Pros and Cons of Gemstone from a 35-40 day returner

[Yasutoshi]

Started in the days of Genie, before the AOL influx occurred. Played for 7 to 8 years and then called it quits. I had some time available and figured why not see how things are these days? I've always liked MUDs but that's because I'm a computer geek at heart. I had read about Lich and am a hard core ruby programmer. Some of the scripting interested me and gave me another element to challenge myself with.

So, I took 2 approaches and split the time in my 30+ day return.

Approach 1: Roleplay and see how things work now

This approach wasn't too bad. I created a monk and used lines like, "Master say to Student that love is like squirrel with acorn. Squirrel play with acorn, squirrel bury acorn, squirrel break acorn. But inside acorn, squirrel only find nut."

I enjoyed talking like someone that could probably fit in the old version of the show, "Kung Fu". Only, my character wasn't as drunk as David Caradine. I made a few friends, mainly some nice empaths, a few clerics, but found that the majority of the game was being played by AFK scripters. The only areas that didn't seem to support a lot of afk scripters were the steps at Hearthstone Mannor, TSC in wehnimer's, voln courtyard, and some of the other center spots in towns like IMT. Solhaven was a dead zone.

Most of the banter and conversation was pretty lame compared to the days of old. Most of the dialogue and discussion was centered around Elanthian history where one guy tried to disprove the other guy about why xyz war started and who led the charge. About 15% of the people I encountered actually wrapped themselves up in an RP role of some type. Very few actually told stories that were interesting and immersion lacked severely.

Then I did a who list full and see 139 people on. Another time, 283 people. I never saw it go over 300 people.

As hard as I tried, RP was difficult. Some people drew interest; others didn't. I started to lose interest but figured give it another chance.



Approach 2: Learn lich, create some nice scripts, and see what all this AFK fuss is all about.

I created smartmonk my first combat script for unarmed attacking. I followed that with smartsorcerer, smartcleric, and then created a full wrapper (similar to bigshot) called smarthunt. All of these are available on the repo and have topics in the lich section of this forum.

I love programming so I found a lot of challenge and fun just trying to create scripts that worked solidly. I got it to a point where I could run a script 24/7 if I wanted to, although I didn't. The most I ran any given script (once I perfected it) was around 7 to 10 hours a day.

I met some nice scripting friends in the process and found the conversations here more enjoyable than the ones in the RP category.

In the end though, I perfected what I wanted and now that this was done, nothing else to enjoy or see. Just rinse and repeat or let it go and walk away to do something else.


......................


All this for $##.## per month.

Pros:


I got to relive the game a little and waltz down memory lane for a month and more.
I got to work with ruby and see how one of the languages I loved could be used for automation rotuines.
I met a few friends in the process.


Cons:


I started to get heavy eye twitching which my eye doctor said was due to tiredness and severe eye strain. This all happened after coming back to gemstone.
Most of the really good graphical games are free. Gemstone costs a lot more money than many of these and is a text-based game.
RP is very small and almost dead.
The game population is too small to even enjoy the game and immerse oneself.
The game is heavily dependent on scripting now.
AFK scripting rules the world.
Most of the remaining players are grouped into cliques and everyone else can stay outside of their circles.


As MacBeth would say, "Gemstone had its hour upon the stage and then will be heard no more."

Some will defend what they love with a passion but I'm a realist. The game at its peak was close to 2,000 logged in and now is 280. Financially a game like that can't survive too much longer. Hell many of the players that used to play Gemstone (and I started young) may be in their 90s by now, gumming it up with the rest of the elderly. I'm in my mid-40s and the game made me feel old not young.

When I first left Gemstone, I went to the first graphical game I ever played, "Everquest". Now, I'm looking forward to Everquest Next which has a lot of things I envision and want in a game.

If I want to be creative or immerse myself within imagery I can read a good book. Otherwise, MUDs had their time and it's just not for me anymore.

Good luck. Have fun for as long as you find it fun. I'll see you on the other side.

As to the code I left in the lich forum, do what you want with it.

[Buckwheet]

All that reporting for nothing?

[Allereli]

so you never played during prime time at all?

[SHAFT]

Yasutoshi, GS is what you make of it. RP is there if you truly want it to be.

As for scripting, I've never used a script for hunting ever. I've played for 18 years. Some people do, some don't.

[Astray]

"Master say to Student that love is like squirrel with acorn. Squirrel play with acorn, squirrel bury acorn, squirrel break acorn. But inside acorn, squirrel only find nut."

I can only pray that this wasn't your shining example of RP.

[Tgo01]

I really dislike when people use the terms "afk scripting" and "scripting" interchangeably.

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure there are a lot of afk scripters in this game. But the only story you've shared with us in regards to a scripter was someone who was very much apparently not afk.

[Taernath]

"Master say to Student that love is like squirrel with acorn. Squirrel play with acorn, squirrel bury acorn, squirrel break acorn. But inside acorn, squirrel only find nut."

I can only pray that this wasn't your shining example of RP.

Hahaha wow. A new standard of monk RP has been set.

[Astray]

Hahaha wow. A new standard of monk RP has been set.

Seriously... all he needed was some buck teeth and a bowl cut.

[Aiska]

No idea how so many of you miss out on RP. I couldn't not find it if I tried. Blows my mind.

[Astray]

Why? Do you want me to look like your mother?

No, but if you're essentially going to RP an unsubtle version of an Asian stereotype, you should go all the way.

[Tgo01]

I got red rep from someone asking me to name a game that is 99% scripted other than GS.

A) why do people have a problem with others scripting?
B) I think you're exaggerating.
C) last time I was playing Hearthstone there were rumors going around that a lot it was scripted, wouldn't surprise me now if people script that game more than GS, and I'm talking about afk scripting that game.

[Jace Solo]

GS has survived hovering at that ~300 peak for almost... 8 years now... if not more.

What GS has that other games don't, is a fundamental grasp on the "non-visually-tangible". Sure, you can read a book, or play a graphical MMO, but you can't really play them at the same time. GS offers the ability to play out that vivid book like fantasies with other people that share the passion for the game. While it may not be the best game out there by any stretch, it is a very well made and solid game with a lot of diversity and, as your monk noted, still some development by people that care about the community.

Is the price to play high, yeah, probably, yet we're all still here. We may not be 2,000 strong but most people that are here will tell you it's definitively for the better.

I did enjoy interacting with you a bit IG. I don't think anyone wants to see you go but it was good seeing you in the land while you were here. Feel free to explore the itch later. Cause the final thing I'll leave you with... GS is like HPV. You get it, and thought it might not pop up all the time, it will from time to time... and you can't help but scratch! (Too far? Sometimes I can't tell)

[Taernath]

Better than no standard at all.

No, a semi racist caricature based on Confucius Say is a terrible standard to model RP on. If I were one of those AFK scripters I'd be ignoring you too.

[Elantari]

That was a depressing review, but it pretty much confirms my impressions so far. But financially, I see no reason why Gemstone can't survive for a long time. It has to cost a mere pittance to run the servers. They're probably powered by rodents as it is.

[Larch]

Started in the days of Genie, before the AOL influx occurred. Played for 7 to 8 years and then called it quits. I had some time available and figured why not see how things are these days?

My story is similar. Started later, played less, but similar.


I made a few friends, mainly some nice empaths, a few clerics, but found that the majority of the game was being played by AFK scripters. The only areas that didn't seem to support a lot of afk scripters were the steps at Hearthstone Mannor, TSC in wehnimer's, voln courtyard, and some of the other center spots in towns like IMT. Solhaven was a dead zone. Most of the banter and conversation was pretty lame compared to the days of old.

It's probably just a matter of perspective, but I've had a much better experience in my return. I remember the post-de-iceing/pre-web/early web days as being clogged with people. Hunting grounds were swamped, people were killing each other over whose kobold that was, AS/DS checks, and:


ConanxxDestroyer just arrived.


ConanxxDestroyer exclaims, "Packerz gonna w1n teh Super Bowlzz!!1!"


ConanxxDestroyer just went west.

I'm sure there was also a lot of great role play going on, but for a shy player with a tenuous grasp of what RP was all about it was difficult, if not impossible, to find.

I'm ecstatic with the reception my character has gotten (I'm in Icemule, YMMV). The players are kind, generous, willing (sometimes eager) to interact with a low level character, and just top-to-bottom awesome. I've found the characters quite interesting as well. Sure, there are some people who plainly don't desire interaction at all, but I don't see them as a hindrance to my enjoyment of the game. It isn't like there are 20 unresponsive zombies sitting on a super node running their spell ups or fletching scripts or whatever. Aside from seeing them zip in and out of rooms, I hardly notice them. And I have run across zero disruptive players. No killing sprees for the lulz, no OOC grudges, no OOC talk, no "Your low level character disagreed with my high level character so I shall kill you because that's how all disputes are settled. When I'm the high level character that is, otherwise it's griefing.", no getting jarred out of immersion every minute.

Shit.

I had a lot more typed out, but lost it. I just wanted to put out a different perspective of another player newly returned to Gemstone and also thank, in a small way, all the great players and characters who have made my time in-game so enjoyable.


tl;dr: Different returning player is having fun in Gemstone. RP can be had. AFK scripters need not infringe on your enjoyment of the game. Player population is more mature, more IC. Icemule is awesome.


P.S. I hope your eye twitching goes away soon.

[Tisket]

I got red rep from someone asking me to name a game that is 99% scripted other than GS.

A) why do people have a problem with others scripting?

Probably because they suck at it.

I don't know how you can fail so badly at life that you can't figure out how to run a script though. Hope they enjoy their imminent CTS.

[Elantari]

I'm ecstatic with the reception my character has gotten (I'm in Icemule, YMMV). The players are kind, generous, willing (sometimes eager) to interact with a low level character, and just top-to-bottom awesome. I've found the characters quite interesting as well. Sure, there are some people who plainly don't desire interaction at all, but I don't see them as a hindrance to my enjoyment of the game. It isn't like there are 20 unresponsive zombies sitting on a super node running their spell ups or fletching scripts or whatever. Aside from seeing them zip in and out of rooms, I hardly notice them. And I have run across zero disruptive players. No killing sprees for the lulz, no OOC grudges, no OOC talk, no "Your low level character disagreed with my high level character so I shall kill you because that's how all disputes are settled. When I'm the high level character that is, otherwise it's griefing.", no getting jarred out of immersion every minute.

Prime? Or Platinum?

[Elantari]

Probably because they suck at it. I don't know how you can fail so badly at life that you can't figure out how to run a script though. Hope they enjoy their imminent CTS.

The best game are built to support massive scripting. The less the player has to do, the better the game is. I recommend you try Progress Quest or IdleRPG. Here you go:

Progress Quest: http://progressquest.com/
IdleRPG: http://idlerpg.net/

[Larch]

Prime? Or Platinum?

Prime.

[Dendum]

I got red rep from someone asking me to name a game that is 99% scripted other than GS.
.

Dragonrealms should be your answer.

[Aluvius]

Yeah you just have to sort of find your niche in this game nowadays. I'm also a returning player from that era and I spend my time building alts then trying them out till I get bored. Most of my fun is in the weeks I'll spend planning a character out and obsessively coming up with what I think are optimal stats. I wish the game was a little more hardcore than it is now with more of a death penalty and such. I should also ditch my main account with the gear and the money. Its probably about time I unsubbed and took a break again anyway.

As for roleplaying, well my heart just isn't in it anymore. When I do rp its usually to return someone else's rp, I don't want my own fuddy duddiness to ruin their gameplay. I think part of the truth is that there was more roleplaying back then because there just wasn't much else to do in game compared to today. :)

I'm also hoping good things for EQ Next, I like what SOE has done with PS1 and 2 with emergent gameplay. I'm hoping some of that will rub off on EQN. I'm trying out Archeage now and its scratching some of that itch. Probably because there's essentially no easy to find reference material so I've just said fuck it and actually played it with no planning lol.

[Dendum]

No idea how so many of you miss out on RP. I couldn't not find it if I tried. Blows my mind.

Someone said the same thing about DR on Lnet, the lack of RP...and it is true that you have to find it in both games, you either have to be in an active city or know the cicadian rhythm of your chosen city. You can't just for instance go out to the blood trees and start chanting at them and expect a kobold to show up and offer a truce with the landing and telling you to come to the porch, it happens but if you stand around expecting it to happen you will get bored fast.

I personally prefer non GM RP by leaps and bounds. but I do like what Kenstrom has done turning the landing into a story telling environment that others can satellite around and expand on their own RP.

[SHAFT]

Who fucking cares if someone else scripts for anything? There is no competition. We aren't competing for gear or raid spots. Who cares?

[Whirlin]

The game itself is enjoyable to play, even in the absence of RP. There's a good crowd on Lnet that keeps me moderately entertained, and good people on the forums to converse with if you stay out of the political forum. You really couldn't ask for anything more in a game or community.

[Thondalar]

The game itself is enjoyable to play, even in the absence of RP. There's a good crowd on Lnet that keeps me moderately entertained, and good people on the forums to converse with if you stay out of the political forum. You really couldn't ask for anything more in a game or community.

Don't forget the fun we have at House events!

(Shameless plug for Paupers between the two co-chairmen)

[Velfi]

Who fucking cares if someone else scripts for anything? There is no competition. We aren't competing for gear or raid spots. Who cares?

I could easily name at least one who.

[SHAFT]

I could easily name at least one who.

The question was rhetorical!

[Methais]

The game itself is enjoyable to play, even in the absence of RP. There's a good crowd on Lnet that keeps me moderately entertained, and good people on the forums to converse with if you stay out of the political forum. You really couldn't ask for anything more in a game or community.

And GS having one of the most stable cash economies out there in spite of its age.

I'm just waiting for someone to write an all inclusive RP script. What will the anti scripter RP l33tists cry about then?

[Geijon Khyree]

Started in the days of Genie, before the AOL influx occurred. Played for 7 to 8 years and then called it quits.

This just bothers me. If this is true then Genie had 34-87 players commonly so 284 should be HUGE. If you cut out 96-2001 then the game has always, always averaged about 200-500.

The others have touched on most other things. I'd point out Icemule, which is an awesome starting town, Azanoth's comment, and several others who recommend looking for RP.

I'll second the asian stuff. David Carradine? Maybe people just ignored you because of the outlandishness of it. If you had played a haughty dark elf RP would have been everywhere or atleast someone would have insulted you.

[Hydra]

I also recently returned, though I started during the AOL days. I'm very conflicted about spending the $15 a month when there any number of graphical MMOs that are free to play, but at the same time I do enjoy playing GS...most of the time.


This just bothers me. If this is true then Genie had 34-87 players commonly so 284 should be HUGE. If you cut out 96-2001 then the game has always, always averaged about 200-500.

The others have touched on most other things. I'd point out Icemule, which is an awesome starting town, Azanoth's comment, and several others who recommend looking for RP.

I'll second the asian stuff. David Carradine? Maybe people just ignored you because of the outlandishness of it. If you had played a haughty dark elf RP would have been everywhere or atleast someone would have insulted you.

Interestingly, when you mentioned the asian stuff and the dark elf stuff, the first thing that came to mind is "Isn't playing a caricature of a dark elf just as bad as playing a caricature of an asian?" I understand the difference, it's just the first thought that came to mind and it made me smile a little.

[Doldrum]

I'm just waiting for someone to write an all inclusive RP script. What will the anti scripted RP l33tists cry about then?

I'd love to see this, imagine someone walking into tsc and saying hi to everyone individually in 2 seconds flat, then profiling each person and coming up with a RP worthy comment about their race, profession, features if listed(whatever) all spam screen scrolling. Occasionally someone elses rp triggers the RPbot and mayhem occurs. Maybe coming across two RP bots outside the pawnshop caught in an rp loop having the same conversation over and over.

[Whirlin]

I'd love to see this, imagine someone walking into tsc and saying hi to everyone individually in 2 seconds flat, then profiling each person and coming up with a RP worthy comment about their race, profession, features if listed(whatever) all spam screen scrolling. Occasionally someone elses rp triggers the RPbot and mayhem occurs. Maybe coming across two RP bots outside the pawnshop caught in an rp loop having the same conversation over and over.

http://a2.ec-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/143/3443cdcf0982448ebba0ec7e6fc8c163/l.jpg

[Hightower]

"As for roleplaying, well my heart just isn't in it anymore. When I do rp its usually to return someone else's rp, I don't want my own fuddy duddiness to ruin their gameplay. I think part of the truth is that there was more roleplaying back then because there just wasn't much else to do in game compared to today." -Aluvius

That might be part of the problem, along with fewer players available to interact with, particularly at certain times of day or in sparsely populated areas. But I think a bigger problem is the lack of focus on providing for group content. Too often there is no attention paid to balance between similar activities. For instance, the disparity in rewards between adventurer's guild bounties and GOS warcamps. Many players enjoy warcamping, but many participate infrequently because the rewards are significantly lower than running bounties.

Some say the rewards are there and point to the group experience and loot bonus. Unfortunately, the group experience bonus consists of exactly 1 point of experience per pulse, as far as I can tell. It's simply not a significant factor. And the loot bonus, while better than nothing, doesn't change the fact that most players would gain significantly more treasure hunting alone.

I imagine other players must recognize the truth in this, but I think we tend to have an irrational fear of promoting MA abuse in this game. It seems every time somebody suggests greater incentives for group content, we have to have a long, drawn out debate regarding the potential for a handful of players to make gains against the spirit of the design. To which I have to say: Is it worth it?

In any event, my position is that if we made a concerted effort to promote group play in this game, players would naturally ally themselves with one another to complete more rewarding objectives instead of playing the game mostly solo. It isn't necessary that their initial intent be strictly to roleplay. I think the RP will come as a natural consequence of increased interaction promoted by smarter game design. Either way, you can't force a person who has no interest in RP to suddenly take interest in it. All you can do by design is to make the game in a way that appeals to the interests of your players to nudge them toward behaviors which are beneficial to the game.

You want more RP? My advice is to design the game in a way that encourages (but doesn't force!) greater interaction between players. If you do, I expect the result will be more interaction and more roleplaying, all motivated by self-interest (gaining exp/levels), which nearly all of us enjoy to some extent.

~Taverkin

[Yasutoshi]

Lots of responses. I read through all of them. The main #1 issue for me quitting really had to do with my eyes. I don't know why I can play graphical games fine but playing Gemstone (maybe it's a combination of the text scrolling or the contrasting colors of text - who knows). It is definitely strange to have an eye twitch every now and then but this had gotten so bad that my right eye would close completely and it would take a lot of energy to get it to open again. I could deal with the other stuff. I was just trying to be honest with my feedback.

I appreciate all of the comments and rebuttals (positive or negative). Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion.

I did grab a founder title for EQN last night and started testing it out. The building tools are a lot of fun to work with.

Again, good luck. To those that PM'd me with kind thoughts, my thanks.

[Tisket]

The best game are built to support massive scripting. The less the player has to do, the better the game is. I recommend you try Progress Quest or IdleRPG. Here you go:

Progress Quest: http://progressquest.com/
IdleRPG: http://idlerpg.net/

So do you script at all?

[Whirlin]

I imagine other players must recognize the truth in this, but I think we tend to have an irrational fear of promoting MA abuse in this game. It seems every time somebody suggests greater incentives for group content, we have to have a long, drawn out debate regarding the potential for a handful of players to make gains against the spirit of the design. To which I have to say: Is it worth it?

In any event, my position is that if we made a concerted effort to promote group play in this game, players would naturally ally themselves with one another to complete more rewarding objectives instead of playing the game mostly solo. It isn't necessary that their initial intent be strictly to roleplay. I think the RP will come as a natural consequence of increased interaction promoted by smarter game design. Either way, you can't force a person who has no interest in RP to suddenly take interest in it. All you can do by design is to make the game in a way that appeals to the interests of your players to nudge them toward behaviors which are beneficial to the game.
~Taverkin

Agreed... but there's a thin line between adding incentive, and buffing MA'ers. Especially when you're faced with an environment with decreased players, adding group mechanics could potentially negatively impact lower level characters who simply don't have potential hunting partners. With such bonuses just out of reach, it'll incentivize MA'ing or dishearten players who cannot obtain the bonuses through normal means.

[SHAFT]

http://a2.ec-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/143/3443cdcf0982448ebba0ec7e6fc8c163/l.jpg

I like swords too.

[Buckwheet]

I like swords too.

I see you like swords. Uhuh Uhuh. I like swords too.

[Hightower]

<<Agreed... but there's a thin line between adding incentive, and buffing MA'ers. Especially when you're faced with an environment with decreased players, adding group mechanics could potentially negatively impact lower level characters who simply don't have potential hunting partners. With such bonuses just out of reach, it'll incentivize MA'ing or dishearten players who cannot obtain the bonuses through normal means.>>

As you've explained, there is an inherent disadvantage to grouping from the perspective of players who don't MA. In my opinion, this justifies a greater reward. I don't think it's fair that MA is an option, but I believe stifling advancement in this potentially game-changing direction simply to prevent any potential benefits to MA has proven a poor solution in practice. Also, there's some evidence to suggest that friendships may be forged via repeated cooperation between players on the basis of mutual gain.

Consider bandit tasks. The ambush and trap mechanics make it considerably more difficult for many characters to survive the encounters, while the spawn rate of encounters increases for every individual sharing the task. Bandits represent a prime example of a design which is significantly faster and safer for groups.

MA absolutely have an advantage in bandit tasks. But I don't mind. It's one of the few areas in the game where being in a group is a clear advantage for me. More importantly, because I (and many others) routinely seek out others to share bandit tasks, many of us have developed lasting friendships in the course of sharing tasks.

A fine line, yes. But in my opinion, the benefits outweigh the costs. MA groups barely register as an issue in the Icemule/Rift area as far as I can tell, so I may lack perspective. I do remember the constant problems in OTF while Sabreon and crew were around. I really wouldn't want to see that become an issue everywhere (although I admit I wouldn't mind the spawn rates!). Still, I have shared hundreds of bandit tasks with many different players. MA would have to be far more inconvenient to measure up to that!

~Taverkin

[leifastagsweed]

Lots of responses. I read through all of them. The main #1 issue for me quitting really had to do with my eyes. I don't know why I can play graphical games fine but playing Gemstone (maybe it's a combination of the text scrolling or the contrasting colors of text - who knows). It is definitely strange to have an eye twitch every now and then but this had gotten so bad that my right eye would close completely and it would take a lot of energy to get it to open again. I could deal with the other stuff. I was just trying to be honest with my feedback.

I thought that an interesting perspective that graphical is easier on your eyes than text. I have heard other people complain about text scrolling bothering them, and certainly an invasion or the like can give me some serious eye strain and headache. Generally, though, I have the opposite problem and it's graphics that cause issues far more than text. I had to stop playing first-person graphical shooters about the time Half Life hit the market (inorite?) because the panning made my eyes blur, I'd get dizzy, sometimes nauseous. I do okay with third person console gaming, but generally only for short periods of time before my head esplode. I have definitely been known to get tired eyes (and tired everything else) from gaming too long, regardless of text or graphical, but for me, its the movement and lights of the graphics that are the problem.

[Hightower]

I thought that an interesting perspective that graphical is easier on your eyes than text. I have heard other people complain about text scrolling bothering them, and certainly an invasion or the like can give me some serious eye strain and headache. Generally, though, I have the opposite problem and it's graphics that cause issues far more than text. I had to stop playing first-person graphical shooters about the time Half Life hit the market (inorite?) because the panning made my eyes blur, I'd get dizzy, sometimes nauseous. I do okay with third person console gaming, but generally only for short periods of time before my head esplode. I have definitely been known to get tired eyes (and tired everything else) from gaming too long, regardless of text or graphical, but for me, the movement and lights of the graphics that are the problem.

Oh, that's funny. Get this! I can play FPS games online all day long, but within 15 minutes of playing the same games in the single-player campaign I get that same dizziness and nausea thing you got goin' on there. Weird, huh? So I could play counterstrike all day long online, but never beaten half-life - beaten it? Forget that! I can't even get past the intro! It's only FPS games and only if I play them offline. I have no idea why!

~Taverkin

[Whirlin]

A fine line, yes. But in my opinion, the benefits outweigh the costs. MA groups barely register as an issue in the Icemule/Rift area as far as I can tell, so I may lack perspective. I do remember the constant problems in OTF while Sabreon and crew were around. I really wouldn't want to see that become an issue everywhere (although I admit I wouldn't mind the spawn rates!). Still, I have shared hundreds of bandit tasks with many different players. MA would have to be far more inconvenient to measure up to that!

~Taverkin

I'm actually surprised Simutronics hasn't considered it yet... Because whether or not it has a positive effect to increase grouping, or a positive effect to increase MA'ing... either way would be a net positive for Simu.

I agree with you wholeheartedly... I've love to see group mechanics buffed.

As far as what to tweak for Grouping dynamics, I've always consider FoF to be an incomplete mechanic that's capable of a lot more when dealing with groups. Imagine if a group of 20 people pushed a solo critter's DS down by 190... Imagine the capabilities that could have on gameplay for an endgame cooperative dungeons.

[Tgo01]

I'm just waiting for someone to write an all inclusive RP script. What will the anti scripter RP l33tists cry about then?


I'd love to see this, imagine someone walking into tsc and saying hi to everyone individually in 2 seconds flat, then profiling each person and coming up with a RP worthy comment about their race, profession, features if listed(whatever) all spam screen scrolling. Occasionally someone elses rp triggers the RPbot and mayhem occurs. Maybe coming across two RP bots outside the pawnshop caught in an rp loop having the same conversation over and over.

I'm working on it. (http://forum.gsplayers.com/showthread.php?90656-Roleplaying-Script-%28RPS%29&p=1665918#post1665918)

[Elantari]

I'm working on it. (http://forum.gsplayers.com/showthread.php?90656-Roleplaying-Script-%28RPS%29&p=1665918#post1665918)

If so, you are obviously a retarded idiot.

[Methais]

If so, you are obviously a retarded idiot.

As opposed to you, who is spectacular at being an idiot.

Tgo is trying to save Gemstone and restore balance to Elanthia by forcing people to afk RP to compensate for all the afk non-RP scripting that is ruining your non-gaming experience so much, so that you may one day decide that we are worthy of having such an unknown legend such as yourself decide to grace us with your presence again and show us how the real professionals roleplay.

I mean you played at the same time as Blades and Thalior, which is something that most people can only fap about at night. If that doesn't make you one of the greats, then this game, as well as the rest of the internet, truly is doomed.

Why do you hate well dressed dogs that read newspapers so much instead of being grateful to Tgo's efforts to make the game more suitable for such a renowned nobody like you?

[Jeril]

I'm actually surprised Simutronics hasn't considered it yet... Because whether or not it has a positive effect to increase grouping, or a positive effect to increase MA'ing... either way would be a net positive for Simu.

I agree with you wholeheartedly... I've love to see group mechanics buffed.

As far as what to tweak for Grouping dynamics, I've always consider FoF to be an incomplete mechanic that's capable of a lot more when dealing with groups. Imagine if a group of 20 people pushed a solo critter's DS down by 190... Imagine the capabilities that could have on gameplay for an endgame cooperative dungeons.

What do you mean by imagine if? 20 people attacking a solo creature can most certainly push its DS way down and into crazy low numbers. I think you mean to say that maybe GMs could actually use the mechanic and make for some interesting dungeons/hunting grounds?

[Elantari]

As opposed to you, who is spectacular at being an idiot.

Tgo is trying to save Gemstone and restore balance to Elanthia by forcing people to afk RP to compensate for all the afk non-RP scripting that is ruining your non-gaming experience so much, so that you may one day decide that we are worthy of having such an unknown legend such as yourself decide to grace us with your presence again and show us how the real professionals roleplay.

I mean you played at the same time as Blades and Thalior, which is something that most people can only fap about at night. If that doesn't make you one of the greats, then this game, as well as the rest of the internet, truly is doomed.

Why do you hate well dressed dogs that read newspapers so much instead of being grateful to Tgo's efforts to make the game more suitable for such a renowned nobody like you?

You suck at trolling. Please, stop trying. You are an embarrassment to wannabe trolls everywhere.

[JackWhisper]

Elantari, all trolling asides, you're a dick. Just leave because nobody wants you here. You're like the white guy in a black guy porno. Your dick is so much smaller than everyone else's, that they just feel bad for you. That's sort of what Methais is going through. Midget dick pity. For you. Gelston has no pity while his cock is plowing your ass though, sorry.

[Jace Solo]

Can we get a White House Petition on some Ban Hammer?
Sign underneath.

[Elantari]

Elantari, all trolling asides, you're a dick. Just leave because nobody wants you here. You're like the white guy in a black guy porno. Your dick is so much smaller than everyone else's, that they just feel bad for you. That's sort of what Methais is going through. Midget dick pity. For you. Gelston has no pity while his cock is plowing your ass though, sorry.

You're taking things very personally, aren't you? I have to admit that trolling you is amusing me. You're such easy game. Tell me, how does it feel to be hunted?

[JackWhisper]

Aaaand you just straight up admitted you are bold faced trolling just to cause trouble.

Anticor, didn't you ban IW for this reason? Can we get a repeat of your mystical mojo?

[Kerranger]

You're taking things very personally, aren't you? I have to admit that trolling you is amusing me. You're such easy game. Tell me, how does it feel to be hunted?

You think you are hunting people on a message board? Crawl back into whatever pus-filled meat wallet shat you out and die.

[Yasutoshi]

Oh, that's funny. Get this! I can play FPS games online all day long, but within 15 minutes of playing the same games in the single-player campaign I get that same dizziness and nausea thing you got goin' on there. Weird, huh? So I could play counterstrike all day long online, but never beaten half-life - beaten it? Forget that! I can't even get past the intro! It's only FPS games and only if I play them offline. I have no idea why!

~Taverkin

I have the same issue on FPS games with nausea and dizziness. The only graphical games I can play without issue are stable ones with at least 25 FPS or more. I also build custom gaming rigs so I have a very high end rig that I use for gaming. One thing I found out that seems to work a little better is a very large monitor. Here are some interesting notes:

Small Monitor: Issue is very bad
Dual large monitors: Issue is improved but still somewhat periodic
Very large monitor: 29" to 32" wide screen and the issue almost disappears on graphical games.

I think the main issue for FPS games is that I need a wide peripheral vision and depth of field in order to keep my eyes stabilized. Text based games (even increasing the font) just does something weird with my right eye (it's my strong eye) and I think my vision is just trying to overcompensate somehow.

I don't know if you've ever tried a really wide monitor but it may help.

[Hightower]

I have the same issue on FPS games with nausea and dizziness. The only graphical games I can play without issue are stable ones with at least 25 FPS or more. I also build custom gaming rigs so I have a very high end rig that I use for gaming. One thing I found out that seems to work a little better is a very large monitor. Here are some interesting notes:

Small Monitor: Issue is very bad
Dual large monitors: Issue is improved but still somewhat periodic
Very large monitor: 29" to 32" wide screen and the issue almost disappears on graphical games.

I think the main issue for FPS games is that I need a wide peripheral vision and depth of field in order to keep my eyes stabilized. Text based games (even increasing the font) just does something weird with my right eye (it's my strong eye) and I think my vision is just trying to overcompensate somehow.

I don't know if you've ever tried a really wide monitor but it may help.


I don't think it can be related to the frames-per-second or else why would it be so specific as only to occur when playing FPS games and only if I play them offline? For instance, I can play GTA, Forza, WoW, whatever for hours and have no problem. I can also play FPS games online for hours without issue. But within minutes of playing the same FPS games offline in campaign mode I'm dizzy and nauseous. The only game that somehow bucked the trend was Halo. I managed to sometimes play that for extended periods with only intermittent nausea/dizziness. In fact, I was able to play through the entire game - the only FPS game I've ever been able to do that! But still, sometimes I would get the dizziness/nausea even with Halo, but again only offline. Playing split screen with up to 4 players caused no problems for me and online play has never caused me any problems (which is fortunate because that's all I really care about with FPS games anyway!).

I also have no problem playing cell phone games on my S3. And that's a really small screen, compared to my 17" laptop I play GS on (or even the 14" I used to play on!).

Weird, huh? I've never been able to figure it out, and I've met plenty of people who get similar issues with various types of graphical games - just never with this odd level of specificity. I don't get it! But it's not a major problem for me, so I've never really bothered to try and figure it out.

~Taverkin

[leifastagsweed]

I have the same issue on FPS games with nausea and dizziness. The only graphical games I can play without issue are stable ones with at least 25 FPS or more. I also build custom gaming rigs so I have a very high end rig that I use for gaming. One thing I found out that seems to work a little better is a very large monitor. Here are some interesting notes:

Small Monitor: Issue is very bad
Dual large monitors: Issue is improved but still somewhat periodic
Very large monitor: 29" to 32" wide screen and the issue almost disappears on graphical games.

I think the main issue for FPS games is that I need a wide peripheral vision and depth of field in order to keep my eyes stabilized. Text based games (even increasing the font) just does something weird with my right eye (it's my strong eye) and I think my vision is just trying to overcompensate somehow.

I don't know if you've ever tried a really wide monitor but it may help.

Actually, I first noticed the problem on very large monitors and it only gets worse the larger the screen! I had to stop playing or definitely watching console games when my ex-hb got a ridiculously big wall-size flat screen. I have the same issue with IMAX movies, especially if I have to sit close. Too much to look at and my eyes darting everywhere makes me want to hurl.

Interestingly, I did not get these sensations (other than the normal 'thrill') from virtual rides like they have at Universal Studios, California Adventure, or the Star Trek ride in Vegas.

[Aiska]

how does it feel to be hunted

ezio motherfuckin auditore over here

[Astray]

Tell me, how does it feel to be hunted?

Please get yourself evaluated at a mental health facility.

[Demgar]

As a recently returning player, who played in ’96-’98ish and again around '05, I’m in agreement with OP here. There are a lot of really nice mechanics changes that really make the game pop. Some of the more painful stuff has been smoothed out to make the experience more polished and a little easier (for better or worse). Increased exp gains, no more permadeath, level cap, etc. The variety of, and access to, interesting items has really added a lot of flavor to the lands also. Everyone really has an opportunity to kit out their character in their unique vision today. A new society, new professions, guilds, treasure system, hunting areas, and so forth give a lot of depth.

However, and it’s a big one, the low population count really detracts from the experience. There is an amazing game here, but it needs people in it. At 2000, the lands were bustling, busy and occasionally too full. Since those days, there have been more areas released, spreading people out further, and obviously the average population has decreased significantly. This makes the supposedly bustling cities feel like ghost towns. It seems like most of the players are old-timers, and while that's fine, perhaps there's an inherent cynicism and loss of wonder at the lands that comes with having been around for years and years.

Mostly I think this is due to the extremely uncompetitive pricing plan. I think that we’d see 5x as many players in the lands if the sub fee was halved, and there was a marketing campaign pushing free trials. No new players are coming in because there’s no way for them to really hear about it(and it's too expensive even if they do), not because there aren’t enough people interested in role-playing. All things nerd, boardgames, tabletop roleplaying, fantasy cosplay, and so forth are having a renissance right now. There’s already a very steep learning curve for new players. Even having spent some considerable time in the lands, I have a lot to catch up on. For me, it’s a nostalgic experience, and I think it’s worth it, but I can’t imagine paying the current sub fee to learn a new game in nearly empty lands, no matter how deep and interesting it is.

I’m sure all that’s been said before anyhow. It’s pretty clear that despite some engaged and proactive GM’s, the people making the business decisions at Simu are asleep at the wheel.

[Kalishar]

As a recently returning player, who played in ’96-’98ish and again around '05, I’m in agreement with OP here. There are a lot of really nice mechanics changes that really make the game pop. Some of the more painful stuff has been smoothed out to make the experience more polished and a little easier (for better or worse). Increased exp gains, no more permadeath, level cap, etc. The variety of, and access to, interesting items has really added a lot of flavor to the lands also. Everyone really has an opportunity to kit out their character in their unique vision today. A new society, new professions, guilds, treasure system, hunting areas, and so forth give a lot of depth.

However, and it’s a big one, the low population count really detracts from the experience. There is an amazing game here, but it needs people in it. At 2000, the lands were bustling, busy and occasionally too full. Since those days, there have been more areas released, spreading people out further, and obviously the average population has decreased significantly. This makes the supposedly bustling cities feel like ghost towns. It seems like most of the players are old-timers, and while that's fine, perhaps there's an inherent cynicism and loss of wonder at the lands that comes with having been around for years and years.

Mostly I think this is due to the extremely uncompetitive pricing plan. I think that we’d see 5x as many players in the lands if the sub fee was halved, and there was a marketing campaign pushing free trials. No new players are coming in because there’s no way for them to really hear about it(and it's too expensive even if they do), not because there aren’t enough people interested in role-playing. All things nerd, boardgames, tabletop roleplaying, fantasy cosplay, and so forth are having a renissance right now. There’s already a very steep learning curve for new players. Even having spent some considerable time in the lands, I have a lot to catch up on. For me, it’s a nostalgic experience, and I think it’s worth it, but I can’t imagine paying the current sub fee to learn a new game in nearly empty lands, no matter how deep and interesting it is.

I’m sure all that’s been said before anyhow. It’s pretty clear that despite some engaged and proactive GM’s, the people making the business decisions at Simu are asleep at the wheel.

Agree with you 100%. The low population in the game right now is my number 1 issue. Everyone will say... "ohhh but the script kiddies will be everywhere, and OOC talking and behavior will run rampant". I ignored it then, and I'm quite capable of ignoring it now without it ruining my immersion.

[Elantari]

Agree with you 100%. The low population in the game right now is my number 1 issue. Everyone will say... "ohhh but the script kiddies will be everywhere, and OOC talking and behavior will run rampant".

I would say that the script-kiddies are already everywhere, but I guess since the population is so low, they can't be.

[Palcron]

If you don't like the game, don't play. It's that simple. No one here actually cares why the people who choose not to play come to that conclusion. We all have very real and valid reasons for sticking around, and someone else deciding not to isn't going to make a difference. I'm sure everyone here has quite a few ideas of things to change, and if that's why people keep posting "this is why I don't play" threads, then why post on a public forum that is in no way associated with Simu, and not on the officials? You had plenty of time when subscribed to voice opinions to Simu. We, here, don't want to know because we can't do anything about it. There are a lot of things that I would change if I had the authority, and if I were to voice my opinions, I would do it in a way that all of Simu's higher-ups could hear, and not on the PC.

[Methais]

If you don't like the game, don't play. It's that simple. No one here actually cares why the people who choose not to play come to that conclusion. We all have very real and valid reasons for sticking around, and someone else deciding not to isn't going to make a difference. I'm sure everyone here has quite a few ideas of things to change, and if that's why people keep posting "this is why I don't play" threads, then why post on a public forum that is in no way associated with Simu, and not on the officials? You had plenty of time when subscribed to voice opinions to Simu. We, here, don't want to know because we can't do anything about it. There are a lot of things that I would change if I had the authority, and if I were to voice my opinions, I would do it in a way that all of Simu's higher-ups could hear, and not on the PC.

If you want Simu's higher-ups to hear it, bring cocaine.

[Palcron]

If you want Simu's higher-ups to hear it, bring cocaine.

I was thinking hookers, but then again, what's a hooker without cocaine?

[Androidpk]

I was thinking hookers, but then again, what's a hooker without cocaine?

A sober politician.

[Deadelf]

Yeah you just have to sort of find your niche in this game nowadays. I'm also a returning player from that era and I spend my time building alts then trying them out till I get bored. Most of my fun is in the weeks I'll spend planning a character out and obsessively coming up with what I think are optimal stats. I wish the game was a little more hardcore than it is now with more of a death penalty and such. I should also ditch my main account with the gear and the money. Its probably about time I unsubbed and took a break again anyway.

As for roleplaying, well my heart just isn't in it anymore. When I do rp its usually to return someone else's rp, I don't want my own fuddy duddiness to ruin their gameplay. I think part of the truth is that there was more roleplaying back then because there just wasn't much else to do in game compared to today. :)

I'm also hoping good things for EQ Next, I like what SOE has done with PS1 and 2 with emergent gameplay. I'm hoping some of that will rub off on EQN. I'm trying out Archeage now and its scratching some of that itch. Probably because there's essentially no easy to find reference material so I've just said fuck it and actually played it with no planning lol.

Pretty much how I feel anymore as well as to role-play etc. I can also empathize with his comments about the game just making you feel old, that was my experience when I logged in last month. I just couldn't get back into it this time when I tried to return. Was fun doing the "walk down memory lane" when I logged in but that faded fast. I'm glad GS is still around but I can say that I am truly past it. Never thought that would happen, I really thought I'd be around until the final day the game shut down if I wasn't dead. lol.

Btw I've been playing a bit of Archeage myself, interesting game but at times I feel sort of hmm how do I put it... out of sync with it? Words are failing me in regards to what I'm trying to explain. :( I love the open world, crafting looks interesting and the classes seem fun that I've tried out so far. I'm not sure what I think about EQN "now", at first I was excited about it. Now though I tend to feel that they are spreading themselves too thin with EQ Landmark and EQN, it's like they can't decide where and what they want to do. So I tend to be a bit more hesitant about EQN.

[Deadelf]

This just bothers me. If this is true then Genie had 34-87 players commonly so 284 should be HUGE. If you cut out 96-2001 then the game has always, always averaged about 200-500.

The others have touched on most other things. I'd point out Icemule, which is an awesome starting town, Azanoth's comment, and several others who recommend looking for RP.

I'll second the asian stuff. David Carradine? Maybe people just ignored you because of the outlandishness of it. If you had played a haughty dark elf RP would have been everywhere or atleast someone would have insulted you.


Back in the 92'-95' time period before the deICEing etc the population was around 25 to 100. Once you hit around 100 GEnie's server would really have a hard time and we could only chat and couldn't do many actually commands like movement and combat etc. Once Simu moved the game to their own server around 94'(if I recall the year, it has been a long time) the in game population became much higher and no queues to log in via GEnie. The whole game world back then was much much smaller of course. No IMT, no Rivers Rest, no Teras etc. When Teras opened right after AOL, Prodigy gained access to GS many players fled to Teras which was annoying as someone who stayed in the Landing area. Though it was fun to watch all the frozen people in the Landing due to issues between AOL and Simu's servers. As a GEnie person you just kept on moving with no issues. I don't recall the Prodigy folks having any issues either, they were using a port of the GEnie FE as I recall. Probably helped them a lot with reducing issues.


Edit: so who is Elantari? We did have a few asshats back then but not many so someone refresh my memory as to who he claims to be.

[Kalishar]

I would say that the script-kiddies are already everywhere, but I guess since the population is so low, they can't be.

Yeah, but you don't know, and you're a troll. So opinion invalid.

[Elantari]

Edit: so who is Elantari? We did have a few asshats back then but not many so someone refresh my memory as to who he claims to be.

Hi Celtar. I haven't claimed to be anybody.

[Methais]

Hi Celtar. I haven't claimed to be anybody.

I'm still waiting for you to define what a script kiddie is, because so far you don't seem to have any clue.

This is where you will respond with something like "Your mom is a script kiddie" or something equally homosexual (but not gay) in an attempt to dodge it.

[Deadelf]

I'm still waiting for you to define what a script kiddie is, because so far you don't seem to have any clue.

This is where you will respond with something like "Your mom is a script kiddie" or something equally homosexual (but not gay) in an attempt to dodge it.


I gotta show your avatar picture to one of my sons when he gets back home after finals. He'll love that avatar Methais! :)



Elantari, thanks for the dodge in regards to my curiousity.

[Methais]

http://i.imgur.com/AuXbP3Z.jpg

[Elantari]

Elantari, thanks for the dodge in regards to my curiousity.

I aim to please. Surprised you're still around, by the way. Playing Platinum now?