Author Topic: In-Game Experiment  (Read 894 times)

zanzibar

  • Forum Legend
  • *
  • Posts: 6523
    • View Profile
In-Game Experiment
« on: November 06, 2006, 09:50:27 am »
Basically, I want to run very simple in-game events which are formulaic and possible to run with only three people who are "in" on it.  The general formula will be some sort of task involving finding someone who then gives information and materials for the solution, and then the participating players have two choices on how to finish the quest.  There will be an altruistic solution where the participant gets the gratitude of the quest giver, or the participant can choose a selfish solution where there will be some cash reward but someone will probably be hurt by it.

Some examples:

- Someone lost their mother's ring.  After finding the ring, you can either return the ring to the owner, or sell it to a slimey collector for cash.
- Someone needs information about a crimescene.  After recieving some information and a weapon, you can give the weapon to the investigator, or you can secretly sell it to a dark stranger.  (If you chose the latter solution, the investigator might say something like "Thanks for the information, but it's too bad you didn't find any physical evidence like a weapon.  I doubt that we'll ever find out who's guilty.")

There are other variations of it, but it's pretty basic stuff.  It would be done in such a way that multiple people could do the quest.

There are a few reasons that I would like to do this.  I'm curious to see who would be more interested in participating:  New players, or old players.  Also, I want to see how feasible such events are to organize on an ongoing basis.  I'm also curious to see which solution players go with more often

If you would like to help me run something like this, just send me a /tell when we're both in game.  If you decide to do something like this by yourself, please post here describing how it went.
Quote from: Raa
Immaturity is FTW.

Peacer

  • Veteran
  • *
  • Posts: 1079
  • I've got balls of steel
    • View Profile
Re: In-Game Experiment
« Reply #1 on: November 06, 2006, 10:18:57 am »
interesting, good initiative... and count me in :)

we'll need money though *thinks about the gold mine*
The Guardians of Power

left the game, looking in now and then to check progress, if you want to contact me use the email attached to the msn contact on this forum account

bilbous

  • Guest
Re: In-Game Experiment
« Reply #2 on: November 06, 2006, 03:36:21 pm »
There is always the possibility the participants will choose an option you have not considered such as give the ring to a begger or the knife to an urchin and leave the challenge mid-stream.

Have fun with it and expect the unexpected.

zhai

  • Hydlaa Citizen
  • *
  • Posts: 391
    • View Profile
Re: In-Game Experiment
« Reply #3 on: November 06, 2006, 04:29:46 pm »
Indeed. Sounds interesting and also reminds me of an earlier discussion about "originality" in which some stated that RP events should always aim to being unique and try not to repeat previous concepts, whereas others argued that since each person RPs differently, there would be a totally different experience for each player despite the common concept. This idea of yours could actually prove this.
:: The Flaming Feather :: Lady of the Rangers ::

Nikodemus

  • Prospects
  • Veteran
  • *
  • Posts: 1808
    • View Profile
Re: In-Game Experiment
« Reply #4 on: November 06, 2006, 05:08:41 pm »
Given that there are these two possibilities and a group of people... the choice they take will depend a lot of the situation. I will take mine character as example.
I would give both the weapon and information to the guards only to understand more details from the crime, somethink what i can learn only from them.
From other side, if there was a chance to find more informations by doing somethink else with the weapon or giving it to someone else, i would choose that option instead; Made copy of the note with information and maybe tried to find everythink by myself in a way i wish and like, maybe learn secret which will lead me to another - completly unrelated to previous case.
People may choose very differently.
Nonetheless it will be interesting to see the results. It will be pleasure to see another proof that people who thinks there are aligments are wrong. Maybe some of them change their minds.

I'd say i will try to be on these quests, but as i look at the time i spent in-game i think i will miss it anyway.



What you can failure tommorow, failure today.


Better click for shiny stylez Help me with images!

zanzibar

  • Forum Legend
  • *
  • Posts: 6523
    • View Profile
Re: In-Game Experiment
« Reply #5 on: November 06, 2006, 05:13:25 pm »
There is always the possibility the participants will choose an option you have not considered such as give the ring to a begger or the knife to an urchin and leave the challenge mid-stream.

Have fun with it and expect the unexpected.


In which case they've abandoned the quest.
Quote from: Raa
Immaturity is FTW.

bilbous

  • Guest
Re: In-Game Experiment
« Reply #6 on: November 06, 2006, 05:50:33 pm »
There is always the possibility the participants will choose an option you have not considered such as give the ring to a begger or the knife to an urchin and leave the challenge mid-stream.

Have fun with it and expect the unexpected.


In which case they've abandoned the quest.


Indeed but a possibility that could be accounted for. Very little in life is binary, yes/no decisions unless you are dealing with great specificity or great generality.

What happens if they give the ring/dagger to the begger/urchin and tell them where they can claim the reward claiming none of the credit for themself?

Of course there are no urchins in the game but there are plenty of beggers at times. And nothing prevents someone role playing an urchin regardless of how incongruous the adult form of the avatars may be.

Irri

  • Traveller
  • *
  • Posts: 24
  • Rrr...
    • View Profile
Re: In-Game Experiment
« Reply #7 on: November 06, 2006, 06:17:49 pm »
* Irri tilts her head, smiling.

Was-urchin before became-smith!

Monketh

  • Veteran
  • *
  • Posts: 1674
  • aka GovernmentAgent, CorporateAgent
    • View Profile
    • Niihama.ws
Re: In-Game Experiment
« Reply #8 on: November 06, 2006, 09:25:30 pm »
Dr Zanzibar says: Would you like to participate in a psychological experiment?
Playerwon says: Do I get like paid?
Dr Zanzibar says: Possibly, that depends on the outcome.
Playertoo says: what about me?
Dr Zanzibar says: We need more than one participant, so likewise.
Playerwon says: Like how much?
Playertoo says: yeah!  when?
Dr Zanzibar says: The amount is not important.  I want you --
Dr Zanzibar points at Playerwon
Dr Zanzibar says: to be the beggar.  ...and you--
Dr Zanzibar points at Playertoo
Dr Zanzibar says: to be the main subject.
Playertoo says: ha!  i'm the main subject and ur just the beggar.
Playerwon says: I dont want to be the beggar...
Dr Zanzibar hands the participants their objects.
Dr Zanzibar says: Ok, now I will discuss your role with you, playerwon.
Playertoo says: HA! I AM EVIL!
Playertoo has just quit Planeshift.


Lesson: Pick your subjects carefully.

Edit: ...Although I do like the idea.
The key to manipulative bargaining is to ask for something twice as big as what you want, then smile and nod when you are talked down to your original wish. You are still young, my apprentice, and have much to learn in the ways of the force. -UtM

zanzibar

  • Forum Legend
  • *
  • Posts: 6523
    • View Profile
Re: In-Game Experiment
« Reply #9 on: November 06, 2006, 09:59:31 pm »
Indeed but a possibility that could be accounted for.


I don't see why we have to account for it... if someone decides to run off with a cheep item like a sac, it won't mess anything up.  I agree though that part of the fun will be in seeing how creative people get with resolving the quests.


@Monketh:  The two people who will help run it will be regulars.  The people who "do the quest" will just be from the random people around Harnquist.
Quote from: Raa
Immaturity is FTW.