Mobile features are good for some and irrlevent for others. That makes them a net plus (those that ignore them won't be hurt if the game has some) but they definitely are a lower priority than getting the game itself to alpha, then beta, then release.
First we need to *have* a game before we can worry about what players will do when they aren't playing.
Would eventually be nice if perhaps some public APIs were exposed, then we could make the apps/sites ourselves.
My thoughts on mobile are pretty simple. Don't use it for games unless its absolutely needed. If its for tapping into game or server information the dev's have said that in order to minimize cheats, hacks, exploits, botting, etc they want to keep the client side in the dark as much as possible.
I don't see a need for an app unless its for a security sign in, and you don't need those unless you've already opened the doors elsewhere on the client.
Ultimately if a player can't bother themselves to search the internet for 5 mins to get what they need, what will an app provide? I'm sure someone will create a third party map app at some point. Just send me e my 3% royalty when you do :D
I'd love a mobile in-game chat app. In EQ, we had EQIM (Everquest Instant Messenger). You could talk to your friends, guild-mates, etc.
We would run this at work and my friends from work and I would talk to each other about where and when to meet up in game. And then we also used it to discuss big upcoming raids etc.
It's nice when you're checking if a mob is spawned or trying to coordinate 72 people raids or trying to find out if your buddy is on and going to team up with you etc.
Plus it let you feel connected to the game world while trapped outside at the office.
Porygon said:Discord pretty much makes chat apps obsolete.
Pretty much everyone uses discord now.
Yep. I use discord or teamspeak. Though a chat app is definitely not for me I could see guilds trying to coordinate for raiding, but then again there are already chat apps that could do the same thing. Skype and google hangout are two. Feels repetitive and not worth the effort or money to create one. :D
From Kilsin:
"We have done a google doc Q&A, polls, CM content and threads throughout these forums about a Pantheon App and the consensus is that the majority want something and it would be nice for them to chat to guildies, check character and the characters progression and maybe search/sort their bank, we have taken these into consideration and if able to, we would like to explore the possible avenue of an App for Pantheon but it would be a long way down the track near or after the games release."
(Source: https://www.pantheonmmo.com/content/forums/topic/5074/smart-phone-support)
dorotea said:Mobile features are good for some and irrlevent for others. That makes them a net plus (those that ignore them won't be hurt if the game has some) but they definitely are a lower priority than getting the game itself to alpha, then beta, then release.
First we need to *have* a game before we can worry about what players will do when they aren't playing.
I sort of agree with this. However, just because I may not use a mobile feature does not mean I cannot fathom a reason why it would hurt the game. For example, I don't plan on using the 'de-leveling' feature of Pantheon because I will just use twinks. But I can think of a lot of reasons why not to put it in.
People can make the argument that the mobile version will take players away from the game. I want people logged in and playing, not just monitoring their account from a phone.
bigdogchris said:People can make the argument that the mobile version will take players away from the game. I want people logged in and playing, not just monitoring their account from a phone.
I'm not sure that is an argument that has any basis in reality. Mobile apps don't let you play the game - they're usually just ways to chat in-game and maybe monitor your auctions or look up your character's info. It's something people access when they can't be in the game, not something they'd use instead of the game.
Naunet said:bigdogchris said:People can make the argument that the mobile version will take players away from the game. I want people logged in and playing, not just monitoring their account from a phone.I'm not sure that is an argument that has any basis in reality. Mobile apps don't let you play the game - they're usually just ways to chat in-game and maybe monitor your auctions or look up your character's info. It's something people access when they can't be in the game, not something they'd use instead of the game.
To be fair. TeamViewer is free and I would regularly use it to check my WoW auctions and even complete easy dailies before the WoW app existed.
Naunet said:I'm not sure that is an argument that has any basis in reality. Mobile apps don't let you play the game - they're usually just ways to chat in-game and maybe monitor your auctions or look up your character's info. It's something people access when they can't be in the game, not something they'd use instead of the game.
Sure, at first.
I do hope that we will get a mobile app! There are plenty of features that could be implemented and would be very needed, like:
1) Events info - with the messages about current and upcoming events - their type and rewards
2) Travelling caravan - we could travel while we are basically offline
3) Opening a shop, selling/buying, and if not at least browsing available shops in different zones (when we are getting back from work and we know that in 20 minutes we will be able to buy it or contact the merchant)
4) LFP - alarms if someone is looking for group for specific quest/zone.
5) General, guild, friend chat
6) Offline "wiki-like" feature - where we could browse information about monsters, zones, quests and more importantly where specific eq parts drop.
vjek said:Don't want any actual progress possible via anything other than the full game client.
This is my sticking point. No PLAY while not in game.
Chat with friends, guild. Yes.
Checking Server status? Yes.
View your char and his equipped gear? Yes (assuming there's not an integrated 'Armory' function already in game).
View your items stored in bank? Maybe. No moving anything, just viewing.
Read ingame mail you recieve? No, that's playing.
View anything in Auction House (if we have one). NO. Viewing your items' status or even just items in general on AH is a functional part of AH Marketing. Must be in game.
