New approach

I have been thinking about several suggestions -- to bring back old events, offer things like jumbo trees again, and offer more for higher level players without making the game seem too much of a challenge to newer players (i.e. "balancing").

What about offering some of the extra - special rewards -- the cloud rows that offer CAC, the music box row and goods, the breeding row, magic trees and BB trees, etc. (if not all at least a few of those) as rewards for new FSQ quests.

These quests would not be available to players who already have these items.**** They could be basic "standard' quests with the donations altered to include regular items (though a few of the prior event crops might be introduced as regular crops) OR, they could be "regular" timed quests.. with donations of regular items, but a time duration to finish (to sort of mimic the excitement of events). OR.... you could do something new and have these quests run with a time limit, but also have a special event-type crop. To keep it from being technically a hassle, you might need to have one "generic" "new FSQ" crop that would operate like event crops and expire when the FSQ is done (also you would only be able to do one of these special quests at a time).

You could start with one or two simpler ones, available when someone reaches level 40 -- something that would give early players a nice boost, similar to older events, with powerfeed and SS offered, etc. Then open of several of the others. The one thing is that it should not take too long to open these quests or we will face something like we now do with shipwreck. T hat is, by the time the quest is done the rewards don't mean much any longer (in the case of shipwreck, the extra Bananas don't mean much once all the chambers are opened).


There are several big benefits to this. There is already some dissatisfaction because some players have things that others do not, particularly things that are not being repeated. There is also some frustration because those of us who have been here a long time are having less and less to do. By offering these items again, you allow newer players to come up, get the same basic goodies as older players. That takes some of the pressure off to, say, make all events easier. I would say it might even take off some pressure to keep events coming so quickly, but maybe not. Anyway, with these items available you can more reasonably run events that are truly geared toward higher level players -- that basically require some of these special items (or purchase of levels) to complete. The key is that you ARE VERY, VERY CLEAR THAT THIS IS WHAT YOU ARE DOING!!!. In other words, if you offer events specific to higher level players, make sure to announce it right with any feed on the event in BIG BOLD LETTERS! I would also mention that this is a chance for lower level players to "catch up" on FSQ and so forth... or that if they wish, they can use BB to advance.

You could also offer another simpler event alongside the complicated one.

Anyway, I know such a move would be controversial, but I truly think this kind of change might move the game along, keep many of the wonderful aspects that attracted people initially and, at the same time, help you keep older players happy as well.


**** I know folks will object to not being able to do these new quests, but the cloud rows are items that should not be repeatable. Jumbo trees should really be limited to one each. You could either just leave it at that and take the complaints or you could offer a compromise and allow those who have the items to participate and just get the other rewards (aside from the special items) or perhaps have something like powerfeed/supergrow, etc as an alternative -- in time there won't be many of us left).

 

Excellent idea woody! The game needs more to it than just reaching higher levels, especially when it takes so much to reach the next level. I'm only at level 86 and it will take almost 10 million EPs to reach 87. I can't imagine what it takes to level up when you're up in the 90's.

Events are a great way to try to keep the game new and exciting, but there are so many of them newer players don't have time to build up their stock and complete FSQs. I've only been playing less than a year, but I'm already tired of one event right after another. It would be nice for newer players to have a chance to get some of the, 'perks', older players have. Personally I don't begrudge older players having things like magic trees, because I figure they've earned them for playing so long, but I would love to have the oppotunity to acquire some of them too. Buying them is not a viable option for some of us, so the idea of being able to get them through FSQs, or some other, effort based event would be great.

One of the major attractions of this game is the sense of community and the way older players are so kind, welcoming and generous in helping younger players learn the game. It would be a terrible loss to lose these veterans who are really the backbone of the game. Please consider woody's suggestions seriously. They could improve the game for players of all levels.

 

Woody: I think your idea is great. The quest have become redundant, the prizes are not enticing, & for lack of a better word Boring. For ex: Around the world, winning the trees and wonder stables hold now real appeal. Its always the same trees and the same animals...i think at level 96---i should not be getting a chicken wonder stable, it would be nice if for older players that upgrades are automatic. For this reason I dont intend on buying them anymore.