Development Cycle Archive
Thread: In-Concept 3: Entertainer, Dancer and Musician Missions & Quests
Wish I'd seen this earlier and I'm glad it's here.
My suggestions will be for the Musician profession specifically and may be applicable to the musician line in the Entertainer prof.
As you said, ThunderHeart, NPC's cheering and jeering can get repetative in very short order; I have some suggestions for gig content that may help.
- I suggest giving gigs to lower level musicians that require some skill or instrument that character doesn't have. The positive to thisis that it encourages (forces :/ ) grouping and networking. The negative is that some might not want to be forced to group all the time. As a compromise, I suggest making this type of gig searchable under a different mission tab and for slightly increased pay. This is how it would work:
The entertainer with Musicianship IV skill would find an NPC agent or Entertainer Mission term. and click the "group missions" tab. This would bring up a short list of missions that would require skills the character does not yet have. Two examples would be 1) a mission that requires starwars2 (a song they can play) with a Bandfill in the band (an instrument they can't play). or 2) a mission that requires lighting effects during the show, or a specific lighting effect a specific number of times during the song. Now the player has to use his network of friends to find a higher level player to group with him for the mission, or search for another musician and make a new friend. The group (perhaps more than 2?) would have to split the mission payout so I suggest doubling the mission payout for these special missions. These missions would not be available to accept for Novice Musicians or higher.
- Another gig suggestion I have is to have a very high paying gig out on an adventure planet. Way out in some remote location that a so called "pure entertainer" would have no chance of going to under normal circumstances. The mission payout is the enticement. The challenge would be getting past the aggressive mobs between the starport and the gig location. Hiring a body guard or two would be suggested, or having a good mask scent skill
. This would allow musicians and "pure entertainers" (i.e. no combat skills at all) to visit the adventure planets more frequently and again make new friends and possibly new patrons by hiring body guards.
I think that there is a lot that can be done with them
Buff ourselves
Agents
BF healing in camps
Ranger camps that STAY even if Ranger is involved in combat.
Ranger tents that can be registered on planetary map for 2-6 hours.
I agree with Sirii, let's not go in the selective quest direction . . .
I briefed through this thread, so forgive me if this has been mentioned, but another thing to think about is that masters aren't interested in XP anymore. Not unless we could utilize it for other purposes. It's wasted on us at present. We can't use it, can't sell it, can't give it away. Having a master in a group helps out the group but does little for the master other than allowing them a potential leadership role. So the whole "gaining xp" thing does little to encourage me to take missions if there isn't something else involved. What that something else is, I'll have to ponder when I have more time.
I'm not saying that there shouldn't be xp potential inmissions, just that there should be something added to benefit the masters. Perhaps if masters could trade in their extra xp for goodies of some sort like you can for faction items? I don't know - something . . . .
kirah_ashlin wrote:
. . .
Perhaps if masters could trade in their extra xp for goodies of some sort like you can for faction items? I don't know - something . . . .
Have seen several ideas here that i like: faction missions with a greater payout, could include them in the quests or Act IV, say they have to play for Heff, Vader, and a couple of others, where they actually have to travel the planets to find these people; like the thought of doing a Jabba quest, maybe have it be a group of entertainers that has to go there and entertain, with music and dancers.
Like the idea of a personal talent meter, where the more missions you do, the further you advance, the better missions/pay you get.
Love the idea of players being able to set missions, the npcs just are downright boring, although me and old sig in the Nashal Cantina have become fast pals, 
Its alot more satisfying as an entertainer to be able to interact with the real players. Let them set missions, especially in the player cities. And make the theaters in the player cities where you can actually use them. Yes i can play my fanfar there or any of the handheld instruments, but as for as the nalg or omni, nope cant use either in ours in SiN CiTY, tried it yesterday.
Now the one thing that i havent seen addressed to any great extent is the AFKer's, would like to see it where if they are afking 24/7 that they get logged out after a couple of hours, if they arent there then why should they be able to take the tips, xp, heals, etc from the other players that are actually there in front of their screens. Yes, i know that alot of you combat people like having that ability there 24/7. I, also, know that we in the et field are losing great entertainers daily because of a couple of facts, one: is they feel that with the holo-grinding afking spamming heal me tip me listen to me, is cheaping a profession that for the most part we all worked very hard to gain because we love the social aspects of the game, the chitchatting, the flirting, the playing or dancing, just because we love the profession as much as the rest of you love the animals, the pvping, the scouting, crafting whatever it is that you do. Two, has to do with the pay outs, as an et you just cant make the creds needed on missions paying at the most 199 creds, yes thats right 199 not 199k, to buy the costumes, shoes, jewelry, especially the enhanced ones.
one thing that i have found that would help out combat-types, as well as help an entertainer gain popularity would be the creation of some sort of hologram deviece that could be used in the field to heal mind wounds. we wouldnt actually have to see holograms they could just be used like spice or food or drink. entertainers could gain the ability to craft these and maybe put there unqiue id on there like music cds from different artist the better the entertainer and the crafting the better at healing. this would not keep us out of the cantinas but be useful in a pinch when your hunting and theres no entaineers in your group and nowhere near by this would help for remote planet hunting
Ok, no new songs and dances, yet. But there's a TON of fixes...for one, make it worth it, ok?
This post is for ALL entertainers. Dancers, Musicians, or just plain master entertainers.
Dancer's clothes are some of the most expensive in the game, Especially once you get into the BE modded ones. They last a long time, but so what? No self-respecting dancer or musician is seen in the same getup for years on end. Add in the fact that it takes master tailors to get the best colors, well, that means you gotta go to the best, usually most expensive, tailors, for good clothing. Spending 10 minutes dancing, and getting paid 100 credits, that's a JOKE. it should scale based on skill. Can you imagine the look you'd get if you asked Puff Daddy to book you a show for a hundred credits? I know I wouldn't wanna be on the receiving end when his bodyguards tossed you out on your pathetic backside, lol. I can understand jonny Q dancer getting 100 credits for 10 minutes of showtime at a lonely bar in Mos Espa... but one of the most well known, established masters in the Galaxy, shows up, and the guy at the door says 'ok. 100 credits, 10 minutes. be sure an put effort into it'. Yah...right. No one does the stupid missions because they are worthless.
The dancer leotard was a start, but for one, MALE DANCERS CAN'T WEAR IT! OK?!? So either make it wearable, or give out something else! Geez. That outfit leaves all males, and wookies of either sex, with no dancing clothes. Some other outfits would be nice, and cut the gender bias stuff on clothing. You make us poofs look at girl's butts all day long, we need something to look at too, geez. An don't forget the actual girls, lol. Sure they like comparing outfits.. but I'm sure they're fairly sick of staring at half naked D-cups all day Wookies need some entertainer clothing too. I got a ton of ideas here, they seem to have a tribal/clan based society, or at least the clothing has a rough, naturalistic look to it, without being primitive. So, take that idea into their wardrobes at the theatr and cantina too. A few wrist and ankle wraps. Wookies don't wear boots, unless they need them (they're not stupid, not gonna go barefoot in a minefield). but in a cantina, wookies got it all covered. So clothing should be decoration, not utility. A 'shirt' that was nothing more than a wrap around the chest/ribs with flashy colors or fringe on it. Waist wraps that are flashier, and brighter palettes, than the current ones. Ankle and wrist wraps. Maybe a jester-like hood, with bells on it, all bright colors. But to sum it all up, More clothes for the entertainers you been ignoring! Adding them as mission rewards is a PERFECT solution too, saves the hassle of making schematics and such, and lets people go out and do entertainer missions with the same rewards (smaller scale. no ST armor parts, etc, no risk) for their time and effort. Remember, they might not be shot at..But it's still dangerous...A tomato hurts if it's not ripe..and stormtroopers prefer to toss grenades if they don't like you Let me just summarize the whole idea:
Entertainers should have some ability to add their own unique flair to their acts, setting each one aside from the other. Not only this, but have the ability to sell that track to make some additional money if the track is popular...
Yeah...That sounds good....
Thunderheart wrote:
KombatCamKombat wrote:
I like the idea of Entertainers (Dancers and Musicians) to be able to play @ Jabba's Palace. But before they can they must complete a couple of missions for Jabba. I know most Entertainers don't have combat skills but this allows for great group interaction, (ie, The entertainers must group with combat professions to complete these tasks).
This is a great aspect to keep in mind -- thanks for bringing it up
Requiring entertainers to complete combat missions (in a group or not) is not at all what I suggest you start doing to enrich the game experience for us. Many of the socializers in SWG play primarily as entertainers in order to find something to do beyond/besides combat. There are plenty of opportunities for anyone to engage in combat or combat supportive roles, as entertainers we want ENTERTAINING missions, not combat missions FOR entertainers.
In addition, from an immersive setting standpoint, I reallly doubt Oola had to prove her loyalty to Jabba by fighting Valarians thugs or Tusken Raiders. Jabba probably didn't care one whit what Oola thought of him (and I imagine he had a pretty good idea of what that was). Oola was there for his pleasure. She pleased him. When she didn't please him any longer....well we know what happened. I'd offer that any dancer/musician of sufficient skill (that doesn't have a significant negative faction with Jabba should be allowed to entertain for his sluggishness. A Jabba related entertainment quest(s) or mission(s) would also be very nice.
ok to the original questions...
1. Entertainers, Musicians and Dancers: what improvements would you make to the existing missions to make them more fun and interesting?
While the process can fun, the rewards are generally underwhelming. Missions should pay based on the entertainer's skill level and FAME rating. (more on this later). There should be some visible progression meter to communicate to the player how close they are to completing the mission (akin to the health bar of a creature lair perhaps). Missions should require the entertainer to register with location. (I'm not sure if the register with location is a skill requiring higher than novice entertainer.)
2. What type of “gig” challenges would make an (entertainer, musician, dancer) quest and/or mission fun and exciting? (and more "Star Warsy")
I see missions along the line of cantina "help wanted" signs. These are a way for entertainers to make a reliable buck working away at the galaxy's endless number of bars, cantinas, and taverns. The performers are simply asked to go to a certain locations and to perform for a certain amount of time. Gigs on the other hand are "contracts" between the performers and the client.
If gigs must be found on terminals, then a gig "mission" will require the entertainer to find an NPC to get the details of the gig (akin to delivery missions where one must first pick up the item before delivering it). Upon finding the NPC, the entertainer must engage in conversation which will reveal the time, the place, the duration, the payment and whatever other details that are required of the performer.
Please note that time is a component of a gig. Entertainmer missions are time insensitive. You can complete them at any time. Gigs are contracts for SPECIFIC performances. They are given as relative times: "Dance for the esteemed dignitary Olaki Fembawi and his visiting family in the Theed Palace. They will expect you in 45 minutes." If the enterainer acceptst he gig, they will have a 45 minute countdown indicator attached to the mission. At the end of the 45 minutes, if they have not started dancing at the appropriate place..the gig is a failed.
Gigs not only pay in cash, but also in Fame. Successfully executed gigs will result in a Fame rating for entertainers. Fame acts as a modifier to the cash payments from Cantina Missions and gigs themselves. The higher the skill level of the dancer the higher the cash payout, modified by Fame. A very high fame might multiply the payment several times over, while a very low fame will prevent an entertainer from being offered a gig in the first place. Failed gigs lower Fame.
Each gig will have a minimum Fame requirement.
An entertainer's Fame rating is displayed in their Bio.
Certain "High Profile" NPCs (like Jabba the Hutt) might be willing to speak to characters of a high enough Fame regardless of a lack of positive Faction points, or quest completions.
3. What kind of “gig” activities can players do with other players that would make missions interesting?
Some gigs should require a varied group of entertainers to complete. Perhaps even requiring entertainers of specific races and sexes. For dancers in particular, folks may want to see what they consider attractive. A trandoshan male dancer might not find a group of male wookie warriors receptive to his dancing skills. Gig requirements can be made as detailed as the game's coding will allow.
4. What are the basic character types of NPC’s do you think should be involved with Entertainers, Musicians and Dancers? (Agent, Manager, etc)
I'm not altogether sure what is meant here, but yes...Agents, Managers, Promoters, and most of all rich patrons.
Patrons are (rich) NPCs that seem to live to throw extravegant parties, attempting to outdo one another. They mostly live in the larger, well to do cities. Exclusive parties are held in their opulent residences and only the most important, rich, and glamerous folks are allowed entranced. Patrons hire high Fame entertainers to attend these parties (through the Gig system), and likewise allow even higher famed entertainers to attend.
OK, those are answers to the specific questions asked.
The central "new" idea expressed is a Fame attribute. Fame would be a tool to give entertainers their own currency, it would give the ent. achievers something to go after, the socializers something to roleplay with (who's famous, who's not), and explorers some content that only they can get to (akin to dungeons that only combat types can survive long enough to see).
You folks playing entertainers...how many of you want those entertainers to be famous? Raise your hands...
thought so.