Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: Tilt on December 11, 2006, 11:53:56 AM
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Oh Great Cod, creator and controller of all things............blessings
We who would be Pawns pay homage unto you and would entreat you.......
We offer to shed our allegences to Bishop, to Knight and to Rook.
We offer to forsake the comfort of hearth and home and country to be your servants in the pursuit of the Great Balance.
We humbly plead the following ....................
That as we are neither Bishop nor Knight nor Rook....we ask that we carry no Icon into battle. Such that we will be seen as Pawns and know fellow Pawns when we fight against them, and that in recognition of our fellow Pawns our fellowship will grow strong.
That we be rewarded with currency to compensate our loss of home and hearth and country by the reward of perks twicefold that of others, such that we can purchase weapons and ordinance to further the ends of the Great Balance.
In return we place our destiny in the hands of the Great Cod that he may move us, once every hour, as he sees fit, from Country to Country in an order and priority of his choosing. That he may further achieve through us the Great Balance.
We will accept amongst us "2 weekers" such that the Great Cod may also place those as he wishes.
We will accept amongst us "Noobs" such that the Great Cod may also place those as he wishes, until the end of their first month when upon they may chose their country or continue as Pawns of the Great Cod.
Should the Great Cod accept our offer and listen to our pleas then we pledge that as Pawns that we will fight for which ever country our Great Cod so sends us or so directs us.
With this the fellowship of the Pawns will grow strong in the service of the Great Cod.
Proudly bearing the name Pawn we shall fight the greater enemy and hold dear all that is worthy in that great fight.
So pledge we who would be Pawns.
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:lol
I actually find the idea of a fourth "mercenary" country pretty interesting. Not sure how or if that would be feasible to implement.
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There are certainly a core group of Pawns that move wherever the low numbers are.
My crew is one of em. I kinda like your idea too Tilt, but agree it would be difficult to implement. I sure don't need perks to move though. Just want it to be a decent fight for all.
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I´m afraid, "Pawnland" would become a "country" just like the other three. It could even become bigger than the original ones because it´s something new and the mercenary/pirate touch - something that would certainly not be helpful for the arena
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I've seen other simulators that automatically assign countries to newcomers. I don't know that it's easy, but it's been done.
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Originally posted by Guppy35
There are certainly a core group of Pawns that move wherever the low numbers are.
Actually, our AvA squad is dedicated to this. Consequently, it is more common for us to be fighting against each other than to be fighting with each other. The squad channel still works, it makes for a lot of fun.
- oldman (and Tilt, that was a clever verse)
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Originally posted by Tilt
Oh Great Cod, creator and controller of all things............blessings
We who would be Pawns pay homage unto you and would entreat you.......
We offer to shed our allegences to Bishop, to Knight and to Rook.
We offer to forsake the comfort of hearth and home and country to be your servants in the pursuit of the Great Balance.
We humbly plead the following ....................
That as we are neither Bishop nor Knight nor Rook....we ask that we carry no Icon into battle. Such that we will be seen as Pawns and know fellow Pawns when we fight against them, and that in recognition of our fellow Pawns our fellowship will grow strong.
That we be rewarded with currency to compensate our loss of home and hearth and country by the reward of perks twicefold that of others, such that we can purchase weapons and ordinance to further the ends of the Great Balance.
In return we place our destiny in the hands of the Great Cod that he may move us, once every hour, as he sees fit, from Country to Country in an order and priority of his choosing. That he may further achieve through us the Great Balance.
We will accept amongst us "2 weekers" such that the Great Cod may also place those as he wishes.
We will accept amongst us "Noobs" such that the Great Cod may also place those as he wishes, until the end of their first month when upon they may chose their country or continue as Pawns of the Great Cod.
Should the Great Cod accept our offer and listen to our pleas then we pledge that as Pawns that we will fight for which ever country our Great Cod so sends us or so directs us.
With this the fellowship of the Pawns will grow strong in the service of the Great Cod.
Proudly bearing the name Pawn we shall fight the greater enemy and hold dear all that is worthy in that great fight.
So pledge we who would be Pawns.
:rofl :aok
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I really don't see why it would be that hard to implement. Hitech, please consider:
As a pawn, you would be automatically assigned to the country with the lowest side whenever you enter an arena. You may not switch sides until the numbers switch.
Beside your name on the roster, instead of Knight/Bish/Rook, it will be a new icon and say Pawn. That same icon can be used beside your name in flight, or not (you can just be whatever icon of the country you are flying for)....that is a decision hitech would make. Personally I would not care either way.
When you get killed by/kill a pawn, it would not have to indicate anything special in the text buffer. Although the idea was clever, it just seems too unprofessional/out of context for a WWII sim.
The balance in the arenas would be immaculately precise. The sides would be constantly fine-tuned as new pawns entered.
To ensure that enough people are pawns, the perk multiplier could be dependent on how many pawns are currently in that arena. So, if there are only 2 pawns, the perk multiplier could be something very high, for incentive for others to join. (Once people switch to the pawn side, they are automatically vectored to the lowest side.)
But I do not think that a low number of pawns would be a problem. A "mercenary" element is something that appeals to many people, and newcomers and veterans alike would have no problem being pawns. Similarly, there are some veterans who don't give a whistle about winning the war, and are looking to furball on the side with least numbers.
Entire, new, squads would be formed as only mercenary squads. Again, this element appeals to many folks. Some standing large squads would shift their allegience to mercenary.
If you want arena balance, this is the best idea out there. It's worth at least a testing period.
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Originally posted by Lusche
I´m afraid, "Pawnland" would become a "country" just like the other three. It could even become bigger than the original ones because it´s something new and the mercenary/pirate touch - something that would certainly not be helpful for the arena
I dont think it would become a country, because there would likely be pawns in every country... only a bit more in one than in others. The pawns would also fight against each other when tehy are in defferetn countries.
Actually, that would be a big reason for NOT showing a different pawn icon, at least to the enemies. It might develop some complicated situatiosn when green and red pawns meet among other reds and greens... they might even dodge fighting each other.... or would they be more attracted to fight each other than the other enemies? Who knows :)
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the AVG were mercenarys.
mercenarys were always high on the "to kill" list , give bonus points for killing a mercenary.
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Originally posted by BlauK
I dont think it would become a country, because there would likely be pawns in every country... only a bit more in one than in others. The pawns would also fight against each other when tehy are in defferetn countries.
Actually, that would be a big reason for NOT showing a different pawn icon, at least to the enemies. It might develop some complicated situatiosn when green and red pawns meet among other reds and greens... they might even dodge fighting each other.... or would they be more attracted to fight each other than the other enemies? Who knows :)
Actually, the Pawn Icon thing shouldn't be hard to program at all.
When a Pawn is on your country's side, you would see their Pawn icon so you know they aren't a "regular" on your country, and that they might disappear later. It would/could/should have a different, fourth, color so that it isn't confused with your other countrymen (and likely squadmates). I'm green, flying with a couple of blue pawns on my side. Everyone else is red.
The other two countries, just see a red icon, same as they see everybody else that isn't in their country. We don't see "orange-colored" Knight icons and "green-colored" Rook icons in the fight, we just see green and red, friendly and foe.
Technically, it is as simple as assigning a secondary country code to the Pawn, and the secondary country code is the country to which it is assigned for that hour. When the program is determining what color to show on the screen, and what icon to put with it, it would look at the secondary country code, not the primary. That way, it would still "act" like a member of the three countries for icon purposes, but they would be switched as balancing requires, thus reassigning the secondary country code and thus, their colors/icons.
Pawns could never enter the arena without being assigned to a country, as they have to have the secondary country field filled for programming purposes.
A Pawn cap in the arena should be considered. If you are normally signed up as a Bishop, you can still switch countries, just as you always have been able to do. You would still be limited to waiting an hour to switch back. However, as a Pawn, you would not have that option...you only move where "The Great Cod" moves you, you cannot choose to switch. (same as if you were being paid as mercenary - you fight where you are paid to fight) Adding the Pawn cap to the arena would force people to weigh out whether or not they really want to be a Pawn, rather than just being indecisive about the choice.
Perhaps you could even choose whether to go into the arena as an assigned countryman or as a Pawn. Once you enter, you have to log out to re-enter the arena as the other choice. Maybe your perk points are low and you need a good hour of furballing to bring it up - so you log out and re-join as a pawn, since you know you'll always end up on the outnumbered side and will get many chances to win points.
Just a couple of ideas, but I think the Pawn idea has merit.
BUT, one change at a time. Let's figure out where it fits in the "grand scheme" of the arena's we are currently sorting out.
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Oh, and I almost heard a little MP in that verse...
"...and (the Pawns) ate their fruitbats and their sloths..."
"...bring out the Holy Hand-grenade of Antioch..."
"...One - Two - Five...no, Three!"
"...crazy English Kn-iggits..."
:lol
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i wanna be a merc
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Cool ...
We should all then be known as Myrmidons and Tilt will be known as Achilles and our icon should be an ant !!!
"The Myrmidons were originally worker ants. On the island of Aegina, Hera sent a plague that wiped out the inhabitants of the island. Aeacus the king of Aegina was the son of Zeus and Aegina; therefore he was a target of her enmity.
Aeacus and his mother were the only survivors on the island. Aeacus saw ants that were unaffected from the pestilence. Aeacus prayed to his father that if he and his mother were to survive on the island, he need to repopulate the island with people. Aeacus asked that the people were as hardy as the worker ants.
Zeus answered his son's prayer by transforming the ants into human. These ants became known as Myrmidons. The Myrmidons were also fierce warriors as well as loyal subjects."
"Myrmidon" later came to mean "hired ruffian", according to the Oxford English Dictionary.
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Here's an idea I floated similar to this when the changes started (http://www.hitechcreations.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=2219663#post2219663)
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Hmmm...The Pawns could all live in the mythical Candy Mountain......Charlie!!!!!!!!! :)
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Originally posted by Lusche
I´m afraid, "Pawnland" would become a "country" just like the other three. It could even become bigger than the original ones because it´s something new and the mercenary/pirate touch - something that would certainly not be helpful for the arena
Would it actually matter if Pawnland became the biggest country? Server would automatically put us on the team with the lowest numbers anyways. At least I think thats how the idea has been put forth. :)
I would gladly join the ranks of Pawnland! :t
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I could think of a few people that would be suited for a "queen's" country
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I like the idea of being a pawn.
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The concept is not one of a 4th country...........it is one of a 4th "nation" or group which is divided and redistributed as the balance system sees fit.
There need be no limit to the number of Pawns......indeed the system would work if the whole arena were set as Pawns.
Actually the mechanism would sit (as all things) on the players FE.
An approach could be...............
In the OC there would be a button which when toggled selects or de selects Mercenary (Pawn) status.
This would also toggle on/off access to the change country button.
With Pawn status enabled.
Every time a Pawn accesses a Tower a short piece of coad is run which checks the country balance eny and a timer. If the timer is zero and the eny(of the country the Pawn is in) is above # then a macro is run which changes country to that with the lowest numbers.
The Eny data and country number data is already at the FE.
If the Pawn status is enabled prior to the Pawn entering the arena then this same coad is run as he/she enters the Tower.
Once the Pawn spawns the timer is set to # minutes such that he/she can enjoy a period of gameplay without country switching. Above I suggested an hour. This timer is zero'd when either leaving or arriving in an arena.
Similar timers are already in the game now such as death count max etc.
I am not sure where the perk points are calculated (FE or Server). If in the FE (and then logged with server) then the reward multiplier is simply factored into the equation when the Pawn status is enabled. (IF(P= 1,2,1))
The no icon request is the only one that requires more coms with other players. IMO it is a very small addition to bandwidth or packet size. Server traffic must already include country as part of the update data for each player this will have to be maintained to identify freind or foe. The additional Pawn status tag would identify a pawn regardless of country and simply switch off the country origin icon or replace it with a blank space.
In this manner other players would see a Pawns label colours as freind or foe (as now) but would not see a country icon hence identifying the player as a Pawn.
The lack of icon serves many purposes.
1) It advertises Pawns and the more Pawns there are in an arena the more easily the concept works to balance country numbers.
2) It gives a recognition code for those who do not appreciate the land grab. If purest "Furballers" found Pawnship desirable then they may see and find that enemy Pawns were like minded folk who may enjoy the joust more than the victory.
The lack of an Icon would possibly raise the issue of loyalty...........however Pawns would be mercenaries.................. .. mercanaries did identify them selves in battle....................... .did switch sides........................ ...and only had loyalty to the Great Cod.:)
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Hessians, the proper terminology should be Hessians and they should of course fly 109s/190s. or Templars if you wish to keep it on a quasi-religious note.
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Tilt Great idea. I hope Ht takes a look at this concept
Dhawk
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I was hoping HiTech would comment on this idea. I kind of like it myself.
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Originally posted by Tilt
Oh Great Cod, creator and controller of all things............blessings
We who would be Pawns pay homage unto you and would entreat you.......
We offer to shed our allegences to Bishop, to Knight and to Rook.
We offer to forsake the comfort of hearth and home and country to be your servants in the pursuit of the Great Balance.
We humbly plead the following ....................
That as we are neither Bishop nor Knight nor Rook....we ask that we carry no Icon into battle. Such that we will be seen as Pawns and know fellow Pawns when we fight against them, and that in recognition of our fellow Pawns our fellowship will grow strong.
That we be rewarded with currency to compensate our loss of home and hearth and country by the reward of perks twicefold that of others, such that we can purchase weapons and ordinance to further the ends of the Great Balance.
In return we place our destiny in the hands of the Great Cod that he may move us, once every hour, as he sees fit, from Country to Country in an order and priority of his choosing. That he may further achieve through us the Great Balance.
We will accept amongst us "2 weekers" such that the Great Cod may also place those as he wishes.
We will accept amongst us "Noobs" such that the Great Cod may also place those as he wishes, until the end of their first month when upon they may chose their country or continue as Pawns of the Great Cod.
Should the Great Cod accept our offer and listen to our pleas then we pledge that as Pawns that we will fight for which ever country our Great Cod so sends us or so directs us.
With this the fellowship of the Pawns will grow strong in the service of the Great Cod.
Proudly bearing the name Pawn we shall fight the greater enemy and hold dear all that is worthy in that great fight.
So pledge we who would be Pawns.
YO HT.... this would work for me...... double my perks and I will be a merc....