General News
For those of you who missed the mail out, the MUD has moved.
And now has it's own dot com. Better
facilities and less fees prompted the move. So thank you to all of those who
have joined us on our new server. Hope to see more players as we re-establish
ourselves.
Also, a big thank you to the players who have kept us going
for another year. Without your generosity, we would not be able to
continue. Server fees are something our
players contribute to voluntarily each year.
And the few who continue to support us each year and keep us open are
keeping more than just a game open, they keep a community open. Time and again players come back to play,
socialise, recall old times or just chat. Fate of the Republic has been here
for old and new players for many years now, and it's good to see the family
keep growing.
In-Game Changes
Once again, Action Points
have been the focus of many changes these last few months. More quests have been adapted to pay out in
AP as well as credits. The package
delivery system also pays out AP and while some comments have reflected
people's concern about how many AP, packages earn them, it is worth noting that
some of the aims of implementing AP is to allow new characters/players to earn
a reasonable amount without a large risk.
Pirate hunting is not for players who have little experience in our
unique flight-combat system. But as is
bound to happen, if acquiring AP is too easy, then it is farmed and quickly
becomes a worthless or worse, inflated
currency. Keeping the balance here is something we will be watching closely.
Of note, also, is the AP associated with levelling a new
character. It is now possible to come out of Belsra with a good start towards
your first starfighter, or a profession. Credits and AP are now a reward for
each citizen level you gain. With the 'exchange' function, of course some
people are choosing to do other things with their AP such as make their
characters more unique for their particular style of role playing.
With our coder being accepted to Microsoft in Seattle, the
administration of FotR are cracking the whip and trying to get as much work out
of him as possible before he leaves. We have had a degree of success with this.
Planetary ship spawning rates are now increased. So factions fighting to take
planets will have a more interesting encounter on their hands. And he has been busy tweaking some other
systems on the game. So go carefully out there people. Things are not what they
once were. :P
Oh.. and I guess we all congratulate him on getting the job,
etc etc...
With multi-play launched recently, many people have taken
advantage of being able to earn AP on several characters at once. Inevitably
that also means some people have skated a little close to punishment with their
characters benefiting each other. Please make sure you read 'help multiplay'
and don't lose your hard work for a lapse in judgement.
Competition Time!
A small competition for our new Immortal. Iselka would like
some ideas for her 'arrival and departure' when she appears to help
players. She is not quite up to the
'hot, buttery' presence of Asher, but she is hoping people will have some ideas
for her. QP or AP reward available for the best entry and please use colours as
well. It can be as long or as short as you want. All options will be at least
'considered' . :P We'll give it a couple of weeks, and then announce the
winners on the MUD and forum competition page. So post your entries on the
forum and see what you can come up with.
Soapbox!
Please remember, your characters don't have to be 'perfect'.
They don't have to have a great level of armour. And they don't have to have
acquired all the benefits of the game, that AP and QP can buy. The aim of being
here is rp. And I continually hear people wanting rp and not finding it because
many players are idling, and earning AP to make their 'perfect' character. By
the time you have a character you want to use... our eager rpers have moved
on. I really want to encourage you all
to get out and rp with whatever level of character you have. Have some fun, rp a struggling character if
you must. Roll with whatever you think suits the situation. Some of the most
fun rp has been random meetings. I believe we used to have an Imperial Emperor
who would disguise himself and pick up distress calls. Get out there and have
fun guys. :)
Personal Stuff!
Lastly, in a few weeks, the home of FotR will change. Oh the
server will still host us, but the man who makes this game run, will have to
learn how to string up a couple of wires and some sticks and get him that magic
internets and run the game from Down Under.
He must brave the spiders and the snakes and the goannas and the drop
bears and build an intricate web of computer stuff so he can still reach the
rest of the world. And I just want to say, I have a whole army of locals
standing ready to help him. Cousin Dave
has even offered a couple of his sheep. Thanks cousin Dave!! Asher will be safe with us. We'll treat him
as if he was one of our own. So none of
you need to worry. It will be business as usual on FotR. So stay with us, and
enjoy the ride. I'm sure you'll hear his screams er... his yelps of joy from
there.
