Abraxus

If I start seeing multiple accounts showing 100% inf to post ratio, I'm gonna be just a bit suspicious as to the reasons. 😉

Why do you still miss it? It's right here...waiting to be played again! 😉

The "Dev Buff" (as it will come to be known) is a compensator for a proportionally low post count vs. inf gained ratio. So, when one has a 1k+ post count (like yourself), the law of averages alone dictates that enough of them should have been interesting/compelling/entertaining/endearing to a sufficient percentage of forum participants, who in-turn, reward them, so as to ensure you are safely ensconced in the top 5 in perpetuity. Over time, one would expect that to continue, or even rise if the deal is successful, and the population rises dramatically; thereby potentially providing even more fertile ground on which to base future discussions. That's how I explain you. 😎 **I say all of this while questioning my own standing, because I don't consider myself that interesting in my forum banter, and yet, I find myself gaining some standing here as well. So, it's obvious I'm no expert.

Naw! What's really standing in your way is the fact that Devs have an inherent buff, where they are able to create a single post that automatically gets maximum attention due to the source, and if universally popular, maximum inf generated per minute. Imagine the theoretical skyrocketing numbers for the Dev that gets to post the announcement of a successful deal! There would be no catching him!🤣

I'd guess late September, or early October. I can feel the extra weight of all those badges already!

Pretty sure that part has been understood from the jump. The part that gives us hope is that they didn't swat down the server when they certainly could have already, the fact that they entertained even the notion of discussions about legitimizing the operation, and the fact that according to the small bit of information we have, things are going well. So, while I would never tell anyone not to be concerned at all, I would also say that this has a better than average chance of becoming permanent. If the signs were pointed otherwise, I would feel much less optimistic. But, that has not been the case, and until/unless it becomes that way, the very fact that we are still here, against all odds, speaks volumes. Things will continue as they are until the conclusion of the talks. Then depending on the outcome, things will likely change drastically. This is how it goes in my mind's eye, anyway. If they fail, then it will be DOOM, with the sky is falling piled on top of that. A scramble for the survival of the game, and the community. However, if they are successful, expect a full court press effort to get the word out to the world, and watch as the population rises drastically. There will be adjustments to the influx of new players, and a new round of questions on topics that have likely already been addressed for current players, where we will be the wizened sages answering those questions, or posting links where they can find the information themselves. There might be more changes to the game to compensate for a larger constant population, which will put focus on more on the changes made during the SCORE years, to accommodate a low population environment. The end result will hopefully be a thriving population, happy to play, and eager to see what the future holds. That is what I hope to see from all of this.

If true, with 3 pages of impassioned replies, I'd call that a pretty successful troll!🤣

I can only aspire to such lofty heights. 🎆

I assume then, that you have added your voice to those in the "suggestion" thread asking for another look at this issue? Pretty sure that's the place where they look for that kind of feedback, for the most part. I would think the more who sign on to that thread, the more impact it will have. I can't imagine it will go back to the way it was, but perhaps there is a compromise to be found. As has been said many times, these guys play the game like we do, and they aren't oblivious to the outcries of folks who express concern, or consternation over a change.

Sorry, but it sounded like you were genuinely interested in looking to see if there was anything of substance there, to counterpoint your low opinion of AE in general. Now, it sounds like that was not the case. Sounds like we have, unfortunately, arrived at that whole "agree to disagree" part of the conversation. Moving along....

Yeah, that was my feeling too. I got one up to 30, and decided to re-roll for a pure blaster version of the same toon. I had more fun with the Blaster version, but you're mileage may vary. 😎

You just have to scroll down the list and look for the ones that don't include "farm" in the title. Some are silly, but others are darned creative. I've not played them all, but there was one where all the villains were clowns that was kind of fun.

True. Straight Farming missions were a minority of the player written missions. Many of them were very creative missions, and arcs, some of which deserved to be included in regular game content. The fact that the most widely known aspect of AE became the dedicated farming missions is regrettable, as it was not always the majority of what it was used for, especially back in the days of live. Some really talented folks left their contributions there for others to play, and leave feedback.

This thing will be done when it's done, and not a moment sooner. In the meantime, play like there's no tomorrow! 😎

I get that. But, in my experience (at least since I started playing on Homecoming), I have not had any trouble finding teams to play on, whether it be missions, Radio, Task Force, or Incarnate Trials. It might not always be immediate, but I play primarily on PUGs without having to wait too long to see something pop-up in the LFG channel. If I get impatient, I start a team myself to do what I'm in the mood for, and on we go! That's on Torchbearer, but I'm assuming it's relatively the same on the other servers.

No, actually it doesn't, universally speaking. If it doesn't work for you, that's fine. But, others have a different opinion which is equally valid, so let's try to refrain from passing universal judgement in a negative vein. 🙂

My son created a Spines/Fire farm character, and lets me use it whenever the desire, or need arises. For me, that's pretty much only when one of my characters hits 50, and I dual-box a couple of rounds of Comic-Con to get all six Incarnate slots open. For me, that's pretty much it though. Everything else, I don't mind doing just via game play, because I love it that much! 😎

Valid points. Though the "Suggestions" thread is probably the place where you want to make your appeal. In fact, I'm pretty sure there is a thread for this specific subject there already, so add your voice their theirs. 😎

I'm good with useful.

The picture on the right is a nice evolution.

True. Having an absolutely pure concept, free from influence by anything that came before is quite difficult. Even if someone considers their character completely original, there were likely at least some influences by previous experiences, or exposure to content going back to early childhood. But, I do love the imaginative expression that having so many options available to us, allows. There are some truly breathtaking characters out there, some of whom remind me that my own character creating-fu is weak by comparison. But, rather than think ill of them for being better, it informs me of things I hadn't considered, or perhaps not been aware of, so that I can incorporate elements of what I have seen into my own process, therefore stepping up my game. That, as opposed to thinking negatively of them because they are better than myself at this. Hopefully, that is a sign that I have reached some level of maturity about some things. Of course, that and 5 bucks will get you a cup of cappuccino at Starbucks, so...there's that. 😉

I have always had the best times playing on teams where the balance of archetypes was a good mixture of damage (ranged, and melee), and support in any form, all built around a strong tank. Temper that with the difficulty set high enough to be dangerous to a foolish team that rushes in, or insists on separating, but not so high that the only one who survives the first mob for any length of time, is the tank. I like having to have a strategy which is flexible enough to be dependent on the enemies we face, and a team willing to stick to it without feeling like things move to slow. Mainly, I love teaming with folks who love playing this game as much as I do, free from ulterior motives like how much of a stat/influence/XP/Merit/Incarnate boost it is to their character. The bottom line is that I love playing this game, and I'll team with anyone, regardless of the mix of archetypes, or mission difficulty. But, the best times are had when everything clicks, and everyone is on the same page for as long as it lasts.

My sincere hope is that this changes, one way, or the other, sometime soon. The debate over the changes that will come with the conclusion of negotiations consumes a lot of oxygen around here, and once things are settled we can start dealing with facts, rather than speculation, conjecture, supposition, and profound sense of dread by some, opposed by stratospheric hope by others. I dream of a time when we are past all of that, and we can chart a course based on reality, whatever that may be.

Something tells me, IF that were to become an issue, we would know pretty quickly across the board.

Quoted. 🤣