The importance of character stories...

[Baltar]

Drake,

My thoughts on stories and such ...

1 ... Not everyone can read everything written in the forums. If you go 3 days without reading the forum, you'll find there's 20 pages of posts to SCAN. I have no time to read everyone's post every day. So ... I have to pick and choose what I read. So my first thought is ... don't expect me to know who you are or what your background is when I encounter you in-game. If you have a back-story ... great ... let me know. But don't jump up and down on my back because I'm not reacting to you according to who you are. My first response to you is according to the ID and IFF you wear.

2 ... Too many people use these back-stories to explain why they have an unlawful ship and a lawful ID. Stories are not excuses to avoid playing by the rules. I've seen Bounty Hunters flying Dragon gunboats in the past. And the "I stole it" line doesn't work. I don't buy it and I doubt the admins will accept it.

3 ... These stories do explain away the gray areas ... especially for those who have generic ID's. I should probably write a few for mine. I just don't have the time.

4 ... They do add a positive element to the server. Best use for stories is to explain the player factions. Nice to know something about individual characters ... but I think its more important to have the background of a faction. We're more likely to encounter and (for role play) hear about or know about the various factions. You may have a FEW individuals who become notorious ... but these stories are usually written by those who have encountered them. Billy the Kid didn't write his stories. We know about Billy the Kid because of others who've heard or encounter the guy.