[Algore]

Originally Posted by Ratneck

Would you have an issue with 3 characters per account but only 1 per server? It would allow role playing different characters, which seems to be the main reason people want multiple characters, and would also allow for accountability of a pilot on their chosen servers. It's the best compromise I can think of between the two camps, do you have a better idea that would make everyone happy?

This would make me the happiest I think, from all the suggestions so far.
The problem with idiots and 3 chars per account would be the ability to avoid being responsible for their actions. Even if they run low on reserves, they could just obtain more funds from a different char. Like we have now, and have had for many years.
Separate servers means this wouldn't be possible. Of course people could also get 2 accounts with 1 char on each server but at least they would have to pay real money for it.

There will always be certain types of people that want to be idiots, with the majority choosing not to even with 3 chars per account. I'm in agreement with some of the above that not having to pay for it will increase the risk of idiot activity.

Regards
Al

[GrimGriz]

Originally Posted by Istanbul

*edit* And perhaps we should more clearly define the term asshat while we're at it.

To me, an asshat would be one of two things. A) a person going on a noob and/or defenseless pilot killing spree (not a pirate engaging in pirate activity) or B) a person attempting to wipe out gear by splashing it. There may be a couple others, but those are the major ones i've seen/heard of.

For me it's a much simpler and broader definition:
asshattery: as-hat-uh-ree -noun
Entertaining oneself by irritating, angering, or inconveniencing others.

asshat: as-hat - noun
Person engaging in asshattery.

Originally Posted by Istanbul

I'm also not saying that multi-accounts are going to be the driving factor in our player numbers increasing. But, if we get a hair more people playing because they can have multiple characters, that basically washes out the hair more 'donkey head coverings', since not everyone who likes/wants multi-accounts are such people.

I understand why you think that way, but since asshattery lessens other players enjoyment of the game, and can cause people enough distress to cause them to seek their entertainment elsewhere, the asshattery allowed by multiple characters per account would certainly negate the number of players drawn in by having multiple characters.

Of course, this thread was supposed to be about things that people would try under the systems as we understand them that we would consider asshattery, so Netdevil could start looking for asshattery prevention methods prior to the asshattery taking place.

[Smegit]

Originally Posted by GrimGriz

Of course, this thread was supposed to be about things that people would try under the systems as we understand them that we would consider asshattery, so Netdevil could start looking for asshattery prevention methods prior to the asshattery taking place.

And the prize for the most uses of the word "asshattery" in a single post goes to.......

I think we need to accept that in a game like Jumpgate (C or E) there will be a certain proportion of asshats. Its a lot more fun ripping into a defenseless noob (I imagine) in Jumpgate rather than hitting the attack button and watching what happens as I assume happens in more point and click games.

And while it may increase the asshats playing, multiple characters per account has positives for non asshatters. There is also the fact that if someone who has played other games where multi characters was the norm got to Jumpgate Evolution and saw they could only have one pilot they may think "sod this" and look elsewhere. And I'm not keen on the characters on different servers idea. If shards are based on location and playstyle I would want all my characters on the EU PvP server for example.

[At this point I tried to think of a sentence that used the word asshattery more times than GG, but for the life of me I couldn't do it]

Smeg

[SlimPickns]

If you want to prevent asshattery there needs to be safe zones, autopilots, set quests.

[Ratneck]

Originally Posted by Smegit

And the prize for the most uses of the word "asshattery" in a single post goes to.......

I think we need to accept that in a game like Jumpgate (C or E) there will be a certain proportion of asshats. Its a lot more fun ripping into a defenseless noob (I imagine) in Jumpgate rather than hitting the attack button and watching what happens as I assume happens in more point and click games.

And while it may increase the asshats playing, multiple characters per account has positives for non asshatters. There is also the fact that if someone who has played other games where multi characters was the norm got to Jumpgate Evolution and saw they could only have one pilot they may think "sod this" and look elsewhere. And I'm not keen on the characters on different servers idea. If shards are based on location and playstyle I would want all my characters on the EU PvP server for example.

[At this point I tried to think of a sentence that used the word asshattery more times than GG, but for the life of me I couldn't do it]

Smeg

I think I understand where you're coming from, however I don't know anyone who has refused to try a game based on how many characters THEY can create.

I do know people who won't play a game because there are people out there who get their jollies out of using their extra character slots to be assholes.

I obviously can only make a judgment call based on what I've observed or talked to people about, perhaps we have a different experience. But from what I've experienced the number of players who care about second or third characters is FAR less then the number of players who care about people abusing those slots.

[Smegit]

Originally Posted by Ratneck

I think I understand where you're coming from, however I don't know anyone who has refused to try a game based on how many characters THEY can create.

I do know people who won't play a game because there are people out there who get their jollies out of using their extra character slots to be assholes.

I obviously can only make a judgment call based on what I've observed or talked to people about, perhaps we have a different experience. But from what I've experienced the number of players who care about second or third characters is FAR less then the number of players who care about people abusing those slots.

I agree to a certain extent (well, a lot really). But the fact is your basing your experience on Jumpgate Classic, which had a single character. Most games out there have multiple characters, so people may be aggrieved when Jumpgate Evolution does not. Possibly. This is all just IMO.

Most of the people who play the asshattatialalist game () game will do their worst then disappear. At least in my experience.

If I'm wrong you can come back and hit me with a big stick once it goes retail.

Smeg

[Ratneck]

Originally Posted by Smegit

If I'm wrong you can come back and hit me with a big stick once it goes retail.

Smeg

lol no way, half the fun of discussing a game with little confirmed information is that anyone could be right.....

I often wonder how they can have so many unanswered design questions this far into the project. :-) If I were to design a communications system for a new building and didn't know what was going where till after they had started putting up the studs....well I'd be drowning in change orders and I'd have a budget that was spiraling out of control. Then I'd be unemployed.

[Istanbul]

Because software is a lot more flexible and dynamic than a building?

[Ratneck]

It's not more flexible and dynamic though. You have your structure which can not be changed once it's in place without restarting the whole project.....Once the structure is up (or as it's going up, depending on the project) your trades can get in and start their work. Same in software, you have to get your engine or whatever they want to call it, together before you can start adding the pretty stuff. The structure.

In order to get everything to fit in and prevent yourself from repeating work or having to redo it over and over, it's the exact same thing in both construction and software, you have to plan it out in advance. If you don't have a plan...for both...you risk having to redo work when a puzzle piece won't fit into place. And if you have to force it into place it costs more, makes your end product more bulky and unattractive, and can delay the project time line and increase the cost.

Buildings have many different functions, sizes, shapes, and uses....and I dare say there are more buildings in the world then software programs...so I would say that constructing a building is just as flexible as writing software.

[Istanbul]

Well, it's easier to backup software versions than building versions at least

[Smegit]

Originally Posted by Istanbul

Because software is a lot more flexible and dynamic than a building?

As I work in this area let me just say...

NO!

Software exists in only 2 states, what the user asks for, and what the developer can give them. And both are usually wrong

Smeg

P.S. There is also this myth that software is designed. Rubbish, you start with the two extremes above and work to the mid point, the worst of all worlds!