Aion (Open Beta, Launch Day Info too!)

[Outlawedprod]

There isn't going to be much drama even on the higher pop servers.  There are a limited number of guilds involved in endgame and even with the mailed medals it's still not worth it to defend.

It was mentioned a few posts before the talk of the 1.5.1 patch it appears the Korean devs already know this.  I do knot know the accuracy of this translation bear in mind but see:
http://www.aionsource.com/forum/aion-discussion/87989-translation-four-new-game-changing-changes.html

"2. Players rewarded to defending any fort.
- Upon defending a fort, not only is the legion that has the fort rewarded, but also the players that helped out.
- Depending on your contribution during defense, you will earn the rewards."

"To Summerize
1. Because sieges only last 30 minutes now, it is much easier to defend a fort than having to defend for an entire 2 hours.
2. Since everyone who successfully defended a fort can earn medals, we can expect a much higher fort defense than before.
3. Legions defending the fort will earn the legion-based medal rewards as well as the personal medal rewards.
4. Medal rewards are more widely given out to lesser contributed players, hence not having all the high contribution players earning all the rewards."

[Outlawedprod]

how much of an improvement is to have a weapon at +10 (+40 attack?) over one with no enchantment. Obviously, no formulas are available anywhere, and while the +10 is clearly just the number of enchantments said weapon has, the +40 should be the damage/attack added. If this assumption is correct (and it should, since my attack level grows 5 points for each enchantment, while for example it grows of 2 points with a +2 attack manastone), it means my +10 lev 30 green spear is inherently WAY better than any no-enchanted lev+35 blue spear (the green 30 costs 300k, the blue 35 costs 2.5M). Well, maybe. Cause it doesn't really shows."

A level 30 weapon with +10 will always be inferior to a level 35 blue weapon.  This is because blue items go up in damage and stats much higher than a green let alone the 3 manastone sockets.  Think of a level 35 blue weapon as a level 45-50 white.  Think of a level 30 green as a level 35 white.  +10 can help a lot but don't forget it only modifies the main damage stats.  It doesn't increase the parry, accuracy, or magical accuracy on the weapon.  At a certain point those will start to matter but it usually takes a long time but there is some class differences regarding that.  Once you no longer have to worry about manastone socket level limits and they can all take level 50 stones I will imagine upgrading even less frequently.  Then it comes down to passives and the number of sockets.

Here's my take on it from playing a sorcerer and templar to early 30s.  A +10 on a weapon increases the damage on the weapon and to me it is significant.  It may not be as noticeable to you if you are melee and your crit is low.  Crit has a much greater contribution to killing power and that's why the manastones are always in high demand even when the broker is flooded with them (let's ignore +12  phys crit stones though that's another matter).  Advantages of modifying weapon:  casters get more mboost and melee gets more dmg on the wpn (which makes most skill attacks hit harder not just autoattacks).  Attack manastones however do not modify weapon damage and thus only affect autoattack.  So as melee you always socket phys crit until you hitting the soft cap which is up in the 400s.

I realized I was hiting them for the same damage I hit mobs 13 levels higher than that. Yes, they die faster cause they have less HP, but shouldn't their physical defense much lower (and my ATK much higher)? Again, I'm sure the values are not exactly the same, but it really doesn't seem like I'm so much powerful than I was a 20"

Average mobs don't seem to have that much more defense. Also the physical defense stat in the game does not scale.  It's pretty much take phys def divide by 10 and that's how much static damage you subtract from eat hit.  This is why you see people wearing lower level armor for awhile.   The real upgrades are all about the dps stats (phys crit, mboost, attack), survival stats (hp), and the level and number of manastone sockets on the armor.

If you are a caster and have a level 28 blue Worthy Durable Fess set there is no point in upgrading that armor for quite some time because you aren't going to gain any dps and mitigation stats are pointless as a cloth wearer.  At some point for tanks like my templar upgrading for enough phys def can be worth it but really it's more about am I gaining more hp, block or better manastone sockets.

Casters are definitely easymode to gear an alt up.  I have a sorcerer and gave her a +10 level 14 green tome.  I hit like a mack truck at level.  I used it all the way to level 30.  The only time I swapped out to a quest reward book is when I was doing CC in TG for the magical accuracy.  As a sorcerer I have high macc to begin with so resists aren't as big of an issue.  Now for a Cleric I would solo dps with a staff because the macc on maces sucks and their class has more problems with resists than a sorcerer.

Upgrading shields is very much worth it.  Each + adds 2% additional absorption when you block.

Upgrading armor with enhancement stones only adds + phys def (which varies depending on armor piece more on chest than boots for example).  There's no point to it given the cost vs benefit.

[Outlawedprod]

Level 50 botters are now actual players. Just, players who botted their way up to the cap and will now brag about how hardcore they are.

I can beat that.

Guild disbands because leadership cannot come to agreement regarding what level of botting is acceptable.
http://www.aionsource.com/forum/azphel-east/88775-primal-instinct-disbands-2.html#post1778567

Also once level 50 the new botting is AP trading.

[Nebu]

Also once level 50 the new botting is AP trading.

Anyone that didn't see this coming is naive, has never played a pvp mmo, or both.   

[Shatter]

Level 50 botters are now actual players. Just, players who botted their way up to the cap and will now brag about how hardcore they are.

I can beat that.

Guild disbands because leadership cannot come to agreement regarding what level of botting is acceptable.
http://www.aionsource.com/forum/azphel-east/88775-primal-instinct-disbands-2.html#post1778567

Also once level 50 the new botting is AP trading.

If you are in a Legion that allows botting period why does how much of it you do become an issue?   

[Outlawedprod]

If you are in a Legion that allows botting period why does how much of it you do become an issue?   

I only know what I saw in that thread.  Some guild on my server. I'm not familiar with their guild I just abbreviated the thread the way I saw it.
1) Guild boots botters
2) Guild doesn't have problem with RMT
3) Guild leadership begins debate about letting botters back at 50
4) Guild disbands
5) Several high ranking guilds on the server while not endorsing botting do not care because they need players who are 50
6) I know/have spoken with quite a few players in their 40s who don't care about non-RMT botters

Botting, AP trading, buying kinah.  Pick your poison. It's just another way to game the system.  I guess my point is if one jokes that "Level 50 botters are now actual players" you might gloss over the behavior of players instead of the typical annoyance of the bot itself.  Level 50 players were gaming the system with bots and are now gaming the system with ap tradiing or whatever exploits of the day they can find.  Nothing has changed.  Botting that everyone whines about is simply a means to an end.  It is the product of a mindset.   The fact that it is more prevalent and more successful in this game I have my own opinions about.

[Chimpy]

I did not see the 30 minute keep thing until last night.

I think that is a great idea for the Siel and (maybe) Sulfur, but the top level forts need to have an hour. It takes 100+ people over a half hour just to kill the level 50 diety generals on our server (of course, it is mostly a smattering of various lvl 40-46s on our server still).

It takes a whole 5 minutes to kill the Siel fort bosses, and 10 to do Sulfur, so those could be shorter, but just getting through the gate can take 10 minutes + up top.

Oh well, at least they are lowering the grindiness of Steel Rake now that I am in that level range.

[Draegan]

I'd just be pissed off giving a kid $20 bucks for a bot program. 

[Ashamanchill]

I'm kinda surprised NCSoft doesn't cut out the middle man and sell a /50 command for $20 bucks. You know valued customer, you could go through our crotch smashing grind to level up to 50, or...

[Falconeer]

With Lum in charge of bot-squashing (and not just that) in Aion I'm sure something good will happen now. But even without him, I can't really give myself an answer to why a GM can't take a walk in Pandemonium and suddenly and without warning BAN all those characters openly selling Kinah through personal stores signs.

Isn't that blatant fragrance? Why do they even need reporting for that? These guys are there nonstop for days. How long can it take for ANY GM to just log in, take a walk in the major hubs, write down a few names and ban them on the spot? With town scrolls it's 10 minutes top, everyday. And these guys are SO automated that you get an automatic "hey" or "heyhey!" just by targeting them. Sheesh.

EDIT: NCsoft Bot-squash "Agency".

Game Surveillance Agent
Location:   Austin
Description
NCsoft West, the U.S. branch of NCsoft, the world’s largest independent developer and publisher of online computer games is seeking talented candidates for Game Surveillance Unit Agents to work in our North Austin office. 
 
Game Surveillance Unit Agents are responsible for monitoring our services to identify individuals that are violating our User Agreements and causing harm to our game services. They are responsible for executing various processes for monitoring the in--game and out-of-game environment for Bots, Farming, RMT, Private Servers, Account Theft, and other ‘cheating’ type behaviors.  This position requires the ability to navigate a computerized data entry system and other relevant applications.
 
Job Functions
·         Monitor the in-game and out-of-game environment for various types of ‘cheating behavior’ which occurs related to Online Gaming.
·         Handle appeal requests from players that have been removed from the service to determine if the account closure was justified.
·         Communicate with customers that either have complaints or information about others involved in various types of ‘cheating behavior’
·         Responsible for documentation of all information gathered during investigations. Completes, maintains and processes pertinent paperwork and records.
·         Provide daily reports as directed by management.
·         Work closely with our other departments who may have information to share about suspicious activity.
·         Complete tasks and projects that are assigned by management that may not fall into the scope of the daily routine
 

[Triforcer]

Lum will be in charge of a bot KGB?  Won't he go mad with power? 

[01101010]

EDIT: NCsoft Bot-squash "Agency".

Game Surveillance Agent
Location:   Austin
Description
NCsoft West, the U.S. branch of NCsoft, the world’s largest independent developer and publisher of online computer games is seeking talented candidates for Game Surveillance Unit Agents to work in our North Austin office. 
 
Game Surveillance Unit Agents are responsible for monitoring our services to identify individuals that are violating our User Agreements and causing harm to our game services. They are responsible for executing various processes for monitoring the in--game and out-of-game environment for Bots, Farming, RMT, Private Servers, Account Theft, and other ‘cheating’ type behaviors.  This position requires the ability to navigate a computerized data entry system and other relevant applications.
 
Job Functions
·         Monitor the in-game and out-of-game environment for various types of ‘cheating behavior’ which occurs related to Online Gaming.
·         Handle appeal requests from players that have been removed from the service to determine if the account closure was justified.
·         Communicate with customers that either have complaints or information about others involved in various types of ‘cheating behavior’
·         Responsible for documentation of all information gathered during investigations. Completes, maintains and processes pertinent paperwork and records.
·         Provide daily reports as directed by management.
·         Work closely with our other departments who may have information to share about suspicious activity.
·         Complete tasks and projects that are assigned by management that may not fall into the scope of the daily routine
 

This is the kinda position you fill before you actually launch the game to the masses.

[Numtini]

Lum will be in charge of a bot KGB?  Won't he go mad with power? 

I'm guessing most players hope so :)

[raydeen]

Lum will be in charge of a bot KGB?  Won't he go mad with power? 

I'm guessing most players hope so :)

I thought he already was Lum the Mad. Now he's Lum the Mad with Power!!!

[Xanthippe]

Hey, my online petitions were finally answered.  They were made probably the week of launch.  Maybe this means that players can now submit in-game petitions again.  Too bad I no longer play the game due to shitty customer service.

[Lum]

I'm not actually in charge. I'm tasked with making things go faster programming wise.

Also for obvious reasons I can't talk much (any) further about it.

[ajax34i]

Grats

[Chimpy]

I'm not actually in charge. I'm tasked with making things go faster programming wise.

Also for obvious reasons I can't talk much (any) further about it.

Can you let them know that I, as a paying customer, request that you be PUT in charge?

[Setanta]

I never got to see the botting. I'm almost at the end of my free month and haven't played more thn up to L17 on a ranger. Why? Because in a subscription game, I'm not going to bang my head against the keyboard because of a bug whereby you lose your mouse-curser and/or hotkeys until you mash the mouse/keyboard into oblivion to try and get it back. I

t seems to be a problem that players are expected to put up with as the Devs have said nothing about it when people have posted it on the official forums - but TBH, I "could" put up with it and keep wasting kinah because the jump-shot kiting and mouse looking needed by a ranger is insta-death every time this bug happens - or I could go play Torchlight or Dragon Age which don't require a sub and don't make me want to drive a rusty nail through my nut-sack because it would be more pleasurable than playing AION.

I set a ticket on it - was told it was a "feature" :D

Yep - kind of feature like WAR had in abundance and look where that attitude got Mythic 

[Venkman]

I love how people convey all sorts of responsibility on a job change. If I recall, the half of the people who didn't think he was selling out all though Lum was going to solve all of DAoC's problems back in the day too. This is the thing that makes me smile most about the disparity between player and professional.

Isn't that blatant fragrance?

Smelly too!

[Falconeer]

Isn't that blatant fragrance?

Smelly too!

Haha. Oh, damn. FLA-grance.

[01101010]

Yep - kind of feature like WAR had in abundance and look where that attitude got Mythic 

Interesting use of the bear there... interesting in the fact that I am still at a loss of why it is included.

[Lantyssa]

Random mashing of buttons to get his cursor back so he could hit post.

[Evildrider]

Random mashing of buttons to get his cursor back so he could hit post.

 

[Setanta]

AION is like the candy a rock-spider offers a kid - looks pretty but you're too naive to realise that you are about to be reamed by a shitty MMO once again?

F*cked if I know why it's there - other than I've been working double shifts and am knackered as a result. It should have been 

[Falconeer]

Out of curiosity, I took a stopwatch, recorded some times and made a chart or two. I won't present you the charts, but suffice to say that at level 36, to grind your way to 37 (grind, meaning just mobs, no quests) it'll take me, a gladiator so melee dps, 13 hours.

Test ran with some of the beast gear available for that level bracket and by killing the mob suggested by the grindplaner as the most convenient.
We are talking of level 36 out of 50.

Now of course, there's questing. Which provides you roughly 15% of your level XP. And drops consistantly with each level up.

Question to you all: do you think NCwest really believes this is good for a modern MMORPG finances, or the XP ratio is locked by NCkorea and they can't do shit to save the game?

[ajax34i]

Option 2, they can't do much.

[gryeyes]

One can only assume they don't have the ability to change it (for whatever reason). Didn't they take a long fucking time tuning the game to be palatable for a western audience? Yet we have a game with an exp curve that only small fraction of players would even attempt to climb. That is flooded with unchecked botting/RMTing.

These things seem like the areas that would be the most heavily focused on.

[Falconeer]

Well, trying hard enough I cut the time down from 13 hours to about 11. Woot.

[amiable]

Well, trying hard enough I cut the time down from 13 hours to about 11. Woot.

Only 11 hours to gain one mid-level, sign me up!

(Incoming "It took me longer to level in WoW" from people who are most likely certifiably insane).

[Chimpy]

It took me more months to get to the cap in WoW than it will in Aion, maybe. :p I also was much more casual in my time playing in WoW than I have been on Aion.


One thing mildly annoying in Aion is that XP per kill stays pretty stagnant per level, and XP per quest ends up being a smaller percentage as you go up.

I basically went from 42-43 in the most "efficient" manner possible - solo-kiting elites while farming insignias for the stupidly grindy "best non-abyss item in slot until level 48" jewelery. It took me about 15 minutes for every 1million XP when not rested (each mob was 257k and took roughly 3.5 minutes to kill + rest between to get full HP mana). Level 42-43 was 57 million XP. Level 44 is about 65million.

[01101010]

It took me about 15 minutes for every 1million XP when not rested (each mob was 257k and took roughly 3.5 minutes to kill + rest between to get full HP mana). Level 42-43 was 57 million XP. Level 44 is about 65million.

 

I think the problem is you are actually doing math to find out when you can level. Not to shit on anyone parade, but once I started sitting at my computer trying to calculate xp to level...well the game failed right then, which was about level 28 or so. I like having fun with my games and having levels just happen without feeling the desire to pay attention to that part.

[Chimpy]

I didn't do the math to level until my post. The math was done trying to figure out which was the more efficient way to get through the hell of that grind for the Ring and Earring: Do the quest where you kill 60 non-elites for 10 insignias each batch, or kite elites and get an insignia each time. It was taking just about an hour to get 10 insignias the non-elite way, and I was able to get around 15 by killing elites. Since I needed 200 insignias to get those 2 items (I had already done the 160 insignia necklace) and I was tiring of the whole thing but needed the gear upgrade badly I did the math. The XP thing was just something I noticed.

And yeah, the grind is starting to grate on me, and the whole "Unless you are a kid with no job and spend all your time on the other side of a rift ganking people lower than you, getting abyss points is an almost impossible uphill battle" thing pretty much ensures I will only be playing until not long after I reach max level.

I am still having fun doing shit with my old pals, and we are all the same level so we can do stuff together. If it weren't for that and the fact that I want to 'finish', I would have been done around 30. Even with the issues, I still am enjoying it enough to keep playing for now.

[Xurtan]

The grind itself isn't that horrible. All through the late 40s leveling was about two days for Dinggratz. (Not /played time. That was probably 15-20 hours or so.) Which I personally do not consider that bad. The issue I have with the grind is it is boring as fuck. The game isn't worth the grind to get to the supposed fun. Suppose I'll get to 50 and check out Dark Poeta, at least.

Took me quite a bit longer to max out in either of the EQs, DAoC etc, but it rarely 'felt' like I was forced to sit and pull literal thousands of mobs to level. (Even though I most likely did..) Certainly never felt this boring. It doesn't help that even the instances are just more of the same. Mob pulls and up to seven-nine hours long. Wee..

49 to 50 is 128.9 million XP. Per mob kill I get anywhere from 30-40k. 

[gryeyes]

I would bullshit with the two "highest" sorcs as they were doing the 49-50 grind. It took one like 3 days /played and the other a little under 2. I just cant imagine more than like 1% of the western MMO userbase being willing to spend 12-16hrs /played to hit a middle level. Thats like what 2 weeks of a "normal" persons gaming.

It seems like the first stop gap measure would be to instantly increase exp by 100-200% (I really have no idea about how techincally this is accomplished, I cant imagine it being that hard?) until things can get worked out. Its awesome that they are aware of the botting problem at least and are attempting to do something about it. But what is the point if a majority of their players have been canceled for months. Shit at least send out a few stacks of XP scrolls.