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Starships as PCs?
- Thread starter Wes
- Start date
Well, first I guess it would really depend on what ship/AI.
One most SAoY vessels for instance you are wanting to know if its okay for a player to become the most powerful character in the plot. Capable of creating and controlling its own computer-generated nekos.
Which also means that this player has the ability to countermand the Captain/GM, can in effect kidnap the plot.
Of course that's worst case scenario.
Then there is the matter of why would a player character want to play a character that can not leave the ship, excludes most social interaction events.
The other issue is you then cause a bottle neck in the plot, currently any PC can access the AI for generally available information. But if the AI is a PC, then they have to wait for the AI/PC to get around to replying.
Bottom line, I do not think its a really good idea, and if it were to be done, then it would have to be done with a very clear understanding and working relationship between the GM and PC.
Nashoba
One most SAoY vessels for instance you are wanting to know if its okay for a player to become the most powerful character in the plot. Capable of creating and controlling its own computer-generated nekos.
Which also means that this player has the ability to countermand the Captain/GM, can in effect kidnap the plot.
Of course that's worst case scenario.
Then there is the matter of why would a player character want to play a character that can not leave the ship, excludes most social interaction events.
The other issue is you then cause a bottle neck in the plot, currently any PC can access the AI for generally available information. But if the AI is a PC, then they have to wait for the AI/PC to get around to replying.
Bottom line, I do not think its a really good idea, and if it were to be done, then it would have to be done with a very clear understanding and working relationship between the GM and PC.
Nashoba
Scot
Inactive Member
It depends really, that one show with the AI also having a robot version of herself shows that a ship can leave itself (sorta) though probably done best by two roleplayers who roleplayed a lot together making a ship and captain personalities so they clash and work together.
I'd say try it with an independent plot first since it has less impact and one can give it some personality and restrictions based on the environment rather than mass produced versions of the army.
In the end, unless the GM or Captain/Leader is really good roleplaying with the ship player then it can work. I see it also as a Co-Gm role in that respects, though unless it's a machine race I doubt having players AS ships will make for interesting roleplay otherwise.
I'd say try it with an independent plot first since it has less impact and one can give it some personality and restrictions based on the environment rather than mass produced versions of the army.
In the end, unless the GM or Captain/Leader is really good roleplaying with the ship player then it can work. I see it also as a Co-Gm role in that respects, though unless it's a machine race I doubt having players AS ships will make for interesting roleplay otherwise.
Kai
Retired Staff
I don't believe it is really a good idea for a regular player to play a Ship's AI, fr the same reasons that Nashoba pointed out.
The Ship's AI is a GM or Co-GM position, as in many plots it can be important to said plot.
I think it should, however, be possible for a Ship's Avatar to be a PC, as those are part of the ship's AI system, but are somewhat disconnected from the ship itself, allowing them actual character interaction while still allowing them to serve several functions the AI is normally used for, such as giving directions, informing other characters about the ship's status, and relaying orders from the captain.
On the idea of actually making a ship itself into a PC, you also have the problem of needing to write up its crew, as a ship without a crew really isn't interesting, a lot of what makes space battles fun to read is the crew interactions going on inside the ship during battle.
The Ship's AI is a GM or Co-GM position, as in many plots it can be important to said plot.
I think it should, however, be possible for a Ship's Avatar to be a PC, as those are part of the ship's AI system, but are somewhat disconnected from the ship itself, allowing them actual character interaction while still allowing them to serve several functions the AI is normally used for, such as giving directions, informing other characters about the ship's status, and relaying orders from the captain.
On the idea of actually making a ship itself into a PC, you also have the problem of needing to write up its crew, as a ship without a crew really isn't interesting, a lot of what makes space battles fun to read is the crew interactions going on inside the ship during battle.
I mean instead of having the GM control the computer, a player could control the computer and (if present) its avatar. Ships no longer use sprite nekos so that's a non-issue. It would be a pretty active position I'd think and would save the GM some work, too.
Basically it'd be a starship operator character with their mind linked to the ship computer to serve as the AI.
Basically it'd be a starship operator character with their mind linked to the ship computer to serve as the AI.
Fred
Retired Staff
Well, then, if I need to precise my position: I think it's not a good idea to leave a ship's computer in the complete control of a plot player-level participant.
Also, since Wes mentioned it: the ban on the creation of sprites is - in my opinion - one of the dumbest things that ever happened to the Star Army. Sprites are far too useful to a GM as NPCs for me to accept that ban as a legit one.
Should there be a moral imperative to avoid making them disposable? Absolutely. Should a ship's crew have a moral obligation to encourage the growth of the ship's sprites? Definitely. Still, sprite creation is very useful and even necessary in wartime like our present situation.
Furthermore, I've personally always liked distinguishing the NPC crew on my ship with the designation "sprite". It's cute.
Also, since Wes mentioned it: the ban on the creation of sprites is - in my opinion - one of the dumbest things that ever happened to the Star Army. Sprites are far too useful to a GM as NPCs for me to accept that ban as a legit one.
Should there be a moral imperative to avoid making them disposable? Absolutely. Should a ship's crew have a moral obligation to encourage the growth of the ship's sprites? Definitely. Still, sprite creation is very useful and even necessary in wartime like our present situation.
Furthermore, I've personally always liked distinguishing the NPC crew on my ship with the designation "sprite". It's cute.
MissingNo
Inactive Member
Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda. The ship, the Andromeda Ascendant, has a monitor-based representation, a holographic representation, and an android (gynoid?) avatar, the last separate from the other two until uploaded or connected to the main computer. Or maybe they just talked to each other to mess with people. *shrugs*Scot said:
As for the topic at hand...I have mixed feelings. It could be fun, but it could also be abused/misused (intentionally or not). I think that GMs should retain sole use of the role of ship's computer simply because of the plot uses and consequences of that role.
Fred: Is that why you have a "sprite" as your avatar? : )
I have had other players try to play the AI of the ship my character is piloting and that is annoying and probably less than appropriate for the situation, but I think that players should be allowed!
I think this would be neat and not sure if we had this happen but I think it could be fun. There might be challenges with positions but on some smaller plots this could also open up differant roles and less npcs needed for new starting plots.
I know right now we are looking to not only keep up existing plots but also expand on creating new plots to also entice new players but when your just getting a plot especially one focused on the ship and its crew or a admiralty/fleet plot this could be a way to ease both gm work while also help fill that gap while you get players.
So not sure if it got allowed but if it isn't might be worth another glance.
I know right now we are looking to not only keep up existing plots but also expand on creating new plots to also entice new players but when your just getting a plot especially one focused on the ship and its crew or a admiralty/fleet plot this could be a way to ease both gm work while also help fill that gap while you get players.
So not sure if it got allowed but if it isn't might be worth another glance.
