Goonhub
I'd like to offer some considerations concerning the antag list that RP has compared to classic.
I would like to preface by stating I am fully aware of why classic antags, as of present, are not on RP. However, in these times, I would like it to be considered as to what these antags could bring to RP and its gameplay. I am of the belief that these changes presented could breathe some much needed life into the general round-to-round of RP. I hesitate to be specific on what antags would be best introduced into the RP sphere as people have very differing opinions on some antagonists. Notably, revs have received a lot of flak for being nothing but a pure murder fest. I will keep my suggestion vague but simply offer implementations to add classic antags to the potential RP antags list, along with midrolls like gunbots and fire elementals as well as some Rule Additions to go along with them.
The question that's to be asked is why this change would help the game. The truth is is that people enjoy new antags and new ways to play the game. These modes bring in new variety and a strong sweep of new gameplay that breathes new life into the somewhat stagnant pool of antags that has been tried (and more often than not failed) to be spiced up for years now. Considering the fact classic has been struggling to keep a population above 20 for a year now (according to Goonhub's player records), these antags are rarely seen even in what should be the only differences that separates and motivates people to play classic. Whilst I am aware that this game being niche causes it to have some lulls in player count, there's no denying that classic has been suffering a serious drought and the fact classic antags are in it does not change that. So rather than sweeping that fact under the rug and letting a litany of fun antags go to waste, why not breathe that life into the serves which have a more consistent player count?
The question of course is how this should be implemented. The unfortunate truth is a drag and drop of these antags into the RP sphere would not go over well. Most of these are either unique events that require full station cooperation and/or are designed around aimless chaos that can be difficult for players to control or react well to for escalation purposes. Now, there are a few ways to do this. The first suggestion is to simply make classic antags rarer. This isn't objectionable, and still offers that fun stint of chaotic battle every once in a while. Another strong concern is regarding how certain antags escalate when they are either designed only to kill or perhaps don't even have the capability to interact with others at all. I would like to point to Monkestation's Antag Escalation Chart. This chart is a list of whether or not antags require escalation, whether can be validhunted (attacked without first attacking), and any potential caveats certain antags have "i.e. blobs are world ending threats; Nukies require escalation, but once the nuke has been planted they are validhuntable" My suggestion to add these rules so that there is not confusion on whether or not these antags are or are not to be attacked. This would clear up concerns. Considering other servers have many times over the amount of antagonists we do, I do not see why some antagonists can receive a few cliff notes in a table on the rules page to make future interactions with them clearer and simpler for everyone. This could even help alleviate the struggles with antags who have notoriously had trouble gaining... respect on RP servers. Maybe allowing them to be valid would actually INCREASE that interaction more?
Examples of what I think would best fit introducing these antags into RP. It should be noted that these rules could be applied to antags currently on RP as well, though i won't cover that as it's outside the scope of my suggestion.
BLOB: Station ending threats. Validhuntable with no escalation
NUCLEAR OPERATIVES: Escalation required until bomb plant, where nukies then become valid/no-escalation
WEREWOLF: Valid/no-escalate only in their transformed state. Could possibly reduce petting shenanigans as both parties are aware of murderable status
SPACE PHOENIX: Valid/no-escalate, see werewolf
I understand that Goonstation RP is intended to be a different experience from Goonstation Classic. One that is meant to be more slow paced and ask more out of antags to create a fun round with escalation. However, considering that most attempts to add new threats to the station have ended in being pet out of existence and doomed to never showing up on classic, I think it's a reasonable ask to consider how the rules can be changed and the antag list modified to facilitate more fun. This is still a video game that can be updated and where fun can be had when new gameplay is added. I am interested to know what concerns people have, but I do genuinely believe it's worth considering that RP would be better off with a larger selection of antags to enjoy even if not every one will have proper escalation like other antags. At the bottom line, I would at LEAST like to see Nuclear Operatives and Blob get this consideration.
I would like to preface by stating I am fully aware of why classic antags, as of present, are not on RP. However, in these times, I would like it to be considered as to what these antags could bring to RP and its gameplay. I am of the belief that these changes presented could breathe some much needed life into the general round-to-round of RP. I hesitate to be specific on what antags would be best introduced into the RP sphere as people have very differing opinions on some antagonists. Notably, revs have received a lot of flak for being nothing but a pure murder fest. I will keep my suggestion vague but simply offer implementations to add classic antags to the potential RP antags list, along with midrolls like gunbots and fire elementals as well as some Rule Additions to go along with them.
The question that's to be asked is why this change would help the game. The truth is is that people enjoy new antags and new ways to play the game. These modes bring in new variety and a strong sweep of new gameplay that breathes new life into the somewhat stagnant pool of antags that has been tried (and more often than not failed) to be spiced up for years now. Considering the fact classic has been struggling to keep a population above 20 for a year now (according to Goonhub's player records), these antags are rarely seen even in what should be the only differences that separates and motivates people to play classic. Whilst I am aware that this game being niche causes it to have some lulls in player count, there's no denying that classic has been suffering a serious drought and the fact classic antags are in it does not change that. So rather than sweeping that fact under the rug and letting a litany of fun antags go to waste, why not breathe that life into the serves which have a more consistent player count?
The question of course is how this should be implemented. The unfortunate truth is a drag and drop of these antags into the RP sphere would not go over well. Most of these are either unique events that require full station cooperation and/or are designed around aimless chaos that can be difficult for players to control or react well to for escalation purposes. Now, there are a few ways to do this. The first suggestion is to simply make classic antags rarer. This isn't objectionable, and still offers that fun stint of chaotic battle every once in a while. Another strong concern is regarding how certain antags escalate when they are either designed only to kill or perhaps don't even have the capability to interact with others at all. I would like to point to Monkestation's Antag Escalation Chart. This chart is a list of whether or not antags require escalation, whether can be validhunted (attacked without first attacking), and any potential caveats certain antags have "i.e. blobs are world ending threats; Nukies require escalation, but once the nuke has been planted they are validhuntable" My suggestion to add these rules so that there is not confusion on whether or not these antags are or are not to be attacked. This would clear up concerns. Considering other servers have many times over the amount of antagonists we do, I do not see why some antagonists can receive a few cliff notes in a table on the rules page to make future interactions with them clearer and simpler for everyone. This could even help alleviate the struggles with antags who have notoriously had trouble gaining... respect on RP servers. Maybe allowing them to be valid would actually INCREASE that interaction more?
Examples of what I think would best fit introducing these antags into RP. It should be noted that these rules could be applied to antags currently on RP as well, though i won't cover that as it's outside the scope of my suggestion.
BLOB: Station ending threats. Validhuntable with no escalation
NUCLEAR OPERATIVES: Escalation required until bomb plant, where nukies then become valid/no-escalation
WEREWOLF: Valid/no-escalate only in their transformed state. Could possibly reduce petting shenanigans as both parties are aware of murderable status
SPACE PHOENIX: Valid/no-escalate, see werewolf
I understand that Goonstation RP is intended to be a different experience from Goonstation Classic. One that is meant to be more slow paced and ask more out of antags to create a fun round with escalation. However, considering that most attempts to add new threats to the station have ended in being pet out of existence and doomed to never showing up on classic, I think it's a reasonable ask to consider how the rules can be changed and the antag list modified to facilitate more fun. This is still a video game that can be updated and where fun can be had when new gameplay is added. I am interested to know what concerns people have, but I do genuinely believe it's worth considering that RP would be better off with a larger selection of antags to enjoy even if not every one will have proper escalation like other antags. At the bottom line, I would at LEAST like to see Nuclear Operatives and Blob get this consideration.
