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My friend and I had and ooc discussion at a table tonight about this subject.
The question is this: is it ooc to comment on someones profile, even if you have not met that person.
One argued that since you don't know the person you would not know their profile information the other argued that since the object of the profile is not a newb and displayed it, then it's fair game for discussion. I am not really sure, though I am thinking the profile can be an RP aid, but should be handled with sublety.\
I think it could be two ways. I personally consider it completely OOC, much as fame is and knowing someone's name before you met them. (Certain circumstances excluded for overly famous folks I suppose)
I have heard an interesting argument for profiles basically being what you "heard" about the person via rumors and such. Of course, if you've never met the character before, how would you know who they were describing and what their name is?
~James
Player of Septimius
I have heard an interesting argument for profiles basically being what you "heard" about the person via rumors and such. Of course, if you've never met the character before, how would you know who they were describing and what their name is?
~James
Player of Septimius
I regard profile as the things that your character will gossip or boast about while you are logged out. Consequently anyone could know them. If its something I keep quiet about, it doesn't go into the profile. Its your decision whether your character does know something in another's profile or not. If your character hides at home with the door locked when not logged in, they probably shouldn't know stuff in other profiles. If they have a life then there will be lots of things they know that you don't.
Directly referring to a profile as such is aways ooc, but using information in them is down to how you view your character.
"I see from your profile that you once killed a grizzled tundra giant. Was it a tough fight?" is ooc.
"I hear you have been beating up on the tundra giants. Are they really squishy?" isn't.
"what critter had that -480 trap in your profile?" is ooc
"::YYY I thought XXX had trouble with kobolds. How did he manage to open a box with a trap that nasty?" isn't.
Directly referring to a profile as such is aways ooc, but using information in them is down to how you view your character.
"I see from your profile that you once killed a grizzled tundra giant. Was it a tough fight?" is ooc.
"I hear you have been beating up on the tundra giants. Are they really squishy?" isn't.
"what critter had that -480 trap in your profile?" is ooc
"::YYY I thought XXX had trouble with kobolds. How did he manage to open a box with a trap that nasty?" isn't.
I never would have expected to see an argument for taking profile information directly IC.
Frankly, it's not. Players (as opposed to characters) use it to compete with eachother, advertise themselves, or hint to other players what they might be about (because there can't be a complete disconnect).
Are you going to know about the time I killed the colossal turkey overlord during the great turkey invasion of odd '11? Is it rumored that my rogue's best picked lock is -735? Do people talk about my new hair-tie when I'm not around, cause they don't bring it up to me.
On the other hand, if you the player know that my rogue can pick that kind of lock, you're more likely to ask him for help if you see him and happen to need such work done. Maybe if I read your quote and think it's stupid, I'll avoid you; maybe I loved it and can't wait to meet you. These are decisions a player makes.
I don't think anyone expects 100% separation between player and character -- a lot of things would be a hell of a lot more tedious were that the case (though no one's stopping you from doing so if you really want to play that way). The purpose of a profile is to facilitate a better and simpler experience for the player and offer people a chance to do the things mentioned above.
That's my take, anyway.
~Brian, Sepher's player, obsessive profile checker.
Frankly, it's not. Players (as opposed to characters) use it to compete with eachother, advertise themselves, or hint to other players what they might be about (because there can't be a complete disconnect).
Are you going to know about the time I killed the colossal turkey overlord during the great turkey invasion of odd '11? Is it rumored that my rogue's best picked lock is -735? Do people talk about my new hair-tie when I'm not around, cause they don't bring it up to me.
On the other hand, if you the player know that my rogue can pick that kind of lock, you're more likely to ask him for help if you see him and happen to need such work done. Maybe if I read your quote and think it's stupid, I'll avoid you; maybe I loved it and can't wait to meet you. These are decisions a player makes.
I don't think anyone expects 100% separation between player and character -- a lot of things would be a hell of a lot more tedious were that the case (though no one's stopping you from doing so if you really want to play that way). The purpose of a profile is to facilitate a better and simpler experience for the player and offer people a chance to do the things mentioned above.
That's my take, anyway.
~Brian, Sepher's player, obsessive profile checker.
I would never comment on a profile's clearly OOC information like biggest creature killed, lock picked, etc. But other information is useful to me like race, age, etc... things I would know if I used a LOOK command but now it's too late because that person has walked away.
In addition, I think some of the information shown can be used IC on a case-by-case basis; for example, Seo is a house officer. I think it makes sense that she would know who all the other House Officers are, even though I have not memorized them all (though they do get their own name highlight color!) So when I see my officer highlight stroll by, I can quickly check to see which House they're in, and potentially talk about Housey things with them.
/seo, still hoping for a race flag so we can read, "You also see Seomanthe (human), Greganth (half elf)...."/
In addition, I think some of the information shown can be used IC on a case-by-case basis; for example, Seo is a house officer. I think it makes sense that she would know who all the other House Officers are, even though I have not memorized them all (though they do get their own name highlight color!) So when I see my officer highlight stroll by, I can quickly check to see which House they're in, and potentially talk about Housey things with them.
/seo, still hoping for a race flag so we can read, "You also see Seomanthe (human), Greganth (half elf)...."/
I could have sworn at some point the messaging stated profiles are OOC. I don't care how someone else prefers it be used, if someone uses my profile, even as rumor, without my permission (which unless they allow us to disable fully) I'll treat it as I would anyone using OOC information with my characters and just ignore them.
If we are able to fully block profile usage and the fact I woke up obscenely early this morning is clouding that fact, then carry on. If not? Don't use peoples profiles as IC information, it's tacky and crosses the line between IC and OOC.
I mostly use the profile as OOC information, or a reference guide for when someone walks out of the room. Joe Schmoe comes in, say something, and then runs out before I can find out his race? Profile it. Sometimes I will use Profile to help determine profession for when I am specifically looking for a certain profession, which is usually for mechanical benefits.
If I am talking with someone from a specific House/Society/Organization, I may use the Profile to view it, then imply something along the lines of "I heard around town that you are a member of such and such" or "I was inquiring about members of X group, and someone dropped your name."
I never use highest monster killed or anything like that unless I'm literally evaluating their potential level from an OOC perspective.
If I am talking with someone from a specific House/Society/Organization, I may use the Profile to view it, then imply something along the lines of "I heard around town that you are a member of such and such" or "I was inquiring about members of X group, and someone dropped your name."
I never use highest monster killed or anything like that unless I'm literally evaluating their potential level from an OOC perspective.
