December 27th, 2001

No Update on 28th

Kaige says, 'ok. so did you guys have burning questions?'

Kaige giggles.

Boreas says, 'no'

Kaige giggles at Boreas.

Rusalka chuckles politely.

Ishtar says, 'not really'

Boreas says, 'do yoooo have questions?'

Kaige says, 'not even ONE? nlike why are you all being so lazy and not doing a code update this week?'

Boreas says, 'I figure that 'as something to do with 'olidays'

Kaige says, 'yeah. we actually have a lot that could have gone in this week, but we decided that we'd rather have people around in case things didn't go well with them'

Boreas says, 'big changes coming up?'

Ishtar gulps nervously.

Rusalka chuckles politely.

Rusalka says, 'might see more tudor stuff'

Rusalka shrugs helplessly.

Haley giggles.

Ishtar says, 'ooh'

Boreas says to Rusalka, 'uh oh, not the fire you threaten with'

Kaige says, 'so we're saving everything up for next week...code wise that is.'

Rusalka sighs loudly.

Rusalka hasn't mastered fires yet.

Increased Risk in Dun?

Kaige says to Boreas, 'played in the dun again yet?'

Kaige grins evilly.

Boreas nods her agreement with Kaige.

Boreas sighs loudly.

Boreas actually died twice.

Kaige says, 'and yeah, I know the doors are annoying.. they'll be slowed down on Friday'

Kaige comforts Boreas.

Boreas says, 'toopid elites wouldn't stay asleep.'

Kaige says to Boreas, 'stuff hunting you down?'

Boreas shakes her head in disagreement with Kaige.

Boreas says, 'just waking up one tick after being slept'

Kaige nods solemnly.

NPC Responses & Auto Withdrawal

Kaige says, 'are you guys finding some of the mobs better able to respond to you about things they should know about?'

Ishtar looks up into the sky and ponders.

Kaige says, '(note: some builders have been able to work on this more than others, so not universally better yet)'

Ishtar says, 'I haven't talked with many of them recently'

Boreas says, 'actually, I've been trying to find shops that do that automatic withdrawal thing'

Kaige nods her agreement with Boreas.

Boreas says, 'either I can't figure out what to do to make them do it, or I haven't tried the right ones yet'

Kaige says, 'I looked into that about the merchant there in France'

Kaige says, 'lemme grab his file one sec'

Boreas says, 'the merchant, or the abbey craftsman?'

Kaige says, 'the merchant... isn't that the one you'd asked about before?'

Boreas says, 'yeah, I idea'd yesterday the craftsman too'

Kaige says, 'but they're in the same file....'

Kaige says, 'the merchant you should just ask him about what you're trying to buy. He doesn't have any special acts for asking about direct withdrawl'

Boreas looks up into the sky and ponders.

Kaige says, 'and the same for the craftsman it looks like.'

Boreas says, 'I 'adn't tried that. rather anti-intuitive'

Kaige chuckles politely.

Kaige says, 'that's what Ladyace was hinting at when she suggested you poke around the mob some see what they kew'

Boreas says, 'the camel driver's son told me to talk to the jeweler, and then the jeweler wouldn't say anything about it. I guess they have the same thing'

Kaige says, 'NOT all shopkeepers do a direct withdrawal thing'

Boreas says, 'I asked automatic withdrawal, money, take it from my account...things along that line'

Boreas says, 'well, I think maybe there should be more clues about that, or a mention of it in helpfiles. It's something that new players would never know'

Kaige says, 'mostly ones that have quest items and housing items that cost a lot have that kind of thing'

Kaige says to Boreas, 'you may want to drop charity a note about it'

Boreas nods solemnly.

Kaige says, 'yeah, there's a few things like that that even I forget about becuase they're not marked down somewhere or aren't used widely'

Kaige says, 'best thing to do is remind us about 'em'

Boreas nods solemnly.

Random Disasters/Risks/New Ideas?

Keith says, 'anyone discuss the idea of random things happening to folks like a meteorite hitting them and stuff?'

Kaige says, 'nope, no one brought that up.'

Boreas says, 'I like that idea'

Rusalka does too

An aura of heavenly light appears above Rusalka's head.

Boreas says, 'and tidal waves, lightning, etc'

Kaige says, 'I played on a mud once where you could get struck by lightning and stunned and/or killed. it sucked.'

Kheldar nods solemnly.

Rusalka says, 'not killed'

Keith says, 'i think if it was rare enough it could be pretty funny'

Rusalka says, 'i'd go aginst that'

Boreas nods her agreement with Keith.

Kheldar says, 'could be fun if it didn't lose exp or what not'

Boreas says, 'it would be something to brag about'

Boreas says, 'like...irl I was hit by a tidal wave'

Rusalka pokes the tudor barge.

Kaige says, 'well, we do have some things like that... where you can get hit by the storms coming around the cape of good hope'

Rusalka says, 'i need to do something with the thames'

Boreas says, 'there are the traps in AT, the exploding things in somme...'

Rusalka says, 'when the tide comes in, it can be pretty wild'

Keith says, 'what about being able to steal gold from folks if you have the skill'

Rusalka says, 'not sure i like that one'

Rusalka shrugs helplessly.

Kheldar says, 'yeah, those are called death traps but they have the disadvantage of losing most everything... not overly fun'

Boreas says to Rusalka, 'cholera!'

Kaige says, 'I didn't mean the wrecked on teh reef dt...'

Keith says, 'what about having the meteorite fall in random rooms and if your in the room there in it would knock you out for 10 ticks or somthing'

Rusalka shakes her head.

Rusalka says, 'maybe 5'

Rusalka says, '10 is obnoxious'

Boreas says, 'if you really got hit by a meteorite, you would be so melted'

Kaige nods her agreement with Boreas.

Kaige giggles.

Kheldar says, 'well, my area has storms that will randomly kick you out in any direction'

Rusalka giggles.

Rusalka says, 'heh, maybe just hit by the after shock'

Keith says, 'ok so agreed we put it in then good deal'

Keith snickers softly.

Boreas says, 'it's pretty much a matter of builders putting that kind of thing in their areas, no?'

Kaige says, 'ahh.. ok. the stuff around the cape isn't as dangerous as I thought, just slightly more inconvenient'

Kaige nods her agreement with Boreas.

Kaige says, 'yes, exactly.'

Boreas says, 'so *poke builders* we like that stuff.'

Keith says, 'how does the meteorite work then it falls into all areas randomly right?'

Rusalka says, 'some stuff code level, some area level'

Kheldar says, 'to my recollection, yes'

Rusalka says, 'i'd be happy if i got all the stuff _I_ want in'

Rusalka chuckles politely.

Kheldar grins evilly at Rusalka.. wonder what he's thinking...

Kaige nods her agreement with Rusalka.

Kheldar says, 'don't feel bad, I finally convinced kaige to try and add some code I've been trying to get in since romania went in in '96'

Kaige says to Boreas, 'speaking only for myself...'

Kaige chuckles politely.

Keith says, 'so most of you guys are against having random things happen like that then?'

Kaige says, 'not so much.. but they should be consistent and in context and not just out of the blue.'

Rusalka says, 'i don't believe we've taken a poll'

Kheldar nods his agreement with Kaige.

Boreas says, 'earthquakes in Cali would be fun. You take damage if you are indoors'

Rusalka says, 'it takes a great deal of work to just maintain the mud'

Kaige says, 'however, seeing where to put them isn't always as obvious... especially for ME'

Kaige says, 'here's a fun example...'

Kheldar looks up into the sky and ponders.

Kaige says, 'type areainfo and then count how many areas have my name listed as maintainer'

Kheldar says, 'a lot'

Boreas comforts Kaige.

Kheldar says, 'you pretty much inherited yours, ptahs, as well as a number of others from builders who went inactive over the years'

Kaige says, 'it's not that bad usually, as I do a little everywhere and have lots of variety to keep me from being bored'

Kaige giggles.

Kaige nods her agreement with Kheldar.

Rusalka nods her agreement with Kaige.

Rusalka is impressed

Rusalka chuckles politely.

Kaige says, 'but... going "hmm.. where should THIS cool new idea go.. gets a little hard to see'

Rusalka mumbles something about baby steps.

Kheldar looks up into the sky and ponders.

Keith says, 'just ask me i'll tell ya'

Keith chortles with amusement.

Kaige says, 'that's why I'm always harping on "USE IDEA" and "if you don't write it down, I'll forget"'

Rusalka nods solemnly.

Boreas has a handy-dandy idea generator behind her left ear.

Kheldar says, 'lets see, snow storms in winter, hurricanes in certain areas during the spring and fall, tornatos in others throughout the summer and fall, earthquakes anytime'

Rusalka says, 'i use idea with my morts to take notes'

Rusalka chuckles politely.

Kaige says to Keith, 'well, but with everything in addition to building that I do around here, (coding, admn and pr stuff to boot) I don't always get a chance to do that much'

Kaige nods her agreement with Rusalka.

Kaige says, 'and those are SO useful to me'

Rusalka smiles at Kaige.

Kaige says, 'between you, Kae, and Haley... I get lots of ideas.'

Rusalka smiles happily.

Rusalka giggles.

Boreas says, 'Lima could have all the disasters. They get everything in peru'

Kaige nods her agreement with Boreas.

Boreas says, 'eq, volcano, lahar *shudder*...'

Kaige says, 'yeah, Lima is one of my banes...'

Kaige giggles.

Rusalka giggles.

Kaige says, 'It's one of the oringinal areas, I don't know much about it. and not much to build upon in a lot of cases'

Boreas says, 'I like Lima a lot, it's just there isn't all that much still in the americas. Nobody really hangs out there'

Kaige nods her agreement with Boreas.

Kaige says, 'not a lot, and mostly geared toward a very "young" mud'

Rusalka nods solemnly.

Kaige says, 'What I need to do is sit down and just quest brainstorm a lot'

Boreas says, 'I'd like to see the presidio area expanded with the california missions to brighten up that side of the globe'

Kaige says, 'I really want china/japan/russia'

Boreas nods her agreement with Kaige.

Kaige says, 'just to put that area of the map, ON the map'

Boreas says, 'absolutely. There is hardly anything in east asia built'

Rusalka nods solemnly.

Rusalka says, 'oh, that's been our list for ages'

Rusalka sighs loudly.

Kaige nods her agreement with Rusalka.

Kaige says, 'and russia just seems to be cursed.'

More Complex Quests?

Boreas says, 'I remember when people were talking about how all the 50+ areas are with evil mobs, somebody had an idea to do fuedal japan as that type of area for groups, but with good align mobs'

Boreas says, 'I thought that was a great idea.'

Kaige nods solemnly.

Kaige says, 'actually my eldorado is kinda like that.'

Boreas says, 'oooo el dorodo'

Kaige says, 'but for mid levels not 50+'

Kaige says, 'very puzzle oriented is what I'm going for too'

Boreas says, 'puzzle oriented? you mean quests that aren't just about asking a mob something using just the right words then giving them an item?'

Rusalka is trying, but it got realy really complicated

Boreas ducks to the ground.

Kaige says, 'I wanted to do something for the 20-40 level range, and try some new quest structures out.. something that wouldn't be easily written up on legendDB'

An aura of heavenly light appears above Kaige's head.

Kaige nods her agreement with Boreas.

Boreas chuckles politely.

Kaige says, 'yeah. the problem is, fetch-n-carry is easy and obvious'

Kheldar nods solemnly.

Kaige says, 'and even stuff like Alfredo's quest we haven't been able to do THAT long'

Kaige says, 'and that's still basically a fetch and carry, but you don't know what you're going to have to fetch.'

Kaige says, 'it was an experiment in a lot of ways...'

Rusalka nods solemnly.

Rusalka is working on a murder mystery

Rusalka says, 'but it's horribly complicated'

Kaige says, 'I like experimenting with small pieces, to know how they work and then later trying to combine them.'

Kaige says, 'like the changes in the dun and arabia.. with attacking the people in charge... that's experimenting, but also works well on its own.'

Kheldar nods his agreement with Kaige.

Kheldar says to Boreas, 'Trade has most of its quests requiring different approaches to the quests based on weather, time of year, randomnes, characters high stats, etc... they're very hard and tedious to code though and even worse to get all of the permutations tested'

Boreas nods solemnly.

Currency

Kheldar says to Kaige, 'like my capturing merchant commands to dynamically modify item pricing. Experiments to make it somehow different'

Kaige nods solemnly.

Kaige says, 'yeah, but I'd like to find ways to make things like that easier for builders and players. Like currency for example.'

Rusalka nods solemnly.

Kaige says, 'there's a reason we only have dollars in pittsburgh.'

Kheldar nods his agreement with Kaige.

Kaige says, 'it's just a bear and too much for most builders to want to try to work with at the moment.'

Rusalka nods solemnly.

Kheldar says, 'I did put that in for trade, but its a pain.'

Rusalka scuffles her feet around in the dirt.

Kaige says, 'I'm pulling my hair out with it in 1950s and I've barely started with it'

Kaige sighs loudly.

Kheldar grins evilly at Kaige.. wonder what he's thinking...

Kheldar ruffles Kaige's hair playfully.

Boreas says, 'dollars are a pain for morts too. Nice idea tho'

Kaige giggles.

Kaige nods her agreement with Boreas.

Rusalka thanks Kaige heartily.

Kaige says to Boreas, 'Yeah. if you have specific aggrivations, note them down and we can see about addressing them.'

Kaige says, 'Snapper's been a lot more active recently so he may be able to do something about it.'

Boreas says, 'it's more things like making change, and trying to get a certain bill'

Kaige nods solemnly.

Kaige says, 'yeah. that's one of the harder things for builders too with dealing with it.'

Kaige says, 'the change thing especially'

Kaige says, 'way too many hoops to jump through to get it right in acts.'

Kheldar nods his agreement with Kaige.

Get/Put/Drink Inconsistencies

Boreas says, 'oh, another issue...'

Boreas says, 'about boxes and bags and waterskins and trying to use them when there is one on the ground. Any plans to change that?'

Kheldar says, 'simply need to make a separate item screen to hold all of the moneys and put player commands for conversion'

Kheldar ducks to the ground.

Kaige says, 'I think that's in ea's plans to rewrite a bunch of the internal stuff and make things more consistent... but I'm not sure.'

Kaige says, 'we've gotten a BUNCH of reports about it this week specifically'

Boreas says, 'yeah, I've been having trouble today with it, because I keep putting things in my box instead of the lost box'

Boreas grumbles about a box with a ribbon.

Kaige nods solemnly.

Boreas says, 'but at least those have different keywords.'

Boreas says, 'if there is a waterskin on the floor, there's no way you can drink from yours without leaving the room'

Kaige says, 'yeah. I remember a while ago when bonsai trees were "required" items and everyone had trouble with "get leaves tree" when they were carrying one.'

Boreas chuckles politely.

Kaige says, 'yeah. the question is.. how much of a pain is it going to be flipped 180 degrees too.'

Kaige says, 'some it might be better, some things it might be worse. I don't know.'

Boreas nods solemnly.

Kaige says, 'but it should be predictable, and not just on a command by command basis'

Boreas says, 'well, if at least 2.tree or 2.skin worked, it would be workable'

LT Deadlines?

Keith says, 'when do i have to have my story in for the next lt?'

Kaige looks up into the sky and ponders.

Kaige says, 'I'm not sure.'

Keith says, 'i wanna change my desc and wrote a nice little story for it but la hasnt returned my note'

Kaige says, 'she's off at her folks. she's been in a couple of times, but has been spending time with family mostly'

Boreas says, 'I need to write a story and get a token while cider is still in the machine'

Boreas grumbles.

Keith says, 'ahh'

Rusalka chuckles politely.

Haley giggles at Boreas.

Keith says, 'well i better get going take care all'

Keith waves happily.

Boreas says, 'I should go too. Getting begged to join AT'

Boreas waves happily.

Kaige waves happily.

Kaige says, 'Thanks for coming guys!'

Kaige gives a big hug to everyone in the room.

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