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A Treatise on Server Realism
Let me start by saying I am accusing no one of any misdeed here. I am not going to name names, nor even insinuate or implicate anyone in anything. This is not an accusal, a demand, or even a call for action. This is merely an opinion. A statement of what I have witnessed, and would like to hear the player opinions on what I am about to discuss. If I see a single accusation fly, discussion ends. Period.
I would like to talk about what I have tentatively called 'Server Realism.' What I mean by this, is the In Character implications of the actions players take, and how such actions coincide with what would be realistically plausible in a given scenario.
I have witnessed characters grouping up when they would hardly be allies. I have witnessed players use their alts with each other to accomplish goals for their other characters, such as using an alt to craft an item for another player's character, even though to the two characters have never met, or indeed, would be enemies. I have seen masked individuals dash down the Trade Tier streets, not giving any thought at all to the City Guards that stand at every street corner. I have watched an Enlarged character walk into the Exigo Trading House to sell loot. I have watched a character walk into a tavern full of commoners with an undead cohort following behind them.
Some of these are blatant faults. Some of these are more muddled. How far are we willing to take such things for the sake of realism and RP? When the server is near empty, do our inhibitions against grouping with our enemies drop? When no DM is on, is it okay to walk down the city streets with a mask or undead in tow? With how rare crafters can be, is it okay to craft items with your real life friends on your alts? What is the limit?
I understand that some things must be taken with a grain of salt and not every single thing can be realistic. Grinding the same areas over and over again is hardly realistic, but we accept it as part of the game. Can the same be likewise said for some of the above offenses?
My primary gripe with much of this, is that often realism is eschewed in favor of easy playing, but it can create some terrible hypocrisies. Take the masked character for instance:
A masked character wishes to hide his or her identity, to be mysterious, or what have you. Often they are villains who have been identified and do not wish to be attacked on sight by other players. They grow bored of being isolated as a villain, and so don a disguise so they can go RP. What this actually does is cheapen the whole character and the experience. The player wants the advantages of being masked (unidentified, capable of more RP), without the drawbacks (being unable to enter civilized zones realistically, getting recognized and attacked by good guys, being unable to use legitimate merchants). In essence, certain aspects of RP are forgotten in favor of ease of play. The player cites that he can wear a mask around the campfire when someone confronts him, but completely ignores all the NPC's he passes in the Trade Tier when no real player is around.
Like I said, I do understand that it can be very difficult to do certain things realistically. No one wants to sit by themselves for hours hoping someone will RP with their masked PC. Everyone wants to be able to get nice crafted gear. No one wants to grind alone when the server is nearly empty. I understand this. I have done these very things myself, I will plainly admit. But I have seen so very much of it lately that I cannot help but stand up and take notice. What is limit here? What is reasonably acceptable OOC behavior and what is considered 'going too far?'
I think my stance on this is pretty obvious, but I would like to hear other comments and opinions on this as well.
I will remind you once again that there are to be no accusations or criticism of other players of any kind here. If I see anything at all even hinting at such negative comments I will delete the posts myself.
I would like to talk about what I have tentatively called 'Server Realism.' What I mean by this, is the In Character implications of the actions players take, and how such actions coincide with what would be realistically plausible in a given scenario.
I have witnessed characters grouping up when they would hardly be allies. I have witnessed players use their alts with each other to accomplish goals for their other characters, such as using an alt to craft an item for another player's character, even though to the two characters have never met, or indeed, would be enemies. I have seen masked individuals dash down the Trade Tier streets, not giving any thought at all to the City Guards that stand at every street corner. I have watched an Enlarged character walk into the Exigo Trading House to sell loot. I have watched a character walk into a tavern full of commoners with an undead cohort following behind them.
Some of these are blatant faults. Some of these are more muddled. How far are we willing to take such things for the sake of realism and RP? When the server is near empty, do our inhibitions against grouping with our enemies drop? When no DM is on, is it okay to walk down the city streets with a mask or undead in tow? With how rare crafters can be, is it okay to craft items with your real life friends on your alts? What is the limit?
I understand that some things must be taken with a grain of salt and not every single thing can be realistic. Grinding the same areas over and over again is hardly realistic, but we accept it as part of the game. Can the same be likewise said for some of the above offenses?
My primary gripe with much of this, is that often realism is eschewed in favor of easy playing, but it can create some terrible hypocrisies. Take the masked character for instance:
A masked character wishes to hide his or her identity, to be mysterious, or what have you. Often they are villains who have been identified and do not wish to be attacked on sight by other players. They grow bored of being isolated as a villain, and so don a disguise so they can go RP. What this actually does is cheapen the whole character and the experience. The player wants the advantages of being masked (unidentified, capable of more RP), without the drawbacks (being unable to enter civilized zones realistically, getting recognized and attacked by good guys, being unable to use legitimate merchants). In essence, certain aspects of RP are forgotten in favor of ease of play. The player cites that he can wear a mask around the campfire when someone confronts him, but completely ignores all the NPC's he passes in the Trade Tier when no real player is around.
Like I said, I do understand that it can be very difficult to do certain things realistically. No one wants to sit by themselves for hours hoping someone will RP with their masked PC. Everyone wants to be able to get nice crafted gear. No one wants to grind alone when the server is nearly empty. I understand this. I have done these very things myself, I will plainly admit. But I have seen so very much of it lately that I cannot help but stand up and take notice. What is limit here? What is reasonably acceptable OOC behavior and what is considered 'going too far?'
I think my stance on this is pretty obvious, but I would like to hear other comments and opinions on this as well.
I will remind you once again that there are to be no accusations or criticism of other players of any kind here. If I see anything at all even hinting at such negative comments I will delete the posts myself.
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