Brink Barrier To Entry Retention Fix/Idea

(wolfnemesis75) #1

Hear me out. This is an attempt to lower barrier to entry and make it easier for players new to Brink or objective team-based gameplay to have some fun and thus potentially stick around longer! A work around. Please read fully before commenting. :slight_smile: [QUOTE=H0RSE;374838]I think when wolf is referring to “high learning curve,” he is not referring to the learning curve related to personal skill. I think he is more referring to the learning curve when compared to other popular FPS games.

Example - a player that plays nothing but Team Deathmatch and CTF, wants to try Brink. Now regardless of how well the player’s individual skills are, coming over from “lowest common denominator” gamemodes, to the class-based objective modes that Brink offers, is going to involve some getting used to.

Remember, this post is supposed to be targeted to new players - a hardened Splash Damage vet, or even a player remotely familiar with class-based team objective games, already has an edge.[/QUOTE]

Change the Menu so that it reads Freeplay only. Having Objective/Stopwatch is redundant. (The game is objective based) Move everything into Freeplay menu.

Change Menu so its something like the following:

BrinkMenu.jpg1190×952 72.9 KB

Freeplay
Team Clan War

[ul]
[li]Team Clan War: Same as Standard Mode Rules 8v8 is now currently with a few differences. It is Stopwatch Mode and add an option in the sidebar menu under Change Teams to Faction Swap. Add Clan selection box. If the Clan Box is selected, then the mode is now open to friends and other clans. Spectator is a pre-lobby once the 16 slots are full to act as a way to organize players from each side and friends matching up against each other. There is a vote to Kick. Once the match begins, it starts with a host (the same as Brink works currently). Then other teams can drop in same as currently and send out invites. Please set Bots to Deadly Hard Unfair Level.[/li][/ul]
Within Clan War search menu you can select Lone Wolf selection box when searching for a match. Selecting this box opens up the game to everyone. Not selecting this option restricts the mode to invite/friends only.

  • [li]Selecting Lone Wolf will place you into a Clan War match as an individual where there is an open slot. Or into Spectator. This will search any match for an opening. [/li]
    TeamClanWar.jpg1014×634 93.7 KB

Competitive Mode Same as currently. No changes.

Proving Grounds

[ul]
[li]Proving Grounds is exactly like Standard Objective Freeplay is now with several differences. Base Class Primary Objective abilities act as a Universal Ability. Any player regardless of what class they choose can complete the primary objective at any time in a match. This mode locks all abilities above Rank 3. You can use any Rank 5 character and enter this mode. Anyone can play in this mode. However, all abilities are grayed out above rank 3 (not useable). And Primary Objective abilities*: Plant Charge, Hack, Fix, Escort Heal, become useable regardless of what class you choose during the match. * Base Ability specific to Primary Objective Only Please set Bots to Easy. [/li][/ul]

[ul]
[li]Above player’s head is a special icon specific to this mode that shows the Preferred Class or (Command Post Designated Choice During the Match) within a black star. Looks like this: [/li]

[LIST]
[li]Hack Box and HE Charge CANNOT BE REMOVED ONCE IT HAS BEEN PLACED.[/li][/ul][QUOTE=wolfnemesis75;374809]This is a suggestion geared towards new players to this type of gameplay. Proving Grounds would be the place for them or anyone looking just to kick back and to play in a less intimidating setting. Sometimes less is more, my friend. With the Rank Ability Locks and Universal Base System this mode would function similar to full-on objective modes currently, but have less of a barrier to entry. Then all the rest of the modes are what we have now, with the addition of some streamlining of the playlists, and an added mode for teams so a more balanced teamplay can result rather than the typical pub-stomping. This is the Stopwatch portion which would act as a Clan War section. :)[/QUOTE]

Small Teams.
8 Max humans. Same as currently. No Universal Objective Class Star Icon. Same as currently.

Old Skool
Old Skool/Advanced Same Rules as currently with the addition of 8v8 (all humans) no Friendly Fire. Make Friendly Fire a Private Match option. Please set Bots to Hard.

Freeplay Menu Order:
1.) Proving Grounds
2.) Small Teams
3.) Old Skool
4.) Team Clan Wars
5.) Competitive

[thread=30761] Console Matchmaking Fixes/Ideas [/thread]

(sanDIOkan) #2

please someone kill him…

(gooey79) #3

How will these ideas help foster retention in players?

Also, what barriers to entry are there?

(tokamak) #4

Easy, because Brink’s gameplay the small playerbase is down to something else.

(.Chris.) #5

How to retain players in Brink?

Well it’s a bit late now but for the next title it’s quite easy actually, just make a reski… I mean, what you need to do is firstly make sure you test the game extensively, I’m still not sure how so many blatant bugs made it to retail. I would have said the bugs alone found at release were enough to turn many away. While its common to find some bugs at release Brink had way too much wrong with it. I remember Paul saying you guys could have released the game last year or so, if what we got this year was ‘finished’ I’d have hated to see what last year’s build was like.

I really hope you can eliminate such problems with the next launch, I suspect we will never find out what caused Brink’s launch fiasco but I hope you as a developer know what did and how to overcome it next time.

Next, don’t market your game as something it’s not, Brink was meant to have this awesome single player campaign that blended seamlessly with the multiplayer, sorry but as a single player game Brink is pants, playing offline with bots isn’t generally what people consider single player, as such some folk probably were expecting something different to what they got thanks to this marketing stuff and were bit miffed when they got something totally different (bye bye). So stick to what you know best, multiplayer only, if I hear the term mingleplayer during the build up to the next title I’ll come down to London and dish out some slaps!

For the PC, make a big trap somewhere with some porn, a large box, a stick and a bit of rope to capture a UI coder and get him to make all the UI stuff we’ve been screaming for since release. Failing that kidnap the guy who did the ET:QW UI. If your anything like my company you don’t really follow the data protection act and would be able to publish his address and a picture and put out and ransom for him.

(AmishWarMachine) #6

[QUOTE=.Chris.;374769]For the PC, make a big trap somewhere with some porn, a large box, a stick and a bit of rope to capture a UI coder and get him to make all the UI stuff we’ve been screaming for since release. Failing that kidnap the guy who did the ET:QW UI. If your anything like my company you don’t really follow the data protection act and would be able to publish his address and a picture and but out and ransom for him.[/QUOTE]HAHAHA!!! Outstanding!

(wolfnemesis75) #7

[QUOTE=*goo;374762]How will these ideas help foster retention in players?

Also, what barriers to entry are there?[/QUOTE]This is a suggestion geared towards new players to this type of gameplay. Proving Grounds would be the place for them or anyone looking just to kick back and to play in a less intimidating setting. Sometimes less is more, my friend. With the Rank Ability Locks and Universal Base System this mode would function similar to full-on objective modes currently, but have less of a barrier to entry. Then all the rest of the modes are what we have now, with the addition of some streamlining of the playlists, and an added mode for teams so a more balanced teamplay can result rather than the typical pub-stomping. This is the Stopwatch portion which would act as a Clan War section. :slight_smile:

(Ix LP xI) #8

What “intimidating settings”?

What “type of gameplay”?

(wolfnemesis75) #9

[QUOTE=Ix LP xI;374816]1.) What “intimidating settings”?

2.) What “type of gameplay”?[/QUOTE]
1.) Team balance issues and High learning Curve.
2.) Objective Team Class Based

(Ix LP xI) #10

[QUOTE=wolfnemesis75;374829]1.) Team balance issues and High learning Curve.
2.) Objective Team Class Based[/QUOTE]
What “high learning curve”? The game is quite easy, honestly. No need to aim and the objectives are quite simple.

“Objective team class base” The classes are easy to approach. You unlock the abilities as you progress.

I think you’re missing the point on why Brink doesn’t have a lot of players.

(H0RSE) #11

I think when wolf is referring to “high learning curve,” he is not referring to the learning curve related to personal skill. I think he is more referring to the learning curve when compared to other popular FPS games.

Example - a player that plays nothing but Team Deathmatch and CTF, wants to try Brink. Now regardless of how well the player’s individual skills are, coming over from “lowest common denominator” gamemodes, to the class-based objective modes that Brink offers, is going to involve some getting used to.

Remember, this post is supposed to be targeted to new players - a hardened Splash Damage vet, or even a player remotely familiar with class-based team objective games, already has an edge.

(Baiken6609) #12

Go here http://www.splashdamage.com/forums/showthread.php/30084-Brink-weapon-pack-idea

(Traxxy) #13

Getting used to? …yes…
Learning curve? no.

Let me explain.
Engineer needs to repair a crane.

Getting Used to = Oh I have to go over to this spot and repair this crane thing I cant just cap a flag? …ahhhhhh
Learning Curve = How do I get to this crane thing more effeciently next time ? Maybe there is another way I can repair it ?

Medic Needs to revive someone.
Getting Used to = Ahh I have to aim at the guy and throw him a syringe…nps.
Learning Curve = How do I get this syringe to him better ? Maybe I will take out the enemys first next time? etc etc.

Probably not the best examples but you should understand what i mean. :slight_smile:

(montheponies) #14

I think a simple tutorial mission at the start of the campaign would aid things far more than the current setup - no one is going to watch the videos and if you start a new game up without any knowledge it can seem a bit bewildering.

(wolfnemesis75) #15

[QUOTE=H0RSE;374838]I think when wolf is referring to “high learning curve,” he is not referring to the learning curve related to personal skill. I think he is more referring to the learning curve when compared to other popular FPS games.

Example - a player that plays nothing but Team Deathmatch and CTF, wants to try Brink. Now regardless of how well the player’s individual skills are, coming over from “lowest common denominator” gamemodes, to the class-based objective modes that Brink offers, is going to involve some getting used to.

Remember, this post is supposed to be targeted to new players - a hardened Splash Damage vet, or even a player remotely familiar with class-based team objective games, already has an edge.[/QUOTE]Horse has the right of it. Exactly what I am talking about. Thanks. :slight_smile:

(wolfnemesis75) #16

I adjusted the OP to clarify some of the points and suggested fixes. Thanks to Horse and some others for their comments. :slight_smile:

(tokamak) #17

Brink is supposed to be targeted to new players.

(wolfnemesis75) #18

[QUOTE=tokamak;374875]Brink is supposed to be targeted to new players.[/QUOTE]It needs adjusting. So many focused on actual changes to weapons and body types, etc., but what I am proposing is work-arounds. I’m trying to come at this from a different angle. You can’t go back in f****ing time and fix all this stuff! Nobody owns a time machine, brother. I added some examples of fixes that could be implemented NOW. and perhaps help ease the transition for NEW players!

Keep posting because feedback is welcome. Just busting on you, tokamak. Like I always do. :slight_smile:

(tokamak) #19

Oh well keep polishing that turd then.

(wolfnemesis75) #20

[QUOTE=tokamak;374881]Oh well keep polishing that turd then.[/QUOTE]Ok. I will. :slight_smile: