Elements 1.4

[Jyiber]

@zanz - Arts and maps looks fantastic, but they aren't intuitional. Version 2D would be much better. In 3D I wanted to click into circle with deck card, not on a hexagon. What is more - cards hide a lot of hexagons. For me deck card must be in hexagon... Think about it.[...]

The first point is not too relevant. I made that mistake too... the first 20 seconds. And never again. So it's totally fine.

I agree however on the second point, some fields are a bit hidden by NPC descriptions and harder to click. That should probably somehow be worked on.

Or tilt the angle slightly. I like the 3d version, but I agree on the counter intuitive part. I figured it out immediately of coarse, but it still feels weird.

[Chapuz]

zanz,
please fix the Chat button in the development page, it links to the wrong link 

[Marsu]

So... huge update in trainer? Can we get a comment on that, Zanz?^^

For example, is it still possible to search for specific decks in the trainer? What happens to NPC's that we submit from now on, will they instantly appear on the map or do we have to wait for an update? And will the choices for a "Quick match" be replaced with level 0-10, 10-20 and so on until 1.4 goes live?

Thanks in advance.

[DoubleCapitals]

So... huge update in trainer? Can we get a comment on that, Zanz?^^

For example, is it still possible to search for specific decks in the trainer? What happens to NPC's that we submit from now on, will they instantly appear on the map or do we have to wait for an update? And will the choices for a "Quick match" be replaced with level 0-10, 10-20 and so on until 1.4 goes live?

Thanks in advance.

For me, I created my NPC and soon after I tabbed back into the trainer and my NPC was already in.

[ColorlessGreen]

And will the choices for a "Quick match" be replaced with level 0-10, 10-20 and so on until 1.4 goes live?

I would love to see a NPC coliseum or something similar in the final release which just allowed you to select from a choice of level ranges and fight random NPCs from that range.

[bripod]

And will the choices for a "Quick match" be replaced with level 0-10, 10-20 and so on until 1.4 goes live?

I would love to see a NPC coliseum or something similar in the final release which just allowed you to select from a choice of level ranges and fight random NPCs from that range.

Wouldn't that be Arena?

[ColorlessGreen]

And will the choices for a "Quick match" be replaced with level 0-10, 10-20 and so on until 1.4 goes live?

I would love to see a NPC coliseum or something similar in the final release which just allowed you to select from a choice of level ranges and fight random NPCs from that range.

Wouldn't that be Arena?

Yes, if arena was populated by the AI NPCs instead of people's submitted decks and if arena didn't have the NPC decks go up and down in rating and if arena didn't have the NPC decks decay in HP over time.

So, no, it's a lot more like AI3/AI4/FG/etc (with the tiny bit of "story" of it being a coliseum or whatever to let it fit into the map), which is exactly what I was hoping it would be a substitute for.

[majofa]

We need more new cards.....

http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/board,393.0.html

[zanzarino]

We need more new cards.....

http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/board,393.0.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnA3C9Af_oc
"Right, right; I follow you"

More cards will come, have faith.

[Wolfunit]

Lol zanzarino, We want more we want more.

[Jyiber]

I have more faith in Zanz than Jesus. As far as I know, he's slightly more reliable. 

[Mathematistic]

Haven't been posting for a long while. Someone informed me about 1.4, and IMO it's excellent. Making grinding feel more like an RPG would help restoring some of the fun. However...

We need more new cards.....

http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/board,393.0.html

No we don't. Instead, we need to think of (non-buff) ways that old cards will be useful. Well, the Pareto principle has been quite true in a lot of things, especially in elements card usage. My approximation is that 20% of the cards are used 80% of the time. The real figure might be less uneven, but around half of the cards are seldom touched (if at all, see Antlion) and a quarter of them are niche cards. Adding a new card is essentially gambling development time for a chance in 1 extra card in meta. I'm all for elements moving forward, but adding new cards is not the efficient way.

Instead, I would suggest Deckbuilding from (at least partially) Random Cardpools. A new interface could be developed for that. From what I observe, new interfaces are generally very, very successful. Arena changed elements a whole lot. So will this AI grind revamp. Also, cards need to be more fulfilling to get, too. Releasing a card that goes straight to bazaar or have players to grind arena *insert number* times to rarespin it out isn't that fulfilling of an experience. I noticed something in the new interface that says "reputation with this element". In addition to special marks, maybe we could buy special cards with this reputation? That would be a good way to implement new cards, instead of the common/rare/nymph threefold division.

Pardon my organisation. But my main points are:
1. Make grinding fun. RPG-styled grinding feels less tedious than matching up with random AIs.
2. Making new cards isn't all that necessary. But, if you decide to make new cards, make sure there are special ways to obtain them (especially in the new interface), so that in addition to the metagame improvement gamble you can enhance your new interface.
3. New interfaces are good. We should be seeing more and better interfaces. Think about it this way. An interface is where you use the cards. One new interface is a new way to play elements. The improvement it brings is immense.
4. Think of ways to make unused cards useful. Elements has a lot of cards, yet quite a large batch of them are underused placeholders. Mass-buffing is bottomless pit (in fear of powercreep), so I wouldn't suggest it. Making players salvage and build from random cardpools is, on the other hand, a good way to recycle the placeholders into the game.

Hopefully 1.4 will be the AED of elements.