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    • Player Focus Group 3 (PFG3) now recruiting!



      Hi Shadow Era Community! The PFG3 will be starting soon and it's time for recruitment!

      Please read the FAQ below if you are interested!

      What is the PFG3?
      The 3rd Player Focus Group (PFG3) is a group of dedicated Shadow Era players from the community who will be given early access to the next set of Shadow Era to ensure its balance and quality is as high as possible.

      What do PFG3 members do exactly?
      They play with the new cards as if they had just gotten them as a released and balanced set. Either for competition or for fun, members will play the game to get a feel for how the new cards impact the game, the meta, etc. They will also be expected to complete tasks or assignments given to them to ensure broad coverage of the playing space. They will then provide feedback based on what they experienced to the Design Team.

      Why is that helpful?
      It allows the Design Team and Wulven to get an overall feeling of how the cards would be received in many different ways. This allows us to find any potential balance issues or design problems, that could make the game unfair or boring, and pre-empt them rather than run into them when the set is released. The continued play and feedback of the PFG3 members will show which cards are causing problems or which ones need another look.

      How can we ensure something isn't overlooked or ignored for whatever reason?
      The members of the PFG will be given challenges and/or tasks to complete to ensure that these cards are being tested, be it building a deck around a specific card or just trying to use it in general. Based off feedback, tasks can easily be assigned to cards that have potential issues or flaws. Be it too weak or too strong, they will be looked at.

      If a card is deemed too strong or weak, what happens to it?
      The card will be changed at the Design Team's discretion to bring it more into line with the goals and balance of the set. These changes will happen each "iteration" the set goes through. An iteration means something in the set has changed and it is a new set because of it. Usually, it will be in the direction of a more balanced and fun set.

      Sounds like this could be awesome, what else do I need to know?
      A few things:
      -All members must sign a NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement). In order to sign an NDA, you must be 18 years or older.
      -All the testing will be done with a web-based private server and not an app. This means if you cannot play the game in a web browser, then you cannot participate in the PFG.
      -You will also need access to these forums to discuss the cards, their iteration changes, and reporting tasks and feedback.
      - You should have the time to dedicate to playing matches, theory-crafting, and discussion. (If you're used to using a mobile app on the go to play, please consider how your available time factors in before signing up)

      I have another question, but I don't see it on this FAQ. What do I do?
      You can send me (Demnchi) a PM with your question or ask below.

      I'm still interested. How do I sign up?
      You can sign up by sending a PM to me (Demnchi) with the following information:

      1) The IGN you use the most.
      2) Your age (to ensure you can sign the NDA legally)
      3) Would you say you're a casual player or a competitive one?
      4) Do you enjoy theory-crafting/deck building, playtesting, or perhaps both?
      5) How much time do you believe you could contribute to the PFG3 on a weekly basis?
      6) Any other information you believe would be important to include.

      Thanks for taking the time out to read this and I look forward to seeing who will sign up!


      This article was originally published in forum thread: Player Focus Group 3 (PFG3) now recruiting! started by Demnchi
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      Comments 366 Comments
      1. Bayushi's Avatar
        Bayushi -
        Application sent.
      1. tman507's Avatar
        tman507 -
        Sent mine as well.
      1. True Life's Avatar
        True Life -
        Quote Originally Posted by Preybird View Post
        PFG2 was a blast. I will be applying for this one as well
        So... just curious, what made your experience in pfg2 a blast? What is the most enjoyable part of being part of the pfg?
      1. Gondorian's Avatar
        Gondorian -
        Quote Originally Posted by True Life View Post
        So... just curious, what made your experience in pfg2 a blast? What is the most enjoyable part of being part of the pfg?
        I'm not sure how much he can say, given confidentiality restrictions.

        But, to elaborate on the OP, being in the PFG means you get to: see all the new cards before anyone else, play with all the new cards, theorycraft with some of the top players in the game (openly sharing deck ideas and combos) regardless of your guild, have a hand in making cards more balanced/interesting/useful and have more insight into the development process. That sounds like quite a blast, right?
      1. Jazz's Avatar
        Jazz -
        Forgot to post - application away!
      1. Index's Avatar
        Index -
        Hope I can be chosen.
      1. Airact's Avatar
        Airact -
        Quote Originally Posted by Gondorian View Post
        I'm not sure how much he can say, given confidentiality restrictions.

        But, to elaborate on the OP, being in the PFG means you get to: see all the new cards before anyone else, play with all the new cards, theorycraft with some of the top players in the game (openly sharing deck ideas and combos) regardless of your guild, have a hand in making cards more balanced/interesting/useful and have more insight into the development process. That sounds like quite a blast, right?
        I think laughing at Gondorian (and sometimes Sooth) was probably one of the best things in PFG2.

        New cards, focused people that actually get something done, playtesting, seeing some really weird wording and mechanic choices etc.

        Also the ways outside the game engine we used to playtest were kinda cool, although a bit tough to use at first.
      1. Mr Test Tickle's Avatar
        Mr Test Tickle -
        would be so nice to work on something like this
      1. Warr Byrd's Avatar
        Warr Byrd -
        Why does everyone feel the need to make a post saying they submitted their application? It's not a tournament. Are people that desperate to up their post count?
      1. Jo3yb0i's Avatar
        Jo3yb0i -
        Quote Originally Posted by Warr Byrd View Post
        Why does everyone feel the need to make a post saying they submitted their application? It's not a tournament. Are people that desperate to up their post count?
        Yes

        That's +1 post right there
      1. Jazz's Avatar
        Jazz -
        Quote Originally Posted by Warr Byrd View Post
        Why does everyone feel the need to make a post saying they submitted their application? It's not a tournament. Are people that desperate to up their post count?
        You better address that question to Gondorian...
      1. SET Colosal's Avatar
        SET Colosal -
        Quote Originally Posted by Warr Byrd View Post
        Why does everyone feel the need to make a post saying they submitted their application? It's not a tournament. Are people that desperate to up their post count?
        In
        BP Colosal
      1. ahmet476's Avatar
        ahmet476 -
        Quote Originally Posted by Jo3yb0i View Post
        Yes

        That's +1 post right there
        LOL Maybe they are afraid Demnchi won't read their application if they don't post here too
      1. iClipse's Avatar
        iClipse -
        Quote Originally Posted by Warr Byrd View Post
        Why does everyone feel the need to make a post saying they submitted their application? It's not a tournament. Are people that desperate to up their post count?
        Well, if you want to up your postcount, just join the PFG. I think I made 1000-1500 posts during the course of PFG 1, which was 6 weeks (give or take a few).
      1. Jo3yb0i's Avatar
        Jo3yb0i -
        Quote Originally Posted by iClipse View Post
        Well, if you want to up your postcount, just join the PFG. I think I made 1000-1500 posts during the course of PFG 1, which was 6 weeks (give or take a few).
        Is the forums used for PFG going to be this one? Because if it is I'm definitely joining to up my post....

        Oh snap another +1 post
      1. iClipse's Avatar
        iClipse -
        Yes, it's this forum. Only access for the chosen few though
      1. Demnchi's Avatar
        Demnchi -
        Quote Originally Posted by Jo3yb0i View Post
        Is the forums used for PFG going to be this one? Because if it is I'm definitely joining to up my post....

        Oh snap another +1 post
        Its not as much as you think as some people decide to posts essays for every response
      1. a player's Avatar
        a player -
        I'm in!

        (799th post, BTW)
      1. iClipse's Avatar
        iClipse -
        Quote Originally Posted by Demnchi View Post
        Its not as much as you think as some people decide to posts essays for every response
        I suddenly remember a discussion about Blood Frenzy. 11 pages long and every response at least 2 paragraphs xD
      1. Jo3yb0i's Avatar
        Jo3yb0i -
        Quote Originally Posted by Demnchi View Post
        Its not as much as you think as some people decide to posts essays for every response
        Well.. If I was chosen (*winks*) I will be thorough and write essays for each discussion. =]
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