From: despair@csd4.csd.uwm.edu (Craig Andrew Tollifson)
Newsgroups: rec.games.design
Subject: Multi-Player Game Needs World Designers
Date: 21 Jan 1993 18:37:25 GMT
Organization: Computing Services Division, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: 129.89.7.4
Originator: despair@csd4.csd.uwm.edu

Fellow Gamers, Writers, and interactive fiction enthusiasts:
 
We are the makers of a new fantasy Text-Based On-Line Multi-Player Role-Playing
Game. This new game system is one of the most powerful game systems EVER
developed (In the spirit of games like Gemstone III on GEnie, and MUD on Unix).
It includes such features as Non-Player Characters being controlled by
artificial intelligence. Interactive fiction and automated questing. Realism to
rival even on-line LIVE gaming!
 
We are in search of CREATIVE and EXPERIENCED Game Masters and/or writers
interested in helping us finish scripting our world (adventures, NPCs, shops,
etc). Anyone who's played games like Ultima(tm), know how much work it takes to
bring a computer world and NPC's to life. As a GM you must be able to commit
time and energy to learning our comprehensive development manuals and scripting
enjoyable plots and characters. Most of your work can be done on your own
computer using our powerful, but incredibly simple to use, scripting language
(IF-THEN's).
 
Our game is NOT geared towards HACK-SLASH (hunting) since our NPC's help guide
users through hundreds of quests. Role-playing is stressed (NOT being ranked #1
or being the highest level), murder is against the law, and death is permanent.
This is a world where every effort has been made to create a REAL society and
political/economic structure. The milieu for this world is a dark chaotic
old-world fantasy (not a world of happy-go-lucky adventurers in search of fame
and combat). Fictional writing skills would be a distinct advantage.
 
Because this new game system is so huge, detailed, and complex we need make
sure you're truly motivated to do the work involved. We really must emphasize
that we are looking for people who know how to create adventures and quests not
centered on only HACK & SLASH! NPCs will need to communicate about an abundance
of things and therefore need full background and families to support them.
 
Some knowledge of databases or random access files will help you greatly. Every
object (even duplicates), creature, and room has to be manually created in
script or touched up on-line.
 
This game is NOT currently open to the public but we will be on a national
network when we go public. We are NOT looking for people who just want a free
ride in the game. You will be required to pass a test in script development
before becoming a part of our team. After that, we'll give you FREE access to
our system which is available through SprintNet (TELENET) free of charge to
you. We will also require a signed non-disclosure agreement to be faxed (or US
MAILed) to us.
 
If you are interested in being a GM for this new innovative system, leave me
MAIL telling me a little bit about your experience as a GM and any experience
you have with MP games. If you know anyone who might be interested, please pass
the word along!
 
Thank you for your time,
James
 
AOL: BloodWrath          GENIE: J.DICKE1
NVN: Prophecy          EXEC-PC: James Dicke
INTERNET: despair@csd4.csd.uwm.edu
   or     bloodwrath@aol.com
 
-------------- FEATURES --------------
Some of the more unique features of this game as in ALPHA test version are:
 
COMMUNICATION:
- speak in several different languages
- use empathy to hear people's thoughts and whispers
- game-wide communication channels
- shout through portals such as a window or in a direction
 
PLAYER CHARACTER REALISM:
- class-less and level-less system: rarely will you ever see a number
- sectional armor that can also be layered
- practice improves your skills, lack of practices diminishes them, sparing
   with a friend using a wooden sword is just as good as mortal combat
 
NON PLAYER CHARACTERS:
- move around and have a life (work, go to lunch, head home, sleep)
- can hold conversations with players OR other NPCs
- remember their fiends and enemies (and who has attacked them)
- awareness: they can run from monsters or help out a friend; show a guard
   your membership badge to enter restricted places
- bribes, gifts, showing a badge, and actions can all trigger events
- they are an integral part of the ongoing quests and plot lines, and they
   know if you've completed previous quests for them
 
ENVIRONMENT REALISM:
- weight and encumbrance and object conditions: if you don't fit through
   a hole, toss your inventory through first or just a torch to help see
- put things on top of other objects (like a table)
- watch battles or spy on people from completely different rooms
- engrave your name on your own sword
 
WORLD HISTORY:
- non-typical creatures and races (no Orcs or Halflings or such)
 
TRAVEL:
- travel in parties or multiple groups, automatically following leader(s)
- look in a direction or through a door before you go there
 
SHOPS & RESIDENCES:
- shops are run by NPC's not a sign on the wall or an external program
- haggle over prices with shop keepers
- rent an inn room or a home to stash the goods you can't carry with you
- own your own shop and reap in the profits
 
COMBAT:
- all vivid and changing text that's colorfully descriptive, no numbers
- ability to set the amount of skill spent on parrying
- pick up your missile weapons after the battle if they haven't broken