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Archaaz
03-11-2010, 06:47 AM
I was pleased when I read that character aging will finally be included in an MMO. The inclusion of character aging, together with permadeath, has the potential to greatly enhance immersion and to increase players’ experience of the game; to coax from them new behaviors, and to possibly change the way MMOs are played. For one, it has the potential to move the goal of the MMO from one of mere advancement and item collection, from the realm of mere game, to something more dynamic and engaging.

Knowing that one’s character has an approximate lifespan, and thus a limited time to accomplish whatever goals the player may have set, could perhaps lend a greater sense of purpose to a player’s actions. It would give one an ultimate sense of completion with each character, and could also likely create an entirely new paradigm, eventually affecting the other features of the game world, particularly the social sphere and politics. I can imagine ambitious upstarts biding their time until the tribal leader dies, or a particularly wealthy character bequeathing her belongings to her heirs, or perhaps even searching for some legendary source of immortality.

Character aging seems particularly appropriate for a game such as Xsyon, which seems very community-driven and strives for a small, intimate, dedicated group of players (at least in the beginning). It seems almost as much social experiment as MMO. Additionally, I think that the limitations put on PvP, or rather the consequences for engaging in PvP willy-nilly, will help prevent the game from degenerating into nothing more than an uninspiring free-for-all PvP-oriented experience (of which there are sufficient examples already). This will allow features such as character aging (and other features that encourage emergent behavior) to flourish and evolve, while still maintaining a healthy open-ended PvP environment.

As part of a simulated environment, a blend of game and sociological experiment, I think the concept of character aging could unlock a wealth of possibilities. For example: beginning as a child and progressing through adolescence, young adulthood, old age, etc (though I think there might be some legal problems involved in presenting player characters as children). Other possibilities include: character heirs and building a dynasty, an in-game couple producing offspring (to be played by either, or by an entirely new player), etc.


Xsyon Dev Response:

Characters currently age at the rate of 1 year per real time month.

Game time in relation to real time is something that we are open to changing. Any opinions here? Would you prefer characters to age quickly or slowly? How many real time game years would be reasonable for you to reach a ripe old age and die?

One year per real time month equates to a little over RL eight years. It is my opinion that such a rate may be a bit too slow to properly convey an impending sense of mortality and to adequately create an atmosphere of change and evolution within the game world. I am not sure what would constitute a proper ratio. Personally, I might opt for one to two RL years per generation (100 years or so). Additionally, I think randomizing the age limit for each character would not be a bad idea. Thus a player would not know the exact date of his characters death. This could be further tweaked later to include such factors as environment and how healthy a life a character has lived, though this may be a bit much. Just my two cents.

One question: Will characters health and physical abilities deteriorate with age?

MrDDT
03-11-2010, 06:57 AM
Archaaz wrote:
One year per real time month equates to a little over RL eight years. It is my opinion that such a rate may be a bit too slow to properly convey an impending sense of mortality and to adequately create an atmosphere of change and evolution within the game world. I am not sure what would constitute a proper ratio. Personally, I might opt for one to two RL years per generation (100 years or so). Additionally, I think randomizing the age limit for each character would not be a bad idea. Thus a player would not know the exact date of his characters death. This could be further tweaked later to include such factors as environment and how healthy a life a character has lived, though this may be a bit much. Just my two cents.

One question: Will characters health and physical abilities deteriorate with age?[/quote]

Sorry to say, they slowed it down more.

1 year RL = 8 years game now.
Also generation is about 25 to 30 years. Not 100.

I would guess its not going to happen for a long time of people dying to old age.

Yes about the age and health.

lazyfroguk
03-11-2010, 07:12 AM
i think the in game generation cycle wil be 100 years, not because of children or whatever method they are going to use to move to the next, but because characters will live to roughly 100 and im sure everyone is going to play that character to their end before 'beginning the next' or whatever happens. I am excited to see how this system will work. I think having children would be the best way to do it, that inherit your land and some stats but with some kind of bonuses so that losing some power isn't something that you dread happening. Anyway whatever method is in place, might not be seen for a while and will probably be revealed when it is needed, not from day 1. but who knows.

MrDDT
03-11-2010, 07:13 AM
Generation doesnt mean avg life age before death.

lazyfroguk
03-11-2010, 07:24 AM
yeh, what im saying is that in RL generation time is pretty much the average age of bearing children, but in the game i don't think we are going to be playing a character till they're about 30 and then having babies and playing i cots :P so character generation will probably go hand in hand with maximum age

Chocobot
03-11-2010, 08:56 AM
The reasons we live so long (about 70-80 years) is because of our technology in things like healthcare.

In a post apocalyptic world with mutant clouds on the edges of the available world and very little technology I think you should be lucky if you make it to 60.


So how old will our characters become before they die?

MrDDT
03-11-2010, 09:01 AM
Not sure, I would guess over 60 though.

Dont forget about magic =P

aliksteel
03-11-2010, 01:27 PM
Xsyon has all ready said that we will live about 100 years.

Remember we are superhuman.

Archaaz
03-11-2010, 01:27 PM
Also generation is about 25 to 30 years. Not 100.

I would guess its not going to happen for a long time of people dying to old age.

Yes about the age and health.

Thanks for the info. You are quite right about my use of generation. I didn't even notice it. Saeculum would have been a better choice for a 90-100 year span.

Palo god
03-11-2010, 01:41 PM
They should make random life spans for different characters.

Lotharr
03-11-2010, 02:15 PM
Palo god wrote:

They should make random life spans for different characters.

I agree. It would truly create some tension if you could permanently die of a random stroke anytime.

lazyfroguk
03-18-2010, 03:33 AM
Lotharr wrote:

Palo god wrote:

They should make random life spans for different characters.

I agree. It would truly create some tension if you could permanently die of a random stroke anytime.

Haha random permanent death from having a stroke =P THERES a game i wanna play!

Lily
03-18-2010, 05:38 AM
Oh god, please don't let health affect this - eat well, don't smoke, exercise plenty, nag nag nag :angry:

Lardocrul
03-18-2010, 05:53 AM
Probably not.
Otherwise Palo god would suffer an early death.
I think it was him who wants to use drugs, drink lot of booze and maybe he is smoking tree bark too.

Umberto
03-25-2010, 09:14 AM
I don't wanna lose my character. :dry:

Iron Maiden
03-25-2010, 09:17 AM
When you die of old age, the tribe should rap you in toilet paper and make zombiez :O

Palo god
03-25-2010, 04:05 PM
Umberto wrote:

I don't wanna lose my character. :dry:

I don't want you to keep your charecter.

Umberto
03-25-2010, 04:43 PM
Palo god wrote:

Umberto wrote:

I don't wanna lose my character. :dry:

I don't want you to keep your charecter.

I'm 1v1'ing you as soon as this game goes live. ;)

SavageSausage
03-25-2010, 04:51 PM
im down

Umberto
03-25-2010, 04:52 PM
SavageSausage wrote:

im down


THUNDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SavageSausage
03-25-2010, 04:54 PM
Yooo i want to be a wrinkly old fat guy :S :woohoo:

Cochran1
03-25-2010, 05:31 PM
It will also be a mark of distinguishment as an elder member of the community. Newer players will be able to tell you're experienced just by looking at you.

Never thought I'd see a game where a major acheivement was living to old age. :laugh:

Kitsume
03-26-2010, 11:26 AM
I like the idea of aging, I hope that our character appearance changes as we age.

Age death allows for a rotation of the elders/leaders in the game. Age death prevents any one person or group from dominating the leadership or ranking in the game forever, especially since we don't have a hard cap on skills. We are all pioneers of the game but in several years, due to aging we won't be as effective in physical skills as some of the characters that started later than us.

The circle of life, the older generations depart, making way for the younger generations to take their place.

Dana
03-29-2010, 04:10 PM
The idea of an aging character seems incredibly cool in my mind.

1. Will mean some people may not care too much about losing things in PvP... since they'll die one day no matter what.

2. It will encourage people to find means to provide for their offspring/next character, much as a parent would. (I am assuming once you die of old age they dont ban you for life lol).

3. It may create an entire market for cosmetic people. Provided the game allows for people being able to improve others' looks... SWG pre-NGE, hairstylist anyway? (Imperial Hairstylist... because the Emperor needs make-up)

4. I am an altaholic. Yes sir. This will help a TON... cuz no matter what, my character will eventually die and have to have a new one anyway!

tvalen
03-30-2010, 02:42 PM
to be honest this is the only thing that put me off about the game, its a cool idea and all but when u loose all your skills that you been developing by spending countless hours grinding and training, i probably wont play for a second time. i mean thats the payoff, putting in hours getting better, starting all over again will feel like s***.

my 5cect.

Virtus
03-30-2010, 02:46 PM
tvalen wrote:

to be honest this is the only thing that put me off about the game, its a cool idea and all but when u loose all your skills that you been developing by spending countless hours grinding and training, i probably wont play for a second time. i mean thats the payoff, putting in hours getting better, starting all over again will feel like s***.

my 5cect.

i don't know if it was mentioned but it will take about 6 years for your character to die of old age, and even then there are other options, whatever that means.

Reynolds
03-30-2010, 02:51 PM
tvalen wrote:

to be honest this is the only thing that put me off about the game, its a cool idea and all but when u loose all your skills that you been developing by spending countless hours grinding and training, i probably wont play for a second time. i mean thats the payoff, putting in hours getting better, starting all over again will feel like s***.

my 5cect.

Well as the game progresses new skills will be unlocked via discovery and who would care about the greatest swordsmith that ever lived once people have worked out how to build a musket.

With skill decay you could never become the master of all anyway, so taking the opportunity to respecialise in a new set of skills isn't exactly a horrendous thing.

That said who knows if reincarnation will work, allowing a transferring of certain skills etc. I very much doubt you will be forced to start from scratch.

JCatano
03-30-2010, 03:49 PM
Virtus wrote:

tvalen wrote:

to be honest this is the only thing that put me off about the game, its a cool idea and all but when u loose all your skills that you been developing by spending countless hours grinding and training, i probably wont play for a second time. i mean thats the payoff, putting in hours getting better, starting all over again will feel like s***.

my 5cect.

i don't know if it was mentioned but it will take about 6 years for your character to die of old age, and even then there are other options, whatever that means.

Should be quicker than that. Most MMOs don't even last that long. Two or three years would be good.

Fatrat
03-30-2010, 07:51 PM
I did a search for this but didn't get much info on it.

Will I be able to grow a beard and trim it as it grows? Perhaps grow a wicked Vandyke? Maybe grow a bad azz wizard's beard :woohoo:

I guess I would have to sharpen a dagger and use it as a razor. Prolly not many Gillettes laying around :dry:

GaelicWarlord
04-01-2010, 08:32 AM
I think it'd be better to have slower character aging. One month = out to a year just seems all to fast to me. But then again, I'm also a heavy role player. Killing off a character for myself is much more difficult when you take into consideration the story that has developed around it. I'd say the one game year every three months doesn't sound as over-critical

Jhael
04-01-2010, 12:10 PM
Think character ageing is perfect. It eliminates the possibility of one group forever ruling the whole world, which thanks to characters eventually dying, would be more dynamic.

Also think 6 years is far too long and the time should be reduced considerably as otherwise it wouldn't actually make a noticeable presence in the game. 2 years would seem more appropriate.

Kerovan
04-01-2010, 12:44 PM
Jhael wrote:

Think character ageing is perfect. It eliminates the possibility of one group forever ruling the whole world, which thanks to characters eventually dying, would be more dynamic.

Also think 6 years is far too long and the time should be reduced considerably as otherwise it wouldn't actually make a noticeable presence in the game. 2 years would seem more appropriate.

Agreed, I think 2 years would be a better number. Most people don't last 6 years in a game.

On a side note I ponder a new question. Does your character continue to age if your account becomes inactive and is reactivated at a later date? Say 6 months to a year later.. Everyone takes breaks.

Shrimps
04-02-2010, 10:28 PM
Jhael wrote:

Think character ageing is perfect. It eliminates the possibility of one group forever ruling the whole world, which thanks to characters eventually dying, would be more dynamic.

Also think 6 years is far too long and the time should be reduced considerably as otherwise it wouldn't actually make a noticeable presence in the game. 2 years would seem more appropriate.

I think the death by aging is meant more of an effect for player who have been in the game for a while to not only keep things interesting, but the options after death may be amazing.

Also don't forget that aging is not the only way to achieve permadeath in the game :P

Illadelph
04-02-2010, 11:30 PM
Iron Maiden wrote:

When you die of old age, the tribe should rap you in toilet paper and make zombiez :O

*Mummies?

Jhael
04-03-2010, 12:17 AM
Shrimps wrote:

Jhael wrote:

Think character ageing is perfect. It eliminates the possibility of one group forever ruling the whole world, which thanks to characters eventually dying, would be more dynamic.

Also think 6 years is far too long and the time should be reduced considerably as otherwise it wouldn't actually make a noticeable presence in the game. 2 years would seem more appropriate.

I think the death by aging is meant more of an effect for player who have been in the game for a while to not only keep things interesting, but the options after death may be amazing.

Also don't forget that aging is not the only way to achieve permadeath in the game :P2 years does not fit into the "while" range?

Zzar
05-06-2010, 10:56 PM
I only registered once I saw this feature, to read more about it.
Don't get me wrong. I love that someone is finaly making a true sandbox and all.. but there is a reason from a gamedeisgn perspective why not even sandboxes have permadeath or aging in them.

The only way I see this as a plausible concept, is if your characters offspring inherrit in part your stats / traits. (which would be somewhat logical).

But essentially the idea puts me off.
Most people do not like loosing controll of their achievements.
Hell, most people cant tackle dealing with the ocationall gank, - much less open loot upon gank.
One would conclude by this that the great majority of players, even sandbox lovers as my self, would hate to have their finely tuned stats and aesthetics change over time to finally dissapear.

necoo
05-06-2010, 11:03 PM
i asked about aging with the faq thing on the main page a few days ago and, since it is relevant to the conversation, this is the response i got

Characters age at 9 years / real year. It will take time for the real effects of aging to set in, and they are minor. It’s not something to worry about. The main effect is that your player’s face will age and hair will turn grey / white. The other effects are minor and it will be a few years before they even happen.



Thanks for the question,



The Notorious Games Team




Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2010 5:08 PM
To: support@notorious-games.com
Subject: FAQ



USER INFO:

Game Name: necoo
FAQ QUESTION:
i have a few questions regarding aging 1. how fast do characters age 2. at what point would a characters age be something to worry about and 3. will there be something like the fountain of youth that allows players to become young again.


... i never really got an answer to the last question... but im assuming no

Jadzia
05-07-2010, 07:07 AM
necoo wrote:

i asked about aging with the faq thing on the main page a few days ago and, since it is relevant to the conversation, this is the response i got

Characters age at 9 years / real year. It will take time for the real effects of aging to set in, and they are minor. It’s not something to worry about. The main effect is that your player’s face will age and hair will turn grey / white. The other effects are minor and it will be a few years before they even happen.



Thanks for the question,



The Notorious Games Team




Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2010 5:08 PM
To: support@notorious-games.com
Subject: FAQ



USER INFO:

Game Name: necoo
FAQ QUESTION:
i have a few questions regarding aging 1. how fast do characters age 2. at what point would a characters age be something to worry about and 3. will there be something like the fountain of youth that allows players to become young again.


... i never really got an answer to the last question... but im assuming no
In this case we do need hairdressers in the game :( Otherwise female players will ragequit !

( Since the forum became a very touchy place lately, I'd like to state that I'm kidding )

Nails
05-07-2010, 07:33 AM
I'd hope that returning as undead would be one option after death, villages full of pc wights and other monsters sounds cool, all working towards one goal, the end of humanity! muhahaha!

Cradlejoe
05-07-2010, 08:28 AM
Nails wrote:

I'd hope that returning as undead would be one option after death, villages full of pc wights and other monsters sounds cool, all working towards one goal, the end of humanity! muhahaha!

I hope that there's some hideously evil ritual you can do when you're undead so that you get a flesh and blood body back :P

Largion
05-07-2010, 09:26 AM
A graveyard could be cool so you can pay your respect to the old legends. :laugh:

Okie
05-07-2010, 10:11 AM
Largion wrote:

A graveyard could be cool so you can pay your respect to the old legends. :laugh:

Or piss on their grave

But seriously tho it would suck to log in and start doing something and then your dude just flops over and you get a msg that you just killed over. Like someone said earlier everyone should have a random age they will live 2.

kiwibird
05-07-2010, 07:29 PM
From what I understand, I believe that is how it is, a random age based on what you do in game.

Maybe thats a penalty of PKing? Or should be a suggestion ^.^

Uhm other than that, its "possible" to live to 100 but not likely apparently.

PANZERBUNNY
05-08-2010, 12:27 AM
Quite the opposite. When I pk you, I steal your soul to give me more life. ;)

Alfred
05-08-2010, 06:06 AM
I'm guessing obesity will be a contributing factor to the shortness of our lifespan.

Zzar
05-10-2010, 07:12 AM
Alfred wrote:

I'm guessing obesity will be a contributing factor to the shortness of our lifespan.

There is such a thing as to much realism :P
I'de like to play a happy fatguy not worrying about my diet ingame thanks..

PANZERBUNNY
05-10-2010, 01:23 PM
Zzar wrote:

Alfred wrote:

I'm guessing obesity will be a contributing factor to the shortness of our lifespan.

There is such a thing as to much realism :P
I'de like to play a happy fatguy not worrying about my diet ingame thanks..

Its been stated that everything you do in the game will effect your character. The consumption of certain foods will most likely change your character and perhaps your stats.

we'll see I guess.