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AMA Recap (21st of April)
Santiak
Member Posts: 130
Heyho folks.
So, I tried to make a short summary (hey, everything's relative), of the AMA. I've tried to cover it both chronologically as well as according to theme, and of course tried to highlight the various sections as much as possible.
I've paraphrased or summarized some parts.
I've added the time-stamp for some areas, where you might benefit from quickly taking a peek at the video, in order to better understand what's being talked about.
I apologize in advance for any odd wordings - which I'll blame on sleep-deprivation. I also apologize for lack of fleshed out questions in some cases. I unfortunately could not watch the AMA live, and my browser decided to die, which erased the chat-log. :S
Many thanks to Anashel for taking time out of his vacation in order to give us this AMA! 
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Main topics: The Launch, where they're at, game mechanics, and classes.
Also mission flashback as well as generation engine.
Campaign itself, where we're at, concerns, and what we'll be doing:
740 backers, 18,312$ raised. Not paniced about the number, but not comfortable either, as it's much lower than expected.
In comparison, in the last ARG, we had close to 2 million emails sent, 600.000 players read these mails, and out of those, about 20k to 40k became active players (more than 1 hour play-time). We expected 50% reach-rate and 1% conversion-rate. In reality we got 2% reach-rate and 1,5% conversion-rate.
Leaking End Of Days trailer, 15k reach-rate.
Leaking The Black Watchmen trailer, 300 reach-rate.
That said, it means we need to improve our ability to reach people, and that is our focus for the days ahead.
We'll be Introducing new pledges based on your feedback, and also looking for a company who might be interested in sponsoring the real-life pledges for players via a lottery.
(Picture of past real-life events: 9:20) Awesome experience escorting the player in question, both for us at HE, the "victim", and for you folks playing along at home.
In terms cost; just as an example, taking over a website costs ~2k for a small website, and ~10k for a large website, p_. Advertising is extremely expensive.
So to sum it all up: Next week we should have new pledge, new visibility, new PR-initiative, and we're going to increase aggressiveness in terms of advertisements. We're also getting a PR-team from Funcom to help raise awareness, but the best way is word-of-mouth.
We'll also introduce some viral marketing, such as friend-referal gifts, which will revealed further next week.
Good to know info:
All timezones will be covered, not US exclusive, for example.
Offices in Amsterdam makes it plausible to do something there in terms of real-life scenarios.
Essential Information: All the official channels are listed in the mails that went out for the AMA.
Update topic-subscription preferences at the bottom.
Explanation of Newsletter Subscriptions:
Game Information: Contact only when game is ready.
Fund-raising Campaign: Contact with information about fund-raising.
Marketing Shock Troop: People helping marketing product, finding sponsorship, recruiting friends, the activists and ambassadors. Might contain confidential information.
Job Oppertunities: Recruiting people within the game itself. Trade players for job at Human Equation - Does NOT needs to be in Montreal. Needs to be in various timezones. Looking for Creativity, writing, art, design, everything except programming - as that is done in Montreal.
Partners Program: If you are interested in other ARGs, will make email available for other makers of ARG - they do not GIVE your email, but they (Human Equation) forward information regarding new ARGs to you.
IRC-channel: Found here
(21:57): IRC Channel statistics.
Very active place for the community.
Various lore and game related information:
The Black Watchmen lightly consists of previous Qadhos agents, but are outside the Secret World timeline - but some connections might be feasible.
We are thinking about Cabals, but are mainly going to focus on classes and mechanics in this AMA.
Combat in ARG: In some sense, yes. FSB mission felt very action-oriented for us (HE); everyone trying to organize and coordinate on a specific task, joining specific units, and so on.
Revealed so far:
Skill level stats: This translates to the frequency you're likely to get of a specific kind of mission. It is not related to leveling that skill - so a Soldier with high Code Breaking is absolutely possible. Same for the other classes.
We also reached #3 in Hype-meter, to our surprise, but it has since fallen somewhat. Some people believed that this was faked - and you have our apologies for any who might have felt the fall-out from these accusations.
(Post-AMA Update: Would seem TBW is back up on 3rd. )
Core-Topics:
Flashback Mission:
Example (39:49): Season 3 of Qadhos ARG.
Goal of this, is to be able to replay each of the missions. We'll record the speed, progression and so on during the original attempt, in order to allow players to technically play previous missions following certain parameters. For example to allow players to try to beat the previous "score", or simply to follow it.
For example, if the original mission took a day, you'll be able to set it for X amount of hours, and your flash-back will be fast-tracked to a faster pace, in case you don't have enough time. This allows you to solve the puzzle without following a walkthrough, and catching up the community, even if you do not have that much time to spare.
A.L.I.C.E. Will be part of the flashback.
Generation Engine:
A permanent ARG requires consideration in regards to leveling up people, even when people take breaks.
As a reference, consider WoW:
Anashel is a level 90 Mage, and gears up a 500 Ilvl item, and he's multiboxing. Leveling up players from 1 to 90 in WoW is insane. You basically get shoveled nearly 10 years of content into a very short amount of time - thinning the experience. You "speedrun" through the content, without getting the experience.
The Generation Engine is designed to tackle this problem.
These numbers aren't final, but:
3 Months is a good time-frame. Say after 3 months of playing, you get to the highest level, and reach end-game.
This means that every 3 months, they'll create a new generation. Think of Star-trek and the evolving tech of each Generation; i.e. Voyager easily beating the Borg with their high-tech.
The point with the Generation concept is, when you hit [the end of] a generation [as a "veteran"], we freeze that generation, and introduce the new gear and so on, and you'll only have to spend 2 weeks leveling up to end-game again.
If you are a new player, you'll only have to catch up to the current generation. So for example, if you have had a war in your region, that war will be frozen in time.
Every generation adds something to the game, which is then frozen into the games history, and the next generation is then added.
So if you've been away for 6 months and come back, you are only 3 months away from getting up to speed with the current generation, but all the previous "generations" are still present.
So, for example, if you evolve Phase weapons with the Cyber-mage, then for the next generation, this is frozen, and you can continue evolving that, or you can fork out, and go in a different direction. But this new direction may have been developed 2 generations ago.
The Photon propulsion system is a prime example of this: The Photon drive was drawn in 1918, but the concept was premature. But later, when knowledge on the subject had increased, the dormant research was not only resumed; but also sped up. In other words, it didn't resume at the level it was left it, but was "artificially" sped up, because of what we now knew.
The concept is then, to include new content every 3 months, and end-game content is available for everyone 3 months later.
In other words, someone spearheading the research in-game will not equate to only that person having a say; each generation a new chance opens for other players to decide the path taken - and that guy hopefully runs out of Red Bull.
In other words; new generations, new options.
Each season of The Black Watchmen will be 3 months in length. That does not impact the fact, that with user-generated content, you will help push up the main hub. Some mission may have specific requirements that you do not fulfill, and these requirements will be met through user-generated content.
Hubs can also have multiple endings, based on how you push that generation up, and that will steer the game in a direction.
Q&A:
- Do we always have hubs?
Yes. The hubs themselves will last 3 months, and you will have to reach a level of technology to conquer that hub. The way to reach that level of technology, will be user-generated events. These hubs can then be conquered in different ways, and these ways will be determined by user-generated content - i.e. what technology is developed.
Sometimes these technologies will be unreachable, while others may.
Losing is always a possibility - but the game wont be killed.
- How in-depth do you wish the App to take the player?
Companion App is meant to make events much more involved. The Companion App may be much more support focused in the beginning, but we'll see how much more of a core-concept they'll make it, based on the success of it.
- If the players reach 1 million dollars, will you dress up in the Cyber-mage uniform?
If players reach 1 million dollars, HE will start buying real-estate; buying a real HQ for The Black Watchmen - likely in Detroit - perhaps even with security guards.
Basically, funding will go to make The Black Watchmen more and more real.
This HQ could even be the base of missions, training, and so on. But that's if they reach 1 million.
But if 1 million is reached; the objective turns into bringing The Black Watchmen into real-life.
Another possibility is to set up containers around the world, and follow that container. In that container is going to be a wireless antenna, which you can connect up to.
Basically, the limit for this ARG, is our combined imagination.
- Are you afraid of being taken too seriously?
Yes, wavers will have to be signed, and missions will be made to avoid putting people in real danger.
(1:05) The player actually had to be covered by 7 undercover people escorting the two actors in military gear and player. They forgot that the building they passed was a federal building, which caused the buildings security to go nuts, at which point the 7 undercover people stepped in and covered the actors and player.
- What about the James Bond experience?
The James Bond experience is a much more controlled experience.
We pick you up from the depature airport, where we need you to sign a waver. You'll need a passport, and the ability to enter any country that doesn't need a visa to enter. You will then be flown to an unkown location, where you will undergo a physical examination.
This location may be in the middle of a forest, a rural area; somewhere spooky.
The player in the "James Bond" role will need the help of the community, and the community will experience the story through the eyes of the "James Bond" player.
- When is the ARG going to be launched?
Late September if everything goes according to plan.
- Will the Companion App be launched at the same time?
No, we'll be in beta.
- Are you afraid of not panicing/scaring enough people?
Yes. Some of you have passed 2 or 3 of our ARGs, and you're harder to spook. Everyone will have a personality test, asking about your fears and so on.
We're a small enough company to care enough for a big enough game. The game, if we reach our objective, won't be too much. For example if we have 4 or 6000 people that pledge money, we will have reached our objective, and it's more than enough.
It's also more than a "phobia-quiz", more of a personality quiz. It will be done in co-operation with a private Neruo-psychological group, the kind of people that usually get referred to by psychologists. They have a range of tests that we will make us of.
- Are there any Cybertech Black-hat class pre-requisites?
Yes, there will be.
If you want to reach another class, you'll have to reach the pre-requisite skill level.
It's not 100% the skills you raise through your character that matter. If you level up the character, it'll make it easier for you reach [another class] even though your APM level is lower, but you'll still need an APM level.
The same thing goes for the other classes; actual knowledge and ability also plays a factor - not just "character skill".
- What happens if the pledge goal is not reached?
All money will be refunded.
- Loot?
Will return to that topic in another AMA.
We will also be showing off the game-screen, while there is no game-avatar; you are you, but it will contain stats and so on.
- What, pledge-wise, covers the various colour levels?
We are remaking the plegdes to more clearly reflect this information. You'll be able to choose your level of participation.
You won't be penalized for being red, but it may impede progress slightly - we'll see.
Being yellow however; be prepared. You will be investigated, your friends will be investigated - and this is the point of the survey.
- What does the Beta-pledge actually do?
The Beta-pledge grants a head-start for the beta, but all players will have access to the beta. The main point of the Beta-pledge is giving those who got it a smaller, cozy environment, and a small unique mission.
- Do we have to buy the full subscription?
The game subscription gives you the full subscription. But if you want the virtual dedicated mission, you'll have to upgrade to that pledge.
- Am I locked out of the beta-pledge?
No, not necessarily. Try contacting me (Anashel).
- Do you recieve hate-mail?
Yes, we've actually gotten death-threats. For example from the 5-step mission in the End of Days ARG, where people got frustrated with the math-problem.
It is paramount to keep in mind that not all 5 steps were required to progress - and the same might be true in later cases.
- Can you be too stupid to play the game?
No. With the Companion App, information specific to your region might be implemented into the game, which actually helped solve the second mission of the End of Days ARG.
- Is this a game anymore?
If we get a building? *sinister laugh* It's not a game anymore!
- Is our group (TSW) good?
Yes, scarily so.
- What has been the high and low points so far?
High was definately the Montreal experience.
The lowest is having 300 players.
- How far might you go in the James Bond Experience?
...Far.
The main point is co-operation.
But the interesting point is, you don't know who's the enemy yet, you have the Rupture sites, but no knowledge of who's the enemy.
In my opinion, the best villains have been the Wraith in Stargate: Atlantis.
- Can players play against other players?
Not in the first generation. Betrayal will come in the second and third generations.
The betrayal will be controlled - selected - to avoid the ARG falling apart.
As you'll notice, no class has a high Community Leadership, which is left for the Cyber-mages, and these will be picked upon subscription.
- Is it possible to get TSW characters into TBW?
As mentioned, there are no avatars in TBW.
- Information about the Rupture site and Patient Alpha.
Patient Alpha was found naked, except for a scarf, near the Rupture site, maybe 1000 feet from the Rupture site. So the next time you're travelling and you're landing, and you're 1000 feet in the air, look down, and that was the bubble of the explosion.
The scarf itself is a symbiote interacting with Patient Alpha and the relic - the relic is not the scarf.
She was intended to be naked, but that might have been a bit too strong.
- Relic Sensor
As a scientist, you'll have to work out your scan-technology - like EVE-online, which is dumbed down in comparison - you then scan part of the world to find a Rupture site. If there is an artefact, you'll need to bring in a Cyber-mage, otherwise it's just nice loot.
- Phone-case
When it becomes relevant, we'll contact you to ask what phone you have - and all orders will be custom made to the customers phones.
- Real-life hoodies?
Yep, next week among the new pledges.
On that note, some people have been asking for spectator pledges, as they'd like to opt out of being involved, but want the game to happen.
So among next week pledges will be those two.
- Black Watchmen currency?
We don't know yet, but we might put it to a vote, and see what people think.
- Is Patient Alpha an angel?
She is both good and evil. At one point she may be benign, at another point, she might be sinister. Much like Morena Baccarin in "Children of the Ori".
Final notes:
If anyone wants to send me some suggestions for outfits for agents, go for it.
That's it. Keep an eye out for the new pledges on wednesday, and we might have some shots of the main screen ready for next week. Thank you all for tuning in!
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Again, cheers for hosting this AMA during your vacation Anashel, much appreciated!
Comments
w.o.w
Incredible work Santiak !
Hehe, cheers. ^^
Once again, thanks for doing an AMA during your vacation - that's what I call developers investing in their community.
On a side-note, if I missed anything, or something is a bit off in terms of information, please feel free to clarify, and I'll update the original post.
Very nice work Santiak !
I was only able to stay for a few minutes during the AMA, so I'm happy to be able to catch up with most of what has been said without having to watch it all.
Thank you very much for this recap!
@Anashel: I thought you were a woman. After all this time on the internet I still assume the avatar of a user resembles his gender. xD"
Fubar over on TSW's forums. [Also in the German forums: Fubar]
Thank you for the recap, Santiak!
I couldn't come for the AMA so this is very useful!
Anashel's usual avatar is himself, but for this, for right now, he's using Patient Alpha. Twitter still has him.
- DrJens
Thanks for the recap, Santiak. This is great.