Foreword
I'd like to say thank you for taking the time to read this thread. I've been playing role-playing games for several years now, I've played everything from Gmod's Serious/DarkRP, to SAMP's City-Life RP. Many of the ideas discussed here are not original nor unique but I believe combined they can transform CS:GO RP into something amazing and bring our community to the top.
Advancement
Without goals and without challenge, players get bored. Currently the only real goal that the server has is that of purchasing a house. Once that goal is achieved there isn't much to do.
To side track for a second let's take a look at slot machines. Slot machines are relatively simple, you insert a fixed amount of money and get a chance of winning. Now we all know this chance isn't a very good one, in fact you're likely to lose money. So why do people play slot machines? Why is gambling addictive? Well for starters: slow machines are designed to be addictive - the flashing lights - the annoying loud ringing - the sound of coins falling into the metal tray, all of these are design decisions aimed at triggering your brains dopamine receptors. Hopefully this is all common knowledge - don't gamble because you'll become addicted and ultimately lose money, but what some people don't realize is that these design principles can be exploited in software and gaming aswell. Take a look at candy crush, one of the most popular and addictive mobile apps out there. Why is it so popular? Why are hundreds of thousands of people playing some silly 'gem-matching-game'. I'll save you the trouble but this video explains in great detail the design approach used in Candy-Crush.
Now I'm not purposing we design some brain-wash-the-world server modification, but I believe we can implement similar functionality into the mod to increase enjoyment and player retention. Currently the mod has a leveling system; for every X amount of minutes the player is online their wage increases. This system is rather pointless however due to the fact that currently the money you receive from your paycheck is 1/100th of that you can receive by doing simple drug runs. I purpose we redesign this system to offer an incentive for spending time on the server. In addition this will give the player an additional goal to work towards.
Here are a few key features I purpose:
The player receives X experience points for every hour they spend on the server.
Once the player has accumulated N experience points they level up.
When the player levels up they gain a certain amount of interest on the amount of money in their bank account. This interest is dependent on their level. (rewarding dedicated players)
Different actions on the server require that you are a certain level. (See 'Income' for further explanation)
Income
Currently there is only one practical way of gaining money on the server (excluding the police force as many users don't have access to that job), which is to no surprise; farming cactus. While I find this feature unique and appealing it does not encourage good game play - all it takes is a investment and a good hiding place and you can make alot of money in addition it encourages the 'death-match' mentality along with afk-farming and trader-camping.
I purpose that instead of focusing on drugs as income we focus on jobs.
Delivery Boy
[Required Level: 0]
When a player selects this job they are instructed to head to the shipping station to pick up a package. Once the player has picked up a package a random destination will be assigned. As the name suggests the player is to transport that package to it's destination to receive cash.
Low Pay
Whore
[Required Level: 0]
When a player interacts with you they receive a menu in which they can select a service.
Novelty job.
Low Pay
Body Guard
[Required Level: 1]
When a player interacts with you they receive a menu in which they can purchase body armor.
Average Pay
Drug Dealer
[Required Level: 1]
Similar to the body guard, interacting with a player who has this job offers a menu. From that menu players can purchase a number of drugs. These drugs give the player obscure effects. I.e LSD adds several 'wacky' shaders to the players screen. Marijuana gives the player lower gravity, etc.
Novelty job.
Average Pay
Field Medic
[Required Level: 2]
When a player with this job attacks another player with a knife, they give that player an additional 25 health.
Food perhaps should be removed in order to make this job practical.
Medium Pay
Shipping Specialist
[Required Level: 2]
Similar to the 'Delivery Boy' job, this player has to deliver cargo from the shipping depot to a randomized location. The player can select to ship either legal or illegal goods. Shipping illegal goods (such as guns) gives the player crime and has a chance to give them a bonus weapon. Alternatively shipping legal goods (such as food) has the chance to give the player bonus food.
Medium Pay
Police Officer
[Required Level: 3]
Essentially the current police duties. Application required. - See factions.
High Pay
These are just a few ideas I had for jobs; this this model could be applied to nearly any occupation including those that are currently deployed on the server. The jobs listed here are guidelines rather than suggestions.
Factions
I've been writing this for 3 hours now, I can't feel my legs, so I'm going to go for a walk and get a coffee and stuff. Might finish this section later, might not. I'm sure you can figure out what I mean when I say factions.
VIP System
Unfortunately servers aren't free, and any bit of financial aid helps when it comes to running a community. Finding a balance however between donor incentives and 'pay to win' is difficult. I purpose the following:
Bronze Donor
[$2 per month]
Silver Donor
[$5 per month]
Gains access to the VIP store. (VIP props, VIP guns, etc)
Gains double experience.
Aesthetic rewards such as /colors & /model.
Priority slot when connecting to the server
Diamond Donor
[$10 per month]
Gains access to the VIP store. (VIP props, VIP guns, etc)
Gains double experience.
Aesthetic rewards such as /colors & /model.
Priority slot when connecting to the server
Can own two houses.
Can have two jobs.
Again, these are more so guidelines than actual rewards. Subject to change of course.
Conclusion
I've focused on a few key topics that I feel could improve the state of the server however there are many more changes I'd like to see that would elevate CS:GO RP to the next level. Thank you for your time, stay tuned for future posts in this section.
The 'Chosen' One
