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View Full Version : NPCs of a different sort



MelanyKoura
May 18, 2008, 10:27 AM
Now, I'm a frequent user of NPCs (see my PM and Tylor) and looking at them, I think that while they're kinda nice, but also kinda stupid in some respects. Naturally, my mind went to work in the background as I was doing runs and I came up with something. It isn't totally original, but it could be fun.

A NPC that you could do a certain quest to get it. On the way you are asked questions that determine the NPC's name, gender, hair color, hair length, any hairstyle accents, eye color, and so on and so forth. It will also establish what class they start out as (Hunter, Ranger, Force) and what type of AI they have. Once you preform a single fight in the quest alongside the NPC (probably to either save his/her skin or help save a child or something). Once you get the partner card of the NPC is when things would open up for you.

One function would be that his/her class/character level both start at one and level the same way we do (kill monsters and complete missions). Another is that you can change his/her class when it becomes available. A function coupled with that would be that you can trade equipment to him/her as you see fit to customize their pallete (and the same would be done for skills).

Probably a further function would be to customize the macros of the NPC to use in certain situations (enemey level, what is said after defeating an enemy, etc).

In my mind, it strikes me as a way to truly be some sort of mentor to an NPC (remember Lumia?) that actually grows in a few ways. In the future, more quests could be made to improve the performance of the NPC's AI a little to match the character level/job level.

I dunno, I just thought it'd be kinda nifty to do with NPCs and also make things a little more fun, possibly interesting. Like it or insult it.. I don't really care. Just thought I'd get it out there to see the opinions of other players.

Keep in mind, I know that Sega would NEVER do this, so don't keep saying that to me; it's already known.

I suppose I could ask that when you vote for this/give your opinion, that you take the idea as if it were possible for it to happen. I know it wouldn't, but just humor me and please try to think in what was mentioned above.

Well, enjoy!

Feign
May 18, 2008, 10:32 AM
It'd be pretty fun, especially for those who RP and would like to have another character of their own creation around to compliment theirs. It'd also mean creating a character who compliments your style for non-RPers.

NikkiC
May 18, 2008, 10:38 AM
It's an interesting idea, would be nice to have an AI partner that's actually tailored to your own fighting style. It's a feature I haven't seen in too many games, the ability to bring AI partners with you to do stuff. Just a shame in this game, they're artificial all right, but intelligence? I don't think so.

MelanyKoura
May 18, 2008, 10:52 AM
On 2008-05-18 08:38, NikkiC wrote:
It's an interesting idea, would be nice to have an AI partner that's actually tailored to your own fighting style. It's a feature I haven't seen in too many games, the ability to bring AI partners with you to do stuff. Just a shame in this game, they're artificial all right, but intelligence? I don't think so.


I'll agree with you on the lack of intelligence on the part of the NPCs. xD Guess one could just hope that these would be smarter than the basic NPCs we get (Maya, Lou, Leo, etc).

Leah
May 18, 2008, 10:54 AM
why don't you just say, "i'd like to rip off ffxi's npc fellowship quest?"

http://www.creativeuncut.com/ffxi_npc_fellow.html

pikachief
May 18, 2008, 11:06 AM
i still like the idea of making your own characters NPCs!

Give them 3-4 set weapons, and u go register them or w/e and u get their card and they can join u on your runs!

would be cool to have your own alts playing with u http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif

they would also randomly use your own macros that are on your alts http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif

Zellis
May 18, 2008, 11:11 AM
On 2008-05-18 08:54, Leah wrote:
why don't you just say, "i'd like to rip off ffxi's npc fellowship quest?"

http://www.creativeuncut.com/ffxi_npc_fellow.html



Because Everyone on earth plays FFXI Right? How was she to know?

MelanyKoura
May 18, 2008, 11:20 AM
On 2008-05-18 08:54, Leah wrote:
why don't you just say, "i'd like to rip off ffxi's npc fellowship quest?"

http://www.creativeuncut.com/ffxi_npc_fellow.html



Because I never played that game...?

Zellis
May 18, 2008, 11:20 AM
On 2008-05-18 09:06, pikachief wrote:
i still like the idea of making your own characters NPCs!

Give them 3-4 set weapons, and u go register them or w/e and u get their card and they can join u on your runs!

would be cool to have your own alts playing with u http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif

they would also randomly use your own macros that are on your alts http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif



Lawl! I would have to go Outlaw Star on that one and make Twilight Suzuka! Ever hunting my character but slightly not wanting to kill him, for the sheer purpose of having nothing to do if she did http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_razz.gif

Xefi
May 18, 2008, 11:39 AM
On 2008-05-18 08:27, MelanyKoura wrote:

Another is that you can change his/her class when it becomes available. A function coupled with that would be that you can trade equipment to him/her as you see fit to customize their pallete (and the same would be done for skills).



I like this idea. Giving your uber equipments to your NPCs would help them survive longer and effective. Most NPCs have ice armor...lol.

Katrina
May 18, 2008, 12:07 PM
I use NPC's a lot too, I like the idea

gryphonvii
May 18, 2008, 12:21 PM
MY main is an acro and when I switch to one of my alts I miss my own support, this would be cool to have a support character to follow my beast and such. I approve.

Spacepest
May 18, 2008, 12:57 PM
I'd be happy if we could just customize the PM's we have now...new devices to customize their behaviour, speech, and maybe a change of clothes.

Its a shame Sega doesn't expand more on the NPCs we get in this game.
I also play World of Warcraft, and my main character is a Hunter class. In that game, about half our DPS comes from our own personalized NPC pet. And when I mean personalized, it goes way beyond what the PSU NPCs are capable of. Let me describe it.

First, we have to select an animal we want as a pet, go out, capture it and tame it (you better hope it doesn't eat you while you're trying to tame it. XD). After you tame it, you have to feed it food at regular intervals and fight with it, as it has its own set of levels and experience points to go with it. You get to choose and train your pet in what kind of attacks/spells it has, also you can set up what kind of armor, health points, and resistances to magic schools. On top of this, there is a seperate attack bar on the screen if you want to command all your pet's individual attacks by hand, plus you can macro the attacks or leave it on an autoattack if you want. You can also set the aggressiveness level of your pet...so no stupid NPC running off to its death unless you want it to.

Now compare all of this to a PSU partner machine and you can see how limited a NPC it actually is. A PSU partner machine just runs around randomly, beats on enemies, and on a good day and if it likes you, heals you before you die. Very uncoordinated.

And I use NPCs alot in PSU, but man...sometimes I feel like I'm babysitting them when they do something really, really stupid.

Libram
May 18, 2008, 01:01 PM
Sometimes I feel like the 450 series AI is adjusted just for the hell of it. I could count on those gals to heal me when I actually needed it, but lately they've been kinda moping around and doing nothing. It's kinda like they're AI was replaced by Maia's "Hey, let's look away from the mob and coincidentally at the screen while I strafe in place and cause jiggle! Love meeee!" dance.

MayLee
May 18, 2008, 01:05 PM
I wouldn't mind my PM having her own spunky personality and letting her use my Psycho Wand would be epic.

I had always thought the Battle stat of PMs made them stronger or smartner but when I found out about the EX Device, boy was I sad and wrong.

I wish PMs ould level their PA like us but in a faster rate because we don't use them as much and will learn newer PAs and Techs ike Giresta and reverser.

Oh how I wished my Ice Queen PM had level 31 Techs and had Reverser and GirestaOh how I wished that you could barrow your alts PMs as well.

I guess beggers can't be choosers. ;_;



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: MayLee on 2008-05-18 11:07 ]</font>

Amalga
May 18, 2008, 01:36 PM
Now this is an excellent idea. I spend a lot of time with NPCs (Tonnio and Leo recently--they push through MAG fairly quickly) and it'd be nice to have one more tailored to my main's style that actually evolves as opposed to just leveling up three steps ahead of me.

stukasa
May 18, 2008, 01:49 PM
I rarely use NPCs but it sounds like a good idea. ANY kind of NPC customization would be nice, actually.

Judging by the poll results, it sounds like everyone else thinks it's a good idea too. http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif

Kylie
May 18, 2008, 01:56 PM
Sounds like too much work to me. http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_lol.gif

-Ryuki-
May 19, 2008, 06:10 AM
I personally would enjoy the ability to customize your own PM. And.. I mean customize it.. the same way you do to your own character. Why not? You should be able to give it weapons (but you lose it if you give it) and have it use it, same with armor and units. Why not let us change the color of the hairs or eyes? Outfits? Let us choose from 10 different colors like we do OUR outfits. http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_cool.gif