[WIP] Retooled Professions

[size=8pt]Here is my version of professions, although it is still a work-in-progress. I plan to have two versions of certain types, one for each sex. There will also be unisex ones that could fill either a man or woman role. You will see what I am talking about in just a minute when you read the code snippet below. As of right now, I am only focusing on skilled professions, not counting the first two.[/size]

[code][
{
“type”: “profession”,
“ident”: “unemployed”,
“name”: “Civilian [M]”,
“description”: “Just an ordinary man.”,
“points”: 0,
“items”: [
“tshirt”,
“wristwatch”,
“shorts”,
“socks”,
“lowtops”,
“cell_phone”
]
},
{
“type”: “profession”,
“ident”: “femsur”,
“name”: “Civilian [W]”,
“description”: “Just an ordinary woman.”,
“points”: 0,
“items”: [
“necklace”,
“dress”,
“wristwatch”,
“heels”,
“purse”,
“cell_phone”
]
},
{
“type”: “profession”,
“ident”: “paramedic”,
“name”: “Paramedic [U]”,
“description”: “The paramedic is a healthcare professional who works in emergency medical situations.”,
“points”: 1,
“skills”: [
{
“level”: 4,
“name”: “firstaid”
},
{
“level”: 2,
“name”: “speech”
}
],
“items”: [
“stethoscope”,
“polo_shirt”,
“wristwatch”,
“gloves_medical”,
“pants”,
“socks”,
“boots”,
“bandages”,
“bandages”
]
},
{
“type”: “profession”,
“ident”: “depsher”,
“name”: “Deputy Sheriff [U]”,
“description”: “Under general supervision, exercises responsibilities for the enforcement of state and local laws relating to public safety and welfare.”,
“points”: 3,
“skills”: [
{
“level”: 3,
“name”: “gun”
},
{
“level”: 3,
“name”: “pistol”
},
{
“level”: 2,
“name”: “speech”
}
],
“items”: [
“sheriffshirt”,
“badge_deputy”,
“wristwatch”,
“pants”,
“holster”,
“socks”,
“boots”,
“usp_9mm”,
“baton”,
“flashlight”,
“two_way_radio”
]
},
{
“type”: “profession”,
“ident”: “mscience”,
“name”: “Scientist [M]”,
“description”: “Scientists perform research toward a more comprehensive understanding of nature, including physical, mathematical and social realms.”,
“points”: 2,
“skills”: [
{
“level”: 2,
“name”: “computer”
},
{
“level”: 2,
“name”: “cooking”
},
{
“level”: 2,
“name”: “electronics”
},
{
“level”: 2,
“name”: “fabrication”
}
],

    "items": [
        "coat_lab",
        "dress_shirt",
        "wristwatch",
        "pants",
        "socks",
        "dress_shoes",
        "id_science",
        "pda"
     ]
},
{
    "type": "profession",
    "ident": "fscience",
    "name": "Scientist [W]",
    "description": "Scientists perform research toward a more comprehensive understanding of nature, including physical, mathematical and social realms.",
    "points": 2,
    "skills": [
        {
            "level": 2,
            "name": "computer"
        },
        {
            "level": 2,
            "name": "cooking"
        },
        {
            "level": 2,
            "name": "electronics"
        },
        {
            "level": 2,
            "name": "fabrication"
        }
    ],

    "items": [
        "coat_lab",
        "dress_shirt",
        "wristwatch",
        "skirt",
        "heels",
        "purse",
        "id_science",
        "pda"
     ]
},
{
    "type": "profession",
    "ident": "mechanic",
    "name": "Mechanic [U]",
    "description": "A mechanic is a tradesman, craftsman, or technician who uses tools to build or repair machinery.",
    "points": 3,
    "skills": [
        {
            "level": 2,
            "name": "computer"
        },
        {
            "level": 2,
            "name": "electronics"
        },
        {
            "level": 4,
            "name": "mechanics"
        }
    ],
    "items": [
        "jumpsuit",
        "chestrig",
        "wristwatch",
        "socks",
        "boots",
        "tool_belt",
        "wrench",
        "rag",
        "cell_phone"
    ]
},
{
    "type": "profession",
    "ident": "electrician",
    "name": "Electrician [U]",
    "description": "An electrician is a tradesperson specializing in electrical wiring of buildings, stationary machines and related equipment. ",
    "points": 2,
    "skills": [
        {
            "level": 2,
            "name": "computer"
        },
        {
            "level": 4,
            "name": "electronics"
        },
        {
            "level": 2,
            "name": "mechanics"
        }
    ],
    "items": [
        "polo_shirt",
        "wristwatch",
        "jeans",
        "socks",
        "sneakers",
        "tool_belt",
        "screwdriver",
        "flashlight",
        "cell_phone"
    ]
},
    {
    "type": "profession",
    "ident": "bmsg",
    "name": "Messenger [U]",
    "description": "Bicycle messengers (also known as bike or cycle couriers) are people who work for courier companies (also known as messenger companies) carrying and delivering items by bicycle.",
    "points": 2,
    "skills": [
        {
            "level": 2,
            "name": "dodge"
        },
        {
            "level": 3,
            "name": "driving"
        }
    ],
    "items": [
        "hoodie",
        "tank_top",
        "wristwatch",
        "gloves_fingerless",
        "pants_cargo",
        "socks",
        "sneakers",
        "mbag",
        "mp3",
        "cell_phone",
        "folding_bicycle"
    ]
},
    {
    "type": "profession",
    "ident": "mcon_worker",
    "name": "Con. Worker [M]",
    "description": "A construction worker is a tradesman, laborer, or professional employed in the physical construction of the built environment and its infrastructure.",
    "points": 2,
    "skills": [
        {
            "level": 4,
            "name": "carpentry"
        },
        {
            "level": 2,
            "name": "fabrication"
        }
    ],
    "items": [
        "hat_hard",
        "tshirt",
        "wristwatch",
        "jeans",
        "socks",
        "boots_steel",
        "tool_belt",
        "hammer",
        "nail",
        "nail",
        "screwdriver",
        "cell_phone"
    ]
},
        {
    "type": "profession",
    "ident": "fcon_worker",
    "name": "Con. Worker [W]",
    "description": "A construction worker is a tradesman, laborer, or professional employed in the physical construction of the built environment and its infrastructure.",
    "points": 2,
    "skills": [
        {
            "level": 4,
            "name": "carpentry"
        },
        {
            "level": 2,
            "name": "fabrication"
        }
    ],
    "items": [
        "glasses_safety",
        "tank_top",
        "wristwatch",
        "gloves_fingerless",
        "jeans",
        "socks",
        "boots",
        "tool_belt",
        "hammer",
        "nail",
        "nail",
        "screwdriver",
        "cell_phone"
    ]
},
    {
    "type": "profession",
    "ident": "soldier",
    "name": "Soldier [U]",
    "description": "A soldier is one who fights as part of an organized land-based armed force.",
    "points": 5,
    "skills": [
        {
            "level": 2,
            "name": "gun"
        },
        {
            "level": 2,
            "name": "rifle"
        },
        {
            "level": 2,
            "name": "pistol"
        }
    ],
    "items": [
        "helmet_army",
        "jacket_army",
        "army_top",
        "wristwatch",
        "pants_army",
        "holster",
        "socks",
        "boots_combat",
        "molle_pack",
        "m4a1",
        "m1911",
        "knife_combat",
        "binoculars",
        "flashlight",
        "two_way_radio",
        "canteen",
        "mre_beef",
        "mre_veggy"
    ]
}

]
[/code]

[size=8pt]The [ M ] stands for the male version while [ W ] represents the female equivalent. Professions marked with an [ U ] means that it can be played (role) by either sex. I have also opted to go with more generalized descriptions as well because I feel this leaves more room in coming up with your own back story should you want. If you would like to try these out, simply copy the above code and insert it into the professions.json file. Simply paste the code below the rest of the profession to have them be included. I am currently 50/50 on whether I will keep the speech skill in as is. This post will be updated as needed.

#Edit - These modifications are based off of the rebalanced professions that GlyphGryph post on these forum.
#Update - Added the Electrician and Mechanic professions. Tweaked previous professions.
#Update - Added Bike Messenger profession.
#Update - Added the construction worker profession with both [M] and [W] branch. Added soldier profession.
#Update - The point costs for professions is still being tweaked so feel free to alter if you want.[/size]

Is the purpose of M/F/U versions just starting clothes?
If so we’d probably want to do something like:

    {
        "type": "profession",
        "ident": "unemployed",
        "name": "Civilian",
        "description": "Just an ordinary person.",
        "points": 0,
        "items": {
          "male" : [
            "tshirt",
            "wristwatch",
            "jeans",
            "socks",
            "sneakers",
            "mbag",
            "cell_phone"
            ],
          "female": [
            "necklace",
            "dress",
            "wristwatch",
            "heels",
            "purse",
            "cell_phone"
          ]
        }
    },

Of course that’s not supported right now, so what you’re doing is a good way to take a look at the concept. Partially I’m talking to myself.

[size=8pt]Yes, they are simply tags to let you know if the profession (clothing wise) is tailored toward a male or female role, while unisex means it could be either. It would be nice if there was more feminine clothing such as stockings or some such things so that there could be more variety. I realize that some of the shoes or clothing that is tailored for women in the game, means that they will start will slightly less storage capacity.[/size]

If i ever get over my lazy streak ill make them, ill be off work in about 2 hours so ill probably give it a go before i play WoW xD

I love the idea.

Just realized there’s an easy way to reduce some redundancy:

    {
        "type": "profession",
        "ident": "unemployed",
        "name": "Civilian",
        "description": "Just an ordinary person.",
        "points": 0,
        "items": {
          "male" : [
            "tshirt",
            "jeans",
            "socks",
            "sneakers",
            "mbag"
            ],
          "female" : [
            "necklace",
            "dress",
            "heels",
            "purse"
          ],
          "both" : [
            "wristwatch",
            "cell_phone"
          ]
        }
    },

And the existing professions could be moved over by having their item lists nested into a “both” entry. Did we try and do this before? I seem to remember this happening before and us deciding not to do it, but I can’t rememeber why.
BTW, I think take away the mbag, the guy has a big advantage of sneakers over heels, and the purse would balance that out a bit.

[size=8pt]Hm, I could try to do it that way if it will let me. May make it easier as long as nothing breaks. And yeah, I have already removed the mbag from him to help offset the M class have pants with storage and sneakers. I’ll have to update it when I get a chance and add a bit more to the list.[/size]

I got the error:

DEBUG: data/json/professions.json: line 166:18: tried to start array, but
found ‘{’, not ‘[’
“description”: “Just an ordinary person.”,
“points”: 0,
“items”: {
^
“male” : [
“tshirt”,
Press spacebar…

Kevingranade, would this create a male and female version of the profession, or would it gender-lock the profession to the selected gender?

Honestly, if we’re going to do it that way, we might as well do it in a more general way instead and give it a bit more power to handle other profession situations where it doesn’t really require it’s own complete profession:
[tt] {
“type”: “profession”,
“ident”: “unemployed”,
“name”: “Civilian”,
“description”: “Just an ordinary person.”,
“points”: 0,
“standard_items”: [
“wristwatch”,
“cell_phone”
]
“alt_items” : {
"" : [ //the first would be the default one, and doesn’t require an explicit name.
“tshirt”,
“jeans”,
“socks”,
“sneakers”,
“mbag”
],
“Feminine” : [
“necklace”,
“dress”,
“heels”,
“purse”
],
“Psychadelic” : [
“tiedye_tshirt”,
“sandals”,
“bell_bottoms”,
“grateful_dead_bag”
]
}
},[/tt]

This would give us a lot of options for “flavour variety” within a single profession, but the fact that it was a single profession on the list would communicate clearly to the user that they are mechanically almost indistinguishable… and would also serve to not enforce any sort of judgement on the player about which choices are “appropriate”. Like “if I play a female character I shouldn’t be be picking the ‘man’ one”, which seems unnecessarily limiting.

Switching between the varieties could be a simple keypress.

[size=8pt]Updated main post with two new additions and revised a few previous ones. Still working out point cost balance. But here are the two new ones:[/size]

{ "type": "profession", "ident": "mechanic", "name": "Mechanic [U]", "description": "A mechanic is a tradesman, craftsman, or technician who uses tools to build or repair machinery.", "points": 3, "skills": [ { "level": 2, "name": "computer" }, { "level": 2, "name": "electronics" }, { "level": 4, "name": "mechanics" } ], "items": [ "jumpsuit", "chestrig", "wristwatch", "socks", "boots", "tool_belt", "wrench", "rag", "cell_phone" ] }, { "type": "profession", "ident": "electrician", "name": "Electrician [U]", "description": "An electrician is a tradesperson specializing in electrical wiring of buildings, stationary machines and related equipment. ", "points": 2, "skills": [ { "level": 2, "name": "computer" }, { "level": 4, "name": "electronics" }, { "level": 2, "name": "mechanics" } ], "items": [ "polo_shirt", "wristwatch", "jeans", "socks", "sneakers", "tool_belt", "screwdriver", "flashlight", "cell_phone" ] }

[size=8pt]If any of you think certain professions should branch off and be [M] and [W] than let me know.[/size]

I think the gear should carry that flag itself. The other way around would be as if we had different types of fuel in game and a sticker on one in many cars that says “Just Diesel Here!”. You need to see the property, either by examining the Pump item or checking out the color of the fuel, much like with clothes.
Most reasonable flag is U, however - because you don’t get to see t-shirt[M] and t-shirt[F] in game, and by all means you shouldn’t. It means that you can expand the workaround for each and every profession, so a “Pants” item has a pool of its own with checkered, jeans items, long underwear (luckless) and whatnots. The other thing discussed in and about the forums was regarding professions’ overhaul due to low value - and you can spend three or so points that easy; value of items isn’t just for looks, it could be utilized for determining if there’s a stretch to the “useful items” pool, like simple tools or an abovementioned mbag. Other than that, a good leather jacket isn’t all that cheap, so in that example “Jacket” item shouldn’t point to this possibility unless there was at least one item that useful declared with the profession and that much “pricey”, moreso.

I would think you define the M/F/Both items for a profession, and then depending on what gender you select for your character, it gives you those items when you start.

[size=8pt]New profession. Usually I would wait until I had a few more professions, but this one kind of interests me and I hope others will be interested as well:[/size]

{ "type": "profession", "ident": "bmsg", "name": "Bike Messenger [U]", "description": "Bicycle messengers (also known as bike or cycle couriers) are people who work for courier companies (also known as messenger companies) carrying and delivering items by bicycle.", "points": 2, "skills": [ { "level": 2, "name": "dodge" }, { "level": 3, "name": "driving" } ], "items": [ "hoodie", "tank_top", "wristwatch", "gloves_fingerless", "pants_cargo", "socks", "sneakers", "mbag", "mp3", "cell_phone", "folding_bicycle" ] }

If you want to make male or female professions differ in their starting clothes, it’s far better to change the way the professions list is loaded and displayed, displaying the correct set based on the chosen gender.

Not hard to do in the code.

In addition, see this PR here for more relevant differences between clothing genders: #4504

This is exactly the sort of thing I would like to avoid. I want it to be a choice, not to force the players to choose one option or the other.

[size=8pt]Two new professions though one has an [M] and [W] branch:[/size]

{ "type": "profession", "ident": "mcon_worker", "name": "Con. Worker [M]", "description": "A construction worker is a tradesman, laborer, or professional employed in the physical construction of the built environment and its infrastructure.", "points": 2, "skills": [ { "level": 4, "name": "carpentry" }, { "level": 2, "name": "fabrication" } ], "items": [ "hat_hard", "tshirt", "wristwatch", "jeans", "socks", "boots_steel", "tool_belt", "hammer", "nail", "nail", "screwdriver", "cell_phone" ] }, { "type": "profession", "ident": "fcon_worker", "name": "Con. Worker [W]", "description": "A construction worker is a tradesman, laborer, or professional employed in the physical construction of the built environment and its infrastructure.", "points": 2, "skills": [ { "level": 4, "name": "carpentry" }, { "level": 2, "name": "fabrication" } ], "items": [ "glasses_safety", "tank_top", "wristwatch", "gloves_fingerless", "jeans", "socks", "boots", "tool_belt", "hammer", "nail", "nail", "screwdriver", "cell_phone" ] }, { "type": "profession", "ident": "soldier", "name": "Soldier [U]", "description": "A soldier is one who fights as part of an organized land-based armed force.", "points": 5, "skills": [ { "level": 2, "name": "gun" }, { "level": 2, "name": "rifle" }, { "level": 2, "name": "pistol" } ], "items": [ "helmet_army", "jacket_army", "army_top", "wristwatch", "pants_army", "holster", "socks", "boots_combat", "molle_pack", "m4a1", "m1911", "knife_combat", "binoculars", "flashlight", "two_way_radio", "canteen", "mre_beef", "mre_veggy" ] }

[size=8pt]Please note that the point costs for these professions is temporary. You are free to lower or raise them up as you see fit. Updated first thread with new professions.[/size]