[arg_discuss] Topic of the Week Aug. 17: Ghost Players

[Brooke Thompson]

There's been a lot of good stuff being said on this, but I think my  
thoughts were summed up in one sentence...


On Aug 17, 2009, at 6:09 PM, Nathan Mishler wrote:


> Don't deprive them, enable them!




In the midst of play, with players needing help... I can't think of an  
instance where ghost players would enable players without depriving  
them. If something came up and a ghost player would make the  
experience better for the players than something that came from within  
the game... maybe. But it just seems like far more hassle (and risk)  
than it's, ultimately, worth.

That said, using fairly obvious NPC/Ghost Peeps to model behavior  
*before* the players get to a point where the need help is a valid  
approach... especially in a complex situation where an example would  
be welcomed in just about any other sort of environment. I think that  
players are hip to that and it can work for that reason. You just  
gotta keep the players needs in mind. And... don't deprive them,  
enable them!

(nicely said Nathan :))