[MUD-Dev2] Replaceable NPC's [was: Players are shallow]

[Threshold]

cruise wrote:
> By that, I mean shopkeepers, political figures, etc. Whose roles can 
> potentially be filled by players. Has anyone tried allowing players to 
> take over a role formerly filled by an NPC?
>
> For example, suppose you had a political system in your MMO, where players 
> could vote for other players to become Mayor of towns. Obviously, when 
> starting the game, you'd need an NPC to fill that paret, because there 
> wouldn't be any players. However, once a player builds up sufficient 
> support they could run for office, and if they win, the NPC mayor is 
> replaced.
>   
One of our games, Threshold (http://www.thresholdrpg.com), has been 
doing this sort of thing for 13 years. When the game started out, all 
the important leadership roles were held by NPCs. Guildmasters of the 
various guilds (classes) are one of the big examples. But over time, 
these were all filled by players and the old NPCs became retired 
advisors (to maintain their potential use in character - Threshold is a 
role play required game, so maintaining IC integrity is especially 
important).

If a player leader stops logging on, he/she is generally replaced 
through the normal method (vote, trial by combat, etc. depending on the 
type of leadership role) rather than having it revert to the NPC 
temporarily.

It works extremely well and gives the players something really fun to 
participate in.