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### Topic

#### Ideas From Alpha- Giant Allegiance

So, I was boredly looking around and I found this article from when Glitch first went into Alpha. Long time ago, I know, but some of stoot's ideas for the game back then interested me, especially this one:
At its core, Glitch is a social game in which players must learn how to find and grow resources, identify and build community and, at the higher levels of the game, proselytize to those around them. For those expecting warfare of the orc versus mage kind, perhaps it might be best to reset your expectations. "Rather than you and me fighting each other with swords," Butterfield explained, "it could be you and me having rival religious factions battling each other for converts."
I'm sure the plans have changed over time, but the element of allegiance to a particular Giant, and competing with the followers of other Giants for converts (new players as well as those who change allegiances) would add more purpose to the game. It would give us a task that would never be finished, to keep us interested in the game.
What do you think?
Edit: Maybe following a particular Giant could lead to specialization in that Giant's skills. Mabbites, for example, would receive some bonus in Soil Appreciation, Croppery, and Herbalism. Perhaps they would also receive a lesser bonus in the skills for which their Giant is the secondary Giant.
I'm thinking that new players would play unspecified for a while, until say level 11, to allow them to get to know the game before making a choice. They'd also have to have finished the donate to every Giant quest before picking. Then, there would be a certain amount of time before people could switch allegiances, so that people wouldn't abuse the skill bonuses.
It would be a challenge to make sure that the followings didn't become cliques, but I think it could be managed. In real life, don't we have friends across religions?
Also, the Giants could have more of an active role in the game, perhaps each one granting unique rewards to their followers.

Posted 3 months ago by Fernstream | Permalink

### Replies

- Religious wars are the worst kind. How do we keep this idea from getting out of hand, nasty-wise?
  Posted 3 months ago by WalruZ | Permalink
- I love all the giants equally, and would hate to pick just one. Then if a lot of my friends chose a certain giant I would feel obligated to as well, rather than risk being left out. I don't like the idea of glitch becoming cliquey. "Join us...convert"...it would not be a fun experience. I think it would quickly get out of hand. But that is just my opinion.
  Posted 3 months ago by MikkiO | Permalink
- @Walruz It doesn't have to necessarily be wars. The way I'm thinking of it doesn't involve combat at all- more convincing. Think of the "Tii saves" graffiti. The followers of each giant would become groups and try to positively attract people.
  *has another thought* perhaps Giant allegiance could lead to specialization. See the edit to the main post that I'm about to add (might take a minute, I'm not the fastest of typers).
  Posted 3 months ago by Fernstream | Permalink
- I had a conversation with a cherry tree this morning that leads me to believe something along these lines may be about to be implemented . . .
  Posted 3 months ago by Leites | Permalink
- Ooh Leites, that would be awesome. I've been lazy and not got that quest done yet- I better go do that now.
  Posted 3 months ago by Fernstream | Permalink
- +1!
  Potians, rejoice in the om nom nom! :D
  Posted 3 months ago by LųĉĩđεşşΨ | Permalink
- I will be very sad if/when the idea of religion is implemented in Glitch. I come here partly to avoid such things.
  Posted 3 months ago by glassy | Permalink
- glassy- I don't think it would necessarily be "religion" the way it is in real life. Do you have a favorite Giant? You would get specialization bonuses from being a follower of that Giant, and lightheartedly praise that Giant as well. Keyword lightheartedly. All in fun, nothing more.
  Posted 3 months ago by Fernstream | Permalink
- Lucidess: Hehehehe. XD Exactly.
  Posted 3 months ago by Fernstream | Permalink
- When I first started playing a year ago, I thought this concept was already part of the game. I'd found a note inviting Humbabans to a shrine in Groddle Meadow at a certain time for some free seasoned eggs. It was signed by someone from the "Church of Humbaba". I was ecstatic! Free 'treasures' and the possibility of meeting other animal-worshipping weirdos? I was sooo there. Then I noticed the note was from the previous day, time went on, reality set in...the Giants actually have very little to do with anything in the Game except for speeding up skills. Sigh. Reminiscences.
  I would heartily support this idea:) Zille is my mountain, I shall not be moved.
  Posted 3 months ago by N2ZOrtolanaBlue | Permalink
- OceanState, that was me :D The Church of Humbaba still exists, but i've taken our group down for the time being due to lots of inactivity. However, the larger group, The Hendarchy, is still open. We have churches for each giant :)
  Posted 3 months ago by Rev. Desdemona | Permalink
- This could be merged with another idea of a variable balance between giants here
  Posted 3 months ago by Lemo | Permalink
- Here's another thread about the Giants needing more of a role.
  Posted 3 months ago by Fernstream | Permalink
- When I first started playing, I assumed that donating items that were associated with a Giant's specialties would get more favor with that Gian than with others. (Just as I assumed vendors who sold an item would pay more to buy it back than others.)
  The elaborate cosmology is just BEGGING for game-play consequences.
  Posted 3 months ago by Pascale | Permalink
- I think Lemmings would win most converts because Lem is donated to the most...(are they actually called lemmings? If they are, that's awesome.)
  Posted 3 months ago by Kayaka Violin | Permalink
- I find this idea interesting, though as pointed out, it should probably more of a popularity contest "which Giant do you like best" rather than a religious war "My Giant based religion is better than your Giant based religion".
  I can already see this starting to come out. I barely remember the old stories told by the Ur resources before they were removed. Now that they've returned I'm looking at the Giants differently.
  I have been under the impression that the eleven Giants, in their combined creativity, imagined the world together and in concert preside over the different things which make Ur work. After talking to a little over half of the resouces so far, I'm seeing that the Giants are far from being "friendly" (giant pun not intended) towards each other. They were often at odds and there are different versions of how, when, and why Ur was created.
  I think that as the game (development) progresses we are going to see more of this split between the different Giant factions. And I say that is all well and good as long as it doesn't get out of hand, and leaves room for those of us who are quite comfortable with a polytheistic view of the world and would prefer not to choose a faction.
  Posted 3 months ago by Kaelyn Renai | Permalink
- The true followers of Lem know that we are really Lemmites and hope someday that this is recognized just as the Potians have been able to move past and heal from that unfortunate Potheads period. ;)
  And there are a lot of interesting ideas in this thread. I'd love to see something official/canonical and fun done in-game to promote affiliation, as something about the player-run churches rubs me the wrong way, probably on my narrative bone...
  Posted 100 days ago by katlazam | Permalink
- @katlazam stoot approves ;)
  Posted 100 days ago by Rev. Desdemona | Permalink
- I love this idea. It seems like Giant Allegiance would fit very well into this game and compliment a lot of the already existing features.
  Posted 98 days ago by ErinBaby | Permalink
- 0_o i do own a church.......
  Posted 98 days ago by Frowning Flounder | Permalink