Role Playing Game Online ?

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Phil

It Wandered In From the Wastes
This might not be the right place, nor the right time to ask these questions, but I will do it anyway.

As you might or might not know (which is more likely), we are creating an online version of Fallout using (some of the) rules of Fallout PNP. There are several adaptations, such as the critters, which are far more advanced than in PNP.

How does it work, and what does it do ?

In the beginning, we used to have a rpg board at Vault52, just like NMA & DAC. Not as big as the ones at Vault0 or FORPG, but it was fun anyways. Now, I have to admit, I never understood the fun of these RPG's on a forum board. After all, there is no dice rolling, so little is unexpected. Combat is mostly trivial, as are other actions that include a certain 'chance' - I hope you can follow me.

Now, wouldn't it be nice, if we had the possibility to add these actions to a forum board ? Say, if your character (let's name him 'Jack') wanted to attack a bunch of radscorpions, he (or the game master, depending on how you want) could really do that ? And you would get a report on what happened, and what the outcome was ? You could die easily, if you tried to take on too many, or too strong opponents, or without the right weapon ?

What if your skills really mattered ? What if you really wanted to visit a shop ? What if you really wanted to steal an item ? What if someone noticed you and sent the local sheriff after you ? And you would have to flee ?

We wanted to include as many of these things as possible. You indentify yourself as a character, you play as a character, you try to make money, gain experience, and level up. After a while, you can buy say a spear, and you go gecko hunting... Wouldn't that be great ?

Now, there are some things that should be considered. Since everything is kept in some pretty huge databases, there are some things that I want to know, as they might affect processing speed.

I would like to ask everyone for some idea's, things yhat you think are necessary for this project to succeed.
Don't think these are just ramblings or speculations. We already have a part of the game online (albeit just characters, forums and shops) and I have a huge part on my home server (like combat/map/jobs) + several things that are under development. Also, there is an extension to the rpg so it can be played on IRC. You join a channel, log in, and the game master sends of different quests, in which you can participate. Things like:

[GAMEBOT] you're being attacked by 3 mole rats
[GAMEBOT] #1 Mole Rat at 5,6 distance: 12m HP: 15/15 CTH: 42%
[GAMEBOT] #1 Mole Rat at 5,7 distance: 13m HP: 15/15 CTH: 39%
[GAMEBOT] #1 Mole Rat at 6,6 distance: 13m HP: 15/15 CTH: 40%
[YOU] inventory list
[INVENTORYBOT] #1 SMG
[INVENTORYBOT] #2 Mentats x 3
[INVENTORYBOT] #3 ..
[YOU] equip #1 LEFT
[YOU] attack #1 LEFT NORMAL HEAD
[GAMEBOT] Mole Rat was hit in the head for 12 points
etc ...

The IRC is not our main goal, but it is really easy (*holds wood*) to migrate a part of the RPG to IRC. Just to let you know.

Now, would you enjoy a thing like this ? I can image a lot of hardcore RPG gamers to dislike a port like this, but I will try it anyways.
What are the things I certainly should NOT forget ? Or NOT include ? Should we allow resurrection of players ? Can NPC's be killed so you could take over a shop ?

Food for thoughts I'd think ..
 
I think this is a great idea and I am glad you are posting here. I would also like to hear what the others have to say. YOu might also want to throw this up on either the general fallout board or over at the Order board.

I think at the core of this you would have to develop a fighting system that would take into consideration of range, weapon types, armor classes, probably weather/environmental conditions/ movement.

You would also have to work through a system of time.

But I think this is doable.

One thing, I would look at some of the other pen and paper systems to see how they have figure out these rules. Among the systems that come to mind would be Twilight 2000 and the Morrow Project.

Good luck with this.


Edit, I will move this over to the other boards to get their thoughts on this as well.
 
Thx. The combat system is already done, but currently (and I don't think that will change) it's completely AI driven. This means the computer will fight the battle for you using some simple rules like distance, chance to hit, heal when under 50% health, flee if out of stimpacks, keep distance if you have a ranged weapon, etc ..
But combat is entirely following the PNP rules (except maybe a tiny modification, I forgot).

The time is already set. Current time is Mon Jun 15 01:34:12 CEST 2263 and advancing at 6 times normal speed. Thus, we have day/night cylcle in 4 hours.

Day/night status is reflected by a change in the skin (from orange desert to dark night) and a 30% decrease in combat in your chance to Hit if you don't have a night person trait. Also, several rooms/shops are only open at night.

Should you like to see it, we have the board running at http://www.vault52.net/storm/Storm?page=site/forum.jsp
You can't register yet, and you can't view any shops or special rooms, nor add messages, but I'll try to set up a guest account if I find the time.
 
Phil-

Just a heads up- on General Fallout and on the Order. Your post has been copied. Hope the comments are helpful.
 
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