Re: The New Ooc Room Rule

[*zethrenx99]

I think its a none-issue. In general if people would just be considerate and refrain from casting spells or using abilities and try to move in game after crashes resets ASAP then there shouldn't be any issue. If the spell casting continues to be an issue for people trying to log in than implement a 100% spellfailure mod in the ooc room? With that said I am a ooc loiterer in that sometimes I come on just to see whats going on with people, say hello ect. Or sometimes i just want to work on my bio's without having to worry about people trying to interact with me. Or maybe my character is just laying low for a while and I want to wait for the bazaar to clear out a bit. In my time here I've only crashed once on log in from absurd effects and i've only seen the server crash maybe 3 times due to the ooc room getting overcrowded, and most of these times where during large server side events where there was a large population trying to get back in at once.

[*Darkrob]

I know I love nothing more than logging on and entering the OOC and becoming immediately bombarded with players running about casting spells, using abilities, cursing and swearing and carrying on like its recess at school. It makes me want to simply log off most times (I can only imagine what it does to new players). Is this the exception instead of the norm? Perhaps, but still occurs quite often. Staff has left it up to the players for years to police their activity on their ownÂ… to use their own common sense to use the OOC properly. It has shown it doesnÂ’t always work as the circus continues to show up now and then.

Now IÂ’m all for a separate area for ooc chatting but would that stop people from still abusing the OOC? IÂ’m not entirely sure. I think youÂ’ll need to convince the team that abuse of the ooc would be a thing of the past in order for them to pull back on the rule. Too many years of evidence contrary to that is what theyÂ’re currently going on.

[*TheorumOfNeutrality]

Now IÂ’m all for a separate area for ooc chatting but would that stop people from still abusing the OOC?

It's worked on every server I've seen it applied to. I see no reason why it wouldn't in this case.

[*Itikar]

As I wrote in a pm, it is not that big deal, since the real game is indeed IC.

However I think it is worth mentioning that the rule seems quite sloppy in the way it has been worded and proposed, to say the least, and that the benefits it has seem very marginal, at best, and almost negligible, in practice.

Now, let's look at the evidence:

- Server stability: having 20 people in the bazaar or in the OOC room is not different. Spells can be scripted not to work in the OOC room quite easily, so that would solve the spell problem without any need for a rule.

- Metagame: to think such a rule would significantly reduce metagaming is hopelessly naive. If there is the desire to let shifters be protected one needs some other solutions. First and foremost letting them login while shifted would be really the first thing, if possible to do. Additionally, letting them change their character's name would also be of a big help. I don't see how can roleplay a shifter effectively when you see a dwarf with the same exact name of the succubus you had seen a little earlier... Last but not least, I think that the login room proposed above where you stay only 30 seconds would probably do much better in this case.

As for the collateral damage:

- Rebuilding: without loiters in the OOC room will become more problematic, regardless of what any can say. One will need to either recruit helpers on Discord or ask them in tells to leave what they are doing in game and go there to help rebuilding.

- OOC bantering: as much as many don't care for it, some players indeed seem to value it highly and it is safe to say it is part of the spirit of the community. Like it or not it is a loss.

- Newbie help: I have personally seen people who were confused by the server being helped in the OOC room and I helped one personally. Some newbies do indeed care for it, and such help and assistance with such a rule will be compromised. It is true that one can help a newbie also in the game proper, but it is not as practical and still some would be missed.

- Playercount: in communities with a small playercount (i.e. <200) such as most nwn servers or muds the only way not to become a dead game is to try *anything* to keep the playercount high. Nobody will log into a multiplayer game with 0 other users. One plays a single-player game at that point. And when a new user has to pick one of these server the playercount has a weight in the choice. This rule will make fewer people log on SCoD, so unless there is a desire not to get new users, this is bad.

So, summing up:

- Benefits: negligible
- Collateral Damage: considerable

My personal judgement on the rule: probably ineffective and sloppy, in general not worth it.

I am sorry but I am not a yesman. If I think the administration of a game/server I care for does something wrong I am not one who will be shy to point it out. Then of course, sometimes it is me who is wrong sometimes, instead of them.

[*rapsam2003]

- Rebuilding: without loiters in the OOC room will become more problematic, regardless of what any can say. One will need to either recruit helpers on Discord or ask them in tells to leave what they are doing in game and go there to help rebuilding.

9/10, you need to do this anyway, even if there are a bunch of folks doing their OOC banter.

- OOC bantering: as much as many don't care for it, some players indeed seem to value it highly and it is safe to say it is part of the spirit of the community. Like it or not it is a loss.

That's nice. Banter on Discord/IRC. The SCoD Discord is becoming quite big. And for those who "don't have it", that's a choice they make.

- Newbie help: I have personally seen people who were confused by the server being helped in the OOC room and I helped one personally. Some newbies do indeed care for it, and such help and assistance with such a rule will be compromised. It is true that one can help a newbie also in the game proper, but it is not as practical and still some would be missed.

I don't see this as big a loss as a newbie who walks in, sees 20 people in the OOC Room, and goes, "Well, that's a major turnoff...". He or she may never come back, for all we know. On the other hand, RP'ing a bit with a newbie and then sending them tells, that's sure to make them want to come back, imho.

This rule will make fewer people log on SCoD, so unless there is a desire not to get new users, this is bad.

No, it won't. Where's your proof of that? Honestly, if people leave the server because they can't banter in the OOC Room, then why are they even on this server?! It's a RP server, not a social server.

Now IÂ’m all for a separate area for ooc chatting but would that stop people from still abusing the OOC? IÂ’m not entirely sure. I think youÂ’ll need to convince the team that abuse of the ooc would be a thing of the past in order for them to pull back on the rule. Too many years of evidence contrary to that is what theyÂ’re currently going on.

Works for me. If people must have their OOC bantz, they may as well have them in an area specifically set aside for it. I don't see the point myself, but who am I to say others can't have an area specifically set aside for their bantz? /shrug

[*Lucadia]

I will miss new players logging in and going oh wow, you guys are not arguing and fighting in the ooc room but having a good time. Good to see a community thats not toxic.


and while I dont hang out in the ooc room excessively but some days I didnt have anything planned for my character, or hit a brick wall on creativty or just didnt feel like rping for that day and rather talk with those logged on until the urge hits.

Just saying, Im less inclined to stay logged in if I need go loiter in my player house. or pretend afk in the bazaar.

[*Itikar]

No, it won't. Where's your proof of that? Honestly, if people leave the server because they can't banter in the OOC Room, then why are they even on this server?! It's a RP server, not a social server.

It worked that way in any and all servers/games I played, so I have no reason to think it won't happen here. The point, as you mention, is whether these users are considered good to have here or not. I am personally inclined to think that the more the merrier, but such selection is up to the staff.

For me it does not seem worth the effort anyway.

[*Mr_Otyugh]

There is actually precedence for the player numbers attracting more players. I generally call it simply as "numbers attract numbers", it's why the most populated servers keep gaining more players rather than player numbers distributing evenly among servers. Now I wouldn't make a claim that something like this makes a major dent, but the basic premise is sound and real.

[*Darkrob]

You know, we could remove it but then what? We're right back to the mess that irritates so many people right now and that is the utter lack of concern for people coming to the server by those intent on clowning around (at times with vulgar language and activity) right in the OOC entrance. I'm not even talking around the back near the oarsman but right... at... the... entrance.

So... where do we draw the line? Do we continue to leave the issue with the players, ignoring what goes on, or do we do something about it? Where's the middle ground? I know I have zero intrest joining the mod and subjecting myself to behavior that is, imo, juvenile and unwelcoming. It's not always like that, of course but it is, more often than not. I'm not concerned about the odd ooc talk or chat or player help or rebuilds. I'm talking the ass-hattery that goes on right at the entrance.

Call me old and grumpy (get the hell off my lawn) if you have to but that's how I see it.

Oh... and I don't make the calls so this is only my opinion.

[*Mr_Otyugh]

Hey I'm all for all foul behavior going the way of dodo's myself! But I think there's no harm in trying to find an alternative that pleases both sides. The people who just want to goof around aren't terrible people either. :)

I genuinely think this issue is something that has got a little out of hand. All the opinions about this seem a little too focused on whatifs and preferences. I prefer the approach of alternatives. Offering people an alternative to the why people want it doesn't seem unfair, or trying to find a solution for what isn't wanted.