The future of the Varlyndria server.

[Drakiyth]

There are things I am not proud of lately or things in my life that have been very hard on me mentally. I want everyone to know that when I feel better I want to get this server in shape and that's starting with squashing that huge list of bugs as well as fixing the alt currency vanishing, some path fixes and giving players the freedom to get their merits back when they change paths so they can at least get their epic back they earned.

I want to remove any of the annoying parts of the server and get everything back on track.

Just an FYI: The varlyndria website was down because of a possible copyright infringement with some of the art I was using for the paths. I have removed all of that art in compliance with the owner's request and just made the path info text based so players can still see what the sub-classes do.

I appreciate all of your support. Thank you again. I'm going to get things straightened out in my life so I can function correctly with this server and treat you all the way you should be treated.

[Maze_EQ]

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand............


burn out isn't just a pet spell.

[HeyJudd]

This really needed a new topic?

srsly~

[wolfwalkereci]

This really needed a new topic?

srsly~

Lol yeah no shit.

[Drakiyth]

BACK TO THE ROOTS...

VARLYNDRIA SERVER RECOVERY STEP 1: IMPORTANT DONATION SYSTEM CONVERSATION - CLICK HERE (http://varlyndria.forumotion.com/t272-very-important-topic-donation-system-tell-me-your-thoughts#653)

This conversation is about the possible removal of all donator items/options and the
tier system while still leaving the option to donate because you actually like the server and want to see
it prosper. Overall, eliminating any bad reputation players think of Varlyndria being pay to win. Though, I
have tried for the longest time to balance things out by giving players the option to get donator items
with in-game platinum, heroic points and even treasure chests. But even after all that, I still got players
crying pay to win on a constant basis. I've been extremely and utterly fair with my system, but I understand
that many players don't believe it's good practices and I am coming to the point of agreeing with them.
I've added many different scenarios to this forum post so please by all means speak how you feel about it.
Also, if you're a current donator and feel it's fine as it is, speak your mind. This is a serious topic. Infact,
the most serious topic on emulator for how players perceive a server.

[Jahar_LoA]

On a serious note here Drak, you are blowing this way out of proportion. How long have you had your donation tier's up and running, since your previous Varlyndria project right? You have given them every several other ways to obtain the gear and yet they still say Pay to Win. I never heard P2W on your last project. I played on your server. I know. What's that tell you.

On a personal note, I have money to spend, and I have donated to many, many servers on EQEmu. I don't donate for the gear, I consider it a perk, however there are some who do not want to do the work it would take to get the gear without donating, even though the option is there.

If I were you, I wouldn't change a thing. I had even planned on have donations opened up on my project, where in any item you could donate for could also be obtained without donating. That in itself creates balance, no one person can be more overpowered than the next. Player A might have to spend a little longer achieving that item, whereas Player B might have it in seconds, however, if I were Player A, I would consider it an accomplishment. One where you could laugh at the players who pay for all the items when they could get them for free.

People have money, they will spend it however they want. You gave them a reward for donating, and they did, and will continue too.

I feel what is pushing people away is your drastic changes all the time. You went from having raid content to solo content and now group content. People don't know what to expect from you.

I truly feel that the problem is not with how you handle donations, but with how you are handling your project.

Best of luck bud.
Jahar


P.S.
On another note, I'm not too sure if this will make sense, I will give it another read when I wake up, been DEV'ing for about 15 hours straight now.

[Drakiyth]

On a serious note here Drak, you are blowing this way out of proportion. How long have you had your donation tier's up and running, since your previous Varlyndria project right? You have given them every several other ways to obtain the gear and yet they still say Pay to Win. I never heard P2W on your last project. I played on your server. I know. What's that tell you.

On a personal note, I have money to spend, and I have donated to many, many servers on EQEmu. I don't donate for the gear, I consider it a perk, however there are some who do not want to do the work it would take to get the gear without donating, even though the option is there.

If I were you, I wouldn't change a thing. I had even planned on have donations opened up on my project, where in any item you could donate for could also be obtained without donating. That in itself creates balance, no one person can be more overpowered than the next. Player A might have to spend a little longer achieving that item, whereas Player B might have it in seconds, however, if I were Player A, I would consider it an accomplishment. One where you could laugh at the players who pay for all the items when they could get them for free.

People have money, they will spend it however they want. You gave them a reward for donating, and they did, and will continue too.

I feel what is pushing people away is your drastic changes all the time. You went from having raid content to solo content and now group content. People don't know what to expect from you.

I truly feel that the problem is not with how you handle donations, but with how you are handling your project.

Best of luck bud.
Jahar


P.S.
On another note, I'm not too sure if this will make sense, I will give it another read when I wake up, been DEV'ing for about 15 hours straight now.


Makes perfect sense what you're saying. Those are my other steps when I get into the game play topic. I'm going to go over a lot of things with the players and see how they feel on many subjects. I am tired of just making poor choices without feedback first to at least give me an idea on how it will be taken from the player base. One thing I feel should probably be looked at is the grind of the last zone or the gear score system in general to give players more freedom of exploration instead of keep them pigeon holed. I mainly did the gear score thing because as you know everything is level 70 on ascension so there needed to be some separation rules to a point so a player didn't just take their alt into the last place and gear them up like nothing. I was considering the flag system (eliminate certain boss, get certain item to enter zone etc). That could be an option instead of the Gear Score one.

Also the vanishing alt currency is rather disappointing and honestly I could just remove this stuff all together and make it into plat dumps. More things to spend your in-game money on is always good.

[Thorkinal]

I Think Jahar put it best, but in the end its your server, Maybe look at the people who are criticizing your server and ask whether they would be playing on your server with or without donation changes.

[Drakiyth]

I Think Jahar put it best, but in the end its your server, Maybe look at the people who are criticizing your server and ask whether they would be playing on your server with or without donation changes.


I agree completely. Aye, going to be doing what I can to get as much feedback as possible from everybody and put the server back together piece by piece instead of all this sporadic and crazy change.

[Maze_EQ]

Moozilla
• Is having the bad publicity lifted and server balance fixed worth it?
This is a loaded question, I've seen far less complaints about this than other Problems, just ignore maze and secrets, their trolls anyway.


We are not!

[Secrets]

I may be a troll at times, Moozilla, but at least I contribute to EQEmulator.

[Drakiyth]

THE CORE MUST BE REPAIRED...

VARLYNDRIA SERVER RECOVERY STEP 2: What is making players leave? CLICK HERE (http://varlyndria.forumotion.com/t273-important-topic-2-why-aren-t-you-logged-in-right-now#664)

The only way to fix things is to talk about it. Tell me what you dislike about
Varlyndria and I will do my best to hear you out fully. The Fall of the Gods expansion has been
canceled as well. I want to focus 100% on fixing the core of the server before adding new content.
Each and everyone of your opinions matters to me. This server is not just about me but it's about
the players too and how you all feel about things. Get any friends who left the server to read this
message as well. I need you all to tell me everything that's on your mind and what you think could
make you enjoy Varlyndria more.

[HeyJudd]

While there are mixed opinions on donations, I think we can all agree that if people care about your server, they will go to your website.

You average 20 people online with a max 100, a very small minority of the active player base has tried your server yet you bring all of your drama here. I guess you don't see how unattractive that makes your server(with or without donations) because you keep doing it.

Valyndria should be removed from the preferred list.

[Drakiyth]

While there are mixed opinions on donations, I think we can all agree that if people care about your server, they will go to your website.

You average 20 people online with a max 100, a very small minority of the active player base has tried your server yet you bring all of your drama here. I guess you don't see how unattractive that makes your server(with or without donations) because you keep doing it.

Valyndria should be removed from the preferred list.


Each of the 8 posts you have made is nothing but bashes to me personally. You have ZERO constructive feedback. You do nothing but wreak of spite and hatred. You're the epitome of what is referred to as a "Troll" and I will not listen to your rabble any longer. I am actually willing to bet your in-game name was Armageddon and Bardcore. The guy who bribed my GMs to pay you platinum so you wouldn't make lies up about the server. Also the guy who was warned over 4 times before I ended up banning him and his brother from Varlyndria for extreme rude behavior. Let's just say I've had enough of you and you're never getting under my skin again.

[Kingly_Krab]

Each of the 8 posts you have made is nothing but bashes to me personally. You have ZERO constructive feedback. You do nothing but wreak of spite and hatred. You're the epitome of what is referred to as a "Troll" and I will not listen to your rabble any longer. I am actually willing to bet your in-game name was Armageddon and Bardcore. The guy who bribed my GMs to pay you platinum so you wouldn't make lies up about the server. Also the guy who was warned over 4 times before I ended up banning him and his brother from Varlyndria for extreme rude behavior. Let's just say I've had enough of you and you're never getting under my skin again..
Hey man, it's constructive criticism in a rather brutal manner albeit, but constructive criticism, nevertheless. He's not a troll, he has posted on my executable, basically showing me I forgot to safeguard my program from de-compilation. He is helping in a rather honest manner, but, what he says is true, posting server drama on a forum is rather unattractive if that's the only time the person has ever heard of the server is through drama.

[Drakiyth]

THE CORE MUST BE REPAIRED...

VARLYNDRIA SERVER RECOVERY STEP 2: What is making players leave? CLICK HERE (http://varlyndria.forumotion.com/t273-important-topic-2-why-aren-t-you-logged-in-right-now#664)

The only way to fix things is to talk about it. Tell me what you dislike about
Varlyndria and I will do my best to hear you out fully. The Fall of the Gods expansion has been
canceled as well. I want to focus 100% on fixing the core of the server before adding new content.
Each and everyone of your opinions matters to me. This server is not just about me but it's about
the players too and how you all feel about things. Get any friends who left the server to read this
message as well. I need you all to tell me everything that's on your mind and what you think could
make you enjoy Varlyndria more.



Hey man, it's constructive criticism in a rather brutal manner albeit, but constructive criticism, nevertheless. He's not a troll, he has posted on my executable, basically showing me I forgot to safeguard my program from de-compilation. He is helping in a rather honest manner, but, what he says is true, posting server drama on a forum is rather unattractive if that's the only time the person has ever heard of the server is through drama.

Saying that Varlyndria should be taken off Preferred is a direct attack against the server. He's a former banned member of the server causing shit like he always does. I can almost promise you that. I can show you the posts he's made out of his 8 that at least 7 of them are bashing me directly. He's caused me some stress early on and probably one of the reasons among many I flipped out. I think that's giving him too much credit though but it didn't help matters.

[Burningsoul]

I enjoyed the post about "my players are whining about pay to win", then you spin your heels and go all Corporate CEO apology on news media with "each and all of your opinions matter to me". Call people whiners, then just keep on trucking with the PR campaign.

Bonus points for throwing that "each and every opinion etc.." RIGHT out the window the very next post after Hey makes a valid, but thorny point.

[HeyJudd]

Saying that Varlyndria should be taken off Preferred is a direct attack against the server.

You think you deserve preferred status for what you did to Akkadius? Not only because Akkadius is a nice guy but because you were taking in thousands in donations while still paying a discounted hosting rate to the guy you were attacking for the shit you do(posting so much).

He's a former banned member

Not that you will believe me but I have never played on any of your servers. One of the benefits of you posting every thought that crosses your mind here, is that everybody can see how you change core mechanics of your server on a whim(super attractive for prospective players).

[Drakiyth]

You removed my server from preferred. I guess I deserved that huh? Even though I apologized my heart out for what I did.. You just remove what took me so long to achieve? The hours of work I put into this place.. The drama with my family and everything else it took? Who has no heart here? At least I could man up and say I was sorry for what I did. You couldn't even message me back or talk to me Akkadius after I tried to get a hold of you over five times. I tried hard as hell to talk things over with you and you just pull the plug on me?

I'm going to leave these boards as a gentleman with what little dignity I have left.

[Akkadius]

You removed my server from preferred. I guess I deserved that huh? Even though I apologized my heart out for what I did.. You just remove what took me so long to achieve? The hours of work I put into this place.. The drama with my family and everything else it took? Who has no heart here? At least I could man up and say I was sorry for what I did. You couldn't even message me back or talk to me Akkadius after I tried to get a hold of you over five times. I tried hard as hell to talk things over with you and you just pull the plug on me?

I'm going to leave these boards as a gentleman with what little dignity I have left.

I had your green status removed, not because Mr. HeyJudd requested, but because of the following structured reasons:


Your behavior noted in this thread - http://www.eqemulator.org/forums/showthread.php?t=37219&page=2
Your server was down for several months straight - which does not constitute for what has been generally defined as requirements for maintaining Green Server Status - This really should have been done months ago - Same with Scars of Amerous
Another of which those requirements are is keeping a good standing in the community - which you have essentially done the most stupid thing you could possible to retract that requirement alone (IE: EQTitan hasn't been green for other community standing reasons, even with their 'population', doesn't mean they couldn't ever be candidate)
Being green is not a right, it's a privilege, and the only green you've been lately is green with envy


Could you earn the green title back? Sure, I'm not out to get anyone and either is anyone else, but for the reasons mentioned, it makes it quite simple to justify this movement. You can't apologize your way out of such behavior.

Am I happy with your actions? No.

Am I exiling you? No, you're continually doing it to yourself.

A) I specifically raised MAKING you Green in the first place, for which it is one of the many things I've chosen to help you out with because of your passion, including the many other things - no one should discriminate that alone. Otherwise, you being Green would not have happened, not even after posts asking for it. This further contradicts me being threatened by your server - it needs to be understood that I am not here to compete with a community that is built upon open source; in which the shared values are of being there for each other, not for spite and childness. It is literally written everywhere around here that I am not for myself - that is ridiculous. Without the superiors that have guided me during my journey here on EQEmu, I would not be anything - for them I am thankful.

B) Yes, I've gotten like 10 text messages from you, several PM's. While I don't need to respond to several messages that simply further the message of erratic behavior, how am I supposed to really honestly believe WORDS after the ACTIONS that have been witnessed. Those sorts of things much more time to patch than some messages plastered on the forums.

- And not that it is any excuse, I myself have been sick, and still working an intense schedule, so I've either been resting or taking care of work matters or touching base with my server. If you can list out your priorities in life, if an EQEmu server is at the top, you really need to fix that.

What you do on that personal front of course is up to you but you really should take some time out, not because of any EQEmu reason, but for your own sanity. Burnout is not fixed with more activity that caused the burnout to begin with. Your sick family member probably needs you rather than to try and continue to obsess over an EQEmu server.

So here's some other things that I want to happen:

I/we will be enforcing a rule on the forums which will mean that only major server updates can be made, not minuscule posts/updates and conversations that should be handled on a communication medium that is specific to the server (IE Forums). This is something I know other moderators agree with and honestly has been an unwritten guideline for quite some time so really to some it will be no different. Spamming the EQEmu forums in general and more specifically in your situation is going to leave you open for trolling on the EQEmu forums. As we frown upon trolling and often clean up threads regarding, how am I doing you any good when you are the one who is the source of the trolling. You could be openly criticized for what you do in any regard, how you handle it is another; which further dictates how people will react to your publicity.

If you want to bump and make those aware of a particular event, that is fine - however 3-4 posts a day on minor things is something that I have gotten several complaints about and honestly it doesn't belong on the EQEmu forums within reason.

Please stop dragging this on, as I recognize and admire your admittance to your behavior, it will not justify your actions - only time will and even then it is hard to get that back. Not just with me, but with everyone else.

[Nerdgasm]

I had your green status removed, not because Mr. HeyJudd requested, but because of the following structured reasons:


Your behavior noted in this thread - http://www.eqemulator.org/forums/showthread.php?t=37219&page=2
Your server was down for several months straight - which does not constitute for what has been generally defined as requirements for maintaining Green Server Status - This really should have been done months ago - Same with Scars of Amerous
Another of which those requirements are is keeping a good standing in the community - which you have essentially done the most stupid thing you could possible to retract that requirement alone (IE: EQTitan hasn't been green for other community standing reasons, even with their 'population', doesn't mean they couldn't ever be candidate)
Being green is not a right, it's a privilege, and the only green you've been lately is green with envy


Could you earn the green title back? Sure, I'm not out to get anyone and either is anyone else, but for the reasons mentioned, it makes it quite simple to justify this movement. You can't apologize your way out of such behavior.

Am I happy with your actions? No.

Am I exiling you? No, you're continually doing it to yourself.

A) I specifically raised MAKING you Green in the first place, for which it is one of the many things I've chosen to help you out with because of your passion, including the many other things - no one should discriminate that alone. Otherwise, you being Green would not have happened, not even after posts asking for it. This further contradicts me being threatened by your server - it needs to be understood that I am not here to compete with a community that is built upon open source; in which the shared values are of being there for each other, not for spite and childness. It is literally written everywhere around here that I am not for myself - that is ridiculous. Without the superiors that have guided me during my journey here on EQEmu, I would not be anything - for them I am thankful.

B) Yes, I've gotten like 10 text messages from you, several PM's. While I don't need to respond to several messages that simply further the message of erratic behavior, how am I supposed to really honestly believe WORDS after the ACTIONS that have been witnessed. Those sorts of things much more time to patch than some messages plastered on the forums.

- And not that it is any excuse, I myself have been sick, and still working an intense schedule, so I've either been resting or taking care of work matters or touching base with my server. If you can list out your priorities in life, if an EQEmu server is at the top, you really need to fix that.

What you do on that personal front of course is up to you but you really should take some time out, not because of any EQEmu reason, but for your own sanity. Burnout is not fixed with more activity that caused the burnout to begin with. Your sick family member probably needs you rather than to try and continue to obsess over an EQEmu server.

So here's some other things that I want to happen:

I/we will be enforcing a rule on the forums which will mean that only major server updates can be made, not minuscule posts/updates and conversations that should be handled on a communication medium that is specific to the server (IE Forums). This is something I know other moderators agree with and honestly has been an unwritten guideline for quite some time so really to some it will be no different. Spamming the EQEmu forums in general and more specifically in your situation is going to leave you open for trolling on the EQEmu forums. As we frown upon trolling and often clean up threads regarding, how am I doing you any good when you are the one who is the source of the trolling. You could be openly criticized for what you do in any regard, how you handle it is another; which further dictates how people will react to your publicity.

If you want to bump and make those aware of a particular event, that is fine - however 3-4 posts a day on minor things is something that I have gotten several complaints about and honestly it doesn't belong on the EQEmu forums within reason.

Please stop dragging this on, as I recognize and admire your admittance to your behavior, it will not justify your actions - only time will and even then it is hard to get that back. Not just with me, but with everyone else.
Signed --

Personally, Drak you're an awesome DEV from what I've seen, now while I've only played on your server probably a hand-full of times that's because it doesn't appeal to me. Why? I don't know. It just doesn't, you asked why people leave your server and it's not because your server sucks or any negative thoughts like that, it's just because it doesn't appeal to some people, you've seen our topic of DiabloQuest - How we had people say 'Oh this sounds like fun,' Well, I've had quite a few negative comments; 'You're ruining Diablo, and soiling Everquests name, how dare you.' Things like that, you know my only response? "Don't play on my server then." -- Someone said it before, and I'll say it again. It is ~>YOUR<~ server. If it was someone elses server would it be called "VARLYNDRIA" -- No, it'd be called something else. You do what you feel is needed, as Akka said, you posting like this on the forums is a very good way to get yourself marked as a troll and ward everyone off of your server. A DEV once told me something, and to this day. I commend him on it; 'It's my server, either people will play the way I want them to play. Or they won't. Yes, I'm open to suggestions, but if it's majorly game altering. No.' It wasn't exactly that, but pretty darn close (And you know who you are.) I've taken that into consideration and honestly, it's helped. A TON!

Do what you feel is right man. Ignore the rest. If you don't get people, then you don't get people. Valdis's Progression Server -- was my very first server. It died, why? I had 50 + people telling me to change this, and that and this and that, what I ended up with? Valdis was a push over that hit for 7319273129 damage. It was a 'Get lucky or you're dead' situation. How he was worked? He hit decent, heals at a certain percent, and a bunch of other little nicks and knacks, and by golly. I never get a complain on him. I took bits and pieces from everyone and worked it out. Honestly bro, do what you feel is right. Forget the rest.


As Everquests logo even says...

'You're in our world now!'

[GurkhaPanzers]

Personally I admire your server. I like the concept and have honestly copied a few of them in my upcoming server upgrade. Good work in making a server which folks enjoy.