Spiral Knights - Energy Systems Discussion

Energy Systems Discussion

8 replies [Last post]

Thu, 05/23/2013 - 16:42

Agent-Viridian

Hello. I'd like to host a topic of the energy system here in spiral knights. This is purely for intellectual purposes and I want to kind of get a feel for how the community feels about the way it impacts the game and players in question. To keep this as objective as possible, I'm not going to be setting the tone for the thread.

To give you an idea of the things I think it would be most beneficial to discuss, here's a video that discusses energy systems for games in general

http://www.penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/energy-systems

Please be civil ^_^

-Viridian

*Disclaimer* I didn't make the video nor am I responsible for any of its content, I'm just a regular watcher.

Thu, 05/23/2013 - 16:53

Klipik

I could maybe write something really long and descriptive, but I feel like it wouldn't go very far. Instead I'll say:

It's not perfect, but it'll do. The bigger problem is the progression curve that makes the energy system more obtrusive in places than it has to be.

Thu, 05/23/2013 - 17:06

Icegill

Boom!

No. This game doesn't follow the video. There are many more things you can do than wait for your mist to regenerate. The game is not limited by any standards, 100 mist > crowns > 100 CE > more crowns > 100 CE > more crowns = profit. Aside from that, this game contains a metagame that many players enjoy even though they hate on it. I love the video but it doesn't really apply to SK. The only thing that I saw in comparison was the fact that it had a "rest system" of sorts.

Thu, 05/23/2013 - 17:55

Curious-Mewkat

This is a better discussion.

Though the energy system is indeed a way to restrict players into advancing too fast into the game, I think that restriction is a very good tactic, and I agree to the video as it suggests these games might not have the content to appeal to the players. Even though it is used as a monetizing strategy, it might be one of the only way to ensure people get their play time. However, Sega controls this sector, so it is unsure what this has to do with OOO.

Thu, 05/23/2013 - 18:35

Narfle

I would have to agree, while I love the video I don't think it applies very well to SK. Minor note building from Ice: I have found it really interesting that all of these soon-to-be-released or formally subscription, newly f2p MMO titles have been getting praise from reviewers for allowing f2p players to trade for paid game currency when SK has been doing the same thing since its inception (and catching flak from the same reviewers for the energy system). That is, after all, what CE is. It's not a perfect system, as Klipik mentions, but it is far from the predatory monetization or systems of habituation in the video.

Thu, 05/23/2013 - 19:01

Klipik

Funny side note, if you search "extra credits spiral knights" on Youtube that video comes up, even though they never mention SK once.

Thu, 05/23/2013 - 21:12

Hero-Of-Cheese

lol @^

That is funny.However, in the comment section, someone wrote something about SK, so that might be the reason. Back to the point, the energy system.It's there so people don't get addictive to the game and play for long hours.It's meant to be causally play.You can play for longer with CE, which, you can get with irl money, or in game currency.I do feel that the game is heavily dependent on it, but the dev team has to make some money.All in all, it's an ok system.

Thu, 05/23/2013 - 22:24

Gnomzer

@Hero-Of-Cheese

I seriously disagree about the energy system preventing addiction. It only makes it stronger. By not letting you blow through the game in one sitting, it makes you wait for more mist. Thus, you usually set up a routine. You play a set time every day, usually when your mist is almost full or full.
Now, more on topic. The energy system has a few flaws here and there, but you can always find a loop hole and play indefinitely as soon as you are able to solo JK. It is a little hindering for new players, but it more often than not gets them hooked on the game, thus keeping them interested for longer. And players that play more, usually pay a little to support their favorite game.
Atleast that is valid for me, I may be absolutely wrong.

Fri, 05/24/2013 - 13:09

Hero-Of-Cheese

@Gnomzer

You have a point there.In farmvile, when you plant a fruit, feed an animal, or use water, you have to wait until the timer is finished.And that happens quickly.Therefore, promoting addiction.But the difference between farmvile, and Sk, is that farmvile's system, is just to get you to pay.While in SK, money isn't the main thing. Sk system's done better, but not by a lot.

Search

Energy Systems Discussion