Hi all.
Is it accpetable within Amia (rules) to use VoIP for combat coordination?
I understand, it looks like to be OOC, but combat is fast and typing is slow. And NWN1 is not VoIP capable (because it is old, and buggy, and...).
Personally, unorganized, uncoordinated and messy teamwork in combat -- things, which held me far aside from of group events. I have awkward experience with several groups in past, but may be I am just unlucky.

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Evolution by any means!

PvP, no.

PvM, I don't really see any harm.

My friends and I from town always use Skype when we play. The only change this does is that we do not (in my opinion) clutter the party chat with OOC when we have others in the group who are not in on the call. Some have actually said they liked us not talking much OOC and what we coordinated as a group was done by IC RP

I realise using such programs would fall under the same rules as sending out tells asking for help or coordinating PvP, would it not?

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Life should be prolonged only when it serves the greater cause of the death of the world.

Its not exactly something we can enforce. If its the prerogative of your friends to talk on skype while playing the game, we're not really in a position to tell you no.

However.

The actions of your character in combat, be it PvP or PvE, are the actions of your character and not you. The more that we distance ourselves from the immersion and roleplayed detail, the more we blur the lines between our character's success and our own player success.

While its a thing you -could- do (Even if the DM's tell you no), its not something I would recommend. Its a sort of OOC coordination, rather than IC coordination. If you've got a faction or a group of buddies who you want to be really good at fighting-- practice. ICly practice. Smooth out your team's combat techniques, roles, etc.

You can use Voice communication to talk to players while you're playing, but don't replace IC coordination with OOC coordination. Be respectful of others players, especially in PvP. PvP is already taken or received OOCly far too easily already. Let's not turn PvP into a "Take every measure to ensure you win" kind of deal. PvP is meant to be Roleplayed conflict. Its a tool to the story. The more you use out of game resources and out of character techniques to accomplish an IC ends-- especially one directly against another player-- the more you're going to upset others.
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And yes. If you use these kinds of programs, or any kind of OOC information and metagame that information you'll be in breach of the rules. Every day, we use OOC information and tools to come together for Rp, but when its more than just meeting up to chat with a friend, when its conflict, or rescues, or PvP-- if you know where its happening and your character doesn't have a very solid IC reason to suddenly show up, you should probably actively decide not to attend to spare yourself the scrutiny of the staff.

This is exactly why I ask about it publically and in advance. For myself, I am ask only and only about on-field IC coordination, not about calling support from outside (as it is already stated in rules).



Sounds reasonable, but our PCs not mute and deaf. Honestly, I do not understand, why our PCs leader could not shout orders to their comrades while in combat. NWN1 chat is considered ok for this, but it is requires hands and eye attention (this reminds me joke about Saruman, who controls his army using semaphore on top of his tower). But, nevermind.



OK. And thank you and others for detailed explanation of this matter.

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Evolution by any means!

If it's ok for me to chime in.....

I've been in parties where people were Skyping. I felt left out. I refuse to Skype while actively playing due to removing immersion.

One time I was trying to RP with the other two people in my party (yes, we were 3), and they were essentially running everywhere ignoring everything I said. After about half an hour, I got a Tell: "Oh sorry, we're rp'ing on skype, so we're basically ignoring IG actions." I won't mention who it was because otherwise I have respect for the player.

That however, pissed me off.

I've been playing NWN online for years, coordinating has never been a problem. I don't see how you are roleplaying if you are using Skype. I mean, be honest, you're not in character at all are you? We are a ROLEPLAYING server.... not a Skyping server, not WoW, not... D&D Online. The whole point is to stay in character and immerse yourself in the world. I don't see how hearing people talking in their real voices, using modern English and slang, about coordinating an attack or my favorite, "Hmm... what comes after Minotaurs?" (said in character to me recently, by a member of the DM team no less.....). It's just not roleplaying. It's not what Amia was meant to be.

I know it can't be enforced, but... can we frown on it at least? I feel this will certainly be the death of NWN and Amia.

I am aware I am not the most popular person on this server, some DM's don't like me, some players don't either. I come here to RP and have fun. Skyping takes away from that, immensely.

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Only time I've used Skype or GSC or Vent or Mumble or anything is for BSing around. I have a few friends that got me playing Amia, though they don't play anymore, and we used to BS in VOIP but never anything for coordination even when partying together. Using VOIP is like cheating, to me, since no one can see or hear you and it just opens up avenues for metagaming even if accidental.

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Whomst've'll'd'mn't I play:
Salema Nefahri :: A penny for your thots
Zrae'a'stra'fryn :: That which nightmares are made of
Khasir :: From the East a storm is coming

Seems awfully difficult to prove ...

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Just don't substitute IC communication with OOC, and its kosher.

As it will inevitably be used in PvP, I'm sure, and would be difficult to prove, the honor system applies.

No one can stop you from abusing it but you.

Please. Do not let yourself - or the rest of us - down.

I skyped once on Amia, during what would otherwise have been a dull hunting run. Made sure no one was left out. It was near-to-impossible to keep in character so I don't recommend it unless you don't have much roleplay lined up anyway (and no one can consistently maintain RP for the amount of hunting some players do... It's just not possible, so no loss in that instance). Anyway it was fun, but I don't expect to do it often. I mostly RP during hunts anyway.



Your argument would hold if you were in Skype with your enemies also, who feasibly could hear and react to your orders. In PvP especially, but in PvM there are cases where it would apply also. Okay, they don't react to text commands either (unless a DM is there) but it's also harder for you to stop and type them, so it kind of balances out.

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@Thanatopsis#6293

This evokes an image of TRPG session, where players have time-limit for action (yes, it is common practice in RU (esp. in combat or other fast-changing situations)) and oblidged to communicate writing PCs words on paper (typing message in (free) action window).



I, personally, see no problem with all-including communication (on field RPG it works well). Especially for drow raid on Paladinsk-city. After all, smart commanders quickly will use some sort of fast message encryption. But, of course, all actors have to be in agreement with terms of use.

Anyway, DMs already has stated - "No VoIP". (afaiu)

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Evolution by any means!