regenerating captains

[whocares]

I have not seen this mentioned, so I'm mentioning it now. On "Admiral" difficulty I am frequently encountering enemy captains that regenerate health faster than I can remove it. About 50% of them. I waste a LOT of time boarding ships only to find out that it's impossible for me to ever win the boarding combat, due to this bug. And I do consider it to be a bug.

And that's another issue I have with this, which could otherwise be a very good game: there is WAY TOO MUCH breaking of the programmer's own rules on behalf of the AI in order to set the difficulty. Attention, programmers everywhere: if you can't handle programming difficulty settings without breaking your own rules, find a new profession! Make space for somebody who can. There are plenty of programmers who want your job. Go work at 7-11.

And sorry for the tone of this comment, but I spent over an hour wrestling with trying to get "registered" with this damn board. It seems the programmers of this forum software think that customer service emails should be sent with the Display name (only) and not the login name which is a pain in the ass when you forget your login name. And what's with all the security settings on this forum anyway? I would think that for games as unpopular as these are, fans would want to encourage participation on forums like this. Instead you give potential members a massive freaking headache? Whatever.

 

[Sordid]

You have this power too, it's called healing potions. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="rolleyes.gif" />

 

[Valeriyan]

<!--quoteo(post=328834:date=Jun 15 2009, 04:58 AM:name=Why register)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Why register @ Jun 15 2009, 04:58 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=328834"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->... And I do consider it to be a bug.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

This isn't a bug, this is the Admiral level. If you have not mastered all the fencing tricks, you can to play at the Sailor level.

 

[Sordid]

Well yeah, there's that, too. Really, what's the deal here? You play on the highest difficulty and then complain that the game is too difficult? Well gosh, what solution could there possibly be to this quandary? <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" />

 

[whocares]

<!--quoteo(post=328837:date=Jun 15 2009, 02:11 AM:name=Sordid)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Sordid @ Jun 15 2009, 02:11 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=328837"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Well yeah, there's that, too. Really, what's the deal here? You play on the highest difficulty and then complain that the game is too difficult? Well gosh, what solution could there possibly be to this quandary? <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" /><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

It isn't the highest difficulty level. And it's actually no more difficult than the easiest setting, when it comes to ship combat. They make the game difficult via fudge-factor bias. I cranked up the difficulty because the game is too damn easy in regards to making money and the ship combat. But maybe I can "solve" the problem by turning the difficulty down to easy-mode, right?

 

[whocares]

<!--quoteo(post=328836:date=Jun 15 2009, 02:08 AM:name=Valeriyan)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Valeriyan @ Jun 15 2009, 02:08 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=328836"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=328834:date=Jun 15 2009, 04:58 AM:name=Why register)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Why register @ Jun 15 2009, 04:58 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=328834"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->... And I do consider it to be a bug.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

This isn't a bug, this is the Admiral level. If you have not mastered all the fencing tricks, you can to play at the Sailor level.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->


"Admiral" is not more difficult that "Sailor", the computer opponent just cheats more. And what does mastering "tricks" have to do with the fact that LUGGER CAPTAINS regenerate health at a constant rate which is much higher than the rate at which I can do damage? There is no "trick" that will fix that, friend. And I'm level 1 in case you were wondering, so I'm seriously wondering how much the AI is gonna cheat later on in this game.

 

[whocares]

<!--quoteo(post=328835:date=Jun 15 2009, 02:04 AM:name=Sordid)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Sordid @ Jun 15 2009, 02:04 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=328835"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->You have this power too, it's called healing potions. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="rolleyes.gif" /><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

It seems I can't use potions on Admiral mode. And if an enemy can one-shot me with my 55 hitpoints (and they can) then that is cheat enough. If I can beat them anyway (and I can) then so be it. Why do they have to let some guys regenerate health non-stop? And no, it isn't a healing potion, because it happens 100% of the time with some opponents, and never with others. It's a hardcoded effect.

What good is this forum when people just make stuff up?

 

[whocares]

Lets just can the argument. Is there a patch to remove all combat healing effects, including potions, from the game? Because, there kinda should be. There also should be a patch to remove the constantly-unfavorable wind during missions on higher difficulty settings. And while somebody is patching the game, how about a patch that actually makes the AI more challenging, instead of just nerfing the player while boosting the AI?

Is this too much to ask?

Oh, and while I'm making requests... no more zoning me into combat facing a wall, no more being blocked out (or in) by my own allies, no more allies following on my heels while looting ships so that I have to spend 5 minutes pushing them out of the way, no more etc.

How long has this game been out in Russia? Do Russians like this kind of thing or something? In my opinion, PotBS has the absolute worst acceptable level of avatar combat. If a game can't do better than that, then they shouldn't bother. And, this game isn't better than that.

 

[Sordid]

<!--quoteo(post=328856:date=Jun 15 2009, 04:20 AM:name=Why register)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Why register @ Jun 15 2009, 04:20 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=328856"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->"Admiral" is not more difficult that "Sailor", the computer opponent just cheats more.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Judging by the ruckus you're making, I'd say it is markedly so. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" /> Seriously, what did you expect? The increased difficulty has to come from somewhere. In Doom the monsters respawn, here the captains regenerate. If Nightmare's too hard for you, well then maybe you should consider playing on a lower difficulty setting? Just a thought.

<!--quoteo(post=328876:date=Jun 15 2009, 04:47 AM:name=Why register)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Why register @ Jun 15 2009, 04:47 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=328876"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Is this too much to ask?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Given that you're basically asking for the redesign of the whole game from the ground up, that'd be a yes.

 

[whocares]

<i>Judging by the ruckus you're making, I'd say it is markedly so. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" /> Seriously, what did you expect?
</i>

I expected enemies to be more difficult because they were smarter, or higher level. I didn't expect blatant AI cheating. I've experimented some more with this in the meanwhile, and it is NOT from potions. It's a constant regen effect that some enemies have. I can sit there and block, counter attack forever... the effect never wears off. Maybe they are tyring to pretend its from potions but it was apparent to me right away what was going on, because I played pretty extensively at lower difficulty settings and never saw anything like this.

<i>The increased difficulty has to come from somewhere.</i>

Oh, so you are going to try to pretend that these cheezy rule breaking is normal in computer games? That's a bunch of crap. No decent game I can recall (and I've been playing them for a while) had computer opponents that didn't abide by the published rules of the game.

<i>In Doom the monsters respawn, here the captains regenerate.</i>

You think that's equivalent!? Respawning monsters vs unkillable enemies? lol. WTF am I wasting time with you clowns for?

<i>If Nightmare's too hard for you, well then maybe you should consider playing on a lower difficulty setting? Just a thought.
</i>

Actually the game is much too easy, that's why I cranked up the difficulty settings. And I don't appreciate the fact that the difficulty settings seem to have no effect on gameplay except to increase the amount that the AI blatantly cheats.

<i>Given that you're basically asking for the redesign of the whole game from the ground up, that'd be a yes.
</i>

OK, fine. Next time somebody is tempted to wonder why this franchise doesn't do better, look no further. The longer I play this the less I like it. That's the exact opposite of a recipe for success. And it isn't a good sign when the fanboys respond to legitimate complaints about game design with smartass comments about easy-mode. Nobody likes obvious cheating on the part of computer opponents. Pretty sure that's in "game design 101". Maybe the Russians should take that course.

 

[whocares]

Hey, check out my idea for a new Russian Chess game! Player side = normal rules of chess. For the AI< the Queen can only be taken by a simultaneous attack by a pawn and knight. Rooks can only be taken by a simultaneous attack by another rook and a bishop. Bishops can only be taken by a simultaneous attack by 3 pawns. Knights can only be taken by another knight. The King can only be placed in check when he's in jeopardy from 3 directions. The King can only be checkmated by pawns.

Should be a popular version, eh?

The difficulty has to come from somewhere! And that "somewhere" doesn't include programming skill, it seems.

 

[Thagarr]

<!--quoteo(post=328834:date=Jun 14 2009, 07:58 PM:name=Why register)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Why register @ Jun 14 2009, 07:58 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=328834"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->And what's with all the security settings on this forum anyway? I would think that for games as unpopular as these are, fans would want to encourage participation on forums like this. Instead you give potential members a massive freaking headache? Whatever.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

The security is high on these forums because we get a LOT of spammers trying to dump all there crap on us, we have no choice but to have everything as tight as possible. I think you underestimate the popularity of these games mate!

<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->And it isn't a good sign when the fanboys respond to legitimate complaints about game design with smartass comments about easy-mode.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Perhaps you might get a better response if you toned down your smart ass attitude before you start posting those kind of comments yourself! Most of us here have been playing games from Akella from a long time, and we do have a lot of respect for them and their programing ability. I have nothing against you criticizing them, but if you do it in a smart ass way, that is exactly the kind of response you will get.

 

[whocares]

Hey more questions! You know how after you board a ship, you have like about 3 seconds to load the menu to go to "open sea" or both your ship and the one you just captured will bash eachother to bits, just sitting there? You know how when you order one of your allied ships to do something (like GET THE HELL OUT OF MY WAY) it always seems to do the opposite? You know how when you "sail to" a port, your ship always seems to appear right next to a cliff, which it proceed to run into if you aren't fast enough loading the "moor" menu? You know how when you "sail to" a ship that ends up being a pirate (for missions) your ass end is always pointing at his broadside (which is interesting considering you just sailed to him, eh?) and you know how 75% of the time when you zone into the middle of a fight (a favorite trick of theirs, isn't it? Wouldn't want the player to have time to prepare - even if he did initiate the action!) about half the time your goober is facing a wall, or is at an angle where you the player can't see what's going on, or is standing there with his back to multiple enemies?

Are these examples of "difficulty" or of bad programming, Sordid? Yeah? Really? That's what I thought you would say! And how's about the fact that there are no user definable hotkeys, and so everything has to be done via nested menus, and while the player wrestling with menus he has no control over hsi character? And how about the fact that if there's any activatable item nearby (which there always is in those cramped cabins, right?) the player can't even access the menus at all? How hard do you think it is to support hotkeys, Sordid? Any chance at all they made that design decision to increase the "difficulty"? Difficulty via obtuse interface, right? lol. Hey, the difficulty has to come from somewhere! And that ain't from good programming, is it!?

And can somebody remind me how long this franchise has been around?

 

[whocares]

<i>The security is high on these forums because we get a LOT of spammers trying to dump all there crap on us, we have no choice but to have everything as tight as possible.
</i>

Somehow I'm having difficulty believing that you get a lot of spammers who take the time and effort to register accounts.

<i>I think you underestimate the popularity of these games mate!</i>

Maybe so, but I don't think I'm underestimating the fact that this game has been completely ignored in the English speaking world. It was out for a week in the US before anyone mentioned that fact on the internet. And this site is the only useful source of information on this game. I don't know how many copies it will sell but I'm guessing not a lot, based on its lack of reception.

<i>
Perhaps you might get a better response if you toned down your smart ass attitude before you start posting those kind of comments yourself!
</i>

It seems there is no response from the fanboys except knee-jerk defense, so it doesn't much matter if the non-response was better or worse.

<i>Most of us here have been playing games from Akella from a long time, and we do have a lot of respect for them and their programing ability.
</i>

Great! Can't wait to see what a junk heap Jagged Alliance 3 ends up being. I'm sure YOU'LL like it, though.

<i>I have nothing against you criticizing them, but if you do it in a smart ass way, that is exactly the kind of response you will get.
</i>

That's my line! I didn't criticize anyone here, smart-ass or not, so when I get that kind of wiseass reply its open season on fanboys as far as I'm concerned. And don't say you weren't asking for it, Sordid

 

[Pieter Boelen]

As for your forum complaints, I am not aware of any deliberate attempts to make registering hard in any way.
We welcome all new members and always have done. As for the difference between login name and display name:
Why not just make them the same? That's what I do; never really had any trouble. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/dunno.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="dunno.gif" />

 

[Thagarr]

Try lowering your sails just before you board the ship you are trying to capture, if you leave them up, of course your ship will still be going full speed ahead! This works for mooring at ports as well. The "Sail To" Option is a cheat of sorts, if you don't like where it places you, sail the ship yourself and put her where you want to be. You can speed up time so it doesn't take as long to reach the other ship.

Sure this game has bugs, and different programmers program certain ways, depending on their skill level and what they are trying to achieve. If your so disgusted with the way this game is programed, write your own and you can solve all these problems yourself! I for one would love to see it!

This franchise has it's roots in Akella's first pirate game, Sea Dogs. That came out in 2000. So to answer your question, about 9 years.

We have been discussing this game for well over 3 years mate, get your facts straight before you make blanket statements. And don't blame pathetic marketing on Akella, that is all on Playlogic!

 

[Tahlendorf]

With that attitude..... my time is not going to be wasted in this post.... as I expect from the other users. TROLL ALERT!!!!
For crying... try your local church.

<b>BEST REGARDS</b>

 

[ButterCutter]

While the whining style of the OP is retarded, he has some point.

Raising the difficulty level by breaking game rules is a bad way to do it. Biased statistics is a better way - by that I mean that enemies are higher level, have better weapons/equipment etc, but not by giving them magical abilities or setting the elements of nature (wind) to be biased against you. The best way is by manipulating the AI, but that is often very hard and demanding.

Perhaps this could be addressed by the modders, at least to some degree, but there is a quick & dirty solution for players - don't min/max yourself!
Yes, I know this is psychologically impossible for some of the more "professional" gamers, but this is the heart of RPG. Play on lower difficulty level so AI does not break the rules BUT: Don't train your officers, or even don't use (or use a few) officers. don't farm gold or experience, don't use buffs (idols etc.), don't have guns reloading in combat. This is not "handicapping" yourself as some kids claim - this is called "role play". Yes, it is better when the game mechanics challenge you themselves in a logical way, but this works too. When you get over the "beating the game" mentality, you enjoy more.

 

[Sordid]

<!--quoteo(post=328892:date=Jun 15 2009, 08:04 AM:name=Why register)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Why register @ Jun 15 2009, 08:04 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=328892"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I expected enemies to be more difficult because they were smarter, or higher level. I didn't expect blatant AI cheating.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Aaaand that would not be cheating how, exactly?

<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I've experimented some more with this in the meanwhile, and it is NOT from potions. It's a constant regen effect that some enemies have. I can sit there and block, counter attack forever... the effect never wears off. Maybe they are tyring to pretend its from potions but it was apparent to me right away what was going on, because I played pretty extensively at lower difficulty settings and never saw anything like this.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
That's funny, I have, and in my experience the effect is far from constant.

<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Oh, so you are going to try to pretend that these cheezy rule breaking is normal in computer games? That's a bunch of crap. No decent game I can recall (and I've been playing them for a while) had computer opponents that didn't abide by the published rules of the game.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I refer you to this page: <a href="http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheComputerIsACheatingBastard" target="_blank">http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main...CheatingBastard</a>

<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->You think that's equivalent!? Respawning monsters vs unkillable enemies? lol. WTF am I wasting time with you clowns for?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
You're right, it's not equivalent. It's far worse. But then it <i>is</i> Nightmade and you do get a warning that it's going to be hellishly difficult, so...

<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Actually the game is much too easy, that's why I cranked up the difficulty settings.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Funny how your mind only seems to work in one direction, but when the problem is reversed it seems incapable of devising what is essentially the same solution.

<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->OK, fine. Next time somebody is tempted to wonder why this franchise doesn't do better, look no further. The longer I play this the less I like it.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Then stop playing it? Really, who's forcing you? Go play Sid Meier's Pirates or something, that might be more appropriate for your level.

<!--quoteo(post=328895:date=Jun 15 2009, 08:36 AM:name=Why register)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Why register @ Jun 15 2009, 08:36 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=328895"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Are these examples of "difficulty" or of bad programming, Sordid?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
These are examples of real flaws in the game design, but then nobody claims this game is absolutely perfect and if you name a game that you like (and that I'm familiar with) I will be able to pick similar nits.
Or you could just listen to Yahtzee, who will do it in a much more funny way.

 

[Pieter Boelen]

Just a short note here: No, the game isn't perfect, but we <i>are</i> trying to help you.
So please turn your complaints down a notch so that this discussion might be constructive.
If there's gameplay problems, make a fair list and maybe we can eventually create some modifications to rectify those.