What's untouchable, what's not?
 

I'm interested in hearing at what you guys think are 'untouchable' aspects of the 'classic' experience. From storyline, to game mechanics, to even the simplest things. Also, what do you think would benefit from being changed?

Some examples:
> Do you think it'd be okay to change the + explosions with something more natural looking?
> Would it be okay if players moved slightly slower while carrying an object?
> What if players no longer blocked?
> Which do you think is more appropriate? Birdshot or Hookshot?
> What if the 'default' speed was increased?
> What if swords got an upgrade? AKA, higher levels swords being able to slash right through signs/stones/pots?

Simply, if you've ever thought, "please, don't change that!" or, "oh man, why did they change that, it sucks now?!?" or, "I wish this would be changed to do this/that". I wanna hear it. Like I said, could be gameplay mechanics, could be storyline, could be graphic related. I think it'd be healthy to know what players think about this sort of stuff, since I believe these sort of aspects are very important to what Classic is.

I'd say CTF but it could use some changes. I'm not sure how things will be different with default, as I haven't tested it much, but clearly there are several gametypes that are never hosted for various reasons, and a few new ones would be a nice addition.

Beyond that, the card game, bowling, and mini game system could all use some updates.

The overworld is fine IMO; we simply need a reason to leave lvl 14 and visit those areas.

As for your examples (in order)
-explosions never bothered me, but if you can make a better one, go for it.
-makes sense
-not realistic
-never used either, but I'm not sure how a "bird shot" makes sense by name
-seems fine but a change would lead need massive adjustment by the players in timing (sparring + events) and you might even have to make bombs + arrows faster to keep up so I'm not sure it's possible
-higher lvl swords being able to smash through stuff makes sense, though having different lvl swords do diff dmg (1, 1.5, 2) would make things very, very complicated for events

Those are some of my thoughts.

I'm not one to have an important opinion on Classic, but when it comes to player blocking, that can be annoying. Why not have it so they block at first, but after continuing to try and walk through them, you pass through (as opposed to start pushing)?

I thought about new cloud explosions before but I suck with scripts/effects. I like the ones on Zelda: Four Swords.

*is untouchable*

Can't touch this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJ2ZF...eature=related

In my opinion Classic should have:

-Default explosions
-Default horses
-Default hit detection
-Default baddies (although the baddies probably wouldn't be too bad if it went back to default HD)
-Default stats (though if it's able to be replicated well by script, that's fine)
-Simple level layouts

I'm pretty much OK with everything you suggested, Dusty, except for changing explosions. Classic doesn't need some complex particle explosion. I also think players should remain blocking.

I swear, there is no server on Graal anymore that I can just log onto and play normally anymore because they all try to evolve into something and they lose sight of what it was originally.

Kind of like GK?

No?

Why do you think that nearly every server has had to change?

The reasons are obvious, but the changes I have seen made on Classic in the past few years have been poor ones.

Was GK's focus not about the kingdoms? Last I checked people have been too busy staring at eachother's gear in the trading house. When a newbie logs onto GK they don't want to go through an extreme 100 level grind. These are the only two things I can see on kingdoms, as the community I was attracted to back in 2003 disappeared from the server.

Bad changes made to the server does not mean that that change isn't necessary for the server to stay alive. It's evolution and it's catering for changing player habits and trends on a server type that has a declining lifecycle. That does not mean however, that it is not the same server that it used to be in essence. If that excuse was viable then it could be applied everywhere.

GK's focus has always been economy and kingdoms, not only kingdoms. It still heavily focuses on both as well.

Sitting around trying to show off your gear is not much of an economy now is it? During the alpha preview GK was obviously intended to be more "Graalian", in it's early stages before kingdoms were released it was a slight upgrade of G2k1. It was about developing your character through real work, not grinding on monsters and not about collecting the most elite gear so that no one has a chance against you unless their WC/AC is at a certain level. Groups of people would plant trees, water them, etc. People mined and crafted their first weapons using different materials in the blacksmith, not...well I don't even know how people get elite weapons anymore.

Like G2k1, the kingdoms on GK were placed to bring parts of the community together so that they could roleplay and interact with the other kingdoms. Given the playercount I can't really be too critical when it comes to kingdoms but over the years to me it just seems like leveling and high-tier items are all GK is about.

So true @ Rufus, you don't need to change what a server is to evolve or change with the times.

Never said it'd be a complex particle explosion :P

classic should stay the same with a few miner upgrade. (more quests)