When I was first introduced to PG (and it wasn't that long ago), I thought.. "wow this game is awesome". It was everything I wanted in an online space based game and it had a great community, everyone was raving about it.. even when in game too.
Sure missions where hard but you could get squad help and outside squad help from clan members and fellow players and although there was Pirate Mode there was still a lot of comradery. People who had never met you before would stop and offer you help. Especially those with the life saving Engis.
Well since the Draconis and subsequent Patches the lifeblood of this once great game has been drained.
Just before my departure from PG I would like to add my little list of niggles about why this game has lost it's appeal for me. And despite all of the other comments on here about Splitscreen being money grabbers, in their defense they have to make money somehow but maybe they have been a little too heavy handed in their approach. But this is not my reason for leaving, I was happy to pay my membership for a game that I once enjoyed.
Niggles list:
Engies
these were great ships to own and pilot, the essence of PG, saving the bacon of fellow players as they endeavor to slay the mantis. These really needs to be put back to being able to rep, protect and mat any pilot from any tech in any mode. THIS IS A MUST.
Grinding
Everyone needs to grind at some point to make their Cry. Since the Draconis update and the mad dash for pilots to buy their new ships and kit them out with those expensive Blueprints. There has been a lot of tension between pilots about grinding spots and cry stealing. Ok, in some respects it's part of the game but there are not enough places anymore for the amount of time a pilot needs to be there to earn the required amount of Cry.
Do you up the cry amount so the players can free up the grinding spots quicker.. I don't think so.
Do you make the harvs spawn quicker.. no to that one too.
This should have been thought through a bit more before the update was released and grinding planets should have been added to the Systems. It must have been known that copious amounts of Grinding was going to take place! And so with all of us high powered Draconis Tech players descending upon the lower systems we have made it impossible for the lesser level player to grind and progress. THIS MUST BE ADDRESSED.
Story Mission
These were great in Draconis, yes they were hard but It's Drac! My problem with them is too buggy. I'm sure there was a lot of pressure to get the Draconis System out to us but we wouldn't have minded the delay if it was explained that it really, really, really needed more testing.
I didn't make it to The Hive, but it wasn't for lack of trying. I must have tried Mehoth Extermination a hundred times and each time I failed I asked myself what it could be. Is studied the path of the pyros when other players were doing the mission and perfected the placement of the mines. Time and time again the pyros went over the mines and they either made a pathetic little pop explosion that took out one or two pyros or the mine exploded 2 seconds after they rolled right over it. This for me was enough, the frustration that grew from this was just too much. I tried placing the mines at the spawn points but that too proved to be impossible to reach.
Without the means to progress there seemed to be no reason to carry on playing.
I could have asked other players to do it for me in a squad but that is not what I want out of the game. I want a challenge but I also want it to be consistent so that you can learn and succeed. So, buggy missions need to be addressed and maybe a more descriptive Mission Guide for those who are struggling and want more details on how to accomplish the mission. Sometimes asking a fellow player and GMs is not an option.
CQ's
Pre Draconis Update these were great. I attended as many as I could. Postponed dinner until the Cq's were done! We had a great turn out for each and every one. Now, we don't bother, I mean WE as in the clan. Cqs no longer have any value to the game. No one cares anymore if your clan holds the CQ planets why should they, you don't get anything for holding them. THIS SHOULD BE RESTORED TO PRE DRAC.
My thoughts on the new update
Energy Caps
I'm glad to read that these will be revised in the new patch next year as i think that they were too low especially for a Draconis player but this did not effect me as I was an Ultimate member. But I think this is a good thing so long as it is not increased by 50 or 100.
Blueprints
I think the blueprint drop rate now is fine, I have no problem with it. It should be tough. But having to find numerous Bps before you can but the weapon/ship I think that will fail. That has all the makings of going the same way my Story Mission did, people may become frustrated and leave.
So my departing note to Splitscreen:
Take care of your players, listen.. really listen and communicate! We rant and rave because we truely want to make this a great game but we do not hear enough from you.
To my fellow players and clan members of Guardians Of Asgaard:
My time with you at PG has been most enlightening I have made some great friends and am sorry to be leaving you behind. But without enjoyment there is no passion and that for me has gone.
All the Best
Del
Sure missions where hard but you could get squad help and outside squad help from clan members and fellow players and although there was Pirate Mode there was still a lot of comradery. People who had never met you before would stop and offer you help. Especially those with the life saving Engis.
Well since the Draconis and subsequent Patches the lifeblood of this once great game has been drained.
Just before my departure from PG I would like to add my little list of niggles about why this game has lost it's appeal for me. And despite all of the other comments on here about Splitscreen being money grabbers, in their defense they have to make money somehow but maybe they have been a little too heavy handed in their approach. But this is not my reason for leaving, I was happy to pay my membership for a game that I once enjoyed.
Niggles list:
Engies
these were great ships to own and pilot, the essence of PG, saving the bacon of fellow players as they endeavor to slay the mantis. These really needs to be put back to being able to rep, protect and mat any pilot from any tech in any mode. THIS IS A MUST.
Grinding
Everyone needs to grind at some point to make their Cry. Since the Draconis update and the mad dash for pilots to buy their new ships and kit them out with those expensive Blueprints. There has been a lot of tension between pilots about grinding spots and cry stealing. Ok, in some respects it's part of the game but there are not enough places anymore for the amount of time a pilot needs to be there to earn the required amount of Cry.
Do you up the cry amount so the players can free up the grinding spots quicker.. I don't think so.
Do you make the harvs spawn quicker.. no to that one too.
This should have been thought through a bit more before the update was released and grinding planets should have been added to the Systems. It must have been known that copious amounts of Grinding was going to take place! And so with all of us high powered Draconis Tech players descending upon the lower systems we have made it impossible for the lesser level player to grind and progress. THIS MUST BE ADDRESSED.
Story Mission
These were great in Draconis, yes they were hard but It's Drac! My problem with them is too buggy. I'm sure there was a lot of pressure to get the Draconis System out to us but we wouldn't have minded the delay if it was explained that it really, really, really needed more testing.
I didn't make it to The Hive, but it wasn't for lack of trying. I must have tried Mehoth Extermination a hundred times and each time I failed I asked myself what it could be. Is studied the path of the pyros when other players were doing the mission and perfected the placement of the mines. Time and time again the pyros went over the mines and they either made a pathetic little pop explosion that took out one or two pyros or the mine exploded 2 seconds after they rolled right over it. This for me was enough, the frustration that grew from this was just too much. I tried placing the mines at the spawn points but that too proved to be impossible to reach.
Without the means to progress there seemed to be no reason to carry on playing.
I could have asked other players to do it for me in a squad but that is not what I want out of the game. I want a challenge but I also want it to be consistent so that you can learn and succeed. So, buggy missions need to be addressed and maybe a more descriptive Mission Guide for those who are struggling and want more details on how to accomplish the mission. Sometimes asking a fellow player and GMs is not an option.
CQ's
Pre Draconis Update these were great. I attended as many as I could. Postponed dinner until the Cq's were done! We had a great turn out for each and every one. Now, we don't bother, I mean WE as in the clan. Cqs no longer have any value to the game. No one cares anymore if your clan holds the CQ planets why should they, you don't get anything for holding them. THIS SHOULD BE RESTORED TO PRE DRAC.
My thoughts on the new update
Energy Caps
I'm glad to read that these will be revised in the new patch next year as i think that they were too low especially for a Draconis player but this did not effect me as I was an Ultimate member. But I think this is a good thing so long as it is not increased by 50 or 100.
Blueprints
I think the blueprint drop rate now is fine, I have no problem with it. It should be tough. But having to find numerous Bps before you can but the weapon/ship I think that will fail. That has all the makings of going the same way my Story Mission did, people may become frustrated and leave.
So my departing note to Splitscreen:
Take care of your players, listen.. really listen and communicate! We rant and rave because we truely want to make this a great game but we do not hear enough from you.
To my fellow players and clan members of Guardians Of Asgaard:
My time with you at PG has been most enlightening I have made some great friends and am sorry to be leaving you behind. But without enjoyment there is no passion and that for me has gone.
All the Best
Del