I'm a concerned player. I see the roadmap put forward and can't help but feel the schedule is unrealistic. I see what had seemed to be a weekly update skipped on 4/17 in favor of a few pearl shop items. I see the 4/24 patch that would right the ship after the missed update. It came and went with nothing to show for it but a pearl shop update and minor fixes to bugs that were introduced in previous updates. This leaves me feeling completely insecure in the anticipated release times - as well as makes me feel like I'm being strung along in a release that wasn't ready.

Traditionally, when game developers start showing these types of slow downs the platform offering lands on it's face. Take Anthem, where the updates were to cosmetic microtransactions and cascading fixes to buggy content. Take RDR2 where the multiplayer online and PvP aspect was left in shambles while quality of life items were crammed into an RMT shop. How about the entire Battlefront debacle?

Pearl Abyss has already shown itself to be more content conscious than these previously stated flops, but we're seeing no indication of progress toward the remaining items on the roadmap. We're not seeing any progress toward requested catch-ups that some would deem important to the release of roadmap targets. All we've been given in the past two weeks are poor drop-rate events that have had to be tweaked, and fixes to field boss timers that didn't even include alterations to the field boss mechanics themselves.

All of this said, there has been quite a bit of tweaking and fixes to accomodate the console environment - and it is understood that this takes up a very large portion of developer time and focus. The class balance changes (which need revisited since the four new additions to the family) take quite a bit of testing and planning. We did get Field Bosses added and fixes were put in place for having mass numbers of players at each Kzarka encounter. The field bosses being in the overpowered state that they are (unintentionally displayed by GM Shirna) probably takes quite a bit of testing time as well. All of these issues add up to time and focus being drawn away from the release of Valencia, Awakening, Kama, and Valencia pt. 2 aspects of the roadmap. This doesn't begin to include aspects necessary to bring more casual players closer to the diehards so that the Valencia and Kama hunting grounds aren't dominated by a handful of people for months to come.

Melting accessories, the Night Vendor, more progression-oriented blanket events (house furniture doesn't help close the gap), and easing the transition into 400+ GS values are paramount. The changes to Asula were brilliant and gave many casuals a chance at competing when the new content arises - but they are still bottlenecked by lack of attention to developer preparation for the new areas. Dim armor upgrades may help... more disposable progress oriented attendance rewards could also help (hards, sharps, fragments, seals).

TLDR;
It seems two weeks of roadmap time has been wasted focusing on the wrong things. If this path continues I can't help but feel we're looking at Kama 2020. The frustration is real.

42 minutes ago, Hedonist_Jester said:

I'm a concerned player. I see the roadmap put forward and can't help but feel the schedule is unrealistic. I see what had seemed to be a weekly update skipped on 4/17 in favor of a few pearl shop items. I see the 4/24 patch that would right the ship after the missed update. It came and went with nothing to show for it but a pearl shop update and minor fixes to bugs that were introduced in previous updates. This leaves me feeling completely insecure in the anticipated release times - as well as makes me feel like I'm being strung along in a release that wasn't ready.

Traditionally, when game developers start showing these types of slow downs the platform offering lands on it's face. Take Anthem, where the updates were to cosmetic microtransactions and cascading fixes to buggy content. Take RDR2 where the multiplayer online and PvP aspect was left in shambles while quality of life items were crammed into an RMT shop. How about the entire Battlefront debacle?

Pearl Abyss has already shown itself to be more content conscious than these previously stated flops, but we're seeing no indication of progress toward the remaining items on the roadmap. We're not seeing any progress toward requested catch-ups that some would deem important to the release of roadmap targets. All we've been given in the past two weeks are poor drop-rate events that have had to be tweaked, and fixes to field boss timers that didn't even include alterations to the field boss mechanics themselves.

All of this said, there has been quite a bit of tweaking and fixes to accomodate the console environment - and it is understood that this takes up a very large portion of developer time and focus. The class balance changes (which need revisited since the four new additions to the family) take quite a bit of testing and planning. We did get Field Bosses added and fixes were put in place for having mass numbers of players at each Kzarka encounter. The field bosses being in the overpowered state that they are (unintentionally displayed by GM Shirna) probably takes quite a bit of testing time as well. All of these issues add up to time and focus being drawn away from the release of Valencia, Awakening, Kama, and Valencia pt. 2 aspects of the roadmap. This doesn't begin to include aspects necessary to bring more casual players closer to the diehards so that the Valencia and Kama hunting grounds aren't dominated by a handful of people for months to come.

Melting accessories, the Night Vendor, more progression-oriented blanket events (house furniture doesn't help close the gap), and easing the transition into 400+ GS values are paramount. The changes to Asula were brilliant and gave many casuals a chance at competing when the new content arises - but they are still bottlenecked by lack of attention to developer preparation for the new areas. Dim armor upgrades may help... more disposable progress oriented attendance rewards could also help (hards, sharps, fragments, seals).

TLDR;
It seems two weeks of roadmap time has been wasted focusing on the wrong things. If this path continues I can't help but feel we're looking at Kama 2020. The frustration is real.

I've read the entire post and your TLDR summary is on point AF... It literally has been two weeks of nothing but disappointment which is very surprising as there are two regions, awakenings, and absolutes allegedly coming out within next 9 weeks. 

I'm on exactly the opposite side thinking that their RoadMap was simply WAAAY too Rushed and it's probably good thing they add few extra months. IDK why you people want KAMA of all things so fast, like.. What you gonna do there, kill Fagus? We don't even have gear for these spots. Valencia will on the other hand over-write most spots that are available now. Are you really that into grinding boring underground dark area like Aakman / Hystria for rest of your life? Why not enjoy how thigs are Right Now. On PC it took AGES to get to Valencia / Kama and it was real fun. I have blast on Sausans / Pirates, i like smaller world and don't even have Boss Gear, while majority of ppl is sitting on like 300 GS.

Just.. Take your time, enjoy this while it lasts. You will be nostalgic about the "good pre-awa" stuff one day i guarantee you.

5 minutes ago, Grammaticus said:

I'm on exactly the opposite side thinking that their RoadMap was simply WAAAY too Rushed and it's probably good thing they add few extra months. IDK why you people want KAMA of all things so fast, like.. What you gonna do there, kill Fagus? We don't even have gear for these spots. Valencia will on the other hand over-write most spots that are available now. Are you really that into grinding boring underground dark area like Aakman / Hystria for rest of your life? Why not enjoy how thigs are Right Now. On PC it took AGES to get to Valencia / Kama and it was real fun. I have blast on Sausans / Pirates, i like smaller world and don't even have Boss Gear, while majority of ppl is sitting on like 300 GS.

Just.. Take your time, enjoy this while it lasts. You will be nostalgic about the "good pre-awa" stuff one day i guarantee you.

I agree with this tbh. 

but at the same time think we could have gotten other qol updates that are totally independent of new areas like valencia. like the priest or cp dishes. this update really was underwhelming any way we try to slice it. I understand why they don't want to push new regions, but they could give players a little more to do... like loosening the reins on lifeskills in general. 

I didnt say enjoying the roses was a bad thing. The original post is a concern that the roadmap was too ambitious. Im sorry if I wasnt clear enough.

If they still insist on the current timetable, these few weeks have been wasted. If they are changing the timetable, we have a right to know. Telling me "be patient" is completely outside the scope of the post.

8 minutes ago, Grammaticus said:

I'm on exactly the opposite side thinking that their RoadMap was simply WAAAY too Rushed and it's probably good thing they add few extra months. IDK why you people want KAMA of all things so fast, like.. What you gonna do there, kill Fagus? We don't even have gear for these spots. Valencia will on the other hand over-write most spots that are available now. Are you really that into grinding boring underground dark area like Aakman / Hystria for rest of your life? Why not enjoy how thigs are Right Now. On PC it took AGES to get to Valencia / Kama and it was real fun. I have blast on Sausans / Pirates, i like smaller world and don't even have Boss Gear, while majority of ppl is sitting on like 300 GS.

Just.. Take your time, enjoy this while it lasts. You will be nostalgic about the "good pre-awa" stuff one day i guarantee you.

It seems that you are the person who has always opposite opinion on whatever happens on this forum. No matter who writes the post/no matter what the post is about, you are always against. Damn you have to have tough life disagreeing with everyone 24/7. smh. 

- Valencia has better accessory potential. Many experienced players suggested skipping money sink into cheap blues, sticking to Asula, and focusing on yellows that drop in Valencia. Obviously it will take super long time to get but still - much better investment. 

- Non-awakening and no-absolute system can only get you so far as well. Kinda boring already. 

- Most of the people sit on 300 GS? so wrong.. I'm 404 GS and I'm in the bottom bracket of Symphony gear wise. I also have barely any time to play so I can't even imagine where are the people who play 6-8 hours a day gear-wise.. Most of people hit the wall already and just fool around by now. 

So yeah, Kama may not be really needed but it's about time for Valencia and awakenings. 

SORRY for not agreeing with you. 

Asula or bust now.

Working the last few tri pieces, no kzarka and my liverto went to my lahn alt got it to 10 without wasting any relics so it's good enough till later.

Lots of banking right now. I dont keep more then 10m silver on me. Buying diry cheap material for heavy crafting later. Things like logs and rough stones I dont feel like farming. 

Ready for cooking CP. Even though I am sitting at 300 and have been for a while, I need more for later. Will see what 35k combines earns me. Most of which is imperial food, so its money too.

Just now, Roots said:

I agree with this tbh. 

but at the same time think we could have gotten other qol updates that are totally independent of new areas like valencia. like the priest or cp dishes. this update really was underwhelming any way we try to slice it. I understand why they don't want to push new regions, but they could give players a little more to do... like loosening the reins on lifeskills in general. 

yup totally with you. Plus on PC all field bosses spawn at the same time. which is why we have a discord that tracks their "window" times. 

The roadmap is for investors its not accurate for players. The no lifers might be 400 gs but us that only play 2 or so hrs a day because we work do not have 400gs. Most of us at or around 250gs i can almost guarantee that figure is accurate but im not into stat keeping. Don't rush content because you rushed to get highest gs this is xbox not PC the players are quite different than PC.

21 minutes ago, Rocketfuel77777 said:

It seems that you are the person who has always opposite opinion on whatever happens on this forum. No matter who writes the post/no matter what the post is about, you are always against. Damn you have to have tough life disagreeing with everyone 24/7. smh. 

- Valencia has better accessory potential. Many experienced players suggested skipping money sink into cheap blues, sticking to Asula, and focusing on yellows that drop in Valencia. Obviously it will take super long time to get but still - much better investment. 

- Non-awakening and no-absolute system can only get you so far as well. Kinda boring already. 

- Most of the people sit on 300 GS? so wrong.. I'm 404 GS and I'm in the bottom bracket of Symphony gear wise. I also have barely any time to play so I can't even imagine where are the people who play 6-8 hours a day gear-wise.. Most of people hit the wall already and just fool around by now. 

So yeah, Kama may not be really needed but it's about time for Valencia and awakenings. 

SORRY for not agreeing with you. 

 

It's just that I came to XBOX to enjoy the "good-old days" and see no point in rushing things. The content is limited and it's something to look forward to, why not simply enjoy what we have for time being? I don't see the reason to release something vast majority is not ready for. Also you have to consider that Forum population is like 1% of the community. I bet plenty of players haven't even explored whole map, haven't even finished with all different quests, areas etc. 

- Yes Valencia brings most of the best accessories currently ingame, it will be very contested and ATM most people are not even ready for it. If it were to release now, they TOP Money spots will be occupied by people who are already HUGE Gear Gap ahead of most. I don't see why some people would stick to Asula when you can't really grind Valencia in Asula only, but that's personal choise :).

- Awakening will be flashy, but in the end you will still have limited number of skills and i guarantee you that it won't stay fresh sensation for more than a month.

- You can't judge "most people" by standard of Siege guild :). Anyway maybe it's time to get rid of these Asulas and get yourself some real gear meantime. The money you make right now will help you in the future also, just .. Do your thing, let others catch up. Plenty of people still are learning the hoops. 

And it's fine you don't agree, some people do some don't. Ultimately it's up to GMs and in all likelyhood we will have to wait a month or two for Awakening / possibly Valencia.

Just take the road map as indication not gospel, they may well have a few unexpected issues to address.

7 minutes ago, Grammaticus said:

 Also you have to consider that Forum population is like 1% of the community. I bet plenty of players haven't even explored whole map, haven't even finished with all different quests, areas etc. 

Look at your achievements at the level 56 one or the node one - that will make you laugh. NA - Soldier of Fortune: 4.07% hit 56 i did that over a month ago.

ONE BETTER only 76% hit level 10 W T A F o.o 

Yay I love spending money on pointless items yay best update ever ! I love it I love it can’t forget about the * one * item increase scroll we get everyday yay ! Just one everyday ! Yay less rewards for more playtime yay ! spending endless amounts of hours grinding pointless mobs that drop nothing but garbage yay ! Oh look my inventory is full of trash I can’t use yay ! I place it on the market and it doesn’t sell at all yay ! Spend real money for a few fake inventory boxes on a screen yay ! Spend over 80$ on pets just to get +5% fishing exp YAY !!!!!! 

4 minutes ago, Xcidis said:

Yay I love spending money on pointless items yay best update ever ! I love it I love it can’t forget about the * one * item increase scroll we get everyday yay ! Just one everyday ! Yay less rewards for more playtime yay ! spending endless amounts of hours grinding pointless mobs that drop nothing but garbage yay ! Oh look my inventory is full of trash I can’t use yay ! I place it on the market and it doesn’t sell at all yay ! Spend real money for a few fake inventory boxes on a screen yay ! Spend over 80$ on pets just to get +5% fishing exp YAY !!!!!! 

Sounds like.you need to unistall sorry it didnt work out for you

Exactly my words. The time runs out for completing the road map in time. Ofc no1 will be able if they release kama 2 weeks after Valencia. But they Released mediah 2 weeks after calpheon which Was rushed af. And now they take forever to bring Valencia. Maybe They shouldve chilled out on mediah one or two more weeks... 

One Thing is for sure, the time for awakening was 2 weeks ago already, maybe today but in 2 weeks is kinda late and i saw dozens of ppl saying they just afk until awakening. 

3 hours ago, Bnews757 said:

Sounds like.you need to unistall sorry it didnt work out for you

How original.

3 hours ago, Xcidis said:

Yay I love spending money on pointless items yay best update ever ! I love it I love it can’t forget about the * one * item increase scroll we get everyday yay ! Just one everyday ! Yay less rewards for more playtime yay ! spending endless amounts of hours grinding pointless mobs that drop nothing but garbage yay ! Oh look my inventory is full of trash I can’t use yay ! I place it on the market and it doesn’t sell at all yay ! Spend real money for a few fake inventory boxes on a screen yay ! Spend over 80$ on pets just to get +5% fishing exp YAY !!!!!! 

He's not wrong. This is the update after delaying for another week? It's garbage and complete bs. Just because you want to fanboi over PA doesn't mean this wasn't a bs update.

31 minutes ago, Tr3nch said:

How original.

He's not wrong. This is the update after delaying for another week? It's garbage and complete bs. Just because you want to fanboi over PA doesn't mean this wasn't a bs update.

What exactly was delayed if nothing was promised?

6 hours ago, Rocketfuel77777 said:

It seems that you are the person who has always opposite opinion on whatever happens on this forum. No matter who writes the post/no matter what the post is about, you are always against. Damn you have to have tough life disagreeing with everyone 24/7. smh.

- Valencia has better accessory potential. Many experienced players suggested skipping money sink into cheap blues, sticking to Asula, and focusing on yellows that drop in Valencia. Obviously it will take super long time to get but still - much better investment.

- Non-awakening and no-absolute system can only get you so far as well. Kinda boring already.

- Most of the people sit on 300 GS? so wrong.. I'm 404 GS and I'm in the bottom bracket of Symphony gear wise. I also have barely any time to play so I can't even imagine where are the people who play 6-8 hours a day gear-wise.. Most of people hit the wall already and just fool around by now.

So yeah, Kama may not be really needed but it's about time for Valencia and awakenings.

SORRY for not agreeing with you.

 

Meh, I agree with him and I'm sitting at 472. I'm not bored and I don't mind them taking it slow. Packing years worth of content into a couple months is going to be overwhelming for the vast majority of the player base. 

I bet most people are not even near the GS y’all are dropping. Maybe most people who came from pc, but I would wager a large % of people who have an account are total noobs around or sub-200. I wonder what the % split is between LSers/PvErs/PvP. LSers obviously drop the average GS by a lot, and I imagine PvErs do too in comparison to the veteran PvPers. 

2 hours ago, TREYWAY said:

What exactly was delayed if nothing was promised?

Exactly what was promised in yesterdays patch? I dont know why people think every week they drop a patch its going to be something so big. Im cool with how they are moving. Whats the rush? As stated most players arent even that geared let them enjoy not there fault some of us played pc. As i always said cater to the newer audience not us pc players. We shouldnt catch up to pc so fast should take atleast a year not this fast.

1 hour ago, Hardcore said:

but I would wager a large % of people who have an account are total noobs around or sub-200. 

That right there means they are not doing the story and leveling, not that they are total noobs. Given all the stuff the same gives u just for doing the main black spirit missions and nothing else u pass 200 gs. 

Also alot depends on the player and the guild they are in and the effort they put towards the game. Im a total noob to the game but at a 425gs. A total noob can get to about 350 gs at lvl 55 without touching the enhancement menu with just very very basic guidance

Afk till awakening, game is boring pvp is boring with out it, 

Highest iv hit was 415, just asulas, i went back to my sorc and im at 398. I hit 415 over two weeks ago. Im near artisan farming thats it, no workers or any othe LS stuff. But i have started to look at the cheap side of bringing gs up. DP builds. For a few hundred mill on accessories you can hit 120-140AP with 320-350 DP. At that DP GL getting gibbed by gankers lol. My DK was at 186AP but after swapping back to sorc i see no point in having low dp. A buddy of mine has tri and tet DP accessories and it took 3min to kill him while he just stood their.

5 hours ago, Hieraphant said:

That right there means they are not doing the story and leveling, not that they are total noobs. Given all the stuff the same gives u just for doing the main black spirit missions and nothing else u pass 200 gs. 

Also alot depends on the player and the guild they are in and the effort they put towards the game. Im a total noob to the game but at a 425gs. A total noob can get to about 350 gs at lvl 55 without touching the enhancement menu with just very very basic guidance

Right on. Well, I’ve done a shitload of quests, not the main story though, have +15 main and sub weapons and +8 through +15 armor pieces and I’m at GS208. Lvl 53.  So I’ll amend my statement to say that perhaps just LSers bring the average down. /shrug

Or maybe I just suck at this game lol  which is ridiculous as I just hit 50 days played.

44 minutes ago, Hardcore said:

Right on. Well, I’ve done a shitload of quests, not the main story though, have +15 main and sub weapons and +8 through +15 armor pieces and I’m at GS208. Lvl 53.  So I’ll amend my statement to say that perhaps just LSers bring the average down. /shrug

Or maybe I just suck at this game lol  which is ridiculous as I just hit 50 days played.

 

Gs208 just hit 50 couple days ago guess your not hardcore like your name says lol

6 hours ago, Bnews757 said:

Gs208 just hit 50 couple days ago guess your not hardcore like your name says lol

Dude, I’ve been 50 a looong time. Grinding corn et al doesn’t raise exp as fast as it does pre-50.  Or are you misreading my 50 days played comment?  Aka, 1200 hours played. 

Also, the word you are looking for is ‘you’re’. 

I guess so I can get a feel for how far behind I am, what’s everyone else at regarding:

Combat Skill Pts - 484 

Energy - 116

CP - 139

From the conversation, it seems the only viable way to progress is pvp, which isn’t sandbox to me. More on-rails progression...

12 minutes ago, Hardcore said:

I guess so I can get a feel for how far behind I am, what’s everyone else at regarding:

Combat Skill Pts - 484 

Energy - 116

CP - 139

From the conversation, it seems the only viable way to progress is pvp, which isn’t sandbox to me. More on-rails progression...

Combat skill points: 1039

Energy 121

Cp 111

19 minutes ago, Hardcore said:

I guess so I can get a feel for how far behind I am, what’s everyone else at regarding:

Combat Skill Pts - 484 

Energy - 116

CP - 139

From the conversation, it seems the only viable way to progress is pvp, which isn’t sandbox to me. More on-rails progression...

My skill points is so where over 1000 but I can't remember exactly. 

Energy 192

CP 218

And no, pvp is not the only way to get up there. I don't pvp at all ?

Man, I’m just the worst then lol. Guess I’m wasting my time here. ?

Oh well, best of luck to y’all!