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Post by Pool Boy on Jul 17, 2013 20:03:07 GMT -8
This convo reminds me of the time I was on an mmorpg. It was supposed to be a PvP zone between the two enemy races, but instead, of fighting, we sat together and just chatted in the chat window.
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Post by MASTERMIND NAEGI on Jul 18, 2013 7:33:58 GMT -8
Adding onto the discussion, let me differentiate my definitions of sandbox and linear with my favorite roleplay mechanic: the tabletop game.
Let's have a game, you have a party of adventurers and a Dungeon Master (DM). The quest is basically to find and rescue the princess. Now the DM decided to put the princess into a fairly obvious castle on the map but his players are too genre savvy for that so they decide to screw him up by stuff like 'oh, there's a cave over there let's check that place maybe she's there.
For the Linear Plot DM (or as I would like to call it the Railroading DM), this is a bad thing because he had this entire map and plot and everything ready damnit you're not supposed to go that way. So what does the LPDM do?
LPDM: Oh sorry too bad the cave's entrance is shut. Player: I use my psychokinesis spell to open it. LPDM: There are runes on the entrance that serves as a barrier for magical power. Player: No problem, our rogue can just use an open lock skill. LPDM: There's no lock, it's just sealed shut. Player: The barbarian then smashes the door open then. LPDM: No the -- okay. Fine. Do a roll. Player: Sweet! I got a 20! LPDM: Too bad, the door still won't open. Player: What.
Meanwhile, the Sandbox DM thankfully did not plan that much ahead. The sandbox DM instead leaves some room for the players to do something else other than the main quest and makes things as they go along. So okay fine, get in this cave. Quick, defeat these zombies! Avoid these traps! Fight in this really impromptu map I made! And when the entire dungeon is done and gone -
SDM: Nope, too bad, the princess is in another castle! Players: WELP. SDM: But okay here, have a clue on the enemy's identity. And some loot. Now go buy more stuff while I up the original dungeon's difficulty level.
For a webcommiky example, I'd say that DM of the Rings has a linear plot DM while Darths & Droids has a sandbox DM.
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Post by Hawkeye on Jul 23, 2013 21:40:25 GMT -8
Also adding there is space for a linear-sandbox combination I believe. Which I also feel is the closest match to how S.H.I.E.L.Ds system works. Our main plot gives you the information on the setting. Awesome yes. You get to play around in the game world of S.H.I.E.L.D. We do have an overarching plot arch that's going to be introduced shortly. However this is more served up by missions, which are semi linear in that there's a set goal. They're also played with a GM account who serves up NPCs challenges etc. There's a time limit to do these missions in. HOWEVER you don't have to take the direct route. You can instead take a wending route and site see. As LONG as you finish the mission in that time limit. You finish, bonus pay.
Now most missions are set up as 'anyone can leap on who wants to'. There are some that are tailored for certain characters but that's neither here nor there. This allows for a linear experience to keep things moving forward plot wise, while still allowing for a sandbox edge while off mission where you're basically free to explore and navigate the world without someone going "no you MUST go here"
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