Creature Handler Archive

Thread: I'm back, and I just had an idea!

Iakimo
Wed Apr 13, 2005 12:15 am
#1
Well, I'm back in-game after a few weeks off. Lots of changes since mid-February! I see now what everyone was squawking about with pet aggressiveness problems. First thing I did after I got back was tame a baby Delirious Merek Avenger, and when I took it out in the Kaadara starport bay to train it, the thing scooted off -- and THROUGH THE WALLS of the spaceport, no less! -- for a quick Rebel Commando snack, before I could so much as bring up its radial menu for its first lesson. Fortunately, it stopped in the lobby and I was able to retrieve it. I later tried again, safely (or so I thought) cocooned in my house... but again, it took off right through the walls for a quick Gubbur snack... and then a quick Hermit Spider snack... and then a quick Kaadu snack...


/sigh... eventually it calmed down, and I was able to teach it it's commands. And in use, while it still likes to aggro things, I can at least keep it under control with a quick "follow" command.


Anyway, all this fuss has given me an idea: trainable pet aggressiveness might make an interesting subsystem for pets! Here's the idea:


  • All pets would receive four pairs of opposing values:


    • Aggressiveness vs. Docility (influences damage output and likelihood of unbidden aggros)

    • Courage vs. Fear (resistance to Intimidation and running away)

    • Obedience vs. Waywardness (also influences unbidden aggros)

    • Loyalty vs. Disloyalty (obedience to commands and risk of turning on owner)

The owner cangradually move the pet's natural place on these scalesone way or the other via his use of rewards and punishments. For example, say the pet takes off unbidden after a wild creature. The owner responds with some punishment, ranging from mild (a quick shout of "/bad" or some other emote) to severe (/slap or even using a Geonosian shocker prod). The action checks the undesired behavior (or, for a really stubborn pet, perhaps not...) and applies a modifier to these variables depending on the nature of the discipline. Conversely, the pet does something right, and the owner applies some reward (feeds a treat, /pet, /praise, /nuzzle, etc.), and the pet's personality is shaped accordingly.


The thing is, all the interactions between the trainer's actions and the pet's personality are hidden, and somewhat unique (within parameters) for each pet.


Theoretically, a "Good Master" could shape his pet to fight to the death for him (but perhaps with a reduced damage output), while an "Evil Master" might craft a powerful killing machine withhigh Aggressiveness and low Loyalty that, while a dangerous foe, presents a risk that he will turn on his master.


Whatcha think?




---------------------------
Things every player should read....
1. GameSpy's interview with Julio Torres on the negative fan reaction to his earlier interview about the launch of the New Game Environment: Clicky

2. ZDnet's GameSpot.com's reader reviews of the Post-NGE Star Wars: Galaxies Starter Kit: Clicky No. 2

3. MMORPG.com's editorial on the ethics of changing an active MMORPG: Clicky No. 3
jopenack
Wed Apr 13, 2005 12:48 am
#2
Good thoughts all


and wb


Il bump Jokers revamp thread I tried to get people involved but seems no one cares lol been saying that myself recently but you my friend are on the right track.



SHADOWFIRE - MASTER CREATURE HANDLER / MASTER RIFLEMAN

TEMPEST MTK/MD - WANDERHOME MT/MM -???-???

"Creature Handlers are not 1% of the population, they are over the 50% mark, the 1% excuse is a flat out lie"
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