Subjectivity of Real-Time versus turn based.

[Xanthalas]

One of the differences between table top and online gaming. Is probably one of the most controversial, if not at least confusing.

In a Tabletop game, Those of us who are familiar, it is turn based. Using Initiative, and then following sequenced movements.

In an Online Game, it is Real-Time though Initiative factors into the mechanics, it does not however, govern RP, which, in my opinion. it should.

Tabletop:
Three adventurers encounter a Troll, Initiative is rolled, and the sequence is as follows, Troll, Cleric, Fighter, Thief.

The DM has the Troll attack, and tosses a rock at the fighter.

The Cleric begins to chant, an offensive prayer against the Troll, that takes a few rounds to finish,

Fighter decides safety is the better part of Valor, and raises his shield and charges forward to not only deflect the rock if he can, but engage the Troll first.

Thief darts to the side, and aims to flank the Troll with a dart.

in an Online game. Most of these would be attempted at the same time. Which is more realistic, but comes with problems.
Troll attacks.
Cleric begins to cast.
Fighter can only point and click. (That is one of the biggest flaws in the engine, regarding melee.)
Thief runs to the side and attacks.

But that's in a perfect setting. In online often what happens. is this.
Troll attacks.
Cleric is lagged, and stands there a moment,
Fighter attacks back.
Thief wasn't paying attention, and mis-transitions out of the area.

This is of course infuriating. But there is really not much we can do about it. PC vs. Monster will always fall to that. Since the game was designed to be that.

Now in PC versus PC. there's a problem.
Who is at fault, when things become unbalanced?
Let's swap the Troll for a PC Half-Ogre raiding a PC area. And rather than the charge, The Half-Ogre want's to Parley.

Half-Ogre swings spear menacingly. Grunts a threat.
Cleric casts a protective spell.
Fighter hates Ogres and their kind. and Charges with an emoted *Grapple* and a STR roll.
Thief slips around a corner and hides.

But wait.
What does the Half-Ogre do?
Mechanically, no attack was made.
But the Fighter is engaging him.
Half-Ogre assumes the fighter has too low of an AB to hit him, and ignores the emote. And instead attacks the Cleric.

Here is the problem.

Is it bad form for the Fighter? Should he not assume the Half Ogre is going to RP the encounter?

Or is the Half-Ogre at fault, for not RPing the encounter?

[Idonia]

Uhhh...

I'm just trying to catch up on all the post count I missed D:

[VIpAcT]

The fighter PC shouldn't assume that the other PC is going to go along with an emote like that when there is not necessarily any precedence to believe that they will. My assumption here is that you don't know the player's predisposition to such roleplaying beforehand.

What it amounts to in the end is whether or not it is not trying to judge the validity of a certain action, but doing what is fun given the freedom of the online server enviroment. Be prepared to go real time with the mechanics given to you at hand, but, if you dare to have some fun in situations that prove themselves to have good potential for extending things (like knowing someone likes to emote such things over game mechanics), then go for it.

I like flava variety.

[Xanthalas]

The fighter PC shouldn't assume that the other PC is going to go along with an emote like that when there is not necessarily any precedence to believe that they will.

((-IN GOOD HUMOR-))
I guess I shouldn't let that whole "PW Story - RolePlay Server" Thing throw me off.
(</jest>)

This was more as to provoke thought though. Because in truth, I'm sure the majority of players here have gone one way or the either depending on mood, schedule, current events, and etc. But sometimes I think people get a little too lax in behavior. It's certainly not my intention to point fingers or incite any kind of argument here. But you make a good point that sometimes the other person. (Be it someone known, or not) May not have a disposition that lends to roleplaying. It comes down to that blurry jagged line of where Bioware took the mechanics to a point that almost goes against a suitable roleplay environment.

[LadyPhoenix77]

I have to concur with Vipact.

[Zombie]

If someone starts emoting actions at me I generaly emote back/ask for rolls etc. Why on earth someone would think it is a good idea to grapple an oger is beyond me..... the size bonus alone.....

I play too much pnp, or perhaps not enough.

[Xanthalas]

I have to concur with Vipact.

I do too. Though not in so few words. As I never expected there to be lines drawn. Because what I'm trying to point out is that there is no -distinct- line. And really, I can only speak for myself. But I know that there's times I've been past, and times I've could of gone further. My example is probably a poor one. But even then. I'm sure there are those who "Agree" or "Disagree" With any number of points or sides. Mechanics are important, because they help drive a line that we can all use. Of course. And a lot of NWN is customizable. (For example. Altering spell scripts of problem spells or such.) But not all of it is. And where this world isn't turn based, mechanics come down to boil along side with rules and regulations, and in the end, Dice. But the player has some choice in these matters. Let's face it. That's the biggest "Die" there is. The variety of players. We have people who can roleplay well, some, not so much. We also have those who don't know how to, hardly at all. And just as dangerous. Those who roleplay too much. (Yes, It is possible.) It's merely my intention for people to think about where they stand in this gradient nature of play styles. and merely think about how they play and the reactions and results they have. I am certain many of us can not only be happy with ourselves. But also proud. But does every one else feel the same? Of course not. Personally I can admit to hearing a large number of things said by, and about, other people. And no one group is innocent. But just because we are all human. It's nature. But if we all try to think about the proverbial "Other man's shoes" We might learn something.

As ViPaCt said "Flava Variety"

I think the majority if not all, of us would be unhappy if all we ever did was play with ourselves. (Well, except maybe Druid523)
It's why we log in to a multi-player setting. And it's a balance of not 1 with many, but a multitude of singularities. Much like a constellation

I just hope I provoked some thought in people, instead of making these supposed "lines" thicker.