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  1. #1
    The Overlord Nate's Avatar
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    Thumbs up A Return To The Past

    Greetings Pit Masters!

    Now that the most recent update is live and running smoothly I'd like to offer a glimpse into what I'll be focusing on next. This isn't a concrete road map per se, however, it should give those interested a good idea on the direction we're going. After countless hours of thought (and I do mean countless) and inner dialogue I've come to the conclusion that Pit of War has strayed from its original goal and design. As the saying goes "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions". Many of the design decisions made over the past few years were done with good intentions and often in response to a changing marketplace and environment. Some of these decisions were great, some of them were bad. It's hard to know what the outcomes will be in advance. The outcome for many of those decisions is now known and the knowledge gained from them will help shape the future of PoW.

    I've more or less thrown in the towel and admitted defeat in the battle for "mainstream" adoption. PoW is a thinking man's (or woman's) game and that flies in the face of the "mainstream" mob. Of course I knew PoW was a niche game to begin with and would never enjoy the success of top casual games, but I had always hoped (perhaps a bit too optimistically) that the joy of this niche could be expanded and exposed to others unfamiliar with it. I'm sure it did put a smile on many a new face, but a niche it shall remain. In an effort to attract more players and be attractive to more players PoW veered off course. It has been a learning process. So, while this particular battle is lost, the war is not. I will never be able to compete with the marketing dollars of the larger companies and PoW will never be mainstream, kind of mainstream, or a tiny bit mainstream, ever. And I'm finally ok with this. I will now shift gears (or pivot for those of you familiar with the lingo of The Lean Startup community) and focus on making PoW the best game in its niche. That will be my new focus starting now and this pivot won't be slow and gradual relatively speaking. It will be as swift as I can make it, which will be jarring for some.

    I've spent the last few weeks going over old forum posts (years old in some cases) and taking notes on comments left by users and paying close attention to those players who I consider to be "core players" and even more attention to those I consider to be loyal supporters and backers of the game, past and present. I equally looked at comments that praised the game and criticized it in whatever form the game was in at that time. After distilling the posts down to various topics I then started cross referencing them with my todo list and the current game design in general. Many items on my todo list are being removed due to this, some are being promoted and new items with the highest of priorities are being added. Once I am done with this process I will then look at it from a business perspective and see what is possible and for those ideas that don't seem possible, see what I can do so they are.

    I don't have a lot of details to offer at this time, however, as the title of this post suggests, "a return to the past" is a good fit. Not everything new will be changed and not everything old will return, however, the original spirit of what Pit of War was will be the focus. During this transformation some areas of the game will be changed, some will be removed and some new ones added. A few in-game prices may change if "game mechanic A" was subsidizing "game mechanic B" and A is removed for example. Some of you will not like the new changes, some of you will love them. I fully expect what I consider the "Core Player Base" to love the new direction and those players are my new laser focus. I'm certainly not turning my back on non-core base players and will do everything I can to keep the game fun for them as well. I'm sure we'll lose some players as change always does. If my hunch is correct though, it may even turn some non-core players into core players and bring back core players from the past.

    As to not leave you empty handed, here are some general ideas you can take with you regarding the new direction:

    - The core game loop will be more PvP focused, more varied and in general, slower. Quality over quantity.
    - The PvE areas of the game will continue to be present and expanded upon for those interested in having more to do, longer play sessions and looking to be rewarded for their time investment.

    I hope most of you like the new direction. I am already excited to get to work on it and would like to apologize to the core players for allowing PoW to run off the tracks for as long as it did. An oversight I shall correct posthaste!

    Good luck in the Pit!

    -Nate-

    P.S. Yes, the new school is still on the way.

  2. #2
    Elite Master Adoede's Avatar
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    Bravo, Nate! As a newer "core player" and supporter of the game, I wasn't around for the old versions of PoW. But if a truly standout PvP environment is what you're going for, I believe it will reach a bigger niche than you might expect. I know there are a lot of die-hard PvPers out there just waiting for someone to create an online PvP environment that is second to none. And imho, PoW certainly has the potential to be "it". More importantly, I'm glad you're excited about it cuz that tells me you're having fun with it. That, my friend, is indispensable.

    Looking forward to whatever changes may come.
    Adoede | Tevrosin

  3. #3
    Elite Master Kreegan's Avatar
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    Hail to the past! That sounds really promising. I've no doubt that many of the old(er) dogs will return when Shadow & Myst sees light - even those who think that they've left for good - but if done right, this is quite likely to speed up the process and keep them here for a long time. And although I suppose relying on a small hardcore player club to sustain the game is not the most profitable business path, it certainly ensures the highest loyalty levels from the players in the long run (including financial loyalty). If that is what you are aiming for, you are certainly heading in the right direction.

  4. #4
    Pit Master Apoca1ypse's Avatar
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    That's a pretty huge paradigm shift you've had to work your head around Nate. Props for having the courage to change the direction of your baby.

    I have no idea what will be in store for us, or if I'll like it, but as always, I'll give it a go I havent been scared off yet
    Do you want to crush your enemies, see them driven before you and to hear the lamentation of their women? Then follow the link below!

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  5. #5
    Elite Master crow's Avatar
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    Ah the days of Larhal,Wargh, Prey, Ormgar, Narvalo, Solstice, Eruption, Cainedesolis clashing on the arena sands!
    I can't remember warmonger's pole arm glad that kicked ass.
    Last edited by crow; 09-05-2014 at 06:04 AM.
    Manager of Stables : Lil Ludis and Alpha Team

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  6. #6
    Elite Master oedi's Avatar
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    thumbs up
    (Briteron_by), Theatrics, imperial guards, (subjects), MOTU

    Manager since December 2010.

  7. #7
    Aspiring Master FrosteeFyre's Avatar
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    No idea what's in store for the future, but you seem excited about it, and an excited Nate is a force to be reckoned with, indeed. Gotta say I'm looking forward to whatever it is you manage to come up with next!
    ~Frostee~


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  8. #8
    Pit Master Dainoji's Avatar
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    That sounds really awesome Nate. I love the game as it is, but I loved it in the beginning as well. I have faith in you that whatever you have up your sleeve is going to be great based on your post. You have my support! It would be awesome to see some of the original players back in action too!
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  9. #9
    Aspiring Master Arkham's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dainoji View Post
    That sounds really awesome Nate. I love the game as it is, but I loved it in the beginning as well. I have faith in you that whatever you have up your sleeve is going to be great based on your post. You have my support! It would be awesome to see some of the original players back in action too!
    Some of us came back of our own accord.Mmake it not cost 50 trophies to click 'auto tavern' and I'll be happier. That maintenance is a chore, and not the part of the game I enjoy!

  10. #10
    Quote Originally Posted by Arkham View Post
    Some of us came back of our own accord.Mmake it not cost 50 trophies to click 'auto tavern' and I'll be happier. That maintenance is a chore, and not the part of the game I enjoy!
    Would love that, less time for the necessary but unfunny stuff would result oin more active glads in my stable.

    Regarding the other announced changes, im eager to see how the game will turn out.

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