Author Topic: Wondering about the update frequency plan going forward  (Read 1340 times)

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Offline Virt

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Wondering about the update frequency plan going forward
« on: September 30, 2011, 12:10:45 PM »
First, let me be absolutely clear how much I appreciate what the devs are doing for us, how much I enjoy playing this game almost every day, and how I support the absolute right of the devs to develop it in whatever direction they so choose.    This post is made only due to my curiousity and in the interests of gaining more players and appreciation for MWLL.

A couple of times in the past, the devs have mentioned that they've introduced code which would enable them to make much more frequent point updates to MWLL.     (For example, there was a developer post about the weapon/armour balancing tables, the way the launcher was improved to include auto-update, etc.)

Based on those comments, I thought we might see balance changes, new assets, say, every month or so.    But that doesn't seem (?) to be happening.    The last release was quite a while coming (and included a massive amount of new assets, modes etc).   And now it's again been quite a while since that.

Anyway, I'm just curious about how frequently or otherwise the devs are planning to release new assets and features.   We seem (?) to be continuing along the path of infrequent feature-packed releases, rather than more frequent tweaks with a few features in each.    Is that the plan going forward...?

The reason I'm interested is a) curiousity and b) I do think each new release is an opportunity to reinvigorate the playerbase, and restore momentum.  That is, older players who may have dropped off somewhere along the way come back to check out the new assets, balance, maps and features.    And new players might hear about the point release on one of the media forums, and decide to check out the game. 
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Offline =CJW=YalK

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Re: Wondering about the update frequency plan going forward
« Reply #1 on: September 30, 2011, 02:54:20 PM »
I just made a jab about this in another thread (friendly)

But I as well am curious about this?

Personnally, I think often mini updates with 1-2 new features....maybe a new assets every few (when/as they get completed) .....this would serve a duel purpose of:

1. Keeping people hooked
2. Allow people to focus test new features or assets (instead of getting swamped by multiples of both)
3. I want new stuff (completely and un-ashamedly selfish)

Obviously you can't release a update if there is no content, so if it's still months between updates then so be it, I realize how life is....but then we'd know there isn't new stuff/things just sitting waiting on something un-related...



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Offline ~SJ~MausGMR

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Re: Wondering about the update frequency plan going forward
« Reply #2 on: September 30, 2011, 02:59:17 PM »
The fact is the community needs to step up and create events and get involved as a group to keep things lively around here.

It's a shame about whats happened with the patches, lets just hope we get a release soon. It's disapointing to see people leaving the mod, especially when as far as i'm concerned, most of those quitting aren't pushing their involvement in the mod to any degree of fullfillment for its true potential.

Stop pubbing and start doing more organised activities, thats what I say =)


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Offline =KoS= Eldragon

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Re: Wondering about the update frequency plan going forward
« Reply #3 on: September 30, 2011, 03:14:35 PM »
Having no knowledge what-so-ever of MWLL team's process... I will just say a rapid release process is one of the hardest things to do in software development. Large companies with full time staff struggle with it, its even harder with a volunteer team. Kudos to the MWLL team for trying it, but no one should hold it against them when its not achieved.


Offline =CJW=YalK

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Re: Wondering about the update frequency plan going forward
« Reply #4 on: September 30, 2011, 03:29:48 PM »
I don't think anyone is?

We're just asking what happened?

Also, did you notice my many references to "as they get shit done" ....we all realize that if they don't have things ready then of course they can't release rapid updates....and if that's why then  "so be it" "fair enough" etc. But if they have stuff/features just waiting/sitting for a big release then.....respectively lol

Also, @MausGMR, good of you to Volunteer! Can't wait too here what you come up with  :P J/K

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I'm hoping it stays alive....
« Last Edit: September 30, 2011, 03:35:40 PM by =CJW=YalK »



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Offline MerfMerf

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Re: Wondering about the update frequency plan going forward
« Reply #5 on: September 30, 2011, 03:48:37 PM »
I've fed Ideas to Bane for the Planetary league, better to go through a few voices than just "rabble rabble rabble"

Well, does not have to be something grand like a planetary.
SJ hosted the Tournament of the Jaguar and 7.WD hosted the invitational 1v1. CJW are talking of a 24h battle (something I think it was WiE hosted earlier). Wolf had the Pros vs. Joes started up (but of course someone else would have to take over now since he can not really post here any more). Cygma held the BApocalypse.
People could do something like these things as well. Does not have to be big and grand. Just scheduling some unit vs. unit scrims help keep at least the unit affiliated players active. Just seeing servers with people usually attracts more people.

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Offline SquareSphere }12thVR{

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Re: Wondering about the update frequency plan going forward
« Reply #6 on: September 30, 2011, 04:57:59 PM »
weird, i never got the vibe that there were ever going to be monthly release. 

Just more regular 3 month style release cycles.
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Offline Virt

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Re: Wondering about the update frequency plan going forward
« Reply #7 on: September 30, 2011, 08:06:44 PM »
weird, i never got the vibe that there were ever going to be monthly release.  Just more regular 3 month style release cycles.
It could certainly be my misunderstanding of what the devs meant.

Even so, it's been four months since Beta 5.1.
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Offline TwinkleToes

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Re: Wondering about the update frequency plan going forward
« Reply #8 on: September 30, 2011, 08:39:02 PM »
It has nothing to do with community events.  Unless some of us can join the team and model new mechs ourselves, we have to wait.  Not everything is going to go according to plan with a volunteer team.  We should be happy with what we have and be patient until the next bag of toys comes along.  I am still very happy :D

Offline ~SJ~ Blhurr

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Re: Wondering about the update frequency plan going forward
« Reply #9 on: September 30, 2011, 08:59:27 PM »
The community has been map building and league planning like crazy.  Admins of popular servers should establish criteria for having maps added to server rotations and maybe host "amateur night at the Apollo" type events that vet maps for regular rotate.  Maus is right.  Ultimately the community and individuals outside of the dev team need to step up and contribute because the devs themselves will never be able to produce content at a rate that will retain critical mass.
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Offline Frostiken

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Re: Wondering about the update frequency plan going forward
« Reply #10 on: September 30, 2011, 09:07:56 PM »
I actually saw the 'easier, more frequent updating' as a way to field-test some changes - ie: limit coolant for a couple weeks and just see what happens. If people hate it, bring it back... maybe an update with a few new loadouts and see what people think of them. Or fixing pulse lasers.

Offline Virt

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Re: Wondering about the update frequency plan going forward
« Reply #11 on: September 30, 2011, 09:53:57 PM »
I actually saw the 'easier, more frequent updating' as a way to field-test some changes - ie: limit coolant for a couple weeks and just see what happens. If people hate it, bring it back... maybe an update with a few new loadouts and see what people think of them.
Yes, that's in line with what I was expecting, from the comments at the time.   aside from helping improve the game, I think it would have the added bonus of sustaining playerbase interest, with each couple of weeks bringing some element of dynamic change to the battlefield.

But to reiterate my OP, I'm fine with whatever the devs do and thankful that they're doing anything at all.   
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Offline IG142

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Re: Wondering about the update frequency plan going forward
« Reply #12 on: October 01, 2011, 12:52:09 AM »
The last news I remember seeing about release frequency was that they are being slower and more thorough, but releasing finished assets as they come instead of withholding them for major updates. I could've missed something since then, though.
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Offline Wolfcat9

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Re: Wondering about the update frequency plan going forward
« Reply #13 on: October 01, 2011, 01:17:59 AM »

It's frustrating and patience testing but I think this is where we apply the Blizzard model of software development and new release schedules.  It takes as long as it takes for the next update. There isn't a schedule for awesomeness. 

It takes time from the Devs to make changes to the game all the time. It could slow down the release of new content if they were always reaching back and making a subtle update to things that are currently working even if they only work so so and then those fixes are for things that aren't game breakers. The things that are viewed as needing to be fixed could be rendered non-issues by the next update, whenever that happens. 

 "We" need to get the game out there and let more people know about MWLL. That is what will fill the servers. We need to be TV evangelists for MWLL. 


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Offline Aidan

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Re: Wondering about the update frequency plan going forward
« Reply #14 on: October 01, 2011, 01:18:21 AM »
MWLL seems to be really slowing down.

 ???


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