Posted by Byvarn on October 21, 2000 at 10:41:59:
In Reply to: The MotD: One character per player. posted by Proud Blade(VIP) on October 20, 2000 at 11:50:56:
> Character hoppers (*) disgust me. Of late, logging on and seeing the hero PK range alternate between "15 Dawnies and friends", "15 Ragers and Sylvans", and "15 Masters and Empire" is ruining the game. There are certain exceptions who you'll see on when their "side" is hurting, but there's a lot more examples of people who only seem to be about when things are easy. (Oddly, I'd bet a lot of these people consider themselves "elite", but that is another Manifesto.) > Let's go to one character per player. That's right: one. Not "One good one, and one for screwing around". Not "One high level and one low level". And certainly not "One master and one rager". Just "One". (Maybe "One immortal and/or one mortal", but that as far as I'd like to go.) > Why? Your choices are now: Play the character you've been playing, or don't play. > The RP angle: The single best thing I did to help my own RP skills was to switch to playing only one character. I find it so much easier to get into a role with some depth, and develop the quirks, intercharacter relations, and subtle points that make a character interesting. You get used to being helpful and polite with your Dawnie. You remember your last groupmates, and the things they said. You keep up with the miscellaneous quests and events of Thera that affect you. You don't slip and ask for help as an Arcana. Etc. > The game balance angle: The pendulum loses a lot of momentum. It's now a lot of effort to switch sides: you'd need to delete, roll, and level. People will have to stick to their guns, and find ways to overcome difficult situations beyond being able to quit and log on your other. Your PK range might actually show some variety for once. > How to do it: Open to discussion. There are a lot of ways to prove that you are "you", although most of them can be tough for the younger players. (Credit cards, driver's license #, etc.) Email accounts are worthless- I have three or four myself, and could easily give myself several more for free through my ISP. I'm out of my expertise on what is easy or convenient, so I'll leave it to the public. There would have to be some form of web-based system for this, but I get the feeling it's within the realm of possibility. > Flame on, baby. Make me toasty. I'm waitin'. > (*): Often called "cabal hoppers" but there are enough uncaballed who fit the profile.