Predator Idea...

[Clayton_Kelly]

Sounds great.

[Themaster]

This idea seems like it would be difficult from an RL standpoint, as some people have certain obligations or time zones where they might not make it, even if coverage for time zones is really good. Also, it would seem more based on the overall gameplay the predator does. This can be difficult as ss13 gets lag often, especially on such high population servers. Then again, there's still the possibility that a player run whitelist would become biased. It could go either way, but it seems like an admin run would be more difficult to pull off.

[apophis775]

If you live in a far off time zone like I do (New Zealand), you probably won't be able to join the once or twice weekly events for this. I'd rather that predators are distinguished by admins observing excellent roleplay, allowing the player's imagination and creativity to run wild. I'm sure if players can put in a good enough whitelist application and get accepted (to get accepted, they have to have shown good roleplay skills beforehand anyway), they're more than capable of being a predator.

As I said: We will pick the time, based on the availability of the whitelist applicants.

[Youbar]

As I said: We will pick the time, based on the availability of the whitelist applicants.

Even then people can be busy and their timetables change. There's already a high enough barrier to entry by being a "respected" and "apt roleplaying" member of the community - if they passed the whitelist application, let them be a predator.

[Abbysynth]

I really like the idea of an initiation event - not necessarily a hunt - for several reasons. One, it lets you get into the mindset of playing a Predator. Two, it gives you a chance to improve your RP skills. Three, it lets you get to know other Pred players, so you can pretend like you know them in the future. Four, it gives you a chance to get to know the rules and learn from people who have done it before you.

I'm fine with a new blood's initiation being done by any other whitelisted Pred, with a note on the forums saying it's done and a description of what happened.

[Evilkyle24]

I like the initiation idea for every reason Abbysynth just said.

[Clayton_Kelly]

There is a good number of staff. I'm sure there are one or two of them who can accommodate anyone who falls out of the majority time range.

[Felkvir]

We could literally make an isolated part on the map where the youngbloods can be sent to have Kiande Amedha trials.. And see if they RP the trophy-making and other stuff etc etc. I like the idea aswell.

[UnknownMurder]

Or set up a small predator vessel orbiting the planet on the same Z-Level as Sulaco... However, people in Sulaco wouldn't be able to get out and see the vessel... As it would be immersion breaking and slightly metagaming. There could be a dropship on the predator vessel.

[apophis775]

Yea,

I think it might be difficult to do it with any other whitelisted pred, since they would need to be admin-spawned their first time. But again, I'm fairly certain that on a weekend, we could accomidate people who wanted to be whitelisted, with Admin events.

[Feweh]

Yea,

I think it might be difficult to do it with any other whitelisted pred, since they would need to be admin-spawned their first time. But again, I'm fairly certain that on a weekend, we could accomidate people who wanted to be whitelisted, with Admin events.

Question, would it be possible for the whitelisted preds to experience the mechanics of a Predator beforehand.

Its difficult to role-play your character properly when you don't have a feel for the actual mechanics and functions beforehand.

As example, ABBY and I are the only current whitelisted Predators. Let's just say Abby wasnt staff already, if her and I were to be online before the hand would you give people a chance to familiarize themselves with Predators mechanics before in some way?

[Evilkyle24]

Question, would it be possible for the whitelisted preds to experience the mechanics of a Predator beforehand.

Its difficult to role-play your character properly when you don't have a feel for the actual mechanics and functions beforehand.

As example, ABBY and I are the only current whitelisted Predators. Let's just say Abby wasnt staff already, if her and I were to be online before the hand would you give people a chance to familiarize themselves with Predators mechanics before in some way?

He's got a good point. Its hard to, for instance, role-play a sneaky predator if cloaking doesn't work how you imagined it.

Or if your character is supposed to love the Combi-Stick, but when you use it, you find its not to your liking.

[Caryl]

... This is just like that time when people got mad at me for giving first-time preds a run. Gah! >.>

[Steelpoint]

Even just a small, out of the way, test in a hidden area (Like the wizards den) with a predator would be helpful to people. As noted above its hard to construct a predator character when you don't even know if your preferd weapon style will be actually enjoyable to use. Or even just to practice a bit with the predator.

[YummyToast]

Is what I believe Pink is suggesting and what I agree with is that Predators need one or two dedicated faction heads that handle everything involving predators. I have seen this format for multiple garrysmod servers and it works fantastically to organize factions and is almost mandatory.

By having dedicated faction heads that can monitor general predator activity in game and perhaps also run these 'initiation hunts' it would allow the admin team to be more organized and focus on specific things.

As for the issue of predators being inexperienced, it could very easily be taken IC.

[Mitchs98]

Seems legit. Personally would participate if/when the whitelist applications open.

[Keyword]

That sounds like a pretty good idea, and UknownMurder's Idea of a small vessel ship in the same Z-level as the Sulaco sounds cool aswell, maybe the test runs can be done in some sort of temple outside the current map.
Will the different ranks have different armors/helmets to distinguish themselves?

[snow5445]

Problem im having here involving the predators is a few things. I have seen something kinda similar to this on another server. Giving it it's own leader has issues. For one who is reposible for removing said leader? Then what qualifictions will they put on their predators? How badly are they willing to hold onto that postion. And whitelists genrally become admin and admins friends club.

[Themaster]

Problem im having here involving the predators is a few things. I have seen something kinda similar to this on another server. Giving it it's own leader has issues. For one who is reposible for removing said leader? Then what qualifictions will they put on their predators? How badly are they willing to hold onto that postion. And whitelists genrally become admin and admins friends club.

That was a worry of mine, (admin and friends club) but now I'm crossing my fingers it actually works out in the end.

[1138]

Problem im having here involving the predators is a few things. I have seen something kinda similar to this on another server. Giving it it's own leader has issues. For one who is reposible for removing said leader? Then what qualifictions will they put on their predators? How badly are they willing to hold onto that postion. And whitelists genrally become admin and admins friends club.

That's kind of paranoid, isn't it?

[Themaster]

'Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you.'

[Gentlefood]

That's kind of paranoid, isn't it?

I don't really see how a concern about that sort of thing is paranoid. It occurs in groups all the time intentionally or not. Some of it is just natural, you likely wouldn't 'hire' a new admin/mod if you didn't know them very well even if they would be a good fit in the position and were qualified for it. Not necessarily out of a grudge or some sort of "sorry this is the old boys club" sorta dealy but because you don't know them well enough to give a positive judgement.

And its not to say that personal biases don't exist. If the current leader of a whitelisted faction decides for whatever reason they don't like a player then the player could be a god amongst roleplayers but still never get into the group because of said bias. If you appoint a leader make it a communal thing, don't just sorta have a "Defaco this guy" thing. Have him voted in by the whitelist members or staff. This won't eliminate the issue but would serve to mitigate it and hopefully prevent too much personal bias. You could even make it a roleplay event or something. Or you could make it a council of 'elders' who all vote on letting someone in, again mitigating personal bias.

Ultimately its more up to the staff than the community on how they want to handle this, but I wouldn't really dismiss the notion entirely as paranoia. Once bitten, twice shy after all.

[1138]

Interesting points you brought up. I'll definitely keep those in mind and bring them up in the staff chat, regarding your concerns and possible solutions to the transparency issue.

In the meantime, I need to sleep. =-=

[snow5445]

Look I would prefer the minimum qualifications for predator be. DO NOT MURDER BONER!!! FOLLOW CODE!! Thats all we are really asking. Not that someone be x type of person. If someone basically has zero admin notes. Or something minor/ Made a mistake. That i can forgive. But we if we trust a player to not murder boner. Then i think they should be a predator.

[Feweh]

I've actually changed my view on this greatly since playing Predator....

There will be quite a few new Predator's when the white-list open's and I think in fact that it would be good for all the Predator's who have been playing for the last month to do organized Hunt's and Training.

Would also produce more RP and a better knowing of the Predator's you're playing with.