0.4 really should address this. Here's how to do it with < 5 hours of devtime.

[summer jolt]

Hey gang, it's your favorite hot take haver, back with another one.

We all know by now that after all the tasks are done and you're in the "stack-money, chase-PvP" part of the wipe, things get a little repetitive. It's natural that this be the case, as over half the game isn't here yet. 0.4 is well-positioned to bring the first iteration of how this can be addressed.

I suggest that, simply put, a barebones prestige system be added to the game. When you go to wipe your character, simply check to see if the existing character is level 50. If the answer is yes, apply a unique nameplate color to the freshly wiped character. That's it. Just give us something for maxxing out a character and we'll do it. Most of us do it without that anyway, just give the layman a reason to do it.

Obviously this system would need iteration but that's the idea. Get the barest of barebones form of it into the game so it can be expanded as the devs are able.

[scarlet bane]

I personally don't think any "I got to max level" work should be done until we actually know what the max level is going to be. Hitting 50 now is WAY easier than hitting 50 in 0.1. It'll be much easier in 0.4, etc. etc.

It won't be long until some people start complaining that it needs to be harder For Reasons.

The reality is that it's arbitrary and doesn't actually mean anything - and won't until we actually get closer to release and a real max level is settled on.

While I think the "< 5 hours" estimate is woefully low, my preference is that these sort of vanity efforts that have zero game impact get shelved until we're close to release.

[summer jolt]

maybe i'm just underinformed, but i can't imagine writing a few lines of code to check player level and recoloring a nameplate could take longer than five hours. regardless, i see the logic in your stance that a max level should be firmly decided before things like this get introduced.

[scarlet bane]

When it comes to the dev effort, there's a lot of unknowns that make any estimate extraordinarily difficult. But here's just some of the challenges and unknowns to consider before making assumptions about LOE:

• You assume that the nameplate is "easily recolorable" - but it could just as easily be a UI element that would need proper UI work.
• Your "simple level check" is, likely, just a couple lines of code - but the "apply the nameplate color" needs to actually have some data persistence. Is that a new database column? Some keystore somewhere? That needs to be decided on, rolled out and code added to actually write the appropriate value.
• After you get through all of that (or, more realistically, while you're doing it), you have many more lines of code of unit and/or regression tests to write to ensure that this all behaves the way you think it behaves in not just the expected situation, but also in as many edge cases as possible (along with counter-cases where it doesn't do what it shouldn't do).
• Then, you have local builds to verify functionality.

This all takes time. A lot of time. It sounds like a little thing but, in aggregate, simple changes - when done properly - are still expensive.

[summer jolt]

Narrator: She was underinformed.

[tame axle]

I agree that people are playing through to 50 and it is a bit too easy right now having done it in 0.1 and this patch, to you @scarlet bane it’s an arbitrary number but to others it’s a target and reason to keep playing this should be encouraged but in saying that squad tasks should be more varied and nerfed as far as xp is concerned and xp for military kills should be buffed so that there are multiple pathways to the top level whether it be 50 or 100. The devs are taking on community suggestions look at the donation box , skull mask. Let’s leave it up to the devs who actually know how much time it will take and focus on the suggestion at the core which I believe something would be good to encourage continued play and wiping the character to play through again. This will help in a small way to keep player numbers up and engaged

[summer jolt]

To be clear: inflating player numbers is not my primary reason for suggesting this. maybe it would help, maybe it wouldn't. i just don't want to sit at main base wondering where to go and realizing the game isn't guiding me anywhere

[tame axle]

Nope you had a suggestion which more than a few would agree with, the devs are the only ones that are informed about how much effort it will take so leave that side of the discussion to them. Who knows it might be a couple of hours? They might something already in place I bet they can drill down and see how many times a character has played through and what level they achieve for statistical reasons especially after the squad tasks came into effect. In fact it feels like the have reduced the available squad tasks because to many players were hitting 50 to early so they must have a row in the database already no?

[scarlet bane]

The suggestion is fine (and I say this as someone that obviously disagrees with it). The estimation of how much effort it would take and assuming the implementation effort is not - because, as you called out, we're nowhere close to being informed enough about details that directly influence that effort.

Absolutely continue to make suggestions.

Absolutely avoid assuming the time it would take to make them (as a general rule, not specifically targeting OP).

[covert narwhal]

Play for pleasure, not for medals and validation, I'd say.
Some say: it's about chasing the rabbit, not about getting it.
Works well in life too.
No pressure, just saying.

[prime quartz]

Also those of us who have paid extra for the game to support MFG have been given a different name colour. Surly this would negate that.

[tame axle]

Some people take pleasure in achieving a goal to me the level 50 and black kit are enough, I do think achieving level 50 has become a bit easy but it feels like they have adressed that by not having so many tier 2 squad missions available. Reaching 50 has become a goal for some players and that is a good thing, I hope that they increase the max level once tasks take you too close to 50 I think in 0.1 I got to 35 or 36 in 0.3 it was 36 to 38 depending on task choice, the real thing that has made it too easy is squad tasks. I do think as a solo there should be a path way instead of grinding 10000 kills like in 0.1 and 0.2 if players aim to get to 50 this is a good thing and keeps players engaged which shouldn’t be devalued.

[scarlet bane]

Player-driven goals are great. And I love that the game makes room enough for people to find and make their own fun.

But I also find it can take a lot of the enjoyment out of a self-driven grind when the game says “DO THIS THING” when they hang an achievement off it.