Here is a segment of a post I did some time ago. Think of it as my introduction for the new career dancer on what we do, and why its important. Enjoy:
Bots aren't going away anytime soon. Unfortunately, entertainers are. In fact, we need more entertainers now than EVER before, but as the proverb goes, "we must not wish for lighter burdens, but stronger backs." Because in the end, there is nothing that you can do in a game mechanics sense that a bot can't do better. But the real work that you do goes beyond the game mechanics.
Learning how to do this business from the ground up takes a lot of work, and it starts with the moment the patron walks in the door. Did you greet the patron with more than a /wink or a /blowkiss? Anyone can do those things. Throw out something that shows a little observation. For example, if a Zabrek named Noolos comes in with blue composite armour, say something like "My my Noolos, blue is definately your colour!" Of course, if your character is male, you may want to say something like "Hey Noolos! That's some mighty fine armour!"
Notice something. This shows right away to the patron that you take your in-game job seriously, that you took the time to notice both his name and what he's wearing, and that you made the effort to type it out. You'd be amazed how far that goes. Not only that, but it makes the patron feel good about himself, because usually players go to the cantina because something bad has happened, like they died and didn't clone. Remember, we are in the hospitality business, and it pays to be hospitable. Now some may say that this is why our professions are lowly and degrading. I prefer to think of it as armchair psychology, but not really psychology between two people, but between two characters. And let me tell you, it takes attentiveness and wit.
Because the conversation doesn't end with the greeting. And sometimes you have to remind the person behind the character that we are in essence playing roles, and that here he or she is not some assistant manager at some retail store, but here he is "Noolos! Bounty Hunter extraordinaire!" Now Noolos has a background and a story. Maybe Noolos never thought about it, but its there. So you have to ask him, "First time in Coronet?" And he'll either reply yes or no. Then go from there. Say, "Where are you from?" Again, he'll respond, simply because he has really nothing better to do right now than to let you do your work, be it music or dance. He'll say, "Tatooine." Now, its your turn to say something about your character, like "Oh, Tatooine. I've been there a few times. I wanted to see some big-time merchant prince named Jabba. I hear his palace is huge."
Because you have to think in terms of your character in order to really say that, now don't you? Because we have all seen the movies, and know Jabba's palace is huge, but if your character has never been there, then your character truly wants to know. Indeed, it helps if you can research a little Star Wars background from the Holocron. Your knowledge of the background can be useful. This is also inviting Noolos to play in terms of his character, and he wants to do it. He does because he wants to forget about grinding the investigation tree for once and think about something else for a change. Something that defines who he is in the virtual world. Something that he has created, but has yet to really think about. But you have to take the initiative. He'll help you along, but ultimately its up to you to get at that thing which will get Noolos more interested in what you are saying to him than his BF and mind wounds. Because if you do it right, his BF and mind wounds will be gone long before your conversation is through, and he'll say "that was quick," and get this: painless, worthwhile, and fun. That gets you a tip. Send him a thank you tell when he leaves, so that he knows he's not alone out there.
Because the AFKers and many ATK players don't really give Noolos anything to think about other than the mere, preprogrammed flourishes and periodical spam. And this only gives Noolos the impression that he too is merely doing a mechanized routine himself with no enjoyment. That the things Noolos is doing are boring and repetitive. That its all about the XP and levels and boxes in the end-and not only that-but that Noolos is failing...MISERABLY. Because NOOLOS GOT BEAT BY THE SYSTEM. Otherwise, Noolos wouldn't be sitting in the cantina healing his BF and mind wounds. And let me tell you at-the-keyboard players, if you don't make Noolos care about what he's doing, he won't care about you, and he will not only not tip you, but he'll HATE you for having to go out and grind Investigation IV, while missing shuttles, wasting more droids, and fixing his armour; while you are in the comfort of the cantina flourishing your digital buns talking in groupchat with your fleshwrapped friends getting XP off his misery.
So to those who find difficulty in getting tips, ask yourself this: Was there something you could have done better to make Noolos care about what he's experiencing in the cantina? As Luke Skywalker and Kirah from my server say: I care.
....And with a little creativity, attentiveness, and skill, you can make Noolos care too.
Message Edited by PoetDancer on 01-02-200510:21 AM
Madame Sirii Ajaan August 2003-September 15, 2005 "There is a difference between being /watched and being WATCHED."
Let's all post what we like about this instead of what we don't. Questions are good too! So are new spins on the topic, just make sure we are validating instead of attacking.
(right Sirii? Questions are ok?)
P A N T H U Y GlitterUsagi M i n d B o d y S p i r i t Dancer ImageDesigner Doc
When people refer to Entertainers as not challenging, I have to disagree. From Day 1 (well, more like Day 3 since I was at Origins during SWG release), I made it my goal to stand out as a Dancer. This was why I had no problems while people were posting, "We don't get any tips." This was before the AFK craze, when even the lousy players would tip Entertainers because they recognized our contribution.
It was a fun exercise to bring people over to my corner to watch me. I wouldn't try to steal from another Dancer, but if I didn't have a rapt audience, I tried persuading newcomers to watch me.
And the real challenge is to do it in ways other than, "Hey, watch me so I can get XP!" Anyone can beg for XP, and there are people who sympathize with your plight who'll do it. The challenge lay in engaging these people so they just kind of drift in your direction because you are so enthralling.
Entertaining is not a challenge? I'd argue that it's more challenging than hunting Maulers or Tuskens. With those tasks, you just click or hit tab and then press the right F buttons. Medics have a slightly larger challenge by watching the combatants. Entertainers can't just click in order to accomplish their goals. They have to actually work at it. That was what made me fall in love with the profession back in August.
*chuckle* Poor Noolos
RIP: Tasha Jalul - Radiant Love Star Wars, but the few role-players I could find on the servers were outnumbered by powergamers who wanted only l337 l00t and mad skillz. I can't justify paying $15 a month to play a game by myself. Still cares enough to interject an opinion, though.
I agree here A good novice entertainer can make 10 minutes of wound healing seem shorter than watching a boring master for a minute. Care for your customer.
Even if you're RPing, and it doesn't make sense that you would know his name, you can engage a little conversation. And most people will talk to you if you talk to them first. Really!
Even if you're RPing, and it doesn't make sense that you would know his name, you can engage a little conversation. And most people will talk to you if you talk to them first. Really!
Really really good post, thank you.
If you're one of those who insist on not knowing a name unless a character tells you IC (I don't personally subscribe to this because of the shortage of time), there are tricks to engaging in a conversation. After all, some people won't realize you're talking to them.
If you /pointat, /nod, or /beam at someone, it's obvious. If you do an /emote, you can use "%NT" to automatically plug in his name. Like.... /emote gasps at how wounded %NT looks. /say Oh my, what happened to you?
Some handy tricks like that. Of course, if a patron is the only one wearing a bright yellow jumpsuit with yellow boots and a yellow hat, he'll know you're talking to him if you wonder why anyone would be dressed like a Yavinian banana.
RIP: Tasha Jalul - Radiant Love Star Wars, but the few role-players I could find on the servers were outnumbered by powergamers who wanted only l337 l00t and mad skillz. I can't justify paying $15 a month to play a game by myself. Still cares enough to interject an opinion, though.
Well said, Sirii! I always try to chat with my customers--it makes it much more fun for me, and I hope it makes the game more interesting for them. Another thing I have noticed is that when I am conversing IC with patrons, I tend to get more patrons (and bigger tips :smileyhappy so I really think most players think it adds to their experience.
- Cassie, Dance Hall Girl
- Cassie, Dance Hall Girl [Cassiopia Darkstar on Chilastra]
As Luke Skywalker and Kirah from my server say: I care.
I don't know which makes me blush more: that Madame would quote little ole me or that I was mentioned in the same breath as /sigh . . . Luke Skywalker!
A couple of days ago a fellow guild member was dismayed when I told him a buff would take 8 minutes, but he needed one and agreed to "stick it out". I started up my buff and timer and began to engage him in a lively conversation, getting him to talk about an assortment of topics he seemed interested in: his plans for the evening (and use of the buff), his profession, the goals he hoped to accomplish . . . When I told him his buff was complete and he could /stopw and check his stat, he was amazed. "Finished already?" He actually sounded disappointed!!
Its absolutely imperative that, as entertainers, we remember our focus must be the patron, not on the xp we need to get to reach the next level or the tip amount we are looking for, if we are to survive individually and collectively. Give a good performance and even the hardened "arpy" will appreciate your efforts.
As a non-entertainer, I would like to say that this is a brilliant post that PoetDancer wrote. I am sure I have read something like this before, but sometimes the basics need repeating. It is disturbing how when you are sometimes lucky enough to find dancers that are not AFK, they will only speak to eachother. I actively search for a sign that a dancer is playing and present, just so I could watch them and give them a tip. I may be in the minority, but some of us selective patrons are out there...
Tzitzimime - Creature Handler and Pikeman since the beginning. I continue to play this game out of love for my professions.
When the "New Game Enhancements" go live, I will leave this game. You can give it a pretty name, but it does not hide your shame...
"I mean, what is a pikeman and why is it something in the game? The only other profession we didn't absorb into one of these iconic templates is the creature handler and only 1% of our players play that character type." - SOE Producer Dallas Dickinson (unknowing and misinformed)
Words of wisdom indeed. I think more of the powergaming people would like cantinas and not see them as forced downtime if they noticed that people there actually care about their stories, and tales. After all, that battle against impossible odds you just managed to win is twice as rewarding when you can use it to impress a pretty dancer or handsome musician.
I have always always thought of myself as an entertainer FIRST, healer second...and buffer dead last!
I dont spam in macros about how good my skill tapes are on my clothes...nor do i spam about how i am doing buffs. First off if a patron wants a buff they will ask for it. And they will only ask if they know your there. They arent going to waste time asking around to the afk spammers.
Alot of times, i just go out and entertainer period. Some lonely starport somewhere. The Kaadara Starport is a very good locale for giving people a smile. From what i have learned this is the only town where BH's can get high lvl investigation missions. So they corner the market on this particular starport. And let me tell ya i have a very close person to me who is working on master Bounty hunter, i followed them around for a full gaming session. This has got to be without a doubt the most mind numbing profession tree ever. Not to mention the aggrivation of broken leads...missing marks..marks stuck in walls. Missed shuttles, lost droids. Sitting in the middle of nowhere waiting for a seekerdroid to update a waypoint etc and etc.
Noolos needs a friend people. Bounty hunter has got to be the lonliest profession. I will stay in that starport all alone, mainly because i know that once Noolos gets done hunting his quarry he will be forced back to this very spot to rinse and repeat the journey. Every time he comes back he knows i will be waiting. Even if its only for a few minutes, i put on a smile. I dance my heart out or play any song he wants to hear. I keep his spirits up. And if for some reason he gets beaten down. I walk him to the nearest camp, or Cantina and help him back to full health. And if i cant do it personally because he is on another planet...i will go out of my way to find an ATK entertainer where he is and tell him...Hey Noolos while your there in Coronet go see my good friend Kaligne...i will send ahead and let her know your coming she will treat you really nice :0).
Its not even about the money anymore. I just enjoy being an entertainer...and alot of being an entertainer is being a good listener...conversationlist..and friend all rolled into one nice and neat package.
Not only that but with the addition of the entertainer moduled droids, i am a one woman traveling show. I am working very hard at putting together a really nice show package that i can do all my myself. I traveled all over the galaxy today just doing what i do. Mainly so alot of combat characters could see the new droids. Most appreciated it so much i made my travel expenses and then some. Not only that but let me tell ya something. Alot of even the most hardcore gamers are getting tired of afk'rs...when i showed up on Dantooine today, there were several people coming and going from the afk buffbots in the cantina there. But when i started playing outside next thing i know they all want buffs and healing from me. You know why? Cause they want to be entertained, thats what games are for, to be entertaining. So they want cute lil me. cause the buff bots only know how to do one thing...and thats automate. Live people like myself and a select few others do what we can, but we are spread very thin. So take notice of the topic post. Those of us who stick thru it find our own reward.
/cheer Sirii
Questions are good too! So are new spins on the topic, just make sure we are validating instead of attacking. 
