[Feedback] Dev Diary part 2: Science System

[TotoMok]

Name: Nature's Gift
Effect: Grants a certain chance to refill a random active deposit when geologist comes back.

Will this refill the endless copper mine (which would be pointless)?

[Dorotheus]

We appear to have two groups of people in this thread, the moaners who started running round like headless chickens the moment this thread was started and the non moaners who looked on the test server and took the time to study the system to see what it would mean. Which group do you think BB are going to listen to? We have only seen 1/3 of the science system as yet we have no idea what impact on our island will be when the other 2/3rds is brought in. Have the moaners stopped to think that maybe their current island will have surplus buildings once the science system is extended. If they do with generals the same that they have done with geo's then troop requirements for the current adventure's will drop. This will mean you will no longer need to produce as much brew, bread and bronze swords. I would also remind people we now have floating residences, have you asked your self are other floating buildings planned, will they free up space on your island.

[MuffinMule]

When did anyone on the Test Server ever listen?
All the current bugs were reported and ignored on there.

[BAAAHHHHHJJJAAA]

I've been testing the new science system on the test server, and have now read all the comments and everyone is missing quite a fundamental point.
Settlers trade system is a living thing, when you introduce something it effects the balance of the market.
For example, with more players hitting lvl 45+ there is a greater need for granite, as at this stage most players wish to upgrade their buildings past lvl 4. At the same time these players start to produce more coin as they have more resources to sell, the coin chain is easier to develop and general coin usage is not a paramount as it was before.
The result is a de valuing of the price of coin, if a more players have 4, 5 or more coinages on their island then there is more kicking around. The knock on effect is that the next most sort after resource (granite) increases price, and because this resource isn’t as available the price increases.

Now consider what happens when more players have geos that can find more marble, its price decreases. Now do that for all other base resources and what you have is an economy that, potentially, could fall apart with a resource like marble being as valuable as stones.

Sorry to sound like a wako predicting the apocalypse but BB need to consider that this could affective kill the game, not just for lvl 50+ players but lower level players. If they (lower level players) have are resource (like Marble) that they need to trade for something to progress, and the price they are getting is very low, due to the market trend, then progression for them is harder. That’s when people turn off.

BB should be investing more time in to what happens post lvl 50. Island expansions, more licences, different buildings, a good idea would be ships and boats so you could travel to other players islands, or adventures faster, but not just a rehash of what is already available. And obviously introduce pvp/ guild v guild as you give the game more depth. Also I don’t think they are using what they have effectively, better adventures that require you to make dama swords and use more crossbows would help, but again this is just a temporary measure.

I know there are a lot of issue with expansion in terms of the size of the game (it’s not WOW) but things like the science system see a bit of a cope out.

[Peajay]

Based on testing the new updates, I can only see prices of copper, iron and exotic wood increasing as all other resources continue to decrease in value. With no new ways of getting them except doing adventures which some people don't enjoy so much, as stated above the market will be chaos.

If BB need help with ideas and suggestions maybe they could respond to some of the good ideas already offered?

Perhaps a rewrite for loot from adventures to rebalance based on losses and time and make some more worth doing. Removing some camps from secluded experiments for example wouldn't hurt.

[BobLurker]

We appear to have two groups of people in this thread, the moaners who started running round like headless chickens the moment this thread was started and the non moaners who looked on the test server and took the time to study the system to see what it would mean. Which group do you think BB are going to listen to? We have only seen 1/3 of the science system as yet we have no idea what impact on our island will be when the other 2/3rds is brought in. Have the moaners stopped to think that maybe their current island will have surplus buildings once the science system is extended. If they do with generals the same that they have done with geo's then troop requirements for the current adventure's will drop. This will mean you will no longer need to produce as much brew, bread and bronze swords. I would also remind people we now have floating residences, have you asked your self are other floating buildings planned, will they free up space on your island.

Don't you see what you've just done? You have simply speculated that things will be good and not bad. Sure, BB might do what you've said, but one of the common issues being brought up by "moaners" is that BB aren't telling us precisely the things you are speculating about.

Not sure if you consider me a "moaner", but my feedback - in a thread where feedback has been requested - was and is that BB are fiddling with details by introducing a science system. As yet there is nothing to suggest otherwise. If the science system is going to introduce fundamental changes to generals, then why haven't they said so? Maybe they haven't even decided on the changes to generals yet?

It's all very well looking 'on the bright side', but unless BB get honest feedback then how are they supposed to know how dissatisfied many of their customers are with what's going on? Frankly, I think BB are tinkering with a science system because they have no clue as to how to develop the game further so that it keeps us entertained AND makes money for them - because the science system does neither of those things in my opinion. And yes, I have been on the test server and it didn't change my opinion, the science system is just another production chain we have to construct that makes little difference to gameplay - it is complication purely for the sake of it.

[BobLurker]

Sorry to sound like a wako predicting the apocalypse but BB need to consider that this could affective kill the game, not just for lvl 50+ players but lower level players. If they (lower level players) have are resource (like Marble) that they need to trade for something to progress, and the price they are getting is very low, due to the market trend, then progression for them is harder. That’s when people turn off.

Excellent point. I funded my development by specialising in marble mining and selling it off - in Northisle the price of 1,000 marble is now down to 25 coins and will only continue to slide. New players will be increasingly slowed down by not being able to fund development the way I did, while making coin will be a distant dream for them when the cost of granite continues to increase because of demand and limited supply.

And what are BB doing? Creating a complex science system that addresses none of the key areas of deficiency in the game that so many players have identified. This was my criticism from the start - that BB's programming resources are being used on the wrong thing - and it remains my main issue. I don't even see how the science system encourages players to buy gems, which I could understand because BB need to generate funds. Maybe I'll be proved wrong, but right now I am still very pessimistic about where things are going.

[Nuttymut]

We appear to have two groups of people in this thread, the moaners who started running round like headless chickens the moment this thread was started and the non moaners who looked on the test server and took the time to study the system to see what it would mean.

Wow ... I've been categorised

Once again Doretheus I find myself completely disagreeing with everything you have said.

I think it would be both prudent and wise to keep BB at arms length in the process of communication. They are, after all not doing this for love. They are attempting to make a profit.

I am not prepared to speculate on what may come. Conjecture is not something I have found of great value during my significant years spinning with this earthly mass.

I think it's simple facts that should be dealt with.

And we cannot start to think about what could be in a vain attempt to convince ourselves not to conceed to current reality

Reality is ;

• PvP delayed significantly
• Level 50 players have finished the game
• Introduction of a tech tree which comes out of the blue

Regardless of wether the tech tree is good, bad or indifferent it isn't going to resolve other issues which many players would like answers to.

There is a ground swell of posts asking for additional information. BB have as yet to respond to the two main issues. That they have said nothing speaks louder still.

I remain extremely disappointed that PvP has not been rolled out as previously mentioned by BB. Indeed they have failed to deliver to their own timelines twice now. Additionally L50 players are probably as we speak looking for another game to play.

Nuttymut :-)

[Steve1077]

Did we find out if we find a faster copper deposit and put an endless mine on it that it will endlessly produce faster?

[peck_ed]

Did we find out if we find a faster copper deposit and put an endless mine on it that it will endlessly produce faster?

I haven't confirmed this myself, but have heard this indeed will be the case yes