There are many issues here and I\'m going to try to clarify exactly what we\'re dealing with here. I want to keep this _constructive_ , and perhaps even useful.
The issues:
(1.) WHAT transfers: When transitioning between two releases, what can people keep? - Keep their account names? - Keep any items in their inventory, or receive something \"equivalent\"? - Keep any skills or character development they\'ve done?
- And so on...
(2.) HOW does it transfer: If characters can transfer any of the above, how do we choose correct bonuses or transfers which are reasonable and fair to the planeshift community as a whole? What are the consequences of choosing one set over another? (3.) How can we best IMPLEMENT the transition: What is a good technical method for achieving the transition?
While technical issues/implementation will influence what we feel is possible, it is a separate concern from _what_ we want people to be able to keep, and _how_ as in what exactly should transfer and how should things be converted between the two differing systems.
Also, none of these issues are particularly important now. However, they will become _increasingly important with future releases_. At some point, we will be figuring these things out - and much of the decision will come with each release.
---Why transfers are or will be important---
- Keeping account names. Old accounts should be purged once in a while, and perhaps people should be able to purge their own account if they are no longer going to use it. We clearly can\'t have 400 guilds and 20 characters per person and keep building this up. Some people may not want to keep their account names, too. So directly transfering the database is probably not what we want, and it may not be technically feasible.
Still, keeping account names will be important. Imagine someone were to create a \"Havena\" account and a guild named \"Explorers\". Then they went out as a disgrace, and everyone _thought_ they knew who Havena was from the months they\'d spent with her before. People have to distinguish between the old Explorers guild and the new one - or else a developer personally restores it. I don\'t know anyone who thinks that name stealing would be a good idea for high profile cases.
For low profile cases, it is also important: Imagine you\'ve played Crystal Blue for around 6 months, and really got into your character, with your name, your race, your personality...and you role played. People knew who you were. Then, the next release comes out, and someone takes your name. Not only do you not get your name, but you have to watch some person you may not even know running around as...you. Only not you. That would be demoralizing.
Again, this is not so important between MB and CB. But between CB and the next release, it will be more important - we\'ll have more players and further developed characters.
- Keeping items
I talked to a friend the other night who hunts a lot and essentially gives the crystals away to other people who need them more than he does. When he thought of the prospect that nothing would transfer between releases, he suddenly became a bit demoralized and seemed to no longer want to play. In fact, he quit and went to do something else. I can see 4 months from Crystal Blue\'s release, if we were to do wiping then - \"Oh, I don\'t want to play anymore...everything I do will go away.\" That would be sad.
Not a big deal now, but in future releases, it will be a problem.
- Keeping skills
Not a problem with MB to CB. In future releases, it will be a problem.
I would say that any of these will essentially be a requirement for transferring between Crystal Blue and future releases, if not required now.
---On fairness---
A good many people have said that any transfers will give people an unfair
advantage. Specifically, power gamers who play all day will have an unfair
advantage. I have news for you. Power gamers will _always_ have the advantage.
Why? They have explored and know the world like their own home. You can simply
say \"I\'m by a small crack in the wall\" and they\'ll come running across the
entire world knowing exactly where you are, taking the short path there. They\'ll fight more mobs, add to their skill set, discover game secrets, and so on.
They\'ll likely also communicate with other power gamers and share their findings, allowing both to gain an even stronger advantage. You cannot stop any of this from happening without killing any community - nor would you want to.
New players can still overtake \"power gamers.\" As a case in point, Harwen just bought a longsword. I have never had 2000 crystals to purchase one. I do know where most spawn points are. I have played Molecular Blue for far more than he has. Yet he overtook me in a fairly short amount of time, though I\'m pretty sure I\'ve taught him a thing or two on the way.
Transitional bonuses may, in the short term, provide an advantage to some players. These may be power players, but also other players. However, in the long term, this becomes rather irrelevant. Why?
People join at any time. I joined 4 months after Molecular Blue was released. People will be joining 4 months after Crystal Blue is released, too. Even if there are _no_ transfer bonuses at all, people who started at Crystal Blue release time will have an edge over those who join later. Is that fair? Is it right for those who start sooner to have an edge over these new players? Sure, it\'s only logical - otherwise those who played for the first 4 months would have made absolutely no progress in their game!
As such, the game must be structured so that new players can join, be a part of the game, but do things that new players do to strengthen up and build their character. Easier parts. Advanced players need to be able to move beyond this and go to harder locations. You would never make the entire game for advanced players, nor for easy players. Either way, you would have no players - people could either not start, or they would be bored!
So all we end up debating when we say that transfer bonuses are evil and give an unfair advantage or not is an initial advantage - one which will soon blur. Someone who played MB for 5 months straight and then played CB once a week would soon be overtaken in power by a new Crystal Blue player.
We can choose to provide or not provide an initial advantage and when or if we want to level the playing field. We cannot choose whether or not some people will eventually have an advantage over another. Whatever we do, we do need to consider our existing and future player base, and make sure that we treat them both in a just manner and avoid demoralizing either our players (new or involved), or our development team.
I only wish to inquire and voice _my_ suggestion on one _potential idea_ of how things might work both for this transition and for future transitions. I did not see this idea posted, nor had others who encouraged me to post, as someone who wishes to see the Planeshift project succeed. I want back up my idea with my reasons for suggesting it. I want to clarify the issues, what\'s at stake, and provoke useful discussion and to find solutions to future problems. My idea of having an old database and a transitional webpage is one that could be applied even to transitions between Crystal Blue and future releases when the stakes will be far higher.
I have given countless hours of my life to answering questions and helping people out. Lots of people turn to _me_ for help all the time when they need anything. I\'ve met people here and given time _outside_ of planeshift to help these friends. I want to help with useful proposals and ideas.
