[zenith]

I was going over on paper what it would take to open up a new type of combat system for player vs. computer opponents that doesn't involve the current NPCs.

I feel using player vs player combat mechanics for NPCs is just not an answer. NPCs are using player code, and don't evolve and grow like players. Some sort of combat method that will ALWAYS provides a challenge based on your strength is probably the best scalable solution. However, I'm not sure how it will be received since people don't attack players they think can beat them.

For example, what if some crimes resulted in you getting an option to fight cops to avoid jail time? What if some crimes were all about combat? How about busting people out of jail resulting in a fight with cops if you fail miserably? Or a gang having an option to spend gang points to "tip off the police" so they attack another gang/player the next time they log in?

I am sure people would love to be able to have cops to blast, or borgs, or virtually any type of enemy that didn't involve other players. I'll have to do some more planning so the game stays balanced and pbp-centric though. But adding this type of option could basically change the entire way the game is played.

I'm all for change, but don't want to diminish player accomplishments with our current code. It wouldn't be quite fair to see someone fight hard to reach level 30, then add something to the game that makes level 30 easy to get to.