POTCO - ignoring the obvious problems?

[Ice_Storm]

Originally Posted by ruisen2000

PLEASE GOD, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

The problem with real money transaction is that companies become VERY greedy. They put all the things you "need" in the game in there, making you spend more money, then more, then even more. On another game I played, players had to spend $40 a month to keep up with the updates. Without that few items you have to buy with real money, you can't really progress in game. It's equal to selling war ships, ammo, and the ability to use famed weapons only for real money.

Ah, the F2P method. What most MMO games are leaning towards nowadays...

Too bad that system can get greedy and give advantages immediately to the people who cough up cash for the game.

Ruins the balance, the point of PvP, etc.

You can't sell power. You eliminate the purpose of the game.

[leo]

I could write a lot here but it would be repeating most of what has been said so instead i am just gonna quote the ones i agree with and expand if i got something to add...

Fist I agree with the tittle. Starting from game play issues to content, The Obvious has been ignored in POTCO and that has been obvious to us players. Hoping that something changes with the new content.

Originally Posted by ukebec

I agree to a point. My opinion is still that they've got to address the game performance issues before anything else, and they just don't seem to be willing to do that.

Supposedly the island re-designs were going to fix all of the lag/freezing issues, but I've got a much better computer than when I started to play and lag is WAY worse now than ever. I dodge invasions like the plague because of that.

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Yes, we need a new chapter (or 3) and for there to be parity in the XP payout from advanced quest completion.

But if you've got to re-boot your computer every 3 hours in order to play, what's the point?

I agree and this is Crucial to POTCO. They must work on bugs, glitches, game erros, Lag, Delays and disconnections. There are to many bugs in POTCO and the whole game isn't even that big of a map compared to some other great mmo's. We can only report the problems but cannot fix them. A lot of problems are so obvious yet ignored and some have been around for more than a year.

Originally Posted by Tiberius Fireskull

I agree with TSC. Before I see any more significant updates, I want bug fixes done. The more innocent ones I could care less about (such as glitching through a wall), but fix the ones that actually harm gameplay. I'll give you a small list: Bad broadside aim (especially in SvS), enemies being able to run through walls and kill you because you can't find them, grenades not dealing damage when they hit another player, etc. Lots more, but that's a small list. Oh, and I forgot that POTCO really should really upgrade their servers and get better hardware to run their game on. If they did this, it would most likely eliminate a lot of lag, freezes, crashes, and disconnections on their end. Not to mention that it will support higher quality machines... I think, not positive, but think that they still support Windows 2000 computers and graphics cards. I mean, for the love of all that's good, why do you do that instead of spending your time and money working with newer computers. They've gotta start using some newer and more up to date servers and hardware, because they are going to severely fall behind technology before long if they don't.

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There are a lot more things I could bring up, but those are the three big things. Before I see any new big updates, I want all those fixed.

Again the first part mentioned, Very well said. POTCO suffers from big bugs/glitches. I'm sure they have been reported numerous times by players and still do not get fixed. To add to the fixes, i think everything should be fixed but they have to start looking at the major bugs than go into the detail. This is just not happening in POTCO. The bugs just happen and happens...content release...new bugs...no old bug fixed...fun for a short limited time...everlasting annoying bugs... repeat. Not really fun.

So far, Technologically POTCO is a fail. Like you mentioned, POTCO runs on windows 2000. I don't think there is anyone in the world that plays POTCO using windows 2000. That system is no longer supported by their own developers since July 2010 meaning it's a done operating system. If the game doesnt advance technologically it will not advance economically nor attract new people to play it. I have tried my best to get the pirate voice heard as loud and clear as possible to Disney as many others have but still nothing...Pretty sad for a 4 year old game.

Originally Posted by Captain Del

Before I go in to depth, I must agree that bug fixes are the first essential thing that needs to be completed. We have been seeing a lot of updates in the months prior to July and August that have really added to the game in both content, and in the stress that the game puts on the computer; in all of my years of playing this game, I have never experienced as many disconnects, crashes, and lag as I have in the past. Before anything, Disney needs to rework their gaming system to make it run smoother. Even if this requires putting the game down in to maintenance mode for upwards of a week, it will still have a big enough of a pay out to make things much nicer in the long run.

I do agree that the gap between level 40 and level 50 is a little outrageous when compared to the overall neglect that the game has towards the higher level pirates. The only real place that a pirate in their mid to high forties can centrally level is Tormenta, which is ridiculous in the fact there is only one cavern that is based at that level group out of an entire system of islands and sea channels.

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What needs to be done before any major content releases is, as stated in the OP, a re-landscaping of a few areas in the game that need to realize their full potential. The first thing that has been LONG over when it should have happened was a revamp of Cuba, which is perhaps the saddest little island in our Caribbean when compared to Tortuga, Padres, and Port Royal, especially on the fact it's supposed to be a major island. They need to turn it away from being a minor swamp with a few buildings and only one subzone, infested with low level "ranking" enemies alone, and instead take it on a much more grand scheme - I mean turning it in to a mecca of smuggling, swindling, and of course, VOODOO! Enchanted swamps, vile jungles, cursed caverns; so much could be done to make that island really become a jewel in the Caribbean!

Afterwards, they need to bring tougher enemies in to the picture. Introducing higher level enemies in to places like Kingshead and Las Pulgas would be a good step forward, but if we really want to see it reach full potential we need to add new subzones branching off of the current ones with new, higher leveled enemies (not level 50's either; I'm talking about enemies in the 50s, 60s, and maybe even the 70s) - kind of like what they did with the Cave of Lost Souls. Perhaps for Padres they could add the ruins of the old island buried beneath landslides of hardened lava, infested by the spirits of a few civilians who didn't make it out in time - maybe for Tormenta, one of the shipwrecks could act as a new zone filled with some personal crew mates of Davy Jones. The idea is we need to expand on the old content before we can get anywhere with the new.

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Agree. Already talked about the problems so will jump to your other statements. The game has enough to keep a growing subscribed player to play but after a pirate masters, its usually friends and guild that keeps them in the game. High levels really achieve nothing when mastering other than having some more HP and the notoriety of mastering. I find mastering more of a lose than a gain. Why? Because there is only a few things you might find fun after mastering. By now, you are probably done with quests. You can kill anyone solo(with exception of foul which is just 1 in the entire game). So mastering in POTCO is like saying bye to a finished game unless you want to repeat the entire thing with a new player. There needs to be benefits to leveling up. Unlocking new things that are exciting and fun to keep playing even after you master. New challenges. The game does lack high level challenges that you mentioned.

Cuba is just sad. I find it dumb that the biggest island in reality is the smallest of the major islands. It is also the loneliest and saddest place. Cuba should be way more energetic and be full of experiences. I hope that the reasons Cuba is so bad in POTCO is not due to historical and political relations between the US and Cuba. Definitely need a remake.

Originally Posted by The Skirata Clan

The first thing they need to do is fix the connectivity issues like Ukebec pointed out and glitches/bugs. And that can only be done with everyone reporting issues instead of taking advantage or turning the blind eye to those issues. I have also noticed that a few years ago the Testers here posted about the issues found and they always reported them. And those issues got fixed before going Live. Now Testers use the Test Server for bragging rights and for showing off. There's hardly any post regarding issues in The Helm.

Second they can add Chapters, ships, and whatnot. But nothing should happen until they fix the technical issues. Then I don't care how long they take making stuff and testing said stuff as long as they tell us what is really coming not like those empty promises they used to give us.

Left this last on purpose. I joined test a few months back. Recently a lot of players were introduced test to test the latest content which seems to be like the biggest ever added to the game as it grows. Here is the problem though. I have seen a lot of players that are either glitching around just because they like glitching or inexperienced players who play just like playing live. Just recently i had a low level tester who probably just got it asking me what scoundrel of the seas was. Another question was if I was a hunter ship because i was sailing an upgraded ship. Some still ask for the SOTL. Some don't even know what is going on with Ship customization which has been asked by players for years. My point is that if Disney is just adding inexperienced players to test that will play test as if it is just the normal game, then progress will be slow. The type of questions would make sense on live but for test, its abnormal.

As testers, It's our obligation to report all found bugs, glitches, and errors in the game. Test is a voluntary job that you signed up for not to get an early taste of new content but to make that new content a better experience on POTCO Live!!!

Disney needs to chose the testers wisely as well. I am sure there are a lot of players who will do a good job in test that do not have it. I am also sure that there are a few testers that have been wrongfully chosen as they do not know what the point of having test is. Not trying to be mean but it is the truth. Maybe there should be a small description box where you write why you want to join Test. If you are on test, You should already be up to date what is is going on in the game, you should at least know what is already part of the game and have some experience as a Live player.

Another issue is the glitchers. In another forum, someone posted a poll about glitching and its sad that the leading choice is something like "I love glitching, It makes the game fun". If players continue with this thought, then POTCO will definitely have slow progress in fixing issues because instead of players reporting them, players are taking advantage of them.

A lot of things that could be written on this thread. A lot would be a repeat from others in this thread and other problematic threads in the past. POTCO has more potential than any game as it can be backed by history and fantasy. A lot of room to be expanded before adding new. POTCO is over 4 years old therefore it needs to be developed technologically and content wise. Players can only do so much to make POTCO better but it mostly lies in the hands of the game developers.

PS: For testers, Check out this thread as it needs to be updated by multiple testers.. Please report any bug you find so we can all test it and report it. Hopefully, we will eventually see a better POTCO. http://www.piratesonlineforums.com/f...692#post354692

[Ice_Storm]

Originally Posted by leo

Left this last on purpose. I joined test a few months back. Recently a lot of players were introduced test to test the latest content which seems to be like the biggest ever added to the game as it grows. Here is the problem though. I have seen a lot of players that are either glitching around just because they like glitching or inexperienced players who play just like playing live. Just recently i had a low level tester who probably just got it asking me what scoundrel of the seas was. Another question was if I was a hunter ship because i was sailing an upgraded ship. Some still ask for the SOTL. Some don't even know what is going on with Ship customization which has been asked by players for years. My point is that if Disney is just adding inexperienced players to test that will play test as if it is just the normal game, then progress will be slow. The type of questions would make sense on live but for test, its abnormal.

As testers, It's our obligation to report all found bugs, glitches, and errors in the game. Test is a voluntary job that you signed up for not to get an early taste of new content but to make that new content a better experience on POTCO Live!!!

Leo, you are just RIGHT ON with the statement I put in gigantic letters.

It's true, Disney is just wasting its test space allowing people who have no idea how to test bugs or report them. And some just log in to spoil content to their friends and exploit glitches then NOT report them.

We need more players that can actually care more about reporting the problems in the game rather then having the "Fun" take over people completely.

For example, this player discovered these two serious glitches in the game:



And



We need more people who can discover similar glitches that have a possibility of being seriously exploited. Reporting them ASAP with detailed instructions, not vague steps.

[kat truewalker]

I think we'd all feel much more 'heard' if Potco would take the time to talk to us, or even acknowledge our concerns, even publish a 'vision' of how they'd like to see Pirates developing in the future.

Or atm if they think Pirates has a future at all

Even their twitter is less than helpful.

http://twitter.com/Pirates_Online

[bludud101]

You guys should check test, they're going crazy with fixing bugs/glitches. (They were doing good until they hit September.)

[Nate Swordwalker]

I noticed on test, however, that some emotions are not showing up. If you type /glare, you will glare, but it won't show up in chat. I have also noticed that for clap and cheer. Another thing on test is that player friending isn't working. POTCO isn't ignoring us. They are just working behind the scenes.

[HammyTheSquirrel]

Originally Posted by Nate Swordwalker

I noticed on test, however, that some emotions are not showing up. If you type /glare, you will glare, but it won't show up in chat. I have also noticed that for clap and cheer. Another thing on test is that player friending isn't working. POTCO isn't ignoring us. They are just working behind the scenes.

The player friending is annoying not to have, but it really doesn't matter on Test (IMO). Although if it's just the emotes that actually have your pirate do something that don't show in the chat, then that's nice, especially when people clap spam... but if it's all emotes, then that's a problem. o_o

[Tia]

[FONT=""][COLOR=""][SIZE=""]They took away coin flipping -_-
it just says "You flipped a coin... (heads/tails)[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT]

[HammyTheSquirrel]

Originally Posted by Tia

They took away coin flipping -_-
it just says "You flipped a coin... (heads/tails)

That happened months ago on live.

[Ice_Storm]

There's no need to be sorry for ranting at Disney when they are clearly not putting in "10/10" effort into a project that some of us players pay for.

Honestly, if you guys never spoken negativity about a project that's in a "depression" or "standstill" position, how will they realize that and make any dramatic change if you guys don't demand or request it enough?

This world doesn't revolve around positive comments all the time. There's always something wrong with everything.

I don't apologize when I rant about Disney because I know they're doing something wrong with the project and support treatment (IE. denying requests to respond to e-mail or live chat and transfer and other stuff)

I've played for 2 years and know Disney is losing their mojo as each 6 months passes.

[Tia]

[FONT=""][COLOR=""][SIZE=""]I read through nearly all of this and now I realize how horrible it really is in certain ways e_o
And OH MY LORD CHALUPA YOUR IDEAS ARE AMAZING <3

I've been playing since 2007 and find my own way through the wall and stuff just fir fun and alot of times never want it taken away because it never really caused lag.
But I HATE the glitch where you begin fighting an enemy, and they suddenly run in the wrong direction or disappear and they come back at you and makes you so annoyed.
Man... Even 07&08 had better and higher maintenance[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT]

[Tiberius Fireskull]

I believe personally that POTCO has greatly improved over the past few years. Greatly. That being said, the game still has many problems, some serious, but it is definitely wrong to say it has deteriorated. There are many examples to show as to why it has gotten better, but that is not the point of my post nor this thread.

While I frown upon ranting, I don't disagree with it... as long as it is CONSTRUCTIVE criticism. Often times I see nothing but "POTCO doesn't care. (end of post)" or "POTCO is a bad game because of bla bla bla." without any ways posted to make it better.

Originally Posted by Ice_Storm

Honestly, if you guys never spoken negativity about a project that's in a "depression" or "standstill" position, how will they realize that and make any dramatic change if you guys don't demand or request it enough?

As it has been shown in other threads, this game has improved dramatically over the past years. In the beginning, especially during out update drought, there was nothing in this game. It was, to be quite honest, a dying game. Now we have new players coming into the game every day, updates coming out faster than before. Granted that they are not coming as fast as other games, but we cannot compare this game to others in this kind of a situation. This game is not in a depression or standstill. In order to accuse the game of this, we must look to the game's past, and it doesn't require much evidence to show that it has improved.
I believe that a lot of updates that have come out, small or large updates as they may be, have originated from the players. Things as simple as dumping cargo or having the Scoundrel First Mate's voice turned off to as big as invasions have been requested by players. Players have requested things, and that is what has moved the game along (again, it is moving along).



As many, including me have said, this game does have a lot of problems. These problems do need to be addressed. I'm hoping that after Ship Customization gets out, POTCO can spend a month or so doing some major bug fixes and polishing up the game, as well as improving some technical aspects of playing. As others have said, ignoring bugs is really not the smartest idea, because the more updates that are added in in the future, the more bugs that will just pile up. Best to clean up your room before the mess gets too big to handle, savvy?

[HammyTheSquirrel]

They've fixed a lot of bugs in the coming update, and who's to say they won't keep fixing other bugs after they've finished with it? Just because POTCO hasn't done very well with this in the past doesn't mean they aren't getting on top of it. I think we should all wait and see what they do AFTER the update comes before making any judgments.

[Ice_Storm]

Originally Posted by HammyTheSquirrel

They've fixed a lot of bugs in the coming update, and who's to say they won't keep fixing other bugs after they've finished with it? Just because POTCO hasn't done very well with this in the past doesn't mean they aren't getting on top of it. I think we should all wait and see what they do AFTER the update comes before making any judgments.

Oh, I forgot to clarify.

This statement was only meant for the Live Game servers, not Test.

Test they're doing okay.

My statements are never intended (although some parts were) to be the fault of the Test Server.

It's only the Live Server I have problems about because lately they've just been neglecting it.

[Captain Del]

So you're saying that the Developers should COMPLETELY FORGET about the game version that HUNDREDS of more players PAYING for and devote ALL the time to the test server that doesn't even represent the majority, at the present time?

Testing is meant for testing. Wouldn't it be a good idea to see how a fix would affect Test before it hits Live, so we don't have a repeat of the "Refresh Madness" we had earlier this year? Or would we rather them jump back and forth in between Open and Test so nothing every really gets focused on enough at one time so it can actually be done correctly?