Become your own boss: Shop owner

Alucardo

Here's the idea:

- You purchase an allotment from the city. The more you pay, the better spot you get (more = directly in town, less = on the city grounds, but in less populated areas)
- This allotment gives you a little space to setup a blacksmith station, clothing station, etc. Only YOU may interact with these
- A sign is presented at the front which players may click on to find out what goods you can actually provide
- From there on it's just basic trading, but in a friendly and more personal environment. More sociable, and more fun imo.
- Make Tamriel more alive with real people trading around the world

Extras:

- You can add your shop to a quick slot and unload it in your designated allotment at any time
- It is possible to set up shop any where, as long as the area is not owned by a particular city
- It's possible to assign friends as employees to look after your store while you're out collecting mats or questing, and want to keep the store open
- Successfully opening stores in different zones will earn you the Master Proprietor achievement and unlock the Blacksmiths costume.
- You must first make an initial investment to purchase the shop quick slot. They come in different variations depending on what you want to craft and sell
- Chef: A tent with meats as decoration and a cooking pot for provisioning
- Blacksmith: A tent decorated with weapons, armours and an anvil for blacksmithing
- Clothier: A tent with a clothing station
- Woodworker: A tent with a woodworking station
- Enchanter: Tent decorated with crystals and and altar for enchanting
- Alchemy: Tent with bottles lying around and an alchemy lab for brewing potions
- The Forge: Comes with everything required for crafting any of the above.

When I feel like some downtime, I think I'd find this a lot of fun.

NGP

Every single road of the entire Tamriel would be filled with shops one next to another.

Endless-Shogun

Awesome Idea, but it would be Rose Online all over again lol

PinoZino

Alucardo,

I'm old school. I'm from the generation who actually played Ultima Online.

Magnificent MMO-game in its time.

But one thing was absolutely uncool. Well, the game had more uncool things, but one thing was extremely uncool:

You could build your own houses and castles in the game-world!

Sounds awesome, it's a bit like your idea. Let's do it!

Uhm no. You know why? No, you don't, but I'll tell you.

Because rather fast the game-world was overloaded with houses and castles build by the players.
And that was freaking annoying. It was almost the real world. All the trees were gone and so did the wildlife.

The game became ugly.

A bit later every available square meter was occupied by bricks and concrete. Most people had no chance to get an own house and cried at forums like this one "boehoe, I don't have a house and some do and that's not fair, boehoe".

Some genius people sold their magnificent virtual castle at a perfect spot on e-bay. I heard stories about insane people who actually paid $100,000 for it. Real dollars. Yeah, I know, we live in an insane world.

So no, I don't like your idea. May I?

I have one advice more. You can't create game ideas. You really can't. Trust me.

The real game-developing guys and girls went for a pretty long time to school. Specific schools. And later they gained a lot of experience.

What you do is like a complete medicine-noob suggesting a new approach for some brain surgery.

That would be laughable, no? You are doing exactly the same.

Forestd16b14_ESO

I honestly would love that to finally have my own rip off black smith shop filled with armor sets and what not. But with how many players and "merchants" and "cheap master crafters" there are in ESO every single inch of every region be filled with stores and all that yelling at players "buy my stuff its 500G, no buy mine it's 499G".

Alucardo

PinoZino wrote: »

derp

1. I wasn't suggesting players to build massive castles, just basic pre-defined tents
2. Telling someone outright they can't do something, like create game ideas, is probably more idiotic than the original game idea

Alucardo

Endless-Shogun wrote: »

Awesome Idea, but it would be Rose Online all over again lol

Can't say I've heard of that one. Dare I ask what happened to it? Heh

Alucardo

Forestd16b14_ESO wrote: »

I honestly would love that to finally have my own rip off black smith shop filled with armor sets and what not. But with how many players and "merchants" and "cheap master crafters" there are in ESO every single inch of every region be filled with stores and all that yelling at players "buy my stuff its 500G, no buy mine it's 499G".

I was kind of hoping if someone saw an alchemy shop down the road, they might open up something different so there wasn't any confrontation, but yeah, I can see how what you explain might be an issue.. and could become rather annoying for people passing by.
To be honest, it wouldn't be any different from the crap I'm seeing in text chat

PinoZino

Alucardo wrote: »

PinoZino wrote: »

derp

1. I wasn't suggesting players to build massive castles, just basic pre-defined tents
2. Telling someone outright they can't do something, like create game ideas, is probably more idiotic than the original game idea

OMG. Your idea is similar. The outcome would be the same: the world would be overloaded with pre-defined tents.

And no you can't create game ideas. Not even close.

You didn't enjoyed the right education, you don't have the experience and you're absolute sure using the wrong procedures.

You're like a complete medicine-noob who is suggesting a new approach for some brain surgery.
It's even worse. You really think that your new approach of brain surgery is valid and could work.

But hey, sorry that I hurt your ego.

Alucardo

PinoZino wrote: »

OMG. Your idea is similar. The outcome would be the same: the world would be overloaded with pre-defined tents.

And no you can't create game ideas. Not even close.

You didn't enjoyed the right education, you don't have the experience and you're absolute sure using the wrong procedures.

You're like a complete medicine-noob who is suggesting a new approach for some brain surgery.
It's even worse. You really think that your new approach of brain surgery is valid and could work.

But hey, sorry that I hurt your ego.

I disagree that it is similar, but I do agree with @NGP and yourself it could become crowded.
You don't really know what education I "enjoyed", whatever you mean by that. Obviously your education far surpasses my own that I can barely understand you.
Yes, suggesting basic shops in an MMO is definitely on-par with life altering brain surgery. You're right.

My ego can only be hurt by people whose opinions I respect. No harm done here, my friend

SIXR_sCaR

I like idea but people would be like
come to my store i give you more discount

PinoZino

Alucardo wrote: »

PinoZino wrote: »

OMG. Your idea is similar. The outcome would be the same: the world would be overloaded with pre-defined tents.

And no you can't create game ideas. Not even close.

You didn't enjoyed the right education, you don't have the experience and you're absolute sure using the wrong procedures.

You're like a complete medicine-noob who is suggesting a new approach for some brain surgery.
It's even worse. You really think that your new approach of brain surgery is valid and could work.

But hey, sorry that I hurt your ego.

I disagree that it is similar, but I do agree with @NGP and yourself it could become crowded.
You don't really know what education I "enjoyed", whatever you mean by that. Obviously your education far surpasses my own that I can barely understand you.
Yes, suggesting basic shops in an MMO is definitely on-par with life altering brain surgery. You're right.

My ego can only be hurt by people whose opinions I respect. No harm done here, my friend

You disagree it is similar. Wow. Wait a minute.
In my Ultima Online example I told you the world became crowed.

But you do agree that it would become crowed.

I think you're bit confused.

I don't care what education you enjoyed, but it's certainly not related with game development. I feel it, I smell it. Am I right? Oh yes, I'm right. Don't be shy, don't lie. Tell the world you didn't.

No, probably a brain surgery is not on-par with game developing.
Does it mean that the last is something simple and easy? Something so easy that even a dog with a hat can develop a game idea?

There is reason why the people in that industry went to school for years. But you can deliver the same with no such education and experience.

Sure, bring it on baby.

Asherons_Call

Asherons call had a feature where you could turn any of your characters into shop owners and they would stand in a designated market district and sell 24/7. You could even log into that character and be a spectator as customers came over and browsed and answer questions / haggle over prices. Very very cool feature that I loved. You could literally role play a market trader and not have to set foot in a dungeon ( until you needed to restock of course )

CGPsaint

PinoZino wrote: »

I'm old school. I'm from the generation who actually played Ultima Online.

@PinoZino - I'm right there with you. Played on the Chesapeake and Great Lakes servers for 10+ years. I will confess, that I did own houses on both shards, and while the houses were annoying, it was even more annoying that EVERY single porch was covered in merchants. I made it a point of owning homes well away from the hustle and bustle of the major towns, and as close to resource rich spots as possible.

Hope499

Alucardo wrote: »

PinoZino wrote: »

derp

1. I wasn't suggesting players to build massive castles, just basic pre-defined tents
2. Telling someone outright they can't do something, like create game ideas, is probably more idiotic than the original game idea

What a childish response...


No Kid, your idea would fill the world with vendors all over the place, just join a guild, its not hard.

Alucardo

Hope499 wrote: »

What a childish response...

Are.. are you serious? My response was appropriately inline with his attitude if I'm not mistaken, without getting off path. The first point I made was to state the allotments would be in no way the size of a castle that he mentioned, and the second point was it's not very nice to tell someone they outright can't do something. With positive criticism, experience, and work you can achieve anything. So please, explain to me how what I said was childish?

Hope499 wrote: »

No Kid, your idea would fill the world with vendors all over the place, just join a guild, its not hard.

Old dude (seems we're playing the name calling game), I already confirmed it probably would. And I do not enjoy guilds, so chosen to stay out of them. My idea came from regular people in my alliance role playing as crafters in text chat, but unfortunately it soon gets flooded with "LFG LFG WTS WTB". The shop idea would allow them to role play properly in game and also be seen, because in text chat, they just aren't.

Defilted

One of the best parts about Starwars Galaxies was the user controlled shops. I would love to see that in ESO.

Alucardo

PinoZino wrote: »

You disagree it is similar. Wow. Wait a minute.
In my Ultima Online example I told you the world became crowed.

But you do agree that it would become crowed.

I think you're bit confused.

If you're to quote me, please do it correctly. I said "could" become crowded. Saying "would" is assuming certainty.

PinoZino wrote: »

I don't care what education you enjoyed, but it's certainly not related with game development. I feel it, I smell it. Am I right? Oh yes, I'm right. Don't be shy, don't lie. Tell the world you didn't.

I have been developing multi-platform games for the last four years, and working on them as hobbies for 13 years (originally developing MUDs). Even had the pleasure of working with XF86. You should have more respect for any one who can put up with that. Suffice it to say I have a little experience in games, much to your surprise I'm assuming. Doesn't mean everyone is going to agree with my suggestions, and I can respect those who don't. It just depends on their response.

PinoZino wrote: »

There is reason why the people in that industry went to school for years. But you can deliver the same with no such education and experience.

Really? If all you're going to do is make digs at my education or lack thereof I don't see any point in continuing this "discussion".

Zorrashi

As quaint as the idea is, I think there should be some limitations on this idea.

First and foremost is the unlimited placement. While fine in small degrees, if every player has access to such 'tents' then world will become unbearably cluttered. Either place a limit on whom can set up a space where (for example, based on the amount of goods available) or, and this is preferred, simply dedicate a few buildings in every town as a "shop" and have them instanced to each player owned shop.

Second is mostly a quality/supply/cluster issue. But more often than not, a single player alone hardly fill up 10 slots with desirable goods. Most of the time its just white value or degraded junk that they found but don't want to sell to an NPC. Don't misunderstand, I don't want them kicked out or anything, but it will become tedious and wasteful if each player is able to set up shop without restraint (though depending on the gold prices, this may solve itself. Maybe taxes?). But even so, I am somewhat against the 'one player, one shop' idea--but only from a technical standpoint. Every shop takes up space in the server and that space is precious.
It would save a lot more space if every instanced shop had "multiple owners" if you will.
You don't have to see them or anything, but their goods should be available alongside yours in order to make the most out of each shop in order to consolidate space.

And last but not least, the implementation of gold sink. Every game needs it but it can be simple enough. A little tax or house cut that gets funneled out of the game with every item purchase.

nine9six

Housing ala LOTRO wouldn't bother me. But IDK how you'd make shops that way. I don't want player housing in the world, same for shops. A little area in each city that you "zone" into, sure...I guess.

Alucardo

Zorrashi wrote: »

As quaint as the idea is, I think there should be some limitations on this idea.

First and foremost is the unlimited placement. While fine in small degrees, if every player has access to such 'tents' then world will become unbearably cluttered. Either place a limit on whom can set up a space where (for example, based on the amount of goods available) or, and this is preferred, simply dedicate a few buildings in every town as a "shop" and have them instanced to each player owned shop.

Second is mostly a quality/supply/cluster issue. But more often than not, a single player alone hardly fill up 10 slots with desirable goods. Most of the time its just white value or degraded junk that they found but don't want to sell to an NPC. Don't misunderstand, I don't want them kicked out or anything, but it will become tedious and wasteful if each player is able to set up shop without restraint (though depending on the gold prices, this may solve itself. Maybe taxes?). But even so, I am somewhat against the 'one player, one shop' idea--but only from a technical standpoint. Every shop takes up space in the server and that space is precious.
It would save a lot more space if every instanced shop had "multiple owners" if you will.
You don't have to see them or anything, but their goods should be available alongside yours in order to make the most out of each shop in order to consolidate space.

And last but not least, the implementation of gold sink. Every game needs it but it can be simple enough. A little tax or house cut that gets funneled out of the game with every item purchase.

Some nice feedback there, thanks. Basically the idea was, the shop MUST be manned, or after a while it is destroyed (like sieges). Which is why you can employ someone to watch it if you need to run and get mats or something. Because these tents are so needy, I was hoping this might control the population: who is going to want to sit around in a tent all day? Though this could surprise me...

Multiple owners isn't a bad idea. The shop quickslot could require an initial investment made by 4 people. Upon the success of buying your shop they all get access to it and cannot purchase another one with anybody else. A business is for life afterall (unless the owner decides to completely disband it).

Taxes are a great idea, and should definitely be included on everything sold.

Slurg

Alucardo wrote: »

Forestd16b14_ESO wrote: »

I honestly would love that to finally have my own rip off black smith shop filled with armor sets and what not. But with how many players and "merchants" and "cheap master crafters" there are in ESO every single inch of every region be filled with stores and all that yelling at players "buy my stuff its 500G, no buy mine it's 499G".

I was kind of hoping if someone saw an alchemy shop down the road, they might open up something different so there wasn't any confrontation, but yeah, I can see how what you explain might be an issue.. and could become rather annoying for people passing by.
To be honest, it wouldn't be any different from the crap I'm seeing in text chat

Huge difference. You can always turn off the zone chat. You can't turn off seeing a zone full of tents.

And no, there's always that guy (or gal) in every trade guild who looks at what the person above them is selling and then lists the same things for 1 gold less, because "winning." So you would see lines of the same tents selling the same thing in a system like you're proposing.

Alucardo

Slurg wrote: »

Huge difference. You can always turn off the zone chat. You can't turn off seeing a zone full of tents.

And no, there's always that guy (or gal) in every trade guild who looks at what the person above them is selling and then lists the same things for 1 gold less, because "winning." So you would see lines of the same tents selling the same thing in a system like you're proposing.

Yeah, but seeing them do it from merchant tents would not break my 'mersion. Not going to be everyones cup of tea, I get that

MyM16sHot

I'm not gonna lie when I clicked on this thread I was expecting to see an elaborate pyramid scheme laid out.

nbksaske

There will be cornershops everywhere.....

Alucardo

MyM16sHot wrote: »

I'm not gonna lie when I clicked on this thread I was expecting to see an elaborate pyramid scheme laid out.

Haha, never really thought about the title until now.. you're right

NephilimHero

This wouldn't work, it's quite clear everyone would just over crowd busy spots. These shops would serve no function as there are already traders and players can trade. Feels like someone wishing they had that top spot in rawl kha but doesn't want to work for it/ wants an easy work around. No 1 man stall is going to beat a 500 man mega stall. If the game had 100 players this would he great however we play with millions of people there's already enough shops.

Gidorick

I like the core concept @Alucardo I have considered concepts that could involve a Mercantile Guild line where there would be Mercantile Guild stores and kiosks all around Tamriel and players can post items in these guild stores. Players would each have a limited inventory they can post at each store, beginning with one item. I think the kiosks would have to be set locations or set wandering merchants and would have to be shared because... you know... lots of people would want to use them.

The challenge here would be to not devalue the Guild Store systems that are currently in the game.

And @PinoZino, give us a break dude. We know we're not game developers (well, those of us who aren't do. ). We're on a friggin forum. Lighten up. None of these silly ideas will ever be taken seriously by ZOS. We know this. We don't need people in the community speaking down to those of us that like to dream about what could be in ESO.

Also, equating game design to brain surgery seems a bit overly dramatic.

CapnPhoton

Endless-Shogun wrote: »

Awesome Idea, but it would be Rose Online all over again lol

I was just thinking that. I tried it once upon a time, and there were hundreds of little kiosks in town. It was a little difficult to navigate and get anywhere. I could still see this in ESO, however, in a select area where the person had to sit there to do it or could pay for a bot for a limited time when they were off doing other things. It would be on a timer with a cooldown so other people could get in on it too.

GreySix

I'll hire on as a virtual bartender.

NGP

And if I want to buy a v1 warlock ring. I would have to spend a few days to view 10k shops. I don't even want to imagine v12 warlock ring.