[MUD-Dev] Understanding Simulation

[Michael R. Estepp]

From: "Damion Schubert" <damion at ninjaneering.com>

> If the effect of a dynamic ecology is too random, then players
> cannot see evident changes of your ecology, nor affect their
> outcome.  If paths such as extinction are made impossible, then
> the realistic world model that many MUD designers are aspiring to
> create becomes fraught with unrealistic controls and restrictions.
> If players cannot affect the ecology of the world around them to
> any meaningful degree, then the entire system threatens to become
> an overly complex way of replicating systems that could be done
> much simpler, offering much more value to the imp than to the
> player.

Its not overly complex and the players are not without the ability
to effect the environment.  They're just not allowed to DESTROY the
environment so that it will be around for next weeks batch of new
players.

A player doesnt have to make rabbits extinct in order to reduce
their effectiveness.  If they are merely reduced to such small
numbers that the birth rate is hindered the player just made a
massive effect.  So if rabbit pelts are NEEDED for a certain item
production then players will learn to not mass murder them.  You can
even enrich this philosophy by having in-game books in the libraries
of the world.  "The Art of Careful Rabbit Pelt Production".

You could suppliment it with "The Art of Raising Rabbits" with
in-game information on what you could do to feed rabbits and how
much space to give them to encourage breeding.  Players might not
have to get the "last remaining rabbits on Terra" in order to
control production if you give them a means of breeding their OWN
group they might be less tempted to wipe the rest off the face of
the world.

I've just finished catching up on an ecology thread at the
Mudconnector boards so i might be swaying a bit off topic.  Just
another idea that i rarely see mentioned when simulation and ecology
comes into the spot light.

Seronis
ICQ 43442042


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