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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. BaDass DeGrate's Avatar
        BaDass DeGrate -
        I guess I am out of the loop, I don't know what IGN means. So dont think I should sign up.
        Intelligent Gaming Nerd,
        Ignorant Guy Napping,
        I Got Nothing

        just not sure what it means.
      1. Index's Avatar
        Index -
        Quote Originally Posted by BaDass DeGrate View Post
        I guess I am out of the loop, I don't know what IGN means. So dont think I should sign up.
        Intelligent Gaming Nerd,
        Ignorant Guy Napping,
        I Got Nothing

        just not sure what it means.
        in-game name.
      1. tman507's Avatar
        tman507 -
        Quote Originally Posted by BaDass DeGrate View Post
        I guess I am out of the loop, I don't know what IGN means. So dont think I should sign up.
        Intelligent Gaming Nerd,
        Ignorant Guy Napping,
        I Got Nothing

        just not sure what it means.
        Yeah, what Index said, the username you have in game, the one that would appear during matches basically.
      1. Index's Avatar
        Index -
        They ask for ign probably to check your games I guess.
        That's why I play carefully these days
      1. Jo3yb0i's Avatar
        Jo3yb0i -
        I think he knows what IGN is and just making a joke. But I can never tell nowadays whose serious and who is making a joke
      1. Demnchi's Avatar
        Demnchi -
        Quote Originally Posted by Jo3yb0i View Post
        I think he knows what IGN is and just making a joke. But I can never tell nowadays whose serious and who is making a joke
        Fixing that anyways lol.
      1. Caitlyn0's Avatar
        Caitlyn0 -
        Quote Originally Posted by iClipse View Post
        I suddenly remember a discussion about Blood Frenzy. 11 pages long and every response at least 2 paragraphs xD
        haha, that was very heated and fun
      1. qaz92zaq's Avatar
        qaz92zaq -
        Really want to do this but don't think I will have the time once this starts unless it is basically during August.
      1. painful_smile's Avatar
        painful_smile -
        Quote Originally Posted by iClipse View Post
        I suddenly remember a discussion about Blood Frenzy. 11 pages long and every response at least 2 paragraphs xD
        Well and then it was totally overpowered after all. :-)
      1. Keaven's Avatar
        Keaven -
        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?
        You forgot to mention that the responsibility comes with one superpower of your choosing.
      1. Keith☆Star's Avatar
        Keith☆Star -
        Application sent
        Hope ill make it
      1. Alzorath's Avatar
        Alzorath -
        I feel I was fairly honest in my application for PFG3 lol... not sure I'll make it in (limited time) but yea.
      1. Vince19992's Avatar
        Vince19992 -
        Application Sent
        This program is very interesting, attractive and helpful for further development of SE to compete with other TCGs, especially in the period of upcoming of Hearthstone created by Blizzard.
      1. Demnchi's Avatar
        Demnchi -
        Bump, just in case someone hasn't noticed this yet.
      1. vinferno's Avatar
        vinferno -
        Hi Demnchi do you play alot? I play so much. I am at level 34. been playing for 2 years its been a blast with all the new cards that have came out. I remember i almost had them all then they expanded in 1.2x and it seems like every time i almost have them all they add 30 or so cards i love it. never gets old.
      1. vinferno's Avatar
        vinferno -
        remember when protector meant hero too. lol
      1. Demnchi's Avatar
        Demnchi -
        Quote Originally Posted by vinferno View Post
        Hi Demnchi do you play alot? I play so much. I am at level 34. been playing for 2 years its been a blast with all the new cards that have came out. I remember i almost had them all then they expanded in 1.2x and it seems like every time i almost have them all they add 30 or so cards i love it. never gets old.
        I haven't been playing as much recently (no worries, I'll be active for the PFG ). I'm only level 17, sitting on a 239 rating. Still love the game though (obviously ).

        I only went through one iteration of changes for Call of the Crystals as I joined in January of 2012 when the game was in 1.28 (I think(?)). I've played for nearly a year and half now.
      1. vinferno's Avatar
        vinferno -
        Quote Originally Posted by Demnchi View Post
        I haven't been playing as much recently (no worries, I'll be active for the PFG ). I'm only level 17, sitting on a 239 rating. Still love the game though (obviously ).

        I only went through one iteration of changes for Call of the Crystals as I joined in January of 2012 when the game was in 1.28 (I think(?)). I've played for nearly a year and half now.
        I had a 230 rating but it suffers a lot when i rebuild my deck which i do a lot. I am constant from 180 to 210 usually. Which hero do you use the most? I usually use an elemental or a mage. Used to use before they came out with the elementals and assassins i used mostly hunter and priest.
      1. qaz92zaq's Avatar
        qaz92zaq -
        Quote Originally Posted by vinferno View Post
        remember when protector meant hero too. lol
        I was not around for this but I am assuming it was 1.25 as I started playing in the beginning of 1.26 and everyone was complaining about the "Aeon nerf". Still back when protector worked for your hero as well it only prevrented attacks not spells or abilities.
      1. Jo3yb0i's Avatar
        Jo3yb0i -
        Dear Demnchi,

        Just a quick question. If an applicant is accepted how will he/she know and when will the chosen ones be chosen? Also, I'm paranoid so how many PFGers are going to be accepted? If the answers to these questions are confidential, just PM me the answers with my PFG acceptance. Thanks. =]

        Jo3yb0i
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