Skull Markers at Entrance to scenes.

I understand the reasoning for the skull markers at the entrance to the scenes. I also do not like them as I consider it hand-holding. People have suggested that I just run in and do not look at them. That is hard to do. I would prefer to be able to toggle them off at least. I do not need to be coddled and want more immersion instead of warning signals at entrances. Please consider the old school gamers who do not need the visual guides. Make a toggle as to let those who need it get it, and for those of us who do not need it. Thank you.

 

I like them but I'd be okay with a toggle (if it is easily implemented)

 

i hardly ever look at them.. i'm always moving forward, i dont' take the time to turn around when i zone somewhere. i only ever remember they are there when i'm running back out of the scene with only a shred of health left, and i see them 'for the first time'...usually accompanied by a facepalm

 

Ya I zone in and they are right there. I usually while loading will go to the forums and then come back. then there they are lol.

 

Or maybe they could just put them in 'beginner areas' as those were the places most starting players had difficulties identifying? Just put the poles into the scenes that are meant for 'beginners'.

Entering any scene without the poles meant you were doing it at your own risk, precede with caution and we're not responsible for what happens to you if you go in there - DLMB.

 

Ya I just do not remember any dungeons in the Ultimas or UO that had any kind of handholding signs. You had to adventure to find out. Not just see a sign saying ok if your not adventure level 30 dont come in.

 

Yes, well, a lot of time has passed and some things have changed over that time. We might have gotten used to restrictions and guidance a bit?

Personally, just goes in and if the mobs take more than 1/2 the hp bar, head straight back out and never looks back. Unless there's a hat, then it's another story.

 

I don't consider the Skull Spikes something that I would consider serious handholding, but I'd have no problem with a toggle - IF it doesn't require much dev time devoted to it (which I suspect it might, since you're asking to "toggle" a visible scene element).

 

hehe not WE. I have not

 

how much time did it take to implement it. It was not needed. IMO

 

I understand - in your opinion it wasn't needed.
Obviously the dev's didn't agree....
I suspect if you took a Poll, you'd be in a serious minority.... But who knows....

 

I guess for my reasoning, is if I am going to play a game I want a challenge. I want to have to think about what I am doing. I do not need visual cues to make me just want to turn around and leave the scene. YMMV

 

I understand - but if you want a challenge, then don't turn around and leave the scene... Problem solved.
In fact, if you really want a challange, go look for 5 skull poles - go nowhere else...

 

that does not solve the problem at all. What I am saying is the immersion is ruined right off the bat. One cannot unsee something. I do believe @RichardGarriott wanted no hand holding and this certainly is. I am appealing to the devs to reconsider. A toggle would work perfectly. I would prefer to not even have them at all but would compromise with that. I hope you understand. Closing my eyes and running into a zone is not an option for me.

 

I do understand your logic, and it makes sense.
Which is why I said I wouldn't be opposed to a toggle.

It's just that they have sooooo much on their plates, I wouldn't want them to spend a lot of time with that toggle.
If they can do it without a lot of effort - I'd have no problem at all with the concept.

 

I say replace the skulls with toffee apples . it wont make any difference what so ever but it would be alot less scarier than human remains

 

yeah, i don't see that at all.
my immersion is just fine.
it is unobtrusively right at the edge of the zone.
the avatar zones into the area in front of the skullpost.
only if the avatar turns around, do they see the skullpost.
that is still within the game and within the bounds of immersion.

lets say you are running around the desert sniping polecats (i know, shut it! lol) you run into a fence with a slight hum coming from it. you see a sign posted: "minefield inside" or "aerial munitiions testing grounds, stay out"

i don't know about you, but i think when i see that: i sure as hell havn't leveled enough for that zone, and stay well the hell out of it.


society generally has a way of telling someone that the area they are considering has monsters... hell, back in the day cartographers who did not know what dangers lay outside of the explored areas wrote "thar be dragons" on the maps..it is all the same concept.

i'd like to know, however, in total - all zone entrances added up - how many elves died making those posts..

 

I dont know about that, I have zoned in and seen them. maybe its the camera and how far its zoned out. I also have a habit of panning around looking at things before I proceed. I can only speak for myself though, just as only you can speak for yourself

 

I never noticed them until I read about on the forum.

 

I think they were added due to many many foul mouthed complaints from new people along the lines of "I bought this game and can't even find a place to start that doesn't kill me, this game is stupid and I quit". While i agree that most of us don't need them, they are not all that unrealistic (in the creek near my house that is full of crocodiles, people have pegged pig and dog skulls along the riverbank as a warning).