[Shu]

I originally posted this as an approach to the way that raid boss spawn rates should be handled. I realized that this method actually has value in its server population management, and I think it deserves to be in this thread. I think it would be a really smart idea for NCsoft to try and possibly bring something like this to Aion. It could make Aion be known for its excellent GM devotion to the community, having one of the greatest server balance/spawn rate control mechanisms, and also strongly enforce the PvPvE concept, where the E part of that concept is its own living, breathing faction that can dynamically adapt with player interactions. Think of it like Dungeons and Dragons. That game is still alive mostly because of the DM system, because the game can adapt to any situation because it is a real person behind the enemies you face and the obstacles you overcome.

Originally Posted by Shu

How about this: Instead of having "timers", the raid boss spawn times are strategically decided by GMs specifically for each server? They can have access to the data of average playtime ranges, time zones, etc. and make intelligent decisions based on their understanding of the server/guild/player status. Every server will have different norms depending on the Aion community in that server rather than having their playing times and playing styles limited by the rules of the game.

For example, on weekdays, a GM might see fit to spawn the boss at the most heavily populated time in order to spur on competition between legions and factions, or they may choose to spawn the boss secretly when few players are logged in and force players to team up with trustable strangers in order to take down a raid boss. On weekends, they can keep players guessing because schedules are generally more flexible, and for holidays, they may choose to make the raid boss spawn more often than usual to allow more people a chance, and etc.

This may not fit into any other MMO other than Aion, only because the PvPvE is so strongly defined here. The Balaur will always be the one opposing faction that both player factions must overcome, even if there are other PvE creatures to face. The GMs have already said that they will be pulling the strings behind the Balaur just in case there is server unbalance. Well, if the casual players are calling foul on the game devs for catering to the hardcore or vice versa, the GMs can just take over and do what it takes to solve the problem.

Also, for servers with less population, there would be less spawns, while larger servers have more. That is, of course, if they intend to do this. Otherwise, they could always provide an incentive to switch over by offering less competition for more rewards on a less populated and underleveled server so that established legions can balance themselves throughout all of the servers instead of having all of the competition in one server.

This plan was born right here and now, so I haven't had time to think about the specifics, but I think it has potential... so I hope it isn't left behind and forgotten. I hope the NCsoft considers this method of raid boss/server population management.