Return to summit academy

[beldannon5]

Hmmmm. After reading about this i am kind of not that excited. Custom logins custom spells custom swears. Not really my cup of tea. Of course it could be different this time. I am sure this will be great for some though. Me i would have preferred droughtman briarmoon or some of the others. I guess i will wait and see of course. If i dont like it duskruin is just a few months away.

And yes i should just wait and see of course.

[Wrathbringer]

Hmmmm. After reading about this i am kind of not that excited. Custom logins custom spells custom swears. Not really my cup of tea. Of course it could be different this time. I am sure this will be great for some though. Me i would have preferred droughtman briarmoon or some of the others. I guess i will wait and see of course. If i dont like it duskruin is just a few months away.

And yes i should just wait and see of course.

link?

[Taernath]

link?

From a couple of years ago:
http://www.play.net/gs4/news.asp?id=1332

[Wrathbringer]

From a couple of years ago:
http://www.play.net/gs4/news.asp?id=1332

Thank you.

[LivderaDeralleur]

... is there an official post announcing this is the old thing that is returning in February? I didn't see any new announcements on the officials, unless it was named something weird.

I'd be happy to go to this, as I missed it when it initially came out due to the dates being when I was out of town.

[Ltlprprincess]

... is there an official post announcing this is the old thing that is returning in February? I didn't see any new announcements on the officials, unless it was named something weird.

I'd be happy to go to this, as I missed it when it initially came out due to the dates being when I was out of town.

This might've been sent out as a promotional email. It's how word got out about the last DR Dig before it showed up on the officials.

Also, this:

Officials Post by Wyrom (http://forums.play.net/forums/GemStone%20IV/Paid%20Events:%20Adventures,%20Quests,%20and%20Sim uCoins/Summit%20Academy/view/1)

[beldannon5]

Says coming soon. Was in the paid events folder. Guessing its the february event

[gilchristr]

could be sylinar's spire (I clicked the link from last time, it was there too*)

* - evidently no sylinar's spire services last time though

[LivderaDeralleur]

Weird. Could have sworn I checked the officials and didn't see anything initially.

Oh well! Looking forward to it, all the same. Though I do admit to looking forward more to Duskruin, as I want some upgraded armor for some of my characters.

And I usually get those promotional emails and don't see one this time for this.

[LivderaDeralleur]

Mystery solved - I had somehow accidentally ignored the Paid Events folder on the officials. Silly officials.

[beldannon5]

Lol that would do it

[SashaFierce]

Are we sure this is Summit Expression Faire and not something new?

[MrMortimur]

I enjoyed going the first time as there was at least a handful of the spell preps I wanted. I'm curious if this run has something to do with the Kynlee's customization merchants. New profession things to customize this run?

[Allereli]

Are we sure this is Summit Expression Faire and not something new?

nope, a folder was opened, a post said "coming soon" and the hate started.

[beldannon5]

Lol. I posted here as to not besmurch what is coming until i know more.

[Nathala Crane]

I'm looking forward to it. We get opportunities to buy new gear all the time. The one thing that GS has over graphical MMO's is the potential for truly deep character customization. It's sad and a little embarrassing that there are actually people shitting all over it.

[Wrathbringer]

nope, a folder was opened, a post said "coming soon" and the hate started.

I read that as hate sharted.

[beldannon5]

not sure anyone has really hated on it yet? I just expressed an opinion and i haven't seen anything on the forums?

[Wyrom]

http://i.imgur.com/ezvR3TZ.png

Did you just assume my event?

[neimanz1]

http://i.imgur.com/ezvR3TZ.png

Did you just assume my event?

coraesine relic or bust!!

[Wyrom]

Not sure we'll see coraesine relics in the near future. Glad you like it enough to request it though!

[Jhynnifer]

I'd love to see the return of the offerings of both the Faire and Syllinar's Spire. Mmmmmm enchancive swapping. Mmmmm...

[Ceyrin]

coraesine relic or bust!!


Not sure we'll see coraesine relics in the near future. Glad you like it enough to request it though!

:hitwithrock:

[Gelston]

I got this email and stuff.

A Magical Metamorphosis!

Tucked away in the snowy DragonSpine Mountains near Icemule Trace lies Summit Academy and its scholarly residents, who are eagerly preparing for the arrival of adventurers.

The Academy's doors remain sealed most of the year, but they will soon be open for a short time, and Sylinar, the head librarian, invites you to join him for a riveting weekend of transformation.

Join the excitement from February 10 through February 12 and February 24 through February 26.

More details to follow...

[Luxelle]

I'm hopeful there will be something Luxie-like at this one! I'll be looking for the info soon, between work and family, I've got so much on my plate this month.

[Fortybox]

Is this for premium only?

[Roblar]

No

[Lady Lightning]

I'd love to see the return of the offerings of both the Faire and Syllinar's Spire. Mmmmmm enchancive swapping. Mmmmm...

Which had the enhancive swapping?

[Luxelle]

... in the vacuum of information, I planned my weekend.

[Ardwen]

Spirw has had the enhancive based services in the past

[mgoddess]

Just got the following email about this:

--- Character Customization Celebration! ---

Join the Revelry February 10th to the 12th and February 24th to the 26th!

For the first time in Elanthia's history, the BODY feature is available exclusively at Summit Academy! Want to be lithe and slender? Or, are you the muscular and stocky type? Well now it's possible to choose your body build!

Also available to Aelotoi are artistic wing customizations that will help set the stage for your continued creatives within this vast customizable world.

Additional options for further refinement to your distinguished look can be achieved at Summit Academy. Take your pick from a variety of available unique options.

Define your character through unique personalizations available on the grounds of Summit Academy. Add flair to your arrivals and departures. Acquire signature moves. Incant with elegance and glamour. Swear in style! All of these can be your own extraordinary means of being a one-of-a-kind adventurer in Elanthia.

...but wait,there's more!

If enhancive items are more your style, be sure to visit Sylinar's Spire where his trusty attendants can both RECHARGE and INCREASE your enhancive items, as well as PERMIFY any qualifying enhancive items.

For your added enjoyment, Sylinar has created MAGICAL CUBES that contain silvers and gems -- and might hold some unique customization offerings.

Evolve your character, and build your legacy in Elanthia.

[Ltlprprincess]

For the first time in Elanthia's history, the BODY feature is available exclusively at Summit Academy! Want to be lithe and slender? Or, are you the muscular and stocky type? Well now it's possible to choose your body build!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzRyxGBGiAE

[Nathala Crane]

Just got the following email about this:
For the first time in Elanthia's history, the BODY feature is available exclusively at Summit Academy! Want to be lithe and slender? Or, are you the muscular and stocky type? Well now it's possible to choose your body build.

http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/000/131/443/tumblr_liebpzbCOv1qdkf2k.gif

[beldannon5]

still nothing about cost. While this may seem fun for some. Briarmoon cove was awesome this seems very MEH!!! to me Guess the cost is per thing you want done. I can see this being way more
costly then something like Briarmoon. So disappointed. Of course time will tell if it is a sham or worth it.

Yes i don't have to go, and in this case i may say screw this, but we shall see.

I guess the only real way to get things that we want would be to have not a single person do this event. HOwever that would never happen too many people that do their own things. Kind of like elections lol

[Erous]

still nothing about cost. While this may seem fun for some. Briarmoon cove was awesome this seems very MEH!!! to me

While I'll probably do this one because I didn't get a chance to do the previous, BMC was f'n awesome and I was floored when they said it wouldn't return.

[beldannon5]

We're in the paid events category of the forums, so don't mistake that for free. It's no longer ticketed and limited. The grounds will be available for anyone to come to and hang out, much like the going trend in events. The items have all been broken down into SimuCoin purchases so you can buy in as little or as much as you'd like. Everything will be automated, so no merchant lines or wasting 2 to 4 hours of your time to get a pre-selected service.

Now that the email has gone out, I'll go ahead and get some information on the wiki.


Wyrom, PM

Um I don't like this in all honesty. Why don't they ask us if we want to pay extra for having an event like BC instead of just throwing everything in there automated? What the hell automated? so that means one gm does everything instead of the good service that we get from merchants? Personally I enjoy merchants even if I have to wait. This sounds very sucky to me. Screw simucoins bring back event purchases. How bout polling the customer base for once. haste changes briarmoon changes i could name 25-50 things that the people who actually pay for the game never got to put input in on.

Lets make Gemstones great again!

I guess only time will tell.

[Wyrom]

We'd prefer merchants be a more enjoyable feature of festivals rather than rushed at a pay event where you expect a specific level of service. Events like the Spire and SEF were 2 hours long and were rush jobs to work for everyone who is getting the exact same thing. Why would anyone prefer sitting at the back of a 2 hour line to get something done? You can still wait 2 hours if you want.

[SashaFierce]

The only way to get them to change event structures is to not buy in to them.

Edit: I actually like the buy what you want approach, depending on the pricing. I'm wondering if enhancive swapping and combining is gone now though.

[Wyrom]

Enhancive swapping and combining is gone for now. This isn't a decision due to the new event structure. This is why the Spire hasn't run in awhile. The items created were getting a bit crazy.

[Yesnomaybe]

I don't understand why people are comparing this to briarmoon. This, and the two events it is combining are nothing at all like Briarmoon. There were no merchants, raffles, or services besides the pre-qc'd options and enhancive work at the spire and sec.

[Wyrom]

Because Briarmoon Cove ran once in 2016 in February. I guess people are translating it to a replacement. We have plenty of events that haven't run in awhile or that were one (or two) offs. Like Anfelt, which I'm sure would have more interest than BMC.

[Izalude]

Hey Wyrom. I'm not flaming or anything here, I just have a question for you.

I see this services offered for 1000 SimuCoins:

- Increase MaxCharges by 10%
- Recharge 10% of MaxCharges
- Permify Enhancives

Is that 1000 for all 3, or one of each? And if it's one of each, I would seriously reconsider the 10% recharge one. That's extremely underwhelming for something you can get for free with bounty points in game.

[Wyrom]

Hey Wyrom. I'm not flaming or anything here, I just have a question for you.

I see this services offered for 1000 SimuCoins:

- Increase MaxCharges by 10%
- Recharge 10% of MaxCharges
- Permify Enhancives

Is that 1000 for all 3, or one of each? And if it's one of each, I would seriously reconsider the 10% recharge one. That's extremely underwhelming for something you can get for free with bounty points in game.

Just one, and those are the exact same services offered at 18 Sylinar's Spire runs.

[Whirlin]

Just one, and those are the exact same services offered at 18 Sylinar's Spire runs.
I'm generally ok with the recharging for 10%, since there are the 30 day potions and such... but the permify is a bit too much of a of pay-to-win for my liking if it's generally unlimited purchasing via simucoins.

[SashaFierce]

Because Briarmoon Cove ran once in 2016 in February. I guess people are translating it to a replacement. We have plenty of events that haven't run in awhile or that were one (or two) offs. Like Anfelt, which I'm sure would have more interest than BMC.

I'd like to see more highly limited events where I get a good bang for my buck. I'm getting tired of the unlimited entry events where it's all about spend, spend, spend.

I don't want to compete against hundreds of people for things I want.

[Wyrom]

I'm generally ok with the recharging for 10%, since there are the 30 day potions and such... but the permify is a bit too much of a of pay-to-win for my liking if it's generally unlimited purchasing via simucoins.

It's the same case as Sylinar's Spire. Anyone who went could also pay for another ticket, multiple times, if they wanted more. Some people did as much as 24 services this way.

[Viekn]

I don't understand why people are comparing this to briarmoon. This, and the two events it is combining are nothing at all like Briarmoon. There were no merchants, raffles, or services besides the pre-qc'd options and enhancive work at the spire and sec.

This may be slightly off topic but goes along with some of the thoughts expressed. I think they should have more events that focus on specific aspects that you want for your character. I think this current one is great for people who want to customize their character. I think there should be another even that that focuses solely on selling high quality/high end items. There should be a separate event that is entirely focused on GALD. The more you try to include all of those things in one or two events, you will always have people complain they didn't think there was enough of one service or another. Maybe decrease the price of each event, but have more of them. Just a thought.

[beldannon5]

Back when I first asked about briarmoon coming back they said a different popular event was coming back. I assumed it was something like briarmoon. Ie a festival a ship etc.

[Ltlprprincess]

My question is will there be merchant alterers that will offer body alterations outside of this even in the future and if so, how near to it?

[Wyrom]

My question is will there be merchant alterers that will offer body alterations outside of this even in the future and if so, how near to it?

Not at this time.

[Ltlprprincess]

Not at this time.

Words... I have so many words right now. Very colorful words.

[Wyrom]

Words... I have so many words right now. Very colorful words.

Gone on, I like colorful words!

[Ltlprprincess]

Gone on, I like colorful words!

Fuschia Ultramarine Cerulean Khaki

[Erous]

Well, this sort of takes me a step further to quitting unfortunately. I'm getting the feeling that exclusive events like BMC, and like the older Airship and other type events with a 1-fee + silver and luck type deal are going away because it's less profitable. I personally feel there's an air of excitement with those events that you don't get elsewhere. I can just as easily pay 2 win on my mobile device for app store games, or pick a F2P MMO and reap the same rewards for a cheaper, or non existent monthly fee.

[beldannon5]

This is the players corner, you can't get banned for colorful words like in the game. So feel free to express your disappointment in a number of the decisions lately of the people in charge!! I for one encourage it.

[Wyrom]

Well, this sort of takes me a step further to quitting unfortunately. I'm getting the feeling that exclusive events like BMC, and like the older Airship and other type events with a 1-fee + silver and luck type deal are going away because it's less profitable. I personally feel there's an air of excitement with those events that you don't get elsewhere. I can just as easily pay 2 win on my mobile device for app store games, or pick a F2P MMO and reap the same rewards for a cheaper, or non existent monthly fee.

So you'll quit over a pay event you aren't attending?

[Erous]

So you'll quit over a pay event you aren't attending?

Well it's not really an event, is it? It seems more like you're placing a vending machine in the game. The money draw has become these chance events with no other theme behind (unless I'm missing something), as opposed to a larger, themed area with opportunity not only in RP but in purchasing unique items. I feel like I can gain more uniqueness and power browsing the merchant forums than attending an event.

[Androidpk]

Fuschia Ultramarine Cerulean Khaki

The Emperor protects.

[Wyrom]

Well it's not really an event, is it? It seems more like you're placing a vending machine in the game. The money draw has become these chance events with no other theme behind (unless I'm missing something), as opposed to a larger, themed area with opportunity not only in RP but in purchasing unique items. I feel like I can gain more uniqueness and power browsing the merchant forums than attending an event.

But you'll quit over it, that's what you're saying?

[Gelston]

Speaking of Vending machine, premium house and shop feature? Thx.

[Izalude]

The Emperor protects.

http://i.imgur.com/CPYHELy.jpg

[beldannon5]

I am not qutting over it, it does however disparage my wanting to pay for other stuff when it seems this type of "pay event of your choosing" is given more and more.

I will check it out and see if there is really anything for me there. I don't really have any enchancives but custom logins sooudns need if the price isn't insane like it seems to be a lot of the time.

[beldannon5]

I also never have real life money or almost never. So like in digging and in duskruin i buy pickaxes or tokens for silvers. So this event will make it tougher. I mean I will have to sell silvers to get simucoins

[drauz]

But you'll quit over it, that's what you're saying?

If I am not mistaken he is saying that the game seems to headed in a bad direction. It feels like you are trying to hold people by the feet and shake every last coin out you can. I feel this way and have a real doubt I will activate my account again for anything other than selling all my stuff.

[thesupman]

Down with Pay 2 Win! Up With RP to win! (pipe dream I know)

[Warriorbird]

Doesn't really seem necessary so I'm not so bothered by it.

[Gelston]

But how else can you make a short and plump character bodystyle? Really something that should be in character creation.

[Wyrom]

If I am not mistaken he is saying that the game seems to headed in a bad direction. It feels like you are trying to hold people by the feet and shake every last coin out you can. I feel this way and have a real doubt I will activate my account again for anything other than selling all my stuff.

Over an optional pay event for customizations that we've done since GS has gone to the web? You don't even have to go or anything. GS has historically run 2 to 3 pay events a year, but we went way over that in times with CCF/RtCF and the Wavedancer. We run about 6 now on a regular schedule. We've responded to feedback where people rather move to a guaranteed service over paying for a ticket and being one of the lucky 10 or 20 people who walk away with something. We offer both venue styles. We still have free events every year. We still have RP and festivals every year. You have a more active development staff in over a decade. We just released close to 200 auction-quality items, better than any pay event, for free. So where is there a bad direction? Because we run some optional events that you don't have to participate in? Help me get to where your thought process is.

[LivderaDeralleur]

I, for one, like the idea of combining the 2 events. I really don't do enhancives, so another run of the Spire would be "meh" to me. But I do like customizations and I never seem to win any when they're offered at festivals like EG (mainly talking about signature verbs and custom swears or logon/logoff messages here - I did win a few spell prep tomes from EG games and such.) I also had missed Summit Expression Fair when it was first offered due to the problem Wyrom noted before about the issue with the previous setup - I couldn't make the 2-3 hour window that was allotted for the services. I've also attended the Albatross previous and the 2-3 hour window for pre-guaranteed services did seem a little rushed and uneventful. So this limited weekend event with self-serve customizations is great, in my opinion. The only potential sticking point would be the gambling cubes, though I imagine they wanted to put in some way to give out 'jackpot' type prizes of better custom stuff and didn't want to resort to another digging type game - I may buy a couple if I have some Simucoins left over from my customization purchases, though I'm not going to go all out on them.

The only issue for me is going to be figuring out which of my characters I'm going to be able to get customizations on. I'll probably buy a single block of Simucoins and try to divvy up amongst a few characters.

Anyhow. I'm happy with this and I was one of the ones that really enjoyed BMC. Wyrom did state on the officials that BMC is likely going to be back in some form or another, just not this February.

I think the issue may have been dashed hopes - people heard that an old event was coming back and were hoping for something huge like the Wavedancer or the Dhu Gillywack and were thusly disappointed.

(And if you ever consider bringing back the Wavedancer or the Dhu Gillywack, Wyrom, you would be super amazing - have fond memories of both of those and I thought the different tiers for the Wavedancer state rooms were an interesting approach.)

[Ceyrin]

Fuschia Ultramarine Cerulean Khaki

FTFY

[Ceyrin]

Help me get to where your thought process is.

http://s19.postimg.org/3xh9ef28j/rainbow_lsd_blotter.jpg

[BLZrizz]

I don't think it's necessarily one event that will drive a player away, but an event like this is what signals a development philosophy that some players don't agree with.

By analogy, take a game like World of Warcraft. (I know WoW comparisons are nearly universally disavowed here but stick with me) Every player pays the 9.99 subscription fee and is on the same level of access. Their in-game power, status, and fortunes are determined by in-game factors: grinding, raiding, skill, and luck. This is immersive for gamers.

The sticking point is when the balance shifts too much to pay to win and factors outside the game determine in game status. Instead of that (relatively) low-income gamer being able to escape to a world where he is the most powerful or skilled X, he is just constantly reminded of how poor he is in real life and how he will never be able to access content like glove bows, blink items, etc. Purely prime players have zero access to padding and weighting services and many other high end accouterments; this wasn't the case in the past. It's also difficult to credit the Q4 auction as "open to all", as affluent players merely bought in with cash (or liquidated items obtained with cash) and dominated the bidding. A truly egalitarian auction would have included a token room.

A cash game is essentially what GS4 has become, though one can argue it has been this way since before AOL went to the web. (It certainly was in 1996 when I sold a few sets of FGB to buy hockey skates.) I suspect something like Duskruin is more the issue than an event like Summit Academy, but, for the record, I love Duskruin and so do many other players. You won't be able to please everyone.

I also appreciate the delicate balancing act you have to play as a manager, and the pressure to earn in 2017 as the company's financial performance will dictate how much of a "cash out" the owner will receive via the Stillfront deal (under "Transaction in Detail" https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2016/06/21/850068/0/en/Stillfront-Group-AB-Stillfront-Acquires-Majority-Stake-in-Simutronics.html). You may more readily hear from a dissatisfied minority, but many of us recognize that the current staff is likely the best we have experienced.

[Viekn]

haste changes briarmoon changes i could name 25-50 things that the people who actually pay for the game never got to put input in on
When you signed up to play Gemstone, where did it say by paying your monthly subscription that you got to have input on these things? It doesn’t. You know what you’re getting when you sign up for a sub.

I'd like to see more highly limited events where I get a good bang for my buck. I'm getting tired of the unlimited entry events where it's all about spend, spend, spend. I don't want to compete against hundreds of people for things I want.
Precisely. I didn’t like paying $50 for EG to then compete against a bunch of people and walk away without much to show for it.

Well it's not really an event, is it? It seems more like you're placing a vending machine in the game.
I think there’s room for both vending machine type events and larger RP events with chances at item’s like you’re describing. I prefer the vending machine because my play time is extremely limited and I don’t have time to devote to the “chance” of getting something I want. Let me get my vending machine item when I want, then have time to go RP elsewhere. But I think you deserve the kind of events you want as well.

I also never have real life money or almost never. So like in digging and in duskruin i buy pickaxes or tokens for silvers. So this event will make it tougher. I mean I will have to sell silvers to get simucoins
So you bought a $50 ticket to EG and spent another 8 million in silvers and complained about the results you got then (can reference this page for your post about that here: http://forum.gsplayers.com/showthread.php?99016-T5-Wins!/page17)
Now Simu is offering a way for you not to have to pay $50 and only to pay for the services you want without having to wait around or take the chance that you wouldn’t ever get what you wanted, and you’re complaining about that now.
I mean, come on man, you can’t have it both ways. That’s a bit ridiculous.

If I am not mistaken he is saying that the game seems to headed in a bad direction. It feels like you are trying to hold people by the feet and shake every last coin out you can.
I think that is a bit of a mischaracterization. It’s not as if Simu is saying “If you want to own a greater than 4x weapon OR if you want to get past level 50 you have to buy some time of Simucoin pass.” This is completely voluntary character customization, on top of all the free ways you can customize your character, that is absolutely non-essential to game play.

[Tanderick]

I also appreciate the delicate balancing act you have to play as a manager, and the pressure to earn in 2017 as the company's financial performance will dictate how much of a "cash out" the owner will receive via the Stillfront deal (under "Transaction in Detail" https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2016/06/21/850068/0/en/Stillfront-Group-AB-Stillfront-Acquires-Majority-Stake-in-Simutronics.html). You may more readily hear from a dissatisfied minority, but many of us recognize that the current staff is likely the best we have experienced.

The whole post is great! My thoughts exactly, just well organized and more eloquent. This last part is the sticking part for me and, to me, seems to be the driving part for the increase in "slot" machines and now these "vending" machines.

I hope this model changes after FY2017 closes.

[Ceyrin]

The whole post is great! My thoughts exactly, just well organized and more eloquent. This last part is the sticking part for me and, to me, seems to be the driving part for the increase in "slot" machines and now these "vending" machines.

I hope this model changes after FY2017 closes.


Stillfront has furthermore invested USD 500,000 in Simutronics to accelerate the development of its current mobile strategy games

The play store only has 1 game from Simutronics currently. Are there more for iOS or something? Is Hero's Journey coming to mobile platforms?!

[Nathala Crane]

Vending machine comparisons aside, I think this is an ideal model for something like Summit. The last time the same event was run, yes, there were GMs doing the handiwork - but they were still really only giving players prefabricated phrases taken from a numbered list. I enjoy interacting with GM-controlled NPCs as much as anyone, but the main reason there are GMs behind merchants is for quality assurance. While they are only human and sometimes slip, the GM ensures that the items requested are suitable for the setting and review the wording. That's not required for this event.

That being said and fitting in with the theme of the event, it would be nice if some GM-run feature alterers showed up, and/or some raffles set up for a chance to win truly customized (player-written) verbs and spell preps.

[Beniah]

Instance Opening Date Closing Date
Prime & Platinum February 10, 2017 @ 9pm February 12, 2017 @ 11:59pm
Prime & Platinum February 24, 2017 @ 9pm February 26, 2016 @ 11:59pm


Why only weekends for this and similar pay-per events, or any events? Understand I'm in the minority but for the most part I can only play sporadically on weekdays. Since it's a pay event why minimize the return on it?

[Nathala Crane]

The play store only has 1 game from Simutronics currently. Are there more for iOS or something? Is Hero's Journey coming to mobile platforms?!

I'm not sure about any others, but Simutronics developed the Square Enix-published Lara Croft Relic Run as well.

[Viekn]

Why only weekends for this and similar pay-per events, or any events? Understand I'm in the minority but for the most part I can only play sporadically on weekdays.

I agree with that, as I'm more or less in the same boat. At least for this instance, you're not being forced to pay an upfront fee then face the possibility you have no play time during the event to take advantage of it. That being said, they could make it Thursday, Friday, Saturday to at least throw in a weekday in to the mix.

[Neovik1]

Yeah this is one of those cases where I'm going away this weekend :(. I'll be back on Sunday night so I guess I could try to get online then.

I prefer vending machine over a slot machine or waiting in a two hour line.

[Fallen]

It's fine to have different means of distribution, different strokes for different folks and all that. The only problem I have with this event is that a particular service of it wont be offered in an alternative form. At least, not any time soon.

It's not like this is a game balance issue. It's an engineered scarcity issue.

[Viekn]

Different strokes for different folks. The only problem I have with this event is that a particular service of it wont be offered in an alternative form. At least, not any time soon. It's fine to have different means of distribution, but it's less fine if you're not going to be making it available in any other form.

It's not like this is a game balance issue. It's an engineered scarcity issue.

Are you talking about enhancive swapping? If so, it seemed Wyrom indicated it was more of a game balance issue. Would be interested to hear why you might think otherwise, if that is indeed the case. I don't personally see an issue with someone else getting a +20 to their AS or other bonus, it doesn't bother me that they have it or that I don't have it, but if that's what we're talking about, I'd like to know why that's a game balance issue. And if it does end up effecting that, it's probably good to have some engineered scarcity with those items, no?

[Fallen]

Are you talking about enhancive swapping? If so, it seemed Wyrom indicated it was more of a game balance issue. Would be interested to hear why you might think otherwise, if that is indeed the case. I don't personally see an issue with someone else getting a +20 to their AS or other bonus, it doesn't bother me that they have it or that I don't have it, but if that's what we're talking about, I'd like to know why that's a game balance issue. And if it does end up effecting that, it's probably good to have some engineered scarcity with those items, no?

I'm talking about the body alterations. I had thought I read they are only planned to be offered during this event, though I may have misread. You're right in that I should have been more clear as to what service I was referring.





My question is will there be merchant alterers that will offer body alterations outside of this even in the future and if so, how near to it?

Not at this time.

[drauz]

Over an optional pay event for customizations that we've done since GS has gone to the web? You don't even have to go or anything. GS has historically run 2 to 3 pay events a year, but we went way over that in times with CCF/RtCF and the Wavedancer. We run about 6 now on a regular schedule. We've responded to feedback where people rather move to a guaranteed service over paying for a ticket and being one of the lucky 10 or 20 people who walk away with something. We offer both venue styles. We still have free events every year. We still have RP and festivals every year. You have a more active development staff in over a decade. We just released close to 200 auction-quality items, better than any pay event, for free. So where is there a bad direction? Because we run some optional events that you don't have to participate in? Help me get to where your thought process is.

I am specifically about the slot machine token events not other aspects of the game. It seems to me that the events are moving to more of these slot machine events. The last 2 new events were of this type(DR dig and DM). When you say you've responded, I must have missed it, but I don't check the forums regularly anymore.

[Erous]

I am specifically about the slot machine token events not other aspects of the game. It seems to me that the events are moving to more of these slot machine events. The last 2 new events were of this type(DR dig and DM). When you say you've responded, I must have missed it, but I don't check the forums regularly anymore.

You're hitting my points. This is just me, personally, don't consider "events" like the duskruin dig an actual event. It's a place, where you roll the dice and pay money to roll the dice. That's a little different than walking onto a large airship or mystical wintry wonderland with shops, events(including slot machine), unique items and merchant appearances. The duskruin dig type cash cows appear to be where we're headed in terms of development and that seems 1) less special and 2) not very unique considering other, cheaper options in other games.

[Viekn]

I'm talking about the body alterations. I had thought I read they are only planned to be offered during this event, though I may have misread that. You're right in that I should have been more clear as to what service I was referring.

I got you now. Then certainly that's not a game balance issue. I can see where it looks like an engineered scarcity issue. On the other hand though, how would engineered scarcity of body alterations benefit Simu? It seems the opposite, offering more opportunities for body alterations, would benefit them more because it's more money to their bottom line. For that reason, I would assume it's for some other reason than engineered scarcity. It's not like having a limited number of body alterations benefits the game in any way. If all of us had the chance at one and we all got one, it would only serve to make the entire population have a more defined character.

That being said, I'd like to understand why it's upsetting to Ltlprprincess and yourself why body alterations would only be offered in this type of setting. Is it because your preference for these alterations is not a vending machine type delivery? Meaning you'd rather have more custom work done vs a pre-QC'd list of options? If so, I get that, and there probably should be some sprinkling of merchants throughout the year to do this and ONLY this.

I think another issue which I've mentioned before and I think was mentioned again in this thread is managing expectations. The more Simu is able to communicate up front about future plans the better our expectations will be managed and things can be adjusted accordingly. It doesn't even have to be a "calendar". It could simply be a list that comes out at the beginning of the year that says this:

1 event with an automated delivery of pre-QC'd body/login/swear/etc. alterations available via simucoin purchase
2 events that will be more theme/RP oriented that will have approximately X number of shops
- one of these will be more fluff and script oriented merchandise
- one of these will be more mechanical, weapons, and armor oriented merchandise
2 events that will be more GALD oriented, and services will be delivered via X type of system
We will try to spread opportunities throughout the year to do some of these services here and there, but for the most part, if one of those events has something you really want, you really should try to go to that event

And so on and so forth. You're still going to have people complain about that lack of something or how something is done, but at least they knew about it up front and have time to get used to the idea or figure out another way to get what they want.

[Viekn]

You're hitting my points. This is just me, personally, don't consider "events" like the duskruin dig an actual event. It's a place, where you roll the dice and pay money to roll the dice. That's a little different than walking onto a large airship or mystical wintry wonderland with shops, events(including slot machine), unique items and merchant appearances. The duskruin dig type cash cows appear to be where we're headed in terms of development and that seems 1) less special and 2) not very unique considering other, cheaper options in other games.

Without a doubt there is definitely more slot machine type of activities going on than ever before. If Simu plans to actually move away from the events that you're talking about to putting more of those services within slot machine type of delivery, then certainly they need to communicate that. I'd argue it's better for them to say they're doing that and have people quit, than to NOT say anything, just continue to introduce new slot machine events, have people bad mouth it here and on the forums, which then builds up more negative emotion among the player base, and then still quit. At least if they're up front about it, they could probably cut down on the negative postings and people would just decide the game wasn't for them anymore and go along their merry way.

I for one don't mind the slot machines, because I learned early on that I hate them and learned not to participate. I will find it a MAJOR issue though if these events basically force there to be less of the other events that both you and I prefer.

[Fallen]

I got you now. Then certainly that's not a game balance issue. I can see where it looks like an engineered scarcity issue. On the other hand though, how would engineered scarcity of body alterations benefit Simu? It seems the opposite, offering more opportunities for body alterations, would benefit them more because it's more money to their bottom line. For that reason, I would assume it's for some other reason than engineered scarcity. It's not like having a limited number of body alterations benefits the game in any way. If all of us had the chance at one and we all got one, it would only serve to make the entire population have a more defined character.

That being said, I'd like to understand why it's upsetting to Ltlprprincess and yourself why body alterations would only be offered in this type of setting. Is it because your preference for these alterations is not a vending machine type delivery? Meaning you'd rather have more custom work done vs a pre-QC'd list of options? If so, I get that, and there probably should be some sprinkling of merchants throughout the year to do this and ONLY this.

I think another issue which I've mentioned before and I think was mentioned again in this thread is managing expectations. The more Simu is able to communicate up front about future plans the better our expectations will be managed and things can be adjusted accordingly. It doesn't even have to be a "calendar". It could simply be a list that comes out at the beginning of the year that says this:

1 event with an automated delivery of pre-QC'd body/login/swear/etc. alterations available via simucoin purchase
2 events that will be more theme/RP oriented that will have approximately X number of shops
- one of these will be more fluff and script oriented merchandise
- one of these will be more mechanical, weapons, and armor oriented merchandise
2 events that will be more GALD oriented, and services will be delivered via X type of system
We will try to spread opportunities throughout the year to do some of these services here and there, but for the most part, if one of those events has something you really want, you really should try to go to that event

And so on and so forth. You're still going to have people complain about that lack of something or how something is done, but at least they knew about it up front and have time to get used to the idea or figure out another way to get what they want.

I personally don't mind paying for specific services. I have the money to spare and like getting guaranteed services. That being said, I realize that isn't the case for everyone. I don't think RP tools of this nature should be locked behind a pay wall. A service of this type should be made available in ways that are accessible to all players. Raffles, at Ebon Gate, random merchants, etc.

As to your second point, I agree more communication for events would be helpful. I do think Wyrom and co. have been trying to be more up front with their plans and rationale. Hell, he's posting here on the PC for instance. I think that everything that isn't mechanically unbalancing, or meant to be incredibly rare should be offered in as many ways as possible.

At a minimum:

1. a cash/coins for service deal.
2. A paid festival opportunity (Spinners, find the merchant, raffles, reward for a game, etc).
3. A free festival and/or a randomly scheduled/unscheduled merchant.

I'd also like to see alterations like this (along with sonic stuff, custom nightmares, swears, etc) being offered through the Premium Point service, as so long as everyone has some sort of shot at the service via other means.

[Tarakan]

Given the automated nature of the services, it makes 0 sense for the entire list to be held in secret before the event starts. It is silly to wait for a player to post it on WIKI when it could be done in advance to help people save time.

Tarakan

[Viekn]

Given the automated nature of the services, it makes 0 sense for the entire list to be held in secret before the event starts. It is silly to wait for a player to post it on WIKI when it could be done in advance to help people save time.

Tarakan

100% agree. 99% of the time more communication is better.

[Jhynnifer]

100% agree. 99% of the time more communication is better.

The entire way this event has been communicated just seems off. Considering how much better Simu has been doing with customer service and open communications (which is ++++++), this whole thing just feels like a step backwards. Which is unfortunate because overall I'm excited about this event and have been hoping to get a few premade signature verbs for an alt.

[gilchristr]

Anyone else notice that enhancive removal service that can remove one enhancive from an item, was gone?

"4. Remove a single enhancive property from an item"

[LivderaDeralleur]

You grasp your stone cube and press firmly on one of the glowing crimson runes. The cube's structure grows unstable and you hold your other hand underneath it. A windswept oak tree pin falls into your awaiting hand, as does 10264 silvers, which you quickly pocket. The cube's structure stabilizes as one of the runes on each side of the cube fades away.
Roundtime: 2 sec.


It's one of those pins that, when you wear it, adds an extra line to your description. This one is wind, obviously.

As you wear a windswept oak tree pin, a ring of swirling wind forms around your body.


Just FYI - not just custom spell preps in the cubes, it seems! I was super surprised.

[beldannon5]

So i spend 50 dollars and got 6500 simucoins. I bought a total of 550 in cubes. i made 5.5m in silvers and nothing else. I also bought a custom swear.

550 in cubes = 5500 simucoins at $50/6500 coins. How much am i down?

[Stolis]

So i spend 50 dollars and got 6500 simucoins. I bought a total of 550 in cubes. i made 5.5m in silvers and nothing else. I also bought a custom swear.

550 in cubes = 5500 simucoins at $50/6500 coins. How much am i down?

Down 6 bucks if you sold the silvers for $8 per million.

[beldannon5]

so not too bad then. for the chance at something neat. lol Not jackpot or anything like that. But still. so 750k down maybe

[Stolis]

so not too bad then. for the chance at something neat. lol Not jackpot or anything like that. But still. so 750k down maybe

Yeah all in all not too bad. Basically a 6 dollar gamble, and you got a custom swear out of the deal.

[beldannon5]

I have some money in my paypal makes me want to get more and try again since i didn't really lose much lol.

[Stolis]

Can't hit a homerun without swingin for the fences.

[Silvern]

If you buy the 99.99$ one with premium you can pocket around a 20$ profit minimum if you sell everything you get from it...

[beldannon5]

So I am done. 1050 total opens all gems and coins. came out with the same amount of silvers and simucoins used I think.

Nothing to complain about this time, it's dumb but hey that's how it goes.


At least in this case you get decent return versus the dig or the dollhouse. However you don't have a chance to get a jackpot though.

[Ceyrin]

I wonder if all these gems count as personal loot for the new trading mechanics.

[rolfard]

I wonder why, after all the hubbub about the Great Auction removing silvers, they are creating a mechanic that allows you to 'buy' silvers for nearly the going rate. Oh wait, that's right, logic.

[Neovik1]

I wonder why, after all the hubbub about the Great Auction removing silvers, they are creating a mechanic that allows you to 'buy' silvers for nearly the going rate. Oh wait, that's right, logic.

Shhh! Don't complain until I get a chance to gamble on Sunday night.

[Elerdran]

I wonder if all these gems count as personal loot for the new trading mechanics.

I'm back after a long time -- do you have a link to something about those new mechanics?

Just trying to catch up on things. Didn't see anything about trading that looked new on the wiki.

[Ardwen]

The auction did next to nothing to remove silvers from the game, that's not what they are designed to do at all. Limited item numbers prevented that, and limiting sales to 1 per account. Give it ten times the items and different item limits it possibly could have made a dent in coins, possibly.

[Ceyrin]

I'm back after a long time -- do you have a link to something about those new mechanics?

Just trying to catch up on things. Didn't see anything about trading that looked new on the wiki.

Thread regarding changes is here (http://forums.play.net/forums/GemStone%20IV/Game%20Design%20Discussions/Treasure%20System/view/991) on the officials

The short of it is, after you first 1m extra silvers a week on loot you didn't find, your trading bonus doesn't apply.

[Wyrom]

The auction did next to nothing to remove silvers from the game, that's not what they are designed to do at all. Limited item numbers prevented that, and limiting sales to 1 per account. Give it ten times the items and different item limits it possibly could have made a dent in coins, possibly.

Ardwen is correct. The auction only removed ~66% of the silvers made in a single year. We'd have to allow the rich to buy everything (no limits on quantity of auction wins) and run an auction once a month for 2 years before we put a DENT in the silvers out there.

As for the cubes, this is yet another take on it where the ROI is tangible (in the game anyway) to a value everyone can easily see. The average prize is ~10000 silvers between gems and coins. It's no different than the dig, but the perceived value of silvers is easier to recognize.

[Originate]

any information on a dark sword token? There isn't anything to read on it.

[Ardwen]

I like the idea of once a month for 2 years!

[Luxelle]

I've clearly missed some aspect of playing GS! In ~2.5 years, I just passed 11million in all my accounts...

[Enuch]

Is there a list anywhere of the body builds? I am intrigued to spend a little money for some of this stuff

[Enuch]

Also how do the login and log offs work? Do you purchase one for each or are they bundled. I shouldn't buy simucons but these neat features have me by the balls

[Wyrom]

any information on a dark sword token? There isn't anything to read on it.

That's one of the fire spirit wins.


Is there a list anywhere of the body builds? I am intrigued to spend a little money for some of this stuff

You can see them at Summit Academy.


Also how do the login and log offs work? Do you purchase one for each or are they bundled. I shouldn't buy simucons but these neat features have me by the balls

Bundled, but you can only have 1 set.

[LordBacl]

>>>Permify Enhancives<<<

I assume this means make them non-crumbly, yes?

[Ceyrin]

Ardwen is correct. The auction only removed ~66% of the silvers made in a single year. We'd have to allow the rich to buy everything (no limits on quantity of auction wins) and run an auction once a month for 2 years before we put a DENT in the silvers out there.

Your acknowledgment of this just makes the new trading cap feel more asinine than ever.

[Allereli]

Is there a list anywhere of the body builds? I am intrigued to spend a little money for some of this stuff

body builds, marks, and wings:

https://gswiki.play.net/Summit_Academy/feature_options

[SashaFierce]

body builds, marks, and wings:

https://gswiki.play.net/Summit_Academy/feature_options


Where does the body build show up in the character description?

Anyone buy one yet?

[Ltlprprincess]

Where does the body build show up in the character description?

Anyone buy one yet?

It shows up just after height.


It is difficult to get a good look at Nihrvanah due to the number of mirror images of her nearby.
You see Squire Legionnaire Nihrvanah Tarsonath Vaalor the Patron of the Displaced.
She appears to be an Elf.
She is average height and has a delicately boned, waifish body. She appears to be youthful. She has slightly squinted, violet-edged gentian blue eyes and impeccably smooth, porcelain white skin. She has waist-length, feathered golden yellow hair swept up into a casual twist secured with a pair of pointed vaalorn sticks. She has a well-defined, heart-shaped face, a pert, button nose and a set of full, pouty lips naturally tinted with a delicate, rosy shade. Her neck is long and sinewy with a roughly healed patch of skin barely visible at the collarbone.

[thesupman]

the Body modifications, I feel like they should have just been added into the "standard" available modifications you can get from the shop in the landing.. seems silly ... btw a few of them ARE available as standard body modifications (broad chest)


for the other custom swears/other verbs.. we used to just get verb improvements.. now.. we get to pay for them... wheeee

[SashaFierce]

I find the custom login/logout to be pretty annoying. I had to turn off my logon/out notifications because they're not filtered out by the: only show highlighted players option.

[Allereli]

https://gswiki.play.net/Summit_Academy/custom_logon/logoff_options
https://gswiki.play.net/Summit_Academy/custom_spell_prep_options
https://gswiki.play.net/Summit_Academy/custom_swear_options
https://gswiki.play.net/Summit_Academy/feature_options
https://gswiki.play.net/Summit_Academy/signature_verb_options

[Roblar]

Thanks!

[Wyrom]

Your acknowledgment of this just makes the new trading cap feel more asinine than ever.

I know you're pretty against that change, but the dev team has more insight on it than I do.

[Fallen]

I find the custom login/logout to be pretty annoying. I had to turn off my logon/out notifications because they're not filtered out by the: only show highlighted players option.

They're pretty not good. Do you still see the custom ones if you're in the same room with someone when they arrive/depart with the flag off?

[SashaFierce]

They're pretty not good. Do you still see the custom ones if you're in the same room with someone when they arrive/depart with the flag off?

Yes.

I don't think you can turn off the log out in the same room message.

When you flag logon off - It just turns off the arrival window messaging. It wasn't so bad when only a handful of people had the customs, but now everyone has them and it's super spammy.

[Fallen]

Yes.

I don't think you can turn off the log out in the same room message.

When you flag logon off - It just turns off the arrival window messaging. It wasn't so bad when only a handful of people had the customs, but now everyone has them and it's super spammy.

That's unfortunate. I wonder how difficult it would be to write a script which would squelch and replace the messaging with the standard just left/arrived (or combination of squelching and scripting).

[SashaFierce]

That's unfortunate. I wonder how difficult it would be to write a script which would squelch and replace the messaging with the standard just left/arrived (or combination of squelching and scripting).

I'm sure you could squelch all the custom logons/offs. But there are what, 30 different ones now? Easier just to turn off the logon/off messages.

[Elerdran]

That's unfortunate. I wonder how difficult it would be to write a script which would squelch and replace the messaging with the standard just left/arrived (or combination of squelching and scripting).

I don't think it would be too hard... off the top of my head, you'd just modify all of the lines containing <pushStream id="logons">. The player name will be a link, so you'd swap out the rest of the fluff text and then push the line through to the client. I guess you'd need to figure out if they were coming or going though.

Edit: It'd be easier just to squelch the custom ones by ignoring the line if it didn't contain the standard "joins the adventure"/"returns home"/"disconnected" text.

[Elerdran]

This will probably work to squelch all custom logons. Didn't QA it, so I offer no guarantees!



arrivals = proc { |server_string|
if server_string =~ /pushStream id=\"logons\"/
if server_string =~ /(joins the adventure|returns home|disconnected)/
server_string
else
# custom logon
end
else
server_string
end
}

DownstreamHook.add('arrivals', arrivals)
before_dying{DownstreamHook.remove('arrivals')}

while true
sleep 1
end

[Fallen]

Thanks Elerdran. Saving this one for sure.

How would this handle people logging on/off in the same room as you? Would it squelch the non-standard messages in this instance as well?

[Elerdran]

Thanks Elerdran. Saving this one for sure.

How would this handle people logging on/off in the same room as you? Would it squelch the non-standard messages in this instance as well?

Nope, this would only affect the globally broadcasted stuff that would normally show up in your Arrivals window. Local stuff in the same room isn't affected.

Edit: For SashaFierce's issue, you could use this script in combination with the "only show highlighted name arrivals" option to make the messaging work they way it should. If you have friends who use custom log on/off messages, you could add their names here so they're not ignored:



if server_string =~ /(joins the adventure|returns home|disconnected|SashaFierce|Fallen)/

[Fallen]

Nope, this would only affect the globally broadcasted stuff that would normally show up in your Arrivals window. Local stuff in the same room isn't affected.

:(

[Elerdran]

The local text would be a very complicated problem to get rid off because it's not flagged any differently than any other text you see in your Story window, as far as I know. :(

[Fallen]

The local text would be a very complicated problem to get rid off because it's not flagged any differently than any other text you see in your Story window, as far as I know. :(

Best that could be done is just squelch the messaging.

[macgyver]

I say even more of these events, aside from the owner's payout, Stillfront needs to know exactly how invaluable GS and DR is for them. Great event and I'm looking forward to the next one!

Although, albeit, after this fiscal year is over and done with we can hopefully tone it down a bit with these types of events and jack up more RP/Questing/Storyline/Participatory pay and free events next year.