OOC RP points system

I know the idea has been tossed about before, but i realy think it should be given some thought, i realise that everything in game takes thousands of pages of script etc. to impliment, but AI social armors prooved that the game isnt always about the grind.

At present we have a victory points system, and a veteran points system, both of which award items bassed on assignment of points. I dont see why it is beyond reason that there be Rp points. I understand that they dont want to throw the balance of the game which is why they could simply award social items, that would have no twink benifits, or AC values. A good example being that omni-pol suit you can buy on newbie island, perhaps remove its token value.

The game already has a vast array of things that could be buyable with RP points, a good example being furniture, currently it is expensive as H*ll to outfit a house with furniture, and for some RPers they simply dont have the credits to spend.

I know there has been one thing ive wanted since i started getting into the Role play in AO and that has been a luxury jobe appartment key, i would easily pay 50mil for it, but since i didnt play AO when SL launched there is no way i can get it. Perhaps this could be the grand reward available for RPers.

However i strongly doubt that the hindering question is what to give us as rewards, it is more likely that it is how to earn the points that has funcom tangled up.

This indeed is a noodle-tickler, ive thought about it a great deal and perhaps the points could be awarded based upon who has signed up for event participation on the account page. im sure the server knows, just like it knows who gets veteran points and when. Even if non RPers signed up as a joke and got awarded thee points it wouldnt matter since all they are getting is furniture, or cloths, or maybe even an appartment key if they are realy lucky ;)

Im almost positive people are going to attack this thread and say that weve been trying to do it for a long time now, but i just thought id try to rekindle some intrest in the idea now that there is more than one points accumulation system functioning in game.

I haven't contributed anything to the gameplay discussion since 2004... So this topic about such a great idea is a good place to make a return. =)


To be blunt - I don't think AO, as it was developed by Funcom, is suitable for thorough, sollid roleplay. Because of the nature of AO gameplay, our roles are first and foremost that of a tank, healer, damagedealer and so on. They just gave the traditional leveltreadmill roles a fancy jacket by naming them 'professions'. And when it concerns the storyline, we're spectators first and foremost. We don't really participate, we just play out the narrative that was Funcom bought from an author.
This is intended as an attack or a whine, it's just my view on AO gameplay.

Having said that... There's still allot of potential for 'proper' roleplay. AO has a very clever setting with the notum, Rubi-Ka, intergalactic corporations, etc. I get the feeling that Funcom has mostly been using the setting and story for marketing purposes though...

... Still, with AO's resourceful community and the dedication of the ARKs, roleplay has been made possible and worthwile. With 5 to 6 years of adjustments and developments catering PvP and PvM, I think it's about time Funcom begins to recognise the effort of the roleplay community, and adjust the gamemechanics accordingly. I'm not saying they should rewrite their code, just implement something like described by Bezerkress.


As for the idea written out by Bezerkress, two comments;

1) There shouldn't be any harm in making the rewards more serious then furniture and the like, as long as the system is fair enough to give everyone to chance to earn it. Anything that's 'common' can be rewarded, IMO. Weapons and armor that can be missioned or dynacamped, implants and other gear that doesn't take huge raiding forces to gain... Examples:
Russian Good Days, SOL Fire Executioners, Jewellery (no platinum), Pilgrim armor items, Omni-Lifeguard armor items, nano clusters, implants.

2) A sollid and fair system for observing roleplay will be needed. Since roleplay is social by nature, we'll need actual humans to keep track of it. I suggest the ARK organisation to fill in with this. The ARKs have the fundementals for it, but will probably need to expand first before this can be made suitable.

Clear criteria of what is 'proper' roleplay, will be needed. Everyone should be able to learn of these criteria, so some sort of in-game announcement will be neccesary. Only a portion of the playerbase actually visits and reads the forums...

As what should be in these criteria - that will have to be considered long and hard. Possible criteria I thought of after a short brainstorm:
- You'll need a character background according to certain specifications (parentage, education, the environment your characater grew up in, your character's ambitions, etc.).
- The act of roleplay should cater for a certain number of people.
- It should not contradict the storyline and setting.
- The roleplay act has been going on for a while
- The roleplay act build upon and contributes to other people's roleplay.

Obviousily there's more to it then I can possibly say in a few lines. ;)


... *phew*, that's a longer roleplay then I intended. =) Sowwy for teh long read. Hope it's worthwhile.

Simple answer is this:

FC knows RP doesn't generate interest in this game. As such, they don't care about us and will continue to cater to the majority demographic.

Quote:

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FC knows RP doesn't generate interest in this game. As such, they don't care about us and will continue to cater to the majority demographic.

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The funny thing is, you would be suprised at how many players would like to roleplay and trully 'live' a Rubi-Kan life. But the sad truth is that roleplay has very little significance in AO. Sure, PvP-ers play out the war between Omni-Tek and the Clans. Sure, we hunt down escaped mutants and wildlife. But it doesn't change anything. Not towards the game world or each other. We just play out the story that FC has already made and written. The game engine just doesn't cater for sollid roleplay - roleplay doesn't have a place in the game mechanics.

Why that is, I'm not sure. Probably it simply wasn't economical to design and develop a game where people can play actual, realistic roles. At the time AO was made, the leveltreadmill was a proven concept. Funcom did do some original things, for example dressing the traditional roles of damage-dealer, tanks, healer, etc... AO is one of the few MMORPG's with such a sollid and atmospheric background story, IMO. Only the more recent SWG and WoW can match AO I think... But still, Funcom went with the proven and safe concept of the levelthreadmill and yes, the actual roleplay was sacrifised for it. They should have left out the 'r' in MMORPG because the only signicant role I feel I have is to a select few players. AO simply wasn't designed with the community in mind. We made the best of it, sure, but it was never a significant part of the original plan.

So I don't think the majority doesn't want to... Rather they're simply not given the oppertunity. Only a select few whoem have the background and drive can make roleplay worthwhile for themselves. That's not a shortcoming by the playerbase, but by Funcom's design. And I think it's about time they make up for that. ;)

- Claws

P.S. - Shouldn't this be in the subforum 'Game Suggestions?

It could be very possible. Award points for the following:

- Joining events listing
- participating inevents
- running an RP organisation
- having a properly fleshed-out bio (a la ao-universe)
- good "acting" and attention to detail
- participating in council/affiliates meetings
- good levels of contribution to the RP forum

Breaking character etc. could forfeit one's rights to points at such events.

I created a thread in the Game suggestions area of the forums regarding a proposal to the Devs to take RP more seriously and give players direct influence over the course of future history on RK. I have read about a dozen other threads regarding RP point systems and I feel that they all stumbled in one spot. What do RP points earn you? A nice shiny something that usually takes camping...etc etc.. is what most ended up with. Tho the few times I have seen mentioned social items as rewards seemed fun and logical. I however was thinking about this new VP system and wondering if it could be duplicated and manipulated to present an actual influential form of RP that has direct connection to what will happen in storyline events. I don't want to replay my entire post here and would appreciate any and all feedback be it positive or negative to be posted at the following: LINKY

Thank you,