New Wings, Back to the roots Options

[Shinichi Kudo]

I'm not supporting the idea that we need a new avatar-digo every month (yes, I know about DEP's financial situation), but yesterday I realised how many different avatars there are. I didn't even know there now are feral ponies and dragons. What I also realised is that we now have lots of new avatars, but no new wings. A couple of years ago, when it was still special to have an entirely different avatar like a dragon, phoenix or gryphon, the most common digos were still wings. So if DEP needs to introduce more Digos to raise their income, what about making new types of wings again?
Yes, I'm aware of the fact that there's an update coming up changing the way wings are put onto avatars... but let's keep it real: This update will most likely be released in... maybe 2015? ;P Just how the 24bit update "was released" a couple of years ago. Things are going slower than expected or announced usually, we're used to it and I'm not complaining. But instead of soon seeing a Fishen or whatever walking (or swimming?) around on Furcadia, I'd prefer seeing more wings once again.

[Kamose]

Right now, it's a lot more work to create a new set of wings than it is to create a new avatar. Every time wings are added, they have to patch all of the default species. With nine default species -- ten if you count the Bugge -- that's nine avatars (or 180 shapes) that have to be created for every wing type. That also means that players have to download nine more avatars, and DEP is concerned that increasing the download size might reduce the number of new players.

So DEP has taken the stance that it won't release any new wings until after the 32-bit update.

There won't be any new wings until after the 32-bit update. After this update, the wings will be detached from the avatars, so it will be easier to add new ones. Bee wings and "chibi" wings are planned for the future. It will also be possible to attach wings to other avatars, such as Ferians and the Nobles. Emerald Flame also says that Silver Sponsors will be able to turn off the wings of the mythical avatars or mix and match different wings from the avatars they own.

[Antihero]

Being able to detach/attach wings to ferian/noble avatars sounds like an amazing idea, imo, rather than just releasing a whole new slew of digos (winged wolven, winged catten, etc.) I know I personally would LOVE that.

Can't wait for the update^^

[Shinichi Kudo]

Right now, it's a lot more work to create a new set of wings than it is to create a new avatar.

Sorry, forgot that it would require DEP to work for their money!

[super villain]

Sorry, forgot that it would require DEP to work for their money!

Because making avatars takes no work.

[Kamose]

Sorry, forgot that it would require DEP to work for their money!

I think it's more about efficiency. Why patch wings onto the current defaults when they are going to be detached in the next update anyway?

[Shinichi Kudo]

I think it's more about efficiency. Why patch wings onto the current defaults when they are going to be detached in the next update anyway?

Efficiency is a word describing the ratio between input and output. It depends on what DEP is aiming for. Sure, it is money - DEP is a business. This is why DEP is selling digos. But are you sure it is inefficient? I am pretty sure that it is less work to draw wings than to draw an entirely new avatar. Look at this picture:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/Shin20/tris.png

The wings are the same for each avatar. The time used for ctrl+c/ctrl+v to attach the wings onto all the avatars is probably still lower than the time used to draw an entirely new animal in 20 (or 10, depending on how you do it) poses from scratch. I don't think that's the reason.

Anyways. I regularly read these forums. I know the stories, but I also know (from experience) that this update we're all waiting for won't be released until... I don't even know? Especially now, after the crisis. Whether or not this suggestion will be considered is up to DEP in the end, but I hate always seeing suggestions being shot down for the same old reasons, the standard arguments:

1. Too much work
2. Won't be added until the update is out
3. Something entirely different, but at least a little bit similar already exists
4. You can do this in your own (private) dream!
5. etc.

Who knows, perhaps new wings will sell better than new avatars seeing how there haven't been new wings for years.

[Brass]

We should do more with what we already have! Seeing as attachments, 32-bit, and........ accounts, the three major updates, are lightyears away, might as well spruce up main maps, add frequently suggested stuff like wings.. etc. Perhaps then players will become interested and WANT to spend money!

[Kamose]

Efficiency is a word describing the ratio between input and output. It depends on what DEP is aiming for. Sure, it is money - DEP is a business. This is why DEP is selling digos. But are you sure it is inefficient? I am pretty sure that it is less work to draw wings than to draw an entirely new avatar.

I am referring to the fact that if DEP releases new wings right now, it will have to go through the process of patching them onto every default avatar, only to detach them when the attachment update is released.

[Shinichi Kudo]

I am referring to the fact that if DEP releases new wings right now, it will have to go through the process of patching them onto every default avatar, only to detach them when the attachment update is released.

Indeed, but this update is, as Brass pointed out, lightyears away. When was it that Emerald Flame advised patchers not to work on new skins as the skin will be remade "soon"? How many years ago was that? If I recall correctly, the 32-bit update is "almost" done... it has been "almost done" for how long now?
I'd agree with you if the update was to be released this year, but that's most likely too optimistic.

[Damadar]

ROI is lower on Wings than Full Avatars.

Yes, I have research to back that up.

No, I'm not sharing it with you.

[Brass]

I am referring to the fact that if DEP releases new wings right now, it will have to go through the process of patching them onto every default avatar, only to detach them when the attachment update is released.

Why would they need to detach them after the new update? Can't they just draw the wings like they would for the attachments update, then stick them on avatars, which would probably only take like.. 10 minutes or less per avatar depending on who's doing it? Is there something I'm missing here??

[Kamose]

Why would they need to detach them after the new update? Can't they just draw the wings like they would for the attachments update, then stick them on avatars, which would probably only take like.. 10 minutes or less per avatar depending on who's doing it? Is there something I'm missing here??

Yes.

It takes longer than you think to attach wings to avatars, especially the ones with tails, such as the Squirrel. (That's part of the reason that tails will also be detached from avatars.) Furthermore, all avatars (including the free species) will be redone in 32-bit versions. Any avatars or wings that are released before this update will have to be done twice.

I don't disagree with you that the base avatars badly need a redo and they are on the slate for it, after the 32-bit update, like others here have said. In fact, every single avatar (and the other art for that matter), including the new ones will need to be made into 32-bit versions and have their extra animation frames drawn.

[Shinichi Kudo]

ROI is lower on Wings than Full Avatars.

Yes, I have research to back that up.

No, I'm not sharing it with you.

Gotta love you