Electric-Knight

Yeah, I highly suggest visiting the Post Your Best Costume Designs thread (Although, it has tons of pages, so, for more recent ones, visit the later pages... do go through the whole thing over time though, it rocks!) and see the versatility that people get out of items (And also just because it is a great thread).

Regardless of the intention... Different is different. Better detail is detail that shifts away from versatility.
It is unavoidable and, frankly, I am surprised to see how many people vote for option 1 (Although, with David detailing how much and why he so wants that option 1 [and zero offense, David, I luvs ya], I'm not entirely surprised. That and... it's not like everyone pushes costume design to the extent of others).

I can see some case by cases basis... but, for the most part... any path an artist chooses for greater detail will lead to limiting the flexibility of an art item.

It doesn't really have much to do with the real topic (And thus why it is better left out of it), but whenever someone offers examples of how they cleverly or creatively came up with naming alternatives, it can (And usually will) be seen by someone else as not clever nor creative (To their opinion).

It's just matters of personal preference and opinion and I don't say it as an attack on anyone (On either side) and also not directing this nor basing it on anyone within this thread.
I was actually going to comment on it before that exchange took place here.

What is important is that the name owner is happy, of course.

Many examples of sidestepping naming problems just opens up disagreement in opinions. Not that this is a terrible thing. So long as the people involved recognize that their examples may not be good enough for others and that those who don't find them good enough understand that it's just a matter of opinion.

Non traditional alternate spellings can work for names, but they can also look like transparent misspellings of words. It's a tricky game

I, myself, prefer not to do that unless it is somehow tied into the background/concept and has very good reason (Which can be simple to achieve sometimes, for sure).

My suggestion for when a very common word, such as Phoenix or Gremlin or anything else like that is to not shoot for that single, common word, but to instead add another word to it or add a prefix or suffix to the name.

For comicbook types, colors and adjectives work wonderfully.
Names can also be great. It all depends on the concept.
I'd think exploring further to define that specific character is a better approach (Just my opinion though) than trying to latch on to a common word that is already taken.
Felicia Phoenix, Luminous Phoenix, Phoenix Forever, Phoenix Phil... Red Phoenix, Gold Phoenix, etc.

Anyway, I only used that example since it'd been tossed around a bit there.

Carry on!

Also, on non-animated tails, I have to admit that I was surprised there was not a non-animated tail option for the wolf tail that came with the Mutant Booster Pack.
The non-animated tails work great for fake costume animal tails (And probably for some other costume ideas for other people).
I had thought about putting the non-animated wolf tail on a hunter type that had it hanging off their belt as a bit of a trophy decoration.

Just another example of how older stuff isn't always worse. And a bit of a request for a non-animated wolf tail

Option 2

I'd like to see the menus reorganized a bit with more subcategories in place regardless, so I don't think that is development time wasted nor just for this very dynamic of updating textures.

Here's my reason for going with option 2:
While some pieces may be completely the same, but better detail, any additional/new detail basically changes what already existed.
It's unavoidable.
What is less detailed now (Or even possibly blury) leaves some doors open as to what exactly the piece/fabric/source may be. And this allows greater imagination to take form.
I think those original headband wings are a great example.
Yes, they can be fixed up.
However, it is how an artist goes about doing it that would tell if Option 1 or 2 were better, because if they were made to look more like those (great) valkyrie head wings, then they no longer can pass for anything else. The lack of etching detail in those original wings allows them to be used as a few different ideas, perhaps not even metal wings.

I completely understand, as an artist's viewpoint, you'd rather have the best quality representation of each and every of these concepts... However, we know the reality is that you cannot cover each and every concept for each and every piece someone could imagine putting together for these costumes.
The desired community rule has always been, add, do not replace and I see no reason to vote against that in this case.

While the forum rules say we're not supposed to discuss other video games anymore... This is a classic case of it being valuable to do so.
A game I played a long time ago, in a galaxy far far away... once "upgraded" the player character textures... While all they did was "give greater detailed textures" it completely (completely) changed the way many existing player characters looked.
It took some characters and made them appear as though the actor that had played that character for the past 3 years had been replaced with another actor.
I have pictures/screenshots that I could send you, if you wish.
Sure, they had new and better detailed textures... But you replaced Nathan Fillian with Adam Sandler.
Regardless of who/what someone else might prefer... when it is the character that you've come to love for years... that's not cool.

I highly suggest you shoot for Option 2.

As someone else said... even the tank top example... When people use the tank top on tights... sometimes people use it as a color pattern on their tights.... sometimes people use it as a separate layer of tights and others may use it as an actual tank top over tights.
If you make it clearly a tank top over tights, it is no longer flexible and cancels out two other options people have been using all this time.

It's not worth it. Go with option 2 and maybe get the UI team to work on more submenus as you do it, because those would already be a welcome development in the tailor screen anyway.

It's not that I don't trust your artistic ability and careful eye to make things right... But it is just reality that different is different... and better detail becomes more defined... and more defined means less wiggle room and less wiggle room means less pieces to use for varied concepts.

Either way, best of luck, David!
I do love the job that you do.

*Sigh*
I know there is just no point in bothering but...

Yep, 18 months is the number that sounds best to me... 2 years if people really think there's good reason.
That's just how I'd do it, if it were up to me. Obviously it isn't

No worries, J_B
I just don't think the current system needs to be switched. I, personally, like unique names. That's really the difference. Some people like a system that allows for duplicate names and some do not. We can try and explain why (On either side), but at the end of the day, it will boil down to personal preference.
The fact that the game uses the one system means that there needs to be a clear issue and need for the drastic change to a duplicate name system.

The only cause anyone can give for needing a duplicate name system has been that they want names that other people already have.

If name purges were done, then, at least, names on inactive accounts would become opened up (Besides those who come back for one month and disappear).
I think serious name purges should be done (repeatedly, over a series of several months... after all... new inactive accounts will become aged enough as those few months go by) well before a drastic system change is done.

If the devs decided they thought it best to switch to an invisible global name-tied duplicate system... I wouldn't freak out or anything. I'd rather not see it happen. Not because any of my characters might have duplicates (The only possibly likely candidate for that would probably be Electric-Knight, I suppose), but simply because I prefer for everyone I deal with to have their own unique names and not have to deal with multiple players/characters with the same names.

The amount of multiple names would be far greater than the amount of alternate spelling similar names we have in this system. Both because no one would know that name was taken already (So no reason to not go with it) and because very simple, commonly thought of names would always go through.

The possibility of 20 Dark Lords may not be far off, hehe.

It's not out of fear. It's just out of personal preference. The game you choose to play is part of your property or neighborhood. You hope it stays the way you like it, the way you enjoy it.
It's not a knee-jerk reaction, it's just preference.

Just as someone prefers open/sharing names, others prefer unique names. And not because they're selfish and want their names (The same way I'm not saying those who want duplicate names are selfish because they want my name or someone else's name). That preference extends to all players, not just themselves.
It's just a matter of taste. Possibly compounded with the Developers' taste and the existing system that has been in place.


I do have an interesting question (Not that I think it will come to this, but...):

IF (let's just pretend) cross server teaming was only possible through a duplicate naming system throughout all servers... would people be willing to change their minds about their preference?

Hmmmm... Party Costume... Hmmmm...
I might just attend in my character's normal costume and see if that wins out.

Not sure... Hmmmmm...

Coyote Seven, who is "they"?

I offered a serious reply to a post that's been quoted in there and Butane didn't see fit to respond.
No big deal, but you're coming in here virtually doing what you're accusing others of doing, but to an unnamed group of "they" who you claim are being unfair to the OP.

As per usual... the thread would go well with civil discussion and replies to the respectful people, but instead, the more rude a post is, the more replies it will get.

It doesn't help that the OP has not been entirely respectful.

One extreme comment from an individual against the OP does not lump in the rest (of those who have shared a different opinion than the OP) together.

Some people have pigs!!

I saw zero whine in your thread. You detailed pretty extensively that you were not whining nor reacting wildly.
People who lash out at others as some did, generally are being quite sensitive themselves... but this is the way of some.

And I have an official certificate that says I am a very reasonable and observant intellectual.
I would scan it in, but the crayon doesn't show up well enough.


Your O.P. is a totally legitimate topic to ponder and discuss among those capable.
I applaud you and offer you an imaginary plate of equally imaginary cookies.

I've said my piece on people that rudely dismissed (and worse) such posts as yours and I don't suppose there's any point in saying anything more about it.
We all have bad days, so I'll not hold it against anyone else.
(Well, unless they want me to... nudge nudge, say no more...)

Yeah, and one of the bad aspects of allowing repeated names (Besides having to use the global names as a sort of surname) is that there's no deterrent to picking that name that 5 other people already have.

So you will indeed see more of repeated names than you would see alternate/klevyr spellings.

So... you won't see as many DarkLord, Dar Lord, Dark-Lord, D4rkl0rd, DarcLored, XxDarkLordxX groups in the current system as you would see Dark Lord, Dark Lord, Dark Lord, Dark Lord and Dark Lord groups in a system that allows repeated names.

I like the naming system as it is, but I do believe that a greater naming purge should take place (Despte that people will say that the naming purges do not free up much names,if any at all).

I think any account that has been defunct for... Oh, I'd say 1-2 years should have characters' names of any level opened up for potential usage.
I know the one sticking point can be people in the military, but I'm of the camp that figures it is really not that important to love a video game character's name if it is left that long without paying the subscription.

I could see maybe 3 years.
Regardless, I think the level limit for the name purge should be removed and any and all characters that have been unpaid for 1-3 years (Whatever is decided upon by Paragon Studios) or more are fair game.

Just my opinion.
I do believe, over the years now, that there are some names locked up that new people would probably use.
I know I've searched many names that are taken by accounts that never even had a global name attached to it. That really shouldn't be, at this point, in my opinion.

Still... I play on Virtue and haven't had problems getting a good name. However, I do believe that names will continue to be locked away and not used as time goes by.
If these longtime absent customers don't return around the release of Going Rogue, I think we can afford to upset them on their unlikely later return by pilfering their names.
Best would be to send out emails about it to inactive accounts, but resources should only go so far.

Huh... the name is not an anagram of Leet Claws??

YAY!!
I've been PvPing all this time and I thought I was a bit unfamiliar with that aspect of the game.
It's time I start fighting back!
I've been getting pwned... but... with this great guide, I think I might have finally learned some things that will help me out!
Thank you, once again, Steelclaw!!!

*cheers*

I think you went well with taking Hurdle to pair with Ninja Run, because you can really leap from rooftop to rooftop that way.

I've had a character without a true travel power since well before Ninja Run.
I two slotted Sprint and two (or three?) slotted Hurdle.
Just the Hurdle alone is an incredible mini-travel power.
Slotted up it is quite effective. Back then, the character's travel speed was right around the base flight speed.
When Ninja Run came around, it was even faster.

I find the mini-travel power approach fun, because it can make getting around a little more interesting some times.
It's fun when you're not positive if you can make a long distance leap to another ledge. Of course, the same can be said with Super Jump... Just hundreds of feet farther away
But yeah... you get to immerse yourself in the city a bit more, which I enjoy.

Anyways... have fun!!

Anyways...
I personally really hardly notice Swift.
However, I know that some people seem to have much more of an issue controlling their characters, and I mean that without any offense.
You see it come up all the time with much more extreme boosts (Speed Boost, of course).

Honestly though... I think (But I could be wrong) that the Issue 18 increase in Sprint was a higher increase than Swift gave to the old Sprint speed.
Any number people like to fact check that one? (I may have some cookies for you, if you do!)

While I don't see Swift as a "game changer" (Although, I do love it on hover... and I do notice the difference for running, it's nice) Hurdle is a game changer.

Unslotted Hurdle changes your jump height from 4 feet to 10.7 feet.
That is a mighty big difference.

Just as the OP, I'm just voicing my personal thoughts and small concern about making these powers automatically inherent (And we do not know how they will go about this, so Swift and Hurdle may not even be automatic, although they are seemingly intended to be inherent, for sure).

While the degree of importance it has for me is likely higher than most, I know that I am not the only one that truly enjoys this game's ability to personally customize characters around concepts.

Giving every single character the ability to jump over twice the height that was normal may not be the best way to go.
*shrugs*
Maybe Paragon Studios thinks it is and I'm not really going to worry about it.
Posting thoughts and worrying about it are very different things though, hehe.

Some people have brought up a possible concern of dumbing down the game. While I don't think that inherent Fitness Powers is accomplishing that in this game... I sort of feel the same thing from a conceptual viewpoint (As opposed to a game mechanic viewpoint). Running faster and jumping higher (and faster) were available as choices that could help better define the character's concept in a visual and virtua-physical way.

Some characters should leap taller and/or run faster.
Giving every single character those two powers automatically, without option, disrupts a bit of the freedom of conceptual design that players currently have.

If players can choose to unlock these powers, that could be great. Maybe like claiming veteran reward powers or maybe some other way.
I've seen it suggested as toggles, but I don't know that would be favorable (Nor easy to code). These powers work great as auto powers and I think it'd be worse to make them toggles than to bother the people who care about concept and jump heights and such.


Anyway, I've had characters that just rely on Hurdle and Sprint as a travel power... And Hurdle is a great power and can be a game changer.
(I know many people falling in the Motes in Praetoria would welcome Hurdle, hehehe)

If you can't relax and discuss things intelligently and respectfully... maybe you need to step away, eh?