Duskruin Arena

[Smythe]

From 1/28/2015



Tucked away in seclusion near the Locksmehr River is place known as Bloodriven Village. Notorious to bandits, outlaws, and ruffians to congregate and do business. Located underground from the village, the infamous Duskruin Arena is a place of blood sports among the brave. Earn special scrip to buy a wealth of prizes. Duskruin Arena is a free event to spectators, with options to buy what you like, instead of a full-blown ticketed event.

...more information to come!


~Aulis
Forums Manager
QC'er


an' from 02/28/2015



Duskruin has piqued a lot of interest since it was first mentioned at SimuCon 2014. It was originally slated for the spring time last year, but we decided to change up the venue on the event and try something new. So let me explain what this event is.

The event is free to be a spectator. You can come and go as much as you please. There are some sights and places to rest should you just like a place to roleplay. About 99.9% of all things for sale are priced with bloodscrip. To earn bloodscrip you can compete in the arena or search for loot in the sewers. To enter either of these, you will need a dueling slip or gold rat token. Both of these items will be in the SimuCoin store for 100 SimuCoins.

You can go as much as you'd like, but will need a new dueling slip or gold rat token for each trip in. We have a large number of newly created items for sale. Brand new scripts and some really interesting things. Currently, we don't have any ways to upgrade gear or unlock anything, but it will likely be something down the road that we do. So you can either spend your bloodscrip or save it for a later use.

The arena is a PvE combat sequence with 5 levels of combat. You start off fighting beasts until you make it to the last round where you fight a champion. You have 5 minutes per round to defeat each level. As the timer ticks away, you will run into more environmental hazards in the arena, such as being slammed into a spiked wall or having arrows shot at you. Defeating the beast in a timely fashion will earn you bonus bloodscrip to your prize cache. Should you defeat the champion, you'll also earn a temporary title of Champion until you log out. If you're defeated, you'll lose half the bloodscrip you earned. If you merely run out of time, you'll just earn the bloodscrip that you were credited for until then. You can WATCH combatants as a spectator much like you could at Droughtman's Maze Challenge. You can WATCH LIST to see a list of people in the arena at any time, and even CHEER them on. You can also YELL to those fighting!

The sewers are like a large-scaled Deserted Cottage from Ebon Gate. You go inside and just have to search around. You get 10 to 12 searches before you'll be washed out. You have a time limit of one hour to do this. You mostly find bloodscrip, but can find random loot, or if you're lucky enough, a rat. You can only catch one rat per time Duskruin Arena is around, which currently is a weekend at a time. The rats are amazing little pets created by GM Keios. The catch is, the rat is in a random location inside the sewers, and there are about 100 rooms. To add to the hunt, the sewers are constantly shifting, so it will be difficult to find it running around aimlessly. There are clues to know which way to go or if you're in the correct spot. That's up to you to figure out.

Bloodscrip will be a physical item you can REDEEM. But if you are defeated in the arena, the bloodscrip are added to your total, much like Troubled Waters. You can trade the physical bloodscrip you find, but you cannot trade after they are redeemed or applied to you. You will need to REDEEM them to be able to make purchased at the shops, they do not work like a promissory note.

The original design concept was created by GM Scrimge and arena/sewer mechanics were by GM Wyrom. GMs Haliste, Keios, Liia, Luneth, Scrimge, Reidyn, Valyrka, and Wyrom all created shops. GMs Haliste, Liia, Mazreth, Scrimge, and Wyrom all had a hand in painting the area. GMs Aulis, Haliste, Kaikala, Krellis, Sherlise, Spalt, and Vanah were huge helps with QC and testing, as well as various last minute needs to help get this out.

We will likely be beta testing this event in Platinum, with free dueling slips and gold rat tokens, next week. More details will be posted in Platinum in the coming days. Feel free to post your questions, concerns, or excitement in this topic.


~Wyrom, APM

>>They call him Wyrom, not afraid to get dirty; work all day, in game by 5:30; loresongs eloquent, item embellishment, double speed development... ~Silvean


Thread at http://forums.play.net/forums/GemStone%20IV/Quests%60Sagas%60Events/Duskruin%20Arena/view?beginning_post_id=1&ending_post_id=16&page=1

- Smythe

[Androidpk]

Sounds awesome, except for the simucoin part.

[Wrathbringer]

Sounds awesome, except for the simucoin part.

Yeah. Otherwise, capital idea.

[Smythe]

Just noting here, beta testing was very successful in Platinum. I was able to round up a lot of players to help out. We even managed to get some stress testing of the system by maxing out the arena rooms (which is only 25 right now, it will be 200 after this weekend).

This means we will likely see Duskruin coming next weekend! I'll have more news for everyone sometime in the middle of the week!


~Wyrom, APM

>>They call him Wyrom, not afraid to get dirty; work all day, in game by 5:30; loresongs eloquent, item embellishment, double speed development... ~Silvean


- Smythe

[Tgo01]

Is everything being released costing SimuCoins?

[shad0ws0ngs]

It's going to be a few shops with some sweet items. There have been a ton of teasers for them. All the items in the shops, it seems, can be bought with bloodscrip, which is essentially the same thing as blackscrip from troubled waters.. so think the shop related to that. Anyone can go and it's free to do so, but in order to enter the arena or.. ratacombs? you need to buy the pass with simucoins and I believe the stated price was 100 coins per token/pass.

So, you can go in the arena and kick ass against some critters and there are 5 rounds. You accumulate bloodscrip for each round. If you die you are credited a number of bloodscrip. If you don't die, however, you get a physical object which is bloodscrip and you can REDEEM that to add it to your accumulation of bloodscrip points. The ratacombs or whatever are like the haunted house at EG. You pay to go in, search around, and I believe he said you get 10-12 searches. You can find physical copies of bloodscrip and items. Rarely, there will be new pets.. rats.. which can be found.

The physical bloodscrip can be sold/traded so if you don't want to buy simucoins for the events, you can purchase bloodscrip from players.

I really like the teasers for the courier bags, fana daggers, whisper cloaks, garrot daggers, and the nerve staves... so everything.

[Androidpk]

What is a fana dagger?

[Donquix]

It's going to be a few shops with some sweet items. There have been a ton of teasers for them. All the items in the shops, it seems, can be bought with bloodscrip, which is essentially the same thing as blackscrip from troubled waters.. so think the shop related to that. Anyone can go and it's free to do so, but in order to enter the arena or.. ratacombs? you need to buy the pass with simucoins and I believe the stated price was 100 coins per token/pass.

So, you can go in the arena and kick ass against some critters and there are 5 rounds. You accumulate bloodscrip for each round. If you die you are credited a number of bloodscrip. If you don't die, however, you get a physical object which is bloodscrip and you can REDEEM that to add it to your accumulation of bloodscrip points. The ratacombs or whatever are like the haunted house at EG. You pay to go in, search around, and I believe he said you get 10-12 searches. You can find physical copies of bloodscrip and items. Rarely, there will be new pets.. rats.. which can be found.

The physical bloodscrip can be sold/traded so if you don't want to buy simucoins for the events, you can purchase bloodscrip from players.

I really like the teasers for the courier bags, fana daggers, whisper cloaks, garrot daggers, and the nerve staves... so everything.

I think it's fucking hilariously inept to release an automated quest system and charge for it for subscribers when you're about to release a free tier.

It's like...they just don't pay attention at all to how every actual successful game does pricing.

[Thondalar]

I think it's fucking hilariously inept to release an automated quest system and charge for it for subscribers when you're about to release a free tier.

It's like...they just don't pay attention at all to how every actual successful game does pricing.

Sad thing is a lot of us who already pay for multiple premium accounts will still pay for this. I guess they're wagering (correctly!) on enough middle-aged "OGs" with expendable income to carry the difference.

[prance1520]

I think it's fucking hilariously inept to release an automated quest system and charge for it for subscribers when you're about to release a free tier.

It's like...they just don't pay attention at all to how every actual successful game does pricing.

Not saying I agree with the pricing model, but I think this argument is too narrow. The games your comparing it to are modern, mass marketable games. Even if GS all of a sudden capitalized 100% of the MUD market, what are we talking about, 20,000 players?

I really wish they'd be less restrictive on F2P to encourage long time players to go to that model and make up the difference with micro-transactions like Duskruin. Unfortunately with such a small player base, non-recurring income can fluctuate wildly and would probably make management and accountants too nervous.

[Astray]

Not saying I agree with the pricing model, but I think this argument is too narrow. The games your comparing it to are modern, mass marketable games. Even if GS all of a sudden capitalized 100% of the MUD market, what are we talking about, 20,000 players?

I really wish they'd be less restrictive on F2P to encourage long time players to go to that model and make up the difference with micro-transactions like Duskruin. Unfortunately with such a small player base, non-recurring income can fluctuate wildly and would probably make management and accountants too nervous.

F2P with micro-transactions is not hard, on any level. MUD or not. In fact, there's probably a bigger market for it here on GS. Buckwheat claimed that the exp items in the cash shop were easily clearing $2k+ before they were removed from the game for unclear reasons.

[Androidpk]

I didn't even know they were selling xp boosters.

[JackWhisper]

unclear reasons.

No, the reasons aren't unclear. It's because of one person. He just went around saying their name because he's a lot nicer than more people.

Edit: Went around, as in AVOIDED saying their name.

[Astray]

I didn't even know they were selling xp boosters.

They were pulled very quickly, from what I gather. Which is silly and incredibly poor marketing. If something is selling like that in it's first few days of life, you'd be damn sure to keep it, right?


No, the reasons aren't unclear. It's because of one person. He just went around saying their name because he's a lot nicer than more people.
That is infuriating.

[Androidpk]

No, the reasons aren't unclear. It's because of one person. He just went around saying their name because he's a lot nicer than more people.

?

[JackWhisper]

They were pulled very quickly, from what I gather. Which is silly and incredibly poor marketing. If something is selling like that in it's first few days of life, you'd be damn sure to keep it, right?

I am unsure if they were ever in the simucoin store per se. If they were, it was for a matter of days, not even a week, before they were pulled. And, am assuming that then it was in conjunction with that, because the entire XP orb system was evaluated through the paid event system, and they were removed as a reward from every single paid event they were an award in. No more orbs. At all.

[Astray]

I am unsure if they were ever in the simucoin store per ser. If they were, it was for a matter of days, not even a week, before they were pulled. And, am assuming that then it was in conjunction with that, because the entire XP orb system was evaluated through the paid event system, and they were removed as a reward from every single paid event they were an award in. No more orbs. At all.

Brilliant. Is this person alive? Can we find them? We're gonna go find them.

[JackWhisper]

Brilliant. Is this person alive? Can we find them? We're gonna go find them.

They still play, and post on these boards.

[Astray]

So all silliness aside, why would Simu pull something lucrative from the stores? I can't fathom how the use of a booster for exp would be abusable.

[JackWhisper]

So all silliness aside, why would Simu pull something lucrative from the stores? I can't fathom how the use of a booster for exp would be abusable.

The person I am referring to did the paid events with several accounts at once and had all of them select the xp orb as their finish reward.

And then sold them at a huge markup. Effectively costing Simu a lot of money.

[Ardwen]

it wasn't in the store, all proceeds were after-market proceeds for people that picked it as a prize from mini-events.

[JackWhisper]

it wasn't in the store, all proceeds were after-market proceeds for people that picked it as a prize from mini-events.


Tks for the clarification. I hadn't ever seen it either, but I wasn't about to say it definitively wasn't there. I don't hawk the store often at all.

[Astray]

The person I am referring to did the paid events with several accounts at once and had all of them select the xp orb as their finish reward.
If they purchased orbs, they purchased orbs en masse at Simu's price of Simucoins.

And then sold them at a huge markup. Effectively costing Simu a lot of money.

So you limit them to the accounts. Easiest problem solving in the world. Nobody thought of that in the alleged 50 members of full time staff?


it wasn't in the store, all proceeds were after-market proceeds for people that picked it as a prize from mini-events.

My mistake.

[Silvean]

So you limit them to the accounts. Easiest problem solving in the world. Nobody thought of that in the alleged 50 members of full time staff?

I felt like this decision paired with their new stinginess concerning RPAs. They don't like people advancing too quickly.

[JackWhisper]

The stinginess of RPA's occurred separate. That was thanks to a few JACKASS DIPFUCK STUPID SHITHEAD MORONS on the officials, who play capped characters, who whined up an ungodly fucking shitstorm for Kenstrom over people not earning their XP.

And Kenstrom folded.

And that was horseshit.

That was about 40% through the Crossing Into Shadows storyline.


The RPA orb thing happened months ago, but not connected to the storyline RPA nerf.

[JackWhisper]

And for the record, I was a capped character, advocating everyone keep getting RPA's. Being stinginess is fucking STUPID and elitist bullshit. And it's mean. Everyone deserves RPA's. It makes people log in more. Some people are just fucking stupid and need to be Darwin'ed.

[Astray]

whined up an ungodly fucking shitstorm

Those people could have easily been ignored. Kenstrom should not have folded.

This is what happens when you try to appease a small group. You fuck everyone else.

[Silvean]

I considered spending millions to buy a stockpile of those RPA orbs. Cutting the time to earn xp trumps everything for me. I doubt Simu liked the idea of people stringing RPAs back to back in that way. They're quite fussy about balance issues and the impact of quest rewards in particular.

[JackWhisper]

I considered spending millions to buy a stockpile of those RPA orbs. Cutting the time to earn xp trumps everything for me. I doubt Simu liked the idea of people stringing RPAs back to back in that way. They're quite fussy about balance issues and the impact of quest rewards in particular.

Each RPA orb sold, when they were in circulation, for 50 dollars. Or approximately 5mil silvers.

[Astray]

And Simu couldn't see how easily it would have been to just openly sell the damn things or at least keep them around?

If they combined something like Duskruin and RPA orbs, they could be rolling in cash. The only restriction F2P would need is a mark up % on pay events or not let them go into pay events at all. How are they THIS bad at business?

[Gelston]

Each RPA orb sold, when they were in circulation, for 50 dollars. Or approximately 5mil silvers.

You could switch to ESO. Starting March 17th 10% XP boost to subscribers!

[Silvean]

Each RPA orb sold, when they were in circulation, for 50 dollars. Or approximately 5mil silvers.

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

[SHAFT]

The person I am referring to did the paid events with several accounts at once and had all of them select the xp orb as their finish reward.

And then sold them at a huge markup. Effectively costing Simu a lot of money.

There were a few people doing this. It was great if you were looking to buy the orbs.

[JackWhisper]

There were a few people doing this. It was great if you were looking to buy the orbs.

One of my close friends on these boards kept a close eye on the run listings for the events. There were a couple people who did a run here and there.

There was only ONE person with half a dozen accounts at every single run.

And yeah it was a great business model. If you weren't Simutronics. They took it badly when they found out what was going on.

[Astray]

And yeah it was a great business model. If you weren't Simutronics. They took it badly when they found out what was going on.
Do you know if that individual was banned or not?

[JackWhisper]

Do you know if that individual was banned or not?

They didn't do anything wrong.

It was only a dick thing to do because Simu reacted how they did. If they left the orbs in there, it'd still be whatever. Nobody cared when orbs were floating around because of people. Now that they're gone, it's just a 20/20 hindsight thing.

[Astray]

They didn't do anything wrong.

It was only a dick thing to do because Simu reacted how they did. If they left the orbs in there, it'd still be whatever. Nobody cared when orbs were floating around because of people. Now that they're gone, it's just a 20/20 hindsight thing.

That's fair. Still, I wish Simu was a bit more business savvy and instead of just locking things up or away they'd take a chance.

[JackWhisper]

That's fair. Still, I wish Simu was a bit more business savvy and instead of just locking things up or away they'd take a chance.

If Simu wanted to make tens of thousands of dollars, they'd have a pay event with 200 tickets where people get to go to raffles/auctions of them unlocking banned/ice age accounts that have not been opened for more than a decade.

That would score them sooo much money.

And yeah they aren't too business smarts. Especially when they think they're smart, then find out they're being outsmarted. =(

[Taernath]

If Simu wanted to make tens of thousands of dollars, they'd have a pay event with 200 tickets where people get to go to raffles/auctions of them unlocking banned/ice age accounts that have not been opened for more than a decade.

That would score them sooo much money.

Holy shit, it would be like like a text-based Storage Wars. The drama would be immense.

[Jarvan]

I am unsure if they were ever in the simucoin store per se. If they were, it was for a matter of days, not even a week, before they were pulled. And, am assuming that then it was in conjunction with that, because the entire XP orb system was evaluated through the paid event system, and they were removed as a reward from every single paid event they were an award in. No more orbs. At all.

They were not in the Simucoin store.

Imagine knowing or having a script to run DSC easily. Now imagine having 10 accounts you own/control go. For what, 13 bucks or so a piece you each get 1 orb. It only takes a few hours to do, and you can do it as many times as you like.

Once you have the knowledge, it's basically like Simu is selling them.

[Jarvan]

Holy shit, it would be like like a text-based Storage Wars. The drama would be immense.

I think some people would go broke IRL.

[Fallen]

Does anyone have a prize list for this event?

[Androidpk]

Does anyone have a prize list for this event?

I don't think it has been released yet.

[prance1520]

Shops are closed in Plat, but Wyrom gave us some quick examples of pricing. I'll see if we can share. In general, there are over 500 items to buy (he didn't list anywhere close to all of them). Some of the items like nerve staves have tiers, not just of unlocking but of enchants or additional properties. We didn't get specifics of tiers, just that they exist.

[Jarvan]

Shops are closed in Plat, but Wyrom gave us some quick examples of pricing. I'll see if we can share. In general, there are over 500 items to buy (he didn't list anywhere close to all of them). Some of the items like nerve staves have tiers, not just of unlocking but of enchants or additional properties. We didn't get specifics of tiers, just that they exist.

so basically do it till your bank account cries uncle.

[prance1520]

so basically do it till your bank account cries uncle.

The majority of the items are really reasonable, but there is certainly a high end for people who might be interested.

[Astray]

so basically do it till your bank account cries uncle.

If that's how people choose to do things, sure. Let 'em.

[Tgo01]

So is Simu flat out selling godly items now, they just have it wrapped up in some "RP" and "quest" nonsense to not make it so obvious?

Hey, I have nothing against Simu trying to get a slice of the real money market here, just wish they were more up front about it. They could have just added these items directly to the store and saved a lot of GM man hours that went in to developing all of this in an attempt to cover up what they're really doing.

[Astray]

They could have just added these items directly to the store and saved a lot of GM man hours that went in to developing all of this in an attempt to cover up what they're really doing.

Gotta keep them 50 full time staff on their feet! Gotta justify them being there! C'mon man!

[Tgo01]

Gotta keep them 50 full time staff on their feet! Gotta justify them being there! C'mon man!

Like that one guy on Reddit said "The GMs make up one third of the player base?"

[Astray]

Like that one guy on Reddit said "The GMs make up one third of the player base?"

Sure! Why not! That's how much this company loves GS4! YA HEAR THEY WERE GOING FREE?! FUCKING GOD BLESS THEM

[prance1520]

So is Simu flat out selling godly items now, they just have it wrapped up in some "RP" and "quest" nonsense to not make it so obvious?

Hey, I have nothing against Simu trying to get a slice of the real money market here, just wish they were more up front about it. They could have just added these items directly to the store and saved a lot of GM man hours that went in to developing all of this in an attempt to cover up what they're really doing.

For what its worth, the arena is fun to do, and gives EXP. Its not just the cash, but a lot of time as well to get to that top tier.

[Androidpk]

So is Simu flat out selling godly items now, they just have it wrapped up in some "RP" and "quest" nonsense to not make it so obvious?

Hey, I have nothing against Simu trying to get a slice of the real money market here, just wish they were more up front about it. They could have just added these items directly to the store and saved a lot of GM man hours that went in to developing all of this in an attempt to cover up what they're really doing.


This is a conspiracy now?

[Tgo01]

For what its worth, the arena is fun to do

I refuse to believe it!


This is a conspiracy now?

How is it a conspiracy when it's right there in the open?

That's like watching a UFO landing and an alien walking out and shaking Obama's hand and calling it a conspiracy.

[Androidpk]

I refuse to believe it!



How is it a conspiracy when it's right there in the open?

That's like watching a news broadcast of a UFO landing and an alien walking out and shaking Obama's hand and calling it a conspiracy.

What's right there in the open? Your opinion that Simu is trying to pull a fast one over its customers by having a pay quest with rewards? Kind of like what they've been doing for years now? Uh huh.

[Tgo01]

What's right there in the open? Your opinion that Simu is trying to pull a fast one over its customers by having a pay quest with rewards? Kind of like what they've been doing for years now? Uh huh.

"Pulling a fast one" would indicate Simu is trying to trick people. They are being quite upfront about this, hence why I'm confused as to you referring to it as a "conspiracy."

[Androidpk]

"Pulling a fast one" would indicate Simu is trying to trick people. They are being quite upfront about this, hence why I'm confused as to you referring to it as a "conspiracy."



So is Simu flat out selling godly items now, they just have it wrapped up in some "RP" and "quest" nonsense to not make it so obvious?

Hey, I have nothing against Simu trying to get a slice of the real money market here, just wish they were more up front about it. They could have just added these items directly to the store and saved a lot of GM man hours that went in to developing all of this in an attempt to cover up what they're really doing.

Uh.. so what is it, because you're saying two different things.

[Astray]

Simu is run by Greys who are in cahoots with Obama who is attempting to drain the American economy through an old Text based game! We did it! We blown it wide open!

[Androidpk]

Simu is run by Greys who are in cahoots with Obama who is attempting to drain the American economy through an old Text based game! We did it! We blown it wide open!

Solomon was on the grassy knoll!

[Astray]

Solomon was on the grassy knoll!

Solomon was THE grassy knoll and Kenstrom was the shooter! Wait... that sounds filthy.

[Tgo01]

Uh.. so what is it, because you're saying two different things.

Yes, I am saying two different things. They are being quite upfront about it costing money to participate in this, they are also being quite upfront that you can buy items with your winnings.

What they aren't being upfront about is they are directly getting involved in the real money for items market.

[Androidpk]

Solomon was THE grassy knoll and Kenstrom was the shooter! Wait... that sounds filthy.

So David Whatley is deepthroat?

[Astray]

So David Whatley is deepthroat?

Our trust is being deepthroated. To the balls. I completely lost the plot, what's this thread about again?

[Androidpk]

Yes, I am saying two different things. They are being quite upfront about it costing money to participate in this, they are also being quite upfront that you can buy items with your winnings.

What they aren't being upfront about is they are directly getting involved in the real money for items market.


https://rorygregg.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/shifting_goals2.jpg

[Androidpk]

Money for items is nothing new. This goes back to events they had in the 90's.

[Tgo01]

Ah. I see we've stumbled upon another one of pk's faults again; unable to tell when someone is talking about two entirely different things so he conflates them, gets confused, and pisses his pants like a girl.

Get some new material, pk. This one has run its course.

[Tgo01]

Money for items is nothing new. This goes back to events they had in the 90's.

Really? You indirectly bought in game money and used the in game money to purchase items?

I thought events you usually paid a flat real life money fee then used silvers to purchase things, or in some cases you won prizes for each ticket you bought.

[Androidpk]

Really? You indirectly bought in game money and used the in game money to purchase items?

I thought events you usually paid a flat real life money fee then used silvers to purchase things, or in some cases you won prizes for each ticket you bought.

Grand auctions. You paid money, got a token, used said token to get an item.

[Wrathbringer]

Money for items is nothing new. This goes back to events they had in the 90's.

Dm maze is/was the worst offender, in my mind.

[Androidpk]

Ah. I see we've stumbled upon another one of pk's faults again; unable to tell when someone is talking about two entirely different things so he conflates them, gets confused, and pisses his pants like a girl.

Get some new material, pk. This one has run its course.

Better cycle your rep so you can leave me another angsty comment!

[Tgo01]

Grand auctions. You paid money, got a token, used said token to get an item.

You're conflating shit again. I'm going to stop here before you piss your pants again.


Better cycle your rep so you can leave me another angsty comment!

Naww, apparently your feelings can't handle red rep :(

[Androidpk]

You're conflating shit again. I'm going to stop here before you piss your pants again.



Naww, apparently your feelings can't handle red rep :(

https://rorygregg.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/shifting_goals2.jpg

[Fallen]

I guess i'm not getting the outrage here. These items are all transferable, are they not? You can buy them off players who choose to run the course. You can even buy the currency off the players as well, right? It sounds like they've went out of their way to make a secondary player-driven economy from this event.

[Androidpk]

I guess i'm not getting the outrage here. These items are all transferable, are they not? You can buy them off players who choose to run the course. You can even buy the currency off the players as well, right? It sounds like they've went out of their way to make a secondary player-driven economy from this event.

I'm not exactly sure if the items are transferable (I'm sure they are) and the currency isn't character/account bound. Seems like a system that will get plenty of use from the players.

[Jarvan]

I guess i'm not getting the outrage here. These items are all transferable, are they not? You can buy them off players who choose to run the course. You can even buy the currency off the players as well, right? It sounds like they've went out of their way to make a secondary player-driven economy from this event.

Can't buy the currency. Just the items. Unless they make them attune.

Well can't buy the currency once it's redeemed anyway.

[Fallen]

I'm not exactly sure if the items are transferable (I'm sure they are) and the currency isn't character/account bound. Seems like a system that will get plenty of use from the players.

It sounds like a fun event to me.

Are plat people prohibited from posting logs of their time in the Arena?

[Fallen]

Can't buy the currency. Just the items. Unless they make them attune.

I thought I read the currency is transferable on the officials. I'll poke around once i'm back home. Can you give blackscrip to other players?

[Androidpk]

Bloodscrip will be a physical item you can REDEEM. But if you are defeated in the arena, the bloodscrip are added to your total, much like Troubled Waters. You can trade the physical bloodscrip you find, but you cannot trade after they are redeemed or applied to you. You will need to REDEEM them to be able to make purchased at the shops, they do not work like a promissory note.

[Tgo01]

I guess i'm not getting the outrage here. These items are all transferable, are they not? You can buy them off players who choose to run the course. You can even buy the currency off the players as well, right? It sounds like they've went out of their way to make a secondary player-driven economy from this event.

It's another addition to the game that requires money on top of the subscription fee to get any use out of. It's the second one off the top of my head this year alone, and it's only March.

Simu seems to be going out of their way to draw more money from their current players rather than making the game more attractive to new or returning players. You could argue that the f2p is attractive to new players...although from all of the restrictions that seems unlikely on a large scale. The f2p shuts out old players and I don't see a lot of old players wanting to return because they would have the chance of paying for a monthly subscription and then having to fork over more money to participate in this arena.

Just seems like a lot of resources are going out lately that focus on the SimuCoin store; custom houses, the whole f2p thing, this arena thing.

[Roblar]

Blackscrip is different and not an item that can be given to other players.

Bloodscrip can be given to other players based on if you earned it as an item (quest success) or was it auto added to your character (quest fail), likely through the TICKETS verb created for TW/blackscrips

Not sure if Jarvan was confusing the Simucoin currency to buy the quest for the bloodscrip prize/shops currency, but once redeemed it is not currency anymore but whatever item was chosen and that can then be traded/sold/given away

[Androidpk]

It's another addition to the game that requires money on top of the subscription fee to get any use out of. It's the second one off the top of my head this year alone, and it's only March.

Simu seems to be going out of their way to draw more money from their current players rather than making the game more attractive to new or returning players. You could argue that the f2p is attractive to new players...although from all of the restrictions that seems unlikely on a large scale. The f2p shuts out old players and I don't see a lot of old players wanting to return because they would have the chance of paying for a monthly subscription and then having to fork over more money to participate in this arena.

Just seems like a lot of resources are going out lately that focus on the SimuCoin store; custom houses, the whole f2p thing, this arena thing.


You don't have to give Simu more money. The grounds are open to anyone and you can buy scrips from players in game. It's awin/win for everyone but you apparently.

[Roblar]

It's another addition to the game that requires money on top of the subscription fee to get any use out of. It's the second one off the top of my head this year alone, and it's only March.

Simu seems to be going out of their way to draw more money from their current players rather than making the game more attractive to new or returning players. You could argue that the f2p is attractive to new players...although from all of the restrictions that seems unlikely on a large scale. The f2p shuts out old players and I don't see a lot of old players wanting to return because they would have the chance of paying for a monthly subscription and then having to fork over more money to participate in this arena.

Just seems like a lot of resources are going out lately that focus on the SimuCoin store; custom houses, the whole f2p thing, this arena thing.

In general, so? I think I read somewhere the Duskruin even is 100 simucoins? If so, that is less than $1. It is optional and why wouldn't they vary and tier a la carte things to do in the game?

Also, f2p is designed for new players, maybe something come out next for older/returning players.

[Androidpk]

Blackscrip is different and not an item that can be given to other players.

Bloodscrip can be given to other players based on if you earned it as an item (quest success) or was it auto added to your character (quest fail), likely through the TICKETS verb created for TW/blackscrips

Not sure if Jarvan was confusing the Simucoin currency to buy the quest for the bloodscrip prize/shops currency, but once redeemed it is not currency anymore but whatever item was chosen and that can then be traded/sold/given away

Blackscrip can't be traded directly but you can still have that person get a particular item and then buy it from them.

[Tgo01]

In general, so? I think I read somewhere the Duskruin even is 100 simucoins? If so, that is less than $1. It is optional and why wouldn't they vary and tier a la carte things to do in the game?

Also, f2p is designed for new players, maybe something come out next for older/returning players.

100 SimuCoins every time you want to participate in the arena or go digging through the sewers.

As to why this matters; because GM resources are very clearly a finite resource. Every time they release something that costs SimuCoins or real life money beyond what our subscription pays for that means less resources going towards improving the game overall. It also makes the GM cop out of "not enough resources" whenever someone complains about something not being implemented all the more laughable because apparently when it comes to releasing shit that costs SimuCoins they manage to find the resources.

[Astray]

I will go ahead and say that if Simu had made it "You can buy 24 hours of runs before needing another ticket." it would have been abused by whoever abused the exp orbs thing. There do need to be limits when items are involved that are powerful.

So in this instance, I semi-support the limit.

[shad0ws0ngs]

What is a fana dagger?


From the officials:

Available only in Duskruin, these dark and sinister weapons have found their way to Fana's shop, A Mist Opportunity. Once in your possession, they will seek to bind themselves to the very essence of your soul, and are rumored to affect the holder in mysterious ways.

>get my dagger
You reach for the vultite dagger and it nearly springs into your hand, like the return of a long-lost friend. The dagger's hilt melds perfectly into your palm.

>clench dagger
You grit your teeth together as you clench the vultite dagger tightly, and a sinuous thread of mist begins to wrap and twine itself between your fingers, nearly cutting off your circulation! As you relax your hand, the mist begins to dissipate, and sinks into the blade with a lingering hisssssss.

--

Black tendrils begin to writhe and coil up the dagger, continuing up your arm and around your neck. Nearly strangling you, the ominous fibers sink into your flesh, and you feel a sharp pain along the side of your face.

She is average height and appears to be mature. She has silver-flecked hazel eyes and pristine, ivory skin. She has shoulder length, golden brown hair matted somewhat. Inky black threads slither just beneath the surface of her skin, shifting her flesh with disturbing, coiling movements.

[Androidpk]

That's pretty cool, thanks.

[Fallen]

100 SimuCoins every time you want to participate in the arena or go digging through the sewers.

As to why this matters; because GM resources are very clearly a finite resource. Every time they release something that costs SimuCoins or real life money beyond what our subscription pays for that means less resources going towards improving the game overall. It also makes the GM cop out of "not enough resources" whenever someone complains about something not being implemented all the more laughable because apparently when it comes to releasing shit that costs SimuCoins they manage to find the resources.

I don't have a problem with Simutronics attempting to monetize their game. It sounds like most, if not all of the items available to be won in this game will be able to be purchased using silver you can generate via normal means.

So the only thing you're missing out on is the experience. The solution to that problem would present itself in the form of putting these tokens in the treasure system. You could then find (or far more likely) buy these items from other players again using in-game currency. At that point, every aspect of this new mechanic would be available to players who did not wish to spend RL dollars on the quest. That seems to me to be the most fair approach.

Finally, GMs code what they're interested in, from what i've been told. That's the problem with having volunteers. If you attempt to give them work they don't want to do, they'll simply stop volunteering. I doubt any arms were twisted in bringing this arena into Gemstone, but I could of course be wrong.

[MesaPaen]

I really don't understand the incessant whining about this, particularly by people who don't play the game anymore. Convince me I'm wrong, but it certainly seems some of you have made your entertainment/passtime bitching about a game you've chosen to not be a part of any longer.

This is something new. I'm willing to try it for less than a dollar. It does not have to be accessed by anyone not wanting to access.

It's a game, people. Play or don't play. Pay or don't pay.

[Fallen]

Could someone please ask on the officials if they'll be putting entrance tokens to this game in the treasure system?

[Tgo01]

It sounds like most, if not all of the items available to be won in this game will be able to be purchased using silver you can generate via normal means.

Sounds like most items can only be bought with bloodscrip and you need to fork over SimuCoins for that. Unless you mean you can buy these items from someone else.


Finally, GMs code what they're interested in, from what i've been told. That's the problem with having volunteers. If you attempt to give them work they don't want to do, they'll simply stop volunteering. I doubt any arms were twisted in bringing this arena into Gemstone, but I could of course be wrong.

Call me a cynic but I find it hard to believe GMs lately have only been interested in working on projects that cost SimuCoins. Unless these GMs are getting a direct cut of the action, which quite frankly makes the whole thing even more disgusting.

[Astray]

Those are neat!

[Fallen]

Sounds like most items can only be bought with bloodscrip and you need to fork over SimuCoins for that. Unless you mean you can buy these items from someone else.

Yes, you either buy the currency to give to someone else or you would buy the item outright.




Call me a cynic but I find it hard to believe GMs lately have only been interested in working on projects that cost SimuCoins. Unless these GMs are getting a direct cut of the action, which quite frankly makes the whole thing even more disgusting.

I don't understand your point of view. Why is it disgusting if GMs get a cut of the profit of the code they helped to implement into the game? Wouldn't it be more disgusting if they didn't?

[Androidpk]

I don't understand your point of view. Why is it disgusting if GMs get a cut of the profit of the code they helped to implement into the game?

Because they're supposed to work for free, damnit!!1

[Tgo01]

I don't understand your point of view. Why is it disgusting if GMs get a cut of the profit of the code they helped to implement into the game? Wouldn't it be more disgusting if they didn't?

It's disgusting because the argument for why shit is implemented so slowly is always because "the GMs are volunteers" yet they can apparently incentivize them enough to work on SimuCoin projects.

It's disgusting on Simu's part, not on the part of the GMs.

[Donquix]

can you imagine playing any other subscription based game and being charged to do an automated quest? why do you people think this is ok? it's astounding.

this would get them more subscribers and probably more tickets sold to existing players overall if it was free to actually participate in base capacity, and you could unlock extra runs for the ticket price.

[Donquix]

Because they're supposed to work for free, damnit!!1

if only the game had some kind of recurring monthly revenue stream...

[Fallen]

My understanding of how GM "pay" works is the more time you spend doing GM work, the more money you get via profit sharing. I wouldn't have a problem if projects involving the generation of Simucoin revenue were given a separate pool from which contributing GMs get a cut. Simutronics is a business, they would be looking to incentivize projects which directly increase the amount of cash the game generates.

Like I said, GMs code what they want to code. I once asked why Sorcerers weren't receiving items promised to them via certain goal pledges. The response I was given was that no GMs were interested in coding for those projects once the original coders left. I thought that was a very fair answer.

[Fallen]

can you imagine playing any other subscription based game and being charged to do an automated quest? why do you people think this is ok? it's astounding.

this would get them more subscribers and probably more tickets sold to existing players overall if it was free to actually participate in base capacity, and you could unlock extra runs for the ticket price.

I think this will be addressed in the form of these tokens appearing in the treasure system. It'd be silly for them not to include these as dropped items. The first hit should always be free.

I wouldn't be against Premium members given a certain amount of Simucoins for their higher subscription, though. It'd be nice if you could redeem premium points for Simucoin.

[Roblar]

Blackscrip can't be traded directly but you can still have that person get a particular item and then buy it from them.

I certainly know that :D I was responding to Fallen's post, and should have quoted or mentioned currency items.


As to why this matters; because GM resources are very clearly a finite resource. Every time they release something that costs SimuCoins or real life money beyond what our subscription pays for that means less resources going towards improving the game overall. It also makes the GM cop out of "not enough resources" whenever someone complains about something not being implemented all the more laughable because apparently when it comes to releasing shit that costs SimuCoins they manage to find the resources.

I understand the concern and point, but I do see development posted across the board and as Fallen pointed out, voklunteer staff so pet projects. I don't think this is one though but a part of many semi or fully automated quests that provide optional quest revenue stream for little GM time (after initial coding and testing), which is a good thing.

Plus, as I think this and EG are all for the pay events (and this is quest not event really), I don't see it as undue drain? Every year has a mix of free and paid stuff, all optional and in addition to what you get out of the game's basic subscription.

I have a feeling other new stuff will be released (base subscription cost) as far as development, as usual.

[Roblar]

I think this will be addressed in the form of these tokens appearing in the treasure system. It'd be silly for them not to include these items as dropped items. The first hit should always be free.

I wouldn't be against Premium members given a certain amount of Simucoins for their higher subscription, though. It'd be nice if you could redeem premium points for Simucoin.

Yes & yes, I agree.

[Wrathbringer]

Any decent items or just fluff daggers?

[Astray]

I think this will be addressed in the form of these tokens appearing in the treasure system. It'd be silly for them not to include these as dropped items.

I am doubtful but we'll see.


The first hit should always be free.

Like crack! Tasty... tasty crack.

[Roblar]

Any decent items or just fluff daggers?

http://forums.play.net/forums/GemStone%20IV/Quests%60Sagas%60Events/Duskruin%20Arena/view?beginning_post_id=1&ending_post_id=128&page=2

Starting at post 27, Nerve Staves

[Fallen]

I hinted at this, but probably should have stated more explicitly: Since the script doesn't use the standard flare slot that means they are fully enchantable. They can also accept ensorcelling.

That makes them pretty nice project pieces.


No. And just as a point of reference, you aren't adding this ability to your equipment. You are purchasing a runestaff with it. Fusion, for the most part, cannot work with most any scripted item. In fact, most scripted items can't work with other scripted items. It's a lot of work to make things understand subscripts. Something like RotFlares won't be common, won't be uncommon, won't even be rare. It will be extremely, ultra rare.

But eh, I think i'd rather have fusion as my combat script.

[Fallen]

Also, here is some good info on Bloodscrip:


>>this confuses me. What do you mean there is no way to redeem them? You can't use them to buy a prize? Did you mean there is no way to transfer?

I'll try to field this one!

Bloodscrip comes in an item form that can be added to your total via the REDEEM verb. If you win in the arena, you get the item form of it. If you die in the arena, your earned Bloodscrip is automatically added to your total (bypassing the physical item which could be given to someone else to REDEEM).

So in context here, what Wyrom posted: "One thing to note on top of this, if you die during the arena match, the bloodscrip are directly added to your character, and there is no way to redeem them." means that if you die, you get the Bloodscrip automatically without a chance to pass the item off to someone else.

Try not to die!

[Androidpk]

Those nerve staffs sound awesome.

[Roblar]

Yea it was teased last year at an OOC meeting, nice script.

Smuggling sacks have mechanical use too. Especially for safely passing 1 item or note to same account characters, as well as sneaky RP stuff.

[Androidpk]

The sacks are an awesome idea.

[Latrinsorm]

My understanding of how GM "pay" works is the more time you spend doing GM work, the more money you get via profit sharing. I wouldn't have a problem if projects involving the generation of Simucoin revenue were given a separate pool from which contributing GMs get a cut. Simutronics is a business, they would be looking to incentivize projects which directly increase the amount of cash the game generates.

Like I said, GMs code what they want to code. I once asked why Sorcerers weren't receiving items promised to them via certain goal pledges. The response I was given was that no GMs were interested in coding for those projects once the original coders left. I thought that was a very fair answer.They're trying to have it both ways, though. They're a business when it suits them to gouge the customer, they're a volunteer organization when it suits them to gouge the worker. If they really wanted to incentivize projects they would pay the person doing it just like every other programmer in the world.
I wouldn't be against Premium members given a certain amount of Simucoins for their higher subscription, though. It'd be nice if you could redeem premium points for Simucoin.This is the model DDO uses: paid subscribers get a certain amount of store currency per month on top of increased access. Even a token amount can go a long way for generating good will.

[Latrinsorm]

Smuggling sacks have mechanical use too. Especially for safely passing 1 item or note to same account characters, as well as sneaky RP stuff.After playing a lot of other games, it's insane that what you describe is a rare item rather than a basic feature.

[prance1520]

We got the all clear to share from Plat. I'll start a new thread with general info, but since it was requested here, here's what we know about the items for sale.

I'm not going to list all the items here, but figured I'd let a lot of you know what to expect on pricing.

Most everything is pretty cheap, somewhere under 250 bloodscrip.

Item Price in Bloodscrip
Gambling Cards 50
Gambling Kits 30
Dice 15
Crystal-holding Jewelry 50
Mechanical Crossbow (4x) 100
Armor with Resistance 225 - 375
4x Flaring Weapons 40 - 250
5x Flaring Weapons 1000
Whisper Cloaks 75
Unlocked Whisper Cloak 750
Smuggler Sack 100
NerveStaves 1000 - 50000*

* Base 4x is 1000, their tier up if unlocked or enchanted. Tier up if acuity flares or mana flares. And 50000 is for a NerveStaff with RotFlares.

This is a very very narrow preview. There are over 500 different items for sale.

For context, we usually average between 125-165 bloodscrip an arena run assuming you defeat all 5. I'll give more detail in the other thread soon.

[Fallen]

Prance, can you post logs of you running the event?

Also, that's 304 runs of this game to get a top tier nerve staff.

[prance1520]

Yup, doing dinner with the family, will get them out in 15 minutes or so.

[Androidpk]

After playing a lot of other games, it's insane that what you describe is a rare item rather than a basic feature.

In-game mail RSN.

[Tgo01]

Also, that's 304 runs of this game to get a top tier nerve staff.

That's assuming you defeat all 5 rounds each time.

[Roblar]

I'll race someone for the nerve stave with rot flares.

I hear rot flares adds 100M of value1 :p

[Androidpk]

I hope melee weapons get something similar.

[Ardwen]

I dunno Roblar you don't run fast enough to race

[Roblar]

I dunno Roblar you don't run fast enough to race

Touche


I think our recordholder got 206 or something like that.

Even better, it may be uncapped, or higher at least? Scorecard race!

[time4fun]

Do we know if this is happening this weekend?

[Herachio]

I caught a severe stomach bug, and due to that, we need to postpone the initial run to this event until next week. Sorry for such late notice, I'm just now able to sit up and address everything.

Bummer, was free this weekend too :-(