Balten

I do want to bring up a very important part of this that has affected a lot of us who end up wanting to invest in Karma collection to get unlock more options to really just gain more freedom as roleplayers and characters within Paradise. Because whenever I get to play, I am reminded of my goals in mind, I end up deciding to roleplay in a way that is conducive to a Karma-gaining standpoint and take part in behavior that would do the same. I don't have a ton of time to play like others, and SS13 as a whole can be a very tiring experience when you're really TRYING for something. This includes engaging in heavy RP and entertaining behaviors, and when you're learning or working a real difficult job. A dream of mine has always been to actually learn how to properly construct and deconstruct the station, which usually means working in one of the least Karma-productive roles on the station, like Atmospherics. I am in turn pre-disposed to never properly spend the energy and time to learn how to learn this kind of job since my goals and sights are currently set on playing as a roleplay conducive role for the next 30+ hours of gameplay to hopefully rack up enough Karma to unlock another race or two. I'm not saying that Karma doesn't make sense as a productive system for rewarding good behavior, interesting interaction, and generally a more 'fun' experience. But because my options of how I can interact with others is so limited by the role I choose, I rarely will play a productive role in the station or learn anything else new. Only thing I may do now is play Virology, finish my work as quickly as possible, and then quit once there is adequate resources for medical staff so I can follow some Karma-driven dream. I definitely enjoy being a character, having my ideas come to light, and entertaining others as I go on mad pursuits of crazy ideas that end up moreover having a decent Karma flow compared to others. But that's really just me, and not everyone benefits from this system like I do. I get rewarded for becoming an inspired yet unproductive role and getting radical with my ideas, but many others find roles that provide no Karma to be significantly more entertaining, and find themselves in a rut. I find this is most applicable to people who enjoy other aspects to the game outside of roleplaying their way throughout an entire round to hope that someone took enough notice to reward them. You are less likely to reward those who don't end up trying to make banter or talk to you, trying to get noticed, yet many of us who end up in Medical like being out of Medical as soon as possible. It may be an interaction chance, but the Nurse who fixes you up faster than a Medical Doctor can see you doesn't get much from the Karma system. I don't think the system is broken, but this is clearly a fair topic to debate further on. The only valid thing you take between each and every round you enter into is Karma, and those who keep the rounds alive end up having nothing to show for it most of the time. Shout out to the Atmospheric Bros.