Regarding the PERSUADE command:
1) how did you feel about the hidden complexity? Was it a positive or
a negative that many "invisible" factors were taken into account? Did
you find this made the game richer, or was it frustrating to not be
able to be sure what effect your persuade would have?
2) would you favor splitting the monetary and "other" features of
persuade into two different commands, e.g. BRIBE and PERSUADE?
(consider BRIBE to only take into account the money offered, and
PERSUADE to include all those extra features like fine cloaks, etc.)
Why or why not?
Regarding Combat:
1) Was it too complex? Was it too hard to prepare for battle, or did
you find the extra factors (leadership, loyalty, weather) enriching?
2) Would you prefer a simpler model? If yes, how would you simplify
the model (e.g. Russell might want only swords and leather armor :-)?
3) Would you prefer a more complex model? If so, which of the
following are features you'd like to see:
a) more weapon types (e.g. maces, staves, axes, etc.)
b) more armor types (helms, shields, gauntlets, etc.)
c) being able to combine armor of different types (e.g.
you can use a shield with your platemail)
d) having certain types of armor be more effective against
certain types of weapons, and vice-versa (e.g. platemail
is great against maces, but sucks against arrows. Chainmail
is the reverse)
e) making archery weapons more effective (e.g. have a missile
weapon round every three combat rounds; no combat weapons
can be used that round).
f) place modifiers on certain weapons when used on horseback
(pole-arms and lances go up, daggers go down :-)
g) modifiers for effectiveness of mounted troops by terrain
type (e.g. deadly on the plains, adequate in mountains,
horrible in swamps and forests)
h) should equipment become damaged in combat (swords break,
horses get wounded)?
i) the complexity of your choice (make a suggestion)
4) Do you want auto-attacking, if you see someone you hate?
Regarding Markets:
1) Did you like markets in olympia? Why or why not?
2) Were markets too complex? Too simple?
3) Would you favor a market economy, with hairy computations going
on to limit production of resources, etc. (as per the many suggestions
on this mailing list during the discussion)? (nothing like unbiased
questions :-)
4) Would you favor doing away with markets completely, and having the
only source of new items be players manufacturing them? If so, how
would you like to see inter-player commerce handled?
sc
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