An Event Schedule

[Vhaeraun Baen're]

I am requesting that there be an Event Schedule for public view for the DMs to write in events that are scheduled to occur. This would help attendance a lot.. I know that I miss events all the time because I don't know when they occur. People could also submit requests to the DMs to add player events to the calendar as well (or you could just open it up for public editing).

This should be an OOC calendar on some type of shared public google document or some such.

What do you think?

[Steve]

This would presume the DM Events are open. Most times, DMs organize the schedule with the appropriate Players, in private (or on private forums).

[Vhaeraun Baen're]

This would presume the DM Events are open. Most times, DMs organize the schedule with the appropriate Players, in private (or on private forums).

That is very true. I guess I am also requesting that there be more public events.

When I first started here about 6 weeks ago I was fortunate enough to be in two public DM events two days in a row. I thought wow... this is great... so much DM interaction.

I've had zero since.


It's really disappointing

[Considerate_]

My views might not be all that popular, but personally I'm uncomfortable with events being announced by Shouts. I find that it leads to very weird congregations of player characters, where characters that would be very unlike to ever group up suddenly find themselves working together - and both sides suddenly have to find excuses for why they're doing what they are.

If a group of players has already met, gauged each other and decided to group up, spontaneous events can work wonders to spice up their adventuring. It makes it more difficult for the DMs though I imagine, as they first have to spot a group of players working together, and then arrange an event centred around them - but the other way just seems forced to me.


The only way I see it working properly, is if it's kept to guilds. That way, a group of likeminded players can be contacted by a DM to set up some fun for them. And I think this is being done already?


That's my thoughts on it anyway

[mrm3ntalist]

I think both open and private events are needed. The past 3-4 months there have been many events, both open and private which is great. Many players told me how good it felt. I know it is difficult to ask the dms to keep up on that pace, but we loved it

One thing that can be done and some dms enforced it, is that if a player or guild is focused heavily on an event on a part of the Sword Coast, to not be allowed to take part on a similar event on another part of the world.

About the event planner, that could help with the public events. I think it is a good idea IF the dms have the time for it. That would be nice, but we can do without it

[chad878262]

With a public event calendar you also have the issue of ending up with too many events getting gigantic which is a big stress on the DM(s) running the event. You would need a way to initiate a first come/first serve, maximum of x players and possibly a way to track which players are in which event to ensure one player is not getting on every event while others are sidelined because they are not able to lurk the forum all day.

In addition, I happen to like the spontaneous events where a DM sends a shout indicating "The Flaming Fist seeks a group of adventurers to look in to disturbing disappearances in the sewers ((an event for 4-6 characters level 7-12))" It is done in a way that simply by showing up you already have your reason to be there (you answered the call after all) and it is also a way to meet NEW individuals that you may not have RP'd with otherwise.

I would not say an Event Schedule is a bad idea, only that I think to do it right would require some form of administrator so that the DM's are not constantly trying to track which player participated in which event or who is sneaking in on events they didn't sign up for etc. I feel it would take AWAY from DM's actually running events and creating stories with the players. Now if someone player side wants to volunteer to administer and report on an event schedule then perhaps that might work to keep DM's focused on the stories and not keeping track of a calendar.

[Narsil]

In addition, I happen to like the spontaneous events where a DM sends a shout indicating "The Flaming Fist seeks a group of adventurers to look in to disturbing disappearances in the sewers ((an event for 4-6 characters level 7-12))" It is done in a way that simply by showing up you already have your reason to be there (you answered the call after all) and it is also a way to meet NEW individuals that you may not have RP'd with otherwise.

Absolutely. Not only does this give non-Guild players a chance to participate in a DM event.....but it also allows said players to make those IC-connections with others, perhaps leading to joining a Guild.

As for "open" DM events in general, there needs to be far more of them. WAY more, sprinkled throughout EVERY timezone. They are a huge part of getting players who are new to the server "involved", and in fact hooked on the server. The lack of them is probably the single biggest reason I currently am not playing. (Along with a significant number of other RP'ers who used to play here- in my timezone.) Food for thought.

[ctothep]

In addition, I happen to like the spontaneous events where a DM sends a shout indicating "The Flaming Fist seeks a group of adventurers to look in to disturbing disappearances in the sewers ((an event for 4-6 characters level 7-12))" It is done in a way that simply by showing up you already have your reason to be there (you answered the call after all) and it is also a way to meet NEW individuals that you may not have RP'd with otherwise.

Absolutely. Not only does this give non-Guild players a chance to participate in a DM event.....but it also allows said players to make those IC-connections with others, perhaps leading to joining a Guild.

As for "open" DM events in general, there needs to be far more of them. WAY more, sprinkled throughout EVERY timezone. They are a huge part of getting players who are new to the server "involved", and in fact hooked on the server. The lack of them is probably the single biggest reason I currently am not playing. (Along with a significant number of other RP'ers who used to play here- in my timezone.) Food for thought.

I don't know... every other day i see a DM shouting asking for people to join an event. I do play a lot though...

[Narsil]

That's great. Lucky you. My timezone (definitely NOT "prime-time", I realize) is not so fortunate. Thus my comment about " sprinkled throughout EVERY timezone".

True story...... before recently I took a 3-month total break from playing, I was playing almost every single night, and had nearly reached 9 MONTHS without being in one single DM event. And yes, I am in a Guild. Roughly once a week, I get asked in-game, OOC, by a new player: "Hi, where are the DM's ? When do they run events ? How can I get involved? " Many of those player-names I don't see logging in again a week later. That's a lot of new blood who get turned-off from this great place, as player numbers slowly but surely decline. Yeah, I admit it, I am slightly bitter. And sure, there may be things that -I- could be trying differently, but THIS thread is about trying other things with the DM events. And let's be honest, a significant part of playing this particular game in a multiplayer format IS having a DM occasionally present to inject some "life" into the place. Who knows if such ideas are even realistic, but it never hurts to ask / discuss it.

[grunts]

Personally the best events i've been involved with are the ones where DM's shout something like: "Rumors of werewolves begin to spread among the locals of Ulgoth's beard(looking for players between level 10-18).

Imo this is the best way for many reasons:

-First it allows the DM to make a balanced, realistic D&D experience.

-Second it keeps the party small. Lagging the entire server for the sake of an event is not the best use of DM's time imo.

-Thirdly it's a lot more fair. Many people make the most event friendly characters possible because well....it works. This allows the unpopular characters that could care less about the 1351 war or the plethora of inactive guilds to still get event time.

-Lastly small diverse parties can be a lot more interesting and the DM can pay attention to the RP actions of every member. Whereas even conservative events of ten often result in a spam of player RP emotes/PM's that the DM cannot even hope to keep up with.

[DM Golem]

That's great. Lucky you. My timezone (definitely NOT "prime-time", I realize) is not so fortunate. Thus my comment about " sprinkled throughout EVERY timezone".

True story...... before recently I took a 3-month total break from playing, I was playing almost every single night, and had nearly reached 9 MONTHS without being in one single DM event. And yes, I am in a Guild. Roughly once a week, I get asked in-game, OOC, by a new player: "Hi, where are the DM's ? When do they run events ? How can I get involved? " Many of those player-names I don't see logging in again a week later. That's a lot of new blood who get turned-off from this great place, as player numbers slowly but surely decline. Yeah, I admit it, I am slightly bitter. And sure, there may be things that -I- could be trying differently, but THIS thread is about trying other things with the DM events. And let's be honest, a significant part of playing this particular game in a multiplayer format IS having a DM occasionally present to inject some "life" into the place. Who knows if such ideas are even realistic, but it never hurts to ask / discuss it.

Your timezone is a big factor, and your limited play time hours. I remember getting up at 6 am to run an event for you once, because the 2 hours in your signature are the only times you can do. (I also made myself available for more events but never heard back, to be honest)

We do what we can but its hard for us to provide a 24 hour service when we are unpaid volunteers. Its pretty much dependent on prearrangement when there just is not a DM in a timezone, and like any RP experience you also largely get out what you put in (although open events do help counter that, which is why we do these shout events)

[Narsil]

Hello again Golem.

Indeed, you made a much-appreciated effort to accommodate the small group of players we had assembled to attempt our/your "mini-plot" . Sadly, that entire plotline fell-apart (player-side) due to OOC "corruption" of the involved characters. Still, to this day we are grateful for the attempts.

In light of the current discussion, I think the OP is trying to establish some ideas for more "open" type of events. Ones that are not made exclusively for DM/players' mini-plots., nor Guilds. More inclusive and friendly to the newer players checking out the server. And also for the more casual player who is not sure about diving headfirst into the RP-aspect of the server. No, not the "spawn-endless-mobs-for-an-hour-to-bash-the-Party" types, but simple ones with a basic premise and a relatively short timeline. (Like the above mentioned examples.)

And again, I am not referring exclusively to my very limited playtimes. That is MY own problem. But, from what other "veteran" players have told me (a huge amount of whom are no longer actively playing here), it is not an uncommon symptom. Having said that, for me to be on darn near daily (with 30-45 other players at the time) for 3/4's of a year, and to literally NEVER encounter any chance to participate in a "open" DM event, does hint at a problem.

At the risk of repeating myself, I am certain it is costing us a fair amount of new players who check it out for a few days/weeks, then decide this isn't the right server for them.

[DM Golem]

In light of the current discussion, I think the OP is trying to establish some ideas for more "open" type of events. Ones that are not made exclusively for DM/players' mini-plots., nor Guilds. More inclusive and friendly to the newer players checking out the server. And also for the more casual player who is not sure about diving headfirst into the RP-aspect of the server. No, not the "spawn-endless-mobs-for-an-hour-to-bash-the-Party" types, but simple ones with a basic premise and a relatively short timeline. (Like the above mentioned examples.)

Its a good point here. We have a very active metaplot this year, and there is a risk that it drives out the more pick up, uninolved, fun D&D session style events. We do have a couple of ADMs and DMs who are specialising in these.

Its a valid request to ask for more of them; its also a valid question - how best to deliver them? As bare shouts lead to 15 player nightmare events that few people enjoy. But limited range shouts are going to require some tolerance from players on being told "no, we are full" - and some restraint from players who are very active and in many events to not switch out to their lowbie for their third event this week, taking a place from some new player.

I will say this; simple premise events for a set of characters that you have not encountered before that are not combat based can be quite challenging on creativity. Its not impossible, but its not the easiest type of event to do on the fly. (although shorter ones can be done)

And again, I am not referring exclusively to my very limited playtimes. That is MY own problem. But, from what other "veteran" players have told me (a huge amount of whom are no longer actively playing here), it is not an uncommon symptom. Having said that, for me to be on darn near daily (with 30-45 other players at the time) for 3/4's of a year, and to literally NEVER encounter any chance to participate in a "open" DM event, does hint at a problem.

I'm not sure it does, given that timezone. I'm only aware of one dm on our team at that time zone, and two more who might be active if they stay up late. There's not much we can do to provide 24 hour coverage, like I said. You start playing when Euro DMs have already been in bed for 5 hours, and when east coast DMs are going to bed - it basically means you aren't going to see events outside of the weekend or holidays from DMs out of your timezone

I suppose, being blunt, if DM attention is a determinant to your enjoyment of the server then it might not be the server for you currently, until we get personnel to meet the gap.

There is this as well: http://www.bgtscc.net/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=48188 Off hour DMs are more likely to come when asked, rather than on the fly.

[V'rass]

Not exactly a related question but what time zone are we talking about which is very bad for dm events? I live in EST zone, is that good or bad?

[DM Golem]

Narsil plays at 04:30 GMT to 06:45 GMT, I think thats 23:30 - 01:45 EST usually.

EST should have good coverage although our euro times are probably the best coverage.