Managing Expectations

[Asmod]

Eee! I'm excited all over again. :P

I read through the information currently available for Alpha Testers, and it did bring up a few questions. Some of this was covered in previous discussions here, briefly, during development, but I would just wish to get into a little more detail on some of it.

I'd like to know what you, the creators, have as expectations of the game? Of the players?

I'll go ahead and answer my own question in regards to myself as a player, and my expectations from the game and the developers.

I realize that the majority of the game will be given to the players to flesh out, to choose the direction in which it goes. However, you've also made statements of boundaries and limitations (Both mechanical impossibilities, and game concept ones). One example is a statement within the current helpfiles saying something along the lines of "If you're looking to slay hordes of demons for massive XP this isn't the game for you". I disagree with that to a certain extent.

From what I've been given the impression of, and hope for from this game, is a Realistic Fantasy. That is to say, a fantasy world that will have a lot of realism. An Oxymoron of a concept, I know. But If i choose to find a way to open a portal to hell and step through... probably an epic and legendary task in of itself... to battle demons, I think that should be possible. I also expect to be torn to tiny, tiny, bits by just a single demon once through. Demons aren't exactly cannon fodder as most fantasies are portrayed.

I want to see monsters in the game. I want to listen to whisperings to avoid the northern pass as its now the territory of a brooding dragon. But that dragon isn't going to be killed by a mighty hero with a +5 sword. He should be truely feared. It would require an army to even challenge him, if they were so foolish. What I DONT want to see is talking ponies and trolls in the local tavern. Thats not reality fantasy, thats Shrek 3.

I see the game's history and world bieng shaped by us... evolution and history is OUR job, the players, to create. As such, that will most likely put most politics and ruling parties into our hands. It appears that every faction will be player created and controlled... which is really awesome, if i'm not mistaken. Would that also put religion into our hands as well?

Now, I also envision these different factions spanning between races as well. I'd very well like to see more than just "Human". Perhaps several different races and factions of the humans will develop, with thier own idealologies, as the game transpires... i'd also like to see "sub human" cultures. Maybe not right away, most likely when the game's more or less underway. But i'd like to see maybe some humanoid races playable. Most likeley they wouldn't get along at all with other races, I still wouldn't expect to see that Trollkin barbarian walking down the street without every soldier in the area all over him. I DONT want to see another Retromud, where you walk down the street and see players playing six dragons, two fairies, a Beholder and three Gorgons all having tea. Hard to explain, but i would like to see monster races in the game, but not overdone. I don't want to see them as everyday things though, they should be highly rare, and have their own seperate cultures, idealologies, and factions. Perhaps one might be able to try to fit into a human society, but they'll always be different.

I've seen a bit on the structures building mechanics underway, and I love it so far. I'd like to see the world as dynamic as possible. I would like to cut down that tree if I want... given enough time and resources i should be able to dig a tunnel, Build a cart or pirate ship, Plant a tree, build a castle, or even a whole city. Building a diversity of things, and having an effect on the world have ALWAYS been major plusses for me in games.

I would like the impression of ANYTHING bieng possible. Even though mechanically, we have limits, i'd like to at least feel like I have some control. I'd like to be able to build a boat and sail off to find out if the world really IS flat or not, I want to have the possiblity of different realities or planes of existance, the realms of legends and gods. Heck, i'd like to even see the gods themselves be players.

With enough of the "anything possible" diversity in the world, i think it definately take things in a different direction than the "get more xp" goal that drive most games. You could set a goal to gain high levels, yes, or you could have a goal for scholarly knowledge, or to amass enough wealth to build your own empire, to quest for immortality, to find the meaning of life, to explore, to interact, and all of the politics involved with all of it.

Thats what i'm hoping for and expecting from Mortalis Victus. This is just my own views and opinions, yes, but i'd really like to hear other potential players views, and those of the development team and what they expect. Are these already implimented, realistic, possible, debatable, or intriguing concepts? Am I in the wrong classroom in only my underwear?

[Kalle]

(Legend: Quote, reply.)

I read through the information currently available for Alpha Testers, and it did bring up a few questions. Some of this was covered in previous discussions here, briefly, during development, but I would just wish to get into a little more detail on some of it.

I'd like to know what you, the creators, have as expectations of the game? Of the players?

Good question. I could go into pages of detail of what I exactly envision from the players, but the brief reply is this: I want to create a world that the players can feel 1) a part of and 2) that they have the option to choose which parts of it they prefer to be involved in.

The ideal MV world would have a variety of societies, both on an IC and an OOC level. Meaning, if I the player honestly dislike the players I'm surrounded by, I have the option to go elsewhere and find others whom I may be a bit more compatible with OOCly.

I'll go ahead and answer my own question in regards to myself as a player, and my expectations from the game and the developers.

I realize that the majority of the game will be given to the players to flesh out, to choose the direction in which it goes. However, you've also made statements of boundaries and limitations (Both mechanical impossibilities, and game concept ones). One example is a statement within the current helpfiles saying something along the lines of "If you're looking to slay hordes of demons for massive XP this isn't the game for you". I disagree with that to a certain extent.

That statement is a good-humored way of saying that the game is not an skill-whore's type of game (pardon my french), because XP is not gained by killing a lot of things. Killing something will enable you to excel beyond a certain point in for instance a soldiering career and being a part of battles similarly.

But killing someone or something does not necessarily mean getting an award.

From what I've been given the impression of, and hope for from this game, is a Realistic Fantasy. That is to say, a fantasy world that will have a lot of realism.

That was sort of the intention from the get go, yep. A game sort of like earth with some subtle differences. Like the fact that some characters have tails or wings. Or horns.

An Oxymoron of a concept, I know. But If i choose to find a way to open a portal to hell and step through... probably an epic and legendary task in of itself... to battle demons, I think that should be possible.

That's an excellent example, actually. Once the immortality bits fall into place you'll find that it's not an entirely impossible endeavour. Probably fatal, but who knows.

I also expect to be torn to tiny, tiny, bits by just a single demon once through. Demons aren't exactly cannon fodder as most fantasies are portrayed.

Definitely. If there are "monsters", they will not be roaming, and they will most likely be more powerful than any one character can face alone.

I want to see monsters in the game. I want to listen to whisperings to avoid the northern pass as its now the territory of a brooding dragon. But that dragon isn't going to be killed by a mighty hero with a +5 sword. He should be truely feared. It would require an army to even challenge him, if they were so foolish. What I DONT want to see is talking ponies and trolls in the local tavern. Thats not reality fantasy, thats Shrek 3.

Well, as the game progresses, who knows what'll happen. It wouldn't be impossible that the occasional dragon would appear, requesting annual maiden sacrifices to keep them from burning the fields.

I see the game's history and world bieng shaped by us... evolution and history is OUR job, the players, to create. As such, that will most likely put most politics and ruling parties into our hands. It appears that every faction will be player created and controlled... which is really awesome, if i'm not mistaken.

You're not. Factions and sub-factions are all made and unmade by the characters.

Would that also put religion into our hands as well?

Yes and no. I think it was mentioned before that the gods of the world are, initially, played by the staff-members, entirely omnipotent and immeasurably powerful. However, as time progresses, mortals of the world will attain immortality through various means. Gradually, the omnipotent, staff-powered gods will fade away and be replaced by these limited immortals. The immortal/mortal concept is still being worked on, but you will not be disappointed.

Now, I also envision these different factions spanning between races as well. I'd very well like to see more than just "Human".

You're not the first to bring the subject up. For now, the characters are going to be "one race" but we may definitely decide to change that over time. Though I'm unsure if I'd call them human, exactly.

I've seen a bit on the structures building mechanics underway, and I love it so far. I'd like to see the world as dynamic as possible. I would like to cut down that tree if I want... given enough time and resources i should be able to dig a tunnel, Build a cart or pirate ship, Plant a tree, build a castle, or even a whole city.

I believe the world will, over time, work toward becoming more and more "interactive" and dynamic. There are limits, though, as with everything. Cutting down trees will definitely be possible. Digging tunnels doesn't sound impossible either. At some point, an age is going to be dedicated to "the art of seafaring" and will doubtless involve ship-making. Planting will be covered in gardening. Building a castle is going to be possible, but unless you intend to spend a few years of your RL time building it, you'll need a good amount of workers at your side.

Building a diversity of things, and having an effect on the world have ALWAYS been major plusses for me in games.

Welcome home. ;)

I would like the impression of ANYTHING bieng possible. Even though mechanically, we have limits, i'd like to at least feel like I have some control. I'd like to be able to build a boat and sail off to find out if the world really IS flat or not, I want to have the possiblity of different realities or planes of existance, the realms of legends and gods. Heck, i'd like to even see the gods themselves be players.

The gods will be players. Specifically, they will be mortals who attained immortality.

Thats what i'm hoping for and expecting from Mortalis Victus. This is just my own views and opinions, yes, but i'd really like to hear other potential players views, and those of the development team and what they expect. Are these already implimented, realistic, possible, debatable, or intriguing concepts? Am I in the wrong classroom in only my underwear?

I don't know about your underwear, but it definitely sounds like you're in the right house.

-Kalle.

[Dusty]

Just one addition since Kalle's rather extensive post covered 99.9% of Asmod's questions. ;)

Regarding races: currently we are aiming to have everyone start as one particular "race". Meaning all newbies will look similar. When I say "aiming" I mean that this is the current plan, and could be changed based on player feedback.

Anywho, in MV character's will evolve; physical characteristics will change or become more refined, stats will increase or decrease, etc so on and so forth.

So, you may not start out looking like a hulking trollish barbarian with hairy feet , an overpowering stench, and a protruding jaw, but with the right amount of effort and a bit of time you just might be so lucky.

Trolls are cuddly,
Dusty :D

[Asmod]

Wow. I'm definately glad i've been expecting the right thing! :) Good to know i'm on the same page.

And I really LIKE this concept of 'evolving' characters! Reminds me sort of a bit like Fable.

In a completely unrelated note, one thing i'd like to bring up... minions/pets. I know there's probably some mechanics in place for having NPC followers or pets, but i'd like to know how detailed they plan on bieng. I guess specifically for the magical aspect. Familiars and the such, or constructs. One thing i've never seen myself, in any game, is the ability to *truely* create or modify when it comes to this.

Examples are say an aged wizard in his lab toils and toils away to create a magical guardian for his magical study or as a bodyguard, could he make it any way he want? What if he wanted to make a walking, animated chair, a colossal pillar of granite chiseled into an animate warrior, or a simple ragdoll that watches over his child? If I make a master inventor/tinkerer, could he create some clockwork automaton spider with whirring gears and spouting steam? Or as a dark disciple over necromantic practices, could i bring to life anything from the skeleton of my deceased wife to the corpse of a beast? Could i graft things to them?

As I said, i'm partial to the whole world creation and building concepts :) I realize game mechanical issues and limitations with some of what i've said here, but It is something I would like kept in mind.

Thanks for answering my endless questions, i'm just growing more and more excited. Great job so far from what i've seen :)

[Kalle]

All I can say right now is that in time, anything's possible.

As the game starts (especially the alpha game), there'll be few coded features.

This run will be mostly dedicated to you "feeling the environment", and to some extent, you testing out the code that is in there.

-Kalle.

[Asmod]

Oh, i fully expect the Alpha to be something along the lines of a tiny area to start off in with little else besides the basics and a few interactive objects, and a small selection of skills.

It's an Alpha, after all :P

I'm just so excited at the possibilities. I really look forward to this challenge, and hopefully giving some good feedback and contributions.

[Dusty]

Since Asmod brought it up I thought I'd touch on the idea of pets/familiars briefly, but before I rant a bit I want to be careful to clarify that this is very much an idea and is not how things will be - it's how things *could* be.

With that said, what we (staff folk) have already discussed about this subject is the actual creation of an Animal Husbandry skill set. People with skill in animal husbandry would be able to do things like the capture and taming of animals/creatures, breeding, and more. (I'll explain the "and more" part of that later in this post.)

So, to answer Asmod's question, currently we have an idea for allowing characters to train and breed creatures to be companions, bodyguards, or even to fight in battle with you and based on how well trained they are and how skilled you are you'll be able to give them a wide variety of commands. Please refrain from drooling, this is still in the idea phase. ;)

Regarding familiars, golems, and the like. I'll simply say we've discussed this as well in various degrees and have fun ideas for future ages. You can't have us spilling all the beans before we even launch the game, now can you. ;)

Now, regarding the "and more" I mentioned above. We are very much focused on the idea of making *any* and *alll* skill sets unique, interesting, and downright sweet. So things that might seem boring like carpentry, seamstressing, or farming would progress into much more interesting skills, and even into entirely new and undiscovered skillsets that you may have never heard of. This way skills are never mundane, old or boring, because you'll never know when you might suddenly learn something new and interesting, and no one's experience with a skill set will be the same as anyone else's. *calmly wipes the drool from the corner of your mouth*

So, in every skill set, there will be the capability for your character to learn things that no other character with the same skill set may know how to do despite their level of advancement.

I could go into this in more detail, but I'll spare you further ramblings for now. So, do we have you on the edge of your seats yet?

Dance my puppets! DANCE!
Dusty :D