Languages

[Dhiro]

The following suggestion could be and has been obsoleted properly, through roleplay, however, I do think that it may benefit for the better, for the sake of immersion and diversity.

The idea is, simply, to introduce languages code-wise. It would require a set of predefined languages and variables per account to define whether they speak that language or not and whether they can understand it or not. It would require a number of terminal-functions/commands and the suggestion for such is as follows:

Code: Select all

rp_languages //Displays which languages you character speaks/understands.
rp_speak <language> //Set which language to speak when typing.

rp_languages may, for the sake of giving an example, give the following output:

Code: Select all

/rp_languages
      galactic_basic (s)
      dimok

The above would then mean, that that person understands both dimok and galactic_basic, but the (s) indicates that the person is only able to speak galactic_basic. By typing rp_speak galactic_basic in the terminal (if you were not already speaking it) would set the default language, when typing messages, to galactic_basic. So, for the sake of argument, if Dhiro were to speak in dimok, this hypothetical person would be able to understand the words, but not answer back in dimok - due to various RP reasons which I won't go into details with.

If you cannot understand/decipher the words being said (if someone speaks a language you do not understand), it would give an output such as:

=Dhiro= says something, but you cannot understand the words.

or simply:

=Dhiro= says something in an unknown tongue

This of course could be toggle-able, like the chat range, to allow for greater immersion, while still preserving the overall overview, for those who would like to learn more about, what is going on.

Thoughts?

((Edit: 42nd post!))

[Kael Sekura]

heh intereting idea but i'm sure i recall Soh mentioning something before that there can only be so many types of special message mode. Like, say, /me, /tell etc and no more could be added. Only changed...

again, that's a vague memory. feel free to correct me there lol

It's not too difficult as it is currently though just to type <Huttese> "Hi" and the likes.. still i do like the idea. Just don't know if it's A) possible and B) needed.

[Dhiro]

heh intereting idea but i'm sure i recall Soh mentioning something before that there can only be so many types of special message mode. Like, say, /me, /tell etc and no more could be added. Only changed...

I thought about this as well, and came to the conclusion that this would not necessarily have to be altered. It's basically a matter for the client/server to read which language the sender is using and running through the array of the languages the receiver understands. If they don't match, the server will tell the client and the output read by the player will, depending on whether they have toggled the feature on/off, be quite similar to that of the /me command, instead of the original message. If possible, recognizing actions (::*::) inside the message would then be added to the output.

However, I don't hack in the code and haven't even looked at it, so I can't for sure say what is limited by the executable and what is extendible through libraries/modding. So it's for Soh to tell. But still debatable, until an answer has been given.

[Aslyn Denethorn]

Looks like a feature they have in World of Warcraft - if someone speaks in a language you're unable to understand, all you see is the actual language itself. If you CAN speak the language, the words appear in English. That's a good idea Though probably difficult to implement.

[Lynee'alin]

Kekeke.

[Johauna Darkrider]

It would definitelly be interesting addition, and make the RP immersion even greater. However, i'm a bit worried that JKA, as such old and rather simple game, would not allow that to come true. And even *if* possible - I can't imagine the amount of coding needed to have that working.

[Dhiro]

Looks like a feature they have in World of Warcraft - if someone speaks in a language you're unable to understand, all you see is the actual language itself. If you CAN speak the language, the words appear in English. That's a good idea Though probably difficult to implement.

Implementing a word-recognition-system is not what I'm suggesting, that would require too much work. This feature is much simpler and not based on which words are being typed. If you hear one of those Star Wars languages, you often have no clue on what's being said either ways (Wookies, for example), unless you know the basics of the language. That is unlike most human languages, which tend to have evolved from different sources and thus many languages bears somewhat closely related words, where you are often able to decode parts of it, which would require a slightly more sophisticated system to properly simulate. This is based on a simple boolean value; you either know a language to its full extent or have absolutely no idea on what's being said. If you don't know it, the text is replaced by a simple "the words are unknown to you" message or perhaps a coded-in message for different languages, such as "a moaning, vexatious sonance" for wookies .

[Vantus]

Kekeke.

"lololo"

I speak fluent Orcish


I like your suggestion Dhiro but i'm worried it's just going to cause gaps in the already fragile social tree we have in JEDI.

It reminds me of my feelings about Telepathy. Too many people essentially sitting "PMing" eachother.

I could see people using language as a method of excluding others from conversation and JEDI would become more and more anti-social.

I think at the moment this can be done more simply by typing in RP. Perhaps in an alocated colour.
Something like ::Speaks in broken Rodese:: or whatever and then PMing the person with your actual message. Again, it doesn't really eliminate the problem with segregation.

An imaginative, yet dangerous idea.

[Dhiro]

I understand your points and your worries, Vantus.

But I think that there is a need for a change in JEDI (or there was when I became unable to play, and based on the posts on forum, etc. nothing indicates there have been a change at all). There is a need for active involvement in trying to turn the RP quality for the better. It shouldn't be the new roleplayers setting the standard, but the good raising the bottom and pulling up those who are new to roleplaying. Apparently that system just simply isn't working. And the system I think is needed, is a system that enforces roleplaying. Perhaps my view on JEDI as a roleplaying community is wrong and perhaps what JEDI really want is different from what I want.

I want a thrilling roleplay, where I can almost smell those I am talking to and feel the Force flow through my body. Where I feel that I am talking to the persons in the game and not to someone behind a computer screen. Languages is just one part that adds to this. It may be frustrating not to be able to understand what is being said, which is exactly the point. It's part of life not to understand others, it's part of RP.

Anyway, I'm getting slightly off topic there.

[Vantus]

Anyway, I'm getting slightly off topic there.

Not at all, these are are valid comments so I understand fully.

I'm just worried that it's all people will do once it becomes a feature and soon nobody will speak basic just because they have a cool new game mechanic that means they don't have to.

I wouldn't like to suddenly see people speaking Zabraki when before they didn't have a clue.

If it is actioned, I just hope people take to it realistically and partially.

[Jared]

Rodian: ::Rodese:: <Hello>

or

Rodian: Gabachoobadooba

Based on JEDI's rules and tips, that everyone has to speak in English server side I can't see a need for this at all. It's antisocial to filter other peoples perception of what you are typing/RPing. Communicating using /tell or a force bond or telepathy is bad enough. If it's so desperately relevant to a role play situation that a characterisation merits them not speaking Basic, it should be RP'd normally.

People should have the intelligence and maturity to distinguish OOC from IC.

Can your character understand Dimok/Huttese/Shirriwook? If not, pretend you don't understand.

Just my two cents.

[Atrux Nuro]

When you use "(( ))" before and after a message the chat becomes global...so couldn't you use a variation of that like: if you type "::Rodese:: <<message>>" if you speak it you can see the message, but if you don't speak it, all you see is "::Rodese::".

Would also work better if you could add a list of skills like KOTOR has; languages being a catagory and have a list of languages. as long as people don't abuse it and it can be implimented I like the idea.

Even if people don't speak the language, if you are like me you can't help but read what's in front of you.(kinda like road signs)

all in all I support this idea. thanks Dhiro/Larkit/dude/guy.

[Nira'kalen'nuruodo]

I'm with Jared on this one. While it's certainly an interesting concept, I don't see it aids RP in any way. As it is, the current convention for displaying languages other than Basic (::Langauge:: <<English>>) is more than sufficient to visually differentiate it from regular speech (and if you use colour, all the better). Also, even if a character doesn't understand a specific language, there are certain things that you can understand, like tone of voice. By preventing us from seeing the actual words OOC, you take that away. Therefore this:

Person: ::Rodese:: <<I'm going to gut you like a fish!>>

Other Person: I don't think he likes me...

becomes this:

Person: ::Rodese::
Other Person: ::Looks puzzled::

Personally, I see the former as more realistic.

[Aayla Vigil]

::agrees with jared, Atrux and Nira::