![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Entry tags:
Let's Talk About AC
If there's one thing that we mods like to do it's talk about how we can improve the game and/or player experience. Sometimes this leads to new or refreshed events and event styles, sometimes it helps us build up the metaplot in new ways, and sometimes, it's talking about the moving parts of things like Activity Check. This last one has been on our mind for a while. While we do like the Activity System as it currently is, that doesn't mean that we can't see ways in which to improve it for a better experience, and how they could benefit the players and game.
Right now we are still the thought and discussion phase, and because of that have come up with a few alternative AC schema we'd like player feedback on. None of these are actually in place to implement yet, and ultimately if this discussion leads to positive feedback on the idea of making a change, we'll have an anonymous poll on what players think the ultimate decision should be. For now we're looking to let you know there is discussion going on, and asking for your feedback because we want to know if you see additional pros or cons to any one plan, or can suggest a different plan that might work.
Again, all of this is still only in the thoughts and comments phase, and nowhere near being instituted. Please continue to follow the current AC system as it is listed on the AC page. When we make the change, you will receive one month of warning if it's a large change, or a shorter warning if it's a simpler one. So, without further ado, here are the currently discussed options.
Note: All systems will still allow for hiatuses AND players can still reach out to mods in extenuating situations.
First, let's look at what the current AC system is.
0. Current AC System
TRP AC as we know it. As a note, the current system will not be kept as it is, we are making a change. If players' overwhelming opinion is 'we like the current system' then we will be defaulting to the Mostly Status Quo option below, which only really has the affects of clearly stated sweep from strikes point, and will make the lives of the mods a touch easier because it gives us a very clear understanding of what we're doing and codifies very firm rules so that even if the game suddenly grew huge and we needed to bring in AC Helpers, they'd know exactly what to do.
Current System
-AC is either: One Open Post or TL in a Mingle OR two threads of five or more comments from your character [one thread can either be from the TDM or a character inbox]
-Strikes are cleared by submitting double AC, which is one of the following: Two Open Posts or TLs in a Mingle OR Four threads of five or more comments from your character OR One One Open Post/TL and Two threads of five or more comments.
-Players receive one grace month in clearing a strike, where they can either take a hiatus OR provide standard AC. This doesn't clear a strike or provide a new one, but failing to clear AC in the next month will result in a second strike
-A third strike results in a sweep from the game.
-Double AC is be required for all characters a player has for two months to be allowed to play additional characters.
1. Mostly Status Quo
We call this Mostly Status Quo because we will retain current AC levels, but make some back end changes that mean characters being swept sooner. So let's go over the current system versus the minor changes it will experience.
Changes
-AC values remain the same
-We would be moving to a two strikes, you're out system. This will be the only meaningful change. In reviewing the current system, we realized that the current system means a player can effectively go four months, a full third of the year, without engaging in the game before being swept.
-New characters who do not check in during their first check-in month will be swept. As a means to not be harsh on brand new members who join late in the month, any new characters joining on the 25th or later will have the next calendar month counted as their first. This allows the mods time to get through acceptance processes and advise new players where to find their comment. (This will be earlier in the case of February.)
Here are our foreseen pros and cons to the minor changes.
Pros
-Everyone already know what is expected of them for AC
-Fully codified and stated strike number and sweep point for all players, so they know how close they are to such a result
-Previously stated and codified 'buffer time' for new players joining late in the game, to compensate for potential delays in mod processing.
-Can still use double AC over two months to show ability to take on more characters
Cons
-None foreseen by mods
2. Redistributed AC System
What it says on the tin. This will be mostly the same system above with one really important change regarding thread options. In this system instead of having two threads of 5+ comments each, we will ask players to provide 10 comments over no more than two threads. This is an important change because it means that if you were relying on a thread and it didn't quite make AC length because of response times or someone dropping or circumstances beyond your control, you can put that longer thread together with a shorter one to hit your quota. So let's go over all the details. This system, if implemented, would have the extra month of warning for transition.
Changes
-Open Posts/TL part of AC unchanged
-Thread option changes to 10 comments over no more than two threads.
-Those whole ten comments cannot come from the TDM or a character inbox. At least three comments must be in the game comm.
-Double AC will require 20+ thread comments over no less than two and no more than four threads. At least a ten of these comments MUST be in the game community
-Use the change over to the two strike system covered in Mostly Status Quo system.
-Use the new character check-in rules from the Mostly Status Quo system
Here are the foreseen pros and cons to the system
Pros
-We believe the new thread system will provide players with a safety net, allowing them to use a wider variety of threads for AC
-Helps cushion players from issues with threading with someone who is unable to respond or drops. This may encourage people to try tagging out for new experiences
-Allows players to hit AC off of a single thread of great length. A player who has a thread of 20+ comments shouldn't feel punished for situations preventing them from hitting AC length on another thread
-Can still use double AC over two months to show ability to take on more characters
Cons
-Initial confusion possible when change is made.
-Requires that at least some of those ten comments come from the game community, which could be confusing.
-Strike clearing with threads gets slightly more complicated
3. Reduced AC System
The world has been pretty intense lately and that may be making things harder for some people. So we would be remiss if we didn't offer a suggestion of a 'reduced' AC system. However because of how reduced we'd be talking, it would also come with quicker sweeping of characters. This is the second most intense change, but given how much it reduces AC burdens on players, would be implemented within a month of the decision.
Changes
-AC is reduced to one proof, either an Open Post/TL (with text in them of course), or a single comment. Simply put, show us you were here in the month.
-Stricter enforcement: failing to post AC, post a hiatus, or otherwise contact mods by end of AC period will mean a strike. Two strikes in a row means a character is swept.
-There is no method to clear strikes. But strikes are only considered in relation to the immediate previous month, so it's like they don't exist once you turn in your next AC.
-If a character is swept due to striking out, players must wait a full month before reserving and/or applying for that character
-It is no longer possible to provide double AC to show ability to handle additional characters, so a new system will need implemented. Methods are still being considered. There is a possibility this will result in a lack of character limits.
-Could potentially result in a movement toward a more active 'rewards system', where bonus AC could lead to prizes/reclaims/gifts from the Agrii. This is still being discussed.
Here are the foreseen pros and cons to the system.
Pros
-AC is massively easier to get, even in months where emergencies crop up unexpectedly
-To assuage any concerns, December will remain a check-in only month
-Potential Bonus AC system, maybe?
Cons
-Easier to be swept for failing to comment on AC
-Less strikes to be removed from the game
-Reduced AC requirements may result in reduced game activity. Mods do not believe this is as likely after having reviewed multiple games where AC on par with this, or lower still, are used.
4. Alternate AC System
Sometimes what threads you do isn't as fully important as what things your character was doing in a month, what their personal story arch is. Understanding what a character is doing can have more influence on the state of the world, and if people could look at what has been going on with other players, they might be able to find a good way to slip into new interactions or ongoing character development goals. To this end we put forth an entirely different AC system for the game as a possibility. Given this would be the largest change, it would be the one we give players the most time to act on. At the same time, we would also have to change how we structure our AC post, changing the perma-post over to a 'month by month' post rather than a 'each player has a thread' post.
Changes
-Instead of threads/posts for AC, players would submit a monthly 'what a character has been up to' statement. This can be a summary of their threads, or just some hand-waved goings on. This does not have to be deep, but we'd require no fewer than two sentences. But hell, write a novel if you want.
-Hiatuses are still possible because current hiatuses in game take the form of 'character is not around for that period of time'. However, because AC becomes a narrative, in addition to a hiatus comment, we would ask (though not require), a player consider providing some details of what a character was doing during any time in the month where they weren't hiatused. Example: If you take the first week of a month as a hiatus, we would still ask you to consider providing details of what a character was doing for the rest of the month.
-No method of providing double AC, so as with reduced AC, method of adding on additional characters will need to be reviewed.
-Failure to check in will result in a character being swept. If a player misses AC due to extenuating circumstances, they should contact the mod team to discuss.
-Bi-Monthly 'CR meme' or 'Handwaved CR Meme' will be instituted to help players come up with their character's general behaviors and look to what things they can list in this AC that they may not necessarily tag out.
-Mods will more actively watch player activity in the game, and if it is found that a player is not participating but rather just using this AC system to hold their place without interacting, they will be warned and at risk of being dropped from the game.
-Could potentially result in a movement toward a more active 'rewards system', where bonus AC could lead to prizes/reclaims/gifts from the Agrii. This is still being discussed.
Here are the foreseen pros and cons to the system.
Pros
-Easier to track your character activities/story lines over time.
-Easier for other players to track your character activities/story lines over time, providing a possible means of finding hand-waved CR, or catching up with the current flow of the game.
-Can be added to the State of the Game posts by our lovely Aya if they wish to, to serve as an additional 'here's how things are going' information source
-Doesn't require tags so if something happens in a player's personal life, they can still complete AC.
-Could reduce stress of realizing that a player may not be able to do a lot of tagging
-Potential Bonus AC system, maybe?
Cons
-Vastly different than current AC system.
-Some people may not engage well with the change, finding it hard to extemporize on character activities
-Failure to post AC or a hiatus will result in being swept. (Allowances made for extenuating circumstances with contact to mod team).
-Mods will need to do more 'reading' of AC [only a minor con because primary AC mod is nosy and wants to know what characters are up to].
5. Combination System
This system would be a mixture of systems 3 and 4. Basically we would give players the option of either turning in a thread/log OR doing a description of what has been happening for a character in the last month. Comes with the pros and cons of the previous systems, though would default to the sweep system of the Alternative AC System, because that safety net of just being able to talk out what has been going on is now there.
Because the details of those two systems are fully listed above, we will forego the 'changes' discussion and go right to the Pros and Cons.
Pros
-AC becomes simple either in terms of length or explanation of what is going on.
-Potential Bonus AC system, maybe?
-Bi-Monthly CR Meme or Handwaved CR Meme posted by the Mods to facilitate information and options for the description based AC system.
-Possible reduction of stress for players.
Cons
-New system is vastly different in many ways
-Actually more work from mods than 3 or 4 separately.
Many that was a lot of text, wasn't it? Well, take a moment for yourself, think about this, look at these cute ducklings with markings like bumblebees, and when you have thoughts, please share them with us. This month is our 'taking opinions' month, and frankly, we're leaving it open to non-game members too. All comments on this post are screened, and mods will happily discuss player's thoughts and concerns with them, and take any and all feedback in for consideration. Next month we'll post a members-only poll asking players to vote on their preferred choice, and will ask each player to vote only once on their preferred option. Any players not voting will be considered to have voted for Mostly Status Quo. The poll will be set up so that only one person can see the results, which will be only so we can make sure no one votes multiple times using different player accounts.
Right now we are still the thought and discussion phase, and because of that have come up with a few alternative AC schema we'd like player feedback on. None of these are actually in place to implement yet, and ultimately if this discussion leads to positive feedback on the idea of making a change, we'll have an anonymous poll on what players think the ultimate decision should be. For now we're looking to let you know there is discussion going on, and asking for your feedback because we want to know if you see additional pros or cons to any one plan, or can suggest a different plan that might work.
Again, all of this is still only in the thoughts and comments phase, and nowhere near being instituted. Please continue to follow the current AC system as it is listed on the AC page. When we make the change, you will receive one month of warning if it's a large change, or a shorter warning if it's a simpler one. So, without further ado, here are the currently discussed options.
Note: All systems will still allow for hiatuses AND players can still reach out to mods in extenuating situations.
First, let's look at what the current AC system is.
0. Current AC System
TRP AC as we know it. As a note, the current system will not be kept as it is, we are making a change. If players' overwhelming opinion is 'we like the current system' then we will be defaulting to the Mostly Status Quo option below, which only really has the affects of clearly stated sweep from strikes point, and will make the lives of the mods a touch easier because it gives us a very clear understanding of what we're doing and codifies very firm rules so that even if the game suddenly grew huge and we needed to bring in AC Helpers, they'd know exactly what to do.
Current System
1. Mostly Status Quo
We call this Mostly Status Quo because we will retain current AC levels, but make some back end changes that mean characters being swept sooner. So let's go over the current system versus the minor changes it will experience.
Changes
Here are our foreseen pros and cons to the minor changes.
Pros
Cons
2. Redistributed AC System
What it says on the tin. This will be mostly the same system above with one really important change regarding thread options. In this system instead of having two threads of 5+ comments each, we will ask players to provide 10 comments over no more than two threads. This is an important change because it means that if you were relying on a thread and it didn't quite make AC length because of response times or someone dropping or circumstances beyond your control, you can put that longer thread together with a shorter one to hit your quota. So let's go over all the details. This system, if implemented, would have the extra month of warning for transition.
Changes
Here are the foreseen pros and cons to the system
Pros
Cons
3. Reduced AC System
The world has been pretty intense lately and that may be making things harder for some people. So we would be remiss if we didn't offer a suggestion of a 'reduced' AC system. However because of how reduced we'd be talking, it would also come with quicker sweeping of characters. This is the second most intense change, but given how much it reduces AC burdens on players, would be implemented within a month of the decision.
Changes
Here are the foreseen pros and cons to the system.
Pros
Cons
4. Alternate AC System
Sometimes what threads you do isn't as fully important as what things your character was doing in a month, what their personal story arch is. Understanding what a character is doing can have more influence on the state of the world, and if people could look at what has been going on with other players, they might be able to find a good way to slip into new interactions or ongoing character development goals. To this end we put forth an entirely different AC system for the game as a possibility. Given this would be the largest change, it would be the one we give players the most time to act on. At the same time, we would also have to change how we structure our AC post, changing the perma-post over to a 'month by month' post rather than a 'each player has a thread' post.
Changes
Here are the foreseen pros and cons to the system.
Pros
Cons
5. Combination System
This system would be a mixture of systems 3 and 4. Basically we would give players the option of either turning in a thread/log OR doing a description of what has been happening for a character in the last month. Comes with the pros and cons of the previous systems, though would default to the sweep system of the Alternative AC System, because that safety net of just being able to talk out what has been going on is now there.
Because the details of those two systems are fully listed above, we will forego the 'changes' discussion and go right to the Pros and Cons.
Pros
Cons
Many that was a lot of text, wasn't it? Well, take a moment for yourself, think about this, look at these cute ducklings with markings like bumblebees, and when you have thoughts, please share them with us. This month is our 'taking opinions' month, and frankly, we're leaving it open to non-game members too. All comments on this post are screened, and mods will happily discuss player's thoughts and concerns with them, and take any and all feedback in for consideration. Next month we'll post a members-only poll asking players to vote on their preferred choice, and will ask each player to vote only once on their preferred option. Any players not voting will be considered to have voted for Mostly Status Quo. The poll will be set up so that only one person can see the results, which will be only so we can make sure no one votes multiple times using different player accounts.
