analysis & evaluation

[salesman]

It's nice to see someone interested in helping Era, however, concentrating on how to solve the problems would be a bit more helpful than just simply addressing that they exist. You've got such a long post, and yet you really didn't say very much. At least, nothing that everyone doesn't already know.

Hopefully this thread will spark some ideas and discussion.

Originally Posted by Sliekz

i. Guns

There is a wide gap...If something is overpowered, it should not be exclusive (especially widely exclusive)...

Agree 100%. I know the plan was to make every weapon available somewhere to all players at all times for a reasonable price, and I'm pretty sure that hasn't changed since I left. I just wish I had had the balls to go ahead and do it instead of waiting for Era Dev to finish because I didn't want to upset everyone.

Probably the single most important thing that needs to change on Era, imo.

Originally Posted by Sliekz

ii. Gangs

...
The problem here is that gangs lack a goal; if only to kill opposing gangs for no reason. Though this might be fun for a bit; it's sequentially a waste of money, waste of time, and unrewarding. Especially if one gang boasts the larger, more active, more well equipped team.

Since gangs have no concrete goal, I would assume that gangs have no concrete purpose. With no purpose, there's consequently no incentive to join...

Been said a million times. Saying "give gangs a purpose!!!" isn't very helpful unless you're sharing what you think that purpose should be.

Originally Posted by Sliekz

(*On a side note; previously Era had gang guns which offered very acceptable stats at an affordable price.

People liked gang guns because they were dirt cheap compared to everything else, but 100 times more powerful. On top of that, people were praying for a gang to die so that they could turn around and make 500k out of 50k. Totally disagree. If gang guns return they need to be balanced, and SEPARATE from the economy.

Originally Posted by Sliekz

They'd sometimes be exclusively distributed to the most loyal members. This not only gave players incentive to join, but leaders incentive to be strict regarding who they recruit.)

Do you remember when Nub lead BB? He added everyone in the world and let them buy the Desert Raven (lamest gun on the game at the time). How strict a leader is has nothing to do with anything but the leader. Guns should probably the last reason people have for joining a gang. This is not a solution to providing incentive.

Originally Posted by Sliekz

iii. Businesses

list

Somewhat agree, although the primary reason businesses are suffering probably has to do with the ~50 player count.

Originally Posted by Sliekz

iv. Economy

stuff

I feel like this would be the perfect time to introduce ALL weapons to shops and re-balance prices. Sure, it would piss a lot of people off, but it's the right thing to do and needs to be done sooner or later.

Originally Posted by Sliekz

v. Events

Events have been left untouched for the most part. The only thing I disagree with is how they've recently put a larger focus on instruments instead of weapons (i.e. when somebody says "EC", I automatically associate it with "instrument" instead of "bow" or "flak cannon" now).

Selling instruments for ECs was my idea, and honestly was a terrible one looking back...however, flak cannons and bows should NEVER be sold for ECs again. Selling overpowered weapons for a ridiculous amount of ECs creates that "gap" you've been addressing in all of your previous points.

Originally Posted by Sliekz

i. Readjust or introduce some sort of method that will create any type of equal footing for PKing, regarding guns. (accessibility)

Please! The easiest way to do this would be to make guns available; even to noobs. This was the idea behind the selling guns in the pawnshop, but apparently everything else is overpowered in comparison. The good thing about having fixed buy/sell prices though is that you can nerf and buff the weapons without worrying about "upsetting the economy".

Originally Posted by Sliekz

ii. Utilize gang points so that they can be exchangeable for something. Perhaps even bring back gang guns. Make gangs and players interested in one another. (incentive)

A small update for gangs would probably do wonders. I'd bet anything that promotes raiding would simulate gang activity for some time...at least until an entirely new gang system can be made.

If gang guns come back, it would need to be with the gun rack idea.

Originally Posted by Sliekz

iii. Somehow stabilize businesses, make them worth while. (economy dependent imo)

"Somehow"? That's helpful

Originally Posted by Sliekz

iv. Stimulate the economy.

How?