Ranking and Occupational System role-playing game element for MW4 Theme Park Server, MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries
Publisher's blurb:
This handbook is your guide to the Ranking and Occupational System in the MW4 Theme Park Server. The RAOS is a text-based RPG (Role-Playing Game) element added to the MW4: Mercs (Mechwarrior Franchise) and contains Occupations (classes like one would find in an MMO or RGP game), Planetary (capturing planets), Solaris (special text-based combat), and League Play (online team vs. team action). The Theme Park Server is the only server internationally where players can be ranked world-wide based on Rank Points earned using the RAOS. This handbook explains the system so that you can jump right in and participate in this unique RPG MW4 add-on.
From the introduction:
Utilizing the chat box in MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries, this add-on RPG element allows players to experience the character advancement found in many MMO's today. Not only can you choose Occupations to play with special abilities and commands, but also allows one to participate in server international rankings. And, you can still enjoy all the action of MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries since all elements of RAOS takes place only in chat, not affecting actual 'Mech combat.
User summary:
This curious roleplaying "element" enhances the collective play experience of MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries by building a meta-game structure around the shared video game. The roleplaying elements do not effect any change in the video game itself; they exist only in a type of meta-game used by participants. Players who participate in the roleplaying "element" track their character out of the video game and use chat-window "tags" to identify their participation in the roleplaying "element".