Missions are something that will perhaps always be present in the game of Bootleggers. But this week at the Buzz, we wanted to question this feature. One of few features to receive an update that was promised, we wondered, are they really worth it? Are missions spoiled for new users by topics such as the Mission Guide in the Game Forum? Well, who better to answer our questions than resident Moderator, Mika. We put these questions and more to him, to find out all you need to know about Missions!
It has been questioned by many, not only of late but across an expansive time period, whether the Missions are actually worth it. We put this question to Mika, who was positive in his response, saying, "I do. I started doing them myself when they were released and feel they are certainly an improvement over the old system. The rewards are better and I felt it was genuinely fun to do the missions." A show of strong support for the Missions system then. It may also come as some piece of mind to users to know that Moderators do take the time to engage in the games activities in order to be able to more realistically gauge what needs to be adjusted.
Another cry which was heard this week, was that topics such as the popular Mission Guide, which can be found in the Game Forum, spoil the excitement and learning curve of Missions for new users. We wondered if Mika empathised with this claim, to which he said, "To be honest I do not really feel that they spoil the missions much. Of course they take away the element of trial and error a little. Where it concerns having to bribe mission characters into giving you information, for example." Continuing, "However, on the other hand they also provide new users with a clear idea of what they have to do to complete the mission, making them know that it is possible to complete the mission, which may offer some additional incentive to continue. And finally, most missions are quite straightforward I feel, and the trick in completing them lies in just persisting, which is something no mission guide can change." Indeed it can be seen with many of the current missions, it is a case of steady patience needed to complete them, which can be aided by nothing but a users own attitude. Whether the guides that are available to users are a spoiler or a useful tool could be debated, but will always come down to users personal opinions. I am of the stance that the topics are guides, and as such improve relations between the games current and new players, by providing a connection and common subject which can be the basis of further communication.
We moved on from this to the Missions them self. Could more variation be seen in terms of the order Missions are presented to users, the amount of attempts or resources required to complete a mission, in order to make them a little more exciting and unpredictable? Mika was adverse to these suggestions, as he said, "Well, bearing in mind some changes that have been planned for the missions (minor changes, though, no need to get terribly excited) I would not be in favor of receiving the missions in a different order. Another reason for that is the story that is built within them, even if it is just a small aspect of the missions. The missions build up somewhat and distorting the order would change that." Going on to say, "As for changing the amounts required: that could be an option. Nevertheless you should be careful with that, I feel, seeing you should not make the missions too easy or too difficult for some players, which means you will inevitably have to settle for an average amount along the lines of what you are seeing now." This can be exemplified by things such as the 30-40 attempts to, for example, bust a specific target, that can be seen at the moment. There is slight variation but not that of any greatness.
Our next question and indeed issue, is one felt and supported by many. It brought the question of why there is a twenty-four hour timer between missions to the table. We asked Mika about this. He responded saying, "This was incorporated by BSF2000. I suspect with the idea that whenever a batch of new missions was introduced players would not rush through them so that they stay exciting for a few days." That being said, why have we not therefore since seen the removal of this timer? We asked Mika whether he felt the timer was of any benefit and indeed whether he agreed with it. He told us, "I do. It has been discussed in the past to perhaps consider lowering the timer to 12 hours, which is something that I would agree with as well." So clearly the issue has come up, regarding the lengthy wait between Missions. Mika went on to say, "The idea of having to wait a little while prior to doing a new mission is not one to which I am opposed." Showing some support for the timer, but perhaps suggesting that it does have the scope to be shortened. A view shared by the majority of the community whom we spoke to on this matter!
We brought our interview with Mika to a close by asking what, if anything, he felt could be done to improve the Missions system and feature as a whole more so. He seemed pleased with it in its current state, saying, "I do not think the current missions need any improvement. The ones that are available there are fine the way they are. It would be nice if the idea BSF2000 had about them at the beginning of the round could be executed so that new batches of missions are released on a regular basis so that players can keep doing missions, even if they are say Don." Indeed it has to be said that for those who engage and partake in completing Missions, it can often be the case that you find yourself Mission-free by the time you have ranked past Boss. This is surely something that could be looked at? Mika finished by saying, "One thing I really liked was the mission that needed you to work together with another player, so I would love seeing more missions that require cooperation of some sort." This is another point which I on a personal level agree with. I and indeed others who I chatted with, agree that the idea of a need to communicate and work with other users for a neutral cause, that of a Mission, is one which is positive and could be developed further to encourage such communication.
So, our look at the Missions was complete. Whether you do or don't choose to partake in them, it appears little is set to change in their set-up. There is as with many features, other than perhaps Busting, still scope for improvement and possible areas in which it could be developed. But don't hold your breath for updates of that nature, you might not survive!
