[DevBlog] Distractions & Diversions: Court Cases

[Mil]

http://services.runescape.com/m=devblog/view_post.ws?post_id=38

 

When I wrote King's Ransom over two years ago, we introduced a judicial system to RuneScape, by way of the Seers' Village Court House. It seemed a shame that you only get to use it during the quest and the rest of the time it just sits there.

 

I've been toying for quite a while with the idea of involving the Court House in either another quest or possibly making a minigame out of trialling cases. No quests I worked on really needed a trial, though, and a full-on minigame seemed as though it would be difficult to code and very boring.

 

This month, my workload finally cleared up enough that I had a chance to start concepting a new Distraction & Diversion to take place in the Court House. I wanted to use a lot of the same mechanics we had in King's Ransom, but add some new ones and give it some spice.

 

Getting the format of the D&D wasn't hard, since I had King's Ransom to work off of, but I hit a roadblock when it came to what cases should be about. Who in RuneScape should go on trial?

 

I happened to mention this idea to Mod Osborne and Mod Srowley (the RuneScape editors), seeing as they create the Postbag, and they had tons of ideas! I also went through the website's area guides to see what interesting characters from all over RuneScape might have an issue they'd want resolved in court. You'll see a lot of familiar faves in court including a few that used to be familiar, but were recently retired...

 

I've coded a prototype case involving a certain 'Mugger (level: 6)'. Mod Mark played through it and loved the gameplay, so I've been given the go-ahead to code the rest of the project.

 

Currently, you'll be given a case and get to choose whether you want to prosecute or defend the accused. Then you read a few documents on the background of the case and do a bit of sleuthing. When you feel ready, you start the trial and present all your findings to the jury, just like you did in King's Ransom, but with a few new surprises...

 

In a follow-up blog, I'll hand you over to the RuneScape editors who are going to be writing a few of the court cases

 

If you'd like to discuss our support for community events, check out this thread.

 

http://services.runescape.com/m=devblog/view_post.ws?post_id=38

[Omali]

A court game? Boring?

 

Jagex has clearly never played the Phoenix Wright series!

[Bauke]

She says it's not supposed to be a minigame, but when she describes it.. it does sound like a minigame.

[Racheya]

She says it's not supposed to be a minigame, but when she describes it.. it does sound like a minigame.

Well it's a D&D. Like... a miniminigame. :P

 

Sounds like a weird thing to do, interesting, but unexpected.

[Skeptical]

Sounds very cool, can't wait to play it.

 

Wonder what the rewards will be?

[Hydra_55555]

Depending on the NPC's that'll be a part of this D&D, this could be an oppurtunity to expand the roles or histories of that person e.g. in terms of the WOM for example, some people from his past have come forward to make claims that he isn't so 'good' as he makes out to be (we already know that, but it could add a little fun).

 

Mind you, anything to make quest areas like these useful again can only be a good thing, I thought it strange they introduce some semblance of law into RS and then just leave it after the quest.

 

I'm just curious as to what the rewards are... I'm guessing a vast amount of Law runes depending on how well you do?

[Shepherdman7]

She says it's not supposed to be a minigame, but when she describes it.. it does sound like a minigame.

It does. Maybe the difference is that this will only be playable on a weekly basis for nice rewards, but mainly because they'll need time to write new stories for it? Who knows... Looking forward to it, though! :thumbsup:

[Guthorm]

Inb4objectionqoutes.

 

It does sound interesting and promising, hopefully the story behind the cases would not run out as you certainly do not want to have do the exact same case and over again no?

 

PS: Omali's picture doesn't count cause is so freaking tiny. :angry:

[Shepherdman7]

...hopefully the story behind the cases would not run out as you certainly do not want to have do the exact same case and over again no?

This is why I would expect it to be a weekly thing, like Penguins/Circus, etc. Probably a high exp reward, with some possible costumes that improve your presentation in court (i.e. powdered wig, etc.).

[DAE2008]

You'll get to play against Edge Mileworth, no doubt. This'll be awsome, I can feeeel it. Though it seems like it will stay in the one place... I'm not sure how that'll work.

[Range_This11]

I thought Jagex was supposed to stop aiming updates towards children. Seems like the ones lately have kind of been childish. I wouldn't want anything to do with this minigame/event.

[Suiku]

Jagex keeps doing what they promised on their slogan "We only make games that we would like to play"

 

That's right, they happen to like boring games

[Shepherdman7]

Mod Nancy responding to people on the thread:

 

@ one guy - Some of the more difficult cases will require some leg work to interview witnesses. I'm trying to keep this to a minimum, though.

 

@ another guy - Great questions! We are planning on having a bit of an informal tier system with the caes. So there will be some pretty easy ones, some intermediate ones, and some difficult ones. Difficult in the sense that they are more complex or require more leg work to get the facts.

 

As for researching the case, that will depend on difficulty. Easy ones most of the facts will be presented to you, difficult ones may involve some actual sleuthing at the scene of the crime. Less sure on that one at the minute, as I'm still toying with how it will work.

 

It's unlikely the event will release cases on a weekly basis. Right now we're thinking maybe something more like Treasure Trails where you get a 'Court Summons' in a drop. That way you won't plow through them too fast!

 

...

 

@ a third guy - For right now, you won't be able to repeat a case once you've completed it. It's still early stages, so that may change, but that's how it currently stands.

 

...

 

@ person #4 - I don't want it to be as rare as a Champion Scroll either. That's why I said like Treasure Trails, which are much more common. This bit is still in the air, so don't worry too much about how you'll get a case. Lots of things can change between now and release. But thanks for the feedback!

[Slayer_Jesse]

I love how everyone is judging a piece of content they haven't even played yet, much less having finalized features.

[krimi]

Why does it seem that people have this misconstrued idea that only the defense can object? And someone please explain to me how court is childish?

 

Anyways, I'll see you guys in court!

[Suiku]

I love how everyone is judging a piece of content they haven't even played yet, much less having finalized features.

 

It's just that I don't play runescape to play court games, I never asked for it, no-one did

 

Runescape should remain as a medieval fantasy game, when you slay monsters and get your resources, phoenix wright rip-offs have their place on funorb

[krimi]

Then don't play the court game when it comes out.

[brunokiller]

I'm so going to sue The wise old man for his phat.

[Emmentail]

I think this looks awesome. :D Strange little games like this is why I play Runescape. It's quirky and different.

[Marco]

As a law student, I reckon this Distraction actually sounds like it'll be quite a lot of fun   :lol:

 

Fun.. that is.. if there are no cases dealing with the following areas of law;

 

• Land/property law
• EU law
• Family law

 

 

I dread the day when I find myself defending a Menaphite Thug tied up a case involving the legitimacy of enacting the Lisbon Treaty despite the original Treaty for the constitution of Europe failing to receive ratification from several countries. #-o

 

 

[Danqazmlp]

Did I see somebody say this was aimed at kids? I can't think of a subject related less to children than court cases.

 

It sounds like a good distraction, and could be a very good insight into the lores of some NPC's. I wonder if it will only be humans tried? Imagine a trial of the KBD for burning somebody to a crisp.

[Sy_Accursed]

sounds like it culd be fun.

 

id guess itd give theif xp, or possibly hunter.

 

 

Be good if they keep it fresh, eg add in a few new trials every couple of months

[Danqazmlp]

One idea spurred on by Paws comment of the exp.

 

The ideas of Bartering as the new skill fit perfectly with this. It would definitely be a skill about arguing, talking to people, and could easily give exp into that.

[Racheya]

Please dear GOD let the reward be a Phoenix Wright emote. <3: <3:

[Poppet]

Please dear GOD let the reward be a Phoenix Wright emote. <3: <3:

 

Objection