[MUD-Dev2] [DESIGN] Excellent commentary on Vanguard's diplomacy system

[cruise]

Thus spake Michael Sellers...
> http://ctrlaltdel-online.com/comic.php?d=20070216
> 
> Like I said before - equating social gameplay like diplomacy with any
> form of combat (even as an "alternative form") is just wrong.  Wrong
> wrong wrong.

"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock."
  - Will Rogers

Combat can be social, if you're in a team.
Persuading someone to your viewpoint is a /competition/, which combat is 
a subset of.

> But when all you have is a hammer...

I agree we need more in games than combat, I really do. But games are 
inherently about competition in some form, in that they present a series 
of challenges which you must overcome.

Just because the diplomacy system requires you to compete against NPC 
doesn't make it "combat." I've yet to try Vanguard (though I have it 
waiting for when I have a working gaming PC again), but from what I've 
read, the diplomacy system encourages social interaction in order to 
achieve the area bonuses, since it requires co-ordinated diplomats 
working to a common goal.

Have you read the comments that accompanied Tim's Vanguard comics (he 
did three)? He's actually very favourably inclined towards the diplomacy 
system, and counts it as a big reason as to why he's playing.