Author Topic: RP-event: Catch that Thief!  (Read 2748 times)

Cha0s

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RP-event: Catch that Thief!
« on: December 05, 2005, 08:09:21 pm »
Thanks to all that participated! Please post your comments here (and your account name if it differs from your forum name). I\'ll try to get up screenshots and a summary later. Also thanks to josePhoenix who helped run the event. It was a lot of fun, especially with such a good crowd of role-players. I look forward to running more events in the future (and coordinating them better)!
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LigH

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« Reply #1 on: December 05, 2005, 08:26:04 pm »


I hope we did not forget someone important...

The worst problems from my PoV:

- My graphic card, rendering mostly blackness when fog is enabled (see bugtracker entry #1309), therefore getting lost.

- Splitting the group, and not always gathering at a known next station. Related to being unsure about allowed or expected actions (e.g. if we may run somewhere, and where we shall meet afterwards).

But I\'m sure we will get better quests soon, which may not rely too much on special effects, more on a good story, maybe specialised tasks for some members, and more precisely defined intermediate goals.
« Last Edit: December 05, 2005, 08:33:32 pm by LigH »

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TheMinority

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« Reply #2 on: December 05, 2005, 08:28:26 pm »
I really enjoyed playing. The clues were excellent, and I liked how you got the NPCs in on it. ^_^ I just wish I hadn\'t slipped and died near the end... but! I was there for the majority. Still had fun!

-Sekhemet Basek

I have a few screenshots myself:


Sekhemet Basek, Depthseeker in the Explorer\'s Guild

seperot

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« Reply #3 on: December 05, 2005, 09:08:40 pm »
hah did i run off too fast after getting my stuff? i missed out on the after party pics :P

it was a cool rp overall though :)

Seytra

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« Reply #4 on: December 05, 2005, 11:01:07 pm »
Save the comments made ingame, I only feel it was too short, and / or maybe too easy. :)
That might be a good thing, though, since it allows players with few time to participate throughout the entire event.

It did feel odd to get an intelligent response off the NPCs. :) (and frankly, I didn\'t even think they could be part of the quest after the initial talk with Harnquist, until I got a hint that they are. :) )

As LigH noted, the group split, which I attribute to three factors:
1) uniform running speed:
There is no way of temporarily gaining extra speed to catch up in case you got delayed by texture loads, controls going mad, trying to talk while moving, etc..
This means that a group must gather frequently, and at locations that are known to be correct (without being obvious before arriving there!).
2) uncertainity about when to move initially. I think that accounted for the initial split that pervailed through at least half the quest.
3) lack of communication within the group. A formal game-mechanics group might have eased that, though it\'d take some discipline to not abuse it for quest information.

Also, the hints were appearing after participants had already visited the locations, at least occasionally, which was mildly confusing at times. That is in part due to the fanning out, and in part due to the tech issues.

But overall, it ran pretty well and was fun. :tup:
« Last Edit: December 05, 2005, 11:03:16 pm by Seytra »

Einnol

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« Reply #5 on: December 06, 2005, 01:00:49 am »
First off, I also enjoyed this event very much.  In my humble opinion, events like this add a certain \"randomness\" to PS that you just can not get with the coded, \"scripted\" quests since you do not necessarily know when or where they will happen.  I think these types of events and quests have a unique way of bringing people together as they work towards a common goal.  It shows a sort of devotion to ensuring that players have a truely enjoyable experience and it is deeply appreciated.  A big \"Thank you\" to everyone responsible for designing and running this event.

I also think things fell apart when the group split up.  It seems inherently difficult to keep a group of \"individuals\" together to begin with.  The only thought I have here is that I thought the blood trail itself was diificult to spot at first, and then figure out which way it went, and finally where it ended.  The first blood I spotted was on the far side of the temple, somewhere in the middle of the blood trail, but was then unsure about which direction to go.

Maybe if the blood pools were more evenly spaced apart and at the same time closer together, it would make a more defined \"trail\".  This might make it easier for the whole group to follow the trail together to what LigH called the \"next known station\".

I was motivated enough by this event to make my very first post.

:)

lucifeir

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« Reply #6 on: December 06, 2005, 01:02:51 am »
sry i missed the event i had ats (alternate to suspension) and was stuck at school doin community service.
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Clayzekiel

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« Reply #7 on: December 06, 2005, 06:18:29 am »
I was so lucky to be there at the right time, for it was just the greatest thing happened to me in PS. Is there a way to know about these events in advance? I think somebody said something about an IRC channel?

Anyway, the quest went quite alright, considering it was the first time they do something like this, as far as I know. It was very entertaining, especially in the end, where we caught the thief. Excluding the confusing part where the thief fell down and the sword left in the tower. It was somekind of morphing bug as I recall. The plot was nice, and I\'m sure they can do even much greater quests as the mechanics get better.

The group spreading thing could have somehow been avoided by better organizing by the players. It went all wrong in the beginning where the players decided to spread out. Communication will get much harder when the quests will no more limit to one area. Cha0s said something about solving that with magicrings or such, which would allow us to speak easily within the group.

This is truly what this community needs, these rp-events gives us just what it takes to make a very enjoyable game. I wasn\'t thinking about the reward in the end at all, the quest was so rewarding by itself.

In conclusion: we want more! :D

Drey

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« Reply #8 on: December 06, 2005, 06:32:24 am »
yes... well done Cha0s.

i enjoyed it... but had to run off towards the end (past my bed time)

on the point about splitting up, depending on the setting i dont see why we should all stick as a group.. for example if the reard being offered was only on a limited supply... or if some people dont like the big gatherings though i understand how this could cause problems for who ever is running it
<Rux> i wish i could say that narrows it down, but the internet is one freaky place

Ecolem

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« Reply #9 on: December 06, 2005, 07:00:56 am »
Sounded like it was a great success. If only i can make RP events like those.

*Runs off thinking of his master RP event plan*  :P

TheMinority

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« Reply #10 on: December 06, 2005, 07:39:16 am »
Quote
Originally posted by Seytra
As LigH noted, the group split, which I attribute to three factors:
1) uniform running speed:
There is no way of temporarily gaining extra speed to catch up in case you got delayed by texture loads, controls going mad, trying to talk while moving, etc..
This means that a group must gather frequently, and at locations that are known to be correct (without being obvious before arriving there!).
2) uncertainity about when to move initially. I think that accounted for the initial split that pervailed through at least half the quest.
3) lack of communication within the group. A formal game-mechanics group might have eased that, though it\'d take some discipline to not abuse it for quest information.


i actually had no idea we were all supposed to be in one big group. at first, i thought it was one of those race type things: catch the thief first. then i realized it was more of a group effort thing to track him down instead. *shrug* maybe that was just me.

Sekhemet Basek, Depthseeker in the Explorer\'s Guild

Drey

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« Reply #11 on: December 06, 2005, 08:22:28 am »
Quote
Originally posted by TheMinority
i actually had no idea we were all supposed to be in one big group. at first, i thought it was one of those race type things: catch the thief first. then i realized it was more of a group effort thing to track him down instead. *shrug* maybe that was just me.


sekky, sep and drey for teh win \\o/
<Rux> i wish i could say that narrows it down, but the internet is one freaky place

LigH

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« Reply #12 on: December 06, 2005, 09:59:08 am »
Quote
(00:06:59) Shilfarr says: Okay, in this thick fog it is not safe for people to travel alone, so it would probably be best to stay in one group...

You probably missed this hint (or order?). Happens, Sekhemet... :rolleyes:

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Drey

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« Reply #13 on: December 06, 2005, 10:27:29 am »
we heard it alright... its just... stuff.
<Rux> i wish i could say that narrows it down, but the internet is one freaky place

TheMinority

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« Reply #14 on: December 06, 2005, 08:53:17 pm »
oh no i knew it was a team thing, but i thought it was like a team race, if you would... like, group together, but hurry as fast you can.

and yes, we r0x0red! ^_^

edit: *gasp!* a red star!! i have a purpose! glee!
« Last Edit: December 06, 2005, 08:57:47 pm by TheMinority »

Sekhemet Basek, Depthseeker in the Explorer\'s Guild