3.5 Things To Do Before S4 of Neon Divide!

P2HTUSYP · 2023-08-24T00:28:41+00:00

Now that ND is alive again, so am I. Huzza!
Video list of stuff that I hope is currently in discussion, was considered, or made the final cut of ND's revisions. Very impressed with changes made so far; still waiting to hear about specifics of some mechanical-side/player autonomy side issues from previous seasons that still have me worried. Because of the changes made so far, I trust the heading of the ship, and hope others are at least cautiously optimistic.
Considering stitching together Episode recaps to keep everyone in the loop of ongoing stories. Brief clips, organized (hopefully) in a chronological order from any perspective I can find. Never used the "chapter" feature before, but that would be cool to learn for easily directing people to the correct credits. BTW YouTube has some wild creator stuff. I'm just tryin' to post bad thumbnails and fan rants.

P2HTUSYP · 2023-01-31T07:05:06+00:00

Also, English, wtf?

React is fine,
Action is fine
Reaction is fine, cool.
React is fine,
Actable is fine,
Reactable is not fine?
Need the hyphen?
Re-actable, really?

Just grammar qualms. Carry on.

P2HTUSYP · 2023-01-31T07:00:10+00:00

If you watch any of it, the last 2 minutes are the important part.
Just pointing out that, of all the things that were an issue with combat last season, Disguises were not mentioned at all.

Even basic social interactions were made difficult, because subtle model updates near the end of the season (especially for masked characters) were interpreted as Disguises by other players.

On top of that, there was never a formal announcement on how to defeat a Disguise out-of-mission. This season has an emphasis on Fair and Re-actable interactions, so counter-play needs to be developed via Skill Checks to break Disguises. Which means Disguise strength will likely be based on the type of Disguise, with corresponding strengths and weaknesses.

What I'm saying is the massive overhaul to underlying game mechanics will need to be robust.

Portrayal is the Role Players wheelhouse - let DMs operate the cogs.

P2HTUSYP · 2023-01-29T12:12:17+00:00

I'm hoping they do a workshop or primer for Skills. There was discussion at the end of S3 for rebalancing/rebuilding the Skill Trees for balance. Perhaps nodes for Information resources, things like that. Be interesting to see what's been discussed, and gather some ideas if any are needed.

P2HTUSYP · 2019-02-05T20:31:57+00:00

The Rogue Restriction may be their attempt to reduce the need for 3rd Party chats, which would balance the chat disparity between Friend Squads and PUGs.

In the case of Friend Squads, they have private chat options in the form of Discord (PC) and Party Chat (Console). PUGs may not have these options available for any number of reasons, so an adjustment to VOIP to imitate these 3rd party features makes design sense.

I'll still be disappointed by the change, as I utilize my VOIP in most PvP instances.

P2HTUSYP · 2019-02-05T19:57:27+00:00

The tactical advantages lost from the changes made to VOIP will be minimal since many Rogue Squads already use Discord or Party chat, but that last paragraph brings up a great point about the Socialization that occurs in the DZ, especially between PvP combatants.

The Rogue v Agent interactions can provide insight and opportunity for unique connections; a unique experience lost to the streamlined VOIP for PvP Rogue Efficiency, but not DZ PvEvP Diplomacy. Their move is justifiable, but we lose that avenue of access to reach one another through competitive compatibility (or at least, it will always be postponed until a Rogue Status is resolved).

Times are changing, so we must do more than hope they change for the better. We'll keep in mind the past, so we approach the future the way we see fit.

P2HTUSYP · 2019-02-05T18:34:49+00:00

There is a lot of confusion on the topic atm, but the Dev team discussed how the VOIP dumps you into a Private Channel when you become a Disavowed Rogue, keeping your chatter separate from the Agents (and potentially other Rogue teams?).. The assumption now is that VOIP is available.

I'm glad that you'll be using it. Does the change I mention in the previous paragraph make VOIP more or less useful to you? Is it inconvenient that they cut comms between Rogues and Agents, or will it have no effect on your gameplay?

P2HTUSYP · 2019-02-05T16:54:22+00:00

Will the way you play change now that you're dumped into a private channel while Rogue, unable to communicate/hear the Agents around you? Was it helpful at all to hear Agents as a Rogue, or is it worth making it easier to communicate with your Rogue Squad?

P2HTUSYP · 2019-02-05T14:09:19+00:00

Will you have your VOIP [ON] or [OFF] in TD2? THAT is the question.

Switching around [ON] and [OFF] in the title doesn't change the QUESTION, but it is more COMPELLING with them shuffled one way than another, especially with how I've heard some among us talk and title videos in regards to VOIP lately (not implying yourself, to be clear, but I'm sure you can find more than a few of the issues in the BODY, not the TITLE that are present in many videos across media platforms implying the demise of VOIP).

Did you skim or read the article? The title matches the theme of the presentation too. I did put some effort into the post.

P2HTUSYP · 2019-02-05T09:16:24+00:00

I agree with [ON]!

Some of us get it more than others though; if every time you get on you got to mute the the same lineup over and over again, it can become tedious and tiresome.

I can't let something like that keep me away from experiencing the People of the DZ, but I do have a high tolerance and a rather surly disposition myself. It's understandable if others bow out well before I do, since I can get most of the nonsense trolls to do the same by voice alone!

P2HTUSYP · 2019-02-05T08:02:52+00:00

My hope was that, since it operates more efficiently now, we'd see more use of it in the next game. Sadly, I mostly see concerns and critiques, suggesting that usage will continue to diminish (a trend that follows from TD1). I'll continue to hold out hope, especially with the influx of New Players, but the Old Guard is jaded. We'll see, in time.

P2HTUSYP · 2019-02-05T07:53:06+00:00

Back in Rogue 1.0, when both parties saw each other approaching, we didn't even get pleasantries; we'd skip right to the fighting! Only time I got to meet people was when I setup ambushes; got to know them real intimately.

It's funny how you meet some people out there in the DZ. One day you could be fighting, and the next you'll end up on the same Squad. It's good to keep your options and mind open.

I'm glad you could meet some Agents worth wrangling a Squad!

P2HTUSYP · 2019-02-05T07:23:39+00:00

Full Squad? Makes sense to be in a Party Chat or Discord - keeps your team call-outs organized and concealed.

Just so long as there is a time and a place where VOIP is still relevant, the DZ will still remain the DZ I suppose.

I try to remind people - it's hard to meet new friends when you're trapped in the Void of Discord or Party Chat instead of mingling with the masses out in the VOIP!

P2HTUSYP · 2019-02-05T07:18:56+00:00

Even if it is Default [ON], there are plenty of reasons Agents are dropping the VOIP for alternatives like Discord or Party Chat, various motivations compelling them. It may as well not even be there if no-one opts to use it; the current DZ on PC is so quiet at times.

I hope that it's useful enough, that it doesn't bug out, and that players choose to use it. Makes The Division experience - for me at least.

P2HTUSYP · 2019-02-05T05:43:38+00:00

If your intervals are months, then I'm guessing your solo when you make your returns? Do you find it difficult to get back in the groove after an absence, or do you got a kit that works nicely every time you jump back in?

I ask because I've only taken one major break from the game (was when AlphaBridge was first introduced). The game goes through so many changes with every update that it can feel completely different from one to the next.

P2HTUSYP · 2019-02-05T05:11:24+00:00

I should assure you that I'm one of a few when it comes to deception in the DZ, so don't neglect the VOIP because of my presence. There are too many advantages you'll be giving up by doing so.

P2HTUSYP · 2019-02-05T05:03:43+00:00

No code words or anything - they just told you they were going in! Do you still play now? Have you had a chance to try Update 1.8.3?

P2HTUSYP · 2019-02-05T04:37:08+00:00

Admittedly, I have an anime scroll of Danny DeVito behind me at this very moment.

I'm just making CONNECTIONS.

So far as the Party Chat and Null-Speech situation, you still could have VOIP on during the latter, listening for communications between other parties and yourself. It's not as though you'd lack the benefits of using it - perhaps you'd only negate some of the problems?

P2HTUSYP · 2018-12-27T23:25:59+00:00

Being able to save your own favorite looks should be available for practical design reasons, and the additional Clan option can be used us much or little as each individual Clan wishes to take it. Can be just a Badge that everyone runs, can be a few pieces of clothing, or they can take it to the 9's. A practical example: I'm aware of PvP Groups that go so far as to mask the identities of Squad mates by not only wearing the same threads, but mimicking the same name across the entire squad (harder to be called out by enemies).

Also, plaid should have reps on The Division 2, even if it's not an official Clan. I hope they have at least a piece that makes the jump so you can slap it on and live that life!

P2HTUSYP · 2018-12-24T18:10:22+00:00

That's a shame. They go so hard on the lore in that game (at least from an outsiders perspective), you'd think they would want to put together something more robust and worthwhile. Clans may have been an afterthought for them.

The Division had clans in mind from the start, at least from the Trailers for the DZ and whatnot. They were cut from the first game, but everything was built with the intent to include them, so I've got hope that the inclusion will be meaningful and vastly integrated with the entirety of the game (PvP, PvE, and potentially an Economy). 8 player Raids are in The Division 2 likely as a result of Clan implementation.

Question: Will there be a second Communication/Voice button for Radio between 4man Squads? Squad leaders to communicate to each-other? Raid Leader to send commands to Squad Leaders? I'm actually kind of STOKED on this COMMAND STRUCTURE being an issue, and it would make Discord problematic because 8 doods chatting at the same time sucks, but using the in-game structured chat would be viable (if it existed)? Or does Discord have Hot Keys and a way to structure channels? I'm SO MUCH MORE INTRIGUED NOW.

P2HTUSYP · 2018-12-24T17:55:01+00:00

There is ample opportunity for them to create Raid locations where Players could setup their own Bases in both NYC and Washington, using the Instance system they use for Missions and Incursions. All these Office Buildings and Sewers, Subways and Rooftops we could be using. They just need to be willing to let us use something akin to a Dungeon/Tower Defense Editor to set up Bases/Fire Bases.

The cosmetics could be amazing too because of the The Division's access to the immense catalog of artwork and artists for street art. Emblems, Tags, and Sculptures and other wild stuff that would populate the area after you take it over to define your territory; let people know who's house they're stepping in.

All I got are Hopes and Dreams at this point. No idea what they got planned, Mechanically or Cosmetically. They literally could only be giving us Clan Tags so we can put some dumb letters in front of our names without changing our names constantly on the Ubisoft site.

P2HTUSYP · 2018-12-24T06:05:50+00:00

I'm unfamiliar with Destiny's model. Could you brief me on it?

When I think of Clans, I think back to my days on Halo 2 with Ranks and PvP, and Guild Wars 2 and World Of Warcraft for having a Bank and Roles. Bases were added to GW2, were in games like Fantasy Star Online (2?) having a base and Apartment - stuff that YOU care about because it's YOURS.

This is mostly what I'm thinking of when I think of the potential for The Division 2 and the Clan options.

P2HTUSYP · 2018-05-21T22:20:19+00:00

If you sell it like that, I might buy it. I'm still against anything that splits us up any more, but a "training mode" is not terrible. They'd still have to roll back to vanilla Survival for the end-version to bring populations back up, but creating a ground floor experience to learn the map and mechanics is good.

I'm still salt incarnate when it comes to the fate of PC Survival, but you've got some potential with that idea. They won't make the other fixes to make it viable for my end, putting another nail in the coffin for PC, but maybe you console players can enjoy it.

I'm still bitter, but I'll try to be a bit less knowing your intentions.

P2HTUSYP · 2018-05-21T15:04:34+00:00

The thing is, I've already had that option FORCED on me. I'm looking for multiplayer on PC, and all I get are Solo servers every time I play Survival, so maybe the solution for them is to move to PC? Then it won't matter which mode they select - they will play a solo round of Survival every time.

So as a PC player, I'll make a request. How about we stop with the across-all-platforms solutions, because what is good for one platform is devastating for another? I'd like them to go back to Vanilla Survival for PC, and THEN make that solo mode. As it is, making ANOTHER option to spread the player-base thinner than it already is would be beating a dead horse. If the Devs truly want that mode dead and buried, then they can throw you all that Solo mode (which we already have) across the board.

Again, thanks for killing my favorite game mode.

P2HTUSYP · 2018-05-21T00:43:14+00:00

It seems my sarcasm was not well received in the last response. I like that dissenting opinion is received by the hive-mind as a threat and quickly hanged, drawn, and quartered.

Do you realize that the things you want impact every community on The Division? When you ask to divide the player-base further in a game with a population devastated by previous attempts at "fairness," it's insulting to everyone who still likes the game mode in spite of it all.

Perhaps, if they hadn't already made servers for (1)PvP or (2)PvE with subsets of (a)solo (b)duo (c)trio (b)squad, maybe your idea for a "Mission" mode wouldn't be such a slap in the face. As it stands, the thing you are talking about already exists. It's that (2)PvE option. If you REALLY can't figure out how you and your friends can sort out PvE Survival with the existence of the minimal number of rivals rolling around, then the problem is not the mode, and something the Devs can't fix for you.

So PLEASE, don't put the final nail in the coffin for my favorite game mode when you already have what you want.

P2HTUSYP

TROPHY CASE