Global Agenda - Now Subscription less, GW model.

[Cadaverine]

I really like being able to respec at any time without having to worry about paying ever increasing costs to do so. 

As for scubs having fun, I am by no means an FPS person.  I can play them to the extent that anyone with a pulse and two working brain cells can, and I'm up to my eyeballs in fun.  Though, pvping with random groups, particularly with VOIP on, makes for a somewhat less fun experience.  But that's the downside to MMOs.  Other people.

[01101010]

I really like being able to respec at any time without having to worry about paying ever increasing costs to do so. 

As for scubs having fun, I am by no means an FPS person.  I can play them to the extent that anyone with a pulse and two working brain cells can, and I'm up to my eyeballs in fun.  Though, pvping with random groups, particularly with VOIP on, makes for a somewhat less fun experience.  But that's the downside to MMOs.  Other people.

The respec thing is very nice in that you can change it up every match and see what works best. Likewise, all your characters are tied to one name, one account - so you can play many roles if you choose. Its a different take on alts and makes for a very nice transition to each character (in that you don't have to rejoin your agency or repopulate a friend's list).

As for fun, I started a new recon yesterday and ran some PvP with Blood. FPS + no map knowledge = wtflolhalp! Funny and frustrating which just makes me want to play more. I am by no means even up to speed on this game, but it can be a riot at times and at other times it makes me want to club baby seals. Of course that is my own personal motivation and what I consider fun.

[Mrbloodworth]

I really like being able to respec at any time without having to worry about paying ever increasing costs to do so.  

As for scubs having fun, I am by no means an FPS person.  I can play them to the extent that anyone with a pulse and two working brain cells can, and I'm up to my eyeballs in fun.  Though, pvping with random groups, particularly with VOIP on, makes for a somewhat less fun experience.  But that's the downside to MMOs.  Other people.

The respec thing is very nice in that you can change it up every match and see what works best. Likewise, all your characters are tied to one name, one account - so you can play many roles if you choose. Its a different take on alts and makes for a very nice transition to each character (in that you don't have to rejoin your agency or repopulate a friend's list).

As for fun, I started a new recon yesterday and ran some PvP with Blood. FPS + no map knowledge = wtflolhalp! Funny and frustrating which just makes me want to play more. I am by no means even up to speed on this game, but it can be a riot at times and at other times it makes me want to club baby seals. Of course that is my own personal motivation and what I consider fun.

Last night was your first taste of PvP yeah? It probably did not help much that mandible is level 30 something, so the matches we were in had matching levels on the other side. Next time we PvP, ill roll with one of my lower level guys.

Also, you need your Microphone.

On another note, the agency is growing, and if we can continue to get more bodies, we can start taking hexes again, I am not sure what is up with our current alliance, but it seems they are inactive, so i'm going to be looking for a larger one. This way we can support them in AvA and get a piece of that action (and lootz) as well.

We need to start investing in making upgrades as well, I may start using agency funds for materials, and start passing out upgrades.

[Modern Angel]

God I think I may have been sold on this by you dudes. Not until payday though.

[Falconeer]

If I can finish Heavy Rain fast enough I might join your agency for a couple of weeks (my interest span nowadays).

[Morfiend]

Last night was your first taste of PvP yeah? It probably did not help much that mandible is level 30 something, so the matches we were in had matching levels on the other side. Next time we PvP, ill roll with one of my lower level guys.

I am actually a little concerned about the matchmaking. I was playing a little bit on my lowbie Assault character (level 6), and it was putting me in matches with levels 20-45. Needless to say I had an all time high death count. What is also odd is that it put me in the same map/game type 4 times in a row.

[Mrbloodworth]

Last night was your first taste of PvP yeah? It probably did not help much that mandible is level 30 something, so the matches we were in had matching levels on the other side. Next time we PvP, ill roll with one of my lower level guys.

I am actually a little concerned about the matchmaking. I was playing a little bit on my lowbie Assault character (level 6), and it was putting me in matches with levels 20-45. Needless to say I had an all time high death count. What is also odd is that it put me in the same map/game type 4 times in a row.

Quite sure it was because you are solo, it treats pre-made groups first, then fills the gap, if there is another level 6 cued up, it will put him on the other side and pull you in as well (the system also accounts for how long someone has been n a cue, after level, skill rating and a whole bunch of other fallbacks to keep things going.) if you were ina group, it would have to consider them as well. To be fair, levels mean little than maybe a gauge of playtime, and more options... power increases are, really small (Not saying they do not exist IE: Traits/skills mostly, there is always a counter though). My only concern would be that you lack map knowledge VS someone who is higher level, meaning they have spent more time playing and know the maps/tactics/class/ETC... However, flying solo, I feel from a pure mechanical sense, your always going to be the filler to make up 10, especially if there is another same level that happens to cue around the same time as you.

All and all I have been fine with the matching system, it (on paper) says it takes more than just level into account in making "balanced" matches. Its the human element it can't account for. As for maps rotation, I think its just random displaying a patten. You just exited a mission with about 20 people who just left the same cue... and, stuff. It won't matter soon anyway. But its OK, see my earlier post about all the fancy changes to the cue system.

Its been stated, GA used the TrueSkill™ Ranking System for the stars, something else that is considered by the matching system. Perhaps it thought you were highly skilled!

Just keep in mind, Match cue is the GA equivalent of a PUG.... I look forward to when we are allowed to cue up a full group of up to 10. Its why I always insist we all try to play together, practice and use voice and discuss tactics we can play off each other.


EDIT: Some screens from test:

[Falconeer]

I am in. How do I join the agency? (May I?)

[01101010]

PvP'd a bit more last night in pick-up's. I found it much better without lvl 30s running about  . Also, I can see Medic being the way to go first in your PvP excursions; however, being a recon on a PUG is pretty liberal in that you can go off to explore the full map which I did liberally last night. Much fun and insanity ensued - way less frustrating once you know your way around the map a bit better.

[tar]

On another note, the agency is growing, and if we can continue to get more bodies, we can start taking hexes again, I am not sure what is up with our current alliance, but it seems they are inactive, so i'm going to be looking for a larger one. This way we can support them in AvA and get a piece of that action (and lootz) as well.

How's the agency on euro timezones? I'd be interested in joining but if it's primarily US-based it's probably not worth it?

[Mrbloodworth]

On another note, the agency is growing, and if we can continue to get more bodies, we can start taking hexes again, I am not sure what is up with our current alliance, but it seems they are inactive, so i'm going to be looking for a larger one. This way we can support them in AvA and get a piece of that action (and lootz) as well.

How's the agency on euro timezones? I'd be interested in joining but if it's primarily US-based it's probably not worth it?

Sadly, I don't think we have many in that time zone. However, I am more than willing to make you the official unofficial euro representative!

I am in. How do I join the agency? (May I?)

No. 




Yeah, add me to your steam or contact any of the "Safety-Specialists" on the agency list. I also think, and I may be wrong, but there is a terminal in the agency shop in the dome city that will list all recruiting agencies, and you can apply that way.

[Outlawedprod]

Bought this last week and played some.  I think my robo is 12 now.  Tactically reminds me of TF2 (with the exception of the jetpacks) most of the time.  To me if this game didn't have the jetpacks it would have no hook.  Even if you play a map where you sit back and play defense you can still quickly get back in the action up front because of the jetpack.  I like that rapid deployment feel.  All my PVP has been pug.  I've had matches at lvl 5-8 where I managed to make significant contributions by turtling on top of nodes to maintain control.  That worked because some people would assist me.  Even managed a suicide as a level 5 to cap one of the nodes on that map where you assault 3 places and then win.  It was pretty funny to watch everyone sit back and snipe each other while I jetpacked in dropped my shield and heal turret and got the thing to cap because defense was so bunkered in they couldn't get to me in time. The last batch of games I played did not go so well. Some of the games were pretty much busts and I think one of them I joined and it was a 3 node cap game ends type because 1 minute into the match it ended on a map I knew nothing about.  I really wish there was a breakdown when the screen is loading of what the game rules are that you can click on.  I think that leads a lot of new players to just deathmatch.  The game I like the best so far is the one with the two robots.  That type actually has a fresh feel to it.  As far as a lowbie robo I've found my best bet to focus on defense for a node based map.  Only got one game with that thing called the payload you have to push around. Not certain exactly how that works because it never went anywhere and everyone was just sniping around it except for me and one heavy I kept trying to assist near it.  Only had 1 pug game were people used the voip.

The major complaints on this game for me is piss poor documentation and tutorial.  The tutorial serves minimal  purpose as the most basic piece of information ( the concept of your 15 point loadout for gear is not explained nor is it mentioned that gear will upgrade automatically and unlock as you level).  I also like how the intro dumps you into town but does not bother to mention to access more missions press M.  Chat box font and size can't seem to find a way to adjust them so it's quite small on my 24" widescreen monitor.  I can understand why they have no demo.  This game is for more hardcore players and those willing to look up the info themselves.  If they offered a demo to folks with the level of polish they gave the intro very few of those people would buy the game.

Well anyway just wanted to get my immediate thoughts out on this game.   Got any space for a newer poster around the f13 neighborhood in your agency MrBloodworth?  I know some of the invites around here tend to be open to more established f13 posters so I figured I should bring that up.

[Mrbloodworth]

Yeah you can join, I have no issues with that.

[Falconeer]

Thank you Mr. Bloodworth, I applied.
This thing is addictive.

What happened to Huxley?ì, by the way?

[Mrbloodworth]

Thank you Mr. Bloodworth, I applied.
This thing is addictive.

What happened to Huxley?ì, by the way?

It dropped off my personal radar when I noticed its game play was way to Quakefor me and its gear systems was that of a DIKU. YMMV. Other than that, I have no clue about it.

This is the game for me to get my FPS needs until such a time as a true Planetside 2 is created, by SOE or otherwise.

[01101010]

What happened to Huxley?ì, by the way?

ijji and webzen.

gah...pc crashed. To finish my thought: the communication process in beta to webzen and the community in closed beta did not exist at any point. The CMs would pop on and dump an information post and occasional comment, but had very little support or reaction to feedback. It also did not help that they closed down round one of beta and failed to inform the beta testers of round two dates at all. Then all the sudden they were in open beta a few months later without a word. A lot of testers from closed beta got impatient, not at the timeframe, but lack of communication. Months went by on the beta forums in which only feedback polls were posted by the CMs. Made it feel as though the devs were very far removed from anything having to do with beta. So fuck them...

[Falconeer]

I liked what I tried of Huxley. Too bad latest news on the official beta site are from November. Dead, probably?

[Draegan]

I got on the PC late last night and only had time for a few matches.  I start playing a Robo to take a break from the medic and managed level 7.  It's a fun class once you get used to it.  It's more tactical in your deployment.  With a medic I would run to a fight and support a group of people making a push.  As a robo I attempt to find a good spot to hunker down and defend.

It's a different mindset.  It's refreshing.

[01101010]

I really wish there was a breakdown when the screen is loading of what the game rules are that you can click on.  I think that leads a lot of new players to just deathmatch. 

Well anyway just wanted to get my immediate thoughts out on this game.   Got any space for a newer poster around the f13 neighborhood in your agency MrBloodworth?  I know some of the invites around here tend to be open to more established f13 posters so I figured I should bring that up.

Briefings. Click the buttons before JOIN and it will give you the info on the type of game you can get into. I had no clue about this till I screwed around on the "m" screens. Helps a ton to know what the objective is and get a brief overview of the actual map... which helps alleviate the "off picking daisies" syndrome I sometime have. Would be nice to include an autobriefing while you are in queue but not sure how that would work unless the map and game type was already chosen. Otherwise you are sitting there either watching the briefing and other people who already know are waiting on your slow ass, or you are waiting for someone else to watch the briefing.

[Mrbloodworth]

I agree that they could use a bit more info on the loading screens. But its one of those "Nice things" and they have, verbosely covered it in those videos...still. Its the little things.

[Morfiend]

I wish they would put out a free trial already. I have a bunch of friends interested, but they dont want to plunk down $40 sight unseen for this.

[Falconeer]

Complaints: the queue for low PvE mission is already too long. I much prefer PvP but it's more committing so if I am cooking or I could be interrupted I look for a PvE one, and I have been waiting between 5 to 20 minutes. Is anybody playing this game?
Nifty that there are no servers, and I can even switch to North American queue, but still no game.
Not to mention that I seem to leave the queue for no reason and without a warning. Why is that?

[01101010]

Complaints: the queue for low PvE mission is already too long. I much prefer PvP but it's more committing so if I am cooking or I could be interrupted I look for a PvE one, and I have been waiting between 5 to 20 minutes. Is anybody playing this game?
Nifty that there are no servers, and I can even switch to North American queue, but still no game.
Not to mention that I seem to leave the queue for no reason and without a warning. Why is that?

Are you playing on NA servers exclusively? I read the EU server is slow queues. I completely understand your point on the PvE time commitment - I do that to squeeze in a bit more xp before the woman's eye starts twitching at me. However, I can't recall waiting any longer then maybe 10 minutes for a low security to pop - even playing in the mid morning on a weekday.

As for leaving the queue...happened to me once. Not sure what that was about. I know when someone declines or times-out the ready pop-up, the queue prompt window goes away for a brief period and then pops back up.

[Mrbloodworth]

Complaints: the queue for low PvE mission is already too long. I much prefer PvP but it's more committing so if I am cooking or I could be interrupted I look for a PvE one, and I have been waiting between 5 to 20 minutes. Is anybody playing this game?
Nifty that there are no servers, and I can even switch to North American queue, but still no game.
Not to mention that I seem to leave the queue for no reason and without a warning. Why is that?

Small drop down to choose Euro or US server in the mission window. The "leave a mission" is a visual bug I think.

I do not think I have ever waited more than two minutes for a cue. Then again, for PvE I always play with a pre-made group (so it just needs to find a server instance slot I guess), PvP, at least 2 others are with me. Last I looked, there were 60 "Domes" in the US, with 40-60 people each most times I am on, and that would be all the people NOT currently in a mission. Other than that, when you do get in a mission, hows your ping?

[Hoax]

I wish they would put out a free trial already. I have a bunch of friends interested, but they dont want to plunk down $40 sight unseen for this.

This.

I also wonder if the Tribalwar people are playing this or not, in my weaker moments I sure do miss that community.

[Draegan]

My evening workout is going to suffer tonight because I'm fiending to play my new Robotics character.  I picked a female avatar though and the armor looks terrible on them. :sadface: I'm level 8ish and don't feel like restarting.  Oh well.

[Mrbloodworth]

Thank you Mr. Bloodworth, I applied.

Accepted.

So, anyone who wants to join can just apply using the in game terminal, and leave me a little note there, I will make sure to check it.

[Nonentity]

I wish they would put out a free trial already. I have a bunch of friends interested, but they dont want to plunk down $40 sight unseen for this.

This.

I also wonder if the Tribalwar people are playing this or not, in my weaker moments I sure do miss that community.

The TW community is still busy hating everything. I pop in there on occasion to see how they are doing.

[Morfiend]

So, I have found my major grip with the game. The matchmaking seems to be fucked today. It was constantly messing up on the levels. Having a team of all low teens players with maybe one level 30+ facing a team where the average level is high 30s is just not fun, and it was that was all evening.

[01101010]

So, I have found my major grip with the game. The matchmaking seems to be fucked today. It was constantly messing up on the levels. Having a team of all low teens players with maybe one level 30+ facing a team where the average level is high 30s is just not fun, and it was that was all evening.

Yeah its a little outta whack, but still better than standing around the dome for 20 minutes with my thumb up my ass. There is only so many times I can preview all the armor and dyes.

Last game I played last night, we were in a match with three level 40s and one 50. Being 15, I was severely out matched and gunned. Didn't take me but 5 minutes to die by the lvl 50 and then a lvl 41 followed swiftly by a lvl 36. Granted, once a person hits 30, they don't continue to get more powerful, equip or spec points so everything after lvl 30 is mostly the same. Regardless, I still managed to kill a few people and take out a beacon or two along with some deployables.

(and yay for getting my mic to work...)

[bhodi]

Yeah, I was curious to try this game, but I'm not plunking down $40, and I'm probably not going to dump a $10/mo-ish fee for what amounts to TF2 with jetpacks anyway.

[Mrbloodworth]

Yeah, I was curious to try this game, but I'm not plunking down $40, and I'm probably not going to dump a $10/mo-ish fee for what amounts to TF2 with jetpacks anyway.

No subscription till after the end of march, perhaps longer.


As for the match making it is indeed sad that that happens sometimes, but it may become moot with the next update.


Also, upgrades, I dont think many of us have any. There is a bunch of changes to crafting soon that may make it more viable/accessible for us to do. Meanwhile some may be catassing full sets of this stuff, I don't know.

[Falconeer]

Yeah, I was curious to try this game, but I'm not plunking down $40, and I'm probably not going to dump a $10/mo-ish fee for what amounts to TF2 with jetpacks anyway.

Seems to me like it's not even close to TF2 as a shooter, jetpacks or not, but the Conquest mode could be an absolute winner.

[01101010]

# Mission Screen: When joining the Mercenary PvP queue, players have checkboxes to select the Map Types to queue for (Control, Breach, Demolition, Payload, Scramble).

Also, upgrades, I dont think many of us have any. There is a bunch of changes to crafting soon that may make it more viable/accessible for us to do. Meanwhile some may be catassing full sets of this stuff, I don't know.

Oh thank god no more stupid robot maps for me. I don't mind payload and breach, the others are  .

[Mrbloodworth]

I like the robot maps :(

But it will open up the possibility to custom build your toon for a game type. Everyone does have 8 slots to work with.