Playstation blog post.
Namco Bandi post.
Nice to see the game is still getting some support. Curious as to what changes are coming in terms of balance.All versions of the game will include the following features (Existing Dark Souls II owners will receive a patch to implement these elements):
Additional NPCs added for an enhanced story experience.
Parameter adjustments for improved game balance.
Augmented item descriptions.
Improved online matchmaking functionality.
Xbox One, PS4, and DirectX 11 versions of the game will include the following features (in addition to those listed above):
Additional upgrades to graphics, sound, performance.
Increase in maximum online players in single session (6 total)
Last edited by Shinrazero; 25th Nov 2014 at 01:24.
So basically...
Dark Souls 2: What You Saw In Those Videos Way Back When Plus Some More.
Can't complain too much. It looks like the PC people get the entire upgrade for free, and the 360/PS3 folks get the extra story stuff. I'd say it's a pretty decent move by From.
Yeah, its a pretty sweet move. I wonder if SM is going away.
An extra NPC and augmented item descriptions. I wonder if they're going to try to make the story more cohesive. A lot of those item descriptions were pretty corny: "But it's so old that no one even remembers what it's name was from the previous game!"
Great to see that this will be coming to PS4 as well now.
The only negative so far is that increasing the allowed number of players to six would make most of those boss fights and difficult areas far less challenging and rewarding imo.
^
It probably doesn't mean that you can summon five phantoms. The current limit is four players, but only two of those can be phantoms, the last slot is only for invaders or red summons.
It sounds like existing PC users will get the content updates but to get DX11 graphic support, audio, and 6 player interaction, you'll have to buy the new game; supposedly it is going to cost full price too. If this is true then I'm disappoint.
Actually, I can see why this can be trouble for From, and why the announcement is vague about it.
-Making it a free upgrade is problematic, because DS2 doesn't need DX11, and many people who already have it doesn't have the hardware for the new version. So it can't be a mandatory upgrade, even if it would keep the community together (making sure every existing owner have the same version). Making it an optional upgrade would fracture the MP community. Also, the free part is problematic too, since they obviously spent money on making this version and would like to see some return on investment.
-Asking money for it is also ehhh because most PC people who are into the franchise already have the game. They'd have to pay for a graphics/MP upgrade. This isn't like the version for the new consoles, where you bought a totally new console and have to buy a game for it. Redux versions have been done before that way AFAIK, but on PC it's mostly the same people with the same machines already having the game.
So, as much as I love the idea of an updated DS2, there's no good way out of this. The most optimal solution would be a discount for owners of DS2 (Steam), but the MP community will still be fractured, since these will be two different programs, it seems.
Would it have to fracture the user base, though? Isn't it possible to have DX11 graphics as an option in the settings menu?
The simple thing to do would be to provide a large discount to existing DS owners a la Des Ex Director's Cut.
The imaginary senses of entitlement are strong with these c*nts, Christ.
Well duh the DX11 version is going to be incompatible. It's basically a new game with increased technical scope of the gameplay (eg increased player count in MP), not just a cosmetic upgrade.Confirmed: Scholar of the First Sin to be a paid upgrade to DX11, different servers for DX9/11, no character/save trades from DX9->11, No DLC upgrade patch for previous versions, more. Price TBD.
https://steamcommunity.com/app/23643...6027426323183/
It's probably a noticeably upgraded version of the game. Why should it be free? The developers deserve to paid for their work. Give a decent loyalty discount on Steam and most will be happy except probably a vocal minority of man-children with imaginary entitlement.Xbox One, PS4, and DirectX 11 versions of the game will include the following features (in addition to those listed above):
Additional upgrades to graphics, sound, performance.
Increase in maximum online players in single session (6 total).
http://bandainamcous.tumblr.com/post...-dark-souls-ii
Whoa. For a second there, I thought I accidentally stumbled into Ayn Rand's conservative capitalist circle jerk blog 'n bake again.
Eva, I don't think anyone here is absolutely flat demanding they get these upgrades for free. It'd be nice sure, but no one here is playing the entitlement card. That said, a discount for currently existing owners would be nicer. Most of us here have already paid $90+ for the game. Having to pay another $30-$50 just for the upgraded graphics would suck a bit. Plus, you have to consider people who only now bought the game, only to find out a better version is just around the corner. Offering existing owners the upgrade for $10-$15 or so would be a nice gesture on their part.
It's interesting how much of a downgrade the game had compared to its preview trailers when it comes to the lighting/textures. Their vertical slice preview build looked a lot nicer; not that that's the be-all and end-all of a Souls game, the art design is key to the aesthetic, and that's still great. Combined with this announcement, it does make you wonder though. I guess From's accountants needed something to sell that next-gen version that they're touting now.
The tricky issue is going to be splitting the user base. I don't own the game yet, so on purely technical grounds, I'd want the DX11 version, but will doing that cut me off from a higher multiplayer base? Will it prevent me from inevitably begging Malleus to help me kick something's ass? Who knows.
Do not worry for a second - as a colossal DS fanboy, I'm gonna be buying SotFS on the first day.
Otherwise yes, I'm pretty sure the playerbase will be lower on the new version.
I wouldn't be surprised if the reason they are releasing this game in April is that they are hoping that the success of Bloodborne will generate new interest in the DS games. Considering that this will be released on PS4, there is probably enough potential for them to pick up a lot of new players to the genre as well. Not really sure about the PC though; diehards with adequate hw will probably pick it up, but I personally can't see it gaining the same level of interest as when DS2 was initially released. Either way, while there might not be as large a user base as before I'm sure that there will be enough players around to help you out with some of the bothersome bosses for some time to come.Originally Posted by faetal
I will probably pick this up on the PS4, though if they do provide enough of a discount to current owners then I'll probably get this on the PC as well.
This "current gen remaster" will probably show up as a new entry in your Steam game library and NOT AS DLC. As I said before:-
Well duh the DX11 version is going to be incompatible. It's basically a new game with increased technical scope of the gameplay (eg increased player count in MP), not just a cosmetic upgrade.
I didn't mean on TTLG specifically, more the linked Steam Community thread and sentiment in the usual places like Reddit (which I also linked to) and RPS reader comments.
Which is exactly what I said.That said, a discount for currently existing owners would be nicer. Most of us here have already paid $90+ for the game.
...
Offering existing owners the upgrade for $10-$15 or so would be a nice gesture on their part.
Which is out in ~6 months time. They could enjoy potentially hundreds of gameplay between now and then.Plus, you have to consider people who only now bought the game, only to find out a better version is just around the corner.
Anyway a "next gen" version has been hinted at for months now, it's not like a startling revelation out of the blue.
http://www.craveonline.com.au/gaming...ed-at-gamescom
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/there...ox-one/0138547
Well, for existing players that are only interested in the new content and/or don't have DX11 compatible hardware anyway, they are going to be getting a rather good deal anyway:
To be honest, until now I hadn't read any of the articles linked to in this post as I was just happy enough to hear that there is more DS stuff on the way. Interesting to read that the DLCs will be included free as well though (if I am interpreting that correctly), considering that I have already forked out money for it. On the other hand, taking into consideration that the $30 or so I spent on DS2 when it was released earlier this year has resulted in over 200 hours of game play, I really can't complain about not getting my money's worth already.Scholar of the First Sin will also be available on PS3, 360, and DirectX 9 PCs as a compilation version that collects the game and DLC missions. While it won't include the enhanced graphics and sound, those versions (and gamers who already own Dark Souls II) will receive the additional content through a free, "large-scale update (ver. 1.10), which will add new features including an additional NPC to seek out along the treacherous quest through Drangleic as well as expanded story, in-game events, improved balance, and online matchmaking functionality."
I hope you're not assuming that vanilla game (DX9/PS3/X360 version) owners will be getting the Crown trilogy DLC for free via the content patch. Only the purchasers of the "new gen remaster" (DX11/PS4/XB1 version) will be getting said DLC for free, since it's probably taking the place of the usual "GOTY Edition" compilation re-release. The exact analogues would be Tomb Raider (2013): Definitive Edition, DX:HR Director's Cut, Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition, Metro Redux.
I was commenting on the sentence I quoted as it appears to indicate that it will be. It wouldn't be surprised if this was a miscommunication however.Scholar of the First Sin will also be available on PS3, 360, and DirectX 9 PCs as a compilation version that collects the game and DLC missions. While it won't include the enhanced graphics and sound, those versions (and gamers who already own Dark Souls II) will receive the additional content through a free, "large-scale update
We'll all know soon enough. Hope it's for free.
New patch notes:
http://bandainamcous.tumblr.com/post...ee-update-will
Attention Dark Souls II fans!
A free update will be available for all Dark Souls II players on February 5th, 2015 bringing gameplay enhancements and new story elements to prepare for The Scholar of the First Sin! (Ver 1.10, Calibrations 1.13)
Check out this new batch of screenshots that highlight some of the improvements and read on below for a full list of changes:
Added new character, The Scholar of the First Sin.
Additional item description text.
Choosing to enter the Covenant of Champions will now allow enemies to continue to respawn after being defeated.
Choosing to enter the Covenant of Champions will now cause enemies to inflict more damage to the player.
Players will gain access to a new item: The Agape Ring. When players equip the new Agape Ring, souls collected from kills during online play will be absorbed by the ring rather than the player. This allows players to control their online matchmaking experience by limiting their total souls collected.
Increased effect of Rusted Coin.
Awestones now dropped more often.
The bonfire warp selection screen will now highlight the top three areas where players will have the best change to connect with other players online.
White phantoms will remain in other players’ worlds for longer periods of time.
White phantoms will no longer return to their world if time runs out during a boss battle.
Players on their first play through can now match with players on their 2nd or further play through.
Made it easier for players to match online in general.
Made it so that invading players cannot use items which invite more enemies.
NPC conversation text is now displayed more prominently than online notices.
Players may now choose to cancel out the effect of the Human Effigy at bonfires.
When a player cannot take part in online play due to the effect of the Human Effigy, made it so that the player can still write signs. (They still cannot summon during this period.)
The Imitation spell now affects normal enemies.
The Hush spell is now more effective on normal enemies.
Load times shortened (PS3 only).
Calibrations no longer saved each time before the title screen.
Fixed issue causing map name listed on save data and actual map name after loading to not match.
Made it possible to skip the ending sequence the 2nd time through and beyond.
Removed the blur effect used when looking through the binoculars.
Rouge Water, etc.: Fixed issue causing the user not to recover spell usages for spells only able to be used once.
Made Old Iron King’s Crown’s effect function consistently throughout the game.
Adjusted price for Crown of the Ivory King, Ivory King Armor, Ivory King Gauntlets, Ivory King Leggings.
Fixed Issue whereby the sign in the Iron Keep was not displayed as intended once the player spoke to Lucatiel of Mirrah in Harvest Valley.
Corrected issue whereby users could not use Bonfire Ascetics at Undead Crypt Entrance Bonfire.
Adjusted timing for Licia of Lindeldt to become the player’s enemy.
Adjusted conditions for lighting Majula map from “Defeat Nashandra” to “Defeat Throne Defender and Throne Watcher.”
To prevent invasion after defeating area bosses, made the Human Effigy effect function in this situation automatically.
Made it possible to get the reward items after defeating area bosses even if your inventory is full at the time. (Items will drop in front of the player.)
Made it possible to get the reward items after using Crushed Eye Orb and defeating Licia of Lindeldt even if your inventory is full at the time. (Items will drop in front of the player.)
In Black Gulch, made it possible to receive Forgotten Key after defeating a Giant when the player has 99 Souls of a Giant.
In Grand Cathedral, made it possible to still receive the item you are supposed to get when talking to Alsanna, Silent Oracle even if your inventory is full.
At the Ending, if the player has fulfilled the conditions to receive Illusory Ring of a Conqueror and Illusory Ring of the Exalted but their inventory is full, made it possible to receive the rings properly. (Players will receive the rings as soon as space is opened in their inventory.)
Adjusted rewards in online play:
(Normal Online Play)
Host vanquishes invading dark phantom or arbiter spirit: Human Effigy
Host vanquishes a dark phantom summoned through red sign: Human Effigy
Host vanquishes invading grey spirit (Bell Keeper): (1 of the following) Titanite Chunk, Titanite Slab, Twinkling Titanite, Petrified Dragon Bone.
Vanquish host you invade at the covenant “Rat King” area: Added Smooth & Silky Stone in addition to Pharros’ Lockstone
(Covenant “Blue Sentinels”)
Vanquish dark phantom when summoned as help by a Way of Blue host: Devotion to covenant up +1.
(Covenant “Rat King”)
Vanquish client summoned to Rat King area: Added Smooth & Silky Stone in addition to Pharros’ Lockstone.
(Covenant “Bell Keeper”)
Vanquish host when invading as grey phantom: (1 of the following) Titanite Chunk, Titanite Slab, Twinkling Titanite, Petrified Dragon Bone.
(Covenant “Pilgrims of Dark”)
Host vanquishes abyss spirit in Dark Chasm of Old: added Human Effigy to Bonfire Ascetic.
(Covenant “Brotherhood of Blood”)
When invading, vanquish Blue Sentinel summoned as help: Devotion to covenant up +2.
Scheduled maintenance for this update (Xbox 360, PS3, Steam):
2/4 6:00 AM - 9:00 AM PST
2/4 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST
2/4 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM GMT
2/4 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM CET
2/4 11:00 PM - 2:00 AM 2/5 JST
Thank you everyone for your continued support of Dark Souls II!
Some great changes. In particular, some of the corrections to the online experience will make a positive difference.
Unfortunately, it looks as though the new gameplay and enemy placement changes do in fact require existing players to purchase the new version:
My copy of Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin for PS4 just arrived in the mail today.
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