Ingame Mail System

[Mokek]

Greetings!

I don't know if this has already been discussed, but I didn't find any threat talking about this.

My idea is to implement letterboxes in the cities, where anyone could send letters or packages containing items to other players. This would be very useful when trying to contact another player who doesn't connect at the same time as you, or for transferring items. Besides, in every medieval town there were post offices, so it would also be RP.

What do you think?

[Aramara Meibi]

I've known players who've RPd courier services, delivering packages and letters and such. The issue though, as you mentioned, is timing. I implore that we come up with a player run RP solution before we hand this job over to the machines.

[Mokek]

Well, this could work if there were more active players on planeshift. The thing is that there are in average max. 50 players.

[Illysia]

Hehe, last time this way brought up was many years ago but I think it was combined with a request for a banking system. One down one to go.

It's not likely that it will happen soon but if we got banks then it is likely they will eventually get around to a mail system. Mind you we are looking at like 3 years. But a player system would be better. It's just hard to coordinate and would require a great deal of effort and organization which I don't think most players would want to do.

A sample system for this would be to have a group of players hire themselves out as couriers, preferably one with access to a guildhouse, a chest, ect so that there is common storage between them. Then they can "check in" packages and letters that need to be delivered and "check out" those that have been delivered. Regardless of what tracking system is used, there is no way around it, you have to make sure it is accessible to all the couriers and that it keeps track of who for sure has received their deliveries and who hasn't. Just doing the RP will get messy otherwise.

You'll need to have a fair amount of people contributing to the effort though. There are timezone issues, people not being on all the time, players being busy or far away, etc. It would be an undertaking to say the least.

[tman]

I think this would be as simple as putting a "Drop Box" near each city's bulletin board.  When you place an item inside the drop box, a GUI pops up and asks who the item is intended for.  You type the character's name.  When they log in, there should be a little notice that says "You have an item waiting for you in the [Hydlaa/Ojaveda/etc.] mailbox."  Then when you open it either all items are automatically transferred to the inventory.  If there's not enough room in your inventory the extras can be sent to storage.

[Gilrond]

See this proposal: http://www.hydlaaplaza.com/smf/index.php?topic=39008.0

[Gilrond]

I implore that we come up with a player run RP solution before we hand this job over to the machines.

It might work only if someone can organize full time service. But that's practically impossible considering diverse time zones and small user base. See the first proposal thread about potential use cases.

On the other hand, if some postal guild does manage to pull it through - it'll be great.

[Illysia]

The real problem is not conceptualizing a mechanics system, there is just no code for it and no one willing to code it. The reason for that is that coding for 3D games is not just a simple thing. MMOs add another level of complexity and the game in question being PS just adds another layer of being complicated.

[verden]

Despite any negative trolling, the in game banking system was implemented, and a mail system is a less complex feature than many that are proposed here. Just don't count on it too fast, progress on this system is measured in years.

[weltall]

it was already accepted years ago now find me a coder

[tman]

How about just the ability to send someone a message while they're offline and have them receive it upon logging in.  We can just RP it as if it were a letter.

If we want to make delivery as simple (and easy to code) as possible, just give players the ability to deposit directly into other people's storage (possibly for a 1 hexa/octa per item "shipping fee").  Since storage is unlimited (I think, correct me if I'm wrong) then there's no disadvantage, as long as the player who's doing the shipping can't see or withdraw from the recipients stored items.

As far as a player-run solution, I would love to see this.  I just doubt there are enough people willing to put in enough time to run a full-service delivery business.  If there are, great!  But if not, I'd like to see the game devs handle it.