Elements 1.4

[dragtom]

I dont really get this health-keeping after killing a minion.
Zanz once stated that he wants decks to focus around winning rather than rewards
-which was a reason to prevent vampire EM's-
But now making EM's (on the minion) has become way more important.

[Jaydos99]

Only just heard about Elements 1.4 but after playing it feels amazing! 

I was thinking that perhaps the NPC's could be hidden in the field. Such that if you want to travel to a certain spot in game, randomly you would be attacked by an NPC with a level in line with the area level. One-off mini boss NPC's could guard the exits of an area with a level in line with the level of the adjacent area. This gives the new player a goal to "break out" of each beginner area and explore, on top of the quests to keep things interesting.

The exact mechanics would have to be worked out, but effectively this would alter the way that a new player can travel the map. Forcing them to buy better cards and create stronger strategies in order to move further around the map. Just an idea but it would lead very nicely into an RPG/storyline based version of Elements.

[Jyiber]

Perhaps the feeling of "traveling" would be more effective if a player could only move 1 square at a time.

Yes, it might be a little bit slower and seem suffocating to those with short attention spans, but it could also be used to introduce ambush mechanics (random encounters) and it would make the map seem bigger.

Other ideas:

Randomly spawning "events" like creatures that take up spaces on the map. They can give the players free cards or electrum. This would also have the duel benefit of making exploring a fun task; especially for new players. Oh, the power of instant gratification.

...and the hated and feared paid content. I already know the policy on that, but hear me out. Extra areas of the map to explore. It could be cheap: $0.99-2.00 range.

[dawn to dusk]

Didn't zanz say a big no on the topic of paid content? He said he will refrain from implementing it and the only way for users to pay is to donate directly to zanz himself?

[Keolino]

Didn't zanz say a big no on the topic of paid content? He said he will refrain from implementing it and the only way for users to pay is to donate directly to zanz himself?

Yep, Zanz is against paid content/payment for this game in any way, aside from donation.

[Jyiber]

Exactly.

Why the guy doesn't want to make more money, especially if the idea is one that won't damage game fairness, is completely beyond me.

[Keolino]

Exactly.

Why the guy doesn't want to make more money, especially if the idea is one that won't damage game fairness, is completely beyond me.

Money isn't the most important thing for everyone after all. I probably wouldn't want paygates in a game I made as well. Using strategies which are normally used by big money-starveing companies would leave a bad taste in my mouth. (Aside from that, I would want to like and be liked by my whole community without any kids around whose parents don't want to pay for the games additional features. (like it was with my parents at times I couldn't pay for myself) It is NOT fair to leave anybody out of the whole content of the game. And each part of the map IS content.) <--- Anyway, those would be my reasons, zanz may have totally others. I just wanted to show that there are reasons.

I am not some greedy F2P-fanboy who sits on his money either, and definitely think that zanz deserves money for the pure awesomeness of a game that he made, so I donated sometimes in the past. If you want to show gratitude for the game he made, you can always donate. If you totally hate paying for games, you don't  have to pay. If you don't have excess to money for payment cause of one reason or another, than that's fine too.

[Jyiber]

No, I already understood all that. But at the end of the day, "money is money" and "the cost of living is too high". I'd go and find a meme with a developers need to eat too sign, but alas, I'm lazy.

I've personally never been bothered by paid content in a free to play game. I've never spent a dime on it though... not because I'm greedy, but because it's not in my budget. My poor minimum wage income barely cover my rent after all (also why I can't donate), but I ask: why not take money from those rich kids who have it? As long as it's not something that gave a completely unfair advantage (i.e. holographic cards, unique marks).

I never realized there were those out there like yourself that viewed such simple marketing tricks with disdain. I mean, I agree that they're not exactly classy these days with the bad rep they've gained (nods to a couple unmentioned games) but again: "money is money".

[ddevans96]

Unpopular opinion: If Zanz actually used Elements as a potential source of revenue, he might have a reason to do anything with it more than a couple times a year, and this game and community might not be in the pathetic lull it's in now.

[Keolino]

No, I already understood all that. But at the end of the day, "money is money" and "the cost of living is too high". I'd go and find a meme with a developers need to eat too sign, but alas, I'm lazy.

I've personally never been bothered by paid content in a free to play game. I've never spent a dime on it though... not because I'm greedy, but because it's not in my budget. My poor minimum wage income barely cover my rent after all (also why I can't donate), but I ask: why not take money from those rich kids who have it? As long as it's not something that gave a completely unfair advantage (i.e. holographic cards, unique marks).

I never realized there were those out there like yourself that viewed such simple marketing tricks with disdain. I mean, I agree that they're not exactly classy these days with the bad rep they've gained (nods to a couple unmentioned games) but again: "money is money".

If Zanz wanted money for that game in any way, I would pay it. The game is awesome enough and I wouldn't mind paying for a good game. But if Zanz doesn't want money, then there is nothing for me to do here.

Our oppinion may differ because we look on it from different perspectives. I am at an age where living with your parents is still a totally normal thing, so aside from my car/notebook+games/some insurance stuff I don't have to pay for much. So no rent, food or family I have to pay for yet, and plenty spare money. I was always tought to think economical, so even once I move out, I am confident that I would have no problem managing my money with the minimum wages I get right now. I don't feel like I need or even wish for more money than I already have and get each month.

I am totally aware of the fact that minimum wages and a family at home can become an awful combination And every single dollar/euro/whatever can become really important, but not everybody is in desperate need for money either. Zanz is a developer with probably high enough wages (well, I guess. there are developers which don't get much money as well), as long as he thinks that he doesn't need/want money from this game, there is nothing for us to do here.

Unpopular opinion: If Zanz actually used Elements as a potential source of revenue, he might have a reason to do anything with it more than a couple times a year, and this game and community might not be in the pathetic lull it's in now.

that is probably true... But may be the other way around? With this game giving more money for zanz, he would invest more time in the game, leaving less time for his family/friends/whatever. So he isn't charging money, so he doesn't have to feel like he has to put (too) much work into the game...?

[Keeps]

Hi, I actually tried to buy this game from Zanz, I found out he makes a lot more money than the community thinks, but probably not enough to pay for another developer... 
He however is very protective of his properties, and isn't interested in giving them up anytime soon either.  Finally, these properties like EtG are side ventures and he has a full time job as an engineer. 
Because of this, we have the unique position of getting updates only during major break times, that's usually why you see a bunch of activity around Christmas time, and general maintenance only rest of the other times.

For everyone who is bothered by this, various community projects to build a 'new' EtG have been started, the one with the most traction is openEtG...  support it with art, donations, etc, if you want further advancement.  Otherwise, accept the nature of the EtG game as is.

[maxy123]

Ont he trainer site it says how the game will close on march 31 due to contract ending. Is this going to be a problem?