Image Designer Archive
Thread: WOOT! Maybe a little good news for you guys afterall!
Rylec
Fri Apr 22, 2005 11:44 pm
#14
Hmm, you would have thought that you at least needed a Doc to change arace...I don't see an ID stading there doing the 'change', that would be way too messy for those nice people...
Combat_Medic_to_be
Sat Apr 23, 2005 3:06 am
#15
I'll be VERY upset if this is going to end up being something which can be done on a regular basis, other than just a respec thing, its just so immersion breaking and something that the majority of IDs do not want.
I've not been able to view the link and have no idea about what changes are being made to species however if they are as big as people say I will be quite happy with people being able to change their species during the respec period.
Tralmek
Sat Apr 23, 2005 9:41 am
#16
As I understand it, the reason we can't change species is the same reason we can't change names--it would cause huge database issues. In the case of our name, it's obvious, everything we have or do has our name attached: crafting, structures, bank, residency, skills, inventory, location, everything. To change a name means they have to go through the DB and change everything you've ever touched.
Species is similar. Stats, special abilities, crafting bonuses, species-restricted items, special schematics, all of these things are tied in some way to species. The crossover to a new species would require changing all that and would be nearly as massive of a DBoverhaul as the name changing.
I know they've announced that theDB has received some major work recently, and from time to time a CSR will change a name (if it's offensive, if the player is a good friend, etc.) So it's possible they've found a way to make the changeover easier on the DB, but I wouldn't count on it. Things would get really messed up if people were changing their species.
NJ62
Sat Apr 23, 2005 10:12 am
#17
Even if I have to start from scratch, I may reroll if there is no species changes. Without a free-form stat migration, my twi'lek combat char will make a lousy doctor. Zabrak, here I come!
MeciniaLua
Sat Apr 23, 2005 11:00 am
#18
Tralmek wrote:
As I understand it, the reason we can't change species is the same reason we can't change names--it would cause huge database issues. In the case of our name, it's obvious, everything we have or do has our name attached: crafting, structures, bank, residency, skills, inventory, location, everything. To change a name means they have to go through the DB and change everything you've ever touched.
Species is similar. Stats, special abilities, crafting bonuses, species-restricted items, special schematics, all of these things are tied in some way to species. The crossover to a new species would require changing all that and would be nearly as massive of a DBoverhaul as the name changing.
I know they've announced that theDB has received some major work recently, and from time to time a CSR will change a name (if it's offensive, if the player is a good friend, etc.) So it's possible they've found a way to make the changeover easier on the DB, but I wouldn't count on it. Things would get really messed up if people were changing their species.
You can change names. However that is generally reserved for only those with names that violate the naming policy. So if you can find somehow that your name violates the naming policy you can get it changed by a CSR. To me your names don't violate the policy though, but I see many that do. Generally only offensive names ever get reported and if you have an offensive name that is reported the CSRs give you one chance to pick a new name......otherwise they pick one for you.
Also from what I read at Gamespy this is a one time deal for folks I think. Something to help folks transition to the CU.
Phayroah
Sat Apr 23, 2005 11:50 am
#19
The whole changing species thing is kinda wierd to me. I been a MID since the beginning and i cant count how many times newer players have asked if i could do that. I think it would break too many emersion "laws" if it could be done all the time, maybe a timer or something i could understand.
As for the name thing, totally changing your name is a nightmare. It can be done but have you ever made or inscribed something and then deleted that char ? It preserves the old name. EQ and other games granted the ability for last names and sir names a long time ago, i dont see why this would cause any database issues if nothing was tied to that name.
All in all the way the CU is changing the way we play this game they need to give us something to keep ID a profession and not make it like a cool ability for a Dancer or Musician to have on the side like it used to be when the game came out.
Phayroah
Sat Apr 23, 2005 1:29 pm
#20
I just dont know what all you've said before.. since you say sooo much > hehe j/k
hehe j/kAnyways I didnt look at stat mods as a special side ability, but an extension to our profession after all your attributes and what not are apart of your "image" even if you cant see them on your char.
I just have mixed feelings about how this whole CU could go down for us, on one hand it could be one of the best things to happen to Id's since the gui interface. On the other it could make us go by way of the politician.
masterim-doublea
Sun Apr 24, 2005 12:32 am
#21
have i not said that before, yes changing looks is the main part of id, but we are used to having a side special ability. we like to have a rare ability to keep us a profession and not a side skill for a dancer.
Phayroah wrote:
All in all the way the CU is changing the way we play this game they need to give us something to keep ID a profession and not make it like a cool ability for a Dancer or Musician to have on the side like it used to be when the game came out.
TechnoCan
Sun Apr 24, 2005 5:09 am
#22
Sorry, I was out of town for 2 days... I will see what I can find out about this. But I really hope this will only be part of the CU-respec and not something we IDs will be involved with. Changing the gender might be somthing I think that would be atleast possible in a universe like Star Wars.... but Changing the species is way beyond the story and universe of Star wars...
Vorpaks
Sun Apr 24, 2005 5:50 am
#23
I do want to see a species respec ability - possibly along with the skill repec - as a one time thing. If they want to give IDs a cool skill to replace stat migration, which I hope they do, I would much much rather last name change or vendor ID.
FuschiaD
Sun Apr 24, 2005 6:47 am
#24
TechnoCan wrote:
Sorry, I was out of town for 2 days... I will see what I can find out about this. But I really hope this will only be part of the CU-respec and not something we IDs will be involved with. Changing the gender might be somthing I think that would be atleast possible in a universe like Star Wars.... but Changing the species is way beyond the story and universe of Star wars...
Well, the article DOES say it's an ID ability.
Phayroah
Sun Apr 24, 2005 7:17 am
#25
Me thinks they just ran outa easy fixs and idea's. So they do something crazy as to not piss off the whole profession.
If my vote counted, i would say no species change, BUT we do need something to offset them taking away our other stuff.
I still have a little faith in the game gods left.
FuschiaD
Sun Apr 24, 2005 8:42 am
#26
If this IS true, I hope to God it is just a one-time deal that goes along with the CU. I don't know. I'm dying for some official word from a red or blue name.
*looks expectantly at Techno* 