So, hear me out, this isn't a blast piece. I'm not taking one side or another. But I've been here a long time and I've explored other games and similar RP environments across those games and I've learned several things and rule sets that I've found make the entire experience far more enjoyable for everyone. This has been a discussion brought up numerous times in casual chat, but yet, I don't think I've ever actually seen it take place in a forum to be discussed and represented.

We can all agree that times are changing, RP sims are dying out, and Roleplayers, as a number, are dwindling across all of Second Life. We've all had that talk with a friend. That being said, the mentality that we as a community once had, where, let's be honest, we could be more flexible about who came and who left the community. That simple chuckle and "Well if they don't like it, they can leave." is no longer something that can be afforded in the same manner as it once was.

Which is precisely why I think this conversation needs to be had on a more serious note than we've ever had it. We now have a new HUD system in place and I see no reason why it can't accommodate some of these needs, if not just an alternative workaround altogether.

Because the simple truth is, making sure we strive to make RP in CD as memorable and enjoyable for all parties is something that should be taken more seriously now than before, given the circumstances.

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That being said, some of my suggestions are as follows:

Combat Player Ratios

As of late, this has become something of more concern. We've all been victims of it, and it... well, it sucks.

There's nothing worse than feeling like you got the element of surprise on someone and you're about to have a great RP arc, then out of nowhere, 4+ 'friends' jump out of the woodwork, and suddenly you're in for an ass-beating out of the blue. Sometimes this occurs after one of those involved has indicated it would, via RP (phone text, megaphone, owl mail).

Other times, I guess it was just a horrific collision of fate for you, that their three friends came from three different streets and converged on the higher calling of stomping your face in.

So what if... we enacted combat ratios? This could be particularly useful in situations (not previously agreed upon for event scenes etc.) between HPD and any of the gangs, or the gangs on gangs, etc. Where there's a rule in place where one side cannot be outnumbered more than 2 to 1 or 3 to 1, something that doesn't suck the life out of the other party's enjoyment of the moment? This isn't unheard of and is very common through other dark city/gang-related RP scenes.

Combat Dice

I personally am a huge fan of these and honestly, from my experience, so is the vast majority of players I've ever been in a scene with.

Now here's what I'm proposing, however. These shouldn't be an option, they should be a requirement. On their own, they are far higher enjoyment to just go with the flow, balancing win-mentality and there's really no downside to them at all.

When paired with the previously suggested matter of ratios, it can make for some ridiculously fun, random, and unbelievable RPs, such as being outnumbered 2 to 1 or 3 to 1 and just having a lucky night on the dice when you're on fire and you get to go home alive!

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As of late, the Gang on HPD and vice versa, as well as Gang on Gang large scenes have become far more common. Aside from that, the unsolicited acts of attacking one another for one war or another is also becoming far more common again. It is for this reason that I believe this conversation needs to be a more serious one, for everyone's enjoyment.

This article is for all suggestions, support, rejection; let's actually TALK about this.