Post by Murasaki on Dec 16, 2013 5:54:24 GMT
As one may think of it, "it's like real life except with interfaces."
The Interface System in Elder Tale is your main convenience when adventuring through the world. It can simply be beckoned by placing your fingers in mid-air and applying a bit of pressure, as though using a mouse. A menu will be displayed, showing various icons that can display your stats, items, skills, quest list, party information, guild list, friend list, and an area map.
Character Information and Skills: You may check information pertaining to your character by pressing your character menu. It is something that is displayed by default on the upper left corner of your vision, showing your current HP/MP, levels, and current buffs/debuffs. You may click this menu to obtain more detailed information about your character. A list of skills that are currently active will also be displayed as a sidebar. Skills on cooldown will be grayed out along with a timer showing their cooldown time, while usable skills are lit up. You may also examine another character or monster's information by hovering your finger in the air where you see them and then apply pressure as though you are clicking on them; doing so will display only a limited menu showing their name/HP/MP/Level/Race/Main Class/Guild alliances. There will also be a submenu where you can do things such as challenge the player to a duel, initiate trades, add them to your Friends List, etc. Note that it is possible for people to turn off their race or class display for privacy, although the class information is fully visible to party members regardless of setting.
It is not possible to hide one's level, but it is possible to use the Teacher System to manually lower one's level so it displays a lower number than what the character's actual level is. This will reduce the character's HP/MP for the duration and prevent higher level equipment or skills from being used.
Item Inventory and Equipment: All players in Unfounded Kingdom thankfully start with a Magic Bag, a very expansive inventory that can hold plenty of items. Many players may prefer to store items in the bank instead, a facility that can be found at London's Parliament Office. To equip an item from your inventory to your equipment list, all you need to do is tap the desired item from your inventory and drag it over to a simplified version of your avatar as though you were dragging icons with a mouse. Items can be deequipped this way as well by dragging the item off the character and back into the inventory. To discard an item from your inventory, you may drag the item outside the menu and then confirm your action in a subsequent system message. The item will be dropped to the ground and disappear after a while unless picked up. The speed of disappearance scales based on the rarity and price of the item. To perform trades, you would simply need to toggle another character and select the Trade option.
For the sake of the RP, consumable items you obtain (potions, arrows, food, etc) and use in a thread will not be removed from your inventory. However, the item will enter a long cooldown, most likely the duration of the thread, before it may be used again. This can be bypassed by having multiple copies of the item. However, do note that there is a general buffer period between item uses, so as to prevent people from spamming potions. This buffer period is typically 5 seconds, but may vary depending on the item.
Area Map: The maps in Elder Tale are not initially available to all players. Depending on where you venture, bits of the map will be completed as you go. The minimap by default records the physical characteristics of the surrounding 10 meters around you and adds it to the map data. Map data can be shared simply by partying with someone who happens to have completed parts of the map that you have not personally recorded. The minimap only tells the basic features of the landscape though, and any notes must be added by the Adventurers themselves. It is through this method that cartography guilds have been established. Certain guilds, such as the Britain Royal News, have made it their mission not only to record the physical features of the minimap, but also to collect data regarding relevant quests and monster spawns that can be located in the area.
Auto-Translator: Because the Unfounded Kingdom was a new server available to players worldwide, it came with the most in-depth auto-translator system. This system is fairly accurate with most common phrases in many languages, making it a very useful option to toggle on. There are some occasional anomalies, however, usually arising if someone speaks in a grammatically improper or archaic format. It's observed that the Landers in the Unfounded Kingdom seem to have their local language set as British English and its dialects. Some Adventurers have observed that there are a number of vocabulary terms that do not translate well in the interaction between Adventurers and Landers, however.
A character may toggle the Auto-Translator option and choose between the following options for their own speech: [Automatically translate my speech into the recipient's local language], [Do not automatically translate my speech, but set a hotkey to translate my speech into the recipient's local language when toggled]. Additionally, subtitles can be set using the following options: [Allow localized subtitles for recipients], or [Do not allow subtitling of my speech]. A character will be able to read translated subtitles of the person's speech within the bottom half of their vision. The placement and turning on/off of these subtitles may also be set.
The default auto-translator setting upon logging in the game is [Do not automatically translate my speech, but set a hotkey to translate my speech into the recipient's local language when toggled] and [Allow localized subtitles for recipients].
A character may additionally create their own personal dictionary that whitelists or blacklists certain words, making them automatically translate or never translate, respectively.
If one possesses the "Tongue of Nature" skill, monsters' speech may also be set to auto-translate or show translated subtitles using this tool.
Battle System:
Three methods of battling exist - one can beckon up the Skills menu and manually click on a skill with their finger to automatically make their character change stance and automatically perform the skill. To target another character, you would have to click on them first. Because this fighting method is rather cumbersome, it is often hit or miss. Melee players often prefer the other methods after they realize how to use them, while mages can at least compensate due to their possession of long-range techniques. Ranged attackers with quick fingers and good accuracy can often perform skills in the fraction of the time it takes for someone else to assume a pose or shout a skill's name. This method shall be described as the Interface Style.
The second style involves placing skill and item hotkeys on slots in one's periphery vision, as though they were hotkeys in an MMO. It is initiated simply by assuming the pose beckoned by the skill activation and then consciously thinking of the skill one wishes to perform. Performing actions this way is a relatively streamlined version of the Interface System, allowing people to perform skills by mentally believing themselves to be pressing the hotkey buttons. This can usually be done by speaking the skill's name. This simple mental thought process allows a combatant to easily manage their skills and is a reliable way to perform skills successfully. It is described among players as the Hotkey Style.
The third style is a unique new style that was born from the world of Elder Tale coming to life. While the other two styles cause the system to control the body's movement upon activation, this style is an anomaly. Some skills have specific and general animations common to every character that uses it. Consciously interrupting the skill's animation usually results in a failure to activate the skill. However, a rare few, after repeated practice, possess the capacity to override the system itself, while still managing to activate the skill. This eliminates redundant movements and can drastically change up a battle. Naturally, it takes some practice and concentration to successfully perform this third option, but many who have performed a skill as though it is second-nature will adapt more easily to this strategy. Not many have realized this style and many that believe themselves to be using this style are often utilizing a form of the Hotkey Style. Even those capable of using this style can only manage to perform it with a small percent of their total skill repertoire. It has had several suggested names. The most common terms are Conscious Style or Rational Style.
Keep in mind that there are circumstances where you will not be able to perform everything as planned, but the basis of these styles is the general key to surviving the world.
Telepathy Method: The Telepathy system is by far one of the most useable functions of the interface. Initiating Telepathy requires that the recipient be on your Friends List and an option will appear when you toggle over their name. While Telepathy is active, if you hold a finger to your ear as though conducting a telephone call, your character will not speak aloud. Instead, everything you would otherwise speak becomes sent as an audible message that the other party may receive and reply to.
More system options will become available in the future as adventurers explore the many options.
The Interface System in Elder Tale is your main convenience when adventuring through the world. It can simply be beckoned by placing your fingers in mid-air and applying a bit of pressure, as though using a mouse. A menu will be displayed, showing various icons that can display your stats, items, skills, quest list, party information, guild list, friend list, and an area map.
Character Information and Skills: You may check information pertaining to your character by pressing your character menu. It is something that is displayed by default on the upper left corner of your vision, showing your current HP/MP, levels, and current buffs/debuffs. You may click this menu to obtain more detailed information about your character. A list of skills that are currently active will also be displayed as a sidebar. Skills on cooldown will be grayed out along with a timer showing their cooldown time, while usable skills are lit up. You may also examine another character or monster's information by hovering your finger in the air where you see them and then apply pressure as though you are clicking on them; doing so will display only a limited menu showing their name/HP/MP/Level/Race/Main Class/Guild alliances. There will also be a submenu where you can do things such as challenge the player to a duel, initiate trades, add them to your Friends List, etc. Note that it is possible for people to turn off their race or class display for privacy, although the class information is fully visible to party members regardless of setting.
It is not possible to hide one's level, but it is possible to use the Teacher System to manually lower one's level so it displays a lower number than what the character's actual level is. This will reduce the character's HP/MP for the duration and prevent higher level equipment or skills from being used.
Item Inventory and Equipment: All players in Unfounded Kingdom thankfully start with a Magic Bag, a very expansive inventory that can hold plenty of items. Many players may prefer to store items in the bank instead, a facility that can be found at London's Parliament Office. To equip an item from your inventory to your equipment list, all you need to do is tap the desired item from your inventory and drag it over to a simplified version of your avatar as though you were dragging icons with a mouse. Items can be deequipped this way as well by dragging the item off the character and back into the inventory. To discard an item from your inventory, you may drag the item outside the menu and then confirm your action in a subsequent system message. The item will be dropped to the ground and disappear after a while unless picked up. The speed of disappearance scales based on the rarity and price of the item. To perform trades, you would simply need to toggle another character and select the Trade option.
For the sake of the RP, consumable items you obtain (potions, arrows, food, etc) and use in a thread will not be removed from your inventory. However, the item will enter a long cooldown, most likely the duration of the thread, before it may be used again. This can be bypassed by having multiple copies of the item. However, do note that there is a general buffer period between item uses, so as to prevent people from spamming potions. This buffer period is typically 5 seconds, but may vary depending on the item.
Area Map: The maps in Elder Tale are not initially available to all players. Depending on where you venture, bits of the map will be completed as you go. The minimap by default records the physical characteristics of the surrounding 10 meters around you and adds it to the map data. Map data can be shared simply by partying with someone who happens to have completed parts of the map that you have not personally recorded. The minimap only tells the basic features of the landscape though, and any notes must be added by the Adventurers themselves. It is through this method that cartography guilds have been established. Certain guilds, such as the Britain Royal News, have made it their mission not only to record the physical features of the minimap, but also to collect data regarding relevant quests and monster spawns that can be located in the area.
Auto-Translator: Because the Unfounded Kingdom was a new server available to players worldwide, it came with the most in-depth auto-translator system. This system is fairly accurate with most common phrases in many languages, making it a very useful option to toggle on. There are some occasional anomalies, however, usually arising if someone speaks in a grammatically improper or archaic format. It's observed that the Landers in the Unfounded Kingdom seem to have their local language set as British English and its dialects. Some Adventurers have observed that there are a number of vocabulary terms that do not translate well in the interaction between Adventurers and Landers, however.
A character may toggle the Auto-Translator option and choose between the following options for their own speech: [Automatically translate my speech into the recipient's local language], [Do not automatically translate my speech, but set a hotkey to translate my speech into the recipient's local language when toggled]. Additionally, subtitles can be set using the following options: [Allow localized subtitles for recipients], or [Do not allow subtitling of my speech]. A character will be able to read translated subtitles of the person's speech within the bottom half of their vision. The placement and turning on/off of these subtitles may also be set.
The default auto-translator setting upon logging in the game is [Do not automatically translate my speech, but set a hotkey to translate my speech into the recipient's local language when toggled] and [Allow localized subtitles for recipients].
A character may additionally create their own personal dictionary that whitelists or blacklists certain words, making them automatically translate or never translate, respectively.
If one possesses the "Tongue of Nature" skill, monsters' speech may also be set to auto-translate or show translated subtitles using this tool.
Battle System:
Three methods of battling exist - one can beckon up the Skills menu and manually click on a skill with their finger to automatically make their character change stance and automatically perform the skill. To target another character, you would have to click on them first. Because this fighting method is rather cumbersome, it is often hit or miss. Melee players often prefer the other methods after they realize how to use them, while mages can at least compensate due to their possession of long-range techniques. Ranged attackers with quick fingers and good accuracy can often perform skills in the fraction of the time it takes for someone else to assume a pose or shout a skill's name. This method shall be described as the Interface Style.
The second style involves placing skill and item hotkeys on slots in one's periphery vision, as though they were hotkeys in an MMO. It is initiated simply by assuming the pose beckoned by the skill activation and then consciously thinking of the skill one wishes to perform. Performing actions this way is a relatively streamlined version of the Interface System, allowing people to perform skills by mentally believing themselves to be pressing the hotkey buttons. This can usually be done by speaking the skill's name. This simple mental thought process allows a combatant to easily manage their skills and is a reliable way to perform skills successfully. It is described among players as the Hotkey Style.
The third style is a unique new style that was born from the world of Elder Tale coming to life. While the other two styles cause the system to control the body's movement upon activation, this style is an anomaly. Some skills have specific and general animations common to every character that uses it. Consciously interrupting the skill's animation usually results in a failure to activate the skill. However, a rare few, after repeated practice, possess the capacity to override the system itself, while still managing to activate the skill. This eliminates redundant movements and can drastically change up a battle. Naturally, it takes some practice and concentration to successfully perform this third option, but many who have performed a skill as though it is second-nature will adapt more easily to this strategy. Not many have realized this style and many that believe themselves to be using this style are often utilizing a form of the Hotkey Style. Even those capable of using this style can only manage to perform it with a small percent of their total skill repertoire. It has had several suggested names. The most common terms are Conscious Style or Rational Style.
Keep in mind that there are circumstances where you will not be able to perform everything as planned, but the basis of these styles is the general key to surviving the world.
Telepathy Method: The Telepathy system is by far one of the most useable functions of the interface. Initiating Telepathy requires that the recipient be on your Friends List and an option will appear when you toggle over their name. While Telepathy is active, if you hold a finger to your ear as though conducting a telephone call, your character will not speak aloud. Instead, everything you would otherwise speak becomes sent as an audible message that the other party may receive and reply to.
More system options will become available in the future as adventurers explore the many options.
