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thoughts and musings: Posted on August 13, 2020 at 03:26:44 PM by Vinyl
1. I agree that the site has become much more battle focused, I think since the addition of dice rolls. They require little time or commitment (on the player part, not the mod) so it's easy to do. I really don't care for the constant battles. It is difficult to plot long-term and even think of alliances in a true, fulfilling plot sense because of the constant change over. I'm not sure allowing characters more changes to battle (going from one RP battle a month to two) was a good idea if we are trying to find alternatives to this method. Maybe more random events - more incentivized plots loosely orchestrated by mods - could help. I'd have to think harder on what they could be like.... Maybe weather events that force a herd to vacate their land for a specific time frame (Two weeks?). That could help encourage alliances, etc.
2. I like the government system but I don't think it needs to be an "official" thing by any capacity. I think player initiated plots can create the same sense without listing it on the homepage. That said, if we wanted to add some type of game or incentive system to government styles - perhaps an oligarchy unlocks some kind of perk whereas a dictatorship creates an additional hardship, it gives players something else to consider and plot with when making those decisions for the island.
3. I think judging based on spelling and grammar is really the only way to create some kind of uniform baseline for all criteria. Maybe we can split the grammar and spelling points with a new category, like style or creative writing, which would put less of a focus on correct language but also reward players for their writing styles beyond description?
4. I think we have a good number of territories right now. There has been less turnover recently, but the battle board is still active and the herds seem the "fullest" they've been in a long time. I always worry that by adding more territories, everything thins out a little too much.
5. I'm so-so on this. I think the rules would have be pretty specific in order for mods to easily gauge this kind of thing. I do generally like the idea of creating more opportunities outside of battles for experience points. As long as the criteria is simple and easy to follow, I think it could be fun.
6. I'm also mixed on this. Maybe there's a way to appease both points... i think the two challenges per season, given the differing herd structure, seems like a fair assessment.
7. I think the height limits are reasonable and realistic, and don't think there's a good case for loosening them. Maybe players can "appeal" this rule to mods on a case-by-case basis. If they can offer up a good reason to join a 21hh draft for plot reasons, etc., then mods can consider them those requests on an individual basis.
Thanks as always, for taking the time to keep the game fresh and full of fun, new ideas! :)