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**`Lightning`** · 09-26-2007, 06:39 AM

To start, for any newbies out there, an NPC is a Non-Player Character. In this case, any character that does not have a registered account.

Utopia on Hold likes to consider their policy on NPCs rather unique. We notice that other places like to do NPCs in the extreme: either they allow too much freedom regarding their NPCs — and players abuse this freedom by inserting one-dimensional or unreasonable NPCs that would never have been approved otherwise, or they give too little liberty to the player, and require administrative micromanaging to even use NPCs at all.

At Utopia on Hold, we try to give the player every liberty provided that it does not negatively impact the overall continuity and landscape. We encourage creative, resourceful, and responsible play of said characters. That said, we have devised an NPC system that hopefully covers all the basics and still gives the player room to expand.

If you have read this thread (and if you haven't, you really need to), then you should know that we require a background application for major NPCs, and they do not need an account. Before anyone whines about needing to do another application, let us explain exactly why this is important to us. We definitely have a reason to our madness.

Creating a background application is relatively little effort. It's a short application and the staff realize that not everyone is going to have a bunch of spare time to create a spectacular work of English. That said, the process of creating an application allows you (as the player) to get to know the NPC better. You may also choose to reserve a model for your registered NPC. The process of viewing and approving the application allows the staff some say as an arbiter, to prevent any damage to the continuity or playability of the realm itself. It's a win-win.

Furthermore, a background application gives you and everyone you play with far more flexibility. It allows the players a chance go glean some valuable information regarding the character itself. You also get a cool feature on Utopia on Hold, you get the chance to designate drivers for that NPC. That is, because the NPC is approved as a background character, and it does not have an account, you can permit certain individuals the play the character. The creator also has a sense of control. They have the ability to make and update any changes (provided that they are reasonable, of course), and they can handpick anyone that they do or don't want to play their characters.

Naturally, having a certain number of characters is enriching to any RPG, and while many great authors have wrote entire novels purely as a monologue, having minimal interaction is not something we generally recommend. Giving you and your fellow RPers the ability to view, appraise, and utilize a collective set of NPCs tends to be a big advantage.

We feel that this policy is the best, fairest way of creating an environment where creativity and continuity and realism interact seamlessly.

09-26-2007, 06:39 AM
`Lightning` ▲ *that* guy ▲ Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: In this thread Posts: 1,124	NPC Policies To start, for any newbies out there, an NPC is a Non-Player Character. In this case, any character that does not have a registered account. Utopia on Hold likes to consider their policy on NPCs rather unique. We notice that other places like to do NPCs in the extreme: either they allow too much freedom regarding their NPCs — and players abuse this freedom by inserting one-dimensional or unreasonable NPCs that would never have been approved otherwise, or they give too little liberty to the player, and require administrative micromanaging to even use NPCs at all. At Utopia on Hold, we try to give the player every liberty provided that it does not negatively impact the overall continuity and landscape. We encourage creative, resourceful, and responsible play of said characters. That said, we have devised an NPC system that hopefully covers all the basics and still gives the player room to expand. If you have read this thread (and if you haven't, you really need to), then you should know that we require a background application for major NPCs, and they do not need an account. Before anyone whines about needing to do another application, let us explain exactly why this is important to us. We definitely have a reason to our madness. Creating a background application is relatively little effort. It's a short application and the staff realize that not everyone is going to have a bunch of spare time to create a spectacular work of English. That said, the process of creating an application allows you (as the player) to get to know the NPC better. You may also choose to reserve a model for your registered NPC. The process of viewing and approving the application allows the staff some say as an arbiter, to prevent any damage to the continuity or playability of the realm itself. It's a win-win. Furthermore, a background application gives you and everyone you play with far more flexibility. It allows the players a chance go glean some valuable information regarding the character itself. You also get a cool feature on Utopia on Hold, you get the chance to designate drivers for that NPC. That is, because the NPC is approved as a background character, and it does not have an account, you can permit certain individuals the play the character. The creator also has a sense of control. They have the ability to make and update any changes (provided that they are reasonable, of course), and they can handpick anyone that they do or don't want to play their characters. Naturally, having a certain number of characters is enriching to any RPG, and while many great authors have wrote entire novels purely as a monologue, having minimal interaction is not something we generally recommend. Giving you and your fellow RPers the ability to view, appraise, and utilize a collective set of NPCs tends to be a big advantage. We feel that this policy is the best, fairest way of creating an environment where creativity and continuity and realism interact seamlessly.