Isnt it time for a free trial?

HanoverZ

With the advertised 600% increase in server capacity and other improvements whats the hold up on a free trial?  Since SV has abandoned any real marketing what better way to get the game out there.  

chaoster89

I dont think the owner could handle the trolling

EmperorBeld

No, because all the haters will fill the game with their hate.

Toferio

Originally posted by HanoverZ

Since SV has abandoned any real marketing what better way to get the game out there.  

They are planning to start the advertising once the epic patch build is stable, or so they said.

Hepisodic

I say yes, I want to try this game but with all the horrible news on it's release and whatnot there is just no way I'm spending the money on it if it's a bust. (for me a least).

Slapshot1188

Originally posted by HanoverZ

With the advertised 600% increase in server capacity and other improvements whats the hold up on a free trial?  Since SV has abandoned any real marketing what better way to get the game out there.  

 I agree.  Herick basicly published his playbook for the next few months.  He stated that they will increase viral marketing.. so we should see an uptick of new "players" posting about this great new game they found.  That will be followed by a slew of new "potential players" responding that the game sounds great.. can they get a free trial.    After X amount of time Henrick will announce that due to the overwhelming demand they will have a limited free-trial.  I think they will wait until they cobble together some form of new player quest/trainer stuff... and then limit the trial duration to the amount of time it would take a player to get through that new "content".

 

I believe that his next financial report is due in Nov.  I'd expect to start hearing more about this around then so it can be hyped in the report. The writing is on the wall.

Slapshot1188

 

Originally posted by Toferio

Originally posted by HanoverZ

Since SV has abandoned any real marketing what better way to get the game out there.  

They are planning to start the advertising once the epic patch build is stable, or so they said.

 Yes.. they did say this previously... they even said they were going to start their ad blitz on Gamespot.   That has changed however and they have abandoned "traditional advertising" in favor of continued viral marketing. 

 

http://www.mmorpg.com/discussion2.cfm/thread/295030/PRESS-RELEASE-20101015.html

thorppes

No I don't think it's time for a free trial.

1.) New player friendly guides ingame

2.) Fixes on the bugs from the Epic patch (Pets/taming already fixed yay)

3.) Tweak the AI on some of the non-aggressive mobs so they always respond and put up more of a fight

4.) Add some of the higher end mobs now like trolls and minotaurs like in beta

HanoverZ

Originally posted by thorppes

No I don't think it's time for a free trial.

1.) New player friendly guides ingame

2.) Fixes on the bugs from the Epic patch (Pets/taming already fixed yay)

3.) Tweak the AI on some of the non-aggressive mobs so they always respond and put up more of a fight

4.) Add some of the higher end mobs now like trolls and minotaurs like in beta

So the game launched in March and still isnt ready for the general public?  Another "6 months", 6 days, 6 weeks???...when do you see MO being "ready" and able to stand on its own?

Kabaal

It depends on the state of the game, but from everything i've read it would have a negative impact. They'd be better off not having a trial if the game is still in a sad state, all it would do is hammer the nail in the coffin for the majority that are sitting on the fence rather than encourage them to sub.

thorppes

Do not get me wrong the game is in a great state and is extremely fun and enjoyable, clearly the engine upgrade was a huge deal and it brought along a couple of issues. MO is currently very difficult for solo players to get the hang of which could put people off. AI tweaking now they have the new nav mesh is a must, it can be way more complex now and will turn into something brilliant. Aggressive mobs are challenging, want to fight a bear now in substandard armour and skills? You're dead meat, it will smack you hard, outrun you, barely ever miss and it will chase you for a good while. That's just one example of the huge difference the nav mesh has made.

MO has a lot going for it;

1.) Top notch crafting

2.) Top notch fighting and skill based combat

3.) Empire building, territory control, nicely done houses

4.) An extremely beautiful world now with high res graphics and new improvements from the UE3 engine update

5.) Very fluid combat, no lag due to the server from most parts of the world, larger scale combat without the lag on average rigs

 

So yes like we all knew the Epic patch brought a few bugs (the biggest already fixed and server stability already greatly improved a day or two after it went live) but it's an awesome game to be playing, especially now after the vast improvements the epic patch brought us.

Aethaeryn

What they should do IMHO is add some of the content that they have been "unable" to add because of Atlas. . fix it up and then start with this process.  Mind you if the free trial is very time limited then they might be successful.  I would say the general public's big complain will be "lack of content".  In the past they have stated that they had a lot of things done but they couldn't do it because of the limitations that were to be resolved with the epic patch.

 

If they can afford to they should try to push some of that out first. 

mrcalhou

Originally posted by thorppes

3.) Tweak the AI on some of the non-aggressive mobs so they always respond and put up more of a fight

Don't you think that some mobs should run away in fear when they are threatened? Deer come to mind. Actually most critters that aren't boars (my dad once got chased up a tree by a boar when he was hunting) would likely run away from something trying to kill them or might possibly be able to kill them except for larger carnivores and packs of smaller things.

Aethaeryn

Originally posted by mrcalhou

Originally posted by thorppes

3.) Tweak the AI on some of the non-aggressive mobs so they always respond and put up more of a fight

Don't you think that some mobs should run away in fear when they are threatened? Deer come to mind. Actually most critters that aren't boars (my dad once got chased up a tree by a boar when he was hunting) would likely run away from something trying to kill them or might possibly be able to kill them except for larger carnivores and packs of smaller things.

Yes. . that would be realistic. . but when people hunt animals like this with a bow they would follow a blood trail and hope that the animal looses stamina and health. . eventually they catch up and finish the kill.  

 

If they can do all of this. . then yes. . that would be great - otherwise it can just be frustrating for someone trying to hunt one.  Even if you hit the animal 3 times with a bow it continues to run around at full speed and does not "bleed".

Aethaeryn

Originally posted by thorppes

Do not get me wrong the game is in a great state and is extremely fun and enjoyable, clearly the engine upgrade was a huge deal and it brought along a couple of issues. MO is currently very difficult for solo players to get the hang of which could put people off. AI tweaking now they have the new nav mesh is a must, it can be way more complex now and will turn into something brilliant. Aggressive mobs are challenging, want to fight a bear now in substandard armour and skills? You're dead meat, it will smack you hard, outrun you, barely ever miss and it will chase you for a good while. That's just one example of the huge difference the nav mesh has made.

MO has a lot going for it;

1.) Top notch crafting

2.) Top notch fighting and skill based combat

3.) Empire building, territory control, nicely done houses

4.) An extremely beautiful world now with high res graphics and new improvements from the UE3 engine update

5.) Very fluid combat, no lag due to the server from most parts of the world, larger scale combat without the lag on average rigs

 

So yes like we all knew the Epic patch brought a few bugs (the biggest already fixed and server stability already greatly improved a day or two after it went live) but it's an awesome game to be playing, especially now after the vast improvements the epic patch brought us.

 

 

Here was my first 20 minutes in game and what I noted:

 

Char creation:

 

No explanaition of what stats do or will affect (no help or info button)  best guess only

could use a random button

 

Hover to read about background does nothing (it says this but you have to select)

 

On entering game (load times are improved)

 

can't turn. . curor on screen.  .right click and hold etc. . does nothing mouse wheel does nothing.  Had to press 'z' (nothing tells you this).  In trying to figure this out I eneded up in combat mode.  Was not sure how to exit.  Figured out it was 'x'

 

Now I can move around

 

It is night time. . but I can see. . very nice!

 

Performance is much increased!

 

Inventory. . when trying to see what is in my inventory. . windows pops up on left of item.  Because Item is on left of the screen I can't see the tooltip.

 

I decide I will use the pickaxe on a tree.  I figure out I need to right click on it (no message that it is equiped but it dissapeared so I assume it is)  I hit x and start swinging at the tree.  I realize I am attacking it but have no way of knowing how to use it properly.  I remember that I have to add the woodcutting skill to the hotbar.  Not sure how to bring up skill window. . random attempts finds it.

 

I look under crafting but it is under technique.  I find it and click on plus thinking this might give more options.  I realize this sets the skill to lock, raise or lower.  I click and drag the icon.  It takes about 3 attepts for it to appear.  Could have been that the cursor wasn't perfect or that it was lag.

 

I enter cobat mode again and use the skill. . my head clips through the tree and I see mostly grass.  Wood is apparently very light.  

 

I have still not seen another player.  I pass a couple of empty huts and look out over the "cove". . it looks amazing.  

 

I walk along the trail and there is a torch floating in the air.  There is no stand or anything and it is right where you would walk.

 

I finally find an NPC and am not sure how to interact with him.  I hit "r" because I remember that from a message board posting.  I press a few keys and end up typing r(this was from my r to interact. . not sure why it was copied over). . I end up entering rxxra into the filter and still all the books show up.  I try to click on the x to leave and nothing happens.  I almost end up attacking him by accident.  I press z and hit the x to leave and - the windows is still there.  I hit escape. . my inventory disapears and the library interface is still up.  I can't close it I start to run around and it is still there so I just exit the game to try again later.

Char creation:

 

No explanaition of what stats do or will affect (no help or info button)  best guess only

could use a random button

 

Hover to read about background does nothing (it says this but you have to select)

 

On entering game (load times are improved)

 

can't turn. . curor on screen.  .right click and hold etc. . does nothing mouse wheel does nothing.  Had to press 'z' (nothing tells you this).  In trying to figure this out I eneded up in combat mode.  Was not sure how to exit.  Figured out it was 'x'

 

Now I can move around

 

It is night time. . but I can see. . very nice!

 

Performance is much increased!

 

Inventory. . when trying to see what is in my inventory. . windows pops up on left of item.  Because Item is on left of the screen I can't see the tooltip.

 

I decide I will use the pickaxe on a tree.  I figure out I need to right click on it (no message that it is equiped but it dissapeared so I assume it is)  I hit x and start swinging at the tree.  I realize I am attacking it but have no way of knowing how to use it properly.  I remember that I have to add the woodcutting skill to the hotbar.  Not sure how to bring up skill window. . random attempts finds it.

 

I look under crafting but it is under technique.  I find it and click on plus thinking this might give more options.  I realize this sets the skill to lock, raise or lower.  I click and drag the icon.  It takes about 3 attepts for it to appear.  Could have been that the cursor wasn't perfect or that it was lag.

 

I enter cobat mode again and use the skill. . my head clips through the tree and I see mostly grass.  Wood is apparently very light.  

 

I have still not seen another player.  I pass a couple of empty huts and look out over the "cove". . it looks amazing.  

 

I walk along the trail and there is a torch floating in the air.  There is no stand or anything and it is right where you would walk.

 

I finally find an NPC and am not sure how to interact with him.  I hit "r" because I remember that from a message board posting.  I press a few keys and end up typing r(this was from my r to interact. . not sure why it was copied over). . I end up entering rxxra into the filter and still all the books show up.  I try to click on the x to leave and nothing happens.  I almost end up attacking him by accident.  I press z and hit the x to leave and - the windows is still there.  I hit escape. . my inventory disapears and the library interface is still up.  I can't close it I start to run around and it is still there so I just exit the game to try again later.

 

Start up:

 

The game starts faster and loading time etc. is much improved.

 

Char Creation:

 

- There are no tool tips or help options at all regarding what the stats do. . and there are a lot of numbers you can adjust.

- It says "hover over" to read background. . you actually have to click

To me this is not "hard core" or an "intelligent man's game" it is just sloppy.  I hope they revisit this soon

 

Entering the World

 

-Again great load times

-I see a cursor on the screen and can not turn at all.  I try holding the right mouse button. . nothing.  I start trying keys and end up in combat mode.  eventually I manage to hit the 'z' key and can rotate etc.  The "Press 'H' for help" message never did appear for me

 

Inventory

 

-I hit 'I' for inventory (again I had to assume this was the case).  I hover over the first item in my backpack nothing. . I move over to the second item.  I realize the tool tips are on the left and I just can't see/read them because the backpack also opens on the left and they were off my screen.  I drag my backpack over so I can see them.  (again sloppy. . not hard core)

-The icons do not help much

-I right click (again assuming) on an item to equip it

 

Using skills

 

I have equipped my axe and head over to a tree.  I hit 'x' to bring out my axe and start attacking the tree.  I remember that I have to equip a skill and use it from my hotbar.  I press a few keys looking for my skills.  It turns out it is "L"  I hit crafting and there is nothing there.  I remember (this would have been more frustrating as a total noob) that it is under techniques.  I find mining and after 3 attempts at dragging it to my hotbar I am successful.  It doesn't snap in and my cursor disappears when I am dragging the icon.  The first 2 times with it completely centered it just disappeared.

 

-finally I chop some wood and my head "clips" through the tree and I see grass.  I back up a bit and it looks better

 

The World / graphics

 

I walk down the trail and there is a torch floating in the middle of the path.  It is not on a stand or anything and is just floating  right where you would walk.  The game runs very very smoothly compared to before even on higher settings.

 

I look to the right and see the "cove" 

It is night time but I can see.  It looks amazing (much better than before)  The cove view is breathtaking for a game and I move around a bit looking at the distant lands. . very excited knowing that I can actually explore them later if I want.

 

 

NPCs / interface

 

 I finally find an NPC and am not sure how to interact with him.  I hit "r" because I remember that from a message board posting.  I press a few keys and end up typing r(this was from my r to interact. . not sure why it was copied over). . I end up entering rxxra into the filter and still all the books show up.  I try to click on the x to leave and nothing happens.  I almost end up attacking him by accident.  I press z and hit the x to leave and - the windows is still there.  I hit escape. . my inventory disapears and the library interface is still up.  I can't close it I start to run around and it is still there so I just exit the game to try again later.

 

 

 

So IMO it is not a good time for a trial.

 

 

Char

creation:

 

No explanaition of what stats do or will affect (no help or info button)  best guess only

could use a random button

 

Hover to read about background does nothing (it says this but you have to select)

 

On entering game (load times are improved)

 

can't turn. . curor on screen.  .right click and hold etc. . does nothing mouse wheel does nothing.  Had to press 'z' (nothing tells you this).  In trying to figure this out I eneded up in combat mode.  Was not sure how to exit.  Figured out it was 'x'

 

Now I can move around

 

It is night time. . but I can see. . very nice!

 

Performance is much increased!

 

Inventory. . when trying to see what is in my inventory. . windows pops up on left of item.  Because Item is on left of the screen I can't see the tooltip.

 

I decide I will use the pickaxe on a tree.  I figure out I need to right click on it (no message that it is equiped but it dissapeared so I assume it is)  I hit x and start swinging at the tree.  I realize I am attacking it but have no way of knowing how to use it properly.  I remember that I have to add the woodcutting skill to the hotbar.  Not sure how to bring up skill window. . random attempts finds it.

 

I look under crafting but it is under technique.  I find it and click on plus thinking this might give more options.  I realize this sets the skill to lock, raise or lower.  I click and drag the icon.  It takes about 3 attepts for it to appear.  Could have been that the cursor wasn't perfect or that it was lag.

 

I enter cobat mode again and use the skill. . my head clips through the tree and I see mostly grass.  Wood is apparently very light.  

 

I have still not seen another player.  I pass a couple of empty huts and look out over the "cove". . it looks amazing.  

 

I walk along the trail and there is a torch floating in the air.  There is no stand or anything and it is right where you would walk.

 

I finally find an NPC and am not sure how to interact with him.  I hit "r" because I remember that from a message board posting.  I press a few keys and end up typing r(this was from my r to interact. . not sure why it was copied over). . I end up entering rxxra into the filter and still all the books show up.  I try to click on the x to leave and nothing happens.  I almost end up attacking him by accident.  I press z and hit the x to leave and - the windows is still there.  I hit escape. . my inventory disapears and the library interface is still up.  I can't close it I start to run around and it is still there so I just exit the game to try again later.

Char creation:

 

No explanaition of what stats do or will affect (no help or info button)  best guess only

could use a random button

 

Hover to read about background does nothing (it says this but you have to select)

 

On entering game (load times are improved)

 

can't turn. . curor on screen.  .right click and hold etc. . does nothing mouse wheel does nothing.  Had to press 'z' (nothing tells you this).  In trying to figure this out I eneded up in combat mode.  Was not sure how to exit.  Figured out it was 'x'

 

Now I can move around

 

It is night time. . but I can see. . very nice!

 

Performance is much increased!

 

Inventory. . when trying to see what is in my inventory. . windows pops up on left of item.  Because Item is on left of the screen I can't see the tooltip.

 

I decide I will use the pickaxe on a tree.  I figure out I need to right click on it (no message that it is equiped but it dissapeared so I assume it is)  I hit x and start swinging at the tree.  I realize I am attacking it but have no way of knowing how to use it properly.  I remember that I have to add the woodcutting skill to the hotbar.  Not sure how to bring up skill window. . random attempts finds it.

 

I look under crafting but it is under technique.  I find it and click on plus thinking this might give more options.  I realize this sets the skill to lock, raise or lower.  I click and drag the icon.  It takes about 3 attepts for it to appear.  Could have been that the cursor wasn't perfect or that it was lag.

 

I enter cobat mode again and use the skill. . my head clips through the tree and I see mostly grass.  Wood is apparently very light.  

 

I have still not seen another player.  I pass a couple of empty huts and look out over the "cove". . it looks amazing.  

 

I walk along the trail and there is a torch floating in the air.  There is no stand or anything and it is right where you would walk.

 

I finally find an NPC and am not sure how to interact with him.  I hit "r" because I remember that from a message board posting.  I press a few keys and end up typing r(this was from my r to interact. . not sure why it was copied over). . I end up entering rxxra into the filter and still all the books show up.  I try to click on the x to leave and nothing happens.  I almost end up attacking him by accident.  I press z and hit the x to leave and - the windows is still there.  I hit escape. . my inventory disapears and the library interface is still up.  I can't close it I start to run around and it is still there so I just exit the game to try again later.

Char creation:

 

No explanaition of what stats do or will affect (no help or info button)  best guess only

could use a random button

 

Hover to read about background does nothing (it says this but you have to select)

 

On entering game (load times are improved)

 

can't turn. . curor on screen.  .right click and hold etc. . does nothing mouse wheel does nothing.  Had to press 'z' (nothing tells you this).  In trying to figure this out I eneded up in combat mode.  Was not sure how to exit.  Figured out it was 'x'

 

Now I can move around

 

It is night time. . but I can see. . very nice!

 

Performance is much increased!

 

Inventory. . when trying to see what is in my inventory. . windows pops up on left of item.  Because Item is on left of the screen I can't see the tooltip.

 

I decide I will use the pickaxe on a tree.  I figure out I need to right click on it (no message that it is equiped but it dissapeared so I assume it is)  I hit x and start swinging at the tree.  I realize I am attacking it but have no way of knowing how to use it properly.  I remember that I have to add the woodcutting skill to the hotbar.  Not sure how to bring up skill window. . random attempts finds it.

 

I look under crafting but it is under technique.  I find it and click on plus thinking this might give more options.  I realize this sets the skill to lock, raise or lower.  I click and drag the icon.  It takes about 3 attepts for it to appear.  Could have been that the cursor wasn't perfect or that it was lag.

 

I enter cobat mode again and use the skill. . my head clips through the tree and I see mostly grass.  Wood is apparently very light.  

 

I have still not seen another player.  I pass a couple of empty huts and look out over the "cove". . it looks amazing.  

 

I walk along the trail and there is a torch floating in the air.  There is no stand or anything and it is right where you would walk.

 

I finally find an NPC and am not sure how to interact with him.  I hit "r" because I remember that from a message board posting.  I press a few keys and end up typing r(this was from my r to interact. . not sure why it was copied over). . I end up entering rxxra into the filter and still all the books show up.  I try to click on the x to leave and nothing happens.  I almost end up attacking him by accident.  I press z and hit the x to leave and - the windows is still there.  I hit escape. . my inventory disapears and the library interface is still up.  I can't close it I start to run around and it is still there so I just exit the game to try again later.

Char creation:

 

No explanaition of what stats do or will affect (no help or info button)  best guess only

could use a random button

 

Hover to read about background does nothing (it says this but you have to select)

 

On entering game (load times are improved)

 

can't turn. . curor on screen.  .right click and hold etc. . does nothing mouse wheel does nothing.  Had to press 'z' (nothing tells you this).  In trying to figure this out I eneded up in combat mode.  Was not sure how to exit.  Figured out it was 'x'

 

Now I can move around

 

It is night time. . but I can see. . very nice!

 

Performance is much increased!

 

Inventory. . when trying to see what is in my inventory. . windows pops up on left of item.  Because Item is on left of the screen I can't see the tooltip.

 

I decide I will use the pickaxe on a tree.  I figure out I need to right click on it (no message that it is equiped but it dissapeared so I assume it is)  I hit x and start swinging at the tree.  I realize I am attacking it but have no way of knowing how to use it properly.  I remember that I have to add the woodcutting skill to the hotbar.  Not sure how to bring up skill window. . random attempts finds it.

 

I look under crafting but it is under technique.  I find it and click on plus thinking this might give more options.  I realize this sets the skill to lock, raise or lower.  I click and drag the icon.  It takes about 3 attepts for it to appear.  Could have been that the cursor wasn't perfect or that it was lag.

 

I enter cobat mode again and use the skill. . my head clips through the tree and I see mostly grass.  Wood is apparently very light.  

 

I have still not seen another player.  I pass a couple of empty huts and look out over the "cove". . it looks amazing.  

 

I walk along the trail and there is a torch floating in the air.  There is no stand or anything and it is right where you would walk.

 

I finally find an NPC and am not sure how to interact with him.  I hit "r" because I remember that from a message board posting.  I press a few keys and end up typing r(this was from my r to interact. . not sure why it was copied over). . I end up entering rxxra into the filter and still all the books show up.  I try to click on the x to leave and nothing happens.  I almost end up attacking him by accident.  I press z and hit the x to leave and - the windows is still there.  I hit escape. . my inventory disapears and the library interface is still up.  I can't close it I start to run around and it is still there so I just exit the game to try again later.

Char creation:

 

No explanaition of what stats do or will affect (no help or info button)  best guess only

could use a random button

 

Hover to read about background does nothing (it says this but you have to select)

 

On entering game (load times are improved)

 

can't turn. . curor on screen.  .right click and hold etc. . does nothing mouse wheel does nothing.  Had to press 'z' (nothing tells you this).  In trying to figure this out I eneded up in combat mode.  Was not sure how to exit.  Figured out it was 'x'

 

Now I can move around

 

It is night time. . but I can see. . very nice!

 

Performance is much increased!

 

Inventory. . when trying to see what is in my inventory. . windows pops up on left of item.  Because Item is on left of the screen I can't see the tooltip.

 

I decide I will use the pickaxe on a tree.  I figure out I need to right click on it (no message that it is equiped but it dissapeared so I assume it is)  I hit x and start swinging at the tree.  I realize I am attacking it but have no way of knowing how to use it properly.  I remember that I have to add the woodcutting skill to the hotbar.  Not sure how to bring up skill window. . random attempts finds it.

 

I look under crafting but it is under technique.  I find it and click on plus thinking this might give more options.  I realize this sets the skill to lock, raise or lower.  I click and drag the icon.  It takes about 3 attepts for it to appear.  Could have been that the cursor wasn't perfect or that it was lag.

 

I enter cobat mode again and use the skill. . my head clips through the tree and I see mostly grass.  Wood is apparently very light.  

 

I have still not seen another player.  I pass a couple of empty huts and look out over the "cove". . it looks amazing.  

 

I walk along the trail and there is a torch floating in the air.  There is no stand or anything and it is right where you would walk.

 

I finally find an NPC and am not sure how to interact with him.  I hit "r" because I remember that from a message board posting.  I press a few keys and end up typing r(this was from my r to interact. . not sure why it was copied over). . I end up entering rxxra into the filter and still all the books show up.  I try to click on the x to leave and nothing happens.  I almost end up attacking him by accident.  I press z and hit the x to leave and - the windows is still there.  I hit escape. . my inventory disapears and the library interface is still up.  I can't close it I start to run around and it is still there so I just exit the game to try again later.

Char creation:

 

No explanaition of what stats do or will affect (no help or info button)  best guess only

could use a random button

 

Hover to read about background does nothing (it says this but you have to select)

 

On entering game (load times are improved)

 

can't turn. . curor on screen.  .right click and hold etc. . does nothing mouse wheel does nothing.  Had to press 'z' (nothing tells you this).  In trying to figure this out I eneded up in combat mode.  Was not sure how to exit.  Figured out it was 'x'

 

Now I can move around

 

It is night time. . but I can see. . very nice!

 

Performance is much increased!

 

Inventory. . when trying to see what is in my inventory. . windows pops up on left of item.  Because Item is on left of the screen I can't see the tooltip.

 

I decide I will use the pickaxe on a tree.  I figure out I need to right click on it (no message that it is equiped but it dissapeared so I assume it is)  I hit x and start swinging at the tree.  I realize I am attacking it but have no way of knowing how to use it properly.  I remember that I have to add the woodcutting skill to the hotbar.  Not sure how to bring up skill window. . random attempts finds it.

 

I look under crafting but it is under technique.  I find it and click on plus thinking this might

thorppes

Originally posted by Aethaeryn

Originally posted by thorppes

Do not get me wrong the game is in a great state and is extremely fun and enjoyable, clearly the engine upgrade was a huge deal and it brought along a couple of issues. MO is currently very difficult for solo players to get the hang of which could put people off. AI tweaking now they have the new nav mesh is a must, it can be way more complex now and will turn into something brilliant. Aggressive mobs are challenging, want to fight a bear now in substandard armour and skills? You're dead meat, it will smack you hard, outrun you, barely ever miss and it will chase you for a good while. That's just one example of the huge difference the nav mesh has made.

MO has a lot going for it;

1.) Top notch crafting

2.) Top notch fighting and skill based combat

3.) Empire building, territory control, nicely done houses

4.) An extremely beautiful world now with high res graphics and new improvements from the UE3 engine update

5.) Very fluid combat, no lag due to the server from most parts of the world, larger scale combat without the lag on average rigs

 

So yes like we all knew the Epic patch brought a few bugs (the biggest already fixed and server stability already greatly improved a day or two after it went live) but it's an awesome game to be playing, especially now after the vast improvements the epic patch brought us.

 

 

Here was my first 20 minutes in game and what I noted:

 

Char creation:

 

No explanaition of what stats do or will affect (no help or info button)  best guess only

could use a random button

 

Hover to read about background does nothing (it says this but you have to select)

 

On entering game (load times are improved)

 

can't turn. . curor on screen.  .right click and hold etc. . does nothing mouse wheel does nothing.  Had to press 'z' (nothing tells you this).  In trying to figure this out I eneded up in combat mode.  Was not sure how to exit.  Figured out it was 'x'

 

Now I can move around

 

It is night time. . but I can see. . very nice!

 

Performance is much increased!

 

Inventory. . when trying to see what is in my inventory. . windows pops up on left of item.  Because Item is on left of the screen I can't see the tooltip.

 

I decide I will use the pickaxe on a tree.  I figure out I need to right click on it (no message that it is equiped but it dissapeared so I assume it is)  I hit x and start swinging at the tree.  I realize I am attacking it but have no way of knowing how to use it properly.  I remember that I have to add the woodcutting skill to the hotbar.  Not sure how to bring up skill window. . random attempts finds it.

 

I look under crafting but it is under technique.  I find it and click on plus thinking this might give more options.  I realize this sets the skill to lock, raise or lower.  I click and drag the icon.  It takes about 3 attepts for it to appear.  Could have been that the cursor wasn't perfect or that it was lag.

 

I enter cobat mode again and use the skill. . my head clips through the tree and I see mostly grass.  Wood is apparently very light.  

 

I have still not seen another player.  I pass a couple of empty huts and look out over the "cove". . it looks amazing.  

 

I walk along the trail and there is a torch floating in the air.  There is no stand or anything and it is right where you would walk.

 

I finally find an NPC and am not sure how to interact with him.  I hit "r" because I remember that from a message board posting.  I press a few keys and end up typing r(this was from my r to interact. . not sure why it was copied over). . I end up entering rxxra into the filter and still all the books show up.  I try to click on the x to leave and nothing happens.  I almost end up attacking him by accident.  I press z and hit the x to leave and - the windows is still there.  I hit escape. . my inventory disapears and the library interface is still up.  I can't close it I start to run around and it is still there so I just exit the game to try again later.

Char creation:

 

No explanaition of what stats do or will affect (no help or info button)  best guess only

could use a random button

 

Hover to read about background does nothing (it says this but you have to select)

 

On entering game (load times are improved)

 

can't turn. . curor on screen.  .right click and hold etc. . does nothing mouse wheel does nothing.  Had to press 'z' (nothing tells you this).  In trying to figure this out I eneded up in combat mode.  Was not sure how to exit.  Figured out it was 'x'

 

Now I can move around

 

It is night time. . but I can see. . very nice!

 

Performance is much increased!

 

Inventory. . when trying to see what is in my inventory. . windows pops up on left of item.  Because Item is on left of the screen I can't see the tooltip.

 

I decide I will use the pickaxe on a tree.  I figure out I need to right click on it (no message that it is equiped but it dissapeared so I assume it is)  I hit x and start swinging at the tree.  I realize I am attacking it but have no way of knowing how to use it properly.  I remember that I have to add the woodcutting skill to the hotbar.  Not sure how to bring up skill window. . random attempts finds it.

 

I look under crafting but it is under technique.  I find it and click on plus thinking this might give more options.  I realize this sets the skill to lock, raise or lower.  I click and drag the icon.  It takes about 3 attepts for it to appear.  Could have been that the cursor wasn't perfect or that it was lag.

 

I enter cobat mode again and use the skill. . my head clips through the tree and I see mostly grass.  Wood is apparently very light.  

 

I have still not seen another player.  I pass a couple of empty huts and look out over the "cove". . it looks amazing.  

 

I walk along the trail and there is a torch floating in the air.  There is no stand or anything and it is right where you would walk.

 

I finally find an NPC and am not sure how to interact with him.  I hit "r" because I remember that from a message board posting.  I press a few keys and end up typing r(this was from my r to interact. . not sure why it was copied over). . I end up entering rxxra into the filter and still all the books show up.  I try to click on the x to leave and nothing happens.  I almost end up attacking him by accident.  I press z and hit the x to leave and - the windows is still there.  I hit escape. . my inventory disapears and the library interface is still up.  I can't close it I start to run around and it is still there so I just exit the game to try again later.

 

Start up:

 

The game starts faster and loading time etc. is much improved.

 

Char Creation:

 

- There are no tool tips or help options at all regarding what the stats do. . and there are a lot of numbers you can adjust.

- It says "hover over" to read background. . you actually have to click

To me this is not "hard core" or an "intelligent man's game" it is just sloppy.  I hope they revisit this soon

 

Entering the World

 

-Again great load times

-I see a cursor on the screen and can not turn at all.  I try holding the right mouse button. . nothing.  I start trying keys and end up in combat mode.  eventually I manage to hit the 'z' key and can rotate etc.  The "Press 'H' for help" message never did appear for me

 

Inventory

 

-I hit 'I' for inventory (again I had to assume this was the case).  I hover over the first item in my backpack nothing. . I move over to the second item.  I realize the tool tips are on the left and I just can't see/read them because the backpack also opens on the left and they were off my screen.  I drag my backpack over so I can see them.  (again sloppy. . not hard core)

-The icons do not help much

-I right click (again assuming) on an item to equip it

 

Using skills

 

I have equipped my axe and head over to a tree.  I hit 'x' to bring out my axe and start attacking the tree.  I remember that I have to equip a skill and use it from my hotbar.  I press a few keys looking for my skills.  It turns out it is "L"  I hit crafting and there is nothing there.  I remember (this would have been more frustrating as a total noob) that it is under techniques.  I find mining and after 3 attempts at dragging it to my hotbar I am successful.  It doesn't snap in and my cursor disappears when I am dragging the icon.  The first 2 times with it completely centered it just disappeared.

 

-finally I chop some wood and my head "clips" through the tree and I see grass.  I back up a bit and it looks better

 

The World / graphics

 

I walk down the trail and there is a torch floating in the middle of the path.  It is not on a stand or anything and is just floating  right where you would walk.  The game runs very very smoothly compared to before even on higher settings.

 

I look to the right and see the "cove" 

It is night time but I can see.  It looks amazing (much better than before)  The cove view is breathtaking for a game and I move around a bit looking at the distant lands. . very excited knowing that I can actually explore them later if I want.

 

 

NPCs / interface

 

 I finally find an NPC and am not sure how to interact with him.  I hit "r" because I remember that from a message board posting.  I press a few keys and end up typing r(this was from my r to interact. . not sure why it was copied over). . I end up entering rxxra into the filter and still all the books show up.  I try to click on the x to leave and nothing happens.  I almost end up attacking him by accident.  I press z and hit the x to leave and - the windows is still there.  I hit escape. . my inventory disapears and the library interface is still up.  I can't close it I start to run around and it is still there so I just exit the game to try again later.

 

 

 

So IMO it is not a good time for a trial.

 

 

Char

creation:

 

No explanaition of what stats do or will affect (no help or info button)  best guess only

could use a random button

 

Hover to read about background does nothing (it says this but you have to select)

 

On entering game (load times are improved)

 

can't turn. . curor on screen.  .right click and hold etc. . does nothing mouse wheel does nothing.  Had to press 'z' (nothing tells you this).  In trying to figure this out I eneded up in combat mode.  Was not sure how to exit.  Figured out it was 'x'

 

Now I can move around

 

It is night time. . but I can see. . very nice!

 

Performance is much increased!

 

Inventory. . when trying to see what is in my inventory. . windows pops up on left of item.  Because Item is on left of the screen I can't see the tooltip.

 

I decide I will use the pickaxe on a tree.  I figure out I need to right click on it (no message that it is equiped but it dissapeared so I assume it is)  I hit x and start swinging at the tree.  I realize I am attacking it but have no way of knowing how to use it properly.  I remember that I have to add the woodcutting skill to the hotbar.  Not sure how to bring up skill window. . random attempts finds it.

 

I look under crafting but it is under technique.  I find it and click on plus thinking this might give more options.  I realize this sets the skill to lock, raise or lower.  I click and drag the icon.  It takes about 3 attepts for it to appear.  Could have been that the cursor wasn't perfect or that it was lag.

 

I enter cobat mode again and use the skill. . my head clips through the tree and I see mostly grass.  Wood is apparently very light.  

 

I have still not seen another player.  I pass a couple of empty huts and look out over the "cove". . it looks amazing.  

 

I walk along the trail and there is a torch floating in the air.  There is no stand or anything and it is right where you would walk.

 

I finally find an NPC and am not sure how to interact with him.  I hit "r" because I remember that from a message board posting.  I press a few keys and end up typing r(this was from my r to interact. . not sure why it was copied over). . I end up entering rxxra into the filter and still all the books show up.  I try to click on the x to leave and nothing happens.  I almost end up attacking him by accident.  I press z and hit the x to leave and - the windows is still there.  I hit escape. . my inventory disapears and the library interface is still up.  I can't close it I start to run around and it is still there so I just exit the game to try again later.

Char creation:

 

No explanaition of what stats do or will affect (no help or info button)  best guess only

could use a random button

 

Hover to read about background does nothing (it says this but you have to select)

 

On entering game (load times are improved)

 

can't turn. . curor on screen.  .right click and hold etc. . does nothing mouse wheel does nothing.  Had to press 'z' (nothing tells you this).  In trying to figure this out I eneded up in combat mode.  Was not sure how to exit.  Figured out it was 'x'

 

Now I can move around

 

It is night time. . but I can see. . very nice!

 

Performance is much increased!

 

Inventory. . when trying to see what is in my inventory. . windows pops up on left of item.  Because Item is on left of the screen I can't see the tooltip.

 

I decide I will use the pickaxe on a tree.  I figure out I need to right click on it (no message that it is equiped but it dissapeared so I assume it is)  I hit x and start swinging at the tree.  I realize I am attacking it but have no way of knowing how to use it properly.  I remember that I have to add the woodcutting skill to the hotbar.  Not sure how to bring up skill window. . random attempts finds it.

 

I look under crafting but it is under technique.  I find it and click on plus thinking this might give more options.  I realize this sets the skill to lock, raise or lower.  I click and drag the icon.  It takes about 3 attepts for it to appear.  Could have been that the cursor wasn't perfect or that it was lag.

 

I enter cobat mode again and use the skill. . my head clips through the tree and I see mostly grass.  Wood is apparently very light.  

 

I have still not seen another player.  I pass a couple of empty huts and look out over the "cove". . it looks amazing.  

 

I walk along the trail and there is a torch floating in the air.  There is no stand or anything and it is right where you would walk.

 

I finally find an NPC and am not sure how to interact with him.  I hit "r" because I remember that from a message board posting.  I press a few keys and end up typing r(this was from my r to interact. . not sure why it was copied over). . I end up entering rxxra into the filter and still all the books show up.  I try to click on the x to leave and nothing happens.  I almost end up attacking him by accident.  I press z and hit the x to leave and - the windows is still there.  I hit escape. . my inventory disapears and the library interface is still up.  I can't close it I start to run around and it is still there so I just exit the game to try again later.

Char creation:

 

No explanaition of what stats do or will affect (no help or info button)  best guess only

could use a random button

 

Hover to read about background does nothing (it says this but you have to select)

 

On entering game (load times are improved)

 

can't turn. . curor on screen.  .right click and hold etc. . does nothing mouse wheel does nothing.  Had to press 'z' (nothing tells you this).  In trying to figure this out I eneded up in combat mode.  Was not sure how to exit.  Figured out it was 'x'

 

Now I can move around

 

It is night time. . but I can see. . very nice!

 

Performance is much increased!

 

Inventory. . when trying to see what is in my inventory. . windows pops up on left of item.  Because Item is on left of the screen I can't see the tooltip.

 

I decide I will use the pickaxe on a tree.  I figure out I need to right click on it (no message that it is equiped but it dissapeared so I assume it is)  I hit x and start swinging at the tree.  I realize I am attacking it but have no way of knowing how to use it properly.  I remember that I have to add the woodcutting skill to the hotbar.  Not sure how to bring up skill window. . random attempts finds it.

 

I look under crafting but it is under technique.  I find it and click on plus thinking this might give more options.  I realize this sets the skill to lock, raise or lower.  I click and drag the icon.  It takes about 3 attepts for it to appear.  Could have been that the cursor wasn't perfect or that it was lag.

 

I enter cobat mode again and use the skill. . my head clips through the tree and I see mostly grass.  Wood is apparently very light.  

 

I have still not seen another player.  I pass a couple of empty huts and look out over the "cove". . it looks amazing.  

 

I walk along the trail and there is a torch floating in the air.  There is no stand or anything and it is right where you would walk.

 

I finally find an NPC and am not sure how to interact with him.  I hit "r" because I remember that from a message board posting.  I press a few keys and end up typing r(this was from my r to interact. . not sure why it was copied over). . I end up entering rxxra into the filter and still all the books show up.  I try to click on the x to leave and nothing happens.  I almost end up attacking him by accident.  I press z and hit the x to leave and - the windows is still there.  I hit escape. . my inventory disapears and the library interface is still up.  I can't close it I start to run around and it is still there so I just exit the game to try again later.

Char creation:

 

No explanaition of what stats do or will affect (no help or info button)  best guess only

could use a random button

 

Hover to read about background does nothing (it says this but you have to select)

 

On entering game (load times are improved)

 

can't turn. . curor on screen.  .right click and hold etc. . does nothing mouse wheel does nothing.  Had to press 'z' (nothing tells you this).  In trying to figure this out I eneded up in combat mode.  Was not sure how to exit.  Figured out it was 'x'

 

Now I can move around

 

It is night time. . but I can see. . very nice!

 

Performance is much increased!

 

Inventory. . when trying to see what is in my inventory. . windows pops up on left of item.  Because Item is on left of the screen I can't see the tooltip.

 

I decide I will use the pickaxe on a tree.  I figure out I need to right click on it (no message that it is equiped but it dissapeared so I assume it is)  I hit x and start swinging at the tree.  I realize I am attacking it but have no way of knowing how to use it properly.  I remember that I have to add the woodcutting skill to the hotbar.  Not sure how to bring up skill window. . random attempts finds it.

 

I look under crafting but it is under technique.  I find it and click on plus thinking this might give more options.  I realize this sets the skill to lock, raise or lower.  I click and drag the icon.  It takes about 3 attepts for it to appear.  Could have been that the cursor wasn't perfect or that it was lag.

 

I enter cobat mode again and use the skill. . my head clips through the tree and I see mostly grass.  Wood is apparently very light.  

 

I have still not seen another player.  I pass a couple of empty huts and look out over the "cove". . it looks amazing.  

 

I walk along the trail and there is a torch floating in the air.  There is no stand or anything and it is right where you would walk.

 

I finally find an NPC and am not sure how to interact with him.  I hit "r" because I remember that from a message board posting.  I press a few keys and end up typing r(this was from my r to interact. . not sure why it was copied over). . I end up entering rxxra into the filter and still all the books show up.  I try to click on the x to leave and nothing happens.  I almost end up attacking him by accident.  I press z and hit the x to leave and - the windows is still there.  I hit escape. . my inventory disapears and the library interface is still up.  I can't close it I start to run around and it is still there so I just exit the game to try again later.

Char creation:

 

No explanaition of what stats do or will affect (no help or info button)  best guess only

could use a random button

 

Hover to read about background does nothing (it says this but you have to select)

 

On entering game (load times are improved)

 

can't turn. . curor on screen.  .right click and hold etc. . does nothing mouse wheel does nothing.  Had to press 'z' (nothing tells you this).  In trying to figure this out I eneded up in combat mode.  Was not sure how to exit.  Figured out it was 'x'

 

Now I can move around

 

It is night time. . but I can see. . very nice!

 

Performance is much increased!

 

Inventory. . when trying to see what is in my inventory. . windows pops up on left of item.  Because Item is on left of the screen I can't see the tooltip.

 

I decide I will use the pickaxe on a tree.  I figure out I need to right click on it (no message that it is equiped but it dissapeared so I assume it is)  I hit x and start swinging at the tree.  I realize I am attacking it but have no way of knowing how to use it properly.  I remember that I have to add the woodcutting skill to the hotbar.  Not sure how to bring up skill window. . random attempts finds it.

 

I look under crafting but it is under technique.  I find it and click on plus thinking this might give more options.  I realize this sets the skill to lock, raise or lower.  I click and drag the icon.  It takes about 3 attepts for it to appear.  Could have been that the cursor wasn't perfect or that it was lag.

 

I enter cobat mode again and use the skill. . my head clips through the tree and I see mostly grass.  Wood is apparently very light.  

 

I have still not seen another player.  I pass a couple of empty huts and look out over the "cove". . it looks amazing.  

 

I walk along the trail and there is a torch floating in the air.  There is no stand or anything and it is right where you would walk.

 

I finally find an NPC and am not sure how to interact with him.  I hit "r" because I remember that from a message board posting.  I press a few keys and end up typing r(this was from my r to interact. . not sure why it was copied over). . I end up entering rxxra into the filter and still all the books show up.  I try to click on the x to leave and nothing happens.  I almost end up attacking him by accident.  I press z and hit the x to leave and - the windows is still there.  I hit escape. . my inventory disapears and the library interface is still up.  I can't close it I start to run around and it is still there so I just exit the game to try again later.

Char creation:

 

No explanaition of what stats do or will affect (no help or info button)  best guess only

could use a random button

 

Hover to read about background does nothing (it says this but you have to select)

 

On entering game (load times are improved)

 

can't turn. . curor on screen.  .right click and hold etc. . does nothing mouse wheel does nothing.  Had to press 'z' (nothing tells you this).  In trying to figure this out I eneded up in combat mode.  Was not sure how to exit.  Figured out it was 'x'

 

Now I can move around

 

It is night time. . but I can see. . very nice!

 

Performance is much increased!

 

Inventory. . when trying to see what is in my inventory. . windows pops up on left of item.  Because Item is on left of the screen I can't see the tooltip.

 

I decide I will use the pickaxe on a tree.  I figure out I need to right click on it (no message that it is equiped but it dissapeared so I assume it is)  I hit x and start swinging at the tree.  I realize I am attacking it but have no way of knowing how to use it properly.  I remember that I have to add the woodcutting skill to the hotbar.  Not sure how to bring up skill window. . random attempts finds it.

 

 

If you've seen my previous post before that one I think you're experience here reinforces my point about the new player help/tutorial sorta thing. The game is very good but getting into it (especially solo) is very tedious and difficult.

HanoverZ

Originally posted by thorppes

 

The game is very good but getting into it (especially solo) is very tedious and difficult.

 

Do they have any current plans to make it fun and enjoyable to get into?

Aethaeryn

 

If you've seen my previous post before that one I think you're experience here reinforces my point about the new player help/tutorial sorta thing. The game is very good but getting into it (especially solo) is very tedious and difficult.

Sorry I should not have quoted you directly.  I was just trying to keep to your topic.  I did see what you posted and agree with you.

thorppes

Originally posted by HanoverZ

Originally posted by thorppes

 

The game is very good but getting into it (especially solo) is very tedious and difficult.

 

Do they have any current plans to make it fun and enjoyable to get into?

They do with the new flash they're planning to create a newbie experience in the game that sets them off on what to do. I think a tutorial was mentioned a few times too.

theinvader

Originally posted by Hepisodic

I say yes, I want to try this game but with all the horrible news on it's release and whatnot there is just no way I'm spending the money on it if it's a bust. (for me a least).

This.

HanoverZ

Originally posted by thorppes

Originally posted by HanoverZ

Originally posted by thorppes

 

The game is very good but getting into it (especially solo) is very tedious and difficult.

 

Do they have any current plans to make it fun and enjoyable to get into?

They do with the new flash they're planning to create a newbie experience in the game that sets them off on what to do. I think a tutorial was mentioned a few times too.

But how would a tutorial help with the tedium?  I never found MO difficult to "play", there really wasnt much to it.  Cant really see how a noob experience/ tutorial will help the game.  I dont know anyone that quit MO for lack of a tutorial or knowing what to do.

thorppes

Originally posted by HanoverZ

Originally posted by thorppes

Originally posted by HanoverZ

Originally posted by thorppes

 

The game is very good but getting into it (especially solo) is very tedious and difficult.

 

Do they have any current plans to make it fun and enjoyable to get into?

They do with the new flash they're planning to create a newbie experience in the game that sets them off on what to do. I think a tutorial was mentioned a few times too.

But how would a tutorial help with the tedium?  I never found MO difficult to "play", there really wasnt much to it.  Cant really see how a noob experience/ tutorial will help the game.  I dont know anyone that quit MO for lack of a tutorial or knowing what to do.

Reading comphrension Mr, the tedium of starting out and figuring out what to do. It's tedious because you're literally working out how to move properly and what's a good starting point. This should be given to you at the very least.

Slapshot1188

Originally posted by thorppes

Originally posted by HanoverZ

But how would a tutorial help with the tedium?  I never found MO difficult to "play", there really wasnt much to it.  Cant really see how a noob experience/ tutorial will help the game.  I dont know anyone that quit MO for lack of a tutorial or knowing what to do.

Reading comphrension Mr, the tedium of starting out and figuring out what to do. It's tedious because you're literally working out how to move properly and what's a good starting point. This should be given to you at the very least.

 Actually tedium means being bored.. or the state of being bored by repetition.  I didn't find figuring out what to do to be tedious.  I found it to be frustrating.   To me, it became tedious when I had to go hit the same mobs hundreds of times.. or mine the same tree.. or rock.  YMMV though.

thorppes

Originally posted by Slapshot1188

Originally posted by thorppes

Originally posted by HanoverZ

But how would a tutorial help with the tedium?  I never found MO difficult to "play", there really wasnt much to it.  Cant really see how a noob experience/ tutorial will help the game.  I dont know anyone that quit MO for lack of a tutorial or knowing what to do.

Reading comphrension Mr, the tedium of starting out and figuring out what to do. It's tedious because you're literally working out how to move properly and what's a good starting point. This should be given to you at the very least.

 Actually tedium means being bored.. or the state of being bored by repetition.  I didn't find figuring out what to do to be tedious.  I found it to be frustrating.   To me, it became tedious when I had to go hit the same mobs hundreds of times.. or mine the same tree.. or rock.  YMMV though.

Perhapes frustrated would be the word then. You played the game last in open beta? Irrelevent experience is irrelevent.

Slapshot1188

Originally posted by thorppes

Originally posted by Slapshot1188

Originally posted by thorppes

Originally posted by HanoverZ

But how would a tutorial help with the tedium?  I never found MO difficult to "play", there really wasnt much to it.  Cant really see how a noob experience/ tutorial will help the game.  I dont know anyone that quit MO for lack of a tutorial or knowing what to do.

Reading comphrension Mr, the tedium of starting out and figuring out what to do. It's tedious because you're literally working out how to move properly and what's a good starting point. This should be given to you at the very least.

 Actually tedium means being bored.. or the state of being bored by repetition.  I didn't find figuring out what to do to be tedious.  I found it to be frustrating.   To me, it became tedious when I had to go hit the same mobs hundreds of times.. or mine the same tree.. or rock.  YMMV though.

Perhapes frustrated would be the word then. You played the game last in open beta? Irrelevent experience is irrelevent.

 Yes.. Hanover was asking how the tutorial would help with the tedium.. the repetition.  I agree that a newbie tutorial woud help with the furstration of plopping someone into a world without any idea what to do or how to do it, but I don't see how that would help in any way with the tedium that develops after a short time.

 

HanoverZ

Originally posted by thorppes

 

Perhapes frustrated would be the word then. You played the game last in open beta? Irrelevent experience is irrelevent.

So whats changed in the noob experience, please enlighten us? You've called its currrent state : "difficult ,tedious and frustrating!"