:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Topic: Player Evolution :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I've noticed over the years a tendency among them players who frequent our fair for time spans measured by years. Here's the (progressive?) evolution I've determined. Perhaps this might have something to do with this latest crisis. 1. Newbie Stage - Player is unbelievably clueless. Expect the mud to be like their previous mud so spend most of their time typing old commands that result in quite a few "What?"s. Player maintains a low-key and doesn't disturb other players or wizards. Generally views wizards as being beyond reach in their world. 2. Midlevel Stage - Players begin to expand their knowledge of both the mud and their fellow players. Everything is new and wondrous and many happy memories are created through group adventures and other various exaggerations. During mud parties, players spend most of their time telling fables about their time in this stage. Players continue to avoid wizards and very high level players, simply because they don't need the added complexity. 3. Early High Level Player - Players begin to explore ONLY 4-5 areas every time they log on. Most still make friends, but the beginning of boredom begins to surface. Players are now mostly addicted to the mud due to their relationships with fellow mudders. Occasionally they help other players through areas which are old hat for them. Players begin to complain about quests and the unfairness of them (this is due to the fact that they only explore the same 4-5 areas every time they log in). They've now also witness a few mistakes made by wizards and they start to humanize them in their own minds. Arguments against wizard decisions are strong, but still fairly guarded (just in case) 4. High Level Player - Players begin to feel as though they "own" the mud. Any attempt to change their surroundings cause several seizures throughout the High Level player ranks. Players are extremely complacent and are now quite bored of killing the same monster over and over again. Even though this is the case, Players really only visit 5-6 areas regularly. Players also begin to feel a mastery in their guild. Because of boredom of killing some of the toughest monsters in the game... players now aim towards what they view as the "next level monster" - The wizards. Players claim to know more about the mud than the wizards do at this stage and begin harassing the wizards as often as they can. Wizards tend to ignore it because of that "Freedom of Speech" thing. As a result players feel as though they're bigger than the wizards because "obviously they're right because the wizard didn't respond and knows your right". 5. Really high level Player - Players spend all their time complaining, claiming to be gods, and harassing wizards.They continue to push and push and push until eventually the wizard just says "F*ck it" and wipes their butt or punishes them in some manner. Players have now entered the "Martyr Stage" which makes them a champion of player rights everywhere. They stomp around nobly claiming to have attempted to right the heinous evil that is the administration. When in truth, only those players in stage 4 and 5 really feel anything for them. The majority of players are enjoying the game as it was MEANT to be. They love what's here simply because it is here, not because they have "A right" to have it however they wish it to be. Players at this stage usually either suicide or just fade away out of boredom.Close Window