The Labyrinth · Legacy archive

Various

Started by manfred Jul 30, 2003 5 posts Locked

  1. Various

    #1
    Warning: Low On Memory, Data Loss Possible
    Initiating Memory Dump...
    Converting to characters:


    - DM will need a way to go 'into' an NPC, to talk in his/her persona. The DM's nick will be extended when this happens.
    - Colours of the PC's speech should be fixed, to help the players and the DM identify one another. While this is a waste of time to code, it could go into the 'House Rules'.
    - For the DM: Quick display of important NPC/monster stats. Similar PC display too.
    - Determine where the data flows: only one PC, only DM or everyone. All messages go to the DM anyway. Enable 'private messages' in the Labyrinth, PC-to-PC(+DM), PC-to-DM or DM-to-PC.
    - Save game sessions. Make it possible to display the 'everyone' data flow. Publish whole for the players once the DM closes this adventure/campaign (may need more sessions). The group may allow to display the 'everyone' data flow for non-players, so other Citadelians can lurk in the chatroom, too, or read the adventure later. But while in game, no one talks besides the heroes and the DM! But some may play NPC if the DM is willing.
    - The world will be composed of 'rooms' or locations.
    - House Rules: one shall not leave his party's current location. While it may be possible for the DM to watch the player, (s)he would turn to utter madness once every character goes somewhere else and begins to parley, fight, search, sleep, travel, shop, study, ...
    The party travels as a group. Punctum.
    - Need ways to detect and at least partially solve some chat-problems: a player or DM suddenly stops responding. Network error? Server problems? Computer crashed? Had to respond to a VERY urgent call of Mother Nature? Fallen asleep?
    - Must divide all possible player actions into those, that:
    a) need DM supervision, and maybe intervention
    b) do not, but may be still influenced if necessary
    - Divide monster into minor and major. Minor will be automated, major will be played by a DM only.
    - This could allow for 'lonely rides', travelling the world without a DM, with a party or not. Of course, you cannot meet really important people, and kill really exotic beasts. There may not even be a quest available. The experience gained this way will be limited, so munchkins can't secretly power-up their characters. That's life.
  2. Various

    #2
    What will it look like?

    The Labyrinth is composed of rooms, or locations, or how ever to call it. What can the players do in such a room and, when does it need some dice intervention?

    - Intra player/character talk. No problem here, it's a chatroom afterall.
    - Leave to another room.
    - Search for not obvious details, or even items or exits. Will need some sort of Search roll.
    - If there are objects, manipulate them. May need roll(s).
    - Use some other skill. Roll obviously.
    - If there is a monster/NPC, communicate with it. As we are not too hot on social skills, probably no rolls here, only roleplaying.
    - If there is a monster/NPC, fight it. Roll, and not only once!

    The DM needs to know everything, but game-wise must be especially informed of the search results, manipulating objects, and combat. Here is the best place for assigning bonuses and penalties, depending mostly on roleplaying.
  3. Various

    #3
    I'd rather we stay away from the more MUD-like issues of this list, considering that MUDs have generally received less approval on trying to decide the system. Besides, Ria has proffessed that she hates MUDs.

    I like the lonely ride idea, though it might lead us to making a sort of chat computer game!

    Into the rolls section, I suggest, though it may sound foolish, rolling dice at home, in person. Though this gives HUGE room for cheating, I think the majority of us are honorable and mature enough to work with it.
  4. Various

    #4
    I surely would stay away from a MUD, but I know loosely how it works. But how will the Labyrinth work?

    ...chat computer game... well, one possible way it is. Playtesting won't be easy, and many would want to try their luck, even if there is no DM and a party at hand.

    Yes, dice might be a problem. I am still speculating how to include rolling in (so you simply write :d10: or something). Most of us are mature enough. But the sweet temptation...
  5. Various

    #5
    What should be done?

    - dissect the chatroom's code
    We need a relatively easy way of adding commands. DM will be the moderator, with even more commands at hand than the players. Dice to begin with.

    - slowly merge the system with the chatroom
    First only some kind of 'character sheet (raw text), to look at when needed. Then let it remember certain ever-changing numbers like HPs, MPs, and (if we use them) gold pieces or what. Add a few common rolls like Search. The entire system may never be hard-coded, but if anyone wants to try, no problem. Combat may need some automation.

    - test and refine up and down
    Note what is used and unused, what is liked or not, complaints and wishes. Fix any bugs. Rewrite the rules into a nicely readable format, for everyone to see. Compile House Rules.

    - PLAY THE GAME!


    Images
    CP mentioned adding images to the mix, for the 'less imaginative'. It is certainly possible. I wasn't very positive (well, even Captain was not), but a simple map or a small picture may be sometimes useful. May be done later.

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