Ballak wrote:

somehow you guys think if we all close our eyes and pretend enough, we'll actually get the old storyline back, or maybe ingame cinematics back, or hey even the old LET. Where money talks, people walk.

Hm, I don't think that, per se. I'm just offering my rather wordy opinion on how the story has been treated so far, and my hopes that my and others' criticisms can affect future story developement into something everyone can enjoy.

 I do live in the past a wee bit...

People compl-- "criticized" about pew pew lazers, still they are there. People criticized about Villain of the Week storylines, they still continue. Even in that conversation you had with MetaLogic, criticizing the fact that Rarebit would bring up certain characters that showed their face for about a week before being shelved, and already we have "Mauser" who will either be.. (pertaining from past history)

Killed in some way, but mystical enough so we're not really "certain" of his death.

He gets stock-shelved along with the other Zion LE Chars like Colt.

He becomes villain of the week.

All I'm saying is after three years of criticizing and little change being seen in the storyline department, I honestly don't see us seeing anymore "old days" unless we're either the glorified MMO in SOE's family, or we get changed to a company (like Monolith) to where they put more time and development into our game, besides this pathetic "Oh, well, you're doing average, so just keep doing what you're doing;" attitude, which unfortunately for us, as customers, is an average that is considered *CENSORED*-poor in the Massively Multiplayer Online Industry as we know it.

Well, with Mauser, it could be a different story. I don't know every detail, like what's transpired in the Zion missions, but from knowing what I know from the immediate past (Halborn's travels and goals) I could very easily construct the theory that Mauser is actually a Halborn shell, or something. For all I know that's already been discredited, but hey, the potential is something to think about.

As for "little change," I believe there was a major change after much criticism of the Unlimit saga, in it being cut short (leading to more complaining about its abrupt end, haha!), so I wouldn't say the Community hasn't had an effect on its own game.

Alright, I'll give you the Unlimit Saga being cut short. Still, that's just one.

No one can ever get enough of pew pew lazers once they've had a taste..

As for "little change," I believe there was a major change after much criticism of the Unlimit saga, in it being cut short (leading to more complaining about its abrupt end, haha!), so I wouldn't say the Community hasn't had an effect on its own game.

Really? Ugg, I thought... well, I remember something was cut out or skipped. Bugger, I'mma have a headache tryin' to remember the rest of my shift.

Really? Ugg, I thought... well, I remember something was cut out or skipped. Bugger, I'mma have a headache tryin' to remember the rest of my shift.

ZippyTheSquirrel wrote:

Really? Ugg, I thought... well, I remember something was cut out or skipped. Bugger, I'mma have a headache tryin' to remember the rest of my shift.

Hm, I might'a skipped some of the usual "bag guy goon cleanup" after Anome was dead. I don't really remember if there was much of that or not.

If memory serves, you said that 6.2 would have dealt with eliminating the remaining unlimits, but instead shortened that to the first machine mission in that chapter, replacing the rest with that great Zion mainframe access request arc.

 Also, again, if my memory is working properly, a subchapter was skipped that was essentially more unlimit antics, but was notable for having a planned (albeit unrelated) cinematic that would have EPN/Cypherites fighting.

As for what contribuited to the overall story and matrix universe, might as well do a rough approximation of each subchapter.

 Year one:

1.1: Introduced the general idea of how the Truce is meant to work, introduced the red eyed agents - the earliest act of the General to sabotage the Truce.

1.2: Neo's corpse was not returned to Zion.  Morpheus breaks lines with Zion Command (again). Code bombs introduced. Earliest Cypherites make their appearance.

1.3: Morpheus is killed off (or did I?). Anome introduced as another Zion mission controller, more closely aligned with Niobe than command proper.  Assassin is introduced. Morpheus-aligned operatives remain untrusting of command, more or less a precursor to EPN.

2.1: Assasin's nature explained. First instance of a physical machine from the real entering the matrix. The idea of a killcode (insecticide) being needed to eliminate an unusual exile is introduced.

2.2: The concept of EJP and the ability to circumvent it with killcodes is introduced.

2.3: Enter the Commandos - they approach all 3 sides and ask for alliances or non-aggression.  The assassin is killed.

3.1:  Machines step up operations against the commandos. A significant real-world presence is revealed when bombs are discovered on the pod fields.

3.2: Enter Cryptos. Veil escapes from imprisonment in Zion.  Machines initially aid zion in their pursuit, only to abruptly end when an audio recording of Cryptos speaking with Gray is discovered.

3.3: The General forms an alliance with Zion against the merovingian. He arranges for the theft of the Cheat Codes. Zion investigates Merovingian constructs, enter the Effectuator.

4.1: Unable to locate the cheat codes, the machines step up operations against the Merovingian, capturing the effectuator.

4.2: E Pluribus Neo is formed. Members, against orders, activate code bombs, killing bluepills in the process. Zion disavows the members of EPN, granting the Machines free reign to eliminate them as they see fit.

Rarebit wrote:

ZippyTheSquirrel wrote:

Really? Ugg, I thought... well, I remember something was cut out or skipped. Bugger, I'mma have a headache tryin' to remember the rest of my shift.

Hm, I might'a skipped some of the usual "bag guy goon cleanup" after Anome was dead. I don't really remember if there was much of that or not.

If memory serves, you said that 6.2 would have dealt with eliminating the remaining unlimits, but instead shortened that to the first machine mission in that chapter, replacing the rest with that great Zion mainframe access request arc.

 Also, again, if my memory is working properly, a subchapter was skipped that was essentially more unlimit antics, but was notable for having a planned (albeit unrelated) cinematic that would have EPN/Cypherites fighting.

As for what contribuited to the overall story and matrix universe, might as well do a rough approximation of each subchapter.

 Year one:

1.1: Introduced the general idea of how the Truce is meant to work, introduced the red eyed agents - the earliest act of the General to sabotage the Truce.

1.2: Neo's corpse was not returned to Zion.  Morpheus breaks lines with Zion Command (again). Code bombs introduced. Earliest Cypherites make their appearance.

1.3: Morpheus is killed off (or did I?). Anome introduced as another Zion mission controller, more closely aligned with Niobe than command proper.  Assassin is introduced. Morpheus-aligned operatives remain untrusting of command, more or less a precursor to EPN.

2.1: Assasin's nature explained. First instance of a physical machine from the real entering the matrix. The idea of a killcode (insecticide) being needed to eliminate an unusual exile is introduced.

2.2: The concept of EJP and the ability to circumvent it with killcodes is introduced.

2.3: Enter the Commandos - they approach all 3 sides and ask for alliances or non-aggression.  The assassin is killed.

3.1:  Machines step up operations against the commandos. A significant real-world presence is revealed when bombs are discovered on the pod fields.

3.2: Enter Cryptos. Veil escapes from imprisonment in Zion.  Machines initially aid zion in their pursuit, only to abruptly end when an audio recording of Cryptos speaking with Gray is discovered.

3.3: The General forms an alliance with Zion against the merovingian. He arranges for the theft of the Cheat Codes. Zion investigates Merovingian constructs, enter the Effectuator.

4.1: Unable to locate the cheat codes, the machines step up operations against the Merovingian, capturing the effectuator.

4.2: E Pluribus Neo is formed. Members, against orders, activate code bombs, killing bluepills in the process. Zion disavows the members of EPN, granting the Machines free reign to eliminate them as they see fit.

 

1.3: Morpheus is killed off

 

This is not intended as a rant, by any means. Just my personal opinion on the current direction of the storyline and my hopes for the future. If any of my assumptions in the following are wrong, feel free to correct me (lol).

I'm trying to not to focus too hard on the current situations in each org, especially Zion's. A courtroom battle waged within the legal system within the Matrix is not that compelling to me, but it is to some. Rather, I'm trying to view the whole picture (which is difficult due to there being bits and pieces of this whole story really well-hidden).

I guess my biggest disappointment in today's story is that there are no (real) bad guys.  

• Zion (and by extension, EPN), even though they are representative of the human-kind that started the war, still appears to be the primary protagonist in this story as the freedom of the human race is still a fundamental storyline destination.
• The Machines, whose ethics in dealing with humans are still questionable, may not be the autonomous oppressors they started this franchise out as. In fact, the whole Intruder storyline seems to hint that the Machines could actually be a tool of another, more powerful human society. This creates an ambiguous nature for the Machines that leaves me wondering why Zion would continue to fight them.
• The Merovingian. . .well, these days it seems he just has no teeth. The Merv from the movies was ruthless, always cunning, and always working some angle that would put others in harms way. The Merv we have now is a benevolent socialite whose largess lacks even the conviction of condescension. His plans often fail, his information is easily stolen, and his goals are somewhat inane. Hardly the villian so devilishly portrayed in the movies.
• The Oligarchy could turn out to be the new bad guys. I can easily see a team-up coming between Zion and the Machines to rid the world of the power-mad Oligarchs. But that point seems like a long way away with only EPN driving that plot function inexorably to its conclusion (which doesn't make much sense; why would EPN abandon their fight in this war to start chasing down leads on the Oligarch colony?).  

I like the idea of exploring the world. Taking us beyond the parameters of a world that only includes Old Zion, New Zion, the Fields and Power plant, and the Machine city is certainly intriguing. I also really like the secretive nature of the story with Mauser and the Morpheus Sim and Lo Ruhamah and the Oracle. There is something going on with those folks that is reminiscient of the old days and I am anxious to learn more about it.

Finally, I guess I have to go back to an old stand-by: where is the war? Does anyone really feel as though you are fighting a war? A war has a frontline and troops and supply lines. It has raids and attempts at conquering ground from the enemy and patrols to keep what was captured. A war has propaganda and leadership and tragedy and hope. Where are all these things in this story?  

I guess that's it for now. Just some things on my mind. Hopefully, this will spark some discussion and others will be able to point some things that I am missing.

I think what could be added for depth on some of the newer, or even older, characters are the file drops from the missions. Back when we used to get audio recordings, like between cryptos and an agent, or a voice mail from veil to zion, or even partial dossiers of people. Nothing insane and impossible to piece together like all the assassin messages, just one or a few pieces of a file that gives us a glimpse. I think that would be a relatively small thing that could be re-added to new crits to give us more backstory then what we get from scripted events and missions.

Finally getting caught up on this thread and ready to offer my .02.

I like what sontag posted way upthread and think these are a nice and easy way to supplement the storyline.

Now that Chapters 9 and 10 are over, I have mixed feelings about them.  On one hand it does seem like a long, lazy game that goes on and on.  Oligarchs are the theme here obviously, and provided there are big payoffs at the end, I'm okay with letting it continue and trust Rare to flesh it out over time.

ShiXinFeng wrote:

I'm trying to not to focus too hard on the current situations in each org, especially Zion's. A courtroom battle waged within the legal system within the Matrix is not that compelling to me, but it is to some. Rather, I'm trying to view the whole picture (which is difficult due to there being bits and pieces of this whole story really well-hidden).

I guess my biggest disappointment in today's story is that there are no (real) bad guys.  

• The Merovingian. . .well, these days it seems he just has no teeth. The Merv from the movies was ruthless, always cunning, and always working some angle that would put others in harms way. The Merv we have now is a benevolent socialite whose largess lacks even the conviction of condescension. His plans often fail, his information is easily stolen, and his goals are somewhat inane. Hardly the villian so devilishly portrayed in the movies.

Just want to address this in light of having just done 10.3.5.

The Merovingian has been sitting pretty as of late.  No internecine fighing, no sub-orgs, no insurrections since Invalesco.  Hardly a bumbler, he's had the luxury of chipping away at his goals while Zion and the Machines batter away at each other.  Plus, as the simulation's oldest exile, he doesn't feel the need for as much urgancy as we mere mortals.  But in light of today's developments, I am both pleased an fearful of the Merovingian aquiring something of such power (Trying to be purposefully vague as to avoid dropping spoilers).  The old expression "be careful for what you wish for" definately applies and I fear the harm that may come to our Patron and our org if this power is not used wisely.  But I understand that no one gets a free ride forever and if hard times befall us I am mentally prepared for that eventuality.  I seriously doubt though that Merovingian will turn into a Villain of the Week though, that would be a bit of a cop out.

This gets into what you were saying about some fringe exiles banding together to do something (Morpheus Sim, Lo Rumnhah, etc.).  I too like the foreshadowing of a possible sub-plot involving them.  Maybe this will take the form of a second exile rebellion, who knows.  It will be fun to see.

But getting back to what I would like to see.

First of all I think we should have a morotorium on Stuffs to Farm For.  I'm happy we have Datamine and Satiland.  New Gear-based content is fine but I think it comes at the expense of story-based content.  I'm not sure how a Pink Gi fits into the grand scheme of things.  Or Sleepwalker clothes.  All nice but since at least one character of mine is a collector it just makes me a little frustrated, okay great, add another thing to my to do list, which is already horribly backlogged as it is.

Some of the best added content in my opinion since launch has been the Pandora's Box missions and the Archive Missions.  Why? Because with the PB missions you have a really solid and really interesting story arc.  And the Archive missions are great for referencial purposes.  The goodies you get from both are just added bonuses in my opinion.

What I'd like to see instead of more gear to grind for, is more storyline based content.  Even little things like file drops from missions like sontag mentioned.

I like the added lowbie content, and the addition of the additional Mercury mission.  I'd like to see more Neighborhood Contact missions, flesh these guys out more.  Those are wonderfully immersive of Mega City.  Anything storyline-based or even just immersive in the sense of fleshing out Mega City would be great.

If we now have the ability to add new constructs, maybe the next one should be entirely information or storyline based rather than gear based.  I always thought the Archivist Society themselves were prime material to mine.  I always suspected the Main Library in Chelsea was never made accessible because the original devs thought that might make a great place for further development.  Imagine going to the Main Library and having the ability to access the Archivist Society's archives directly, in a sepearte construct or whatever.  The possibilities for story-based content are limitless!

So in summation, hopefully we can take a break from Gear-Based content for a while and take a look at Storyline-Based content for a change.  As it stands the only storyline based new content we have are crits and LEs and that's it.