The GameHosts Forum

Should I Request An Assist?

First of all the main thing to remember about the ASSIST channel, is it is for technical assistance, if you are not having problems in the game such as, "Wearing a lake on your head." (Which has really happened.) You will need to check in some other areas for help before you assist, otherwise you will be directed to those areas once the GameHost answers your assist.

Some Items which will not qualify for an assist are;

Complaints about a new feature that was added to the game.

The ASSIST channel is not set up to convey this message to the proper people, the message boards are the best bet for this type of feedback. Specifically the Complaints folder, or the Talk with Simu Folder. If you cannot access the message boards, then use the FEEDBACK option on the Simutronics website.

You have an item you have not seen before nor has anyone else, and you want to know what it does.

The people who answer the assist more than likely will not have an answer for you, for any number of reasons. Part of the game is finding out what an item does, if you or no one around you can figure it out, the next place to look would be the message boards, player created websites, or other players in the game. You will not find an answer using the ASSIST channel.

You have found a BUG or a TYPO in the game.

Primarily it is not necessary to do an ASSIST on this type of an issue, as the game already has commands set up to help with this. They are;

BUG (message):: When you fill out a bug report, it is filed to a log which the GameMasters themselves go through and try to replicate the error. Once they can replicate it they then track down what is causing it and correct it. If they cannot replicate the error there is nothing they can do, thus it is very important to include as much detail as you can when you make the bug report. Include all information you can that pertains to the BUG, such as your current stance settings, health, encumbrance, armor, weapons, fluff items, what you typed, and in what order. The more information that is given the better the chance the error can be tracked down.

TYPO (message):: If using the wizard FE, just copy the section of text that has the typo, and paste it into the TYPO report, and make a notation of where the error is in the string, and it will be taken care of, once verified. If you are not using the wizard or cannot cut and paste then type in the message manually. Make sure you type it exactly as it is in the game.

The only time you would need to assist on either of these, is if it is a very blatant and damaging BUG or TYPO. For example, If you type in the command "Slice at Goblin" and your character dies every time. In that case assist, and if necessary a referral will be prepared to have it looked into.

However,bear in mind this is at the discretion of the GameHost. If they recommend using the BUG report, then do so as the BUG is usually not severe enough in nature to warrant the immediate the attention of the GameMasters.

SO and SO stole my (item).

GameHosts, and GameMasters are not the police of the game. If you have an item stolen from you, it will be up to you and the other party to work out the issue, and if possible role-play through it. However, there are instances where interaction is necessary on the part of the staff, as in mass murders, a player exploiting a bug to cheat others, or abusing the game mechanics. Please note; That in the event of these situations, all decisions are up to the GameHost to decide if it a serious enough situation to warrant GM intervention. Once a GameMaster is involved all issues are resolved by the GameMaster. In this case, usually a notation will be made on the players logs about the complaint. If necessary the GameMasters will WARN the other party, or remove them from the game. It is the players responsibility to sort out all altercations with other parties before seeking the aid of a GameMaster.

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Last revised: June 13, 1999