Posted by Aguzo

I meant that as a way to say that they could even spawn in a dungeon like a mob event

Being in an isolated level does not isolate you from the lag of the server. Even if you were in your own random dungeon the ghosts would still lag. It would maybe spread players away from the same levels, but in the end the server hits a peak that there's nothing we can do about.

Posted by iBubble

I know how it goes but simply having more(better) ways of getting candy for everyone would have made this better, apart from the trick or treat event I liked halloween

It's not like we didn't want more ways to get candy! That was the entire goal for this event, but ideas are hard to come by. We tried, and it's a pity we didn't get candy bowls working in time... Other than that we had no ideas for more ways to get candy. I have a few ideas but they're something that will have to be added next year.  

Alright, time to post some ideas.

1. I like the new way to get candy(goblins) but I feel like there could be some changes and/or additions that could've made them a little bit better. You could have different color goblins(or not even different colored, doesn't matter much) drop different amounts of candy. Make a more common goblin who will drop 1-3 candies, then you could have less likely goblins that would drop the normal amounts.

2. Maybe have some sort of game that would give candies as well? You have crab chance and the Buffalo nexus game, which could be reskined for Halloween, and give out candy. I think crab chance could be good, maybe have an exclusive hat or two in that crab chance game? Yes, I realize that graphics are time consuming but it could be a haunted crab or something. That would keep players playing said game

3. My feelings are that the more ways to get candy, the better. You mentioned the candy bowls, which would also be a good addition.

4. Lastly, on the note of hats. You could take player suggestions, I've read coco's statement about most of them being pretty poor, but you can't make more hats, this is the only way. Maybe add an incentive of some sort to have the players hat added to the game? Maybe say "you got the bat hat, made by (fill in name here)" besides that, there isn't a way to increase the pool right now, without overworking the Gfx team.

There are problems with my ideas, yeah. The crab chance crabs would lag, probably. But they are just ideas, thoughts on what could be added. Aside from that the event works for me.

(Maybe some more fun tricks, if possible)

Posted by Dusty

It's not like we didn't want more ways to get candy! That was the entire goal for this event, but ideas are hard to come by. We tried, and it's a pity we didn't get candy bowls working in time... Other than that we had no ideas for more ways to get candy. I have a few ideas but they're something that will have to be added next year.

Just saw this, my thoughts would be for next year.  

Posted by Dusty

Being in an isolated level does not isolate you from the lag of the server. Even if you were in your own random dungeon the ghosts would still lag. It would maybe spread players away from the same levels, but in the end the server hits a peak that there's nothing we can do about.



It's not like we didn't want more ways to get candy! That was the entire goal for this event, but ideas are hard to come by. We tried, and it's a pity we didn't get candy bowls working in time... Other than that we had no ideas for more ways to get candy. I have a few ideas but they're something that will have to be added next year.

Well for next year, 20 candies on daily login, spinning wheels like the facebook like event I think it was and perhaps some miniquest with bandits smuggling candy in the caves.
I'm already excited for next year though if decoration will be as cool(or cooler) as this year  

Dusty lost his mind form our complaints  

Posted by Alexmo

Dusty lost his mind form our complaints

I don't blame him, he and Coco are the ones trying to deal with our complaints and feedback so stuff can become better. Like they even choose to go through the stress this gives to make it better for us. I've seen enough game companies be like ka-ching throw away feedback cus they pay anyways  

Posted by Dusty

I have a few ideas but they're something that will have to be added next year.

*cough* voting system *cough*  

Posted by iBubble

I don't blame him, he and Coco are the ones trying to deal with our complaints and feedback so stuff can become better. Like they even choose to go through the stress this gives to make it better for us. I've seen enough game companies be like ka-ching throw away feedback cus they pay anyways

Ya your right we should only complain once a month  

Posted by Dusty

It would maybe spread players away from the same levels.

That's what I meant, I never stated that idea before, except today.

I guess thinking right now it could have been like this:

A time limit, ex. 5 mins

Entrance could have been free, or maybe obtained by goblins/pumpkings dropping event tickets for entry.

There would be plenty of ghosts for you to catch, could have even been a guild based event.

Catch x amount of ghosts before the time limit, and you could have won x amount of candies spread evenly amongst 1-5 players.

Let's say it requires skill to catch 10 ghosts (solo) each minute.

Every 10 ghosts you would catch = 1 candy (If event is free to enter)
20 ghosts = 2 candies.
10 ghosts per minute, 5 min limit = 5 candies after you finish the event.

If you have 2 players the amount of ghosts required would be increased, but you would have to increase the amount of ghosts spawned, or the time it takes for ghosts to disappear, after getting caught.

To get people to participate with more people, prize would be increased by 1 candy for every more player. 2 players +1, 3 is +2, 4 is +3 candies at the end of event. 5 is +4 candies, so people would want to get a party of 5, but a team effort would be required for max prizes.

Party of 2

20 ghosts = 2 candies
40 = 3 candies
100 ghosts, 5 min limit, 6 candies for both players.


So people can't just enter with a 5 man party, wait 5 minutes and earn 5 candies. You would be required to catch x amount of ghosts within the time limit, otherwise no prize.

2 people = required to catch at least 20 ghosts
3 people = at least 40
4 people = 80
5 people = 160

There could have also been leaderboards

A solo leaderboard, top 10 for amount of ghosts caught within the 5 mins

A party leaderboard (Parties of 2-5 players included)  

Anybody have on ideas to get candy? Only way I was able to get candy was from goblins at bushes near swamp but apparently we "exploited that situation" even though i got a total of 6, I cannot find another way to get candy. Yes there are the ghosts but I never get the candy because net box is 509003904334 yards away so anyone have tips on where to track Pumpking?  

Posted by Ruppy

Anybody have on ideas to get candy? Only way I was able to get candy was from goblins at bushes near swamp but apparently we "exploited that situation" even though i got a total of 6, I cannot find another way to get candy. Yes there are the ghosts but I never get the candy because net box is 509003904334 yards away so anyone have tips on where to track Pumpking?

I've noticed that he mostly spawns near the police station, north of Swamp and near the MoD fountain, sometimes at the bridge too (these are all the places I've found him).  

Posted by Areo

1. I like the new way to get candy(goblins) but I feel like there could be some changes and/or additions that could've made them a little bit better. You could have different color goblins(or not even different colored, doesn't matter much) drop different amounts of candy. Make a more common goblin who will drop 1-3 candies, then you could have less likely goblins that would drop the normal amounts.

There is little purpose tbh. One dropping more than the other wouldn't really change the outcome much.

Posted by Areo

2. Maybe have some sort of game that would give candies as well? You have crab chance and the Buffalo nexus game, which could be reskined for Halloween, and give out candy. I think crab chance could be good, maybe have an exclusive hat or two in that crab chance game? Yes, I realize that graphics are time consuming but it could be a haunted crab or something. That would keep players playing said game

I'm not opposed to the idea. I wanted to do RPS gambling for candy but RPS is just too buggy. Inserting candy into the minigames like archery and crab chance aren't too bad of an idea either. Both are somewhat dependent on lag though so again, lag is an issue players will complain about.

Posted by Areo

4. Lastly, on the note of hats. You could take player suggestions, I've read coco's statement about most of them being pretty poor, but you can't make more hats, this is the only way. Maybe add an incentive of some sort to have the players hat added to the game? Maybe say "you got the bat hat, made by (fill in name here)" besides that, there isn't a way to increase the pool right now, without overworking the Gfx team.

Accepting player hats just isn't worth the time to deal with all the submissions. It takes just as long to accept submissions as it does to make hats. Then you have to worry about copyright/stolen submissions, and then distributing the rewards for accepted prizes. It's a long, drawn out process.

Posted by Ruppy

*cough* voting system *cough*

No. Why would you care if I add more ways to get candy? Why exclude ways to get more candy, just because you don't like it?

Posted by Aguzo

That's what I meant, I never stated that idea before, except today.

I guess thinking right now it could have been like this:

A time limit, ex. 5 mins

Entrance could have been free, or maybe obtained by goblins/pumpkings dropping event tickets for entry.

There would be plenty of ghosts for you to catch, could have even been a guild based event.

...

You missed the rest of my post that said it wouldn't alleviate the lag to make the difference. You'd still experience lag so ghost catching would still be annoying. However, I won't say there's not potential. Having some sort of haunted house you can enter and do stuff for a limited time for candy wouldn't be that bad. But there just wasn't time for it this year. In the end it's still ghost catching, and there will still be lag issues even if you're in your own level.

Could make it a competition though. A haunted house that throws you in with 10 or so other [random] players to see who can get the most candy, and winners get candy bonuses.

Posted by Aguzo

So people can't just enter with a 5 man party, wait 5 minutes and earn 5 candies. You would be required to catch x amount of ghosts within the time limit, otherwise no prize.

2 people = required to catch at least 20 ghosts
3 people = at least 40
4 people = 80
5 people = 160

There would be no party system.

1) It would involve an entirely coded party system which isn't the easiest thing to do, yet alone for a one-off event.

2) If towers have showed anything it's that players will do anything to get an advantage. Giving players the chance to party with friends would only increase the chance of finding a way to exploit the system. Even if it was "let me win and get the bonus this time and you can get the bonus next time!" Randoms would increase the competition and keep things cleaner.

Posted by Ruppy

Anybody have on ideas to get candy? Only way I was able to get candy was from goblins at bushes near swamp but apparently we "exploited that situation" even though i got a total of 6, I cannot find another way to get candy. Yes there are the ghosts but I never get the candy because net box is 509003904334 yards away so anyone have tips on where to track Pumpking?

You may not have received much candy from the goblins but in a few hours players had accumulated over 12,000 candy from them. More than the blob and ghosts combined.

Posted by iBubble

Well for next year, 20 candies on daily login, spinning wheels like the facebook like event I think it was and perhaps some miniquest with bandits smuggling candy in the caves.
I'm already excited for next year though if decoration will be as cool(or cooler) as this year

Daily spins or something for candy isn't a bad idea either.  

Posted by Dusty

It's not like we didn't want more ways to get candy! That was the entire goal for this event, but ideas are hard to come by. We tried, and it's a pity we didn't get candy bowls working in time... Other than that we had no ideas for more ways to get candy. I have a few ideas but they're something that will have to be added next year.

I have a few ideas. Not sure how well they would work out.
First of all, keep the pumpking and goblins. Tweak them if needed, but I think they're good additions.
Three places that I noticed are void of ghosts (or anything Halloween related) are Snowtown, Big City, and the railroads. I'm not sure if this was intentional, but having content in these areas could reduce the number of people crowding around the rest of the overworld.
Crab chance could possibly give out different prizes for different holidays. For Halloween the big prizes could be a couple of the hats you would normally get from trick-or-treaters and the gralat prizes could be replaced by some pieces of candy.
You could be able to find candy from looting, killing baddies, or maybe digging (although the drops could be rare since that would be really easy to get).
For some new, Halloween-exclusive baddies there could be zombies/skeletons that rise out of the ground in some areas. A headless horseman npc could appear in parts of the map and give out a unique, spooky item. Maybe his jack-o-lantern head? Who knows?  

Posted by Dusty

There would be no party system.

1) It would involve an entirely coded party system which isn't the easiest thing to do, yet alone for a one-off event.

Guild based, same thing as gst sign ups.

Posted by Dusty

2) If towers have showed anything it's that players will do anything to get an advantage. Giving players the chance to party with friends would only increase the chance of finding a way to exploit the system. Even if it was "let me win and get the bonus this time and you can get the bonus next time!" Randoms would increase the competition and keep things cleaner.

If the job is done correctly, then why would you be worried about exploits?

Let me win? bonus next time? The bonus is based off of how many people there are in the party. If the whole party doesn't participate, then no prize + no bonus for not catching at least x amount of ghosts (Dependent on size of party)

+1 candy for each +1 member in the party. Limited to 5 people, since you obviously can't have that many ghosts in one single area on a screen, and to keep it simple.

Randoms would increase the activity, but I'd rather do the event with people I can trust on being skilled at catching ghosts. Would suck to enter, and Jimmy with 22 hours would mess it up for everyone by not doing his part.

This was just a quick idea thought of in 2 mins. I don't really think ghosts would be great, but I was thinking "They are already here, less work for devs."  

Posted by Dusty

I'm not opposed to the idea. I wanted to do RPS gambling for candy but RPS is just too buggy. Inserting candy into the minigames like archery and crab chance aren't too bad of an idea either. Both are somewhat dependent on lag though so again, lag is an issue players will complain about.



Accepting player hats just isn't worth the time to deal with all the submissions. It takes just as long to accept submissions as it does to make hats. Then you have to worry about copyright/stolen submissions, and then distributing the rewards for accepted prizes. It's a long, drawn out process.

On crab chance. Sadly lag is just something that can't be avoided at this point. You could make the room not show others, to try and make it as smooth as possible. You could rescript the RPS system, seems like it wouldn't be too difficult, but i haven't ever done anything like that so it's not really my place to say. Also totally forgot about the archery minigame.

Yeah, I was just bringing up the player submissions for a possible way. Sadly, it has too many issues, it seems  

How about a haunted house maze for a prize? The maze inside the house change every time you enter.