Discussion: Build points.

[Kalle]

Fairly early on, we realized that the build points concept doesn't work the way it is set up right now. It is too restrictive on the players, and limits where limiting isn't entirely necessary.

The concept behind build points, and this we agree with still, is to limit the builders. Limiting the builders increases the chance that they complete their project, and it also forces the builders to organize. Compare "infinite amount of squares" to "10 squares" and you quickly see that the latter forces the builder to consider what each square will be.

Additionally, we do not want builders to build unlimitedly, because we want the builders to roleplay as well. By not limiting in any way, we run the risk of the players not actually roleplaying at all, but mostly concentrating on their various build projects.

At this point, the following is what we have in mind, though we would like your input:

• The "size" deal for squares is eliminated. If you have 10 build points, you can claim a 10-sized domain wherever there is an unclaimed spot.
• Domains can be expanded. But in order for this to make sense, expanding must be limited. We have considered limitations based on citizenship, though this could become a popularity contest which we don't want. Why limit someone from building their dream place just because they're not popular? Another limitation might be visitors. It's easier to get a visitor to your domain, but both the citizenship and the visitor deal will encourage "advertising" in order to gain the required quota, which we probably do not want either.
• A person acquires a bonus for building "nearby" a big domain. If I have 10 build points available, and I want to claim a spot beside a 50-room sized domain, I may be able to initially make a 20 or 25-sized domain (numbers plucked out of the air) because the neighbour is big. This would encourage "community-style" building, where groups of domain builders band together and make a greater whole.
• A neighbouring domain would be able to decline a request to build a domain in an adjacent square. This ties in with the previous point, and lets neighbours not only grant a size-bonus but also lets them take part in the decision-making of who becomes their neighbour.

Each of the above points are separate ideas that all aim to improve the concept and limitation of building in the game. Input on the above or general ideas are very welcome.

-Kalle.

[Kalle]

Tentatively decided (due to lack of input) but comments are still welcome.

The build point system is going away entirely. In its place we will add a simple system which basically bases off of the time a player has been around (actively).

The number of active days that a player has been in Mortalis Victus determine their "cap" on building. If a player has been around for a very short time, they are able to build but only a limited amount of squares. After that point, they will be required to submit a request for expanding their domain.

Existing domains will be able to grow without requesting expansion if the player maintaining the domain gains more building squares based on actively participating in M.V.

People can still pool. The underlying system will still be similar to "build points", but they will be passively gained on a per-player basis (note: not per-character - per player) based on activity by all their characters (this includes builder characters, staff characters, etc.)

At this point, it is undecided what bonuses to the new system opening a domain will have.

-Kalle.

[Gareth]

My own $.02, but no one would care about this because this was all backwards.

If someone was motivated to create "places," and was good at it, it probably would simply be better to make them a formal "builder" for the game and let them build up whole realms. To make them have to make a room, then stop, then try to partner up with a few other players to build more, even when they might be the only one writing up the descriptions, and be forced to meter their output based on the happenstance that someone else comes along to pool their build points with yours did not seem to be working at all.

Good builders need to be encouraged to keep building. Period.