Recollé Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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recallings2018-12-12 12:22 pm
recollecters) wrote in recallings2018-12-12 12:22 pm
STATE OF THE FEEDBACK 2.0
STATE OF THE GAME/FEEDBACK 2.0
PREMISE • RULES • FAQ • TAKEN • RESERVES • APPLICATIONS
REGAINS • HIATUS/DROPS • PLOT SUBMISSIONS • CALENDAR • MOD CONTACT • NAV
REGAINS • HIATUS/DROPS • PLOT SUBMISSIONS • CALENDAR • MOD CONTACT • NAV
Welcome back, friends. It's another lengthy update from us, but this time it's an address to the feedback left for us this month.
First and foremost, we'd like to say that we're incredibly grateful and thrilled that several of you chimed into the last feedback post (seen here.) As stated before, we really value what you guys have to say and what's most important for us is that we work together with the playerbase to have a satisfying game experience.
Much like the original feedback post, we'll be breaking the response down into sections along with how we're going to approach 2019 and a few things for you to vote on.
Let's get started.
FACELIFT
Thank you guys for the feedback and suggestions on this! We love knowing what does and doesn't work, and we will see what can be done to adjust the layout, etc, for readability and for keeping the upgraded look. Lucy did a fantastic job initially and I'm truly appreciative of that, but we want to make sure this looks and functions best for you guys. We will tweak this when we can.
PLOTS
One of the things we agree with is that November was a golden spot in terms of how we'd like to handle future events. We would like to incorporate metaplot for those who wish to go after it, and also the ability for personal plots to occur (for personal growth, etc.) We will also work to ensure that goals and ideas are outlined at the beginning of each month; it's been a brief adjustment period for us as well switching from one event log to two, so we thank you for your patience while we work on the right balance to keep everyone happy with the gameplay.
Generally speaking it looks as though a majority of you that reached out are okay with the posting schedule the way that it is (Retrospec on the 1st, Event on the 5th and Event on the 17th.) A point was brought up that the gap may be a bit too much between the 1st and the 5th, though from a mod standpoint I will say that the 3rd was cutting it a little too close for me to have everything finalized and ready to go. The most we would do is switch to posting on the 4th, but at this time we will be keeping the current schedule just for the sake of staying on track.
Regarding implementing canon elements, etc. We'd like to go forward with the idea of implementing them into events and the like, and the idea of blending them was brought up. In order to keep things fresh and also give people the opportunity to utilize them, a solution we've come up with is players letting us know if they're open to the idea of their specific world aspect, etc, being mixed with someone else's to create a unique experience. We would also like to mention that these aspects don't have to be something characters ICly remember yet and could be something a little harder to trigger. It would then be our job to weave it into the game's overall story and bring it forth to the table for events and how things would play out.
Going forward for the rest of the game we really want to hit on the fact of what Retrospec's goal has been which is reviving souls to regenerate and help regrow planets that were originally lost. In order to do that, we want to provide the opportunity for players to play with unique elements that may not only help them with their own regains but help them understand their CR and strengthen their bonds. Sign-ups for allowing us to incorporate elements of your canon (along with specific examples, etc.) will go up on the player plot page at the first of the year.
REGAINS
A lot of you seemed interested in the idea of personalized regains, but some good points were brought up regarding how they would work and the speed. We like the idea of providing players with a stock list to choose from, but we also want to be able to customize for players who don't mind the wait.
That being said, going forward in 2019 we will be implementing this as an optional feature! We will be upgrading the regains form for a "customization space" where all you have to do is list if you want your regain customized and we'll take care of the rest. This way, players have the option to do so as they wish and other players that just want their regains processed can do so at their own pace and timing manner. The form and examples will go up at the first of the year.
BONUS POINTS
Here's the big one…points.
We'll be honest; we're not a huge fan of the points-counting system either. We're ever grateful to Yuff for creating the points-counting spreadsheet that a majority of the game seems to be using and we're so glad it's helped so many players out. We also agree it's a great way for you guys to keep track of threads, track the progress of your characters and know who you've threaded with before and who you haven't. However, we get it. Points-counting is a pain and at the end of the month we're also counting points and cross-checking math and then having to badger you guys if the math's wrong. That's not fun. Who thinks that's fun?
A few ideas were brought up and a few comments mentioned not getting rid of the points system, or donating points, etc. As a medium solution, we've discussed what might be better overall.
-Rather than submitting points each month, we've considered having a small written summary of what your character's done in the month. This can be as short as you want (probably no more than 400 words, please!) and would be a brief expansion of what your character was up to during the month, linking any really relevant threads (plot-relevant, CR relevant, etc) and letting us review. This would be entirely optional. Players would then be rewarded points based on what they've written up, what they've done in-game, etc. These links would not have to specifically deal with whatever it is you're trying to regain/buy back. If you have a particularly heavy, emotional thread that's shaped your character to do xyz, we would reward points for that. Ideally, it would be a minimum of 100 points and no maximum and it would allow us to adjust on a sliding scale. And again, this would be entirely optional.
In addition, we do like the idea of players donating points to other players if they have an expenditure. To make this absolutely fair, an idea that we've had is creating a sign-up post each month for characters who wish to donate points and characters who wish to receive points. At the end of the month (the cut-off being 24 hours before AC is due), we would equally distribute points among those who signed up.
We realize these are a few drastically different systems and may not actually work together. We would love to hear your thoughts on these solutions and which you would like to go forward with. As such, please select from one of the options below.
ENDGAME AND APPS
So here's the thing. Closing apps six months prior to endgame was mostly with the thought of being unsure new players would even want to app into a game that's going into endgame, but we realize that was perhaps unfair of us to judge preemptively. As a result, we be keeping apps open for a longer period of time (maybe until about 2 months pre-endgame) and simply make it clear that the game is in an endgame period during those specific months. This way, potential players may decide what they wish to do.
Apps were closed in the summer initially due to several ideas the modteam had and things we were trying to do that would have been ICly a little jarring and awkward to have new characters dumped into. As mentioned in the initial feedback from July, these ideas were not executed as well as I (Ty) had hoped and for that I do apologize still. It was initially why it was mentioned we would close apps prior to endgame so new characters have time to settle and etc., but as stated above we have reconsidered this and will leave apps open, allowing players to decide for themselves how they wish to handle the endgame status at the time it comes up.
The idea of tying the reserve period/TDM/etc to the official Enable Me Plz posting was also brought up, and while we can see the appeal of this the only reason we have not done so is that this post is usually made at the end of the month and therefore we would have reserves, apps, etc. crashing right into all of the early month stuff like Retrospec and the event logs. While we could adjust so that all of these posts are moved back and begin a week later, we feel that the posting cycle has changed enough and would like to keep it consistent. However, the idea of allowing apps to come through without a reserve came up and we think that's a good compromise.
Another compromise we would make is leaving reserves open during the application period as well. Reserves are not only used for letting players know who might be looking to app into the game (in the event of challenges, etc.) but also gives us as mods an idea of what we should be expecting to see during this period as we prepare for end of the month tasks, AC, and getting the next month ready. If this is something players agree to, we will be willing to implement that system starting in 2019. Please select one of the following:
Several of you brought up the idea of dropped characters coming back, and this was actually something I (Ty) have heard from players previously. If this is something the playerbase would be into, we're all for it. We feel that Recollé is a unique environment specifically because of the AU to NPC mechanics and would have no issue allowing for the return of characters during the endgame months. A simple solution would be relinking your original app and requesting access to the comms just like a normal re-app. We would discuss AC requirements and mechanics as well for those who return prior to the official end of game.
While it was also brought up that this feels a bit early to talk about endgame, we as mods do want to face the reality that this game is much smaller than it used to be and wanted this on the radar for players now rather than "surprise, endgame's coming!" several months down the line.
As such, given the varying feedback offered by you guys on the last post, we want to present you with some different options for endgame of Recollé.
We want to do what's best for the game and what the playerbase feels is the best route since this is your story to tell. If you have a different idea of when you'd like to see endgame implemented, please suggest it!
In review as well…after reviewing the feedback provided by several of you, we are most likely going with the option of ending the game with a concrete solution and ending it there. Players will have a write-up of what will happen in the future going forward and those who wish to play can continue while those who wish to wrap up may do so as well. That seems to be the most satisfying ending for everyone involved.
In conclusion, we hope this addresses everything that you guys brought up and we really appreciate hearing what you have to say. If these are agreeable terms and ideas, we'll implement everything beginning 1/1/2019 so we're onto a fresh start and new ideas.
If anything, please be sure to vote for an endgame date even if you vote for nothing else! This will give us the best idea of what you guys are feeling and provide us with a balance for wrapping up the game in a timely but not too overextended manner.
We tried to address the concerns and feedback everyone brought us on the post and we hope everything was covered effectively! If there's something we missed, however, or something you'd like to discuss with us in further depth, you may leave additional comments below or hit us up via PM or the mod contact post. Thank you guys again for your time as always, and have a great week!
-Ty, Lucy and Megan
First and foremost, we'd like to say that we're incredibly grateful and thrilled that several of you chimed into the last feedback post (seen here.) As stated before, we really value what you guys have to say and what's most important for us is that we work together with the playerbase to have a satisfying game experience.
Much like the original feedback post, we'll be breaking the response down into sections along with how we're going to approach 2019 and a few things for you to vote on.
Let's get started.
FACELIFT
Thank you guys for the feedback and suggestions on this! We love knowing what does and doesn't work, and we will see what can be done to adjust the layout, etc, for readability and for keeping the upgraded look. Lucy did a fantastic job initially and I'm truly appreciative of that, but we want to make sure this looks and functions best for you guys. We will tweak this when we can.
PLOTS
One of the things we agree with is that November was a golden spot in terms of how we'd like to handle future events. We would like to incorporate metaplot for those who wish to go after it, and also the ability for personal plots to occur (for personal growth, etc.) We will also work to ensure that goals and ideas are outlined at the beginning of each month; it's been a brief adjustment period for us as well switching from one event log to two, so we thank you for your patience while we work on the right balance to keep everyone happy with the gameplay.
Generally speaking it looks as though a majority of you that reached out are okay with the posting schedule the way that it is (Retrospec on the 1st, Event on the 5th and Event on the 17th.) A point was brought up that the gap may be a bit too much between the 1st and the 5th, though from a mod standpoint I will say that the 3rd was cutting it a little too close for me to have everything finalized and ready to go. The most we would do is switch to posting on the 4th, but at this time we will be keeping the current schedule just for the sake of staying on track.
Regarding implementing canon elements, etc. We'd like to go forward with the idea of implementing them into events and the like, and the idea of blending them was brought up. In order to keep things fresh and also give people the opportunity to utilize them, a solution we've come up with is players letting us know if they're open to the idea of their specific world aspect, etc, being mixed with someone else's to create a unique experience. We would also like to mention that these aspects don't have to be something characters ICly remember yet and could be something a little harder to trigger. It would then be our job to weave it into the game's overall story and bring it forth to the table for events and how things would play out.
Going forward for the rest of the game we really want to hit on the fact of what Retrospec's goal has been which is reviving souls to regenerate and help regrow planets that were originally lost. In order to do that, we want to provide the opportunity for players to play with unique elements that may not only help them with their own regains but help them understand their CR and strengthen their bonds. Sign-ups for allowing us to incorporate elements of your canon (along with specific examples, etc.) will go up on the player plot page at the first of the year.
REGAINS
A lot of you seemed interested in the idea of personalized regains, but some good points were brought up regarding how they would work and the speed. We like the idea of providing players with a stock list to choose from, but we also want to be able to customize for players who don't mind the wait.
That being said, going forward in 2019 we will be implementing this as an optional feature! We will be upgrading the regains form for a "customization space" where all you have to do is list if you want your regain customized and we'll take care of the rest. This way, players have the option to do so as they wish and other players that just want their regains processed can do so at their own pace and timing manner. The form and examples will go up at the first of the year.
BONUS POINTS
Here's the big one…points.
We'll be honest; we're not a huge fan of the points-counting system either. We're ever grateful to Yuff for creating the points-counting spreadsheet that a majority of the game seems to be using and we're so glad it's helped so many players out. We also agree it's a great way for you guys to keep track of threads, track the progress of your characters and know who you've threaded with before and who you haven't. However, we get it. Points-counting is a pain and at the end of the month we're also counting points and cross-checking math and then having to badger you guys if the math's wrong. That's not fun. Who thinks that's fun?
A few ideas were brought up and a few comments mentioned not getting rid of the points system, or donating points, etc. As a medium solution, we've discussed what might be better overall.
-Rather than submitting points each month, we've considered having a small written summary of what your character's done in the month. This can be as short as you want (probably no more than 400 words, please!) and would be a brief expansion of what your character was up to during the month, linking any really relevant threads (plot-relevant, CR relevant, etc) and letting us review. This would be entirely optional. Players would then be rewarded points based on what they've written up, what they've done in-game, etc. These links would not have to specifically deal with whatever it is you're trying to regain/buy back. If you have a particularly heavy, emotional thread that's shaped your character to do xyz, we would reward points for that. Ideally, it would be a minimum of 100 points and no maximum and it would allow us to adjust on a sliding scale. And again, this would be entirely optional.
In addition, we do like the idea of players donating points to other players if they have an expenditure. To make this absolutely fair, an idea that we've had is creating a sign-up post each month for characters who wish to donate points and characters who wish to receive points. At the end of the month (the cut-off being 24 hours before AC is due), we would equally distribute points among those who signed up.
We realize these are a few drastically different systems and may not actually work together. We would love to hear your thoughts on these solutions and which you would like to go forward with. As such, please select from one of the options below.
Poll #20914 POINTS
Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: Just the Poll Creator, participants: 31
How would you like to handle bonus points in 2019?
Keep the points system the same (spreadsheet, turn in threads for points)
1 (3.2%)
Keep the points system the same, but allow a points donation post in addition to tallying your own points
13 (41.9%)
Do a brief summary write-up to turn in with AC and earn points
1 (3.2%)
Do a brief summary write-up and also host the points donation post
15 (48.4%)
Something else? Suggest it!
1 (3.2%)
ENDGAME AND APPS
So here's the thing. Closing apps six months prior to endgame was mostly with the thought of being unsure new players would even want to app into a game that's going into endgame, but we realize that was perhaps unfair of us to judge preemptively. As a result, we be keeping apps open for a longer period of time (maybe until about 2 months pre-endgame) and simply make it clear that the game is in an endgame period during those specific months. This way, potential players may decide what they wish to do.
Apps were closed in the summer initially due to several ideas the modteam had and things we were trying to do that would have been ICly a little jarring and awkward to have new characters dumped into. As mentioned in the initial feedback from July, these ideas were not executed as well as I (Ty) had hoped and for that I do apologize still. It was initially why it was mentioned we would close apps prior to endgame so new characters have time to settle and etc., but as stated above we have reconsidered this and will leave apps open, allowing players to decide for themselves how they wish to handle the endgame status at the time it comes up.
The idea of tying the reserve period/TDM/etc to the official Enable Me Plz posting was also brought up, and while we can see the appeal of this the only reason we have not done so is that this post is usually made at the end of the month and therefore we would have reserves, apps, etc. crashing right into all of the early month stuff like Retrospec and the event logs. While we could adjust so that all of these posts are moved back and begin a week later, we feel that the posting cycle has changed enough and would like to keep it consistent. However, the idea of allowing apps to come through without a reserve came up and we think that's a good compromise.
Another compromise we would make is leaving reserves open during the application period as well. Reserves are not only used for letting players know who might be looking to app into the game (in the event of challenges, etc.) but also gives us as mods an idea of what we should be expecting to see during this period as we prepare for end of the month tasks, AC, and getting the next month ready. If this is something players agree to, we will be willing to implement that system starting in 2019. Please select one of the following:
Poll #20915 RESERVES
Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: Just the Poll Creator, participants: 30
How would you like to handle reserves for 2019?
Leave reserves open full time + allow apps without reserves
11 (36.7%)
Close reserves at the usual time + allow apps without reserves
15 (50.0%)
Leave things as they are
4 (13.3%)
Something else? Suggest it!
0 (0.0%)
Several of you brought up the idea of dropped characters coming back, and this was actually something I (Ty) have heard from players previously. If this is something the playerbase would be into, we're all for it. We feel that Recollé is a unique environment specifically because of the AU to NPC mechanics and would have no issue allowing for the return of characters during the endgame months. A simple solution would be relinking your original app and requesting access to the comms just like a normal re-app. We would discuss AC requirements and mechanics as well for those who return prior to the official end of game.
While it was also brought up that this feels a bit early to talk about endgame, we as mods do want to face the reality that this game is much smaller than it used to be and wanted this on the radar for players now rather than "surprise, endgame's coming!" several months down the line.
As such, given the varying feedback offered by you guys on the last post, we want to present you with some different options for endgame of Recollé.
Poll #20916 ENDGAME TIMING
Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: Just the Poll Creator, participants: 31
How would you like to handle endgame?
We start the arc in the new year, working on delving into the mystery and unraveling the issues of Retrospec and ending the game in June of 2019
11 (35.5%)
We start the new arc in the new year at a bit of a slower pace to allow for character growth and development, ending the game in August of 2019.
14 (45.2%)
We start the new arc in the new year, allow for more growth and exploration opportunities in the upcoming months, and ending the game in February 2020.
6 (19.4%)
Suggest something else to us, we're all ears.
0 (0.0%)
We want to do what's best for the game and what the playerbase feels is the best route since this is your story to tell. If you have a different idea of when you'd like to see endgame implemented, please suggest it!
In review as well…after reviewing the feedback provided by several of you, we are most likely going with the option of ending the game with a concrete solution and ending it there. Players will have a write-up of what will happen in the future going forward and those who wish to play can continue while those who wish to wrap up may do so as well. That seems to be the most satisfying ending for everyone involved.
In conclusion, we hope this addresses everything that you guys brought up and we really appreciate hearing what you have to say. If these are agreeable terms and ideas, we'll implement everything beginning 1/1/2019 so we're onto a fresh start and new ideas.
If anything, please be sure to vote for an endgame date even if you vote for nothing else! This will give us the best idea of what you guys are feeling and provide us with a balance for wrapping up the game in a timely but not too overextended manner.
We tried to address the concerns and feedback everyone brought us on the post and we hope everything was covered effectively! If there's something we missed, however, or something you'd like to discuss with us in further depth, you may leave additional comments below or hit us up via PM or the mod contact post. Thank you guys again for your time as always, and have a great week!
-Ty, Lucy and Megan
no subject
- I'm not against writing a summary of what you do being offered as an OPTION, since I know for some people that's much easier to do than math. I just personally don't want to do it because I'm never good at those types of summaries, that's all. It's 100% my personal preference.
- Endgame wise, I'm open to anywhere between August 2019 - February 2020 tbh. I just feel June 2019 would be too fast paced, especially considering April-May tends to be bad months for Rpers due to a bunch of RL obligations that always pop up around that time (school, weddings, cons, etc).
no subject
I'm on board with the current event schedule, as before when it was just one thing at the start of the month I kinda struggled to make a top level before it got swarmed by everyone else. So WOW! Good change!
Endgame, I honestly don't know which option I would like more
Maybe the summary thing could be an optional thing? Maybe once people get the drill they could offer a summary of how they engaged with the events and if there were big CR moments or Character developments? But how much would be "enough" to pass AC would be sort of hard to gauge, points are objective and it's easy to say yes or no...
Maybe it could be our favourite thread? or feedback on what was our favourite event and the sort of ideas we had? I sometimes have ideas but ditch them in favour of something else, so, maybe that might help with creative ideas?
Anyway, love you guys, you're doing great!
Edit: Totally forgot to mention canon elements, YES YES AND YES! Idk how you guys will incorporate them, but I'm just thinking that giving a short list of some things from our canons that might be unique or that appealed to us might give you guys ideas. I'm basically on board for whatever, I just don't want to kill you guys
no subject
Looking at the choices for the bonus points, IDK if it was the wording or what, but I kind of got down to the poll expecting to see 'keep the points system the same, but have the option to submit a written summary instead.' That's what I would have ticked personally.
As for the endgame options, I'm like Yuff. I think June would be too fast, especially since I just picked up Rinka. I was already planning to grind really hard on her, but not that hard. Somewhere between August 2019 and February 2020 seems more feasible to me.
no subject
-For the first poll, I voted for "keep point system the same + allow point donation," but my real feeling is something basically like "give players a choice between the spreadsheet point system and a written summary, and allow point donation." Like Yuff, I like the idea of the written summary being available, but when I think about actually having to do it, I don't think I'd personally want to. (Since I'd have to keep on tracking my threads anyway, it doesn't seem that much more complicated just to add them up--but at the same time, there are some months where I might have fewer overall comments but a good number of more intense threads and a solid idea of what my characters did all month, so maybe I'd want to have the option then? who knows!)
-For the second poll, I don't care when reserves close, but I think apping without a reserve should be allowed.
-For the third poll, I chose August 2019, but anytime then or later is fine.
no subject
Maybe people who don't play a character from a certain canon but know it well can help brainstorm ideas for this if the players of that canon are short on ideas?
-Regains. The effects concept reminds me of how at least two characters have regained wounds in fresh form instead of as scars, player initiated. Maybe that would be on the stock list as a possibility? If it's easier for you, perhaps players should submit ideas for customized experiences? Or maybe there should be a limit per character per month?
-Bonus points? Personally, I like the summary idea. Another game I was in used summaries for AC and I felt like it took out a lot of the typical counting stress while motivating players to get something done every month. My only question is whether or not this would get confusing when handling backtags for points.
-Endgame is difficult to guess an exact date for. We don't know yet how the plot or new elements will affect interest in the game or activity rates. I'm personally leaning towards saying late Summer or Fall.