I'll only respond to the dice rolls suggestion. I know that a lot of "power players" would like this kind of feature but the new philosophy gaining traction in game design is to not show players numbers. Giving them numbers detaches them from the "reality" of the game and focuses them on stats and stat gains. I'm personally more in favor of eliminating visible stats (be they numeric or descriptive) altogether and having players rely on common sense and a general feel based on the outcomes of experienced events to judge their abilities.

I think the same as you :)
For me it would be intresting to eliminate the lvls (you can't see them anymore, but they are still here), and so you would have to "feel" your strength.

I think both ideas have potential, if they're built in as optional.

There are quite a few (MMO)RPGs that have showing hit and dice details as an option, which would be IMHO also acceptable. The player is free to choose whether (s)he wants to see the details or not. I'm sure a lot of oldskool players (e.g. coming from pen'n'paper) would love it.

The very short time I had playing Ryzom demo (on wintendo :P) I was also a bit turned off by mindless killing of animals. There should be a reason given *why* you have to kill things ...not just hack'n'slash every living thing in your path.

edit: hook >> p.s. sorry if my sentences don't make much sense, but it's hard writing when you've got fever and chickenpox as an 23 year old!

silver_hook? Is that you? :D

I'm still anxious to hear whether or not the game becomes Free Software. It would be amazing.

There should be a reason given *why* you have to kill things ...not just hack'n'slash every living thing in your path.

I know that I could only develop for example prospection, but sometime you're attached. So you need either to be in a big team (not always possible), or to learn to fight (I choose magic)

I think that its posible to play Ryzom without ever fighting but damn sure that you wont be able to win it that way..

- In most MMORPGs there is no single solid way to "win," compared to single-player games.
- In sandbox MMORPGs there is conceptually no way to "win" whatsoever.
- Therefore "winning" in Ryzom is 100% subjective.

That said, I'd subjectively suggest a winner is a player who enjoys the game fully according to their playstyle for the longest time. For someone who enjoys non-combat activities and doesn't want to do combat activities, it's damn sure they won't be able to win Ryzom by fighting.

BUT if it goes to GPL total, then I could run dual 'toons, at same time same location, one on guard, other DIGGING....:)