Looting -- The official thread for discussing the loot system. Updated 18th March, 2013.

I've seen a few of the pro-FFA lobby say they're against giving party leaders the option to choose FFA vs. instanced, or at least set a timer length, yet noone has given any reason as to why other than "I don't like it". That attitude is pretty infantile. If you think it's a bad idea explain exactly why, otherwise why should GGG pay your feedback any mind?

If parties can choose whether to go instanced or proper (no stupid name tag) FFA, the people who don't like ninjas or have lag issues are happy, and the cut-throat crowd can join or make a group where everyone knows the score and noone whines about someone stealing their stuff. As far as I can see, it's win-win. The only ones who lose out are the griefers, and if they're the people who this game is strictly aimed at I for one won't be spending any more money on it.

This is going to be long.

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eliasfrost wrote:

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I'd hate it.

Why?

It makes the game too easy. Why play FFA, where you have to fight and compete for your loot, where you have to accept that you can lose sometimes, but also win sometimes, when you can just lean back and let those rares and currency drop right into your inventory?

Your typical player is lazy - that means, he avoids risk by any means (to maximize comfort) and will -in most cases- choose the easy and safe route. By forcing players to play FFA, you are forcing them to take a risk. This is a very strange experience for today's gamers, who are used to get constantly rewarded. They don't "play" video games anymore, they walk like zombies through them. FFA forces those lazy, safe players to actually "play" instead of just join a group and casually stroll around. It forces players to compete with others, to play together with friends, or to make solo magic-find runs.

It actually makes the game more diverse.

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wrathmar wrote:

Look on the announcement page. 3rd link down Chris states 'discussing community feedback on topics such as looting'.

This is quite interesting, because "discussing" doesn't mean "changing it" in my language.

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ManiaCCC wrote:

So..again..Imagine these two options would be in the game...which one would be more used in your opinion?? Or will you avoid this again?

See my replay to eliasfrost above.

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eliasfrost wrote:

So you're saying singleplayer is like clicking a stash for the best items? Because singleplayer and instanced loot is pretty much identical minus the social aspect.

Playing alone = easy farm, but less quantity and less XP
Playing with a group = hard farm, but more quantity and more XP

Choose your destiny.

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Pinchyskree wrote:

In this case, skill at being a self serving anti social geek nobody.

No, it's called understanding the aspects of the game and utilizing them for your own advantage.

The problem is if options were in place FFA would die. I like FFA but if i had the option to play an easier mode with no drawbacks i would. It's like hey cross the street for a million dollars or fall from a building though burning hoops with only a bungee cord for the million.

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Worldbreaker wrote:

The problem is if options were in place FFA would die. I like FFA but if i had the option to play an easier mode with no drawbacks i would. It's like hey cross the street for a million dollars or fall from a building though burning hoops with only a bungee cord for the million.

No, it really isn't.


And so what if instanced becomes the standard? Considering the simple fact that the game is designed around instanced loot (single player) that does not seem like an issue to me.

As long as there still is an option to play FFA then some people will still do it for whatever reasons they might have.

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Sickness wrote:

And so what if instanced becomes the standard? Considering the simple fact that the game is designed around instanced loot (single player) that does not seem like an issue to me.

Right now, there is one simple fact: the game is designed with FFA as the standard. This does not seem like an issue to me.

If instanced loot becomes the standard, the game will become easier than it already is and will render stuff like magic find runs or actually having to compete when playing with strangers obsolete.

If you ask "Why would anyone play FFA if fairloot was an option?" and my answer is positive reinforcement. A lot of times if you want good reaction you reward for the good. Punishing for the bad can work but not in all cases. Give all the FFA party people a +50 item find teambuff from the start to encourage FFA. And maybe even exp. If the reward is greater for the equally skilled they will go for that option knowing they will come out at least even + a bit more.

Edit: The more attractive you make the FFA bonus the more people would WANT to try it out.

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dirtpoorchris wrote:

If you ask "Why would anyone play FFA if fairloot was an option?" and my answer is positive reinforcement. A lot of times if you want good reaction you reward for the good. Punishing for the bad can work but not in all cases. Give all the FFA party people a +50 item find teambuff from the start to encourage FFA. And maybe even exp. If the reward is greater for the equally skilled they will go for that option knowing they will come out at least even + a bit more.

Edit: The more attractive you make the FFA bonus the more people would WANT to try it out.

This is actually a good idea.
Either that or penalize instanced loot players.

Not bad at all. I like it.

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Crizaig wrote:

GGG just needs to add PKing to the game, that way if you ninja loot items, the entire group can go hostile and kill you.

As an "FFA advocate", I'm okay with this.

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Vitacia wrote:

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Crizaig wrote:

GGG just needs to add PKing to the game, that way if you ninja loot items, the entire group can go hostile and kill you.

As an "FFA advocate", I'm okay with this.

Agreed. Bring it.

Back in the days of StarCraft 1, if you joined one of the "7v1c" games, where people ganged up on a sole AI opponent to pad their win score, there was always an inevitable backstabber. Some pro-tier guy who wanted to rope people into a 6v1 for the lulz. I joined 7v1cs specifically to get at that guy. In a "Full FFA & PvP Vengeance" scenario, I could see me using parties to "get at" the guy who wants to just ninja and troll a party into a fight. Would be fun.

But seriously, imagine the carebear thread spam about that system. I know some of you guys are here to drink delicious tears, but GGG has to pay for the bandwidth.