people together to communicate and work together, this is not limited to a small invasion at the base)

There are so many little ideas which you can do to make the game more fun for new people, brain storm, and get it done ASAP!!!

Every day you do not make these changes you are losing out on new subscribers ($). 

Fix the dang TP problem and get back to hooking new players!!!  I see the big picture here and that is why I decided to subscribe and not quit however, majority of people will not see it this way...


With that being said, I see the vets all talking about TP's and gamma etc...  It is very good that you are concerned about end game content, those are definately items that need to be addressed however, in doing so the DEVS are taking their focus off the CORE problem... Population/fun factor....

Encourage the devs, stop focusing so much on end game content when they cant even get people to pay for the game.

Everyone needs to really communicate stress to the devs that Gamma problems exist however, the problems need to be addressed from the ground up.

The main islands need to be revisited QUICKLY!  I just started playing and the starter areas are terrible, empty,  and very boring! 
Get to fixing this so new people PAY for the game and have fun, then focus more man power on other things.

I understand there are challenges in this game on all levels however, if you do not fix the gameplay/content for beginners and get new subscribers the devs wont have enough money to fix precious Gamma!

GETTUR DUN!

BY the way, can I see a DEV reply to what I am posting, in my opinion this is pretty good recommendations and I would like to be heard, it would be comforting to know that they they really understand the core problem... and this is not something they can sit on and pretend doesnt exist.

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5 Reply by Arkangel

(26 replies, posted in General discussion)

KUSTOMROD wrote:

I really think that the nerf to spawns on all the islands that happened ages ago was the point where what the OP is talking about occured.

I remember when I first started you had to learn quick that the NPCs didnt mess around.  I lost quite a few castels in the early days but it was exciting, heart in your throat stuff.  Running out in your new bot to kill or be killed and getting away with 3hp got the heart going and hooked me.

Looking at the alpha 1 islands now its Arkhes every where (NPCs).  You need to go a long way to find a spawn that will give you a run for your money.  Bring back the alpha spawns close to the terminals and the roaming mobs/observers.  First time I meet an observer it supprised the ^$#* outa me, was only a Baph but trying to work out a way to kill them in a light bot gave me hours of fun.

Not sure this has made sence but I have had dealings with a few new players over the last couple of weeks trying to get some of them to stay, but trying to find a spawn close to terminal enough as they need to use plates due to only starting out which means they are going slow so a 10min walk or longer looking for a spawn for just the 3U cargo of a light bot minus the ammo they are carrying I will admit is very dull.

Hope they bring back the good old days...

It sounds like it was more fun prior to the nerf of the Alpha spawns.
I enjoy adventure, danger, exploration, surprises. 

In regards to not joining a corp or playing solo:
People should have a choice in a Sandbox game to go solo (to a certain point) or join a group.  This is not a theme park game.

Seriously, Devs:

I am sure you guys can figure out a way in which you can add MANY more bots in all areas and make things more exciting for new players.  Keep in mind that whatever change you make cannot be limited to the NOOB islands, you must make it to the next tier of islands as well so they do not have culture shock when they progress....

It is pretty simple, if you want to retain an audience they must be entertained.  You need to add more bots to the areas and PLEASE at least give them different visuals for fun factor...  Why not make some big and that look intimidating, how about mini bosses or rare spawns that are not on the edge of the map?   
When I or a new player logs into Perpetuum, I want to be excited, I want to log in with my friends (By the way I am trying to get a few people to play, but they are not at all impressed, which makes me sad) and together set out from the station searching for roaming mini bosses and their guards, or rare spawns and work with each other for a reward...   The placement of mobs is horrible as it stands now.  There need to be patrols, road blocks, check points, random spawns, how about random invasions where 1-5 robots patrol around the base (not impossible to kill for one person however, this would help bring the people together to communicate and work together, this is not limited to a small invasion at the base)

There are so many little ideas which you can do to make the game more fun for new people, brain storm, and get it done ASAP!!!

Every day you do not make these changes you are losing out on new subscribers ($). 

Fix the dang TP problem and get back to hooking new players!!!  I see the big picture here and that is why I decided to subscribe and not quit however, majority of people will not see it this way...

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6 Reply by Arkangel

(26 replies, posted in General discussion)

Reasons to return to home base:
Travel time 90% of play time is:
1. not enough cargo space, have to unload in order to be efficient in making money or resources
2. Get ammo
3. Missions
  a. Would help to get multiple missions at a time
4. Exploring which I do not mind however mission markers are not accurate for area missions.

Summary: 
You have people who read or hear about this game and are very interested and intrigued by the ideas in the game.  They log in, still curious....  They play the beginner content and start to get bored.  WHY?
Hardly anything to fight.  Things to fight are not even remotely close to the station in relation to the speed you walk.  So you have NEW players trying to enjoy the game, make progress and they are dragged down by having to walk all over the place just to get to the quest location/mob. 

Devs- I really think you have done a great job with Perp... but the area where people begin is super boring and your not going to hook new players the way it is. 

Once again, I love exploration/adventure however, I am spending way to much time walking to mission objectives, hardly encountering anything surprising or anything at all.

Suggestion:   add a lot more bots all over, make them slightly easier to kill and adjust the loot drops if needed.
This creates more action, more excitement, larger battles, the illusion of more loot, satisfaction, progression!

IMO... this would help retain new players.

I hope this game can be adjusted, in its current state in the noob area, there is nothing that grabs and hooks a new person at all.

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7 Topic by Arkangel

(26 replies, posted in General discussion)

Cutting straight to the point-

Yes, I am a new player.

Honestly, I am very surprised that the initial introduction to this game is so dry and stale. 

There is nothing that grabs me in the first 3 hours of playing.  DEVS - If you want this game to succeed then you need to really polish and revamp the game for the new player.  I have been playing for a couple days and here is my observation:

1.    I spend 90% of my time running back and forth in missions
    a.    This is boring.  Enemies are spread way to far apart or I run way to slow.
2.     10% actually playing / fighting
    a.    Do you expect people to stick around when this the content in the first 3 hours? 
3.    I finished my Training missions
    a.    Nicely done, rewarding with new mechs
4.    Post training is where I spend 90% of my time running around.
    a.    This is where you lose people
    b.    I spoke to a subscribed player, he said that most people quit before they finish training.
5.    Hardly anything to shoot.
    a.    You have me running around all over the place and I am hardly actually fighting.
    b.    Your videos on the internet show so much action/combat and all I am doing is running around.
    c.    When you advertise with the videos on your website with fast paced music, you should really make the   game play similar, this is so misleading.  Current game play for a new player is BORING.
    d.    Lack of goals and purpose  - yes I am aware this is a sand box however, for a new player you need to give them something to bite into and push toward.  If I hadn't played Eve Online for years I don't know how I would have figured half this stuff out.

Seriously consider the fact that if you consider my comments you would have a winning game here.  I really think Perpetuum has massive potential. 
As it stands now I really like this game and I want to give it a chance however, if you do not cater to the new players your doomed.

Recommendations:
1.    More enemies to kill
2.    Much less travel to find mobs
3.    Missions are ok… I like the retrieval ones kinda puts a purpose however, missions are still empty and provide no feel of progression
4.    Help get the new person started where subscribed players cant
    a.    Suggest a path for training to get them started.
    b.    Make missions more action pact and less traveling around
This game could make really contend with Eve online if you could retain new players once you advertise, as it stands now a new player (Like myself) gets bored of running around for 90% of the time played, which is the most boring thing ever!!!

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