Post by Rodimus Prime on Nov 9, 2010 11:27:46 GMT -5
Sometimes, those of us who've been here for ages forget that some of the terms used to describe whether or not new characters can join a thread aren't always as obvious to newcomers, so I've decided to write up a quick explanation of how we handle things here, and what the little OOC notes at the begining of each thread desribe. Hopefully I'll remember to wiki this later.
The person who starts a thread determines two things - what day the thread is on, and who can join it. All other players are expected to respect the wishes and requests set forth in the starting post by the person who begins the thread.
To keep the players from having to constantly wait for old threads to finish before starting new ones, we do not require that threads being handled chronologically. However, since it's useful for players to know what happens before what when portraying their character, we establish a timeline that resets at the start of each new general time segment. Sometimes there are still bound to be a few problems and contradictions, and it's entirely possible for a player to unintentionally Joss themselves from time to time, but overall this method seems the best for allowing the most players the most participation, so some amount of fuzziness and handwaving is expected. We like timelines, we like events to lead to new events, but when reasonable contradictions occur, we ask that people just kind of look the other way. Goodness knows, most of our canon sources contradicted themselves on occasion! Continuity errors, themselves, are part of the genre!
There are five general 'classes' for whether or not new players can join a thread, as described below:
Open - An open thread is just that - open to any player who wishes to join. Sometimes players will ask permission to join one of these anyway. Usually, this is done out of politeness, but people should be aware that long-timers sometimes get frustrated with having to repeat 'Yes, you can join that thread, that's why I set it open,' over and over again.
Open with Conditions - Similar to 'open,' but the player who starts the thread sets certain requirements on those who join the thread. Sometimes these are logical requirements based on location. The best examples are threads that take place on the Event Horizon and Ship. Event Horizon threads tend to be open to Autobots only (and Maximals - the game tends to group them together, so please don't think that just because the thread says 'Open to Autobots' that you can't post your Maximal into it), while Ship threads tend to be open to Decepticons/Predacons/Vehicons. It's not that there is never a reason for characters of the opposing faction to be on their ships, but those are unusual circumstances not accounted for by day to day threads. Threads that take place in private quarters tend to open with the request that newcomers have a reason for being there (you don't have to room there - people can visit other rooms because they have friends there, someone's late for watch, they're borrowing a cup of robo-sugar, or whatever else). Sometimes threads have conditions based on what the thread-starter wants to happen in that thread, like a thread in a bar that's intended to include certain conversations. Sure, anyone can join, but since a barfight would derail the conoversation, the player might ask that you not include characters that are liable to cause one.
Semi-Private - 'Semi-Private' is probably the category that causes the most confusion. Semi-private does not mean that you cannot join the thread. Semi-private just means that you should ask the person who started the thread before you join! If you ask and the thread-starter requests that you do not join, or that you wait until a certain point in time before joining, respect their wishes. They are not doing it to be mean. Semi-private threads are generally created to accomplish a specific plot purpose, and the thread-starter may feel that your particular character might be too disruptive to that purpose. So why make the thread semi-private instead of private? Because, while the player(s) who started the thread have a specific goal in mind, often they are open to idea of changes or new additions that have the potential to be interesting. Don't be afraid to ask about semi-private threads, but at the same time, don't be upset if someone tells you 'no.' By the same token, if you're a semi-private thread-starter and someone asks to join, don't be afraid to tell them 'no' if you feel they would not be condusive to the thread.
Private - Private threads are by invitation only. Don't even ask to join these. Threads are often made private for similar reasons to why they're made semi-private - the players have a specific purpose in mind when starting the thread, and don't want to see it derailed. Private threads are relatively rare on this board, but they do happen. One example would be Punch and Mirage's meetings. Both characters are very good at their jobs, and therefore take a lot of precautions to minimize the risk of being accidently uncovered, making it very unlikely that a random passerby will stumble on them. I am not against the idea of Counterpunch being found out some day (in fact, I intend it to happen eventually), but given the special conditions surrounding this character (I have consented to his death if the Decepticons find out), I wouldn't want to have him found out casually or lightly!
Closed - Closed threads aren't really the opposite of open threads. Instead, it usually indicates a thread that's run its course and is considered completed, and often this isn't indicated in the thread itself (since we don't always go back and edit that first line once we're done with the theads). Occasionally active threads will use the descriptor 'Closed' when they mean 'Private,' but normally 'Closed' just means 'Completed and no longer active.' You're more likely to see this descriptor in the timeline list than in the thread itself.
And there you have it! Hope that was helpful to some folks. The quick version is, 'Don't ask for open, but respect any conditions listed. Ask for semi-private and respect the response. Don't join private uness you've been invited.'
The person who starts a thread determines two things - what day the thread is on, and who can join it. All other players are expected to respect the wishes and requests set forth in the starting post by the person who begins the thread.
To keep the players from having to constantly wait for old threads to finish before starting new ones, we do not require that threads being handled chronologically. However, since it's useful for players to know what happens before what when portraying their character, we establish a timeline that resets at the start of each new general time segment. Sometimes there are still bound to be a few problems and contradictions, and it's entirely possible for a player to unintentionally Joss themselves from time to time, but overall this method seems the best for allowing the most players the most participation, so some amount of fuzziness and handwaving is expected. We like timelines, we like events to lead to new events, but when reasonable contradictions occur, we ask that people just kind of look the other way. Goodness knows, most of our canon sources contradicted themselves on occasion! Continuity errors, themselves, are part of the genre!
There are five general 'classes' for whether or not new players can join a thread, as described below:
Open - An open thread is just that - open to any player who wishes to join. Sometimes players will ask permission to join one of these anyway. Usually, this is done out of politeness, but people should be aware that long-timers sometimes get frustrated with having to repeat 'Yes, you can join that thread, that's why I set it open,' over and over again.
Open with Conditions - Similar to 'open,' but the player who starts the thread sets certain requirements on those who join the thread. Sometimes these are logical requirements based on location. The best examples are threads that take place on the Event Horizon and Ship. Event Horizon threads tend to be open to Autobots only (and Maximals - the game tends to group them together, so please don't think that just because the thread says 'Open to Autobots' that you can't post your Maximal into it), while Ship threads tend to be open to Decepticons/Predacons/Vehicons. It's not that there is never a reason for characters of the opposing faction to be on their ships, but those are unusual circumstances not accounted for by day to day threads. Threads that take place in private quarters tend to open with the request that newcomers have a reason for being there (you don't have to room there - people can visit other rooms because they have friends there, someone's late for watch, they're borrowing a cup of robo-sugar, or whatever else). Sometimes threads have conditions based on what the thread-starter wants to happen in that thread, like a thread in a bar that's intended to include certain conversations. Sure, anyone can join, but since a barfight would derail the conoversation, the player might ask that you not include characters that are liable to cause one.
Semi-Private - 'Semi-Private' is probably the category that causes the most confusion. Semi-private does not mean that you cannot join the thread. Semi-private just means that you should ask the person who started the thread before you join! If you ask and the thread-starter requests that you do not join, or that you wait until a certain point in time before joining, respect their wishes. They are not doing it to be mean. Semi-private threads are generally created to accomplish a specific plot purpose, and the thread-starter may feel that your particular character might be too disruptive to that purpose. So why make the thread semi-private instead of private? Because, while the player(s) who started the thread have a specific goal in mind, often they are open to idea of changes or new additions that have the potential to be interesting. Don't be afraid to ask about semi-private threads, but at the same time, don't be upset if someone tells you 'no.' By the same token, if you're a semi-private thread-starter and someone asks to join, don't be afraid to tell them 'no' if you feel they would not be condusive to the thread.
Private - Private threads are by invitation only. Don't even ask to join these. Threads are often made private for similar reasons to why they're made semi-private - the players have a specific purpose in mind when starting the thread, and don't want to see it derailed. Private threads are relatively rare on this board, but they do happen. One example would be Punch and Mirage's meetings. Both characters are very good at their jobs, and therefore take a lot of precautions to minimize the risk of being accidently uncovered, making it very unlikely that a random passerby will stumble on them. I am not against the idea of Counterpunch being found out some day (in fact, I intend it to happen eventually), but given the special conditions surrounding this character (I have consented to his death if the Decepticons find out), I wouldn't want to have him found out casually or lightly!
Closed - Closed threads aren't really the opposite of open threads. Instead, it usually indicates a thread that's run its course and is considered completed, and often this isn't indicated in the thread itself (since we don't always go back and edit that first line once we're done with the theads). Occasionally active threads will use the descriptor 'Closed' when they mean 'Private,' but normally 'Closed' just means 'Completed and no longer active.' You're more likely to see this descriptor in the timeline list than in the thread itself.
And there you have it! Hope that was helpful to some folks. The quick version is, 'Don't ask for open, but respect any conditions listed. Ask for semi-private and respect the response. Don't join private uness you've been invited.'