Create a dedicated contract board for the forum?

Post by **Vice** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 5:09 am

A few requests have come in to create a new section of the forum specifically for contract offers. This would simply be a dedicated area where players could post 'job offers' under contract to complete in-game objectives in return for in-game credits.

The structure might look something like this:

- Contract Title (in a new thread's subject line)
- Objective and terms clearly stated.
- Deadline to complete objective
- Amount (or item) offered.

Objectives could range from a player recovering a certain item or quantity of commodities to specifically targeting another player. They could be paid to temporarily join a clan for a particular battle or hired to join provide cover/escort to complete more challenging in-game objectives. The receiving player could consider hiring other player to split the payment to complete the objective faster.

No other posts would be likely be permitted. Only the post by the person offering the contract (by starting a new thread for the contract offer), a reply from the player who accepts it, then a post from either one or both indicating the contract has been completed and payment provided.

Various other in-game scenarios could unfold for players who do not pay for a contract or need to make revisions to pending contracts.

If this is something you'd like to see added to the forum, or not, please vote for the option you'd prefer.

Post by **Marvin** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 5:56 am

I could be wrong but I thought I saw something like this on Verb's website.

verbosity · Post by **verbosity** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 7:19 am

http://www.verbsleagues.co.uk/contracts.php,

I'm happy to send you the source code and help you integrate it into the forum if you want

verbosity · Post by **verbosity** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 7:44 am

Originally posted by Eclipse
I do believe Verb's only applies to his dynamic server, otherwise most of the bounties there should have already been paid out.

I didn't code it to be only for the dynamic server, ( in fact its not even plugged into it ) it could work automatically but the dynamic server ( and MM's ds9 in ER) are the only servers that support the extended functions the leagues can offer.

So as it stands it would have to work on an honour system, and the same would be true if such a system were implemented on the forum. ( IE. someone needs to be told, that needs confirmed etc etc).

[Edited on 4-28-2009 by verbosity]

tha_rami · Post by **tha_rami** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 8:34 am

This is going to be based on players courtesy. That sounds good. Still sad however, that theres no real thing you could achieve just by yourself.

While I vote in favor, I predict it will die soon without proper motivation for the user.

[Edited on 28-4-2009 by tha_rami]

Exim · Post by **Exim** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 10:22 am

Sorry, but I voted against.

My reason being that this should be part of the server software.
- where you surrender your money to the server when you put out the contract
- contracts are per server or global depends on how feasible for both methods
- Issuer should remain annoymous.
- Taker gets paid upon completion

tha_rami · Post by **tha_rami** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 10:44 am

I voted in favor exactly because of what Exim posted. Like in real life, it would be good to let players run their transactions themselves.

spelk · Post by **spelk** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 11:15 am

An alternative would be to have it in game, and report it out of game on the website also. I'm sure some creative use of XML or whatever could supply server information outside of the server to a website. That way you can have the best of both worlds.

verbosity · Post by **verbosity** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 12:01 pm

Originally posted by spelk
I'm sure some creative use of XML or whatever could supply server information outside of the server to a website. That way you can have the best of both worlds.

Thats already been done

, not all servers make use of it though

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 12:08 pm

Mmmmmmm!, another tough question, I have to think about this one!;)

LtCasey · Post by **LtCasey** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 12:12 pm

I voted YES!!!!

This could lead to some excessive Roleplaying. I love it!!!!

DennyMala · Post by **DennyMala** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 12:54 pm

Nice idea indeed.
This will open more room for RP and faction play.

Daedalao · Post by **Daedalao** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 9:44 pm

My thought would be that a player can post anonymously while having to remain logged in. Also, some way to update the online news so that a list of currently offered or high profile contracts are displayed. I do like the idea of tying it into the specific server, although that creates an extra log file or database that may end up eating a lot of hdd space. As long as the implementation makes it easy to pay out

DX101 · Post by **DX101** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 9:55 pm

I voted "yes"
Why: to put a bounty on esclipse's head

it would have to whait for the next server update tho so the game can conferm. it would also require a file linking system, updated when you quit legonds, or leave a server, so players can recive/accept a bounty when not in-game. hopefuy, this will get yes a few more votes.

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 9:56 pm

Originally posted by Maarschalk
Mmmmmmm!, another tough question, I have to think about this one!;)

OK, I thought long enough, and voted yes, because it does not diminish anything and just improves and adds another feature to the Game! So go for it Vice!

[Edited on 4-28-2009 by Maarschalk]

Earl · Post by **Earl** » Mon May 04, 2009 2:18 am

Originally posted by Daedalao
My thought would be that a player can post anonymously while having to remain logged in. Also, some way to update the online news so that a list of currently offered or high profile contracts are displayed. I do like the idea of tying it into the specific server, although that creates an extra log file or database that may end up eating a lot of hdd space. As long as the implementation makes it easy to pay out

It wouldn't be interesting as much if we couldn't strike back at the person that put a price on our heads, lol!

I'm up for a contract section. Very exciting!

tha_rami · Post by **tha_rami** » Mon May 04, 2009 2:23 am

I don't believe a tie-in with the game is planned, instead I think we're talking a forum only. I might be wrong there, only Vice knows for sure. But what I do know is that letting the players handle it all, instead of the game, will yield interesting results (pay half up front, half afterwards?)

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Mon May 04, 2009 12:39 pm

Originally posted by Eclipse
Originally posted by DX101
I voted "yes"
Why: to put a bounty on esclipse's head
You picked your clan, lol.
It's not my fault you haven't put time in developing strategies.
You'd better be prepared to put up a multi-billion credit bounty.

I'm still waiting for one of those multi-billion credit bounty contracts!LOL:P:P:P

warsign · Post by **warsign** » Tue May 05, 2009 10:58 am

Lol.
Might be fun, I say yes.

warsign · Post by **warsign** » Tue May 05, 2009 11:01 am

Originally posted by verbosity
http://www.verbsleagues.co.uk/contracts.php,

I'm happy to send you the source code and help you integrate it into the forum if you want

it is called foresee, to foresee the future, well done Verbosity.

Nigel_Strange · Post by **Nigel_Strange** » Wed May 06, 2009 4:45 am

Here's the thing. You can already access online news through the game. I believe the online news is posted on one of the forums, isn't it?

So, why would you not be able to post contracts through the same method and allow players to browse online contracts?

My only question is how it would actually work. I mean, the contract has to be something that would benefit the offering party enough for them to make the offer, and it would need to pay enough for the contractor to take the job. However, I can't see it being worth it to the employer.

How would any contract of this kind benefit the employer?

The only way I could really see this working is if you hate someone enough to put a contract out on them, so that as soon as the target enters the game, a bunch of people try to kill the target. Such a thing would tend to make me less likely to play MP. Most of us get along too well for that sort of griefing, anyway.

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Wed May 06, 2009 11:21 am

Good Points Nigel_Strange, I think some players like the Idea of a Bounty on their Head because it is a chalenge to them to see if any one can destroy them so they can improve their skill! I think there has to be some kind of agreement that players who want a bounty on their heads should put their names on a list! Only those persons on the list you would be able to put a bounty on!;)

PingBosun · Post by **PingBosun** » Wed May 06, 2009 5:00 pm

Regarding "Bounty Hunting", if somebody has taken out a contact on you, i.e eyou havd a bounty on your head, then when you have been blown to smitherines, then the bounty mut be lifted, so that you can continue to play as normal. If not you would be forever dodging Bounty Hunters, rathre than enjoying the game.

Maybe there should be a limit on the number of contracts for your head, since a whole clan could sequentially take out a contract on you and you would be forever running.

Just a thought anyway.

Earl · Post by **Earl** » Thu May 07, 2009 2:38 am

how about this?
Would be bounties have to opt-in on the board, and agree to the additional challenge before people can post bounties on them. They also promise to post to confirm eliminations when someone posts claiming a kill.

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Thu May 07, 2009 12:50 pm

That is what I'm suggesting a form of control and agreement from the involved parties!;)