After reading through the many threads here about the Covenant System, I kept seeing different 2 opposing opinions about what “agency” means. Both generally agreed that it should involve choice and consequence – but differed when it came to the degree that the consequence had on the game.
Those supporting a “lock-in” approach (currently the planned approach) state that they value the “Role-Playing” influence that it has on the game. Having the consequence apply to the entire character, across all specializations and across all content types magnifies the covenant one “locks into”.
Those that don’t support being locked-in argue against the approach for a variety of reasons.
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They mention the RP aspect of the game – but feel that combining the abilities with the covenant aesthetics tears away at the RP component and that these 2 aspects (aesthetics/abilities) should be separated from one another. The consequence crosses boundaries between storyline and gameplay.
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Additionally, they argue that the lock-in system essentially removes player agency because you’re not given a choice across the various ways to play the game (class – role – content). Consequence can still exist – but within a given content; the way choosing a spec, talents, and essences carry the consequence of not being able to use and leverage the options not chosen for the content the players are about to partake in.
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Even further, they argue additional negative impacts on the game with the lock-in approach that stack on top of the existing “meta” discrimination of classes and specs.
In the end – I haven’t seen any “canon” definition for “Player Agency” to go off of to say which side is right or wrong.
But as an RP-based player myself, I have a hard time understanding what benefit a “lock-in” based system provides for myself or for the game.
I feel like, as a casual RP player – I should support the “lock-in” approach. But I can’t understand why and what benefit I gain from a system like that. If I’m supporting a system that restricts others from playing the game how they’d like to play it, when there’s so many ways to play it, across classes with various roles- all so that…I gain nothing(???)… then I feel like I’m supporting a system that punishes other players that simply want to play the game more competitively than myself for no good reason outside of spite.
Even if there was a gain to be made by a player like me – at best it would make me feel bad and selfish about it. But without a benefit – it seems outright sadistic and hateful towards other players that just want to give their teammates/guildees their best. It’s supporting a system that punishes players for just wanting to play the game optimally – which is mind boggling to me.
If the system was changed to be flexible, and allow for players to change their covenant abilities like we can do with specs and talents – it wouldn’t take anything away from me for staying committed to a covenant. I would still have that option and don’t need to extend the consequences of that choice onto everyone else. As an RP player - I would lose NOTHING if others were allowed to change their abilities.
So for those that support the “lock-in” system, help me understand: Why should I ever want to impose such a restrictive system on others when it diminishes so much about the gameplay for them when I don’t even gain anything in exchange? And even if I did gain something…what would be worth it for that kind of penalty on so many others? Because I can’t come up with anything for either of those questions that doesn’t leave me feeling like a bad person.
For everyone in general – where do you want the player agency “consequence” to be drawn? Across your entire character, or based on the content you’re about to jump into?
Lastly – are there any other ideas for how to actually provide a benefit for players that stick with a covenant for the long term while not punishing players that want to change their abilities?
- I, for example, would love a Covenant Care Package when I open my weekly chest that includes supplies for my professions – and maybe they scale upward for each week I’ve stayed committed. Maybe you get a stipend for repairs for that week for your loyalty.
These benefits wouldn’t be available for those that jump around – but at least they could jump around and play the game optimally – which I can’t understand why anyone would want to inhibit.
I’m all for more RPG choices and aspects to be added to the game, but not at the cost of forcing players into sacrificing/ compromising performance when WoW is so diverse in the forms of gameplay, content, and difficulty level.
Thanks for your time. Look forward to hearing some thoughtful responses.