Shattered Kingdoms

So, aside from that it would be impossible to code.

Why not just have a level based system that was actually based on doing difficult crap, instead of just on milling? Like, give people exp bonuses for fighting enemies who are grouped versus enemies who are alone, to have exp bonuses encourage big battles with intermittent resting over single person smackdown mills.

Or, why not think of some system whereby players actually gain experience from killing other players within their own exp range, or higher, possibly only within an expanded duel like system? I would love it if daring darkie midbies occassionally tried to gank me in my sleep.

This game could be a lot larger, if the original 200 hour investment it takes to not be a total noob and to be able to PK was less boring.

*Replies to his own thread, since nobody else will.*

Great idea, Anjin.

While we're at it, why not make it so that the reward feature gives larger bonuses of experience to lower level characters? After all, two ticks means a lot less to a Journeyman than it does to a Champion. The experience we reward people with should consistently reflect the same amount of time's worth of experience- even if this is two levels to an Amateur, and one tick to a Champion.

This situation would still disadvantage the Amateur a little, considering that it takes more time to get one tick on a Champion than it takes to get two levels on an Amateur. Still, it would be a good start.

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Here is the short answer: Find another game.

I used to play SK a lot but Dulrik keeps thinking that boring levelling is the way to attract new players so I stopped playing a year or so ago. So did a lot of the people I was playing with. We tried to convince Dulrik to undo some of the changes such as economy, harder levelling etc.

There u go.

Leveling in any game is always going to be boring in some way. The problem is that in thinking of ideas to make it "less boring," no one can think of any practical ways to do that. What specific tips were given as a point here? You want to make fighting groups give more experience? They already do. You want to encourage grouping with others? You already get an XP bonus for grouping with characters near your level while leveling. You want to give experience for PvP? That's an awful idea.

As for the OP, the specific ideas given that would be "based on difficult crap" are either already in to a point, wouldn't help along those lines, or would require refactoring of not only the code, but also the leveling areas in the game. The one suggestion I can get behind is making enlights give more experience for lower level characters relative to level, and even that will change the overall leveling format in a completely non-critical way.

Every RPG/mud has leveling, and SKs is one of the most lax because Dulrik has toned it down repeatedly over the years: It's only gotten easier in the past 5 years, not harder. If you feel like you have to hit GM in order to "not be a total noob," then you're playing it wrong.

Borderlands,Fallout 3, Geneforge and Fable all did it right, or at least I never get bored playing them. (haven't played the third Fable yet)

Anjin, if you want the game to be harder you can do that without changing code. When leveling, fight NPCs you know are going to kill you. Explore areas that you know you are going to die at. Seriously, stop trying to make the game harder for anyone else.

I'll add Fallout 3 to that list, always seemed to come naturally with little to no pain.

Oblivion, and elder scrolls 5

I don't know. I guess I never leveled right in Oblivion, but I would always get really bored leveling that way. Haven't played the new one yet (is it even out?) but I am betting it's the same. Good game though.

I dunno, but Lost Odyssey has probably the most perfectly paced leveling system ever. I can't believe I let this game sit on my shelf for 3 years.

First of all, Dulrik should allow others to code. There are SO many things that could be developed that would make the game more interesting. Including new races, professions, spells. you name it. From what I understand Dulrik won't allow anyone else to code because he is afraid that the code will be stolen. COME ON, who would want to steal 15 year old code and even if anyone did, what would they do with it?. Start are competing MUD (I don't think so) or steal all the super secret FOR loops?

From my perspective, Dulrik must either allow others to develop or see the SK dwindle slow and steady.

Thats my 1 cent.