Trick was funny tonight.

[Nilxain]

From watching the way they play on the live feeds and hearing the way they talk, both in response to questions and in-game, it's painfully obvious (No matter what they say ,here on these forums, and would like us to believe) that none of them devote any more time actually playing this game than they have to.

It's almost embarrassing sometimes how little knowledge they have of gameplay...And I'm talking here about knowledge that someone who has played any more than a week would know straight away. Next time you watch the live feed, look at the difference in how they talk about 'Rift' in comparison to 'Defiance'. You can tell they play it and enjoy playing it. They're knowledgeable about it and animated in their discussions on it...Not so much where 'Defiance' is concerned.

I feel the whole crew is so far out of touch with the real player base, due to this lack of knowledge, that I worry the game will never get fixed because the team doesn't play or enjoy playing the game enough to get it sorted out.

How can they honestly expect us to continue playing and supporting the game when it 'appears' they don't...

Just look at how often they swing in and get involved with the conversations on the forums. Sure I can understand not giving all the ad hominem stuff the time of day, but there is a good amount of significant feedback on here, and on a good day they MIGHT swing in to say thank you. But, actually get involved and absorb it... demonstrate an understanding, and show real interest... when was the last time you saw that? If only they gave this game as much attention as they gave extra life maybe they could actually get their finger on the pulse.

[Worldviewsinc]

Just look at how often they swing in and get involved with the conversations on the forums. Sure I can understand not giving all the ad hominem stuff the time of day, but there is a good amount of significant feedback on here, and on a good day they MIGHT swing in to say thank you. But, actually get involved and absorb it... demonstrate an understanding, and show real interest... when was the last time you saw that? If only they gave this game as much attention as they gave extra life maybe they could actually get their finger on the pulse.

Yeah, also a good point. Most of the responses we see here on the forums are nothing more than a standard copy/paste comment with the odd word changed here and there.

To sell or market a product you have to believe or, at least, 'appear' to believe in that product and that just doesn't come across from any of the team at the moment.

[Elastik Spastik]

Just have to see how the game progresses over time.

[crasher]

Just have to see how the game progresses over time.

Just have to see how the game promises but fails to progress over time.

FIFY.

[Maixx]

Just have to see how the game promises but fails to progress over time.

FIFY.

Hard to succeed when ya layoff/fire 80-90% of your developers in the first month, close offices, and several lead changes.
Back in April they said it would not effect the outcome of the game, then DLC1 was postponed 3 months.

With all the bug fixes, the changes/updates and DLC in development, I think they're spread too thin and results in half a** attempt at everything they try to do.

[dahanese]

Just look at how often they swing in and get involved with the conversations on the forums. Sure I can understand not giving all the ad hominem stuff the time of day, but there is a good amount of significant feedback on here, and on a good day they MIGHT swing in to say thank you. But, actually get involved and absorb it... demonstrate an understanding, and show real interest... when was the last time you saw that? If only they gave this game as much attention as they gave extra life maybe they could actually get their finger on the pulse.

Reading and commenting are two different things. Many folks read - particularly on the devs part, few comment. They spend the bulk of their time working on the game.

I'm going to go ask Trick about that Infector. I'm not a huge fan of Infectors in general, but Trick plays the game a ton so if he tells me he likes a weapon, I always believe him.

[Nilxain]

Reading and commenting are two different things. Many folks read - particularly on the devs part, few comment. They spend the bulk of their time working on the game.

You're right, reading and commenting are two different things, which was the point of my post - that you quoted. Let me ask you this: If you're talking to someone and they don't acknowledge you, do you conclude that they are listening and understand what you are saying? Do you try saying something again, what if they don't respond a second time? Or, what if they acknowledge that you are speaking and STILL choose not to respond? What do you think then?

This is not a hypothetical, this is Trion's role in the community conversation - shallow at best. But, IDK, maybe that was the business choice they made - it sure feels like it.

I'm going to go ask Trick about that Infector. I'm not a huge fan of Infectors in general, but Trick plays the game a ton so if he tells me he likes a weapon, I always believe him.

Infectors are pretty much crap all around (I'm an PVE'er - so no clue about PVP). And I understand that there are problems getting them balanced - though that's PVP, so all I really understand is that it exists. I have offered what solutions I have (with respect to PVE), and I'm sure if you guys reached out to the community you would get a lot of great ideas, and some you may even be able to work with. If you do reach out then you need to follow up, let the community know you are taking the ideas in, and let them know which ones you favor with respect to viability (ie: acknowledge and engaged).

Putting the weapon itself aside for a moment, the mag roll on it was what made me take pause. That's a bad roll for an infector, and there should be no bad rolls on guns. I have also offered my solutions for this.

I understand you guys have your pet projects and timelines, and the community doesn't always understand what all is involved, but your community wants to help. I also understand that the community can quite often be an abusive bully, attacking character, and poking at every little minor detail - I know that takes its toll. But if you guys don't want to spend a whole lot of money getting your reputation and players back from bad word-of-mouth, then you guys need to communicate, and acknowledge, don't just sit in silence leaving your community to wonder if Trion even cares. If Defiance really wants to grow (business wise) then you need to attack all sides, and part of that means getting engaged with your community - and do it like you mean it.

[crasher]

You're right, reading and commenting are two different things, which was the point of my post - that you quoted. Let me ask you this: If you're talking to someone and they don't acknowledge you, do you conclude that they are listening and understand what you are saying? Do you try saying something again, what if they don't respond a second time? Or, what if they acknowledge that you are speaking and STILL choose not to respond? What do you think then?

This is not a hypothetical, this is Trion's role in the community conversation - shallow at best. But, IDK, maybe that was the business choice they made - it sure feels like it.

[Snipped for space]

But if you guys don't want to spend a whole lot of money getting your reputation and players back from bad word-of-mouth, then you guys need to communicate, and acknowledge, don't just sit in silence leaving your community to wonder if Trion even cares. If Defiance really wants to grow (business wise) then you need to attack all sides, and part of that means getting engaged with your community - and do it like you mean it.

In the words of my esteemed friend Bonehead: ^^^This^^^

[Holy Bahamut3]

You're right, reading and commenting are two different things, which was the point of my post - that you quoted. Let me ask you this: If you're talking to someone and they don't acknowledge you, do you conclude that they are listening and understand what you are saying? Do you try saying something again, what if they don't respond a second time? Or, what if they acknowledge that you are speaking and STILL choose not to respond? What do you think then?

This is not a hypothetical, this is Trion's role in the community conversation - shallow at best. But, IDK, maybe that was the business choice they made - it sure feels like it.




Infectors are pretty much crap all around (I'm an PVE'er - so no clue about PVP). And I understand that there are problems getting them balanced - though that's PVP, so all I really understand is that it exists. I have offered what solutions I have (with respect to PVE), and I'm sure if you guys reached out to the community you would get a lot of great ideas, and some you may even be able to work with. If you do reach out then you need to follow up, let the community know you are taking the ideas in, and let them know which ones you favor with respect to viability (ie: acknowledge and engaged).

Putting the weapon itself aside for a moment, the mag roll on it was what made me take pause. That's a bad roll for an infector, and there should be no bad rolls on guns. I have also offered my solutions for this.

I understand you guys have your pet projects and timelines, and the community doesn't always understand what all is involved, but your community wants to help. I also understand that the community can quite often be an abusive bully, attacking character, and poking at every little minor detail - I know that takes its toll. But if you guys don't want to spend a whole lot of money getting your reputation and players back from bad word-of-mouth, then you guys need to communicate, and acknowledge, don't just sit in silence leaving your community to wonder if Trion even cares. If Defiance really wants to grow (business wise) then you need to attack all sides, and part of that means getting engaged with your community - and do it like you mean it.

While I Agree with the first argument, I must humbly disagree with the second. I have used all of the infectors, they would be completely useless if it were not for the DLC1 arenas (DLC1 however I do believe to be a complete disappointment), now your outbreaker is a completely worthless piece of ark-salvage, only those who want to swap weapons constantly should wield them, and even then the results are disappointing. The outbreakers infection rate is too circumstantial and it takes forever to get a good infection going. The higher up piece of ark-salvage is the Innoculator which fires three needles per shot. It too takes a while to get a good infection going and the constant trigger pulling gets on ones nerves. Then you have your semi auto's: the Infector, Afflictor,Immunizer and Canker. The Afflictor causes an infection when the enemy is struck 5 times, the Infector is a better option that gets a higher infection rate, either of these are a good 2nd choice in the Arena to keep multipliers up. The Canker is a good option for a boss or I hear PVP. As it does not spawn parasites that seek out a target but does increasing damage over time. Then you Have your Anti Sniper Immunizer which has an extended range. All of which pale to the Automatic Infectors which have an excellent infection rate. Mind you I did all of this from memory so some of these may have been changed since I last used them, and I cannot remember the name of the automatic infectors. Mag rolls on the Semi-auto and Auto Infectors are beneficial, they increase the concentration of the infection before the inevitable reload. Reload rolls are also good for infectors, they speed up the already fast reload time. My only gripe about the infectors are the two worthless ones in the beginning, they are worth nothing more than extra scrip or salvage.

On your first point, I do not believe they are familiar with the Infectors and their usefulness. I believe they, like most ark hunters, write them off as a novelty weapon. That and the crippling ignorance when it comes to building a character. I understand that for the live streams they generate a random character most of the time to show off certain aspects of the game, but show that you have some sense of how to play the game. Case and point running around with Blur and an LMG, when you obviously are favoring an Overcharge play style, and not attaching perks until it is brought up in chat. I'm sure the list goes on and on... Every-time I watch a live stream I want to Face-palm...

[Nilxain]

While... [snipped for space]

Yes, some infectors are better than others, but when you step back and take a look at the bigger picture, they are all sub-par. Personally, among the better 3 (immunizer, infector, and canker), I like the canker the best and I play with it for as long as I can tolerate it. But, having scored very high on all of the arenas (except the first - because I never do it) I would definitely not recommend an infector of any kind (because you have no control over the bugs and often need to control your kills to ensure you maintain x10 multiplier).

At their soul I love infectors, perhaps more than any other gun, but when it comes to application and effectiveness, they are inferior.

I believe they, like most ark hunters, write them off as a novelty weapon.

Sadly, at this point, they really aren't much more than a novelty weapon.

**All of my comments here are from a PVE perspective.

As you say, reload is a great roll for infectors, which is why I included it in my rolls rework:

Infectors

Bonuses(5+1wgbo, 3p)

(white,green,blue,orange)
Reload
Dmg (this should be made to work - if not do fire rate)
Bug damage (stolen from purple)
Range (added – meant to include homing range)
+1 bug (added)

(this is the +1, if this were in place I would suggest dropping dmg, because +1 bug would make for consistency and identity)
Melee dmg (w/ caveat under brutal synergy)

*Edit: Fire rate could replace DMG (which may even be better).

(purple)
10% EGO Power Recharge on Full Reload
10% Bug Damage 3 Seconds After Shield Refresh
15% grenade DMG to targets below 50% health

Masteries(5)

less dmg while reloading
speed boost after reload
ego recharge on full reload
Range (added – meant to include homing range)
bug dmg

Synergies((3+2)+1)

Synergy: Grenadier
[1] +2% Damage
[2] +4% Damage
[3] +5% grenade damage to targets below 50% health
[4] +10% grenade damage to targets below 50% health

Synergy: Quartermaster
[1] +5% Reload
[2] +10% Reload
[3] +10% explosive damage for 5 sec. after full reload
[4] +20% explosive damage for 5 sec. after full reload

Synergy: Brutal (shotguns, chargeblades (wishful thinking), RLs, Dets, and infectors – I think RLs, Dets, and infectors should get a BIG base melee dmg increase - make it so you want to get a melee in as you run out of bullets)
[1] +5% Melee DMG
[2] +10% Melee DMG
[3] +50% Reload on Melee Kill
[4] +100% Reload on Melee Kill

These are the +2, they are completely new synergies.

Synergy: Speed Junky
[1] +10% Reload
[2] +20% reload
[3] +10% speed for 5 sec. after the last shot in the mag
[4] +20% speed for 5 sec. after the last shot in the mag

Synergy: Gonna Have Me Some Fun (BMGs and infectors)
[1] +10% fire rate (such that it counts for ticks)
[2] +20% fire rate (such that it counts for ticks)
[3] +10% Grenade damage while your shield is down
[4] +20% Grenade damage while your shield is down

This is the +1 in case 2 new synergies are not an option - 1 more would still be needed if this were the case.

Synergy: Stalker (all but BMG)
[1] +5% Range
[2] +10% Range
[3] +5% EGO ability refresh on critical kill
[4] +10% EGO ability refresh on critical kill

**these may need 2 new and more appealing synergies, one to replace stalker, and one to make it 5**

Taken from my Rolls Overhaul Thread