Global Agenda - Now Subscription less, GW model.

[Mrbloodworth]

Global Agenda
221.1 hrs on record

So yeah, I agree :)

[Malakili]

Definitely a solid shooter.  I put about 50 hours in before deciding to call it quits, but there is a lot more there and I just have an oversaturation of shooters to begin with.  The fact that this is so solid makes me feel hopeful for Hi Res's version of Tribes that is coming out.

[Dren]

Yeah, for a group that gives me an Indie vibe, this stuff is quite good.  Definitely worth keeping an eye on.

I've been trying to see if they have anything in the works for an expansion for GA, but didn't see anything.  Would be nice to have an even bigger carrot in front of me long term.

[Dren]

I hadn't seen anything mentioned in this thread, so I'll bring it up.  Talking to the leader of the Agency I'm in last night, he brought up that several agencies have turned to "hacking."  He complained that there are no safe guards in place for GA that stop or police hacking.  The only specific information I could get out of him is that there is something out there that autolocks you into the "hit box" on characters so even though they are jumping and flying around, you can get basically 100% hit chance on your target.  He mentioned other even more nefarious cheats, but nothing specific.  It seemed like he knew what he was talking about mentioning, by name, many hacks and cheats.  I can't remember the names because I'm completing out of the loop for those kinds of things.

Anyone else know of this or is it just some unfounded reasoning behind losing more often than not?  I know TF2 goes out of its way to let you know there are protected servers and there are unprotected servers, so I'm guessing there is something to this.

[Mrbloodworth]

Global Agenda: Free Agent Review

The gameplay itself is very well refined, fast paced, and enjoyable. The classes are all properly balanced, every class spec serves a purpose in battle, and the matchmaking system is fantastic at creating balanced matches between players of largely equivalent skill. Jetpacks give the game an extra dimension of combat to exploit, and the maps all reflect the added freedom of movement through the use of tall vertical environments. Melee weapons break up the norm of typical ranged warfare, providing a unique and visceral experience that I have yet to experience in any other shooter, free-to-play or otherwise.

[Malakili]

Seeing this thread again prompted me to reinstall.   Having fun again.

[Dren]

Getting into a decent Agency has been a huge benefit for me.  I look forward to grouping up with these people and hitting both PvE and PvP missions.  If I'm solo, I still have a decent time in PuG PvP missions.  PuG PvE missions at the higher end suck donkey though.  Those missions are tough enough to really stretch all agency groups let alone 4 random people slapped together.

GA's pricing model seems to just work.  I tried the game out for free with very few restrictions.  I enjoyed it enough to want to pay for Elite package (one time fee under $20.)  Then I wanted to speed up character progression and lewt drops, so I paid for a booster.  This is basically the equivalent to a standard MMO monthly fee ($15 for 30 days of boosted results.)  The difference is that you can get to a point where it doesn't make sense to need boosters, so you just don't pay for them.  Pay for what you want, when you want it....seems reasonable to me.

Still haven't gotten into AGA yet.  Heard I really need at least a lvl 40 char for that.  My highest is still just 32, but I'm in no hurry. 

[Malakili]

I really still think the PvE stuff is really underwhelming, but the PvP is solid.  Its a shame you can't get crafting materials from PvP

[Der Helm]

Resubbed as well, hit 19 on my medic and for the first time started to have fun in PUG PvP.

[Malakili]

Resubbed as well, hit 19 on my medic and for the first time started to have fun in PUG PvP.

I'm thinking of investing in another booster for long enough to get a medic and recon up to level 30 so I can have a character of each class available for "end game" stuff, myself.  I have a 35 Assault and 33 Robotics that I enjoy already, but I feel like it would be nice to have one of each eventually.

[Nebu]

Considering this with a friend. 

- How game breaking are the exploits/cheat programs? 

- Will I be able to enjoy the game with a small group of competent players?

[01101010]

I was attempting to get all my toons to 40 but the fucking grind is killing me. My recon is sitting at 38 and the Assault is at 36... and I just can't bring myself to play at all. Meh, fuck it, I have a few books to read anyway.

[Malakili]

Considering this with a friend. 

- How game breaking are the exploits/cheat programs? 

- Will I be able to enjoy the game with a small group of competent players?

1) I've never run into anyone cheating myself, but I've seen some people complaining about it chat.  I consider this a non issue.

2) The normal co-op missions are for a max of 4 players. They are segregated by level 5-19 18+ 25+ 30+  The level 30+ ones are actually pretty difficult. There are raids which are on a long cooldown (i think 75 minutes) that you can join are are for a maximum of 10 players.  They are PUGable.   The mercenary missions are your basic 10v10 objective based PvP maps.  These are normally randoms v. randoms.  A small group queueing together can do very well as a part of a team in this mode.  You won't be able to do the AvA (PvP meta game territory control) with a small group, but you honestly aren't missing out on all that much anyway.  

[Mrbloodworth]

I was attempting to get all my toons to 40 but the fucking grind is killing me. My recon is sitting at 38 and the Assault is at 36... and I just can't bring myself to play at all. Meh, fuck it, I have a few books to read anyway.

Boosters?

[Mrbloodworth]

Helpful link for new players.

http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1930270

[Mrbloodworth]

Radiation fallout is clearing from the Northern Sonoran Desert. At the request of Ava Lockhart, Robotics Agents are using drones to stream video to the Domes. Is it safe for agents to enter this area of the desert?

New content coming from the MMO Action Shooter Global Agenda!

I believe this is the new outdoor PvE zone.

BANNED Global Agenda commercial

[Malakili]

New content coming from the MMO Action Shooter Global Agenda!

I believe this is the new outdoor PvE zone.

BANNED Global Agenda commercial

Hey, we've got a game with some solid shooter mechanics and decent gameplay, lets not show ANY of it our promotional stuff. 

[01101010]

BANNED Global Agenda commercial

 

[Mrbloodworth]

Apparently, HighRez Duke, playes a few matches with some dudes and also does an interview about the new outdoor zone and content.

★ Global Agenda: HiRezDuke Gets Owned in PvE!, ft. SideStrafe & Rurikhan - TGN


Skip to about 11:20.

[Der Helm]

Oh... quick question before I put more time into jetpacking around a barren wasteland. For what level range was/is the outdoor zone intended ?

[Malakili]

Oh... quick question before I put more time into jetpacking around a barren wasteland. For what level range was/is the outdoor zone intended ?

5-20.  Though frankly after I get to level 10, I just play mercenary.  I treat the game less as a would be MMO and more as a session based shooter with a bit of character advancement.

[Nebu]

I treat the game less as a would be MMO and more as a session based shooter with a bit of character advancement.

This is what I'm hoping that PS2 will be.  Sadly, I think I'm going to be disappointed.

[Mrbloodworth]

Oh... quick question before I put more time into jetpacking around a barren wasteland. For what level range was/is the outdoor zone intended ?

Yeah 5-20. you can get some levels loot and coin at any level however. Due to the shallow increase in power across levels, its not like you will be one shooting everything even at 30 +.

But its a fantastic quick way to gain some levels on a new toon, decent loot too.

[01101010]

I treat the game less as a would be MMO and more as a session based shooter with a bit of character advancement.

This is what I'm hoping that PS2 will be.  Sadly, I think I'm going to be disappointed.

 

[Mrbloodworth]

I love Nebu, but he has been saying some odd stuff lately.

[Malakili]

I treat the game less as a would be MMO and more as a session based shooter with a bit of character advancement.

This is what I'm hoping that PS2 will be.  Sadly, I think I'm going to be disappointed.

[Dren]

Working on my 4th lvl 30 now.  Only been playing maybe 2 weeks?  Boosters help a ton.  You get 2x exp from all kills, missions + you get 2 items from a mission win instead of one.  Don't need the item?  Sell it for cash and craft or buy something you need.

I rarely PvE.  I only do it when somebody from my Agency needs help.  I never PuG the standard 4 person PvE missions.  I go in as a full 4 person Agency group.  Some people love to farm these for exp, items, and crafting components.  To me, it is like 4 different maps with a random end boss per each division mentioned earlier based on level.  Gets pretty old fast.

I do like to queue up for the PvE raids when they happen.  I think they are every 30 mins or so.  You can team or PuG these.  The payouts aren't any bigger, it is just kind of fun to do and relatively more epic instance with 9 other players.  It is rare I am paying attention enough to get into one of these.  I'd say maybe once every 2-3 days.  I think we lose these 3 out of 4 times I do them, so they are pretty difficult.

There is a PvE option every hour that is called double agent.  Six people are thrown into the  normal 4 person maps/random end boss but 2 people are on the side of the MOBs.  It is their job to stop the other 4 from finishing the mission.  I've only had an opportunity to do this once and we got demolished, but it was FUN.  The 2 other players knew their stuff and clocked us bad, but it was such a new concept to me, I appreciated what kind of fun it could be if I was more prepared.

I mainly PvP over and over in PuG's.  Win  some and lose some.  I mainly just try to get better at doing what my class is supposed to do.  Your Exp gains are just as good, if not better than PvE.  You get the same cash and money drops too.  The only thing, as mentioned before, is that you don't get any of the craftable resource drops from people.  I don't miss it though.  I get enough money to just buy resources I need on the AH.

There is also a once-an-hour Arena battle you can do.  This isn't WoW Arena.  It is just an opportunity for a 4 person team to battle another 4 person team in an instance.  I like them.  You can sign up as a team or just PuG it.  I've PuG'ed it and loved it.  Of course, I've won each time, so what's not to love.  Really though the matches were close and that's when it is really fun.

Got the achievement and helm reward for having 4 classes all with a 3 star rating or better.  (Stars are to denote how good you are in PvP.)  Fun stuff.
*Edit:  helms, suits, and dyes are rewarded but just for your appearance slots.  It doesn't help you for battle.  Just changes how you look to you and others. *Fluff*

As for cheats:  As I mentioned before, I've heard people bitch, but haven't seen anything overblown in the battles I've been in.  I imagine this happens more on the AVA (Agency vs. Agency, Agency=Guild) battles, which I have no experience from.  My guess is that people don't like to see other players doing way way better than them on the stats and blame cheats from ignorance, but I'm ignorant too, so there you go.  Plus, in the 30-50 PvP group, there is a wide difference in items (not skill,) that will make a difference.  It isn't HUGE, but enough to tip the scales.  With good player skill, you can get by without great equipment.  I'm a prime example and I'm not the best player in the world.

From what I hear, AVA is about as cut-throat and dream crushing as Shadowbane was.  I'm not in a huge hurry to get involved with that.  Our Agency is actually taking a break from it this "season."  Not sure of the specifics, but I think they just got burned out.

[Nebu]

I love Nebu, but he has been saying some odd stuff lately.

I've had several serious concussions in my life.  It's probably having an impact on my posting... that and the start of the school year.

[Mrbloodworth]

I have a friends and family agency. if you guys want in, let me know. However this is not an AvA agency, its more of just a friends list and simple exchange system for us. But, at least you will maybe have some casual people to play with.

Go with Drens agency, it sounds much more active.

[Dren]

Yeah, I've already had a request for info on mine too.  My Agency is open for recruits and is casual for those that want to be casual and hardcore for those that want to be hardcore.  Mine's probably the same as Blood's, but with potential for eventual AVA if you think you might do that eventually.  I know the last few seasons they've captured and held hexes.  I didn't have anything over 30 for the last season so I wasn't able to help with getting or defending hexes.  Otherwise, I probably would have given it a shot.

In game, I'm Drendron.  I'm on most nights pvp'in, so you might have to pester me more than once as I won't be looking at chat much.

[Threash]

What am i supposed to do with tokens? i've made it to level 16 and got like 600+ tokens but haven't seen anywhere to spend em.

[Malakili]

What am i supposed to do with tokens? i've made it to level 16 and got like 600+ tokens but haven't seen anywhere to spend em.

Buy nicer gear from your class vendor in Dome City.

[Threash]

Is that the starting city?

[Mrbloodworth]

Yep, the big dome everyone starts and lives in.

[Mrbloodworth]

Hi-Rez Studios has big plans for Global Agenda, and the autumn months will see the sci-fi shooter's largest expansion to date made available to everyone for free. The Recursive Colony patch (version 1.5 if you're counting at home) will include a new open zone with instanced missions, quest chains, social spaces, and mid- to high-level content. New enemies, daily repeatable quests, and further avatar customization options are also on the way.

"Players seeking a quest-driven, narrative experience post level 20 can now level up in the new open zone as an alternative to, or in addition to, our instanced missions," said Hi Rez's Todd Harris. "We've also included a new set of instanced PvE and PvP content for players at all levels."

Hi-Rez prepping Global Agenda's largest expansion


Global Agenda’s Largest Expansion Coming Early Fall and Free To All Players

Notable expansion additions include:

    New Open Zone with several instanced missions, quest chains, mid-high level content, vendors, social spaces

    New enemy bots – encountered within Open Zone as well as instanced missions

    Daily Repeatable Quests – for solo agents and teams. Some quests take place in zones, while others send teams into Recursive Colony hive nodes and ruins. These quests include new 4-man defense Raid missions – now available to smaller groups (1-4) at lower levels (20+)

    New Dyes, Flair, and Trails – rewards for winning missions, completing daily quests,  rare bot drops, others given via achievements

    New Pets – new pets available as rewards and crafted items.

    New Blueprints – for consumables and mods

    Easier crafting – components now within the zone, to help with leveling crafting skills

    New High/Max/UltraMax missions entering the Spec Ops queues

    New PvP Map – Push Dust will be entering the Merc queue from Beta

    New PvP Acquisition/CTR Map – Colony Caverns will be entering the Beta Queue

    Revamped Intro Missions – Tutorials now include class-specific elements to help train new players

    Some quests now affect the state of the world (example – Brownouts in Dome City…)

    Ability to transfer between different Open Zone instances (and VR Arena)

    Open Zone cross-instance chat channels

    Disconnect to Character Select Screen without re-login

    Improved Vendor Item Previewing