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Topic:
The Think-Tank: NSWRPF Flagship Planning and Discussion Thread
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DarthXan318
Registered:
Sep '02
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Date Posted:
3/19 6:12pm
Subject:
RE: The Think-Tank: NSWRPF Flagship Planning and Discussion Thread
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Very quickly, because I'm strapped for time.. generally what I find most attractive about the Nexus idea was the lack of 'travel time' between worlds/genres. Find a gate, step through, you're there.
Although Saint's version of the one world idea does actually sound quite good.  A sort of 18th-century setting might work really well.
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SephyCloneNo15
Registered:
Apr '05
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Date Posted:
3/19 7:32pm
Subject:
RE: The Think-Tank: NSWRPF Flagship Planning and Discussion Thread
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Hammurabi posted:
SephyCloneNo15 posted:
One world definitely limits the scope of the game because in very short order, without some bizarre contrived Game mechanic to prevent it, whichever race could first would be all over the planet, either conquering it or stripping everything of value from the parts they don't like.
I'm not sure if I understand your logic. Why would that happen? I mean, we certainly see factional threads all the time, and rarely does one side totally dominate. And speaking of "bizarre contrived game mechanics", what do you suppose the Nexus is?
It's human nature. Look what the Greeks and Romans did once they could build ships: They claimed the entire Mediterranean. Look what the Europeans did once they figured out that there was land on the other side of the Atlantic instead of a bottomless pit. If everyone lives on the same planet, the most advanced race will want to conquer the others. Stopping them from doing so requires some GM intervention, whether it's big force fields separating regions, or border-patrolling monsters or who-knows-what-else, but it requires some contrived mechanic.
The Nexus, however, is the opposite. Instead of a GM-created barrier, it's a GM-controlled gateway. Instead of preventing entrance, it permits it.
The problem with One World is that logic limits your genre potential. You can't logically go Sci-fi. You can't logically go modern/Supers. If you go One World with a Steampunk focus, you're trapped in Steampunk era. You can branch out a little to, say, Western, or Gothic horror, etc. If you go Nexus from the get-go, the sky's the limit. If you put the Nexus in later, it just seems kinda tacked on.
And once again, it's not really too tough to make a bunch of individual worlds small enough to not be daunting.
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Kalio_Dynkos
Registered:
May '04
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Date Posted:
3/19 9:05pm
Subject:
RE: The Think-Tank: NSWRPF Flagship Planning and Discussion Thread
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Good day, all. I hope you're all well, and the dicussion thus far is at least going somewhere and is on topic. That's very nice.
Please allow me to take a step backwards on the agenda. Personally, I want to complete and see Point #2/#3 finished and therefore I have a solution. For I am of the opinion that for this to work completely, we need one head. Once we start the RPF Poll, we're going to need someone to receive the votes. Once we start on the Co-Gm selection, that flag-master is going to have to start immediate conversation and having a direct role in the that choosing. For that reason, please allow me to tell you a story.
I'm not sure how many of you are familiar with the RPF HoloNet or what it did. The RPF HoloNet was an idea that I conjured up one winter night when wanting to tie in my life as a journalist into the GFFA. As it came to grow in my mind, however, I disregarded the game aspect and was taken with building up the RPF. For as a reader/RPer, I found it sometime frustrating and daunting to enter a game that had 5,000 posts. But, oh, they needed people, yet who wants to join something that epic? Well, I did. It was just daunting to catch enough of the history to make up my characterizations.
That, and I found other writers who were locked into just one game while good ideas just petered out, mainly because of the lack of interest. So, I created the RPF HoloNet to be a way of giving a glimpse of all the stories going on at the RPF.
Too, feeling (as has been mentioned most recently in the Awards thread) I'd always seen the RPF Awards as a popularity contest, rather than the kudos it should or could have been. So, the RPF HoloNet would also find those the people that were doing a fantastic job, writing something outstanding, or a great characterization and give them a chance at the spotlight. A few of the ones we interviewed had never been in the RPF Awards, I think.
That's the long part, but when conjuring this idea up, it became my baby. I pitched it to NaboosPrincess and she was for it, loved it she said, but that another Rper had a similar idea, but not as complex as mine, so he came first. I pocketed the idea. Close to a year later, his idea never surfaced, so I contacted NaboosPrincess with my pitch. She suggested contacting him and working together on the project. As I just wanted to help out the RPF and get it going, I agreed.
However, the planning process was mainly us agreeing on my ideas already and his "naming" them. When the thread was ready, we decided we needed a leader and he wanted it, so I gave it to him, confident that I didn't need to run the show to enjoy the show.
Essentially, I gave my baby into somebody else's care.
He muffed it. Right off the bat, the player assumed credit for the whole idea, forgetting his small part in it. He didn't keep up his end of he bargain - namely that we split our coverage between SW eras - and our coverage was slanted because he didn't keep his end up. The one post he made was a post about his own character, in direct opposition to the idea of building up other players and congratulating them. The idea of the HoloNet was to be invisible whilst congratulating everybody else. Eventually, he disappeared and I was running the whole thing myself. All along, defering to him, the Editor in Chief.
I don't mean to disparage a player, for he likely had real-life issues and I feel that the RPF Holonet was great success, despite that which was behind the scenes.
I gave my baby away and I hated it, despite how much I tried to make it work.
So, for that reason, while I hopefully see no direct corellation between that player and myself, I will not put Elu through the same thing. Even though we've both created a similar idea and have both put in a lot of hours, I swear I will not be the mirror of that player.
I feel we need a leader and we need it now. It is a pre-requisite to have a power behind the project. I still push and greatly desire that the first post of every of these games will congratulate and name those players that have given life to this. I want those Think-Tankers mentioned!
But, I am willing to give up my claim on this idea and the flag-master in favor of not mirroring something that I abhor. Read these posts and you'll see that Elu is dedicated and honestly interested in this project.
Whatever, I know what it felt like to have my ideas spoken through somebody's mouthpiece. As uncanny as it is that we have created two very similiar ideas, I am willing to lay down my claim, confident that Elu knows what is needed.
Therefore, I offer my unadulterated, complete and full support that we immediately move to make Elu our flag-master.
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Darth_Elu
Registered:
Jan '03
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Date Posted:
3/19 9:23pm
Subject:
RE: The Think-Tank: NSWRPF Flagship Planning and Discussion Thread
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And now I, Darth_Elu, must come in and simply state that we have discussed this move in length along with other things and our choice is sure.
To Kalio, as I said to you in private, I had already decided upon and will vow again to make sure all who contribute are mentioned and thanked, especially you in the first post of this Grand Game. It is an absolute must that that happens, nothing less.
From this point on, Think-Tankers, let us now officially leave this topic behind and march onward with our discussions and make a dream into reality. Further more, I will soon move on setting up a poll to quickly and efficiently decide between the one world and the multiple worlds + Nexus debate. We must move forward and not become stagnant.
Presidential Acceptance Speech now over.
 
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 Brittnee My love, my life E-married to the love of my life! "Ichigo! Come out and fight me, you *******!" Master to Yukari_Nahashi I am Death: RIP George Carlin
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Kalio_Dynkos
Registered:
May '04
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Date Posted:
3/19 9:37pm
Subject:
RE: The Think-Tank: NSWRPF Flagship Planning and Discussion Thread
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Hahahahaha, Elu.
All hail the chief.
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In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move.
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SephyCloneNo15
Registered:
Apr '05
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Date Posted:
3/19 9:52pm
Subject:
RE: The Think-Tank: NSWRPF Flagship Planning and Discussion Thread
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Kalio, I just realized the Hitchhiker's Guide quote in your sig, and I love it.
Anyways, congrats Elu. Hopefully this game, now your game, will blossom into the great game we all know it can be. I know we'll all be working our best to make it so. (God, I suck at congratulatory speeches).
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Zam Wessel Lives!
Recipient of Thrawn McEwok's Squib Creations Limited-Edition Replica Glove of Darth Vader™
"Samuel L. Jackson isn't only a fine actor, but a gamer. He's one of us." ~ Kotaku
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Saintheart
Title: Manager and Wandering Swordsman of the RPF
Registered:
Dec '00
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Date Posted:
3/19 10:02pm
Subject:
RE: The Think-Tank: NSWRPF Flagship Planning and Discussion Thread
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For one I'm glad you guys sorted that out between yourselves. It would've been a heartbreaking choice to force us to choose between you, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart. Congratulations, Elu! 
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Jessica: my little princess, my daughter, born 10 August 2007
Director -- Star Wars: Knighthood
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Yuul_Shamar
Registered:
Nov '04
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Date Posted:
3/19 10:18pm
Subject:
RE: The Think-Tank: NSWRPF Flagship Planning and Discussion Thread
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Ok, with that settled, and congratulations sent, how are we doing the poll?
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Winged_Jedi
Registered:
Feb '03
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Date Posted:
3/19 11:25pm
Subject:
RE: The Think-Tank: NSWRPF Flagship Planning and Discussion Thread
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I'm rather late to the discussion here...but I think that's a good thing because my perspective is an outsider's perspective.
Few points.
1. Why is there is attempt to try and shoehorn in as many genres as possible from the get-go? Surely start small and strong. I know you're planning a flagship, but expansion of the game universe should come once you have the players, not before. Who cares if it appears contrived to add the nexus/magic portal/time machine later on? At least then you'll have the player base established.
2. The genres should be allowed to mix and collide and interact. Keep it too separate (i.e. by having multiple worlds) and you're going to end up with a collection of franchise echoes. Each group of players will be thinking 'this part of the game is just a poor man's version of LOTR/Battlestar Galactica/Deadwood/the Marvel Universe/whatever.'
3. Geography and History are the two key elements of setting that I think have to be familiar for a flagship to be successful on these forums. And you're planning to create both from scratch. You'll either create in too little detail (causing players to feel lost and confused) or in too much detail (causing players to feel intimidated and confused).
My answer to all three points is to take Saint's excellent post about the British Empire a step further. Just use Earth in that time period. Then replace what you need to in order to satisfy your genre cravings. Fantasy, Western, Horror and Supers can all be found there in the styles that Saint has suggested, or just mess around a little with various nations and regions to make them suitable. Japan becomes home to sorcery-using samurai or vampires seize control of all Siberia or the remote regions of India becomes the setting for a dwarf-dragon war. And the steampunk-using British are the dominant power.
Anyway, the point is that you'd have both the geography of the world already sorted, and most of the history (with a few changes to accommodate the fantasy/steampunk/western/whatever elements). Also, the only genres you'd have to sacrifice would be the Modern/Sci-Fi ones.
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Saintheart
Title: Manager and Wandering Swordsman of the RPF
Registered:
Dec '00
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Date Posted:
3/19 11:31pm
Subject:
RE: The Think-Tank: NSWRPF Flagship Planning and Discussion Thread
- Date Edited:
3/19 11:33pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
Saintheart
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Which I seize and define as the Alt-Earth option. "It's Earth, Jim, but not as we know it."
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Michelle: my Italian queen, my angel, my reason, my wife.
Jessica: my little princess, my daughter, born 10 August 2007
Director -- Star Wars: Knighthood
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DarthXan318
Registered:
Sep '02
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Date Posted:
3/20 12:03am
Subject:
RE: The Think-Tank: NSWRPF Flagship Planning and Discussion Thread
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Well, I'm glad to see we've got the Head GM sorted. Congrats, Elu!
And come to think of it, I totally agree with WJ's point #3. I've always found it difficult to get into NSWRPF games because I wasn't familiar with the fandom (gj had to hold my hand through creating a Xaviers' character) so familiarity is a big thing... I'd hate to sacrifice the modern/sci-fi genres, but perhaps it's for the greater good. We've got the SWRPF for that, anyhow.
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MASTERPRENN
Title: JCC Man.
Awesome
Registered:
Dec '05
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Date Posted:
3/20 12:07am
Subject:
RE: The Think-Tank: NSWRPF Flagship Planning and Discussion Thread
- Date Edited:
3/20 12:21am (1 edits total)
Edited By:
MASTERPRENN
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So...I don't get to see a cage fight?
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darth_nemisis
Registered:
May '04
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Date Posted:
3/20 12:15am
Subject:
RE: The Think-Tank: NSWRPF Flagship Planning and Discussion Thread
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Yes, congrats to you Darth_Elu.
You know, the more I think about it, the more I like the one world (Earth) idea. Saints post was a good one. As everyone has pointed out, we definitely need to start out small, so one world would be fine. Then, as the game progresses, as more an more people join in, as the plot grows, then these portals/nexuses are discovered which can lead to different worlds. I think that would be a good start to the game.
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DarthXan318
Registered:
Sep '02
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Date Posted:
3/20 12:19am
Subject:
RE: The Think-Tank: NSWRPF Flagship Planning and Discussion Thread
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We can have a huge free-for-all cage fight for the co-GM positions. I think that's a tougher race, anyway.
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Kalio_Dynkos
Registered:
May '04
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Date Posted:
3/20 7:56am
Subject:
RE: The Think-Tank: NSWRPF Flagship Planning and Discussion Thread
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The one earth idea does nail things down nicely, but I must also say that from a player's standpoint it may be a little tight and because of space or imagination.
Basically, we need to remember that these ideas are all great and in fiction, as a stand alone project will work fine. However, we're talking about a game and where people don't understand they will take liberties.
I've had the pleasure of talking with Elu about his idea of a storyline. I think it works very nicely with at least two planets. Particularly, if we're talking about the Nexus as a sort of hub for the Preservers, I see no reason why if this gets large enough that they are involved in other civilizations than the ones we commonly see brought up.
So as I see it, we're all for the the Nexus as a gate-way and a place. There are few, if any, interesting time-travel. We're just hung up on the one world/multiple worlds idea.
I'm liking the idea of an alternate earth as well. That's nice.
Maybe I missed this part, but, in so doing, could we be making multiple genre characters available at the same time in the same civilization? From this I'd say the same thing. Work of fiction, great. RPG with varying people and skills, I don't think so. I think you'll get a whole lot of people in one genre and not another. I think we'll become a fantasy/superhero world and that's it. If that's what the people want, that's fine.
But rememember this is supposed to be the most accessible game of the RPF.
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In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move.
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