Army of Darkness has quite some changes coming up and we need your opinion now to make sure it's gonna be great. Over time I will post more threads like this asking for your ideas and plans. If you haven't replied to the previous thread please do!
Previous topic: http://escaperestart.com/forum/threads/official-planning-a-new-ffa.19495/
What in my opinion has been quite lackluster is the player rank system we currently use. With some ranks being balanced around getting free orbs on restart it's become quite a mess. I think this is something we have to improve on because for players progress is an important factor in deciding whether or not to play. Note: Ranks are almost surely going to get reset later in the year.
What we consider as problematic with ranks right now:
What we wish to end up with after the changes:
This is what I proposed quite some time ago as an alternate system.
What do we want from you?
We want you to post your ideas and plans to make the ranking system feel better and more rewarding. With that it's important to talk about how titles fit in too. For the rest discuss about what other people have posted. The more opinions and discussion we have the faster we can release something great. I will open a poll if there will be use for it, when everyone has gotten the chance to post we'll decide on something.
If there's anything I forgot to mention in this thread I will let you know. Questions are of course also welcome. Thanks for reading!
With kind regards,
Vatu~
Previous topic: http://escaperestart.com/forum/threads/official-planning-a-new-ffa.19495/
What in my opinion has been quite lackluster is the player rank system we currently use. With some ranks being balanced around getting free orbs on restart it's become quite a mess. I think this is something we have to improve on because for players progress is an important factor in deciding whether or not to play. Note: Ranks are almost surely going to get reset later in the year.
What we consider as problematic with ranks right now:
- You can give players orbs allowing them to rank up before they should.
- Just using money to rank up is boring and you don't feel yourself growing towards the next rank.
- If you are not the highest rank you get set back if you buy store items.
- Rank costs grow out of control.
What we wish to end up with after the changes:
- Ranks should be linked to gameplay performance. Good players can rank up relatively quickly.
- Ranks shouldn't be able to get gifted, only you should be able to work towards your next rank.
- Fun system, players should wanna keep playing to reach their next rank. (most important)
This is what I proposed quite some time ago as an alternate system.
Leveling
The main idea had was instead of using orbs to rank up, players use experience that they get by playing the game. A certain amount of experience gained is a level up. By reaching levels you get titles and perks along the way. This immediately solves the problem of max rank as players could just level up indefinitely.
Formula calculating the experience required for a level could be:
Experience for next level L: E(L) = 100 + 10(L-2)
Or equivalent, total experience for level L: TE(L) = 10(L-1)² + 90(L-1)
Second order polynomial ensures that leveling gets harder and harder and the numbers don't get crazy high.
Level possibly be displayed next to the title or use another title in front depends on which is easier:
[Pleb(3)] Vatumok
[3][Pleb] Vatumok
I've made a list with pretty reasonable exp rewards:
CTF: Kill(1), Cap(8), Win(20)
Zombie: H.Kill(5), Z.Kill(2), Survive(20)
Infection: Infection(5), Survive(20)
FFA: Kill(1), top3(x3/x2/x1.5) (being in top 3 is rewarded with multipliers of kill score)
Achievement: Varies
Titles
Titles would be given away with achievements. By adding in achievements for reaching certain levels you can still "rank up" by gaining exp but you can always pick other for cool 'chievements. Perhaps it's fair that when you get an achievement you still need to buy the title but for a considerable less amount of orbs than you buy ranks now.
The main idea had was instead of using orbs to rank up, players use experience that they get by playing the game. A certain amount of experience gained is a level up. By reaching levels you get titles and perks along the way. This immediately solves the problem of max rank as players could just level up indefinitely.
Formula calculating the experience required for a level could be:
Experience for next level L: E(L) = 100 + 10(L-2)
Or equivalent, total experience for level L: TE(L) = 10(L-1)² + 90(L-1)
Second order polynomial ensures that leveling gets harder and harder and the numbers don't get crazy high.
Level possibly be displayed next to the title or use another title in front depends on which is easier:
[Pleb(3)] Vatumok
[3][Pleb] Vatumok
I've made a list with pretty reasonable exp rewards:
CTF: Kill(1), Cap(8), Win(20)
Zombie: H.Kill(5), Z.Kill(2), Survive(20)
Infection: Infection(5), Survive(20)
FFA: Kill(1), top3(x3/x2/x1.5) (being in top 3 is rewarded with multipliers of kill score)
Achievement: Varies
Titles
Titles would be given away with achievements. By adding in achievements for reaching certain levels you can still "rank up" by gaining exp but you can always pick other for cool 'chievements. Perhaps it's fair that when you get an achievement you still need to buy the title but for a considerable less amount of orbs than you buy ranks now.
What do we want from you?
We want you to post your ideas and plans to make the ranking system feel better and more rewarding. With that it's important to talk about how titles fit in too. For the rest discuss about what other people have posted. The more opinions and discussion we have the faster we can release something great. I will open a poll if there will be use for it, when everyone has gotten the chance to post we'll decide on something.
If there's anything I forgot to mention in this thread I will let you know. Questions are of course also welcome. Thanks for reading!
With kind regards,
Vatu~