berly

Yes sir I've learned my lesson, I'm going to ensure I get more value out of my criminal mischief before I'm penalised the same either way. Apologies if my post came across as baby rage complaining, it was off the cusp thoughts on a suggestion thread revolving around a game mechanic that impacted me, and which I believe falls victim to a negative feedback loop which we can improve upon for both playstyles and the benefit of the server. I appreciate you not just telling me that it's an IC issue, since that comes across as a head-in-sand approach when attempting to discuss something like server mechanics, but perhaps my unfamiliarity with the server ecosystem has me biased in which discussions belong IC or OOC. You say it's pointless posting here, but I'd hope a suggestion thread is a place to voice concern about a gameplay mechanic. Irrelevant from my personal circumstance, I think it's a net negative mechanic and thought I'd add my cents explaining why instead of a +rep.

I've been new to the server for the past week, and have had lots of fun. I just purchased my first dirtbike last night after saving up, got me super chuffed. While feeling out the bike, I autopilot a wheelie for no more than 15-20 metres, of which an officer witnesses and lights me up, wee-oo wee-oo. I pull over since roleplaying with police is fun and instantly initiating a pursuit isn't an authentic interaction for our situation. I enjoyed my time RPing with the officers like I always have. The punishment feels adequate being a meaty fine and timeout for half an hour. Except this time, a new charge informed me that my license was suspended for two days. Oh no! I thought to myself, that'll be at least an hour each or something, guess I'll hang it up for the night. As I return the next IRL day, keen for some cheeky RP, I learn that my license remains suspended. Huh, weird. I contacted support and they let me know that yes, in fact, it'll be two entire days IRL until my license is returned. Now here's where I need to cut the etiquette. Bro what the frick?? TWO REAL-LIFE DAYS, FOR DOING A SINGLE WHEELIE??, is unimaginably petty, and in my opinion, a mechanic like this only contributes to pushing both criminals and police further towards their extremes. The gameplay loop for cops and criminals requires a holistic approach from all parties, we are responsible for providing each other with roleplay opportunities and when the 'balance of power' becomes too lopsided, or begins to feel unfair, we get negative consequences. Now I've read through this thread's replies. I wished to know the LEO's side as well, and I agree, that arresting the same criminal over and over again would be annoying as hell, especially if they keep leading chases around the map and wasting time, only to be imprisoned, and released hours later to do it again. It's unimaginative and it's just milking a cat-and-mouse gameplay loop, but I think you'd find a correlation between the level of punishment, and what an individual would do to avoid that punishment. Now equipped with the knowledge that the repercussions of license suspension are so harsh, any situation that might involve light RP or a simple arrest, I now feel obligated to engage in pursuit since the consequences will be severe either way, so I may as well guarantee I'll get most 'enjoyment' for my buck right? And now every officer will assume I'm just some jackass who wants to get chased constantly, so when they finally capture me, inflicting a punishment like a license suspension feels applicable. Furthermore, now that I know I can't retrieve or use my vehicle for two days, I'm just not going to engage with the server until the period is over, even though I'd quite like to. I think a system that perpetuates avoiding the game isn't ideal for player retention. I believe the current system promotes this way of thinking, and as a result, we get less roleplay overall. The criminal gameplay loop already has so much risk involved, and consequences for those risks. To play a losing hand is fun if you know you'll get opportunities to roleplay and that any punishment would be valid. But to suffer the initial loss of items/inventory, then any fines or payments, then actual prison time, and then to have that loss affect you for multiple days afterward? yikes, jinkies, fair dinkum. The suggestions revolved around stacking demerits or based on recidivism seem like good middle-ground approaches. I don't have a solution, but god damn can I point and say, that's a problem.