Halloween event

[singer of strange songs]

It seems a bit tedious. Its to be expected since its a Holiday event but where is the story? Shouldn't big events like these have some sort of story? To be honest, that 200 certificate hat is the only thing keeping me from not participating at all. Last year's event might have been broken and extremely hard for some people(you guys need to find a happy medium for that) but at least the story was great. Anyone remember the tentacles?

This one just seems like its lacking. The event is called the Pumpkin Festival yet the only pumpkins one gets are used in making pies or acquiring points. I would have expected this great celebration all over Rune Midgard where players interact with several npcs or something.

If any player agrees/disagrees and has their own feedback go ahead and post.

[Fidelis]

In my opinion, a story is not really needed for an event (although I know that this is what you're used to regarding past "holiday" events). I'd rather see a good story incorporated into some quest rather than an event. Also, please understand that due to the recent happenings, it was simply not possible to provide you with some huge story. Still, events should be short and entertaining things that people can participate in or not, and if they decide to participate, they should not be able to get all the rewards on the first two days of the event.

People are often complaining that there's nothing to do, yet they do monotonous farming or leeching each day (yes, I know, it's different, it rewards you with sweet sweet money). But when there's an event with time-limited and unique rewards, it's too tedious/hard, and people would rather AFK on the Pumpkin Harvest map than try to have fun while playing the minigame (be prepared to be kicked out when we see you~) just to get the rewards. So, really? After all that's happened, you're still expecting us to hand you everything on a silver platter?

[Aena]

But the monsters are pumpkins! D:
I just thought "Pumpkin Festival" meant stuff would be related to pumpkins so it wouldn't have to actually be called "Halloween," which would be everything but the "Trick or Treat" mini-quest.  Pumpkins also extend into Thanksgiving time for American players, if this event is going to last that long.

Honest feedback:
I agree that it's a little tedious - I don't mind most of it, but the pumpkin harvesting mini-game, although it was fun and incredibly amusing the first time, gets a bit old after 3 rounds with all that curse+chaos+quagmire+agility down overkill (I envied the Acolyte class characters and went through over 50 Panacea in four rounds - which was my choice, and at least that gives me a use for them; at least I have Back Sliding at my disposal, too).  Someone who asked how to get transformation potions quit during his first round because he found all of the negative status ailments too annoying.  Maybe if the trick Jakks only used one debuff at a time/at all/specific to each Jakk and if they used their buffs and debuffs less frequently...?  Also, perhaps erase the previous year's top scores so the current lot of players can compete amongst themselves, especially if the game is made more difficult - unless that was just an oversight.
---I'm 95% happy with this mini-game, because it is always a delight to see something different being incorporated into our gameplay (as with the volleyball mini-game).  The irritation with the debuffs is rather minor for me since you get a certificate for just trying, but I can see it being a little difficult for me to play this wholeheartedly 5 times a day for two weeks straight, if that's what it takes.

Perhaps in the future, I'd also like if there could be a message when all of the Mysterious Pumpkins have been killed in all 3 cities (unless there is such a message and we just haven't been thorough).  It's very minor, but it can help reduce that "I'm wasting time looking for nothing" feeling.
---I'm 99% happy with this mini-event.  I'm only worried about how much each player needs to participate in this one to supplement his/her daily certificate totals depending on how long this event is going to run.

I appreciate the variety of activities, but I don't think I care for how it looks like you're required to do all of them every day for roughly two weeks to get enough points for one of the big reward items; however, I can understand part of that as being a way to limit rewards and keep people playing in the event next year to collect more, it's in the spirit of the kMMO grind, and it keeps players online.  I'd maybe prefer if that was just handled with a "you can pick one of these big rewards this year!" and then being unable to request another, though (then continue to do mini-games for fun/costumes/etc., if you like), unless I am missing out on a major source of certificates.  Regardless, I'm glad there are some immediate rewards for players.
---I like the overall reward system; I'm neutral about the amount of dedication it takes for a player to get one big reward of choice for the year (won't strongly argue that it's too easy or too difficult).

After thinking about it, I would indeed like a big quest story if it gave bigger certificate rewards at various points in the quest.  I missed last year's event, so I don't know how that was handled.  The majority of MMO players do not care about/cannot follow story lines, however, and I personally don't need a huge story to make me happy.  I don't mind it just being an RO-wide celebration, myself, and I'm used to really crappy, really simple stories, if anything, for festival-style events in games (I don't have a "story" when I celebrate Halloween IRL).  Half the time it's just backstory that has nothing to do with the event/mini-games itself.  The big stories are usually left to actual permanent quest lines and missions.

I would probably give the event a 90~95% when accounting for the fact that it happened at all with the server move.  It's lowered from 100% satisfaction only because of the amount of dedication it takes (mainly due to my unfamiliarity with the reward item effects), exploitation on the players' parts (being able to AFK in the pumpkin harvesting mini-game), so many Soulbound rewards (unless we add an Event Item Storage NPC specifically for Soulbound items; I'd like that!), and how much I genuinely want to participate in each event (because I'm so lazy it's not even funny).

[Pick]

I think the event was okay overall.

But the Harvest Pumpkin mini game is quite annoying and irritating than before.

That curse+chaos+slow agi is an OVERKILL. I remember wasting like 4 minute on the same spot because of the Curse and Chaos. When the effect is about to wore off, (due to the chaos, my walking is mixed up) and i ended up passed by the same Jakk that gives the negative buff. Either that, or there was the Orange Pumpkin Boss coming my way and kill me to death and result in minus points =.=

Not to mention the agi slow cant be countered by agi up skill so yeah, CHAOS + CURSE + SLOW is too much

[Zetsu~]

I think the event was okay overall.

But the Harvest Pumpkin mini game is quite annoying and irritating than before.

That curse+chaos+slow agi is an OVERKILL. I remember wasting like 4 minute on the same spot because of the Curse and Chaos. When the effect is about to wore off, (due to the chaos, my walking is mixed up) and i ended up passed by the same Jakk that gives the negative buff. Either that, or there was the Orange Pumpkin Boss coming my way and kill me to death and result in minus points =.=

Not to mention the agi slow cant be countered by agi up skill so yeah, CHAOS + CURSE + SLOW is too much

Yeah i just gave up.....its not even fun or funny anymore...

[Rexxie]

That curse+chaos+slow agi is an OVERKILL. kill me to death

This^. Played the event on a champ and felt bad for other classes >__> and lol.

[singer of strange songs]

In my opinion, a story is not really needed for an event (although I know that this is what you're used to regarding past "holiday" events). I'd rather see a good story incorporated into some quest rather than an event. Also, please understand that due to the recent happenings, it was simply not possible to provide you with some huge story. Still, events should be short and entertaining things that people can participate in or not, and if they decide to participate, they should not be able to get all the rewards on the first two days of the event.

I suppose you're right when it comes to the whole server deal, but still...Stories are what make the events memorable. The Sakura event, The Three Trials Halloween event and Ice Queen Event were by far my favorite because of their story. I was motivated to spend time and hunt/farm stuff since there was a purpose behind it other than a prize. The prize came second since players weren't aware of the rewards until they completed it(the house barred access if you didn't complete it). Nowhere did I mention that I wanted rewards in one day. I agree it shouldn't be possible.

People are often complaining that there's nothing to do, yet they do monotonous farming or leeching each day (yes, I know, it's different, it rewards you with sweet sweet money). But when there's an event with time-limited and unique rewards, it's too tedious/hard, and people would rather AFK on the Pumpkin Harvest map than try to have fun while playing the minigame (be prepared to be kicked out when we see you~) just to get the rewards. So, really? After all that's happened, you're still expecting us to hand you everything on a silver platter?

How is all that monotonous farming different from this when there is no real purpose other than rare head gears or that pet egg that will obviously be sold to others for zeny?

Ok, so you're going to start policing the map. I rather see that time be invested into something a bit more productive.

Silver platter? Really? 

[Zetsu~]

I agree with Singer. The Ice Queen Event might of be my favorite event overall because it had multiple elements, was not to hard and not to easy, and the prizes were decent. I agree its not all about the prizes, but if you want to make the event extremely plain, annoying, long and hard, there should at least be a decent result/prize. Also, I dont understand why you are getting so angry about good constructive feedback fidelis? Seriously? No offense but you kind of act hostile to the players and seem to always complain that they complain and make hostile remarks toward the staff, but you do the same to the players? The server just came back and all this arguing is not making anything fun. Making everything harder isnt going to solve anything, sure some things could become more difficult but events should be FUN. Well thats all i had to say...

[Aena]

I think it depends on the tone in which you read it (in this thread, anyway).  I read it as more of a, "really, guys?" sort of tone rather than a snarky, "When do you players ever stop complaining?"  Meh.

[Fidelis]

I agree with Singer. The Ice Queen Event might of be my favorite event overall because it had multiple elements, was not to hard and not to easy, and the prizes were decent. I agree its not all about the prizes, but if you want to make the event extremely plain, annoying, long and hard, there should at least be a decent result/prize. Also, I dont understand why you are getting so angry about good constructive feedback fidelis? Seriously? No offense but you kind of act hostile to the players and seem to always complain that they complain and make hostile remarks toward the staff, but you do the same to the players? The server just came back and all this arguing is not making anything fun. Making everything harder isnt going to solve anything, sure some things could become more difficult but events should be FUN. Well thats all i had to say...

I am allowed to give my opinion on feedback, aren't I? It's not complaining in the sense of "Why do you players never ever like what I do?", but it's rather a tiny little bit disappointment.

Besides, it's not that hard, you're all giving up way too fast. The event won't just be around for one day.

Ok, so you're going to start policing the map. I rather see that time be invested into something a bit more productive.

I'd rather see you guys not always looking for loopholes to abuse them. 

[singer of strange songs]

I am allowed to give my opinion on feedback, aren't I? It's not complaining in the sense of "Why do you players never ever like what I do?", but it's rather a tiny little bit disappointment.

Besides, it's not that hard, you're all giving up way too fast. The event won't just be around for one day.

Shouldn't the staff always be trying to outdo itself when it comes to scripting events? I suppose I expect too much from you guys after what I have seen and I'm not the one giving up. I'm still collecting certificates for that hat.

I'd rather see you guys not always looking for loopholes to abuse them. 

You and I both know thats not going to happen. You'd have to abolish player greed. Maybe it was an oversight on your part or you thought "maybe it wont happen this time". Don't expect honesty from everyone who is safe behind a computer monitor.

[SukiChii]

I think the event was okay overall.

That curse+chaos+slow agi is an OVERKILL. I remember wasting like 4 minute on the same spot because of the Curse and Chaos. When the effect is about to wore off, (due to the chaos, my walking is mixed up) and i ended up passed by the same Jakk that gives the negative buff. Either that, or there was the Orange Pumpkin Boss coming my way and kill me to death and result in minus points =.=

Not to mention the agi slow cant be countered by agi up skill so yeah, CHAOS + CURSE + SLOW is too much

This.
The rest of the games are OK, but the debuffs are too much.
Maybe if the quag lasted less...

[Aena]

Is it possible to auto d/c or warp people out if they don't move for a certain period of time within that zone? (e.g. 1-2 minutes)
The AFK bodies in front of the patch are keeping the annoying big pumpkings around, and some are being dual-boxed in just to provide buffs and whatnot (like Rogue Spirit, for example).

Edit: *if they don't perform a mini-game related action for over 1-2 minutes; had characters auto-following each other in there.  I hate feeling like a tattletale, but meh.  No names~

[Fidelis]

I am allowed to give my opinion on feedback, aren't I? It's not complaining in the sense of "Why do you players never ever like what I do?", but it's rather a tiny little bit disappointment.

Besides, it's not that hard, you're all giving up way too fast. The event won't just be around for one day.

Shouldn't the staff always be trying to outdo itself when it comes to scripting events? I suppose I expect too much from you guys after what I have seen and I'm not the one giving up. I'm still collecting certificates for that hat.

Who said that we didn't try to do that? It's your opinion that the event is not good enough, but I mean there are still people getting around 90 points in the pumpkin harvest as far as I've seen, or people hunting the mysterious pumpkins. And it's my opinion that several people are always trying hard to belittle everything that we do, and you know that it's true. I don't know what you are expecting, but maybe you people and us GMs are looking into different directions lately.

I'd rather see you guys not always looking for loopholes to abuse them. 

You and I both know thats not going to happen. You'd have to abolish player greed. Maybe it was an oversight on your part or you thought "maybe it wont happen this time". Don't expect honesty from everyone who is safe behind a computer monitor.

I know, and it's a really sad and disappointing thing, but it's still not a justification to do that. "There is a loophole, SO IT MUST BE ABUSED AT ALL COSTS." I mean it's sad when I can only keep you from something by threatening bans.

If I find some time during the next few days, I will work on a solution to this loophole.

[Aena]

I just tried a round without any status healing items, limited Back Sliding, limited cloaking, and I wanted to kill myself (but the big pumpkings did it for me). D:

Not related to that, I'd like to request considering in the future to allow the player to choose either a 5-10 or 15 minute game round (I am guessing something like this was probably considered before when considering game duration).  If you sort out the AFK abuse, then maybe players who play all five daily matches for 15 minutes each can receive one or two extra certificates/other minor reward?  5 minute matches would miss out on high scores and pumpkin bags, but they'd help keep the game from becoming as tiring for some or would be useful if someone's internet connection is acting up.
(I say 5 minutes, but I mean anything from 5 to 10; maybe require a certain amount of points to get the certificate in that case, I dunno.)

I only suggest it because I know I want to spend more of my hour working on art right now, though I know it might just be an exception this year because of all of the things we have going on with the server. :S