The safe world, or Why say “leave out” combat? Let’s just not add it in

If we are working towards virtual realities, as I think we are, then I think that there’s a problem set there to solve. And we can reduce it by going with a smaller design, sure–one tailored to that vast group of people who would rather not deal with certain aspects it is possible to simulate, such as violence. As Dr Cat said, we can choose not to add in combat.

But somebody is gonna add combat. And since I was (and still am, though my interest is shifting) interested in tackling many of the problems that arise with an environment that includes as many of the experiences life offers as can be made interesting, I regard it as “leaving it out.” That’s not intended to be derogatory towards those who leave it out; they are not trying to address the same problem set, is all. I want to tackle the problem set of the day when we have a MUD (read: spatial, multi-user) interface to the entire Internet, which I don’t think is that far away.

Quite beyond that, I have serious doubts about the commercial feasibility of a server that’s completely safe. Not because of the lack of interest, but because of the amount of cops you have to pay to keep it safe. I use as my rule of thumb whether or not we’re willing to pay enough cops to keep us safe in the real world, where the stakes are a lot higher. 🙁 Yeah, we can code Toontown laws of physics, and people will still find ways to screw each other over. Because fundamentally, that’s what a safe environment is promising: nobody will screw you over. And I can’t currently design a way around that. I doubt I will ever be able to. You can reduce the problem set, but the problem doesn’t go away… what’s worse, the safer you say you are, the more of a target you paint on your chest. A nasty dilemma.

As an aside, I’d also like to whap everyone who said that the designers of UO ignored the history of the online game development field upside the head, please. 😉

Whew, that was an outpouring. Basically, I cheer on the “safe game” designs. Love to see how you do it. Am openly skeptical about how you’ll do it. Hope you prove me wrong. And I go about it in a more cynical way. 😉 UO was intended as just a microcosm, you see. The fact that it is as dangerous as it is speaks, IMHO, more to human nature than anything else…