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Pang Game profile

Administrator
Game Development
5731

Dec 8th 2010, 5:05:43

Hey all

Quick announcement -> The new bonus system we've been working on for a while is now up and running!

Instead of using a turns-based system, we'll be using a points based system. When you vote for Earth Empires using one of our ingame voting links, you'll be given 2 points. These points must be used within 48 hours of the time they are given to your country, using a first in, first out system. When you are given a bonus point, one is given to each of your countries. So if you have 16 FFA Countries, and countries on Alliance, Express and Tourney, each of your 19 countries will be given their own points.

You can spend these points on temporary bonuses for your country, such as an increase in per capita income or attack strength. The bonuses are level-based, so the more times you use each one, the better the bonus becomes, but at a higher cost. Each bonus is a little bit different and we'll be adding some more nuiances as we tweak things. We feel this adds a new layer of strategy to the game as well :)
To track what bonuses you currently have active, there is a panel on the right side of the ingame topbar. There is alo an alert telling you when you have bonuses available. We'll be restyling this, but we wanted to get the system out sooner than later :)


For the remainder of each current round on every server, we'll still continue to offer the 2 turn bonus. This can be purchased with bonus points at the same rate as we had with the previous system.

I think that's it... we'll be adding other ways to get points too (Facebook recruiting and stuff) and this is another positive step toward getting the game polished and updated :)

Edited By: Pang on Dec 8th 2010, 5:18:39
See Original Post
-=Pang=-
Earth Empires Staff
pangaea [at] earthempires [dot] com

Boxcar - Earth Empires Clan & Alliance Hosting
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Spear Game profile

Member
249

Dec 8th 2010, 5:09:09

Whoa, overwhelming.

Thomas Game profile

Member
1763

Dec 8th 2010, 5:17:07

Definitely interesting.

qzjul Game profile

Administrator
Game Development
10,263

Dec 8th 2010, 5:24:21

This should mix things up a little ;)

And allow us to give bonuses for smaller things.
Finally did the signature thing.

Steeps Game profile

Member
418

Dec 8th 2010, 6:04:32

I hope you don't do one for facebook recruiting, the amount of crap I already have to block on there from other games that I don't play I don't want to have to spam this out. I've asked some of my friends if they would play and they have joined but the moment I have to start spamming it out just to keep up with the rest of this game, that's as bad as paying for privilages.

Ozzite Game profile

Member
2122

Dec 8th 2010, 7:45:59

I don't like these new changes, especially not mid-set :-/. Some of them are a bit odd too, like +10% attack strength for 30 turns...DAMN

maybe it is just me...
Ah, mercury. Sweetest of the transition metals.

Tertius Game profile

Member
EE Patron
1639

Dec 8th 2010, 8:47:41

They seem a bit overpowering in some cases, but I guess that's where the strategy part comes in.

Serpentor Game profile

Member
2800

Dec 8th 2010, 9:41:31

Can't get bonus' from mobile again. You've got it set so the bonus link can only get to the page that describes the bonus' and now have no link to the actual "go to vote" page.
The EEVIL Empire

gambit Game profile

Member
1285

Dec 8th 2010, 10:59:05

this is a lot to take in all at once... it definitely changes the game play
Natural Born Killer

General Earl Game profile

Member
896

Dec 8th 2010, 14:07:51

GARBAGE.. I just want turns
General Earl
----
Every time I read AT: http://i.imgur.com/jeryjn8.gif
︻╦╤─✮ ┄ ┄ RatttaTaatataatat!

Pang Game profile

Administrator
Game Development
5731

Dec 8th 2010, 14:42:21

Originally posted by Ozzite:
I don't like these new changes, especially not mid-set :-/. Some of them are a bit odd too, like +10% attack strength for 30 turns...DAMN

maybe it is just me...


30 turns or 10 attacks... so that way a demo can get 10 attacks off, if they were so inclined
-=Pang=-
Earth Empires Staff
pangaea [at] earthempires [dot] com

Boxcar - Earth Empires Clan & Alliance Hosting
http://www.boxcarhosting.com

mrford Game profile

Member
21,378

Dec 8th 2010, 16:10:06

Is it progressive?

If you used 12 bonuses on a dict with max weps tech would you get 290% attack strength?

If so that would be outrageous. Suiciders could use this to rape people
Swagger of a Chupacabra

[21:37:01] <&KILLERfluffY> when I was doing FA stuff for sof the person who gave me the longest angry rant was Mr Ford

Armadillo Game profile

Member
252

Dec 8th 2010, 16:13:58

You have never used this bonus before! (Max: 4)

ford there is a max of 4 for the wep bonus so the total of the bonus is less then wep tech

I like the change

Detmer Game profile

Member
4280

Dec 8th 2010, 16:21:02

How are the maximum's per country or per round? Do restarts have the ability to increase attack strength if your previous country already used that four times (or whatever the max is)?

oats Game profile

Member
648

Dec 8th 2010, 16:31:36

Does the max for weapons tech bonus mean that the strength can only be increased 4 times but used multiple times at that level? I'd love more clarification on this because we don't really have the time to experiment mid set and we don't want to screw it up experimenting.

BlackMamba Game profile

Member
185

Dec 8th 2010, 16:39:43

+10% Attack Strength is way overpowered.

You guys were talking about balancing the game and now first strike advantage is even more powerful.

I'd rather have it weakened to 5% but apply to both attacking and defending.

dantzig Game profile

Member
528

Dec 8th 2010, 17:30:35

This is huge and very exciting! However, I wish that the implementation had been delayed until some time after the announcement and maybe at the same time as server restarts for at least most of the servers (Dec 31st/Jan 1st or Feb 1st if you wanted to cater to the Alliance folks).
FoG

warlorde Game profile

Member
255

Dec 8th 2010, 17:51:50

could i suggest a cash bonus? maybe a $5m cash bonus. none of the bonuses help a starting strat. maybe a simple cash bonus would help that?

just a suggestion

dantzig Game profile

Member
528

Dec 8th 2010, 17:52:00

Can other players see what bonuses you have active and for how long when they spy on your country?
FoG

BlackMamba Game profile

Member
185

Dec 8th 2010, 18:04:46

Outside the unbalance concerns from the attack boost being 10% and stacking 4 times... I like the new bonus system a lot, it adds a layer to the game while maintaining the games general simplicity.

dantzig Game profile

Member
528

Dec 8th 2010, 18:10:30

Originally posted by warlorde:
could i suggest a cash bonus? maybe a $5m cash bonus. none of the bonuses help a starting strat. maybe a simple cash bonus would help that?

just a suggestion


What?!? +explore, +PCI, +indy, +food, -food consumption, and -building cost ALL help start-ups (+attack str can also help start-ups)

However, I DO like the idea of a cash bonus. It could be a lifesaver when you find yourself out of cash and/or food to play your turns and your goods haven't sold. I'd suggest 1 point = 25% of NW in cash. It needs to be low enough that it's not more than one turn's production but high enough that it can actually be helpful.
FoG

oats Game profile

Member
648

Dec 8th 2010, 19:11:45

The more I look at it the more I like it. The bonuses can be very strategic.

Just need to be careful about not allowing some overpowering bonuses.

This will be fun to explore and use. I also like dantzig's idea.

Pang Game profile

Administrator
Game Development
5731

Dec 8th 2010, 19:28:59

Bonuses don't stack on themselves, btw

You can only have 1 of each type of bonus active at a time. So if you have +10% attack strength active, you can't use another +10% attack strength until your current bonus has worn off. You can, however, have multiple bonuses active at the same time, which is to say that you can have +10% attack strength active at the same time as +10% PCI.

We made these bonuses with balance in mind. None should be unbalancing, but properly selecting how to use your points will give you a strategic advantage, like oats said.

good thoughts on this thread btw, but some should likely go on B&S :p
-=Pang=-
Earth Empires Staff
pangaea [at] earthempires [dot] com

Boxcar - Earth Empires Clan & Alliance Hosting
http://www.boxcarhosting.com

dantzig Game profile

Member
528

Dec 8th 2010, 19:31:16

Thanks for the clarification. So the max: limits are the number of times per country that a bonus can be used? Hmmm....
FoG

Dr.Al

Member
17

Dec 8th 2010, 20:09:52

Hmm... unless I am 2 stoned, I believe the -10% building cost just charged me an extra 10% instead of lowering it... I went from paying 5.8mil a turn to 6.4mil a turn... :/

warlorde Game profile

Member
255

Dec 8th 2010, 20:19:17

Originally posted by dantzig:
What?!? +explore, +PCI, +indy, +food, -food consumption, and -building cost ALL help start-ups (+attack str can also help start-ups)

However, I DO like the idea of a cash bonus. It could be a lifesaver when you find yourself out of cash and/or food to play your turns and your goods haven't sold. I'd suggest 1 point = 25% of NW in cash. It needs to be low enough that it's not more than one turn's production but high enough that it can actually be helpful.



well the though process was when you have 200 farms starting the set the 10% bonus is only an added 20 farms which is not so significant (same with indy). minus building costs is not that substantial when you have 1k acres or below. PCI population growth is slow in the begining of the set. + explore might help but not when you are spending 300 turns on building CS.

i took the turns over those considering the 10% bonus for 10 turns is equivalent to 1 turn at 100% and i can get my CSs up faster. however considering the trading for turns will be discontinued that doesnt help me....

im not complaining... just suggesting

Pang Game profile

Administrator
Game Development
5731

Dec 8th 2010, 20:38:14

Originally posted by Dr.Al:
Hmm... unless I am 2 stoned, I believe the -10% building cost just charged me an extra 10% instead of lowering it... I went from paying 5.8mil a turn to 6.4mil a turn... :/


i'll have a look at that after work.... it should go the right way, I tested them all pretty thoroughly...
-=Pang=-
Earth Empires Staff
pangaea [at] earthempires [dot] com

Boxcar - Earth Empires Clan & Alliance Hosting
http://www.boxcarhosting.com

lincoln

Member
949

Dec 8th 2010, 20:43:32

great change

adds strategy and diversity of strat
excellent
FoG

PraetorNLS Game profile

Member
469

Dec 8th 2010, 20:44:23

so.. i have a question :P
If im gonna block explore, and add the explore bonus before i block explore, will it adjust during my batch, or will it act similar as the game does (not adjusting for the lowered acres per turn until the batch is completed)
Praetor - disqualified from the human race for being three laps ahead in the second round.

Pang Game profile

Administrator
Game Development
5731

Dec 8th 2010, 20:49:10

this was also discussed on B&S, but using the explore bonus impacts your base explore rate, so batch exploring with the bonus will be like your normal batch explore with an increased explore rate.

So in short, yes... :p
-=Pang=-
Earth Empires Staff
pangaea [at] earthempires [dot] com

Boxcar - Earth Empires Clan & Alliance Hosting
http://www.boxcarhosting.com

dantzig Game profile

Member
528

Dec 8th 2010, 20:49:39

Originally posted by PraetorNLS:
so.. i have a question :P
If im gonna block explore, and add the explore bonus before i block explore, will it adjust during my batch, or will it act similar as the game does (not adjusting for the lowered acres per turn until the batch is completed)


Confirmed that it will not change during the batch explore:
http://forums.earthempires.com/...point-bonus-is-pretty-bad
FoG

Servant Game profile

Member
EE Patron
1250

Dec 8th 2010, 20:54:34

How about a Bonus competition where we come up with diffent types of bonuses,

and get rewarded with points:P
Z is #1

Serpentor Game profile

Member
2800

Dec 8th 2010, 20:58:36

There is still no way to vote foryour bonus on the mobile version. It keeps sending you to the description page. Please repair this for us mobile users so we can try too. :)
The EEVIL Empire

Pang Game profile

Administrator
Game Development
5731

Dec 8th 2010, 21:05:44

Originally posted by Serpentor:
There is still no way to vote foryour bonus on the mobile version. It keeps sending you to the description page. Please repair this for us mobile users so we can try too. :)


right
i'll have to add that after work :-/
-=Pang=-
Earth Empires Staff
pangaea [at] earthempires [dot] com

Boxcar - Earth Empires Clan & Alliance Hosting
http://www.boxcarhosting.com

Serpentor Game profile

Member
2800

Dec 8th 2010, 21:21:06

Thanks pang. Being a strictly mobile user, I appreciate it.
The EEVIL Empire

Helmet Game profile

Member
1344

Dec 9th 2010, 0:59:42

is there some kind of countdown timer to show when they'll expire?

Pang Game profile

Administrator
Game Development
5731

Dec 9th 2010, 1:04:34

Mobile stuff should be active.

Bonus points don't have a page to show when they'll expire yet. :)
-=Pang=-
Earth Empires Staff
pangaea [at] earthempires [dot] com

Boxcar - Earth Empires Clan & Alliance Hosting
http://www.boxcarhosting.com

QM Diver Game profile

Member
1096

Dec 9th 2010, 2:35:58

Bonus points don't have a page to show when they'll expire yet. :)
==================================================================
Well, what's the hold up?????
LOL

;o)


QM
Natural Born Killers
PreZ

Thomas Game profile

Member
1763

Dec 9th 2010, 20:41:54

The +10% Attack Strength, Spy Strength. Lets say I were to use that bonus, then not run a single turn and logout. If someone attacked me or tried to spy on me, would it be used defensively? Or is it only when I use it offensively?

iZarcon Game profile

Administrator
Game Development
2150

Dec 9th 2010, 20:51:12

well, attack strength is obviously a no. Not sure about spies. *shrug*
-iZarcon
EE Developer


http://www.letskillstuff.org

Pang Game profile

Administrator
Game Development
5731

Dec 9th 2010, 21:58:33

The attacking and spying bonuses are purely attack-based.

All of the bonuses actually require you to do something with your country to utilize the bonus.
-=Pang=-
Earth Empires Staff
pangaea [at] earthempires [dot] com

Boxcar - Earth Empires Clan & Alliance Hosting
http://www.boxcarhosting.com

synoder Game profile

Member
1664

Dec 9th 2010, 22:44:31

does the spy bonus increase your spy strength or your spy effectiveness? example, if I CD someone, will it increase my spal or increase the amount of troops I kill?

Pang Game profile

Administrator
Game Development
5731

Dec 10th 2010, 4:33:14

I've updated batch teching so that you do NOT get to use the bonus beyond the 10 turns.

tech per turn is calculated on a per-turn basis, so if you tech 17 points with a bonus and 15 without a bonus, and you want to tech for 170 points but only have 6 turns of the bonus left, this will be your tech per turn:
Turn 1: 17 tech
Turn 2: 17 tech
Turn 3: 17 tech
Turn 4: 17 tech
Turn 5: 17 tech
Turn 6: 17 tech
Turn 7: 15 tech
Turn 8: 15 tech
Turn 9: 15 tech
Turn 10: 15 tech
Turn 11: 8 tech

This was done to make the bonus act more like cash, oil, indy production and food production in the sense that you can't "batch" it.
-=Pang=-
Earth Empires Staff
pangaea [at] earthempires [dot] com

Boxcar - Earth Empires Clan & Alliance Hosting
http://www.boxcarhosting.com

Dragonlance Game profile

Member
1611

Dec 10th 2010, 4:35:25

i'm lost.

I'm too stupid for this game now.

highrock Game profile

Member
564

Dec 10th 2010, 4:42:09

Originally posted by Pang:
I've updated batch teching so that you do NOT get to use the bonus beyond the 10 turns.

tech per turn is calculated on a per-turn basis, so if you tech 17 points with a bonus and 15 without a bonus, and you want to tech for 170 points but only have 6 turns of the bonus left, this will be your tech per turn:
Turn 1: 17 tech
Turn 2: 17 tech
Turn 3: 17 tech
Turn 4: 17 tech
Turn 5: 17 tech
Turn 6: 17 tech
Turn 7: 15 tech
Turn 8: 15 tech
Turn 9: 15 tech
Turn 10: 15 tech
Turn 11: 8 tech

This was done to make the bonus act more like cash, oil, indy production and food production in the sense that you can't "batch" it.



Pang,

I know it's a lot to ask, but is there a way to code in either a stop or a warning for that? It seems like if I accidentally go over the turn bonus, then I would lose some or most of an extra turn (that turn that I only tech 8 when I could've teched 15). This seems like a "punishment" that doesn't happen with the other bonuses because the other bonuses you actually control how many turns you use.
formerly Viola MD

Pang Game profile

Administrator
Game Development
5731

Dec 10th 2010, 6:19:56

I updated the wording to make it more clear how the bonus impacts your teching.

It works by displaying it in the following format (Example assumes I have 65 turns):
You can research 15 technologies per turn (PLUS an additional 3 technologies per turn for the next 10 turns). You have time to develop 1,005 new technologies.

So the 1005 technologies I can develop is equal to 15*65 + 3*10 = 975 + 30 = 1005

Hopefully that is more clear now :)
When you don't have the teching bonus active, the extra info will not be shown.

Edited By: Pang on Dec 10th 2010, 6:25:22
See Original Post
-=Pang=-
Earth Empires Staff
pangaea [at] earthempires [dot] com

Boxcar - Earth Empires Clan & Alliance Hosting
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highrock Game profile

Member
564

Dec 10th 2010, 6:29:39

Originally posted by Pang:
I updated the wording to make it more clear how the bonus impacts your teching.

It works by displaying it in the following format (Example assumes I have 65 turns):
You can research 15 technologies per turn (PLUS an additional 3 technologies per turn for the next 10 turns). You have time to develop 1,005 new technologies.

So the 1005 technologies I can develop is equal to 15*65 + 3*10 = 975 + 30 = 1005

Hopefully that is more clear now :)
When you don't have the teching bonus active, the extra info will not be shown.



Thanks Pang! Wonderful as always. I wonder though, whether it would be more clear if the wording were something like:

You can research 15 technologies per turn (18 technologies per turn for the next 10 turns). You have time to develop 1,005 new technologies.

instead of the PLUS 3 per turn. This is so that people don't have to do the addition in their heads. Also, most people don't tech all their turns at once, so it's more helpful to have the turn by turn tpt.

Also, in case you didn't see it, I posted a bug on B&S that you might want to check out =)
formerly Viola MD

ZIP Game profile

Member
3222

Dec 10th 2010, 13:45:20

Turns: 138 nice
fluff your 300 Spartans fool - i have 32 of the biggest fluffed mother fluffers made of titanium !!
A brigade from Blackstreetboyz (#91) has invaded your lands! Your defenses held against the invaders and forced them away! Your military lost:1 Troops

kasana

Member
41

Dec 10th 2010, 14:31:26

I just teched 3 times(10 turns ea) with the tech bonus. It said "You can research 1,019 technologies per turn.(PLUS an additional XXX technologies per turn for the next 10 turns). I assumed that the 1019 already included my bonus tpt. I just waste 30 turns worth of bonus tpt. Wish I read this thread first :(
[/turtle]

aponic Game profile

Member
1879

Dec 10th 2010, 16:03:41

I don't like this change. It makes taking the bonus turns a much better option. Why not simply limit the bonus and still allow it to apply over a batch tech. The new display is quite ugly as well and doesn't fit. (speaking solely on technology here)
SOF
Cerevisi