Official: GM Lusas on Thrown Review

[Fallen]

I intend to use one of the new Chronomage daggers to travel back in time and complete the hurling review before the end of Q3 2009.

Seriously, though, the planning phase is nearly complete and I am nailing down some approval details before moving into implementation, which will take significantly less time. Sometime after EG, I hope to have a synopsis of the changes and what you can expect.

~Lusus

[Fallen]

I never spell that guy's name right.

[LMingrone]

So what he's saying is it might be implemented sometime in the next decade?

[Fallen]

If I had to guess, end of Q2 2010.

[Danical]

I'd at least like to see what he has planned.

[Asha]

I'd at least like to see what he has planned.

Policy is to find out what he had planned after it's gone through QC and then been pretty much implemented so it's untouchable and you'll fucking LIKE IT!!

[Fallen]

>> After this long it's not even finished being reviewed?

We (I) tend to refer to the whole project as a 'review', similar to how the lore reviews are handled. We examine the perceived issues, determine solutions, prepare proposals for those solutions, get the proposals approved, then execute. We're basically at the 'get the proposals approved' stage of the review, after which we'll code the updates, push them through QC and go live.

>> Don't take this for a slight, because it's not. I'm simply wondering just how important (or un- as it seems to be) working on thrown is. There always seems to be x,y and z projects that push the review further away from completion. Then we're told once x, y and z finish there will be more time... but there isn't because then projects a-l require whomever was assigned to work on it (Lusus now) to devote time to that.

I can try to shed a bit of light here, but this will be a bit rambling: I took over the thrown review about a year ago, and spent a long time looking back over player suggestions and complaints from the past few years; I then did a signifigant amount of testing and analysis in development and in the live games, rolling up new characters to experience thrown from early levels as well as using two of my PCs that have dabbled in thrown for years. Then I wrote up a lengthy proposal.

Unfortunately, at this point (earlier this year) my work-life sucked me almost completely away from GS for a few months, which put a huge dent in my hoped-for release of the thrown updates. My job has recently freed up, and I've been focused on helping out with the Rift expansion, EG, and then getting the thrown review completed.

While I have a bunch of other stuff on my plate (as we all do!), the thrown review is my personal top priority. As I said in a previous post, after EG is out of view I hope to be able shed a bit more light on what our actual timetable is and what you can truly expect from the changes.

~Lusus

[droit]

I know it doesn't make the thrown review come any faster, but I like the way Lusus responded to that sincere, yet pointed question.

[Asha]

I was impressed by how candid he was, even though he basically did confirm everything you said about things getting in the way.

[DaCapn]

I definitely like it when they come out frankly like that and tell you what's what and he got to the nuts of the issue without sounding like he's making excuses. The standoffish "professional" attitude that shows up sometimes seems to be more destructive to the friendly small community feel rather than making them look more professional.

Aside from that... is the ranged update supposed to be rolled out with thrown, is it on the back back back burner or what?

[Androidpk]

I guess that explains why monks are taking so long. Apparently the GM working on them has been over in Tibet for the last 4 years studying with Shaolin monks.

[kookiegod]

I definitely like it when they come out frankly like that and tell you what's what and he got to the nuts of the issue without sounding like he's making excuses. The standoffish "professional" attitude that shows up sometimes seems to be more destructive to the friendly small community feel rather than making them look more professional.

Aside from that... is the ranged update supposed to be rolled out with thrown, is it on the back back back burner or what?

last I recall, it was seperated out...other than crossbows, ranged needs no help.

~Paul

[BriarFox]

last I recall, it was seperated out...other than crossbows, ranged needs no help.

~Paul

That'd be great. I'm afraid they're going to nerf ranged somehow, though. :(

[Widgets]

That'd be great. I'm afraid they're going to nerf ranged somehow, though. :(

I was just always hoping crossbows would get some DS love

[Beldonn]

QUICK! Who knows someone that has been busy with RL in accordance with Lusus?! MUST OUT HIM! *grin*

[That Jay]

I don't follow most of the mechanic boards or profession boards (too much whining for even my tastes) but I must give props to Lusas for his forthrightness.

Admirable.