This is incredibly disappointing news. Blocking is one of the few aspects of this game that actually requires some practice and skill. Without blocking there isn't much point of running adventures. Without adventures, there isn't much point in playing this game.... Do you see where this is headed BB?
Hi there, everyone! Just read this thread and would like to point out two things.
One: We are aware the the game has been laggy since the game update earlier this week, and are looking into ways to help bring this back down. Smooth service is definitely one of the most important things to us and we're on the case! (No, seriously. We really are.)
Two: While we are really happy that people enjoy utilizing "blocking" in adventures, the actual act is not in and of itself an intended game mechanic. It's certainly not a cheat or glitch and we'll never action someone for using it, but it's not something that is built into the intended gameplay. While there is the lagging issue, and we are most certainly investigating ways to reduce it, blocking not working as a result of it is not what we are trying to fix.
If blocks are no more, I hope BB is prepared to lose a large portion of it's players/customers. It's the only aspect of the game that keeps people playing. Without it the game is to not very enjoyable.
meesher did you actually watch sanii's videos??? LAG HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT IS SEEN THERE!!! stop using that as an excuse, lag would not cause a general to skip ahead like is seen in those videos! that is not lag you are seeing there, that is real time, the general jumping ahead of spaces he has not traveled through. i have seen this myself, and i assure you, it IS NOT LAG OR LATENCY. something in the code has either been intentionally changed or has glitched. anybody can see that, stop feeding us BS excuses. i know its probly what you've been told by your superiors to tell us, but please use your head and the evidence presented to you, and reach your own conclusions
The solution seems simple. START supporting blocking before a huge portion of your player population (i.e. BB's revenue) plummets.
If they wanted to get rid of blocking, it would be very simple: just don't make the camp's aggro disappear when being attacked. They wouldn't need to go through all this trouble to disable blocking, just a side effect from the patch that was unintended.
^^ This!Quote:
Originally Posted by Stalldor
I never said we wanted to "get rid" of blocking. And I did watch the videos. From what I see (and trust me, I'm no network technician) it looks like it was caused by extreme lag. Either way, it is an issue and we are looking into it. Generals probably shouldn't be jumping around like that and BB is looking into getting the game to run smoothly again. That said, as I said before, we're not doing it to "fix" blocking. We're doing it so that the game can run smoothly.
you really think that looks like 'extreme lag'? really?? lol *shakes head in dismay*
Totally agree meesher as to the running smoothly part. It is the only issue here to be resolved by the devs, however the skipping was introduced. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by BB_meesherbeans
Meesherbeans,Quote:
Originally Posted by BB_meesherbeans
Let me respectfully disagree with you. If the issue was LAGGING, the general would **stop*** and then jump forward as the lag recovers and the game timing difference (between the server and the client) caused by the lag is re-synced. Or, depending on how the client is programed, the general would move forward at the timing the CLIENT expected and when the server "unlagged" then the difference would be minimal.
But the case we are watching here is the general actually jumping ahead of their normal timing. This could be called REVERSE LAG, which -of course- is impossible unless time travel has recently been invented by BB. Something is very strange with the programing and the internal game timer.
thank you starfire, this is all absolutely true. and meesher, i apologize for the rudeness there, issues like this tend to really bother me, and some1 insisting something that i know for a fact isnt true is extremely frustrating to me
Your playerbase will drop at least 25% if blocking ever stops working as it does now.
I really recommend embracing it as possibly the best aspect of your entire game.
I'd rather not running adventure that forces me to use more troops than I normally need if the blocks are working. Blocking is the fun of this game and it saves pretty much time and resources. Besides that, if I have to take out every single camp for an adventure then I can battle sim myself and a guide is not needed anyway.Quote:
Originally Posted by Theopompos
This game is slowly descending into a "suck" era. Trade sucks, adventures suck, quests suck (rewards), economy sucks, island maintainance sucks.
A grind that produces progress is one thing. Grinding things out and getting nowhere is where we're at.
Hoping that we quickly get back to a game that's "fun" on a consistant and smoothly-running basis.
A prime example of how to anger your cutomer base in one easy step. Looks like they desire turnover of customers. After many years in sales and marketing management it always amazes me when companies have no idea what their customers want, or they don't care what they want.
Well, customer turnover would be a good thing for the game, as, as the game is designed now, "matured" players have a huge advantage over new/mid range ones, and easily dominate the only multiplayer aspect of this game - trading.
^ This.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sanii
If Meesher said "We're fixing it so that blocking works smoothly" I think people would be having a different reaction. However worded, the issue everyone is talking about is the same (extremely inconvenient) issue, and she said it's being looked into, and that they are working on resolving it. Getting riled up about the wording of things, or trying to twist it into something that it's not, like them trying to get rid of blocking, is not going to help the problem. I guess other than creating drama to kill the time that we used to kill with adventures.
My issue was in both the double block and triple block in Outlaws using the normal general guide. I didn't observe any generals jumping it's just on the last block for the triple and then on the double block later the fight noise started, but there was no dust cloud graphic and then 3-4 steps later my attacking general deviates.Quote:
Originally Posted by BB_meesherbeans
If blocking isn't intended as an option then you might want to look at troop costs to complete the adventure versus the rewards between goods and experience. As for what some of these adventures will cost without being able to do double or triple blocks then there wuill be a lot of questioning value of the adventures.
Meesher,
Let me preface this by saying I am NOT here to argue with you and/or BB. Yes, this is my disclaimer. So, any intent on your's or BB's part is clearly just false.
The facts are that this issue has been happening once the Scheduled Maintenance had occurred. So, by shear process of elimination the following must have happened. Some code MUST have been introduced into the program in order to cause this effect. This was either intentional or unintentional. Let's say for now it was unintentional, which we all would like to believe, it's simple fix the code. Now, the greater issue is this. The Scheduled Maintenance was to add and/or remove certain items from the guild tab in the merchant. Also, as usual to backup (JIC=Just in Case) there are issues to revert back to.
Now back to "intentional" adding of code. Let's say that someone slipped this malicious code into the system. For the attempt to garner an attention effect and cause issues within the game. One must ask, why would this happen. Well, it could be a number of items. Yet, basic business rules do apply here. 1. The Game/BB itself are NOT ready to introduce more levels and wish to slow players down by having to do the entire Adventure without the benefit of "Blocking". 2. This effect was to see if it could be sneaked into the game and see if players noticed it's effects. Well, having said that. I urge you to look around and see who is looking at this thread and responding to it. That said, I do believe you will see it is the higher levels who are upset this is happening. Is it the intent of the company and the game to upset the players who want to do the Adventure that are rather much more difficult and cost a lot more resources to do them ? If so, do you understand the side costs of what the game/BB is going to create as a result ?
Sure the game has some bugs and issues, yet by alienating the higher lever players, the company/BB is sending a very clear message. Again it clear that the game does not care about the higher levels.
There are ways to fix this and please understand these are my suggestions and you can take them as such, suggestions.
A. Please fix this odd issue and have the Person who introduced this malicious code, removed from the system. This will fix this issue.
B. Please have BB create some new Adventures, like the Nords 2, as spoken about on the European Server.
C. Please have BB remove and/or create more levels to the Game, so the higher levels who are stuck at Level 50 can begin to collect more XP for more levels.
D. Please give us an update on the PvP ?
Thank you for your attention in this matter.
Yours,
Stevie
I have only been playing for less than 2 months and I am level 41. According to many players that have been here much longer than me, the new beginner quests help you raise your level much faster than the old ones did. It doesn't even make sense that they would introduce new starting quests that level you up so much faster just to intentionally slow it down later. Just sayin'.Quote:
Originally Posted by LordStevie
In almost every MMO I have ever played maintenance sometimes causes glitches. I am not trying to down play it, I know its very inconvenient. But this made me facepalm.
Yeah I haven't even bothered with Outlaws before as I prefer the quests that can beat quickly in one setting, but I have seen the guides, so I know it's tall work.Quote:
Originally Posted by Erin_Alyssa
Of course the bigger concern I have is finding someone that will 50 solid sandwich me. I never liked the 'be buffed' quests because it takes the quest out of my hands.
I'm lvl50, if you need to, send me a FR in game and the sammys and I will buff you with them to help you.Quote:
Originally Posted by Koshko
Agreed! Our blocks are an important part of the game and is why we do it. We need the xp to level up and the resources as well. Unfortunately myself and a fair number of players have noticed that the things that get screwed with (such as the repathing of advents a while back) appears to most often affect the ways in which we can do more with less which I am assuming impacts ur Gem sales so is this a poorly disguised attempt at increasing sales? If so folks that is simply idiotic! All u do is drive more folks away from the game thus decreasing total sales. Quit playing with what wasn't broke! Enough already!!!!
Let me clarify that statement in my own way.Quote:
Originally Posted by Psilo
Blocking is the Best Part of the "Experience earning mechanism" in Castle Empire Online (or Settlers Online if you prefer). Otherwise, that part is just boring IMHO.
The empire building stuff is all pretty awesome. But it alone is not enough in the long run. The game definitely needs another stage after becoming level 50 (which I have been for something like 8-9 months). That next stage could be more level or PVP. But something is definitely lacking once your level 50.
"Thanks for your reply BB_Support. I strongly suggest that you fix this lest you lose the majority of your player base, including me!"Quote:
Originally Posted by malacai17
- Jett's response to that BS response :(
Sorry to join the party late... been a busy RL week.
I had enountered this issue on Test a few days prior to the Easter patch (on Test). I was playing around with some new tactics in SA, but was pretty sure the bug was just on the client side (i.e blocks should still work if based on timing(Garrison Placement), not visual traveling general position). At least until I read Cali's response.
After talking with him, I am thinking he had mostly likely encountered the other rare bug of when a camp is engaged yet still intercepts anyway (this I have seen myself twice; once in DB and once in VtV), but of course he wouldn't see that with the client side Speed bug also happening.
He has since been running this still and no new issues, (though the speed bug is consistant).. in fact he just hit level 50 on one (Congrats CaliRuckus!)
I will be doing the Zero soldier loss BK run Quest later today, will report back if I encounter any issues with the blocks I use (I do not have a formal guide; but have some unpublished modifications that I use myself, for blocks using Garrison Placement).
I would do some further testing of the issue on the test server, but I was only granted level 17 in expereince this time... I leveled to about 22... but doubt I'll spin my wheels to get any higher.
TLDR; If you are using blocks based on Garrision Placement for timing, you are probably ok, but pay atention. If your blocks use visual Traveling General launch triggers; more likely to get in trouble.
-Lesson
Yep, i've done a few and placement launching worked ok even tho gens accelerate when they enter an aggro zone. Only thing i saw otherwise was that rare block that never started visible battle and left aggro active (outlaws top left leader dbl block).Quote:
Originally Posted by Lesson
I took a beating yesterday doing Bandits Nest. On the last attack the first gen went where he was suppose to but the second and the main gen didn't. The Vet jumped into the second camp ahead of the blocking gen, no intercept message he just dissappeared and attacked a differnt camp. If anyone has a suggestion please post it. Thank you!
Agreed. This problem needs to get fixed. The acceleration of the generals can be dealt with by delaying the attack. But I just had a complete melt down in Bandit nest where the blocking attacks weren't even recognized. I had to leave the adventure and then return to get it to recognize the attack.
This problem does need to be fixed, and I am pushing as hard as I can, so that they know how serious an issue it is for players. But to accuse us of maliciously introducing code to "destroy blocking?" C'mon now, guys. You know that's not the case. We're looking into it and we will resolve it as soon as possible. I know it's frustrating in the meantime, and I apologize for that (no seriously, I know it sucks). But we are working toward getting the game running smoothly again.
Ok simple yes or no question. and OR is not the answer here.........Is there going to be blocking, and i Quote "Blocking is not a cheat or glitch" or is block not acceptable as players are using it to advance rather faster then the BB team expected. either way im not going to stop playing i just want to know so i dont waste my time killing troops. i mean if i have to kill 1000's troops on 1 adventure i may not come back. So yes or no Blocking or no Blocking
Not sure why, but my posts with the solution keeps getting deleted. I'll repost until one stays:
In the multi-block scenarios, delay the last general 5 to 7 seconds before attacking. I've used this on 4 "Outlaws" and 2 "Black Knights" and works flawlessly. I've never had one of the previous battles finish too early.
Hi BB_meesherbeans,
I do not place blame or flame upon you or the rest of the support staff, I hope you understand that. Personally, I don't think the developers are doing anything malicious either.
However, the crux of my continued input on this thread and my support ticket is this:
The developers and your company have put you (the support staff) in a very hard position by not supporting or preventing blocking. You now have to walk a very fine line of "yes that looks like a problem" while at the same time stating "it is not a problem that it does not work the way you expect because we do not support it".
If I can make a request of you, it would be that I feel it is time the issue of blocking be settled from a high level within your company: It should be officially supported, or made impossible.
This current set of issues, and several others like it in the past, are damaging the reputation of:
* the support team, since they are delivering unpopular and confusing messages
* the development team, as clear gaps in their development and testing processes have led to these problems
* your entire company, since issues like this highlight the ways in which users utilize the product your company offers, yet the company is not seen as understanding or caring about what the users like versus dislike, due to the messaging we are receiving.
I hope this message was constructive, and I hope people higher up in your company consider this feedback not as a whine from yet another user, but as business feedback and critique. You make a fine product, but at the end of the day it is how the company is seen treating it's users that will ultimately determine whether we stay, enjoy, and tell our friends, or move on to the next shiny game vying for our time and money.
Regards,
Malacai
If I may make one comment. I'm sure that by now, many people know my interest in blocking. Although stated that it is an unintentional feature, it is an extremely appealing one. It has never been stated that it would be removed. However, this problem is related to aggro changes recently imo, not specifically the blocking abilities.Quote:
Originally Posted by malacai17
In regards to making it an official company feature/ability, that's fine but I do not see support in regards to blown block compensation happening, it's too complicated an issue between the claimant and support. :).
Just my two cents, and you know what that's worth nowadays.
Indeed, I am not expecting compensation for the blocks that fail for me. Nor would I expect BB to be responsible for compensating folks when blocks do fail; agreed that is a rather onerous prospect.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sanii
To play devil's advocate for a moment with my Computer Science hat on for a moment, one would hope that BB has logs and the ability to parse those logs to precisely determine this kind of information quickly and easily. Sawzall (http://research.google.com/archive/sawzall.html), for one example.
Back to blocking: It's a multi-faceted issue for sure, but in my mind official support for the ability to perform blocking (one general taking away a camp's aggro range during an attack to allow other generals to pass by) is separate from the support for specific blocks (and compensation when they fail). This is something that could be called out explicitly in an official statement, should BB choose to go this route.
I understand. I specifically have tried to keep my cs hat off for this one :) Although we both seem to know there are solutions and methods, as you mentioned, most of this is in the hands of mgmt (as usual) about deciding what might be worth the resources and support.Quote:
Originally Posted by malacai17
Love the blocks and love Tage's guides! He has done a lot of good work for this game. Please fix this.
We don't want support's hats. We want players' hats! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by malacai17
Thanks Meesher. The players appreciate your effort to get this fixed! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by BB_meesherbeans