Right now, "change ldesc" has a tight limit on how many characters you can specifiy.
I believe the original intent was to keep ldescs limited to one line of text. However, with hoods and dust on garments, it's common to find people with ldescs extending into a second line anyhow, and guess what? The world didn't end.
So, I suggest that the ldesc character limit be increased, since as it stands, I at least find myself trying two or three times before I cut enough words to make what I'm trying to set up fit.
Completely agreed. Even an extra 15 character spaces (the equivalent of an average of 2 words, plus spaces inbetween) would make a difference.
To help cut down on verbiage though in the meantime:
We already know you're here. You don't need to say "is here" in your desc.
The blue-haired, tan-skinned Lirathan templar stands at the entry, facing the bar.
is enough.
or
The blue-haired, tan-skinned, Lirathan templar lays on the bed spread-eagled and cuffed.
or..whatever else, heh.
You don't need to say:
The blue-haired, tan-skinned, Lirathan templar is here, laying on the bed spread-eagled and cuffed.
Where do you draw the line?
This isn't the first time this has been brought up.
That's right. Another 15 characters - where would it end?
Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria!
<3 Bill Murry.
Read past threads. It's been asked for more than once. The response was the same everytime.
Draw the line just a little longer. If people still bitch, then oh well, but doing nothing isn't helping either.
Want another 15 spaces for ldesc, make a shorter sdesc.
Problem solved, moving on.
Quote from: X-D on May 29, 2009, 09:15:06 PM
Want another 15 spaces for ldesc, make a shorter sdesc.
Problem solved, moving on.
Brilliant. From now on, I'll be "the man".
Quote from: Salt Merchant on May 29, 2009, 09:19:13 PM
Brilliant. From now on, I'll be "the man".
Are you in need of writing a novella in your ldesc? It's possible to be creative with limited space. I've done it. Or at least, I'd like to think I have.
Quote from: Eloran on May 29, 2009, 09:21:17 PM
Quote from: Salt Merchant on May 29, 2009, 09:19:13 PM
Brilliant. From now on, I'll be "the man".
Are you in need of writing a novella in your ldesc? It's possible to be creative with limited space. I've done it. Or at least, I'd like to think I have.
I'm not saying it's useless. Just overly constrained. And there's no argument against extending it that I can see, except the good ol' standby "I hate change of any sort".
1) Easing restraints can lead to more spam.
2) Easing restraints could lead to potential abuse.
Quote from: Eloran on May 29, 2009, 09:27:16 PM
1) Easing restraints can lead to more spam.
2) Easing restraints could lead to potential abuse.
1) Ldescs can already extend to two lines by virtue of add-ons such as hoods and dust, so we're there already.
2) Example, please? Are you arguing that emotes should be cut shorter too, since they are currently multi-line and offer even more potential for abuse?
Even with the snarky comments, I'm not kidding.
Maybe not always 15 chars, but making a nice sdesc that uses 16-25 is simple, and that gives you 10-19 to add to your ldesc. Something I do actually and have for many years now. I started saving chars because I like change ldesc but do not want to see it increased in size. And I've found if I make a sdesc that takes all 35 I'm normaly 5-10 short on the ldescs I want. Shorter sdesc FTW.
I'd be satisfied if we removed "is here" from the ldesc. We know you are here! Doing so would create an additional 8 spaces we could use and simplify the creating an ldesc.
I don't really care for it either way. Never reached the limit with something that can't be simplified. Nor do I see any harm in adding more spam to the spammiest game in the world.
I do like short sdescs, though. Short sdescs are a win-win thing.
IMO, I hope this gets added, another 15 or so.. I always write it.. maybe 4 over.. It kinda sucks.
I prefer the ldesc with the length as-is, reinforced by an emote to flesh out how your character is doing whatever he is doing if needed.
Because, as people have mentioned in this thread and in previous similar threads, one can extend the possible ldesc length X characters, and people would ask for X more.
I don't "hate change of any sort" (at least I don't think I do, please tell me if I'm wrong). I just think that ldesc was never intended to be the primary way to describe how your character is doing something.
why the fuck do trunks get longer Ldescs than my PC? What the fuck is up with that?
Quote from: Agent_137 on May 30, 2009, 12:29:08 AM
why the fuck do trunks get longer Ldescs than my PC? What the fuck is up with that?
The tall, muscular man is standing here, bleeding heavily.
A large bag is here. Also, the tall, muscular man, who is leaning against the wall, looks badly battered and absolutely tuckered out as he puffs disconsolately on his carved jasper spice pipe.
I, too, would be in favor of extending ldescs by a bit. You can call slippery slope, but there's a certain inherent length and structure to common sentences in English, and the current ldesc length usually--far more often than not, in my experience--cramps it. I almost always have to rewrite an ldesc a couple times to get it to fit.
I seem to be always just one or two words short to round out the description. And yes I could save another two characters by being a man or an elf!
Edit: Apparently my sarcasm was just too subtle for some people. :'(
::)
QuoteI prefer the ldesc with the length as-is, reinforced by an emote to flesh out how your character is doing whatever he is doing if needed.
What about new arrivals to the screen? Nine times out of ten I don't bother setting the sdesc when I don't think people are gonna come along. And a lot of times I set it when I'm expecting someone to show, or meeting someone and have arrived early. I want to lean against the wall to let them know I've been waiting, or something.
change ldesc leans against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest, looking annoyed.
Too long
That's what she said!
What?
change ldesc leans against the wall.
Bob has arrived from the east
pemote arms are crossed over his chest, and he looks really annoyed!
Bob walks west.
Jill has arrived from the east.
pemote arms are crossed over his chest, and he looks really pissed!
Jill walks west.
Sam has arrived from the east.
Tell sam (his arms crossed over his chest, in an angry tone) Where the f* have you been!? I've been emoting for hours!!
That being said, I'm for it.
Just as long as people don't start whoring out their superior ldescs to advertisers.
Jimbo stands here. (Ask your doctor if Viagra is right for you!)
<3 Brytta.