Fist Report #40
Monthly Update
Members of the Dark Brotherhood-
Happy New Year to all. It’s been a busy couple of weeks in the DB. Lots of Elder promotions and awards to some deserving members.
This report will highlight one of my biggest reforms yet: I am killing traditional PvP.
Up front, I’ll tell you all that I think this change is the right direction for gaming in the DB, and it is something I have been considering for a very long time.
This month’s topics:
- PvP Gaming – The Way Ahead
- Gaming with the Fist - February
- Rites of Combat Update – In progress
PvP Gaming – The Way Ahead
Yes, I am killing PvP. At least, I’m killing it as we in the DB currently know it.
The metrics don’t lie. Traditional PvP is the least popular gaming method by far. In the opening weeks of 2022, there has been ONE PvP match, compared to nearly 200 PvE/O matches. Simply put, the DB doesn’t like traditional 1v1 gaming. If you look at the 2021 Year in Review from Fist Report 39, you can see it for yourself. PvE and PvO are where the club plays.
Over the past couple of years, I’ve seen a multitude of reasons why:
- The matchmaking rules are confusing
- I don’t like losing all the time
- I can get CFs by playing with friends without the hassle of the bot or losing
- I don’t want to get CoJd for messing up matchmaking
- And so on…
So the question is, what do I do about it?
The answer is simple. I kill PvP and re-brand PvO as the New PvP.
Upon release of this report, I am going to temporarily shut down access to all PvP functions. That means that all games currently available in the PvP category will be temporarily inaccessible. For the group, that’s primarily Jedi Academy and Hearthstone, but any game currently categorized as PvP only will be inaccessible for a bit.
I am going to re-name the “PvO” category to PvP, and then move the current PvP platforms to that category.
Once the move is complete, I will restore access to those games, and you’ll be able to play them for clusters again.
Once the games are restored, you will notice some major changes. The biggest change is that there will be no more win/loss modifiers for clusters. All 1v1 matches will be treated like every other gaming platform. That means screenshots and set cluster values. There will be modifiers for group play (see: Jedi Academy Free For All), but you will not earn more clusters for winning, and you won’t earn less for losing. Everyone who plays will earn the same amount. All games will have cluster caps, just like the current PvE/O games.
The second major change is that blind matching will no longer be a thing. Want to set up a match with a friend in private? Go ahead. Want to ask a friend in clan chat? Do it. The bot functions for party creation will still exist (and will be required in very specific instances), but the “no announcing rule” is gone.
The third change is that the PvP score competition archetype is now gone. That means no more automagically calculated PvP score competitions. Competition runners who want to do something like this will have a bit more management on their end, but with the low utilization of PvP score competitions and the low turnout for those events when they are run, I don't see this as a major issue. If you are currently running a PvP score competition, you can close it now. Howie is aware of this and will not get upset at you for closing a competition early. You have until the 22nd of January to finish all these competitions
Obviously this will create some challenges during Vendettas and GJWs.
I know there will be questions. Post them below or ask in DB Gaming. I’ll answer any questions you have on this.
Gaming with the Fist – February
I’m posting this before the January Gaming with the Fist, but i’m just going to assume it was a huge success and everyone had a good time and asked a lot of great questions. So hooray for all of you.
Next scheduled event is 12 February, same timeframe as before. Watch for the event on Discord, and click the “interested” button so I know how many of you are coming.
ROC Updates - Goodbye PvP
PvP is dead. Love live PvP.
The ROC will go through a major revision this month to reflect the shift in how PvP platforms are utilized.
One thing you can all expect is some clear guidelines on how gaming will work during major events. It is my intention to make sure that gaming remains accessible during those events while at the same time providing an opportunity for our BEST gamers to take home the novae! Clusters are somewhat of a participation trophy, but crescents and novae are not.
In order to keep things fair, there will be requirements in place and strongly enforced for how gamers will group up to play. The requirement to have at least one member of another clan isn’t going away. Make sure that you are aware of that now so you don’t act surprised come vendetta time.
More to come as we go through the revision. The staff is taking all options into consideration to make sure gaming is fair.
Admin and Policy Reminders
If you haven’t joined the ranks of the GMRG, head on over to the GMRG-History course and pass the exam within the Shadow Academy. Get an opportunity to gain exclusive items, compete on the leaderboard to choose a Dark Council member to protect! (Get their accessory!)
All current Gaming and Fist Policies can be found on the Gaming Information page. I suggest that all members read this page as it has some great info. I will make sure this page stays updated to reflect all current office policies.
Helpful Links
- Gaming Information page
- Rites of Combat
- Send us an email at [Log in to view e-mail addresses]
No “Ask the Fist” this month since I’m expecting the comments to blow up and for there to be a decent Q&A next week during Gaming with the Fist.
Until next time,
Keep on gaming!
-Dracpool, out.
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Killll.
Wow. I can finally badger people to play Hearthstone with me!
So your saying that PVP didn't go up state to a live on a nice farm?
Very good work. Fewer rules are a good thing. Especially the not being able to game with who you want to when you want to.
PvP is dead, long live PvP
^^^
I agree with this action, PvP, especially trying to find someone to play, is nerve whacking, especially during major Vendettas where I only have access to limited games unlike others. as for RoC,
only rule I would make a change to is limiting players to core rules (i.e. hearthstone) or basic items (i.e. swtor lvl cap/no orange items). many players who play these limitations find it too restricting to those who have grind and built up their in game possessions to be better players. forcing them to "watered down" versions of the game for an even playing field is a lame excuse. not everyone plays certain games and only do it once or twice for participation points more than winning the actual event.
also, some events where a rule is set in place with limitations doesn't account for changes done by the game manufacture i.e. updates, during these events, causing possible rule violations and disqualifications. this will make folks not wanting to PvP anymore if they are going to be just wasting time because they "might" get COJ'd or DQ.
Brimstone:
The RoC and Platform Specific rules aren’t the same thing.
As for how platforms are managed during a vendetta: those competitions will have specific rules to ensure the playing field is as level as possible.
As for Hearthstone, nobody has shown me proof that there is a better way to level the field than the current rule set. In short, I’m not going to let someone who has spent money use decks that a newer player would not have access to. Period, end of discussion. Until I am shown a better way to keep things FAIR, the current model is likely the one that will be used in a competitive environment. For normal play, expect the rules to be a little more relaxed.
The ultra hardcore PvPer still exists obviously, but gaming as a whole has long since moved on from that style of game play. It's all about experiences and story now, playing with, not against. I think this was a good move.
For the no announce rule, will there still be this restriction for same household members?
The requirement to disclose same household rules established by the Justicar will remain in place -- this is to prevent accusations of cloning. For gaming, there will be no such restrictions.
What is dead may never die.
Great work!!
As Justinious suggested, can you kill that which has no life? (Sorry, couldn't help it :) )
Changes make perfect sense to me.
@drac as for hearthstone, you can build decks without paying to get the decks. they have a gold system that you earn through game playing. I do BGs daily, earning 500-1000 gold per day and that's 5-10 free 5 card packs. in 4 yrs time, I have yet to "buy" a pack or deck and I have roughly 60% of all the cards available. also, duplicate cards received in the packs, they are turned to dust, which allows the player to create cards they don't have. and you can also win free packs from multiple instances, like tavern brawls, duels, ranked and standard matches, etc...
Yes, some folks pay to play, but just saying that's the only hinderance is not fair. a new player, in a week to a month can get enough gold earned to buy 30-50 packs, that's roughly 150-250 cards there alone. and not spending a dime.
@brim that means you have a four year head start on a newer member.
My stance remains unchanged.
I don't have time nor inclination to do the Hearthstone grind, but I still want to be competitive in vendettas so I hope the rule never changes. It's a fun game but I would get super burnt out trying to keep up with an unrestricted rule set.
If I could pick any meta deck to go up against your meta deck maybe I would feel differently, but I don't think it works that way.
That's why I think core only is a great option and I'd enjoy that rule even outside vendettas because it puts everyone on a relatively level playing field so you can get to playing vs people you know and not have to grind.
Besides, there is a certain grace to low power formats. If it's anything like MtG, you see strategies and stuff that are different and easier for newbs to understand.