10 questions with zanz

[The_Mormegil]

10 questions with zanz

Guidelines
This project's aim is to find out what are the most meaningful questions this community has, and put them up to the Lead Developer so that they get an answer. Please try to choose questions that will either enhance our comprehension of the game as it is, or that give us a glimpse of future projects. We have a chance to understand the Developer's point of view on the game, so we'd better not waste it!

Also, be sure to ask something that is not already answered here (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,20705.0.html)!

Limitations
You can post only one question, so make sure it's a good one. This means that you can post only once on this topic. Multiple posts from the same member will all be disqualified, so make sure you only post once.

This thread will run for two weeks. Make sure you post your one question here by that time. When the time has ended, this topic will be locked and the Council will select the ten best questions.

Time Remaining
Time's Up

Credits to plastique for helping me with the format and for putting this up to zanz in chat:
[02:07:22] plastiqe: zanz, we were throwing out the idea of collecting the best questions from the forums for you, would you be willing to answer like 10 questions?
[02:07:23] TimerClock14: undead?
[02:07:26] Thatnewguy: Ok, that's epic.
[02:07:37] graydragon: Well ill be back in about an hour in a half
[02:07:38] plastiqe: if we posted them in a thread
[02:07:47] Thatnewguy: Undead: skeleton turns into random creature when targeted by RT.
[02:07:48] Higurashi: The next three went as they usually do with those deck matchups.
[02:07:52] zanzarino: Yep plastiqe that is a good idea
[02:07:54] Thatnewguy: That's epic.
[02:07:56] Higurashi: 1140 played flawlessly, really.
[02:07:58] ddevans96z: epicness
[02:08:01] graydragon: gonna go to gym
[02:08:02] plastiqe: ok we'll get to work on it then

[Svenningen]

Removed question

was already answered in VRT's interview with Zanz
- http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,20705.0.html -

[Kuroaitou]

I might as well shoot one that relates to my position.

To Zanzarino:

Q: "Based on your observations in the Card Ideas and Art section, is there a list of mechanics or ideas that you do -not- want to implement under any circumstances? If so, could you name the top 3-5 card concepts that you don't want to see players making continuously? (i.e. - instant player death, etc.)"

[Cynxos]

Dear Zanz, this is a question that has always intrigued me, and I believe that other as well; where did you get your inspiration for Elements? Considering its such a different, yet fantastic CCG.
EDIT: ninja'd...

[plastiqe]

The Elements community has many different opinions on which cards deserve nerfs and which deserve buffs.  Which factors go into your decision when deciding how to balance the power level of old and new cards alike?

[The_Mormegil]

Quantum is the base for all decks. Cards like Immolation and Nova are the key cards of many decks, and only the existance of Quantum Pillars allows to create rainbow decks. What are your plans on quanta generators? Will we see new cards that generate quanta, and if we do, what type of decks will they try to enhance? (i.e. a quanta source for quad-decks or a quanta source for stall decks as opposed to Immolation for rushes)

[DSSCRA]

What is your opinion on the ccg mechanic commonly known as milling and would you ever consider making mill cards?

(note milling refers to making your opponent discard cards from the top of their deck for example the mtg card tome scour http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=205000 (http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=205000))

[TheonlyrealBeef]

Question: "I've been hearing a lot about new features like t500 and new (daily) quests, any chance you can give an estimation of when we can expect them?"

[wizelsnarf]

Zanzarino,

I assume you have a day job and are doing just fine for yourself as a chemical engineer or whatever your position is.

But, I am curious if you get enough donations from players that EtG is profitable for you to spend your time on. I love the fact that the game is free and it is like a rare jewel of the internet, but then I always get worried that the time you put in isn't worth the meager donations you might be getting back. Some people have thrown out various ideas for fundraising such as more "foil"/alternate art cards. Others even want merchandise like t-shirts, mugs, otyugh plush dolls et cetera.

What are your thoughts on donations, making money and what that means for the future of the game?

Thank you!

[coinich]

Zanzarino,

Are there any plans to move this from Flash to perhaps a more stable platform, such as Java for web interaction or some form of a C type (++/#/C) language?  I understand you said you wouldn't be fond of recoding everything, so are there any languages that would expedite the process?

[OldTrees]

Zanzarino,
In your interview you gave us a glimpse of your view of three of the elements (Entropy, Death and Gravity).
You also gave a picture showing how the elements are laid out.

Would you please describe the other 9 elements and describe what the diagram shows?

Many thanks for your time.

[jumpoffduck]

Zanzarino,

Are there any plans to move this from Flash to perhaps a more stable platform, such as Java for web interaction or some form of a C type (++/#/C) language?  I understand you said you wouldn't be fond of recoding everything, so are there any languages that would expedite the process?

As a preliminary answer: probably won't happen.

If you read vrt's interview, it would take zanz "years" to make an iPhone app out of Elements, even with tools such as the Flash to iOS packager (http://www.adobe.com/devnet/logged_in/abansod_iphone.html) out there, which significantly speed up the process.

Porting the game to Java/C++/etc, would most likely take longer than making an iPhone version of Elements. Due to the differences between the way the different platforms handle the same processes, a significant portion would have to be recoded. Indeed, "recoding everything" is really an understatement; since Flash allows you to take shortcuts that other languages would not allow you to take, zanz would have to write new code for those aspects of the game as well.

If you're looking for a standalone version of Elements, Flash does allow you to export to the .exe format, but I doubt zanz would do that due to: 1. updating issues and 2. no ad revenue

However, I don't really see as Flash being an "unstable" platform; lots of other large online games use Flash as a platform (e.g. AdventureQuest, Club Penguin, etc.)