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Jan-25-2008 11:08

In order to try to make a contribution to the improvement of Sleuth Noir, I have decided to give away 5 "prices" of 1 month gift subscription to 5 different sleuths that already have or during the next period will come with the best suggestion(s) to improve Sleuth Noir on one or more following areas:
* Doing something to improve the game-speed
* Getting more people to subscribe to Sleuth Noir
* Making Sleuth Noir more fun to play
* Something else the judges approve of

So, it's time to open that creative vein of yours, and come with suggestions and post them on this board. It's no part in the judging whether the suggestion will be implemented into Sleuth Noir or not, as this is for Sleuth Admin to decide. In my eyes, it doesn't even have to be your idea originally.

Even though I haven't asked them, I had hoped that a jury of
Jojo, Stooby, Roamie, Secret Squirrel and Lady Jas would voulenteer to search out the most worthy. I would be happy if you made a reply to this posting saying whether you accept or not. Please decide among those of you accepting the task how you would like to organize. You all seem to be active on the boards, and I do trust that you will be fair. You are also free to "adjust" the important topics, but I have put down my suggestions, and what I would like to encourage. Also, decide for how long the "competition" will last. Preferably less than a month.

I myself don't have the capacity to search out and find the good recievers of a gift subscription, that's the reason why I humbly ask those mentioned to join forces and help me with the task. I would guess (but may be wrong) that the "recivers" are less than 100 days old, as the older might already have long lasting subscriptions, and one additional month would be as a drop in the sea. Also, I think that the jury themself cannot be among the "recivers".

I hope that when the jury have made their decicion, they will post it here and send me a PM with the name of the selected winners

Sep-15-2008 17:41

thomas lorraine, are you familiar with an agent known as Nephi? He shared a very similar point of view. I think of Sleuth as essentially a puzzle game, and I would enjoy your suggestions, because they would be like trying to complete a crossword where the white squares could move around.

Sep-15-2008 17:42

I missed out an important word... I would NOT enjoy your suggestion... sorry :(

Sep-15-2008 18:37

I do see what you're saying Thomas and I know you are a keen subscriber (in all your incarnations, as you put it) to the 'risk' theory. It's a very difficult concept to grasp, or make use of, though, as it would mean a complete shift in the game's persona (I can't think of the word I really want to use here).

It would mean re-inventing Sleuth. I'm not opposed to it per se, I just think it would almost take closing down Sleuth Noir and re-opening it in this new mode. Because it would become a completely different / new game.

Like I said I don't object to the concept, even if I'm not a huge PvP (player vs player) in any game format, but I do think it would mean re-inventing Sleuth almost completely: in practice, theory, and game ideal / ethos.

However, maybe some *smaller* elements of 'risk' might be incorporated into gameplay, in confined areas, the ship for example (didn't you have an idea for incorporating 'risk' onto the ship?)

Sep-15-2008 18:44

The first time I worked a Villain Hunt, I was worried when the Villain told me to "watch out". <-- totally paraphrasing because I can't remember the exact verbage. But anyway, the "worry" was a sort of excitement because I thought something different might happen if I did something wrong or made a mistake. Then I realized it was just standard, yada, yada, yada.

So I can see where if there was a LITTLE bit of risk, it could be kind of fun and exciting. Like on a VH or the ship as Secret Squirrel mentioned.

Sep-15-2008 19:23

mmm I was thinking of that as well. There is an option in the VH's to do 'something' as the text is already there hinting at it. Losing a random piece of gear to the villain during a hunt once and a while might make things interesting, as long as you got the gear back IF you caught the villain. Could kick in after your first successful hunt (so as not to put people off on their first hunt). You could get the gear back from one of the detective stores at the end of the hunt.

It's not completley the PvP concept of players rolling villains and targeting other players that Thomas is looking for but it's a smaller, more easily implemented option perhaps, that wouldn't completely ruin your crossword Brasco :)

lol since I'm going with simpler risk ideas, what about timed hunts. Now that would be super easy to implement even with my limited knowledge of game mechanics. You could opt to do a timed 4 day hunt for an extra monetary reward on top of the gear you get (or just get better uber gear :O maybe it could be PURPLE! :p ;) ). A different VH ladder for that would give people a new challenge.

Ok that's enough from me, but I hope some of those things at least make baby steps towards what oyu want to achive Thomas.

Sep-15-2008 21:42

Hi Nephi.

Long time no see. Things have been almost quiet around here without you. Now, before you set off Crunch's blood pressure into the stratosphere (he and the missus are expecting, y'know, so we should be nice to them ;-), the majority of us who've been around for any length of time at all have come to realize that you are one of the handful of people who would just DIE, literally, to be a Sleuth bad guy. Call you a villain, fiend, miscreant, rapscallion, charlatan, reprobate, or even downright devil, and your smile just gets bigger I imagine.

Now, while a couple of your ideas have had true promise, and have either been implemented or are in the working stages, Sleuth is not, has never been, and hopefully never will be some version of World of Warcraft, where people get to choose if they're on the side of good or bad. 'Fraid you don't have a choice here. We're on the law-abiding side here. Y'know, the white hats?? Tin stars?? We always get the girl, and ride off into the sunset sorta thing?? No?? Ah, well, guess I got too reminiscent in my John Wayne moments.

Squirrel modified a couple of your ideas quite well, and who knows, they may be next on the expansion 'wish' list. But we've got more than enough tension, unknown elements, and general chaos 'round here. We don't need more, thank you. Let's try and concentrate on fixing some of the stuff we've already got, okay?? Thanks.

Nice to chat with you. Say hi to the wife and kidlets for me. We'll see you in three months or so. Ciao!!

Sep-16-2008 11:16

Yada, yada, yada. Apparently, you didn't read my previous post. Oh well. Have a good one, fiend. See ya in a couple months, Neph.