Chapter 48 - Minor update (2)

The time chosen for game update was when it had less players. It was early evening. People would be returning to home, having dinner. Even the game AI did not want to hand out more benefits to players.

Complaining would not help. The players would get a bonus for time lost. And the update was mainly because of some complaints raised and suggestions given by players themselves. Earlier the patchwork, better the game.

As Saachi had not played the game from the beginning, he had no idea if such updates happened or not, or how many times it happened. After coming out of the pod, he wolfed down some instant heated food and started working on his assignments. The forum site was open to see update changes and time of restarting of game.

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The updates seemed normal to some, it improved gaming experience to some. The tier system of skills/ equipments /weapons/ skills / monster drops, even monsters were changed. Now all would have tier 1, 2, 3 etc in their description. A tier 1 monster would be a normal one, tier 2- an elite, tier 3 - a rare elite etc. Normal players now did not have to suffer to know the strength of the monster. All the bars in the descriptions would not show numbers anymore. Players only had option of leaving them blank (default mode) or see them as percentage.

Bye bye , 25671 EXP till next level, HP - 59/130(120+10) , MP- 25/70(50+20) , level 1 mice 50/50 HP, 0/0 MP. All would be shown as filled bars. The monsters would also have bar to show their HP and MP when used skill 'identify'.

Auto record option now available but beyond certain limit(24hrs of recording), charges apply. Player could now watch and re-watch self recordings. These recordings would self destruct after 24 hours unless saved. (charges for saving, explained before). Any transfer of recording required payments, any edits - payment required.

The battle log would be consolidated and search bar option included to see related past logs. Village level chat log available. But to use, RPN (reputation points among players) necessary, available by purchasing. Chat market option available, only among village members, again - RPN needed for transactions.

The post service which was suspended following bug report would restart. Items that can be sent include only those which can be put inside the post envelope. Postal service within 10 village limits - free, any longer - shipment fee required.

Dungeons and Instances now open. They would have monster drops, skill books, skill points, weapons, equipments and more. Dungeons are like free for all. Instances - would open if the specifications are met. The specifications could be anything - having a particular quest, to coming in at particular time of the day, having particular party arrangement, practically anything. The dungeons in village level did not have capping or minimum number. The normal or tier 1 level could be played as many times as possible. Other levels could be played less times. Saving option could be used only at certain points. Completion rate, clearance rate, difficulty levels all would count towards final EXP earned. The EXP would be disturbed among party members by game AI. Loot division could be decided by multiple options given before entering the dungeons. First discovery and first clears would give bonuses. Death penalty increased inside the dungeons and Instances.

Skill tree was available. Quests increased. ....

Saachi did not bother to read further. Either Bree knew someone in the game, which was doubtful or she had excellent observational and calculation skills which was more likely. The game was becoming more and more complex yet the basics remained simple.

The gaming company was trying all sorts to make sure an average player would have around 700 or more coins for a month of playing, which basically meant people would be playing for free. As their gaming proficiency increased, chances to earn more would be present and chances of pulling other people into game also increase. The company needed huge number of players to prove itself. The initial 1 to 2 months of freebies would be nothing compared to amount spent on R and D, AI and supercomputers.

Saachi checked the effects of update. He liked it minimalist look. The skill tree. Even the basic spells like fire ball, lightning bolt now had extra written underneath them. They were now categorised as tier 1 spell. Tier 2 would be fire bomb, arc of lightning etc. Thanks to spamming, his proficiency in arc of lightning had improved.

What's that? Possible future of 'soul' way? Good! Now, let him the choices available to him - an elementist ( fire/water/.....- any one), a battle mage, ...blah, blah, blah.....hidden classes (xxx,xxxx,xxxx). Huh! That's practically not telling anything.

Forget about future. He would proper class only in towns , after level 10. By the looks of it, it would take long to reach that point.