NPC Vendors & Stand-ins

[Gyrannon]

I'm a new player, and though I'm fully aware that everything is done through other players, honestly til those numbers per planet are in the thousands, I don't see how it will work with the lack of those numbers.

I've been online in the day & night, an still there's hardly enough to help anyone pursue either profession effectively. Can you guys add an NPC per planet that offers stuff for every profession? Right now, I'm a brawler, I was going to buy a 2h curved sword from Bazaar Terminal, but the one person who makes those weapons are not online on Tatooine.

I'm just asking for NPCs that act as vendors like players, but have a limitless supply for every profession (just the armor, tools, weapons, mods, and whatever, except the components needed to make them - if they can be made an don't require you to simply buy it).

Also the other idea that I have is for PC vendors. Like the situation I'm in right now, looking for a vendor,, but none are online - while they are offline, allow a Player to have a Helper or Employee NPC that makes, sells, and takes orders, and have player adjusted prices (like you want your helper to sell this item for 2k credits, then the helper will sell that item for that price til the player changes the price or say you want the helper to accept only these types orders or you want him/her to make these items, but their skills are no better than the player that hired/owns them).

Til this is implemented, a new player is either forced to wait for a player vendor to come online or take up the profession on their own which is a lot just to help out your other character.
You could copy the Junk Vendor then change the rules & code of what that vendor normally sells. And just adjust the pricing based on the average costs of all the player vendors for those items.

Now I'm not saying: Sell Animal Hide or Lead Ore or things that could be acquired by looting/harvesting foes or mining/gathering natural resource components, just the completed stuff.
Like say I wanna buy a Speeder, sell the Speeder, not asking for the components/materials to make it.

I'm not asking for something ridiculous like piloting a Death Star or making Jedi/Sith available at start (like Sony did), I'm just asking to make the new player experience less frustrating by adding NPC Vendors that act like Player Vendors but with one difference; always available. And if you guys are up for the other idea, make Player Vendors' jobs less demanding by allowing them to have Slave Helpers (bought through Slavers) or hired helper NPCs.

This is all I can think of that would make the game so much better. Even if those NPC vendors charged a lot more than Player Vendors (like most players charge 1k while the NPC vendors charge 2k), they'd still be a lot better than having no one to buy from.

[evilryu]

You shouldn't need to wait for crafting players to come online to buy their wares.

On the Bazaar -> vendor search/4th tab iirc (select galaxy wide), there are thousands of cheap grind weapons of all types available on PC vendors. You just need to get the waypoint (there is a button for it), go to that planet and coordinates to visit the vendor and buy stuff.

This game can be terribly frustrating starting off but gets easier once you've for a combat profession running and some credits. I'm in GMT timezone, hit me up in game (normally on Angrysagat) if you need anything.

[guitarsmasher]

You don't have to wait for others to be online to purchase items. The main planets that have a high volume of merchants are Cnet, Naboo, Tatooine. Exploration is highly recommended as you will begin to understand the inner workings of where people are hanging out. Also the Auction channel has people selling their wares all the time. Simply look at the location they are posting which planet it is on, and that should direct you where to go. Secondly with the auction channel a good rule of thumb is if you see entertainers and docs in the auction channel its safe to say that they have merchants at that location as well. On tatooine visit Tuskens Bane or Bedrock, on Naboo Avoalon Prime, and Serenity, on Cnet the main selling hub is New Destiny, and there are newer cities on Cnet that are beginning to come to life as well.

For moving forward in a profession its wise to take your time until you understand the mechanics of the game. Make sure you have doctor buffs and entertainer buffs before you go anywhere, as you will not live long without them. Most of the entertainers and docs on this server and many like it the docs and entertainers are merely there for a service to buff people. They are usually setup on macros so watch the chat bubbles above their heads and follow their instructions to get those buffs. When starting out don't try to be a hero all in one day. Take your time, don't join the solo groups right away because your right you won't be able to survive. Without a group start out doing the missions on your own, because they are designed to move you along until you are strong enough for the solo groups.

Its not impossible to do anything in this game. You don't need groups right away and that is by design. SWG is a true sandbox game and is designed to smash your face in if you don't adhere to some common rules. NPC vendors are crap, NPC cities are crap. Player cities is where the action is.

Last I would say this, if you are not familiar with what the goal of SWGEMU is I'd highly recommend reading up on it. SWG Pre-CU is and always will be the best version of this game. Implementing the things your talking about would literally break the game. This game by design is meant to be very hard at first, and this server prides itself in being one of the servers that does not kowtow to anyone in regards to making it easy. Don't take offense to that because its not directed at you like you may think, but I was in your shoes once as well. Ask for help in neutral chat or do a google search to see what is the best route. You will be surprised at how much info about this game is still very relevant.

As far as the population goes, its a lot more active then you might think. I have been on every single hour of this game (not all at once) and I can assure you the community is here. Many of us are more then welcome to help out new folks, so if you see Evorus <-----that's me in game ask for help.

See you in-game

Evo

[Gyrannon]

I did ask for help tonight - I was on Tatooine, then on Correlia, no reply from anyone.

And one of the ideas it seems is already in the game (the helpers).
But yeah, on Tatooine, I've been nearly everywhere - hardly any players, most if not all vendor locations just show a glowing building, a sign that says what they offer, but the doors are always closed.

All this time, I've seen maybe 7 players total on two different planets, and only come across one vendor location where the player wasnt there, but thankfully I could buy. All for 1 item.
If this was Mandolorian Armor, yeah I'd understand having to travel through the galaxy for, but a weapon that is normally sold on a impoverished world, can't buy cause no one else is selling it, having to go to another planet is pretty ridiculous.

What I am asking for won't break the game, this is something EVERY mmo has, except SWG. I've played complicated games like EVE Online (yeah I've heard ppl say its easy, but honestly its only easy if you're a member of the MegaCorporations that are a conglomerate of Troll Guilds) & Secret World (where Synergy is the only way to get ahead & finding the best one for you is damn hard), adding a small convenience won't kill it.

Vendors are just that, they sell you stuff, and they buy junk from you. They're not as great as player vendors, but at least they are always there. Vendors are not like Superman or Thanos, only way they could break the game is if they one shotted everyone & everything & could troll people like troll players without ever dying.

I'm just asking for a NPC that is no different than those NPC trainers. They just sit there for eternity. How is a NPC that sells & buys stuff a game breaker? And I'm asking for 1 per planet, not one thousand per planet.

[Madroxtheninja]

I've been nearly everywhere - hardly any players

naboo... avalon prime.. they have a mall with everything you need, docs and ents buffing 24/7 and I always see people running around, im still not 100% sure on what you are wanting with 1 NPC per planet idea... the whole concept of this game is sandbox, part of which visiting the shops people set up.. all over the galaxy

[Laschana]

I am sorry you are having a hard time. The reason there are no NPC vendors that sell the things you want is because it goes against all the tenets of this game. It is also one of the reasons this game has no equal. Everything is player made here from the lowest beginner weapons and armor to the very best the game can offer, allowing everyone a market no matter where they are in the crafting ladder.

Player vendors are up 24/7 regardless of if the players themselves are online. A building that is housing player vendors can never be locked, you should always be able to go inside and shop. The only reason you wouldn't be able to go inside such a building is if you got a faction tef.

If you still need help today, ask for Laschana or any member of MG, and we will help you get going. This game has a steep learning curve but everything you need is out there, you just need to know where to look. Best of luck to you, let us know if we can help.

These cities all have buffers, shops, malls, and vendors:
Tatooine - Bedrock, Tuskens Bane
Naboo - Serenity, Con Diarmid, Avalon Prime
Corellia - New Destiny

[guitarsmasher]

I respectfully would like to say that this is not any other game and that this is SWG. I find it hard to miss the MASSIVE Malls on some of these planets. Tuskens Bane has a massive mall that sells everything in this game. Cnet New Destiny massive mall and massive amounts of players who sell their wares. Bedrock on tat massive malls that sell much if not all items in ther game. Avalon Prime massive mall as well. There are junk dealers in every single NPC City usually right outside of the starport. The forums also has a trade channel where you can do price checks, and peddle your wares. Also server reset is every single morning at 6am eastern for me. Many people choose to log off just before the reset.

I am even in the process of building a new city on Dantooine to service many of the players who do the missions on that planet. A planet where there is no trade yet. There will be a massive mall on that planet as well as soon as the project is complete.

Again if you need help ask in neutral chat. People are there, and maybe you are just having bad luck in getting a response I am not sure. Good luck in your travels.

[abys]

Hi,

Welcome to SWG! I think you may be a little confused, which is understandable as not everything is there for you when you start playing.

If you are in a main city, ie with the starport, things may look a little empty, that is because the player generally do not hang out there. They hang out in the cities others have listed above.
Hit Ctrl+V, open you map and set a waypoint for one of the player cities, or go grab a shuttle to them.

If you are at a bazaar, then these are only for small items, max 20000 credits, but in Coronet you will find speeders/swoops on there. In the bazaar you have a button that states Vendor Search. You then need to select "this planet" or "entire galaxy" and then look for the things you want, hit set waypoint, you cannot buy it though the bazaar because the vendors are player setup vendors. Go to the waypoint (again crtl+v) will show you where is is (as well as there being a distance number on the bazaar).

With chat, ask in Neutral chat, that one you should get a response, not spatial or planet. Auction channel will have adverts for people selling their wares, so also worth a look.

If still struggling hit me up on one of my chars (ctrl+p will open friends list) add names you see here and /tell them - im sure anyone will be willing to help.

[SandwichSam]

To reiterate at point made earlier, neutral chat is typically quite active. There people there that can answer your questions.

Cheers,
SS

[Gyrannon]

Person that quoted me saying "I've been nearly everywhere", you mention these planets, I already said what planets I've been to, I meant almost everywhere on those planets.

As for Tusken's Bane, been there. At least an hour AFTER reset, no one but npcs. Even went there hours before reset (10pm -800 GMT), same as before, no one.
Yes I've checked Neutral, I've checked Planet, I've checked Spatial. Nodda.
In Tusken's Bane, there's a couple places I have found vendors setup by players that are basically NPC Vendors (one store had TWENTY characters in one room all selling different stuff, but owners of these buildings, not online). I'd assume that Tatooine is the starting point for all player based mercantilism since its the planet everyone starts on. But most of these Vendor spots are either run by NPCs or are just blinding (walk in to one & you'll be like "Why is the SUN in here?!") but empty despite the signs (like Specialized & Custom Gear, its right in front of the Dancer Cantine - walk in, nothing but a bunch of stuff that you can only look at; no vendor options).
*note: this is recent, I've been up since 6pm yesterday, its 10am now*

And yeah, kinda hard not to notice that this game is different. But seriously every game can make that claim.
Secret World for instance: No such thing as Classes, you can master every aspect of the character skills without ever having to respec, but you'll still manage to find it hard AFH.
There's another mmo that deserves to be revived and I bet there's many of out there that have never heard of it: Hellgate London. That game was awesome even despite the poor hardware design flaws (having sys reqs be higher than what was available at the time) & numerous bugs. It was honestly far better than the current Horror mmo (that is probably dead by now), Requiem - Memento Mori.

Yes, I do agree, SWG is awesome. Yes, what Sony did to SWG (making Jedi/Sith available at start) was a seriously dumb thing to do. But this idea is not a game changer like making Jedi/Sith available at start. It is just a small addition, nothing fancy, just something that you'd expect to see in every mmo (regardless of how unique it is).

Even an NPC that just sells stuff for the BASIC Professions (Brawler, Artisan, Medic, Scout, Marksman, Entertainer, and Politician) wouldn't be bad. Could even leave a lil disclaimer; "If you can't find what you're looking for, might I suggest the vendors at insert player city."

[Laschana]

As for Tusken's Bane, been there. At least an hour AFTER reset, no one but npcs. Even went there hours before reset (10pm -800 GMT), same as before, no one.
Yes I've checked Neutral, I've checked Planet, I've checked Spatial. Nodda.
In Tusken's Bane, there's a couple places I have found vendors setup by players that are basically NPC Vendors (one store had TWENTY characters in one room all selling different stuff, but owners of these buildings, not online). I'd assume that Tatooine is the starting point for all player based mercantilism since its the planet everyone starts on. But most of these Vendor spots are either run by NPCs or are just blinding (walk in to one & you'll be like "Why is the SUN in here?!") but empty despite the signs (like Specialized & Custom Gear, its right in front of the Dancer Cantine - walk in, nothing but a bunch of stuff that you can only look at; no vendor options).
*note: this is recent, I've been up since 6pm yesterday, its 10am now*

With respect, I don't think you understand how player vendors work. Players who are merchants can set up (hire) their own NPC vendors in order to sell their wares, regardless of if they are online or not. These vendors serve as stores, we craft our wares, put them on the vendor, set a price, and those items will remain on the vendor for 30 days or until sold. The owners of the vendors do not have to be online for them to work, or for you to purchase items from them. Think of them kind of like an auction house functions in other games, however we can only sell our own wares on them, at a fixed price.

I assume you are talking about my mall with the 20 vendors. Some of them are mine, and yes, I sell my wares there, it is my shop. I can't be online 24/7, I have a life, I have other characters, and I have to sleep. But my vendors can be there 24/7 to sell you my wares regardless of where I am. That is their purpose.

The specialized and custom gear house you are referring to is not a shop, it is a personal house which one of our crafters works out of. Not every house with a custom label has vendors. The name is meant to reflect what he's using the house for. If you use your overhead map, hit ctrl M or just M depending on your keymap, you will see the outlines of each building. If a particular building has a vendor in it, it will appear as a small triangle on your overhead map. If the vendor has a certain feature enabled, you will even see the names of the vendors on that map.

If you walk into a building and all you see is blinding white, you need to turn off bloom effects in your options.

[Koven]

In Tusken's Bane, there's a couple places I have found vendors setup by players that are basically NPC Vendors (one store had TWENTY characters in one room all selling different stuff, but owners of these buildings, not online).

This is how most of the trade is done here. Merchants set up vendors and load them with items. If you are expecting to walk into a mall and find a friendly player waiting behind the counter to greet you, it is not going to happen. The best way to find any items you are looking for is to perform a "Vendor Search" from a bazaar terminal. You will get a planet and a waypoint to the exact location to that specific vendor.

What you are proposing may seem like no big deal, but addresses a problem that doesn't really exist and would be in direct conflict with the idea of a player driven economy.

[Felerof]

I seriously believe you have a misunderstanding of the term NPC for this game. The only NPCs in a player city are the trainers, and they are usually grouped near a Guild Hall, Cantina, Bank or shuttle.....places where there will be lots of traffic and easy access, and the Vendors. The other "people" in player cities MUST be player toons, however, they might be afk as buffers or doing afk grinding for medic, entertainers, crafters, etc. However, those cantinas in cities listed above, as well as many others, have players coming in them 24/7 to receive buffs, purchase wares etc.

As far as vendors go, the only vendors in found in NPC cities are the Junk Dealers (usually near a starport) and each one will buy certain types of items from you....ie some buy weapons, others buy clothing, etc. The only thing the junk dealers sell are loot kits to make "treasure" items like rugs, sculptures, etc. The other place to buy items other than player vendors are the Bazaar Terminals, located near banks and starports. These have items listed by players and available only at that city location. These are generally used by players without merchant skills to sell items they loot or craft. Usually only items that would be helpful to new players are sold on them. Most items are sold via a players own vendors located in personal housing or main malls.

Tuskens Bane has 3 Malls in town, the Bazaar Bantha and the Tusken Trader near the shuttleport, and the Bespin "Eye" Mall on the east side of town. All 3 have stocked vendors that cover most any item you need or want to buy. There are also merchant tents and player housing with vendors in them. Understand that these are NOT players as vendors. All Vendors are NPC....it's how the game works. The only reason you couldn't enter a building with a vendor in it would be that you received a TEF (temporary enemy flag) by attacking an opposite faction player or NPC, or because the owner placed an entry fee on the building. No buildings in TB have entry fees. I am not sure why you can't seem to be able to use any of the vendors, I am sure it is simply eather something very simple, or that you don't understand the mechanics of how to use them. I assure you that the Mall Vendors in TB are well maintained and supplied with their advertised wares.

Feel free to contact me or any of the <MG> officers for help or insight. SWG does have a steep learning curve, and not being able to find the right equipment can be VERY frustrating and discouraging. The bazaar searching can be a bit overwhelming at first till you get used to it and find some shortcuts. Generally, once you find a good Mall area with various wares, it tends to become your main shopping stop till you begin to branch out.

[Sionix]

I get the feeling there are many cities you have not seen. Have you tried these spots?

On Naboo: Serenity- I can tell you it IS active and it is rare someone isn't online. I can honestly say this because I am the mayor there and many of my toons are online often. We have many player vendors in town and offer almost every profession in a vendor form..
Avalon Prime and Diarmid are also hubs on Naboo.. and again I would be very surprised if you don't see players running around.

On Correlia: The busiest place would be New Destiny 1k out of Coronet. Always people running around everywhere and plenty of vendors!

On Tatooine: As said earlier in the thread Both Tuskens Bane and Bedrock are very active and have tons of vendors.

The mayors of these towns are all online often and it is rare you cannot find help if you just give a shout out in Neutral chat. Take a peek at the active towns thread that Laschanna has put up in the Player Cities forum.. it will give you the names of all the active towns in game and what to expect at each place. We have a good number of very dedicated players in Awakening.. it is rare you will not get a answer.

If I can help you in anyway feel free to shout out for Sionix in Neutral.. don't be surprised if I answer on a different toon. Like many others in game, I have many active alts.

[Cynar]

As you can tell players will come out of the woodwork to make an attempt to assist each other here on Awakening.

This game is built to be player driven so having npcs that provide goods would defeat the core purpose of the game design. Npcs cities were lightly used in live as people tend to gravitate towards towns of their own. We also had 5 minute shuttle waits at starport which is the only real reason there would be any traffic there most days. The npcs cities were great for the first year but past that nostalgia and pvp were the main traffic.

Take a bit to get used to the players and the game flow. You'll appreciate it later, I promise!

[Gyrannon]

I apologize if I was being a dick on this thread