Why the lull? (Poll)

[DaloLorn]

This comment may not go down well, but I can say one reason Baldur's Gate isn't an RP hub or just a focus for Players is because it comes across as a locked down Duketator State with a militia that can rofflestomp you at any moment.

EVEN THOUGH THAT IS NOT TRUE!

But it is a perception, for sure. Honestly, BG isn't even very fun. It carries massive potential, but is not utilized because, seriously, what ever happens in the Gate, that would solicited Players to be there more than anywhere else?!?

It's... not that far off...

I mean, several PC types are flat out incapable of entering. Any kind of conflict between PCs is strictly limited to hurling insults. The Fist can definitely squash you at a moment's notice, if they think you need squashing.

On top of all this, it is the hardest place from which to get to most of the combat zones people gravitate towards. Depending on where you start, and where you want to go, it can take up to a dozen transitions (or a teleport spell) to get there from the Gate.

[Snarfy]

A hub and spoke design for the city would definitely increase RP opportunities. All those little side streets and alleys that Snarfy references are exactly why the city is poorly designed for RP -- it's very easy to "miss" other players, as there are no highways. There are too many exits and entrances.

There aren't very many chokepoints where you're forced to bump into other players, outside of the front gate and the Eastern farmlands (which has been a hub for RP for this reason).

The map we have now was Tfunke's effort to recreate the city as imagined by Black Isle in the BG video game.

If we remapped it for a PW it would not be an accurate representation of that game, but it probably would be provide more RP for people wanting urban RP (which isn't everybody).

That, of course, would be a huge project for any builder who picked it up, though. We're talking hundreds of hours, probably.

I would totally be stoked to see something like the merchant hub being spread out over the East Gate, and the various merchants scattered throughout it, BUT... I don't see this helping much in the way of creating RP. Far more likely it might become an inconvenience to players trying to find their vendor of choice. Especially considering the work that would be required to switch it up... yeah, nah. I'm totally fine with being probably the only player to occasionally wander all those nooks and crannies, rather than subjecting some poor dev to spending a year of their life pissing in the wind

Alternatively, perhaps ambitious players, or the DM's, could randomly concoct some small/mini events starting from the various locations/temples/inns around the East Gate, or based out of any locations from anywhere in The Gate, in general. Heck, the sky is pretty much the limit when it comes to creating little events based out of BG, whether it be the Temple of Gond, Hall of Wonders, the Orphanage, Temple of Mystra, Ragefasts tower, uhhh... whatever that temple is* that is just slightly north east of The White Mask Theater(that literally NO-ONE has RP'd in since over half a decade )... for reals, just pick a place in BG and start counter clockwise and micro-event away!

(* - oh yeah! The Temple of Tymora, d'oh)

[Tsidkenu]

RPed in the Temple of Tymora with Charraj about 5 years ago Snarfy

It has gambling tables! And Tarot cards.

[chad878262]

If it makes you feel any better you can pretend my character(s) are still around and just have such high Hide/Move Silently that you can't see them....if you want to.

[K'yon Oblodra]

If it makes you feel any better you can pretend my character(s) are still around and just have such high Hide/Move Silently that you can't see them....if you want to.

I bet they actually are still around... you found a way to hide your log in as well I am sure .

[electric mayhem]

RPed in the Temple of Tymora with Charraj about 5 years ago Snarfy

It has gambling tables! And Tarot cards.

Yep, some faction elements partake in specific RP in that temple, and others considered unused from time to time.

[tfunke]

The map we have now was Tfunke's effort to recreate the city as imagined by Black Isle in the BG video game.

If we remapped it for a PW it would not be an accurate representation of that game, but it probably would be provide more RP for people wanting urban RP (which isn't everybody).

That, of course, would be a huge project for any builder who picked it up, though. We're talking hundreds of hours, probably.

Unfortunately I agree with you 100%. Just before I finally resigned, I did just this.
I actually rebuilt the whole city again (a second time), and even had the eastern farmlands with streets and buildings in it. It was much more geared towards a "playerworld" city and I honestly felt it would have been a better replacement.
Sadly it got shot down by the team at the time and after spending 200+ hours doing it, I resigned. I should probably see if I salvaged them or not.. don't think i did.

[Maecius]

If you do still have the file from 2016, I'm sure we'd love to share it with the current devs!

I don't think it was rejected, per se; there were just some requests to make it feel a little more urban, as it was felt by some on staff that it was pretty open and "empty."

If I remember correctly, it still needed sounds, some NPCs, and some optimization, and with that in place it might begin up look right, or simply it might inspire something for another Dev, assuming any of them are excited at the prospect of working a redesign of the city for improved traffic flow. If nothing else, it would be a good jumping off point.

Assuming the player base isn't happy with the city as is/doesn't prefer the more maze like and dense city. It has its high RP and low RP cycles like anything else, I've found, even in its current version.

[Ravial]

Unfortunately, I agree with you 100%. Just before I finally resigned, I did just this.
I actually rebuilt the whole city again (a second time), and even had the eastern farmlands with streets and buildings in it. It was much more geared towards a "playerworld" city and I honestly felt it would have been a better replacement.
Sadly it got shot down by the team at the time and after spending 200+ hours doing it, I resigned. I should probably see if I salvaged them or not... don't think I did.

I'd looooooooooooooooooooooooooove the more urban "farmlands", which always were supposed to be the outer city.

[tfunke]

If you do still have the file from 2016, I'm sure we'd love to share it with the current devs!

Bummer. I searched my computer high and low and don't seem to have it anymore. If by slim chance any of the devs have it that I showed it to (the files), I'd be willing to come out of retirement and finish it off. I've got some free time the coming weeks...

[sweetlikesplenda]

If you do still have the file from 2016, I'm sure we'd love to share it with the current devs!

Bummer. I searched my computer high and low and don't seem to have it anymore. If by slim chance any of the devs have it that I showed it to (the files), I'd be willing to come out of retirement and finish it off. I've got some free time the coming weeks...

I support this message

[Ewe]

Honestly, if the whole of BG city was rumble, fire, and destruction accented by an Illithid army to grind for good xp and loot it would be a vast improvement. Dare I say, it would be the kind of bold thinking we need?

[Snarfy]

Honestly, if the whole of BG city was rumble, fire, and destruction accented by an Illithid army to grind for good xp and loot it would be a vast improvement. Dare I say, it would be the kind of bold thinking we need?

...

Bummer. I searched my computer high and low and don't seem to have it anymore. If by slim chance any of the devs have it that I showed it to (the files), I'd be willing to come out of retirement and finish it off. I've got some free time the coming weeks...

... someone find this. Aaaand, go!

[Maecius]

If you do still have the file from 2016, I'm sure we'd love to share it with the current devs!

Bummer. I searched my computer high and low and don't seem to have it anymore. If by slim chance any of the devs have it that I showed it to (the files), I'd be willing to come out of retirement and finish it off. I've got some free time the coming weeks...

I think Lisa reviewed it. I'll ask her if she still has the file. This was like three years ago though, so nobody get your hopes too high!

Maybe I'll make a new character after I retire. Just point me at where we need RP. I've always had pretty good luck generating RP and player plot. ... I was definitely always a better player than a DM when it came to generating story.

All my DM events seemed to end with players setting everything on fire ...

[Steve]

Maybe I'll make a new character after I retire.

Another born TEASER!

All you Admins are alike!