Ryzom

lindo wrote:To say "I know nothing about this issue" is an understatement. But that's never stopped me before! So FWIW, based solely on what I've read in this conversation, take it or leave it...

Unlike true war, you cannot truly cease functioning forever on Atys. Therefore, unlike true war where the concept of attrition is defined by ending enough lives to reduce/eliminate opposition, in a game like this, the goal of reducing/eliminating opposition is accomplished by putting your enemy in a position where they no longer wish to participate.

The reduction of Kami participation and OP's is indication that the Kara are "winning". Who wants to fight a war that can never be won or lost? That type of situation would be akin to the instanced PvP BG's of WoW. While it might be an enjoyable experience for an individual to participate for a period of time, it ultimately serves no larger purpose within the game context.

It seems as though few things are put into this game as self-perpetuating entertainment systems, and that most of the elements are not simply plot devices but established for a purpose within the larger context of the story. If that's truly the case, then I'd suspect that this is a "war" which someone is meant to win or lose. Otherwise, the implication is that its created to be mainly an amusing time-killer.

And so if the OP struggle between Kami and Kara is indeed a function of a larger plot line, as has been suggested, then artificial balancers may be contradictory. Balancing mechanics maintain the viability of an existing system, and keep things relatively static...but "static" is diametrically opposed to "dynamic", and it seems that Atys is a world meant to be the latter and not the former. By keeping things 'balanced', it might prevent the actual evolution of the storyline.

Also, mechanics which might re-balance or reset the system indefinitely is counterproductive to a sense that your character's actions are having impact on the environment. If the scale more or less always gets reset to zero, then the weight of your actions ultimately equal zero as well.

At any rate, as I said I may be completely talking out of my own you-know-what. If I am, then please forgive me and just ignore this post.

rushin wrote:meh. I'd typed loads of stuff about balancing, read this, deleted it all. good post

lindo wrote: ... At any rate, as I said I may be completely talking out of my own you-know-what. If I am, then please forgive me and just ignore this post.

art3an wrote:And please Kamis', remember that the situation is far from dejected. You still have a vast opportunity to turn this tide. It will however involve some socialising, diplomacy, recruting etc.

philu wrote:Isn't it about time Jena appeared?

aardnebb wrote:If Outposts are to be removed apon completion of their purpose

philu wrote:I'd be very surprised to see that happen, Nevrax put a lot of work into creating them. Seems a bit daft to me to then remove them again later. Only time will tell I guess, games like this change and evolve so you never know.

art3an wrote:Agree, that would be very surprising if they were removed.

We might, however, hope for a future change of the rule set governing the OP's, to something involving a 'tad' more diplomacy and a slightly more peacefull approach perhaps? All along the changes of the Saga ofc.