Right, post: 1599, member: 909 wrote:
So I've personally never played a game which had one of these systems, but I was talking about with this with some other folks who have experience with a system like this on other games, which I didn't realize is actually not hugely uncommon. They've recollected that those "item level" alike system have bred an atmosphere of elitism towards players wanting to do group content, and toxicity in PvP. I can totally see a risk of that, and giving me second thoughts.
Well I'm only familiar with WoW's iLevel system. In a WoW raid, a couple underpowered or inattentive players could mean a party wipe. The iLevel is just a depiction of the players' viability. If anything is breeding toxicity, it's the high standards of the raid and/or players that don't want to waste their time. If this server were to add ultra-hard heroics and people were to get toxic about power levels, these same supposed people would be just as toxic about arriving buffed. If the instances were difficult enough, people would ask new potential raiders about their gear. Like, if there was a chance that the stats of a greenhorn would mean you couldn't finish the raid and would be locked out for that day, of course people would ensure the adequacy of their team. A power level simplifying the information wouldn't be the thing breeding toxicity. What would be a more traumatic experience: being told that you can't come to the raid because your not strong enough, or getting to come along only for you to eventually realize (or are told) that you're the reason 7 people just wasted their shot at completing the raid for the day? I'd imagine the latter. I'd be curious if your sources were citing any small MMOs as being toxic because of item levels. WoW is huge, and anonymity invites toxicity (see social media)
As far as PvP, this is a server where my interest in ranking up my jedi forces me to get hunted by BHs. In the moment, it's super frustrating given the fact that I've literally had 0 chance at winning any of those fights. But conceptually it's fun, adds variety and makes sense lore-wise; so it's a net positive. My point is that the PvP in this game, and particularly this server, is already set up to be toxic, on paper at least. I could see someone being toxic about defeating another player with a much higher power level. If it really becomes a problem you could just remove power levels. This is just a UI change after all, and players wouldn't be losing anything.
Also a possible compromise could be integrating power levels into titles. So for example, I could choose to display "+94 Dark Jedi Knight" or just "Dark Jedi Knight"
Or the power level is in my character sheet and only I can see it. My friend and I share screenshots of our attributes. It would be nice to just say a number.