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Feb-8-2006 01:33

I made a mistake and falsely accused a suspect with a name similar to the one I meant to accuse. It was my third strike and my detective was retired. I have been a dedicated player these past 30 days, consistently in the high scores list, and racking up over 85,000 points. I had almost earned enough to clear my name (my agency was young and I did not want to borrow money that might be needed for other things). The thought of starting over is depressing and so I have decided to quit the game.

I write out of concern that this policy has cost the game more subscribers than just me and is thus, financially unsound. I urge you to consider a less extreme punishment.

I have some suggestions:
1. Penalize the player in experience points, skill points, and/or skills.
2. Restrict the player to low-level cases until he or she can earn the $ to pay Shady.
3. Restrict a player's ability to earn experience for a time.
4. Retire the character temporarily. Allow the player to use a new detective to earn money to "buy" the retired detective back.
5. Finally, give the player the option of paying real money in order to get their detective back. If the charge was $10-$20, the majority of players would still elect to start a new detective, but those of us invested in the game would gladly pay.

For those still playing, I urge you to be careful! I thought I was: I used elaborate spreadsheets to keep track of my cases, but still neglected to notice that I was using "Val" as shorthand for two suspects in the same case who's names begain with the letters.

Ciao!

Feb-8-2006 06:52

I had a false accusation not so long ago. I had physical evidence and witness evidence against that suspect. Also it turned out he didn't had a valid alibi. Luckily I had enough cash to pay off the Shady character. It's very unpleasant however that you can never be 100 % sure. I also wonder how come that after 134000 exp points I don't get a second contact in New York. I can assure everyone that it's not because I mess up cases that are a favor. My percentage of solved cases is about 85 %.

Feb-8-2006 06:56

But hey, it's just a game after all, right?

Feb-8-2006 08:32

I think retirement is a good thing as well. I do know what it's like to have a detective retired, altho, when I did get retired on my first detective, I was still fairly new and didnt have many exp pts or skills racked up. Now I would be devastated if that would happen BUT if that WOULD happen (& it wont lol), it would be because of my own carelessness that caused it, and I would have to suffer the consequences. It isn't Sleuth's fault we get retired, it is our own, so we must take responsibility for that.

Being permanently retired ,or the thought of it, makes us be extra careful and more watchful of our actions. Any other punishment, would make it too easy and make it no big deal if we did accuse the wrong one 3 times.

I like how it is right now, and do not want it to change.

Freyja, sorry for your loss, and as was already said, after you get over the initial disappointment, I do hope you return. :)

Feb-8-2006 09:51

I cant say much more than what has already been said. I too agree with retiring a detective after 3 FA's and for all the same reasons mentioned above. Mostly because it encourages you to be careful and well thought out before you make any decisions. Honestly, its not like you dont have another alternative. If you are not sure QUIT. I know no one likes to see the numbers of cases they have quit accumulate but I believe most would rather see that number increase rather than the number of FA's.

Freyja, I am sorry about your detective. But keep in mind, most of us have been in that situation and know what it feels like and speaking for myself, i too considered quitting. I swore i would never play the game again. Well after a few months i decided to give it another shot only this time i would play smarter. So, give it some time and chalk this up to a lesson well learned then give it another try.

Hope to see you back!

Feb-8-2006 09:53

The Pink Pantherr post was from me :) I tend to lose track of what detective I am under.