Message Customizations

[Nibelung]

This idea is entirely cosmetic, but would help players customize how their characters appear to operate.

Various messages in the game that are static and cookie cutter make characters all look alike. Well, we could, for a nominal fee of QP for each, allow players to set the messages of the game to suit their character's persona, behavior, etc.

Here is an incomplete list of messages that could possibly be allowed customization.

scribing a scroll

brewing a potion

cast initiation

cast completion

playing music

aiming a ranged weapon

firing a ranged weapon

parrying

dodging

acrobatics

shield block

evading

blackjack success

backstab success

circle success

circle failure

bashing

mounted bashing

mounted blocks (ie, blocking a circle)

mounting

trample success

dismounting

fading in

fading out

fading through

gohome

church gohall

… the list goes on and on...

message set <which><message>Each message group will have various restrictions, such as needing particular codes for messages.

Just an idea.</message></which>

[Syn]

You know, I think it's actually kind of an interesting idea. As long as we don't charge people real dollas to set this sort of stuff like a certain MUD i'm thinking of, it could be to our advantage.

Upshots:
<list>* Game messages would have a bit more flavor, rather than messages being the same among characters.

• The above would make it more difficult for people to bot and trigger their way through the game unless they have some eXtreeem l33t programming skills.</list>

Disadvantage:
<list>* Knowing players, they will want to set some stupid shit, meaning we will probably have to have an imm or trusted mortal approve these things before they are actually set.</list>

[Qalinosk]

Or put a warning that stupidity will not be tolerated and will result in loss of customization and further punishment, depending on severity of inappropriateness.

[pollution]

Potential issues:

1. Messages could be changed in ways that exploit triggers, etc. This may or may not be a concern depending on your perspective. In most cases there are ways to keep your triggers from being abused through the use of anchors, etc. but custom messages would probably be able to beat anchors.

2. Out of character and out of place messages are unavoidable. Once again, may or may not be a concern. Since we already allow cheap and easy restringing of eq with no restrictions on "real world" elements, I expect the same would be true here.

3. Stupidity. A problem both because it will happen, and it will have to be somehow fairly judged and regulated.

[Nibelung]

True with regards to the stupidity… That is my only major concern with it. But then, thoses that do apply their years of experience in the field of stupidity shall be met with ridicule and hysterical laughter, before having their values reset without compensation...