11-21-2021, 03:24 AM
While I agree entirely that we can improve on the reward system and all that it entails, here are some thoughts:
1.) PvP is exciting and fun and so is theory crafting strong builds. This is a good thing, and not necessarily something we need to shame. Even if it's not our 'main focus' as a game, we've done a fairly decent job of having a diverse range of options and combinations. What's optimal and what isn't might surprise you since you can take any magic and make something with it.
2.) Contrary to the above, in a story/writing focused platform, this being all that influences outcomes is potentially unhealthy, and I don't think hidden spells fill that void in the sense that someone might squeeze out an extra 5-10% power. It's very minor, nor does 'more hiddens' change anything because we're talking 1-2 months deep into a character at that point.
3.) Joke posting in IC/LOOC is definitely more common, and this is more of a cultural/community thing that's unavoidable to some degree. If you're a boomer like I, you likely recall a time before Discord, when you were less familiar with who's who OOCly. It was purer and more writing focused because you simply felt less comfortable around other players (for better or worse), and probably less of a need to impress. Your interactions with them were kept to private one on one DMs, if you happened to be friends, or small chats rather than giant networking rooms that everyone has access to. It is what it is.
Here are some ideas for improvement going off of the suggestion:
1.) PvP is exciting and fun and so is theory crafting strong builds. This is a good thing, and not necessarily something we need to shame. Even if it's not our 'main focus' as a game, we've done a fairly decent job of having a diverse range of options and combinations. What's optimal and what isn't might surprise you since you can take any magic and make something with it.
2.) Contrary to the above, in a story/writing focused platform, this being all that influences outcomes is potentially unhealthy, and I don't think hidden spells fill that void in the sense that someone might squeeze out an extra 5-10% power. It's very minor, nor does 'more hiddens' change anything because we're talking 1-2 months deep into a character at that point.
3.) Joke posting in IC/LOOC is definitely more common, and this is more of a cultural/community thing that's unavoidable to some degree. If you're a boomer like I, you likely recall a time before Discord, when you were less familiar with who's who OOCly. It was purer and more writing focused because you simply felt less comfortable around other players (for better or worse), and probably less of a need to impress. Your interactions with them were kept to private one on one DMs, if you happened to be friends, or small chats rather than giant networking rooms that everyone has access to. It is what it is.
Here are some ideas for improvement going off of the suggestion:
- Tiered passives that can be requested via the journal, or awarded in-game. These should not always be permanent and increase/decrease depending on the various factors at play. There's no real reason for one of the strongest figures to have a passive if they don't need it, but moreso to spotlight and encourage up and coming characters.
- Stances should have some optional elements to them depending on player preference. In the current meta, for example, having a shield or invulnerability is very helpful. An upgraded stance that could fill that gap would allow someone to be more flexible in their choices. More leeway here based on build and power, though not allowing or encouraging stuff like stacking shields or sicknasty combos, naturally.
- More diversity in the big stuff even if it's Thunder King But Fire, just having the options there to strive for is a motivator I think. We also need more interesting content along the lines of stuff like Wayfinding and Barrier Magic, rarer abilities that are their own spell trees.