i've split this post from http://forums.themanaworld.org/viewtopi ... 12&t=14858 to avoid getting off topic
imo, the starting area of tulim doesn't really show the game off. everything is drab browns and tans, the tile sets out there badly need updated.
i propose a solution that could be accomplished in a number of ways: start the player off as a bad ass.
either have the player start as a high level char, or have them start fighting nerfed versions of high level mobs.
either way, throw them into the **** after the start, with a huge battle raging around them in a colorful and varied map. they should inevitably lose the battle and awaken with the current starting gear and level 1 at sorfina's.
if starting them off as a high level char is possible, you should give them the option to choose class and have the server adjust stats+gear+skills accordingly.
to reiterate: the game should sell itself.
[DIS] Starting Area (split from Game Comments topic)
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yourmistakes
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Re: [DIS] Starting Area (split from Game Comments topic)
Matt approves, although its not really possible to have an all out epic battle when you are new to the game. Maybe a video sequence.
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yourmistakes
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Re: [DIS] Starting Area (split from Game Comments topic)
relevant conversation copied from irc: another way to accomplish this
16:40 < Freeyorp_> You might even be able to start the player off with better
base attributes using class hackery.
16:42 < Freeyorp_> Might need a binary update to make the player start off on a
different class, but if that's set where I think it's set
then it should be a trivial change.
16:42 < mistakes> Freeyorp_: is it possible to start a char at a high level and
then erase all of the stats/gear/skills/magic?
16:44 < Freeyorp_> mistakes: I would attempt to accomplish this by having
starting the player off on a different class. To get things
up and running quickly, it may be desirable to have the
equipment as part of the class player sprite, as choosing
starting equipment would make things difficult.
16:45 < Freeyorp_> You can set up the `class' to have very different properties
(hp, attack speed based on weapon type, capacity, whatever)
in job_db.
16:45 < Freeyorp_> And you can then perform a job change to novice again using
a OnPCDie hook based on tutorial quest states.
16:47 < mistakes> a lot of games that got me hooked employed this tactic of
starting me with everything and then taking it away and
noobifying the PC
16:48 < mistakes> mega man, god of war, and prototype all spring to mind
16:48 < Freeyorp_> There's quite a lot that can be done with tmwA that current
content doesn't take advantage of; not a lot of it is all
elegant but the potential is there
16:48 < Freeyorp_> Just my thoughts on how I would go about accomplishing such
things.
16:40 < Freeyorp_> You might even be able to start the player off with better
base attributes using class hackery.
16:42 < Freeyorp_> Might need a binary update to make the player start off on a
different class, but if that's set where I think it's set
then it should be a trivial change.
16:42 < mistakes> Freeyorp_: is it possible to start a char at a high level and
then erase all of the stats/gear/skills/magic?
16:44 < Freeyorp_> mistakes: I would attempt to accomplish this by having
starting the player off on a different class. To get things
up and running quickly, it may be desirable to have the
equipment as part of the class player sprite, as choosing
starting equipment would make things difficult.
16:45 < Freeyorp_> You can set up the `class' to have very different properties
(hp, attack speed based on weapon type, capacity, whatever)
in job_db.
16:45 < Freeyorp_> And you can then perform a job change to novice again using
a OnPCDie hook based on tutorial quest states.
16:47 < mistakes> a lot of games that got me hooked employed this tactic of
starting me with everything and then taking it away and
noobifying the PC
16:48 < mistakes> mega man, god of war, and prototype all spring to mind
16:48 < Freeyorp_> There's quite a lot that can be done with tmwA that current
content doesn't take advantage of; not a lot of it is all
elegant but the potential is there
16:48 < Freeyorp_> Just my thoughts on how I would go about accomplishing such
things.