The Brainstorm!

[Morgaine Le Fay]

So i thought it might be nice to have a dedicated thread where we can bring up any suggestions/improvements/ideas concerning GoS OS.

Perhaps the most feasible (in terms of coding and general non-crappiness) can then be put in a new Poll thread all of their own, and put to a vote.

I'll start.

My main issue is with the map. Whereas i like the idea of it, and the overall design, the problem is that there is really no incentive to move from where you start. So what i would suggest is the concept of Nationality.

Now i'm aware that this was implemented in the first few versions of GoS, but it never had any purpose other than an extra line of info on your profile.

But in general, in this version, Nationalities could add a whole other strategic layer to the game:

• You start the game in your "home city", which of course depends on which city you chose during character creation. This automatically spreads out the population of GoS. Different people in different places is always good.
  
• Each nationality has its own permanent stat bonus e.g the Cairhienin get an 8% Agility boost, whereas the Blightlanders get 8% Poison damage. Obviously these would have to be thought out carefully, so that no one Nationality is "uber".
  
• If the concept of "Housing" is implemented, then it could be cheaper to buy a house in your Home City than it is elsewhere.
  

Obviously these are just really rough suggestions, but you get the idea.

I would like to see a more interconnected GoS, where the decisions we make in - for example - Character Creation actually have a bearing on how the game pans out for us. I think it's time to add more strategy, and purpose within the game itself.

[Hugh Longshanks]

I agree with all of that, Morgaine (although I'd never thought of the whole National Bonus thing).
To expand a little on the housing concept, what if:
Each character would be able to buy a house (or palace) in a city (Only one city, or just one in every city? I don't know, we'll figure that out later.) for a set amount of gold. Any character without a house would be listed as homeless.
A homeless character, whenever he logged out, would have a risk (say 70%) of being attacked by robbers (not characters) during the time he was "asleep" and having his money and/or possessions stolen from him. If he owned a house, that percent chance would be reduced (say, to 30%) and if he owned a palace, it would be even less (10%).

We could also make it so having a house would give you a bonus in defensive battles against other players.

Unfortunately, all of these plans would encourageall the people to stay in one place, unless we were to implement some kind of housing price system (such as making housing proportionately more expensive, depending upon how many people lived in a particular place).

I also have few suggestions on Character Nationality and bonuses, which I'll post later.

[Tim]

Nationality bonus is a sound idea. Biggest problem would be balancing, but it could be done. Housing could be cool too.

As far as for there not being a reason to move from town to town: Don't worry, there will be.

[eisberg]

Im thinking, that if you wish to reinstate the "shop" you do it as a traveling caravan, maybe the "Tinkers." I believe this was suggested a LONG time ago, but i still like the idea. It will also help promote travel a little bit

[Hugh Longshanks]

You mean it would wander from place to place?
We'd have to have a way of tracking it, then....

[Hugh Longshanks]

On a different note:

In a moment of boredom yesterday, I made some calculations about weapon balancing (mostly finding ways of fitting in two-handed weapons). I think they might work, although I'm not sure if that's something you're planning on implementing, Tim. If it is, I'd be happy to post what I've come up with.

[Rex]

Well, I'd be interested to hear, in any case.

[Tim]

Go for it, Hugh. Haven't decided about two handed weapons, but I'd be interested in seeing what you game up with.