Topics

1

Suggestions & Ideas / For your reference: Socials template

« on: May 28, 2014, 06:13:02 am »

For the sake of reference, I'm leaving this here so it's easy to find. If someone would like to create a new social, this is the information I would need. Note me in game (or leave a reply with your ideas)with as much of this filled out as you can. You don't have to worry about the variables unless you want to take a swing at it. I'll take care of it myself. Fair warning- I'm not adding anything I don't think needs to be a social, so please attempt to be somewhat civilized with your socials requests.

Ok: this is how "easy" it is to make a social:  Fill in all these lines and use the correct variables:

n) Command         : <name of social>         1) Sort as Command  : <name of social on social list>         
2) Min Position[CH]: Standing        3) Min Position [VT]: Standing
4) Min Level   [CH]: 0               5) Show if Invisible: NOT HIDDEN
a) Char    [NO ARG]: <what the character sees without a victim>
b) Others  [NO ARG]:  <what the room sees when no victim>
c) Char [NOT FOUND]: <what the character sees if victim is not found>
d) Char  [ARG SELF]: <what the character sees if victim is self>
e) Others[ARG SELF]: <What the room sees when victim is character’s self>
f) Char      [VICT]: <What the character sees when they have a victim>
g) Others    [VICT]: <What the room sees when the character has a victim>
h) Victim    [VICT]: <What the victim sees when the character has a victim>
i) Char  [BODY PRT]: <Used only if  this social can be used with the body part of victim>
j) Others[BODY PRT]: <What room sees if character uses body part of victim>
k) Victim[BODY PRT]: <What victim sees if character uses body part of victim>
l) Char       [OBJ]: <What character sees if victim is an object>
m) Others     [OBJ]: <what room sees if victim is an object>

But instead of using <player> or <victim> you have to know these variables:
$n = you, $N = target, $m him/her/it for you, $M him/her/it for target
$s = his/her/it for you, $S = his/her/it for target
$e = he/she/it for you, $S = he/she/it for target

Example: Poke
n) Command         : poke            1) Sort as Command  : poke           
2) Min Position[CH]: Resting         3) Min Position [VT]: Resting
4) Min Level   [CH]: 0               5) Show if Invisible: NOT HIDDEN
a) Char    [NO ARG]: Poke who? What? Where?
b) Others  [NO ARG]: <Null>
c) Char [NOT FOUND]: You can't poke someone who's not here!
d) Char  [ARG SELF]: You poke yourself in the ribs, feeling very silly.
e) Others[ARG SELF]: $n pokes $mself in the ribs, looking very sheepish.
f) Char      [VICT]: You poke $M in the ribs.
g) Others    [VICT]: $n pokes $N in the ribs.
h) Victim    [VICT]: $n pokes you in the ribs.
i) Char  [BODY PRT]: You poke $M in $S $t.
j) Others[BODY PRT]: $n pokes $N in $S $t.
k) Victim[BODY PRT]: $n pokes you in your $t.
l) Char       [OBJ]: You poke at $p.
m) Others     [OBJ]: $n pokes at $p.

2

Suggestions & Ideas / Burn Cream

« on: May 21, 2014, 10:26:03 am »

Reiko asked about having a burn cream that helps with flame damage. I thought the idea had merit so I am leaving it here to be discussed.

3

Roleplay / Role Play Games/Mini-Session Ideas

« on: October 31, 2013, 11:05:39 am »

In other threads, we have talked about rewards for RPing and how many points they should cost. We have talked about restrings and perzes to further get into character. But no one has talked about the issue that this is not a RP-centered mud so very few players have a character with a developed personality. Everyone plays in their OOC self. This is not a problem since this isn't a RP mud. But it sure does make it difficult to RP in game when we are all just a bunch of online friends who chat in recall or on gossip channel.

I think the key to reviving RP in the mud is to allow each person to take a break from their ingame character (the one who has an ooc personality) and put them in improv situations where they have to act on the fly. The RPLs can create a background and story line and the player has to adapt to it and roll with the flow. I think to start out with, we should stick with less involved more humorous scenarios to break the ice a bit. All mini sessions below are 30 minutes long and will yield 5 -10 points a piece to all involved. Some of the games are for one player and the RPL. Some need more than one person to pull off. Some are flexible.

Games:
Babysitting- (1 player)Player is hired at the 4D Day Care. RPL will make sure the babies give the new sitter a hard time

The time you ran into THAT ex boy/girl friend- (1-2 players) You are waiting in line at Starbucks or you are sitting down on crowded train. You suddenly realize the person next to you in that one ex in your past that stands out among all other exes. Now you are forced to make polite, if awkward, conversation. RPL can play as one actor is only one player is available.

The Date Interview- (1-4 players) The guy/gal is over to pick up his/her date for the evening.  But the parent(s) have a few question they want answered before consenting to the date. Only really need a boy/girlfriend and a parent but can also add a second parent and the date whose parents are doing the interview. RPL can play any missing role.

The Minister- (1+ players) You are the minister of a brand new religion. Your job is to spread the good word to those around you. Player can create a religion of his own or can use a religion the RPL has created. This is to be light-hearted and funny. The new religion should be silly and far-fetched. Player should avoid using this as a chance to make any points he or she may have about any real religion or about religion in general.

Trollolol- (1 player -with more unsuspecting participants) Player creates a secret newbie alt and trolls the mud. Player should avoid being insulting or engaging any real newbies. The point is to have fun and cause some ruckus. The troll and all players who were involved (even if unknowingly) will get rewarded.

Memory Loss- Player wakes up in a morgue with no memory of who he is. The others fill in the story for him and the player then has to incorperate all those stories into his personality. Can involve as many people as wants to get involved. Only one amnesia sufferer at a time though
ex: player1: "Where am I? Who am I?"
player2: You are Mike the transgendered nun
player1 emote: crosses his legs and his chest at the same time.
player1: "Well my child, who are you?
player2: I am Calypso, your friend from Italy.
player1 emote searches in his purse for some lipstick and the Bible.
player1: "So my child, you are saying I am from the holy country of Italy?"
player2: yes you are from Italy. From  Rome actually. You have lived there for 15 years but are looking for a change in scenery.
player1 emote unfolds his road map and plots a route to Spain.
player1: "Mamamia child, I think-a I remember everything now. I have lived in this country forever and it'sa time for me to look for new things."
player2: You are also a bit of a grouch.
player1 emote scowls at everyone and everything.
player1: "aye-yie-yie! This place-a stinks! The Lord, he wantsa me to spread the good word in Spain."
etc...


I would love to hear any more ideas for mini-sessions. The point of this is to give players the chance to break out of their character and try their hand at acting improv, and make a few points in the process. I prefer ideas that do not involve roaming the realms in search of a mob or object. There are quests for that. I want to focus on roleplay.

What do you think?? Think we can make this work?

4

Suggestions & Ideas / Blind Players

« on: September 15, 2013, 10:27:33 am »

We have enough blind players  to justify changing some things around to make it fair for them. Anything that relies on color as an indicator should be changed. For instance, instead of having a colored tier bar in front of a mob, we can use T4 or |||| as an indicator. And instead of the skills/spells being in green to indicate which ones a player can train, just use a *. 

Can you think of anything else like this?

5

Suggestions & Ideas / Channel for Roleplay Groups

« on: August 13, 2013, 12:43:56 pm »

If the complaint is that there is not enough roleplay in game, how about we add a channel for each rp group to use?

6

Suggestions & Ideas / Sweetheart PK Tournament

« on: August 10, 2013, 11:29:06 am »

We should hold a sweetheart pk tournament. Couple against couple. Last couple standing gets cash prize. We can do couple vs couple at a time and use bracket system to track wins, maybe double elimination tournament. Tag team matches perhaps? Or we could hold a free for all king of the hill type fight where the last couple standing wins the prize. Or perhaps a tri-event tournament that encompasses all three? What do you think? Make the entry fee be one gold per couple and winner takes all? Any other ideas?

7

Suggestions & Ideas / Locate Newbie ability on Helper whistle

« on: August 08, 2013, 11:37:56 am »

I would love to see a locate newbie ability added to the whistle so that Helpers can see what room a newbie is in without having to go to them. Like the BBV with PKers but with newbies.

8

Barrel of Laughs / Champion

« on: June 11, 2013, 09:29:58 pm »

5725H 110023M 14768V (100) Can Now RemortTNL 50L Ouch:14 Boom:1,659
Stile says, '*s* I'm the russian roulette champion *S*'

5725H 110023M 14771V (100) Can Now RemortTNL 50L Ouch:14 Boom:1,659
Stile puts the gun against his head...

5725H 110023M 14771V (100) Can Now RemortTNL 50L Ouch:14 Boom:1,659
Stile swallows hard *GULP*
Stile pulls the trigger!
 ______  _       _______ _______ _
(____  \(_)     (_______|_______) |
 ____)  )_       _______ _  _  _| |
|  __  (| |     |  ___  | ||_|| |_|
| |__)  ) |_____| |   | | |   | |_
|______/|_______)_|   |_|_|   |_|_|
Your blood freezes as you hear Stile's death cry.

9

Once's Board / FORTIFY SKILL

« on: May 31, 2013, 07:58:23 am »

Please fix fortify skill. I always get the message: Ok you'll stop fortifying your body.

It doesn't work at all ever under any circumstances. And it has been that way for months.  I have filled out bug reports on it and nothing has happened with it so far. It is a valuable skill so it really sucks no to have it.

10

Barrel of Laughs / WTF?

« on: May 23, 2013, 06:55:38 am »

Kito is so Ninja!

11

Suggestions & Ideas / Pre title and log messages

« on: November 06, 2012, 09:00:58 am »

Currently pre titles and log messages are bought with award points given by RPL or as a perk for being a RPL. I have played this game for more than a year and a half, and I have not seen any role play going on. In game role play seems to be dead. Can we discuss the possibility of being able to acquire pre titles and log messages by other means?

12

Suggestions & Ideas / new Ranger skill

« on: October 28, 2012, 10:28:12 am »

There should be a skill for Rangers that would add an affect to weapons. Like cause blindness, lower strength, or decrease speed, etc. The skill name could be influence, recondition, improvise, actuate, reconstruct, adapt, tweak, refine, or engineer.  We could use a different skill name for different affects.

Ideas? Thoughts?

*moved from previous area to here

13

Suggestions & Ideas / Overlooked balance issues for casters

« on: June 21, 2012, 09:39:32 pm »

I am still a newb, so forgive any blaring misunderstandings of how the game works. Having said that, I am hearing talk and reading threads concerning balancing the game out a bit more. That is wonderful. I think something ought to be done. But, most of the talk is about Casters being overpowered. In some respects, this is true but that is not taking into consideration some of the disadvantages casters have.


1. Focus Concerns

- None of the options for foci are without a timer (than manifested orbs which are next to worthless).

- There aren’t many choices for casters in terms of focus. Either you get a pike, or a staff… maybe an orb if you are that desperate.

- Neither the pike nor the staff can be obtained without the help of another player, for most non-gm casters in the game.  (Yes pikes can in theory be obtained by any caster class, but in practice it just doesn’t happen. The elephant is just too difficult of a mob for anyone other than the strongest players in game. So either they get a tank to help, and keep up their supply, or they ask a gypsy to get them a staff) So in order to obtain a weapon for themselves, casters rely on the help of others.

.

2. Caster Imbalance

- The only caster class worth its salt is the Priest. I understand this is currently being worked on. But it seems to me that the way this balance is being solved is to nerf the only class that can stand its own.

- I see that a few spells were added to other caster classes to help balance that out. That is great! Maybe that will tempt people to try out those classes, and we can get even more input into how to achieve overall balance with the caster class itself.



I know balancing such complicated systems is difficult. I can't imagine the work that has gone into making the game as fun as it is now. Hopefully, with lots of input from knowledgeable players, we can continue to grow and progress.

14

Suggestions & Ideas / Timed Missions

« on: December 16, 2011, 08:24:44 am »

We could have one central NPC such as the Time Guardian or Mrs. Smith be in charge of timed missions (or this job can be given to all the shopkeepers throughout the Realms). The player would go to the mission leader and type Mission Request or say something like How can I help you? or whatever. (I prefer a key word like Mission so that a list of MISSION commands can be made. I will go into that in a bit.)

The mission leader then tells you about some baddie some place who has killed their dog or stole their favorite teddybear or whatever. The mission leader tells you the name of the NPC and the area and zone name the NPC can be found. The player would only be given a certain amount of time, such as 15-30 minutes depending on the mission.

To check how much time you have left, you could type Mission Time and you would get a message telling you what time you have left.

To get the info on your current mission, type Mission Info. You would then get the NPC name and area/zone, with any brief relevant info.
[Mrs. Smith tells you, 'You are looking for the CITY GUARD near the LONDON DOCKS located in VICTORIAN ENGLAND. Please hurry! You have 12 minutes left.']

To get directions to the area the baddie is located, type Mission Location. You would get a message telling you how to get to the area (not the exact room) that the baddie is located. Perhaps this will be a command available only to Newbies?
[Mrs. Smith tells you, 'To get to VICTORIAN ENGLAND from the Time Guardian, you will need to say FUTURE, go w 4n e n e. From there, find the entrance to VICTORIAN ENGLAND. Good luck!']

You go kill the baddie then type Mission Complete. Going back to the mission leader doesn't have to be necessary (unless, for coding reasons, the gold has to transfer from mob to mob/player.) If that was the right baddie within the right amount of time, you get some exp and some gold. If that wasn't the right baddie, you would get a message saying so. If you failed to complete the mission within the allotted time, you lose nothing but you have to wait a certain amount of time before going on a new mission.

The idea behind it is to encourage players to explore, and reward them for it. This is a great tool to get newbie out there, having fun, learning new things about 4D.

15

Barrel of Laughs / Arthur Davidson

« on: September 23, 2011, 06:30:39 am »

The inventor of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle, Arthur Davidson , died
and went to heaven.
 
At the gates, St. Peter told Arthur. 'Since you've been such a good man
and your motorcycles have changed the world, your reward is, you can
hang out with anyone you want to in heaven.'
 
Arthur thought about it for a minute and then said, ' I want to hang out
with God.'
 
St. Peter took Arthur to the Throne Room, and introduced him to God.
 
God recognized Arthur and commented, 'Okay, so you were the one who
invented the Harley-Davidson motorcycle? '
Arthur said, 'Yeah, that's me...'
 
God commented: 'Well, what's the big deal in inventing something that's
pretty unstable, makes noise and pollution and can't run without a
road?'
 
Arthur was a bit embarrassed, but finally spoke, 'Excuse me, but aren't
you the inventor of woman?'
 
God said, 'Ah, yes.'
 
'Well,' said Arthur, 'professional to professional, you have some major
design flaws in your invention !
1. There's too much inconsistency in the front-end suspension
 
2. It chatters constantly at high speeds
 
3. Most rear ends are too soft and wobble about too much
 
4. The intake is placed way too close to the exhaust
 
5. The maintenance costs are outrageous!!!!
 
'Hmm... you may have some good points there,' replied God, 'hold on.'
 
God went to his Celestial supercomputer, typed in a few words and waited
for the results.
 
The computer printed out a slip of paper and God read it.
 
'Well, it may be true that my invention is flawed,' God said to Arthur,
'but according to these numbers, more men are riding my invention than
yours'.