Locked Social Network Integration

There are several options regarding what/how items can be posted on Facebook. If there is a threat of abuse (which is always the go-to fear, evidently), the MUD could post on behalf of the player for particular events, like a PK, quest completion, whatever. These could be toggled, or, if you didn't want them at all, the player simply wouldn't link their MUD player account to their Facebook account. Experience/gold bonuses could be given to players who DO link their accounts to incentivize doing so. If there was a concern players' walls would get too "spammy", it could be configured to simply post on the Forsaken Lands Facebook page. There are a LOT of options.

See, THIS convinces me. At first, I thought you meant someone in-game typing "fb LOL I'm in Rheydin" to update their status. I like the idea of the MUD posting events on behalf of the player. I wouldn't use it myself, however I think it would be a really good way to spread the word in the same way as other games like FarmVille and so on.

Dey

My implementation simply would require adding 1 field to a pfile (facebook ID), then adding triggers in the mud code for any number of events to call the Facebook Connect API to post a status update whenever one of those triggers occur.

How are our characters going to stay anonymous if that happens though?

I would like to point out that this game is nowhere near as simple as the games Zynga produces.

I agree that "Abuse" is somewhat of a "go to" but it's what's looked at before anything is implemented. Not to preserve the status quo but to preserve spirit, fairness, and enjoyability. Everyone hears there is a certain amount of discontent, but we'll always have that. We had that when our numbers here were much bigger. We eventually decided that stemmed from lack of newbie friendliness and implemented more change. We shrunk and kinda bounced back from that. Thus, it's my assumption that those changes were justified.

Now, in all fairness. "our numbers are low", "the mud is dying", and "we could have more players if" are just as much the "go to" fear mongering method as "Abuse". All fun trigger words to polarize. I admit I have my knee jerk reaction days, but am doing my best to consider all things.

My thoughts in conclusion: IF this idea could pull in more new players than vets who won't log in (my example: When a few falcon eye ninjas were running around and considered super overpowered, there was some Facebook posting about when the ninjas were on and certain vets/newbs would not log in....this was well over a year or two ago, so I'm not pointing fingers) then I would consider this to be a worthy endeavor. Especially if those newer players stayed. We have a system in place that supports newbies. I would still personally love to see newbie chat extended to 25 or 30 to help with this, as we have no OOC channel like many other muds.

If say, the posts were simple, like "So and so gained a level with such and such skills and spells available" starting at level 10 and up, "so and so gained the title of Dragon Slayer" things like that, then awesome! I see great potential. Rather than "so and so killed someone" perhaps "Crypticant killed someone of the Dark Knight Guild" for uncaballed. "Crypticant killed of Barbarian of Warmaster!" Each of these is decent without needing streaming or requiring that the posts show up in real time.

Just a few more ideas to show that I'm not against the ideas of change, but more flailing at the spirit of things like AIM that have been show to do damage to the spirit of the playerbase, the forum, and the mud.

Something originally posted by CROYVERN:

Gather ye Children, bring axes and poles

Gather thy Spouses, were adding the souls

Come to the Church where the flowers all wilt,

Visit the House that Virigoth Built!

Gather ye neighbors, at least bring their head

Gather thy kinsmen, and bring us the dead

Come to the Church where the flowers all wilt

Visit the House that Virigoth Built!

EDIT: I could also see how "character" updates could be presented on the FL Facebook site as a separate division on behalf of characters rather than individual players, so anonymity wouldn't have to be an issue. Personally, I would abandon my anonymity to let it go to my Facebook page, but I gave it up to make my profession easier. But I'm also working on re-creating a Facebook page, so eventually I could let this slip on there.

Actually, that requires a bloody huge amount of work. Unless you have an "FL inspired client with some graphics that runs on Facebook" just lying around. I know I don't.

My implementation simply would require adding 1 field to a pfile (facebook ID), then adding triggers in the mud code for any number of events to call the Facebook Connect API to post a status update whenever one of those triggers occur.

You know, that, or we could create an entire FL client that runs on Facebook.

oh, I thought you wanted to make FL a part of facebook, not just have it send messages with no other benefit at all. Sorry, I tend to think big, not small.

just sending messages would just be a ton of spam...I wonder how many would leave it on, I know I wouldnt want FL stuff all over my FB page. Also, what could you actually send to FB that would be worthwhile? or produce a benefit in game? So far the only thing people care about is pk logs. Will you post the who? I honestly am having trouble coming up with any productive use...

oh' date=' I thought you wanted to make FL a part of facebook, not just have it send messages with no other benefit at all. Sorry, I tend to think big, not small.[/quote']

There's a great deal of difference in thinking "big" and thinking "realistically". Your comment of "no other benefit at all" shows a lack of fundamental knowledge about how Facebook integration can be leveraged by anyone with base computer knowledge to attract visitors to their game, site, cause or event.

In layman's terms, I suggested we build a bridge, and you suggested we build a space station.

If say' date=' the posts were simple, like "So and so gained a level with such and such skills and spells available" starting at level 10 and up, "so and so gained the title of Dragon Slayer" things like that, then awesome! [/quote']

This is more of what I had in mind, but of course, given the flexibility of Facebook, there are a lot more options. When people visit any community site, they like to see activity. This forum exemplifies much of that, but because the Facebook community reaches so many more users, having relevant posts go to the FL Facebook Page that fans of the page can "Like" and comment on would expand FL into a growing community of people.

Here is the gist of my idea, and what would be a pretty simple implementation:

User's Wall: The MUD itself would post private statuses to a user's wall for things like, "You cabal is being attacked", or "So and so has received a promotion in your cabal". These would only be visible to the user, not to anyone viewing that user's wall.

If desired, a mechanism could be put in to allow users to directly post from the MUD to their FB wall, which would be visible to all.

FL Facebook Page: Relevant global events could be posted to the wall. New notes from Immortals, changes, news, and certain cabal actions. This would provide a steady stream of real-time data coming from the MUD to the FL Facebook page that fans of the page could comment on or like. I'm not suggesting every PK is posted, though the level 50 PKs being posted might be cool for other users to see and comment on. Might be nice to congratulate players who hit level 50 that way, too.

As far as anonymity goes, this maintains users' anonymity, because people on the FL Facebook page would only see your character's name, not your actual name.

The reason farmville and those games are so well known and popular is because they are ON FACEBOOK, not because of the useless spam they produce.

Spamming friends and relatives with messages about this game is the LAST thing I , and I am sure many others, would want to do.

Even focusing it on the group, would just turn it into a massive spam fest. Since again your just sending messages.

Other games use the message system to trade items, and currency, this is another purpose that currently FL would not be able to use FB for.

I think your asking for what the FL group SHOULD be, ironically we were discussing this very thread in there. I am curious if you have even signed on to the group or checked in to the chat.

I'm curious as to whether or not you even read the second part of my last post.

Hey K, I think we all owe a bit of better (gra)attitude to Crypticant.

I'm curious as to whether or not you even read the second part of my last post.

Yes I did. Sorry, live discussion in here, man, while we are chatting in FB chat about it ...you should tune into the community

to your point though, you would annoucne ooc that a cabal is being attacked?

As far as the chat goes, no, I have not checked into the chat, nor do I plan to.

Nothing good has ever come from an FL chatroom. EVER.

The announcement goes to the player's wall, as a PRIVATE post. Man, please read before commenting.

Hey K' date=' I think we all owe a bit of better (gra)attitude to Crypticant.[/quote']

foxx, you need to mature man.

I am playing the devils advocate to his idea. Offering counter points, debating issues. This produces results, creates ideas, and promotes good results.

Sorry you dont like hearing counterpoints to things you support...but how can you ever improve anything if you treat every critic like they are insulting you.

The announcement goes to the player's wall' date=' as a PRIVATE post. Man, please read before commenting.[/quote']

wow, I DID READ.

You miss the point.

so when people are not online, they get notice that their cabal is under attack?

wont this then mean that the winning cabal is the one whose players can login and stomp people attacking them at a given notice? So what happens to the casual player? they get raped everytime they happen to catch their enemies with weak members on?

I'm all for open communication and constructive criticism, I would only ask that you please read the previous comments and have a general understanding of the topic before firing off posts.

The reason Zynga games are popular is not simply because they are "on Facebook". They are popular because they effectively used the Facebook API to communicate their game to other people by posting public updates on users' walls, thereby attracting more people to become engaged.

I'm all for open communication and constructive criticism, I would only ask that you please read the previous comments and have a general understanding of the topic before firing off posts.

The reason Zynga games are popular is not simply because they are "on Facebook". They are popular because they effectively used the Facebook API to communicate their game to other people by posting public updates on users' walls, thereby attracting more people to become engaged.

but what they communicate has substance.

FL posts have no substance, aside from the message itself. No trading, no items to "grab quick before they go".

and, for the last damn time, I read your whole post, I understand what your talking about. Stop trying to deflect my comments, and actually try to consider them.

They are popular because they effectively used the Facebook API to communicate their game to other people by posting public updates on users' walls, thereby attracting more people to become engaged.

+1000000000000000000

100% on board with the idea, Crypt.

but what they communicate has substance.

FL posts have no substance, aside from the message itself. No trading, no items to "grab quick before they go".

and, for the last damn time, I read your whole post, I understand what your talking about. Stop trying to deflect my comments, and actually try to consider them.

We have substance. It's cool, it's awesome, and it's far more interactive than Zynga games. All we need is the message. With us backing it up with a better message. Think about what YOU can do for the Mud. Not what the mud can do for someone looking for just a quick grab.

We have substance. It's cool' date=' it's awesome, and it's far more interactive than Zynga games. All we need is the message. With us backing it up with a better message. Think about what YOU can do for the Mud. Not what the mud can do for someone looking for just a quick grab.[/quote']

what substance Valek..

define it, list it.

Announcing some char name that will delete in 2 weeks when they get full looted, just to announce their next characters name next week for doing the dragon quest? Is this substance?

If you want FL to benefit from FB then you will need to make it so to play FL al you need is FB. Then your tapping into the community, until then all your doing is trying to fit square pegs into round holes.

but what they communicate has substance.

FL posts have no substance, aside from the message itself. No trading, no items to "grab quick before they go".

and, for the last damn time, I read your whole post, I understand what your talking about. Stop trying to deflect my comments, and actually try to consider them.

I am considering and responding to your comments as they come in.

Why would FL posts not have substance? Wouldn't they inspire people to login to participate? How about having quests that expire in an hour, and the MUD posts a notification to get people involved? How about having auctions? Rather than just say "no, it's not a good idea", let's open a dialog to see what relevant, interesting content would actually lure people to either login or play.

As a software architect for 25 active, high volume, high availability websites that ALL publish notifications to Facebook, we receive thousands of new registrations each day from posting very simple notifications. I would say that my company has only just slightly started leveraging Facebook for business, and even that small investment has garnered us thousands of new users in a short time period.

Lets back up some though your talking temp quests, announcing things on fB

but you still have yet to address one of my earlier points...

Players on facebook already completly set their own rules in regards to information and ooc/ic knowledge

Immortals (staff) here still enforces their own set of rules

whose rules define what this kind of project is capable of?

You have to understand I am a VP who crushes developers ideas every day, they then get mad/defensive or whatever that guy does, and come back with newer sharper ideas.