Test Release Discussion - September 29, 2009
 

Release Notes - September 29, 2009

· Beware of Jolly Roger's Invasion! Keep your eyes peeled, for Jolly Roger's ship has been sighted near Port Royal. When he attacks the town, defend the Barricades and the Governor's Mansion from Jolly Roger's skeleton army! Note: for testing purposes, invasions will occur much more frequently while on the Test Servers.
· Townsfolk will now notice nearby players and greet them. Enemies will either taunt or cower from nearby players.
· When waiting for a Revive, Knocked Out players no longer stand-up when hit by a grenade.
· Added different types of footstep sounds.
· Updated some of the loading screen images.

Cant wait to try out the new additions... if I can ever log on. As of right now it wont connect to the server. If anyone can log on, please let us know!

I can't get on either. May try a re-install and see if that helps, but my guess is that it's on their end.

Think Sarah is correct...gotta be on Big D's end Everytime you try to reconnect you get a different cutscene...must have something to do with the loading screen changes....

EDIT: For anyone that hasn't tried..I just got logged onto test......

EDIT: That didn't last long...first lost chat...then got booted & can't get back on

I was able to log in, and then just crashed when trying to exit the Governor's Mansion. Now Im getting that same message saying could not connect to server (the same one mac user's were getting last time) and it won't let me log in.

(Sorry for just exiting like that Lizzy, darn thing quit on me lol)

NP, Jules..same thing happened to me! :piratear:

same thing here

I was able to log in for a minute...sort of, just made it to the pick a pirate screen. All my settings were changed. I went to adjust from fullscreen to windowed, and the world went black...

Now it won't let me back in. I think this update is just to test my patience.

'Nuther report sent. ;)

It's all just a big tease!

Disney: SEPTEMBER FOOLS!

*crickets*

:greensmilies-030: :pirate2do0:

Disney: Uh oh... RUNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!

___________________________________

Yes, this just my little 'muahaha moment'... don't mind me ;)

forgot to mention..when I did get on, I tried to attack a cadet while waiting & his health wouldn't go down. Also, when chat stopped working & I tried to whisper...pirate card was all question marks...

It's the Curse....hehehe!

It was 1 am my time when I saw the updates and posted that I couldn't log on. I went to bed, had wonderful pirate dreams, woke up, and tried to log on. Still no luck. I'm so bummed! Now what am I gonna do all day??? *sigh*

Well, I seem to be able to get past the pick a pirate screen now, let's see how long this lasts ;)

Umm.. since when was there an option for 3-D mode? :laughks2: (Options > 3D Glasses)

3D mode would be cool if I had glasses, the old school red and blue kind, but test is back up but no invasions yet waitng patiently.

I have 3d glasses for games before, it was a bit awkward to use. Cables and a special transmitter like thing mounted on top of the monitor, etc. It did work though. Im sure the technology likely has progressed some, so maybe its easier to use these days.

Test is back up and running but it appears the invasion is not!

Invasion to begin on Amberassa server in approx 25 minutes.

*Edited to say - Wow! Great work Disney! Other than the lag, and the wrong countdown times, this was something!*

Here is a screenie (I took 5 but only 1 is showing up...hmmm):

Battle complete
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u...9_21-48-32.jpg

It said it started in 5 minutes twice, but once it started it was non stop excitement.

Barricades throughout Port Royal to protect the Governors mansion.

6 brigades of skeleton army (and stumps) attack port royal, no levels indicated, hard to kill, but not doing alot of damage themselves..

Once we fight off the 6 brigades all trying to get to the mansion, then Jolly Roger, a boss enemy, level ?? (thats what it said ??) himself comes along... and we have to battle him. He takes out most pirates with a single voodoo cast!

Major lag fest, but lots of fun.

Well.. that was fun

ok, this, was probably the BEST thing ive ever seen in the game... Jolly roger scared me (well not really scare, just impressed me), The fog was awesome, the only thing that was bad about this was the LAG, I was probably moving about 1 frame every 2 seconds, I did get some nice screenies tho. Ill post them in a second (Oh and sorry for the 3D in it, I had the 3D effect on)

Thanks Sven - I was on the back beach and never saw JR.

That was a lot of fun aside from the lag.

Ok well here are the screenies, Again, sorry for the 3D

Twas worth the wait...alot of fun & a little scarey for me level 31...but I leveled sword & staff so it worked...lol
Alot of knocked out pirates trying to kill Jolly Roger who I believe was NOTO ????????
But in the end..the brave pirates prevailed!!!!!

Lag?...I won't go there..lol

Hmm... For the people who did fight Jolly roger (or for the ones that got knocked out by him)
What do you believe his TRUE level is?

Whatever it is...I would say at least a 3 digit number. Pirates were attacking him in mass & many a powerful pirate at that. So a thrall would be his little pinkie...lolz

Now that I had fun with that.. a bit of test comments.

It was very laggy, I love this idea, but im a little concerned with how laggy things will be. If there are fewer pirates, it may be alot harder to defeat Jolly Roger, we had waves of pirates going in, attacking.. dieing being revived while other waves moved in.. etc.. and this was just against JR!

Noticed there were no levels on anything you suppose the levels vary based on the available pirate defense?

The enemies were hard to defeat.. they appeared to be protected a bit from our standard damage.

Would also like to see at least once, what happens if we let Jolly get to the mansion.

Did anyone time how long the event lasted?

I didn't even think of timing Zep - it was so fierce that I was fighting anything with a red circle.

I'm the same as Lizzy - lvl 31 on test. But for me, some kind soul revived me.

This, to me, is great except for the lag. It's a full-out brawl with all your pirate bretheren there fighting by your side.

Like the pic in the multi-media on the POTC site from pre-release with an absolute melee on a dock - that's what this is. I loved it.

WAY more fun than last year's Muertos Moon curse.

I did note that Jolly Roger's sound bite, at one point, says something like "So, you're looking for a REAL fight, are ye? Well, here it is!" As if the devs are saying "Quit your gritching...we'll give you something REALLY challenging if that's what you really want!" And yes...I want. It was very fun and challenging. I would have gone to jail were it not for the recent revive and a kind soul who took pity on me.

But in my book, even if I'd gone to jail it would have been okay. This is an epic-type battle, well-done, well-thought-out and a great pleasure to participate in. I had a wonderful time with it and am waiting for another "invasion" as I type. :)

That's awesome !!!!!!!!! I'll test that !

I'm really curious about the statement "invasions will occur much more frequently" on the test server. Three hours after the initial invasion and no repeat. My berth doesn't call to me, it screeches. Hopefully there hasn't been a repeat because they're reading reports from the first invasion. Hahaha. I'm such a kidder.

So would I Zep! The only way that's going to happen is if you get on at a quiet time and get everyone to agree not to fight....and there is actually an invasion. May just be day one kinks, but in the four hours I was in and out of test last night, there was only the one invasion.

I'm really curious how they're planning to play this out on open. Last night, the invasion was only on the "A" server on test. Are they going to hold the event on every server on open? or only a select few? May send in that question with one of the dozens of bug reports I have lined up to shoot off this morning.

Speaking of reports, anyone else seeing a completely messed up sea while sailing? Looked like I was sailing in a lava lamp of goo last night.

I havnt sailed at all lately..

Heres another bug though, If you turn 3D on, then change the graphics setting to high, It wont be red and blue anymore.... Ill try to get a screenie of it later today

The water looked fine for me when at sea. I did see some texturing issues on the shoreline of Port Royal. It looked like the water texture was stuck there and the tide was going "under" it. Also I was on Driftwood and the water texture was freaking out, flashing in all sorts of colors.

I am also having some issues with the water. Most noticeable when at Cuba.

The Invasion, while a little laggy for my laptop, was just great! The most fun I've had on Pirates in a long time.

3 Invasions today....Rogers made it to the Mansion but was defeated on the steps....Had to leave before the last one was finished so I don't know outcome. But on the second invasion, the barricades were broke through & the invaders made it to the Governor's Mansion. Lag was still terrible. Many pirates were knocked out. Healers saved the life of many a pirate. I did notice one comment by Jolly Roger when he was being defeated on the steps which got my attention: "They are falling into our trap" said he. Right after that he & his army left PR. Does it really mean anything? idk Just something I picked up during the fight....

I've done 3 battles today, and wow the lag hits bad once the critters hit the beach. The battle takes about 30 minutes from start to end.

The notoriety you get with each battle is awesome. Even my level 42 has leveled up a few weapons and notoriety.

For anyone curious as to Jolly Rogers life. I attuned him in last battle, a average level 40+ pirate has 2500+ health. JR's was 7750. When he hits you doesn't matter how big you are, he hurts! When we get to that part, we sure do see a lot of knocked out pirates.

This is a nice change from everyday testing, and getting curious at how it changes with less pirates and the end with JR winning.

TY Lady Di..Now I know why I got knocked out this time around when he hit me once...lol

In the one invasion I witnessed, JR had a voodoo spell similar to our "Wither" spell, that would take out just about every pirate in range.. even the level 40+s.

I also noticed his voodoo spells attacked everyone in range, he apparently has no need to attune anything, or can cast all voodoo spells simply as range spells. Several times all the pirates in range were in chains for example all at the same time.

Hmm..good observation Zep...guess that means pirates should use longer range weapons to attack him.....

That's very interesting Zep. Apparently he varies his methods. Tonight I watched him attacking a barricade as I was using staff against him. This was on Lankoglia server and there was a much smaller pirate presence. He never attacked the surrounding pirates. The audio was grunting/groaning and he moved back and forth in front of the barricade. He was defeated without ever taking another pirate out.

I witnessed invasions on both test servers tonight. The invasion is definitely commensurate with the player presence...the more pirates the more undead, and the greater the agression level of the undead.

Here are the screenies I was able to get:

This is the ending of the 2nd invasion I was in...JR attacking a barricade personally.

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u...0_19-19-12.jpg

The results of that defeat, in which JR was killed.

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u...0_19-21-20.jpg

...to be continued...

************************************************** ********

3rd invasion I was in tonight. Edward Edgemenace and Swash II were instrumental in convincing people to "throw" the fight for test purposes. A tip of my tri-corn to them both.

Even ranged weapons are too far away to work from the top of the shipwright's establishment. And in case you're wondering, (I did), you can't hit JR's ship with a grenade as it sails by. :laughks2: Edited to say, yes, I know I'm holding a staff in this cap, but I switched to 'nade as JR's ship sailed by and couldn't hit it with "long volley"*

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u...0_20-10-24.jpg

Gypsy attacking a barricade at the Governor's mansion

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u...0_20-46-40.jpg

After losing the battle the invaders continue to fight. Note that there's a sliver of sky in the upper left corner of the pic, behind the personal status bar. The sky is now normal, not green, yet the skels fight on.

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u...0_20-50-56.jpg

The governor's mansion after the loss. You can switch to the other server and then switch back, yet the mansion continues to be destroyed.

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u...0_21-01-36.jpg

I've been having trouble with my screenies not "taking". I got a scroll-like pop-up after the battle, like the ones that show your reps after a win. It showed Jolly Roger Victorious at the top. You still get credit for your fight, but my screenie of that didn't save. :( Sorry.

It's amazing Ukebec how fast they repair the Mansion...lol Was fixed by the next invasion. And you are correct about the levels of enemies versus the number & levels of pirates...

Just a note, not of importance, but got hit by JR while reviving somebody tonight and unable to do anything else at that point kept healing while watching my health drop to 0. Thought this is funny he'll be up and walking and I'll be dead as soon as I'm done but nope finished healing and even with no life walked away. Not sure if it would go that way all the time or just got lucky? but dont be afraid to heal it just might save your life LOL.

Two questions...

1. Is there a way to see the count down for the next event? We used to be able to type in /event and that would tell us. but it doesn't work for this.

2. Has anyone tried to launch their ship and attack JRs ship?

got kicked off test for site mant. and clicked on it again just now. Came back up with updates? maybe fixed some issues with invasion

1. They send a message (green text) when it is nearing. You can't type event to find out.

2. Yes, and its not possible. His ship is either A) not shown, or B) unreachable

does anyone have a good source for a decent pair of plastic framed magenta/green 3d glasses? in my searches i can find the cardboard kind and only in bulk.

Gonna shoot you a pm Rat.

I think that for right now on test, they are throwing the battles in randomly. That's why /event doesn't work. It seems to be a "not scheduled" event.

Last night, it seemed like they were going to have one on the "L" server, they made the announcement, then the server crashed! I hung around for almost 2 hours, and it never happened.

Just announced invasion in 30 minutes for anyone interested!!!

Lankogila Server has invasion in less than 5 minutes from now.

Why do I always miss the fun all the POF testers have cause of my testing on TT? LOL

EDIT: Getting a report that they reduced the rep on the invasions...

Aye, the rep seems to have been reduced a great deal.....Also had some glitched enemies around mansion again which was immediately reported.

Earlier did 2 invasions on both JR was fixed, didnt constantly disengage so you couldnt kill him, but both were 1 wave then JR came and was defeated easily and low rep.

Invasion in about twenty minutes on the A server ;)

I've had the opportunity to participate in over a dozen of the Invasions, with my high level pirate and also using a low level pirate - it doesn't get old. Always fun, always rewarding - even when Jolly Roger wins (I like having skeles running amuck on Port Royal lol). Really well done and pretty close on the balance. Keep it challenging and bring it to Live a.s.a.p.

Yeah, the longer battles are working better in my view!

I've Been Robbed! lol

http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/a...eenShot002.jpg

http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/a...eenShot001.jpg

Rebooting seemed to fix the problem. That was a fun report ;)

I've had that happen to me before too Sarah... it was creepy lol

Hey guys, right now there is an invasion in the bottom server and the server is lagging very badly. Jolly got stuck in a tunnel and everyone is attacking him right now. I could not even revive without a very long delay.

Bootitis is spreading!!!!! Beware!!!!

I was on the "A" server last night and there were very few of us. We were doing quite well, however, but the enemies kept on coming. Lag was low due to the lack of pirates and we were holding them at the beach.

Six invasion waves hit us and we repelled each one. But then a 7th wave his and I look up and we were under attack by a wave of Stumps. STUMPS! Against maybe 25-30 pirates. Well the revive HUD popped up EVERYWHERE and then here comes Jolly Roger himself. One hi and everyone is dead. Jail was full, my loading screen would still be up if I hadn't of closed the program.

I am not sure we a re ever supposed to win. Wouldn't know because so far this week, I haven't been able to finish an invasion without a crash or a lock-up. Reported it and moved on.

But seriously... Stumps???

Got one invasion in last night, it was a fun loss ;)

We did notice that in the 30 minute period leading upto the invasion, and in the invasion itself, your pirate seems to lose its personal space:

http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/a...nShot012-3.jpg

That cleared up when the moon went away. Strange.

Also, none of us were able to switch servers right after the invasion. We got word that there may be an invasion on the A server, tried to get there, but the game kept dropping us back on the L server. Logging out and back in didn't work, and couldn't TP to friends on the other server. After about a half hour (when I assume the invasion on the other server was finished) we could TP again. Sent in a report, but I wonder if this is something D wants to happen, so the servers with an active invasion aren't flooded?

Aye, Sarah...That lose of personal space is very evident if you go to jail. When a pirate exits the jail around the same time as others...it looks like a multiple armed pirate...all standing in the same spot...

I guess I just wish the number of pirates was more evenly spaced between the two servers. For the invasion the "L" server is almost always empty except for maybe 4 pirates (at least in my experience so far) and the "A" server is over crowded. Which of course causes extreme lag during the event. I spend most of my time just trying to "slowly" move my pirate around to hopefully aim at something long enough to shoot. Being on the other server would be pointless due to lack of enough pirates there to defend the barricades. Its fun, but crazy unbalanced.

Just wanted to add..at last invasion I couldn't revive anyone...it wouldn't work. And I was not alone. Maybe lag...maybe glitch..idk

just adding there was a silent update today

Last night when I popped over to the "L" server the green glow was there, Jolly's ship was there, but no iinvasion was happening. Strange.

Aye, Bonneylass..same thing today. During invasion on A server everything glitched...health, tonics, voodoo. Seemed to be caused by an overwhelming desire of pirates to crowd around JR to kill him. It appears that intense lag caused by a multitude of pirates swarming around him glitches JR and everything else. The result? Everyone got booted!

I am starting to wonder about the Invasion... Two tries tonight both servers. Both times I got the boot before the loot. Well...the rep anyway.

Wave after wave, slogging through lag as thick as molasses and using all 15 tonics, half my ammo and most of my patience. My computer uses on-board graphics so, at times, the game looks more like a Power Point Presentation than a game. One....slide.....at....a.....time.....

Still...it is fun and the potential is there. Hope they fix it before it gets on live though. I know I've sent in my share of reports....

But I still have to wonder out loud. Are we supposed to win this? I would love to get my hands on a script... Semper Fi.

Good question ex8404...when the invasions first started we won. But it seems like now when we get close to winning, we either get the boot or JR burns the mansion w/o being there. I love the invasions. They are alot of fun, but much to be worked out especially if they are planning to release it to open this week which is what I have heard over & over...

Ahoy mates, take a look , they have updated the launcher :

http://moe.mabul.org/up/moe/2009/10/...230570v26s.jpg

Heh, I like it

if you look closely at the ship on the right side of the loading screen its a war frigate with those extra ship customization sails.

Update is on open!