Here's the basis for the idea I'll be posting.
THE FINAL POWER: EMOTICONS
--------------------------
To give your SAYS even more variety, you can use emoticons (sometimes called
smileys) at the very end only. This only works with SAY, not with EXCLAIM or
ASK or SCREAM or anything else but just SAY. If Roark types
SAY Yes, I am the best Lusternian that ever was
Then people will see
Roark smiles and says, "Yes, I am the best Lusternian that ever was."
Here are the emoticons and what they do:
smiles and says looks undecided and says
smiles broadly and says looks skeptical and says
smiles impishly and says looks thoughtful and says
smiles with a wink and says drools and says
laughingly says sticks out his/her tongue and says
Type MORE to continue reading. (90% shown)
Okay now that you've seen that, and I thought of this because of a discussion in the Ebonguard today, I can go on with my idea.
Before we begin, I know this MUD is roleplay-encouraged and not roleplay-enforced. We scold for breaking some rules concerning this, allow the bending of others while rewarding those who not only abide by those rules but elaborate on their purpose via action. That is to say, we reward and encourage roleplaying. If I'm wrong, ignore me.
It seems to me the whole purpose of the emoticons smiley-face system (seen in my basis above)is to make roleplaying easier here, making what could be constant out-of-character slips into fun and interesting in-character expressions that make character interaction all the more entertaining. Which is awesome to have in Lusternia - Thankyou for it!
Now, I'm assuming the aethers are based on sound. Auditory only. You talk on it and you listen on it. Somehow these aethers disclude the sounds of your environment, so it's not like talking on the telephone or a star trek comlink. It's more like direct translation of your thoughts into words, speaking with the aether rather than your physical throat and mouth. Mostly because I've seen people (who are trying to add a little flavour to their social interaction and express themselves as characters) emote after saying things in aethers, such as "That's great *smiles*", and are then scolded or disencouraged for some-odd future reference, quickly referred to HELP MADNESS afterward. Which sticks by the rules in one manner in a positive way, but disencourages the initiative one might have for in-character expression that is enabled fully in SAY. Now, if we can do such things like manifest our thoughts into words as sound in the aether, why disclude the emotional sentiment? The basis of great roleplay is drama (not the sort of drama a verbally abusive girlfriend/boyfriend gives you, the good kind. The entertaining, story-telling kind), and drama requires sentient, flawed creatures with emotions to interact sociably. Which we have. I'm not saying Lusternia dosn't already enable this sort of social interaction, it does. But why not elaborate on it? If we can hear others speak with such distinction that we can tell their voices apart from others on the aether, why not be able to interpret their tone, the disdain behind their sarcasm? The refrain of a skeptical remark? The joy behind an exclamatory statement or the fury of an enraged one? (Since exclamatory comments can be just about anything.)
Here's my point in a handbasket:
4570h, 2470m, 2590e, 10p exk-say I love Glomdoring
You smile and say, "I love Glomdoring."
4570h, 2470m, 2590e, 10p exk-gt I love Glomdoring
(Ebonguard): You say, "I love Glomdoring"
Beyond all points I've made in this post, dosn't it just seem like something is half-finished?
Now that I've explained myself thoroughly, here's my idea:
4570h, 2470m, 2590e, 10p exk-gt I love Glomdoring
(Ebonguard): You say in a pleased tone, "I love Glomdoring."
I think that's obvious enough, but to elaborate I've made an example chart. Those of you who understand or like what I'm saying here, please feel free to post ideas for tones/etc.
Here are the emoticons and what they do:
says in a pleased tone, says undecidedly,
says in an amused tone, skeptically remarks,
says in a meek voice, says in a contemplative tenor,
says playfully, says with slurred wording,
says between breaks of laughter,
Type MORE to continue reading. (90% shown)
:* says with a sultry tone, says with a shocked tone,
:,) says with overwhelming happiness, :S utters confusedly,
:@ says with a snap of anger,
says with a dissapointed tone,
( says with a downtrodden voice, :C says with a sigh,
:,( says through sharp sobs,
- Percy
P.S.
(Forums): Percy says in a skeptical voice , "Now post replies so I don't feel like a retard."
(Edit: I had to remove some of the smiley-faces because it wouldn't allow so many.)
(Edit 2: Added s'more examples in. Had to take most smileys out, due to the posting limit.)
THE FINAL POWER: EMOTICONS
--------------------------
To give your SAYS even more variety, you can use emoticons (sometimes called
smileys) at the very end only. This only works with SAY, not with EXCLAIM or
ASK or SCREAM or anything else but just SAY. If Roark types
SAY Yes, I am the best Lusternian that ever was
Then people will see
Roark smiles and says, "Yes, I am the best Lusternian that ever was."
Here are the emoticons and what they do:
smiles and says looks undecided and says
smiles broadly and says looks skeptical and says
smiles impishly and says looks thoughtful and says
smiles with a wink and says drools and says
laughingly says sticks out his/her tongue and says
Type MORE to continue reading. (90% shown)
Okay now that you've seen that, and I thought of this because of a discussion in the Ebonguard today, I can go on with my idea.
Before we begin, I know this MUD is roleplay-encouraged and not roleplay-enforced. We scold for breaking some rules concerning this, allow the bending of others while rewarding those who not only abide by those rules but elaborate on their purpose via action. That is to say, we reward and encourage roleplaying. If I'm wrong, ignore me.
It seems to me the whole purpose of the emoticons smiley-face system (seen in my basis above)is to make roleplaying easier here, making what could be constant out-of-character slips into fun and interesting in-character expressions that make character interaction all the more entertaining. Which is awesome to have in Lusternia - Thankyou for it!
Now, I'm assuming the aethers are based on sound. Auditory only. You talk on it and you listen on it. Somehow these aethers disclude the sounds of your environment, so it's not like talking on the telephone or a star trek comlink. It's more like direct translation of your thoughts into words, speaking with the aether rather than your physical throat and mouth. Mostly because I've seen people (who are trying to add a little flavour to their social interaction and express themselves as characters) emote after saying things in aethers, such as "That's great *smiles*", and are then scolded or disencouraged for some-odd future reference, quickly referred to HELP MADNESS afterward. Which sticks by the rules in one manner in a positive way, but disencourages the initiative one might have for in-character expression that is enabled fully in SAY. Now, if we can do such things like manifest our thoughts into words as sound in the aether, why disclude the emotional sentiment? The basis of great roleplay is drama (not the sort of drama a verbally abusive girlfriend/boyfriend gives you, the good kind. The entertaining, story-telling kind), and drama requires sentient, flawed creatures with emotions to interact sociably. Which we have. I'm not saying Lusternia dosn't already enable this sort of social interaction, it does. But why not elaborate on it? If we can hear others speak with such distinction that we can tell their voices apart from others on the aether, why not be able to interpret their tone, the disdain behind their sarcasm? The refrain of a skeptical remark? The joy behind an exclamatory statement or the fury of an enraged one? (Since exclamatory comments can be just about anything.)
Here's my point in a handbasket:
4570h, 2470m, 2590e, 10p exk-say I love Glomdoring
You smile and say, "I love Glomdoring."
4570h, 2470m, 2590e, 10p exk-gt I love Glomdoring
(Ebonguard): You say, "I love Glomdoring
"Beyond all points I've made in this post, dosn't it just seem like something is half-finished?
Now that I've explained myself thoroughly, here's my idea:
4570h, 2470m, 2590e, 10p exk-gt I love Glomdoring
(Ebonguard): You say in a pleased tone, "I love Glomdoring."
I think that's obvious enough, but to elaborate I've made an example chart. Those of you who understand or like what I'm saying here, please feel free to post ideas for tones/etc.
Here are the emoticons and what they do:
says in a pleased tone, says undecidedly,
says in an amused tone, skeptically remarks,
says in a meek voice, says in a contemplative tenor,
says playfully, says with slurred wording,
says between breaks of laughter,
Type MORE to continue reading. (90% shown)
:* says with a sultry tone, says with a shocked tone,
:,) says with overwhelming happiness, :S utters confusedly,
:@ says with a snap of anger,
says with a dissapointed tone,( says with a downtrodden voice, :C says with a sigh,:,( says through sharp sobs,
- Percy
P.S.
(Forums): Percy says in a skeptical voice , "Now post replies so I don't feel like a retard."
(Edit: I had to remove some of the smiley-faces because it wouldn't allow so many.)
(Edit 2: Added s'more examples in. Had to take most smileys out, due to the posting limit.)
Xenthos? Plead? 
That was a request / order if I ever saw one! 
That was a request / order if I ever saw one! QUOTE(PercivalEdmundChang @ Jan 19 2006, 03:36 PM)
Snuggles ala' mour?
248282
I reaaaaally suggest that you remove this.
I do like this idea. We have a fair collection of emoticons, but a few more wouldn't hurt .
.QUOTE(Xenthos @ Jan 19 2006, 02:10 PM)
Xenthos? Plead?  That was a request / order if I ever saw one!Â
 That was a request / order if I ever saw one! 248269
Haha an order you say! hah! *duck* runaway!
QUOTE(Strakc @ Jan 19 2006, 06:13 PM)
QUOTE
Yes, see, the implication was that you would do it or face many dire consequences! But as to the topic at hand... would it spam overly much? People don't use the say ones unless they really feel it is going to add to the RP flavour.
I use emoticons in my speech all the time... you just never see it...
248318
It's so many times better than titles being broadcasted on aetherwaves! So many titles are very bland and boring.