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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. Raphael Majere's Avatar
        Raphael Majere -
        Quote Originally Posted by qaz92zaq View Post
        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.
        Pretty much that. Aeon's cover included the hero.

        And aeon was not unique then.
      1. qaz92zaq's Avatar
        qaz92zaq -
        Also a 4/8 or was that even further back?

        Edit: Wait Raph you started playing a bit before me?
      1. Raphael Majere's Avatar
        Raphael Majere -
        Quote Originally Posted by qaz92zaq View Post
        Also a 4/8 or was that even further back?

        Edit: Wait Raph you started playing a bit before me?
        I started when it was cheese noobtube majiya; start of 1.25.

        Rumsey, yaemon, lyingdragon, benumb, killtrend, chlbrk, ice, silverflower, nerd4christ, AnAdolt, Danae, Kentuequi, jiminee, scion.
      1. tman507's Avatar
        tman507 -
        Quote Originally Posted by Jo3yb0i View Post
        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
        I've been wondering too, although I imagine we won't know for a while, as Demnchi stated earlier that we had a bit of time to send in the applications, so I think still a while before we know.

        As for Aeon, I believe back when he wasn't Unique he also didn't have the ability to buff other allies. Not sure though, wasn't really around back then myself, although I'm sure I've seen that somewhere.
      1. Rayzie's Avatar
        Rayzie -
        V1.23. Beat you, Raph!

        Banebow could target the same person twice.
      1. Raphael Majere's Avatar
        Raphael Majere -
        Quote Originally Posted by Rayzie View Post

        Banebow could target the same person twice.
        Noob. The term is ally or hero.

        Kairos would throw a fit if you called him a 'person'.

        By the way, one of my guild member (sorry, I can't remember who) was around before SE went live, I.e still in beta. (Feb 2010?) They play-tested a web version with the very old cards before they had art. Kyle had invited players from an open game forum to play the beta.
      1. Demnchi's Avatar
        Demnchi -
        Quote Originally Posted by Jo3yb0i View Post
        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
        I will announce when the applicants have been chosen, then if you received a PM saying you're in, then you're in. If not, then you're not. I'm not about to reply to every last application (takes enough time just to go through them all).

        I'm not certain when I will stop accepting applicants, but it might be soonish (this week maybe). It all depends on if I keep receiving applications (I still have to have time to choose them after all) and rather or not the DT says I should stop.

        As for how many, enough.
      1. vinferno's Avatar
        vinferno -
        Yeah i was around for 1.23 as well and I can say the game has got a lot better. I was complaining about slots for alternate decks back then and they finally added it a couple of months ago. also i would enjoy a speed match challenge with only 30 seconds to choose for advanced players. also you should be credited when someone quits, it can be 5-10 minutes before they quit, ten minutes is a long time to wait to walk away with no exp, gold, rank or fun.
      1. Demnchi's Avatar
        Demnchi -
        Hello everyone,

        If you haven't sent in an application and are still interested, please send one in now as we will not be accepting them for too much longer.
      1. Jo3yb0i's Avatar
        Jo3yb0i -
        I sent in like 5 applications. Accept me already....lol =] BUMP
      1. Berdugo's Avatar
        Berdugo -
        Quote Originally Posted by Demnchi View Post
        Hello everyone,

        If you haven't sent in an application and are still interested, please send one in now as we will not be accepting them for too much longer.
        just a question: are you starting to send PMs of acceptance for this?thanks.
      1. Demnchi's Avatar
        Demnchi -
        Quote Originally Posted by Berdugo View Post
        just a question: are you starting to send PMs of acceptance for this?thanks.
        No, I haven't sent anyone anything yet.
      1. Bayushi's Avatar
        Bayushi -
        Uhm, when can we expect the results of recruitment?
      1. Demnchi's Avatar
        Demnchi -
        Quote Originally Posted by Bayushi View Post
        Uhm, when can we expect the results of recruitment?
        I can't give out an exact date because I don't know either, but basically when we close the applications we will chose the members and then send them their invites. I will announce when invitations have all been sent. Since its closing later today (within 24hrs at the most) it shouldn't be too long before we pick the members and send the invitations. I appreciate your patients.
      1. Jazz's Avatar
        Jazz -
        Quote Originally Posted by Demnchi View Post
        I appreciate your patients.
        Bayushi is a doctor?! I didn't know that!
      1. Deja Vu's Avatar
        Deja Vu -
        Quote Originally Posted by Jazz View Post
        Bayushi is a doctor?! I didn't know that!
        Jerk! Leave him alone. haha
      1. Jo3yb0i's Avatar
        Jo3yb0i -
        Based on the amount of post and people who said they applied I only counted less than 30 people who applied, there are probably more who didn't declare they applied. But again only demnchi knows how much applicants applied
      1. Jazz's Avatar
        Jazz -
        Quote Originally Posted by Deja Vu View Post
        Jerk! Leave him alone. haha
        Where's an admin to ban this offensive member?!
      1. Berdugo's Avatar
        Berdugo -
        Quote Originally Posted by Jazz View Post
        Bayushi is a doctor?! I didn't know that!
        epic win
      1. Jazz's Avatar
        Jazz -
        Quote Originally Posted by Berdugo View Post
        epic win
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