Dancer Archive

Bots aren't going away anytime soon. Unfortunately, entertainers are. In fact, we need more entertainers now than EVER before, but as the proverb goes, "we must not wish for lighter burdens, but stronger backs." Because in the end, there is nothing that you can do in a game mechanics sense that a bot can't do better. But the real work that youdo goes beyond the game mechanics.

Learning how to do this business from the ground up takes a lot of work, and it starts with the moment the patron walks in the door. Did you greet the patron with more than a /wink or a /blowkiss? Anyone can do those things. Throw out something that shows a little observation. For example, if a Zabrek named Noolos comes in with blue composite armour, say something like "My my Noolos, blue isdefinately your colour!" Of course, if your character is male, you may want to say something like "Hey Noolos! That's some mighty fine armour!"

Notice something. This showsright away to the patron that you take your in-game job seriously, that you took the time to notice both his nameand what he's wearing, and that you made the effort to type it out. You'd beamazed how far that goes. Not only that, but it makes the patron feel good about himself, because usually players go to the cantina because something bad has happened, like they died and didn't clone. Remember, we are in the hospitality business, and it pays to be hospitable. Now some may say that this is why our professions are lowly and degrading. I prefer to think of it as armchair psychology, but not really psychology between two people, but between two characters. And let me tell you, it takes attentiveness and wit.

Because the conversation doesn't end with the greeting. And sometimes you have to remind the person behind the character that we are in essence playing roles, and that here he or she is not some assistant manager at some retail store, but here he is "Noolos! Bounty Hunter extraordinaire!" Now Noolos has a background and a story. Maybe Noolos never thought about it, but its there. So you have to ask him, "First time in Coronet?" And he'll either reply yes or no. Then go from there. Say, "Where are you from?" Again, he'll respond, simply because he has really nothing better to do right now than to let you do your work, be it music or dance. He'll say, "Tatooine." Now, itsyour turn to say something about your character, like "Oh, Tatooine. I've been there a few times. I wanted to see some big-time merchant prince named Jabba. I hear his palace is huge."

Because you have to think in terms of your character in order to really say that, now don't you? Because we have all seen the movies, and know Jabba's palace is huge, but if your character has never been there, then your character truly wants to know. Indeed, it helps if you can research a little Star Wars background from the Holocron. Your knowledge of the background can be useful. This is also inviting Noolos to play in terms of his character, and hewants to do it. He does because he wants to forget about grinding the investigation tree for once and think about something else for a change. Something that defines who he is in the virtual world. Something that he has created, but has yet to really think about. But you have to take the initiative. He'll help you along, but ultimately its up to you to get at that thing which will get Noolos more interested in what you are saying to him than his BF and mind wounds. Because if you do it right, his BF and mind wounds will be gone long before your conversation is through, and he'll say "that was quick," and get this: painless, worthwhile, and fun.That gets you a tip. Send him a thank you tell when he leaves, so that he knows he's not alone out there.

Because the AFKers and many ATK players don't really give Noolos anything to think about other than the mere, preprogrammed flourishes and periodical spam. And this only gives Noolos the impression thathe toois merely doing a mechanized routine himself with no enjoyment. That the things Noolos is doing are boring and repetitive. That its all about the XP and levels and boxes in the end-and not only that-but that Noolos is failing...MISERABLY. Because NOOLOS GOT BEAT BY THE SYSTEM. Otherwise, Noolos wouldn't be sitting in the cantina healing his BF and mind wounds. And let me tell you at-the-keyboard players, if you don't make Noolos care about what he's doing, he won't care about you, and he will not only not tip you, but he'll HATE you for having to go out and grind Investigation IV, while missing shuttles, wasting more droids, and fixing his armour; while you are in the comfort of the cantina flourishing your digital buns talking in groupchat with your fleshwrapped friends getting XP off his misery.

So to those who find difficulty in getting tips, ask yourself this: Was there something you could have done better to make Noolos care about what he's experiencing in the cantina? As Luke Skywalker and Kirah from my server say: I care.

....And with a little creativity, attentiveness, and skill, you can make Noolos care too.

Message Edited by PoetDancer on 01-02-2005 10:21 AM

That is a good post.

When people refer to Entertainers as not challenging, I have to disagree. From Day 1 (well, more like Day3 since I was at Origins during SWG release), I made it my goal to stand out as a Dancer. This was why I had no problems while people were posting, "We don't get any tips." This was before the AFK craze, when even the lousy players would tip Entertainers because they recognized our contribution.

It was a fun exercise to bring people over to my corner to watch me. I wouldn't try to steal from another Dancer, but if I didn't have a rapt audience, I tried persuading newcomers to watch me.

And the real challenge is to do it in ways other than, "Hey, watch me so I can get XP!" Anyone can beg for XP, and there are people who sympathize with your plight who'll do it. The challenge lay in engaging these people so they just kind of drift in your direction because you are so enthralling.

Entertaining is not a challenge? I'd argue that it's more challenging than hunting Maulers or Tuskens. With those tasks, you just click or hit tab and then press the right F buttons. Medics have a slightly larger challenge by watching the combatants. Entertainers can't just click in order to accomplish their goals. They have to actually work at it. That was what made me fall in love with the profession back in August.

Even if you're RPing, and it doesn't make sense that you would know his name, you can engage a little conversation. And most people will talk to you if you talk to them first. Really!

Really really good post, thank you.

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miralin wrote:

Even if you're RPing, and it doesn't make sense that you would know his name, you can engage a little conversation. And most people will talk to you if you talk to them first. Really!

Really really good post, thank you.

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If you're one of those who insist on not knowing a name unless a character tells you IC (I don't personally subscribe to this because of the shortage of time), there are tricks to engaging in a conversation. After all, some people won't realize you're talking to them.

If you /pointat, /nod, or /beam at someone, it's obvious. If you do an /emote, you can use "%NT" to automatically plug in his name. Like.... /emote gasps at how wounded %NT looks. /say Oh my, what happened to you?

Some handy tricks like that. Of course, ifa patron is the only one wearing a bright yellow jumpsuit with yellow boots and a yellow hat, he'll know you're talking to him if you wonder why anyone would be dressed like a Yavinian banana.

Well said, Sirii! I always try to chat with my customers--it makes it much more fun for me, and I hope it makes the game more interesting for them. Another thing I have noticed is that when I am conversing IC with patrons, I tend to get more patrons (and bigger tips :smileyhappy so I really think most players think it adds to their experience.

- Cassie, Dance Hall Girl

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PoetDancer wrote:

As Luke Skywalker and Kirah from my server say: I care.

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I don't know which makes me blush more: that Madame wouldquote little ole me or that I was mentioned in the same breath as /sigh . . . Luke Skywalker!

A couple of days agoa fellow guild member wasdismayed when I told him a buff would take 8 minutes, but he needed one and agreed to "stick it out". I started up my buff and timer and began to engage him in a lively conversation, getting him to talk about an assortment of topics he seemed interested in: his plans for the evening (and use of the buff), his profession, the goals he hoped to accomplish . . . When I told him his buff was complete and he could /stopw and check his stat, he was amazed. "Finished already?" He actually sounded disappointed!!

Its absolutely imperative that, as entertainers, we remember our focus must be the patron, not on the xp we need to get to reach the next level or the tip amount we are looking for, if we are to survive individually and collectively. Give a good performance and even the hardened "arpy" will appreciate your efforts.