Test Release Notes - August 20, 2009

[Bartholomew Foulsteel]

I will reply to the self-induced hijack, and then redirect back to the original point of the thread:

My point was not that any other ship could not attain higher speeds, but that 20 knots for the smallest sailing ship they have is not realistic. Each boat creates a bow wave and a stern wave. When a boat reaches "hull speed" the bow and stern waves coincide to make one huge wave system. A sailing boat gets trapped in its own wave system. For a 20 foot boat, hull speed is about 6 knots. For a 30 foot boat, hull speed is about 7.3 knots. Therefore, in order to achieve 20 knots, the boat would either have to have a motor or be much larger (approximately 225 feet long along the waterline) than the sloop rig could move effectively, reducing its ability to even approach hull speed.

Additionally, my point of the Black Pearl being a galleon is based upon the three (and only three) classifications in-game of ships--either sloop, galleon, or frigate. It is built as a galleon by the game's standards.

Finally, the class of the Black Pearl is a SHIP (or a fully-rigged ship), by the classic definition of a ship being a sailing vessel of at least three masts, square-rigged on all masts.

END HIJACK

I do enjoy the new sailing improvements. Perhaps there can be some more improvements in the future AFTER STORY CONTENT IS ADDED in which we could have wind direction and speed affecting our ability to maeuver in battle. This would add a new element to sea combat that would take a new level of imprtance in Privateering, especially if one needed to achieve the weather gauge to gain an advantage over your opponents.

Additionally, I like the look of the caves. But unless that change was necessary for NEW CONTENT I'm not infavor of it. It was as unneccessary as the redesigned islands. New Lava Gorge doesn't actually DO anything. It's just different.

Let me put it this way: if I have a job and I want a raise, I go talk to my boss. I ask him for a raise and he puts me in a different job that still pays the same, it's different. It might catch my attention for a bit. Scenery might be a nice change of pace. But I'm STILL NOT EARNING MORE MONEY, which is why I went and talked to the boss in the fist place.

ME: I would like more content, please.

DISNEY: Here's Privateering!

ME: That's a nice addition to the game. I like it, thanks. But what I really meant was I have completed the Black pearl quest and would like the next story chapter.

DISNEY: Here's new islands!

ME: Ummm, they're new all right. But I would like another story chapter, if you please. The last one just kind of , well, stopped.

DISNEY: Here's the new revive option!

ME: DUDE! I'm not having an issue with going to jail! Sheesh! I did that plenty when I was new to the game. No biggie, okay? How about some new C-O-N-T-E-N-T?

DISNEY: Here's new caves!

ME: Are you MENTAL?

[Aaron McEagle]

Not sure if this is just me....

Before these test updates when ever you hit the enemy on land with your weapon, he would take damage automatically as soon as you hit him.
Now it takes a second or two before it hurts..

Anyone else notice this or is it just me?