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  1. #1

    The state of the game (aka the good, the bad and the ugly)

    Here is the state of (the paid early beta access of) the game so far, please feel free to add anything i missed...

    The good:

    1. The game looks and feels fantastic. Everything from the streets to the feeling of character and environment models having the correct "weight" just feels very authentic.
    2. The game sounds as good as it looks. Everyone in the art/modelling/audio departments deserves a huge thank you. Well done guys.
    3. The game runs really well and is smooth as silk on Ultra in 4K. I have not seen it on console yet but i'm betting that PC guys with higher-end rigs are loving it. I know i am.
    4. The UI is not bad on a PC. I can't say it's the best but it's not bad at all.
    5. The NPCs are not bad at all either. I am not talking about just the hard hits they are dishing out but the way they "behave" and "react".
    6. The concept of DZ and going rogue is great. Might need a few tweaks somewhere down the road but really fun as it is already.

    What could use improvements:

    1. A split into PvE DZ and a PvP DZ may be something to consider. This way you still retain the full PvP experience but separate it from the loot for those who simply do not want to engage in PvP. The idea needs to be thought through though as a sloppy implementation may make DZ worse or useless even. Regardless, forcing people into something they don't want to do is never a good idea, especially in a game - just food for thought. Personally I find it super fun bar the hackers.
    2. Incursions need to stop being an indoor-track marathon and start being both fun and challenging. Wave after wave of the same thing and simply increased damage resistance and output of NPCs isn't fun at all.
    3. Loot drops - for this type of game loot is super important. Give us more variety and make the rewards match the effort that is required to obtain it.
    4. Going rogue needs to have harsher consequences like a longer timer and 4x the current XP and funds loss when killed by a non-rogue agent.
    5. Daily missions need a lot more variety. Doing the same 3 missions several days in a row feels like going to work and no part of any game really should. You should be challenged but not bored.
    6. The kick (from group) functionality needs a timer and a count-down. "You've been kicked from the group by X. You will be removed in 10 seconds."
    7. Separation into regional servers would be really good. NA, Europe and Asia to start. The server you connect to will be based on your location (and/or your ISP, etc.)
    8. A language chat filter would be great. We should be able to pick which languages we want to allow to appear in chat.
    9. Did i mention more loot variety and loot drop rates as well as quality matched to the encounter? Yeah, that would rock.

    The bad:

    1. While the look and feel of the game deserves commendation, the code appears to be really sloppy. Take stat stacking for example - it isn't a problem that was not discovered in time but a problem that should have never ever existed in any type of software unless it was coded by someone on their first day at their first job having zero prior experience and just knowledge picked up from programming for dummies. Instead of more beta-testing (aren't we still?) i would suggest that the devs hire outside consultants to go through their code first.
    2. Lack of clear rules that are not open to interpretation, transparency of enforcement and reporting of any type of statistics.
    3. People exploiting code vulnerabilities and/or glitches because they feel abandoned by Ubi/Massive and left behind by those who do it specifically to gain an unfair advantage. The fact that people are forced to even consider catching up via glitches and exploits is not good at all.
    3. Going back to the code again - the wide-spread hacking and the areas of the code that can be manipulated are scary. I will gladly switch to a monthly subscription if it is required due to most of the decision-making/control processes being moved to the server vs the client. I really do not see an inexpensive way to fix what is happening right now. Chat is highjacked by spam, DZ full of hackers.
    4. What is with the captcha requirement for each forum post? Once at login is good enough. It looks especially out of place given all of the other breaches that are taking place and feels like we are almost discouraged from posting. I've never seen this anywhere else.

    The ugly:

    1. Community relations or lack of. Instead of reaching out to the customers we are met with silence or cold/generic responses if we get lucky. Given the amount of problems we are experiencing we should be getting daily status updates.
    2. Lack of any time of road-map or content release schedule. For all we know Ubi/Massive can be cutting their losses and preparing to shut the game down. Customers are completely in the dark.
    3. Lack of action against 3rd party "services". How difficult is it to go after the "advertised" sites, skype and social media accounts? Not difficult at all. Nothing is being done about the spammers selling "services", programmers developing hacks and sites selling them.

    Conclusion:

    The game gave us a gorgeous environment but sadly not that much to do after finishing the initial story and leveling up to 30. While everyone at Arts, Sounds and Modelling did a fantastic job - truly the only thing that holds this boat afloat right now, it really looks like coding was outsourced to reduce costs and that resulted in poor quality. If the game is to survive (and i hope it does) then Ubi/Massive need to stop the bleeding by engaging in conversation with the customers, by answering questions and laying out a road-map. It's 2016 and gamers know and understand a lot more about what makes a game tick than some think. Transparency, urgency and a sense of respect for the customer is what we would really appreciate right now. This game can be great and i hope it will be. To those thinking about bying it - i'd hold off right now, at least on the PC. To those thinking of getting out - i can't blame you but i say stick around for at least a few months, have faith. To those on the brink of exploiting/cheating due to frustration - don't, I know how you feel, I'm right there with you and we're better than that. To Ubi/Massive - start treating your customers like customers.

    P.S. Edit: Even with all of the bad and the ugly - the game still manages to produce those great moments, perhaps due to the undeniably amazing atmosphere. There is promise, there is hope, the fire isn't extinguished yet. Let's (Ubi/Massive/Customers) stop fighting, start talking and help each-other make The Division what we all hoped it would be. Start right here, right now Ubi/Massive and acknowledge you read this post.
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  2. #2
    +1

    Very well thought out and 100% spot on.
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  3. #3
    This is well written, points the good and bad while still seeming neutral.
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  4. #4
    +1

    My main concern right now are the lack of content. I´m quite boored tbh. U can only do x amount of challanges and kill X bosses in DZ untill it u start getting boored.
    I really enjoyed the story and leveling to 30 but considering that this is a online multiplayer/coop shooter u really need more content to stop ppl from leaving this soon into Divisions lifetime.

    And to ppl wanting to have DZ as a PvE-purely option i would say thats a terrible idea. Dont get me wrong, we need more PvE-content but after running a few DZ-runs in servers without seeing any ppl i come to realize thats its even more booring without the tense of getting in a firefight with others.
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  5. #5
    Originally Posted by grantrytare Go to original post

    And to ppl wanting to have DZ as a PvE-purely option i would say thats a terrible idea. Dont get me wrong, we need more PvE-content but after running a few DZ-runs in servers without seeing any ppl i come to realize thats its even more booring without the tense of getting in a firefight with others.
    And thats exactly the reason why its empty. Gear cap is huge and who wants to be cannon fodder in DZ? No one with brains. It wont get better only worse with new gear rating coming next month. Cant you see? There is no way to balance DZ anymore unless they redesign whole DZ damage/mitigation aspect.
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  6. #6

    You hit every nail on the head. Now if 'mass-ubi' would at least acknowledge some of these talking point, we might make some progress toward the game we all want to play.
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  7. #7
    Originally Posted by Grayne Go to original post
    Here is the state of (the paid early beta access of) the game so far, please feel free to add anything i missed...

    The good:

    1. The game looks and feels fantastic. Everything from the streets to the feeling of character and environment models having the correct "weight" just feels very authentic.
    2. The game sounds as good as it looks. Everyone in the art/modelling/audio departments deserves a huge thank you. Well done guys.
    3. The game runs really well and is smooth as silk on Ultra in 4K. I have not seen it on console yet but i'm betting that PC guys with higher-end rigs are loving it. I know i am.
    4. The UI is not bad on a PC. I can't say it's the best but it's not bad at all.
    5. The NPCs are not bad at all either. I am not talking about just the hard hits they are dishing out but the way they "behave" and "react".
    6. The concept of DZ and going rogue is great. Might need a few tweaks somewhere down the road but really fun as it is already.

    What could use improvements:

    1. A split into PvE DZ and a PvP DZ may be something to consider. This way you still retain the full PvP experience but separate it from the loot for those who simple do not want to engage in PvP. The idea needs to be thought through though as a sloppy implementation may make DZ worse or useless even.
    2. Incursions need to stop being an indoor-track marathon and start being both fun and challenging. Wave after wave of the same thing and simply increased damage resistance and output of NPCs isn't fun at all.
    3. Loot drops - for this type of game loot is super important. Give us more variety and make the rewards match the effort that is required to obtain it.
    4. Going rogue needs to have harsher consequences like a longer timer and 4x the current XP and funds loss when killed by a non-rogue agent.
    5. Daily missions need a lot more variety. Doing the same 3 missions several days in a row feels like going to work and no part of any game really should. You should be challenged but not bored.
    6. The kick (from group) functionality needs a timer and a count-down. "You've been kicked from the group by X. You will be removed in 10 seconds."
    7. Separation into regional servers would be really good. NA, Europe and Asia to start. The server you connect to will be based on your location (and/or your ISP, etc.)
    8. A language chat filter would be great. We should be able to pick which languages we want to allow to appear in chat.
    9. Did i mention more loot variety and loot drop rates as well as quality matched to the encounter? Yeah, that would rock.

    The bad:

    1. While the look and feel of the game deserves commendation, the code appears to be really sloppy. Take stat stacking for example - it isn't a problem that was not discovered in time but a problem that should have never ever existed in any type of software unless it was coded by someone on their first day at their first job having zero prior experience and just knowledge picked up from programming for dummies. Instead of more beta-testing (aren't we still?) i would suggest that the devs hire outside consultants to go through their code first.
    2. Lack of clear rules that are not open to interpretation, transparency of enforcement and reporting of any type of statistics.
    3. People exploiting code vulnerabilities and/or glitches because they feel abandoned by Ubi/Massive and left behind by those who do it specifically to gain an unfair advantage. The fact that people are forced to even consider catching up via glitches and exploits is not good at all.
    3. Going back to the code again - the wide-spread hacking and the areas of the code that can be manipulated are scary. I will gladly switch to a monthly subscription if it is required due to most of the decision-making/control processes being moved to the server vs the client. I really do not see an inexpensive way to fix what is happening right now. Chat is highjacked by spam, DZ full of hackers.

    The ugly:

    1. Community relations or lack of. Instead of reaching out to the customers we are met with silence or cold/generic responses if we get lucky. Given the amount of problems we are experiencing we should be getting daily status updates.
    2. Lack of any time of road-map or content release schedule. For all we know Ubi/Massive can be cutting their losses and preparing to shut the game down. Customers are completely in the dark.
    3. Lack of action against 3rd party "services". How difficult is it to go after the "advertised" sites, skype and social media account and sites? Not difficult at all. Nothing is being done about the spammers selling "services", programmers developing hacks and sites selling them.

    Conclusion:

    The game gave us a gorgeous environment but sadly not that much to do after finishing the initial story and leveling up to 30. While everyone at Arts, Sounds and Modelling did a fantastic job - truly the only thing that holds this boat afloat right now, it really looks like coding was outsourced to reduce costs and that resulted in poor quality. If the game is to survive (and i hope it does) then Ubi/Massive need to stop the bleeding by engaging in conversation with the customers, by answering questions and laying out a road-map. It's 2016 and gamers know and understand a lot more about what makes a game tick than some think. Transparency, urgency and a sense of respect for the customer is what we would really appreciate right now. This game can be great and i hope it will be. To those thinking about bying it - i'd hold off right now, at least on a PC. To those thinking of getting out - i can't blame you but i say stick around for at least a few months, have faith. To Ubi/Massive - start treating your customers like customers.
    I sincerely hope that someone at Ubi or Massive reads this post. This concisely summarizes every assessment of this game that i have seen so far on the Internet. It is an objective yet firm critique of the state of the game.
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  8. #8
    Originally Posted by DivonaB Go to original post
    And thats exactly the reason why its empty. Gear cap is huge and who wants to be cannon fodder in DZ? No one with brains. It wont get better only worse with new gear rating coming next month. Cant you see? There is no way to balance DZ anymore unless they redesign whole DZ damage/mitigation aspect.
    I totaly agree. The DZ is almost a complete failiure in my book. The only ones that think its as it should be i think are the glitchers/griefers. My answer would be a pure PvP-area and a new area for PvE with loads of new quests and mobs. I´m not an PvP-player, more too the PvE aspect but even i would think that some kind of "Last man standing" or Teambased PvP could be more fun.
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  9. #9
    Originally Posted by Grayne Go to original post
    What could use improvements:

    1. A split into PvE DZ and a PvP DZ may be something to consider. This way you still retain the full PvP experience but separate it from the loot for those who simple do not want to engage in PvP. The idea needs to be thought through though as a sloppy implementation may make DZ worse or useless even.
    2. Incursions need to stop being an indoor-track marathon and start being both fun and challenging. Wave after wave of the same thing and simply increased damage resistance and output of NPCs isn't fun at all.
    3. Loot drops - for this type of game loot is super important. Give us more variety and make the rewards match the effort that is required to obtain it.
    4. Going rogue needs to have harsher consequences like a longer timer and 4x the current XP and funds loss when killed by a non-rogue agent.
    5. Daily missions need a lot more variety. Doing the same 3 missions several days in a row feels like going to work and no part of any game really should. You should be challenged but not bored.
    6. The kick (from group) functionality needs a timer and a count-down. "You've been kicked from the group by X. You will be removed in 10 seconds."
    7. Separation into regional servers would be really good. NA, Europe and Asia to start. The server you connect to will be based on your location (and/or your ISP, etc.)
    8. A language chat filter would be great. We should be able to pick which languages we want to allow to appear in chat.
    9. Did i mention more loot variety and loot drop rates as well as quality matched to the encounter? Yeah, that would rock.
    1 - im not convinced this needs to happen. i like the concept of the DZ as is, but what makes it a ball ache is the hackers, and the blatant abusers of gear glitches. remove those, and the DZ becomes a lot fairer.
    2 - agree 100%. and looking at the other incursion, it does look a lot larger than falcon lost. so... here's hoping that its a lot different.
    3 - this is a massive bane. massive want people to get their high end loot from the DZ, but the bosses still only drop 163 (or what ever it is) GS crap, and its generated on the same stat ranges as crafting. now, i can handle those ranges in the crafting station, but as for drops, those ranges need to be smaller to entice, and the GS applicable to the level of the boss your killing, to get people to kill bosses for gear that can potentially be used as an upgrade. but atm, crafting is still the way to get upgraded gear.
    4 - if the hackers and glitchers are taken care of, this would also take care of itself.
    5 - i think they are now back to different dailies (based on the data mining of the game files i saw last week). but will check after work today.
    6 - not sure how this can be resolved. again, if you have a player that is just utterly useless, and you want to get rid of them, you should be able to. but that use also comes with typical abuses.
    7 - this should already be in place. kinda disappointed its not. i keep running into cheats, who only seem to come from china, europe and the US.
    8 - at least a chat ban on players for spamming. i like to have local chat up, but its a ball ache when all you get are idiots spamming sales pitches.
    9 - agreed.
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  10. #10
    A great state of the game. LOL Some of the fanbois would still call your post "toxic" and that there is nothing wrong with the game and only a few tweaks are needed.
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