Musician Archive

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psikobunny wrote:

I like this idea, I just thought of a few things I'd like to see you address Warryyr, and if they got answered somewhere on page two, forgive me.

1) Table sniping- the talk so far has somewhat assumed all entertainers like each other and get along, and sorry to say but that isnt always true. If I register a table in an alcove, will I stay registered to it through multiple sessions, so that someone can't snake the buff customer?

This is definitely a concern to be addressed. I'd imagine that there would need to be some persistence in the table registry process, and limiting 1 Entertainer to 1 table is problematic with the new fix to simultaneous buffs from Dancers and Musicians. You'll need to have 2 people registered to a table at once to do both buffs at one time. So, limiting the Ents that could join tables might not necessarily be a good way to encourage spreading the Ents around thegalaxy. All the Doctors could fill up Coronet and Theed Medical Centers if they want to, but they're able to buff anywhere, so they tend to spread themselves out naturally.

And this question brings up a couple ideas in my head, so thanks

FIrst off, the tables would need to be a "free" option to buff with (tables in the cantinas, I mean - just an inate ability to buff without costing anything). The number of people that could register with them could be limited, or not - there's no limit to docs using the med center, so perhaps there should be no limit to entertainers in cantinas who can buff (limiting use could encourage Entmovement across the galaxy, though).

Having your own personal "table" or a droid with an Ent function in it would let you have your own setup, thus you're the only one who can use the droid, and no one could yank customers away (if such a thing was possible with "free" tables)unless the customer decides to go to them. This would be the alternative to the "free" option, by needing to pay for the droid/prop to use. Like how Docs pay for droids andMusicians pay for Nalargons/Ommni Boxes. This personal table/droid function would basically turn the passive group buff function into a slightly interactive UI exchange instigated with the droid or prop, that initializes the buff process.

So, maybe in this way, the buffing professional has a Protocol droid handy to plop down when buffing, or a trusty LE Repair droid, yet in a pinch in an empty cantina you can just use the table.

"Using the table" could be expanded in the future to include card games and stuff, too - just another reminder that getting something going on cantina tables isn't necessarily limited to how WE interact with it and benefit from it, but possibly everyone or other professions can join in the fun in their own ways. Cantinas should allow more people to contribute to the atmosphere, I think. Whether it be gambling with a smuggler, making deals with business partners, anything. Hiring mercenaries...

2) Siberia- while the alcoves are nice, one of the reasons a lot of us play in cantinas is to see and be seen. with cantina layouts as they are now (abysmal), I'm not sure I like the idea of being forced into the back just to buff. Unless something is implemented to spread all entertainers out across the cantinas (section it off with X dancer/musicians per zone, and when full you have to move to the next section before you can /startmusic /startdance), then I see this as a punishment instead of an improvement, at least in terms of my next point.

With some sort of droppable prop or droid, you could theoretically buff anywhere in the cantina, not necessarily limited to the alcoves. But, anywhere there are tables in the cantina would be a static place to register yourself and help out folks by buffing them. The alcoves were just a place I found rather interesting that goes unused quite often, and it's great for getting big groups together to sit down and relax while getting buffed. It was sitting in those that I realized there were just chairs and tables all over, and they could be a static andinteractive piece of furniture to help with our new buffing system.

3) Moving= pain- under the current system moving around is an annoyance. I personally like to set my droid a'dancing, and play my music, but not move around too much. What can be done to address that?

Well, as you currently use your droid to dance and stuff while you play music, you could still use your droid to buff with (cantina patron initiates conversation with droid) and never move an inch.

There will most definitely need to be ways to cater to both the playstyles of those of us who prefer to start performing and NOT move, as well as those who are more inclined to move around to help those who are waiting.

The "tables flashing colors" was just an initial idea to have a way for people to shout "HEY I NEED A DANCER BUFF!" without having to shout "HEY I NEED A DANCER BUFF!" Rather than have the burden be on US going to THEM, it's quite possible that we need another option for THEM to come to US.

Doctors have the following scenario that shouts to potential customers "I'm currently buffing." White/red clothes on, droid out, they're sitting on the ground, but most importantly their Master Doctor tag is up and they have that bluish shimmery symbol drop on patients' heads as they are healed/buffed. This SCREAMS "There's a Doc right here!"

We need to be similarly identifiable inside of a cantina when actively buffing. When Entertainers are buffing, people need to know...somehow. A visual cue. Like the symbol dropping on the cantina patron's head (only for buffing, NOT healing, as that would get too confused and lead to everyone STILL asking if we're buffing). If could even be a tag like LFG (looking for group) or AFK. Maybe ETP (enhancing through performance)? If Ents have ETP up, then they're buffing. Maybe have LFE (looking for enhancements) to be a tag option? For our customers?

I completely appreciate the fact that many Entertainers prefer to not run around in order to buff. I'd be interested to know what ideas others have for making us "stand out" when buffing, so people instinctively come towards us upon entering the cantina, knowing "This Dancer is buffing, or is willing to buff me." Likewise, a means of communicating non-verbally to someone "I'm not buffing nor interested in doing so" would be essential.

Like I said, I like the idea, the pros are pretty obvious, but these are the cons that came up when I read it. Thanks for thinking on it.

Thanks for the feedback, the more we gab about everything, the more ideas flow. We're going to need all those gears turning when the Devs look at us and say, "So, got any ideas on how to improve your situation and improve your gameplay?"

I wanted to be ready with something in case we're solicited for info. And I sat down and saw tons of tables and chairs in cantinas, and figured that was as good a way as any to start a discussion on changing our buffing interface/experiences.

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Message Edited by Warryyr on 01-25-2005 02:02 PM