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Decaying Equipment
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Sleuth Admin
Sleuth Admin
Tale Spinner

Aug-18-2004 14:36

Somebody suggested adding a swap-meet where players could sell equipment to each other, rather than just to the store.

This is an idea I've had before, but in thinking about it, I've decided that the only way it would really work is to make it so equipment wears out over time. Otherwise, everybody would quickly end up with the best equipment in the game.

The way it could work would be that a given piece of equipment would last through a certain number of cases, or uses (skill checks). Some equipment could be more durable than others. You could then sell used equipment, but the buyer would only get the remaining number of uses before it fell apart.

This would also make money more useful to the high level detectives for whom it has become fairly irrelevant.

Let me know if you are interested in the game moving in the direction of a more realistic economy or not.




Replies

Sleuth Admin
Sleuth Admin
Tale Spinner

Aug-19-2004 09:42

When I say decaying equipment, I think it would be too complicated to have the actual stats decline as the item aged. I was thinking more along these lines:

Say a Trench Coat had a durability of 50. You could look at an item to see what its durability is. The fact that different items could be more durable than others would be another way to differentiate between them. So, a new Trench Coat's condition would start out at 50/50. Condition would also be viewable when looking at an item.

Everytime you attempted a skill test, while wearing that piece of gear, it's condition would drop one. So, if you searched a crime scene, or attempted to use one of the cooperation influencing skills, it's condition would go to 49/50, then 48/50, etc.

The effectiveness of the coat would not depreciate with it's condition, but it would fall apart entirely, eventually.

The price you could get for selling an item to the shop would depend on it's condition. Also, the price you could set for something you place for sale in the swap meet would be chosen from a range that would be based on the item's base value and condition.

Items from the detective shop, could have much higher durability than favor items and items bought from the political groups. That way, this degrading effect would have more effect on experienced detectives who want to maintain the highest bonuses than it would on newer detectives.

Does that make more sense?

Jongy
Jongy

Aug-19-2004 09:47

oooo, that could get expensive!

Sleuth Admin
Sleuth Admin
Tale Spinner

Aug-19-2004 09:51

I have another question along these lines. I'm considering changing favors so that they occasionally award prizes from the lower level prize pools. So, for instance, an Incredibly Hard favor may occasionally award a Rattlesnake Coat.

The one drawback I could see for this is it might lower the usefulness of bringing new low level detectives into an agency, since often the reason agencies do that is so they can collect useful favor items on the way up the ladder.


Athena NYC
Athena NYC
Well-Connected

Aug-19-2004 12:20

I love the way the game is. I dont think it needs any tweaking.

jcp
jcp

Aug-19-2004 12:53

Well, eventually an agency fills up without getting all the items they want. So you can't invite a low level detective in without kicking a high level detective out.

I like the ideas of getting lower prize pool items, because there is sometimes no other way to get those items. If there were items for sale somewhere else, even from another player in a marketplace type setting, it would be better.

As far as items degrading - I don't really like the idea, but that is just my opinion. However, it does raise an interesting possibility: repairs.

If the tailor could repair items for a fee, it would add another dimension to the game.

donsangel
donsangel

Aug-19-2004 20:46

i think the game was fine before this weeks tweeking started. i also think that if an agent pays the subscription, who cares who many agents they have! the items idea is ok, but i SERIOUSLY disagree with the two agents only thing.

mrsholyfield1
mrsholyfield1

Aug-19-2004 22:27

i got to agree that i like things the way they are except for the auction thing - no decaying items please lol

Sir James
Sir James

Aug-20-2004 02:01

I also like the way the game is, let there be no mistake about it. But I strongly disagree with ALL detectives trying to imply that there is no room for change. One of the things I like most about this game, is the way admin is constantly trying to improve it.
Sure decaying items might make the game even more time consuming, but it also might make it more interesting.
Having said that, I think that if the purpose of decaying items is to level the field between new and established agencies, I would have to agree with Bella Luna, the gap would grow in stead of becoming smaller. Still, *I* like the idea.

reda
reda
Well-Connected

Aug-22-2004 05:46

sorry i didnt read all the messeges so i might repeat someone's opinion. i dont like the idea of decaying but i understand it would be necessary to do so if u create an option to sell stuff to other detectives. so how about letting it loose value only if its second hand? so if u have the outfit u want u can keep it and not bother, if u do decide to buy stuff u'll know it will decay.

reda
reda
Well-Connected

Aug-22-2004 05:48

hmmm on a second thought my idee might not be that good. agencies with lots of funds will never need to buy second hand. so i just dont like the idee of decaying equipment. unless its new, very powerfull stuf that is still not in the game.

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