Weekly Update 7/24/06

Frelorn · 07-24-2006, 12:22 PM

Hello everyone. I hope that you all had a great weekend. Things were a little soggy here, but overall it was a good weekend.

Let’s get in to what is going on this week.

First off we have some news about forum upgrades. On Thursday July 27th we will be bringing down the forums at 10am EST so we can upgrade to the latest version of vBulletin, which for those who don’t know is the software that runs these forums. This will allow us to add more features to the forums and to have much more freedom over what features we can use here. As part of this upgrade we are also going to be changing these forums over to a system where you will need to be a subscriber to post. We are working on a way for non-subscribers to be able to post in a separate forum also, but for the time being you will need to have an active game account in order to post. Everyone will still be able to read everything that is posted on the forums.

After the upcoming forum downtime on Thursday when everyone tries to view the forums, they will be prompted to enter a username and password from an active game account that they want to associate with their forum account. That’s it. After that you will be able to go to the forums and post as normal, but we will now be able to track information easier. Also bear in mind that this means your forum account is linked to your game account in every way. If you break the Code of Conduct in the game and get banned, it could also affect your forum account, and vice- versa. We feel this new system will be better for everyone involved.

A reminder that tomorrow, Tuesday July 25th is the day we push out the July event Toward Ancient Shores. All worlds will be down from 8am EST – 3pm EST. During that time players will not be able to log in to the game. We would also like to remind players that during the event that there will be several un-announced Live Events taking place in locations all over Dereth. That means that all players should be mindful of where they log out certain characters on their accounts. You never know what you might log in to.

And just so the issue is not ignored, we are still in discussions about possible compensation for players due to the recent authentication issues. When we have more information on this we will let you know.

That’s about it for now. Everyone have a great day. See you all in Dereth!

Sizlunt DT · 07-24-2006, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frelorn

Hello everyone. I hope that you all had a great weekend. Things were a little soggy here, but overall it was a good weekend.

Let’s get in to what is going on this week.

First off we have some news about forum upgrades. On Thursday July 27th we will be bringing down the forums at 10am EST so we can upgrade to the latest version of vBulletin, which for those who don’t know is the software that runs these forums. This will allow us to add more features to the forums and to have much more freedom over what features we can use here. As part of this upgrade we are also going to be changing these forums over to a system where you will need to be a subscriber to post. We are working on a way for non-subscribers to be able to post in a separate forum also, but for the time being you will need to have an active game account in order to post. Everyone will still be able to read everything that is posted on the forums.

I have an active subscription, but I have to say, bluntly, that this is an idiotic idea. If it wasn't for my ability to post here, right alongside with everyone else, I would never have resubscribed.

EDIT
The people who don't have a subscription right now should be extremely important to you. I can't even express how bad of a decision it is to ignore the input of people who might like to play the game, but don't because of some dissatisfaction. Not to mention people thinking of purchasing the game but have some questions. I nominate this decision for worst decision of the year award.

Pent · 07-24-2006, 12:33 PM

The forum change is great! We have needed it for a long time. Good work!
Question though, after we enter in our account name and password will our board names be changed to reflect that account name or will we still have our board names?

I am really looking forward to this months event. I just hope there is something for the lower level characters thrown in there since the higher ups are getting a new island.

Erica · 07-24-2006, 12:35 PM

Not to sure I'm wild about account info linked as forums posting info, as awhile back, had to apply for another password just to post, someone had decided to change the previous password for me.

Frelorn · 07-24-2006, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Question though, after we enter in our account name and password will our board names be changed to reflect that account name or will we still have our board names?

Your board name will remain the same.

Pent · 07-24-2006, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frelorn

Your board name will remain the same.

Cool stuff!

Thanks Frelorn!

baybear57 · 07-24-2006, 12:47 PM

I've been looking forward to the implementation of subscriber-only forums for a couple of reasons: first, there are several people who don't play any more, and have no intention of playing again, but who return to these forums again and again to do nothing but criticize, predict the downfall of the game, and bash every thread they can; second, those who do play the game, but think that they can come on the forums and say what they can't get away with in general chat, or have already been banned from the game for. Both types of posters add a level of negativity to these forums that new or potential players don't need to see, and that those of us who enjoy the game don't want to see.

Frelorn said that non-subscribers will have forums they can post in, so it's not like they'll be shut out altogether. And they can read any of the forums.

So kudos to Frelorn and Turbine! And I can't wait for the prop to go live!

/e makes a note to make sure all of her characters are safe and sound at home tonight

Rakulp · 07-24-2006, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sizlunt DT

EDIT
The people who don't have a subscription right now should be extremely important to you. I can't even express how bad of a decision it is to ignore the input of people who might like to play the game, but don't because of some dissatisfaction. Not to mention people thinking of purchasing the game but have some questions. I nominate this decision for worst decision of the year award.

Greetings,

They do care about those who don't have a subscription, but who may want to subscribe/resubscribe in the future...

...they're just MORE concerned about those of us who are laying out our bucks each month...and rightfully so.

They could have made it where you had to have a subscription to even READ the forums...but instead will have it all readable, and provide some kind of separate forum for those without a subscription to ask their questions or post their input.

chief · 07-24-2006, 12:53 PM

"And just so the issue is not ignored, we are still in discussions about possible compensation for players due to the recent authentication issues. When we have more information on this we will let you know. "

Thank you, I would like an order of double exp for a week, that'd for sure spice things up. It'll be a lot more useful for someone like me who isn't even halfway through the current level cap to sort of...catch up.

Sizlunt DT · 07-24-2006, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rakulp

Greetings,

They do care about those who don't have a subscription, but who may want to subscribe/resubscribe in the future...

...they're just MORE concerned about those of us who are laying out our bucks each month...and rightfully so.

They could have made it where you had to have a subscription to even READ the forums...but instead will have it all readable, and provide some kind of separate forum for those without a subscription to ask their questions or post their input.

Ya I am sure they will pay all kinds of attention to it. It will be about the same as how they treat the PvP forums now: they will be nearly totally ignored. This change is not necessary. If they wanted to do something, they could just put in a flag that announces on each post who is a subscriber and who is not. Just banning non-subscribers from posting wherever subscribers are able to is, and I say it again, an idiotic idea, and overkill for the current extremely minor problem that they are addressing.

Ministry · 07-24-2006, 01:19 PM

when you say several un-announced live events, does that mean there will be no global message on the server? Or that you are not annoucing them with the event exp (MT will have their live event on this date and this time)

Garpe · 07-24-2006, 01:34 PM

Thank you, Turbine, for implementing subscriber-only forum posting.

Sledge · 07-24-2006, 01:34 PM

I am all for these changes to the forums.

If you have a subscription, you should have 'skin in the game' and the ability to post.

If you don't, you should be able to read the forums and make a decision about if you wish to subscribe. Also, if all you want to do is bash a game you haven't played or no longer play, you can go to another board and bash there.

I fail to understand why ex-players come to these boards and rant. Do they not have any kind of life? The game should not be like an ex-girlfriend/boyfriend or spouse. They really should move on to something else.

Good Hunting out there.

Frelorn · 07-24-2006, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ministry

when you say several un-announced live events, does that mean there will be no global message on the server? Or that you are not annoucing them with the event exp (MT will have their live event on this date and this time)

It means that there will be a global in game, but there will not be a posted schedule like we have done the last couple of months. These events could happen in any place at any time.

Dante_Montana · 07-24-2006, 01:53 PM

Thats Awesome stuff Frelorn

subscriber-only forum posting. Gotta Love It!!!