Ideas, suggestions, and discussion!

Frankie · #1 09-13-2008, 08:31 PM

I know that there's already a thread where people have been posting ideas and suggestions but I wanted to start over on a clean sheet and make this thread a bit more official. I also have something to say regarding my activity so I thought it would be nice to start a new thread.

School has just started a week ago for me and I'm still trying to get used to having to go 5 days a week then spend my weekend working my job. It has caused a bit of inactivity because I've been really tired. I should be fine now.

Anyway, to the real deal. GOOD NEWS.
We have a dev server. No 30 day temporary dev server bull**** that Stefan offered us. We have it for 6 months.

We want to add a lot of new things to make the game more fun and enjoyable. Most players agree that right now the server is extremely boring. I agree with you 100<percent>! My ideas are limited, and so are the other staff's. I want you all to post your ideas here and open them for discussion. I will read every idea posted here and also give every one feedback on what I think.

I'll start off with one of my ideas.

I want to change around gangs a lot. Right now people don't really have any incentive to raid each other. Points? You can't do anything with points right now. It's just a number. Letting gangs buy things with their points wouldn't be a bad idea. I don't really support that as much as others do. If we do add a shop to spend gang points, we would most likely allow people to buy base upgrades. Adding HP to certain doors, making your medkits/beds heal more, allowing an additional gang gun to the rack (this is off of another idea with gang guns) etc etc.

What I really want to do is create main capture points around Era that gangs can take over and gain certain advantages (sounds a lot like Zodiac but that didn't occur to me until after someone pointed it out) These capture points will only open when the player count reaches a certain point, or when a certain amount of gang members are on. For example, when 5 or more players from a minimum of 2 gangs are online, a server message will be sent saying that the capture points are open.

Having control of these capture points will give unique bonuses to the gang members that control it (if you get off tag while you have the 'bonus' you will lose it) I had in mind speed increases, gun damage increase, wound resistance increase, etc (feel free to add on!!) I think it would be really fun. The demand to join gangs will increase and more players will be on gang tag so the bonuses effect them.

Please, post away! Please do not flame each others ideas. Constructive criticism is welcome. All will be taken into consideration.

Thanks!
-Frankie (ADMINISTRATOR)

Sinkler · #2 09-13-2008, 08:35 PM

Why not have Gangs start RP-Story Line? And depending on how well they RP they get points?

Frankie · #3 09-13-2008, 08:39 PM

Era isn't really much of a roleplay server so I think that wouldn't be such a good idea.

DuBsTeRmAn · #4 09-13-2008, 08:44 PM

I think, That you should make a clean start. A new Gmap, New Buildings, New Gangs, Like the old plans. You could create this all on the Dev Server, Why do i think that this would be a good idea? The current Gmap is being bored.. A new one would be great, So we can explore more. You could also add some new quests. And make them harder!

natchez416 · #5 09-13-2008, 09:24 PM

Something does need to be done with gangs, and most of your ideas sound pretty solid to me frankie. I don't like the idea of gaining special bonuses for capturing a control point in a gang bass. However the idea of having capture points in gang basses is a damn good one ( Dems idea wasn't it?). anyways I think gangs should earn points for holding these capture points for certain amounts of time. The points could be spent on base upgrades and other various gang upgrades like you said (requires more thought).

I'd like to see lots of player owned shops, that players can buy. and I don't care what you say these shops had nothing to do with bad economies in the past.
Id like to see more of a free market, where the market will decide which business will succeed. Business owners should be able to spend their money to upgrade their business in many ways.
I'd like to see more unique businesses. If a player can come up with a good biz idea and all the graphics necessary, staff should set up a business for him. Set up an e mail address where players can send their ideas and graphics and set up a good biz admin to monitor this. The more businesses you have the more stuff players will have to spend their money on = a healthy economy.

Finally the Gmap sucks. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Era needs to look and feel like a real city. with a china town, little Italy, downtown core, slums etc... You'd think that these Gmap designers had never seen a city in their lives. To be fair its not completely their fault, given what they have to work with. Hire a gang of GATs and put them to work. The tileset is in bad need of an overhaul in my opinion.

I could go on forever. but here are 3 loose ideas for people to build on.

DuBsTeRmAn · #6 09-13-2008, 09:26 PM

Bring the Mall back!

ArushenP2P · #7 09-13-2008, 08:55 PM

Here's some of my ideas for Businesses/Gangs. Players can do it also.

Lot Upgrade/Monopoly
When a business/gang first starts out, they have a very basic building that
only houses gang members for a hangout. If they want to add security/healing
room, etc. It will cost them money towards their Gang Treasury. Gang Treasury
allows the gang to add rooms, add stories, etc. They can also buy an empty
lot (block) that is on sale from the city. This also leads to another idea I have.

This will help slow down the economy's growth, and the demands for
jobs will be higher, leading to more growth in the economy maturely, not illegally as in duping, scamming, etc.

City Government
City Staff; Mayor, Mayor's Asst, Police, etc. EPD is currently acting as a gang which is okay, but it's bad right now for me atleast. EPD should get
money everytime a player with a certain wanted stars would get killed in the streets leading more money to the city. More money to the city means
they can improve streets, lots getting bigger, destruction, etc. The Mayor
is in charge of who's who in the city, buildings, etc. Trying to make the city
grow more. Also more cities the better, better trades, and competition.

I think this is a good idea, because it will lead off to the PK scenario Era
has, and would have a big interactive system in the server. It would lead to more players playing, and having a lot of great ideas to spring up. Also it's more than just PK if so.

Wanted Levels
If a player kills a certain amount of kills it will raise their wanted level. Now
the wanted level is just to complement the EPD to kill them for money to their
Police Building. Also to lower your wanted level, you have to wait it down depending on your star level. More stars = more waiting time. If you kill
your timer resets or even raise your star level.

This is great, it would lead to more interactive activities to the server leading to a played out gameplay, and keep the server going in terms of
entertainment.

Gang Raids
Fist of all gang raids need to be more fun, etc. Here is one of my ideas for gang raids. The way to start a Gang War is to kill x amount of the other gang members. Once the Gang War with [Your Gang - B Gang] member fills up or something. You get a gang war activation, meaning each gang in the war would have to defend or raid, because once a gang property gets captured it will be that gang's property now. Also for HQ they cannot get captured, but they can
be holded down for money during how much time they hold it for. Gang War meter will have a timer, and once timer ends. The gang war is over and no gang
buildings can be captured anymore. Oh and the gang gets money for their treasury everytime the gang kills an enemy gang that's in war with them.

---------------
Instead of worrying about how to take money off the economy. You should worry about how to prevent a lot of money pouring into the economy.
I say lower the gun prices, job prices, etc, and prevent a lot of money coming out. Let it circulate like having NPC items stock out much faster, etc. Than
a reset should happen. I know it seems bad that a reset again is bad, but that is the only way to fix it, but if only if they are guaranteed that they know the
money won't be pouring out as fast.

Anyways, that is all my ideas for now that I am going to share. I hope you like it, but yeah. If you want a more in-depth info about any of these ideas feel free to AIM or PM me. I didn't bother to post everything out in detail. I know people won't read it if it's long.

Frankie · #8 09-13-2008, 08:49 PM

I definitely want to redesign the Gmap. The current one is very unorganized. If you press M and look at the map it's a huge mess!

DuBsTeRmAn · #9 09-13-2008, 08:56 PM

Yes exactly, this would take some time. But if u just have your current LAT's and maybe hire one or two extra Temp LAT's to help u with the Gmap and the new buildings (Insides) i think that it can be done very fast.

kia345 · #10 09-13-2008, 09:28 PM

More on the Outbreak event. Make it bigger, hell a town dedicated to a constant on going Zombie invasion.

Outbreak is the pinnacle of Era.

DarkRenji · #11 09-14-2008, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kia345

More on the Outbreak event. Make it bigger, hell a town dedicated to a constant on going Zombie invasion.

Outbreak is the pinnacle of Era.

/Agreed.

Rofl I used to only come on era to play this event..

Frankie · #12 09-13-2008, 09:32 PM

@Natchez - The reason why the gmap is so messy is because about 10 different LATs have designed it.. It's a huge mess because of that. It wasn't specifically 1 person's fault.
Also, the capture points isn't going to be the only thing added. I do want to add actual enemy base capturing too.

@Dubsterman - The mall will DEFINITELY be back

@Arushen - Your ideas are nice, but a bit too complex.

@Kia - Although Outbreak is a fun event and I would not mind expanding it, I think that's not as important as other things right now.

ArushenP2P · #13 09-13-2008, 09:33 PM

Lol Frankie, I thought it was too complex.

You should have a project manager or even you that assigns each different parts of the GMAP to work on. Also make sure their style is the same as you want them to be.

DuBsTeRmAn · #14 09-13-2008, 09:41 PM

@Frankie, Yeshhh! Woho! I love u KatieLover! (Frankie)

Read my Forum PM btw

Crono · #15 09-13-2008, 09:36 PM

http://forums.graalonline.com/forums...&postcount=119

Cars, housing, furniture. Go.

Frankie · #16 09-13-2008, 09:36 PM

I think only 1 person really needs to design the outside of the gmap. Other devs can also help with stuff like tree/flower placement. Having different developers make insides/outside buildings is good because buildings shouldn't be the same.

natchez416 · #17 09-13-2008, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankie

I think only 1 person really needs to design the outside of the gmap. Other devs can also help with stuff like tree/flower placement. Having different developers make insides/outside buildings is good because buildings shouldn't be the same.

Each section of the city (china town little italy etc..) should have a few unique tiles in a designated section in the tileset. Each section of the city should have a unique feel to it. Graphics, tiles and the Gmap in general seem like they are always overlooked as some minor issue. I think the game could be greatly improved if it had more of a REAL and exciting CITY feel to it.

Hire some talented GATs and overhaul the tileset before you put any LATs to work on the new gmap.

DuBsTeRmAn · #18 09-13-2008, 09:57 PM

Hiring Jenn was a bad idea yes. She had her chance and got fired. She shouldnt have a second chance. Just give someone else a chance.

Tim_Rocks · #19 09-13-2008, 10:10 PM

I'm just going to throw this out there, but I find the new ap system a little annoying.
Heres Why: When some one is on your party or gang there ap is green... well other people like to set their ap green so i was wondering if your on tag you see "Everyones" ap differently not just your party members/gang members
This gets even more annoying during events when i think some one is on my team but then i get axe lammed.
what do you think?

Tim_Rocks · #20 09-13-2008, 10:25 PM

Ok now I know all these are on another thread, but I'm just going to let that thread die...

Here are my suggestions for Era:

Boats/HouseBoats. -GG works with boat just like in a car-

Fishing -fish off your boat- much safer

Gas/Oil Companys.

Docks.

Player Owned Shops -You Must Pay Rent and Your Taxed Big Time-

Car Shop. -Fully Customized Car- Example: Color, Wheelz, Stripes, Colored HeadLights. (Several different versions of the car would probably be made if this was to happen)

Wheels part^:I Was Thinking Is You Could Change The Wheels For Different Terrains.
For Example: When You Drive On The Grass Or Sand Your Car Slows Down, I Was Thinking Different Types Of Wheeles For What Ever You Plan On Doing.
The Cheap Wheels Would Be For Just Roads.
The Exspensive Wheels Would Be For All Terrain, Which Makes It So Your Car Only Slows Down A Little Bit On Grass Or Sand.

Helicopters. -For Everyone This Time!-Costs Alot, Maybe EP Or Even Both?-

The Ability To Lend Your Car To Friends -Just Like You Could With Helicopters When They Where Owned By Gangs-

More Ways To Make Money. -I kinda Like How Any One Can Make Money At SP-

New Quests/New Events

Dirt Bikes/Motorcycles. -Completed and Released-

Tree Cutting -use the wood to make Boats ect.-//It's Just A Thought...

These are my suggestions for era

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankie

the AP you see with people on your guild tag differs though. it's a light green with white shadow. if you set the same green color, you will have a black shadow, not a white.

I know there is just a color trim, but it is still annoying because I hardly ever notice this trim difference.

ArushenP2P · #21 09-13-2008, 09:39 PM

True I agree with that. Care to list all your Developer Staffs, number count wise.

Crono · #22 09-13-2008, 09:44 PM

You should not change the gmap significantly. Era has always had this basic layout and should stay this way. I believe a graphical revamp would be nice though. Possibly re-tiling buildings to look nicer and such, but the locations of, say, the hospital or the anti-idiot (war against idiotism or whatever?) house shouldn't be moved.

ArushenP2P · #23 09-13-2008, 09:46 PM

Just re-layout the road network to make the blocks look more city like. The road network looks too windy if you know what I mean.

Frankie · #24 09-13-2008, 09:47 PM

@Crono - I think we should try something new just so it's not as boring anymore.

@Arushen -
2 scripters
4 lats (including Hyde who mainly does gani)
2 ganis
1 GFXer who is inactive.

honestly I think hiring Jenn was a bad idea. I also really think you should be given a second chance and be able to work for us again.

Crono · #25 09-13-2008, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankie

@Crono - I think we should try something new just so it's not as boring anymore.

I don't think so. That's like a new wave of players taking over classic and completely re-designing it.

You shouldn't do it.

Frankie · #26 09-13-2008, 09:54 PM

yes but the main thing is is that our gmap is incredibly ugly and needs to be redesigned.

Frankie · #27 09-13-2008, 10:12 PM

the AP you see with people on your guild tag differs though. it's a light green with white shadow. if you set the same green color, you will have a black shadow, not a white.

ArushenP2P · #28 09-13-2008, 10:53 PM

If you decide to revise the road network. I'd advise to add a main road to the coastline/high maybe but I don't know. Than the road that leads to the bridge should have a avenue to house business blocks on it, and have big development density buildings there, and small buildings/gangs, etc should be on the outskirts near the coastline or something.

I don't know, lol.

Frankie · #29 09-13-2008, 11:07 PM

I really wouldn't mind a more city-like grid road system. Could then add numbered street names and avenues along with addresses for certain buildings. Would make the mail delivery job pretty cool

ArushenP2P · #30 09-13-2008, 11:10 PM

Oh I would love that. Than have a UPS service delivering items to other people's mail. Could possibly work.

BlueMelon · #31 09-13-2008, 11:16 PM

A good thing i have realised about era is the events.
I think Sales is doing a superb job at it.
And Maybe use ALOT of that space in the water? like why is the bridge so long... And maybe I would not mind this... and i bet others would not either is a choice of gang gun.. like PPA and Bounty hunter they have like all kinds of great guns.

ArushenP2P · #32 09-13-2008, 11:21 PM

Gang guns to me honestly is a bad idea. Gangs should use market guns that people will use. Gives it a fair outcome in battle when a player vs. gang player spar/fight outside.

FrozenLies0 · #33 09-13-2008, 11:21 PM

I think that everyone agrees the Gmap is REALLLLY ugly. Some parts aren't even accessed by anyone, example being South Ridge, or the corners of the gmap where PT used to be, and where the police quest is. There are also buildings that are lying around with no insides? I don't see the point in those really. People only go to SR for lockers/player houses. Maybe add something else down there?
Also, I don't get the point of the big ocean bridge/ place whatever we have. I think something added into the water would be nice, instead of it just being there for the hell of it.

Sinkler · #34 09-13-2008, 11:27 PM

I would love to have oil companies, possible pharmaceuitcal companies. Why not also bring in politics? Two different islands, one Island vs one island? Trading Pacts? Etc?

Sinkler · #35 09-13-2008, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sinkler

I would love to have oil companies, possible pharmaceuitcal companies. Why not also bring in politics? Two different islands, one Island vs one island? Trading Pacts? Etc?

Also add taxation.

Crow · #36 09-14-2008, 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuBsTeRmAn

Bring the Mall back!

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuBsTeRmAn

@Frankie, Yeshhh! Woho! I love u KatieLover! (Frankie)

What the hell is your problem dude? I already told you that the mall is coming back twice.

BlueMelon · #37 09-13-2008, 11:34 PM

i think more guns would be great.
And like we could buy upgrads to our guns.. to make less freeze,highter rate of fire, faster reload ect

FrozenLies0 · #38 09-13-2008, 11:37 PM

@BlueMelon
Agreed. I haven't been playing Era for a SUPER long time, but all I know is that there's this shop with like random gun parts and you can't do anything with them if you buy them?

ArushenP2P · #39 09-13-2008, 11:42 PM

It's a gun shop for business owners that they buy to use to stock more guns for their business.

BlueMelon · #40 09-13-2008, 11:43 PM

you use the parts for stocking guns at playerowned gun shops.
But yah i really think that buying parts to upgrad your guns freeze,reload ect. would work.
But you could only buy to a certain maximum... like the guns cant be godly either..