Disclaimer: Alot of these approaches are not mine. When i have time i will link their orignating forums if i can find them.
As far as i can see there are two groups of approaches. The first is called the "hard approaches" which are driven by the devs and the second are the "soft approaches" which are driven by the community. Also apologies for the pretentious names I gave the approaches but the names help me wrap my head around the points i wanna make.
Hard Approaches:
1) IP tracking approaches: Track ips to ensure
1.1) There is a timeout on switching sides
Cons: Is this possible? Do the devs have the resources? What if I have a VPN?
1.2) There is a buff (rr / gold generation etc) given for continuos play on one side.
Cons: Are we not rewarding a player for just playing the game?
2) One-sided approach:: Here some proponents argue for having only one side for each account.
Cons: IP tracking is hard. Easy to open two accounts. Devs said they are not doing this.
3) Information Gathering approach:: This does not directly start x-realming but would prove its existence and help me as a newbie player understand the consequences of x-realming. As far as I understand x-realming occurs when Player A determines that it would be more beneficial to log onto the other side. If a gm determines there is a potential "critical mass" building that would lead to a mass x-realm. They could flip a swith saying lets test this trigger (i.e a wipe, a t4 call to attack a keep, a t4 chat call to def keep). Then they can look at how many log-offs and log ons there are for both sides. To determine the breadth and scale of the problem assuming it exists. Who knows they can even say these xyz players fit a long term pattern of x-realming and should walk naked down the steps of altdorf palace while the rest of us chant shame... shame..shame <--- last part was a joke....or was it ? XD
Cons: Would take dev time. Would need long term analytics to figure out patterns. Maybe not ideal for dealing with players that fit patterns but rather to help understand the phenomenon.
4) The Hand-Of-God approach:: There may be a need for some positive enforcement against the pull of a trigger to stop a critical mass occuring on one side. The success of the recent event made me think that there is some-potential for positive enforcment on the part of the gms. Problem is it would have to be balanced to ensure no favouritism on either side and also so it doesnt become a fight between gms. Maybe the occasional global chant by gms to rally forces may have some impact. Hey! its nice to know the server gods are on your side. Potential Manifestations of this approach
4.1) Server shout to rally the forces
4.2) Server champ to help offset an arbitrary aao % . Lets say if it tops 300% a gm champ spawns whose power is equivalent to 10 % of the aao. The idea here is not to create a balance but rather an incentive to stay. Destro/order will still wipe the champ and defenders if they have 400% aao . I dunno if this point made sense....Oh well
Cons: As mentioned above .... needs to be balanced and discrete as possible.Will be intermitent as gms not always online. Need to ensure that gameplay is not ruined however the devs always said that ROR is not WAR. This could be a potential divergence. Seeing as ROR is one server alot can be done in terms of curating that cant be done in games like wow that have tons of servers.
5) Strict Controls approach:: Here the devs could implement some sort of 5-10 min timer for a player entering rvr upon login. Furthermore they could increase lvl of participation required for bags and inf and also perhaps have other limits timers in place.
Cons: Dev time and resourcces. Can potentially punish casual inocent playeres who are on for short periods.
Ok break time. Gonna make a cuppa and have a cig....
Back
Soft Approaches
1) Community Curated Approach: When I first got into t4 i heard about x-realming from the odd disgruntled player in t4 chat. The would mumble "Ah these X-realmers are the reason we lost." or "Oh these x-realmers are the reason i'm divorced and my kids hate me ....". See the thing is I don't know what to think. I've never been slapped in the face by an announcement saying this is what happened last major x-realm. THESE ARE THE FACTS. This is the negative impact it has on the server and the community. This is the punishment if you are caught. It doesnt matter if no one will ever get caught. I dunno... my experience as a player is simply that i dont understand the severity of the problem.
2) The elders Approach:: I really didnt want to mention this approach because it sounds like me saying "Yo Vets/Guilds/gms the bane of x-realming is your problem to deal with" which is not what i'm trying to say. But I do think these core community members may have something to offer in this discussion. Perhaps gms/guild-members/vets/community leaders could get together and create a marketing strategy to help nurture an anti-x-realmer culture. They would choose how to convey the message. THIS IS A SUGGESTION assuming x-realming is ACTUALLY a problem. I dont know if it has any merit but it was on my mind so i put it down.
Cons: The elders are players, not enforcers and without an acceptance from the bottom up of this culture they may incur the inevitable "f*** u ... ur not my mom" expletives. Also developing a culture is tough. It takes time and effort and like all marketing strategies it has a chance to fail as well as succeed. Moreover players actively reminding players too harshly may make it a toxic environment and also lead to a perceived witch elf hunt <--- haha get it ?
3) Player Approach:: Just some personal observations to limit the effectiveness of x-realming against you. Although in retrospect I think its a bit paranoid. Also i'm by no means a good wb leader so i understand if these suggestions are not good. I am eager to here from experienced individuals of what they think.
3.1) Make use of whisper:: When scouting whisper wb leaders and not t4 chat. That way they hold the "one up over" the opposing side. Moreover maybe its a good idea for wbs leaders to whisper eachother rather than t4. Upon filling up the wb someone would then leave, start a new wb and join the chain of whispers. I saw the effectiveness of this in an order siege. Personal note: Some wb leaders dont appreciate you whispering them giving them scouting info. If they dont respond. Just ignore them and let them go it alone.
3.2) Wb leaders dont be shy of holding back you plans:: Share with eachother and tell your wb their assignment at the last possible moment. I dont mind being kept in the dark.
3.3) Dont use emotion in t4 chat:: If you are like "OMG huge zerg ball about to kill our hero. We're dying like crazy". I think these may be triggers for x-realming.
3.4) DONT BE REACTIONARY:: Alot of the problems with x-realming may be because of rvr still needing some ironing out. Until that day comes there will always be people saying "let them tag the doors so we get a def tick". I am really passionate about this point. I play ROR for the feeling of being amongst kindred spirits of fighters on the battlefields. I wanna feel the WAAAGH!. I think if both sides are stuck in this reactionary mentality unwilling to put themselves in a position to loose, x-realming will always be a problem. I've had so much fun getting steamrolled by either krumlock and his gang or porn-factory and their deathball or even pug destro wbs fighting for that second bo. I've had such a great time being lead by wb leaders saying "Screw your waiting an hour for three def ticks .... I'm gonna do something... And if we get wiped...we not only played the game the way it was intended but indirectly we helped maintain a healthy server ". My observation is simple if there is not a give and take from both sides then the server becomes unhealthy and breeds a reactionary mentality.
Having spoken about the two groups I'm gonna finally mention my favourite approach
The Mr. Obvious Approach:: Maybe the bain of x-realming will be solved once the minutae of rvr are ironed out. For instance once keep takes are easier maybe people wont know who the clear winner will be and will just opt to stick to the side they are on. The way I see it is that x-realming is a rigged betting game. We all know the game is rigged for the defenders. At the end of the day x-realming will be solved when the contestants cant figure out which side is the winning side.
Cons:: I've seen x-realming occur for keep takes as well. Particularly a well coordinated dw order keep take that landed up with 5 wbs and eventually crashed the server
Again my aim in this essay was not to bash people that have chars on two accounts. People do it for more lore, more places to visit and things to do. AND for more friends
. I'm talking about the serial x-realmers (whether they exist or not) who always log on and off for def ticks. Psst! If you made it this far you sir/madam are a Legend! Get yourself a cookie .... you earned it
) Should I be banned/penalized because 3 of us play at my house?
