Apartments: changes and ideas
Apartments have always been a very cool idea (remembering the houses in UO), but they have some issues and limitations I would like to see changed:
Useable storage containers
Currently dresser drawers, lockers and crates cannot be used for storage. Some would argue that the bank is enough, but not if you want to organize your items into catagories; i.e. clothing, armor, weapons, ammo, etc.
Items set on walls or the floor retaining their graphics properly
I use a wall in my apartment to store weapons I have built. I would like to see the weapon in it's correct graphic instead of the 'item box' that the game currently uses. The item appears when we equip it, why not when we drop it or hang it. I have 3 paintings of Ross that when hung on a wall, become 'item boxes'. It would make apartment decorating an art that interior decorators would really enjoy.
Electronics and decorations that work
Probably wishful thinking, but how about making the lights actually function. And stereos that actually work. It would play the ingame music (like that awesome jazz rif) when activated. It seems that the lights could be the same as those floating torches that already exist. And lava lamps should glow and have a sound. There are so many pieces of equipment that exist in missions that have animation, why not apply that to my apartment as well.
Furniture placement made easier
Anyone who has tried to set even the simplest of items knows this frustration. And some items once laid down never move again. I have a locker that is sideways on a wall in my closet that will not budge.
Apartment size upgrades
Make it expensive, but an option. I would also like to see several designs (floorplans) available when you first choose.
I want to move
I should be able to turn in my access key (or destroy it) to be able to change locations. My first character picked the first are unwittingly and it was a poor location, far from any whompa or grid. If I want to move, I should have the option.
Access keys should be labeled
I am sure that there are many people who simply forgot where they live. Sure, it seems silly, but it really is confusing when you first start out in the game and can be easy to forget where you live. The Access Key should have the info of where you live.
Messages via phone or e-mail
I would like a 'mail' terminal available in my home where friends can send me a message that is available when I enter my apartment. I would like to see a message appear when I enter, like "You have a phone message". I go to the terminal and read the message. It should have a duration of about 3 days before the message simply is erased off the que. In fact, there is already a terminal in the hallway as you enter. Why not give it function? The game already ques msgs sent when offline, so put them in that terminal and allow me to 'call' people from it as well.
Well, there you have it. Just some ideas for apartment improvements.
