Server PW with application [Decision- Not happening for now]

[Jehannum]

We are spending too much development time dealing with discipline and rules enforcement. This is not why we made the server. We made the server because we are storytellers. Im getting fed up with it.

I am considering the option of putting a password on the server and taking applications to play on Dasaria.

I would like to see your opinion in this poll.

[ChikenKannon]

I would recommend that if the application thing happens, perhaps make it something simple. IE: To apply for Dasaria 2 you just need to do the following.

1) Post in the hello Dasaria board.
2) Send a message to the DMs/Worldbuilders (Whichever is decided on).
3) Have read and understood the server rules.

I'd personally conflicted on the issue, on the one hand alot of people jumped onto Dasaria 2 just by looking at the PW story list. I knew nothing about the server rules and/or campaign so it took a while till I was able to fully develop. On the other hand alot of griefers find it this way too.

Maybe a middle ground could be reached?

A) Having the server passworded for every day except Friday so that new people can jump in and "test the waters" before deciding to jump on the forums.

B) Lock it until Beta is over, then (I'm assuming) there will be enough of a grid and protection against griefers. IE PC Gaol and more Guards and such, also by then hopefully the DM client will be running.

[Minuvas]

I'd rather play on a server with 5/35 , where all four other players are great roleplayers and non griefers. Than play on a 50/50 server all day, where people are out of control .

[Greensleeves]

I'm a bit torn on this issue personally. Somewhat new to Dasaria myself, I might not have gotten involved if it had required a more complicated process than downloading the PWC file. Now that I'm here, of course I realize that it would have been worth my time to go through an application process, but it might have been enough to keep me away at first.

I just wish Atari would fix the DM client so griefers could be dealt with in a more expeditious manner.

[broncoblitz]

Hmm what about applications just for those that wish to play evil characters?

Well I guess griefers would just make neutral characters then eh?

Its a tough choice really, with benefits to both.

I do agree that as a temporary measure it might be good, since Dasaria is the Big kid on the block. And is a bit of a magnet for both all of the good and all of the bad players out there.


Most of all though, last thing we need is the Dm's getting burnt out before Dasaria really gets off of the ground

[muletang]

lock it down. as long as i can get the passwd of course

EDIT - only issue I can see is the passwd getting out by word of mouth

[Bluehope]

So long as other rules remain more or less the same, it seems like a worthwhile solution if:

1) The character bios are succinct

2) The bios focus is on how the person is playing the character. Not a million background facts and a autobiography of its childhood.

I'm sure k9 will give you a wonderful story of making a two hour background to login to a server he wasn't very impressed with. It makes it feel like a waste of time in some regards for people who don't enjoy the environment.

[Ebrim Darkmoon]

I have played on both. Both were strong roleplaying servers, and both had their advantages.

The advantage of not having password protection is that you get fresh blood. On that server, eventually the twinkers ran away (though it was a low-magic world, with a really nasty death penalty, so that may have had something to do with it).

The advantage of having password protection is that you get to screen your players, at least a little bit. However, invariably that leads to a bunch of regular players who are level 20 and then one or two new players show up with level 1's going "well what the heck do I do now???"

[Grayle]

I voted 'yes' on instinct, but now I wish I hadn't. Of course, I am not having to deal with everything the DMs are, and thier policing capability is already limited by not having a DM client. Then again, I know I'm going to be playing here, whatever decision is made.

The beginning is a delicate thing.

We're going to get a few bad apples. We're going to get some players who just don't 'get it.' We're going to get a few players who are ignorant of the server's style of play, or who grief, or who leap onto the forums after some dispute screaming CHANGE THIS NOW! or JARGOTH'S A GRIEFER! These players will end up leaving or being banned, or simply being shunned by the community for not knowing how to resolve something proactively. As the game and server matures, our player base will, too. Soon enough, Dasaria will be filled with a core group of role-playing advocates. The 'strangers' will be the minority before too long, but it's good to keep that 'new' perspective in the campaign and community.

The reason I suggest no application/password is that I discovered Dasaria by chance, a sheer random pick from the server list. I liked the name. Chances are, if there had been a password or application, I never would have come here.

I wish I knew a constructive way to keep our players from being asses to each other. Sometimes, we just are and don't realize until afterwards that that is what we were being.

[A Wandering Monk]

Alot of people just look thru the list of available servers on gamespy. There are very few NWN2 servers up and running right now, even fewer with the amount of content and quality of content you have provided. Unfortunately, that attracts alot of people who just want a place to play and couldn't care less about the server rules. That will be the case until there are more pw's to choose from on the gamespy list.

I think that those who take the time to read Dasaria's background information, register on the forum, and make an introductory post in the "hello I'm new" section are much less likely to cause problems. Maybe you could password protect the server to eliminate the drive by types and then have the email that generates when you join this forum include the server password . At least that way you know the player is willing to put some effort into the process.

[gnatrc]

I like the password idea for the near term, but I would hate to see someone spend their time reviewing applications if that would take them away from development. We had applications for a server we ran in NWN1 and we were inundated with applications to review.

The Dasaria campaign background, rumors, and level of detail in the areas that have been created so far surpass anything else out there by a wide margin. And from what I can tell it has only scratched the surface of where Dasaria is headed. I look forwarded to additional content more for the story that is unfolding than for the additional things to do. I would love to see the developers able to stay focused on unfolding the story and not have to deal with policing or reviewing applications.

I would suggest a short quiz based on server rules and campaign background that you would have to pass on the forums in order to get the password. It would take an upfront effort to set it up, but then no recurring effort to review applications as the come in.

I voted yes above.

-gnat

[Zephis]

I fully support the idea.
Firstly it stops the idiots.. or atleast slows them down.
Secondly if a person wants to play a race they can ask and a DM can then say one way or another..

So i think this is a good idea

Actually on re-reading some of the posts i think i should add to this a little..

having a free day.. say during the week, tuesdays and thursdays would be a nice idea..

I think the main thing here is to stop the random griefers from hopping in and annoying people.. maybe later when the community is more established (the whole NWN2 community that is) we can unlock it ?

[xxcyperxx]

I have my reservations about having a password placed on the server, granted i'm just a player. I understand that you have created the server for people to have fun on and RP, in addition to fun you will derive from others. I also know that DM/ADMINS will always have to deal with greifing and handholding as long as a server remains public. However, if you are moving to do this just to save time, you may end up spending more time weeding through applications rather than creating content/quests.

If this fact is ok with the staff, then I would support a password protected server with the following conditions. (okay.. reading this I sound like a dictator, but I'm just reaffriming that I am a player and these are just my opinions that I am giving because of the nature of the post ) Please allow people to actually log into the server and spwan in a "waiting area." For those with accepted appications, DMs can give them a special token that will allow them to leave the area, if not, they could have 30 seconds until boot. During this time, could you flash server messages giving them the application information?

I only suggest this because server death can be through stagnation, and requring a password will limit the number of new players allowed to the server. THis may or may not be an issue because there are a limited number of developed servers in NWN2 (well as developed as this one).

I think I finished scooping everything out of my head.. I'll add more if anything else comes to mind.

[Despo]

I go for password protection.
The DM's have enough work on their hands as it is, and as I encountered alot of times, there are always douchbags that need to be ticked on the head several times for breaking the rules AND THAT TAKES TIME, time that the DM's don't have.

[Greyshore]

I'm a bit torn on this issue personally. Somewhat new to Dasaria myself, I might not have gotten involved if it had required a more complicated process than downloading the PWC file. Now that I'm here, of course I realize that it would have been worth my time to go through an application process, but it might have been enough to keep me away at first.

I agree with Greensleves. I was new (and still am) pretty new to the whole persistent world thing. I think a password would've intimidated me to join, and I wouldn't know what I'd be losing then by not joining.

I would suggest a short quiz based on server rules and campaign background that you would have to pass on the forums in order to get the password. It would take an upfront effort to set it up, but then no recurring effort to review applications as the come in.


-gnat

But if the password option wins, then I would prefer an idea like Gnat mentioned.


In either ways, I will not vote...yet. My feelings about this are too 50/50. Perhaps later...