RP section far too strict.

[Matrilwood]

It was brought to my attention that their is a notable amount of RP happening OUTSIDE the RP section. Which is odd because isn't that what the RP section was created for?

With certain exceptions such as spam, if a large number of people post outside a designated section that has rules that are different to the rest of the site, it means that those rules are creating an undesirable environment that the users wish to avoid, hence they substitute the designated area with another section that serves a similar but more hospitable environment.

Since people have been posting outside the RP section (In this case, the rec-room is being used for RP), it means there is something wrong with the RP section. In this case the rules are to strict. If you must hold onto the undesirable area, then a subsection for more general light RP should be created. If this happened then the amount of RP in non-designated areas would be reduced.

I'm not telling you what to do exactly, in fact I'd be surprised if just just ignore my suggestion totally (No offense but you do come across as a control-freak in terms of the RP section), I'm just giving you heads up to the current situation.

---

In a nut-shell these are the reasons I'm telling you this

[list type=decimal]

[*]RP Section is not being used

[*]People are RPing outside RP section

[*]The current RP section is the only one I've ever come across that moderates every single post. (Which is a bad thing any-way because it drains moderator resources to no known end. If anything I very strongly suggest ending this activity so your moderators can actually be doing something useful e.g. dealing with spammers, flamers, attending to people who REPORT problems)

Of course here is my second proposal. If the reason the RP section is so strict is because you can't afford hardware space for such activity, then the RP section should be removed in its entirety. At present it acts as ground-cancer. It is not serving its purpose (People are still using other sections to RP) and it is heavily draining moderator resources (You even have a moderator who's whole job is reading posts in that section, and making sure that the rules are followed entirely).

Again I'm not really suggesting anything I'm just giving you some ideas, but SOMETHING MUST BE DONE to fix this problem, either positively or negatively.

[Sabre]

I stopped RPing when the rules changed. The reason it is how it is is due to drama. A squable over a RP would quickly spill into the main forum, hence the current system.

One idea I had for a RP revival would never be accepted. An open, self policing system. RPs wouldn't have 6 month waiting lists, but rather a 3 day cool down period before a RP can start, and will still need mod approval. This stops the forum being flooded with 2 post RPs.

I also think each RPs creator should take prority when the arguments do occure. It will be a little rough at first, but after a couple of weeks bad RPers will be driven into exile by not having anyone willing to play with them.

This way, the RP mod can be freed up from alot of drama and pointless dead/stillborn(?) RPs and RP player get fewer restrictions. It would never work as it would need a RP mod who isn't afraid to use the ban hammer, or warning hammer in this case. Unfortunatly current mods are either to busy or worried about being everyones friend.

[FoxMcCloud]

Sabre truly has a point, The RP creators need to take more responsibility when it comes to RPing. Personally, I think the RP section has alot of potential, but it just needs some work, and some fine-tuning.

[Sabre]

Sabre truly has a point, The RP creators need to take more responsibility when it comes to RPing. Personally, I think the RP section has alot of potential, but it just needs some work, and some fine-tuning.

I think it needs a complete overhaul. From a staff perspective, it's a catch 22. Loosen the rules and drama will flood the forum. (and "it wont happen again" isnt good enough as it kept happening) but to lock it down creates these issues.

[FoxMcCloud]

I think it needs a complete overhaul. From a staff perspective, it's a catch 22. Loosen the rules and drama will flood the forum. (and "it wont happen again" isnt good enough as it kept happening) but to lock it down creates these issues.

Indeed, you have a point Sabre, I doubt an overhaul won't be happening for a long time

[Scott7]

I'm not %100 sure about this but yes things obviously need to change. Its just the last attempted is kinda what ruined it...

[Sarita]

The RP section is mostly self-moderated now, because you all thought we were being too strict. You want it to change? Talk to your fellow RP'ers.

EDIT: And if you want to know, the RP section was rebuilt the way it is to avoid drama. It's been shut down once before. Though clearly it's not working, since we've had RP drama twice since it reopened.

[Kursed]

I think what we need is more rp mods or something to speed up the roleplay approval process.

Sabre truly has a point, The RP creators need to take more responsibility when it comes to RPing. Personally, I think the RP section has alot of potential, but it just needs some work, and some fine-tuning.

THis would also help a lot Creators of the roleplay should help in enforcing the rules and preventing problems.

also shutting down the hotel and bar roleplays really didn't help at all.

[Sarita]

I think what we need is more rp mods or something to speed up the roleplay approval process.

THis would also help a lot Creators of the roleplay should help in enforcing the rules and preventing problems.

also shutting down the hotel and bar roleplays really didn't help at all.

Oookay, here's the thing. We've pretty much decided to raise the RP limit, since we think you guys can handle it. The reason no RPs were being approved, was that you were at the limit. So now, we just need the RP creators to step up and moderate their RPs.

So no, we aren't adding anymore RP mods.

[Steve]

We are agreeing on giving you all more RPs, seriously, we give you a hand and you all want to take a full arm.

The RP subforum has undergo a lot of problems, so yeah, we are doing this SLOWLY, what happened with the "self moderation" thing you all had in mind? did it fail or what?

I mean, think about it, it's better than nothing. And if everything seems under control with 6 RPs. Then we will go for 8, and so on. Mods will also be selected as the RP grows. However, if the RP section fails to deliver a good behavior, it will either be stuck on 4 RPs or shut down, again. And we don't want that.

Seriously guys, you all decided on kinda "self moderate" the place, it was an action taken by all of you, not us. So yeah, we are raising the limit to 6 within the next month (until we decide what to do and stuff).

For the folks that have been with us for the past few years know what I'm talking about when I go "The RP has had a lot of problems"

[Kursed]

As far as I know Matril wood is not part of the roleplaying community  (correct me if i'm wrong) So I don't see why he posted this in the first place

[Sabre]

As far as I know Matril wood is not part of the roleplaying community  (correct me if i'm wrong) So I don't see why he posted this in the first place

I can only guess, but maybe it's the same reason I stopped? The long waiting lists and seemingly random aprovals meant that on the rare occation a RP actually got through, everyone was already bored and wanted some other RP to play.

[Scott7]

I never said i was changing my mind about changing self-moderation, In-fact I'm actually surprised that was actually agreed upon. This is good news and i'm hoping things can get a bit closer to the way they were before.

But for now... Lets just wait.

[Steve]

As far as I know Matril wood is not part of the roleplaying community  (correct me if i'm wrong) So I don't see why he posted this in the first place

He's pointing a serious issue tho, RP outside the RP forum. Remember, that's not allowed and I already did a heavy explanation of this one year ago. You can kid around going "hits you with a potato sack" and someone can even answer "dodges and kills" or something, but THAT'S it. This is of course, as much as the REC room allows.

So yeah, save me the trouble of sending warnings to people that RP outside the specific area.

[Sabre]

I never said i was changing my mind about changing self-moderation, In-fact I'm actually surprised that was actually agreed upon. This is good news and i'm hoping things can get a bit closer to the way they were before.

But for now... Lets just wait.

How is the RP section self policing? I thought it just had a series of mods?

[Steve]

How is the RP section self policing? I thought it just had a series of mods?

Well, peeps complained about the RP mods not doing too much, so the staff decided to have a small self moderation team, something regulated by the community. I think Milky and Nick got chosen or something like that, I don't remember.

[Guest Mr. Mario]

Well, peeps complained about the RP mods not doing too much, so the staff decided to have a small self moderation team, something regulated by the community. I think Milky and Nick got chosen or something like that, I don't remember.

I thought they were only GMs in the Complex....

[Steve]

I thought they were only GMs in the Complex....

Really Oo? Well, I'm seriously clueless xD, like I said, this was handled by the community, not by the staff.

[Sarita]

They are GMs for the Complex. Self-moderation means you handle it yourself, obviously. As in, you watch what you post, and if you post something stupid, the GM for the RP handles it, and if they can't they call the RP Mods.

(Forgive Steve, he has finals next week, the poor man is stressed)

[Steve]

They are GMs for the Complex. Self-moderation means you handle it yourself, obviously. As in, you watch what you post, and if you post something stupid, the GM for the RP handles it, and if they can't they call the RP Mods.

(Forgive Steve, he has finals next week, the poor man is stressed)

Well then, why don't we put "GMs" on every RP that reaches a certain amount of pages?

[Sarita]

Well then, why don't we put "GMs" on every RP that reaches a certain amount of pages?

Dear, GMs are the people who start the RP. Think D&D, love.

[Steve]

Dear, GMs are the people who start the RP. Think D&D, love.

I meant, like a set amount of people, be it the creator or just a veteran RPer. Like two folks controlling, with the RP mod team backing up.

[Guest Mr. Mario]

I meant, like a set amount of people, be it the creator or just a veteran RPer. Like two folks controlling, with the RP mod team backing up.

I don't know about this...  :|

[Steve]

I don't know about this... 

Well obviously, it was just an idea xD, people will be choosing people. The staff will only go in if there're problems .

[Asper Sarnoff]

They are GMs for the Complex. Self-moderation means you handle it yourself, obviously. As in, you watch what you post, and if you post something stupid, the GM for the RP handles it, and if they can't they call the RP Mods.

Well worded Sissi. Lately, this has been the model we've been following. And it does seem to me like it's the one we should stick to.