August 28, 2009
GodsWar Dev Journal:
Brainstorming the Holy Suit System
IGG’s
Ethan Pan shared the following details about a new equipment upgrade system
being created for GodsWar Online. He encourages all players to offer
feedback and help improve the design process.
After we
made improvements to the pet system, we figured it would be in our best
interests to improve the game’s equipment system as well. We understand that
our players want their gear to be anything but ordinary, and many are
dissatisfied with the star ranking equipment system. The challenge is coming
up with a new system that can be both interesting and easy for players to
adapt to. It is a tough assignment because our opinions are subjective, and
until it is put to the test by our players, we are “sailing in blue water.”
Initially, we had some cool ideas. Some staff members favored a direct
extension to the current design. The goal there was to strengthen the
equipment using special items. For instance, players might design a specific
kind of mystic scroll and apply it to a piece of equipment to boost their
physical attack power. We even came up with a name for this: the “Mystic
Binding System.” While the idea is a good one, it is hard to put into
practice. Although the process is easy to understand, the system would take
too much away from the gameplay and is too involved. Players would first
have to learn how to design a scroll, and then learn how to apply it to make
maximum use of it. We think we have enough game content without adding a
time-intensive, multi-step equipment enhancing process that would detract
from game time better spent on other pursuits.
One
staff member favored a variation of the “Mystic Binding System.” Taking
complexity into consideration, he recommended eliminating the scroll
designing process. Though this could make the process easier, it would still
fall short of our intent to add something new and interesting to the game.
Without the scroll designing process, players could purchase the scroll from
the item mall or through rewards from various events, which would be too
much like extending the star ranking system from the current 10 levels to
20.
As it
turned out, I received an unexpected phone call that sparked many further
conversations before we finally nailed down the “Holy Suit System.” Believe
me when I say the call came at an expected time; it was 1:00 AM in the
morning. The call was from Frank, one of our customer service staff members
(also a close friend of mine). He had an idea inspired by a comic book from
his childhood. He sounded quite excited and started telling me about this
holy suit idea of his. Considering the late hour when he called and my lack
of enthusiasm, probably due to the fact that I was sound asleep at the time,
I managed to accomplish two things: get confused and get more confused.
However, the next morning his idea finally started to make sense. Everyone,
myself included, liked his idea.
The new
system would divide equipment into three classes: bronze, silver and gold.
It would give players a better visual representation of their progress.
Besides, metallic suits look good. To upgrade their equipment, players would
need to gather some corresponding items. At first, we weren’t sure what
items to use. We wanted something players could easily obtain. Then another
staff member, Jerry, recommended using players’ experience points in
combination with some easily obtainable items. We had been having problems
figuring what to do with players who had reached the level cap and had
stockpiled extra experience points, and this was a great opportunity for us
to kill two birds with one stone. We felt players would have no problem with
that, because otherwise they were stuck with these built up points with
nothing to use them on.
Mabie,
our SVP, recommended enchasing gems on suits. She likes fashion, including
dazzling accessories, but she had a whole set of reasons behind this idea,
and one of them is based on the wolf in sheepskin concept. Players who want
to surprise others with their performance would have the option of
strengthening their equipment without changing the look. She also wanted to
give players an alternate way to improve their equipment.
Now that
I have shared the brainstorming process behind our new Holy Suit System, I’d
like to invite players with good ideas or suggestions to please contact us,
but try to avoid Frank’s method. I don’t think anyone likes the idea of
being woken up at that hour of the night. We like his idea very much, but
not his delivery method. Again, all comments are welcome, and as always, we
will try to make the right choices that will best accommodate our players in
a timely fashion. I also want to take this opportunity to thank all those
who have stood behind us over the past several months; we appreciate your
support.
