Who is "the PlaneShift player"?

[LigH]

In my opinion, "the typical PlaneSHift player" needs to have some tolerance against technical flaws (incompleteness, bugs, crashes, server downtime...) as well as community flaws (very manifold player characters, demands / pretensions / expectations of different levels) - but will be rewarded with a great experience once he got used to it.

[zanzibar]

Here's one way I might answer:

The PlaneShift player is looking for an immersive RPG experience with the possibility of exploration, puzzle solving, and character growth.  The PlaneShift player is more interested in cooperative game play than competitive game play.  The PlaneShift player prefers gaming accomplishments that are rewarded based on creativity rather than accomplishments based on grinding.  The PlaneShift player sees in-character roleplay as its own reward rather than as a device that facilitates action.

[ravenrise]

I think the main quality a planeshift player should have is: PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Really even in the non-rp server(I have never been there) People don't deserve to be bombarded with insults from jerks.
And for all you jerks out there: Most people dont like jerks.
Just something for you to chew on.

[Gravemind]

Well, now we have a non-RP server. I haven't logged on to it since it first went up, so I don't know if it's been successful, but it seems that RP is no longer a vital aspect of the PS player.

The PlaneShift player is someone who prefers community and storyline over mindless game mechanics for advancement. Also, the PlaneShift player should be literate

[zanzibar]

Well, now we have a non-RP server. I haven't logged on to it since it first went up, so I don't know if it's been successful, but it seems that RP is no longer a vital aspect of the PS player.

The non-RP server isn't really a part of PlaneShift since the settings don't apply there.  What the developers told us is that they were creating the new server so the community could split.  The people who couldn't stand being around roleplayers were given a new sandbox to play in so that everyone is happier and everyone has less justification to complain about things.  PlaneShift is still PlaneShift.

The PlaneShift player is someone who prefers community and storyline over mindless game mechanics for advancement. Also, the PlaneShift player should be literate

[Liadan]

The tendency among those who stay in planeshift today would be this imo:

-Above average intelligence.
-Aged 23-35 (this is an average our players are all ages, but I'd say this is the roundabout figure).
-Advanced in computer literacy.
-Imaginative.
-Likes snorks.

To this I will add, usually has post-secondary education (either completed or not), ranges from PlaneShift being one of a collection of games that they play to the only MMO that they play.

Zanzibar, why do you want to know who the PlaneShift player is? If i could suggest a change in wording, perhaps you should ask, who is the average PlaneShift player, rather than assuming that the players of PlaneShift are of one making. Although, we have been able to categorize the players of PlaneShift, you still have to keep into consideration those that may not fall within such parameters.

[verden]

Zanzibar's question implies that he is asking about the average PS player, he does not have to state it explicitly. Despite anyone wanting to believe that we are all radically different, beautiful and unique snowflakes, we have more commonalities than we do differences. The players are not all that different from one another. Don't tell them that though.

[zanzibar]

Zanzibar's question implies that he is asking about the average PS player, he does not have to state it explicitly. Despite anyone wanting to believe that we are all radically different, beautiful and unique snowflakes, we have more commonalities than we do differences. The players are not all that different from one another. Don't tell them that though.

I more mean, who is the imaginary ideal player that PlaneShift is being made for?  Who is PlaneShift's target?

[LigH]

This question would be directed to the head of the development - including the Settings and PR leaders, and nevertheless the founder...

[zanzibar]

This question would be directed to the head of the development - including the Settings and PR leaders, and nevertheless the founder...

Wouldn't that would be a different question with a different motive?  The question one would pose to Talad is "What gamer profile is the team currently using in developing PlaneShift?"  It's a statement of how things are rather than how things might be.  Plus I think there's something to be gained by looking towards the player community to see how it defines itself.  And by asking questions to the player community, you get a much more interesting response since there's a multitude of answers and you can find things you couldn't predict.  Plus based on my discussions with various developers I think some of the posts here are potentially valuable to their efforts.  And there's no reason developers can't post their own answers here (some already have!).

[StitchedChin]

Who is the Planeshift player... I'm going with someone that does not want to be restricted in anyway.  They can be whatever they want to be, jack of all trades, a specialist, a hero, a villain, a merchant, a foul mouthed dwarf that gets on everyone's nerves, a legend of the tavern scene, etc.  And they'll be a mix of a power-leveler that can stay in character and will always jump into a role-play when presented.  Using mechanics to make their role-play more than just text.  I'm imagining this when the game has the multitude of skills available to everyone and working.  It'd be an interesting sight to see thousands of citizens hustling and bustling around the world doing all the things that we read about before signing up to play PS.  But until then, the PS player uses what they have available and sticks around because they enjoy the community.

[zanzibar]

Who is the Planeshift player... I'm going with someone that does not want to be restricted in anyway.  They can be whatever they want to be, jack of all trades, a specialist, a hero, a villain, a merchant, a foul mouthed dwarf that gets on everyone's nerves, a legend of the tavern scene, etc.  And they'll be a mix of a power-leveler that can stay in character and will always jump into a role-play when presented.  Using mechanics to make their role-play more than just text.  I'm imagining this when the game has the multitude of skills available to everyone and working.  It'd be an interesting sight to see thousands of citizens hustling and bustling around the world doing all the things that we read about before signing up to play PS.  But until then, the PS player uses what they have available and sticks around because they enjoy the community.

I like this answer quite a lot.  A really great feature about PlaneShift is that you can be a pauper or a cook or a traveler, and you'll find support in both the community and the game mechanics.

[Under the moon]

Who is the target player of the game? Well, that depends on who you ask. There is not a cohesive vision on 'that player', and never will be.

Talad likes to see the game as something for those of a heavy Pen&Paper background, relying on statistics to dictate what your character can do (aka, no 'twitch' play), and a heavy 'stay in character' mindset.

Vengeance, on the other hand, considers roleplaying and statistics the bane of the game, and envisions the game being more like mainstream games, built more for 'twitch' players with no RP rules, teamspeak, and a completely relaxed environment that would bring in the most players.

Xillix (bless his noob-eating-heart) wishes the game to be for those with more imagination, who will always push the boundaries of what the mechanics can do, and create a 'living' community within the game that accepts multiple types of players (though generally those of a higher standards and intelligence) with mechanics built to suit multiple playstyles, from the dedicated roleplayer to the dedicated skill-gainer.

It is all about perspective, and if you ask ten people, you will get ten answers. When the top brass can't even agree on the 'ideal player', that is not likely to change anytime soon. So the best thing you can do is to enjoy being your type of player, and let others do the same.

[zanzibar]

Who is the target player of the game? Well, that depends on who you ask. There is not a cohesive vision on 'that player', and never will be.

Talad likes to see the game as something for those of a heavy Pen&Paper background, relying on statistics to dictate what your character can do (aka, no 'twitch' play), and a heavy 'stay in character' mindset.

Vengeance, on the other hand, considers roleplaying and statistics the bane of the game, and envisions the game being more like mainstream games, built more for 'twitch' players with no RP rules, teamspeak, and a completely relaxed environment that would bring in the most players.

Xillix (bless his noob-eating-heart) wishes the game to be for those with more imagination, who will always push the boundaries of what the mechanics can do, and create a 'living' community within the game that accepts multiple types of players (though generally those of a higher standards and intelligence) with mechanics built to suit multiple playstyles, from the dedicated roleplayer to the dedicated skill-gainer.

It is all about perspective, and if you ask ten people, you will get ten answers. When the top brass can't even agree on the 'ideal player', that is not likely to change anytime soon. So the best thing you can do is to enjoy being your type of player, and let others do the same.

Xillix and Talad seem to have similar goals, with Xillix putting more importance on the game world "coming to life".

[Roled]

Ladies and Sirs~
especially Xillix

I be one of the players who is not technically savvy at all, yet enjoy very very much the quests, the role playing, exploring the world, finding new and hidden magics, discovering conspiracies and generally being as helpful an elf as I can be. I have to get me mates to help me with computer stuff- one of my pals just 'built' 'complled'- something! the files on my ubuntu computer that I bought because I couldn no longer play ps after the upgrade in November, windows wouldn't allow the client to load. Several folks here in the forums and on MIRC helped me try lots of things for over a month. Specialy thanks to Pizik for sticking with Roled through the agonizing and eventually successful attempt to load different 'drivers'- even tho the new driver didn't solve the problem.

Anyway now the game looks LOTS better- lots lots lots! and Roled is encouraged again... not to learn the tech stuff which frankly fills my brain with stuff I don't particularly find interesting, but to be ingame more. rp more and meet more folks.

So one small Dermorian voice who isn't interested in the tech, so long as it works, and works well!
yers,

Roled Rolak