[Erastus]

I think I'm going to need something a lot more concrete than something 'which we haven't fully decided upon' before I'm going to be confident about continuing to invest time and effort into this game. It really is about just that; time and effort. I know we play for fun, but as someone who is struggling to get a new RP guild off the ground, I'm seriously starting to wonder if it is worth the time and effort, if Funcom are going to pull the plug on Aquilonia with only the vaguest of suggestions about there being something 'which we haven't fully decided upon' coming along in the future.

[Silirrion]

Originally Posted by Erastus I think I'm going to need something a lot more concrete than something 'which we haven't fully decided upon' before I'm going to be confident about continuing to invest time and effort into this game. It really is about just that; time and effort. I know we play for fun, but as someone who is struggling to get a new RP guild off the ground, I'm seriously starting to wonder if it is worth the time and effort, if Funcom are going to pull the plug on Aquilonia with only the vaguest of suggestions about there being something 'which we haven't fully decided upon' coming along in the furure.

I am pretty sure that a role-playing flag will be one of things we implement with that system. That would mean that when the tech is ready, you will be able to flag yourself as 'roleplaying' and then you would also be grouped with similar players in the general world, but take part with others for group activities. However since we haven't finalized the designs there, I am always a little reluctant to say 'definitely'...but the plan right now would be that we will use that system to allow roleplayers to find each other and play together.

[Wood72]

Originally Posted by Silirrion I am pretty sure that a role-playing flag will be one of things we implement with that system. That would mean that when the tech is ready, you will be able to flag yourself as 'roleplaying' and then you would also be grouped with similar players in the general world, but take part with others for group activities. However since we haven't finalized the designs there, I am always a little reluctant to say 'definitely'...but the plan right now would be that we will use that system to allow roleplayers to find each other and play together.

Sounds good to me! Using instance technology to the fullest is the way to go. Getting pretty close to the optimal "1 Hyboria, 1 server" scenario I wish for

http://exalted-aoc.com/main/aoc_polls3.html

[Lehmus]

Sil, just a technical curiosity:
looks like you are moving all the AOC hardware platform in a new virtualized environment where resources can be moved dinamically, sounds really good.
Can you confirm that?

Thank you

[pupurun]

Originally Posted by Silirrion I am pretty sure that a role-playing flag will be one of things we implement with that system. That would mean that when the tech is ready, you will be able to flag yourself as 'roleplaying' and then you would also be grouped with similar players in the general world, but take part with others for group activities. However since we haven't finalized the designs there, I am always a little reluctant to say 'definitely'...but the plan right now would be that we will use that system to allow roleplayers to find each other and play together.

I will propose an idea that has been said before. Create RP instances in many (why not all) areas of Hyboria.This way a normal group/raid can zone into an RP instance of a map and Role Play their hearts out! In adittion you could add a simple option while zoning: The spawning of mobs (On/Off).This would be perfect for all RPers!

[Erastus]

Originally Posted by Silirrion I am pretty sure that a role-playing flag will be one of things we implement with that system. That would mean that when the tech is ready, you will be able to flag yourself as 'roleplaying' and then you would also be grouped with similar players in the general world, but take part with others for group activities. However since we haven't finalized the designs there, I am always a little reluctant to say 'definitely'...but the plan right now would be that we will use that system to allow roleplayers to find each other and play together.

I have a suggestion then;

If you use something like a roleplaying flag to send people to RP instances or non-RP instances of a playfield, it must be used with caution. My worry would be that if any character can switch this flag on and off, it makes it even easier for the RP-haters out there to harrass the roleplayers. Switch on your RP flag and go where you know the RPers wil be :P

A must better system would be to have every character permanently flagged as RP or Non-RP. Characters on the current RP servers could be flagged RP automatically and new characters can be flagged on creation. This would stop other players switching on an RP flag just to go be an arse in the RP zone and RP-griefers would only be a problem in low level zones.

Also, would having RP and non-RP instances extend to hubs? This is where a lot of RP goes on.

[Rathothis]

I should add that this is not just about active RPers, but also about people who like to play on RP servers for other reasons (more specifically, the more relaxed and - possibly - more mature approach towards the game). Even if the new technology makes "physical" servers redundant, the game should still allow for distinct communities.

This has several implications, e.g. different global channels for different communities, and different instances (to avoid harrassment of RPers, an issue that could exacerbate with a increased influx of free-to-play PvPers). Yet even if this is implemented, allowing players to choose freely between channels and instances will make harrassment much easier. I don't see any technical solution to this, but we will need some more effective policing than previously.

EDIT: If possible, permanent flagging as RP, as suggested by Erastus, might be a solution. This basically would result in a virtual RP server, even if it is physically integrated with the non-RP server. Maybe not a bad idea...

With these reservations, it would of course be nice to have a larger pool of players to play the game with... but not at all cost.

[Rykotheu]

I can't see a complete segregation, because that would actually be quite unfair: sometimes non RPers wind up learning to RP :P

That said, what this will require is a mature attitude from our soon to be "servermates" in Fury. They can be the heavy PVPers all they want so long as they can respect our playstyle too even if they don't use it.

[Rykotheu]

Actually I do have one other question. Will the RP Guidelines still stand in some way shape or fashion.

Like for example:

"If you find a group of people with the RP tag on, and they are roleplaying, do not interfere/interrupt, whatever?" ((granted with some exceptions, since obviously PVP zones are PVP zones))

[watchdog79]

Please, please, tell me we are not going to have to share zones and chat with Bori PvTreer retards from Fury (meaning the lower end of Furians, not all of them are bad)...