CN Project Balance Strategy

1

• CN Project Balance Strategy
• Balance Game Play vs. Equivalency
• Cost Effective Process
• Simple Balance Tool

2

• Balancing vs. Game Play
• Balancing
• Establishing Equivalencies
• Game Play
• Providing Interesting Choices
• Game Play/Balance Relationship
• Perfect Balance is boring (no choices)
• Flawed Balance is boring (one choice)
• Need many correct solutions based on situation

3

• Balance Methods
• Mathematical
• Low Cost
• Low Overall Fidelity
• Good for basic elements
• Modeling
• Costly
• Moderate Overall Fidelity
• Good for complex elements
• Playtest
• Very Costly Done Right
• High Overall Fidelity
• Good for synergetic elements

4

• Layered Approach
• Phase 1 Formulas
• Phase 2 Mathematical
• Phase 3 Modeling
• Phase 4 Playtest

5

• Formula Phase
• Formula Components
• To-Hit Function
• Effect Function
• Combat Rules
• Design Criteria
• Numbers are comparable
• Universal Figure of Merit
• Common methodologies
• Mathematically transparent
• For any two characters armed with weapons of
  differing cycle rates, damage, different
  offensive and defensive attributes as well as
  different levels, what is the exact probability
  of Character A beating Character B in a straight
  up fight?

Where ASum ((AttributeAttkEquipAttk
Level)(1EnvAttk))K DSum
((AttributeDfEquipDf Level)(1EnvDf))C z
(ASum DSum)/( ?DSum) Look Up P(z) IF Random
lt P(z) Then Attacker Success Else
Attacker Fails
6

• Mathematical Phase
• Binomial Tool
• Simple 1-on-1
• Victory Impact FoM
• Establish Baselines
• Formula Constants
• Character Attributes
• Gear Attributes
• Nano Buffs
• All levels
• All rarity

7

• Binomial Analysis
• Used to determine the probability of getting S
  successes in N rounds given a known Probability Z.

8

• Base Line Phase
• Formula Constants
• Consolidated Base Line
• Primary Base Line
• Rarity Base Line

9

• Preliminary Balance Tool
• Uses FoM from Binomial
• Uses Target Ranges from Base Lines

10

• Model Phase
• Model
• Simple 1-on-1 combats
• Includes Specials (Skills)
• Add/change variable values
• Ability to generate stat log
• Tasks
• Verification/Revise
• Skill Baseline Progression
• Revise Balance Tool

11

• Playtest Phase
• Playtest
• Establish Modifiers
• Character Speed
• Finite Use Items
• Weapon Range
• Mega Attacks
• Area Effect
• Tasks
• Verification
• FoM modifier
• Revise Balance Tool
• Vendor Costing

12

• Vendor Costing
• Test Sustainability (SK FoM)
• VI tests at margins
• SK tests for Kills over Time
• Model constant stream fights
• Evaluate value of Defense
• Modify payoff/rewards
• Tasks
• Verification
• Cost f(SK, VI)
• Revise Balance Tool for prices
• Revise Experience Payoff