Agenda

1- New billing

2- New website

3- Storyline: episode 1

Definition: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiboxing
I must explain clearly, the multiboxing: It's the possibility to connect several characters at the same time on the same server that we can't assimilate to the use of an external program to control one or more characters.
Change
Ryzom is a cooperative game, so working together is a necessity. Having a partner of your own to help with drilling and storage or even care is commonly accepted, but having an army of avatars at your command doesn't make sense, the game loses its essence.
In order to preserve this essence and the soul of a game where collaboration is encouraged, we have decided to only tolerate the control of 2 characters at the same time per user and this only within the framework of a reasonable use.
Consequently, the code of conduct will be modified to specify that "the number of characters controlled simultaneously by the same individual is limited to 2, within the framework of reasonable, reasoned use and without automation". A shard limitation will be set for this.

In conclusion
We have been working for a few years to redo the tools, master them and make them more fun to add content. And with the storyline that's what we're going to do. Make the story evolve and add new things.
And then the alts issue came up (on my side, as a developer).
With the storyline we will add new challenges. Sometimes the best group (which can be composed of four players only) will be rewarded. If the best team turns out to be four alts (and this is not impossible because it is in some cases an advantage) it would be rather disappointing for us.

The storyline is the leading roleplay thread followed by the Ryzom teams. It gathers a set of roleplay events and gameplay additions, built on a dynamic story.
During the prologue of the current Season 2, we heard rumors that things were getting ready. At the beginning of Episode 1, a strong bark shake shook Atys, upsetting the look of the Nexus. The homins are currently investigating the scene.
What's your feedback on the beginning of Episode 1?

Missions will be added soon, it's just the beginning: you have no idea what we've prepared for you to follow !
But we add things piece by piece to avoid big bugs, that's all: he game's code is ticklish, as you know.

We need DE, ES and RU translators as well as EN proofreaders.
Active testers are also needed.

This is the last time we have to translate on this channel!
Indeed, I am pleased to announce that before the end of the week, DeepL will automatically translate the Ryzom Forge channel, but also the regions (including Silan) and the Universe!
The translation of the universe and RF channels will also work between the game and chat.ryzom.com.
The original version will be viewable:
• from the IG, a flag will indicate the original language and the untranslated sentence at the cursor's passage;
• on RC, there will be one channel per language, and you will join by default the one of your client's language. Of course you can open the other language channels if you wish; the message in the original language will be displayed via a link.
The next step will be to translate the faction/nation channels.
Then we plan to translate the league channels.

The continuation of the Storyline will begin before the end of the week, with the arrival of two new missions to the Nexus: one hunting and one drilling.
This scripted event will then be followed by… I won't tell you what, followed by... I won't tell you what either ;)

The next patch will take place on June 25th, to implement the following.

Fixings
• Fixed outpost history information
• Fixed ranger circle optic and missing translation
• Fixed lot of Translation issue
• Fixed : Rewriting Ranger Aspiration Mission
• Added option in Daily Mission : Player can replace any non-occupation mission by another random (limited to 4 uses)
• Fixed an issue in Daily Mission where sometimes a same occupation can appear twice.

DeepL in game
• Added translations to Universe, Region and Forge
• Removed all language channels (uni-en, uni-fr, uni-es, uni-de, uni-ru)
• Added flags to see the original text and lang
• Added (ticky task!) anti-spam system to prevent duplication of same text

DeepL in Ryzom Chat
• Removed #pub-uni
• Removed #pub-forge
• Added #pub-forge-XY
• Added emoji flags and links to see the original text and lang
• All #pub-uni-[fr, en, de, es, ru] are linked to ingame Universe
• All #pub-forge-[fr, en, de, es, ru] are linked to ingame Forge

This patchnote has just been written and is not yet corrected or translated, but I wanted to share it with you during the meeting.

The change originally announced, i.e. a limitation to 2 accounts connected simultaneously, was only intended to limit the number of multiboxers *using third-party software* to play. Indeed, as we had no reliable technical means to confuse them, we were unable to enforce the Code of Conduct and this led to tensions between players, mixed with a strong feeling of impunity. Limiting the number of simultaneous accounts to 2 seemed a simple but effective way to solve this problem. It is now clear that we had underestimated the other consequences of this solution.
I would like to make it clear that although Tykus was the spokesperson for this decision, as he and I take turns chairing RF meetings and it was his turn to do so, this is neither a request nor a decision by Support. If Tykus is indeed the head of the Support team, he is my assistant too and it is in this capacity that he communicated on this project.
This announcement, which was aimed exclusively at restricting breaches of the Code of Conduct by those using third-party software, and thus reducing the feeling of gameplay impunity, highlighted another fundamental problem related to multiboxing itself. I admit that the title of the topic ("Multiboxing") didn't help.
Following this announcement, many of you have indeed expressed your discomfort because of the authorization on Ryzom to connect 4 accounts simultaneously, mainly because of the feeling of gameplay injustice of those who don't use several alts, but also because of the impunity of multiboxers suspected of violating the Code of Conduct.
Just as many of you have expressed your indignation at the announcement of the limitation of multiboxing to 2 accounts connected simultaneously, mainly evoking the intolerable curtailment of freedom so dear to Ryzom.
A regrettable rift between the two camps ensued.
My role is not to decide and designate a winner, but to hear both sides and propose a solution that is both acceptable to all and meets our initial objective. As much as a meaningful decision is certainly necessary, it is also necessary that it should not further divide you.
The reason I have taken so long to come back to you is that it is far from simple. It means taking the time to read and understand everything, to look for solutions, but also to eliminate some of them after finding that they are not feasible. This is the case for those involving a gameplay limitation of the number of accounts connected simultaneously. However, without this physical means of control, it is useless, even counterproductive, to impose any limitation. Indeed, what would be the point of modifying the Code of Conduct if no control tool allows us to enforce it?
This is why the initial solution, to prohibit the use of more than two alts at the same time, was not viable in any case, even if it had not generated very strong reactions against it.
On the other hand, it's clear that we need to limit the gameplay impact of using multi-alts during the game's "sensitive" activities: outpost battles, hunting bosses, hunting marauder bosses, scripted events. To this end, the best possible solution to date is, in our opinion, the following:

• Limiting multiboxing to 2 accounts connected simultaneously during outpost battles, on bosses, marauder bosses and during scripted events (limitation on the gameplay level during the Storyline's scripted events).
• Tolerance of multiboxing up to 4 accounts connected simultaneously in other cases: setting up levels, roleplay...
In all cases, the use of third party software to control simultaneously connected characters is of course forbidden.
During outpost battles, bosses and marauder boss hunts, in case of abuse send to Support a screen showing more than 2 alts present simultaneously.

This transitional solution is not perfect and does not solve the problem of using third-party software, but seems to be a viable compromise between the demands of both sides: freedom is preserved when it does not cause a strong gameplay injustice.
We will be able to make this solution evolve when gameplay allows us to do so, remaining of course open to your ideas.
By the way, when I presented this solution to the Ryzom Team, it brought out some very interesting suggestions of gameplay limitations that we are currently studying. Thus, as the gameplay changes, the limitation of the use of alts on OP, bosses, marauder bosses and scripted events will be done on the gameplay level and not manually anymore.
What's your opinion on this compromise in order not to get bogged down in the current situation, knowing that we'll make things evolve, in consultation with you, as gameplay changes occur?

Ordre du jour

1 - DeepL : amélioration et retour 

2 - Nouveau site web : réactions

3 - Storyline : retour, événements RP

4 - Recrutement : Équipe d'event (scénariste, acteur/actrice)

Now the universe channel and the region channel (including Silan) are translated by the automatic translator DeepL into the client's language. This way, you read directly what the players say in the language you have selected to play Ryzom.
Each translation displayed in the channel is preceded by a flag indicating the original language. To display the sentence in its original language, simply move the cursor over this flag, the translation will be displayed above it.
What are your opinions on this new feature?

The new website (https://www.ryzom.com) is online!
Don't hesitate to give us your opinion and to let us know if there are any bugs !

Episode 1 of the Storyline began with a barkquake at the Nexus, causing profound upheaval in the region. The homins are investigating on site by carrying out various missions.
In the near future, roleplay events focusing on what's happening in the Nexus will be released by the event team. They will offer a different view of Nexus events for each nation, Rangers and Marauders, which will help each player view the future of Storyline differently depending on the character they play.
What happens in the Nexus is an extremely rich basis for roleplay. And that's just the beginning! You'll see it and experience it over the next events of nations and the next twists and turns.
We would like your feedback on the beginning of this Episode 1.

We are looking for volunteer facilitators (scriptwriters and actors / actresses) to write and/or perform roleplay events. Feel free to contact Tamarea on Ryzom Chat https://chat.ryzom.com/direct/tamarea or by email at tamarea@ryzom.com.
Come and help us bring the Storyline to life by becoming an actor/actress at our events!
Training is provided. You will start by playing a secondary character, such as a guard, before gradually playing more important characters when you feel ready. If you are more comfortable writing than playing a character, we also have room for you, because our scenarios don't write themselves! There again, you will start in group work, before writing solo or in pairs, depending on your preference.
We are looking for volunteers from all time zones, including the United States, so that we can also offer roleplay events in US time.
If you are interested, if you are uncertain, if you have any questions, please contact me and we will discuss it!

Agenda
   1 - HD texture update: see https://cloud.ryzom.com/s/WrgBb8DmTR42K6M
   2 - New billing service: see https://en.wiki.ryzom.com/wiki/New_Billing_Service
   3 - Multiboxing
   4 - Bosses refactoring: see https://cloud.ryzom.com/s/sHtn43WJiwtxrBN
   5 - OP refactoring: see https://cloud.ryzom.com/s/pCP3JJgBrrMCgip

Project description note: https://cloud.ryzom.com/f/159212
(The links on this note don't work, but you can find more comparison screenshots here: https://imgur.com/a/Kx33JTO)
At this stage we have a good baseline for texture replacement and we work mostly on specific types of textures that require special attention.

Service description note : https://en.wiki.ryzom.com/wiki/New_Billing_Service
The new billing service, developed by Ulukyn, is implemented this week.
SirCotare contributed by creating the interface at the website level.

Our goal is to limit the gameplay impact of the multi-alts gaming as much as possible.
To achieve this, we will act in two steps: an update of the Code of Conduct and a progressive chanhe in the gameplay.
1 - Short-term action: updating the Code of Conduct
• Limit multiboxing to two accounts connected simultaneously during outpost battles, Bosses hunts, assaults on Marauders Chiefs and Storyline scripted events. In case of abuse, send a screenshot showing the violation to Support.
• Tolerance of multiboxing up to four accounts connected simultaneously in other cases: leveling, roleplay, etc.
2 - Medium and long term action: modification of the Ryzom gameplay
We're working on changing the gameplay little by little to limit the advantage of multi-alts over Bosses, Marauders Chiefs and Storyline scripted events.
This is the expected outcome of the two projects presented below, Bosses refactoring and Outposts refactoring, but also of the future scripted missions of the Storyline.

The main objective of this project is to reduce the gameplay impact of Boss camping, including the one practiced via multi-alts.
Project description note : https://cloud.ryzom.com/s/sHtn43WJiwtxrBN
I need to clarify or underline some of the points made in this note:
• In a given region, only Bosses of one of the species already inhabiting the region will be able to spawn (the program controlling the pop of Kings will use a file listing the species inhabiting each region). As a consequence :
– if many new Bosses will pop, some of the current ones will not pop anymore, such as Madakoo (since no "common" madakam lives in the Prime Roots ecosystem)… but other versions of the madakam Boss will pop on the surface) ;
– contrary to what the note indicates, there will be no Raguketh 270 popping since no ragus inhabits the 250 region of the Desert ecosystem.
• Bosses logically non-existent by the above rule, whether they exist (such as Madakoo, for example) or not at present, will exist later on to "animate" OOC or scripted events (Storyline). Thus, Madakoo will not completely disappear…
• … Nor, for that matter, the materials collected from these lost Kings who today fill your Guild Hall.
• The refactoring responds to the objective stated above in that it will result in a significant increase in the number of possible popping spots of Bosses per region, thus making it difficult to predict which spot in a given region (now hosting, moreover, a greater diversity of Bosses than today) will see the next Boss of a given type pop.

The aim of this project is to revitalize outpost battles by restoring interest in all POs, by having them change owners regularly and by diversifying the types of combat. It will also reduce the gameplay advantage of multi-talts.
Project description note : https://cloud.ryzom.com/s/pCP3JJgBrrMCgip
Some points to emphasize here again:
• All outposts, regardless of their level (which will remain unchanged), will produce either Q150, Q200 or Q250 materials.
• No guild will no longer be allowed to keep an outpost for the sole purpose of enjoyment (if any) of its possession.
• To remember: outposts will change hands much more often and regularly than in the past!