System-specific content

#1

I know traditionally we've encouraged users to scrub system specific stuff from their subs (stats, dice rolls, classes, etc.). The intention was to avoid subs that were just numbers and stats jumbled together, which is obviously to be encouraged. But I have noticed - purely anecdotally - that some users feel they can't post anything system specific, which either makes them not post or even sends them to other sites. I'm sure we don't want to drive anyone away.

I propose lifting the de facto embargo of system specific content. We should obviously encourage users to submit stories and not just jumbles of stats and rules, but I think we can find a happy medium. Maybe offer a drop down menu of common systems to the submission page, allowing users to optionally tag it for a specific game. Even a freetext (system specific, DnD3.5, etc.) might encourage users to post their game-centered creations.

Thoughts?

Re: System-specific content

#2

A quick grab NPC resource with stats is useful. I used the one at myth weavers for years!

Brilliant idea professor Dozus

Re: System-specific content

#3

I am fully in agreement with subs having stats so long as the submission is understandable and usable without them. Ideally there should be a minimum of game speech and I personally would suggest using blockquotes to set aside stats.

Freetexts could easily be used for the purposes of organizing and even Regions to collect them.

Re: System-specific content

#4

being the one who kinda brought this up makes me pause. I am very entrenched in other sites at this point. I have an audiance that likes the rather obscure game Im writing about and also heavily invested in a D&D site. I see everybody say"If you do it this way" or "if you do it that way" it would be ok. It either is or it isnt and lets face it :it just isnt. This site is too invested iin system neutral at this point. Nothing wrong with that but I'm just gonna say "No Thanx". I have relegated myself to semi lurker status at this point. If the site makes in roads on system specific ,its a little late for me, I tried fighting this battle before.

Re: System-specific content

#5

being the one who kinda brought this up makes me pause. I am very entrenched in other sites at this point. I have an audiance that likes the rather obscure game Im writing about and also heavily invested in a D&D site. I see everybody say"If you do it this way" or "if you do it that way" it would be ok. It either is or it isnt and lets face it :it just isnt. This site is too invested iin system neutral at this point. Nothing wrong with that but I'm just gonna say "No Thanx". I have relegated myself to semi lurker status at this point. If the site makes in roads on system specific ,its a little late for me, I tried fighting this battle before.

I'm sorry to hear that, Aramax. I liked seeing how you take elements of other subs and put them together in something new. I apologize if I've ever done anything to discourage you posting more. I do hope in the near future you feel inspired and welcome enough to post new subs.

Re: System-specific content

#6

[quote author=Aramax link=topic=7516.msg91012#msg91012 date=1478612142]
being the one who kinda brought this up makes me pause. I am very entrenched in other sites at this point. I have an audiance that likes the rather obscure game Im writing about and also heavily invested in a D&D site. I see everybody say"If you do it this way" or "if you do it that way" it would be ok. It either is or it isnt and lets face it :it just isnt. This site is too invested iin system neutral at this point. Nothing wrong with that but I'm just gonna say "No Thanx". I have relegated myself to semi lurker status at this point. If the site makes in roads on system specific ,its a little late for me, I tried fighting this battle before.

I'm sorry to hear that, Aramax. I liked seeing how you take elements of other subs and put them together in something new. I apologize if I've ever done anything to discourage you posting more. I do hope in the near future you feel inspired and welcome enough to post new subs.

Please don't misinterpret what I am saying. First off our little shout "spate" has nothing to do with my atitude. So don't let that color your thinking at ALL> I have nothing against this site or the peeeps on it. Quite the contrary, Our community here(Note Im still saying "Our") has a unique take on how to do things. That is niether good nor bad. systen nuetral is the status que. I was wrong to try and change that a while back. I don't think that is the reason most peeps are not coming here, It IS my reason thou. The creativivity here is GRANDE and Strolen's unique place willl always hold a special place in my heart. I just find myself at this point toentrenched in system specific writing and the two sites I mostly post to.

Re: System-specific content

#7

That's fair enough. It's no good to be spread too thin. In any case, I'm glad to still count you among the Citadelians.

Re: System-specific content

#8

My understanding of the system-specific "ban," my knowledge of the site culture having been kept more or less in stasis for eight years give or take, is that it was "No stats (but if you absolutely have to post them, just don't let it detract from the post.)" I have a vague recollection of someone posting them as one of the attached ideas right after that was implemented and little objection being raised.

Since it was never - as I recall - a de jus rule in the first place, it's more a matter of Citadel culture. I don't know if "lifting the ban" is really going to change much. We should make it clear to whomever's chafing under it that it's really not that big of a deal, and the voting/commenting system will passively manage the place of stats in Citadel culture automatically.

Re: System-specific content

#9

I am fully in agreement with subs having stats so long as the submission is understandable and usable without them. Ideally there should be a minimum of game speech and I personally would suggest using blockquotes to set aside stats.

Freetexts could easily be used for the purposes of organizing and even Regions to collect them.

I would support this interpretation, though I'd probably never use it myself.

That said, I don't think this issue is the main reason the site's traffic has been reduced, and I doubt correcting it will have a significant impact.

Re: System-specific content

#10

[quote author=valadaar link=topic=7516.msg91011#msg91011 date=1478527405]
I am fully in agreement with subs having stats so long as the submission is understandable and usable without them. Ideally there should be a minimum of game speech and I personally would suggest using blockquotes to set aside stats.

Freetexts could easily be used for the purposes of organizing and even Regions to collect them.

I would support this interpretation, though I'd probably never use it myself.

That said, I don't think this issue is the main reason the site's traffic has been reduced, and I doubt correcting it will have a significant impact.

This

Re: System-specific content

#11

Thou shalt not defile my vision.

Or some sort of nonsense.

But really, when this site was created a century or so ago, the stat sites SUCKED...I mean bad. All there were was stats and a small paragraph of shite description. Then they had to label the 7892 different game systems out there so you couldn't find any ideas, they were all buried.

The group I played with tried different systems (cough, Palladium, sweet YES, cough) but we were so freeform with it we did a lot of story building and the dice didn't matter.

When we came up with the idea for the site I wanted to share roleplaying ideas, not numbers. I lost my gaming group and I missed the ideas we came up. This was my roleplaying, coming up with the ideas. Numbers are still meaningless to me.

Since I made the site for selfish reasons I maintained the intent for selfish reasons. I don't play as often anymore but I LOVE LOVE LOVE to see great ideas. If you find a great idea you can come up with stats. However, if you have stats you can't necessarily come up with a good idea using them. Not so often do both come together. Once you get into the numbers, often the idea flounders.

So, small aside. Not sure what the hell I am saying at this point. Fast fingers. My point is: No, I do not like stats. If I had my way I would never have them. However, I am not a tyrant. I like to think I am actually somewhat benevolent so I understand those that may want stats. Actually, not really. I don't understand....I accept that people may want stats.

Site update will allow them, somehow....in an unobtrusive way...that doesn't annoy me. Current site, add them as an idea scroll or something. Add the type game in the freetext as mentioned.

The older I get the less I am going to throw such a fit over such things, but I want....(read that as *need*)....the _idea_ to be central of the submission. You hit that and I can deal with the rest of the flotsam that you may insist on adding. ;)

There are big changes coming to the site. HUGE. Massive. Massive big huge changes coming to the site. If you have the patience you will be amazed by my huge changes. Big changes that are huge that you will love.

Have patience with me, my time hasn't been mine lately and it won't be till next year that I am truly available again, but trust me when I say it will be worth the wait!

Re: System-specific content

#12

Strolen, I actually agree with you on stats. I said I'd support the interpretation, because Others might find it useful. It's not a hill I'd die on, but I DO believe it would encourage a few more submissions if the lurker knew his sub might not get dinged for having a bit of content which was game specific. It might encourage some participation.

But still... the real meat of any submission is the idea (and for me, the presentation/execution of the idea). One of my favorite - and honestly, one of the best-written - game books I've ever seen was called the Spherewalker Sourcebook, for Everway. This wonderful book was 160 or so pages of nothing but IDEAS. There was not one rule or mechanic in the book, just hundreds of ideas presented in a lexicon format written by an awesome writer. Legends, items, heroes, villains, monsters, all presented as lore and stories, with no stats.

Any competent GM can cook the stats needed to fit any good idea. Mechanics are... well... mechanical. Heck, I can still cook you the stats for an AD&D 1st ed character from memory, no sweat. It's the IDEAS we all need help with sometimes.