The upcoming MMORPG Chronicles of Elyria promises to do things differently. An interesting system is represented by player contracts.
The developers explain player contracts based on how interaction between players often occurs in current MMOs. In principle, there would be little interaction, everyone does their own thing. For example, one player wants to craft a special weapon and must mine ore for that. Of course, they do this alone to increase their skill, or they buy the raw materials at the auction house without needing to interact with another player.
Alternatively, they spam the trade chat. Once they have gathered all the necessary resources to craft the particularly powerful sword, they find that their crafting skill is insufficient. So they take the materials to another player who is supposed to craft the sword for them. But what prevents that player from simply keeping the raw materials for themselves? This is where player contracts come into play. There is a distinction between explicit and implicit contracts.
Contracts are important!
An explicit contract is a contract as you know it. Both parties sign a document and must adhere to the terms specified therein. It is also possible to enter into a contract with many other players. They then provide you with the aforementioned raw materials and automatically receive their payment in return.
Based on so-called character events, which consist of player activities such as trading, fighting, conversing, or exploring areas, the game’s engine knows what the players are doing and can consider the player contract as fulfilled or not fulfilled. Players always receive a prompt about what they need to do once they have agreed to a contract. This could be compared to the quest system from other MMOs.
Contracts can be very complex
A skill called contract writing determines how detailed and complex you can create a contract. The better your skill, the more intricate a contract can be, including trade agreements, guild charters, marriage contracts, or even laws!
If a contract is broken, you decide whether consequences follow and what those are. However, you must also adhere to the laws of the respective region. In some, it may be allowed to take items from a player for breach of contract, while in another region you may only be able to demand money. You can appoint a sheriff to collect the debts for you. If a player manages to steal the contract from you, there may be no evidence that an agreement ever existed.
Implicit agreements must also be adhered to!
Implicit contracts also fall under the realm of law. One must adhere to the laws of the respective region without needing to sign a contract. Nevertheless, these laws apply, and those who violate them can expect consequences. Additionally, there are artifacts through which the player enters an implicit contract with a party. For example, one who wears the king’s ring must carry out the king’s will.
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The MMORPG Chronicles of Elyria seeks to take a step further in player interaction than current MMOs do. That sounds very interesting.
