[Design/Addition] Ghost Cafe

[OctusGit]

The Ghost Cafe Design Concept

Inspired by https://wiki.ss13.co/Afterlife_Bar

Introduction

The Ghost Cafe is a proposed new feature for the community that aims to enhance the experience for dead, observing, and out-of-round players. By providing a dedicated area for these players to roleplay and interact, they can stay engaged and entertained instead of being forced to merely observe for the majority of a 1-2 hour round.

The Ghost Cafe will be isolated from the rest of the game, ensuring that it has no ability to interfere with live or active rounds. This isolation will be achieved by making it impossible to reach the Ghost Cafe through Z-levels, as well as inability to communicate on comms of the station. Thereby preventing any possible interference with in-round gameplay.

This document outlines the key aspects of the Ghost Cafe, including its purpose, design, implementation, potential benefits.

To start, one of the concerns with adding a Ghost Cafe is the spatial requirement for its implementation. However, this issue can be addressed by recycling the space currently occupied by the Gateway. The removal of the Gateway is a plausible scenario, as it would free up two large z-levels worth of space that could be repurposed to accommodate the Ghost Cafe.

By reducing the scale of the Gateway z-levels, a single z-level or area could be created with a smaller footprint than the current beach area has. This newly available space would then be utilized to build the Ghost Cafe, providing a more engaging and beneficial area for players than the Gateway currently offers. The removal of the Gateway and the creation of the Ghost Cafe would be a more efficient use of the available space, allowing for a more enjoyable and interactive environment for ghosts and spectators.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Ghost Cafe is to:

1. Keep dead and observing players entertained and engaged in the game.
2. Provide a space for roleplaying and interaction among these players.
3. Encourage a sense of community among players, even when they are out of the round.
4. Reduce boredom and player dropout due to long wait times between rounds.
5. Minimize toxic behavior in the community by diverting focus from the deadchat channel to the Ghost Cafe activities.

Design

The Ghost Cafe should be designed with the following considerations in mind:

1. Aesthetics: The Cafe should have a visually appealing design that reflects the unique SS13 atmosphere.
2. Accessibility: The Cafe should be easily accessible to dead and observing players without interfering with the main gameplay.
3. Functionality: The Cafe should offer various amenities and activities for players to engage in, such as seating areas, a bar, and recreational facilities.
4. Atmosphere: The Cafe should have a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere that encourages roleplaying and interaction among players.

The Nebula Nook

Welcome to the Nebula Nook, a charming space bar nestled within a hollowed-out asteroid. Owned and operated by the mega-corporation Nanotrasen, this unique establishment provides a perfect blend of relaxation and entertainment for weary space travelers.

The lower section of the bar features a fully-stocked bar, a bustling kitchen, and an enticing arcade, providing guests with a lively atmosphere for indulging in exotic drinks, mouthwatering dishes, and entertaining games. The adjacent lounge area offers a cozy retreat, complete with plush seating and a large viewscreen showcasing local news and other broadcasts.

Ascending to the upper section, guests can find a quieter, more serene environment. The small library and study area house a diverse collection of books, newscasters, and DnD room, making it an ideal spot for quiet contemplation or discussion. The bathroom and changing room facilities, designed for the comfort of all visitors, cater to a wide range of species and preferences, ensuring a personalized and relaxing experience for everyone.

With its unique setting and diverse offerings, the Nebula Nook is a gem hidden within the vastness of space, providing a haven for those seeking respite from the rigors of interstellar travel.

Implementation

To implement the Ghost Cafe, the following steps should be taken:

1. Removal of Gateway, allowing for space to be free and reduce map bloat.
2. Create a separate Z-level or area specifically for the Ghost Cafe.
3. Design the layout and appearance of the Cafe, incorporating the considerations mentioned above.
4. Implement a system that allows dead and observing players to access the Ghost Cafe easily without disrupting the main game.
5. Add various amenities and interactive elements within the Cafe for players to enjoy.
6. Test the Ghost Cafe extensively to ensure it functions as intended and does not cause any unintended issues with the game.

Benefits

The implementation of the Ghost Cafe is expected to yield the following benefits:

1. Increased player engagement and satisfaction: By providing a space for players to interact and roleplay, the Ghost Cafe will keep players entertained and engaged in the game even when they are out of the round.
2. Reduced player dropout: With an alternative to simply observing, players are less likely to become bored and leave the game during long rounds.
3. Enhanced community: The Ghost Cafe will foster a sense of community among players, encouraging camaraderie and friendships that extend beyond individual rounds.
4. Improved player retention: By offering a more enjoyable experience for dead and observing players, the Ghost Cafe may help retain more players over time.
5. Reduction in toxic behavior: The addition of the Ghost Cafe is expected to decrease the occurrence of backseat gaming and negative criticism in the deadchat channel, leading to a more positive and supportive community overall.

Conclusion

The Ghost Cafe is a promising new feature for the game that has the potential to greatly enhance the experience for dead, observing, and out-of-round players. By providing a dedicated space for roleplaying and interaction, the Ghost Cafe can keep players engaged and entertained, fostering a stronger community and improving the overall experience. Recycling the space currently occupied by the Gateway to create the Ghost Cafe would be an efficient use of the available space, and would allow for a more engaging and beneficial area for players.

ToDo list:

• Make the Ghost Bar
• Add Television screens that let people spectate the round and watch the station.
• Change Newscasters to be only readable.
• Add a way to access ghost cafe while dead/observing via a button.
• Add a deadchat language for people to speak while in the ghost bar (:d)
• Add a toggle to turn off deadchat while in the ghost bar.
• Add a spawning/despawning mechanic for people going in and out of the ghost bar. (Cryo, Respawner, etc)
• Add notifications for anyone in the ghost bar about station rolls like midround or ERT.
• Add a smoke animation for anyone that gets picked for midround rolls.
• Tweak the respawner to fit Vox and Plasmamen with basic internals.
• Add zoning that makes people immune to damage/combat to avoid RDM.

[OctusGit]

Concern: Missing Ghost Roles

A significant concern is that players may be hesitant to use the Ghost Cafe due to the fear of missing out on ghost roles. Ghost roles offer dead observers the chance to participate in the main station as antagonists or support roles, such as Emergency Response Teams.

Solution 1: Ghost Role Notifications in the Cafe

One possible solution to address this concern is to make ghost role notifications visible to players while they are in the Ghost Cafe. This way, players can still enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the cafe without worrying about missing out on potential ghost role opportunities. A clear and visible notification system could be implemented within the cafe, ensuring that players are aware of available ghost roles and can opt-in if they choose to do so.

Solution 2: Ghost Role Queue System

To further address the concern of missing ghost roles, a queue system could be implemented. Players in the Ghost Cafe could join a queue to be notified of and automatically considered for the next available ghost role. This would allow players to enjoy the Ghost Cafe without constantly monitoring for new ghost role notifications, as they would be automatically alerted and given the option to participate when a role becomes available.

Concern: Moving Roleplayers Off the Station

One potential concern is that the Ghost Cafe could draw players away from the main station, as they might prefer the non-violent, "comfy" environment of the Ghost Cafe to the challenges and interruptions of the normal station. This could potentially lead to a decrease in engagement on the main station, as more players opt for the Ghost Cafe experience.

Solution 1: Limited Access

To address this concern, we could implement limited access to the Ghost Cafe. For example, players could be allowed to access the cafe only after a certain time has passed in the round, or after specific conditions have been met. This would encourage players to participate in the main station activities for a significant portion of the round before they can access the Ghost Cafe.

Solution 2: Ghost Cafe Quotas

Another possible solution is to establish a quota system for the Ghost Cafe. A limited number of slots could be available each round for players to access the Ghost Cafe. Once the quota is filled, no additional players would be able to access the cafe during that round. This would help ensure that the majority of players remain engaged with the main station, while still providing the opportunity for some to enjoy the Ghost Cafe experience.