AFK Command

[Corinth Alkorda]

Just a thought:

I often see people standing in the middle of a hallway or in the courtyard, afk. People often walk up to talk to them, only to realize that they are afk, and this affects the RP environment. I know that this issue can be fixed by spectating, or disconnecting, but most people don't like to do that. If it's possible, I propose the following idea.

A new command, /afk , or something similar. This command would:

• Render you invisible, possibly with the nodraw command.
• Apply the hologram effect, or whatever command it uses, so that other players can't run into you.
• Sleep you, so that there is no opportunity to abuse the feature.

Like I said, just a thought, I think it would be nifty. Maybe not necessary, but I like submitting ideas like this. =P

[Asrelia Mhy]

Sleep you, so that there is no opportunity to abuse the feature.

I'd like some elaboration on this, because I'm kind of confused on what you mean specifically.

[Corinth Alkorda]

I mean that I'd like the feature to forcibly "sleep" the character, as in the /rpsleep command, or the command that is executed when your health reaches 0. I'd prefer this so that the feature couldn't be abused, as in people running around the halls all the time invisible, so that it would only be used in afk instances.

[Asrelia Mhy]

So the sleep is for immobilization, just for toggling the command on and off. Gotcha, just thought it could have been a bit more clear.

[Kael Sekura]

EDIT:: Covered before my post was posted.

I think this is a good idea but, rather than invisible, could you instead have a logo above your head like chat that represents afk? Or does this fall into the same problem area of changing the chat/consol symbol?

[Vantus]

This is a good suggestion Corinth. It's hard to identify sometimes, if people are just PMing friends and ignoring you, or watching TV in the background.

I understand also that for some people it takes a long time to connect to the server, so If they are going to be gone for only a short time, it's not worth logging out for that period.
A general AFK command would be good.

[Yon Vash]

I alwyas spec in a situation like that like that but I like that plan so long as it DOES sleep players and DOES NOT allow them the cloak option to just run around and be a bother.

[Jared]

IMO RPmod features should enhance the RP, not give alternatives to existing solutions. Spec works better than ghosting + nodraw.

The idea of an 'out of the way command' might tie into what I'm currently working on, which is turning the Sheild model into a Datapad. The idea being someone can use the datapad, eg /rpdata which sits them into the emlotus position and renders them immovable (no force push recoil etc) and invincible.

All that happens is the datapad appears infront of the person on the nearest flat surface be it a table or the floor, and the character sits in front of it as if using it.

However, as a temporary solution if people heed the rules/tips advice which is IF you go AFK, take yourself somewhere out of the way, eg: the Archives and sit at a desk. There are plenty of spots for this, the Cantina, the Med bay tables (Duel room 3) and so forth, not to mention the chairs in the Dojo. How about simply changing the properties of the emlotus command and adding it so that, if AFK the person simply remains static in meditation and is invulnerable to attacks or movement.

IF they remain in the way, an admin can forceably spec them.

I don't see the need for a Nodraw or the like because the levels of coding required to a: render someone invisible, b: Make them a 'ghost' JUST so they can reappear once they're back seems too much work for Soh when ideally the player can spec or take themselves somewhere.

With Corinth's idea the player (let's call them tommy for now) goes AFK in an empty Dojo and people then occupy it, and tommy comes back "BOOM" Tommy appears in the middle of some action and thoroughly kills the illusion of the RP cadence. It's as destructive as an admin teleporting to a target player and accidentally killing someone!

To Conclude:

I propose the AFK comand is simply a strengthening of a sit command and renders them out of the action, akin to the old JA+ protection bubble but static and with no ugly effect.

And, if I get the Datapad sorted, if offers a viable RP excuse for said player ::Gets out his datapad:: people know not to bother disturbing and the character is out of the way but seen to be doing something.

[Vantus]

I like the idea of a datapad and not being able to be pushed/pulled.
But in the event that somebody does need to move an AFK player, the only alternative is to force them into spectate which means upon Tommy's return to his desk, he would need to rejoin the battle in some random part of the map.


I think the general thing we need is a simple sign to differentiate who is AFK and who is just sitting in their console watching.

[Alanya Sgall]

[]...But in the event that somebody does need to move an AFK player...[]

The person would be invisible, invincible, and noclipped; there's no reason they'd need to be moved, as they can't interfer with anything unless they go AFK in a doorway or such.

I like the idea Corinth, sounds good to me. Only thing I would change is the /sleep. I'd rather it be like the stationary hologram command we have now that just freezes you in place, but you're still able to do other emotes. Seeing people suddenly appearing sleeping on the floor would be a bit unrealistic to me . I think it'd be better if they could use an emotes that would relate to where they are so it looks better when they leave the AFK diminsion.

[Jared]

the only alternative is to force them into spectate which means upon Tommy's return to his desk, he would need to rejoin the battle in some random part of the map.

The spawn points are set to dorms for students (distributed amongst rooms dependant on rank), archives for Knights and the temple gates for guests/hopefuls. I don't think that's such a massive compromise.

Also if he's 'At his desk' there's no reason for him to be moved is there?

If people HAVE to go AFK mid RP for whatever reason it takes a few seconds to go somewhere out of the way to sit, and it only takes a few seconds to move to where they were/want to be if they return from spec. My argument is that AFK is a compromise on RP anyway, so they should RP their way out of it, i.e. go somewhere and study or meditate (which im pretty sure Jedi are supposed to do at some point anyway).

Anyway, I'm not nocking the idea I'm just trying to present RP friendly alternatives, off the top of my head here are 4 good RP excuses for being AFK.

'Sorry I need to use the wash/bathroom' - leaves the room, specs, respawns in the dorms.

::comm trills:: sorry I need to check this - emcomm emote

'hang on I think I left something out/left my datapad on' - leaves the room, specs, respawns in the dorms.

'hm, let me meditate on this' - sits down and mediates out of the way.

I just like tactile sollutions, rather than snazzy features that remove effort.

[Corinth Alkorda]

I still like the idea of being ghosted and nodrawn, stuck in place better. It's pretty annoying having to run back to where you were if you don't feel like RPing that you're on the Holonet, or writing in your datapad.

I really like your idea Alanya, the stationary hologram instead of the sleep.

[Cyril Feraan]

I still like the idea of being ghosted and nodrawn, stuck in place better. It's pretty annoying having to run back to where you were if you don't feel like RPing that you're on the Holonet, or writing in your datapad.

This is a key statement. If we have a continous fluid RP, making or even hearing such excuses can often be annoying after awhile.

An example of this is when someone's "comm goes off" and they disconnect. In my opinion, if you need to leave, then just leave. It is very very hard (especially for students) to use any excuse as a very valid one. It is akin to being in class, and leaving because your cell phone rings. Since it is an online game and that's how it is, excuses really are unnecessary. We understand.

[Yon Vash]

I'm not very partial to people leaving game in front of anyone...It's looks like the first power rangers are being teleported back to ZORDON

a lil random but...

[Corinth Alkorda]

Uh...yeah.

RPMod doesn't have the wooooooooosh teleport effect. You just disappear.