Conclave Improvements, Other Suggestions And Platinum Market Warning

[(PSN)ThisisMrBurns]

Hello all, I am currently a PS4 player, and far from a veteran. I am however, a conclave enthusiast and although I enjoy this game, the constant grinding, shooting mindless enemies, and the lack of skill required to do so, means it can get a bit tedious at times. I appreciate melee 2.0 will 'stimulate' things a little, but I feel that in waiting for this update, and future updates, we require a 'waiting room' so to speak. I value competitiveness in games greatly, and although this exists in events that feature leaderboards, only those with little else going on in their lives will put in the hours to have even a remote chance at placing top 100. And attempting this simply involves replaying the same things over and over again, with the best rewards already achieved relatively long before. Not everyone is as devoted as these hardcore players and now you have expanded your market to ps4 players (the likes of which a majority of players are casual), I feel it important to have access to well-balanced competitiveness on tap, in order to appeal to this market, and others who have reached this same point. Now I say well-balanced because, I currently feel there is a lack of motive to enjoy PVP because this imbalance is one of the main factors of discouragement. Other factors involve ‘glitchiness’, lack of streamlining, and other hindrances to competitive gaming.

 

Before I continue, the reason I emphasise the importance of competitive gaming is that from personal experience, I'll enjoy the campaign of a game, finish it or feel that I have gained all I need to before completing it (if this is the case, something is either wrong with the story or I am just impatient!) then I will move on to multiplayer (assuming the gameplay is great, which in this case it is). I will spend hours upon hours on online multiplayer, and once my friends get involved, I spend even more time playing. I begin to see a game from a different perspective, my views of what I originally thought was the best equipment or weapon shift depending on the game modes, and I find new reasons to test these previously unused weapons in campaign and level them up/master them. I'm sure DE can see the impact this will have on their business strategy. With a vast improvement to conclave, it can be assumed that this will help put those constantly relying on updates at ease, thus allowing DE to focus on the important updates/testing instead of churning out more content to keep us 'happy', which requires more tedious grinding. It is only a temporary solution. Therefore, I propose my not-so-original ideas to improve the potential 'waiting room' that is conclave.

 

I realise increased focus on conclave may lead away from the direction DE is aiming to take Warframe, so keep in mind these are only suggestions. Feel free to share your thoughts or add your own suggestions!

 

Ideas for Conclave

 

First and main obstacle is balancing. These are pretty general solutions (if you can call them that) as opposed to fine-tuning every single aspect of equipment so that they are truly balanced.

 

My least favourite idea, mainly because it is impractical and to be honest far from a solution, is to reduce damage to 10%. In doing so, shields would need to either be reduced, or recharge time significantly increased.

 

Pro’s

 

Extends time of rounds, more fun!

 

Encourages more creative play.

 

Forces players to play the game rather than ‘one shotting’ the opponent 5 seconds into the game (this happens whenever anyone gets a hold of a weapon capable of around 2k damage a sec – we’ve all done it).

It makes games boring and unsatisfactory, and we spend most time choosing sides and watching the countdown (unless hide and seek is the nature of the game which can be fun, but game over when someone enters with an ogris or penta…).

 

Cons

 

Does not correct the issue of OP weapons

 

Does not improve chances for those with weaker weapons, not necessarily the worst weapons, its just that there are better weapons. In fact, it worsens their chances.

 

Weapons that should in fact have one shot damage such as snipers and rocket launchers are no longer effective.

 

 

Pre-set loadouts – A separate conclave arena (as opposed to 500-1000 etc.)

 

Pros

 

Provides players the chance to try other warframes, weapons and abilities, and if this defeats the object of ever purchasing them with platinum, either implement a similar system as is done with revives (but not as limited), or provide as small a number of pre-set loadouts as is possible without limiting gameplay e.g. just 3 warframes as opposed to 6.

 

Balanced according to DE’s personal testing. DE decides the play styles and the extent of variety as long as it remains balanced.

 

Gameplay will be more skill based.

 

Players no longer have a reason to complain about cheap strategies unless someone else finds a way get an unfair advantage, although this could be corrected by DE with further testing and loadout changes. The thing is there will always be something to complain about, let's face it. It will just be less reasonable.

 

Side note

 

Cheap strategies or what people would consider cheap:

 

Valkyr - Hysteria + Rage

Rhino - Iron skin (although completely justified if some twat likes a jump attack or 20, or one-shot weapons are in the game, although the additional defence may still not even be enough).

Ash - Bladestorm + Shuriken

Mag – Pull

Feel free to add any more…

 

Weapons

Jump attack + Orthos/prime. The radius is ridiculous. I understand a jump attack is the only way people can get an advantage given the circumstances, although spamming this is just ridiculous. You see it coming but it simply cannot avoid it. At least give us the option to block jump attacks.

(Melee 2.0 may change this)

Soma

Penta

Ogris

Acrid

Latron Prime (Although is not always a one-shot, and requires aim)

Burston Prime

You get the gist. Feel free to add more or justify why these should not be on the list.

 

It is not the players’ fault if they exploit this; we are simply using the tools provided.

 

Cons

 

Restricts the player to pre-set loadouts and cannot use their own personal fine-tuned warframes, weapons and abilities.

 

More Ideas for improving conclave

 

Increase the number of players in conclave.

 

Increase the size of maps or provide the choice of larger maps that take advantage of both open spaces and tight knit corridors and other game mechanics that encourage close quarter combat.

 

Maps that feature dome force fields (maybe Orokin technology) that renders firearms unusable while within it. Encourages the player to undertake a change of strategy, creating an interesting gameplay.

 

Larger lobbies, either to accommodate the increased number of players participating in a conclave round or just to have an atmosphere once a game is over, even if this means not everyone in a lobby will enter the same conclave games.  Clans or players in general will be able to switch opponents and discuss the game they have just won, or share strategies as how to beat their common enemy based on the reasons they have just lost. The clan chat is not optimised for this and sometimes it’s better to be able to get loads of random people involved in discussion.

(The ‘Hubs’ may address this).

 

Separate ranking system as opposed to mastery rank. Create a reason for players to want to play competitively, create a sense of achievement, bragging rights. This may also lead to an alternative to conclave rating in a way.

 

Ability to change equipment in game or in lobby. Improves freedom as well as the prevents disconnection of players when the only suitable host disappears to change his gun. (I realise this would conflict with the conclave rating system).

 

Tournament system, with an entry fee (credits of course) and a reward for the winner. This can even be implemented for short periods of time as is done with invasions and events, maybe just for weekends. Exclusive badges or titles could be a rewarded or a new skin. Nothing too much that other players may feel they are missing out.

 

Allow clans to host official tournaments in their dojo either with fellow clan members or with the rest of the community, in better maps or existing maps and not a room.

 

Map creation for the dojo, meaning either an alternative duel room, or a separate room completely.

 

Separate ammo types for placement in different locations. Creates more opportunities for strategy.

 

May not be popular, but a respawn system for rounds with a few seconds of invincibility on spawn. Either infinite lives for a certain amount of time, or a limit of 3 lives. I know there is a revive system but this may make games more interesting, making those one on one nerve racking shoot outs or melee battles all the more special with players on their last life. It also increases the time of rounds, although this may make those entering midway left feeling bored. Which brings me to my next idea…

 

Improved speculation. Allow players to adjust the speed at which they can move their camera (apologies if this is already available) and the option to change to a different player (obviously not to the opposing team). Being able to see my team mate’s equipment and ammo would be a nice touch also.

 

Side note

 

 

What is ‘Infiltrator’? And why can I see the health of my team mate’s sentinel (as if it is mine) and not the health of my team mate?

 

Favourite idea for conclave:

 

Game mode specifications. Allow the player to create custom conclaves with different modes. This may also sidestep balance issues completely if implemented correctly. A few examples:

Interception

Ogris/Pentas only

Snipers only

Rifles only

Secondary weapons only

Melee only

No mods

Max mod point limit e.g. only 15 out of the 60/72

Stugs only

Miters only

Castanas only (when they come to the PS4!)

No abilities

Headshots only

Loki/Ash and invisibility only

 

A choice of map!

Choice of team size

Choice of team roles e.g. 2 melee users and 1 gunner per team.

 

The possibilities are endless.

 

Final idea for competitive multiplayer

 

I may be getting too carried away here but pursuing the idea that warframe is a PVE game at heart, maybe implement a game mode where 4 players play as their warframes, while 1 player plays as Captain Vor, Alad V or Phorid or any other character in respect to their faction, and in doing so, will control the Grineer, Corpus or Infested. They will start off by spawning the weaker units, while eventually building up to a point where they can implement stronger ones, in an aim to prevent the team from progressing to the finish. Or something like that... Think left 4 dead.

 

Now, conclave at the moment is quite glitchy, so I am quickly going to mention some of the problems that I myself have experienced. Not all of them may be bugs but I feel DE should probably address these in future updates. Feel free to skip if you want.

 

Fix abilities staying active through rounds.

 

Abilities not always working as they should.

 

Mods not working as they should e.g Metal Auger, Reflection.

 

A kill by toxic, gas or bleeding is not accounted to the player who caused it.

 

Those just joining a game are spawned in arena but aren’t playing.

 

Not spawning in the arena, but instead, the ‘empty bathroom’.

 

Players being able to go for a little jog, after they have been shot down and bleeding.

 

The crouch and wall run technique, all though I enjoy this as it gives you access to vantage points (maybe find a way to give players legitimate access to these points in a map?)

 

Fix inviting of players above or below conclave brackets, although this is pointless if the game is not balanced anyway.

 

Fix energy and health not always spawning

 

 

If DE is expecting to develop a game so large in scale, at some point, the PVP element must be expanded upon. They may already have plans to do this so apologies in advance, these are simply some suggestions. Again, feel free to discuss these or add your own suggestions. Do you agree with these ideas? If not, why? Could you improve on these in any way?

 

 

Hooray…more ideas! This is a little extra, unrelated to conclave, but since I am in the middle of unloading I may as well do it here. You may find these interesting.

 

 

Auction system, rather than the "wts, wtt, wtb" system. This makes it easier for everyone. Improved clarity of pricing. More efficient market. Increased consumption. Higher demand for platinum. And less likely for someone to be 'ripped off'. 

 

Ability to sell mod loadouts for specific warframes/weapons/sentinels. This aspect would be improved if the modding system was increased in complexity (while maintaining its appeal to the players of course).

 

Ability to create custom skins, and sell them.

 

Ability to name loadouts and have more than 3 (A, B, C...X)

 

 

Boss idea – Another Alad V creation?

 

A boss that has 2 stages. 1^st stage requires precise aiming (at small weak points?) with firearms, melee is ineffective, and may damage the player if they try. 2^nd stage disables fire arms, and the boss and players move into a gripping melee battle that requires speed, agility, and perfect timing for countering for example.

 

Also there is an issue with defeating any boss with ease (5 second battles) once we have any powerful weapon. I don’t get it. I feel bad for newcomers that feel they have endured the tedious and repetitive missions in the hopes that the boss fight will make it all worthwhile, for the boss to then be defeated before they have entered the room. This needs sorting definitely.

 

 

Why don’t Infested scale and crawl along walls and ceilings? Think about it.

 

 

Maybe very unpopular… Platinum tax for platinum trades. Now this is a biggie...

 

If DE is set on creating an economy with platinum as the medium, there has to be a mechanism that hampers the rate at which platinum injected into the economy. I say this not only for the interest of DE, but also the player. The game is still only in beta, and I have seen people in forums who play the PC version, who have already made 1000’s of platinum simply trading unwanted primes. While I disagree with the trading of primes for many reasons (and I’ve seen a few threads on here already discussing this), if this is something that is here to stay, the necessary ejection of platinum through the purchase of platinum goods provided in DE’s market (not trading) will eventually become ineffective. This is because the trade of primes will lead to such a build-up of platinum that the value we have for it and anything you can purchase with it will be reduced to nothing. Although an extreme case, it is still a possibility if this has not been considered. Yes, the initial build-up of platinum will mean profit for DE, but in the end, the need to purchase platinum with cash will be rendered pointless if I can sell a serration mod to someone who has tens of thousands of platinum to splash out willy-nilly from selling primes.

 

Surely if you create a market where the currency decreases in value, prices increase to reflect this?

 

Yes, people will begin to actually sell their mods for the stupid prices you see in the chat “wts maxed serration, 600pl!”, but will the prices in DE’s market e.g. for catalysts and reactors, skins, slots, colour packs, warframes, weapons, and so on inflate with this? How could DE possibly regulate these prices accurately? And by the time they have, people may have already bought enough catalysts and reactors to upgrade all the weapons and warframes they have acquired with their riches, thus the aim to progress legitimately in the game has vanished. Also DE, please consider this seeing as you continue to whack out 1000 platinum to several winners every stream you do. I know this is a drop in the ocean compared to what is currently being bought by the thousands of players, but this problem starts somewhere and you have to think long-term if you plan on developing a solid game.

 

Further Reading: Quantitative Easing

Edited March 17, 2014 by (PS4)ThisisMrBurns