What's missing in MUSHdom?

Thenomain

From a conversation on Fate's Harvest:

<Public> Thenomain says, “It's a failing of all nerds. 'This is an extremely valid point, 
because of this reason.' / 'I agree with your point but ARGLE BARGLE REASON FLAWED!' 
... Really, nerds? Really?”
<Public> Thenomain says, “Half an hour later nothing's done because nerds gotta 
nerd.”

Tinuviel

@thenomain As a social scientist, please stop shitting on half of my career.

Thenomain

@tinuviel

alt text
[Alt-Text: On the other hand, physicists like to say physics is to math as sex is to masturbation.]

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

I mean, I could, but heehee.

Tinuviel

@thenomain And I sit to the left of the sociologist and just to the right of the archaeologist.

faraday

@the-sands said in What's missing in MUSHdom?:

Unless you're doing something that requires a data model more complicated than Redis is supporting.

That is exceedingly unlikely. Redis by its nature stores simple key/value strings, and the Ohm db model reflects that. You can build all sorts of complexity on top of that, which Ohm also does with things like relationships and data types, but you're not going to need to tunnel under the ORM.

The Sands

@faraday said in What's missing in MUSHdom?:

That is exceedingly unlikely. Redis by its nature stores simple key/value strings, and the Ohm db model reflects that. You can build all sorts of complexity on top of that, which Ohm also does with things like relationships and data types, but you're not going to need to tunnel under the ORM.

I'm referring more to a case where you simply have to use another database system. Not knowing Redis I can't give a perfect example right away but all databases have their various advantages and disadvantages. As a result even though it may be possible for Redis to do a full text search with phonetic substitution you will still decide that another database is a better tool for the job (just as an off the cuff example).

Anyway, I'm probably quibbling a bit. My original statement was 'I don't know if you can do this' to which the answer is apparently 'yes, you can'. We can debate whys and wherefores until the Sun burns out.

faraday

@the-sands said in What's missing in MUSHdom?:

I'm referring more to a case where you simply have to use another database system.

Ares cannot be made to use a different database system. It's tied to Redis. But if you mean having two database systems running in parallel... I can't imagine why you'd want to do that, but yeah, sure, you could.

Runescryer

Just a few ideas, fwtw.....

TORG: The relaunch by Ulisses Speil has been fantastic. Lots of condensing and streamlining the rules without loosing the original game's feel and unique dice/card action system. Lots of data-crunching, though, for the effects of the 100 or so cards in the game (3 different decks, 1 of which determines initiative in combat rounds and other effects; the other 2 decks are action boosts and a deck of cards with narrative effects specific to the Reality the adventure is taking place). Also, the invading Realities have had nice makeovers, fixing some issues and adding in new effects. The Living Land now also includes the possibility of 'Lost Worlds' popping up at random inside the realm. Nippon Tech has been renamed Pan-Pacifica and adds a 'Resident Evil' type virus to the high-tech corporate setting.

7th Sea: 1st Edition; the 2nd Edition has some problems with action and difficulty scaling and scales down Magic. Set it in Vodacce, in the capital of Numa, and you can hit all the main themes: Intrigue, Archaeology, Piracy.

Earthdawn: Solid game system and an interesting setting. Plus, the characters have a purpose beyond basically being murder hobos looking for Help Wanted ads in the local taverns.

Original Superhero Setting: This one is more cultural than a system issue. With Superhero games, almost everyone wants to play the Big Names, so I can understand why OC games like ChampionsMUSH and the old Four Color Comics (to name two) never really caught on, aside from any issues people may have had with staff (if those problems existed, I'm unaware of them)

Wavert

I'd say more MUs based on anime and/or video game settings. Games utilizing tabletop systems seem a dime a dozen comparatively.

Runescryer

Three other thoughts of genres, rather than specific systems or properties....

Espionage. Setting up two sides, whether it's US/NATO vs. the Soviet Bloc in the 70's & 80's, UNCLE vs. THRUSH, a more serious CONTROL vs. CHAOS, MI-6 & CIA vs. SPECTER or SMERSH, or even the Top Secret SI setting of ORION vs. WEB.
Western: Lots of territory to explore here, and toss in another vote here for DEADLANDS.
Gangland: Back to the '20's and Prohibition. Law Enforcement vs. the Mobs. Plenty of action & drama to go around.

Thenomain

@wavert said in What's missing in MUSHdom?:

Games utilizing tabletop systems seem a dime a dozen comparatively.

Because sadly most of us don't understand game design.

I mean, someone mentioned Torg, which was (and again is?!) a game with a horrible design. And look at the Storyteller/Storytelling Systems. Tabletop system is usually secondary in the request.

And hell, it's usually secondary in the tabletop system itself.

Runescryer

@thenomain What did you find horrible about TORG's design? If it's the 'Glass Jawed Ninja' effect, the new edition corrected that by making Bonus Damage separate from the Bonus added to the Attack test. The other major problem was that certain powerful buff or effect cards, like the Glory card, would sometimes be wasted as initiative draws; this problem was solved by splitting the initiative and buff/effect into two separate card decks.

Apos

I dunno I just don't think most of the tabletop games are really super well suited to persistent worlds with potentially hundreds of people interacting with one another. Some can do okay but it's a really different scope and I think anything being adapted should just bear that in mind.

Runescryer

@apos Tabletop systems are designed for smaller groups, true. And this does need to be kept in mind for designing MU*s based off TT's. But, it can be done. What's required, IMO, is a dedicated staff, regular events, and a player base encouraged to participate or even run events. Looking at MUDStats, 2 of the top 20 MUDs by population/connections are WoD MUDs: City of Hope and Fallcoast. So, TT system games can be successful from a population standpoint, you just need a reason for players to log in.

Also, there is something to be said about game popularity or stability being measured by player satisfaction/enjoyment, rather than pure population numbers.

Tinuviel

@runescryer said in What's missing in MUSHdom?:

smaller groups, true

Smaller groups with a person dedicated to making binding rulings as things arise. Not committees that you have to wait on to get things done.

Thenomain

Thought of two other IPs that I'd like to see as Mu*s. Wait, three.

The Last Of Us
Horizon Zero Dawn
Mass Effect (yes, I know it's been done, but can continue to be done)

I may have a penchant for situations where humanity is buffeted around by the situation or environment. I think it makes for compelling stories to be told.

The Sands

Another IP I would recommend but not necessarily the rules system (though GURPs is a much more solid system, IMO, than EPs or Numera) is the old Illuminati University setting from Steve Jackson games.

Obviously this would be a much more lighthearted and silly game.

ThatGuyThere

the thing with Anything Steve Jackson though is that he has expressly said MUSHes etc are not allowed to use his stuff.
The exception being the setting for In Nomine (likely because it is owned by a french company and licensed for English by Steve Jackson games.)

RnMissionRun

@thatguythere said in What's missing in MUSHdom?:

the thing with Anything Steve Jackson though is that he has expressly said MUSHes etc are not allowed to use his stuff.
The exception being the setting for In Nomine (likely because it is owned by a french company and licensed for English by Steve Jackson games.)

^^ This.

I once worked on a MOO that received a cease and desist letter from SJG over their use of GURPS. They're still hoping that some major game company will license the system for use with an online game and they're not going to let anyone else use it.

Runescryer

@rnmissionrun That. And, IIRC, he got burned rather badly with Fallout. Fallout was designed to use GURPS, then they cancelled and created the SPECIAL system; although SJ was as much responsible for the GURPS system being pulled as Interplay was.