Dancer Archive

Sorry guys, I know this has been beaten to death - But I'm slow and I've learned alot from reading the other posts on this subject over time.

Recursive macros and macros are obviously not the problem. I think pretty much everybody agrees with this. Many many At-the-keyboard players use recursive macros and macros that call tool-bar slots for fabulous costume changes or just time management (I use recursive macros of my fav dances and flourishes because I'm normally involved in 5 conversations and trying to greet people as they come in and I love not having to worry about remembering to keep up my routine at the same time).

My slant is that AFK is the problem.

Here's the proposed dealio fix - There is a concept of AFK tags which can be on or off. The internal system therefore must know whether a character is AFK or not., regardless of whether or not the tag is set.

When the internal system regards a character internally as AFK, it does a stop skill animation and /dump on them. So basically if you're AFK you would, in the dancer's case, stop dancing and your macro would stop. You'd just stand there looking bored.

I think this is fair. Here are some benefits :

1) Would not get complicated with macro restriction use. (Who cares if ATK players use recursive macros?)

2) This is an applicable solution across all careers. (It may be possible to have /follow still work with AFK *shrug*)

3) While it's not preventative of second accounts (i.e. "buff bots") someone would have to tap them every once in awhile to keep them going.

4) This is a musician one - An AFK musician would stop playing so you don't have the annoying problem of an AFK musician playing a song other then your song when you can't group or coordinate with them

5) Stops macro shouted spamming while AFK - Once again someone has to pay at least a little bit of attention to keep it up.

6) Dancers (or anybody else)who are AFK can't gain skill and can't heal when AFK - providing more benefit to do those things tothose who are there.

7) If follows the SWG coreideology of your only gaining skill for something you do. I.e. you only get medical skill from healing, you only get pistol skill from shooting a pistol. Therefore, following that, you should only get skill if you are "there".

Traditional Arguments :

1) People are just gonna tap their accounts to keep them going - Sure. But having to check back every 15-20 mins (or however long the internal AFK is set to) is more difficult then writing a really long macro where you only have to check back every few hours. And unless they have a *coff* "drinky-bird" they are someone contactable.

2) Real ATK characters may have to go AFK every once in awhile - Sure. And when you get back after the RL emergency you look annoyed, the start the /startdance and /start macro or whatever you do. The system doesn't kick you from the group or hurt you in any way. You're just standing there looking bored.

3) If the afk entertainers leave there will be no one to buff or heal - Here's the trick. You have AT LEAST several opportunities to find an entertainer (in a possible order of ease):

a) Pick up some entertainer skill if you're having real problems (with even a little bit you can heal yourself, then go stock up on food and drink to buff your mind)

b) Go to Eisley or Coronet - Incredibly rare to not have anyone there. If you don't have the credits to get there - stick around those cities if you're reallyconcerned about mind healing/buffs.

c) Make friends withsome entertainers through interaction, credits or services trades. Put them on your friends list. Call upon them.

d) Trust that some people will take the time to tap their second account to keep it active

e) Rumour has it that cantinas slowly heal (and if not maybe they and camps should ) but if you're absolutely desperate for your buffs, then buythat second account that you can tap when you and your guild buddies need some healin' or join a guild that has access to one or find an ingame friend who has access to one. But I have a sneaking feeling the minute there's a need, there will be actualpeople who are happyto fill it. (And I agree that you shouldn't need a second account to be competitive - I only have (and amhappy with)one - But I thought I'd illustrate the reality of the fact that there are people who will do this) *shrug*

I'm sure that you guys can really think of more options to fill your needif you consider that the game should be/ may bechallenging to some degree.

Don't get me wrong, this isn't perfect. But I think that it's advantage is that it makes it easier for players who play at-the-keyboard and across the board simpler for the developers and game.

Annaly Laka - Bria

Kalian Sangria - Eclipse

Bala - Kettemoor

It takes less then 48 hours to go from Novice Dancer to Master Dancer, with AFK Macroing.

I don't know how long it taes for musicians.

Is there any other profession that people can master with out playing ther character?

Trust comes from honesty

I have always been a fan of this idea. Someone else - maybe Ub-ick? - was always an advocate of this method. I think it's possibly the best idea in terms of dealing with AFKing professions, as long as players don't have the ability to turn off auto-AFKing.

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Danatal!
RoH
Dan 'N' Esh. 5/15/06

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Danatal!
RoH
Dan 'N' Esh. 5/15/06

I saw this post and the replies just warmed my lekku...

http://forums.station.sony.com/swg/board/message?board.id=game_guides&message.id=213278

Nice to see entertainers aren't the only ones who think the game should be played...

Ra'ano Thexia

"Unattended Gameplay" = oxymoron

Ra'ano Thexia
Solar Flair Band/Dance Troupe Manager
Proprieter, Club Innuendo (Estellarum, Naboo)
Wild Cards Squadron Leader "King of Hearts"

This actually sounds like a better idea. There are crowds and crowds of afker's now. Hope the Devs actually do read this board for some ideas. As some have said...they develop their own macro dances for really elaborate shows with live entertainers. Would be a pity if this ability was trod upon ..to deal with what I view as the "cheaters" and the killers of our profession. Afkers give us ALL a bad name. Get rid of that ability...if you really want to dance or play an instrument..then do so. At the keyboard..alert and alive.

Cir'Ces Master Dancer for a whole week!! non macroing..personal service in the Theed cantina, Ahazi Server.