Game Guides Archive
Thread: Discussion: One Game-One Server-One Character
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Amsaran
Fri Jan 14, 2005 10:13 am
#1
I am not sure if this is the appropriate forum for this but thought I'd start a conceptual discussion about the idea and benefits of having one character on one server and one game.
Of course there are tons of games out there and only one SWG--hehe. I have seen times when the temptation to play a new game was strong and cut short my finishing the game I was currently playing. Nonetheless, I definitely have found a home on SWG. Great game and no possible end, however, I have noticed something that troubles me--rather makes me think.
We all have the ability to have 1 character on multiple servers yet, why? We grind our way in our real lives through school, our careers and our daily lives in one body. We build relationships during that process that hopely last a lifetime and yet...well...in SWG, we can be split personalities.
How can we grind through our virtual existences--truly appreciating and experiencing the game to it's fullest--if we do so in separate characters/personalities? When we leave one server/galaxy to pursue the life of another character we create a gap, a hole for the characters we interact with on our original server. It's kinda like when a friend leaves or dies in real life. There is an emptiness--although many times temporary in SWG. But how can you truly experience the magic of the game if you don't eek out our existence as one person/character. Imagine how exhausting and confusing we would be in real life if we lived as multiple people--although some do that in real life anyway.
Some have found solutions in-game by getting multiple accounts but was solution does that present? You still confuse everyone. I know it is in the hope to maybe make your city or guild better by offereng the best of what you can but why should separate accounts be the solution? Great way for SOE and SWG to make more money though. Hmmmm? Maybe in future publishes a balance in the Skillpoint system (like the Combat Upgrade) will allow players to keep certain skills like combat etc to pursue another track like Politician for instance without losing their original skills, hence removing the need to get another character and maintaining and solidifying the character relationships they have already cultivated. Perhaps if everyone were to have one character only and stick with it, the game would be even more exciting becasue more people would play knowing the friends they play with are likely to always be there--unless they have died
Anyways, these are just some thoughts and possible a good discussion thread. What do you all think?
Note: I'm not complaining. I too have a couple of toons. I just thought this would make interesting discussion to get everyone's opinions.
Of course there are tons of games out there and only one SWG--hehe. I have seen times when the temptation to play a new game was strong and cut short my finishing the game I was currently playing. Nonetheless, I definitely have found a home on SWG. Great game and no possible end, however, I have noticed something that troubles me--rather makes me think.
We all have the ability to have 1 character on multiple servers yet, why? We grind our way in our real lives through school, our careers and our daily lives in one body. We build relationships during that process that hopely last a lifetime and yet...well...in SWG, we can be split personalities.
How can we grind through our virtual existences--truly appreciating and experiencing the game to it's fullest--if we do so in separate characters/personalities? When we leave one server/galaxy to pursue the life of another character we create a gap, a hole for the characters we interact with on our original server. It's kinda like when a friend leaves or dies in real life. There is an emptiness--although many times temporary in SWG. But how can you truly experience the magic of the game if you don't eek out our existence as one person/character. Imagine how exhausting and confusing we would be in real life if we lived as multiple people--although some do that in real life anyway.
Some have found solutions in-game by getting multiple accounts but was solution does that present? You still confuse everyone. I know it is in the hope to maybe make your city or guild better by offereng the best of what you can but why should separate accounts be the solution? Great way for SOE and SWG to make more money though. Hmmmm? Maybe in future publishes a balance in the Skillpoint system (like the Combat Upgrade) will allow players to keep certain skills like combat etc to pursue another track like Politician for instance without losing their original skills, hence removing the need to get another character and maintaining and solidifying the character relationships they have already cultivated. Perhaps if everyone were to have one character only and stick with it, the game would be even more exciting becasue more people would play knowing the friends they play with are likely to always be there--unless they have died
Anyways, these are just some thoughts and possible a good discussion thread. What do you all think?
Note: I'm not complaining. I too have a couple of toons. I just thought this would make interesting discussion to get everyone's opinions.
Message Edited by Amsaran on 01-14-2005 11:26 AM
snipahz
Fri Jan 14, 2005 10:33 am
#2
I don't think it's that hard to learn who a certain friend's alts are... unless they have 6 or something...
I have 2 accounts... one for my Jedi, the other is my Jedi's Doctor/Dancer. My extra character slot is a Swordsman/Tailor.
I think most people want to do a wide variety of things in the game, but the skill points limit us. So, we get more characters.
Lynnaea
Fri Jan 14, 2005 11:15 am
#3
Amsaran wrote:
We all have the ability to have 1 character on multiple servers yet, why? We grind our way in our real lives through school, our careers and our daily lives in one body. We build relationships during that process that hopely last a lifetime and yet...well...in SWG, we can be split personalities.
How can we grind through our virtual existences--truly appreciating and experiencing the game to it's fullest--if we do so in separate characters/personalities? When we leave one server/galaxy to pursue the life of another character we create a gap, a hole for the characters we interact with on our original server. It's kinda like when a friend leaves or dies in real life. There is an emptiness--although many times temporary in SWG. But how can you truly experience the magic of the game if you don't eek out our existence as one person/character. Imagine how exhausting and confusing we would be in real life if we lived as multiple people--although some do that in real life anyway.
Some have found solutions in-game by getting multiple accounts but was solution does that present? You still confuse everyone. I know it is in the hope to maybe make your city or guild better by offereng the best of what you can but why should separate accounts be the solution? Great way for SOE and SWG to make more money though. Hmmmm? Maybe in future publishes a balance in the Skillpoint system (like the Combat Upgrade) will allow players to keep certain skills like combat etc to pursue another track like Politician for instance without losing their original skills, hence removing the need to get another character and maintaining and solidifying the character relationships they have already cultivated. Perhaps if everyone were to have one character only and stick with it, the game would be even more exciting becasue more people would play knowing the friends they play with are likely to always be there--unless they have died
Anyways, these are just some thoughts and possible a good discussion thread. What do you all think.
Amsaran, while I see your point, I also disagree. I play 2 characters, my main on Kauri and my alt on Valcyn. I don't have a problem keeping my friends and activities straight. I spend a few hours a day on each of them, for socializing and advancing myself in whatever profession I'm working on.
Maybe if someone had more toons, and had a more erratic playing schedule (i.e., a few weeks on one, a few on the other) it would be a problem. But in my experience, it works pretty well.
WranglerDekar
Fri Jan 14, 2005 11:31 am
#4
I dont see a point to this really...i have the max of 8 servers going...now granted i only play on 2-3 at most but sometimes ya just get tired of one thing and you gotta do something else, but you know you'll wanna get right back on the horse after you've quenched your thirst ya know?
Amsaran
Fri Jan 14, 2005 11:36 am
#5
I see what you are talking about. However, I have been playing my one character since Sept of last year. I'm still not bored and only see my character's life enhancing and getting better: without needing to make another.
Maybe I'm just an exception
Good points though. Thanks.
Maybe I'm just an exception
Good points though. Thanks.
Amsaran
Fri Jan 14, 2005 12:58 pm
#6
snipahz wrote:I don't think it's that hard to learn who a certain friend's alts are... unless they have 6 or something...I have 2 accounts... one for my Jedi, the other is my Jedi's Doctor/Dancer. My extra character slot is a Swordsman/Tailor.I think most people want to do a wide variety of things in the game, but the skill points limit us. So, we get more characters.
I appreciate your insights. I don't think it is a question of knowing who else is the primary characters alternates but more this: "Experiencing the game from one character's perspective as we do in real life--using their one set of eyes and subset of skills--to gain a more real experience of SWG."
If you find a challenge--let's say the inability to find a certain type of character to complete a task or goal--do we create another character (from another account or on another server) or do we just try to tackle it by using our already created character? Or, go find another player/character in the game that can help us? Just like we would if faced with the real challenge ourselves.
"Would Luke sign off to go be another character to tackle his father or the emperor or would he just find a way to do it himself?"
Yes, 2nd, 3rd, 4th characters make sense if you want a new experience but I can't see that happening but for long on down the road and after my primary character has exhausted every experience that can be taken on with his skills.
With regard to our limitations because of our skillpoint system, that I see as a challenge in itself and hope things change to make our characters more flexible.
Thanks for your input. It means a lot.
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