2.1 Major Content Patch - Developer's Log

Hi everyone!

As you all may be aware, we have posted a survey for all SPGENS players to fill as part of our initiative to better our service. I'm quite surprised regarding the turnout of all the feedback we are getting, and we will be using it to better our service with a new content patch expected for the end of June.

This post will not detail any events or specific content changes we will be doing, but we will be talking about the direct impact and decisions we have made based on our survey and player feedback.

Issue #1 - Disparity between donators and free-to-play

As we are aware, our current economical situation (within the game) has been pretty unfair since the release of the server. I have always thought that higher rates, or more similar rates between players gives everyone equal access. This is simply not true.

Equal access is a concept I am taking forward to make new content patches for the SPGENS service. Currently, our system promotes players to get GEN Coins, Cash and other premium currencies to advance in the game. Following the development of these systems, I had thought that free-to-play players would be purchasing these premium currencies/items from players whom have obtained it via donating. This simply isn't fair in our current state, and it's one of the first things we will tackle in patch 2.1.

To promote equal access, the Daily Missions System will be introduced and Loot Crates will be reworked. The DMS (Daily Missions System) will allow free-to-play and donators alike to work together to complete their missions and obtain premium currencies (Cash, GEN Coins & Loot Crates).

Loot Crates will be reworked to offer almost every premium item under the sun. It is not a guaranteed way to obtain specific items, but will give all players equal chance and access to obtaining those items. I hope the DMS can also promote more community play and interaction.

Beyond DMS, we are looking to change the power and accessibility of Super Silvers. These cards are not specifically donator only, but most people won't be able to access this resource until they have ample resources. Super Silvers widen the gap between paid and free-to-play players. With these changes to rates, the gap will be smaller.

Issue #2 - Absolute Battle Mode/PVP Focus

Starting SPGENS, we attracted mostly North American players. Throughout those initial months, Battle/PVP was the most favored game mode, and was heavily developed.

This has changed following the introduction of the international community. Game modes like Quest and Mission are actually favored equally with Battle modes based on our survey.

Following this information, I will be making changes to equalize gain within Mission, Questing and Battle modes. I will also be adding better multipliers to rooms with multiple players for all modes, so just pick your favorite mode, get your friends on and play!

Issue #3 - Triple Max & Lvl 9/10

When SPGENS was in it's infancy, the rates were absolutely f**ked. Most of the veteran players know that, and it has given (even to this day) some unfair advantage.

In the 2.1 patch, my goal is to streamline the process of Triple Max items and level 9/10. Here's how that will work:

• Since the Daily Missions will be here, access to 2-1/2-2 and skill related special cards will be available for anyone to earn. This will allow anyone to play and obtain the cards they need to make triple max items.
• Level 9 weapons are near worthless, we will be dropping the required elements to make it easier to obtain.
• Level 10 items will be publicly available for the first time, setting the new standard as Quad Max items. (I made that up, haha.) -- Loot Crates will be publicly available through DMS, which means Skill Fuse (Lvl 10 fuse card) will be available for the first time. Level 10 items should start to be publicly acknowledged as the best card available.

This portion of the patch is solely focused on closing the gap between Veterans and new comers.

Issue #4 - The endless grind

Many of us are older now, and have full-time responsibilities elsewhere. Family, Work, friends, or whatever it may be, we can't be playing video games as much as we used to.

I have recognized this aspect of the game. There aren't any specific changes to making "the endless grind" any better, but I anticipate this outcome with DMS:

• Players will grind TOGETHER, completing missions and earning resources
• All gamemodes will be played relatively equally as the DMS goes through every game mode as an objective to complete.
• A clear and concise goal to complete should drive players to have some direction. Even a new player can discern what they need to do, and most likely, it'll be to finish their missions ASAP.

Issue #5 - Disconnections & Clock of Death (CoD)

Trust me when I say this, there are days where I want to abandon the project, call the developers and ask them one question:

"Why the hell would you program a video game like this?"

Fixing random disconnections and clock of death related issues is near impossible, especially without player input on how they were disconnected, when, why, etc. If you wish to make a push for a more stable server, feedback related to these issues needs to be given to me.

At the current moment, the server is able to stay online for an indefinite amount of time. I have been making technical patches since Day #1 of opening the server to better serve the community.

With this post, I hope we can work together, as players and developers to squish as many of these bugs & issues together.

That's a wrap!

That's it for this short port. Be ready for 2.1 related EVENTS and the full content update changelog coming by the end of JUNE.

Thank you so much for supporting this server and project. I feel more and more motivated everyday to continue to pursue the best service I can provide for this nostalgic game.

• GM-Q & Team SPGENS