Feature Idea - Logged out players as NPC's

So we all know that the old expac cities tend to be sparsely populated, and like in the Crystarium, feel pretty empty.

Well, I just remembered an old mmo called "Age of Wushu" that had a mechanic where when you logged out your character would randomly be assigned an NPC job of sorts and would perform that job till you logged back on, and could be interacted with by online players.

it could give some like bonus token to use when you log in for some bonus experience, and players could add you to their party to run duty support dungeons, and would help old expansion cities to feel more lively.

Thoughts? I think it would be a pretty cool mechanic

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Originally Posted by spearpkpride

"Age of Wushu" that had a mechanic where when you logged out your character would randomly be assigned an NPC job of sorts and would perform that job till you logged back on,

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You could actually kidnap and sell those offline players as well, might not want to include that part though.

Would be cool if we could see retainers running about the world too.

If I am remembering correctly you used to be able to spot retainers doing ventures but that was removed for I forget what reason. So considering that was removed I do not forsee them doing this as cool as that would be.

IIRC, there was a cat vita online game where you could have your offline friends on your FL to be basically your servants on your farm or house, and I always thought that was p sad but funny way to have your friends seem "online." However, I'd just be happy to have the option to remove friends on your FL that goes both ways instead of 1 way since ARR for no reason at all.

I can't really see this working out in FFXIV where players are cagey about their wols and it would be awkward to explain why my wol was at X location with Y person when I was offline.

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Originally Posted by Sunhwapark

Would be cool if we could see retainers running about the world too.

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I don't know if this is still a thing or not, but it's actually a very rare event that you will see retainers out in the overworld... Would be nice if it were more common though, especially seeing as the development is already there...

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Originally Posted by HadesThePyro

If I am remembering correctly you used to be able to spot retainers doing ventures but that was removed for I forget what reason. So considering that was removed I do not forsee them doing this as cool as that would be.

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They're just scripted characters dressed up in retainer uniforms. They're still there.

If they did that they may as well make them interact using AI as well.

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Originally Posted by spearpkpride

So we all know that the old expac cities tend to be sparsely populated, and like in the Crystarium, feel pretty empty.

Well, I just remembered an old mmo called "Age of Wushu" that had a mechanic where when you logged out your character would randomly be assigned an NPC job of sorts and would perform that job till you logged back on, and could be interacted with by online players.

it could give some like bonus token to use when you log in for some bonus experience, and players could add you to their party to run duty support dungeons, and would help old expansion cities to feel more lively.

Thoughts? I think it would be a pretty cool mechanic

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As long as there was an option not to have this, some people wouldn't like the idea of their character being used as an NPC without their permission

Be cool if they did like xenoverse 2 does. Your character is in parallel quests as enemies, or even doing thigns to get money

Quote:

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Originally Posted by spearpkpride

So we all know that the old expac cities tend to be sparsely populated, and like in the Crystarium, feel pretty empty.

Well, I just remembered an old mmo called "Age of Wushu" that had a mechanic where when you logged out your character would randomly be assigned an NPC job of sorts and would perform that job till you logged back on, and could be interacted with by online players.

it could give some like bonus token to use when you log in for some bonus experience, and players could add you to their party to run duty support dungeons, and would help old expansion cities to feel more lively.

Thoughts? I think it would be a pretty cool mechanic

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this would be so cool.

I had this same-ish idea a couple of years ago. :)

https://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/...31#post6243131

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Originally Posted by Jeeqbit

If they did that they may as well make them interact using AI as well.

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Not even remotely the same thing. Using player characters as NPC models isn't a new or novel concept. Hell, even wii sports had it as an option. Interaction could be as simple as the small talk dialogue that already exists in the game.

I would not be opposed to the idea but it would need to very much be an opt in situation.