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EDIT: I AM still reading, guys! I'm looking at your ideas and comments, and I'll try to revamp what I have now to make it more specific, and flesh it out-- as well as take in the ideas that have been given! Just. Don't have time to reply anymore, ahaha.
OKAY so this is going to be a mixed bag of cats, this post. But Laura and I have been talking, and we've decided that there are some changes we will implement, and some changes we really, really, really want to implement but can't-- or rather won't without your consent.
I'm sure you guys have noticed a major stall in the plot, and it's left the game floundering for quite some time. The truth is, I lost my thread with the main plot as it is, and it's undergone so many changes that it's no longer salvageable with what I wanted to do originally. The NPCs became too integral a part of the plot as it was, and I worked myself into a corner every time an NPC left, which I should have expected to happen, because no mod stays forever! (seriously, don't feel bad if you are looking at this, okay. ♥)
But this means that with all motivation for the plot as is is gone-- I want to take it in a completely different direction from where it was going. This means some major house cleaning and... Well, a major, permanent setting change. I'm just warning you about this, but I'm going to focus on the big, no-matter-what change we're planning on implementing.
We will be adopting realityshifted's style of activity checks. We put up the check, you comment with wanting to be in the game. No more linking, no more scrambling for activity, just go at your own pace, and we promise not to kick anyone out if they comment. I hope you guys like that, just make sure you note who you play when you comment.
Good? Good!
Okay, onto the major point of this post, the proposed setting change. We will be scrapping the idea of marks as they are, and I'll have a more elaborate, "THIS IS WHAT'S HAPPENING" post if and when it happens, so characters will be able to react appropriately and everyone will be on the same page, however these things will be changing:
The second level will remain-- but it will become less computer-like and more of an actual alternate level of being. Characters will be able to travel with it if they need to, but they'll no longer be able to sense the third level and it would no longer involve data and numbers. Full immersion would be possible (and would probably piss off our hackers that have been working dilligently on figuring out how it works for months).
The housing as is will be scrapped-- in fact, the entire city layout would become scrapped. It will be a basic city, minimal functioning capabilities, with NPCs that the characters will once again be able to react and interact with. Jobs will become open, though only specific jobs will be available to the characters based on their "house."
This next part is the new part, and the part I expect a lot of disagreement over. Characters will have the option of living in three different houses based off of three different ultimate goals. I will give the formal names later, but for now, we're going to go with basic, silly sounding names. House of Power, House of Wealth, and House of Love/Lust/Material Pleasures. Each house has a price of living in it, and a rationale for the price.
If you choose to shoot for ultimate power, your price is your memories. All of them. Because what good is power if you don't know what you want to use it for?
If you go for wealth, your price is... well, your power. Because what good is wealth if you are utterly powerless and reliant on it?
If you choose love/lust/etc, etc... Your price will be either the sense of taste or touch. Because what good is having something if you can't enjoy it at all?
Characters can live outside of these houses, yes, but there is no other formal living area. So they'd essentially be living on the streets, but if you want to do that and have them be theives, who am I to argue?
Also, a new feature would be... well, unlocking features of the city. As time goes on, the city will grow and new areas, features, and even types of NPCs will unlock. This beats trying to flounder with a 3rd level that unlocking essentially means ending the game, right? So, yes.
What about the relationships and memories and CR our characters have made in Template so far?
Keep it!
... But you just said if they want power, they lose them.
Well, yes, but for now, I think it's only fair they keep the memories they've made in Template so far, and forget everything that happened before Template. If you're daring and want to lose all your memories for a really huge restart, go for it.
But that's not what we apped to play!
That's a fair complaint, that's why we're taking a vote. I'm just telling you that I can't continue to run Template the way I've been running it, because I've backed myself into a corner and I don't like it. If you want to keep it, I will find some way to deal with it.
What about the main overarching plot? Can it really change this much?
Why, yes, yes it can. Template was always intended to change settings eventually, but this wasn't the intended change, and it's a huge shift in how we plan on running the plot! So, it's important you get your voice in on it.
What about Template version characters? If they choose to go for power, what makes them different from their OU counterparts?
Gooood question. I haven't thought that far ahead yet, but when I do, rest assured, I will find some way to allow them to differentiate from OU versions if they want to go for the ultimate power.
WHEN will the changes happen if we approve them?
Probably late January.
If you have any questions, except concerning Template versions, because I really HAVEN'T thought that far ahead yet, let me know. I have pretty much everything else fleshed out to an extent in my head. Ask all questions here! And last, but not least, the poll. Please read ALL of this entry before voting on this poll.
Poll
EDIT: I AM still reading, guys! I'm looking at your ideas and comments, and I'll try to revamp what I have now to make it more specific, and flesh it out-- as well as take in the ideas that have been given! Just. Don't have time to reply anymore, ahaha.
OKAY so this is going to be a mixed bag of cats, this post. But Laura and I have been talking, and we've decided that there are some changes we will implement, and some changes we really, really, really want to implement but can't-- or rather won't without your consent.
I'm sure you guys have noticed a major stall in the plot, and it's left the game floundering for quite some time. The truth is, I lost my thread with the main plot as it is, and it's undergone so many changes that it's no longer salvageable with what I wanted to do originally. The NPCs became too integral a part of the plot as it was, and I worked myself into a corner every time an NPC left, which I should have expected to happen, because no mod stays forever! (seriously, don't feel bad if you are looking at this, okay. ♥)
But this means that with all motivation for the plot as is is gone-- I want to take it in a completely different direction from where it was going. This means some major house cleaning and... Well, a major, permanent setting change. I'm just warning you about this, but I'm going to focus on the big, no-matter-what change we're planning on implementing.
We will be adopting realityshifted's style of activity checks. We put up the check, you comment with wanting to be in the game. No more linking, no more scrambling for activity, just go at your own pace, and we promise not to kick anyone out if they comment. I hope you guys like that, just make sure you note who you play when you comment.
Good? Good!
Okay, onto the major point of this post, the proposed setting change. We will be scrapping the idea of marks as they are, and I'll have a more elaborate, "THIS IS WHAT'S HAPPENING" post if and when it happens, so characters will be able to react appropriately and everyone will be on the same page, however these things will be changing:
The second level will remain-- but it will become less computer-like and more of an actual alternate level of being. Characters will be able to travel with it if they need to, but they'll no longer be able to sense the third level and it would no longer involve data and numbers. Full immersion would be possible (and would probably piss off our hackers that have been working dilligently on figuring out how it works for months).
The housing as is will be scrapped-- in fact, the entire city layout would become scrapped. It will be a basic city, minimal functioning capabilities, with NPCs that the characters will once again be able to react and interact with. Jobs will become open, though only specific jobs will be available to the characters based on their "house."
This next part is the new part, and the part I expect a lot of disagreement over. Characters will have the option of living in three different houses based off of three different ultimate goals. I will give the formal names later, but for now, we're going to go with basic, silly sounding names. House of Power, House of Wealth, and House of Love/Lust/Material Pleasures. Each house has a price of living in it, and a rationale for the price.
If you choose to shoot for ultimate power, your price is your memories. All of them. Because what good is power if you don't know what you want to use it for?
If you go for wealth, your price is... well, your power. Because what good is wealth if you are utterly powerless and reliant on it?
If you choose love/lust/etc, etc... Your price will be either the sense of taste or touch. Because what good is having something if you can't enjoy it at all?
Characters can live outside of these houses, yes, but there is no other formal living area. So they'd essentially be living on the streets, but if you want to do that and have them be theives, who am I to argue?
Also, a new feature would be... well, unlocking features of the city. As time goes on, the city will grow and new areas, features, and even types of NPCs will unlock. This beats trying to flounder with a 3rd level that unlocking essentially means ending the game, right? So, yes.
What about the relationships and memories and CR our characters have made in Template so far?
Keep it!
... But you just said if they want power, they lose them.
Well, yes, but for now, I think it's only fair they keep the memories they've made in Template so far, and forget everything that happened before Template. If you're daring and want to lose all your memories for a really huge restart, go for it.
But that's not what we apped to play!
That's a fair complaint, that's why we're taking a vote. I'm just telling you that I can't continue to run Template the way I've been running it, because I've backed myself into a corner and I don't like it. If you want to keep it, I will find some way to deal with it.
What about the main overarching plot? Can it really change this much?
Why, yes, yes it can. Template was always intended to change settings eventually, but this wasn't the intended change, and it's a huge shift in how we plan on running the plot! So, it's important you get your voice in on it.
What about Template version characters? If they choose to go for power, what makes them different from their OU counterparts?
Gooood question. I haven't thought that far ahead yet, but when I do, rest assured, I will find some way to allow them to differentiate from OU versions if they want to go for the ultimate power.
WHEN will the changes happen if we approve them?
Probably late January.
If you have any questions, except concerning Template versions, because I really HAVEN'T thought that far ahead yet, let me know. I have pretty much everything else fleshed out to an extent in my head. Ask all questions here! And last, but not least, the poll. Please read ALL of this entry before voting on this poll.
Poll