Idea: Dynamic NPC Nation Overlays...

[Norfolk nChance]

Idea: Dynamic NPC Nation Overlays...

 

Short version at the bottom...

@admin

You’ll need a drink for this, try to bear with me...

Summary

To build out Multi Nation storyline campaign arcs that intersect. This out of game backstory pushes the in-game content taking a few weeks to complete.

 

Background and some views...

Basic idea was seeded from a post by @Cetric de Cornusiac. Please read his post.

http://forum.game-labs.net/topic/26636-create-national-councils-for-regulating-the-big-picture-of-each-nations-stance/

I didn’t agree with many of his assessments or solutions, but he makes a really good point that the Nations need to have a purpose. His view was to open up the Lite Sandbox but have the Nations players control this at the expense of clans.  

@Christendom and @Wraith have wanted Clan restrictions lifted to the point of doing away with the different Nation overlays allowing Civil Wars and self-rule opening up the Lite Sandbox still further...

A while back we had a Nation alliance vote function within the game. The idea was good and added richness but it just didn’t quite deliver. Further back [PvP EU] had an EAST v WEST problematic alliance added with night flip issues. On my [PvP Global] we had the ironclad Care Bear alliance GB/US/Dutch which developed into a slow stranglehold on the entire server when it couldn’t be broken.

Another view concerns this Open Sandbox PvP world push is/will crush RvR, trading, crafting, exploring and all the other parts that are NA-OW. Leading to fears of just a NA-Legends carcass left behind.

I may be wrong in this view, but the more power the PC wields they’ll usually migrate down to the path of least resistance. Any PC Nation driven alliances will struggle to be dynamic even if adding more mechanic restrictions to stop the walk down the slippery slope...

 

Name dropping...

First let’s drop the word “Clan”. This is just cosmetic but is an irritation. So, [ELITE] will be a “Division” of GB Nations Royal Navy within the Caribbean. Divisions can Own their own PORTs as normal.

Divisional conflicts did occur in REAL LIFE. Sub-division leaders were often in conflict with their peers and Senior Ranking officers within the same Navy during the same theater points. Nelson’s account of Cape St Vincent was challenged by a jealous Rear Admiral Parker. At Copenhagen our beloved Nelson completely disobeyed a direct order from his Commanding Officer in front of his own flag Captain.

 

A Controlled Civil War...

Via a Purchased Note from the Admiralty. When triggered will offer a limited time window to engage in a civil war against a same Nation Clan/Division. On the time expiry, there will be double the time cool down before you may trigger another Civil War against the same clan. No same Nation clans can get involved.

The Pirate Clans unique feature allows them to be hired by either side for defense or attack. This automatically would put two hired Pirate clans at war with each other for the duration. PORT Battles as well will be acceptable.

With this we have some form of retribution for those who don’t treat other same Nation clans with respect. If you’ve solo player ideas let me know. Now we need to bring all the full Divisions together to fight for the King, Emperor or Blackbeard as God intended.  

 

How Nation Guidance should work...

Back Story...

What NA-OW will have is an out of game back story of each Nation with traits, traditional alliances and map areas. Below, look at the four EvE Online [EvE] races with sub titles. You can get a visible image of differences within each race and temperament.

https://community.eveonline.com/backstory/races/

 

NPC Nation Templated Mission Arcs...

Imagine... In-Game you and all other same Nation PCs are sent a letter. In it a brief story outline...

Example... GB Nation

[ELITE] Division,

Your king as requested all Englishmen to rise to the challenge to push the French from the Caribbean. This will be a long campaign and not just one or two battles. Accept the first scenario to start the campaign.

Plain Co-Op 5^th Rate cap epic mission dropped around K/PR. Teams of six of same Nation. Bonus multipliers apply if team members include different divisions or solo players.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=50&v=vKSR4l11oio

http://wiki.wargaming.net/en/Ship:Campaigns

Missions can be replayed multiple times but only rewarded once.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a few days the second letter arrives. The Map above shows French and British demarcation lines. Any French AI or PC within British waters must be sunk or taken a prize.

Here the French ships deliver more rewards than other ships inside GB waters. Again, this last two three days.

The next mission in groups with multi clan or solo multipliers is to raid French shipping lanes.

 

 

 

 

Again, this builds into Hostility and Port Battle triggers.

And so, the campaign rolls on...

 

The rewards must multiple with French targets and with solo or different Division members in same group. So, the Campaign as moved from a PvE/Co-Op thread into a PvP one. Storylines could include craft or exploration.

The French...

While all this is rolling out at the same time the French receive similar posts and Campaign objects. This time if the nation is smaller in size... The Dev’s here can tweak the templates. The French maybe way too small in PvP numbers against GB.

So, allied bonus may involve a local Nation like Prussia. This is the big bonus multipliers that enforce the alliances. GB players may find it odd or strange getting ganked by Prussians in GB waters...

Nation Templates and Story Arcs...

The templates are just that, Dev’s manage them like they would a weekend tournament. Its flexible.

http://lorebook.eve-inspiracy.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1:cosmos-epicarc-guides&catid=1:cosmos-epicarc-guides&Itemid=2

 

This is the [EvE] lore or story arc for all EPICs, have a look through all the structured storylines. PvE Co-Op Solo and PvP all included. It seems mammoth in size and detail. However, look closer and the missions for the four races all play the same way.

 

Copy, Balance and Multiply...

That’s the key, five core story arc templates just change names and ports or boost with allies. No new coding. We have eleven Nations; a new story line template (GB) would have a counter balance arc (the French) that then can be copied 11 times.

This out of game content can be as deep or light as you like. The hook is the BLING on offer as a reward at the right stages. This with multipliers help Divisions to come together...

Sorry for the length, let me know if you think its rubbish etc...

 

 

Norfolk nChance [ELITE] Division GB RN

 

  

Short version

NPC Nation Campaign story threads. Built from several missions taking maybe a couple of weeks to complete. Encourages Multi-clan and solo participation with PvE to Co-OP then PvP conclusions against other nations.

This out of game campaign drives in game content and builds player retention.

 

 

 

 

Edited October 16, 2018 by Norfolk nChance

[Bluetooth]

1 hour ago, Norfolk nChance said:

Short version

NPC Nation Campaign story threads. Built from several missions taking maybe a couple of weeks to complete. Encourages Multi-clan and solo participation with PvE to Co-OP then PvP conclusions against other nations.

This out of game campaign drives in game content and builds player retention.

Sounds good. I like it. I think it would add 'meaning and depth' to the NA world.

[Old Crusty]

The civil war aspect will cause more problems and kill more egos than you can imagine. I think that aspect would destabilize Nations further. There are some very big egos in this game and they have followers that are loyal. Nation switching would become an even bigger problem than it is now. And then everyone from that Nation suffers.

For a prime example I give you Raxius and followers. They were USA (I think British before that) and wanted everyone to do things his way. Big Ego. Clashed with other big egos in USA. Raxius and his merry men then switched to France and dedicated their Naval Action career to hunting and killing any and all US Players. We all suffered for the egos of others.

I have been hoping that the maturity level of the players in this game would be at adult level but I am finding that it is teenager level at best.

[Norfolk nChance]

@Old Crusty

Thanks for the post, you too @Crow

 

A Controlled Civil War...

As the name implies it’s a structured affair and not a free for all. The premeditated actions needed and long cool down time mean if you do strike, hit once and hit hard. Port take overs and Pirate support in place to neutralize any counter strike well before hand is vital.

Time is not on your side, the last thing I want is a drawn-out dispute especially [ELITE] being smaller in size than most. We need to lock out the main threat, then undermine its support structure.

Done correctly it will be over before it starts. Egos a Go-Go won’t destabilize a Nation in my opinion. The Campaign structure and reward system is designed to drive Divisions to work together. However, as always, a counter balance is always needed and The Controlled Civil War mechanic I think is it...

Could be wrong and it turns into a free for all...

 

Norfolk.

[Farrago]

It would be helpful if @admin or someone with knowledge about the game's database design would chime in and briefly let us know what is possible  mid to long term (since we know they are busy short-term).

We come up with all these suggestions about clan wars, alliances etc. Perhaps it's impossible to have allied but foreign nation clans without redoing the whole data structure. Perhaps the reason clan wars never became a thing was because it just won't work with the database as we know it. Obviously at one time nation A could be allied with B and operate almost as the same nation. Maybe not now. Maybe it's too difficult or complicated to insert an additional layer of war/alliance on the clan level.

[van Veen]

I like the idea of having multiple missions linked to each other to create a war along a front line. 

It's like a server event, but with a purpose. 

[Hethwill, the Red Duke]

All that throws more players versus players with a good "lore and canon" foundation, even taking NA alternate history version, is good.

Given majority prefers the safest way, an alternative to achieve the same results by means of no pvp would be a no go, I hope.

Except when applied to the Pacific server.

[Vernon Merrill]

I have long advocated for a background RNG war/peace mechanic.  In my opinion, the events of the Caribbean would have had minor influence on the core diplomacy between the major powers of Europe. 

I think this would have a few beneficial consequences:

- Inability for long-term "alliances" to form, which eventually limit the already sometimes rare OW encounters between players.

- Ability to periodically (depending on the current political climate) to "settle scores" legally.  i.e.- if someone has done you wrong in games, just wait until the "Powers in Europe" declare war on him.

- Promotes OW interaction/map changes/logistics due to periodic "forced" front-line changes

- Promotes less "salt" between entrenched long-term egos because you WILL eventually need to work together with people you may have not gotten along with before.

- Gives uses to "Nations" as well as clans

- Easily enforceable by scaling marks/rewards versus the different nations.

 

I'm all for it.  At least testing it.

[Old Crusty]

1 hour ago, Vernon Merrill said:

Inability for long-term "alliances" to form, which eventually limit the already sometimes rare OW encounters between players.

I don’t know where you sail, but if you want PvP anytime just sail from the southern tip of Florida and go north. You will finds countless players on their way to US waters to farm PVP.

You can also hang around Nassau in the Bahamas. It never takes long for a live player to show up there.

Or, and I know this is crazy, go to the Patrol Zone.

[Vernon Merrill]

1 minute ago, Old Crusty said:

I don’t know where you sail, but if you want PvP anytime just sail from the southern tip of Florida and go north. You will finds countless players on their way to US waters to farm PVP.

You can also hang around Nassau in the Bahamas. It never takes long for a live player to show up there.

Or, and I know this is crazy, go to the Patrol Zone.

Patrol Zone has zero interest for me...  I'm not a fan of the Rules of Engagement.  Its too "Arena" and reduces my immersion.

Thanks for the tip though...

P.S.-- I still have your LGV Refit down at Bensalem if you want to buy it back for a nominal fee.

[Old Crusty]

3 hours ago, Vernon Merrill said:

P.S.-- I still have your LGV Refit down at Bensalem if you want to buy it back for a nominal fee.

That was a sad day for me. I just bought that with my hard earned PvP marks and wanted to try it out in OW just to see what it looked like. I had to be back to work by 12:30 pacific and at about 12:10 you tagged me while I was getting my shoes on so I could go back to work. Moro Chico was a minute away. 

Witth all that Hemp I had in the hold the ship manuvered like my school bus and was just as slow. I might have gotten lucky and you might have made a mistake. Instead I surrendered because I had to go to work. 

   That is the problem with sailing when you don’t have time to fight. I learned a huge lesson.

Edited August 23, 2018 by Old Crusty

[Norfolk nChance]

@Wraith

Thank you for the reply. Totally agree 100%, giving players the tools for creating their own stories. We’ve both had similar points of view on PORT ownership and inward development, Civil War mechanics and dislike of PC Nation alliances, for a long time pushing towards freeing up the lite sand box.

 

The PC Reputation System...

This is a nice solution and flexible fit. The PC has a Matrix of positive and negative marks against anyone Nation with cause and effect when entering those waters. I liked the idea of earning both +/- points at the same time like helping a Prussia squadron attack a French patrol frigate fleet even though I may favor a GB roleplay role.

This has so much scope for PC Retention due to the Out of Game [OoG] Content. The [OoG] UI must be a high quality looking and a dynamic persistent link.

https://worldofwarships.eu/en/community/accounts/554819715-NorfolknChance_UK/!/pvp/overview/

Not only Battle statistics but PORT and Division affiliates that builds up over time. The building of a PCs life History is what cements player retention or in NA-OW terms, a hardcore Junkie. The key for this to work properly is this [OoG] UI and not a jerry-rigged rip-off of the old alliance vote in game view. It needs the History Build up...

 

I Will Meet You half way...

First, start with the end goal in mind, EvE Online [EvE] it doesn’t get any better than this. I played a part in the Fountain Wars of 2013 between CFC and TEST. That quite simply was giving players the tools to create their own stories.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZQ4ejFq7BY&t=94s

This Open Sandbox applied to NA-OW would destroy the game completely. I will meet you half way though. Open Panama Canal 100years early and the Pacific Region is total LOW-SEC. But that’s for a future Norfolk nIdea POST...

 

History of PC Nation Policies...

At every single point in NA-OW history when PC Nations apply policy via aggression or alliance it always ends up in a LESS dynamic boxed Universe. East v West, Care Bears or vote function Blah Blah Blah.

 

PC Divisional Policies...

Worked, [ELITE]/[RATA] GB/Spanish

http://forum.game-labs.net/topic/22965-pvp-global-yucatan-basin-status-change/

Worked, [ELITE]/[VSCO] GB/Pirate

Not for public display

The problem here is when its same Nation clan/clan. The Civil War mechanic is so needed.

 

Dynamic NPC Nation Overlays...

There is no forced need to participate at all. However, the BLING offered at certain stages tugs at the whore inside. This like @Vernon Merrill states promotes less “salt’...

Also, imagine the old [ARMED][VCO][ELITE] and [CKA] operate together taking chunks of the map away from the Campaign. This is absolutely fine. What do you think the next type of templates might come into play on the next cycle...?

The templates are dynamic, and the Dev’s can manage them just like the w/e tournaments. The BLING offered as rewards forces the whores and ego rivals to come and work together against a dark rising or Cult leader...

 

@Vernon Merrill

Thank you for your review. Much appreciated.

 

 

Norfolk nChance [ELITE] division RNGB

 

Edited August 24, 2018 by Norfolk nChance