Posts made by Lotherio

I'm good with idling on the game. I figure it allows folks to get to know each other and I prefer a sense of community among players/staff on the game. I'd like them all to feel more comfortable with each other by getting to know each other at their own pace. I figure they get to know when others are idle/not idle as well to optimize their RP times. If they're on the game, they're open to others talking/chatting/paging them vs small circle of friends sandboxing and only communicating in other mediums (which is fine, but doesn't contribute to that sense of community for me).

4 and if wiki or something with images, I prefer 1. Artwork seems more make believe to me and my brain doesn't like imagining a cartoon. 2 is off the list, I dislike it becoming a contest to find the best actors that fit theme/period/genre.

I prefer the description first then finding something to fit. I really don't want Robert Downy Jr for someone who acts exactly like Tony Stark. I can watch Iron Man movies for that. I'd rather someone have the attitude but look different, inspired by is good for me, playing the bit exactly like the role and image chosen is a turn off. I think folks have said this, if they see someone like Ryan Reynolds after a Deadpool movie, they avoid the character.

4 for me and I'm good with 1 for web/wiki reference (I prefer an actual desc not a link to a website). I liked playing in the 90s when folks came up with the character and then occasionally there was what if we made the movie who'd play who was fun, but then it was others assigning actors to play your character.

@three-eyed-crow said in Criticism: X-Men Divergence:

It's kinda shocking how much a one-sentence 'application' mitigates this (idk, if I understood MUer psychology I could make a mint, I'm sure).

I agree with this. The application is minimal as far as comics games goes. They handle turn over fairly well from what little I've seen. All the rosters appear to have a prior played. I like that powers are limited to where they set it, makes it all work well together instead of like street level guys hanging out busting drug lords and Silver Surfer shows up to showboat again.

@coin said in Criticism: X-Men Divergence:

@lotherio said in Criticism: X-Men Divergence:

@tinuviel said in Criticism: X-Men Divergence:

@lotherio said in Criticism: X-Men Divergence:

Its through application and not on the web

There is a form on their site to do the claiming.

Not a solution to your problem, but still.

This looks new, its a good step. I don't know if it gives me a confirmation number (peace of mind), but that's a good step. I stand corrected on this account.

The app form on the wiki has been there for months, since it was there when I looked at the game in March.

Like, if you're deterred because you have to log in as a Guest and say 'hey, I applied for [character] and never got a mail' or whatever... like, is that really the issue? Not being able to log in as something other than a Guest? ~.^

Yes, I am not the sort to log on and start asking about my app. I would prefer being able to track on my end. I don't call FedEx when I didn't get my thing, I usually start with the tracking number and try to see where it went wrong. I'm weird this way.

I like to imagine they'd have let me know if there was an issue. Even just an e-mail saying thanks for the app, to acknowledge my e-mail is working or something.

Just an acknowledgement, I figure its a common courtesy, thanks for the app we'll get to you. If that's part of the process, I wasn't expecting it to know I should resubmit after I hit enter and it seemed to work the first time.

All that aside, moot point. Its limited roster, the bit I apped for is taken (did I fat finger my email (hint, I copied and pasted it), did I mess up the +feature, could be both - or did someone app before me, did it go to someone already on the game with a proven track record ... all of that is aside, the bits taken now). There are like 6 rosters left and the 2 males available are of no interest to me; if this raised interest in the game, go get a bit now (it is popular enough and not just web connections, lots of people on via clients).

As a user am I miffed a little about my app process, yes. Like I said in some response along the way, I'll say it was me. I'm not bad mouthing the place, I said its doing well.

Its just a criticism, like if you know the folks running it or someone else does, just mention it; if they are well aware and aren't worried about the next new player who might lose something app wise, that's fine too. Like others have said, maybe I'm not fit for playing there. That's just as well.

For the people like me who don't like waiting blindly or whatever, its out there for them and their anxiety. Does it mean the place is bad, hell no it doesn't the place is doing great.

@tat said in Criticism: X-Men Divergence:

asking for an email for a response is the best you've got

Or allowing them to create a character bit. Creating a bit is completely unallowed, the process it just to app for a roster (both in game and on the web which is good).

I appreciate they know the size of game they want and which chars they want playing in their universe, I appreciate it allows them control of powers without everyone asking for the most OP version of every FC from some alternate universe/special issue/whatever.

But for the purpose of using the system (like jobs or requests) while they +request (I forget what command they had for filling out the questions when I app'ed). It would help with needed changes. And, as in my case, it would let me know if I did something wrong (though it accepted the +app without yelling at me) or if my job sat in queue and got no attention.

Its like flying blind. I've coded some modules into Ares myself, I code on PennMUSH, I've set up shell games on actual servers, ran things out of VPNs. I'm fairly competent in submitting a +app and followed the directions. But its like firing blind the way its set up, did it go to the wrong address or did the clerk throw away my app when they saw my name. No clue.

@tinuviel said in Criticism: X-Men Divergence:

@lotherio said in Criticism: X-Men Divergence:

Its through application and not on the web

There is a form on their site to do the claiming.

Not a solution to your problem, but still.

This looks new, its a good step. I don't know if it gives me a confirmation number (peace of mind), but that's a good step. I stand corrected on this account.

@sunny said in Criticism: X-Men Divergence:

If the game is otherwise doing well and sources say this isn't usually the case, I am inclined to think that something happened. Somebody (or somebody's kid) got hit by a bus, work was particularly bad with a fiscal year switch over, or something else. While walking at a week and a half is PERFECTLY reasonable behavior / a perfectly reasonable reaction, I would caution against the assumption that it's their typical.

Yeah something probably did happen, but the only access to knowing pre-approval is jumping into guest bits. Which is my critique.

ETA: That's my assumption, something happened. I don't know what. But alternatively, its sus to some people. The bits already filled. Did someone app at the same time or before me? Did someone's friend app in after me and as a current player they got the role instead of me? I don't really know, it looks sus. I assume something was lost in the communication static and I have no way to know if its on my end or theirs because of the logging on as a guest for new players to request a bit. Its through application and not on the web, I didn't think to save it (foolish me), so even if the bit was open, I'd have to recreate it and I've no interest in reading wiki and writing again. Some other CG solution would help new players.

@tiredewok said in Criticism: X-Men Divergence:

I've claimed a couple characters there in the past and they're usually much quicker to get people approved, like within minutes of my having submitted my request. So not sure what's up with that.

I was invited by a friend to check it out even. My only critique is as a guest bit I really have no tracking record to know if something went wrong on my end or their end and. I submitted as it said to do and it said whatever it tells me after I hit enter, not an error message. But I have no way of knowing where the static is and have no interest going on as a guest again. So a guest bit puts me in waiting limbo and as noted by others, waiting limbo is generally a turn off.

The only thing I could reason for requiring a guest bit to apply for a roster is to save DB clutter, but this isn't 1990 when total available/virtual space was MBs in some shell on someone's home box, which included space for web/graphics.

My critique is offered so someone who enjoys the game can recommend a better CG process to help with new players. But like I said, the game is doing good as it is. Just isn't going to include me at this point, which is no loss in the grand scheme of things.

@tinuviel said in Criticism: X-Men Divergence:

@lotherio said in Criticism: X-Men Divergence:

I know they're not shy of players, they're doing good, but someone may want to recommend to admin updating the roster claiming process to be more user friendly.

Without a link to check it out myself, and apathy in googling, I would say it is simply part of their selection process. If one is so easily, in their mind, dissuaded from joining, perhaps that is simply part of their desire. To weed out those unwilling to participate in such a way.

Could very well be. If my effort to spend a few hours reading their wiki then applying is not enough, then yes, I've been weeded out. I mean an email to say I don't fit the character or something would have been nice but severing the tie is cleaner this way I suppose.

Here is the link:
https://xmendivergence.com/

Looks like a great game. Its in Ares and looks like they, for the most part, used the environment well.

One criticism - CG. Its all FC characters and they're all rostered. Its app-in only. This is fine. My criticism is that to apply for a rostered bit, one has to log in as a guest and basically +submit/mail an app in. The only reference is you give them your e-mail for them to send rejection or connect info to I suppose. I did this a week and a half ago and nothing. I've lost all interest in trying.

This is in Ares, I should be able to go onto the web and use my Ares handle or create an OOC name to interact with the system through this process. It feels like I was requesting to join an e-mail RP group in 1993. I feel it needs something more than a guest bit, like I could log on now and they could say they never got it and I have no way to track a job number or anything. At Least with the 1993 e-mail list RPGs, I could send in e-mails to the server daemons to bounce back the status of my e-mails or my status with the group even.

I know they're not shy of players, they're doing good, but someone may want to recommend to admin updating the roster claiming process to be more user friendly.

@vixanic said in MUs That We Would Love To Make (But Won't):

@ninjakitten ...how appropriate, you fight like a cow?

I don't know how long our sword duel will last, but now you're milking it.

(I know, that's not in Monkey Island games, I'm just preparing for the new Monkey Island RPG combat system.)

Jade Crossing is the way between worlds, connecting Earth to the Jade Valley. During times of high magic the Bridges and Tunnels between worlds are open and magic flows high on Earth. Magic, however, has been in slumber for generations.

Yet - Crossings have been breached between other dimensions. A phenomenon known as Night Terrors is ongoing. Sightings of little monsters; faded shots on YouTube, jokes by news anchors. Similar to trends like clown sightings or the Chupacabra, its believed to be a hoax by most people. You know otherwise. It has awakened something in you, like magic and you've encountered the Night Terrors. What this means for you and the threat to the barrier that protects earth from other dimensions, the Jade Crossing, is a tale that has only just begun.

Jade Crossing is a new MUSH focused on urban/contemporary fantasy. In a manner it is similar to a year-one comic/powered story line. Individuals have powers and they are trying to figure out why. There are villains and secret organizations out there working against the heroes, but at this point it is unknown. Plenty of room for Player Run Plots as we progress both on Earth and in the Realms beyond.

Please feel free to check things out: http://jadecrossing.wikidot.com
Address: arcadia.silvertree.org:1338

@carma said in Power Balance Input Sought:

...did you mean to provide a link to the list?

I mean to provide one to those interested. I'm avoiding a discussion here, just looking for input and critique.

Literally what it says, working on a powers list (spell/enchantment related). Not going to spam it here and have a discussion about it. Just looking for input. If anyone is willing and interested in giving it a review/critique let me know. I can a link to the list.

Thanks in advance for reading/any interest.

@runescryer said in Good TV:

@lotherio There aren't any currently around that I'm aware of, but you might want to keep a lookout for Mutants & Masterminds 3rd Edition games. All the flexibility and granularity of Champions, with way less dice rolling and much faster combat.

Yeah, I'm aware there are no new OC supers games around, I meant Jupiter's Legacy has me wanting to make another one. Anything involving using a TTG and lots of coding is off the list for me. I'm less after a game myself.

@WildBaboons @Ortallus

I guess it was more like two years ago that I tried, 2019'ish (10 Ravine). I like some stats, but Champions is a bit much for me. The 2019 one and Coral Springs both worked off FS3. Coral Springs had stats for making dice rolls but didn't work with the combat system. Ravine use five elements philosophy and there was a bunch of special modifiers under the engine so like someone associated with fire got an attack bonus against wood or metal, but earth and water got a bonus defense against fire.

With Coral Spring it was light hearted after watching Sky High. Ravine 10 was more horror infused in a way (driven to use power or become melancholy, use power to much and succumb to rage). Between the two, I liked the developing origins on Coral Springs and wanted to get like closer to the root event, so Ravine is sort of similar to Wild Cards meets Andromeda Strain. Probably not enough advertising as you mentioned but it was advertised here just a little.

I prefer the action too and running adventures but getting onto an FC game is like Ortallus said, who's dating who. Like if everyone is in Bat sphere and I want blue devil, chances are I'm getting no RP on that game unless I make someone in Bat sphere that someone else wants.

Re: Jupiter's Legacy

I liked it, fight scenes didn't bother me so much. The story was more interesting. I think the origin story for the Union is good played out but much longer than presented in the comics.

At times the origin dragged a little and maybe part of why the 2nd gen felt a little flat. There's lots of relations they've built as kids growing up in a super society that are all off screen and assumed it seems.

This said, I enjoyed it too, has me wanting to do another OC supers MU* but the last one didn't get any tractions alas (but coral springs is still being played by a few people).

Begun the clone wars has ...

Russian Defense Minister wants to make a clone army

@ominous Yeah, that would be good. I think the small folk (gnome'ish/goblin'ish) was an attempt to be more human-like for folks not interested in anthromorphic characters and still making things like giant eagle/owl a danger. Human in a dangerous world is a good idea.`

I have two curiosities:

1. To the original idea of high fantasy involving mystic guilds suggested by @chibichibi and to include @Wizz's idea of the Black Company. Black Company fantasy is derivative of the real world White Company from 13th-15th century Italy. Same time is a lot of the house to house warfare that made the old tower houses in a lot of towns. What if you removed noble houses and made Wizard guilds in towers, fighting for control of a city/area and had merc companies for hire to fight the battles between the guilds, similar to Italy of the time. And what if the natural world was just as dangerous for high fantasy. The north isn't humans ready to invade, its wild land ruled by some dragons or something. Going west is dangerous for other natural regions. The merc company as much fights the wars between magic guilds as it does defend the city from real world dangers. Could be other merc companies/roaming war bands too. Might make for high fantasy type adventures?

2. The human's in place of mice ala Mouseguard. What if it was future fantasy (Thundarr'ish)? Less cartoonish. Cities are ruled by corrupt wizards at best, the lands between is either outlaws or dangerous mutated monsters (like a moose in Mouseguard is a walking giant)?

Just thoughts in general, hopefully someone does pick up and consider a high fantasy. If someone starts original theme and needs a little support/assistance on the backend I can chip in a little as needed.

@ominous said in Are there any high fantasy MU*s?:

@lotherio said in Are there any high fantasy MU*s?:

I started working on one not too long ago focused on small folk (sort of like gnomes) and their high fantasy adventures/world. The knights road like snow lynxes, war ponies and wild boar. It had an encroaching enemy of other small folk (goblin-like) who mounted like winter wolves and wolverines. It was a small forest location and focused on their struggles, the bad ones were winning the struggle to control the vale/valley. It stalled as some collaborators weren't sure about playing wee folk.

Sounds a bit like Mouse Guard, which is a MU* I would like to see sometime.

Mouseguard, Humblewood, Secret of NIMH, Peter Rabbit - numerous intimate, 'small world' references/settings abound. Its a bit of that sans the anthromorphic characters. Combined with the small folk in Ridley Scott's Legend (Honeythorn Gump, Brown Tom, Screwball, Oona). Maybe closer to Legend without humans.

For me, I couldn't do one of the established RPGs/settings like Mouseguard or Humblewood.