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Multiple Accounts in an Agency
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Sleuth Admin
Sleuth Admin
Tale Spinner

Sep-27-2004 11:21

I want to open up discussion about whether somebody should be allowed to have more than one detective in an agency, and if so, how many.

The official policy is that no more than one detective from any single IP address is allowed in a given agency. I haven't been particularly clear on the issue, nor have I enforced it particularly vigorously, so it's understandable that a lot of people didn't realise that was the rule. If we continue with that rule, I should probably at least add a more obvious notice to the "Invite Detective" screen.

The argument for having a limit is that it is a competitive advantage to have several agents controlled by a single person, because it makes coordinating on hunts easier.

Some points:

1) No system for identifying multiple accounts is 100% accurate. Some people have accounts at work and at home, some have dynamic IP addresses that switch, some have shared IP addresses, where different people at different locations can look like the same address to me.

2) There are a few instances of where players share a computer. For example, Sunny and I both play from home, and therefore the same IP address.

3) Some people have multiple detectives just for the fun of it, and don't use that to competitive advantage. There are a few of the smaller, less competitive agencies where users have more than one detective. they just enjoy being able to share items and cases between detectives and rarely even get involved in hunts.

4) A lot of agencies share passwords. In those cases, somebody may log in with their teammate's accounts often. If they do that, it can look like they are coming from the same IP address, depending on when I look.

So, let me know. How would you like this issue handled? Should there be a limit to the number of agents from a single IP address in an agency? If so, what should it be? Should the game enforce that limit, or should I do it by hand? Should the limit apply to non-competitive agencies?

Replies

Clarice Starling
Clarice Starling

Sep-27-2004 11:56

I agree almost verbatim with Chronestrian. To add a few additional opinions of my own, I must say that I think it would be very tough (and in some cases unfair) for the game to enforce a "one detective per IP address" rule. Ben has listed most of the reasons above. I think the "two detective rule" is working fine. Unless it's a blatant case of abusing the system, I probably wouldn't even notice. In a case where it's obvious a user has several detectives operating in a single agency ... AND they are using it to his or her advantage solely to win hunts, then I think it should be up to Ben's discretion to intervene.

In regard to sharing passwords, I think that is the ulimate in team spirit ... and that's why I joined an agency. If a detective is going to be unable to log in for a while, I think it's great that he or she feels they can share the password with a teammate so the agency doesn't suffer in his or her absence. This is especially important if he or she has the only particular contact for that agency.

I think we need to be careful that we don't start asking for so many rules and regulations, that we take some of the enjoyment out of the game.



Sassafras
Sassafras

Sep-27-2004 12:06

I joined an agency of people I know from irc and other rpg games. I trust them completely with my pass, and they do the same. We are a team. We co-ordinate things in IRC and on our own forums. We play and plot TOGETHER.

I play mostly from work, and should this IP ever get banned, I would be upset at the thought of my paid for cases going *poof* should I not manage to get to them. I am glad to know that by sharing things with my TEAM I still contribute, even if it only my cases.

It seems to me that the treasure hunts are there to encourage people to team up and play together. We are doing just that. Why is it now wrong?



elvenwonder
elvenwonder

Sep-27-2004 12:34

I must admit, if anyone were looking for abuses my agency might come up on the top of the list because one agent has solved so many cases in the past week or so. There are two live people who share four agents and one home computer. I often log on from work as well.

We are the only ones, so far, in our little agency, but not because we aren't trying to recuit. We just havn't found any suitable agents to hire yet.

One agent, whome, is realy getting ahead because we are sending almost all of everyone's cases to the one agent trying to get Tailor, since we don't have a Tailor contact yet. It kills us that our others are falling behind, but the Tailor contact is more important in the long run.

I have been part of another agency that regularly gave cases to newbies, or gave away cases when one didn't have time to work them. That is part of an agency!

We would be willing to forfet some experience points from whome if that were deamed fair. We will also stop sending so many cases his way if others protest, but we would rather give up the points than the cases.

I think if someone has the time and energy to keep up mulitple characters, more power to them, and as a Director at my agency, I would rather have all their characters with me than wonder about split loyalties if they are part of multiple agencies.

elvenwonder
elvenwonder

Sep-27-2004 12:48

I also must say, and sorry that this is so long, that if at least Elvenwonder and Hakunamatata were not allowed to be in an agency together we would have to give strong thought about playing Sleuth. Part of the fun for us is the time spent together, talking about what is going on, and stratigizing. You can ask just about anyone from Lone Wolf if there arn't really to distinct people, and personalities behind the screen.

Arne
Arne
Old Shoe

Sep-27-2004 14:34

We have multiples and really enjoy having that option for playing in its broadest sense - and although we win hunts now and then (maybe once a week), I don't think the 'abuse' problem comes from someone running multiple agents per se. The shared passwords is an example of a workaround to accomplish the same thing.

If the underlying issue is that folks are getting too efficient at solving the treasure hunts - then there could be other ways to level the playing field. An agency with a limit of 4 agents but ultra big case lockers while a big agency would be limited to much smaller storage - maybe 3 cases. Having some delay and randomiztion in when earned hunt favors become available so you can't just 'run through the list'. Or limit agencies with multiple players to only playing one faction's hunts so they end up playing against each other.
But banning multiple agents across the board would penalize some of us who do it more for fun than just to win.

Flare
Flare

Sep-27-2004 15:27

I see it like this. We are the ones paying for the account so i must say that i agree with chronestrian. And really having 2 agents in the same agency doesn't really make their chances on solving hunts higher because i have 2 agencts in the same agency and today on a hunt i had the butcher favor for both names and only one was needed so that is my opinion on that. Also, it should be our choice to decide to tell our people in agencies our passwords because in my case i was out for a while and i didnt want my cases to go to waste. So those are a few of my opinions.

jstkdn
jstkdn
Well-Connected

Sep-27-2004 16:29

Wow guys. I too am guilty of all of the above. Chron first you become the 50K director, now you are one of the first to openly come clean. You are my hero. (would you mind not playing with noeticist for a few days, then can slide one place up on the top scores...hee hee)

If Chron and I can be honest, then let that be an example for everybody to come clean. :)

I personally would be very happy, if double accounts from the same IP even get blocked. Problem is, like Ben said, problem with two people logging in from one account. I think this can be easily checked. I would assume, that people who have double players, switch around within seconds/minutes of using the other player. Ben you could see this behaviour. The chances of two players logging in within seconds/minutes of eachother is low.

Possibly Ben could implement something that prevents the same IP to log in from a different detective within 30 minutes?

Another thing is, I think Ben goes by the assumption that everybody has static IPs. Some ISPs, assign new IPs every time someone logs in, or every 24 hours, every 2 weeks whatever is the case. Some could still have an unfair advantage, as Ben could not tell. Am I right Ben?
(OK I have to admit, I just sound like the ultimate nerd. I am not a nerd, I just manage them. No hate mail please. :)

I am sooooo tempted to mention names here. But people having different detectives to spy or steal from other agencies....UNACCEPTABLE. We have been victim of this, and several others tried to join.



jstkdn
jstkdn
Well-Connected

Sep-27-2004 16:32

So.....all of us have to go to a cybercafe, to play with multiple characters. Hee hee.

Skyler Michaels
Skyler Michaels
Well-Connected

Sep-27-2004 18:23

As far as giving people my password I think that should be our choice a couple of my agents couldn't work the other day but wanted me to work on their cases because even though they couldn't be there that day they still wanted to help the agency and gave me their passwords. Besides since we have the option to change a password now if it became a problem we can always change our passwords.

As far as having 2 agents the same in an agency. I say why not. I'd rather have the same persons agents in my agency rather then in a competing agency. besides if they do the work whats the big deal. I say we keep as is. just my 2 cents worth.

Detective_Smart_Ass
Detective_Smart_Ass

Sep-27-2004 19:30

I think that most of us have good and honest intentions w/ our multiple characters and sharing our password (just goes to show how close this game has brought so many people!) I also think it is pretty damn sad it is being abused. So I agree w/ Ben's policy.

I also think it is sort of nice that the different ( and legitimate agencies, I might add) are getting closer too. So the evil detectives out there who have wreaked havoc in our little town, have brought everyone together. So thanks.

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