Forsakenro End-Of-Year Review

[Genesis]

Hello ForsakenRO,

With the new year, we want to continue to provide our players with the best experience possible. We'd love to hear everyone's thoughts on how this year has been on ForsakenRO. In your review, please take into consideration:

What is your favorite aspect of ForsakenRO?

What do you think are our strongest areas?

What would you like to see more of in future updates?

What are things we still have room for improvement on?

What do you feel should be prioritized in future updates?

Please provide honest and thoughtful answers. The more you provide us with, the better we will be able to meet the community's needs.

Please note we are not asking you to do these reviews on RMS or any other website. Thank you and Happy New Year!

[Phenomenon]

What is your favorite aspect of ForsakenRO?

My favorite aspect of this server is the steady flow of updates, which takes into consideration player input/desires as well as the the steady flow of support that can be found from not just staff members, but regular players as well.

What do you think are our strongest areas?

Our strongest areas include sporting one of the most customized (item-wise) server around as well as attempting to create balance without shifting the intended use of classes too much (which is hard to accomplish considering our rates/items). I like the professionalism that the GM team takes in all actions it takes, and the constant updating of the server for not only the good of the veterans, but the newer players as well.

What would you like to see more of in future updates?

More items/quests/support being offered to newer players just starting who are struggling to make a decent living. Possibly the introduction of a new, widely demanded, quest-able item/consumable item that players can attain in order to make a profit. This in hopes of resurrecting the meager in-game economy. We need to reduce the amount of donation tokens among our population.

What are things we still have room for improvement on?

Not sure. Maybe updating more often in smaller manners rather than to fit it all in one big one every so periodically? We do pretty well otherwise. =]

What do you feel should be prioritized in future updates?

Bug fixes, fixing the in-game economy, and helping new players start off.

[Veracity]

If you post, please take the time to provide thoughtful answers to the questions.

[champ0349]

Some things that I think should be done are to make a Valk weapon for Gunslingers because they are facing the problem snipers used to face before the new weapons came out. They have low health and are unable to use reduction items because they need kiels to spam their skills. A 1 handed Valk Gun would allow them to use shields, giving them a betetr chance. Also, some sort of Valk Guitar/Whip should be made for Arrow Vulcan since Clown SB can't use that skill. Finally, lots of people complain about how the clown is Over Powered because of Tarot. I think that Tarot should cast Coma on a much lower percent because many clowns in the server only rely on coma now and that's really annoying because anyone could just pick up a Clown SB and do that. Clown needs to be a skillfull class that combines Arrow Vulcan, Double Strafe, And Tarot to play, not just trying to get a lucky coma with tarot.

Edited January 8, 2011 by champ0349

[Forum~]

What is your favorite aspect of ForsakenRO?

Fast paced PvP action, the best looking customs around, nice voting items, active forums, decent people (if you know where to look)

What do you think are our strongest areas?

Custom items

What would you like to see more of in future updates?

Class balance

No more items that add demi-human reduction (we're approaching 100% /swt).

Implementing more of the accepted suggestions (strong shield for soul linker please *hinthint*)

Bug fixes

New maps/MVPs

PvP should be more accessible for newer players

More party-necessary things to do (something like Endless Tower... I already have an idea...)

What are things we still have room for improvement on?

Valkyrie weapon balance, updating voting/event items, new headgear quests (not as intense as Frigg's XD), more unique events that do not involve PvP, token sink.

What do you feel should be prioritized in future updates?

*look at question 3 and 4*

Edited January 2, 2011 by Forum~

[jorgesilvera]

What is your favorite aspect of ForsakenRO?

PvP activities, Forum discussion and In-Game Economy

What do you think are our strongest areas?

Custom Items, Customs Ecenarios.

What would you like to see more of in future updates?

More Item for Old Players and for Beginers (since our population of newbeys is decreesing)

What are things we still have room for improvement on?

Listen (And not hear) more the players in foum and In-game

What do you feel should be prioritized in future updates?

Thing related to balance in game Economy (we have a inestavility), Realted Iro thing: 3rd class (If we don't implement we will lose the rase for the top against the other servers) BattleGrauns, WoE2.02 thing that are usualy people see when want a server.

[Xtopher]

What is your favorite aspect of ForsakenRO?

The community, custom items, and a growing balance in pvp among classes.

What do you think are our strongest areas?

Definitely custom items and as Juan said: "attempting to create balance without shifting the intended use of classes too much".

What would you like to see more of in future updates?

More quests that are friendly for newer players and also give older players something to do (Such as the Christmas Auras).

What are things we still have room for improvement on?

Some class balancing still needs to be done for a few classes (Whitesmith, Priest, Clown).

What do you feel should be prioritized in future updates?

Definitely helping new people start off.

[Mr. Masochist]

What is your favorite aspect of ForsakenRO?

The customs is a huge plus when looking at the server. We have so many unique items, quests, mobs and even maps. I love all of the different things we have compared to the other servers it makes me feel like I am playing a totally different game than the regular Ragnarok Online I'm used to.

What do you think are our strongest areas?

PvP and custom items. I mean yeah, PvP isn't too balanced for the newer players because of the face that all of the "quality" items are harder to get and not readily available, but for the most part, you guys did a good job balancing out the classes so not only one class is TOO overpowered.

What would you like to see more of in future updates?

More chances for the newer players to get some good quality items so they can duke it out with the donators. Items that are aquirable from quests that helps them out from the start. Also, the elite quest should be easier, a lot of the newbies get discouraged because of all the items they have to hunt just to get a set of armor and a weapon.

What are things we still have room for improvement on?

Instead of moving onto the next big item, you should release patches that fix the bugs of the old items. Also, active, talkative, friendly GMs.

What do you feel should be prioritized in future updates?

New players, olds players, more custom items, custom quests and bugs.

[Al Kapwn]

What is your favorite aspect of ForsakenRO?

The time put into new maps, unique items, etc. The fact that you can receive donation items through the token system is actually really nice. You can tell the sprites and main town are definitely thought out and well done.

What do you think are our strongest areas?

Prizes from all aspects of the game. Quests, events, WoE (which is quite nice), etc.

What would you like to see more of in future updates?

I'd love to see more non-donator friendly updates. Items that allow you to compete with people who donate for items and are available to get for newer people. Of course don't match the donation items with these, however it'd be nice if a donation item was +20 all stats, the non-donatable item would be 35-50% less of those stats (including +hp & dmg dealt instead of it completely taken away). Automated events would be nice too - I really haven't seen much GM held events.

I would also like to see more incentive to become an elite - such as quests 'unlocked' and exclusive for the elite subclass. I'm sorry, but hunting 3k argos cards is not worth the time to get 200 stat points. In that amount of time I could hunt around 10k yggs (or more..)

What are things we still have room for improvement on?

Giving new people a fair fighting chance and the 'want' to stay. Sure, all the customizations are nice but if you can't find a guild who will share their drops with you from the castle it's unlogical that saying "find a guild to share their castle drops with you" will help since it's just not going to happen. More events - answering @requests - ways to allow new people to gear up without spending 2 full days getting a fdun pass, then another full 2 weeks ygg farming (at least) their soul away just to get some decent items.

Also, I was playing all day the other day and saw a "guild vs. guild" competition - the only event all day. Being newer, I obviously still don't have gears so no guild wants me. That was the only event I saw aaall day, where I don't even get the chance to win some event tickets. The day before I don't think there was an event I could participate in either.. Kind of makes it hard to give me a standing chance, ya know?

What do you feel should be prioritized in future updates?

I feel like donations were prioritized, while yes we need to be able to run the server we need to be able to attract new people (and get them to stay). I think this year should be worked on to even out the 'fairness' between donating, eventing, and hunting. Donating you can get everything you need at the snap of a finger, with hunting and winning whatever events you can if you're a newbie takes weeks to gear up and just has no incentive..

I know it sounds like I'm complaining a lot here, but I'm really not. If you're new and don't know anyone you really don't stand much of a chance anywhere unless you grind mindlessly at yggs for days upon days.

[Veracity]

I know it sounds like I'm complaining a lot here, but I'm really not. If you're new and don't know anyone you really don't stand much of a chance anywhere unless you grind mindlessly at yggs for days upon days.

No, by all means, we encourage you to voice your opinion. I don't take anything you said as complaining, your assessment was fair and pointed out areas we need to improve on. I think it's very helpful, and it's great to hear from new players especially. Thankfully, in response to your (and other player's) feedback, we will definitely be prioritizing newer players and those who cannot donate in the next update. Thank you again, and everyone else, who has provided honest and thoughtful reviews so far! It really is appreciated!

[November Thunder]

What is your favorite aspect of ForsakenRO?

The time put into new maps, unique items, etc. The fact that you can receive donation items through the token system is actually really nice. You can tell the sprites and main town are definitely thought out and well done.

What do you think are our strongest areas?

Prizes from all aspects of the game. Quests, events, WoE (which is quite nice), etc.

What would you like to see more of in future updates?

I'd love to see more non-donator friendly updates. Items that allow you to compete with people who donate for items and are available to get for newer people. Of course don't match the donation items with these, however it'd be nice if a donation item was +20 all stats, the non-donatable item would be 35-50% less of those stats (including +hp & dmg dealt instead of it completely taken away). Automated events would be nice too - I really haven't seen much GM held events.

I would also like to see more incentive to become an elite - such as quests 'unlocked' and exclusive for the elite subclass. I'm sorry, but hunting 3k argos cards is not worth the time to get 200 stat points. In that amount of time I could hunt around 10k yggs (or more..)

What are things we still have room for improvement on?

Giving new people a fair fighting chance and the 'want' to stay. Sure, all the customizations are nice but if you can't find a guild who will share their drops with you from the castle it's unlogical that saying "find a guild to share their castle drops with you" will help since it's just not going to happen. More events - answering @requests - ways to allow new people to gear up without spending 2 full days getting a fdun pass, then another full 2 weeks ygg farming (at least) their soul away just to get some decent items.

Also, I was playing all day the other day and saw a "guild vs. guild" competition - the only event all day. Being newer, I obviously still don't have gears so no guild wants me. That was the only event I saw aaall day, where I don't even get the chance to win some event tickets. The day before I don't think there was an event I could participate in either.. Kind of makes it hard to give me a standing chance, ya know?

What do you feel should be prioritized in future updates?

I feel like donations were prioritized, while yes we need to be able to run the server we need to be able to attract new people (and get them to stay). I think this year should be worked on to even out the 'fairness' between donating, eventing, and hunting. Donating you can get everything you need at the snap of a finger, with hunting and winning whatever events you can if you're a newbie takes weeks to gear up and just has no incentive..

I know it sounds like I'm complaining a lot here, but I'm really not. If you're new and don't know anyone you really don't stand much of a chance anywhere unless you grind mindlessly at yggs for days upon days.

What do you mean by fairness like more quests that have better gears that you can only get by questing? I don't know if you know about friggs but its a quest and it's worth quite alot although one of the items is quite hard to get the others are simple to get, is this what you mean more quests like this offering better questing items?

[Groxy Drank]

What is your favorite aspect of ForsakenRO?

My favorite aspect of this server is that there is not really need to donate to play it at all, since we have many quests and many ways to obtain everything a player needs to become good in the server.

What do you think are our strongest areas?

For me the strongest areas are the periodic updates and implementation of new and innovative items, and also keep the server as balanced as possible.

What would you like to see more of in future updates?

I'd like to see more quest items like the Frigg's shield quest, that test the players patience and questing skills.

What are things we still have room for improvement on?

The implementation of new items for classes that are not used often like Gunslinger.

What do you feel should be prioritized in future updates?

New quests and keep the donations flowing so the server can stay up.

[Al Kapwn]

What do you mean by fairness like more quests that have better gears that you can only get by questing? I don't know if you know about friggs but its a quest and it's worth quite alot although one of the items is quite hard to get the others are simple to get, is this what you mean more quests like this offering better questing items?

I know about friggs - it's not a quest for beginners..

By fairness, I think there should actually be like different levels of items in categories. So, there is the Soldier quest for gear right? Then Elite?

I think there should be other titles to classify things based on their stats, which are offered via quests OR are unlocked from doing the elite quest (I talked about doing this for the Elite to provide more incentive for doing it).

So an example:

You do the elite quest, you can now do a quest to fight as the Calvary, Infantry, Paratroop, special forces, etc.

Calvary equipment - +5 all stats 2 slots

Infantry - +10 all stats 2 slots

Paratrooper - +15 all stats 2 slots

Special Forces - +20 all stats 2 slots

(of course, just an example)

Or, do themes, like for the paratrooper quest it's a "rucksack" style item, only it's a parachute backpack and gives similar stats as other things would.

So another idea could be:

Calvary quest reward would be similar to a donation forsaken chestpiece and cloak

Infantry a weapon similar to a valk weapon & boots

Paratrooper would be the bottom or middle headgear (idk what rucksacks count as) with similar stats

Special forces a special beret (2 slot) with another piece of gear.

Mind you - I'm not expecting these quests to be easy either, just because the Elite quest needs to be completed as well. So long as the NPC isn't just a, "here go grind on these items", like for special forces it should include the killing of like 50 different people, or clear an entire quest map of monsters in a given time period, etc. Be creative.

Edited January 7, 2011 by Al Kapwn

[Kusanagi]

Off Topic:

Speaking outside the questions mentioned, At least I have already gave up on whatever could be improved here, the direction of the server has gone really wrong and theres no sign that its going to get better.

What is your favorite aspect of ForsakenRO?

PvP is the only thing left, that is because I'm Already good enough because it would be impossible to start back and have a chance at pvp.

What do you think are our strongest areas?

Leaving many aspects aside that would be the Custom Items.

What would you like to see more of in future updates?

Anything that its not a donation exclusive Item.

What are things we still have room for improvement on?

• More Events
• More useful/possible Quests (Elite comes to mind)
• Balance [Generally Speaking]

What do you feel should be prioritized in future updates?

Time... perhaps not many remember but many things that recently happened were suggested years ago, updates takes years to happen literally.

And the most important thing: New players, I dont ever get to see new players as they leave in a week at the most, unfortunately the only way to stop people is to attract MORE people, as the old players are not actually friendly with the newbies only newbies can be friendly among themselves.

All said :)

Edited January 8, 2011 by Kusanagi

[nines]

What is your favorite aspect of ForsakenRO?

The people are fun to talk to. Pvp used to be first but cheap players ruin that.

What do you think are our strongest areas?

The greatest potential of forsaken ragnarok online for me is the possibilities of the server. We have the friggs shield quest and the elite quest (granted its not a class could be looked into and advanced into a further quest to give the server something new) We have a story line quest with the norse gods why not expand it into something further? The friggs shield quest was supposed to be super hard to do as Wish and Genesis intended it to be, when I asked Genesis about it he said maybe 3 weeks to do it? I was the first one to get it in a week :) why not make a quest that makes those expectations real? make it something really hard since we have the omen of tempest, and wheels from the woe drops still there why not make ones from woe drops that are needed for this quest with a low drop rate or make a specific castle just for the drops of getting this one item to keep people motivated. There are a ton of ideas this server can go off there is a huge area of what can be done on this server that is its strongest area.

What would you like to see more of in future updates?

Read statement up top.

What are things we still have room for improvement on?

Read the statement above the statement up top.

What do you feel should be prioritized in future updates?

Making it so there is more updates OFTEN. and making it so there aren't so many periods of boringness -.-

~Edit~

Maybe some end game stuff? We have endless dungeon right why not try making a ragnarok instance? like endless dungeon but the boss could be a Forsaken Demon and use him like the Satan Morroc make fcity all destroyed have people try to kill him for new items or interlink a quest to it from fcity be like oh help us save the town our hero, if you bring me the horn of the demon i will reward you. Things like this will overall add more shit to do and a interesting aspect and can adapt off it. Take ideas from other games and work off them :P

Nines has spoken.

Edited January 8, 2011 by nines

[Tom & Jerry]

Long time no see Forsaken.

Even though I have ended my life on this server, I'd still like to imput on this thread. Why? Because I do believe Forsaken has the potential to return back to the way it was, which as alot of players know, could be for better or worse. But the amount of players will return.

First of all:

What is your favorite aspect of ForsakenRO?

My favorite aspect of ForsakenRO is actually, and surprisingly, not our custom items. I must put In that the items are quite extraordinary and one of a kind. But my favorite aspect of ForsakenRO is actually the fact that

What do you think are our strongest areas?

Our Strongest area is in my opinion, undoubtfully the community. Our players know what they are doing. Not all aspects of support can be covered by our staff and administration. The connection between new and old is very important. In fact, even connection with old and old or new and new is strongly important. This way nobody feels left out, I feel lots of us fail to notice this strength. I've been to servers where the players don't communicate with each other.

What would you like to see more of in future updates?

I would not see any updates, but for the interest of ForsakenRO, although this might not be so well to you, but I would like to say we should get rid of one American WoE castle and in place, have another European castle added, this way, with people split more evenly, the castles in Euro will not be literally "undefendable"

What are things we still have room for improvement on?

More assistance to the new players of our server. I have seen some really great reviews from our new players, since they received help from our players, but I have also seen reviews that are quite cruddy. Honestly, it was no fun to be so noob walking around with amistr hat. I'm sure we all know. We should allow continuos updates to support the newer players, and I have also come across many great suggestions that were denied. Also, it is stated that our GM's are professional, but there are things our admins don't see. Including abuse of power, moody GM's, and rule twisters. This is an aspect we should really improve on. Also, I think alot of GM's just apply to have the power. In fact, how many of our GM's have not made it through 1 month, or retired very soon. This is something only certain players see, especially when favoritism is used.

What do you feel should be prioritized in future updates?

Improving WoE, as well as whatever innovations that are suggested by the players to improve the economy. I as well strongly agree on WoE 2.0 which was denied by Gen. No offense, but that would be an innovation that will possibly bring back the intensity of WoE. If you've played WoE with a castle that was actually strongly defended, you would know how boring FFA is.

[Veracity]

What are things we still have room for improvement on?

More assistance to the new players of our server. I have seen some really great reviews from our new players, since they received help from our players, but I have also seen reviews that are quite cruddy. Honestly, it was no fun to be so noob walking around with amistr hat. I'm sure we all know. We should allow continuos updates to support the newer players, and I have also come across many great suggestions that were denied. Also, it is stated that our GM's are professional, but there are things our admins don't see. Including abuse of power, moody GM's, and rule twisters. This is an aspect we should really improve on. Also, I think alot of GM's just apply to have the power. In fact, how many of our GM's have not made it through 1 month, or retired very soon. This is something only certain players see, especially when favoritism is used.

What do you feel should be prioritized in future updates?

Improving WoE, as well as whatever innovations that are suggested by the players to improve the economy. I as well strongly agree on WoE 2.0 which was denied by Gen. No offense, but that would be an innovation that will possibly bring back the intensity of WoE. If you've played WoE with a castle that was actually strongly defended, you would know how boring FFA is.

Hi, I'd just like to clarify a few things: our past update (I don't know if you've seen it or not), was geared towards new players. We've added questable auras for them (as well as rucksacks), improved elite weapons significantly to make non-donators better in PvP, we made a custom map for new players with mobs they can kill easily as well as a Help NPC that explains virtually everything a new player would need to know about ForsakenRO, made them start out with helpful newbie equipment to make leveling easier, added 2 extra sets they can quest for while working their way to becoming an elite (Forsaken PvP Soldier set and Forsaken MvP Soldier Set, both of which come with nice headgear that are popular as I've seen many older players doing the quest for the headgear), as well as added a new map/mobs for newbies to level in after LHZ when EXP begins to drag, and lowering the MvP hp to make them easier killed by our new players. There's a lot more, but that's just what comes to mind off the top of my head. All of these were based off suggestions from the community.

Now, about the GM team... our GMs are hard working individuals who volunteer their time to help players and provide events for them for free. I don't know what you mean by "rule twisters" or "moody GM's," but I know our staff is by far one of the most professional out there. Go look at other servers that are very, very understaffed and many of them are inactive on top of that. Our staff is also not corrupt at all since the power GMs are given is minimal and meant only to provide support/events for our players: only the Administrators have @item, which on many other servers ALL GM's have. Guess what they do with it? Give items to their friends/their legits behind the scenes. We do not do that at all, many people here just don't realize how lucky they are. While it is true (in rare occurrences) that a GM may abuse the trust and power given to them, Wish or Genesis will always find out about it and promptly remove them. Not only are the GMs closely monitored by them, but many times the community will report it if there is issues with a GM. Which brings me to my next point: if you have, or have ever, felt there was any bias or anything wrong with a GM, you could have either reported it via the ticket system or contacted Genesis or Wish directly (both of which are completely confidential).

Also, Genesis actually accepted WoE 2.0 and has been working on it for awhile. Since it's still in development, we've been working on how to improve the current WoE for new players and even have a topic about it in the suggestion forum.

I know you haven't been here for awhile, but we appreciate your (and everyone else's) reviews. They've been very helpful and we will definitely incorporate everyone's feedback into future updates.

Edited January 23, 2011 by Veracity

[Sensation]

@Everyone

Thanks for the feedback, this is exactly what we need as a team. There's always place for improvements and those are impossible without your input/feedback.

@Tom&Jerry

I'd like to say that Veracity can't be more right.

Admins can't see everything, because we have GMs from different time zones to provide the players the best we can, it's nearly impossible to monitor them all 24/7, they/we have to sleep, go to school/work, stay alive etc.

It's unavoidable to prevent power abuse, but if it's there, it's instant removal from the team. Because Genesis is so generous to let them play as normal players on this server, even after violations of the GM rules, I think that already is exceptional. Most servers perma-ban that person, which will make that person drag his friends away from the server because he/she can't play no more.

And I've yet to see a sitting GM to be corrupt, as Veracity said, our GM powers (even as Senior GMs) are very limited. All items are logged in event logs(forums), if there's a missing amount it's noticed immediately and the admins can verify who/what/where got it and the issue will be taken care off and events are scripted instead of hosted through GM commands. This all with the exact purpose to lower the temptation to abuse power and giving away items to 'frendz'.

Moody GMs, well, I'm sure you go to school/work at times and ain't feeling great, but still got to do what you gotta do.

The lack of both respect and appreciation towards the GM team is actually more shocking. Asking/Demanding things, but not thanking for it when you receive what you've asked for?

All GMs and other staff (scripters for example) are doing everything for free, no reward whatsoever, no items, no money, but sadly at times an ungrateful community.

It's a two-way connection, both sides need to give feedback to improve the magic that is ForsakenRO.

As for making the server more newbie friendly, there are a load of suggestions to do this, but they are defined in such a way that as a scripter, me or Wish for example, can't do anything with it.

What, where, who, price, items, level requirements, anything to make it a concrete concept that can be developed. Suggestions like improve/nerf this & that just don't work.

Though our recent patch did improve a LOT to making this server back newbie friendly and there has been a lot of work been done by the whole development staff.

WoE 2.0 is clashing a bit with our version of RO, but it shoud be doable nonetheless, it wasn't denied, just not accepted to be implemented immediately. Same thing applies to 3rd Class demand, the whole 3rd class concept is buggy, not working as intended and completely destroys the so hard to obtain balance.

Just hop back in-game and see for yourself before jumping to conclusions, we're constantly innovating and trying to provide the player base & community to give that what they want and deserve.

[Guest lolensue]

hi!

What is your favorite aspect of ForsakenRO?

- FRO is fully customized, GMs are open minded with suggestions, and the server is doing its best to fulfill our needs.

What do you think are our strongest areas?

- There is no "are" when you speak about "strongest", so ill mention on what i think is the strongest among all. It is the continuous updates from time to time.

What would you like to see more of in future updates?

- Sprite Fixing/Elite Weapon Sprite/Description, Item Balancing, WOE improvement, quest re-do's.

What are things we still have room for improvement on?

- im not sure with this but i think u still need to improve more on making newbies stay.

What do you feel should be prioritized in future updates?

- item/class balancing

[nines]

What do you think are our strongest areas?

- There is no "are" when you speak about "strongest", so ill mention on what i think is the strongest among all. It is the continuous updates from time to time.

What does that mean :O

What are things we still have room for improvement on?

- im not sure with this but i think u still need to improve more on making newbies stay.

Already did add a bunch of stuff in the update and Veracity and Sensation just posted on that to

What do you feel should be prioritized in future updates?

- item/class balancing

Specifics man, can't get a real review if your being vague.

[Guest lolensue]

the strongest aspect of FRO is their ability to update from time to time..

yeah i know but that was only a newbie map~ more sorts of things are better, like adding newbie guide books/etc.

well ok. Classes like LKs/Clowns/Whitesmiths

some of the updates were really not the impressive. Regarding whitesmiths, they still suck at pvp. The valk weapon really did not make a great statement for whitesmiths. I am not talking about playing it right, but im talking about balancing whitesmith for PVP. Lord Knights are still to be fixed, LKH are nerfed much and they still need balancing. Adding auto dispell/auto skill will do for LKs.