I've been playing Sindome for a good while now, and I must say that it's really a spectacular vision of what a persistent cyberpunk world should be. It's dark, it's gritty, the rich and poor divide is clear, and every prize comes either with risk or struggle. This is a world one can live in, as I certainly do.
Every character is an immigrant to Withmore City, a domed city set in a post-apocalyptic era of Earth, ruled over by a Corporate Council and the power of chyen - omnipresent capitalism's local form of currency. Most people arrive via Red Sector, the lowest and most populous of the city's sectors. Think of the city's layout as being stacked, one sector atop the other, each more exclusive and prosperous than the one below it. After deciding your character's statistics and immigrating, you're essentially left to take whatever path you wish in this living city. You don't have much to begin with, but with some determination, you'd be surprised at the places you can go.
Role-playing is the name of the game when it comes to Sindome. Although it's a MOO and has wonderfully detailed code, it all comes down to what you want to do as a character and the degree of effort needed to achieve it. Staff is extremely supportive when it comes to players who strive to accomplish goals, be they small or large. Some will take time, but persistence often pays off. In the interim, you'll be doing what you'd expect in our dystopian world: struggling along and perhaps scaling the social ladder one handhold at a time, all the while experiencing a wonderfully diverse and ever-changing set of circumstances. Maybe you won't make it. Maybe you will. Suspense is one aspect of the game's charm.
I think it's important to note that there are elements of Sindome which may or may not be for everyone. If you don't enjoy role-playing, it's absolutely not the game for you. Everything here is in-character and role-played. That doesn't mean you can't join if you're new to RP but wish to learn; players and staff alike are forgiving and welcoming. You also have to be willing to learn how to do things on your own or with the assistance of other characters, because out-of-character information is strictly partitioned away from in-character information. Lastly, actions have consequences. You could make a wrong turn and be killed by a ganger, or be brought to justice by one of the Judges who keep order in Withmore. Cloning technology exists to give people who can afford it a second chance, but again, it's important to remember that your actions matter with respect to conclusions. This can be good or bad.
Having covered that, I'd like to address the quality of the game and its staff. Sindome is a wonderfully detailed world with a great deal of meticulously crafted code bringing it to life (alongside players, of course). Every sector of the city has its own character and quirks, and for those who need them, there's an abundance of items out there to help give your character unique looks and functions. Individuals with the proper skills can even craft clothing, implant cybernetics, perform maintenance on weapons, and procure merchandise for resale. The possibilities are nearly as limitless as they are in the real world. If you have an idea beyond the preponderance of paths already available, aim for it and you may well achieve it.
The staff works very, very hard to keep the needs of the game and of players paramount. New code is coming out all the time. When a player needs to interact with a NPC, one usually need only address that NPC to have it animated by a staff member. They essentially become that NPC and react accordingly to your own actions and statements. Staffers even take into account your goals and, if you play your cards right, they move things along in-character so that you have opportunities to make them reality. I, myself have worked toward a profession difficult to achieve but have always been guided and encouraged with advice and goalposts to look toward. Sometimes, staff nudges directly. More often, they do so via IC means.
The end result of the staff's efforts, which deserve much praise for the investment involved, is a playerbase currently in the process of explosive growth. A new record in the high forties was recently achieved, and it's only heading upward from there. There is never an hour when others aren't around and playing. At the moment, I would say that EST evenings are pretty hot for activity, though the game is governed by PST hours. No matter where you're from or how often you can play, you'll not find yourself alone on Sindome.
Do you enjoy grit and struggle, drama and intrigue, poorness and wealth, power and powerlessness, vice and violence? These elements all come together to form the many stories of Sindome's player characters. If this interests you, then I would strongly encourage you to give the game a try. You can even pay a visit as a guest to check the place out and ask any questions you might have before committing. I hope you'll join us!
- Sybele Game Address: moo.sindome.org 5555
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