Ventrilla Round Table

[Sydonia]

Thanks to the effort of some of our best pre-close beta testers, we decided to meet with them and have a short open ended Q&A. Zether, Wanfei, Anaska (Eikona), and Penni (Kenny) and myself joined in on the fun so we can help to answer player questions, and get some feedback of our own. Below is the log of that conversation.

Sydonia: How's it going guys?
Anaksa: Hiya!
Wanfei: Going great and yourself?
Sydonia: Not too bad at all. I have to apologize for making you wait I was in a meeting.
Wanfei: was just continuing my travels heh
Anaksa: It's ok :)
Wanfei: please makign us wait haha, was liek what 2 minutes
Sydonia: The travel quest you posted with the comic bubbles was fantastic
Wanfei: yeah im continuing it now, traveling through Twin Isle
Anaksa: Yeah, I'm all jealous that I didn't think to do that with mine. lol
Wanfei: your was sort of like a story style though i liked it
Sydonia: First of all, we wanted to thank you so much for not only contributing as much as you have, but organizing the guild and actively participating in events.
Anaksa: our guild disbanded :(
Zether: And second, for the next 20 minutes you can ask Sydonia and me anything you would like and then we will post the chat log on the forums/website.
Wanfei: yeah lack of members
Zether: So, um, have anything for us?
Anaksa: Anything at all, wow.
Wanfei: well i love this game i would like to say that first off, being able to contribute is awesome. Historical Chinese style gaming always is a plus with me
Anaksa: Ok, one thing I have been wondering is if there will be active community leaders
Anaksa: Like GMs or something, who will be playing and keeping an eye on things? There's lots of talk about how the community is not so pleasant, will GMs be around to quiet rude players, for example?
Zether: Community Leaders, yes. Did you have a good Name for them? While at other companies I had created such groups called Game Seers or Game Sages
Zether: These “Game tattle tales" will have a direct line to Sydonia
Wanfei: Hmm would be nice to call them by the games style maybe something in the lines of Masters or
Sydonia: What we are looking for in a community leader is to monitor the game so that these players are regulated.
Wanfei: haha
Zether: Wanfei: Glad you like Historical Chinese games.
Anaksa: Nice. Community is important to a game, as much, if not more so, than the game itself.
Wanfei: Not to sound rude, please dont take it as such =), but the community is in chaos
Zether: Wanfei: Where we would love to call you Master xxx, we do not want to inflate your ego too much.
Anaksa: I am trying to come up with name suggestions :)
Wanfei: haha
Sydonia: We know this...it's been something that we are working on diligently to improve. We will release next week a set of fair play rules that will govern over the game and the forum.
Zether: Anaksa: we can put this to a vote later on in the forums. No need to put you on the spot now.
Sydonia: Wanfei: In this it is clearly laid out what is acceptable and what isn't, and what punishment goes with it.
Wanfei: Maybe Game Guards
Wanfei: that sounds weird lol nm
Wanfei: I have the GGs lol
Sydonia: Wanfei: Once these are in place we should see a huge improvement in the quality of the community
Anaksa: What about content updates? Will they exist, how frequently; will you continue to have lots of community events? Haha, that's like 5 questions in one.
Wanfei: I had a question, for the game there are tons of areas not open to the public. Is that cause they are not finished or just closed for the test?
Zether: Closed for the test.
Anaksa: We should take turns, Wan. I'll shush for a few and let you talk. :)
Zether: Anaksa: We will have 3 more updates between now and Closed Beta ; Stage 1
Wanfei: Ahh nice ok, and from these I dont mean like Dark West Lake and Treasure Map stuff I mean the high end game stuff
Wanfei: Let me get an example
Wanfei: Mt Flaming and beyond
Zether: After that, we will have many feature updates live, as well as expansions. We are planning an Expansion every three months currently, plus a lot of US holiday events not available in other versions.
Wanfei: Wow expansions, that is very nice.
Wanfei: Not many F2P games have them
Anaksa: That sounds awesome.
Zether: Wanfei: yes this will be opened at later dates.
Sydonia: The game has such wonderful content, it's just a matter of time for it to be released so everyone can enjoy.
Wanfei: So our guild disbanded, is it still possible to name it the same? Or would that be an issue for a new guild

[Sydonia]

Zether: Wanfei: uh... um...Hey look over there.
Zether: Next Question :)
Wanfei: This game has a lot of compacted content in a small area, there is something to do around every corner and surprises everywhere you look. I am very proud to be here
Wanfei: haha
Zether: Actually, this is something we are not sure about as it involves some Database MySQl stuff
Anaksa: Ok, I have to ask... is player housing possible for the future?
Wanfei: The wedding surprised me the most, I would have to say
Wanfei: With the march and everything that was really awesome
Zether: Player Housing, like in UO & SWG?
Sydonia: The wedding is a very fun event, being able to invite friends and parade around makes it very entertaining
Zether: Wanfei: Yea, weddings are fun. Especially the more expensive versions.
Wanfei: Well how is the City built like, is that considered housing?
Zether: I believe for player house, it would be something you own/ can go to / upgrade / decorate
Anaksa: I never played those, so I'm not sure what housing was like there. A place to store excess stuff, maybe have trophies or whatnot, decorate. I know it's a lot, but I had to ask. :)
Zether: We have talked about an "instance" “Apartment" like system. But only talk, nothing solid.
Zether: So to answer your question. Not at this t time.
Anaksa: I loved the wedding, too. :) That parade and the fireworks were awesome.
Wanfei: That would be nice store your stuff, or maybe have pets roaming around you don’t use.
Sydonia: What is important that out players realize, is we are always open to suggestion. So ideas like this help us to push the game.
Wanfei: So I see that the PCB ends in Sept 9th, do we have to re apply for CB or is it automatic?
Anaksa: I am struggling between wanting to ask you a thousand questions, and wanting to suggest a thousand things. Haha.
Zether: Automatic for you.
Zether: Well this is just questions right now.
Wanfei: Wow, okie works for me heh.
Zether: I feel like the Jeopardy theme should be playing. No more questions? Maybe Sydonia can ask you some now.
Anaksa: Sure! I'm also sure I will come up with some; Wanfei just poked me about 10 seconds before I came in here so I had no questions or anything prepared.
Wanfei: I dont really have anything to ask at the moment in time. To me everything is layed out on the table for me. So I feel im on the spot
Anaksa: But ask us questions if you want. :)
Sydonia: I am curious to know what you two think are the biggest problems with the game. I know you've given me some good responses in the poll that was posted...but I want you to just let us know exactly what you think.
Wanfei: Well I think the main issue with the game at this moment would be localization. Other than that I mean the game seems really polished no major bugs that affect game play
Sydonia: Localization is almost complete too. Our slaves....er...testers have been working very hard to complete the process.
Wanfei: As for the game itself I feel the community is more in greed to get the treasures than to actually help the community
Anaksa: Ok, I will give a grief list, and then offer more details in the areas you're interested... My main concerns are the community and the UI as I mentioned. I'm also finding the harvesting frustrating, although I mentioned that on the forums, too.
Anaksa: I'm overall finding very few things that jump out as problems though.
Zether: I agree that our current community is lacking. We want more helpful users and less "greedy" ones.
Wanfei: This is why we created the guild, to get the people who actually want to help the community in one place to better test the game
Zether: I think as our community grows and we get more of our target audience this will not be a problem
Zether: and also find a better way to remove...less helpful players.
Sydonia: We had many players who were very anxious to play the game..
Wanfei: I also see a lot of people complain about the camera, even though it would be nice to see the entire world sky and all, it does not bother me at all. The camera is fine with me.
Sydonia: Because of this they are not acting in the testing role we are looking for, which creates a challenging community
Wanfei: Yeah, new games that allow players to come in always have this at the start. It’s part of being human to see and get everything before anyone else
Zether: My brother will not play the game at all because of the Camera. Different Strokes for different folks. I am more concerned about things we can change. Like the learning curve of level 1-10. How did you feel when you first entered the game for the first time?
Wanfei: Confused to tell you the truth
Sydonia: I was too
Zether: That's the reaction we get a lot.

[Sydonia]

Anaksa: I was a bit confused as well.
Wanfei: Took me a few minutes to figure out what I was doing
Anaksa: Many of the quests have very minimal information, in some cases they don't explain what to do or how to complete them.
Zether: I needed a big glowing exclamation point to tell me who to talk to....
Wanfei: After a few levels in to it, the game blended well and was getting more and more in to it.
'Kenny' has joined the chat.
Kenny: zhang
Wanfei: That sort of stuff I do not like, the fact that the NPC is showing where to go next makes the games to me more Fisher Priced
Kenny: is that you?
Sydonia: The introduction is important to us. It is the door mat to our world...and if players are confused, we want to fix this.
Wanfei: Yes
Kenny: im penni
Kenny: ^^
Zether: Fantastic.
Wanfei: Oh hey ^^
Zether: I heard you were quitting.
Kenny: next part pls
Wanfei: I think maybe adding a tutorial instance of every aspect of the game would help tremendously
Kenny: no zether
Anaksa: If you want a specific example, the very beginning quest where you get all the letters of recommendation isn't clear. I never really figured out what to do with them.
Kenny: i just posted a new reply on the forum
Kenny: you will know why im tired of this
Zether: Kenny: Glad to hear that
Kenny: zhang, next part pls T.T
Zether: Anaksa: I agree. I am thinking we make a pop up quest in the very beginning, telling you how to do quest & explaining the recommendation system .
Sydonia: Wanfei: As many westerns don't know the story of this game...we are thinking of posting background information on the website so that players can know more about the cities and world they are now a part of.
Wanfei: Kenny this is a testing phase though, it is for the community to find the issues with the game and deliver them to the devs to fix. Not to get high level and rush ^^
Zether: well you guys have 10 minutes left , lets here some more questions.
Kenny: i know. How can you find out more bugs if you are not highe level and hunt boss
Kenny: ok
Kenny: i found a bug
Wanfei: Hmm clock ticking heh
Zether: Well, that's not really a question. But Shoot.
Anaksa: Jeopardy is right!
Kenny: its a very beginning quest
Anaksa: Hehe, will it be possible to do this again, after we have some time to prepare?
Zether: if the mood strikes me.
Zether: *insert wink*
Kenny: Zether, is there any way you can disable the tracking down location function?
Wanfei: I have a question. For the forums is it possible to sub categorize in the guild area so to better organize the posts rather than have a huge thread?
Anaksa: Oh! Here is one. What kinds of things will be in the item mall? Mounts and new costumes and hairstyles? Will there be game changing items?
Zether: We can look into this problem, and figure out if this needs to be nerfed or tweaked. Of course.
Zether: Will we do this tonight? No.
Zether: Will we do this before Open Beta. Yes.
Kenny: boost exp items, inlay gem spell and costumes
Kenny: Zether, can you guys disable the tracking down location function?
Sydonia: Wanfei: We're going to upgrade the forums extensively right now. We just have so few members that this is all we need for the moment. However, I can promise you that we are already in the works of designing a much more engrossing forum.
Zether: Anaksa: Changing your hair to neon purple and getting a long pony tail is game changing. :)
Wanfei: Also what about sub classes in a class for the future
Anaksa: ... now I am wondering if you have seen my character's purple hair... :)
Wanfei: maybe a Taoist can be a tai chi master at later levels or whatnot
Sydonia: By right now, I mean we're in the process of coming up with more ideas ;-)

[Sydonia]

Zether: No, you are a peon and I do not have time to stalk you in game.
Zether: I mean... yes and it is lovely...
Anaksa: LOL
Wanfei: haha
Kenny: >.>
Kenny: my question pls
Wanfei: What is the current level cap?
Kenny: T.T
Zether: I answered your question Kenny: We can look into this problem, and figure out if this needs to be nerfed or tweaked. Of course. Will we do this tonight? No. Will we do this before Open Beta. Yes.
Wanfei: Not like I would reach it but just curious
Sydonia: Wanfei: The current level cap is 119.
Kenny: thnx
Zether: No problem.
Kenny: i have a question
Zether: Shoot.
Wanfei: I like how you go outside the Lv 65 , 75 , 85, 99 box. An actual triple digit lol
Kenny: Why dont you guys tracking down those faked ip gamers and kik them out?
Zether: Just wait to the expansion..I'm level 2350...
Kenny: do i need any proof for that?
Wanfei: O.o
Anaksa: Is there anything that you would like to have people focusing their testing and feedback on?
Wanfei: Lets go PvP haha
Zether: Kenny: We are working on this, and developing better systems for Closed Beta
Sydonia: The problem with reaching those high levels is there are special ways to get there...which is a secret for now.
Kenny: nice
Wanfei: Thats a good question
Wanfei: why didnt i think of that lol
Wanfei: Is there any area you guys need main focuses on?
Anaksa: You have to let me have some glory, Wan. :D
Kenny: yup, for testing server, pk should be turned off
Wanfei: =P
Anaksa: Hehehehehe
Kenny: ^^
Anaksa: But PK needs to be tested too, doesn’t it? How would it help to have it shut off?
Wanfei: It sure does
Zether: Starting sometime next week, we will actually put a questionnaire up for pre-closed beta testers with some task.
Sydonia: Because PK is such a huge part of this game, and by this, it is an essential part of the game; it needs to be tested as well.
Kenny: there is the problem. Thats y i asked if they could take the tracking down location function off. ^^
Zether: As Stated in the new fair play rules, we will take action against "greifers"
Zether: Which should be posted next week.
Kenny: this makes ppl get bad attitude tho. they keep revenging like crazy
Wanfei: You already do, called prison lol
Sydonia: This means that players that are specifically targeting players and disrupting their experience will be dealt with.
Kenny: nice work
Anaksa: Will the questionnaire be pop up upon log out? Or on the forums?
Zether: You have 3 minutes left. (No one is really keeping time, but Sydonia is hungry )
Wanfei: Oh I have a question about that, I see in the prison messages that it says robbing and seiging . Is that going to be part of the PvP system in the future?
Kenny: GOOD GAMERS AND ADMINDS MAKE A GOOD GAME
Zether: it will be an Excel file you can download and email Sydonia
Sydonia: I had a salad 10 hours ago, can you blame me?
Anaksa: Ouch, you must be starving.
Sydonia: It was a yummy salad....
Anaksa: Can you tell us a bit more about the community leaders before you head out to get some food? :)
Kenny: Can you guys give us more font and size for character pls? They are too small now.
Wanfei: Well im good unless you guys have questions about the guild functions or what we plan on doing with it. Go eat dont let us take your time .
Kenny: may i have some sydonia? ^^
Anaksa: What you will be looking for, when you'll be looking for them, what duties they'll have...
Kenny: i meant font and size for texts ^^,
Zether: I have one more word on Community Leaders:

[Sydonia]

Kenny: yes?
Zether: Sparkles
Wanfei: haha
Kenny: :O
Anaksa: Sparkles!!!
Wanfei: haha i been disconnected
Zether: And on that, thanks for your time. You can ask Sydonia about your gift basket on your way out...
Sydonia: As for font's...we can certainly offer this suggestion. I also believe it will help.
Zether: note*
Kenny: me too, i cant log in now
Anaksa: Thanks very much you two, for taking time to chat. It really makes a game shine more to know that you're paying attention and interested.
Wanfei: wow gift basket!!!
Wanfei: i hope i get cookies
Kenny: lol wanfei
Wanfei: Yeah thank you for allowing the time to chat that was awesome
Sydonia: Much better than that.
Kenny: no cookie until you get the next part for me
Wanfei: Im working on the next part!
Kenny: ok
Wanfei: I got booted though >.<
Sydonia: We're digging through my basket of goodies to see what I have.
Anaksa: I hope we were helpful to you. :)
Anaksa: Despite floundering around, heehee.
Wanfei: Yeah , any time you need us to test something specific or need help with anything you just let us know
Sydonia: You have done a wonderful job...we're very excited to have gamers who take such an interest in out game.
Sydonia: As such we would like to reward you. Not only with experiences like this, but always with rewards such as in game items.
Wanfei: Well your game is awesome and I am very excited to be testing it out for you.
Anaksa: Would you be interested in having us create new characters, and going through the early stages of the game with experienced eyes, and making notes about what areas are confusing, that sort of thing?
Kenny: yes, me too
Wanfei: Thats a great idea
Kenny: yup
Wanfei: I think we should do that see why its confusing
Anaksa: I'm very happy to be testing it, too. This is a great game so far.
Kenny: ^^
Sydonia: This would be something we would love to see...especially after we update with all of our changes.
Sydonia: The localization is scheduled to be finished by Monday.
Anaksa: Cool. So Wan, how about we do that next week?
Sydonia: Well, that doesn't mean it will be updated by Monday ;-)
Wanfei: Oh I have one more quick question, I never tested this out like I should have, but is it possible to go beyond lv 10 as a no class?
Anaksa: ooh
Kenny: lol
Sydonia: Give us some time and we'll let you know.
Anaksa: Cool. Let us know when you'd like it, and we'll do that.
Wanfei: Im going to check it out tonight and see why the start is confusing. I think its cause the player is like popped in the middle of a crazy city
Sydonia: You can get experience, but not actually level up past 10 until you chose a class.
Kenny: @_@
Wanfei: Ahh ok
Sydonia: The player starts close to Master Zhao, but not right in front...with no direction where to go.
Wanfei: Right
Sydonia: If you guys do this, something that could be of tremendous help would be a newbie guide for incoming players we can post on the website.
Kenny: there is a quest in the list already which tell you to go to master zhao
Wanfei: That would be cool
Sydonia: Yes, but we are concerned if this is clear or not.
Anaksa: I'm happy to do it
Wanfei: Yeah but if the player starts the game and doesn’t know where to look in quest log or how to even achieve looking in there might be an issue
Kenny: it says that you have to go level up to 10 and come back to him later

[Sydonia]

Wanfei: I'll help if she lets me =P
Kenny: there are also so many available quests in there
Anaksa: Hahaha, I assumed you'd do it with me. :)
Anaksa: I'm bad, I guess, making all these assumptions. :D
Wanfei: lol
Kenny: lol
Sydonia: It's nice to see your enthusiasm.
Wanfei: I tried my hand at making the Taoist guide but it was so late at night i started to wander in to sleep mode and hurried it a bit
Wanfei: I have to go fix that as well
Anaksa: Wanfei can provide the creative inspiration, I shall provide the editing! hahaha. I shall wield my mighty red pen in service to Dragon Oath.
Sydonia: I enjoyed the guide.
Wanfei: heh yeah she will red flag my entire guide =P
Wanfei: I dont know if this is a bug too bug the main elements for Taoist at the skill trainer states Thunder + Ice
Sydonia: Well everyone, thanks for joining us. Your input was very helpful and hopefully we were able to answer some of your questions. This was a good experience so I hope we can do it again in the future.
Wanfei: I really hope so I will get some questions together now for next time
Anaksa: I'd love to do this again. :) And will be sure to prepare, so can ask some better questions for next time.
Sydonia: Awesome, we look forward to it.
Wanfei: Always have questions until you are called upon and forget them all lol
Kenny: lol
Sydonia: Thanks everyone, we hope to see you in the game.
Anaksa: thanks you guys, for being open to the community, and for bringing us this fun game
Wanfei: See ya Syd, and Zether thanks for your time

[Qsandria]

this is really cool! i hope i could maybe get in next time :) :) :)

[Sydonia]

Thanks. We'll be looking to do more in the future...and will likely be picking candidates based on how active you are in game and in the forums.

[youwillbemywife]

fantastic !!!!:D