renaming "classes"

[OMGPIE]

Maybe there should be a poll of different options that people have listed?

[Zigkirby]

I'm sticking with "Society". Unless guilds are renamed clans, then I'll call them guilds.

[OMGPIE]

Lol society sounds funny to me idk why. I think profession would work but idk I think if we got used to class we could make it work.

[Zigkirby]

Originally Posted by OMGPIE

Lol society sounds funny to me idk why. I think profession would work but idk I think if we got used to class we could make it work.

Eh, I don't really like "Profession". It implies a job, what you do for a living, when we know (at least mechanics-wise), it's something you earn, like a title, or a membership into a society.

[Lonesin]

I think class is fine, woe to the illiterate who don't understand the description of class in this game.

[OMGPIE]

Originally Posted by Lonesin

I think class is fine, woe to the illiterate who don't understand the description of class in this game.

Ya I'm starting to lean towards this option.

[Drakus]

Originally Posted by Lonesin

I think class is fine, woe to the illiterate who don't understand the description of class in this game.

I support this statement also. Well said!

[Traceur]

Originally Posted by OMGPIE

Maybe there should be a poll of different options that people have listed?

that's the plan, but i'm waiting for more suggestions

[Fortinbras]

"Profession" would be my choice, because it implies something you have chosen to call yourself (a trade or practise that you "profess") and it also sounds like something a character in the game would realistically say. Nobody would say "What class are you?" in real life, but they could conceivably ask what your profession is.

While we're renaming MMO conventions, I like "Society" too but as a euphemism for guilds rather than classes, since it's more descriptive of a group of people who just associate with each other for whatever reason rather than people who necessarily possess a certain skill-set. I certainly hope there'll be no in-game references to "guilds" unless it refers to medieval trade unions. That's a linguistic misappropriation that's been going on unchallenged for far too long. It's right up there with "raids".

[catmorbid]

Originally Posted by Fortinbras

"Profession" would be my choice, because it implies something you have chosen to call yourself (a trade or practise that you "profess") and it also sounds like something a character in the game would realistically say. Nobody would say "What class are you?" in real life, but they could conceivably ask what your profession is.

Profession is simple and descriptive, yet it differs greatly from the standard class. In case no one (me included) comes up with a better one, i would go with this.

So, at chargen you would have the option to choose a Profession Preset, and later on you would acquire Profession Titles you can choose to display on your name, also getting Profession Related Benefits for as long as you meet the Profession Requirements.

Sounds good and natural.

[darkblade70]

Originally Posted by Zigkirby

I suggest "build" for the blanket term. I like it because the term is already in use (mainly as an alternate for "spec" in certain games), which makes it easier to catch on and put into use. So if someone were to be a necromancer type mage then his build would be a necromancer, or a heavy armor, sword and board healer would be called a pally or cleric.

Build is good. Skill templates maybe? <shrug>

[Shurt]

I like the sound of profession as well.

[Traceur]

so for the poll options:
denomination
society
Status
Occupation
Vocation
Calling
Career
Profession
Middle ages Guild
Guild Path
Path
Specialization
Caste
Fraternity
Craft
Trade
initiation
Job
Cult
leave it as classes

did i forget anything?

[OMGPIE]

I don't think you forgot anything.

[egonboy]

Personally I lean toward Trade, not because I'm afraid of people getting confused, but because it makes more sense to me. Trade is a term for a profession requiring some kind of skilled work. Sure anyone can swing a sword but to be a paladin you must be skilled at what you do, sort of thing.

Then further on if you look at trade's historically, when people of a certain trade all start out in a city they tend to start to developing guild's, which is what will probably happen in our world, thus making it fitting on that front as well.

Also with trades you have to train to increase your skill in them, you start as an apprentice with very little privileges, then become a journeyman, and then eventually you become a master. This not only helps separate the different bonus's you can get from a class by level of involvement in the class, it also satisfies those of you who want to be Master Archers, or Master Mages. As that will be the max out of your work in the trade.

However to earn such a title it should require many quests done to whichever, trade master you are serving, and very strict following to the trade requirements. Rather than just leveling up require the roleplay that you actually have to strive to improve and better yourself within the Trade community.

Thats why I think trade would be appropriate. However I'm more than happy to hear other ideas too.

[winkie]

template, archetype is missing

[admiralnlson]

I voted specialization, because it is exactly what this is.

[OMGPIE]

I voted leave it as classes because I think that a change in the meaning won't hurt anyone.

[stygiant]

I voted for Job, but I missed Specialization - which I also like very much.

[Zigkirby]

Unless there is one "class" for every type of mage, I would say "specialization" is the farthest thing from this system.

[Drakus]

Originally Posted by Traceur

then it is a very good build, but not a class - a "class" as it's currently used in Mortal is an NPC archetype caste you can join.

which again sort of proves my point of the word "classes" confusing people, and why we need to replace it.

Although after reading the FAQ again maybe class is the correct word after all. I would like to point out the sentence below that's bold in reference to the question from the FAQ:

Q: How does the skill system work?

A: Skills are very important in Mortal Online, as they define what you can and cannot do, sometimes even what you can and cannot see. The skills you can learn are restricted by your class, this means that a warrior cannot learn each and every magic school, for example.

I'm starting to think I was right by thinking in my original post that we start off as basic archetypes, but it seems there is conflicting or confusing information about the whole class system. Either that or I'm an illiterate who still doesn't understand the class concept.

[Unomat]

Originally Posted by Lyllyth

Or just continue calling it "Classes" and accept the fact that it doesn't carry the same inflections as has been used in prior games.

Lowering standards to accommodate the stupid doesn't make them more intelligent...

Love that statement, saw that in another form as:
If we keep protecting the stupid eventually they'll rule the world.
What do you mean, too late?

Seriously, I voted Occupation as that'd include the lazy, unemployed bum who's occupied by begging for his daily survival ^^ And any occupation could include multiple professions, e.g. a spy would have a cover-up profession, an heir to the throne might have to pretend to be someone else in order to not get killed aso.

[Sorjak]

I voted for vocation... I also missed Specialization, but i'm still not sure which one I like better. They're both sort of temporary sounding, which is what i think we're trying to convey with this new word.

[Red Ranger]

It seems to me that people in this thread are discussing two different things without realizing it:

a. Some of you are thinking about what to call a character who meets certain skill requirements, e.g. to be called a paladin you'd need 100 skill in 'sword' and 50 skill in 'prayer', etc. Achieving the status of paladin would, beyond the fancy title, give you special abilities only available to paladins.

b. Some of you are thinking about what to call the various in-game affiliations a character might have in the world. Someone might become a member of the "Knights of the Blazing Sun", an organization in the world that's known for protecting the weak and upholding their own set of values. This might also give certain abilities that only they have access to. What should such an organization be called, though?

[Lyllyth]

Originally Posted by Red Ranger

It seems to me that people in this thread are discussing two different things without realizing it:

a. Some of you are thinking about what to call a character who meets certain skill requirements, e.g. to be called a paladin you'd need 100 skill in 'sword' and 50 skill in 'prayer', etc. Achieving the status of paladin would, beyond the fancy title, give you special abilities only available to paladins.

b. Some of you are thinking about what to call the various in-game affiliations a character might have in the world. Someone might become a member of the "Knights of the Blazing Sun", an organization in the world that's known for protecting the weak and upholding their own set of values. This might also give certain abilities that only they have access to. What should such an organization be called, though?

I tend to think of it more in the lines of Option (a), hence the reason I'm sticking with retaining "Class".

In the end, this is a moot discussion as everyone will refer to it in any way that's comfortable to them. I will always refer to characters by what their skill-set tells me they are. eg. if someone is specialized in heavy arms&armor, I will refer to them as a Warrior-type. Someone who specializes in arms&magic would be a Spellsword in my eyes. etc, etc.

The game description calls it "Classes" and it is as, I think, it should be. These are Class molds that one can choose to fit into...
My perception of what they're aiming for is a Class mold that once you qualify for, you can claim as a "Class" and gain certain benefits from, for as long as you continue to fit in that mold.
The Elder Scrolls series worked in a similar way to this, but without any bonuses. They had pre-named class titles, or a make your own option. No one was locked into a class, but it was used as a starting point.
Mortal will differ in that you start as a blank slate and will develop into a Class, rather than starting as a Class and developing with or away from that Class as you choose.