Mod Post + Polls

[straightupzorra]

Hi guys, so as game we got some crit, and we want your input on how to make Rakuen better as a whole. So I have three polls for you today, all the options are based on player suggestions so feel free to offer alternatives, we look forward to hearing your opinions and making Rakuen a more accessible game.

The first poll is about the OOC-IC tiem ratio, currently we operate under 2 weeks out of character equals 1 week in character. To explain the second option a bit more, we would still mostly be a 2:1 game, but the rest day would be a day IC and seven days OOC

Poll #9792

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 23

View Respondents

Time Frame

View Answers

3-1 ratio. Which means rounds last 3 weeks with neulings coming in every 3 weeks and days being 3ooc-1ic
2 (8.7%)

-stick with the 2:1 ratio BUT have the rest day last an extra ooc week, neulings can enter all week and posts can be from the previous round or the rest day to give neulings time to adjust and people time to back tag and plot
17 (73.9%)

keep it as it is
3 (13.0%)

other, will tell you in comments
1 (4.3%)

Concerns have been raised about Weapons being vowed to too quickly leaving some Players out of luck, so we're trying to find a way to remedy that.

Poll #9793

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 23

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Weapons and Players

View Answers

a Player can only vow 2 weapons in 24 hours
12 (52.2%)

neulings have priority in finding partners
7 (30.4%)

release the Player list early to give more time for plotting
20 (87.0%)

keep it as it is
0 (0.0%)

other, will explain in comments
1 (4.3%)

This last poll is mostly about game accessibility. We understand that Rakuen can be a lot of information to take in at one time, so this opt-in Buddy system would assign new players another, more experienced player who you are legally obliged to pester at every opportunity.

Poll #9794

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 17

View Respondents

Buddy System

View Answers

Yes
16 (94.1%)

No
0 (0.0%)

Other, will explain in comments
1 (5.9%)

A few house keeping things. Regardless of if the Buddy System is deemed a good idea, we added a Welcome/Q&A Post where you can ask general questions or just jump all over each other!

Also in our plotting post we added a still searching category for those who have not found Players or Weapons yet.

Both the welcome post and the plotting post have been added to the navigation side bars on all of the communities.

DON'T FORGET ABOUT ACTIVITY CHECK!!!

Lastly, there have been some questions about why the staff characters are fandom characters and not OCs/NPCs. The staff characters are very involved in the game, they aren't just there to make the plot move along every once in awhile, they are a constant part of the setting. That being said, we reasoned that we as players would be more involved with fandom characters and other players would be more interested with characters they are also familiar with. In Rakuen you actually get to see the 'npcs' operating and thinking and that makes them more involved and less estranged from the general flow of the game. The six staff characters participated in Rakuen beforehand, albeit off screen before the game started, and when the time comes, six current characters will become staff themselves.

Comments

[pennypincher]

This is a good post! Here's my thoughts:

- I think the best option is to keep the 2:1 ratio and make rest days last an OOC week, if that would help people with their catching up and taking a breather. I think it would also be good for newbies neulings, since they can only arrive on the rest day and if they miss it they have to wait two weeks; having an OOC week for them to arrive during would be good, I think.

- I like all of the suggestions for solving the Weapons problem! I also like that there's fewer Players this round, meaning there's a bigger pool of Weapons. Maybe it could stay like that?

- I'd love a buddy system and I would gladly participate to help get newbie-chans accommodated to the game.

- And finally, I think the explanation about the staff characters makes total sense. It's pretty clear from an IC standpoint, but I can see where people would get confused from just a casual glance since it hasn't (yet) been put on any info posts. Thanks for writing it up so clearly!

[straightupzorra]

Thank you for your input! I'm going to have Katy and Elle look over what I wrote up before we put it on the FAQ, but it will be there tomorrow!

I APPARENTLY TALK TOO MUCH.

[mrdickery]

re: Time Frame
I'd rather have the calendar operate as 1-1 and keep the two week app cycle. BUT that's probably not a viable option and I'm pretty much cool with whatever the mods decide. I just think it'd be easier to keep track of the date that way.

re: Weapons and Players
I'm refraining from saying anything until I see how this round of vowing goes. I'll let you know when I've formed an opinion that isn't a garbled jar of incoherent thoughts~!

re: Buddy System
I'm not really for or against this system because I think it's reasonable to expect that if a potential-apper is having questions about the game, they should IM a mod or jump into the game chat. Usually there's always someone on hand in there to answer questions with a rare exception or two.

That being said, I can also see the advantages of such a working and how it could help someone who's interested in joining to settle in more comfortably.



hi my name is Aki and I'm apparently never happy.

NEVER

[straightupzorra]

We don't operate on a 1:1 schedule because then rounds would go by really quickly, and personally we'd be on Round like 10 and I'd still be tagging Round 2 stuff. But date wise we can have an IC calender on the navigation post or in the side bar if you think that would make it easier?

We actually changed up the system a bit this round by having less Players and we're seeing how that works, but we want to implement a system (be it less Players and/or any of the above options) to make everyone feel welcomed.

That's true! Sometimes it's nice to have a person that is "yours" or that you know is there to answer your questions, especially if the mods are all away at the same time.

Thanks for your input!

Re: NEVER

[pennypincher]

But date wise we can have an IC calender on the navigation post or in the side bar if you think that would make it easier?

The current day and date is actually listed on the sidebar along with the weather, element in power, and list of Players! (I started adding the date in when Elle said that Red Day was January 17, since starting then we had a point of reference.) I know some people miss the sidebar since it's out of the way if you're scrolling down the page sob but

[straightupzorra]

You're awesome =3=
Okay it's in the sidebar but I think it may be beneficial to have a calendar too, kind of like XI had a billion years ago

[greenspaces]

Also part of the Weapons problem is that people who are Weapons tend to look for other people who are either OOCly or ICly involved with their existing character development. Maybe we should say that people should try and find Weapons that aren't their biffles, before they partner up with their friends? That way we'd get more out of cast CR, and CR from people that we don't usually interact with.

Another problem is that it seems like everyone wants the same type of Weapon, but don't necessarily want the Weapons that "can't do anything." So if you have a character who has a sword fetish, great! There are lots of swords. But if you have a character who likes guns, and there's only one or two of those but there's five players in the round who like them...then it's time to race to the plotting post, I guess.

[straightupzorra]

Hmm, that's true. I'm not sure at the moment how we would regulate that, we can't really be all don't try and protect your friends. But it's a really good point, I'll keep thinking about it. Do you have any suggestions?

Just an idea but what if we had a type of weapon's training class that would showcase the use of all weapons, classical ones like swords and more unique ones like eggs, and show all their uses, so people get used to the diversity? Do you think that would help any?

[greenspaces]

That would probably help! Both of those things, actually. I should probably specify that when Jade says "friends" in her new post she actually means "most everyone".

[straightupzorra]

To some people "friends" and "everyone I meet" are synonymous.

[cullscuttlefish]

dsjk.kadjka I just realized I voted with the wrong journal. Everything from 'timeliness' should have been from this account! Sorry, mods.

[straightupzorra]

ALL GOOD :|b

[knightime]

Time Frame:

Keep the ration 2:1. I feel like it might feel too long to make it 3:1. Seeing as we all backdate/forward date a lot of things as is, the change in ratio isn't going to make a huge difference, but just make the round feel like its dragging on. I feel like the 2:1 Ratio moves a little slow near the end. I can only assume the only reason the beginning feels so rushed is because that's when people need to be active to plot together. So the 2:1 Ratio I think worked fine. However, I believe the OOC week for the off day would greatly help for the players to plot and to just relax and work things out.

Weapons and Players:
I think that the list should be released sooner? If we go with the extra week for off day, this will work fine. We have the off week to plot who gets together with who. The problem with waiting 24 hours is that people can just wait before vowing with who they want to, so the same people will vow regardless, they just will wait the extra 24 hours. Unfortunately, that just delays the inevitable and it wouldn't really work as a solution! I think lowering the number of Players really helped, so maybe keep the Player numbers as the current round and release the Players early so people can plot together. Did that even make sense? harhar

Buddy system:
I think this sounds nifty and it'll probably help new players. I would say the people with Prefect characters would be perfect for this in game wise, but we don't really have enough prefects to do this I think fff. And we wouldn't want to force responsibilities on the Players who do have them. But I'm assuming people can volunteer to help, which would be really helpful in getting players situated in and already have a welcoming stay if people reach out to them instead of them struggling to reach out to players already here.

BLABLAKIMTALKSALOT2012

KIM IS STILL TALKING 2012

[knightime]

The other viable option I can guess is Players can't vow with the same Weapons they did last round. The problem with that is that if you vow a lot, that limits your choices, but this might help even the playing board then. Players have to choose more wisely who to vow with instead of going on A HAREM ADVENTURE to collect them all.

It could be an ingame rule, so if Players try to vow with the same Weapon they did last round (with the exception of Linked characters because they're Linked DURRHURR) they receive a penalty before they can finish the vow.

Just a way to circulate more CR?

TALK FOREVER KIM

[straightupzorra]

That's actually a really good idea and we'll definitely take it into consideration! We'll poll about it later, I like polls.

I JUST HAVE A LOT OF FEELINGS OKAY?!

[knightime]

I HAVE IDEAS ALL UP IN THESE SLEEVES. I can't be stopped.

But yes! I think this might help circulate new CR better and get Players to vow with new people. So new people aren't struggling to get out there, old players aren't sticking to their CR as closely. It forces characters who are more introverted to get CR better (since I know some characters struggle to make AC, because they just don't really want to talk outside of their comfort zone). So it might help level the playing field too. Also, this makes Rounds a little more interesting since it seems like the same Players fight with the same Weapons. So they'd be force to learn new Weapons and work with new people.
TALKTALKTALK

WE ALL WIN BECAUSE YAY MORE CR.

I like replying to polls. I TL;DR and I don't even get in trouble for it |D

[straightupzorra]

Yeah, my worry about the 3:1 would be that rounds would drag on (but then again every time it's round change and Katy tells me to prepare my assembly post I'm like again? we just did one! but that's me spacing out.) Just to clarify, you agree with the 2:1 ratio plus the ooc off week, right?

The list being released sooner will definitely help with plotting things out, especially if we do the ooc off week. You bring up a good point with the 24 hour delay idea that I hadn't thought of previously. But I'm glad to see that you think lowering the Player count helped!

Buddy system would be more of an ooc character thing, the train arrival post is kind of like the HERE YOU ARE, HERE ARE PEOPLE WHO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON post. And yes, we're working on making the game seem more welcoming!

[knightime]

I think the 2:1 ratio + OOC off week would fix most of the time constraints. It also puts in time for Players to consider starting plots. I know that with a Round always underway, i don't even consider doing too much big Player plots and only smaller ones because I can't think of fitting it in.

I actually was thinking about it just now. I was like "Naw I can just wait to vow-that isn't fixing anything SOB." It would just be released OOCly, so it shouldn't be a problem and I didn't feel as rushed trying to get Weapons this time around! So yeah, I think the lowered number was really helpful. I actually considered it last round because I felt like there wasn't enough Weapons last round, but I didn't know what next round would look like so I didn't say anything about it.

I think the problem is that a lot of people don't reply to the train arrival post as much because they're waiting for the Assembly post. So maybe each round, have players volunteer to tag people at the arrival post to act as guides? I think that might fix that unwelcomed feeling because its a huge turn off if characters aren't tag when they arrive so they don't really know what to do.

Also, just personally mentioning that, I haven't felt unwelcomed here, so it's I think a mix between just personal experiences and it depends on the character you're apping I think. I'm glad you guys are willing to try and fix this for future players though!

[bloodbrother]

My most coherent thoughts have to do with the timeframe. I'm concerned that that extended day into a week would be kind of awkward for new people, if they're introduced at the beginning of it. To me, that lag time following the train arrival into the school assemblies are too far apart. It just feels awkward to me. I suppose once we're in there we'll fall into a groove, but right now I'm just .

[straightupzorra]

Yeah, that is a concern that I personally didn't think of, so thanks for bringing it up. We'd have to talk about timing and when things will be posted. If we do implement the 2:1 + 1ooc then we would have to adjust things accordingly and see how it works out and if it helps or hurt and all that fun stuff. Do you have any suggestions for that?

I am slowly losing my verbosity so excuse me if I made no sense

[pennypincher]

Not Lance, but: I always thought it was kind of odd that the assembly is at noon on Day 1, but people become Players and Links activate at 8AM on Day 1. So maybe the assembly and Player announcements can be on the rest day? It'd give people more to do, too! I'm not sure how that would affect the vowing dynamic though, since people would have extra time IC to plan who to vow with...

[bloodbrother]

Santana stop seducing me with those eyes a;dkjjf

Maybe the prefects split the group and under the pretense of giving them a tour, this makes an opportunity for them to run into other characters going about their jobs and day off business.

Also maybe encouraging "Harass So-and-so at work" posts during that time might be something?

[lovesignmasterspark]

WOW I am so behind the times how did I not notice this.

- I'm voting for keeping the 2:1 ratio BUT allowing the off day being an off week. I was pretty out of it last round because it took off and left me in its wake because of RL hitting me in the face. NOT THAT IT'S THE GAME'S FAULT RL JUST SUCKS but the same may be said for some others when RL decides to smack them with the blunt end of a rake or something. This also allows more people to get in instead of having such a small window. Three weeks for a one week round is way too much time and will just drag on once we get to the last week.

- Uhhhh despite me voting for the 24 hour rule, after reading the comments I am actually against that due to what Kim said, that people will just wait and vow later. Instead, releasing the Player List early (especially if we get that OOC rest week!) will help us circumvent that problem a lot more than limiting vows. Especially when we have so few Players per round now. It'd just leave a lot of people in the dust when all the Weapons have vowed 2 for the day.

- Also I am for the buddy system and I am all for getting in and helping the neulings get settled. After all I had to go bug poor Elle over and over until the way the RP worked was etched into my brain. I've already begun helping others who are lost so this idea is just a breath of fresh air if others are willing to chip in. :3 Rakuen has a kickass awesome group of players so I don't see how this couldn't work.

annnd that is it from me for the moment. I will likely post a reply with anything more.

I TALK TOO MUCH AS WELL....

[smupette]

RE: TIME FRAME

I'm voting to keep 2:1. But the rest days lasting an OOC week sounds like a wonderful idea. I have school and stuff so I'm always rushing to finish up threads and logs and I think Rakuen as a whole could use a lot more time to finish everything from previous rounds up. Since I see most logs and threads being dropped after the round is over and I personally hate doing that. My life is dropped threads and I don't think we should ever have to have that unless it's completely necessary and I end up with like 465465465465 sis tags, which I hope never ever happens. I would so get upset. ANYWAYS.

RE: Buddy System

I WANT A BUDDY. OMG CAN THIS HAPPEN??? I would love to help a new player out, to be frank with you. It would make the new character and the mun feel a ton more welcome! Don't you think?

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<b>RE: TIME FRAME</b>

I'm voting to keep 2:1. But the rest days lasting an OOC week sounds like a wonderful idea. I have school and stuff so I'm always rushing to finish up threads and logs and I think Rakuen as a whole could use a lot more time to finish everything from previous rounds up. Since I see most logs and threads being dropped after the round is over and I personally hate doing that. My life is dropped threads and I don't think we should ever have to have that unless it's completely necessary and I end up with like 465465465465 sis tags, which I hope never ever happens. I would so get upset. ANYWAYS.

<b>RE: Buddy System</b>

I WANT A BUDDY. OMG CAN THIS HAPPEN??? I would love to help a new player out, to be frank with you. It would make the new character and the mun feel a ton more welcome! Don't you think? <:

<b>RE EVERYTHING ELSE</b>

I think as a game we can do a lot better, and we're growing, and we're getting there. I'm proud to be here through the development.

SO MANY TALKY PEOPLE

[grimauxilatrix]

Hi this is Ru =X

CAN'T EDIT NOW THAT I COMMENTED TO THIS AHAH BUT

I'm really glad you're proud to be here while we work out the kinks ♥