[MUD-Dev2] [DESIGN] Perma-death

[Dave Scheffer]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeffrey Kesselman" <jeffpk at gmail.com>
>
> Ergo, in one game design I did that I still play with and some day
> want to implement, its structured so that there will be turn-over  in
> the highest ranks.  Its designed to force them out of the game either
> through death or "retirement" to avoid death.

Some achievement players want recognition, others want to game the system to 
get what they want.

Either way implementing an Honorarium system drains the high end players and 
if done right can serve as a powerful sub retention mechanism.

To wit: Once they've achieved a certain level, exceeded a threshold of epic 
items, conquered XX number of legendary opponents... they find themselves 
Honored and enrolled in the Legion of Legends.  Their character is 
transformed to a statue in an appropriate public location to serve as a 
pigeon roost, their epic items similarly bronzed or otherwise put out of 
reach for a reasonable period of time, and the character is reborn to a 
suitable mid-level avatar with some level of enhanced reputation.  When the 
account has been cancelled for some period of time and is purged by 
maintenance their legendary statues become faceless, nameless and eventually 
decay.

This would drain out gold farmer toons as well.

I would supplement the Honorarium system with the ability to mentor one's 
replacement, e.g. a passive way for the next generation to oh so slowly 
accrue experience or reputation.

Dave Scheffer