Let's get down to business!

[paradisamods]

TO DEFEAT THE HUNS

Thank you all for your feedback on the latest How's The Game! The following is a summary of the changes/updates that we concluded from the discussion, as well as some other relevant matters that should be addressed.



The One-Month App Rule

This rule has been lifted. Players will no longer need to wait a month before applying for additional characters.

The rule had first come about when staff was still keeping track of activity trends in order to prevent serial appers or potential squatters. As this is now handled by cast mates and fellow players, this rule is no longer necessary. This applies to all players, old and new.


How's My Driving

HMD will now be quarterly (every three months), rather than every two months, alongside the How's The Game Discussions. HMD will take place on the first weekend of the month, and HTG will take place on the third weekend of the month.


Plots

Plots of darker nature will be re-introduced into the game. Paradisa previously had these plots on hold as the game felt burned out by so many in a row. It seems like the game is ready to bring them back.

Darker plots will be appropriately spaced with months in-between, and each will be required to have a viable opt-out for those who do not wish to participate.

That said, feel free to submit any plot ideas you may have no matter the nature. If there is something you wish to see, please submit it to the plot page!

Keep in mind that we can't implement a plot if we don't have ideas to start off with, and we'd be more than happy to help formulate any ideas if needed. With so many creative minds in our playerbase, there are so many ideas waiting to be brought to light. :)


World Plot

The World Plot will continue, with the primary focus being on exploration of the world. First Gens will take a backseat for now while the residents get a chance to see the world around them and what it has in store for them.

Remember, involvement in the World Plot is 100% optional! It's a great way to spice things up when slice-of-castle-life feels too limiting, but it's certainly not a requirement for getting involved in the game.


Prison and All That Good Stuff

We are currently looking for someone who would be willing to take on the task of keeping track of the current events and developments with the prison, inmates, heroes and villains, as well as any other major events related to these issues.

This would be an IC and OOC task, so if you are interested in this and have a character that would IC-ly also be interested, please let us know! We are looking for someone that would be able to devote time to keeping this information up to date, and would be willing to openly communicate with the playerbase and the mod team. APPLY ONLINE AT Send any of the mods (Valerie, Ashley or TF) a message if you feel you're up to the challenge!


Retrieving Former Memories

We've been approached recently with regards to the possibility of current Paradisa residents recalling memories from their previous stay(s) in the castle, much like the re-apped residents.

If you CURRENTLY have a character in the game that you previously dropped and brought back, you may have them recall memories/knowledge from their previous stays under the following guidelines:

1) All requests should be submitted via the returning character application. There will be a separate section specifically for characters that are already in the game.
2) There must be a feasible way for them to retrieve their memories, be it something that they do or something that happens to them. The more creative, the better! But they cannot simply wake up and recall their old memories.
3) An additional permanent loss will be required. This is the price Paradisa requires for giving back memories.
4) All requests will be subject to the same app cycle as returning characters.


Livejournal Woes aka What Should We Do With The Game

We'd like to open up discussion with regards to how the playerbase feels about the recent changes that have taken place with LJ.

Jenn has taken initiative and given a temporary fix for the issues regarding the lack of subject lines and the way comments are displayed. We are open to any alternative layouts that would allow for similar functionality and design.

Still, we know there are quite a few people that no longer feel comfortable with Livejournal as of late, and we want to acknowledge the concerns of those that feel this way.

One suggestion that has been brought up is the possibility of moving the game to Dreamwidth. This would require moving all content to the new site and recoding many pages, as well as making sure that every single player is aware of the change and has access to creating a DW account.

It is quite a bit of work, but it is not impossible. It is, however, a permanent decision that would affect every single player, so it is a decision we want to be absolutely certain is best for the game.

Discussion will be open for one full week. Please use this post to voice your concerns or any suggestions that you may have. Any and all feedback is welcome and highly encouraged.

A week from now, we will follow up with what has been discussed and see where we are. This will also allow time for Livejournal to potentially resolve their current issues, and/or allow for players to adjust to the changes.

To clear up any confusion, we will not be moving in a week. The week is to see how we are feeling as a game and to see if our concerns are still present or if we are adjusting to the changes. Discussion on the matter will continue even past the week mark, though possibly with a fresh post. :)

Comments

[huntersdaughter]

I will move if the game decides to move, but I don't feel comfortable voting in this right now, because it's only been a few days since the changes happened. I want to give LJ the chance to make changes to their coding, to get actual feedback from users, and implement the changes before opting to jump ship.

Honestly, I'm already fine with the new commenting system. Yes, there are bugs and problems still, but I am hopeful that they will be fixing these issues.

I can understand wanting to make a choice while everyone is still hot on the button of why LJ is being difficult, but one week, when it's the Thursday before Christmas, seems a bit short-sighted and quick, IMO.

[dontpatr0nizeme]

Totally agreeing on the last bit. Especially as there's people that may be vanished for the holidays that might come back to a surprise like that where they couldn't even say their piece.

[icarustattoo.livejournal.com]

Yeah I agree that it's a little too soon to make a decision. We should probably wait a month (or two?) to see what revisions LJ is going to make, particularly because they've expressed that they are taking complaints/concerns to heart.

(Wash player switched accounts)

[lonenoble]

I honestly see the release issue page they have already as a sign that they may listen, in spite of a certain employee that needs to STFU.

The editing being opened to all accounts is actually a good sign that they realize they need to change things.

[superheroine]

I don't think it's "one week then we move or not!" but rather "one week before we start at least SETTING UP alternatives, should we decide to move." There's no way we can move all of Paradisa in a week, during the holidays, while still waiting for DW to get Community Importing finished, etc.

[huntersdaughter]

I didn't mean to infer that the move would take place in a week, but it does state up there that the discussion will be open for one week. Now maybe it can be rephrased in the body of the post, but it reads to me that we'll discuss it for a week, then if everyone wants to move we'll figure out how to move.

That's where it feels short/quick. The discussion part, because as others have said - there are some that aren't here right now because of holiday.

[imnot_likeyou]

Agreeing with all this.

[courageous-wit.livejournal.com]

I agree with this. One week even for just discussion does seem a little rushed and unfair to those who've taken a hiatus due to holiday plans. I know I personally probably won't be online much because I have family in town I haven't seen in years.

And I... wouldn't have even noticed a difference in the commenting if Paradisa's look hadn't changed, rofl.

+1

[gottaknockhard.livejournal.com]

I missed a lot of the discussion when this was going on and people were talking about it on plurk, but I think it's too soon. And speaking personally, it would be a lot of work for me to re-setup my accounts on dw so I'm not super thrilled about the concept. (I've also never used dw, so I have no idea how it works or how well the site holds up to a new influx of heavy traffic...)

I don't know, I'd rather just... hold up.

[valerie]

One week was just a proposed length of time to discuss this, but if the game would like more time to think about it, by all means we can extend it. :3

The intention was more, "Let's let things cool down a bit and see how we're feeling at least a week from now." I do know that a lot of people did want to get their thoughts out now, which is why this post went up while it was still a hot issue. It's more effective to gather everyone's thoughts and feelings on the matter here where everyone can join in the discussion than scattered over 100+ plurks.