darkSpyro

Ok, so it's inevitable, changes are coming. Big updates and more bugs. Hopefully they can fix everything without anyone losing any stuff. I've been playing since last December, and I'd hate to lose all my progress. What do you want in your kingdom when the new game comes? What do you think they'll bring? I hope we get more islands, maybe one for each of the swappers bottom half, mode of transport thingy (what do you call that?). Maybe we'll have to travel with Flynn to a whole new kingdom where we can use our current skylanders & resources. How cool would that be! I don't want this post to be somewhere for everyone to whinge about current problems. Let's keep it positive.

I would really like to suggest that before bringing in a really BIG update, the developers themselves backup all player's cloud saves somewhere safe. Is that asking too much?

That would be good.

I agree on more islands; that would be great, as I'm fast running out of room.

I'm wishing for a game(s) within LI; wouldn't it be cool to actually control your guys in a battle to earn gems or gold?

I don't expect too many changes.
Probably a new island (worth a zillion gold to unlock), some more skylanders (probably a new category) and not much more

I just started wondering if I should start spinning, now. I've finally built up about 25 million gold, but also have some building quests to make that I haven't done. I still have several Skylanders to get, including a couple of non-special ones. But if they start introducing Swap Force characters in a few days, I may never get a chance to spin for any of the special ones, as I'll probably just end up getting the new Swap Force characters.

I also wonder how they'll handle the re-releases, since they all seem to be called something different (i.e. Blizzard Chill, Ninja Stealth Elf, etc.), will they still just count as regular in Lost Islands, or will we get other variations of them.

Quote: obidawsn

I also wonder how they'll handle the re-releases, since they all seem to be called something different (i.e. Blizzard Chill, Ninja Stealth Elf, etc.), will they still just count as regular in Lost Islands, or will we get other variations of them.

I was wondering the same^
I definitely want more islands if they are adding more buildings/houses. But I did rearrange my island for more space last night and I could do more. It's not pretty and themed yet, but I hope to figure something out after SF comes. I'm excited for new characters.

I think the new versions will be separate from the older ones, like the alter-egos. They can't change the name. There will be heaps more, e.g.- mega ram spyro & dark mega ram spyro. Gill grunt will just get another crown because his name hasn't changed. It would be cool to have a game within the game where you could fight the trolls.etc. like in 'battlegrounds'. I wonder if they'll finally update that game?

I am currently unable to access my game past the loading screen. I contacted Activision directly for support when my game would no longer save and after making quite a few attempts to get me back up and running I made a suggestion that ultimately lead me to my current state. Yeah me!

To circle it back to the current conversation, luckily I was able to get to my local save by disabling network on my iPad. This allowed me to get in and take screenshots of every Island, my storage box, all of my companions, and all of the Skylanders I unlocked. This will greatly help Activision if they are unable to fix my cloud save. I suggest that everyone take those minimal steps before this week.

One final point, I want to be clear that I have no issue with what happened while troubleshooting with Activision. Not only was the guy incredibly helpful and a total pro but he's a big Lost Island fan himself.

Quote: Pico

This allowed me to get in and take screenshots of every Island, my storage box, all of my companions, and all of the Skylanders I unlocked. This will greatly help Activision if they are unable to fix my cloud save. I suggest that everyone take those minimal steps before this week.

You mean we should all undertake the 'minimal' steps of creating around TWENTY screenshots so if the developers continue to destroy player's games, we'll have an easier time convincing them to hand over sufficient gems to get back where we started after a few weeks? Yeah, that's a much better suggestion than putting any onus whatsoever on the developers to backup the cloud saves they've made integral to the game. Absolutely, let's take all those screenshots before every week's update.

STILL waiting for a clarification on this forum on why Thumpback's House was removed MID-update.

I'm not suggesting you do it on a weekly basis. I'm suggesting you do it this weekend as everyone is expecting a major game update because of SwapForce. As you pointed out it was approximately 20 screen shots that took me all of 45-90 seconds to take and that was while I was getting 'help' from my 20 month old daughter sitting on my lap.

I see it as no different than backing up a critical piece of software before you apply any type of major update. When iOS 7 was release I made an additional backup of my iPad on my laptop in the event that something corrupted with my iCloud. It's taking me longer to reply to your post than it did to take the screenshots, sync them with Photostream and roll them up to my support case.

I've been taking that step as a precaution. Seems like very cheap insurance. Hadn't thought to take a picture of what's in storage. I will do that too.

Woz, what's the issue with Thumpback's house? His house still appears in my game (I must have bought it long ago).

So much for positive.

Quote: midas73

I've been taking that step as a precaution. Seems like very cheap insurance. Hadn't thought to take a picture of what's in storage. I will do that too.

Woz, what's the issue with Thumpback's house? His house still appears in my game (I must have bought it long ago).

Thumpback's House was free in the big update a fortnight ago. Or at least it was for a hour or so. Then they said he was free but instead charged 350 gems for the house for an hour or so. Then they removed the house altogether. ALL IN THE SAME UPDATE. No explanation has been given on this forum why there was a need to remove the house MID-update. Some people got the house for free, some were charged but ultimately get their gems back if they contact Activision Assist, and the rest of us who never even saw the house, now have no way of even purchasing the house two weeks after Admiral Thumpback was released.

Quote: Pico

I'm not suggesting you do it on a weekly basis. I'm suggesting you do it this weekend as everyone is expecting a major game update because of SwapForce. As you pointed out it was approximately 20 screen shots that took me all of 45-90 seconds to take and that was while I was getting 'help' from my 20 month old daughter sitting on my lap.

I see it as no different than backing up a critical piece of software before you apply any type of major update. When iOS 7 was release I made an additional backup of my iPad on my laptop in the event that something corrupted with my iCloud. It's taking me longer to reply to your post than it did to take the screenshots, sync them with Photostream and roll them up to my support case.

You make valid points. I'm saying we shouldn't NEED to have a backup. Isn't that what the damn cloud is supposed to be for? A backup of the device's save game? If the developer of any 'critical' piece of productivity software released the kind of bug-infested weekly updates that Activision have trotted out recently, they'd go bust. And so would the people using it. We weren't needing to take precautions four months ago - why have the updates slipped so badly that such measures are now necessary?

Warning Veering Widely Off Topic -- You've Been Warned

It comes down to a couple of points.

First, expect the best but plan for the worst. I truly believe Activision did not intend for what is happening. I also truly believe they are trying to fix the issue. While I expect they will fix the issue in a timely fashion (that definition is up for debate) I will continue to take steps to protect myself.

Second, let's not forget there has also been two significant changes over the past month. We all know about update 1.6 but don't forget Apple also released a significant change as well. The problem is most likely a combination of the two.

Finally, "The Cloud" is not a one size fits all solution. Typically games like this offer cloud saves to either enable play on multiple devices or to prevent cheating in games that have some form of online currency. The model they use for Skylanders is a little unique. They allow for off line play and sync the data to the cloud after the fact. There are numerous threads about someone being burned by conflicting saves on multiple devices. The alternative is the Clash of Clans/Farmtown model that requires connectivity to 'The Cloud' in order to start the app. Personally I prefer the offline functionality for times when I travel.

The issue as I understand it (and that's just a SWAG from forum posts) is tied to the sync functionality. Either the local save, of cloud save, gets corrupted it is forced to overwrite the "good" save ultimately hosing both local and the cloud.

Oddly enough my problems started right after I canceled the cellular connection on my iPad. Apple has notoriously bad wireless functionality in iOS 6. I think I never had problems because the LTE covered the connection problems while the wireless card struggles to associate.

In short I blame Apple and I don't believe in clouds.

Many of the players who've had their games destroyed are still on iOS 6. So I'm afraid blaming Apple's significant change just doesn't fly in this case.

Activision took a stable version of the program, and crippled it with the 1.6 update. Why they would continue to roll out new content after that botched update to further complicate the fixing of 1.6 is truly beyond me. When we visit other people's kingdoms, we are simply accessing their cloud save on Activision's servers. For Activision to release major untested updates, make them compulsory, alter the updates while THEY ARE LIVE, and not backup those cloud saves somewhere is daft.

Bugs such as Ramses going missing and Thumpback's House being removed MID-update have nothing to do with syncing and nothing to do with the cloud, and two weeks later still haven't been addressed. There's also been no explanation of why gifting statistics have been removed.

Of course Activision didn't intend for any of this to happen. They just failed to take steps to prevent it happening. The entire Facebook/Activate/Cloud/Device interface is a complete balls up. Players are presented with save screens containing variables that may not change for weeks such as the number of skylanders or the kingdom level. That's stupid. Players currently press Activate and Save buttons with great trepidation thinking I hope I'm not making a mistake. That's how uselessly vague the interface is at times.

I've got a very slow wireless connection, and it coped just fine on my iOS 6 iPad2- before 1.6. The problems aren't with our devices - they're at Activision's end.

Your iOS points are valid. I'm responding on what my experience has been.

Please keep in mind that most cloud based consumption models are not designed for high levels of data recovery. Most cloud systems use inexpensive storage and rely on replication rather than a true back up solution. Replication, while typically inexpensive, has a major draw back of once data is corrupt copies of that corrupt data is pushed to the rest of the environment. Large systems like this are not designed for the model you are expecting.

Quote: Doobrywhatsits

I think the new versions will be separate from the older ones, like the alter-egos. They can't change the name. There will be heaps more, e.g.- mega ram spyro & dark mega ram spyro. Gill grunt will just get another crown because his name hasn't changed. It would be cool to have a game within the game where you could fight the trolls.etc. like in 'battlegrounds'. I wonder if they'll finally update that game?

You mean other than the update that didn't visibly update anything?

I think portalflip has details on Battlegrounds getting an update.

Quote: Pico

Your iOS points are valid. I'm responding on what my experience has been.

Please keep in mind that most cloud based consumption models are not designed for high levels of data recovery. Most cloud systems use inexpensive storage and rely on replication rather than a true back up solution. Replication, while typically inexpensive, has a major draw back of once data is corrupt copies of that corrupt data is pushed to the rest of the environment. Large systems like this are not designed for the model you are expecting.

Replication is more akin to high availability than as a backup strategy. Activision should have both, especially since it is a feature of an application they are delivering to customers and making money off of. Large systems can be designed for this model - it just appears that Activision's is not. And this topic is secondary to the cloud saving issue in general - if I can play disconnected and save locally, why does cloud save have to be so fragile for some? Is the cloud save model wiping out the old file before verifying that a new save file wrote correctly? And why can't a forced save to cloud from the options menu overwrite a bad cloud save? The best answer I can see is the design - or implementation of it- is bad.

Since I ranted, I'll post on-topic too.

Obviously I want more islands.
I liked the idea of a mini game where you can use skylanders in interactive quests/activities.
Social cache - download friend islands to a cache and don't automatically update it every visit.
Return of social stats
Help a friend - loan a skylander out to a friend to accomplish some task (I.e. Sidekick) or some variation
Building improvements - increases the quantity of or adds new payouts to existing buildings
Mob attractors - favors spawning of specific mob types around the location of attractor (and a similar item of opposite effect)
Swappable buildings - bottom half a house, top half a community building, unique output

I would like more islands
A portal to a battleground or similar sounds cool
Green puffy trees
Friends islands in a local cache, push out once per week perhaps so we can your fabulous new items and redecorating efforts without daily pain
Beatrice option to plant radiant fields only
Some ability to rearrange my skylanders in their selection screens so the giants are top left, then sidekicks, alter egos then special then the rest
All skylanders to have bonuses visible on their description not just some. Including those with fans having that noted and added to their stats


Btw i have ios7 and the update, not a single glitch ( which makes up for the horror glitch i had in april where i lost 2 months progress)

I am wholly against any type of local cache of friend islands. The game currently takes 650K of storage. Caching 100 other users would raise that up to 6.5GB. I'm not willing to give any game 10% of my iPad capacity.

I would like social stats back.
Also my son to get the Monday update and be able to get Barkley.

I want social stats back too!

Frankly, I'm not even that excited about swap force coming. Why? Because my kids will be getting swap force for Christmas, which means I won't be able to open up the characters and get their web codes until then either. No reason to spin for them now (unless you get your 5,000,000 coins back). So I'll be sitting on the swap force sidelines for two whole months...

I liked the social stats too, it let us see who was keeping their end of the deal. A way to turn off the hurry ups would be nice. I haven't done one for ages now, but I hate cruising around my kingdom and it asks me all the time, as if. I'm flat out saving gems for good stuff.

Quote: midas73

I want social stats back too!

Frankly, I'm not even that excited about swap force coming. Why? Because my kids will be getting swap force for Christmas, which means I won't be able to open up the characters and get their web codes until then either. No reason to spin for them now (unless you get your 5,000,000 coins back). So I'll be sitting on the swap force sidelines for two whole months...

You can read a skylander through it's packaging. With a portal, you might be able to read them through the box.

Quote: Aemi

Btw i have ios7 and the update, not a single glitch ( which makes up for the horror glitch i had in april where i lost 2 months progress)

Not a single glitch? You are having no problems with visiting friend's islands?

Finally got the Monday update (yay Barkley has joined the family) and the announcements that Swap Force is coming, so I should part with my money for gems to be ready. ;) Nice try Activision, but I do give you an A+ for Effort today.

I think we need more islands, DESPERATELY. I also really liked Qanai's idea of having swappable houses, maybe one for each movement type.

No matter what comes out for it, I'm excited. 12am Sunday cannot come soon enough. I am so ready for this update.

Quote: Aemi

Some ability to rearrange my skylanders in their selection screens so the giants are top left, then sidekicks, alter egos then special then the rest

Yes, please!!! And the last big update screwed with the selection order of the legendaries, so now it goes air, water, magic,... instead of air, life, undead,...

Quote: bjornolf

You can read a skylander through it's packaging. With a portal, you might be able to read them through the box.

That won't work since you have to have a new portal, and there hasn't been any word of a new BT portal. Plus, I'm sure they don't want to add Skylanders to their game before Christmas and give away the surprise of the gifts.

My wish list:
- More islands
- Social stats back
- Higher level max for Skylanders
- Swappers have to be swappable in the game
- Friends cap raised
- Mini games with your Skylanders in them

Midas73 = I wouldn't normally advocate this strategy but in this situation, I think you need to carefully open the package the day it comes out, then repack everything (as if it had not been opened). After all, you want to make sure all the pieces have been included right? And, if you alreadhave it opened, you might as well import the characters to ensure the codes work too!

I was saving money for another stack house, but went ahead and spun for my last two skylanders instead, mostly so I could get Barkley before the new characters are introduced.

#1 on my wish list is more Quigley/Beatrees style companions to reduce the mindless tapping.

I've always thought mini-games would be a great addition to Lost Islands, since the original games already have them.

It's probably too much to expect a full 3D battlegrounds-style game, but some ideas which might be a bit more realistic:

-- Lock Puzzles to speed up opening chests, maybe just for the gold chests? This would also work really well with the whole tilt control on the iPad/iPod

-- Skystones to win gems or random prizes - there are already other characters in the form of companions, maybe we could play some of our companions at skystones?

-- the original games have mini-games for shooting down stuff in the sky, like from the deck of Flynn's ship, maybe a game where you get to defend the lost islands from some flying trolls, sheep, etc.

These could all be things which are optional, so if you don't have time to do the lock puzzle you can just wait for your skylander to open the chest as normal, etc.

I'm not sure Lost Islands will need a new portal. My understanding the new portal is needed because the characters are larger so it needs to be wider to support 2 guys and I believe they need to push a bit more power to detect the top half of the swapper. I'm not expecting the swap function to work in Lost Islands.

Then again I could be full it.