Interesting Analytics

[Marauder Moe]

For reference:
http://www.armageddon.org/intro/intro.html
http://www.armageddon.org/intro/descsamples.html

Not that an update/expansion (with backgrounds) wouldn't be a grand idea, though.

[Maso]

That's a good idea.  One that even breaks down why it's a good desc would be good, too...hmm...

I actually have something I want to dig out that I can send to you guys. You've probably seen it before. It's old...but it might be useful to help put together some kind of guide...wait...are you being sarcastic, I can't tell. Does this exist already?

[Maso]

I actually have a really good idea for this. If you weren't being sarcastic...let me put together a proposal/outline?

[Nyr]

I'm completely serious, it does sound like a good idea.

But I'm also serious that if you're wanting to contribute, you should be on the publicity subforum *nudge nudge*

[Maso]

I never really thought of it as publicity...but alright!

[number13]

The in-game editor was pretty snazzy for it's day, but is painfully dated in 2012.  I know it must a huge hassle to convert character creation to an entirely webpage based system (or else it would have already happened) but if most potential players stall out before the application process, I'd bet it's the #1 thing that could be done to drive new accounts into the actual game.

Not only would a webpage have a text editor that's about a billion times better, but it would be easier to link to examples and documentation right then and there.  A noble elf hailing from a forest-citadel couldn't be as frequent a thing if when selecting the race 'city elf' a text boxed explained the how the choice differs from the common conception of 'elf'.

Somewhat related, recently caught sight of the new Allanak starting room. It's really nice.

[Adhira]

Believe us, we'd like web based character creation too.  In fact I think that about 5 years ago Nessalin wrote up the preliminary stuff to get that working.  Unfortunately before it's doable there's a bunch of others things that needed to happen first. Like converting our masses of information into db.  Some of that work has been done.  This is the kind of work that takes a lot of time, that players never see, and that goes on while people are lamenting we never do things   This work has already resulted in history files and and help files being in snazzy new formats and tools that staff can use to update.

I cannot say we will be getting web based generation, but we are not ignorant of the fact that it would be nice to have and help a lot with new (and old!) player retention.

[Maso]

I have an idea!!

How about....a web based character creator?

Seriously...but not hooked up to the mud (yeah, us oldies find it a pain in the arse, but that's probably a bit less important than scaring off all the new players).

So it would basically be an editor that allowed players to put of all their info into a form (that allows them to see all of the options). Maybe have them tick their karma amount, have it adjust the options appropriately. Then depending on what they check for race, start location, guild etc will pop up with appropriate examples and tooltips.

Then they could 'finish' it to have it emailed to themselves, or just taken to a page that outlines their character and choices...that they can then easily copy into the in game form, now being really familiar with all the options and stuff.

I remember the first time I app'd a character...I had done a fair bit of reading (but it was late, I was tired, hence the magick loving Tuluki parents, or maybe I was trying to be edgy, I can't remember)..but when I went to actually app the character, I got thrown by the sdesc, weight, height and all this stuff I was just not expecting. I'm hardcore though. 

[FantasyWriter]

I'm completely serious, it does sound like a good idea.

But I'm also serious that if you're wanting to contribute, you should be on the publicity subforum *nudge nudge*

How about for the time being put a link to the description example pages in the character generation paragraph summarizing how to write a description, and add the "why this is a good desc" comments there on the linked page?

I have an idea!!

How about....a web based character creator?

Seriously...but not hooked up to the mud (yeah, us oldies find it a pain in the arse, but that's probably a bit less important than scaring off all the new players).

Like the one AmandaGreathouse created? It's pretty sweet, I have used it two or three times and made very few changes.
Everyone example I have seen there came out perfectly acceptable for Armageddon (IMO).

[Maso]

No no, not at all. Not something that automatically generates stuff. Something to hold a players hand through the creative process. And give them little hugs when they do stuff right.

[Zoan]

Maybe you guys could use Atonement MUD's character generator thing. The work is open-source now, so you'd be allowed to put it into the game so long as you acknowledge Kithrater.

[Maso]

But I'm also serious that if you're wanting to contribute, you should be on the publicity subforum *nudge nudge*

Well let me in then. :<

[evilcabbage]

If we go web based, I do implore you..

KEEP THE MUD SITE GENERATOR ACTIVE!

SOI switched to an entirely web-based application and it was actualy -more- of a pain for me to get a character generated (back when I used to play that game) than when it was MUDside.

I don't want to click a bunch of buttons, if I did that I would play more PC games. I want to click a bunch of keys, punch my character in MUDside, and BAM! He's in because of keystroke.

So, yes, implement the web-based stuff, but leave the MUDside stuff in too? Please? Pretty pretty please?

[Gilgamesh]

If we go web based, I do implore you..

KEEP THE MUD SITE GENERATOR ACTIVE!

SOI switched to an entirely web-based application and it was actualy -more- of a pain for me to get a character generated (back when I used to play that game) than when it was MUDside.

I don't want to click a bunch of buttons, if I did that I would play more PC games. I want to click a bunch of keys, punch my character in MUDside, and BAM! He's in because of keystroke.

So, yes, implement the web-based stuff, but leave the MUDside stuff in too? Please? Pretty pretty please?

The character application for SOI is a complete pain in the ass. It'd be nice to have an option for both the site and MUD applications, though.

[Dalmeth]

Maybe you guys could use Atonement MUD's character generator thing. The work is open-source now, so you'd be allowed to put it into the game so long as you acknowledge Kithrater.

The problem isn't the actual, functional system.  The problem is the gobs of data that the functional system has to work with.

They're not going to put it on the web just so they can say they put it on the web.  They'll want to make it something that actually expands on what they can currently do, and that requires extra work.