Playing - Not being alone

[Blindhamsterman]

Just a quick one really,

all too often of late I've logged in and found that other people are all grouped up and being DMd which results in me having to either play alone (i.e. do nothing) or log off. Can I make the suggestion that maybe DMs should find a way to get everyone involved wherever possible, the number of players is too small for people to be left out.

I know I'm not the only person that experiences this, I myself often check what other people are doing to see about getting everyone together in some form of IC way, it makes it more fun for everyone if it happens and results in less people becoming stressed and disillusioned. I believe it is also part of the problem currently with players leaving - Coming on and being all but ignored.

Now, there are some DMs that already do this, the best of which is Rotku, he always seems to try and get everyone thats on the server involved where he can. JLM again makes an effort to get people involved if they're in the local area.

Just a suggestion that could help to make all the playerbase happier.

Erevain/Rhothomir.

[gunslinger55]

Agreed, whoever is on should attempt to make up a group...no matter what lvl...
As we all know to make any advancement you need people, at least three....cos its tuff out there.........and I know the server is strong on RP...great...but we all like to have our characters progress....to get that new spell, sword, axe,...hat...!...

[Blindhamsterman]

it's not even just items etc, thats a totally different thing altogether...

it's simply the fact it can result in players coming on and having no choice but to solo (even if its solo RPing in an inn because you've learned not to go out) as nothing is done to get people together. This means players get bored and frustrated.

The matter of advancement is less of an issue I think as there are plenty of ways to gradually build up exp over the months.

However on the point of rewards etc... I do find it remarkable when two people can go into a cave complex, successfully beat off a large number of goblins (including a few fairly high level ones which had between 30 and 50hp each), have to use items like potions etc (which is fine, it's what they are there for) but gain approximately 0GP or items in reward.. and a total of maybe 30-40 exp for the entire lot of them. I understand the idea that levelling should be slow, but as someone else pointed out recently, the reward vs risk ratio on some things does seem to be way out

please note, I'm not trying to ruffle any feathers, just pointing out minor problems where I see them and sometimes others do too.

[Riotnrrd]

So you want to be involved in every DM event, and get more XP when you're not with a DM?

[Blindhamsterman]

thats not what I said.

Id happily get 0 exp from roleplay (as it should be a requirement and not a way to gain exp unless in extreme circumstances)

it's more a case of just feeling it's more than a bit crappy when you log in and are the only person not involved in an event and no one makes any effort to get you involved.

and for the monsters, again exp was less of an issue, you do gain some for the things you do, but it is more than a bit irritating when there is essentially no reward for doing some things, I had to use 6 healing potions between my companion and myself along with a couple of scrolls, getting maybe a few coins as reward would have helped make that seem better.

please note, my original post, the thing I was talking about as my main point for suggestion was simple:
as we are (like it or not) a very small community now, it makes sense to get players playing together while online unless theres a massive IC reason why they shouldnt of course. Otherwise people come on, find there is little to get involved in and eventually end up leaving (I've seen quite a few players come even since i've been here that have since not really logged in again).

also, getting involved in Every DM event wasnt the point either, I'm actually not on when a lot of the DMs are on (most being in different time zones) The only one I've been online at the same time as more than once is JLM, I've not been involved in an event with anyone else bar Rotku I believe.

[hollyfant]

I'd have settled for just "not being alone".

DMs, in my opinion, have no obligation to involve everybody in their events. In many cases it wouldn't make sense anyway. The real problems are that DM-less players have nothing to do but entertain each other and lose money, and solo players have nothing to do period. DM attention will (or at least should) come to all equally eventually. The problem is staying alive and being ready for it when the time comes.

The builders have done - and are continuing to do - a wonderful job, my helmet off to them. But none of all those new places and toys benefit the lonesome adventurer. DM time is essential not just for its entertainment and character development value, but more so for access to money, goods and other players. Not to be dramatic about it, but ALFA is not, nor has it ever been, a true Persistent Gaming World. In our zeal to stomp out farming and maintain realism, the servers have become exactly that: realistic and unfarmable.

One may note, the real world has few adventurers.

[oldgrayrogue]

Erevain:

Feel free to send me a tell anytime we are on together and I will happily group up with you for RP. In terms of DMs getting everyone involved, I agree that where there are only 3 to 5 people logged on that is a good rule of thumb, as long as it makes IC sense. As a DM though I can tell you that sometimes when a player logs on in the middle of an event its hard to stop and work them in. However, just like no one player is required to RP with another player, I don't think we should have a hard and fast rule requiring DMs to play with everyone. One thing I am fairly certain of is that when you feel left out, its nothing personal.

I also agree on the risk/reward ratio in so far as encounters which carry a high risk of death should also result in a corresponding reward. In terms of tangible rewards such as gold and items, I beleive there are some things in the works that once implemented will address that issue.

Finally, please do not feel that you need to apologize for making suggestions and even constructive criticisms of game mechanics. The only way the PW can develop and improve is through constructive feedback from the player base. As long as we always keep it positive, its all good =)

[Blindhamsterman]

Thanks guys, as I said, my aim isnt to nay say, or put anyone down, I too feel that the incredible developments of late are all truelly fantastic.

Also I wasn't only talking in terms of DMs for playing together, but more in line with what Holly was saying, a lot of the time we log in and there is no DM or no players unless we're willing to stay on till ungodly hours (or the DM is willing to do the same)

It's essentially down to having fun which requires people, I enjoy the RP side of things a lot, but it does require people to RP with

Glad others agree about the reward/risk ratio and it's also very nice to hear some things are being looked at to improve this

Again I say, no intention of putting anyone or anyones work down, simply pointing out possible areas where I can see myself and others getting frustrated. Infact, anything that I can do to help with things I'd be happy to do.

Erevain

[Rotku]

I agree with what Erevain says. It doesn't take much to drop a Tell to people when they log on and say "if you head to this place you may wander into some players."

People do have to be aware though that it is not always possible to get PCs to join in a quest half way through. If I have the PCs up exploring in a cave in Silverymoon Pass, it wouldn't be fitting for someone else just to happen to bump into them. Those times I usually drop the player a Tell just letting them know we're out questing and will be back in one hour, or what ever.

I was going to say something else here as well... but it's completely left me.

[Rick7475]

Well ... I stopped playing because I would see 5 - 6 players online with a DM and never able to find them or get an invite (though I admit forgetting to shower ).

As a DM, what infractions would you incur if you simply to the party to hold a minute, invite the new PC to the party, and even physically brought him into the party.

Make up some sort of IC reason and then get on with the plot.

And in ALFA, you are always going to have level 1 players with level 10 players. That's the way it is. Warn the level 1, adjust, and carry on.

[oldgrayrogue]

Nice to see you around again Rick. get IG man, or even better build something

[Rotku]

Roll up a PC and join in the fun mate!

[Riotnrrd]

Yeah, what they said!

[Lucifer]

I have to say RPing alone in the bar can be a pain..but if there are others near bye whom your not partied with...you can see their *whatever* text and that can be quite entertaining...I also figure that the DM can see my attempt at RPing and maybe even use something I think mundane in some important context later. It's a good place to RP some background quirks whatever. Now doing this 8 out of 10 times you log on would be depressing, but I also make it a habit to give a shout out to DM's if there is more than one on....If one is handling primary with a party and the other is just helping, sometimes you can get a little action..thats always good