Should dampeners be ON by default?

Striker_F2 · 03-07-2008, 03:24 PM

This thought just came to my mind...Whilst I have no idea of the gameplay state of the game right now, (If dampeners are on or off by default) I still thought I would express this idea :P

So, what i was thinking was, a lot of the JGC vets will be flying with dampeners off, right? But what about a lot of the new people? If I load up the simulator in JGC, i can hardly move, I have no idea what to do (More or less :P)

Now, in MMO game (Especially those that you have to pat a monthly fee for) first impressions count for a lot! So, say you get some random person, who sees JGE and thinks "Oh, that looks sweet!" Starts up a trial (Assuming there would be one) and logs in. Now, this person has no previous knowledge of space-sims at all. Hell, they dont even know what a dampener is! If they take their first flight, and dont know how to control their ship, chances are they arnt gonna stick around too long to find out, theyre just gonna move onto some other game that is easier to start up.

That why, in my opinion, dampeners should be on, by default, when you create a new character. People who want them off, will most likley find out how to turn them off, but I think those who need them on would not have as much patience.

Whats your opinon on this?

vorlon31 · 03-07-2008, 03:28 PM

Initially, as a noob on first launch and for a few jumps up the experience ladder they should be on at launch and after that I hope the the game recalls the state you left them in when you logged off.

Dariuz · 03-07-2008, 03:28 PM

i agree

because dampeners are an tool to make the game accessible they should absolutely be turned on by default.

Zen Tao · 03-07-2008, 06:57 PM

Initial play should be as simple and intuitive as possible ...

LordOpic · 03-07-2008, 07:02 PM

I thought they were on as default?

Rei_Onryou · 03-07-2008, 07:41 PM

Definitely on by default. I know the hardcore JGC players would disagree, but in order to attract a new audience, it needs to be easy to get into.

Besides, they'll be easy pickings compared to your non-dampener elite flying skills. Then those people who have got used to flying with the dampeners on will go "wow, the only way I'll get better is by improving my flight skill" and they'll turn it off, ready to go pro.

Iron · 03-07-2008, 08:20 PM

Hi, I'm a spaceNoob, what the hell is a dampener? IS it something which gets rid of inertia?

Striker_F2 · 03-07-2008, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iron

Hi, I'm a spaceNoob, what the hell is a dampener? IS it something which gets rid of inertia?

Pretty much. it allows you to fly your ship more or less in the direction it is pointing, like a plane is how it was described to me.

Slopey · 03-07-2008, 11:50 PM

Cripes - here we go again - tin hats on everybody!!!!

Until you've played the game and been able to toggle them, I suggest you reserve judgement rather than advocating on/off totally. If you want classic, then turn em off. But maneouvering through very dense roid belts, you need them on - some of those roids are really really close together.

Also, by alternating, you get more options in combat but they're by no means an advantage, it's another skill you'll need to learn.

If you don't like em, toggle em off!

One thing that did come out of the Connect preview is that the indicator for whether they're on or off is tiny on the hud and right at the top. The point was made that there should be an indicator somewhere useful on the hud (i.e. somewhere in the middle) preferrably accompianied by a sound/voice prompt if possible.

Tritian · 03-07-2008, 11:54 PM

still do not see the point of dampeners. i really dont think the JGC physics model was all that tough to learn, however it could of definitely used a short tutorial and maybe some hints.

Also, they should probably force your first launch into the sim so you can get the hang of docking.

View Poll Results: Is it a good idea to have dampeners defaulted to ON when you create a new character?
Yes	21	80.77%
No	5	19.23%
Voters: 26. You may not vote on this poll

03-07-2008, 03:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
Striker_F2 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In the void between games Posts: 3,214	Should dampeners be ON by default? This thought just came to my mind...Whilst I have no idea of the gameplay state of the game right now, (If dampeners are on or off by default) I still thought I would express this idea :P So, what i was thinking was, a lot of the JGC vets will be flying with dampeners off, right? But what about a lot of the new people? If I load up the simulator in JGC, i can hardly move, I have no idea what to do (More or less :P) Now, in MMO game (Especially those that you have to pat a monthly fee for) first impressions count for a lot! So, say you get some random person, who sees JGE and thinks "Oh, that looks sweet!" Starts up a trial (Assuming there would be one) and logs in. Now, this person has no previous knowledge of space-sims at all. Hell, they dont even know what a dampener is! If they take their first flight, and dont know how to control their ship, chances are they arnt gonna stick around too long to find out, theyre just gonna move onto some other game that is easier to start up. That why, in my opinion, dampeners should be on, by default, when you create a new character. People who want them off, will most likley find out how to turn them off, but I think those who need them on would not have as much patience. Whats your opinon on this? __________________ Lying in wait for Jumpgate: Evolution RF Online: The Fall of Novus - Preview Here Wax - Lv 51 Infiltrator - N.I.N.J.A. My Youtube

03-07-2008, 03:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
vorlon31 Jumpgate Evolution Emissary Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 1,002	Initially, as a noob on first launch and for a few jumps up the experience ladder they should be on at launch and after that I hope the the game recalls the state you left them in when you logged off. __________________ Close your eyes, listen with your soul and heed the haunting call. There is something out there, in the cold darkness of space and it is calling you, pulling you, daring you... ...to Jump. Go on, make the Jump! Your destiny awaits. Jumpgate Evolution. www.Jumpgate.co.uk

03-07-2008, 07:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
LordOpic Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Sea of Shadows Posts: 1,339	I thought they were on as default? __________________ The fool thinks he has won a battle when he bullies with harsh speech, but knowing how to be forbearing alone makes one victorious. Samyutta Nikaya

03-07-2008, 07:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
Rei_Onryou Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 291	Definitely on by default. I know the hardcore JGC players would disagree, but in order to attract a new audience, it needs to be easy to get into. Besides, they'll be easy pickings compared to your non-dampener elite flying skills. Then those people who have got used to flying with the dampeners on will go "wow, the only way I'll get better is by improving my flight skill" and they'll turn it off, ready to go pro. __________________ Rei Onryou of the Octavian Empire

03-07-2008, 03:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
Dariuz Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Germany Posts: 155	i agree because dampeners are an tool to make the game accessible they should absolutely be turned on by default.

03-07-2008, 06:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
Zen Tao Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 2	Initial play should be as simple and intuitive as possible ...

03-07-2008, 08:20 PM	#7 (permalink)
Iron Junior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 5	Hi, I'm a spaceNoob, what the hell is a dampener? IS it something which gets rid of inertia? __________________ "For any problem there is a solution that is simple, quick, and ultimately worse than the problem." Last edited by Iron; 03-07-2008 at 08:27 PM.

03-07-2008, 11:50 PM	#9 (permalink)
Slopey Jumpgate Evolution Emissary Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 710	Cripes - here we go again - tin hats on everybody!!!! Until you've played the game and been able to toggle them, I suggest you reserve judgement rather than advocating on/off totally. If you want classic, then turn em off. But maneouvering through very dense roid belts, you need them on - some of those roids are really really close together. Also, by alternating, you get more options in combat but they're by no means an advantage, it's another skill you'll need to learn. If you don't like em, toggle em off! One thing that did come out of the Connect preview is that the indicator for whether they're on or off is tiny on the hud and right at the top. The point was made that there should be an indicator somewhere useful on the hud (i.e. somewhere in the middle) preferrably accompianied by a sound/voice prompt if possible. __________________ C:\>Cannot find reality.sys. Universe halted. Jumpgate Evolution Emissary - PM me if you have any questions - BETA SIGN UP Still playing Classic? You need the WebTracker* - it's the economy, at your finger tips!*

03-07-2008, 11:54 PM	#10 (permalink)
Tritian Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: On your six Posts: 949	still do not see the point of dampeners. i really dont think the JGC physics model was all that tough to learn, however it could of definitely used a short tutorial and maybe some hints. Also, they should probably force your first launch into the sim so you can get the hang of docking. __________________ JGE Fanbase Development Cycle > > > > > > > > "She's a beautiful ship alright. Shapely, seductive. I'm gonna fly her brains out!"

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