TRAVEL TIME AND PLAY EXPERIENCE

(this is a long post, please read this and all following posts before
response. Respond to the last post in this article to keep threads clean.)

Before we can examine BatMUD's own travel time and play experience
relationship we have to determine what role travel time fills in a game.

Traditionally, travel time links two events in a game together, creating the
illusion of a journey or mission fulfilled. Travel time creates the atmosphere
and environment of a game, and allows the character to experience a virtual
environment. A longer travel time between places will make the player think in
terms of distance (an irl concept).

Let's examine what travel time influences in BatMUD:

1. Player decisions:
a.What areas they will almost always stop at *convenience*
b.What areas they will go to frequently
c.What areas they will go to infrequently
d.What areas they cannot reach *usually noobs*
2. Game Mechanics
a.Portal fees
b.Ferry fees
c.Ship code
d.Navigator guild code
e.Wanderer guild code
f.Mounts
g.Player skill: hiking
h.Subtle player skills: holy way, spider gate etc. etc.

This is a lot of things for a player to take into consideration while
using/re-creating their character. Previously most of these decisions and
game mechanics existed in BatMUD's old map (except for wanderers) and proved
to be flavor there.

These systems were flavor there. Yet under the new map system a good majority
of players will not unchest their eq, and do not move off their starting
continent. Why?
The current continent restriction is designed around a mode of transportation,
ships.
Ships in the old system were a luxury for some players, usually only
high-level players own ships/have had the resources to make a ship.

- blackstar -

Yes, i am responding without reading that post and all the following posts.
And no, i am not responding to the last posts to keep threads clean.
Could YOu keep your fucking brilliant ideas in something like ~20 lines. Who
the fuck gives about an idea that takes about ~1800 lines. If you havent
heard, this game is being held up by people that have volunteered to do it.
And hey, i dont think someone voluntarily reads few thounds lines of bullshit.
There is a newsgroup called bs for posts as long as my dick, keep ideas-wanted
for ideas, not for some short stories written by stoned mudders (yes i think
you have to use some drug to be able to post stuff like that)
Oh SHAME on me this should have been on flame but i had it articulated so well
i cant rewrite it!
p.s. if i ever write an idea in ideas-wanted longer than ~20 (20-30) lines,
fuck my ass and get your dick eaten in pieces by my dog (well atleast you get
to fuck me in the ass)
TÄNG juu!

This place is reserved for something more intelligent.

If you can change a major game component in 20 lines or less,
and at the same time have the game population understand why
the change is needed and what it will do.. then maybe you should
wiz. If you don't like to read I find it odd that you play a text
based game. Besides that, the coders have asked for solutions to
problems and I consider my "~1800" lines help, not hinderence.
The more detailed reports coders get from players the more likely
they will be able to fit into our shoes and code better stuff.

Oh, and just because a post is long dosent mean It's brilliant
but thanks for the complement

- blackstar -

Well..i quite enjoyed reading what he has to say, and i must agree with most
of what is said..and no..im not using some sorta drugs either..besides, he
acually has a point about detailed reports being better for coders..and on
another note, you dont necessarily have to read it, so why do you bitch and
whine about something you dont have to read? if peopel dont want to read it
they wont, if they do they do..maybe this isnt the right place for it, but you
do have a choice yourself wether to read it or not.

Well i did not quite enjoy reading what he has WROTE (not has to say, since
this is written stuff WERIJHASFDJ)
but in general, anything that cant be said in ~20-30 lines is too complicated
to be adapted by general people. No i dont know if my english is right but
yes, you can guess what i mean

This place is reserved for something more intelligent.

Most folks here are past primary school, so they proved to be fairly capable of
comprehending text longer than 20 lines, some even enjoy reading articles and
books(sic!). Blackstar\'s post was well written and interesting, your comment
on the other hand was both silly and annoying. If you can\'t read then nobody
forces you to.

Thanks for decent ideas Blackstar, I fully agree that whereas new world is a
clear improvement, the travel restrictions are frustrating and have put me in
retrirement mode.

Also can someone elaborate why isn\'t a person raised at caster location even
if he\'s on same continent/in same party, especially fun for eq mobs that
require hw/aoh.