City of Abandoned Ships Peek #5

RPG Vault's fifth "peek" feature for Akella and Seaward's pirate-themed RPG focuses on the game's AI and loyalty/reputation systems.
It has been noted earlier in this series that every NPC also has a reputation and experience. These things have to taken into account when hiring officers. While a well known scoundrel will not make a good partner, he isn't going to refuse a good offer. However, he is likely to start a mutiny at the first opportunity - for example, if provisions are running low.

To prevent that, you have to look at another parameter, a character's loyalty. This factor determines how devoted an NPC is to the hero. So, if you hire a bandit, you get a potential mutineer. The crew and the soldiers have morale instead of loyalty. If the captain is successful, the pay is good and there are lots of rations and rum in the hold, then it will be high. Otherwise an uprising may be imminent...

In other words, the relations between the hero and other characters depend on loyalty and reputation. If the player is successful and has a good reputation, other captains will seek him out, give him quests and offer to join him. This really makes the gameworld more alive and detailed.