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Working on multiple cases

LadyKK
LadyKK

Aug-17-2007 15:56

Two days on the system and I was logging onto paypal. THANKS for the new addiction!

My apologies if this has been covered someplace. I did use the search bar, went to the newbie FAQ, checked the Help button, cruised the subscriber section and didn't get an answer.

I'd like to know if there is a way to work on more than one case at a time. For me... a little time in the cooker is a beautiful thing. Is there a way? A possibility of working on two cases (or even three) at once?

Currently my poor detective is on her way to Shady's because of the need to shift focus. In the first instance I thought I would loose the case completely if I didn't finish it before it's conclusion. Now I know that I can shut it down and it will be there for me later - WHEW!

The second time, I was waaaay too tired to continue. What I needed was to put the case down and think a little - give my brain a chance to think through the scripted material, ya know? Move onto another case so I could stay in mode but let my subconcious work it out. When the answer came up and I realized how close I was... well... I could have spat.

LadyKK

Replies

Arabella Parker
Arabella Parker
Well-Connected

Aug-17-2007 16:19

You are describing the usefulness of case files. Either in an agency or apartment, you can store a case, work on others and come back and reopen the case when you have more skills or just a fresh pair of eyes.

LadyKK
LadyKK

Aug-19-2007 15:15

Arabella?

Thank you SO much. I've been staying away from threads on Agencies because I figured I needed a lot of experience to join and away form anything to do with apartments cause I figured that if I couldn't buy a coat I wasn't going to be able to buy a place to live!

Now I'm off on a whole new research adventure. Thanks again.

Lady KK

p.s. if my apartment acquires cockroaches from lack of cleaning or I start having to wear dirty underwear form lack of laundry.... there WILL be a homicide. hopefully I will have learned enough from the game to make it an "almost impossible" mystery to solve... *grinz*

Arabella Parker
Arabella Parker
Well-Connected

Aug-19-2007 17:53

Glad I could be of some help. You really should check into the agency life. You do not need any experience to join an agency. In fact most agencies are here to help grow detectives and enjoy helping new players. Check into the established agencies, they have directors who have been around a long time and know all the ins and outs of playing and can really help with tips and strategies. And if needed a wee bit of help with cases if you would like.

Joining an existing agency would be much cheaper than buying an apartment. I still can't afford one. Well, I can, but then my agency would be out on the street. LOL

Good luck with your new Sleuthing addiction.

LadyKK
LadyKK

Aug-19-2007 18:44

Thank you Arabella and thank you for the PM. I am very confused about something though.

As I cruise around trying to figure out how and which agency might be good for me I realize that I have no real criteria by which to make my decision. Size? Age? Treasures? Fame?

I understand that one can only join an agency if one is subscribed, but I have noticed SEVERAL agencies with members that have no logged-on in months and some who even have agents whose profiles state that they have unsubscribed! I discovered this by checking into the profiles of those listed last on the agency roster.

When I combine the above with an observation form the daily news that agencies are being evicted regularly for not paying their rent.... well... that makes me even more hesitant. Say... what happens to the personel of an agency that closes? What about their equipment, their favours? Their case files? What about funds which may have been entrusted to a director? What if a person is stranded far from what they might consider "home"? What about treasures, fame, status and any existing hunts???

Me thinks that rather than a person having to climb through threads, being able to access a "Detective's Handbook" or perhaps purchase access to one (or chapters... or maybe separate books as needed - Evidence Collection, On Agencies, Travel the World for Fun and Profit, Real Estate Made Easy...)

Anyways... off to do more research on agencies...

Lady KK

Breitkat
Breitkat
Pinball Amateur

Aug-19-2007 19:48

Agencies come in all sizes, ages, and, er, work ethics, as it were. Yes, you'll find about one Agency a day that goes bankrupt (these show up on the City News every night). The vast majority of these are either relatively new agencies with associates who simply can't keep up with costs and upkeep, or ones who, as you've noted, have the majority of their roster no longer playing. Unfortuately, when an Agency goes bankrupt, everything in said agency goes poof, the files, equipment locker, trophy room, and message boards. The only thing associates are left with is literally the clothes on their backs and the money in their own personal bank accounts, and they're literally on their own. Again. It can be a painful experience for many. I have a feeling this is why Arabella told you to check out the Established Agencies first. These tend to be ones that are over six months old, may appear on the Leaderboards under Agency Fame, and do regular recruiting on the Recruitment Board. The older and more established an Agency is, the less likely it is to go under.

Anywho, how to find one of these gems....
The first place you might have a gander at is the Recruitment Board. Agencies that are recruiting will usually post on here. You can also leave a message yourself, telling Agencies that you're looking for a spot if they have any open.
Another possibility from the Recruitment Board is to contact some of the bigger Agencies that regularly recruit there. While they may not be recruiting presently, they may have a satellite office or know of another Agency that is.

Again, the key is to go with ESTABLISHED Agencies. While it can be a lot of fun to help with a start-up Agency, you run the risk of running into some of the problems you mentioned above. If you don't want to deal with it, then avoid getting into a situation where you may have to.

Hope that helps a bit. ;-)

Hawkeye Harris
Hawkeye Harris
Battered Shoe

Aug-19-2007 20:48

Breitkat and Arabella stated it very well … and kudos to you for researching the subject first. I waited a few weeks before joining an agency because I too was very hesitant. (Looking back, joining an established agency soon after I subscribed would have been the wisest move, but who knew? :D) You will learn the ropes with an established agency, and you in turn can benefit the agency (fame points for cases solved, treasure hunts, etc.) If you don’t want to be expected to contribute “rent” you need to find out about this up front. Most agency directors who are hiring are more than happy to discuss their agency with you and answer any questions you may have. Good luck!

LadyKK
LadyKK

Aug-19-2007 23:10

So...

I've received several suggestions of agencies. A couple here and a few in my private mailbox. I have no idea how to manage this. I did a close look at each agency for location, inception date, fame, treasure, housing, and off system web presence.

I looked at the number of agents, each agent's "age", experience points and active status. I even looked at the standings of folks on the high score boards.

I'm exhausted and feel like I've squandered a good day of sleuthing. The youngest agent I found was 14, with most being around 60. *sigh*

Time to go sleuthing methinks... I need a break.

Lady KK


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