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thegamesooc2013-07-31 03:14 pm
gamemakers) wrote in thegamesooc2013-07-31 03:14 pm
Entry tags:
State of the Game
So we just wanted to check in with everyone and sorta discuss where the game was going, what kinda over arching things you'd like to see, etc.
Some things coming up for sure:
There will be a shift in power between the Capitol and the rebellion in public mentality. The Capitol is a little put off by the glee in which Penny and Creuntus killed Ariadne. In addition an upcoming event will give the Tributes some more power, and help the rebellion look good, and also hopefully be exciting.
Between the next two arenas (not this gap we are about to have, but the one after the next arena), we are working on a way to have a short term plot where tributes go to the Districts. It is a lot of organization, which is why it has taken so long. We have been wanting to do it for awhile, and know you guys have too.
A couple places we are looking at for change and development (though don't feel like you need to stick to these subjects at all):
Player run activities
We know with the nature of this game, this is sorta intimating because you do have to work so closely with us. However, we don't mind working with you. We really like figuring out how to make things work, so although a lot of plans will have to be edited and adapted, that is a welcomed thing. Lisa was brought on as a mod specifically to help plots run more smoothly, especially in the Capitol.
We kicked around the idea of an events calender, but we were sorta undecided as to whether that would be helpful, especially with how flexible the bigger events can be. And if you have an idea for an event but not a character who would run it, feel free to drop it to us (like the dating event.)
Applications
For sure we are adding a "What are your plans for your character in this setting." type section. But what else kind of things would you guys like to see from the app? We have a very different AC system, and it works great for us, and we are open to exploring ideas for different sorts of application processes.
We wanna see, of course, that you can talk about your character, understand them, play with them in a reactive setting, and understand our setting here. But maybe there's other ways to do and we'd like to hear your thoughts.
Themed Arenas
So when we originally started we wanted to do smaller "Themed" arenas. Themes like Couples Only, New Careers, Fan Favorites, Low Levels, Random Selection. These would be shorter arenas (a week or two) with significantly less participants (12, probably) where the mods could do more controlled or more out there arenas.
Is this still something people would be interested in? And if so do you have any general feed back for them?
Rebellion
So some day, in the distant future, District 13 will become a thing, and the game will sorta shift tones, but that day is not yet, nor in the near future.
But there is this whole rebellion going on. There will be a little bit more public power with the next event, and some propaganda showing up, but in what ways would you guys like to see it effecting the plot.
Other
Feel free to bring up any concerns/thoughts/anything for both OOC and IC stuff (And if you don't feel ok just layin' it out here, private lines are always open.) We will listen to all, we will work in what makes sense for the game. We do want everyone to have as much fun as possible, but if we don't work in a suggestion, we still love to hear it. There's a lot going on behind the scenes, but sometimes an idea that doesn't work now gestates and shows up somehow later.
The one thing we are very solidly good on is arena ideas they're coming out our butts.
Some things coming up for sure:
There will be a shift in power between the Capitol and the rebellion in public mentality. The Capitol is a little put off by the glee in which Penny and Creuntus killed Ariadne. In addition an upcoming event will give the Tributes some more power, and help the rebellion look good, and also hopefully be exciting.
Between the next two arenas (not this gap we are about to have, but the one after the next arena), we are working on a way to have a short term plot where tributes go to the Districts. It is a lot of organization, which is why it has taken so long. We have been wanting to do it for awhile, and know you guys have too.
A couple places we are looking at for change and development (though don't feel like you need to stick to these subjects at all):
Player run activities
We know with the nature of this game, this is sorta intimating because you do have to work so closely with us. However, we don't mind working with you. We really like figuring out how to make things work, so although a lot of plans will have to be edited and adapted, that is a welcomed thing. Lisa was brought on as a mod specifically to help plots run more smoothly, especially in the Capitol.
We kicked around the idea of an events calender, but we were sorta undecided as to whether that would be helpful, especially with how flexible the bigger events can be. And if you have an idea for an event but not a character who would run it, feel free to drop it to us (like the dating event.)
Applications
For sure we are adding a "What are your plans for your character in this setting." type section. But what else kind of things would you guys like to see from the app? We have a very different AC system, and it works great for us, and we are open to exploring ideas for different sorts of application processes.
We wanna see, of course, that you can talk about your character, understand them, play with them in a reactive setting, and understand our setting here. But maybe there's other ways to do and we'd like to hear your thoughts.
Themed Arenas
So when we originally started we wanted to do smaller "Themed" arenas. Themes like Couples Only, New Careers, Fan Favorites, Low Levels, Random Selection. These would be shorter arenas (a week or two) with significantly less participants (12, probably) where the mods could do more controlled or more out there arenas.
Is this still something people would be interested in? And if so do you have any general feed back for them?
Rebellion
So some day, in the distant future, District 13 will become a thing, and the game will sorta shift tones, but that day is not yet, nor in the near future.
But there is this whole rebellion going on. There will be a little bit more public power with the next event, and some propaganda showing up, but in what ways would you guys like to see it effecting the plot.
Other
Feel free to bring up any concerns/thoughts/anything for both OOC and IC stuff (And if you don't feel ok just layin' it out here, private lines are always open.) We will listen to all, we will work in what makes sense for the game. We do want everyone to have as much fun as possible, but if we don't work in a suggestion, we still love to hear it. There's a lot going on behind the scenes, but sometimes an idea that doesn't work now gestates and shows up somehow later.
The one thing we are very solidly good on is arena ideas they're coming out our butts.
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RE: Player plots. I agree that a calender won't really work for this game, as things tend to be reactive and flexible. However I think it would be useful to have a page for player plots. You have a bit on the navigation but it links to the plotting memes, which is good. But what I was thinking of was more a place people could go to initiate contact with mods about plot ideas. Comments could be screened if people felt more comfortable/things were to be kept into the dark.
Just because mods can't physically be on all the time, and people tend to be a bit wary about that initial approach. So if you had a post for it it would A) remind people that player plots are cool and wanted and B) mean there was a spring board for plotting to start.
Applications: I kind of like that idea. Though I think it will be important to make it clear that you don't need like to know exactly how your character will deal before hand. And it just has to be a vague/plotty/character development thoughts and that it would be okay if it changes.
Just I know before I apped that sort of thing would have intimidated me big time. Now I would be able to tl'dr at you forever but apping into a new game can be a bit of gamble, and I wouldn't want people to be put off because they don't have clear and set plans for a game they haven't even been accepted into yet! And of course sometimes things turn out differently than thought because of CR and situations. I know that what I predicted for Pruna turned out differently!
Themed arenas sound fun! And so do rebellion things, it will good to see it with a bit more power, if not just to help get some more characters involved.
Yes these are all my thoughts. All in all I'm happy with the game and very much enjoy playing here.
I'm tl'dring I'm sorry I like to talk
Calendar
I find in my games that a calendar is super helpful for me just so I can handle my character's internal plots around the big things happening in the game rather than going word of mouth between everyone. I find it easier than pinging people or asking/bothering the mods. HOWEVER, there are also problems with it that can make this sort of thing annoying.
1. A calendar that's not updated with current/near future events. It's totally understandable that the mods are busy, so I find a calendar to just be an extra chore on them for everyone else's convenience that those people then get angry/peeved about when the mods aren't SUPER up to date. In bigger games such as this one, I've only seen calendars used for a couple months before being forgotten or used during big plots so everyone is on the same page.
2. One mod makes the calendar, the other mods don't obey it. I'm not saying it's a "bad" thing on the mods part or even an intentional thing half of the time, but it is annoying when a plot is marked for a Tuesday and ends up happening on the Sunday before or the Thursday after with no warning. Since I use the calendar like a Bible in my other games and I get pretty close to the date change, it's hard to make stuff up on the fly if this happens. All I'm saying is, I'd LOVE a calendar, but make sure you guys are up to it before implementing one. Personally, I think you won't have any problems with it.
Applications
I am just throwing this at the wind, to be totally honest, but I'mma say it anyway. Once I joined the game and Holiday was immediately put up for death, I very very quickly realized how intense this game was going to be for me. Understand that this is a great thing because I really love that edge about this game, but I think it would be a good idea to sort of address this in the application to make sure others are up for it as well. Something like a Sample of the character killing/being killed by someone.
On the other hand, it's kind of unneeded as I have yet to see anyone rage quit because the game was too intense, plus they have the ability to handwave death logs/not look at other death or torture logs/etc. I'm just throwing that idea at the wall, literally.
Themed Arenas????
I'm totally 100% interested in the idea, but I'm not entirely sure what it would be like. Sort of like a mini-arena? In between arenas or something? Or would it be one of the large arenas separated off into a bunch of tiny ones? (Like this one but like 5 at the same time instead of 2?) But whatever, yes. Yes, I'm interested. Yes.
EDIT: LOVE THE REAPING IDEA LIKE OMG.
Also, I have a player plot idea I've been thinking of for some time, but I haven't wanted to say anything yet as it wouldn't likely be any time soon. However, I feel like the sooner the better, so I'll ping you guys privately about that when I'm able.
OKAY I'LL STOP TALKING NOW.
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We'll specify that it's for plot posts, so it's clear it's for IC suggestions not OOC ones.
And we'll make sure to word it not too intimidating, that's a good point. Let people know this is just a mull it over, not a hard fast you signed up for plot type thing.
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But we will kick around ideas, because I know it can be especially helpful for making player plot.
That is actually part of what we wanna change with apps. Everyone's been cool, like you said, but we want people to know what they're getting into. But another prompted sample might be a good idea.
So it would sorta be in style I think more like the little test drive mini arenas we did in the circus. So they'd be smaller areas, maybe have more puzzles or stronger, weirder themes, and generally be MUCH more violent. They would likely be one big event (Like idk a sinking ship, I'm making this up off the top of my head no promises) or maybe a few smaller ones, but just...things that could not be sustained either OOC or ICly for a roughly 2 month period. Due to being too intense for mods to do for a long period of time, or an arena that is time sensitive for some reason or whatever.
And please do!
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Basically, like I said, I love the idea of a calendar, but I can also understand where it could cause some issues here and there and that it's possible this game is better off without it. I mean, I do enjoy suddenly being hit across the face with a plot out of nowhere (like Ariadne) so no complaints here. XD
Thanks for the link! Now I'm really really interested in these themed arenas happening at some point. I think it's a wonderful idea. So long as they're paced out and my character can have at least a few weeks down time in the Capitol, I'm more than up for it.
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I also love the idea of mini-themed arenas! For many of the above cited reasons.
So far as applications: Yeah, I agree with Pruna-mun that that might be a little intimidating to see on an application, I still think it's a good idea. I always try to think ahead, long term, as to how a character will work in a setting. How they'll function beyond just the immediate X-Y-Z plot. I think going in with a general plan always tends to make things a little smoother.
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Capitol Mod
My door is open. <3
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J/k, bb. <3
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The Rebellion sounds like it's going to get interesting, oooh boy.
As for the application part, I've seen the "what are your plans for your character" question on almost every application I've written, so I think it would be just fine!
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