Administrators · Legacy archive
Freeform Reorganization
-
Freeform Reorganization
#1Okay. Strolen and I were talking about this, how the freeform area needs some organization. One idea that came up was having two levels, one for regular freeforming, and an "expert" level, where you'd have to be approved by me or a designated other to be able to post. That way, there could be some kind of standard about coherency, spelling, and just general quality. We also talked about requiring people to post their characters to the Citadel proper, and getting approval by the thread starter (GM) before playing. New game threads, should they have to get approval? For Expert, definitely, what about other? Require a post in game thread to link to chars and any setting ideas, perhaps. Maybe require a standard title format, like Game title, or something, ( Qualinesti's Plight).
Just ideas off the top of my head and the result of the chat. Strolen, did I miss anything? Any other ideas? -
Freeform Reorganization
#2So new structure will only add the new freeform forum. "Moderated Freeform" or something.
Moderated Freeform access will be controlled by Groups so everybody will have access to it but only those accepted are able to post to it.
Keep out kalabar. -
Freeform Reorganization
#3Oh, and the thread starter should nominate a second in case the thread starter falls out of the game. The second would then run the thread if the first drops out. Approve new characters, continue the plot etc.
If nobody is nominated then the first person to post a character, or first in the thread or something. Either way there should be a way to continue the game in case of lost souls. -
Freeform Reorganization
#4Don't get them to post their characters unless they're really interesting!
Otherwise we'll end up with a database full of bland young orphaned elves who grew up in the woods fending for themselves until they met a wizard who gave them a sword and told them to go and adventure.
Apart from that it's a great idea.
ephe! -
Freeform Reorganization
#5LOL. Ever the voice of reason.
That is true. Wonder how to curb that problem....hmmmmm
:) :) :)
That is just really funny to me, and probably embarassingly true. -
How about requiring a OOC thread...
#6How about requiring an OOC thread, with the setting and story basics. A player must have X number of other players, who post their public characters there, before they can post in the free form area.
Anyone starting a game without it... we delete without mercy.
Anyone posting in a game without posting a character in the OOC thread, is ignored and deleted.
Draconic, but does work. I agree about the database... it will be filled with hundreds of useless characters that were never developed... -
Freeform Reorganization
#7Moderated Freeform Roleplaying
Moderated games for those that wish to have extended, serious sessions. (Approved Users only)
FAQ:
Q- Who can start a game in this forum.
A- Anybody. Post a Starter thread in OOC, Starters, and Questions requesting a thread in the forum. Once the topic is approved then players must be enlisted. Once a game is organized permissions will be given and the game can start.
Q- Why have a forum for this?
A- It is for those that want to take a more serious attempt at freeform. The structure will hopefully ensure that games will not die off when there is planned interest. It also gives firmer control of the thread to the thread starter.
to be continued. trying to put some thoughts down.... -
Freeform Reorganization
#8I guess two main questions need to be answered.
1) How does somebody go about starting a new thread exactly?
I started answering it already but not sure if that is right. Do we have the post a Starter in that OOC thread and then say it is appropriate for the Moderated section or not? Or do we have any new ideas get PMed to Ria for approval. Once she approves the idea via PM then they can officially post it to Starter? Or maybe once it is approved via PM they get access to Moderated Freeform and start their OOC thread as Moon suggested.
As a standard OOC thread.
[World Name] OOC Title of thread
The normal thread will be
[World Name] Title of thread.
Can all of this be handled insided the Moderated Freeform forum or should this happen in the OOC Starter forum? It would be nice if we could group these things together .............................. -
Freeform Reorganization
#9Oops. Forgot about
2) Players applying for games. Although this would be solved with subforums. When a thread starter is looking for players they just post a players wanted thread in their forum.
The subforum will take the hastle out of requiring people to submit writing for approval in the Moderated forum because the only thing we really have to approve is a new forum. That person, whoever starts their own game, REALLY has to have their stuff together to make their own forum. Once they have satisfied us that they will take this seriously then we give them their forum, give them mod status for it, and let them deal with the players they want to allow in the game. It is their game and they have mod status so they will be able to control who joins and what posts stay. We just disclaim it and say that it is the mods game and the mod has final decision.
If the subforum thing doesn't happen then we have to figure out if the can just PM the thread starter (which I think still makes sense since it is that person that will have to deal with them) and get approval from them. Once they have approval from the thread starter then they can post their character idea in the OOC starter thread.
Don't really want the posting immediately in the OOC thread because 1) it is hard for a thread starter to say "you suck" in public and maybe a little easier to say it in private 2) it might be embarassing to be told you can't join a game in public by the person posting the character.
This last part is a hard thing to balance I think. I tend to be a pushover when I DM and allow whoever wants to play. But sometimes you just don't want some people to play and here they have a history already.... -
Freeform Reorganization
#10If we can do without the subforums, then let's. What I thought about requiring people to post their chars to the Citadel proper, we already have standards in place for that. Anyone who doesn't meet them is savaged in the comments and voting. I was sort of hoping that it would discourage the whole character with no point thing. If the chars have to meet the basic standards as the rest of the characters, most people will put more thought into it, was my way of thinking. -
Freeform Reorganization
#11We have standards, but right now it is to delete crap.
The worry is that crap will be posted just to get into a game....which won't help them get in the game, but adds crap to the main site. Then we delete their crap and they say "Hey, I posted crap and it is gone."
I am not sure. Initially I liked the idea, and it still makes sense. But is it bad that we don't think they will make a good attempt at making *real* characters?
more hmmmm -
Freeform Reorganization
#12Any more thoughts with this?
Ria, do you want to draft up the rules or should I whip something up for you to edit?
Let me know. -
Freeform Reorganization
#13It might be better for me to edit. -
Freeform Reorganization
#14Cool, I will gen up something tonight and post it here. -
Freeform Reorganization
#15Moderated Freeform Roleplaying
The forum was opened so that the games that want to be serious and longer lasting have an uncluttered, organized, moderated forum to play in. Quick start up games are still welcomed and encouraged in the Freeform Roleplaying section.
Thread requests will be treated on a case by case basis. There will be a quality requirement for approval to start in the Moderated Section. This new forum is for serious players who wish to take the game seriously (as far as serious goes in a for fun game anyway) so thread requests will be reviewed prior to being posted as a call for players.
(need a little help with that to say the point...or do we need a point?)
The thread starter will be the DM for the thread and their word is final.
(Will do some experimenting later to see if I can give Groups limited moderator status. So I could give thread starters the ability to edit all posts in their thread and basically moderate their own game. Player will be another group with only normal write access.)
How to Start a Game
To start a game a few questions need to be answered.
1) What is the name of the world that the game is based on. The name given will be used as a descriptor title in every thread you use. ex: [My World] Title.
2) Overall description of the world or setting. Any pertinat facts that the players should know about. Locations, descriptions, key NPCs, basically anything you want to pass on to the players about your world or anything you, looking as a player, may want to know about the game. If you have other threads or posts on the main Citadel you wish to link to, please describe a short summary of what the link holds. Do not simply post links, describe them.
3) Any special rules that are needed for your specific game. Ex: No OOC in the roleplaying thread, no chatspeak, no smilies, etc.. Make your rules clear before the game starts.
4) A note for potential players. What kind of characters you want and any race requirements. Do you want a description or do you want stats? What game system if you are going to use stats. How many players do you want? A minimum amount of players and a maximum. Will you accept characters after the game starts? (so we know if we need to lock the thread)
5) Once you have all the above put together in a nice coherent post you need to PM it to Ria_Hawk who is the overall Moderator for the roleplaying forums. She will reply to you if the game request is accepted. Once the post is accepted you will be given write permissions to the forum and may post the request. Do so in the following format
[World Name] Player Request
6) As you accept characters, PM Ria_Hawk the name and/or the thread so that she can give the player permissions to post in that forum.
7) Once you start your game in the forum ALWAYS use [World Name] as the title. You may start threads as required for your game.
How to Get In a Game
1. Review threads that have "Player Request" in them and that have not been locked.
2. Once you find a game you want to play in, review the character requirements and rules and PM a character as per their instructions to the thread starter.
3. If you get an approval notice that your character has been accepted you can then post a reply to that thread with all your character information so others can see what kind of players are being accepted. The DM should have PMed Ria_Hawk that you were accepted in the game or Ria_Hawk. Once the DM PMs Ria_Hawk she will give you access to the forum. Only a PM from the DM will grant you permissions so if you have a question on your access to the forum please PM your DM. (hey, that rhymes)
(did this in a little bit of a hurry, will spellcheck later. Let me know if I went too far, not enough...heck, you know the drill..FIX IT) -
Freeform Reorganization
#16On you now Ria. I made the forum, created the groups.
(although the DM group, not sure. I gave the DMs moderator status of the the Moderated Freeform area. I think it is safe, gives them the power over their own game.)
Players should hopefully have full access to the forum through the Freeform Players group.
Once you get the announcements/rules whatever set up then we can make the forum readable by all, writeable by the groups. Figured you could take what I had, modify it as needed and post it in the new forum.
So, it is ready. I talked to the Captain a tiny bit about it and sent him the proposed rules and he thought it was a great idea. So there will be at least one thread :)
I should be around all weekend. Let me know whats up. -
Freeform Reorganization
#17Okay. I've done what little editing was needed, and posted copies of the rules to the OOC section, the regular freeform area, and the Moderated section.
Let's get this party started. -
Freeform Reorganization
#18Hope you don't mind, I changed your titles to be more descriptive.
"Woo Hoo" was good, but I think my change works a little better. :) -
Freeform Reorganization
#19Is fine. *grins* I really couldn't think of anything at the time.