I like the idea of seasonal races and how they are rolled up and I appreciate the option to roll something we couldn't before.

But I am another one who thinks the expiration dates for the characters is a terrible idea. I do mean terrible. none of the arguements I have read for the expiration resonate with me on an emotional, conceptual or logical level. Just the psychological notion that it will poof on me is a detractor and litterally inserts it's self in every consideration I have when considering a role.

I understand it`s been stated exceptional characters will get an extension but I think even this is a bad idea because of all the drama I can see when an character thats unpopular with players is rewarded by the Imms.

So I propose this.... Link them to the horde code.

As the closing date for rolling approaches and passes require them to show more and more activity until they virtually need to play an hour or two each day or face auto deletion. It's not perfect but at least it leaves the characters fate more or less in the players hands.

I would go so far as to say the check is made every two days to allow for missing a day due to real life.

That's all I have but it seems like a better system for regulating your racial populations then the current one.

Assuming I had invested the kind of time into a season character that justifies the turn-off to expiration in the first place, I'd probably just delete anyway given how much of a chore and a source of pressure your solution would be.

I'd rather know that my time is up on day X than pour my heart and soul into a character on the basis that I can live as long as a typical character but only if I meet what to most people are fairly rigorous play time demands.

There are numerous classes or build options that certain people will never play because a certain aspect of its design just doesn't jive with them. Take shapeshifters (random forms), mages (ABS), or even something broad like empowerment as reasons why a person might never play X. Yet we aren't removing empowerment now are we? As long as the rules are clear up front and there are plenty of fun alternatives, I just don't see the problem with adding more variety and uniqueness to CF. Not every feature or class needs to be designed to appeal to everyone. If you don't like this "cool new thing", give the next one a shot.

You could have it so that they can play as often as they want without worry of enforced autodelete until the expiration date X. After expiration date X, it could become a system with activity-based deletion. Rather than putting in one hour every day, it could ask you to put in 30 hours in last 30 days, 60 hours in 60 days, or whatever number Imms find suitable. This would be evaluated for last 60 days on daily basis, the first evaluation taking place on day X. This way, you couldn't be left behind in the way Zulg didn't want to for too long. It would also ensure active play.

If you want to roll a seasonal race, roll one. If you want it to last, don't be a fair weather player, make an influence on your cabal and the mud, play only that character, and politely write a note to immortals requesting your time get extended.

I have a feeling if your character isn't a ####bag, you don't have alts, and you are legitimately trying....you will get your age extension that you want.

I love the seasonal race idea. A lot. I just don't like centaurs in particular, they are too crippled for my liking. For some people, I am sure they are the bees knees. I am patiently waiting to see what the next races are, but even if the other 2 weren't for me, I will absolutely be playing a frost giant next go around.

I want so bad.

it was my best PK ratio to date. 12 wins 0 losses.

I made him using an elf warrior template, flaws and the role command. Orderly Good Daevryn follower

In fact the flaw command came out after his creation and an Imm adjusted his stats for me.

I loved him at first but lost my desire to play after a two week training stint in Ft Reilly Kansas.

I too want Halflings but I think the next seasonal is likely to be a good only they wouldnt fit. There are evil Halflings after all.

Edit: I would like to see some true halflings though. no vuln blunt please.

Was your race set to halfling? If not, doesn't count mister. Everyone will be RPing at you like your an elf and not a cute cuddly halfling.

My RP actually changed ELF to HLF.

I see you on who list, I initiate conversation, I'm going to treat you like an elf.

You know as well as I do most people don't bother to read descriptions, so they aren't learning that way.

Did you go around saying "I'm a halfling!"?

I just don't see how you could have made it work. Certainly ready to hear how though if you care to explain.

If it looks like an elf, smells like an elf, and orcs drink its blood. It's an elf.

EDIT: To add, suppose I'll just make a storm giant and RP that I'm a field mouse.

Red Herrings aside...

The idea of Seasonal races seems to be to increase interest in the game.

Reality for me and others has been...

Oh neat seasonal races!

Wait what? Forced expiration? Nevermind.

Again it's a great idea but the expiration trumps that.

We haven't even really seen how they shake up yet.

If you don't like the idea of them then don't play one. It's as simple as that. Not every class/race is going to suit everyone.

gt

I thought it was a pretty poor solution to something I don't think is a problem. In my mind a "quality character" and a "plays all the time" are very different ideas. Quality characters may play all the time. Or they mey not. Or characters that play all the time can be crappy. I don't see how connecting it to the horde code does much for anyone except a small minority of players who are frustrated with the sunsetting of the character and also have 2 hours a day to play every other day.

Mostly though, I just don't think it needs addressing, yet. It's okay if they're not played commonly.

And I am not so certain its a small subset of players as you put it.

My thought when I found out my character had an expiration date was this...

Minimal desc, role fore imm exp, pk only character. The idea that being a quality character will extend my chars life seems like a shot in the dark.

I think the idea of quality vs quantity is a red herring. By Zulgs own stats for longevity and a limited window for rolling seasonal races will be rarer than Minotaurs in the long run.

For people that can't produce a quality character.


I am 100% sure when I roll my seasonal pick I will get my life extended. How can I be so sure? Dedication, plain and simple. If you put forth the effort, it gets noticed almost every time.


There is nothing wrong with the seasonal race system in place.

Just because you can doesn't mean others can.

Just in politics alone this is begging for conspiricy theories and imm favoritism.

You are friends with some Imms irl right?

And my issue is really not with this beibg an issue... I think its a bad control measure that has a net negative when its removal would either have a neutral effect or a possitive.

I knew some of the older older imms when they were players. They are LONG gone now. And we didn't talk much if at all after they immed. Mainly Proud blade and Dangerranger back from the days we all were Glimos forum junkies. Nowadays I keep mostly to myself.

I've basically never had any rewards on any characters ever aside from titles and tattoos, and in the last 7 or 8 years only a few tattoos at that. So you can't even start to make an arguement that I get favoritism. I've never had ANYTHING. No role contest win, no special quests, nothing. I fly under the reward radar with every character.

And your argument just holds no weight with me. Just because I can doesn't mean others can? Dude, I haven't had a character break 100 pks in like, over 10 years. Since Gaplemo. It's about dedication. Not skill. Immortals will TOTALLY make exceptions for newbie characters as well. Look at welverin, hes a few years in at most, trys hard, and gets noticed. Effort>Skill in the immortals eyes. It's about contributing to the CF enviornment. ANYONE can do that.

Seasonal races are meant to be rare. If you play one, you need to step up your game and make him extraordinary. Otherwise, you shouldn't have a problem with the expiration date. If you play the character and put the dedication in, Im sure they will work with you. The code is in place to weed out the trash characters/throwaways, and I am totally ok with that.

You want to play a scrub, play a normal race. Seasonal races are special, so make the character special and you'll be ok.

Besides, what are you complaining about. When is the last time you played a character for any length of time anyways? Nobody has had a long lived seasonal character, so really, until someone is in that position and they end up feeling screwed by the system, people need to not bitch. Nobody has even been in the position to ask the imms for the extension yet, it seems like people are bitching just to bitch now, and that is retarded.

If I were scarab, I would be pretty unmotivated to continue adding these neat things into the game with all the complaining. Greater undead, seasonal races, a full Inferno revamp, Shadow plane trips, and the Davarrah stuff about a new class coming in? Seriously, everyone needs to stop complaining, and show some appreciation.

I did a poor job of infering what other players might say after an unpopular long lived character deleted.

And I am not complaining. I am pointing out what I consider to be a pretty glaring design flaw and its not directed as a personal attack..

Its just clear that such a draconian method isn't needed to ensure rarity.