Test Release Notes - August 20, 2009

[MacIronhawk]

After exploring some of the caves, I have to say, they aren't babying us any more. There are so many ups, downs, narrow spaces, and forks in the road that make you scratch your head. I think even after a year with these new caves I'll be using the maps.

This is going to make playing the game even more challenging as we have to run through the caves defeating the right enemies, getting the right barrels, etc...

I just hope they don't release these until after the second story quest/Kraken. I would love to have things thrown at us at once, especially since there are probably going to be a lot of bugs.

Also, what I don't get is... why did they redo the islands, and now the caves, AFTER the game launched? Do they have some problems figuring out what they want in the game? Because almost half of all the land in the game has been redone. Why didn't they just wait another year before releasing the game to add this all in. I'm sure it would have made the game more interesting to begin with.

Also... notice that there are NO new islands, caves, or forest areas. Please tell me they aren't just going to release the second with no new area, because that's going to make the game very repetitive.

[Midhav]

wicked mates. this update is going to rock the Caribbean like a meteor! Well u guys should know this is only the beginning i wonder what 'new content' they have in store for us. by the way whats the casa muerto quest and can someone plz go there and check out what are the new enemies especially the ones in tormenta. Supposedly theres a Thrall captain (lvl 53). Next month would probably be sea serpants and squids or even scyllas. New islands - probably peleogosto, cruces, muertos, shipwreck cove, numerous wild isles and more. Oh and by the way what is the more they refer to for this current update eh? somebody who has test server access plz answer our questions

[Dr. Zeppers]

Originally Posted by MacIronhawk

Also, what I don't get is... why did they redo the islands, and now the caves, AFTER the game launched?

Originally Posted by MacIronhawk

Why didn't they just wait another year before releasing the game to add this all in. I'm sure it would have made the game more interesting to begin with.

They needed the game to go public before or at same time as an industry competitor (POTBS) published their game. PR battle basically. From all the hidden and unused places we would glitch to it appeared that they had suddenly cut off areas, simplified even duplicated rooms to get the concept up and working as fast as possible. I believe now they are putting everything back in play, including any new ideas theyve picked up along the way. I think what they have on test is alot closer to the game they had originally intended on releasing, and believe these updates only help lead into more future content, like a second story quest.

[Eliza Creststeel]

And then the pirate awoke... and it was all a dream!

OMG those shots are works of BLOODY ART!! Wow!! I CAN NOT WAIT... period.

[Amelia Heartburn]

GREAT Job Sawyer!!!

Thanks for posting the great screenies, as it seems us Mac users may have to wait a while to check this out on Test.

I'll try in the morning when I get home from work.

Thanks again, Great to hear some positive stuff about the big D!!!

[musicalklutz]

I was *thisclose* to cancelling my membership. Not anymore!

[Stephen O'Malley]

I'm seriously looking forward to the cap raises and my internet being fixed . My mastered pirate has nothing to do (when I can actually come online)!

The only problem I have with these changes is that the cave environments look like they could be extremely confusing. I remember that I was EXTREMELY perplexed at thieves den when I first started, but then again, they didn't have maps either.

[akamystic]

It's about time........

[wulfric]

Arg. I lost test server access when my hard drive crashed and I can't figure out how to reload the test server.

[Jack Sunskull]

You guys have to let us know about the quest that is happening this weekend. Maybe its for that new sword they showed us and they are making a 1 time only quest, so if you snooze you lose.

[Sven Osymthe]

Originally Posted by Jack Sunskull

You guys have to let us know about the quest that is happening this weekend. Maybe its for that new sword they showed us and they are making a 1 time only quest, so if you snooze you lose.

I don't think it will be for the sword, that appears to be one of the next level weapons (6.. or so, if I remember). Its more than likely gonna be what they did with the release of Spanish and French undead, have the Skeleton Infestation quest, but this one will probably be in the newer cave environments.

Plus, there are plenty of high levels on test, but there is also a large number of lower levels. Meaning, if it was, the lower levels would have to level a lot just to get the sword.

[Jack Sunskull]

Good Point Sven, I forgot that there are a lot of lower levels as well. Hopefully it is something enjoyable, maybe a Jack Sparrow outfit. That would be cool.

[Basil Dreadflint]

Originally Posted by wulfric

Arg. I lost test server access when my hard drive crashed and I can't figure out how to reload the test server.

IF you are a member of the Helm, here on POF, you can follow these links to the test server download. Zep has the links posted for both PC and Mac users.

http://www.piratesonlineforums.com/f...04&postcount=1


Also, I did get to spend a little time on test last night. I only went to Murky Hollow, but I can tell you the following things that I noted.

The graphics are GREAT!
The caves are confusing. Real caves, tunnels, rocks, roots, twists and turns, AND DEAD ENDS!!! I love them.
Disney has definitely changed the way you earn rep. You can earn a lot more rep per enemy now.
Example:
Lars is a level 19, almost 20. He still has double rep from the Father's Day quest. The first enemy I saw was a GREY level 6 Skeleton, Pirate I think, and I took him out using about 4 swings of the cutlass. This would normally earn me about 3 rep points. Yesterday, I got 6, and then it doubled.
Later, I found General Bloodless?, (The one who hangs out in Murky Hollow.) and he was level 13. He showed as a RED enemy. I treated him as if he were Timothy Dartan on the back beach, using each of my 4 weapons, and not using combo strokes. I took about 1/4 of his health with each weapon, Cutlass, Pistol, Doll and Dagger. I waited for him to respawn, and did this a total of 4 times. I was getting rep in the range of 650 to 760 from each kill. (Now remember, I was getting double rep.) But, I think I was getting quite a bit more rep than I would have from before the update.

Another item I noticed, and tried a few times, was the aggression level. It seems to have changed again.
As I ran through the cave, if I ran past a Grey enemy, I could go stand right next to it, and it would not attack me unless I attacked first. BUT, if the enemy was Green, Yellow or Red, my nearness would set them off and they would attack me without me attacking first. (Almost got beat a couple times testing this theory.) Then, I tried to figure out how far I needed to run to get them to disengage. They seem to disengage at a reasonable distance. In other words, an enemy wouldn't latch on and chase me through the entir ecave, but would give up after a short, but hardy, chase.

OVERALL, I can't wait to get this on open! I can see me letting my two younger pirates go into stasis, and bringing out the big guys again! I just hope Disney doesn't try to rush this too fast and not give the testers time to debug it first. And, I hope the testers actually TEST it, and not just try to be the first one to reach level 50.

[lostmymarbles]

Awesome posting Aliese.. I was gonna post pictures but you thoroughly beat me to it.

I did finally get logged into Test and decided to map out a couple of the caves before I had to get some sleep.

I can't guarantee that I got all dig sites, but tried my best.

Murky Hollow Layout:




Royal Caverns Layout:




There was one odd circle that kept moving as I pivoted in one place.













Other things.. I actually like the compass. (just opinion)

And yes you can run through a portal with your weapon out and, even tho it puts it away automatically, it will be brought back out once you reach the other side.

[Maximvs]

Originally Posted by wulfric

Arg. I lost test server access when my hard drive crashed and I can't figure out how to reload the test server.

As Basil mentions - you'll need to get Helm Access which you can do by using the instructions http://www.piratesonlineforums.com/f...ad.php?t=10086


Once you have Helm Access - Batleth has double checked the links and made update to them as of this morning - And That Thread Can Be Found Here (Once You Join The Helm)