More Oja Role-play

[khoridor]

I saw that kitchen across Brintec' indeed. I'm thinking outside the tavern because of its central position, and proximity to Trasok's. Having small groups of people near other small groups, I believe, helps make the place more lively. Then people attract people, and the small groups are distant enough to keep the chat box clean enough.

Crafting, cooking, or whatever, gives a purpose to the character when nobody is around, and this is very much the point for distant time zones like mine, with an average of 30 to 40 connected players most of the time. Besides, when people do interact the least, in my experience, is while they are running from one place to another. Having people standing long enough in a spot makes them accessible; and seeing them there regularly allows for interactions developments in a natural flow. It is, in a way, the equivalent of a guild house for non guild affiliated characters. A waiting spot, a rendez-vous spot with a purpose.
Currently, one would see more people near the warehouses. And chat and RP happen between mob campers. I think the main sector, around the tavern, can be lively itself if people have reasons to stay there.

[Gavvie Strand]

On the topic of grinding: I think that it's okay to train as long as it's realistic. But don't train 24-7 unless your character has OCD  .

No let's get back to the original topic. Let's try to think of ideas for events. If people get use to going here for events, they will be there more often. And maybe some suggestions to the devs no make to trip to Oja more worth it, and stop it from just being grind central.

[zanzibar]

Depends on what you call grinding to be honest. I see having to work to make my character better an investment in his abilities. I appreciate them because I had to work for them. But I do believe that some tasks are far more tedious than they need to be. I think that the game must exist for the game's sake first, and then encourage interaction as much as possible. Like it or not, there are times when finding another living soul is difficult because of time zones or where I am in Y'liakum... so if there wasn't something to do in the game, I wouldn't bother... but making interaction easier and even required for some tasks would be a welcome change.

The thing that makes PlaneShift unique is that interaction is the game.

[Mythryndel]

While I agree that interaction makes the game more interesting, I disagree that the entire point of the game is the interaction. The game (mechanics) is what makes the game playable... it is the interaction that makes the game enjoyable.

You can agree or disagree with me, but this is a very critical point that I think is the core of most of the PLer vs RPer flamewar. This may be also why so many people assume I am a PLer.

[zanzibar]

While I agree that interaction makes the game more interesting, I disagree that the entire point of the game is the interaction. The game (mechanics) is what makes the game playable... it is the interaction that makes the game enjoyable.

You can agree or disagree with me, but this is a very critical point that I think is the core of most of the PLer vs RPer flamewar. This may be also why so many people assume I am a PLer.

If by mechanics you mean the ability to log into the game, move around, see things, chat, etc... then yes, the mechanics have to be there.

[Mythryndel]

Please do not pull semantics into this... I mean the game... the ability to actually DO something... earn trias, craft items, etc. This is a GAME, not a 3D chat interface.

[zanzibar]

Please do not pull semantics into this... I mean the game... the ability to actually DO something... earn trias, craft items, etc. This is a GAME, not a 3D chat interface.

Sure, items can definitely be of facilitating value.

[Timmothy Perriwinkle]

game 1 |gām|
noun
1 a form of play or sport, esp. a competitive one played according to rules and decided by skill, strength, or luck.

* Timmothy Perriwinkle attempts to strike xyz with a sword

Determined by strength skill or luck. If I hit him, I win, so it's competitive. Those are the rules.

Sounds like a game to me.

[Arerano]

The thing that makes PlaneShift unique is that interaction is the game.

I am sorry I have to disagree. This is rather a "would be nice if it were that way" kind of thing which is encouraged by individual players but not the mechanics. (or "the Game")
Mechanics: hit beast C B times to get D P-points and E S-points. Trade E points and F money for G training amount. repeat H times to gain I.
The more often you repeat it in a shorter time the quicker you reach your "godly goal". (maxing a skill is like finishing a game)

So, the "game" is in contrary to interaction since latter would only slower your progress.

It's the players (or rather some few of them) who say "we play it differently". (which, mind!, despite the believe of many, does not mean "let's ignore mechanics at all")

[zanzibar]

It depends on what goals you set for yourself.  Plenty of players don't bother wasting their time leveling and making money -- Leveling is an unrewarding money chasm.  Instead, players explore the game world, form guilds, create fan art and fan fiction, and create stories for themselves and others to live.

It would be nice if the game was better suited to the people who play it, but we're still here, right?

[Arerano]

Leveling is an unrewarding money chasm.  Instead, players explore the game world, form guilds, create fan art and fan fiction, and create stories for themselves and others to live.

For those who level, it's not necessarily unrewarding. You can "finish it" (Max out that skill). It's like running through the last "finish line", playing one of the "super mario" games.. it's a "you made it!" feeling.
So the mechanics are there with a reason, but the way they work it just doesn't work well to have those who mainly play for the one reason play together with those who mainly play for the other reason (thus spend a more reasonable amount leveling and a greater amount for actual "interacting").

It's not as easy as saying "for each their own", cause both kind of players are there and will meet then and when and maybe even have some kind of interaction.

Now it's bad for a "so called roleplayer" to make things up... but that also means that one who mainly plays for roleplaying can't play "their hero" without playing the game in a way they never intended to.

It's kinda like "mechanics say who plays right" and those who play for other reasons, will sooner or later go.
It's the mechanics which say which kind of game it can be and dependant on that the "fitting" people are attracted.
However, one must not say that "the one" or "the other" kind of playing is right and the other way is wrong,..

but we're still here, right?

Dependant on who "we" are/is, well.. yes, some are.

[Xillix Queen of Fools]

Keep the thread on topic please.

If you would like to make yet another thread about why rp is dying please go ahead and do that.

This thread is about Ojaveda and specifically to encourage people to roleplay in Oja.

[Timmothy Perriwinkle]

It's kinda like "mechanics say who plays right" and those who play for other reasons, will sooner or later go.
It's the mechanics which say which kind of game it can be and dependant on that the "fitting" people are attracted.

No. You're actually, really, really wrong. It's an incomplete game, mechanics are extremely underdeveloped and still being worked out. Settings determine your character, not mechanics. For example. Settings allow me to avoid a magic spell that would one-hit me, then flee the scene to avoid a fight. Mechanics do not.

Not that, I'm criticizing mechanics, I appreciate what we have done so far, but the people who worship an incomplete system as the the one and only truth deserve to be smote.


EDIT - Sowwy, Xilly, that'll be all.

[Arerano]

Settings determine your character, not mechanics.

I have to disagree here. You can't simply say "my character is one of the best swordfighters" without having the mechanics/skills backing up your claims.
Now lets assume you have RP in Ojaveda which has little protection by guards, your character being a "good swordfighter" (by your own made-up settings), what are you going to do if someone challenges you? Decline? Make your character run away? Call the guards who apparently don't do anything against the rogues there either?

But to get more On-Topic: Find some IC reasons to go to Ojaveda and just do it. Take "IC friends" with you onto your journey and I am sure some more will join your RP there too.
One reason could be "buying carpets"... but I am not sure if you can buy carpets there yet. Last time I checked, Brintec didn't know that he doesn't have carpets.. maybe the Ojaveda air didn't do him too well.

But there ought to be more than "excitement and danger", I would say possibly fear! What if the illness finds a way to spread?

[Vorsh]

I'll admit that although Janzeth has wanted to RP he haven't really due to the fact he's in Oja so much.  But just recently that changed.  Now he finds himself thrust into this world of RP that has traveled form Oja, to the Arena, and (of course) to Hydlaa by Harny's.  The thing is he was mining when it started, not even really expecting anything.  His motto of being friendly, greet people you don't know, and help when you can eventually blossomed into a great RP experience. 

Now I know there are experienced players in Oja all the time.  I see them over and over again.  But I'm always approached by "noobs" rather than experienced RPers and my attempts at interaction are rebuffed enough that I'll admit I don't really try to much anymore.  But if we all just took a little time away from training once a day I think we could turn Oja into a RP hub.