There is a reason why I haven't trained any skills in months. At this point the only reason I'm still around is the Role play aspect. I would love to see some better mechanics though. I agree completely on how hard it is to start a new character. In fact I have a friend who started playing, but was completely derailed when the rats in the tutorial started to chase him in circles (He took a video of it too). The fact that a rat chases you around is... Well its honestly just very frustrating.
Like so many others playing now, I don't know why I kept going. I'm glad I did though. Since then I've tried to train a little bit, but its taken hours to get to the point where I'm 'A mediocre fighter who is intelligent as a stone'. So after a little combat training being boring and time consuming, I decided that I would rank up more job skills instead. It takes more then 100 fish to rank up from fishing level 7 to level 8. Even after I find a good place, and just hit a shortcut over and over again, it takes at least an hour. Its just not fun.
If I wasn't drawn into Roleplay early, then I wouldn't have been around for very long at all. The trouble is that some people want to play a character who is half way decent at breathing, and want to be able to have the in game stats to show that. Yet, every one who comes to Hydlaa for the first time is a squishy, unintelligent bit of rat food.
That being said, I love Planeshift. I want to see it grow, And I don't think it will until this is fixed. Right now there is a very definite training bell curve. Its just upside down. I humbly suggest for the growth of the game, and community that has been there for me so many times that:
- New characters to start out with more skills, in specialized areas based on background. I think that 20 points in a few skills, and base stats at 100 that the game would be much more fun
- The training bell curve to be reversed, where its easy to get PP at low skill levels, and harder at higher
- That the prices for items are returned to the original tria guide (Mugs of beer for 2 tria, 50q long swords at 35, etc.)
- And that Roleplay be easy to access for everyone. This needs to be done by the players though. I've tried to do my part and talk to a few new players, and even give them some stuff to start out with, but more needs to be done. If the great roleplay community can band together and get the ball rolling with even the smallest "Oh hi there what are you making at the forge?" then the game can be so much better.
I have lots of hope for Planeshift. It has the potential to be great. But things have to change first. Thanks to all who contribute
Also... If you want some less shady work to start out with, check out the Stonehead. We're always looking for new members
http://stoneheadps.freeforums.org/index.php