[MUD-Dev] Re: Camping (Was just named as a generic MUD-DEV reply)

[Chanur Silvarian]

From: Paul Schwanz <pschwanz at comcast.net>
> Chanur Silvarian wrote:
>> From: "Rayzam" <rayzam at travellingbard.com>

>> You missed some of my previous stuff.  Yes, this would be true
>> with static spawn points.  If there is one thing I object to over
>> any other it is static spawn points.  The loot on the creature
>> doesn't cause camping, knowing the precise X, Y, Z coordinate
>> where the thing will spawn does.

>> Logically weighted random spawning is the only way to ever stop
>> camping.  By logically weighted I mean that the weighting will
>> cause certain creatures to be more prone to spawn in certain
>> zones/areas but precisely where in that area will never be known
>> without absolute certainty and, with randomness, there is still
>> the small probability of it spawning outside of the "normal"
>> area.

> I'm still not sure why we have it in for camping when players so
> obviously like to camp.  Or why we have it in for farming when
> players seem to prefer to farm.  Why don't these facts cause us
> instead to come up with better ways to help players enjoy camping
> and farming?

Finally had time to read all the list posts since I left for
Christmas so this is somewhat of a delayed response.

The question is, do players truly enjoy camping?  There is no
question that in DAOC, SWG, and EQ they do it for hours on end, but
when they talk about it is their talk that they "like it" or that
they feel that they "must do it"?

There is no question in my mind that players enjoy killing MOBs.
They also enjoy killing each other and crafting.  The question, as I
said, is do they enjoy sitting in one spot for hours on end killing
the same MOB(s) over and over again?  I don't believe they do.

In my experience players feel that they must do it.  They seek out
the best camp spot for maximum benefit (be that items or experience)
and sit there for hours because they feel that is the only way to
"progress" in the game.

Again, I say that I feel the players' definition (or at the very
least expectation) of what "progress" is must be changed.  If the
players didn't have that little experience bar sitting there on
their screen constantly screaming "FEED ME!" then they wouldn't be
camping.  The thing is screaming in a metaphorical sense of course.

- Chanur Silvarian -
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