Assistant Overhaul

[FlamingLily]

So, this is something that I've been thinking about for a while now, especially as discussion on Lab Assistant (and its role as a learner role) continues.

There's an inherent conflict on the server between our learner roles and the idea of a lower-ranking, but permanent, departmental role. We want learner roles, a role that a player uses to learn the mechanics, and graduates out of once they're ready. But, on occasion, we want more permanent roles in an assistant like capacity -- however, we don't want those lower rank roles acting as if they were fully qualified departmental roles. It's out of character, doesn't fit the setting, etc.

So what if we split these roles up, wherein I propose making them alt-titles of the main Assistant role, with their own responsibilities, access levels and equipment (this is possible in the code, as it is). This will alleviate the issue of permanent-learners overstepping the role that they've chosen, such as apprentices setting up the engine, interns doing full surgery unsupervised, or lab assistants breeding slimes, by still maintaining the fact that they're not a full member of the department.

Note that this isn't intended to replace the normal assistant title, simply add additional alt-titles.

My suggestions:

• Lab Assistant - This would fulfill the same role as the current Lab Assistant, without the expectation of learning. The current science learner could become an understudy or something of the like.
• Technical Assistant - Labourer, carries materials, machines, et cetera, perhaps spawns with a debugger for faulty vending machines. Probably wouldn't get APC access on their ID, certainly wouldn't get engine access.
• Orderly/Medical Assistant - Mans the desk, supervises patients, cleans the OR, bags and tags when things inevitably go wrong. Unable to provide medical care.
• (Possibly) Wait Staff/Service Assistant - Waits tables. I'm unsure whether this one is worth adding, but it would be soulful..................

I can't imagine operations or security having any purpose for a non-learner assistant role, and while command members might have a personal assistant, that should probably not be it's own alt-title, and instead just managed through the normal "Assistant" title.

[Carver]

Assistant alt titles are something I’ve wanted for a while after seeing it on other servers years ago. Big plus for keeping the original title, eliminates any complaints that I could have had.

[Sparky_hotdog]

I'll be honest, I've been sceptical in the past about most forms of more junior roles (Obviously not Lab Assistant, I tried to push for that with a PR), but this has potential. There might be some increase in mod work, which I think is important to consider, but is also not a huge deal. Most people playing these would probably be looking to do less, not more. Definitely like the Wait Staff idea, I think it would lead to the main mess/restaurant area being used more, and allow for more private meal RP, without making chefs' lives harder. Also very much agree with keeping regular assistants.

My only question (not concern) is regarding departments, and corporations therein. While I think the assistants still being officially outside of the departments they're helping is fine, with the current way alt-titles work I think there would be nothing stopping a well-meaning newbie from making a Zavod Orderly or something (As all corps employ assistants right now). Just a thought,

[Flpfs]

In support of this change. Assistant is a role with a lot of potential and I think we can shake away the reputation of it being the meme role that has carried over from wider SS13.

[hazelmouse]

This sounds interesting! I feel the titles might give something more of an air of legitimacy for actual departmental staff to humour them, more than they do right now.

[FlamingLily]

14 hours ago, hazelmouse said:

This sounds interesting! I feel the titles might give something more of an air of legitimacy for actual departmental staff to humour them, more than they do right now.

I forgot to mention it when I made the initial post, but this was my main idea.

 

Strictly speaking, there's no reason an assistant character currently can't achieve anything I propose here, but it requires an often difficult process of gaining the OOC trust of other players, and the IC trust of other characters, and then taking time out of either your round or their round to get the access and equipment necessary to even start as the role. Giving the assistant a title would partially bridge that level of trust, and giving the assistant characters even a minimal amount of departmental access would make humouring specialised assistants less of a chore for full department members.

[MattAtlas]

I don't think I have any particular objections to this idea other than concerns over the access and it being... quite confusing, really, considering now you'd have a generic assistant role and another assistant role in the department.

[DeadLantern]

I echo Lily’s sentiment. While more alt titles would not hurt, everything described in the OP is already possible as it stands. You can go to the XO and ask for a name change and ask for the necessary gear/accessibility requirements. I played an assistant who was a bodyguard/hired friend for consulars or command people, all within the assistant role.

[FlamingLily]

3 hours ago, MattAtlas said:

I don't think I have any particular objections to this idea other than concerns over the access and it being... quite confusing, really, considering now you'd have a generic assistant role and another assistant role in the department.

Were I to code it, I wouldn't give any greater access than a Janitor gets, and if more is needed it can be got through in-game means.

[CatsinHD]

1 hour ago, FlamingLily said:

Were I to code it, I wouldn't give any greater access than a Janitor gets, and if more is needed it can be got through in-game means.

The janitor has a pretty wide access net all things considered (basic level access to most departments is nothing to scoff at). In all honesty, if it weren't for previous discussions, I'd actually suggest just giving each department its own assistant role (exceptions apply) and just remove the basic assistant slot (although keeping it is fine for brand new players, I guess). I'll leave that to maintainers to figure out, in the end.

On another note, I honestly don't mind this. It would be a little difficult to define exact duties, which muddies the waters a little in some departments, but these are things that can be worked out over time. I think a shining example of how this sort of thing could work out is the Diplomatic Aide role. Despite being somewhat rare, when in use it seems to go quite well.

[EJJ]

I think something like this has a lot of potential, though obviously needs someone to code it. I would object to basic Assistant being removed since it would be pretty new player hostile and I'd rather not have new players joining as off-duty and trying to do Assistant stuff not getting it.

4 hours ago, FlamingLily said:

I wouldn't give any greater access than a Janitor gets, and if more is needed it can be got through in-game means.

I think this is okay. Maybe just job-specific? Also I don't really like laying stuff on having an XO/Captain present since deadpop exists.

[FlamingLily]

7 hours ago, EJJ said:

I think [access] is okay. Maybe just job-specific?

10 hours ago, CatsinHD said:

The janitor has a pretty wide access net all things considered

My curse of not giving essential info continues...

I intended to say "no more than a janitor gets, and only within that department" so an engineering assistant would only have access to the areas of engineering that a janitor does.

[CatsinHD]

 

44 minutes ago, FlamingLily said:

My curse of not giving essential info continues...

I intended to say "no more than a janitor gets, and only within that department" so an engineering assistant would only have access to the areas of engineering that a janitor does.

It happens. Basic level access to a department is, frankly, the bare minimum anyone in said department should have. If you're an assistant specifically for that department, you 100% should get it. Still got my support for the concept either way (especially if someone is able to sprite new uniforms...).

[JeffMomentRed]

I think this would be really neat and a great step away from the evil and dark reputation the "greysuit" has on SS13 : ). 

On 01/07/2024 at 09:05, FlamingLily said:

There's an inherent conflict on the server between our learner roles and the idea of a lower-ranking, but permanent, departmental role

More particularly, I think this may be the best solution to the quoted issue I've read so far. Its not getting rid of anything, it seemingly, on paper accomplishes what both sides want at a nice middle ground.