Getting addictive to post in this thread. Think this'll be my last one. I will once again remind everyone that this is about the Korean version of the game. The game will have come a long way when we get it out here and we hate bots just as much as you do - but we can't prove this at all before we actually release the game.
I think Koroem's post was covering a lot of issues, so I'll reply to the formulations in it I find relevant (nothing against you mate, I just thought you summarized quite a few interesting points well!).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Koroem
FACT : The US/EURO release will always be at the mercy of the Korean playerbase. Meaning our version will be no different then theirs except for language, and our input will mean nothing to Korean devs. We are extra revenue for them, never forget that fact.
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ACTUALLY : While this may have been the case in last generation games you played before that also originated from Korea, we will in fact be looking to get feedback from the player base and make something of it (Wow! I know, right!? :P). There's always a tight balance between the developers' vision for the game and the many subsections of the community's visions for the game, but wherever there's space, there will be community feedback to fill it up. As you know, Aion hasn't been released yet, but you can count on that it's our plan once it is. Remember, we'll be players just as much as you will be and will make sure to "read the vibe" of the community (again - this is you!), making sure that the game is as good as it can be (the sky's the limit).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Koroem
FACT : NCsoft loves bots and will do little to nothing about them because they are paying accounts.
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ACTUALLY : I don't know where to start with this one! While I haven't worked on any other NCsoft games, I did play Lineage II as a regular player and I've come to see multiple sides of this argument. I can guarantee that we have no love for 'bots' or individuals using them (read: lowlifes - provocative enough?). Each subscription fee earned from a bot is equally or more out-weighed by the loss of a real player. It doesn't make sense from a business perspective, and we sure wouldn't be able to keep any morale up whatsoever if we would be making games for bots. We're running this game for you guys and if you don't like what's happening, then you can be sure that someone internally already issued a team-wide alarm to resolve whatever might be the issue. Important to remember is that Rome wasn't built over a night and even if construction techniques have improved to date, it's a difficult feat to pull off.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Koroem
FACT : NCsoft will provide lip service and empty promises till the end of time about fixing these issues like every other dev/publisher but will not and can not possibly win the battle against bots, nor balance ranged vs melee in a way a majority of players find acceptable.
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ACTUALLY : You are right in that it's very difficult to eliminate the bots and immensely difficult to get balancing close to perfection, but that's not a reason to give up. There's been a lot of negativity on these boards lately and a lot of people don't believe in our ambitions or capability to do this right. It makes me very sad, but we are still as determined as ever to launch Aion here in the west properly and with as few hiccups or disturbing moments as possible. Balancing? We've got time and I'm sure that the landscape will have changed before we release here. Bots? We've got warheads and troops lined up in front-line bunkers to deal with this. It is a bit like that part in the latest Resident Evil movie (not the Japanese one) where the rage-infected zombies are amassing to break down the last fence of the desert laboratory. But like in all movies, the good guys always win, and we're the good guys this time around. Maybe RE wasn't a good example from that perspective, but I think you get the picture.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Koroem
FACT : You will just have to suck it up and deal with it when US release hits.
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ACTUALLY : Don't suck it up! Feedback makes us better. Constructive Feedback. Not the other kind that has to do with brute ogres living in deep forests. There are just a few things to keep in mind.
For this particular case, it's all about the release in Korea. Don't forget that. If you have problems with the Korean version, take it up with them. There are right now hundreds of thousands of players over there that will ultimately make sure that you get a better gaming experience when eventually playing the English version. We'll do our best to have a product that works for the west when we launch it next year and we will be asking you for feedback on how it's running. That's a
given. We need to keep a constant dialogue to make the best out of Aion. You're right there, I'm right here. Let's walk and talk.
I've seen some good ideas in other threads on how to combat botting, and if there's something we're not already considering I'll be sure to pass it on deeper into our company hive.
That's all.
+ dancing Kerubims
