EU TERA Online – May 3, 2012

[ⒻⓊⒸⓀⓎⒺⒶⒽ]

I've never wanted to cunt punt a German so hard in my life.

[Shassira]

The EU community is up in arms right now. The thread about the blood censoring has reached 1,200+ replies in less than 36 hours and most of the content is people bashing Frogster (as oposed to bashing each other like they do in every Elin thread).

Many people say they've canceled and going to the US servers or that they are simply not playing at all.

Wether this is true or a bluff is to be seen. While it's probably mostly bluffing, what's definitely true is that this community starts already damaged even before launch and we are now simply weaker because of it.

While I do think TERA has the potential to be a long lasting game, I suspect that it's already afflicted with a death sentence for EU, all thanks to its publisher.

Am I being too pesimistic? Yes, I am. But experience tells me I'm usualy right when I get pesimistic!

[ⒻⓊⒸⓀⓎⒺⒶⒽ]

No I agree, they've taken the censorship too far and it seems they've handed out a swift death sentence for TERA in Europe.
I hope they go bankrupt along with Gameforge. BHS is also to blame though for choosing to work with Frogster in the first place, their reputation isn't exactly stellar.

[Rakisho]

The EU community is up in arms right now. The thread about the blood censoring has reached 1,200+ replies in less than 36 hours and most of the content is people bashing Frogster (as oposed to bashing each other like they do in every Elin thread).

Many people say they've canceled and going to the US servers or that they are simply not playing at all.

Wether this is true or a bluff is to be seen. While it's probably mostly bluffing, what's definitely true is that this community starts already damaged even before launch and we are now simply weaker because of it.

While I do think TERA has the potential to be a long lasting game, I suspect that it's already afflicted with a death sentence for EU, all thanks to its publisher.

Am I being too pesimistic? Yes, I am. But experience tells me I'm usualy right when I get pesimistic!

If people stop playing the game (either side) because of the blood, they are either pretty sad people, or wouldn't have played the game for long either way. My opinion. Like I said before, so far the changes are minor.

[Trocian]

If people stop playing the game (either side) because of the blood, they are either pretty sad people, or wouldn't have played the game for long either way. My opinion. Like I said before, so far the changes are minor.

The blood change is fine, the removal of Emblems is retarded though(People could theoretically use "bad" images, so they removed the whole thing), and what's stopping them from censoring something else in a couple months when the next patch hits?

People on the forums are going a bit overboard as usual, but shouldn't just accept whatever bullshit Frogster throws their way.

[Rakisho]

The blood change is fine, the removal of Emblems is retarded though(People could theoretically use "bad" images, so they removed the whole thing), and what's stopping them from censoring something else in a couple months when the next patch hits?

People on the forums are going a bit overboard as usual, but shouldn't just accept whatever bullshit Frogster throws their way.

Probably nothing, but I still don't see exactly what they could censor that would be a disaster, really, all this is more people being bitches or going on about their principles or whatever, in reality it will have little to no affect on gameplay, which is why I really don't care.

In my opinion they have yet to change something that changes the game experience I would have if they didn't make the changes...

[ⒻⓊⒸⓀⓎⒺⒶⒽ]

Probably nothing, but I still don't see exactly what they could censor that would be a disaster, really, all this is more people being bitches or going on about their principles or whatever

Because it's deceptive, it's not simply a case of "Oh it's a beta, everything is subject to change" it's more like they promised they wouldn't do those things, then went back on their word and are still withholding information when everyone is up in arms about it.

Although I agree with some of the changes like the pet store removal. They're trying to release the game as PEGI 13, when everywhere else in the world it's rated 17 or higher. Keep in mind that it's not just subject to change now but also in future patches, and it's not just simply the blood effects when you hit monsters, they're changing the entire design of certain instances with it.

It always begins with something minor and ends in something game breaking, the reason people had trust that they wouldn't do something like this in the first place is because they swore to it and look how that ended. So yes, it is understandable why so many people are rage quitting their pre-orders. And yes, to some people the blood is a game changer, some people play a game for it's combat, others play it for it's atmosphere and immersion. You may not realise how much of it there was and how much it adds to the beauty of the game but others do, like SM for example.

In the end they promised something and then failed to meet those expectations, how else do you expect people to react?

[Rakisho]

In the end they promised something and then failed to meet those expectations, how else do you expect people to react?

Like I said, it's 90% about principles at this point, as nothing game breaking has happened, and probably will happen. I doubt they can/will change something that will have an actual affect on the gameplay. So instead of being dissapointed but accepting it because the game will be fun regardless, people just skip the game completly, which in the end will only hurt them because they won't play a game that they enjoy.

And yes, to some people the blood is a game changer

Holy fuck I'd like to meet those people, they must be out of their minds.

[machiko]

Holy fuck I'd like to meet those people, they must be out of their minds.

It's just a matter of what people like in a game, sure it's small but if it didn't matter at all why do so many games have it. All the little things add to the feel and fun of your attacks.

It doesn't matter that much but the truth is, why should it be removed at all? If I order a sundae and I'm told I can't have sprinkles on the top cause the guy across the room finds them offensive it won't really hurt me but should I really have to have it less than what it should be for a stupid reason? The whole reason for this is because blood is an issue for a 12 rating in one single country (Germany), everywhere else this is completely fine so removing it just for that for everyone is laughable.

[ⒻⓊⒸⓀⓎⒺⒶⒽ]

I doubt they can/will change something that will have an actual affect on the gameplay. So instead of being dissapointed but accepting it because the game will be fun regardless, people just skip the game completly, which in the end will only hurt them because they won't play a game that they enjoy

So they can change the game however they see fit as long as it doesn't effect the gameplay and that's still ok? They've rated it as a PEGI 12 game and it's not a PEGI 12 game. Castanic armours look too dirty for even a hooker to wear, how long do you think they'll go unaltered in a game marketed to 12 year olds?

Judging by the uproar on the forums I'm pretty sure it will hurt Frogster more than the people who are rage quitting their pre-orders, it's not just a handful of people who are mad, it's like 90% of the forum goers and like people are saying it IS a niche game that also has to compete with D3 and the release of GW2.

Holy fuck I'd like to meet those people, they must be out of their minds.

RP servers.

[Rakisho]

Judging by the uproar on the forums I'm pretty sure it will hurt Frogster more than the people who are rage quitting their pre-orders, it's not just a handful of people who are mad, it's like 90% of the forum goers and like people are saying it IS a niche game that also has to compete with D3 and the release of GW2.

Well truth is, the forum goers are a handful, but that's not really the point.

It's just a matter of what people like in a game, sure it's small but if it didn't matter at all why do so many games have it. All the little things add to the feel and fun of your attacks.

It doesn't matter that much but the truth is, why should it be removed at all? If I order a sundae and I'm told I can't have sprinkles on the top cause the guy across the room finds them offensive it won't really hurt me but should I really have to have it less than what it should be for a stupid reason? The whole reason for this is because blood is an issue for a 12 rating in one single country (Germany), everywhere else this is completely fine so removing it just for that for everyone is laughable.

That's my point though. You can't have sprinkles, yeah it's stupid as fuck that you can't, but the sundae will still taste good, and unless you got a fetish for sprinkles, you're really only hurting yourself by not eating it. (It sounds weird, but you get my point).

As of right now, I'll still have fun playing. If they make more drastic changes, that might change, but for now, I see no real reason not to play.

(Just to make it clear, I'm not defending the changes, they are stupid as hell, but I don't see how they killed the game, at all).

[ⒻⓊⒸⓀⓎⒺⒶⒽ]

You're right in saying it's not that big a deal which is why I still haven't cancelled pre-order, but the thought still lingers in the back of my mind. 70 euros for a game is not a small amount of money by any means and I'd rather they not alter it further than they already have. The PEGI 12 thing really worries me that they could blacklist future awesome looking armours because it's too risqué.

[Senji]

The problem is its a questionable company to begin with and they are gankin shit right before release when they claimed they weren't. Sure its minor atm, but if it starts with this, where is the line drawn later? Saying your fed up down the line with whatever they do isn't the same as selling your 360 copy for a ps3 disc.

TBH I expected them to be completely incompetent/passive and accept EME's decisions and customizations for the whole run.

[Appie]

This whole story makes no sense to me. Rating agencies setting PEGI 12 while they haven't seen most/all content? Is that normal? A game developer not giving enough content from the game to such agency to get the same rating the game got in the rest of the world? I might be missing some info here, but I smell "let's make a PG13 movie to reach a bigger audience" all over this censor bullshit. Except then I wonder why only Europe? Would the game sell so shitty here with a 18+ rating that they need that?

[ⒻⓊⒸⓀⓎⒺⒶⒽ]

No it wouldn't, because people don't ID you for games in most of Europe and any parent controlling enough to monitor what their child is playing is gonna take one look at Elins and Castanics and confiscate it. There was a poll done on the official forums about the average age group that was playing, of course it doesn't account for everyone but it gives a somewhat good idea about the people this game attracts.

https://forum.tera-europe.com/showthread.php?t=62698

[ⒻⓊⒸⓀⓎⒺⒶⒽ]

Aaaaand more trouble with Frogster.
Apparently it's unclear whether the Collectors Edition items for EU will be account wide or one use only. It doesn't specify anything about the White Lion but who fucking knows anymore.

Question

Q1: Is it possible to earn multiple pre-order mounts? I have bought the digital mini pre-order which grants the "White Stallion" mount. I have also pre-ordered the retail Collectors Edition which grants the "Arcadian Dapple" mount.

I have activated both of these keys on my account, will I be able to use both of the mounts in-game?
Tera Customer Support answer
Hey Krichevskoy,

Thanks for your questions.

A1: Yes, you will be able to use them both. Note that you can each only apply them to one character.

As Tera-Enmasse confirmed that that it will be possible to claim them on all characters, I reopened the ticket and asked them to confirm it again and referred to the Tera-Enmasse pages and twitter.


Tera Customer Support answer

Hey Krichevskoy,

Thanks for your reply.

As you can see from the post, there are two different types: One Use and Account items.

Depending on the item you might only be able to use it once.

We have no definite information regarding the exact process.

Note thatannouncement on En masse's website might not be valid for the European server.

Thanks for oyur understanding.

But then someone posted this:

I just read a post on the german forums saying that the items will be available for all characters.
http://twitter.com/#!/TeraGermany/st...24259592728578

~~~~~~
Translation:
Is it true that you are only able to use the lion on one character?

Answer by tera-germany:
No, all items, including the lion, will probably be available for all characters.
~~~~~~

This answer was given on the 23rd of march btw.

https://forum.tera-europe.com/showthread.php?t=64123

[Rakisho]

I'm not big on alts, but it would suck pretty hard to only be able to claim those items once, not so much for me but for people who likes to play several characters. (I bought the CE since it was only 10€ more which is 1-2 beers at the pub/club. )

[Ambrosia]

I hope they go bankrupt along with Gameforge. BHS is also to blame though for choosing to work with Frogster in the first place, their reputation isn't exactly stellar.

Yeah BHS is to blame at the end for choosing Frogster. I mean sure they didn't pick someone at the bottom of the barrel, but it was pretty darn close. I remember when Scapes wrote on the old forums that Frogster was going to take care of Europe; 65 pages of rage ensued (for the most part).


I remember getting some comments off of MMORPG.com where several Europeans said that most the European publishers (especially with regards to MMORPGs) usually range from just plain awful to average at best. They never went into specifics, but I am wondering if this is true.


So I am quite curious. Is it true that in general European publishers are just bad all around when it comes to handling MMO games, and if so why is that? I was going to ask if BHS should of gone with someone other than Frogster (or if there were any other good choices to begin with).


If there are good publishers out there, then the only reason I could see them choosing Frogster was to save a buck or two. Get a company that has "just" enough experience with online games... but not go much further than that.

[Shassira]

Pardon me if I don't add in to the debate, I've been reading the EU threads these last days and I'm already sick of the debate itself so I can't add much more that hasn't been said.

However, here's an update from Raven (for our US friends and those allergic to official forums):

Hello everyone,

we're aware that there are still open questions regarding the upcoming release of TERA. We would like to use this thread and update it with the latest updates as we receive them.

Q: Will the in-game items (for example the lion of the Collector's Edition) be available for all characters or just one character per account?

A: Those in-game items will be available to all your characters. So you'll be able to use the lion for example with all your characters on your account.

Q: There are plenty of discussions about the blood in TERA at this stage, what is the official statement and status about it?

A: The initial statement about this can be found here. We brought this topic up again this morning (Monday) at the upper management level. There will be meetings about it in our company in order to discuss possible further steps. As soon as we have any update on that matter, we'll inform you about it. Please be aware, that it might take some time until we have an update for you available.

Q: There are some rumors about the white graphical elements in the open beta. Is it true that these are exchanged textures and that they are related to the blood discussion?

A: No, these issues occured with the new open beta build for all regions. This is just a graphical issues with the latest version and it is not related to the blood discussion.

Q: Another rumor is about changes to the castanic models, what is that about?

A: There were changes made to the castanic model, but those changes were made month ago for all versions of TERA, including the korean version.

Q: There were some issues with the chat filter during open beta, are you aware of that?

A: Yes, this issue is related to a filter software and we'll look into that matter.

Q: What about the guild emblem? Why is it currently not possible to upload a custom logo?

A: This function is currently disabled. We're trying to work on a proper solution with Bluehole. The function was deactivated due to some legal reasons. The current system was abused to upload images which violated certain laws.

Q: The pre-character-creation (PCC) / name reservation is pretty close, same goes for the head start, when can we expect further information about these two topics?

A: We'll inform you about the details and timeframe as soon as we have the final internal timeline available. We'll try to get this information to you on Tuesday or Wednesday the latest. The server setup might change compared to the open beta, depending on the final results.

Q: Will the Guild vs. Guild system be active on PvE servers?

A: At this point this is still under discussion between the developers of TERA and the publishers. The current status is therefore, that the system won't be included on PvE servers.

Aparently the CE items doubts are dispelled now.

Some extra replies, although it's basicly rephrasing:

Yes, our upper management was informed about refund requests, hits and pages and amount of discussions in our forums about the topic and about other points as well. We're aware that this is a major topic and our top management in involved in this situation. As soon as we have any news for you, we'll inform you about it.

Regards

Hi,

like I said the matter is under discussion at the upper/top management today. I cannot talk about a possible outcome yet. When we receive a final decision, we'll update you.

Regards

One tangential thing: Seems the GvG on PvE servers is getting delayed, but this comes from EME's side too. No idea if EME has announced this delay yet or if they are still struggling to fit it in the release.

[ⒻⓊⒸⓀⓎⒺⒶⒽ]

Just knowing they're dealing with it and considering other options is already a huge relief.
Still not sure what to do with my CE pre-order. The whole fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me thing and stuff.

I hope they can give people an answer before it's too late to withdraw pre-orders because that would be kinda shady.