Regarding the "inevitability" of a wipe coming: if it is true that the servers must be wiped before a 1.0 release, that won't change if we are wiped now, so I don't see the validity of this argument for a wipe. If it's wiped now, it will still have to be wiped again before 1.0 so then we get to lose 2 chars that were worked on for so many hours gaining skills that will ultimately be taken away from us. That is not something I could ever look forward to in a game.
Regarding "bugged items" in the database supposedly causing some kind of corruption/slowing of the server: I don't know how the database works, but I can think of two scenarios:
1. The items are stored in a static database and each characters inventory essentially contains pointers to the database that determine what items that character has. In this case, a wipe is totally unnecessary as the database of items can be fixed without touching any of the character's actual information, since the items a character has are simply references to the list of items in the game rather than the actual items themselves. So, no wipe in that case for sure.
2. The items are generated at loot time with somewhat unique stats (which seems unlikely, or at the very least inefficient since "uniqueness" can be generated by modifiers kept in the information pertaining to the character's personal inventory while maintaining a separate database for base items as in the previous case, 1), so that the character's inventory contains the ACTUAL items, thereby making bugginess more difficult to rout. However, even in this case it should be possible to generate code to search through the character database and identify items with properties that are known to generate such bugginess and either eliminate or correct them so that they no longer generate problems. If it is NOT possible to generate code, it would have to be the case that it is unknown what causes the bugginess and hence a wipe would be useless since, over time, the same problems would simply arise once more. In this case, a wipe is probably a good
temporary fix, however, it fails to strike at the core of the problem and I still feel it would be better not to do it.
Regarding Quests: I believe the same points from the above discussion of bugged items apply to this particular aspect of characters.
Regarding skills and PP: Given the amount of time that it takes to accrue certain desirable skills (metallurgy, magic, crafting, stats), I foresee a loooong period of intense competition over certain spawnpoints that could conceivably detract from the fun and friendliness of the game. As so many people vie for the same objects in the game, numerous conflicts would probably arise where many players may feel hostility towards others who are "stepping on their toes." Unless it is made easier to obtain PP (making exp. based on skill levels of the monster + base monster exp. or some such adjustment actually making more difficult monsters worth killing) and cheaper to train skills (increasing practice points for casting most spells, making better and/or cheaper mana potions, and also just generally lessening the need for mana potions during magic training), the only camaraderie would likely be at the mine where no toes can be stepped on, save for RPing the "You're mining my head!" phenomenon. Another solution would be to simply make many more spawns so that players have more space to actually train, though I don't see how this would improve things on the server at all since it puts a heavier workload on the server.
Regarding RP: A wipe would be tantamount to the world ending and (somehow) forming again. It seems to me that realism has always been a great concern to the developers and I simply can't imagine anything more unrealistic than a world-ending server wipe that doesn't serve to enhance this aspect of gameplay. Moreover, for those who want to start anew with RP, you can have up to four characters on one account, if you want to start over, go for it, but please don't force me to start over with you. That being said, I'm sure
someone could come up with a viable RP story to make a server-wipe fit into the world, but
who wants to?So, clearly, the minority of players who have read this thread and I disagree with a server wipe and I feel there are many reasons for our feelings. I realize that I am being a bit selfish because I don't want to lose all
my work, but I'm ok with being selfish in this way; I feel a strong connection to my character and I don't want him to suffer true death. I also realize that there might be some flaw in my above reasonings, and I honestly want people to point them out if they see them. It likely won't change my mind, as I'm rather stubborn, but I will try to be as polite as possible in any responses. Thank you for your attention, I apologize for the length of my post and I hope I have given at least a few people something to think about.
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