FallFest X - ffvii-room-one

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:00 AM

Welcome towards #ffvii-room-one first session in Fall Fest VII! My name is Patrick aka BlackWolf and I will be your host for this session named "The Other Side Of Society". It is not aimed at what the current political vision is of our real world, lets not spoil our fun shall we

No, this is focused on the walking trend that is seen with new players entering our various organization across our wonderful created worlds in the RPG Community.

The question to kick this session off is as followed "New Members tend to stick with something familiar, it doesn't matter what genre it is, because they will most likely always play a human (maybe with a modification on their character). Is it truly difficiult for a player to play a Sith recruit, a Cylon or a Klingon? How does your organization or you, as player, experience this?"

[IDF] Charles Star 09-Dec-17 10:03 AM

interesting question!

Edgeford 09-Dec-17 10:03 AM

I tend to find that at least an opening chrachter is well advised to blend familliar and unfamilliar. The familliar gives them a grounding to start RPing off of in what might be an otherwise overwhelmingly unfamilliar place. But they should experiment with somehting new as well to serve as a first step into the new world. As for the familliar bit I find this tends to work best with a personality trait, cause or idealogy. (edited)

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:03 AM

I just want a decent looking avatar and there are more humans available

and it's not as though humanity isn't diverse as it is

Saying that if you see any older vulcan women with slight smiles pm me that

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:04 AM

I find one big issue

Is that no one wants to play the bad guys

TarHeelÉire 09-Dec-17 10:05 AM

@Deleted User will do

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:05 AM

The bad guys have a unique and diverse backround just as much as the good guys

[IDF] Charles Star 09-Dec-17 10:05 AM

Edge, why do you think it's so difficult to writers to delve into to those other characters, like bad buys?

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:05 AM

And often times, the bad guys aren't eve bad. They are ust against the predecided good

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:05 AM

As Game Master of the USS Tornado, I do tend to see quite a bit of players that apply with a human when the Star Trek universe has so much to offer. When I joined a Mass Effect Community the most populated made characters were indeed the Humans. It is something that does come forward.

@Ikate Keda Studios a far good point that bad guy/gals are not the first choice for players. What would be in your opinion be the hold back for that?

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:06 AM

@TarHeelÉire ty

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:06 AM

Everyone wants to be a hero

Everyone wants to be the spotlight

Lysle 09-Dec-17 10:06 AM

I must admit that I rather have the opposite problem, with innexperienced players who want to make special snowflakes, like a Klingon/Andorian/Vulcan/Xindi whose every limbs were replaced by cybernetic arms and legs, or an android with 50 guns in her chest. It's very problematic because we then have to explain the newbies that their character is going to be in a game with other characters who might shit themselves at the sight of their amazing monstrosity, which will make it very hard to play with anyone. As such, I'm absolutely delighted when a new player wants to play a Human, because better stick with what they know than attempt playing an alien species they don't know much shit about anyway, and would make a bad rendition of, which would also hinder the fun for other players

2

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:06 AM

No one wants to be dispised because there is a lack of available vanity in the moment

Mobius 09-Dec-17 10:06 AM

I always had a feeling more people chose humans as their characters just because they were doing a little bit of self inserting. I don't know for certain tho

TarHeelÉire 09-Dec-17 10:07 AM

I believe your villains have to have teeth. If the players know "Oh everyone is gonna get out just fine" the impact is lessened. Villains need to be feared.

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:07 AM

Oh yeah, My first character was a snowflake

Carde 09-Dec-17 10:07 AM

Personally it is hard for me to not go in everywhere with a full or at least halkf Romulan character, but in the end we write what we like and are comfortable with. I love the Romulans, but I also love my own species and I have created a fair number of them.

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:07 AM

I won't get shot if I post a star wars quote in here will I XD

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:07 AM

So I'm also adversed to making snowflakes now

Moss 09-Dec-17 10:07 AM

@Ikate Keda Studios, I have learned that you can't be the writer for the hero. Recently, I have began to write for the villians on my simm

lola 09-Dec-17 10:07 AM

I'm a bit confused, are you saying you want people to play more humans or not?

TarHeelÉire 09-Dec-17 10:07 AM

@Ikate Keda Studios nah, Han already shot first.

Edgeford 09-Dec-17 10:07 AM

I don't think it's actually that difficult to do a bad guy, well written ones can be very sympathetic and relatable. We all have a bit of bad guy in us that we just sit on and supress. You can tap into that. Particularly if you study history and you lern what drove the bad guys of the past. I think the reason people don't want to is that (for narative reasons) they allmost allways loose in the end and can certainly never be permitted to outright win or it kills the RP. You need someone who doesn't care about the advancement of the charachter to have someone willing to play a bad guy. They exist, but are rare

1

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:07 AM

That is indeed a solid mirror reaction of the problem that is seen in various other communities @Lysle but good to point out

Lysle 09-Dec-17 10:07 AM

@Carde same with Cardassians here, they're my fav species

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:07 AM

@Moss you would be shocked by how true that is

Think o it

Moss 09-Dec-17 10:07 AM

I have found writing for the villians to be so much FUN!

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:08 AM

How many times have you found the bad guy to be more entertaining to read than the good guys?

Camila 09-Dec-17 10:08 AM

The problem I've found with allowing unique characters like that is that the players usually have a very hard time playing the character or want something so completely different that it doesn't really fit in the Star Trek universe. If someone has a full background for a species and has samples of their writing of that character which fits the bio/background, I'd be in favor of giving them a chance.

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:08 AM

Or watch, in visual medias

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:08 AM

@lola The topic itself begins that most players that are new to writing, play human. @Lysle points out that in some group it is the other side of the coin that players want to play something unique. Thought overall it is the human characters that over populate it

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:08 AM

It's not difficult but there are pitfalls. There is only one bad guy I've ever seen that actually knew he was bad and was any fun to watch

Carde 09-Dec-17 10:08 AM

I always write a species history and general feathures if I create any to giver people an idea baout them

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:09 AM

Unfortunately he was in a bad movie

lola 09-Dec-17 10:09 AM

Ohh I see, my group has a nice balance of human and alien, I think!

Edgeford 09-Dec-17 10:09 AM

Everyone is the hero of thier own story. it's a cliche quote but it's true

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:09 AM

@lola and all of course, I do tend to know what is the ratio in terms of human played characters in your sims, organizations?

Annabelle 09-Dec-17 10:10 AM

I generally like to stick with what I know. I've only recently started playing alien species and I've been writing for the best part of 12 years

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:10 AM

I found one of the best quote about playing a evil character, is the Takig the life of an innocent quote in the starwar universe

lola 09-Dec-17 10:10 AM

@RaWolfe I am honestly not sure @Lysle keeps track of our characters in a spreadsheet though

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 10:10 AM

(in-joke) If you were a Freespacer in YE 30, you'd probably see my character Hanako as a bad guy.

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:10 AM

Oh jesus

lola 09-Dec-17 10:10 AM

humans are a minority in my sims, as far as I can tell

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:10 AM

Wes

NO

Lysle 09-Dec-17 10:10 AM

@RaWolfe I would have to wonder if age of the players is something that factors in? On our forum, we have a number of young adults, and I noticed that the younger the players, the more they tend to go for alien species, while the older ones go for Humans and more "regular" species most And we mostly have aliens or half-aliens (edited)

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:10 AM

XD XD

Oh that hurt XD

lola 09-Dec-17 10:10 AM

it's not an insult, i dont think

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:11 AM

…Taking the life of an innocent is always harder even than taking your own, if you're sincere. This is the ultimate test of selflessness—whether you're ready to face unending emotional pain, true agony, to gain the power to create peace and order for billions of total strangers. That is the sacrifice. To be vilified by others, by people you know and care for, and for your personal sacrifice to be totally unknown to those billions you save, to do your duty as a Sith. To do your duty for the good of the galaxy. It's easy to be a clean-cut hero slaying monsters. There's always a little bit of vanity in it. There can be no room for vanity or pride in being despised.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 10:11 AM

Is that true? I'm not sure if I've noticed that in my RP, Trans

Lysle 09-Dec-17 10:11 AM

It might be that we have a different population/target audience

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:11 AM

Can we define alien?

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:11 AM

So @Lysle you would say that the older generation is more safe betting on human characters and new generation is more aimed at exploring the new things like we have seen with Star Trek Discovery that opened new aliens

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:11 AM

On Star Army, we have a few "Human" alies

TarHeelÉire 09-Dec-17 10:11 AM

@Ikate Keda Studios Not human.

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:12 AM

They are aliens, but they look human

Lysle 09-Dec-17 10:12 AM

Something important to know about RevFleet is that our userbase also happens to be mostly European, and maybe that factors too

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:12 AM

Does that count as an Alien?

TarHeelÉire 09-Dec-17 10:12 AM

I'd say so. Betazoids look human but aren't.

Lysle 09-Dec-17 10:12 AM

@RaWolfe I would think so! But I might be wrong too

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:12 AM

Is a human with wings just as alien as say, this guy? https://i.imgur.com/6nrlQ0C.jpg?1

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 10:13 AM

You ever notice that people are more willing to pay other species (as in aliens) than other races?

lola 09-Dec-17 10:13 AM

@Ikate Keda Studios thats a sure fire alien my dude

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:13 AM

Beware the Mutant, the Alien, the Heretic

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:13 AM

A very interesting observation there @Lysle , is the newer generation of writers taking this bold act of exploring new species? To resume on the topic, "What would make a difficult approached species, more approachable and attractive to play?"

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:13 AM

The human with wings?

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:13 AM

Mutant

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:14 AM

What would make a difficult approached species, more approachable and attractive to play?

Brilliant question!

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:14 AM

Thanks @Ikate Keda Studios !

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 10:14 AM

This is a page with some 300 characters from my RP illustrated as chibis, look at the percentage of them that are white. https://stararmy.com/wiki/doku.php?id=art:gallery:raph_chibi_collection

Lysle 09-Dec-17 10:15 AM

I believe that what makes a species approachable is: 1. looks (people tend to fall for looks a lot) 2. understanding the psychology of the species (people tend to stay away from what they don't quite get, in case they might heck it up) On RevFleet, we've made some fanon annexes to expand on some species, like Andorians, Cardassians, and Trills (so far)

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:15 AM

I would personal lie that a Klingon would be easy to play or Tholian. Maybe a Star Wars Jedi Lord would be fun to play. But what would be the trigger to play a Krogan from mass effect?

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:15 AM

Some things I notice in my time is that there are a few surefire ways of making your species approachable. - Power - Attractiveness - Authority - Unique without being unique

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 10:15 AM

I think that a species that has a well documented and familiar culture, with examples, is much more likely to be played than one that has a short description.

lola 09-Dec-17 10:15 AM

@RaWolfe Ooh the pull of the Krogan may be the dynamics of the genophage

Lysle 09-Dec-17 10:16 AM

Another thing that makes a species attractive, I believe, is if the player can relate to their values, and to their society, or feels attracted by those

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:16 AM

@Lysle that is an interesting approach, what would you put in those documents that explain them more?

TarHeelÉire 09-Dec-17 10:16 AM

I'd say knowledge of their history and culture. Many people shy away from Vulcans thinking them uninteresting, but when they realize (in my experience) and more fully understand how much more powerful their emotions are than humans and/or how they literally almost destroyed themselves because of their emotions, they can see a mirror image of what humans might have been. And therefore, become relatable.

Lysle 09-Dec-17 10:16 AM

sure

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:16 AM

@Ikate Keda Studios So kinda explains more into the topic of what @Lysle said. You would want to see more details?

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:16 AM

I wanna make a Vulcan CO based off this image

Edgeford 09-Dec-17 10:16 AM

I think a grounding an an extream version of a huam chrachteristic makes an alien species more approchable and Star Trek, to it's credit does this very well. Logic, Honour and brazeness, Duplicity and caution, extream empathy and so on are all exagerated versions of normnal human traits. This makes them different whilst also understandable.

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:17 AM

@TarHeelÉire very good point, the discussion of Vulcans is logical interesting and it was more depth out in Discovery

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:17 AM

Yes. Take elves in Fantasy settings They are old, powerful, and in most liturature described to be good at most things. There is a LARGE population of elf characters on may fantasy roleplay sites

Stephen Hunter UK 09-Dec-17 10:17 AM

Thing is a lot of aliens are based on Earth species

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:17 AM

The same with Vampires and Werewolves. They hold all those qualities I mentioned

TarHeelÉire 09-Dec-17 10:17 AM

@Deleted User that's a nice one.

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:18 AM

>Logic Extremists

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:18 AM

And these are VERY popular things to RP

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:18 AM

come on, seriously

Moss 09-Dec-17 10:18 AM

@TarHeelÉire, I blame @[GEC] Kai1701E for me now playing a Human/Vulcan since this is my first trip back into the hybird

Stephen Hunter UK 09-Dec-17 10:18 AM

@Ikate Keda Studios They appeal to those on the ASD spectrum

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:18 AM

ASD?

Stephen Hunter UK 09-Dec-17 10:18 AM

Autistic Spectrum Disorder

lola 09-Dec-17 10:18 AM

@Stephen Hunter UK what do you mean by that?

Lysle 09-Dec-17 10:18 AM

@RaWolfe In this section of the RevFleet we have fanon lore about different species http://www.revolutionfleet.com/forum/m/46303513/viewforum/8734911 We require our players to write fanon articles about custom-made species, as well as about certain species' current politics in our setting, to have a site consensus

Revolution Fleet: Star Trek Play-by-Forum Roleplay - Enjin - Races

Star Trek play-by-forum role playing game.

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:19 AM

Would a Hybrid be the solution to make a difficult approached character more apporachable?

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:19 AM

I feel they appea to most people roleplaying

lola 09-Dec-17 10:19 AM

@Stephen Hunter UK do you mean werewolves and vampires appeal to ASD people? Im confused lol

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:19 AM

Not most people here, but most people roleplaying period

TarHeelÉire 09-Dec-17 10:19 AM

@Deleted User it makes sense. Logic can be interpreted many different ways. It's not a stretch to me to imagine a small Vulcan subculture that sees the enormous destructive potential of humans and asks, 'why do we want to be a part of that?'

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:19 AM

@Lysle thanks! I will look at it after the session, seeing the speed of this chat, thanks everyone

Moss 09-Dec-17 10:19 AM

@RaWolfe, I think it depends on how you are writing them. Some people take a different apporach to the conflcting status they carry

Stephen Hunter UK 09-Dec-17 10:19 AM

@lola I meant Vulcans

lola 09-Dec-17 10:19 AM

oh I see, I suppose so

Edgeford 09-Dec-17 10:19 AM

I feel the best part about RPing a Vulcan would be just how extreamly emotional they actually are. The battle to allways keep it driven down would be interesting to explore They chose to let head rule thier heart but thier hearts are putting up a fight (edited)

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:19 AM

I have been on countless feeform sites, and Vampires or Werewolves outnumber most people by a huge margin

[GEC] Kai1701E 09-Dec-17 10:19 AM

My main characters are Trill, Tellarites and Vulcans.

I love aliens now

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 10:20 AM

Nekovalkyrja are an example of a species that looks mostly human (they look like catgirls or elves basically) on the outside but they have special traits like being able to float.

Lysle 09-Dec-17 10:20 AM

@RaWolfe I think hybrids make things A LOT more difficult because they have children of no world. If you're half-Vulcans, you're a Vulcan among Humans, and a Human among Vulcans, so you never fit anywhere completely, and you have a harder time relating to anyone. It brings more challenges

Stephen Hunter UK 09-Dec-17 10:20 AM

@Edgeford Definitely. ASD people have that problem

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:20 AM

@[SARP] Wes so that is a different approach, hubrid them to form something new and build from there?

@Lysle but at the other side it would make a fresh start, outcast?

lola 09-Dec-17 10:21 AM

not sure i like the term 'problem'

TarHeelÉire 09-Dec-17 10:21 AM

The Vulcan heart is always fighting to be heard. It makes the moments when a Vulcan does express romantic or violent emotion that much more powerful.

mynameisrayb 09-Dec-17 10:21 AM

I mainly play Humans. Though I do have a few betazoid characters, and I did have a few bajorans at one time

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:21 AM

@RaWolfe A good example of a race that has a problem relating would be mine. The Vekimen https://i.imgur.com/s9CfL0V.jpg?2

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 10:21 AM

Well, I'm sayign that players want to play a character that looks good on the outside and has all the parts in the places they expect, but there's also a desire to be more than human.

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:21 AM

Wes nailed it

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:21 AM

@TarHeelÉire Surka's teachings were utilitarian, which you're right, but Spocks death in WOK associated the "needs of the many" with altruism

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:21 AM

More than human

TarHeelÉire 09-Dec-17 10:22 AM

Of course I'm right, I'm TDV.

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:22 AM

@Ikate Keda Studios @[SARP] Wes so something that looks ...well frankly said ugly, is not loved among players?

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 10:22 AM

There's a thing that the Nekovalkyrja have, which is they're born inot the military as a soldier/weapon and they experience this journey towards being a fully rounded person that can function in regular society.

Stephen Hunter UK 09-Dec-17 10:22 AM

@lola Wrong word choice, but it can be a real issue when emotions clash with logic

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 10:22 AM

Mcuh like Spock learning about his human side

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:22 AM

You're right until you include altruism

lola 09-Dec-17 10:22 AM

oh i see

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:22 AM

Vekimen aren't ugly! XD XD XD, You are correct though

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:23 AM

And voilence is inherantly illogical

Annabelle 09-Dec-17 10:23 AM

I know what you mean Stephen. I find it difficult to relate at times but I'm fortunate to have a couple of friends who also have ASD

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 10:23 AM

Right Blackwolf. Speaking generally, player characters come in two forms: Attractive, or badass/ugly

Annabelle 09-Dec-17 10:23 AM

It's been a big help

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:23 AM

We resort to violence after dialoug has failed Dialough > Logos > Logic

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:23 AM

Well that is the thing, there are various things that would make a species not approachable, the looks, the long dragging history....the complicated rules, stuff like that

TarHeelÉire 09-Dec-17 10:23 AM

@Deleted User in your interpretation. Is it not logical to use violence to protect oneself?

Stephen Hunter UK 09-Dec-17 10:23 AM

It would depend

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:23 AM

@[SARP] Wes bad ass ugly, love that +1

Stephen Hunter UK 09-Dec-17 10:23 AM

Protect other maybe

Camila 09-Dec-17 10:24 AM

What about beautiful/badass?

TarHeelÉire 09-Dec-17 10:24 AM

Was it not logical for the Kelvin universe Enterprise to attempt to destroy Nero's ship, or should they have just asked nicely?

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:24 AM

Maybe we should define the things that make a species unattractive, then work on how to make them attractive @RaWolfe

I will volunteer my species if you need an example XD

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:24 AM

Make-up does wonders /badjoke

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:24 AM

@TarHeelÉire, Surak was a Pacifist

Lysle 09-Dec-17 10:24 AM

try not to derail the topic too much??

TarHeelÉire 09-Dec-17 10:25 AM

@Deleted User he said As far as it is possible, do no harm. There comes a point when it is no longer possible.

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:25 AM

@Ikate Keda Studios so the unattractive of your species character is the reason others wont play it or even worse play with you?

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:25 AM

AND THEN WE BURN THEM ALL

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 10:25 AM

The overlap in the Venn diagram of beautiful and badass is the most popular place to make a character!

3

Stephen Hunter UK 09-Dec-17 10:25 AM

Indeed

Edgeford 09-Dec-17 10:26 AM

Very true Wes

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:26 AM

That is the strange part @RaWolfe people like playing with my race around. People enoy my characters of my race, they won't participate inplots I generate up until just recently

Edgeford 09-Dec-17 10:26 AM

However, OP is just boring. It's why I would never play a Q even if I could unless it was a plot driving NPC cameo

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:27 AM

@Ikate Keda Studios might the background be a problem? Uhmm what about this question "What could in your opinion be improved to make certain species more playable? A quick course? A simplified guide? Maybe something your organization already uses?!"

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 10:27 AM

So is "The Other Side Of Society" basically the lesser-played factions or species?

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:27 AM

Yes

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:27 AM

@[SARP] Wes both

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:27 AM

The ones that have a hard time getting players

Tis why I am staying awake for thi

[TNU]Atsumari 09-Dec-17 10:28 AM

So in my universe the way we did this is I actually started having people play the other side of things. For example our XO started playing one of the Enemy rear admirals

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:28 AM

And we are glad to have you here @Ikate Keda Studios

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:28 AM

[TNU]Atsumari 09-Dec-17 10:28 AM

And I have encouraged other players to start playing other forces or other species

That way it gives some depth to the story

If you’re just going around saving the day all the time it starts to get bland

But if you start seeing the other side of the coin

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:29 AM

@[TNU]Atsumari very interesting approach, play the other side by giving a more detailed overview!

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:29 AM

Do you need races for the sake of races though? I don't know about you guys but I often play characters to understand certain perspectives these days. I can do that just as effectively as a human as I can with an andorian

Lysle 09-Dec-17 10:29 AM

I would tend to think that the appeal of players towards species is also related to the rp experience they are looking forwards. ie: I like Cardassians because I like to play a species whose brain very much do not function like a Human's, and I like their politics. I think young players sometimes have a bad grasp of the species, and it's usually difficult to create a drive that without getting them to read about those species or interact with players who play them well, to understand what about them is attractive

Edgeford 09-Dec-17 10:29 AM

Did you impliment a reward system of some sort Risa. EG, for every 2 "normal chrachters" you must play a "abnormal or bad guy" otherwise no more slots allowed? Or was it all voulntary?

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:29 AM

I mean Andorians have those cute anntenaie though

Lysle 09-Dec-17 10:29 AM

I personally prefer when the presence of various species make sense however

[TNU]Atsumari 09-Dec-17 10:29 AM

In our last mission I actually invited a bunch of the players to play resistance group on the planet we were going to save to actually give the planet some meaning

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:30 AM

so we need more of those

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:30 AM

@Deleted User I feel that is a very setting specific question

[TNU]Atsumari 09-Dec-17 10:30 AM

And encourage the players to have some loss if something happened on the planet

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:30 AM

Ad could imply they other species are not required

Stephen Hunter UK 09-Dec-17 10:30 AM

Not enough people are keeping up with the Cardassians these days

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:30 AM

@Deleted User interesting question, but what would trigger you to play ...a Breen? Or something else?

Lysle 09-Dec-17 10:30 AM

I keep up with the Cardassians

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 10:30 AM

On my site we have a big "main" faction, which is the Starfleet of my universe, and there's also a bunch of side factions which are not necessarily against the main faction, but they do their own thing. I find the main faction is always needing more game masters and the the side factions are always starved for players. I think this happened because half the people who are good at GMing have decided to start their own side projects for the sake of creative freedom instead of staying in the main faction to run plots.

Lysle 09-Dec-17 10:30 AM

I'm working on Kardasi conlang

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:30 AM

@Lysle Cardassians are actually also a species that is not played alot

Lysle 09-Dec-17 10:31 AM

Cardassians are heavily misunderstood~

TarHeelÉire 09-Dec-17 10:31 AM

I've never played a Breen. Might be interesting

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:31 AM

@[SARP] Wes so kinda exploring the outside of the box, the main one will survive anyway attitude?

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:31 AM

@RaWolfe Breen are about as alien as it gets in Star Trek. We simply don't know enough about them to properly portray them anyway.

TarHeelÉire 09-Dec-17 10:32 AM

Pm me if anyone needs somewhere for their Cardassian character.

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:32 AM

@[SARP] Wes I think the reason for that is that the people who would be GM's are creative types who want to develop a story and setting and such, while a maority of RPers want to be an idividual living i said story. This is why DND always has more players than Game Masters

And why it is so hard to /find/ game masters

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:32 AM

@TarHeelÉire I think you will get alot of pm's now lol

Edgeford 09-Dec-17 10:32 AM

Saddly I think the dominance of humans and more powerful human like species is self reinforcing. You will get some benevolent or adventerous people who set up as the bad guys or an unpopular but interesting inhuman race. However, when a new player comes in they ussualy want to start in a place with lots of RP partners to ensure they have people to play with and don't just get left alone bored. Particularly if the people playing the odd species also have alts in the main group. Size is self reinforcing and it needs a big, cordinated push to break it

TarHeelÉire 09-Dec-17 10:32 AM

@RaWolfe I hope so.

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:32 AM

Humanity Fuck Yeah

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:32 AM

@Edgeford but is that because the humans are closer towards ourselves then let say a Cardassian or a Delta?

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:33 AM

You'll never want to play anything else ever again after reading one of those threads

Aside from vulcans and andorians I guess

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:33 AM

@[SARP] Wes Perhaps an initiative?

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:33 AM

But back to the question, would a quick short course about that species (that have a long dragged history) help to make it attractive to play?

Lysle 09-Dec-17 10:34 AM

I have to leave in just a moment, but if anyone is free to pm me about RevFleet, Cardassians or art commissions

1

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:34 AM

I dont think so @RaWolfe

Edgeford 09-Dec-17 10:34 AM

Maybe that's how it started but it's not allways how it maintains itself. I'm currently drafting my first RP chrachter on Bravo fleet and one of my questions when picking a ship was "is this active?" I looked at post frequency to not pick a dead ship. The same can happen with factions and species.

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:34 AM

I like the Romulans and Cardassians because they have a lot of canon lore I guess (edited)

There's a lot to play with there

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:34 AM

@Edgeford it is a problem BF is looking at, but a valid point

Edgeford 09-Dec-17 10:35 AM

I addore Romulans and Cardassians both. If I wasn't alone I'd gladly RP on a ship of them

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:35 AM

@Deleted User So if there is a more solid background you wouold consider playing it?

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:35 AM

Maybe it's just some concepts I can play with

Griff 09-Dec-17 10:35 AM

One thing to bear in mind is that a “species” is an extremely broad thing and can encompass a huge expanse of personalities.

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:36 AM

Romulans have the Hobus disaster and the empire fracturing

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:36 AM

@Edgeford and @[SARP] Wes 's points make a very reasonable solution

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:36 AM

Carrdies have the rebuilding

But I would never play a bajoran

TarHeelÉire 09-Dec-17 10:36 AM

#bajoranlivesmatter

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:36 AM

#Howcantherebeawarcrimeiftherewasnowar

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:37 AM

@Ikate Keda Studios I do tend to agree, activity is a valid point to consider something in getting someone to sign up.

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:37 AM

@[SARP] Wes Is experince a problem with GM's verse Players and where you find each of those two. @Edgeford Mentions the core root of @[SARP] Wes GM problems in a setting.

I focus on specifics btw @RaWolfe I hope that isn't a problem

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:37 AM

But I have been part of a Romulan ship for 2 or 3 years. The ship was very active and had enough lore to work with. Still recruitment for it was very hard

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:37 AM

Make an issue too vauge and you get no where

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:37 AM

@Ikate Keda Studios go for it

Edgeford 09-Dec-17 10:38 AM

I'd love to play a Cardassion, utter devotion to the state, sacrifing the rights and justices of an individual to maintain wider societal cohession, duplicity, strong fammilies, cold utilitarianism and an utter joy in being bastards as well. I love Cardies. As for the being alone point I mean, if I knew a sustainable number of players were onbaord with it. Rather than just do it on my own and then have no one follow and no one to RP with.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 10:38 AM

That's a huge point, if the species' creators/leaders/managers don't stay active, the whole species/faction can dry up and die out.

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:39 AM

So if we comment on @[SARP] Wes Issue. Players swarm to the main faction, while GM's tend to go to smaller factions, you get @Edgeford's problem. No activity in what the GMs are doing, with too many players in a single place

Would you agree @[SARP] Wes ?

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 10:39 AM

You have to have some dedicated person or people who take "ownership" of the species/group and sets and example and kind of keeps fresh stuff happening with it.

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:39 AM

@[SARP] Wes But that doesn't solve the player problem

If we look at the three main factions on SARP for our example, the thing they have in common is they are all dominated by "Human" types

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:40 AM

Finding dedication on those writing groups are difficult to hold or even find.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 10:40 AM

It's not a problem that the "other" side factions are not as popular as the main ones.

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:40 AM

Or well

Not main factions, but most active

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:40 AM

There is not enough eldrich abomination representation in Simms

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:40 AM

Which i why I focus on Star Army personally, that and I know the place better than all the other sites here

Stephen Hunter UK 09-Dec-17 10:41 AM

@Deleted User It's abominable

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 10:41 AM

It's more a matter of do you have the leadership available to support all the players you have, on a ship by ship or plot by plot basis. (edited)

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:41 AM

screaches unfathomable truths

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:41 AM

So how about this question "How much of your original stories do you include difficult species? Do you NPC them also then and in what amount would you apply them into the story?"

TarHeelÉire 09-Dec-17 10:42 AM

I often include Trek species that may have only been seen in one or two episodes, and attempt to build upon their societies and cultures there.

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:42 AM

I ask this question as I try to tied it towards each cases that is presented in this wonderful discussion. Being active in a sim is important, having a difficult approachable species attractive is a plus. But another approach is including them in your stories

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 10:44 AM

I've yet to meet a person who wanted to play one of these dudes.

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:44 AM

@[SARP] Wes a beauty

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:44 AM

10/10 would smash

Stephen Hunter UK 09-Dec-17 10:45 AM

What is that?

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:45 AM

A shmexy alien

Edgeford 09-Dec-17 10:45 AM

Asdie from thier, notable, appearance, what are thier other distinguishable traits? (edited)

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 10:45 AM

They're called Graxlat, they're a species of trash-digging tinkerers.

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:46 AM

I watched alien at a young age it ruined me forever

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 10:46 AM

They have pockets in their skin they use for storage.

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:47 AM

In their skins, that is unique

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 10:47 AM

Sometimes they get a really bad form of alien herpes that makes them ooze sulfuric acid.

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:47 AM

Kangaroos though

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:47 AM

Good point

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:47 AM

Taking inspiration from reality does not reduce the uniqueness of the end product

Stephen Hunter UK 09-Dec-17 10:47 AM

@[SARP] Wes Herpes?

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:48 AM

Otherwise, nothing would truely be unique

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 10:48 AM

You don't want Graxlat herpes. Trust me.

Griff 09-Dec-17 10:48 AM

Just look at the Horta. That’s one unique species I’d love to write.

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:49 AM

Well, @[SARP] Wes I don't think anyone would want to excrete sulferic acid XD

Edgeford 09-Dec-17 10:49 AM

My knowledge of the Breen is pretty much limited to DS9 but we know just enough about them from that to know they are very interesting, capable and with alot of mystery about them. But there is so much left unexplored that you can play about with. They would be fun

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:50 AM

That is a very good point @Edgeford

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:50 AM

There's such a thing as too much freedom in my mind

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:52 AM

Ohhh we are getting to the end, lets squaze oneeee more in it! "After hearing this discussion, would you try a different species now rather then the common onces? If so, what would you like to try and why?"

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:52 AM

No, I'm good

Edgeford 09-Dec-17 10:52 AM

It can leave you with blank page syndrome, the hardest words to write are the first. But, if you focus on one area at a time it can be done. THough building a whole culture from the void is intimidating. So with the Breen I would start with the suits and what we can speculate about thier biology from there. Then, we can make guesses about thier homeworld and how those environmental conditions might inform thier culture

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:53 AM

How would you feel if canon was changed and you had to retcon all of the effort though?

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 10:53 AM

Well, I'm a GM, so technically I play every species that shows up in my RP. But for my main character I think I'll stick with ones that are iconic for the factions I manage.

I'm kind of attached!

3

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:54 AM

I'm comfortable making my own species in my own works, but if I'm RPing in an established setting I'll stay core

Griff 09-Dec-17 10:54 AM

Meow. 0_0

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:55 AM

I'll just be boring!

(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 10:56 AM

is flattened by the table

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 10:56 AM

This was a fun panel, thanks everyone for coming and thank you to our host!

Edgeford 09-Dec-17 10:56 AM

I'm willing to RP almost anything that has some degree of relatability (ussualy through a bit personality and culture rather than apperance. The whole exagerated aspect of humanity thing) and that has reliable activity

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:56 AM

I would happily play other species if as a creator I didn't have to worry so much about my species being represented

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:57 AM

@frog, you okay buddy?

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 10:57 AM

So you're asking that as a creator you feel you have to play the thing you made to get them in the public eye and set the example?

Camila 09-Dec-17 10:57 AM

┬─┬ ノ( ゜-゜ノ)

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 10:57 AM

pries himself off the heavy table

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:58 AM

We better get some xrays done to make sure you've not broken anything

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:58 AM

I feel it would be my responcibility to ensure that as a creator I try and set an example of how my species is played, yes @[SARP] Wes which means that I have less time to explore other options around me despite how much I ma want too

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 10:58 AM

This discussion was very productive, very active and thank you all for contribution. I did my best to keep this wonderful discussion in line! Even I have to say, it is quite difficult haha. But hope everyone enjoyed and we know now that the smaller creators need help from bigger organizations to make difficult approached species more attractive by rich information and maybe beautiful art from @[SARP] Wes

Thanks for the assistance @Ikate Keda Studios and all for the input! I hope you will all enjoy Fall Fest even more in the next discussion!

3

Stephen Hunter UK 09-Dec-17 10:58 AM

Thank you!

Ikate Keda Studios 09-Dec-17 10:58 AM

Thank you @RaWolfe

2

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 10:58 AM

pets the doggo

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 11:00 AM

Looking forward to this next panel here too!

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 11:00 AM

Welcome everyone to "A Community of Universes!

This topic is directed mostly at those coming from fleets, but it can apply to individual simms as well. A Simm’s universe is a vast and wonderful place. It is easy, for the most part, to integrate the universes between two sims. But, by the time you get to five, ten, or fifty, it’s a challenge. What steps has your group taken to maintain and share the events from your shared universe?

3

I know for an organization like Bravo Fleet, it can be a massive challenge. Sims are coming and going all the time, same with it's player base.

Go ahead, @mynameisrayb

I hope I didn't cut you off.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 11:04 AM

One of the things we do is have a central place where all plots are able to share their happenings, which we do with a wiki. Also we have an in-character news forum where anyone can post the latest events from their RP as a news story.

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 11:06 AM

That's an excellent example, @[SARP] Wes

and I know you're doing a session on it later.

mynameisrayb 09-Dec-17 11:06 AM

In STF, our Gamemasters run the sims, so while we do have 6 fleets with 4-6 ships each, we have maybe 10-12 active gamemasters. Plus, we have a defined universe set in 2393, or post VOY. We try and use cannon as a base, but we don't allow the use of cannon characters or ships, unless it's the GM using them. So I thank our GMs for keeping us all in one piece. lol We also have various departments such as the Gamemaster Dept and Engineering Dept that keeps us up to date on the current ships, and simms.

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 11:07 AM

I know there are groups that like the interaction and interconnectivity. Bravo Fleet has managed to pull off both. For some of our sims, we just share a quadrant. For a group like our Task Force 93, they've got the challenge of maintaining the Romulan and Klingon Empires

Such actions require a lot of conversation and coordination.

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 11:07 AM

Yes it does

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 11:07 AM

What sort of platforms or techniques are required to keep everyone connected?

What works? What doesn't?

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 11:08 AM

What doesn't work is expecting people from one plot to read the events of all the other plots/RPs/ships in the fleet. That takes up too much time for them, so it's best to somehow get summarized notes to the group.

If tabletop, this would be basically your campaign log and note-taking.

Camila 09-Dec-17 11:09 AM

A well written wiki with an area for mission critical posts is very informative and helps new players find their way around an established sim and allows them to integrate better. Information on the various departments, missions, etc is far better than entering in blindly and hoping to find a place to fit in.

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 11:10 AM

As Task Force Commanding Officer of Task Force 93, I got in my hands as a half working product that had so many stories and opions that you could go mental. I used my personal experience as Humanresource employee (so my real life work does come handy lol) to get things clear and to a point. What I experienced over the year is that communication is the upmost importance and keep doing that with everything that is going on. your game masters have problems? Let them hear about it, let them know that you are there for them. Be supportive and involve them in the development of the stories.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 11:10 AM

And you want to start things with a quick recap of what's happening. "After the attack on the main depot, the isolated crew of the ship is forced to gather weapons and supplies from an old emergency outpost in the outer rim."

Camila 09-Dec-17 11:11 AM

Well said, @RaWolfe

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 11:12 AM

@RaWolfe is there a fine line between communication and dictating?

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 11:13 AM

I tried quite both to see what triggers a Gamemaster to do what is required, of course there are other values in play when it comes to communications. But the most focus is to keep that communication going, but dictating is a required evil and only use something like that if you really need it.

Elena 09-Dec-17 11:13 AM

I do monthly chronicles summarizing in a gossip media style what happened in each thread

Giving also the link to said thread for curious

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 11:15 AM

What format do you use to simm, @Elena?

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 11:16 AM

In a shared universe, events in one plot will affect events in other plots. So it's possible that the plans of one GM will be derailed by something outside of their plot. For this reason on Star Army we have a GM planning forum where all GM are required to post summaries of their future plot plans that way even if that happens, at least the affected GM will see it coming in advance and will have time to react and change their plans. Or sometimes they work out something so they don't pull out the carpet from under each other. "Is there a way you could use another planet instead?" "Sure!"

Elena 09-Dec-17 11:16 AM

I don;t simm. I roleplay. My site is on jcink (edited)

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 11:16 AM

Ahh jcink forums (Right?)

@[SARP] Wes yea we, bravo fleet, do monthly reports that the Gamemasters have to turn in every month. This is something I uses as tool to update the story lore, to see the status of the sim and help out where is needed.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 11:17 AM

Simming is basically roleplay, but it's a jargon that Star Trek roleplays use. I guess it could be argued that simming's goal is simulate life on a starship.

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 11:18 AM

True.

It's just the term I'm used to.

I'll try to stick with "write" moving forward.

Elena 09-Dec-17 11:18 AM

Yes, but simm is a videogame. Someone showed me. It is different from roleplaying

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 11:19 AM

All right. There are dirty words when it comes to Simm/game management, and this particular one begins with A. Activity. Not all games move at the same pace. What are the best ways to manage timelines between games, especially those that move at different paces?

Elena 09-Dec-17 11:20 AM

Fluid time and a boardwide calendar

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 11:20 AM

Could you elaborate that @Elena ? (edited)

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 11:20 AM

Well, the way I do it is I make GMs put it obviously what the expectations of pace are, that way all their players can be on the same page. Also they put how long you have to go before your character will get NPCed or dropped to keep the plot moving.

Elena 09-Dec-17 11:21 AM

This is the board calendar. It shows in story sequence each thread, how the story should be read. So people check it before starting a new thread, to know when their ship is on what island, what others do at the same time, etc. http://beforethemast.b1.jcink.com/index.php?showtopic=154

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 11:21 AM

@[SARP] Wes so sticking to the rules and moving the story?

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 11:21 AM

I don't agree that simming is videogaming. All the "simming" folks I know are posting on forums to play, or in SMS portals

Elena 09-Dec-17 11:22 AM

What I saw was video and still called sim.

Someone showed me.

And forums are RPG...

Not sure what SMS portals are.

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 11:22 AM

Guys, let's not argue about what a "simm" is. Each group has its own terminology. We are here to focus on the craft of roleplaying.

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 11:22 AM

Simulation Management System

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 11:22 AM

Blackwolf: You basically got to keep the train rolling. If you wait forever for everyone dude to post, your plot can only move as the slowest place, who may never actually post.

1

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 11:23 AM

Oh I totally agree with that @[SARP] Wes but what is a reasonable waiting time?

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 11:23 AM

So, @[SARP] Wes, how long is too long?

Elena 09-Dec-17 11:23 AM

And also, given the board calendar, people can start a thread in the current month and in any past month, but not in the next months. This is called fluid time. (edited)

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 11:23 AM

Before you skipp them

heh @[22] greenfelt reads my mind haha

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 11:23 AM

he does.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 11:23 AM

SMS is kind of like a content management system but oriented for running a star trek ship plot. You can post RP posts and it keeps track of the crew roster, etc.

Elena 09-Dec-17 11:24 AM

Like Nova?

[22] MBremer/K'Temoc 09-Dec-17 11:24 AM

Yes

mynameisrayb 09-Dec-17 11:24 AM

We generally hold sims in Pre-Sim, Post-Sim, Alt Timeline, or current.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 11:24 AM

Exactly like Nova.

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 11:24 AM

Oh, that's interesting, @mynameisrayb. How's that work?

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 11:25 AM

Greenfelt: The GM and players should agree as a group on some frequency that works for them.

Say, one post a week, for an example

I used to do once every two days for my RP but it's slowed down so it's been adjusted.

mynameisrayb 09-Dec-17 11:26 AM

So far it works okay, but it's mainly used for side sims, since our main sim is always held in current time

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 11:27 AM

My universe has a special calendar (315 day Yamataian calendar) but our years line up 1-to-1 with IRL

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 11:27 AM

"Slowed down" Ain't that the awful truth.

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 11:28 AM

Activity, if I look at the USS Tornado is something I use the rules as force hand (like @[SARP] Wes said, after one week not posting you get a warning or something) and I would use plot twist to keep the story interesting, but also allow my players to give their input or rather freedom to change the plot to a certain hight

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 11:28 AM

It's only slowed down because I have too many players so it's a herculean task to make GM posts and respond to them all, and because I spend so much time adminning and putting out fires that it cuts into my RP writing time.

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 11:28 AM

Here's my next question, and this is something that I've seen groups struggle with. You might have, say, 3 games working on three different angles on a joint storyline. One sim stalls out and dies. What happens with the abandoned plotline?

Elena 09-Dec-17 11:28 AM

For us it has slowed down since we have remained a few and they are busy in real life.

mynameisrayb 09-Dec-17 11:29 AM

I'm not sure I've ever had to worry about a sim dying, unless the command crew or GM just weren't active

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 11:29 AM

Some staffer will have to basically come in and take control of the abadoned parts or the RP.

Elena 09-Dec-17 11:29 AM

We sink the ship

The survivors get reassigned

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 11:29 AM

On group level I would say that I as Gamemaster would addept towards the story and see what can be salavage. On TF level I would try to relocated the story to another location, as @Elena said, reassign them

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 11:30 AM

Yeah, that can be an effective way of eliminating loose baggage, I had one guy go inactive in the middle of a firefight so I simply blew his character's brains out all over the active PCs

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 11:30 AM

Gross, yet effective.

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 11:30 AM

Talk about plottwist

Griff 09-Dec-17 11:30 AM

Blimey Wes, that’s brilliant.

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 11:30 AM

LOL

Elena 09-Dec-17 11:31 AM

Yes, I had people killed, kidnapped, reassigned and sent home, wounded and sent to hospital to recover, etc

mynameisrayb 09-Dec-17 11:31 AM

now that is nice lol

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 11:31 AM

The sad part is, even though this is a hobby, real life happens to us all.

No one, when they step up to run a game, ever anticipates that they might have a major life change in 6-12 months after they start.

mynameisrayb 09-Dec-17 11:32 AM

We try not to kill characters unless they're npc, since we have people that leave and return

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 11:32 AM

I like that method, @Elena

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 11:32 AM

@Elena getting hit by a cannon ball does really apply to you

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 11:32 AM

The standard practice is to send the inactive character on some other assignment, like going to a training school or having to go help on some specialized task.

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 11:32 AM

In fact, we in Bravo Fleet have a policy. Characters are property of the player, not the sim/game or the GM. Therefore, if the player leaves, the character is just written out.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 11:32 AM

Like "Oh, Johnson? He got assigned to load boxes at the depot. Sucks." (edited)

Elena 09-Dec-17 11:32 AM

@[SARP] Wes , soimetimes that works, sometimes that doesn't. And battles need plot fodder too

When it doesn't work (eg pirates, privateers, who aren't functioning like Navy with reassigning and so), killed/ lost at sea/ kidnapped/ etc works better

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 11:33 AM

Stuck in box land

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 11:33 AM

Amazon Warehouse!

2

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 11:34 AM

Nope! A Star Army one!

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 11:34 AM

Star Amazon?

Camila 09-Dec-17 11:34 AM

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 11:35 AM

All right, Trekkies, Trekkers... It’s time to mention the Dirty “C” word… canon. Since 2002, we have not seen anything “new” on screen. How do you map out and continue a universe fifteen years after CBS’s last visual aid?

mynameisrayb 09-Dec-17 11:36 AM

While STF is based on canon, our ships aren't canon, they're player made

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 11:36 AM

This also applies on other Genres, well Star Wars aside...they are getting enough canon stuff

mynameisrayb 09-Dec-17 11:36 AM

https://www.star-fleet.com/webb/node/757159 <--- the ship I created

Its_Louis 09-Dec-17 11:36 AM

Indeed STF If a wonderful place @mynameisrayb

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 11:36 AM

Greenfelt: What about Star Trek Discovery?

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 11:37 AM

@[SARP] Wes for the purposes of this discussion, we'll be sticking to the post-TNG universe

Camila 09-Dec-17 11:37 AM

I like to make small introductions to new technology considering the fact that Starfleet should always be advancing. I feel that stagnation for the sake of canon limits what Starfleet is all about. The old argument of "It's not canon" puts players inside a box considering how long it's been since the last major movie came out in the Prime Timeline.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 11:37 AM

Okay, Star Trek Online added some canon.

"soft" canon

(Also the novel tie-in, Needs of the Many)

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 11:39 AM

The trouble I've always had with STO is that I have terrible internet.

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 11:39 AM

A good example is the community of Mass Effect, they had to wait quite a bit for new material but life there continued. Plots were created, factions were build or lost, wars errupted and resolved later on. The only thing that did not really change is the fact that the map did not change that much.

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 11:39 AM

So, as a viewer, I find it difficult to accept STO as canon because I have no way to play, watch or experience its events.

Carde 09-Dec-17 11:40 AM

I always moved on with the thoughts of warming relations between the Federation and the Star Empire which in turn would cool the realtions a bit with the Klingons leaving it all in a very complicated state of things.

Camila 09-Dec-17 11:40 AM

@[22] greenfelt, at the same time, you have access to their wiki and what they've been introducing. Aren't you tempted to use some of that for your game(s)?

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 11:41 AM

While I have access to it, STO's gameplay begins in 2409. My sim is set in 2388.

Carde 09-Dec-17 11:41 AM

As for STO I ingore the whole thing and shall not go into it more than that for I shall simply rant which does not benefit this discussion at all.

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 11:41 AM

Still, let's circle back to the question... How do you map out and continue a universe fifteen years after CBS’s last visual aid?

I know @mynameisrayb gave a great example earlier.

How do you come to such conclusions/advancements there?

And how far, as a group, do you allow things to "grow"?

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 11:43 AM

Lots of discussion, sounds bad I know but having feedback from your community is the best thing you can do in regards of let say Discovery. You can set the stone, but in the end it is the community that requires to play in such universe

Sepandiyar 09-Dec-17 11:43 AM

its something we're honestly working on ourselves. So curious to see how others are doing it.

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 11:43 AM

For example

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 11:43 AM

I'm definitely trying to save a few things for the "Star Trek: Beyond Nemesis" discussion.

So I'm trying to tread lightly for now

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 11:44 AM

It would be good to have a summary of what's happened in your universe since then.

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 11:44 AM

I know, one resource that's been essential for Bravo Fleet has been a shared repository of information: Our Infobase.

We've spent a lot of time this year cleaning up a massive mess with our history and making it presentable.

Sepandiyar 09-Dec-17 11:45 AM

Has anyone had luck just redefining points of emphasis and letting folks run with that. A sort of rough framework that they can color in the lines on?

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 11:47 AM

In TF93 I had four different plots, that effected about 12 groups. I had to reorder and revision those to get a focus and grip of what was going on. So the first thing is to have a solid foot on the ground of what you want to play in. I gave a rundown towards my gamemasters and stated that they can choose what they find ....attractive and got potential for years to come. 3/4 made it out in that poll. The second phase is to get your players involved in the development of those stories, what I did was to make arc teams that focus on each story and give them the general task to expand that lore, create things and go from there. Plus every story that every group is doing, I add towards the task force lore. It is a heavy job and it weary, but if I look at the results I am very glad with it. Does that help a bit @Sepandiyar ?

mynameisrayb 09-Dec-17 11:48 AM

We still use the most updated map from canon, then add where our fleets are based off the types of sims we do. (example, Infinite fleet would be between the romulan and klingon border)

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 11:50 AM

@mynameisrayb that is a good way of keeping it stable and going. What other ways can you put active to get this going? I mean are there other methods that already stated that helps in keeping a story going?

Sepandiyar 09-Dec-17 11:50 AM

That does. @RaWolfe Thanks.

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 11:50 AM

@Sepandiyar I am still busy with that process (year further haha)

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 11:52 AM

We're winding down for the hour... does anyone have a question they'd like to ask?

mynameisrayb 09-Dec-17 11:53 AM

of course, our sims now tend to meet new species that aren't canon. For instance, the Flea'tan or Rec'tel

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 11:53 AM

I think developing new species are vital to expanding the universe.

You can't keep reusing the same ones.

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 11:54 AM

@mynameisrayb are they minor powers or rather a fleet plot?

mynameisrayb 09-Dec-17 11:55 AM

We'll these species are used from fleet to fleet, but they are added to our species database as to make them official

1

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 11:56 AM

Very cool.

We're running out of time everyone? Any last comments or questions?

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 11:56 AM

Thank youf or the wonderful host of this session @[22] greenfelt

and everyone for their contribution to this :3

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 11:57 AM

Agreed! This has been fantastic!

Again, 24-48 hours after the event, chat logs will be posted for all to read.

1

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 11:57 AM

Take a few extra minutes if you need to

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 11:57 AM

Thank you all for participating.

We've got an overflow room too, @CaptRavenfall.

Our moderator for the Trivia session is going to be a little late. I'll be starting this in a moment as soon as I access the questions.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:02 PM

Oh, I got them

Standby...energizing

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 12:02 PM

Sweet!

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 12:02 PM

I'm ready to lead thiz

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:02 PM

Everyone ready?

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 12:03 PM

I have them keyed and ready

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:03 PM

3

2

1

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 12:03 PM

..........

Space.

The Final Frontier.

These are the wait periods for the Star Trek: Trivia Session.

Our mission...

To answer questions.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:03 PM

In the epsidode "The Man Trap," what is the creature attempting to extract from the crew's bodies?

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 12:03 PM

To seek out alternatives and rare factoids....

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:04 PM

salt

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 12:04 PM

To nerdly answer what no one has answered before....

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:04 PM

Jme!

Scores: JME 1

Question 2:

Man, this dang excel spreadsheet is trying to paste as a photo

TSCN 09-Dec-17 12:05 PM

Lol

[22] MBremer/K'Temoc 09-Dec-17 12:05 PM

What is true

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 12:05 PM

I got it Wes

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:05 PM

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 12:05 PM

....

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:05 PM

The only Enterprise crewmember Charlie X respects and will listen to is whom?

[22] MBremer/K'Temoc 09-Dec-17 12:06 PM

Janice Rand

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:06 PM

Janie Rand

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:06 PM

My answer sheet has a different answer

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 12:07 PM

That is correct try again

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:07 PM

Possibly Kirk

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:07 PM

Kirk! JME

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:08 PM

I guess love interest =/= respect >.<

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 12:08 PM

Wes keep up with the correct answers and let's work together

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:08 PM

By the way, I looked over these and they're all TOS questions so put your Spock red visors on

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:08 PM

nice

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 12:08 PM

Thy are all season one tos

[GEC] Kai1701E 09-Dec-17 12:08 PM

Im out then.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:08 PM

Scores: JME 2

3. In the pilot episode, "Where No Man Has Gone Before," Captain Kirk's middle initial is listed as what?

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:08 PM

R

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:09 PM

Shayne gets a point!

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:09 PM

Oh there's Shayne >.>

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:09 PM

Scores: JME 2, Shayne 1

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:09 PM

Woot.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:09 PM

The events of "The Naked Time" were repeated in a future episode of what later Star Trek series?

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:09 PM

Next Generation

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:09 PM

The Next Generation.

Dangit.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:10 PM

JME got it first

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:10 PM

Quick fingers, there.

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:10 PM

I'm usually the one writing the questions

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:10 PM

Scores: JME killing it with 3, Shayne of the Slow Fingers with 1

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:10 PM

Indeed.

Ouch!

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:10 PM

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:10 PM

Now it's on.

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:10 PM

Player Three has entered the match.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:10 PM

In "The Enemy Within," Kirk is split into two Kirks, a one and a _ one.

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:10 PM

female and male

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:10 PM

Good and evil

?

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 12:11 PM

Shayne

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:11 PM

Shayne

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:11 PM

oh, man, wrong episode

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:11 PM

Meek and aggressive.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:11 PM

Scores: JME 3, Shayne 2

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:11 PM

@Griff I'd take that too.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:11 PM

6. In "Mudd's Women," what does the Venus Drug do?

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:11 PM

Makes them look younger

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:11 PM

make people seem more beautiful

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:12 PM

Make someone more susceptible to seduction.

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:12 PM

I'd give that to Jme, if it were up to me.

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:12 PM

...But yeah, Jme is right.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:12 PM

I think I got to go with Jme's answer, technically

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:12 PM

Agreed.

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:12 PM

::doffs cap::

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:12 PM

Score: JME 4, Shayne 2

In "What are Little Girls Made Of," we first see this type of cybernetic being in the Star Trek universe.

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:12 PM

Android

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:13 PM

Android

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:13 PM

DIng!

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:13 PM

android

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:13 PM

Bugger.

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:13 PM

::Cracks fingers.:: Slow indeed.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:13 PM

Score: JME 4, Shayne 3

In "Miri," the crew finds a planet inhabited entirely by what?

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:13 PM

Children

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:13 PM

Right!

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:13 PM

he got it. I'm not even going for it ::chuckle::

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:13 PM

::Doffs cap.::

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:13 PM

Score: Jme 4, Shayne 4 (edited)

3

2

1

In "Dagger of the Mind," Spock employs what special Vulcan move for the second time?

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:14 PM

Nerve pinch

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:14 PM

vulcan nerve pince

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:14 PM

Right

Score: JME 4, Shayne 5

3

2

1

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:15 PM

Bloomin ipad...slow as hell..

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:15 PM

In "The Corbomite Maneuver," Balok is played by Clinton Howard, brother of what famous director?

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:15 PM

ron howartd

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:15 PM

Ron howard

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:15 PM

howard

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:15 PM

Confound it!

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:15 PM

What do you guys think, should I take the typo one?

lol

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:15 PM

I’d say yes.

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:15 PM

Yes.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:15 PM

Ron Hogwarts

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:15 PM

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:15 PM

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:15 PM

You're a wizard, Ron.

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:16 PM

yes!

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:16 PM

Score: JME 5, Shayne 5

3

2

1

What crewmember hijacks the Enterprise in "The Menagerie"?

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:16 PM

Spock

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:16 PM

Spock

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:16 PM

Spock

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:16 PM

Right. Point to Shayne for getting it first

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:16 PM

oh now we have Rich in on this? >.>

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:16 PM

Score: JME 5, Shayne 6

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:16 PM

After I figured out my time zone conversion...

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:17 PM

Twice the challenge, double the glory.

Also, hi!

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:17 PM

Stressful. This is why I write the questions.

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:17 PM

hi!

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:17 PM

3

2

1

In "The Conscience of the King," the former leader of a massacre is now leading a what?

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:17 PM

theatre troupe

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:17 PM

Shakespeare company

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:17 PM

Ma fingers! De failed me.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:17 PM

JME

Rahman is right too

Score: JME 6, Shayne 6

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:18 PM

Jme was more concise

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:18 PM

3

2

1

In "Balance of Terror," we first see this technology later commonly used by both the Klingons and the Romulans.

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:18 PM

Cloaking device

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:18 PM

cloaking device

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:18 PM

Cloaking devic

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:18 PM

Cloaking devic

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:19 PM

Cloaking cervix

Wait...no...

1

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:19 PM

The same exact typo. Now that's a new one.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:19 PM

Rahman!

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:19 PM

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:19 PM

"Hit enter! hit enter faster!"

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:19 PM

Score: JME 6, Shayne 6, Rahman 1

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:19 PM

I'm coming after you JME

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:19 PM

::Sniff.::

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:19 PM

3

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:19 PM

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:19 PM

2

1

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:19 PM

You too Shayne

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:19 PM

In "Shore Leave," which series regular is killed only to be brought back to life?

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:20 PM

Mccoy

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:20 PM

Ding

Score: JME 6, Shayne 7, Rahman 1

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:20 PM

I was about to write scotty and then realized that was another episode.

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:20 PM

yeah, Apollo shot him

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:20 PM

I wonder if nearly every TOS character has died at some point

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:21 PM

Yup.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:21 PM

3

2

1

In the episode of same name, what shuttle named after a famous astronomer is featured prominently?

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:21 PM

Gallieo

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:21 PM

The galeloe seve

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:21 PM

Galileo

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:21 PM

galieo

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:21 PM

JME!

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:21 PM

What did I write?!

1

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:21 PM

Grr. I don’t stand a chance on a tablet.

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:22 PM

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:22 PM

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:22 PM

Score: JME 7, Shayne 7, Rahman 1

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:24 PM

I have a relatively obscure TOS question to put to you folks, if you like.

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:24 PM

Shoot.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:24 PM

3

2

1

The video game "Star Trek: Judgment Rites" was based off of what character from the episode "The Squire of Gothos"?

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:24 PM

Trelane

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:24 PM

Trelane

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:24 PM

Trelane

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:24 PM

NO!

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:24 PM

Rahman!

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:24 PM

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:24 PM

Hahah

The NOOOO is real

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:24 PM

Dangit, Rahman! You're making me look bad in front of people!

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:24 PM

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:25 PM

If Rahman enters a pool, does he use a Rhaman noodle?

1

Score: JME 7, Shayne 7, Rahman 2

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:25 PM

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:25 PM

::Dies slightly inside.::

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:25 PM

Watch out Shayne, you do too good and you're writing the questions in June

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 12:25 PM

wes any more questions?

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:25 PM

3

2

1

In what episode do we first see the Gorn?

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:25 PM

Arena

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:25 PM

Arena

POO.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:26 PM

I got 28, Raven

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:26 PM

So close...

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:26 PM

@Jme You wouldn't subject SB118 to that level of terror and frustration, would you?

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:26 PM

Score: JME 7, Shayne 8, Rahman 2

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:26 PM

@Griff Very close indeed!

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:26 PM

3

2

1

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:26 PM

although chronologically enterprise

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:26 PM

What type of celestial body sends the Enterprise hurling back in time in "Tomorrow is Yesterday"?

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:26 PM

Black hole

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:26 PM

Gateway of tomorrow

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:27 PM

Black hole

?

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:27 PM

::scratches head::

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:27 PM

Black star... or something? Memory hazy.

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:27 PM

...Guardiab if Forever

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:27 PM

Shayne!

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:27 PM

*Guardian of Forever.

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 12:27 PM

if terror and frustrastion is what you want come visit my ship

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:27 PM

...Eh?

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:27 PM

Score: JME 7, Shayne 9, Rahman 2

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:27 PM

Wait so was it black star?

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:27 PM

Wait, hang on!

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:27 PM

it was Black star

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:27 PM

or black hole? Griff got that one@

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:28 PM

Yeah. Odd, huh?

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:28 PM

Oh

wow

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:28 PM

that was the one where a jet dissapears.

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:28 PM

that's not a real thing is it?

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:28 PM

yeah, all the episodes are mixing together

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:28 PM

3

2

1

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:28 PM

But...:(

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:28 PM

In "Court Martial," who is on trial?

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:28 PM

Kirk

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:28 PM

Kirk

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:28 PM

Kirk

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:28 PM

Kirk

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:28 PM

Shayne!

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:28 PM

NOOOOO

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:28 PM

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:28 PM

It's turn for the NOOOOO

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:29 PM

Score: JME 7, Shayne 10, Rahman 2

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:29 PM

Shouldn't have called me slow fingers.

2

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:29 PM

3

2

1

In "Return of the Archons," the crew find a society controlled by what entity?

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:29 PM

Landru

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:29 PM

Computer

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:29 PM

JME

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:29 PM

YES

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:29 PM

@Jme Nice one!

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:29 PM

Score: JME 8, Shayne 10, Rahman 2

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:30 PM

Aw. I should’ve gotten a point for the black hole one. Ah well.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:30 PM

3

2

1

In "Space Seed," what planet are Khan and his followers left on?

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:30 PM

Ceti Alpha V

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:30 PM

Ceti Alpha 5

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:30 PM

Score: JME 8, Shayne 10, Rahman 3

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:31 PM

Hold on one second.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:31 PM

OK

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:31 PM

I don't mean to interrupt, but was Griff supposed to get a point?

I just want to make sure there's no confusion.

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 12:31 PM

yes

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:31 PM

WORKING computer voice

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:31 PM

Computed, dear.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:32 PM

No, Shayne was the first to say Black Star. (edited)

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:32 PM

Ceti Alpha 6 exploded, five months after we were left here...

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:32 PM

Back on earth, 300 years ago, I was a prince...

::trumpets::

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:32 PM

with power over millions

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:33 PM

Hmm. Okay, then. Never mind. Sorry for interrupting.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:33 PM

Tekken voice Get Ready For the Next Battle

3

2

1

In "A Taste of Armageddon," the people of Eminiar VII have made what neat and clean?

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:33 PM

War

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:33 PM

War

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:33 PM

suicide

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:33 PM

War

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:33 PM

@Jme That too

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:33 PM

GRR! SHAYNE!!!!!!!!

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:33 PM

1

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:33 PM

Rahman coming form behind with the rising score (edited)

Score: JME 8, Shayne 10, Rahman 4

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:33 PM

wait, I think shayne got that one

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:34 PM

By a hair.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:34 PM

Oh damn, it was so fast even I missed it

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:34 PM

Sorry!

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:34 PM

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:34 PM

Score: JME 8, Shayne 11, Rahman 3

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:34 PM

so. fast.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:34 PM

3

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:34 PM

We'll rename him the Flash

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:34 PM

2

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:34 PM

Sincere thanks for spotting that and being a sport, @Rahman

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:34 PM

1

In "This Side of Paradise," what character falls in love?

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:34 PM

SPock

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:34 PM

Spock

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:34 PM

Spcok

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:35 PM

Shayne

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:35 PM

must... type... faster... and more accurate...

1

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:35 PM

I didn’t have a clue on that one.

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:35 PM

Sp-cok! Vulcan chicken noise.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:35 PM

Score: JME 8, Shayne 12, Rahman 3

3

2

1

"The Devil in the Dark" is which Star Trek actor's favorite episode?

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:35 PM

walter koenig

Wraith754 09-Dec-17 12:35 PM

mark hamill

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:35 PM

Shatner

William Shatner.

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:36 PM

Leonard Nimoy?

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:36 PM

Deforest Kelly

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:36 PM

Shayne

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:36 PM

huh

Wraith754 09-Dec-17 12:36 PM

takei

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:36 PM

did not know that

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:36 PM

Fair play, I was guessing.

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:36 PM

Very difficult to understand why that's true- his father died during its filming.

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:36 PM

It's a good episode

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:36 PM

A phenominal episode.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:36 PM

Score: JME 8, Shayne 13, Rahman 3

3

2

1

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:37 PM

I am determined to get at least one point.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:37 PM

In "Errand of Mercy," the Organian Peace Treaty is signed between the Federation and who?

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:37 PM

Klingons

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:37 PM

Klingons

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:37 PM

Klingon Empire

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:37 PM

Kilimgkns

...What the heck did I type?

2

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:37 PM

aww, poor griff, I know you're trying brotha

2

Score: JME 8, Shayne 14, Rahman 3

3

2

1

In the "Alternative Factor," what guest character enters in and out of the universe?

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:38 PM

Lan-something or other.

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:38 PM

Hmmm

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:38 PM

Lazarus

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:38 PM

JME

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:38 PM

That's what it was!

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:38 PM

Nice.

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:38 PM

Well done.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:38 PM

Score: JME 9, Shayne 14, Rahman 3

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 12:39 PM

@Shayne is on fire!

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:39 PM

Ah! Put it out!

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:39 PM

3

2

1

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:39 PM

But being on fire is generally...bad.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:39 PM

In "Operation: Annihilate!," what is Captain's Kirk's brother's name?

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:39 PM

samuel

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:39 PM

Sam

Wraith754 09-Dec-17 12:39 PM

gerorge

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:40 PM

Shaaaaaaaaayne

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:40 PM

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:40 PM

No! I feel so bad!

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:40 PM

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:40 PM

Griff freaking had it.

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:40 PM

I mean...Sam is short for Samuel...:(

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:40 PM

Curse these fingers!!!

True!

Wraith754 09-Dec-17 12:40 PM

could of swore it was goerge jr

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:40 PM

Give it to Griff- it would have taken me longer to type the full name.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:40 PM

Score: JME 9

, Shayne 15

, Rahman 3

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:40 PM

[RPGW] beeman 09-Dec-17 12:41 PM

GG!

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:41 PM

w00t w00t!

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:41 PM

YAY

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 12:41 PM

i have a few more questions to keep us busy for the remainder of our session

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:41 PM

That's all I got for now, but if you want more trivia @CaptRavenfall has some more questions!

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:41 PM

I had a great deal of fun! Thank you for making this possible!Still think that last point should go to Griff.

No offense

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:41 PM

Thank you so much for organizing the game!

I'm off to see what's going on in the other room

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:42 PM

Indeed- extremely enjoyable!

Rahman 09-Dec-17 12:42 PM

congrats, Shayne

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:42 PM

It doesn’t really matter Shayne, but thanks anyway.

And congrats.

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 12:42 PM

no ones staying for the remainder of our time

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:42 PM

Thank you both kindly.

Good game.

Jme 09-Dec-17 12:42 PM

Thank you for the trivia!

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 12:42 PM

i have more

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:43 PM

http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/George_Samuel_Kirk

George Samuel Kirk

George Samuel Kirk was a male Human scientist in the 23rd century. He was married to Aurelan and they had three sons, including Peter. His brother was Starfleet Captain James T. Kirk, who was the...

1

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:43 PM

Oh.

That changes things.

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:43 PM

We were both wrong.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:43 PM

Soooo...someone gave me the wrong answer on my sheet, eh?

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:43 PM

That's right! He calls him Sam, but only Kirk does that.

@Griff Guess we were.

Who woulda thunk it?

Court Martial now in session.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:44 PM

I hereby declare all you guys to be winners

(edited)

1

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:44 PM

D'aw.

Thank you very much for running this, @[SARP] Wes

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 12:44 PM

who was the first captain of the Enterprise N.C.C-1701?

Wraith754 09-Dec-17 12:45 PM

pike

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:45 PM

Thanks for coming to Fallfest! It means a lot to see this many people give their time to be here today.

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 12:45 PM

nope

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:45 PM

April

Wraith754 09-Dec-17 12:45 PM

christopher pike

Stephen Hunter UK 09-Dec-17 12:45 PM

Thanks

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:45 PM

Here’s a potentially tricky one.

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:45 PM

@[SARP] Wes Nice one.

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:46 PM

Which Constitution class starship was crewed entirely by Vulcans?

Wraith754 09-Dec-17 12:46 PM

exeter

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:46 PM

Intrepid (?)

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 12:46 PM

Next session is in 15 minutes! You can of course discussion the Trivia further here or join the discussion in #ffvii-room-two . Maybe you want to get some tast of some weird ass live rping in #ffvii-live-rp !

Griff 09-Dec-17 12:46 PM

Yup, Wes.

Wraith754 09-Dec-17 12:46 PM

......

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:47 PM

Right again, @[SARP] Wes

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 12:47 PM

Why was Dr. Crusher's son called Wesley?

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:47 PM

His father

Wraith754 09-Dec-17 12:47 PM

bleh going back to star wars not good at trivia

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 12:48 PM

no it was Gene Roddenberry's middle name

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:48 PM

Oh...

Intriguing.

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 12:49 PM

Who was the command of Star base 11 when spock hijacked the Enterprise in order to return Captain Pike to talosIV?

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:50 PM

Mendez

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:50 PM

Commodore Stone

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:50 PM

Commodore, Jose I.

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 12:50 PM

shayne

[IDF] Charles Star 09-Dec-17 12:50 PM

my plan finally landed... only an hour late.

but clearly you all didn't need me!

Shayne 09-Dec-17 12:50 PM

Stone was Court Martial.

@[IDF] Charles Star Hello!

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 12:50 PM

yay hugs

[IDF] Charles Star 09-Dec-17 12:50 PM

thanks to Ravenfall and Wes for covering for me!!!

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:50 PM

Np

[IDF] Charles Star 09-Dec-17 12:52 PM

and it seems you know more about Star Trek ToS than I do anyway!

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 12:52 PM

Mark Leard was the first actor in Star trek History to protray three non-human race?

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:52 PM

Vulcan

Wraith754 09-Dec-17 12:52 PM

vulcan klingon romulan

1

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:52 PM

The question was a bit confusing

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 12:53 PM

sorry i finished my thought but forgot to write it down

What is the maiden name of Spocks mother

Wraith754 09-Dec-17 12:53 PM

grayson

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 12:54 PM

what is the name of Kirk's home town? We know he is from Iowa

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:54 PM

Riverside (edited)

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 12:55 PM

correct

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:55 PM

http://i43.tinypic.com/xp6jqh.gif

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 12:56 PM

Which of the following characters has not worn the blue from the science divison?

A - Paris B- Seska C- Chakotay D-Janeway

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:56 PM

A

[IDF] Charles Star 09-Dec-17 12:56 PM

Janeway

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 12:57 PM

both are wrong

[IDF] Charles Star 09-Dec-17 12:57 PM

B!

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:57 PM

Janeway was a scientist, though, in her background

b

c

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 12:57 PM

C is correct

[IDF] Charles Star 09-Dec-17 12:57 PM

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:57 PM

Brute forcing the answers lol

[IDF] Charles Star 09-Dec-17 12:57 PM

it's one way to do it!

1

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 12:58 PM

we have time for one more question before the next event so lets make it a good one

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 12:58 PM

Who's that pretty Japanese yeoman?

[GEC] Kai1701E 09-Dec-17 12:59 PM

Me

Deleted User 09-Dec-17 12:59 PM

Hoshi

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 12:59 PM

What is the Borg species designation of humans?

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 01:00 PM

The answer to mine was Tamura http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/Tamura (edited)

Tamura

Yeoman Tamura was a female Human Starfleet enlisted crewmember in the 23rd century. She served in the operations division aboard the USS Enterprise in 2267 under the command of Captain James T...

2

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 01:00 PM

facepalms no comment

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 01:00 PM

Species 5618

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 01:00 PM

that is correct

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 01:01 PM

1

Fantastic Trivia round everyone.

Now I want to read about Tamura...

1

Jme 09-Dec-17 01:01 PM

great trivia session

3

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 01:01 PM

It's time now for "The Future Of Simming"...

Since this came up earlier, I need to offer a disclaimer.

Each group/organization has its own terms.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 01:02 PM

In before "X fleet IS the future of simming."

1

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 01:02 PM

For the purposes of this discussion.... Simming refers to the art of online role-playing.

It can be called Sims, Simms, RPs, Games, Sessions, etc.

Let's begin.

The internet is a young child, but the art of simming, or role-playing, is much, much older. From books and dice, to number generators, to keyboards and mice, the craft has transcended modern media.

But have the tools of the trade kept up with the modern world? For instance, when I started in 2003, SMS was beginning to float around, but my first experience was with SmartGroups, which has long been defunct.

In the last ten years, thanks to the smart phone, the digital landscape has transformed to fit our pockets. Has the craft made this transition?

Stephen 09-Dec-17 01:04 PM

I think it has, I know that each of the sims I run are designed to be as mobile friendly as possible. Which comes in handy when traveling. Plus those who prefer the good ole email route now has it everywhere they go.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 01:04 PM

I think an ideal scenario would be to have a setup where people's phones get a push notification when their buddies make an RP post.

3

Stephen Hunter UK 09-Dec-17 01:04 PM

That's a good idea

Jme 09-Dec-17 01:05 PM

I think as technology adaps we're going to find better, easier and different ways of communicating. But some people will want to also have options that are more old fashioned.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 01:05 PM

I want to set this up for my forum very soon.

Stephen Hunter UK 09-Dec-17 01:05 PM

Email notifications are standard on many forums

Jme 09-Dec-17 01:05 PM

An example of this is the Nova system (I think that's what's its called, been years since I played a Nova-simm) where the system charts characters, alerts players to new additions to posts and so on

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 01:05 PM

I think that it's be great to rely less on emails as the email service is a third party between you and the player and your emails face competition for attention with all the rest of their emails.

1

Stephen Hunter UK 09-Dec-17 01:06 PM

Not if you sort your emails correctly

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 01:06 PM

@Jme yes Nova System (the old SMS system) gives you a email alert that a new edit was made

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 01:06 PM

The point is you shouldn't have to go through emails to reach your player, you should be able to make notifications directly the way apps and Facebook does.

Stephen Hunter UK 09-Dec-17 01:07 PM

True

Jme 09-Dec-17 01:07 PM

Nova didn't exist when I first started playing in cough 1996 cough

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 01:07 PM

As I mentioned earlier, I "grew up" with Smart Groups, which was an email list. I'd love to simply be able to reply to an email to add to a post, not log into a forum or site to tag.

Jme 09-Dec-17 01:07 PM

I remember when it first came on the scene and players were all "OMGz, it ALERTS US!!1!"

Stephen Hunter UK 09-Dec-17 01:07 PM

@[SARP] Wes Tapatalk?

lola 09-Dec-17 01:07 PM

I think its massively important to keep your RP fresh and updated in all areas, newer people arent attracted to sites that look like it's still the 1990s.

2

STF,RAdmSalmon 09-Dec-17 01:07 PM

At Star-fleet, we use a bulletin Board style apparoach where each post comes after one another.

1

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 01:07 PM

@Jme back in those days it was called Yahoo and AIM groups

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 01:07 PM

Tapatalk is Satan.

1

Stephen 09-Dec-17 01:07 PM

That would be cool, I know that when we post a new post we have notifications on our discord channels that a post has been added. Is there something that could pull from a "hook" when edits are made in Nova?

Jme 09-Dec-17 01:07 PM

Oh yeah. Ah, the Yahoo groups.

Stephen 09-Dec-17 01:08 PM

I used to use Tapatalk religiously before forums really became mobile friendly.

STF,RAdmSalmon 09-Dec-17 01:08 PM

We're actually in the process of making a transition to making the site more mobile friendly with a whole new platform.

[SB118] Rahman 09-Dec-17 01:08 PM

StarBase 118 was on Yahoo groups when I first joined back in 2010

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 01:08 PM

Discord has been a great method to bring RP communities together. It has replaced things like Teamspeak and IRC.

Jme 09-Dec-17 01:08 PM

Even with e-mail based Simms, you can benefit from having a good forum, a chat interface, a wiki, a website

Stephen 09-Dec-17 01:08 PM

Slack is also amazing!

[SB118] Rahman 09-Dec-17 01:08 PM

looking back, I don't know how we managed for so long using it... horrible interface

Jme 09-Dec-17 01:08 PM

true, even yahoo and google groups were advancements, The first simms I played had mailing lists

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 01:09 PM

oops

Stephen 09-Dec-17 01:09 PM

We used Slack for a while in my group however the price for the premimum membership and having a log of chat that doesn't disappear after 10,000 was ridiculously expensive and by member and not server.

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 01:09 PM

@STF,RAdmSalmon new platform?

Jme 09-Dec-17 01:09 PM

And Discord is great. I can tabletop roleplay now with friends in different states or countries! This was something I thought was fantasy 10 years ago

lola 09-Dec-17 01:09 PM

Discord is massively helpful, totally changing the game

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 01:09 PM

I love Discord.

Stephen Hunter UK 09-Dec-17 01:09 PM

Discord is great

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 01:10 PM

Being able to chat with other players before committing text to posts... it helps a lot.

Jme 09-Dec-17 01:10 PM

But what I find profound about that is it bring people together with fantastic technology - but the players are still using pen and paper.

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 01:10 PM

Of course there was always IRC and other systems... but Discord just makes it so easy.

STF,RAdmSalmon 09-Dec-17 01:10 PM

Yes. We're using a framework called Drupal as the structure of our site.

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 01:10 PM

Very interesting.

Jme 09-Dec-17 01:10 PM

I think we'll see something similar in simms. There will be players who still like e-mail or forum format; but they want bells and whistles to connect them even though they're using an old fashioned gaming medium

STF,RAdmSalmon 09-Dec-17 01:10 PM

In the next 8 months, we're going to be moving to a new system that's being called Exodus.

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 01:10 PM

Quick poll... what does everyone use? Forums? Nova/SMS? Email? Private systems?

Exodus?

lola 09-Dec-17 01:11 PM

Forums

Jme 09-Dec-17 01:11 PM

Email

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 01:11 PM

Nova/SMS for me

Jme 09-Dec-17 01:11 PM

Or E-mail/Google groups

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 01:11 PM

Nova/SMS

STF,RAdmSalmon 09-Dec-17 01:11 PM

that's what our TECH department (site management) calls the new update.

Stephen 09-Dec-17 01:11 PM

Nova, though I used to love forums.

Stephen Hunter UK 09-Dec-17 01:11 PM

Forums, Google Groups, Email

STF,RAdmSalmon 09-Dec-17 01:11 PM

so we're a bulletin board style.

[SB118] Rahman 09-Dec-17 01:11 PM

We use email/Google groups for 118 but I frankly just use the Google group website myself as it's just too cluttered trying to sort directly in my inbox

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 01:11 PM

I know Bravo Fleet has been experimenting with something called Astra, which is based on Wordpress

And Nova NextGen is still forthcoming...

Jme 09-Dec-17 01:12 PM

Rahman's more techy than me. I want everything to come to my inbox where I can put it in neat little folders and pretend it's still 2k6

1

Stephen 09-Dec-17 01:12 PM

Astra is the start of an awesome system!

Jme 09-Dec-17 01:12 PM

Stephen 09-Dec-17 01:13 PM

I used it for a bit on one of my sims but ran into some issues. I think once its out of its beta development it will be a great system moving forward.

[SB118] Rahman 09-Dec-17 01:13 PM

Actually, I even have an RSS reader app on my phone and tablets that I've tied the Google groups to

it works pretty well

Jme 09-Dec-17 01:13 PM

I also refuse to upgrade from Word 2K3 #noshame

[SB118] Rahman 09-Dec-17 01:13 PM

and I just wish it had an LCARS interface

1

Stephen 09-Dec-17 01:13 PM

That being said what BF did with their main website is phenominal and having been a member for near 15 years I think that its something I wish we had back when I was on the BFA.

Jme 09-Dec-17 01:13 PM

Oooh, that would be awesome

lola 09-Dec-17 01:13 PM

@[SB118] Rahman my site is based on LCARS :P

1

only roughly, though

but it still looks quite trek i think!

[SB118] Rahman 09-Dec-17 01:14 PM

There are a couple LCARS stye RSS reader apps I've but they're unfortunately very clunky to use

Elena 09-Dec-17 01:14 PM

Forum - jcink

Stephen Hunter UK 09-Dec-17 01:14 PM

LCARS is old now

Visual displays have evolved since then.

[22] MBremer/K'Temoc 09-Dec-17 01:14 PM

SB400 also has a LCARS site, as well as a plain ol' NOVA page

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 01:14 PM

But that is the fun part, the writing communities are evolving with the time. They are modern and keep track of what players of the newer generation want to see.

[SB118] Rahman 09-Dec-17 01:15 PM

True, @Stephen Hunter UK but even LCARS has evolved too over the years

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 01:15 PM

New question time... It is no coincidence that the simming community is under a big change. For many of us... it's shrinking. Could MMORPGs and other technological advancements be to blame? Or are they actually helping the community?

[SB118] Rahman 09-Dec-17 01:15 PM

The folks at LCARS47 have some pretty neat developments in that regard: http://www.lcars47.com/

LCARS 47

LCARS 47 is a freeware app that aims to simulate a complete canon-accurate LCARS environment.

Stephen Hunter UK 09-Dec-17 01:15 PM

The community is still there but spread out more

lola 09-Dec-17 01:16 PM

The community exists, but it's a new generation. Many sims began some 10, maybe 20 years ago and the communities often don't know how to move with the times (that's not an insult, just an observation)

[SB118] Rahman 09-Dec-17 01:16 PM

I think everything now is just competing for our time

I mean, it's the same with all the new television shows that are out there

so many choices

lola 09-Dec-17 01:17 PM

Technological advancements yes, but this is something people can very much move along with if they are focused on it

Stephen Hunter UK 09-Dec-17 01:17 PM

It's a golden age of TV

We're swimming in space shows

[SB118] Rahman 09-Dec-17 01:17 PM

So every form of entertainment including simming is fighting for a little sliver of free time that people have

Jme 09-Dec-17 01:17 PM

I honetly think we're going to see a simming renaissance of sorts coming up. We saw it in tabletop with the OSR

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 01:17 PM

I'm going to hook up a Discord integration add-on for my forum so that when you're browsing the site you can see the chat in Discord. Also Discord roles will be managed by the forum's groups

Jme 09-Dec-17 01:18 PM

You had people who played games as teens, in college, into thier twenties... and then they had kids and jobs and a lot stopped playing

1

Stephen Hunter UK 09-Dec-17 01:18 PM

Has there been much of a revival in Trek simming since DSC started?

[SB118] Rahman 09-Dec-17 01:18 PM

I mean, if you look at movie theater attendance, it continues to shrink year after year

Jme 09-Dec-17 01:18 PM

Eventually those people's kids will grow up, the jobs will calm down, and they'll retire... and they want to do the things they loved

I'm slowly seeing this as players return saying things like 'my babies are teenagers now and I'm feeling a bit of an empty nest'

[SB118] Rahman 09-Dec-17 01:19 PM

And yeah, the Trek audience that's targeted by most simming groups is aging

Jme 09-Dec-17 01:19 PM

I think we'll see simming move to a more mature demographic that had experience with the games in college

[SB118] Rahman 09-Dec-17 01:19 PM

I mean, how many Kelvin timeline sims are out there? Or Discovery era?

Stephen Hunter UK 09-Dec-17 01:21 PM

Don't honestly know

Not a Scooby

[SB118] Rahman 09-Dec-17 01:22 PM

Honestly, the fact that all the TNG-era shows are so easily available on streaming services has been a godsend for simming IMO

keeps that era of Star Trek in the collective consciousness

Stephen Hunter UK 09-Dec-17 01:23 PM

Indeed, it does.

Has anyone tried anything on The Orville?

Stephen 09-Dec-17 01:23 PM

I think something in the future that could help boost the collaborative writing groups are to be more collaborative, more open.

1

Arturo Maxwell 09-Dec-17 01:23 PM

lurks at the back of the room

Stephen 09-Dec-17 01:24 PM

@Stephen Hunter UK I had thought about it

[SB118] Rahman 09-Dec-17 01:24 PM

I think sometimes we get new members who like to write as if they're on the orville

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 01:24 PM

Orville is great.

Stephen 09-Dec-17 01:24 PM

The group that I run the whole purpose is to be a community of writers... and we are looking and always open to making new contacts with other groups and I'm hoping to bring various groups together. We have the same goals and we all have different ideas so why not support each other some more?

2

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 01:24 PM

I wouldn't be surprise if Orville RPs/sims pop up soon.

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 01:25 PM

I don't think anything Orville or Discovery has started yet.

Arturo Maxwell 09-Dec-17 01:25 PM

@[SB118] Rahman I resemble that remark!

1

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 01:25 PM

The universe hasn't been developed enough for DSC

Stephen 09-Dec-17 01:25 PM

I have no problem sending someone I think might fit better in another group than mine if I think it'll bring them more success, etc.

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 01:25 PM

Orville should be around soon

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 01:25 PM

There isn't enough I for to do so yet

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 01:25 PM

Orville's at least 8 episodes in and you can watch it for free. It's already be renewed for Season 2. (edited)

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 01:25 PM

Here's a fun question for everyone... What is the next step in simming evolution?

Stephen Hunter UK 09-Dec-17 01:25 PM

More stuff like Discord

Stephen 09-Dec-17 01:26 PM

A social media platform designed specifically for RP.

Stephen Hunter UK 09-Dec-17 01:26 PM

Maybe Roll20 with Discord in some form>

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 01:26 PM

Correction: Orville has already had its Season 1 finale air

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 01:26 PM

A new platform introduction that has died out in the past is IRC simming, I do now that UCIP and another one is still doing it in IRC. But specially to bring this back to life, I would say Discord

Arturo Maxwell 09-Dec-17 01:26 PM

I've yet to watch Orville

Leam-Mark 09-Dec-17 01:26 PM

I'd like to say Discord. I think soon once it can be worked out how it would be done, a sim that does it writing on Discord will be the next big new thing. As for social media, we did have Risa, but that seems to have fallen by the wayside

Stephen Hunter UK 09-Dec-17 01:26 PM

@Arturo Maxwell Starts in the UK next week

Stephen 09-Dec-17 01:26 PM

Imagine a site like Facebook where you could have multiple personas and it would be designed to be completely IC and you could join a crew and run missions as a "person".

1

Arturo Maxwell 09-Dec-17 01:26 PM

❤

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 01:27 PM

I never had much luck with IRC

Leam-Mark 09-Dec-17 01:27 PM

so I would say social media for solely RPs is a while away at the moment

Stephen Hunter UK 09-Dec-17 01:27 PM

Roll20 is very good for live games

Stephen 09-Dec-17 01:27 PM

That's true Risa was an attempt at a Social Media site for RP but I meant in more of an IC use.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 01:27 PM

Tinder for RP character shipping

1

Stephen Hunter UK 09-Dec-17 01:27 PM

I'm planning to run a 1960s set spy game on there soon.

@[SARP] Wes Ever played Reigns?

Stephen 09-Dec-17 01:27 PM

PFFT half vulcan half klingon swipe left.

lol

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 01:27 PM

No.

Stephen Hunter UK 09-Dec-17 01:28 PM

It's like Tinder meets GoT.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 01:28 PM

Swipe right to write smut with this character.

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 01:28 PM

@Stephen Hunter UK there is also another one Roll4It on twitch, brilliant show

Elena 09-Dec-17 01:28 PM

I wouldn;t like a site on Discord or FB. It is meant to remain there for reference, in order, like it happens on forums. If google docs could be made for several people and others to read them, it is a story type I would like reading too

Stephen Hunter UK 09-Dec-17 01:28 PM

Google Docs can

You just change the settings on the document

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 01:29 PM

Yep, restrict it to view only

Elena 09-Dec-17 01:29 PM

Glad to hear it is possible

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 01:29 PM

So, we've got integration between forums and Discord...

What sort of reliance does everyone have on chat systems like Slack and Discord in association with your games?

Stephen Hunter UK 09-Dec-17 01:30 PM

I've used to RP some conversation posts

Like a character making a booking for a train journey

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 01:31 PM

I used to have a chatroom built directly into my forum but the community activity moved on to a Discord - first an unofficial one and then I made an official one. So after the site chat dried up I closed it and just sent people to the Discord.

[GEC] Kai1701E 09-Dec-17 01:31 PM

I think it is crucial to develop relationships between players, which again is crucial to the success of a sim

4

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 01:31 PM

ALso it saved me money in software and hosting costs.

[SB118] Rahman 09-Dec-17 01:32 PM

Yeah, I think people might first come for the simming but what really makes people stick around is if they feel they're part of a community.

4

Arturo Maxwell 09-Dec-17 01:32 PM

Discord is 90% just hanging out for me, although I make use of the PM function for brainstorming and batting ideas around with people

1

Stephen 09-Dec-17 01:32 PM

I personally feel highlighting the community is even more important than the writing.

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 01:33 PM

We have our main Server for starfleet where we just hang out and and keep in touch since we have member from all over the world

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 01:33 PM

Oh I agree @Stephen the community is what makes and breaks a fleet

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 01:33 PM

Come for the writing. Stay for the community.

Stephen 09-Dec-17 01:33 PM

Or just stay for the community.

I think something that groups could move toward is even just involving fans of what we do? If you have readers that are interested in your group why can't we allow them to join in our community, our chat, our mission development?

Just because they don't actively write because they don't want to or don't have time why not value their opinion and include them in making our community bigger, happier, and better development?

Arturo Maxwell 09-Dec-17 01:35 PM

Perhaps write as a "minor" character now and then or something, if the fancy takes them?

Almost like a recurring guest character

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 01:36 PM

While I understand what you're saying, @Stephen, there should be a bit of a balance. Community is everything, but I personally frown on people just hanging out on my game's Discord server, which is one of the reasons why I don't give the link until you're a member. I've got members that can post every day, and members that post only once a month. The frequency doesn't bother me, but we're all there initially for the game. If the game dries up because no one writes anymore, then so will the community that was built around it.

Elena 09-Dec-17 01:37 PM

I have the possibility to interact on the c-box or on FB with the fans who read our story adn our monthly chronicle but don

t have the time to be involved in writing the story

Sometimes I brainstorm with them plot twists they want to read

Stephen 09-Dec-17 01:38 PM

I personally haven't run into that issue... but I can see where that would be a concern.

Arturo Maxwell 09-Dec-17 01:38 PM

Still sounds like valuable contribution to me, Elena

Elena 09-Dec-17 01:38 PM

Of course it is!

Leam-Mark 09-Dec-17 01:38 PM

in relation to that @[22] greenfelt I have my Discord open to all, but I will boot someone from it if they aren't a member and haven't spoken in there for a while. I've had people join who ask questions, say they will join and then never do, so that is when I boot them

Stephen 09-Dec-17 01:38 PM

I leave my discord link on my site for anyone to join.

I do prune people who haven't been active in 30 days once in a while.

Elena 09-Dec-17 01:39 PM

We don;t have discord because we are a small community and they weren't interested in discord.

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 01:39 PM

I like the idea of engaging fans, @Elena

Elena 09-Dec-17 01:39 PM

❤

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 01:40 PM

We use our main Server for people that want to get to know people and maybe get a head start on learning what they need to do or how our site works (edited)

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 01:40 PM

The trouble for a lot of us Trek sims... we're a dime a dozen. If we're a fan, we're on the sim.

Stephen 09-Dec-17 01:41 PM

Also a good point.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 01:41 PM

Much like Harry Potter RP forums.

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 01:41 PM

You're in more a niche, where you might attract a lot of interest, you'll equally get readers and writers.

Which is awesome.

Wow, time is flying.

This is a great discussion, and I know we've all said a lot.

Does anyone have anything they'd like to add or ask?

Elena 09-Dec-17 01:42 PM

Unfortunately I get more readers than writers in the latest 2 years

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 01:43 PM

But it's interest all the same. I applaud you for that.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 01:43 PM

The future of simming and roleplaying depends on spreading the hobby as a whole, you have to meet new people to grow it. That means we all have to be socially conscious, and also good salesmen so to speak. (edited)

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 01:43 PM

That's an excellent point, @[SARP] Wes

FallFest brought us together today, but what happens after midnight?

[SB118] Rahman 09-Dec-17 01:44 PM

Is there much simming presence at actual Trek conventions?

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 01:44 PM

We all go our separate ways.

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 01:44 PM

We stay friends and work together to make it better

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 01:44 PM

How can we continued to stay connected?

And what platform(s) can we use to do this?

Intumesce 09-Dec-17 01:45 PM

We can keep this server open for one

Arturo Maxwell 09-Dec-17 01:45 PM

Right here on Discord?

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 01:45 PM

Personally, I don't think simming will ever die. Just the way that it is presented and practiced will.

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 01:45 PM

Fandom looks a lot different than it did in the 1990s. Conventions that used to be attention primarily by white men are now filled with people of all kinds. Comic movies are mainstream. There are conventions in every major city. As community leaders we need to be inclusive and make sure writers know they're welcome among us.

[22] MBremer/K'Temoc 09-Dec-17 01:45 PM

Really should be 1 big 'chat channel' for simmers... even one for posting ads for our sims. With a big overall community...I mean, why not

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 01:45 PM

I like the idea of a huge chat.

Stephen 09-Dec-17 01:45 PM

As do I

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 01:45 PM

Whether it's here or elsewhere.

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 01:46 PM

Me too

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 01:46 PM

Still makes me wonder why RPG-Directory has still no Discord....the win in that situation

Intumesce 09-Dec-17 01:46 PM

Why elsewhere, we can rebrand the server, create appropriate channels. Perhaps. Include channels for the larger groups as embassies

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 01:46 PM

It wouldn't take much to "rebrand" this server when it's done, preserve these rooms, and create new places in here to chat.

[SB118] Rahman 09-Dec-17 01:46 PM

I just wonder @[SARP] Wes that it seems everyone knows about the concept of fan fiction and whatnot. But simming itself still seems a pretty niche activity right?

Stephen 09-Dec-17 01:46 PM

@RaWolfe I think they do.

CaptRavenfall 09-Dec-17 01:47 PM

I never thought of it like that

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 01:47 PM

Yeah, I hear a lot of "roleplaying forums are still around? I did that in the early 2000s, didn't know they were still a thing."

[SB118] Rahman 09-Dec-17 01:47 PM

So clearly then we're not making our presence really known beyond those already in the know

Intumesce 09-Dec-17 01:47 PM

Perhaps those of us active on fanfiction.net could help spread the word?

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 01:47 PM

In the old days a lot of people found simming and roleplaying simply by following the chat or groups link from the main page of Yahoo.com but now RPs are tens of thousands of islands that rarely communicate or work together so that means events like Fallfest more important than ever.

2

Sepandiyar 09-Dec-17 01:48 PM

Amen wes

[SB118] Rahman 09-Dec-17 01:48 PM

And of course there are the general Trek forums like Trekbbs still around

Intumesce 09-Dec-17 01:48 PM

I can imagine those who use author notes drop a Discord link to the large community Discord

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 01:48 PM

@Stephen just checked their site, only discussions about the use of Discord, no prime for themselves

Stephen 09-Dec-17 01:48 PM

Yeah, agreed.

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 01:49 PM

All right, so we agree to stay connected!

[SB118] Rahman 09-Dec-17 01:49 PM

haha, maybe we need to think about some sort of effort to just promote simming in general

Elena 09-Dec-17 01:50 PM

@RaWolfe Rpg directory has discord. I am on it

[SB118] Rahman 09-Dec-17 01:50 PM

outreach to Trek fans and writers etc

Stephen 09-Dec-17 01:50 PM

@RaWolfe https://discordapp.com/invite/FMextg

1

[SB118] Rahman 09-Dec-17 01:50 PM

in addition to our usual fleet specific recruiting

Elena 09-Dec-17 01:50 PM

Look on their side, they have the discord link

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 01:50 PM

@[SB118] Rahman that is definitely everyone's challenge.

[SB118] Rahman 09-Dec-17 01:50 PM

I mean like if you think about sports

RaWolfe 09-Dec-17 01:50 PM

@Stephen thanks

Stephen 09-Dec-17 01:50 PM

I used to be on it, just rejoined. lol

[SB118] Rahman 09-Dec-17 01:50 PM

you have in addition to individual teams, a general organization that promotes the sport itself

I know there are sister fleets and whatnot

and of course RPG directories etc

it's kind of like what we're doing here

we have fall fest

but it's geared obviously at people already simming

maybe if we also tried to target general Trekkies to come take a peek. They see it's basically just fellow fans like them already nerding out.

Do any other fleets or organizations out there do any events or outreach into the general trek community?

1

Sepandiyar 09-Dec-17 01:54 PM

This lol

[SB118] Rahman 09-Dec-17 01:54 PM

I know on 118 we've had interviews with published Trek authors or the Okudas for instance

that helps bring in new visitors at least to the site

[22] MBremer/K'Temoc 09-Dec-17 01:54 PM

We have on SB400 too, Okuda, Drexler, and Stinbach

2

[SB118] Rahman 09-Dec-17 01:55 PM

This honestly all dovetails with what they're talking about in the other room about recruitment

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 01:55 PM

I actually called Armin Shimmerman's agent and tried to book a Skype interview once.

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 01:55 PM

Everyone, this has been an incredible discussion. Thank you all for participating. But, the discussion doesn't have to end. Those of you that want to continue on can use #ffvii-overflow to keep going.

[SB118] Rahman 09-Dec-17 01:56 PM

But it makes sense. The future of simming depends on growth of people interested in the past time

3

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 01:56 PM

In just a few minutes... we'll be starting "Game Management: Dos and Don'ts."

[SARP] Wes 09-Dec-17 01:56 PM

Perhaps next Fallfest we should schedule a lunch break lol.

2

Sepandiyar 09-Dec-17 01:56 PM

Lmao.

[22] greenfelt 09-Dec-17 01:56 PM

LOL

[SB118] Rahman 09-Dec-17 01:57 PM