Here Comes Another Suggestions Thread!

[Takushi Rena]

Alright, I closed and unstickied the other thread for one particular reason: anyone remember a certain thread that popped up yesterday that got about 50 posts and people discussed what to do in the section? Well, this is the point where I want some ideas and I'll also toss in some of my own to see what people think about them. And, unlike the other suggestion threads, we're going to have a theme going on in this one unless this gets cleared up.

Discussion Theme: Activity and Fun-Factor in the RP Section [If that doesn't make any sense, all I want you guys to do is discuss how we get this place more active than it is now and how we can get less serious and more fun]

What's Won't be Discussed: [Because of... things.]
-A new mod; alright, this was the biggest thing we discussed yesterday but the one that makes absolutely no sense to an actual moderator. Why will there be no new mod? Unless things get so horribly bad that we need a new mod, we don't need one right now. What can they do? Bring in a new roleplay that will interest the whole section and get everyone to join everyday? No one can even do that unless you're so popular [Like everyone in the section adores you sort of popular] and incredibly active! Only time will tell if we need a new mod or not. For now, though, there won't be one.
-The fate of Balamb Garden; SERIOUSLY. This just started and you're already planning to replace it with some village RP? Nothing is happening to Balamb Garden until JM3 decides what's going to happen to it.
-The 2 paragraph rule; if you want a 2 paragraph rule, then please get rid of all the newbies, all the fun, all the illiteracy, and we'll only have perfection running around through the section. Seriously, though. You have to make it fun for EVERYONE, not just people who manage to write 4 paragraphs per post. Sorry, but this is going to be set in stone on the new rules: one paragraph of 3 to 4 sentences and no less! Because you didn't start by writing 10 paragraphs of perfection when you were a newbie.
-Originality VS. Fandom; okay, this isn't completely restricted, but... what you guys shouldn't talk about is the RP section becoming completely original with no KH, FF, Square Enix game, etc. roleplays. We're on a Kingdom Hearts site, so there's going to be fandom roleplays. Sorry. Otherwise, feel free to discuss anything about it!

Ideas To Throw Around:
-Contest and Tourney; LL just started a tourney, but we seriously need an actual tourney that has been planned out down to the last sentence of the first post. [No, that doesn't make any sense] Also, the idea of a contest was tossed around so... hey! Who wants a contest?
-New rules; yes, we're not having guidelines anymore. And, yes, I want some opinions on what you guys would like to see in these new rules. Just remember: they have to appeal to EVERYONE in the section, not just yourselves.
-Getting the place active; it's summer and PEOPLE ARE NOT ROLEPLAYING. Yes, sounds horrible with caps, but it's so true. How can we get the place more active, other than a tournament or contest? Or, how can we get more people to post?

You can toss around other ideas as well, but I just thought I'd throw those in for discussion.

Anywho! This thread is different from the last, huh? Well, when you have a big discussion and then you create a new suggestion thread based off what was talked about, you might want to change things up a bit. So... erm. DISCUSS KTHX. xD;

[Tobuoi]

Alright, I said this yesterday and I'm sure you guys are getting sick of hearing it, but I think that it would be REALLY awesome if more sections were added, just to make things a little less cluttered. Also, this way, more RPs will be seen...what I'm talking about is seperating things into Fan-RPs, original RPs, and perhaps, silly/crazy RPs. Let's face it: there are a LOT more fan-RPs nowadays than original ones, and that's fine. But original RPs usually go unseen because of the frequency of fan-RPs in the making.

This is a bit of a stretch, but I think that this may, in some way, encourage people to join one of each RP at a time, which will in turn, increase general activity. I know that I'd love to be in one fan, original, and "silly" RP at a time.

Other than that, I don't really see any other necessary changes. :D

[mikep]

I think that's a good idea, but i have no power. I was thiking of a RP contest. Maybe Taking two Roleplays and comparing them or something? I don't know. Just throwing something out there.

[Blahmaster]

Yes, contests and tournaments are always nice, though they often die. I think we should have a roleplay-plot contest, to see who can make the best plot for an rp (it would have to be original, of course).

The sections idea that Tobuoi mentioned would be a good idea in theory, but one of the sections (probably original) would most likely get a lot less action, while the fan-based rps would be exploding like crazy. Of course, it might help to have organization with the different roleplays so the really thought-out ones aren't pushed back to the fourth page after a day.

[snowdog]

I like Tobuoi's idea ^.^ It would make things much easier to see around here.

Hmm... I'd suggest 'sandbox' stuff for new RPers. I know, I know, the great RPers had to teach themselves, but the fact is, new RPers are severely looked down upon here. If someone shows illiteracy, or poor grammar, they're refused without explanation. Not sure about the rest of you, but I hate to see that. It would be nice to see some help for those unsure about literacy and such.

Some great RPers here should remember that not everyone is perfect right away.

Good job, Rena. <3

[mikep]

Yes, but when a good Original story comes up it's like a rare gift. You enjoy it heck of alot more.

[D2L]

Rena, the two paragraph rule isn't that hard. You said yourself a paragraph is three to four sentences minimum. Is six to eight sentences really that much to ask? Seriously.

Tobuoi: I adore your idea of seperate sections. This section is a bit cluttered, and it really would increase activity in our section.

mikep and Blahmaster: Contest is a good idea, competitiveness is always a sure fire way to get people to do something; no matter what it is.

snowdog: You said yourself "The great RPers learned on their own." Plus, in the past there have been MANY a try at teaching the newbies but it just doesn't end up working. You cannot teach those that do not wish to be taught.

[Electropop]

TOURMENT FTW!

I agree, we need one now. >:

I also think it is summer..No one is around. =D they went to a beach..or...Somewhere.

[Tobuoi]

snowdog, I agree with you about the "sandbox" deal. I mean, D2L, back when I started RP'ing, I learned and got better by RP'ing with a variety of different roleplayers who were on all sorts of different roleplaying levels. Nowadays, however, there are some very distinct seperations between RP'ers. I mean, I can understand wanting a certain standard for your RP, but there should be practice/"sandbox" thread for literate and illiterate people to RP together. Learning how to roleplay can't really be learned by being trained, but by being exposed to others' styles and levels of experience.

I would be happy to participate in a thread similar to snowdog's idea, and I'd be happy to give rep to new RP'ers whose improvement was apparent.

And mikep, you should really start talking/collaborating with people, because I know quite a few people who have produced original RP after original RP. Unfortunately, they die pretty quickly...but it really gets me how people are like, "Oh, I wish there was an original RP to join," but whenever they come up, no one joins. I mean, I've made DOZENS of original RPs. Some have been successful, others haven't. The successful ones are usually so because of my connections with other RP'ers. So seriously, next time you get an idea, contact me. Hell, I'll even give you some of my old RP ideas to use for your own, if you'd like.

EDIT: Also, after a quick look around, I've noticed that a lot of the original RPs have "(original)" in their title, which indicates that there is a specific demand for them and that they need to stick out in the crowd, so I really think that it would just make sense to give originals their own section. :/

[mikep]

Thanks, also, i was thinking of a Tornament. It could be spread into three divisions.

Beginners (novice)
3-4 sentences at least in a post.


Adept (Intermediate)
6-10 at least in a post.


Advanced (expert)
11-14 at least in a post.


You could have different devisions for the levels of RolePlayers. That way we don't have a master Roleplayer writing against a newbie.

[Takushi Rena]

Great ideas so far! ^^ I'm iffy about the whole new sections thing, but that's probably only because I've never really done new sections. I have to add in something about that, though: what if there was only an original section for original RPs, and the main forum would be for KH RPs and the like, only because when you first come on here and you're going into the section for the first time, you're probably going to want to see a KH RP and not an original roleplay.

Originally Posted by D2L

Rena, the two paragraph rule isn't that hard. You said yourself a paragraph is three to four sentences minimum. Is six to eight sentences really that much to ask? Seriously.

Actually, the one-paragraph rule thing wouldn't restrict ANYONE from that. Newbies just have to post 3 to 4 sentences per post, while everyone else who wants longer posts can just say so in the rules. You have to make it fair for everyone, not just do what you think is best for yourself. [And I mean everyone in the section who wants the 2-paragraph rule, not just yourself. xD;]

snowdog: YES. I love your 'sandbox' idea. But, the only thing is that everyone should be treating everyone the same way they should be treated. ...That probably makes no sense but anywho! What I mean by that is the discrimination of experienced roleplayers with newbies. How else are you going to learn to roleplay if you're turned down with words like 'STFU N00B' screamed in your face if you just want to roleplay? I know people will seriously do that anywhere on this forum [I even saw someone say that last night in the thread] so, rather than doing a sandbox idea for the start, why not try to get rid of the discrimination? It'll be better for the whole forum, not just this section.

Alright, random idea: for collaborations, would anyone want to see some sort of collab thread that helps get more of those? *shrug*

[mikep]

Yes, but in a competition it wouldn't be fair to but a Novice against an expert. They wouldn't have much of a chance.

[Tobuoi]

By collaboration, do you mean like a meeting place/discussion thread for people who want to collaborate with others? If so, I think that a thread for that would be very helpful.

Also, with what you said about different sections, even just one for original RPs would be fantastic, as those are usually the hardest to find. Again, I can't say how much I'd deeply appreciate that. And it doesn't even have to be a big deal, it'd just the equivalent of the "music" section in the "discussion" forums. It would still be so helpful. :D

[Puddle Jumper]

The Rp village wasn't meant to replace Balamb. Balamb is a school, nothing more. The Village is more than that. It is larger in scale and it isn't chained by rules of an already existing universe. I thought it was meant to co-exist with Balamb.

Now, how about a sticky with links to legendary role plays? Rp's that lasted long without ever losing its high quality. That way the rooks can learn and the vets can enjoy.

And why not make a Summer Role Playing Award Ceremony? This sometime in summer without an exact date. This should keep the RP'ers here to put out their vote when the time comes.

[Tobuoi]

Yeah, I kind of liked the RP awards. Especially since they had several categories so almost every roleplayer that was worth honorable mention got recognized. People complained about it being a popularity contest, but it really wasn't.

Lol, if we do start up an awards deal, we should give it a name, like the Grammys, Oscars, or Tonys...just some random name like "Spencer." XD