Layonara - View Single Post

Eorendil · 03-22-06, 11:22 AM

So.... don't RP scripted quests? Just kidding. I just wanted to add my incoherent babblings and perceptions on this topic...
This is always a difficult subject in an online PW where some quests are static and unchanging. Until an engine is designed that can come up with quests, get rid of old ones that have been solved and allow GMs to easily and quickly create and implement progressive, evolving quests into the world it will continue.. RPing this sort of static content is even harder.. I mean.. how many times can you help clean out the caves before the local denizens are wiped out.. or decide to move to greener pastures?
Its a tough subject and one that can be equally damaging if hard and fast rules are implemented regarding how they are RP'd. I've seen some online RP oriented worlds where the players felt they were so boxed in that they couldn't even speak to one another about the game world for fear of GMs coming down on them.. RP there amounted to .. "hi.. er.. nice nail color. You like my dress?" O_o "Look, I trimmed my whiskers with my new Cutlass_of_Sharpness_01"Unless, of course you were involved in a GM run plot line.. then it was okay but it was far from immersive or fun for most players....
Quests such as pay for hunting down a handfull of goblins or animals to keep them in line or supplying an NPC crafter with a random number of various goods work very well in PWs because there is an obvious continual need.
There is a point at which you need quests for flavor as well and so most world designers put in the static quests because it does give the world a certain flavor and it also helps spread lore, or can be used as a tool to do so. Too many static quests can harm immersion and a fine line has to be drawn somewhere.. A good imagination can overcome a lot of things but there's a point at which any imagination has difficulty pursuing the suspension of disbelief.

03-22-06, 11:22 AM	#5
Eorendil Gamemaster Characters Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: State of Paranoia Posts: 730 Thanks: 38 Thanked 72 Times in 58 Posts	RE: RPing Scripted Quests. So.... don't RP scripted quests? Just kidding. I just wanted to add my incoherent babblings and perceptions on this topic... This is always a difficult subject in an online PW where some quests are static and unchanging. Until an engine is designed that can come up with quests, get rid of old ones that have been solved and allow GMs to easily and quickly create and implement progressive, evolving quests into the world it will continue.. RPing this sort of static content is even harder.. I mean.. how many times can you help clean out the caves before the local denizens are wiped out.. or decide to move to greener pastures? Its a tough subject and one that can be equally damaging if hard and fast rules are implemented regarding how they are RP'd. I've seen some online RP oriented worlds where the players felt they were so boxed in that they couldn't even speak to one another about the game world for fear of GMs coming down on them.. RP there amounted to .. "hi.. er.. nice nail color. You like my dress?" O_o "Look, I trimmed my whiskers with my new Cutlass_of_Sharpness_01"Unless, of course you were involved in a GM run plot line.. then it was okay but it was far from immersive or fun for most players.... Quests such as pay for hunting down a handfull of goblins or animals to keep them in line or supplying an NPC crafter with a random number of various goods work very well in PWs because there is an obvious continual need. There is a point at which you need quests for flavor as well and so most world designers put in the static quests because it does give the world a certain flavor and it also helps spread lore, or can be used as a tool to do so. Too many static quests can harm immersion and a fine line has to be drawn somewhere.. A good imagination can overcome a lot of things but there's a point at which any imagination has difficulty pursuing the suspension of disbelief.