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Old 05-05-2006, 06:36 AM   #4
prof1515
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If I was to look at the two reasons for theme change given above, I'd have to say that my reaction to the two would be completely opposite.

In the latter example, events within the game's setting prompt a "change in theme".  This is something that a good setting should encompass.  Things change, including life itself.  Our own world is dynamic, with events and the repercussions of those events constantly shaping and reshaping the world we live in.  A well-designed MUD world will be no different.  If a war begins, it should change the nature of society.  If a plague strikes, it should change the way in which people behave.  And it need not be negative events that cause such change.  Prosperity can bring about just as sweeping of changes.

Now, in the case of the former example, a shift of theme that seems more motivated by OOC than IC events, I would likely quit the game.  With me, there's a reasonable expectation that a game's designers have enough foresight not to require massive changes in their world in order to accomodate such changes in said world's events.  That is to say, if they're competant, they'll have considered creating a diverse environment that won't require they start over from scratch when events take them in any direction.

Now, if they've switched themes for even more OOC reasons, say from a medieval theme to a Star Wars theme, that's more than enough reason to never go near anything they work on again.  They should start a new game altogether if they're going to do that.

That's my take on it.

Jason
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