Originally Posted by SWBgHz

That make it pretty clear there is more than one server with 'issues', and the growth Rusty suggests is nowhere to be seen either.

Originally Posted by Parra

"Underdog tools?" Do tell, what kind of "Underdog tolls" do you envision?

You no doubt have considered concepts other companies have implemented. I liked what Mythic did with DAoC with under populated nations (not servers) with exp or level bonuses. You might consider for any given server suffering a national disadvantage (Brits out number the French 3 to 1 for example) grant the "Underdog" populated side double exp from quests until they reach say a desired threshold (say 2 to 1 in levels). This will soften the blow from transitioning from playing on one well populated nation to another.

I would be curious what array of "Underdog" tools are being considered and the pros and cons of each would be.

Originally Posted by Betrunken

I know this post was WAY back, but I really had to comment....

could you imagine a few thousand players on the server? there can be 12 MAX port battles every two days. thats if every faction rolled the max towns at all times. Lets sat all three of a given factions port battles were on the same day.. a given faction then has 72 spots for port battles every other day. in the best case scenario... all of those 72 spots would be filled by different players. 72 out of 1000 get to participate in the end game, every other day. LOL... give me a break.

It's obvious this game was not designed for that number of players per server.

Originally Posted by Ravenau deLusan

Rusty, if "Janice" is fraxl the playability forum is locked to new threads. Only fraxl can start threads there and most of hers are about UI issues, not game play issues. Is there somewhere else you can suggest to start this definitive list? Or can you suggest to her to start one on that forum - she can keep it on topic.

Originally Posted by GB

Unable to create a new thread in Janice's forum, there is not much going on there.

One thing that i noticed that apart from you Rusty the devs tend to avoid major new feature topics like the plaque; they are happy to discuss fine detail & bugs of their relevant responsibilities but that's about it.

Devlogs help but big picture discussions of the real issues rarely happen.

The BIG topic right now is non-consensual PVP & alternatives for it.

Originally Posted by Dinbasi

This is also something that has stopped many from playing as they hit a point after doing so many mission ( usually mid 20's ) and are confused where to go next,, What FLS should think of is having the Coxswain tell a person what port to go to next after they finish all the missions in that town. At least up to lvl 40 then they should know enough to find them on there own, I am French an as example when they finish Charlesfort they should be told to go to Fort Caroline then from there when done to St Augustime, following all the way to Belle Isle. Seasoned players as well as Beta people know this but a Newb has no idea what to do next, there are VERY FEW rules and Almost no help on what to do so may stop after a few weeks due to frustration.

Originally Posted by Dinbasi

I can't tell you how many times I have sat in GV ( I a French ) and seen people asking in nation ( which only covers Fla) if there are any PvP groups in the Red Circle areas which are usually in LA or Antilles. The same goes for when I am in New Orleans picking up items to see a newb in Biloxi asking for a group for group missions or asking help questions.. If it was a National Chat ( all from that nation seeing it no matter where they are ) it would be helpful for Newbs as well as Seasoned players looking for a group as there are many areas and people hate sailing all over the map just looking for a Group to join, most will log out in frustration and many newbs call it quits as they think people are ignoring them.

Originally Posted by SWBgHz

Subs are irrelevant to me, I want a lively and dynamic world of thousands of players to play in - and to date that is so far from being a reality that it is frustrating. Quibbling over 100 per nation, 150 per nation, 200 or whatever is really meaningless as a server where populations are measured in the hundreds online at a time (peak US times mind you) is a server with serious problems, in about any MMO.

Originally Posted by Xeos

I do want to say though, since apparently I can't private message you and not clutter up this thread, that I too appreciate you coming into this thread, and the boards in general, and replying every day, and the attitude you are keeping. It has really tipped me into deciding against canceling (which I never did, but was considering). For the time being anyway.

Originally Posted by Rhaethe

What would be interesting to know how many of the sales/subscriptions are unique to a given player?

Like, I do know of folks that have purchased multiple accounts (for whatever reason) but only since there is only one player on an account at any given time that may be a reason for the perceived disparity between actual number of players playing and number of subscriptions.