Quote:For the sake of the discussion, could you please elaborate on this bit? I've been a member of the RPC since near it's inception, and I never saw the RPC as an administrator-controlled forum. What aspects directly influenced this thought to rise up? Do you have any direct references and examples that could help shed light on it? I actually thought Castiel's presence on these boards was rather lax.
If this is to be prevented from happening again, we'll need examples to follow so the same mistakes aren't made again.
I am not interested in rehashing the past quote by quote, nor do I have time to find and pull up specific posts. I asked those questions, and come to think of it, missed some other important ones, to make sure that lessons were learned from before. I am not so sure they have been, since I've seen similar political lines being drawn and purposefully vague accusations as well. It's bad to do it on purpose, it's worse to not even be aware that you're doing it.
Rain, since you've been around, you can go back read some of the threads from the charter abandonment, old moderator forums discussions, and on.
Quote:I'll respond to this with a question. If players did not carry those opinions and preferences(wanting to bond the community and widen social circles), what would be left? The opposing suggestion would be for everyone to bar themselves in and refuse to make friends with anyone outside their circles.This is a little outrageous. You ask me a question, and answer it yourself. I believe that's called a straw man, another thing we should avoid.
Aside from that, either I wasn't clear or you misunderstood my original point. I did not say that we shouldn't widen social circles. I said that we should NOT tell people how to play the game and RP. It's outside of this discussion. Whether I agree with your specific suggestions or not doesn't matter, I disagree with the entire premise of telling people what they ought to do. I don't think this belongs in this thread at all. The reasons I gave for WHY it doesn't belong in this thread, are
1) RP in game doesn't influence this site nearly as much. Maybe in your experience, RP has been as dead/insular as depicted by the RPC activity, but from my POV, it's been pretty good (half-done game considering). I have seen and participated in cross LS RP w/o the use of these forums. It's not a matter of telling people what they need to do in game, but as I stated later in my post, incentives for people to use this website.
2) When you prescribe people what they should/shouldn't do, you're making a normative statement. It is based on your own personal judgement and subjective values. You telling people how they should play the game IS based on specifically your preferences/experiences/values/judgement and thus cannot be disputed or proven wrong by appeal to facts.
Quote:I understand it's not for everyone, but for the majority it would be nice to see people actively getting out there and meeting people they don't know. Again, I know this already happens - but it's a point I felt should be brought up anyways. It is a step towards bringing the community closer, and therefor bringing the RPC closer.
This to me shows that you do not understand my point about RPC not being equated to the community overall. While it would be nice if the RPC did directly represent the RP community, it clearly doesn't. For example, the events posted here barely get any views/replies, yet in game attendance is far beyond that. There are whole linkshells who are not listed here. There are discussions between leaders, discussions on RP, new players who happened to stumble upon RP . . . none of that transfers over to here. RPC has become synonymous with major drama fest which is not worth the effort. It's toxic to a lot of the RP community, even if they weren't directly involved. It's time to realize that the community thrives (slowly) despite the RPC. I thought the purpose of this thread is to focus on how to get the RPC back on track, not the community as a whole. I'll pull up my quote from above with regards to how the community is fairing:
Quote:I think the community itself is fine. Not great, can use some improvement (maybe a functioning hub for all?) but the game itself had a rough start, and I'd be surprised if our community was thriving while the overall player base dwindled . . . I've been a part of it since its inception so it's hard for me to put myself into the shoes of a new RP'er, it likely feels a lot less welcome and friendly to them.
That actual ties to what Rain says next:
Quote:If players form more friendships with their peers in game, it will carry over on a positive note to these forums. It isn't something that I believe should be ignored, either. They're one in the same after all. One can't exist without the other, while the other can - but will be limited in terms of communication. As stated in my post, I am well aware that plenty of cross-shell and RP outside of circles goes on in-game.I completely disagree that friendships in game = more activity here. Clearly this has not been the case, or do you honestly think little/NO friendships have been made in-game, judging by these boards?
I agree that the community can exist without the RPC, but in limited terms, w/o the help of a functioning central hub. Which is a state where're at now, and I guess the thing we're trying to brainstorm here. How to get RPC back on track.
Quote:Nor should we misconstrue other's posts. I stated multiple times that I understand my views are not for everyone - and how that is completely okay. Not everyone is comfortable with the idea, and there's nothing wrong with that. By no means was it an attempt at guilt tripping anyone. It was simply a suggestion for those who would hear it, not as some sort of selfish demand as you appear to be painting it. My whole argument is based on wanting the community to grow closer to each other. I do not see that as self-centered. It's what I believe we need. In my opinion, the closer our bonds are, the stronger we will be.
Actually, I didn't take apart your post and counter each point you made. I mentioned you once in my post. What makes you think this is a direct reply to you? What makes you think that what I said is a way to misconstrue your point?
Verence stated that in his post, and I echo this in my own. You jumping on it like you did, without me mentioning you, seems like you've done something wrong lol. My statement was general, so no, I wasnt trying to misconstrue your post. That point has been made so many times, and the counter argument not NEARLY enough. It feels as though someone is an ass if they don't want to RP with everyone, like we're all expected to enjoy everyone else's company, want to mingle and RP with everyone on the server. If that's what you think, okay have at it hoss. I think this attitude permeates the community though, and makes the people who do NOT want to RP with /everyone/ seem like the bad guy. There is moderation. I personally don't mind RPing with someone once or twice and then making up my mind. If we're on the same page, awesome, if not, then why the hell would I waste my time?
Final thing:
Quote:If you are in opposition to the idea, you can simply say you do not agree with it - there is no need to say my suggestions are self-centered. That is rather offensive, to be honest, and this thread has no room for that. If we cannot respect each others opinions and suggestions, there can be no discussion.From earlier in your reply. The claim to be offended is another thing which kills good discussion, on top of all the other stuff I mentioned above. I don't think I've made any personal attacks, in fact I didn't even take apart your post, and mentioned you once. I certainly never called you self-centered, my argument against telling people what ought to be done is laid out pretty clearly, and I am fairly certain, doesn't contain any attacks against you personally. If you are offended by my counter arguments to your points, I am afraid to say ,"that's too bad." Whether you or anyone else is offended by reasonable discourse doesn't prove my points to be invalid, nor does it mean that I have done something wrong. If you get offended when people take apart your points, I sincerely suggest not taking part, as it can do more harm than good to the overall discussion.
Addendum
Whew, with that long reply out of the way, I'd also like to add a couple of other things which might attract people to this site:
>Personal projects. If someone has an idea related to RP, the RPC should be able to offer them several resources to house that idea, and to grow it. The RPC shouldn't claim the ideas/effort as their own, but rather be a tool for community feedback and so on.
>Temporary linkshell space. I was thinking how Archavolon has a page linked to the RPC, why can't others do the same? Slap a 3 month max time frame on it, and offer free LS hosting for starting RP groups! A pretty good incentive to start a Linkshell, if you ask me.
I’m the bullies you hate, that you became.