Summer Solstice Feedback

[DeletedUser627]

Well, I'm just an unlucky girl! And petulantly determined to hate everyone who got a Fathertree Having one would have consoled me for the hard work of making population for my oversized pink dildos

 

[DeletedUser3468]

OK, I have had some complaints about this event... like how it's virtually impossible to get all three of the main prizes without spending money I don't have, like how I ran out of quests on one world when I was just 20 points shy of having enough to open the gold chest that would have given me enough sun splinters to get the second main prize, and how it's slanted so that new players have a great deal of trouble finishing up some of the quests (obtain 1000 marble when you've only been playing for a short time and only have enough space for 3 mines... and the second quest being to produce 2 spells when there are only 8 hours left...). All that aside, I may not have gotten the best prizes, but I love the ones that I did get. I was lucky enough to get 2 sets of unicorns (rainbow and silver), both the sun and lava codex (one in each of 2 worlds), plus other small stuff in my two older worlds, and I did get Venar's Rocks I in all 3 of my worlds, even my lowest level one. (Just got it a few minutes ago by opening a gold chest and getting 140 moon splinters which let me open another gold box, which gave me enough sun splinters for Venar's Rocks I) I even managed to win an observatory in my lowest level world... just the right size for that city! No, I didn't win a Father Tree... *sigh* or any of the really big prizes but my hubby was finally lucky enough to win something after opening chest after chest. He got the Father Tree! All in all, though there were frustrating things about this event, I am basically satisfied. (Though I really wanted Venar's Rock II !!! ... )

 

[DeletedUser3610]

I find it unreasonable to think RNG has no place in events like this, when it should be its very core to preserve balance among the portions of the playerbase.

IMO it doesn't preserve any kind of balance at all, it just unnecessarily introduces unfairness into the game.

Players are unhappy when they turn out to be unlucky in their prizes; they shouldn't, however, be unhappy for the introduction of the randomness factor.

There's no reason why players shouldn't be unhappy about the introduction of the randomness factor when they don't like it. I am unhappy about its introduction into the game. I think it's unfair and I hate it. Why do you think you can tell me what I should and shouldn't be unhappy about? And just to be clear, I wasn't unlucky in this event, in fact I was pretty lucky. And I still hate it.

 

[DeletedUser3312]

There's no reason why players shouldn't be unhappy about the introduction of the randomness factor when they don't like it. I am unhappy about its introduction into the game. I think it's unfair and I hate it. Why do you think you can tell me what I should and shouldn't be unhappy about? And just to be clear, I wasn't unlucky in this event, in fact I was pretty lucky. And I still hate it.

Well said Blue Panda. I won a glossy garden but it was chance... pure chance. Had nothing to do with my effort, amount of play time, strategy, or money spent. It was chance. It was a gamble. No matter how hard some people worked they got nothing. and I feel that effort and time spent should outweigh gambling in a game by far!!

 

[DeletedUser486]

it just unnecessarily introduces unfairness into the game.

But it isn't unnecessary.
It's a marketing tactic that pushes the more unlucky players into purchasing diamonds to increase their odds of winning the best prizes. As an additional effect, it brings a healthy balance between those who are purchasing Diamonds and those who are not.

From a player standpoint it might seem unfair; from a game balance standpoint, it's the very definition of fair. I'm not dictating what you should be happy and unhappy about, I'm merely pointing out the game and marketing dynamics that came into play when designing the event, judging from my previous experience with other games.

 

[DeletedUser627]

Perhaps there's a different expectation among players moving into Elvenar from fighting games, and players moving from social games?

From the social side, no way do we expect to pay $25 for a 25% chance to win something. No way do we expect unequitale rewards; in fact, often we've played in groups where everyone according to the group's performance (even the out of town member). We don't expect to feel ambushed mid-event by less-than-clear directions from the developer.

I'm guessing you come from the fighter background? More risk, less expectation of fair play, etc. Not denigrating, just clarifying.

 

[DeletedUser3312]

But it isn't unnecessary.
It's a marketing tactic that pushes the more unlucky players into purchasing diamonds to increase their odds of winning the best prizes. As an additional effect, it brings a healthy balance between those who are purchasing Diamonds and those who are not.

Just because it is, as you say, a tactic of some type, DOES NOT make it necessary in a SOCIAL game. This is a "city building" game. not a casino game.

 

[DeletedUser43]

Players are unhappy when they turn out to be unlucky in their prizes; they shouldn't, however, be unhappy for the introduction of the randomness factor.

That's the summary of my point.

IMO, the two bigger problems with this event were: 1. Pretending a grand prize was available when it wasn't. 2. Ending the contest two days early and not letting people know they were coming to the end of the quests.

If they hadn't been so dishonest with these parts of the contest, people would be less unhappy about the rest.

 

[DeletedUser1349]

ok i'll add my beefs

1) we were told by beta players that the daily goodies got better and wait until the end. to put it politely, this claim was untrue. i skipped the glossy garden and now am sorry i did. i also expected more buildings, so skipped days with rune shards for wonders i had not built yet.

2) the long term questline did not goto the end. probably cuz inno did not want us to get the #2 grand prize.

3) daily quest was only like 35 splinters for the very same reason.

4) i agree the grand prize should always be for paying players. i am a diamond player but spent no diamonds on this event as a lab. however, i got lucky in my home world and got splinters on a few golds so managed to get the #2 grand (barely) in my home world.

perhaps next time, inno you should have 4 grand prizes. first 2 guaranteed if you do all the quests, one guaranteed if you do most of the quests, then a lucky #3 and a must buy #4.

EDIT: overall i give you a good grade, as opposed to an excellent grade, on this first elvenar event. well done! cannot wait for the next one!

 

[DeletedUser486]

From the social side, no way do we expect to pay $25 for a 25% chance to win something. No way do we expect unequitale rewards

RNG is not fighting game-exclusive. Games with online currency tend to introduce RNG in their events to increase their revenue. Realistically, the only situation where you shouldn't be expecting RNG, is if you have no prior experience with online games and similar events, which is by no means a bad thing.

Just because it is, as you say, a tactic of some type, DOES NOT make it necessary in a SOCIAL game. This is a "city building" game. not a casino game.

Again, it's not game type exclusive. Implementing such marketing tactics might not seem necessary from a player perspective, but it's the norm among online gaming industries.

 

[DeletedUser43]

1) we were told by beta players that the daily goodies got better and wait until the end. to put it politely, this claim was untrue.

Beta players gave you a list of all the prizes on this thread so everyone could see for themselves exactly what the prizes were so players could choose for themselves what the best prizes were for their own cities. https://us.forum.elvenar.com/index.php?threads/summer-solstice-feedback.3499/page-3
There was no way to be sure what prize would be given on what day as the contest hadn't finished on beta before it started here.

I agree that Inno should just be direct about selling one prize. I am happy if they sell something for a limited time only. In fact, it seems to me this would make them a lot of money. As long as they are clear that something is for sale and not pretend you can win it I have no qualms with that strategy.

 

[DeletedUser1349]

to be fair, bobby, you have to win the grand prize, you do not buy it. you buy the poker chips.

 

[DeletedUser3610]

to be fair, bobby, you have to win the grand prize, you do not buy it.

On the contrary, the grand prizes were the only prizes in this event we could buy (via buying moon splinters) because while we had no idea if the daily prizes will be in the chests we opened we knew for a fact there would be the announced amount of sun flares in those chests every time.

 

[DeletedUser627]

Games with online currency tend to introduce RNG in their events to increase their revenue. Realistically, the only situation where you shouldn't be expecting RNG, is if you have no prior experience with online games and similar event

I'm trying to allow for a polite difference of opinion but you keep pushing the point. The two online games I played were by a company with 2 billion a year revenue. No RNG. "The focus has not been on revenue, but on the principle "just design something great, something that users love." They have 180 employees only, and no middle management. And no RNG. One of the most profitable games in the world, and managed by a team of only 14. And still no RNG.

I'll allow that this may be an exception...but it would seem to be the exception that should make the rule. Perhaps people really like fair play. Perhaps people have become savvy to push marketing ploys and instead decide to reward honest companies with their discretionary money?

 

[DeletedUser3312]

The two online games I played were by a company with 2 billion a year revenue. No RNG. "The focus has not been on revenue, but on the principle "just design something great, something that users love." They have 180 employees only, and no middle management. And no RNG. One of the most profitable games in the world, and managed by a team of only 14. And still no RNG.

I think someone is a devoted WoW player. They are heavily into RNG. I have played hundreds of games (and still do) and RNG is not a factor in them. I would not play them if it were. My niece is a game developer. Although her field is graphic design, we chatted about this and she said.. some games do most don't. It depends on fighting and other action games for the most part... racing, sports, etc.

 

[DeletedUser627]

My niece is a game developer. Although her field is graphic design,

Please do show her the L19 Magic Dust! Would love to hear her take on them - will probably hear her laughing across country...

 

[DeletedUser3312]

Please do show her the L19 Magic Dust! Would love to hear her take on them - will probably hear her laughing across country...

erm. she has seen... and almost spewed her wine all over my computer. she will not have access to my games again. The houses with the giant flower covering them got an OMG what the F were they thinking? (her mom was not happy with her for that but.. sadly she has been around me a great deal..... and... well the convo goes down hill from there.

 

[SoggyShorts]

IMO, the two bigger problems with this event were: 1. Pretending a grand prize was available when it wasn't. 2. Ending the contest two days early and not letting people know they were coming to the end of the quests.

If they hadn't been so dishonest with these parts of the contest, people would be less unhappy about the rest.

Exactly. Next time, hide the "grand prize" in the culture tab, and make it a straight buy for diamonds, or even as a bonus for buying the $100 diamond package.

Question: Is it normal for a thread like this to not have any developer posts?

 

[DeletedUser3312]

Question: Is it normal for a thread like this to not have any developer posts?

You will never see one of the developers post to a forum. That is the job of the forum moderators. There are several people that volunteer to be moderators. They train and have meetings with the developer rep to learn the focus of the developers, the game, the required personality and manner of addressing players, etc.... and usually meet with a representative of the development weekly in a conference chat regarding what the players are posting about. I used to be one for another game. It is a thankless task. smiles....

 

[SoggyShorts]

You will never see one of the developers post to a forum. That is the job of the forum moderators. There are several people that volunteer to be moderators. They train and have meetings with the developer rep to learn the focus of the developers, the game, the required personality and manner of addressing players, etc.... and usually meet with a representative of the development weekly in a conference chat regarding what the players are posting about. I used to be one for another game. It is a thankless task. smiles....

IMHO if you work with the game designers, and are a middle man between them and the players, then you are helping the game develop... =)
Still, in a thread started by an inno representative after the entire 3 week event and over 400 posts it's odd not hear from them.
To copy the original post from Elfwine:

Dear Developers and Mods,

We used this thread to discuss your Summer Solstice event. We're looking forward to hearing from you!

Kind regards,
Your Player Base