Feature Lockdown: Combat Revision 2.0
The big news for this week is that we've locked down major changes for Combat Revision 2.0. The recent updates have moved the changes much closer to completion and we want to focus on balance, polish, and bug fixing. We're still reviewing everyone's feedback about things they'd like to see, but no more major changes will be made before we release CR2.0 to the live game.

That doesn't mean there aren't more things for the community to see in future External Playtest server updates. The team is hammering away at enhanced items and updating special NPCs, such as those hiding in Pandora's Boxes. There are also some damage and IS-usage tweaks in the works that address a lot of your concerns. It's the community feedback that's gotten us this far, and we're looking forward to more once these updates make it out to you for testing.

Creston Hideout Testing
This thread was mentioned in Community Uplink this week, but I'd like to bring it up here, as well. To sum up: A group of players got together and ran the Creston Heights Exile Hideout on the External Playtest server. For anyone interested in some testing focus, this is exactly the kind of thing we need to polish the system.

Not only did the group find some bugs to report, but we got some great feedback on how combat feels to players right now. It pointed out both things we were already working on and things we weren't necessarily aware of. Thanks again to everyone who has been providing feedback from the External Playtest server.

There are still a lot of hideouts we'd like to get feedback on, along with the Constructs and Pandora's Boxes. If you've got a character that is the right level for any of these areas, we'd love to hear your feedback on them. The devs might not be lurking when you do your runs, but you never know when they'll be popping in. ;)

Cryptos' Call
In case you missed it, the team has come up with a way you can show your colors. (If your color is blue, that is.) If your Faction is sympathetic to the Cypherite cause, you now have the chance to earn a Cypherite "tag" for your Faction name.

You will have to earn it, though. You'll have to figure out Cryptos' riddle and give the answer to your local Machine liaison. (Heh. Local Machine.) Those responding correctly will be able to arrange having the tag added to their Faction name by the Customer Service Team. For full details, make sure you check out Rarebit's post here.

Knowing how important these splinter Organizations are to the community, the designers decided they'd find a way to at least give everyone a chance to "be" part of them. Although this doesn't change PvP flagging, it does show where your allegiances lie. Thanks to HCFrog, Rarebit, and the CSR staff for putting this together.

Look for another announcement about E Pluribus Neo in the future.

2006 SOE Fan Faire
On a final note: Online registration for this year's Fan Faire is now live at http://events.station.sony.com/fanfaire/. It takes place from April 6th through 8th in Hotlanta...er, Atlanta, Georgia. The featured games are EverQuest, EverQuest 2, EverQuest Online Adventures, and Planetside, but folks from all over SOE will be there. You're more than welcome to join us this year, even if you don't play one of those SOE games.

This will be my first public outing as Community Relations Manager for The Matrix Online since the 2004 Penny Arcade Expo here in Seattle. I'm looking forward to joining in on the fun and meeting the folks who play our games. If you can attend, make sure you find me and say "Hi"!

And, no, I don't do karaoke. Ever heard a walrus sing? :P

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