The future of RP at SFO

[DZComposer]

RP is starting to become an issue again. Sideways is getting swamped, so I think it is time to take a serious look at the future of RP and how exactly we want to handle RP as the community grows.

RP is an important part of this community. I have reason to believe that SFO has the most active community RP in the Star Fox fandom right now. Sadly, RP is also the root of many of our problems.

Main issues:

1. RPs are moving too fast to moderate.

2. RP requests are piling up.

3. Attitudes within RP

Possible solutions:

1. Find an RP software package. If anyone knows of one, let me know. I can't seem to find one.

This would be nice because it would allow more control over the flow and approval of RPs. Things like daily post limits to slow things down, for example. Disadvantage is that it would require creating a second user account.

2. Add another RP mod

This would take some of the work off of Sideways. Disadvantage is that it does not really solve the underlying issues.

3. Eliminate smaller individual user-created RPs in favor of one large RP that everyone may participate in.

This is how most Star Fox communities in the past handled RP. There would be rules of fairness, IE no one can be a canon character. This would greatly reduce the work of mod staff, as there would no longer be the need to approve RPs, and there won't be three fast-moving RPs to moderate at the same time. Disadvantage: No more user creativity in the back story to the RP.

If you have any other ideas, please share them.

I will be frank: I am in favor of a combination of 1 and 3.

Discuss. I want your input before I do anything.

[Guest Julius Quasar]

I think there should be a limit of maximum 5 posts per day on any given RP

Perhaps another RP Mod is definitely an idea...

I'm sorry this is happening, I like the RP part of this site. I don't wanna lose it again.

[That Guy]

What about having multiple RP boards? For example...

Have a Star Fox Board

        a Non-Star Fox board

        an anime board

  and a Dn'd Board

Would that work? ...of course that would mean we'd need more MODs...

[DZComposer]

What about having multiple RP boards? For example...

Have a Star Fox Board

        a Non-Star Fox board

        an anime board

  and a Dn'd Board

Would that work? ...of course that would mean we'd need more MODs...

That would be counter-intuitive. Creating more categories leads to more RPs. We do not need more RPs...

Plus, this is a Star Fox community. No need for anime RPs.

Let's focus on solving the problems before we think about expansion.

[That Guy]

Oh...well in that case...uh...um...well solution 3 does sound good...but what about, instead of just one large RP, why not make 3 large ones that everyone has the opertunity to join?

[DZComposer]

That doesn't solve the post volume problem.

[X-Gamer]

Or how about just limiting it to let's say...5 Rps (That was an example. Picked the number from the top of my head.) at one time. Any other requests will just have to wait.

I.e. - There is currently 5 Rps going on right now in the Rp thread. 5 Rps is just enough Sideways or any Rp admin can handle. Any requests made in the Rp request thread will have to just wait until 1 Rp dies or finishes, allowing a new spot to open. The admin of Rp can then decide if the first Rp request in the line is suitable to fill the open spot.

Any Rps made that are over the max Rp limit will be deleted.

For the "number of posts made in a Rp each day" problem, users should only be allowed to post lets say (another random number) 7 posts each day. Any further posts will be deleted.

How about that for an idea? Do you get what I mean? Maybe the deleting idea will just add more work for the admins, but it's all I got on me for right now.

[fox1235]

I say try getting software but I dont know any :(

[Geo Stelar]

I have two ideas I should share:

1. I say after at least 2 of the RP's in the RP section are finished, let's just limit the active RP's into three.. that would be easier to mod than 5 Rp's at a time.

2. Approve only those RP requests which have caught many users' attention, so that anyone would be able to participate.

[Steve]

If you guys are going to spend all day on a RP, and specially, if said RP will only be done by 3 people, then I'd recommend, get msn, exchange emails, and go for it. It's better, faster and you won't be dealing with mods. Also, this would replace the pm RPs you guys have been doing.

[That Guy]

If you guys are going to spend all day on a RP, and specially, if said RP will only be done by 3 people, then I'd recommend, get msn, exchange emails, and go for it. It's better, faster and you won't be dealing with mods. Also, this would replace the pm RPs you guys have been done.

That's a very good Idea!

[Sideways]

I like the idea of a giant RP world - with each thread being a certain world or other location. No character can be two places at once, and you would make reasonable effort to show exactly where you are going when jumping from one thread to another, IE from Corneria to Sector X for example.

[Guest DRL]

What I see on most forums where there are Role Plays is

extensive modding activity, as well as *MANY* moderators.

However, what you do (the administrators, I mean)

is up to you, after all, it is your site and your forum.

Regarding the chooices, personally I think that:

Option 1 seems interesting, but a little bit 'complicated'

if you ask me.

Option 2... like (kind of) I said before this is by far

the only forum where I have seen 1 moderator.

I mean no offence to you Simon,  you are doing a great job,

but it is hard to moderate such a large section being only 1

moderator. I have nothing against this option, however,

since it would leave the board mostly unchanged and therefore

everyone knows how it works.

Option 3... It seems interesting. However we have the

trouble that, in the long term, it is a RP "without a final goal."

Personally I like freeform mode in games, but you know how is it,

you do get bored eventually. Of course it will simplify things in some

ways... But as you mentioned, it does restrict creativity.

I mean, eventually we are limited to a "world" (or region of space,

if you prefer) like Lylat System. Fan-created places and such will

never be able to be visited, because they simply are not covered

in the scope of the RP. Also player-controlled random events such

as an alien invasion will not happen, either, because it would force

players who are in the affected region to take part of something

they would not want to, or that they may not agree with.

Example: "Andross resurrects at Venom" or "A second Aparoid

invasion has begun, and there are casualties all over Lylat."

... Well, that is what I have to say, I think.

I prefer option 2, if you ask me, but you are the

ones who make the rules here.

[Guest Julius Quasar]

Perhaps another RP Mod is definitely an idea...

I meant to say "Perhaps an extra RP Mod is definitely an idea...", sorry Sideways....wait, is "Sideways" now "Simon"!?...huh....I just noticed that 

Sorry Simon.

[Asper Sarnoff]

I'll have to say I'm strongly against option 3.

Not only will this seriously cramp the creativety of the roleplaying, making it a very repetative experience, it will also force roleplayers which doesn't see eye to eye to each other together in a confined space. I'll say that's just asking for trouble.

Option 1 sounds like perhaps the best, if we could actually pull it of that is. A daily post account is in any matter a good idea.

Option 2. Simon/Sideways is doing a great job. None can take that away from him. It is however unbrealistic to assume only a single person, with other commitments as well, to moderate such an active board.

As the community continue to grow, we will probably require a second roleplay moderator sooner or later anyway.

1. I say after at least 2 of the RP's in the RP section are finished, let's just limit the active RP's into three.. that would be easier to mod than 5 Rp's at a time.

2. Approve only those RP requests which have caught many users' attention, so that anyone would be able to participate.

These are also things you should take to heart. The requirements for starting a roleplay needs to be considerably higher, and unless we're getting another roleplay moderator, the amount of active roleplays also needs to go down.

Let's look at the problems shall we?

1. RPs are moving too fast to moderate.

Solution:

Can be fixed with a daily post limit, and fewer active roleplays per RP mod.)

2. RP requests are piling up.

Solution:

Increase the requirments for starting a roleplay. Only well tought out roleplays with lots of support from the players will be approved.

3. Attitudes within RP.

Solution:

I haven't seen much crappy attitude in the roleplays I've been in lately. The responisibility to clear up in issues that arise during roleplaying is also partially that of the players. If there is disagreement, settle it as fast as possible before moving on. If there is someone with disapropriate behaviour, then give them a warning. If they fail to comply, report it to a moderator.

[Geo Stelar]

I think Asper pretty much posted the best ideas in this topic.

[Asper Sarnoff]

I think Asper pretty much posted the best ideas in this topic.

Thank you.

[Geo Stelar]

Let's look at the problems shall we?

2. RP requests are piling up.

Solution:

Increase the requirments for starting a roleplay. Only well taught out roleplays with lots of support from the players will be approved.

I strongly agree with this one, though. An RP should also have a good story, which will get more support from users. Well, as long as the story isn't the type that you make as the role-play progresses. And, your story must not be intended to offend or refer to someone else that would make them feel bad.

[Kursed]

That doesn't solve the post volume problem.

If there is roleplay software I have never heard of it ever  and I hav roleplayed a lot you are right that we seem to have the most active roleplays.

I however also see roleplays that are going away from starfox so much that we no longer have starfox.... I think we need to limit these non-starfox roleplays where just about any charater can get in.

This is how most roleplay sections worked ,although a bit mess if a moderator didn't  clean up. most roleplay sections had  it how  it was when I came in Free making of roleplays and if people didn't join it died now that creates a mess ,but if a mod can clean up that mess it wouldn't be too bad...

Now a idea I had once with my friend was that there was a sort of  approval.  But it was much diffrent the Admin did not appove at all  it was simply a  "join this roleplay thing" If the  Rp Creator got enough Joiners  he/she made the roleplay in the roleplay section.

[DZComposer]

If there is roleplay software I have never heard of it ever  and I hav roleplayed a lot you are right that we seem to have the most active roleplays.

I however also see roleplays that are going away from starfox so much that we no longer have starfox.... I think we need to limit these non-starfox roleplays where just about any charater can get in.

This is how most roleplay sections worked ,although a bit mess if a moderator didn't  clean up. most roleplay sections had  it how  it was when I came in Free making of roleplays and if people didn't join it died now that creates a mess ,but if a mod can clean up that mess it wouldn't be too bad...

I have no issue with fan-character-based RPs (the big RPs from the old fandom were like that), though I think RPs that happen in other universes (Star Wars, Marvel, etc.) are out-of-place here.

Now a idea I had once with my friend was that there was a sort of  approval.  But it was much diffrent the Admin did not appove at all  it was simply a  "join this roleplay thing" If the  Rp Creator got enough Joiners  he/she made the roleplay in the roleplay section.

Absolutely not. This would make the volume problem worse. We need to reduce the number of RPs, not increase them.

[Kursed]

I have no issue with fan-character-based RPs (the big RPs from the old fandom were like that), though I think RPs that happen in other universes (Star Wars, Marvel, etc.) are out-of-place here.

Absolutely not. This would make the volume problem worse. We need to reduce the number of RPs, not increase them.

Does Arwing landing have a "Volume problem?" Not all roleplays submitted will make it through.

There is no possible way to Limit the number of roleplay request/Roleplays  Dz it's  quiet impossible  that's like  Cutting the Fan section down to 5 fan-fics  A YEAR!

[DZComposer]

I'll have to say I'm strongly against option 3.

Not only will this seriously cramp the creativety of the roleplaying, making it a very repetative experience, it will also force roleplayers which doesn't see eye to eye to each other together in a confined space. I'll say that's just asking for trouble.

While I never participated in them, back in the day (pre-SFAd), all of the major SF RPs followed this format. They did just fine.

Option 1 sounds like perhaps the best, if we could actually pull it of that is. A daily post account is in any matter a good idea.

I might take a stab at an SMF mod. Not sure, though. I haven't written anything in PHP in a long time.

Option 2. Simon/Sideways is doing a great job. None can take that away from him. It is however unbrealistic to assume only a single person, with other commitments as well, to moderate such an active board.

As the community continue to grow, we will probably require a second roleplay moderator sooner or later anyway.

I am pretty certain at this point that at least one new RP mod will be added as part of the overall solution.

These are also things you should take to heart. The requirements for starting a roleplay needs to be considerably higher, and unless we're getting another roleplay moderator, the amount of active roleplays also needs to go down.

Let's look at the problems shall we?

1. RPs are moving too fast to moderate.

Solution:

Can be fixed with a daily post limit, and fewer active roleplays per RP mod.)

This is difficult to do without a technical solution, but I do agree that it is the best solution to this problem.

2. RP requests are piling up.

Solution:

Increase the requirments for starting a roleplay. Only well tought out roleplays with lots of support from the players will be approved.

May be worth a shot, but we would have to take steps to ensure it isn't arbitrary.

3. Attitudes within RP.

Solution:

I haven't seen much crappy attitude in the roleplays I've been in lately. The responisibility to clear up in issues that arise during roleplaying is also partially that of the players. If there is disagreement, settle it as fast as possible before moving on. If there is someone with disapropriate behaviour, then give them a warning. If they fail to comply, report it to a moderator.

This just comes down to rules enforcement. The addtional RP mod will help here.

Does Arwing landing have a "Volume problem?" Not all roleplays submitted will make it through.

There is no possible way to Limit the number of roleplay request  Dz it's  quiet impossible  that's like  Cutting the Fan section down to 5 fan-fics  A YEAR!

AL has never had as active of an RP section as we do. They never had the problem to begin with.

[Kursed]

I think our best option is to get another Rp mod. I'm strongly against a  post limit as this is very hard to enforce even for one mod not to mention very time  consuming a good roleplayer should know when it's time to stop (When everyone else stops posting.)

I'm sorry if I may seem angry here ,but I'm not angry...

[Asper Sarnoff]

While I never participated in them, back in the day (pre-SFAd), all of the major SF RPs followed this format. They did just fine.

Back in the good ol' days when DZ's and Quasars roamed the earth?

Just pulling your leg there. I'm not saying it won't be possible to make a fun roleplay under those conditions, just that I think we'll get more creative, varied ideas if we stick to multiple roleplays which have to go trough an approval system. Actually coming up with your own ideas, putting them into action and (hopefully) get to see how the players enjoy roleplaying trough it is half the fun in my opinion.

I might take a stab at an SMF mod. Not sure, though. I haven't written anything in PHP in a long time.

Best of luck!

I am pretty certain at this point that at least one new RP mod will be added as part of the overall solution.

Agreed. I'm sure Simon will appreciate having another mod to fall back on as well.

May be worth a shot, but we would have to take steps to ensure it isn't arbitrary.

Yes, that could truly become a nigthmare. It's important that the roleplay moderators remain impartial in their approvals, and actively help roleplay creators with advice on how to improve their requests.

[Guest Julius Quasar]

I'll have to say I'm strongly against option 3.

Not only will this seriously cramp the creativety of the roleplaying, making it a very repetative experience, it will also force roleplayers which doesn't see eye to eye to each other together in a confined space. I'll say that's just asking for trouble.

Option 1 sounds like perhaps the best, if we could actually pull it of that is. A daily post account is in any matter a good idea.

Option 2. Simon/Sideways is doing a great job. None can take that away from him. It is however unbrealistic to assume only a single person, with other commitments as well, to moderate such an active board.

As the community continue to grow, we will probably require a second roleplay moderator sooner or later anyway.

These are also things you should take to heart. The requirements for starting a roleplay needs to be considerably higher, and unless we're getting another roleplay moderator, the amount of active roleplays also needs to go down.

Let's look at the problems shall we?

1. RPs are moving too fast to moderate.

Solution:

Can be fixed with a daily post limit, and fewer active roleplays per RP mod.)

2. RP requests are piling up.

Solution:

Increase the requirments for starting a roleplay. Only well tought out roleplays with lots of support from the players will be approved.

3. Attitudes within RP.

Solution:

I haven't seen much crappy attitude in the roleplays I've been in lately. The responisibility to clear up in issues that arise during roleplaying is also partially that of the players. If there is disagreement, settle it as fast as possible before moving on. If there is someone with disapropriate behaviour, then give them a warning. If they fail to comply, report it to a moderator.

Brilliant, Asper!

I think Asper pretty much posted the best ideas in this topic.

totally!