Forgotten Tales

I think the game is easier now than it ever was.
It started with a trend long ago - the items for your level could only be obtained easily at a higher level.
I had to grind for months to get the gold to buy the gear I wanted.
(this is along the lines of a post by rearrow in another thread).

Now, you can easily obtain gear for your level, and in many cases, you don't even have to work for it.
This has made gold virtually useless in the game, too.
Ok, level 0 boots are fine, if you don't go any farther than that.
I honestly like the idea of all players starting with them.
But let's not get carried away.

I think just about everyone here knows how the begging at start map can be sometimes.
Spam selling and the lack of an /ignore command only make it worse.
Imagine having an account that can create levels/items/skins/pets at will.
I seriously got to the point where I'd tell people not to green chat me, and that if they begged repeatedly I'd kick.
But some would not take no for an answer.

Think about it.
Make it too easy, and everyone will be max level, all with the exact same gear.
Then, where will the fun be?

Honestly, on my account, I will push for hard regions for challenge.
I ate lightning blitzbees for breakfast, when mages twice my level were whining about it.
Ok, sure, I couldn't take on more than 3 at a time, nor tank them, but that was part of the challenge.

Just because a new player comes along, doesn't mean they should be handed everything in the game.
...and shame on those who use a quest to jump 30 levels from the get-go.
At least, make sure their polite before you help them. They have to work a little bit.
Help the selfish ones out, and you'll just encourage their behaviour.
"All you gotta do is keep crying until someone gives it to you".

MadMagus wrote: Think about it.
Make it too easy, and everyone will be max level, all with the exact same gear.
Then, where will the fun be?

The good news is that this is impossible and will NEVER happen no matter what the FT community does. This great fear is unfounded. It's taking a fear and creating the worst case scenario possible (well in this case, impossible). Even if ever player in FT banded together and tried to accomplish this goal, we would fail.

On another note. I think handing a new player a pair of level 0 boots is a nice welcome to someone new to our community and may even make them feel so good they may pay it forward.

I agree about the begging, ungrateful, crybaby players. Just this week, I showed a player where a level 300 helm could be purchased. They said they didn't have enough gold. I bought the helm for them and after that they tried to sell me something for 20 million. I was like whatever. As I left, they were chasing me and following me around.

Just last night tho, a low level fairy asked me nicely for 1 million in gold and I gave it to them and they said thank you and went on their way. I don't mind helping players like that.

I also believe that the idea that players should obtain every single item in the game by themselves is flawed.

MadMagus wrote:
Think about it.
Make it too easy, and everyone will be max level, all with the exact same gear.
Then, where will the fun be?

Just because a new player comes along, doesn't mean they should be handed everything in the game.
".

I have to agree on MadMagus here.
I understand your wish (about carrying more lvl 0 shoes just to make crafting easier and helping new players out by giving them ability to walk faster) but now I have realized other things since I changed my game style. Sure things would be a little easier for some players and updating and changing things can help older players in their success. Now that I do not care to develop my Archer anymore in the same way as before, I've realized more and more how important new players are for the game itself. The feeling when I got my first 0 level shoes is something I'll never forget. It was a player called Coldwinter. He helped me a lot and he took the time to show me around before he killed a lizard so I could get my first shoes.
The little time before I got the shoes with a little chat, my questions were answered, and getting to know a new person was absolutely wonderful to me as a new player.

Today I have more time to show a player and talk to the player and answer his / her questions if there are any. No, I do not think it will help our new members, on the contrary, they will be spoiled.
You may have to work a little more to make it feel special.
As for me i got tired and now i get my happiness thru new players develops, but like i mentioned earlier here. I have more time now, because i dont need to build base , fight outlaws and bullies in pvp or waste any energi on clan drama and grind levels. BUT I do some crafting sometimes just to help players with gold and gears.... mmmmm I love crafting

QUOTE: I also believe that the idea that players should obtain every single item in the game by themselves is flawed.

I agree - working together would be best in my opinion, but gifting and selling are both good as well, each in their own way. And I love the level 0 boots... you'll look stylish this month

QUOTE: I think the game is easier now than it ever was.
It started with a trend long ago - the items for your level could only be obtained easily at a higher level.

Yes, for sure - characters advanced so quickly that the game development could not keep up - overall, I think combatant and Hobbs and Kromelg have done a truly commendable job making the game fun for the widest range of players possible

QUOTE: Blitz, I had no idea that you were a part of the development process when FT was still new.

I bet that was an exciting time to be a part of FT.

Oh wow... so much fun - between helping with developing and being part of the GM team, it was unquestionably the most fun gaming experience I've ever had in my lifetime (and I'm kinda old lol)

Blitz in glad that you enjoyed being a part of that when FT was new.

I'm also glad you support me in sporting level 0 boots for the remainder of the week.

Ryaca wrote:

MadMagus wrote: Think about it.
Make it too easy, and everyone will be max level, all with the exact same gear.
Then, where will the fun be?

The good news is that this is impossible and will NEVER happen no matter what the FT community does. This great fear is unfounded. It's taking a fear and creating the worst case scenario possible (well in this case, impossible). Even if ever player in FT banded together and tried to accomplish this goal, we would fail.

That is the worst case scenario, yes, and I used it for effect.
I was more referring to the players who would beg me for free levels in that.
But do not claim impossibility; even in today's game, although improbable, it is not impossible.

It was said, years ago, that it would be impossible for one player to amass 1b gold (or the old maximum of 2,147,483,647).
It was also said, that it would be impossible to reach levels equal to or over 1k without buying levels.
And let's not forget one you experienced yourself - it would be impossible to get a clan building to level 2850.
These have been proven false already, among other similar grandiose claims.
Do not claim impossibility in a game that is always changing.
Especially a game where money can buy you as many levels as you like.

As for a maximum level, there actually is one.
As usual, the current maximum is probably 2,147,483,646 (compbatant confirmed it was the max_int variable; this value is -1).
Likely, if you hit 2,147,483,647 your account will disappear. I never tested it though.
But it is unlikely you will ever reach that before you have issues.
That number is special - and if your hp goes over 2,147,483,647, you instantly die each time it regens.
So, the maximum level currently is actually much, much lower at this time.
Although, it would fluctuate depending on class, and how you set your stats (as some stats boost max hp).

Ryaca wrote:I also believe that the idea that players should obtain every single item in the game by themselves is flawed.

Don't think anyone suggested that.
In fact, it's already impossible to do (without cheating).
One example I just found the other day:
Those bosses you were asking about - I think I found them.
There is a room where you need a party to enter; you cannot go in alone.
Also, you need to be around the same level to participate I think.
I have not investigated further as of yet.
But the spirit of the game has always been (as I hinted at previously) that you could not get gear for your level back then, on your own. Someone stronger would have to get it for you. The idea of more "at level" items is more recent, and tbh, I don't like the trend, even if it makes sense. This was not the original model of the game. But, like I said, the game is always changing.

If you find out anymore about those bosses please share that info. I am very curious to know about that.

And I meant that it IS impossible for every player to reach max level and all have the same gear. I guarantee you that we will never see that.

All I meant about the players obtaining items on their own without any help is that I get the feeling sometimes certain players give off the feeling in their posts that they are so extreme in their beliefs that they would really like it if the game were this way which I believe doesn't go with the theme of mmorpg.

It's almost like if some of these players were in charge of game balance that the game would in fact be very unbalanced because they have an attitude similar to this: (imitates a crotchety old man's voice) "back when I first started playing FT we had to grind for 3 years to be able to have enough gold to afford a level 5 helm and we had to walk in snow waist deep to get to the bank and back and we had to work for everything we got and players nowadays have it so easy and expect everything for nothing blah blah blah."

While I can agree with some of this to a certain extent I believe players with this attitude would make the game so unbalanced that the game would be very not fun and be so hard that players would wonder what in the world happened.

That's what I was referring to.

As always Mad, thank you for taking the time to respond as I always enjoy reading your posts whether I agree with them or not as you definitely give plenty of food for thought. Your posts are well worded and I'm glad that you stuck around because truthfully, what fun would these forms be without you.

Ryaca wrote:If you find out anymore about those bosses please share that info. I am very curious to know about that.

Pretty sure it's announced here:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=14507&p=85097

Ryaca wrote:And I meant that it IS impossible for every player to reach max level and all have the same gear. I guarantee you that we will never see that.

As long as new players keep joining, yes, it is impossible. Unless the GMs start giving out levels each time a player begs
But, I've seen other games that have run for decades - MMOs - that have this very problem.
So many reach endgame, and have nothing to do.
I hope, players will keep creating game content (and for all levels, not just the highest), to keep this game going for some time.

Ryaca wrote: All I meant about the players obtaining items on their own without any help is that I get the feeling sometimes certain players give off the feeling in their posts that they are so extreme in their beliefs that they would really like it if the game were this way which I believe doesn't go with the theme of mmorpg.

It's almost like if some of these players were in charge of game balance that the game would in fact be very unbalanced because they have an attitude similar to this: (imitates a crotchety old man's voice) "back when I first started playing FT we had to grind for 3 years to be able to have enough gold to afford a level 5 helm and we had to walk in snow waist deep to get to the bank and back and we had to work for everything we got and players nowadays have it so easy and expect everything for nothing blah blah blah."

While I can agree with some of this to a certain extent I believe players with this attitude would make the game so unbalanced that the game would be very not fun and be so hard that players would wonder what in the world happened.

Well, I am one of those players
But, I also lean more toward your thinking.
it's an MMO; you should not be able to solo everything, be it quests or gear or whatever.
(Even though I try to, sometimes, I get help too )
As an MMO, it should encourage you to make friends, and get help with some things.
Of course, not everything though.
You should have the opportunity to go and do some things by yourself, as not everyone feels like being sociable 100% of the time.

I do think the game is too easy now in a lot of ways.
When I first started, it was a lot more difficult, gear was more sparse, etc.
I HAD TO make friends and I HAD TO do some research to get ahead.
Since purchases were NOT available to me (no google play on blackberries), I HAD TO work for my gear (now, I sell the odd purchase )
That was the spirit of the MMO I'd like to see continue, the idea of working for stuff.
The spirit I see now is that of players expecting handouts, and if you give them one, they ask for even more (as you noted above in your post).
I try to be a little more selective in who I choose to help. Manners go a long way.
Also, if they're just asking for directions, I'm more than happy to tell them map coordinates (and how to see coordinates if they don't know).
It's the ones who want free stuff, and demand you help them with tanking, questing, and the like that I don't care much for.
They don't even try - they just seem to expect it. If the game were more difficult, sure, I could understand. But I don't think it's that difficult anymore.

So like you said, balance is the key.
Not too easy, not too tough.
Not too solo, not too demanding on teamwork either.
A good variety so it doesn't get too boring.
The greatest the game can be, is if it appeals to everyone in some way.

Mad I couldn't have said it better.

I really hope FT will be around for 10 years or more. That would make me very happy.

As much as I hear that FT was very hard when It was first released, I think That I would have really enjoyed it. I believe it certainly would have been interesting for a player like me to say the least.

I am at heart a solo gamer and I prefer to play alone most of the time so I get you there for sure. I do like to interact and help and ask for help sometimes but usually I like to do my own thing. For years growing up I played rpg's alone in my basement room(spent literally months maybe years worth of hours playing dragon warrior, Chrono trigger, the dungeons and dragons series, hydlide, zelda, populous, the ultima series, ogre battle, and the final fantasy series and so many more) and was not a fan of games that required two or more players. I am a lone wolf in real life also.

I agree with you, balance is everything and I would probably make the game unbalanced if I were the sole person in charge. That's why players NEED to post there ideas here and I believe that this is very important to keep FT alive and strong.

I also agree on the beggars that frustrate me and other players. They should not be encouraged.

One thing that I would like to know is that if there are any other items that will only drop once as long as that item is in a players pack or equipped on them?

Maybe someone can give their insight on this?