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Mar-14-2006 21:36

I think shady is a great idea for controling how well people play. But on the other hand "unsolvable" cases and human error can cause fauls acusations way to easy. I think shady should be changed for this reson. How you ask?

I think the cost should be lowered. I found myself not being able to do any cases for weeks having my agency back me on money till I could pay him off. All because of two cases were evry clue pointed to a certain person but the case said I was wrong. I spent so much money on bribes for those cases just to find out those bribes were worthless.??? Thats not right.

Also I think as your skill level incresis so should the amount of false acusations your alowed.

Fellow Sluethers, what do you think?

Apr-12-2006 01:44

Before I write this, I want to say that I think the Shady concept is brilliant in that it keeps us focused and adverse to guessing, especially as we gain more experience.
However, I have an idea that I think will not only appease the grumbling about Shady's cost yet still prevent random guessing.
Perhaps Shady's cost of removing strikes could be inversely related to the number of experience points earned since the last strike. Detectives could pay the cost as soon as they get a second strike, but this system would also reward those detectives who take the risk and keep doing cases with 2 strikes in the hopes of driving down Shady's cost... greater risk should mean a greater reward.
However, I still think that experienced detectives should be penalized more for guessing, but they should have the same opportunity of reducing Shady's cost, perhaps up to a maximum percentage "discount," which I believe should top off at 75% for gaining experience equal to 50% of your base experience (experience points at the time of the last false accusation)

Here's a model of what I mean:
Suppose a detective gets a second false accusation on their most recent case. They have 100,000 exp points.
Base Shady cost: Remains unchanged (I don't know what this is because my character is around 50,000 at the moment), but let's assume $50,000.
Now, said detective (we'll call him "Agent") can eat this cost now to remove the strikes, or continue doing cases.
The next day, Agent solves 8 cases of a variety of difficulty levels for 10,000 of new experience points. He checks Shady's price.
The calculation:
Base Shady: $50,000
Agent has increased his exp. by 10% since the strike. The 75% discount is given in full when the detective earns at least 50% of the base experience. He's progressed 1/5 of the way toward that goal and therefore earns 1/5 of the discount, or 15%.
New Shady Price: $42,500.

What do you think?

Apr-14-2006 23:01

Sherlock, your idea sounds like an idea from an accountant-turned-detective :)

Having 2 FAs myself right now, I like your idea of earning a discount on Shady if you continue successfully solving cases. Not sure why succesfully solving case would give Shady an incentive to give us a break, but he is a rather mysterious man...

An additional idea might be the ability to loan money from the bank. This can be used for Shady, agencies, whatever. You can loan X amount of money based on experience, collateral (maybe directors can use their agencies), and/or length of time you have lived in a city. Regular payments must be made on the loan and interest is charged as well.

This gives people a chance to reduce the risk of retirement, but adds an additional penalty for that security.

Apr-14-2006 23:14

*would pay nearly $900,000 to rid herself of her recent inattention to her case*

I'd love to do favors for Shady for a SMALL decrease in his fee.

Apr-15-2006 20:27

Logan,

I appreciate your interest in my idea. I figure that a black mark is more easily "forgotten" through Shady if said detective completes cases for a while. I figured that this idea would cater more to people who have their hands tied really, having a great deal of experience and Shady's cost therefore being in the stratosphere where only Donald Trump, Bill Gates and Sputnik can reach.

I think, if nothing else, Shady's cost should be frozen at the moment of the most recent black mark. Why should Shady's cost increase if you simply gain experience from solved cases? You should have to pay the same amount at the time of the false accusation as you should a month from the false accusation. I remember the first time I got two false accusations (I was a very stubborn detective starting out, and after a month here, still am to some extent), my cash available was under Shady's price, and every time I earned that amount of money by solving a case, Shady's price went up.

And I think your idea of loaning money, Logan, is excellent. Banks are already conveniently located in each of the four cities, all that would be needed would be to add the option (and the code behind that option, which would be difficult). But I think the loan idea is excellent.

Perhaps what could happen to obtain a loan could be similar to obtaining real estate for a new agency. The agent who needs a loan could receive "letters of credit" from either other detectives or their detective agency, under authorization from one of the directors. When the amount of the letters of credit equal the amount of the needed loan, the agent can go to the bank, present the letters of credit, and receive the money. The bank would set a weekly payment amount that would combine interest and principal, and that amount would be garnished from the first cases of the week. If the agent cannot meet a week's payment, the letters of credit are called on and the FULL amount of the loan is removed. (more)

Apr-15-2006 20:30

The method of getting this money would be withdrawing available funds from the detective's or agency's on-hand amount, plus garnishing the remaining amount in full from cases solved or safe deposits.

Perhaps also there could be the option that the person who has the loan could go to the bank at any time and settle the remaining principal on the loan.

Apr-18-2006 18:32

I think it would be kinda cool if we could do favors for Shady and that would make him lower the price for 'wiping our slate clean'. ;)

Apr-18-2006 21:58

Aviles Take note of what Makensie said should have reported it to Ben. I have one thought for you, one time I had similar situation but didn't want to complain or "report" to Ben mainly because all I had was my word as proof. I decided to start keeping some notes just in case. Well to make it short I quit taking the notes because the only thing they proved was human error!! I have had case where the research skill saved me because I had both a WE & PE.
Yes I agree human error can cause fauls acusations but not way to easy that would be lack of concentration or being to careless.
And if you think Shady is expensive now think about what it would cost if you were in the top 30 with 3million exp.

Apr-22-2006 23:55

I agree, Aviles. As you gain experience, you should get more chances 2 get false acusations! You are not going to gain experience without making mistakes, am I right? And don't get me started on Shady, after all that money you give him to clear your record and what does HE do for you? That's right. Nothing. I've only used him once or twice, but it sure motivated me to solve more difficult cases.

Apr-23-2006 03:08

like Shady and the FA system. Sure, I hate paying the half million I need to if I FA. But it's my fault. With careful note taking and by not guessing which was a mantra when I arrived into Sleuthville, I never get FAs.
I get them because I guess, very occasionally I get one from making a mistake in my notetaking.

I know at 2 FAs that I either need to be a) EXTREMLY careful or b) pay Shady.

So, while it sucks people get retired, there's no real need to. As for FAs it's part of the game. I say, get hard people and suck it up :)

There's plently of games on the internet to play if you don't like this one.

I love the fact that this game is a challenge at times and I love the fact you pay for your carelessness.

People want too many rights without the responsibility. And as Stephen King once said, "It's a pay as you go world."

However, in saying all this,I do like the idea of doing a (Ridic.Hard +) case for Shady for a decrease in his prices.

I also like the idea that a ramdom player is selected as Shady for one day and at the end of the day, they have 12 or 24 hours to collect all their money. Hehehe.

Apr-23-2006 13:08

I totally agree. SHE HAS A POINT! The only reason you guys even use shady is
1) You had faulty note taking
or
2) You decided to guess without enough information.

And if you complain so much about this game, why even play it?

Shady is there for your convinence, and think: how hard would it be to sneak past the game inventors, who can see all in the game, try to access your detective account, and remove all the false accusations that you have made!!!

It's not an easy job, I tell you. Cut him some slack! I see that now. He charges high because he could get cancelled in the game if the game inventors catch him in the act. : )