backseatdev

In response to my last article, there has been some resistance from people who feel that they will not try as hard if they scan over someones gear and it appears they are not in end game equipment. This makes them upset that they could be tricked into losing.

My opinion on this this is pretty simple. If you don’t try your best against everyone you fight, I have little sympathy if you lose. This is not a “hardcore” stance, this is just a “realistic stance for a mmo fight against other people.

Others have mentioned that people do use the information for tactical reasons, like running away if they feel they are outgunned. This is somewhat valid and I can at least accept that gear can be useful for people who want to know if they are out matched and make decisions based on their risk tolerance.

I have instead decided to offer a compromise. I would like to suggest that a visual way of determining the relative gear level to your oponent be put in. Allow appearances to be set any way you like and have that be viewable by all. Perhaps a colour coded “con” system or star rating for which people to tell someones approximate rank or approximate relative rank compared to yours. An exact number would not be required, just a general range based on RR/Wards. People could then use these as indicators of gear level and not be cheated out of winning battles they are capable of winning because they didn’t try. Realm titles do show under the character names, but perhaps this isnt “visual” enough.

I know Bioware/Mythic put a lot of work into the new appearance system and the way it stands right now it feels incomplete and it is getting laughed at because it can only be seen by yourself and realm. I understand why Bioware/Mythic is hesistant to put this in full scale for both sides however, there are a decent number of people against it. More then I would have expected.
I like having some mystery about my oponents, and I like that people can customize their apperance for all to see. An opt-in sort of option may work, but it still seems weak. For people to get on board and fully enjoy the new appearance system, it needs to not hinge on someone from the other realm checking a check box somewhere for it to work.