Topic

World-internal and world-mechanics quests

So I've been muddling over the ghost-quest thread over in General, as ya do, and the thought occurred that Glitch has two kinds of quests: mechanics quests ("learn how to do X" "do X to a truly ridiculous degree" "get somebody to help you do X") and world-internal/backstory quests, like the ghost quest and the Rook Museum quest. (Even, in a way, the "ask the entire landscape about the history of Ur" not-quite-a-quest.)

The rock is a fine mechanic for mechanics quests. He announces stuff. He awards metarewards like currants and XP. He talks smack while he's at it. No worries. But because he's on the border between game and game mechanics, he's maybe not the greatest conduit for world-internal quests. He breaks the fourth wall. He messes with the immersion experience. (The extent to which Glitch is immersive would be a good discussion, but I'm not sure it's this discussion. Maybe it is. I dunno.)

So what I'm gunning for here is game-internal triggers for backstory quests. Leave the Rock out of it entirely -- even rewards can be done without him, in the form of badges and their associated metarewards. Use Gwendolyn, the ghost, the little museum guide thingumbobs, the giant shrines, the jujus, the vendors -- heck, even the rocks and the chickens -- there's PLENTY of in-game opportunity to communicate game-internal quests.

The one thing I'm stuck on is whether game-internal quests belong in the quest log, and if they don't, what in-game substitute might be appropriate. (Notes on the refrigerator? But not everyone has a house.)

What think ye, Glitchen?

Posted 15 months ago by Clumdalglitch Subscriber! | Permalink