Jedi Duel Questionnaire

[pedro]

Hey,

It doesn't matter if you've played ot not, I'd like to hear from everyone and all feedback is very much appreciated.

As you might know (or not!) I introduced Jedi Duel at the beginning of the year. I wanted to create a forum game which anyone could join at any time and could be played quickly; players create their own characters using LEGO which get progressively better as they play. Most of all, I wanted it to be FUN! I tested it out first amongst a group of my friends (with some great results) and then launched it exclusively on Eurobricks where it was initially very popular.

As the Chosen One tournament approaches it’s ultimate conclusion and the Dueling Thread sleeps, I thought I’d take this opportunity to reflect and ask you what you think or thought of Jedi Duel. There’s a brief poll above and some general questions below - you can be as comprehemnsive as you like. Looking at what you tell me I can refine Jedi Duel by better addressing what you've got out or would like to get out of the experience. Then when I come to write v2 or any other future games I can gear them more towards players and make them more FUN!

Jedi Duel Questions (also see poll above)

• Do you play Jedi Duel?
  
• If you’ve not played Jedi Duel before, what would encourage you to play?
  
• What do you like most about Jedi Duel?
  
• What do you like least about Jedi Duel?
  
• What do you think would make Jedi Duel better?
  
• Any extra thoughts or suggestions?
  

...discuss.

Incidentally, if you've not read the rules and would like to, you'll find them here. Thanks in advance!

Edited September 14, 2010 by pedro

[Walter Kovacs]

Jedi Duel? What's that?

Before you read the rest of this, I would like you to know that I still enjoy playing the game. It is fun, and the anticipation of seeing how well you did in a round can be maddening.

I only really have one comment. I realized after a few games that it truly is a random game. It's Rock/Paper/Scissors, repeated five times per round, with a couple of extra moves. As such, there is no strategy to be used, except outguess your opponent.

Anyone who has looked at my DSs over the last few duels will notice I have almost completely ignored the defensive skills of Force Shield and Parry. My logic is that, though you might be preventing damage, you're also not going to DEAL any damage. And I think that is the flaw in this game.

I'm not sure how to improve the format to introduce a little strategy. I'd still play, even without any rule changes.

Oh, one last thing. I think the progression up the ranks is a little too fast. Perhaps one win for the first advancement, then two for the level after that, etc. It would give people more reason to continue playing, and would give those unlucky enough not to win some lower powered opponents to earn their advancement.

[ADHO15]

In response to the last question, I thought about pitching a Harry Potter based version to you that may be popular with the new wave being released around now.

Players could make a Good or Dark wizard or witch and learn and use spells to gain experience and win duels. With basic spells like Stupefy and Protego, the Jedi Duel format would be very easy to transfer to the Harry Potter theme.

I don't know how much of a HP enthusiast you are, pedro, but I thought you might like to hear my ideas.

[CMP]

In response to the last question, I thought about pitching a Harry Potter based version to you that may be popular with the new wave being released around now.

Players could make a Good or Dark wizard or witch and learn and use spells to gain experience and win duels. With basic spells like Stupefy and Protego, the Jedi Duel format would be very easy to transfer to the Harry Potter theme.

I don't know how much of a HP enthusiast you are, pedro, but I thought you might like to hear my ideas.

That. Sounds. Awesome.

I'd like to see more roleplaying elements. Not sure how it would work, but it'd make the game more enjoyable to me.

[sok117]

In response to the last question, I thought about pitching a Harry Potter based version to you that may be popular with the new wave being released around now.

Players could make a Good or Dark wizard or witch and learn and use spells to gain experience and win duels. With basic spells like Stupefy and Protego, the Jedi Duel format would be very easy to transfer to the Harry Potter theme.

I don't know how much of a HP enthusiast you are, pedro, but I thought you might like to hear my ideas.

I actually really perfer the SW view, though I am a Harry Potter enthusiast, I think there are way to many spells and abilites to do the harry potter world justice, and not make the game overly complicated. But truely over all I prefer SW to HP so I may be biased unintenionally.

[The Legonater]

I liked Jedi Dual, however I didn't get a chance to play a lot. i also lost all the time, we need to change that .

I agree, it is fairly random (hence my losing) but there are certain tactics that can help. Also, it does have the same sence of randomness as a real duel would. I like it in that way. It's also very good for something that's never been tried before.

[JimBee]

Yes, I play this game a lot, although naturally it's not as big of a deal as say, a Mafia game. It's more of a small attraction on the side, but I do have quite a lot of fun with it. I am a little sad to see much less duelists than at first, but I think a some rethinking or at least some revitalizing would do the trick in (re)interesting more people.

I'm fine with the dueling system, but now that Walter mentions it, I think that it would benefit from more focus on strategy. Right now there's very little to it, and mostly based on random guessing (which also makes it hard for new players to level up, since they'll be dueling more experienced members).

Also, just throwing this out there, but if you happen to make a second version of the game I would be more than willing to help think it up (the new version) and even run another contest (I know you're very busy now).

Oh, one last thing. I think the progression up the ranks is a little too fast. Perhaps one win for the first advancement, then two for the level after that, etc. It would give people more reason to continue playing, and would give those unlucky enough not to win some lower powered opponents to earn their advancement.

I agree, after I got Master within the first week, it got a little boring, especially since new players were wanting to face other new players for easy leveling-up.

Oh, and I highly prefer Jedi Duel over any other theme. The SW Universe provides so many possibilities that creating a character was really fun. And there's not really another type of activity/ media that focuses on epic lightsaber duels like this, with more Jedi than just, say, the main character of a game or movie. In fact, I don't think I'd play if it weren't SW-themed.

Here's a crazy thought: team battles.

[CMP]

Here's a crazy thought: team battles.

That's an idea. 2 on 2...or more. You could just specify who to use your move on.

[XimenaPaulina]

The Jedi Duel in the perspective of a Gaming Noob.

As someone who have 0 experience (as in zero, zilch, nil, nada) in these types of games, I completely have no idea what these Mafia-games in Eurobricks is all about. I rarely go in this subforum, until one day, for some strange reason, I tried to see what Jedi Duel is all about. I read the rules to learn more about the game, then followed the different levels of competition. By just following the competition, I kinda learnt the basic flow of the game, though I'm not that familiar with all the powers, abilities, and tactics involved to succeed. One thing I observed by following Jedi Duel is that this game looks very fun and seems to be a great way to really make friends to fellow-EB members which you don't usually interact with. I would like to try someday, but I have little confidence in my pretty much nonexistent gaming abilities. I hope one day I could gather enough courage to participate in Jedi Duel, which is one of the two EB games that I try to follow in EB (along with the Clone Conflict). I hope my views as a gaming noob gives a different perspective amongst all the experienced gamers.

To answer your questions pedro (in blue):

• Do you play Jedi Duel? Never had, hopefully will
• If you’ve not played Jedi Duel before, what would encourage you to play? The fun of participating in my first game, and the chance to interact more with fellow Eurobrickers
• What do you like most about Jedi Duel? The interesting jedi / sith characters created by the users. The simple but tactical flow of the game. And the aforementinoed camaraderie brought about by the game
• What do you like least about Jedi Duel? None as of the moment
• What do you think would make Jedi Duel better? More participants perhaps?
• Any extra thoughts or suggestions? Do you think it would be better if there were some photos during duels? I mean just to have some sort of accompanying image of the duelists fighting each other?

Well, that's it, I hope I could join in the next Jedi Duel (that would be my first-ever gaming experience ).

[pedro]

Looking throught the comments above ther's a feww main points I've picked up on...

Strategy needs to be better

Randomness is an element found in most games i.e. rolling dice. At the lower ranks it is well advised for players to be moe considerate and use a mix of offensive and defensive abilities as they have no Force or Mastery Abilities. At the higher ranks, abilities which 'break' the rock, paper, scissors mechanic adds random advantages over your opponent rather than adding strategy. So as Walter has discovered: the best defense is a good offense!

This does need to be a bit better. The main challenge is to introduce an extra element of relatively easy to understand strategy while keeping the gameplay flowing and keeping the time taken for the adjudicator to compare the results to a minimum. I've been mulling over how to do this with a few random ideas in hand at the moment but and am open to any suggestions - you're all far more experienced players than I!

Improved character progression

Pregression is too fast. Originally I thought it'd be better to make it easy to level up, but was afraid players wouldn't stick with the game and so not reap the reward of hitting the highest rank. As it was, most players persevered even beyond reaching Master rank! Walter's made an excellent suggestion for increasing rank. I think it'd work well if players had to play the number of duels associated with the number of rank i.e. 2 duels for rank 2, 3 for rnak 3, etc.

Team play

Thanks for throwing this out there Jim, I don't think it's crazy at all! In fact one of the first things that sprung to my mind when I read your comment was a Master-Padawan system where experienced and new players can team up thus providing support and wins to the 'younger' character. Asides from that any kind of team battle system sounds like it could be awesome. Much in the way Obi Wan and Anakin fight together, players could pair up and bring justice to the Galaxy... or bring it to it's knees!

In response to the last question, I thought about pitching a Harry Potter based version to you that may be popular with the new wave being released around now.

My wife and I are big Harry Potter fans, having read all the books, seen the films, etc. I even bought my wife a movie replica wand one Christmas! A lot of my friends are Harry Potter fans too. I've got a rough draft of Harry Potter: Wizard's Duel which I’ll send over to you, I’m happy to hear your input on it. I’m definitely not going to have enough time to run it so if you want, I'd be more than happy for you too.

Also, just throwing this out there, but if you happen to make a second version of the game I would be more than willing to help think it up (the new version) and even run another contest (I know you're very busy now).

Thanks for the offer Jim, your part in adjudicating all those games helped keep Jedi Duel rolling! At this stage I'm scribbling down ideas and I'll take onboard any feedback I get. It'll be really handy to have a players to help with play-testing when something comes to fruition and your help in running the game, contests, etc. will be invaluable.

I hope one day I could gather enough courage to participate in Jedi Duel, which is one of the two EB games that I try to follow in EB (along with the Clone Conflict). I hope my views as a gaming noob gives a different perspective amongst all the experienced gamers.

It's good to hear what you have to say having never played Jedi Duel before. I hope you feel comfortable with joining in some day, you probably have a great grasp of the game already!

Edited September 15, 2010 by pedro

[ADHO15]

My wife and I are big Harry Potter fans, having read all the books, seen the films, etc. I even bought my wife a movie replica wand one Christmas! A lot of my friends are Harry Potter fans too. I've got a rough draft of Harry Potter: Wizard's Duel which I’ll send over to you, I’m happy to hear your input on it. I’m definitely not going to have enough time to run it so if you want, I'd be more than happy for you too.

That's great. It's a shame you won't have more free time to host a HP version.

Wizard's Duel is exactly the name I had in mind too. I'd love to see your plans and give you my views. I'd also be very happy to co-host it if that's what you really want. It's your game after all. I've just changed the theme. Hosting CC isn't very strenuous once a game gets going, so I could certainly look into it. I guess I've not been as involved as I said I would in Jedi Duel, so I should probably get an excellent understanding of that first.

Thank you very much for the acknowledgement, pedro. I guess we'll see where it goes.

Edited September 15, 2010 by ADHO15

[pedro]

Here's what I've been working with so far:

• Character Classes - Players have a choice of character class that allows access to different abilities at higher ranks.
  
• New Ranks - Additional ranks, lengthened progression.
  
• New Mastery abilities - More choice for more variation in character attributes and different strategies for play.
  
• New Mechanic: Force Surges - Characters have a reservoir of Force Surges which can be spent to amplify the impact of their attacks.
  

[XimenaPaulina]

Ooh, those are very interesting new elements for the Jedi Duel. I actually don't mind the lenghtened rank progression, but I'm more interested in the new mastery abilities which will make duelling a lot more exciting, strategic, and unpredictable. Great job on these ideas pedro, looking forward for these to be introduced in the next Duel.

[CorneliusMurdock]

All the changes sound awesome!

Are all the Jedi Duel characters going to be reset when the new stuff is implemented? I was thinking of making a character but will wait if a new season is starting soon.

[CMP]

I can help make up spells for Wizard's Duel, if you need someone to help.

Here's what I've been working with so far:

• Character Classes - Players have a choice of character class that allows access to different abilities at higher ranks.
  

I've been thinking. I go on the SWTOR, (new Star Wars MMORPG) website, and it takes places thousands of years before even Episode One. There are hundreds of Jedi, and they have 2 main classes of each - a lightsaber-based one, and a Force-based one. So that's something to think about.

Edited September 21, 2010 by CallMePie

[ADHO15]

I can help make up spells for Wizard's Duel, if you need someone to help.

Thank you, CallMePie, but pedro and I have pretty much finalised the details and are almost ready to ask Draggy's permission.

And to KielDaMan, I don't know if you were expecting these changes to be present in Harry Potter: Wizard's Duel, but pedro wants to keep them for Jedi Duel II.

Edited September 21, 2010 by ADHO15

[CMP]

Thank you, CallMePie, but pedro and I have pretty much finalised the details and are almost ready to ask Draggy's permission.

My god, that was fast. Gonna have to ask Sandy if I can use Xander for it.

Edited September 21, 2010 by CallMePie

[pedro]

Are all the Jedi Duel characters going to be reset when the new stuff is implemented? I was thinking of making a character but will wait if a new season is starting soon.

The changes will be such that players will have to reset or create entirely new characters to reamin competitive (you can still keep your title JimBee)

I've been thinking. I go on the SWTOR, (new Star Wars MMORPG) website, and it takes places thousands of years before even Episode One. There are hundreds of Jedi, and they have 2 main classes of each - a lightsaber-based one, and a Force-based one. So that's something to think about.

That looks like it'll be a great game!

I'm working on 3 classes per alignment (Jedi or Sith). Current Jedi classes are:

• Jedi Guardian- Guardians are primarily skilled in combat and physical training...
  
• Jedi Consular - Consulars are Force Adepts without peer...
  
• Jedi Sentinel - Sentinels are skilled in both combat and the Force...
  

Sith have similar types of classes but different titles.

Edited September 21, 2010 by pedro

[JimBee]

Here's what I've been working with so far:

• Character Classes - Players have a choice of character class that allows access to different abilities at higher ranks.
• New Ranks - Additional ranks, lengthened progression.
• New Mastery abilities - More choice for more variation in character attributes and different strategies for play.
• New Mechanic: Force Surges - Characters have a reservoir of Force Surges which can be spent to amplify the impact of their attacks.

Sounds very interesting. I like the idea of character classes, and longer rank progression. Looking forward to the start of this.

The changes will be such that players will have to reset or create entirely new characters to reamin competitive (you can still keep your title JimBee)

Sweet. But if we want to use the same character, do we just edit our post in the Databank (and if so, do we clear our stats and wins/ losses), or is there going to be a new Databank?

And not that it looks like this will be the case, but can duelists go back and do V1.0 duels if they so choose?

I'm working on 3 classes per alignment (Jedi or Sith). Current Jedi classes are:

• Jedi Guardian- Guardians are primarily skilled in combat and physical training...
• Jedi Consular - Consulars are Force Adepts without peer...
• Jedi Sentinel - Sentinels are skilled in both combat and the Force...

Sith have similar types of classes but different titles.

So it sounds like:

Guardian will have high lightsaber stats, and low force stats.

Consular will have high force stats and low lightsaber stats.

Sentinel will have a balance of both.

Am I right?

[CMP]

Oh yea, if you're doing team duels, some kind of Force Heal ability could be useful.

[pedro]

But if we want to use the same character, do we just edit our post in the Databank (and if so, do we clear our stats and wins/ losses), or is there going to be a new Databank?

And not that it looks like this will be the case, but can duelists go back and do V1.0 duels if they so choose?

If a player wants to use their current character for v2 I think it's only fair that players be allowed to keep their wins and losses if they want as a record of achievement.

It may be that we create a new Databank with new characters so we avoid any confusion between the new version and the old.

So it sounds like:

Guardian will have high lightsaber stats, and low force stats.

Consular will have high force stats and low lightsaber stats.

Sentinel will have a balance of both.

Am I right?

Kind of. Your class will dictate which abilities you can choose - and there's a few more of them now! I've also improved a couple of the others.

Oh yea, if you're doing team duels, some kind of Force Heal ability could be useful.

Force Heal sounds like it has potential, but any ability used in team-play must also work in 1 v 1 and still be balanced. An ability like Force Heal would lend itself well to healing another but given the option to heal oneself may make it too powerful. If it's restricted to only work on another then the character has a redundant power when it comes to 1 v 1. It bares some thought...

There's a Mastery Ability I'm working on called Regeneration. It gradually restores health but only when a certain condition is met.