Nantei Posted November 11, 2019 Posted November 11, 2019 I know this will be a very contentious post so I want to structure it so the intended effect is as obvious as possible. The first obvious concern to me is: What about antagonist selection? My answer here is simple: We just keep things as they are. The Loyalty Implant is absolutely not necessary to justify the HoS not being able to be a roundstart antagonist. Arguably, heads in general should not be available as roundstart antagonists. Why? Because head positions pay extremely well. This alongside thorough, likely regular background checks makes the odds that an HoS would backstab NT very low. It's a job that requires immense working up to, something of a 'dream job' for most people probably. Probably the only employees that are treated exceptionally by NT are the heads, and that's because they are so valuable and important for NT. What about company secrets? What's to stop them from spilling the beans? The LI already, supposedly, does not work when you are not on the job. So the answer is the same as above. On top of this, the HoS ironically knows about as much as any other head of staff. I'd argue they are actually probably the worst informed on company secrets. The RD obviously messes with research, that's very valuable, yet they do not need an LI. The CE messes with our experimental engine of which people have spied to try and get info on before, and yet they do not need an LI. The HoS does not know of the nuke at all, unlike the Captain. So I don't see why they should be an exemption. What does this change about antagonist interaction? What about cultists and vampires? First of all, it's worth noting that literally anyone can subvert these heads by removing their LI's. Complicated, yes, but it can happen, and when it has I have not seen it be a major issue. If someone manages to convert the HoS, people will take note the same as any other. Now, regarding interacting with other antagonists. I see almost zero reason the HoS would suddenly decide to take a bribe, or otherwise defect, same as above. What this opens up is the HoS can be far less of a brick wall. The HoS ceases to be an obstacle an antagonist has to overcome, and instead becomes a potential tool they can manipulate. This is a massive step up from corporate robot. We should see more peaceful resolutions as a result, and the HoS stops being some infallible automaton that cannot act in self interest, or interest of the crew. The HoS should basically never be 'corrupted' by non-supernatural antagonists. Their job is worth more than almost any bribe. They would act in self preservation, but I don't think stupidly dying for NT is exactly great roleplay as is, and most HoS's exercise at least a modicum of self interest already. In conclusion, why give this a chance? I think, at worst, if we give this a test run we may have some bad rounds. It's always a possibility. But if we are willing to give things like Departmental Security a try three separate times, I don't see a reason we shouldn't try this. Loyalty Implants are very stifling for roleplay, and often used to justify behavior I think most people would say is negative. Before you consider hating on this, please think about how many HoS characters would be willing to send people into a meat grinder to protect the vault, self-admittedly or not, all because of the LI. How many would refuse negotiations in the name of the company, because of the LI?
MattAtlas Posted November 11, 2019 Posted November 11, 2019 46 minutes ago, Nantei said: please think about how many HoS characters would be willing to send people into a meat grinder to protect the vault, self-admittedly or not, all because of the LI. How many would refuse negotiations in the name of the company, because of the LI? None of these scenarios are true though. You can still act in something's interest without doing crazy bs like that. Like you can definitely argue that wasting personnel on bullshit like that is not really in the company's interest. As long as you don't let them raid the vault or keep important shit with no consequences, then you're still acting in the company's interest in this situation. A more fair comparison would be changeling experimentation or placing them in xenobio. There's a notable divide here between the choices a non-LI'd head would make. Considering them I would much rather be LI'd and have to do the controversial thing - imo it generates much more RP. As someone who has been playing heads of staff with implants, no thanks. They're still good for narrative purposes and I enjoy their presence. -1 Not sure how relevant this is but switching them to mindshield implants has been a rejected suggestion that has been dismissed by head staff. This is pretty much the same concept - removing implants - so idk why things would change this time around. It hasn't been that long since either.
Nantei Posted November 11, 2019 Author Posted November 11, 2019 (edited) It's removal from the HoS, as was stated, not the Captain. I also don't find them remotely good for narrative purpose. They don't make much sense in terms of protecting corporate secrets, NT has no real reason to think an HoS needs them. What are they afraid of? That the HoS will sympathize with the lidra? Narratively they pigeonhole reasoning. Why does the HoS follow a bad order from NT? Well because they have an LI. That's lazy and awful storytelling. If they don't there's far more variety as to why they would follow questionable orders. "I need to protect my family from NT." Is a much more compelling reason than, "Beep boop implant activated." It's so pigeonholed that it's almost never even questioned. Edited November 11, 2019 by Nantei
Zundy Posted November 11, 2019 Posted November 11, 2019 You can already override an LI if it makes sense to do so by ahelping and asking if you can. It already blocks anything a mind shield-like thing would block. Narratively it shines a light on the unethical side of NT and the megas (you need literal implants to progress up the chain). No reason to remove them imo.
Arrow768 Posted November 11, 2019 Posted November 11, 2019 Since this suggestion is based on incorrectly presented information (as pointed out by Matt) I am voting for dismissal
MattAtlas Posted November 11, 2019 Posted November 11, 2019 Voting for dismissal due to reasons already presented by others and myself.
Nantei Posted November 11, 2019 Author Posted November 11, 2019 11 hours ago, MattAtlas said: None of these scenarios are true though. You can still act in something's interest without doing crazy bs like that. Like you can definitely argue that wasting personnel on bullshit like that is not really in the company's interest. As long as you don't let them raid the vault or keep important shit with no consequences, then you're still acting in the company's interest in this situation. I didn't have time to address this last night, but this isn't what the examples were for. They are for examples of bad behavior that is enabled by LI's. Not mandated. The information is not 'incorrect'. Those are two scenarios I have seen happen, and the LI was the excuse presented for it.
MattAtlas Posted November 12, 2019 Posted November 12, 2019 14 hours ago, Nantei said: They are for examples of bad behavior that is enabled by LI's. Sounds like something you should ahelp instead to me tbh.
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