The new player OSP thing is a marketing exercise only. It is designed to attract brand new players into the system. The sooner people realise this and stop whining about it the better.

It is not a retention tool as it is up to players to decide whether to stay within the system or not based on their roleplay experience and general level of satisfaction with the game as it is played.

Established players receive OSPs as part of their longevity in the system (whether they've played 1 character or 10). Some never spend their OSPs at all while others spend them as fast as they are earned. That is their right and privilege.

The fact that you've spent all your OSPs on a char and it died - tough. You decided not to "save some for later" and please remember it was your own decision and not LT's.

As far as I can tell the system is designed for characters to learn more as they get older not for players to be handed 40 OSPs just because they retire their character or it dies.

On the other hand I do think there is a case for "refunding" OSPs for characters dying over winter. It does seem a little harsh that you've spent and lost OSPs for something you wouldn't have been able to use until the first mainline.

*lights paper and waits for fireworks*

I see both Karls and lalas sides of the argument i don't think either are wrong. Karls idea sounds like the easiest to implement, while lalas sounds fairer but unfortunately a load of paperwork.

The problem is there is no retention policy while there is a recruitment one, its mostly an issue or appearing unfair which always upsets people.

The bigger issue that we have seen with OSs being so important in todays game (post cataclsym) that it makes people not want to die or take risks with there power/knowledgeable characters, the fix (i think) is linked to the original thing Karl was talking about.

Retirement: Player gets credited Half of there spent OSs to a max of 100 (may spend half instantly)
Death: Player gets credited Quarter there spent OSs to a max of 50 (may spend all instantly)

At least this way people will fear death less but not have to feel like there cheated, there are no free OSPs more a thank you for remaining with the system. Ofc when you insta spend your refund (as per a new player) that is your learning slots for the year used up so its not a giant advantage just a step back into the game so you can start a new character with a story to back it up.

I agree that OSs arent needed for RP but everyone likes having something.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
This would be awesome!

Is it needed? no, but will it make paying customers happy without massive advantage? yes.

The reason why I put retirement higher was because its not death its someone giving up there character, but the number isnt really important. There would have to be a check that people haven't been naughty then tried to retire to get loot & osps back though.

As originally designed, OSPs were the reward for existing/ongoign customers. Then the "new customer" incentives were introduced to ensure that new customers didn't start with too much of a disadvantage when compared to the existing/established characters. And of course I think that we all want to welcome new entrants to the hobby.

As for where the balance lies, I don't think that we'll achieve a consensus view on that...

Interesting point of view -

I had a friend come along last year, and sadly their character died at one of the main events (the one I couldn't get to) - their reaction to the sudden down power meant of their character (ie not getting the same options for their new character as their original one) was one of shock and disappointment.

Honestly, if a player needs an extra 50 OSPs to "entice" them to try the system, then loses them through misfortune, I cant really see that player continuing with the system (thankfully, my friend had a great time, and was already sold without anything extra)

I can recall when OSPs were mostly pointless bits of laminated card you got when you pre-booked, and the skills available were not great and horribly expencive.

I guess thats why I dont see much of a problem with OSPs and character death at the moment, (that and Its quite easy to build them up).
The first osp I bought was "Climb walls" , I even joined the scouts guild JUST so I could get it cheaply (my other motive for buying it was that I was fed up of walking around factions trying to find the gate..that and the REFS started not allowing us to winch people over.). I then did not buy anything till 2007/8ish.

But then then that type of "character progression" did not really seem to be the point of the LT and I guess it was countered by the old free rank skills, which I enjoyed even if they were open to abuse.
(I miss when Mass fear had a rank... ah the days of rank 7..)

I am not sure there is a way to create a sensible system that both entices new players and rewards old players, without creating game balance problems. (and no matter what some people will complain).

Do you reward the character or the player is big question I think would need to be decided.
A small bonus to new CHARACTERS is fine in my opinion, it entices new players and if they then get hooked then awesome!
Something to reward old PLAYERS would be interesting if it could be done, perhaps free/ discounted early entry passes?

I think some skills need looking at more than we need some bonus scheme though.
Some skills which would be awesome to have IC are really just a waste of "brain slots" and OSP points.

If you mean you don't like pre book os's then yes i agree but not quiet sure what you mean, seems a bit off topic.

That is effectively what one does get if you prebook for all 4 main events: 4 x 10, + 10, =50

What a new players gets is to spend some of those (unspent not banked) at that time, whereas an existing player has have stuff banked from the previous year.


Do new players get the 50 to spend prebook AND the 10 per event???

Technically, they shouldn't - as stated on the new player booking form, and buy one of forum mods/LT staff on here, the bonus 50 OSPs replace the 10 OSPs from their first main event.

However in practice, this is rarely the case - I've not heard of anyone not getting the full amount of OSPs (ie 50 plus 10 per event), though it may depend on who processes their booking forms