Mod 9 a Technical Issue?

[Shamguard]

Ok, I'm posting this here because besides being moderated on the DDO forums I think we have enough tech savvy people here that I may get an intelligent set of responses rather than the usual drivel that you get over there whenever you try and have a tech discussion.

First off let me state that what I am saying here is pure speculation based upon 30+ years of computer systems experience.
I am beginning to think that Turbine as gotten in over their head with all the changes to Mod 9. Not as much as the games itself goes but in the new download technology that they are trying to employ. They had to set up a new preview server to demo this system; which tells me that it is incompatible with the current game engine/client. This means that the current servers cannot just be patched this time but will have to be reconfigured to run the new Mod. I think this may be an issue as the update will require a complete new download of DDO and cannot just be patched into the current client that we all are running now. I think they may have gotten themselves in to a deployment dilemma. That they haven’t figured out an easy way to get this new game out to the masses of less tech savvy players. Because once they update the current game to Mod 9 all of the currently deployed clients will not work; so the past model of just starting up the current DDO client and wait for the update to complete will not work this time.

I’m thinking that Mod 9 may end up actually requiring a few days of downtime before it is fully deployed and available for full play. I think Turbine is not ready to face the reality of this and are trying to come up with some damage control ideas before they have to deal with dozens of screaming Fan bois crying about how they can’t get their DDO fix and it is all Turbine’s fault.

These are just some random thoughts and speculations on my part I just want to know what the rest of you think.


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[moorewr]

Nobody knows.

My money is on this: Outside of the normal mod 9 development tree is some big change to the brand or subscription model, or some hidden new feature like random open worlds or user-generated content. Mod 9 is essentially ready, but it is ensnared in the rebranding of the game.

Eberron Unlimited. Could mean anything (except consoles. It doesn't mean consoles)

[Coldin]

There's just not much info info to go on really.

But looking at the Mod 9 launcher though for Lammania, it's really mostly the same except for a different skin. I just don't see that being an issue.

I really think it's all tied to V&M, and maybe some marketing.

I really don't like how they can't even say it will be out in the next couple months. Or even that it will be out before Fall. They have to have some date that they're focusing on. Why can't they give an extra month on top of that, and say sometime before then? I just don't get it.

[jrpfactors]

i heard target date was july 4th, I heard that well over 3 weeks ago, but they know we are getting impatient, so they want to get it live sooner,,,,to many bugs

jrp

[moorewr]

i heard target date was july 4th, I heard that well over 3 weeks ago, but they know we are getting impatient, so they want to get it live sooner,,,,to many bugs

jrp

inside info? :cool:

My mournland connections have all quit playing and are off doing Star Wars Galaxies. That convinced me the play-testers think a) their done and b) the mod ain't coming out in the next few weeks.

[Shamguard]

There's just not much info info to go on really.

But looking at the Mod 9 launcher though for Lammania, it's really mostly the same except for a different skin. I just don't see that being an issue.

I really think it's all tied to V&M, and maybe some marketing.

I really don't like how they can't even say it will be out in the next couple months. Or even that it will be out before Fall. They have to have some date that they're focusing on. Why can't they give an extra month on top of that, and say sometime before then? I just don't get it.

Because if they don't say anything they cannot be call liars........again.

Let's face it every time they did tell us something and then had a delay the fan boi crybabies would come out of the woodwork whining "but you promised..." and calling the Devs and Moderators every version of liar under the sun just because they couldn't deliver a game on the exact day that was given as an estimated date of release. I think the people working on DDO just got tired of the abuse and now figure if they are going to be abused, anyway, it may as well be for something they have control over. :p

At this point there are only two things that Turbine could announce that would actually get my attention: The release of Mod 9 or the shutting down of DDO. Everything else that they put out is just noise that needs to be filtered out.

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[Coldin]

Well, honestly, they should try to be a bit better about giving estimates, not shy away from them completely.

Give something vague, like a couple months timeframe. Narrow it done further if possible. If something comes up to delay it, you say what's up, move it back.

[moorewr]

If we shut down it is a good number of chess moves away... right or wrong they are clearly prepping the game to re-release it.. Mod 9's queue reads like the final phase before you leave beta.

We'd be on an AC2 track if it all goes to hell: Re-brand, Re-Launch, Flop, Shut down in 2010.


Well, honestly, they should try to be a bit better about giving estimates, not shy away from them completely.

Give something vague, like a couple months timeframe. Narrow it done further if possible. If something comes up to delay it, you say what's up, move it back.

My suggestion about their sad job of managing expectations, lost in the meh-storm, was give us a fraction -> "we have six critical goals for mod 9. This week four are done! Stay tuned!" That way they'd give you a sense of where they were in the process without promising any specific date or feature.

[Shamguard]

i heard target date was july 4th, I heard that well over 3 weeks ago, but they know we are getting impatient, so they want to get it live sooner,,,,to many bugs

jrp

If some version of Mod 9, even with bugs, isn't out by Memorial day weekend I may be taking a break till it releases.

To bad I'm on the $60 for six months plan, but I guess if I take two months off I'd still be even. :p


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[moorewr]

I recommend having small, needy, children. That way you will never get enough DDO time in to get saturated. :p

[jrpfactors]

If some version of Mod 9, even with bugs, isn't out by Memorial day weekend I may be taking a break till it releases.

To bad I'm on the $60 for six months plan, but I guess if I take two months off I'd still be even. :p


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why would you think its will be here anytime soon, they have not even let the dungeons be tested on Lamania, its a total joke, they say nothing becuase it is not close.

jrp

[Shamguard]

why would you think its will be here anytime soon, they have not even let the dungeons be tested on Lamania, its a total joke, they say nothing becuase it is not close.

jrp

Then I'll be taking a break :p

At this point they may as well release the whole thing live and use the live servers to work out dungeon bugs. Continued testing on Lamania is just a waste of time. Even with the trial server testing past mods have released with bugs. I think they need to give us something just because the game is losing players and that is making it a bigger grind than ever before. When on Saturday night there are 3 or fewer LFMs up you know the game is in trouble.


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[moorewr]

Then I'll be taking a break :p

At this point they may as well release the whole thing live and use the live servers to work out dungeon bugs. Continued testing on Lamania is just a waste of time. Even with the trial server testing past mods have released with bugs. I think they need to give us something just because the game is losing players and that is making it a bigger grind than ever before. When on Saturday night there are 3 or fewer LFMs up you know the game is in trouble.


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I believe that, essentially, Turbine has written off the existing players. They'd be happy to for us to keep paying them, but we are too few (in their minds) to have much influence on the fate of the game. Everything is pinned on relaunching the game and getting new players.. from somewhere..

[Coldin]

Which is very sad if it's true.

[Shamguard]

I believe that, essentially, Turbine has written off the existing players. They'd be happy to for us to keep paying them, but we are too few (in their minds) to have much influence on the fate of the game. Everything is pinned on relaunching the game and getting new players.. from somewhere..

I believe that we will see the usual mod release surge of players that will taper off as the new stuff wears out and people hit the new level cap. This alone I think would give the game enough life to maybe keep it going for another year, especially if they throw in some addition content patches in six months. As for new players and the future of DDO; I think holding Mod 9 because of what may happen or who may start playing is a foolish decision and really isn’t going to affect the game as much as they may be hoping. Continuing to hold back Mod 9 will cost them more than I think they realize this is a gamer market and they aren’t just in competition with other MMOs but also with the stand alone FRP games as well. We are all stuck in the wait and see mode right now. I just wonder if Turbine can repair the damage that they have done by this protracted release cycle. If something isn’t done soon they may never be able to recover.


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[Delttt]

My personal theory/guess at this point is that DDO is getting a console port (and likely, a payment structure change). I base that on the obvious announcement that there is a console MMO in the pipeline and given the action-orientated gameplay, instanced environment and recent interface/tutorial changes, makes DDO a far more likely suspect than LoTRO. Besides which, Turbines LoTRO team is still busy localizing and spreading in the global market -- the DDO team has been largely inactive. And Turbine has less to lose with making DDO the Guinea Pig for consoles (and they can use the experience to streamline their new project with Warner).

Given comments to the media from Adam Mersky, the delay seems to be caused by either a console port, easier distribution/playability or implimenting user generated content.

I don't really see why that p2p downloader would delay mod 9 by this amount, unless it's coupled with a port that needs a new delivery system User generated content is wishful thinking (hell, look how long it takes Turbine to make quests with their internal tools). So I make my guess via elimination.

On the one hand, a console port means DDO won't likely die anytime soon. On the other hand, it also means they knew Mod 9 would be at least 6 months late and simply strung along their PC base without saying anything.

It'll be interesting to see what the real reason was when info is finally shared. Unless "V&M/SS" entails a drow seductress stepping through everyones monitor to give em a lap dance, I don't think Turbine can possibily recapture the goodwill lost by keeping players in the dark for so long... /shrug

[Vua]

My personal theory/guess at this point is that DDO is getting a console port (and likely, a payment structure change). I base that on the obvious announcement that there is a console MMO in the pipeline and given the action-orientated gameplay, instanced environment and recent interface/tutorial changes, makes DDO a far more likely suspect than LoTRO. Besides which, Turbines LoTRO team is still busy localizing and spreading in the global market -- the DDO team has been largely inactive. And Turbine has less to lose with making DDO the Guinea Pig for consoles (and they can use the experience to streamline their new project with Warner).

Given comments to the media from Adam Mersky, the delay seems to be caused by either a console port, easier distribution/playability or implimenting user generated content.

I don't really see why that p2p downloader would delay mod 9 by this amount, unless it's coupled with a port that needs a new delivery system User generated content is wishful thinking (hell, look how long it takes Turbine to make quests with their internal tools). So I make my guess via elimination.

On the one hand, a console port means DDO won't likely die anytime soon. On the other hand, it also means they knew Mod 9 would be at least 6 months late and simply strung along their PC base without saying anything.

It'll be interesting to see what the real reason was when info is finally shared. Unless "V&M/SS" entails a drow seductress stepping through everyones monitor to give em a lap dance, I don't think Turbine can possibily recapture the goodwill lost by keeping players in the dark for so long... /shrug

http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/features/lord-of-the-rings-mmo-for-360-potentially-debuts-at-1299month/

[Delttt]

http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/features/lord-of-the-rings-mmo-for-360-potentially-debuts-at-1299month/

Yeah, I saw that. But I'd make a couple points:

- That doesn't confirm anything, just hints to likelihood

- Doesn't explain the hush-hush attitude and information blackhole outta Turbine/DDO now just a little outside of E3/news (if it's just LoTRO).

- DDO still makes more sense to test the console waters with, maybe even with pricing based on that survey (LoTR is the more known quantity and perhaps served better as the basis for a random questionaire is all).

- Warner gave Turbine the capital influx what? Early to mid last year? A one year turn-around for a console MMO? I can't buy that.

Guess we will see though.

[Shamguard]

At this point the delay has been long enough that it is obvious that it is not a technical issue. I even seriously doubt that they have any bugs that preclude the release of Mod 9, whatever the holdup is on Mod 9 now it’s not related to the product as it currently exists.

I do believe that once they release Mod 9 they are going to have a lot of damage control to do to recover this game.

I just cannot see any change that could justify postponing the release of a completed and expected update this long.


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