APW Update from Avarem

Joodah · 10-03-2007, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Hey all,

We've been testing some pretty big changes to APW on the test server for the last few weeks. We're finally satisfied that with these solutions and are certain that they will be going live, so I wanted to update our community with regards to the direction we're taking things so that this doesn't come as a surprise when we get APW out the door.

First of all, APW has been changed over from a 12 man dungeon to an 18 man dungeon. We felt that gameplay with 18 was more compelling and that the performance improvements did enough for us that we could comfortably increase the max raid size. In addition this allows us a base raid size, as all raid encounters in the near future (overland, apw, etc) will have a max raid size of 18.

Secondly, we have implemented lockout timers to all bosses within APW. What this means is that when you kill any of the designated raid bosses you and all others on that bosses' 'raid list' will be locked out for a fixed period of time. During that time period you cannot engage the raid boss and the raid boss cannot engage or damage you. We felt that this solution allowed us to solve what we believe was a critical problem (APW will be the only raid dungeon at its release, and especially with merged servers we need this content to be able to accommodate a relatively sizable raiding population), while maintaining a certain degree of competition (it remains true that only one guild at a time can attempt any boss, in addition these bosses do not respawn instantly). I am intentionally being vague about the exact times for respawn and lockout since these are still under evaluation.

As always, feel free to discuss these changes - and I'll be around to clarify or answer any questions or concerns that you all might have.

original post:

http://forums.station.sony.com/vg/po...topic_id=19965

Brikk · 10-03-2007, 03:11 PM

Good info thanks! I for one am excited for the raid increase from 12 to 18.

Joodah · 10-03-2007, 03:40 PM

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Originally Posted by Brikk

Good info thanks! I for one am excited for the raid increase from 12 to 18.

Agreed, a lot of people are as well

for more info, here is a link to a brand new interview with Avarem on Ten Ton Hammer!

nuandy · 10-03-2007, 04:59 PM

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Originally Posted by Joodah

Agreed, a lot of people are as well

for more info, here is a link to a brand new interview with Avarem on Ten Ton Hammer!

although i hate to do this i agree 18 man raids might be worth resubbing again

only trouble is now i am in beta for ............. and with that out in november it is to little to late but the increase can only be good if performance will allow the majority of players to enjoy them

sjb1 · 10-03-2007, 05:53 PM

the other nice thing about that is the fact they have also settled on a base size of 18 for all raids going forward. much better than 12 for APW and then hopefully more. consistent raid size makes it easier for guilds to sort membership numbers out hopefully

kcxiv · 10-03-2007, 09:01 PM

Performance will allow 18 to raid. You can now have 40 plus on a screen and still move without hitching.

BoW has tested specifically for performance issues at times. They have came a long long ways with the info we were able to give them. Its not quite where it needs to be, but its really really close.

Enscheff · 10-04-2007, 11:21 AM

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Originally Posted by sjb1

the other nice thing about that is the fact they have also settled on a base size of 18 for all raids going forward.

Actually, the target is still 24 man raiding. The interview states as much.

sjb1 · 10-04-2007, 07:08 PM

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Originally Posted by Enscheff

Actually, the target is still 24 man raiding. The interview states as much.

ah damn, I missed the word near in this line In addition this allows us a base raid size, as all raid encounters in the near future (overland, apw, etc) will have a max raid size of 18.

you're right, the actual linked interview spells out 24 is still the target.

dang

Eadric · 10-04-2007, 07:21 PM

This is good news indeed to me. 18 man raids have a lot more potential than 12 man raids ever could, although to me, 24 would be the ideal target number. I'm glad they are addressing the issue of large raiding populations vs. 1 raid zone as well.

Santos · 10-07-2007, 04:40 AM

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Originally Posted by Eadric

This is good news indeed to me. 18 man raids have a lot more potential than 12 man raids ever could, although to me, 24 would be the ideal target number. I'm glad they are addressing the issue of large raiding populations vs. 1 raid zone as well.

hi Eadric

its Axel rose

only u would know that

too bad we didnt ahve that a loooong time ago..

Gabriel · 10-11-2007, 09:17 AM

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Originally Posted by kcxiv

Performance will allow 18 to raid. You can now have 40 plus on a screen and still move without hitching.
BoW has tested specifically for performance issues at times. They have came a long long ways with the info we were able to give them. Its not quite where it needs to be, but its really really close.

Not in any zone i've been fighting in. RI is crap, CTD and hitching all the time when 40+ are in chunk area. I hope they have found a work-around for this major problem; so that APW is playable and enjoyable.