So it may or may not be well hidden (I've given a ton of clues and even flat out mentioned) that our next update is coming.
And it is big. I am here to prepare you all for the new update.
We have been spending the last couple months studying our new engine and our new capabilities. We have been using these capabilities to make game changing updates that will be live in just a few days (discussed lower in the thread). You guys have shown me your potential, and I noticed your interest in the raid maps. You guys came together as a community with multiple grinding groups for Hackenn Ruins.
We am pleased to say that within the next few days, two new 8p raid maps will be released. These two raid maps are incredibly difficult, and will require a very coordinated group of well geared players to complete (note that this patch will buff Hackenn Ruins to remove grindability). With this, the 1p of Hackenn Ruins will be removed, but replaced with a new solo fight that will definitely challenge your potential! While it has no rewards, it is possibly the biggest breakthrough of a fight we have discovered, and we can't wait to see you guys complete it (if you can get anywhere near its completion). Details on this fight will be revealed on patch day.
To commemorate these new raid maps, we will be increasing the level cap to a large 270 for members, 225 for non-members! This will allow all non-members the chance to access the first tier of raid, along with all the current content for all members. Meanwhile, members get to go for the near-impossible challenge of the 113M 270 cap!
In addition to these raid maps, we am tweaking the gearing scale. While it will be the same challenge to get to Elektra+7/T3, getting gear above Elektra will require running the three raids - Hackenn Ruins (221), X (235), X (250) (hidden for spoiler). The items received from this mode are untradeable, and only one box will drop per map. However, this raid gear is far superior to your standard T3 overload -- while it doesn't give the 40% XP bonus, the 250 raid gear will increase your power by (up to) 4! Worry not though, because in PvP scenarios this gear will cap down to prevent overpowered raiders.
But a major discussion I am here to talk to you about is simple, where do we go from here?
The patch is but days away, with only ends to tie up. This is a big step towards my vision for this game, but I'm not making it alone. Seven different people took part in this update over the last month, from mods to raid design. But seven people do not speak for the entire community. This big change will require a lot of big feedback. After this patch, we will be closely monitoring your feedback, and we want all of you to give as much as you can.
And, as a poll, we are (were) currently debating in staff what to do after this next patch. Updating as is, all you members will have the option to grind as much as you can, but the highest sector will remain at 239 (Jura's Requiem). After this patch, we offer you two options, and I'd like the community to voice its opinion. Both options are viable, and one or the other will be released in the next patch (likely with some other stuff added).
First, we could add four new sector maps. Specifically, level 231 (Kyura's Requiem), level 258 (Gora's Requiem), level 264 (Ryura's Requiem), and level 276 (Zeon's Requiem). These sectors will give experience following the pattern I set out for the rest of the levels. It is important to mention that raids will no longer give a significant amount of xp reward. These will follow suit similar to how Jura's Requiem was, however the difficulty will be toned down significantly (due to raid mode declared as the game's primary challenging content).
Alternatively, we offer you a base update. This update will consist of a new rankings system for PvP and BvB, merc and mob rebalancing, aswell as a couple new maps with the ability to have multiple bases each! That's right, your team will each have more than 1 base, and your goal is to kill all of your opponents bases, rather than one. Following this path will shift focus off sector for awhile, allowing adequate leveling time.
We await your feedback! Please let us know where you'd like to see this game in a few months!