Support news from JWT

[GandalfSzary]

there will be opportunities for a lot of adventures along your travels.

We would also like to inform you that we have already employed about 20% new programmers who have started work in 2011 and we are aiming to employ about 20% additional programmers

Originally Posted Here

First news sounds pretty awesome.

Second news: AT LAST. But I doubt 40% of more programmers do the job. There is a need of 400% raise. Hope it is not gonna bounced back on us with even worse loot which I'm actually expecting to see. Hope I am wrong.

 

[Butch C]

Butch C:

https://www.planetcalypsoforum.com/forums/entry.php?2060-The-Planet-Calypso-State-of-Play-2010

There Marco told us that it would be delayed, that was in october last year.
JWT has been the CEO for MA atleast since 2004 when i started playing, Marco is the CEO for FPC.

Ok so you like getting told one thing and then a year later get told something else, good for you they love you guys

I see your point you can see mine no need for any more replies.

 

[toad]

I like when they communicate with us, they have been really bad at that, but i dont want promosis since they often will get broken anyway, a priority list is much better since you know in which order to expect stuff but not exactly when
Ofcourse priority lists can change to but that is easier to accept if you know why they change it.

 

[xX Gently Xx]

Why beacons and instances as the last priority

It was one of the coolest features ingame!

Anyway, great to see some reaction. Please make this a standard thing. Why does the community always need to go berserk before there is some information??

Straight from the top. Is everyone happy at least temporarily now?

And please move beacons/instances to #1 or 2. There are far more people that enjoy team hunting on a mission than going afk to increase their total skills (90% of taming), mentoring aka get-free-stuff, or actually use makeup.

I think you got some of the priorities wrong.

Space travel N.1, sure. N.2 and 3 you should have been starting to work on had to be taming AND BEACONS/MISSION INSTANCES. Makeup maybe the last then but I do not think it would really be that hard to re-implement. Now I know TTing my masks was an okay decision to make.

But for god's sake, how long are you going to try reviving the MENTORING ZOMBIE!? "Work already started on"!? REALLY!? Tbh with nice introduction zones like Genesis, tutorials, tutorial missions that are far superior and community advisers, newbie societies have always been there for them. It would be like a third wheel for newbie introduction. I recall several of my nubs quitting on game cause I was not always being able to be online for em.. why won't they just let it die already.

hmmmm please place beacons higher on priority list!

 

[SpikeBlack]

I recall several of my nubs quitting on game cause I was not always being able to be online for em.. why won't they just let it die already.

the old system was a pain in the arse. It removed choices from new players (no chipping) and if their mentor vanished, as many do, they could never get out of it unless they managed to find the one sympathetic person doing support who would force it. Yes they got support from their mentor but they can get the same and better from a soc.

I agree the other parts need attention way before mentoring. It's as if they're focusing on the parts used by the least number of players.

 

[Tree-doctor]

I think it was a VERY good thing that noobs was not able to chip-in.

Before, it was common sens to owe some respect to the old player. Now there is not anymore respect (or just few), like IRL. Now U can see some miserable retards. (u all know at least one ^^ yea !! do an effort ! yea !! u got it )

Reaching goals quicker isn't a solution; it bring moroness, impulsive behavior and an insatiable thirst. Its like sexual phantasms. Players become stupid and bored quicker.

But, the possibility to reach an higher level with hard work (not wallet) is a sane goal, for the spirit and for the body. And all hard work should be rewarded. Rewarded by the possibility to use ur fetish gun in a more efficient (eco) way, the possibility to out run a trox, the possibility to loot a certain type of items...

IMHO, I would remove all the skill economy tomorrow.

PS: The words sexual, phantasm, hard and fetish aren't really linked in my post. But feel free to think as u want

 

[bigdeal]

The reason why the Umbranoids is gone is because there's a code missing for them to function properly.

Please let me help.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Visual_SourceSafe

OR

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concurrent_Versions_System

Choose whatever fits better, BUT USE IT !

greetings,

Bigdeal

 

[Droops]

Statement from the CEO Jan Welter Timkrans concerning upcoming systems inside Entropia Universe

“We are currently prioritizing the systems necessary for the entire “Entropia Universe Concept” to function correctly. This includes getting the rudimentary space flight system that we had implemented in earlier versions up to speed. This is now our number one priority, which I am sure a number of current holders of hangars are pleased to hear. The new space system will permit flight from one planet to any other planet within the Entropia Universe and of course there will be opportunities for a lot of adventures along your travels.

We would also like to inform you that we have already employed about 20% new programmers who have started work in 2011 and we are aiming to employ about 20% additional programmers in the first and second quarters of 2011 so we can speed up the delivery of systems into Entropia Universe. Work has already started on the “Taming” and “ Mentoring” systems which will be back with a number of added features. Next in line is the “Makeup” and “Beacon “systems and mutants.”


Sincerely,

Jan Welter Timkrans


Originally Posted Here

Great but some sort of Timeline would be even better

 

[jjmatrix]

Well... aside the jokes and the lost code I'm happy to see SOMETHING is happening; it looks like 2011 will be a good year after all.

 

[Etopia]

Why they count people in % ?
How they do it ? if there is 37 people , 20% make it 7.4 new people , they take 1 half time or they cut in in 2 ?

Why not say , we hire 10 or 15 new people?

Also , 20% or 0 is still 0 ...With such a way to make anounce , they can say they increase of 500% the number of specialised coder if they didnt have a singel 1 before...500 of 0 its zero nada zip...

Finally i hope those new people will go code new things , and not be afected to same project as other...Never forget tehorie of the late project...

 

[Wistrel]

The new space system will permit flight from one planet to any other planet within the Entropia Universe and of course there will be opportunities for a lot of adventures along your travels

I am very happy to see that the flying system will be redesigned, and the adventures along travels is surely wellcome and will probably make the cost of travel worth

Nice work here MA!

Quite! TBH I never thought 40 peds was too much to go to another world, I mean, it wouldn't even buy you a beer in the UK now. But yeh, I think if space travel took some time and there was stuff along the way then it would make the 40 peds seem like more fun

Of course its particularly good that MA/FPC consulted the player base on how they wanted the space stuff to work.... oh wait, no sorry, they didn't... =_=***

Wistrel (Looking forward to the animated "you are in space" message >_<)

 

[trance]

Why they count people in % ?
How they do it ? if there is 37 people , 20% make it 7.4 new people , they take 1 half time or they cut in in 2 ?

Why not say , we hire 10 or 15 new people?

Also , 20% or 0 is still 0 ...With such a way to make anounce , they can say they increase of 500% the number of specialised coder if they didnt have a singel 1 before...500 of 0 its zero nada zip...

Finally i hope those new people will go code new things , and not be afected to same project as other...Never forget tehorie of the late project...

itz so simple as easy... if they use %, they can hidden how many ppl work in the dev. team. And the side affect will be, that we think a bunch of coder are at work.

I be at develope a game, not a simple game, it is a large adventure shoter. I start this to make 1 year ago. Now i be in the polishing phase, letz say 80% of the game is finished. And i only work alone on this game, so i do coding, 3D art etc all by my self. I say this, to show you what 1 person can do, if this person really work! may MA should use a whip

 

[Wistrel]

What do you mean? I hope it's not mutants as avatars you want...

The mutants (at least the umbranoids) always use the parameterisable avatar creation system to be generated. This means that each one is unique (different face, sex, proportions, height, weight, muscle tone etc). This makes them different from the other mobs (that always use the same model but varying in size depending on maturity) and a lot of fun and rather unique in MMOGS to be honest.

If MA plan to bring in a new avatar creation system say, within the next 12 to 18 months there is little point in spending time re-implementing the mutant generation system when they will just need to re-implement it again as soon as the new avatar system is in place.

This may also apply to taming to be honest as a new avatar system may change how avatars are able to interact with stuff... I'd say this is less likely though. We seem to at least have the Crysis style movement applied to the existing VU9avatars so I suspect they could make movement as fluid or complex as they like.

Wistrel

PS this is all just speculation btw

 

[Smoerble]

Wistrel: all simple things like these are most of the time ignored by MA. I mean, they use this system for NPCs already, but don't think to even make items of MK1, MK2 look different... where it would be even more simple... they don't even make a visual difference between a normal and an SGA, modified or adjusted item...

well... many simple things MA does not implement, instead, they focus on stuff that's complicated and can't be done easily.

how many ppl want boring non-usable pets back... could be done in weeks and is still not done, because they want to do something fancy first... ignore the player base to make cusotmers happy... er... what?

 

[trance]

Wistrel: all simple things like these are most of the time ignored by MA. I mean, they use this system for NPCs already, but don't think to even make items of MK1, MK2 look different... where it would be even more simple... they don't even make a visual difference between a normal and an SGA, modified or adjusted item...

well... many simple things MA does not implement, instead, they focus on stuff that's complicated and can't be done easily.

how many ppl want boring non-usable pets back... could be done in weeks and is still not done, because they want to do something fancy first... ignore the player base to make cusotmers happy... er... what?

A big problem are the different textures, need for different items.. the more they have the less grafic ram is available.
if i develop on my game, i always have the problem to redouce texturs, so the memory manager don't overun.

 

[remontoire]

The reason why the Umbranoids is gone is because there's a code missing for them to function properly.

Please, please make them able to use armor when code gets written

I want to see if I understand correctly.. It seems like all 'game systems' are still in MA's hands. So, what do the planet partners actually do? Just design a map and create some missions?

This is disappointing. I seems to mean that no new planet can actually have any new and unique game systems? For instance.. in planet michael.. there has been talk about something analogous to combat using dancing. Is this something that SDS is going to develop or are they dependent on MA (and its 10 year legacy of taking forever to deliver anything) to implement?

Yes, and this has been said times and times and times again. Where have you been?

Bye bye regular visits to CP and CND. I want to go there when I want to and not when a hangar owner decides he want to play.

I also hope they will not disable teleporting off-planet. That would not be good at all.

hmmmm please place beacons higher on priority list!

Agreed. Give us beacons already!

Wistrel: all simple things like these are most of the time ignored by MA. I mean, they use this system for NPCs already, but don't think to even make items of MK1, MK2 look different... where it would be even more simple... they don't even make a visual difference between a normal and an SGA, modified or adjusted item...

well... many simple things MA does not implement, instead, they focus on stuff that's complicated and can't be done easily.

how many ppl want boring non-usable pets back... could be done in weeks and is still not done, because they want to do something fancy first... ignore the player base to make cusotmers happy... er... what?

Making Mk1 and mk2 different would mean using a different geometrical model for the guns. As things stand, there are very few different weapons models in game. It would of course be better if there were more or if these could at least be parametrized. The good news is this is not something that requires coding, FPC/SDS can do it

A big problem are the different textures, need for different items.. the more they have the less grafic ram is available.
if i develop on my game, i always have the problem to redouce texturs, so the memory manager don't overun.

Textures are NOT a problem here. Its not an issue of textures, its a issue of models.

 

[McCormick]

*text that brought a smile to my face*

P.S.
Thanks for actually taking the 30 seconds out of your busy schedule to make 1 post, filled with no information, to the raging EU community. That warms my heart and let's me believe that you truely do care about your customers.

Count me in.

 

[SanSiim]

The reason why the Umbranoids is gone is because there's a code missing for them to function properly.

Does the same go for calamusoids?

 

[KrapUla]

FINALLY i can say YES Beacouns are next in line

 

[LUCmarius1]

from what I understand space flights will come first in one VU ? taming and mentoring will come in 2nd VU ? and then makeup and beacons 3rd in next VU ? or all old system in one major VU ??? or one by one ?

I can`t wait for those beacons! I hope they are first, I need to be motivated somehow.
HF~!

 

[mastermesh]

Cross referencing a few threads...

https://www.planetcalypsoforum.com/forums/showthread.php?205836-Planet-Calypso-The-Next-Chapter

https://www.planetcalypsoforum.com/forums/showthread.php?205837-Q-amp-A-Thread-The-Next-Chapter

https://www.planetcalypsoforum.com/...206302-Support-news-from-JWT&highlight=welter

https://www.planetcalypsoforum.com/forums/showthread.php?205880-Content-of-Oblivion

https://www.planetcalypsoforum.com/...ith-SEE-Digital-Studios&p=2665400#post2665400

https://www.planetcalypsoforum.com/forums/showthread.php?205921-Another-Q-amp-A

4 days til the estimated two weeks for the answers are up... and No, the JWT response did not cover all the questions in the Q & A session...


====

Work has already started on the “Taming” and “ Mentoring” systems which will be back with a number of added features. Next in line is the “Makeup” and “Beacon “systems and mutants.”

What? You mean "all systems" are NOT online?

 

[Etopia]

I am happy that i was still here to see that new level of comunication from JWT...

5 lines , nothing inside , total useless...
Kind of an inteligence insult if you ask me..

 

[ranpha]

I am happy that i was still here to see that new level of comunication from JWT...

5 lines , nothing inside , total useless...
Kind of an inteligence insult if you ask me..

actually it says a lot.
1l Mindark failed in giving us the system feore 2010 most arnt even started with yet
2. The admit it is there fault in same way but dont like to say it
3. the say they are hiring and that it wil take much longer to get everything back
4. They also admitted their company isnt up for the task

Now point 4 is dangerous because MindArk wants to go too fast while the system isnt even for 50% back.

as you see jwt tells a lot but it is kinda a bad message. I stay like to see some kind of repayment like a funny item every week a system is delayed. Or hard deadlines and if they are broken then MindArk has to give a gift like halloween and christmas.

 

[mastermesh]

I stay like to see some kind of repayment like a funny item every week a system is delayed. Or hard deadlines and if they are broken then MindArk has to give a gift like halloween and christmas.

That is one cool idea... How about a pet deed to every UL whip owner and anyone with x amount of taming skill for every week they delay starting back at January 2011 since the original idea was to get taming back by the end of 2010. This way those that invested will be able to get some form of income or compensation for having to sit and wait for so darn long after they already spent peds on these systems thinking they would be there when they were for a while then dissappeared.

Back several years ago MA paid folks that owned the personal revive terminals when they existed to buy them back. There's also a thread somewhere that says they paid a shopkeeper to booth owners at Hadesheim when there was some sort of fluky bug related to estates back in 2008, even though that bug was nothing compared to what's been going on with booths since vu 10 and the recent bug that started in January... So why not? The buyout of FPC by SEE put some cash in their pockets, so why not pay the programmers to fix it and then compensate the folks that have been sitting and waiting for so long. Even a zero TT item like a shopkeeper or lots of pet deeds that can be repaired would be suitable as long as it was repairable so that the compensation is actually worth something, even if it does require more of an investment to repair.

They gave away the first few cars for free that existed, so why not do this sort of thing to pay back those waiting so long for the taming and as a really cool way to reintroduce taming and pets? Make it for all the folks with any level of taming as it's a skill that people could not get after the changes unless someone chipped out and someone else chipped in... so in that case compensation to original skiller is already there in the chip markup.



Maybe do likewise for the other missing systems (of course hanger owners are already getting income, so maybe not for that so much)...

 

[RexDameon]

WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG!!!!!

Sure it be nice to get those things back and yes this would please some older players.

BUT!!!!

how will any of that keep new players from quitting, and grow the Entropia Universe Playerbase

Lets face it. when we had those features we where not growing like we need to.

Make the ingame economy more fun and enjoyable so that more people will enjoy playing. People just dont feel like they are getting there money's worth and will rather pay 15$ a month and waste it away playing another game.

I.E. Make people want to kill stuff to get a few materials each mob drops not just for some hope at getting a HOF that will soon die off when they dont get one.

Make people be happy about they got the loot they got despite the value of it. Remember when we used to hunt molisk for molisk tooth, not just for an iron mission or hopes of getting a hof?

 

[BigBertha]

Just wondering when i am suppose to start depoing again

 

[aia]

I disagree.

The new tutorials, genesis/gateway and introduction missions are a massive step forward. However, they only provide "what MA wants you to know" information. Mentoring is hugely useful, as it allows old players to pass on really valuable information that MA cannot possibly release to them as they start.

Thus, combined, the two systems will help player retention.

Another aspect is that, for good or bad, mentoring is open for a larger number of players than the current program(s) which is by invite only. (When it comes to info, I guess catch is that things change constantly, and well we know how good MA/FPC generally is to be proactive when it comes to information to the general player group, people who doesn't know someone working at MA/FPC and get the info straight that way.)

With the new "missions" that learn the basics of economics, Mentors (and/or good societies of course) will probably also serve another important role: To be of assistance if someone gets stuck. Either methaforically, for instance wonder what to do next, or literally - gets stuck at some "dunghole" and needs to get out. Having absolutely noone to talk to then, or at the best a "newbie soc" created by someone who also joined a day ago, probably isn't as good as also have the option to ask someone who either can help them directly or tell them where to look for professional help (CRT). There is also lots of valuable information on this and other forums aswell as the wiki (including scam alerts) but again if they don't know anyone experienced ingame it can be hard to find the starting points, to begin with.

 

[ranpha]

Another aspect is that, for good or bad, mentoring is open for a larger number of players than the current program(s) which is by invite only.

h.

Well mentoring in a new form is a good idea. SDS formerly FPC tried to solve the issue by asking some fools that otherwise spend their time anyways helping newbies.

That some of the community dont agree with the decision because they want in then mwah. But ar we helping newbies because we want or because we got that armor we didnt know about.

Mentoring gives a bigger coverage but the current soc and just overall friendly players still take newbie as disicples even without or with soe reward. Those ppl also dont complain and those ppl are also the ones that make this community what it is.

That some other ppl are asked to spend time everyday helping newbies (which the do anyways) cant be held against them because they only do what the love doing the most and thats helping newbies

 

[aia]

That some other ppl are asked to spend time everyday helping newbies (which the do anyways) cant be held against them because they only do what the love doing the most and thats helping newbies

I don't think anyone raged against Simon and Emma for helping beginners, despite they being announced in the official website during beginning of VU 9 - but some of us got disappointed for them not having enough cars to hand out. The second thing is a totally different matter and was not related to their tasks as helping beginners (and it was not their fault as they did the best as they could with what they had gotten from MA in terms of client capability and resources ie vehicle deeds).

 

[ranpha]

The second thing is a totally different matter and was not related to their tasks as helping beginners (and it was not their fault as they did the best as they could with what they had gotten from MA in terms of client capability and resources ie vehicle deeds).

This has to do with ???