InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "You'll put your eye out!"

Clockwork (clockworkmaster) wrote in dearclockwork,
@ 2008-06-13 21:58:00

Clockwork → Mod/Game Critique Post

Mod/Game Critique Post

Have an issue with the way the game's being run?

Have an issue with one of the moderators?

Uncomfortable bringing it up?

Well, we can't fix a problem unless we know about it, so post here and tell us about it! Anonymous commenting is always on and there will never be consequences for honest negative feedback. The mods will clear up your concerns as quickly as they possibly can and you can always find this post through the FAQ page.

_________________________________________________

☆NAVIGATION☆

↺ PREMISE ↺
↺ ADVERTISEMENT ↺

☆ GETTING STARTED ☆
RULES ↻ F.A.Q. ↺ TAKEN CHARACTERS ↻ WANTED CHARACTERS
RESERVATIONS ↻ APPLICATION ↺ IC/OOC RULES

☆ IN GAME ☆
HOUSING ↻ THE CITY ↺ ELECTRONICS
CORE MANUAL ↻ ADD/REMOVE LISTS ↺ HIATUS ↻ DROP

☆ CONTACT ☆
PLAYERS ↻ MODERATORS ↺ GENERAL SUGGESTIONS ↻ CURSE SUGGESTIONS
MOD/GAME CRITIQUE ↻ CHARACTER CRITIQUE ↻ CHARACTER VAULT

Ads by Project Wonderful! Your ad here, right now: $0

(Post a new comment)

	(Anonymous) 2008-06-14 04:44 am UTC (link)
	Too many changes trying to take place at once. BREATHE!! The lack of pacing is just going to throw both the mods and the players into a confused whirl. No harm in pacing yourself, is there? (Reply to this) (Thread)

	flying_solo 2008-06-14 05:15 am UTC (link)
	None at all! Sorry, honestly, if we seem to be rushing things, we're just trying to get the ball rolling to fix the things that have apparently been going wrong. Once we have the bare bones set, things'll settle down again. (Reply to this) (Parent)

letsplayagame
2008-06-17 03:40 pm UTC (link)

Hey guys! This is more of a concern than a critique, I think. Uhm, anyway-

It upsets me a little that you will accept and reject apps and leave others without an apparent reply in the middle. I'm guessing you do that because you have to discuss whether it's acceptable or not, but in that case- wouldn't it be better to inform the player on the page? I know it hasn't happened to me (yet), but still. I can imagine it would potentially upset people a little, and they deserve as much of an explanation as the next person.

So, er, yeah. That's pretty much it.

Thanks!

(Reply to this)

awarmred
2008-07-08 06:15 am UTC (link)

I think there should be a temporary ban on apping form Air Gear, or something.

Because seriously, it's getting to be too much. And they aren't really interacting outside of their fandom - well, some of them are, but not all are as good about it.

I know myself and others are feeling intimidated by the sheer amount of them there - and it sort of seems like all the attention is focused on them instead of other characters.

The bigger a fandom gets, I think, the more they sort of close themselves off. So... yeah.

(And no, Sonic wasn't the same. For one, most of the Sonic people were inactive)

We have 17 Air Gear characters, 2 pending in apps, and then intentions to further app. And it's too much, I think. I think something needs to be done.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	chocolatefetish 2008-07-08 06:19 am UTC (link)
	Completely agreed with all of the above. Other RPs have done it for much the same reason and there's no reason we can't do it, too. While it doesn't solve the existing issue, it at the very least prevents it from getting worse. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	thehermit 2008-07-08 01:00 pm UTC (link)
	nod I agree, too. Even though it doesn't directly affect my characters, because Near is antisocial and I haven't played Cain that much lately, I do think something should be done about that. Not just about AG, of course, it should apply to other fandoms as well, like Lissa mentioned. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

(no subject) -

spoiler_space, 2008-07-08 09:29 pm UTC

(no subject) -

kingofwands, 2008-07-09 12:36 am UTC

	babynike 2008-07-08 01:19 pm UTC (link)
	I agree with this. Especially because - and Air Gear muns, please don't be offended - they almost only interact with their canon mates. If I check my f-list, it's a bunch of Air Gear characters talking with each other, and locking their post to their canon mates. Not every single one of them, but the great majority. (Reply to this) (Parent)

bitterrosary
2008-07-08 09:41 pm UTC (link)

I agree, I've seen this problem before. Domination of one fandom, and especially in a way like this (Seriously, any day, look at the flist of CW and see how many posts are of AG origin) put people off from the outside of apping different fandoms. The rp becomes closed off, that fandom becomes more dominant, and eventually you'll get a sort of... implosion I guess.

Nothing against AG characters or their muns, but I think if there was a temporary ban on the characters until we get some more characters of different fandom it'll be better for the game as a whole.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

(no subject) -

ministripes, 2008-07-09 12:50 am UTC

1/2

errandboimatsu
2008-07-11 04:53 pm UTC (link)

I believe this may end up being a huge concern in the near future. I don’t particularly agree with how new rules get put into effect. I understand that rules are dandy and all, but there is a good way and a bad way to deal with said new rules going into effect.

Particularly with the latest new rule and the excuse of that ‘we don’t update on time’ looks really bad and it gets over used a lot.

I think the way the rules should be handled, when you post up a new rule, is from that time you posted the new rule onwards and that anything before that time is exempt.

Let’s say you want to use the new rule of making a limit on how many characters you want in a fandom. You could have easily just gone about accepting/rejecting applications normally and whomever you accepted last (pertaining a new character from the said fandom that is growing) would be where you put your limit.

Instead, the way that it looks is that you made the character limit into effect as you were accepting/rejecting applications shown here and also mentioned it.

Follow the link to see where I’m going on. Watch out specifically this line. The fact that this rule was placed when the apps were accepted/rejected was just a big case of bad timing. Sorry about that.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

2/2

errandboimatsu
2008-07-11 04:54 pm UTC (link)

That is really unprofessional and very egoistic. It also shows that whenever you guys put in a new rule, it makes applicants look incompetent of reading rules (I know sometimes people slime out of rules but come on!). Considering the rule wasn’t there when they first applied and using it as an excuse to decline them is unacceptable.

As I mentioned before any kind of application that was in before the new changes should have been exempt or an acceptation with the new rule. Since they were in before the new rule was even put into motion and any other application that comes in after the new rule would be declined.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Re: 2/2 -

thehermit, 2008-07-15 06:46 am UTC

(no subject) -

domestic_demon, 2008-07-15 02:31 pm UTC

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bitterrosary, 2008-07-15 04:05 pm UTC

Re: 2/2 -

awarmred, 2008-07-16 02:41 pm UTC

gotham_guardian
2008-07-21 12:54 am UTC (link)

This isn't a criticism so much as a suggestion. I'd like to suggest a rule that posts should not be made in other languages without a translation also given on the post. There are two reasons for this.

1) This one is totally OOC. The fact is: this is a game. And while not all characters can see or read a post, all the players should be able to. Must like filtered posts that are not actually filtered so other players can see them, all players should be able to read what's posted. And should be able to read it without having to ask another player what it says (which quickly becomes unwieldy) or using some sort of translator, both because it's a pain and hence people don't do it and because often the result is garbled.

1a.) This also avoids the problem where a character speaks that language, but the player does not. We don't have a requirement that you must speak the language(s) you character does and, IMHO, we shouldn't, and if we don't require translations be readily available, it could become a de facto requirement.

2.) On the IC side, I believe it was decided way back that the journals do auto-translation. Heck, the whole place does. Because I don't believe that all the characters of CW have a single language in common and if there's no translation, how can they all interact? But this also means that posts shouldn't be in other languages because, well, they'd be translated. Curses might be an exception, as they could break this function and leave characters unable to converse.

2a.) This would not, IMHO, apply to names because, well, it usually doesn't. We don't call a Hikaru "Light" or Watanuki "April 1st". Catchphrases maybe, maybe not; I suppose that's debatable. But in general...

(Reply to this) (Thread)

(no subject) -

bitterrosary, 2008-07-21 01:22 am UTC

	(Anonymous) 2008-07-28 01:47 pm UTC (link)
	You mods really need to get organized. There's there of you, apps aren't getting done, lists aren't getting updated. Work out something between the three of you; this game isn't that big or that fast. (Reply to this) (Thread)

(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2008-08-11 11:12 pm UTC

(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2008-08-19 10:49 am UTC

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devilbringer, 2008-08-19 05:59 pm UTC

(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2008-08-20 01:42 am UTC

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devilbringer, 2008-08-20 06:10 am UTC

(Anonymous)
2008-08-19 11:05 am UTC (link)

For a Crack RP things have gotten too serious lately, and by lately I mean two months ago or so. Clockwork now is just yet another pointlessly 'Dark' and 'Gritty' RP full of nothing but violence, death and sex. There is no plot, there are no curses anymore, there is only drama.

Way to go guys.

Just another little thing, since when a "crack" RP worries that much for OOCness? People getting worried for being OOC and putting their characters on hiatus because of being afraid of playing them wrong? It's a game, capishe? Leave that to SERIOUS RP games that do have a plot.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

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devilbringer, 2008-08-19 04:59 pm UTC

(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2008-08-19 05:29 pm UTC

OP - (Anonymous), 2008-08-19 05:54 pm UTC

Re: OP - (Anonymous), 2008-08-19 05:57 pm UTC

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devilbringer, 2008-08-19 06:05 pm UTC

(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2008-08-19 05:19 pm UTC

	(Anonymous) 2008-08-19 11:43 pm UTC (link)
	Flik, your favoritism is showing. We all know you don't like Numi, but don't let it affect your moderation. It's highly unprofessional and very petty. (Reply to this) (Thread)

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emancipatedward, 2008-08-20 11:50 am UTC

(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2008-08-20 02:18 pm UTC

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emancipatedward, 2008-08-20 02:53 pm UTC

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emancipatedward, 2008-08-20 04:19 pm UTC

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themastermind, 2008-08-20 04:30 pm UTC

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emancipatedward, 2008-08-20 07:40 pm UTC

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emancipatedward, 2008-08-20 05:20 pm UTC

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emancipatedward, 2008-08-20 04:26 pm UTC

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emancipatedward, 2008-08-20 04:29 pm UTC

	(Anonymous) 2008-08-21 03:30 am UTC (link)
	I'm concerned about characters learning supernatural abilities from other worlds. Right now Akito is learning alchemy for example. This kind of thing makes characters too powerful when they can learn everything from anywhere. Most other rps I have been in did not allow it. (Reply to this) (Thread)

(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2008-08-24 12:08 am UTC

	(Anonymous) 2008-08-22 08:02 am UTC (link)
	I have absolutely nothing against Kycha and I think she's a great player and I like her, but what are the basis for her to have become a mod when there are a lot of other older players that could have been appointed as such? (Reply to this) (Thread)

(no subject) -

clockworkmaster, 2008-08-22 07:55 pm UTC

smackmybitchup
2008-08-24 01:22 pm UTC (link)

SUGGESTION TIEMS.

Since there isn't a suggestions page, I'm leaving this and hoping the mods will take it into consideration.

This is a matter that has been bothering me for a while, now: the Wanted/Requested Characters page! It's become a little obvious for me that people never (or rarely) check it before or after joining Clockwork. Most of those who apply by any sort of influence is either because they've been convinced by their friends in private or because they happened to be in the Clockwork OOC chat when somebody wished Character A or B would join.

I personally asked two nights ago (if I'm not mistaken) how often the players present in the OOC chat at the time actually checked the Wanted Page. And, just as I suspected, the answers were "Never" or "Rarely".

So then I asked their thoughts on having a monthly request post in the Clockwork OOC community (situated in IJ), where players could fill out a small form with the character(s) they want to see, the fandom(s) and why they want said character(s) to join. Several agreed this would be a good idea.

After these posts and at the end of each month, the list situated in LiveJournal could be updated to make sure those new to the game got a chance to see it, as well.

Perhaps making the existence of the Wanted Characters list a bit more obvious at the Application Page would be recommendable, too?

I think that's all. So. Yeah.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

(no subject) -

deliveryboy, 2008-08-24 11:56 pm UTC

(Anonymous)
2008-10-02 04:34 pm UTC (link)

I don't know what's happening but this game is dying, you, mods, are letting it die little by little. The war/revolution curse whatever it was, was neat, until it got too long, and now that it ended (in the most boring way) it's like all stopped.

People are dropping, going on hiatuses, and you don't do anything, you still take weeks to accept applications, which only shows the interest you have in your own game.

This used to be fun, and now I only see people talking about leaving and finding another RP where they feel they can play for real.

(Reply to this)

(Anonymous)
2008-10-12 01:30 pm UTC (link)

Hey guys!

I'm gonna have to agree a little bit with the previous anon. I think the previous big plot kind of threw things off and now some players are showing some difficulty in bouncing back to normalcy. We need more, random reasons for characters to interact with others! Sure some of the initiative must come from the player him/herself, but. A little help, mods? We'd appreciate it.

And, please please please, wait until you cook up another big or long plot. I know you guys get excited with this, but let us have things be a little light-hearted for a while! Otherwise I fear there will be more and more people kind of losing their motivation and stuff.

Finally (and I know the mods are discussing and trying to work on this, sorry for pushing the same old button yet again) but something seriously needs to be done about the applications. Apparently your system is waiting for all the mods to see the apps before you decide to let any of them into the game? That's what I understood, anyway.

I highly suggest this changes, not only because it takes you guys a lot of time to accept the applications (and a lot of people end up complaining and even semi-harassing you about them) but, well, let's face it, guys. You have better things to do than read apps all the time.

I think that one (or two) people got in charge of apps. One with a lot of fandom knowledge from several fandoms and another for grammar and/or whatever other parameters. If the 'fandom-mod' isn't familiar with a certain story, then you guys could... ask around for whoever wanted to take the job? Or something?

And set up a schedule, like accepting apps every two weeks, always on time. It seems to work well on most communities.

I don't mean to sound like I'm whining and throwing out suggestions on how you should do your job with no good reason. I'm really concerned about the way things are being handled because, well... it just feels like we're losing our motivation.

Thank you for your attention. ♥

(Reply to this)

	(Anonymous) 2008-11-10 06:12 am UTC (link)
	"We need more, random reasons for characters to interact with others!" This. Also wishing curses came more often, big plots or small. But without interruption plots tend to spiral right back into the Air Gear vortex. Any chance of getting away from that and letting the rest of us play would be appreciated. (Reply to this)

(Anonymous)
2008-12-10 05:23 pm UTC (link)

First off, I'm going to ask the mods and players to not see this comment as a way to anonymously target anyone in specific, which I am not. It's just a concern that's been given reason to grow and turn into a bit of a pet peeve. Still, I think it's justifiable that I leave a comment in this criticism post expressing my opinion.

Guys? The logging community was made for a reason. Some people don't seem to understand that, though, and are making so called 'mini-logs' in their characters' personal journals. If all the characters are interacting in person instead of doing so through action and voice posts, then it shouldn't be a journal post in the first place.

If it's not too much trouble or this particular anon being too petty about it, mods? Please, alert the players that they're doing it wrong and ask them to move the posts to the logging community. Not only are they kind of bending the rules, but I imagine they are also making your activity checking a little harder, too. I guess the logs outside of the logging community don't count, and only bring disadvantage to the player(s) themselves.

Finally, apologies for sounding whiny about something this minor; just felt it should be corrected.

Thank your for your time.

(Reply to this)

	(Anonymous) 2009-03-13 10:58 pm UTC (link)
	Flik, READ THIS (http://rp-advice-meme.livejournal.com/775.html?thread=1386503#t1386503). You could definitely use it. (Reply to this)

(Anonymous)
2009-03-17 09:21 pm UTC (link)

I'm going to try and keep this as neutral-seeming as I can, without trying to be offensive or anything. Saying that right now, just in case. There is no offense meant here, just genuine concern.

Flik. I know I'm right in saying that I'm not the only one growing somewhat annoyed with the way you're playing. While it's true I have vices with other players as well, there are some things that have been making me wonder...even debated dropping the game. However, I haven't, but this still concerns me greatly.

The way you mod and play is worrying. Mod or not, it does look and seem to many players that I talk to frequently that you're bending the rules a little too much, just so you can have the situations you want occur. For example, the relationship between Heero and Duo. While I must admit, I don't know their canon very well, others that do have voiced concern that you're playing too much into it. Some of your characters' reactions to situations as well, such as Dick/Nightwing and the mention of anything vaguely like a gang, and the ongoing issue with the Air Gear crowd and that seeming to be gang activity.

The Air Gear issue in particular annoys me, one instant in particular. The arranged match between Fort's Agito and Pup (mini-Sora). The match was arranged, with set rules and guidelines as per the AG canon. Nightwing's harsh reaction to it was slightly over the top seeming. The two riders are well known for being powerful and not wanting to have civilians in the way. It's highly doubtful that either would actually go out and deliberately cause harm to the NPCs either, which Nightwing seemed to be indicating. It looked OOC to an outside view, including to those who know the canon.

But I won't go any further into that. Best save that for those who know the canons.

The other issue I have is with the current curse. I understand that it's a Random Curse, a free for all. HOWEVER, with Hisoka changing bodies with Zuko, I seem to recall that you yourself have come down on players before for even suggesting that they were planning to do so. The body switch alone might not be as bad, but the complete personality switch seems highly unfair and against the rules. There isn't a Zuko in game to switch with. A body switch like that seems to indicate that there'd be, what. Hisoka wandering around somewhere in the Avatar world? And the knowledge gained for him from such a curse comes pretty close to being OOC knowledge.

You're also overlooking things that are as clear as day to the rest of us. Several muses I could name, some of which I do know the canons of, as a matter of fact, are acting OOC. However, you appear to be overlooking this, even approving of it because either a) the players are some of your close friends or b) the character interaction it could bring with your own muses. The first reason in particular seems to be allowing people to get away with a lot of things.

It's incredibly unfair on the rest of us that you seem to bend the rules this way. Perhaps I'm a coward for not logging in and posting this on one of my character's journals. But what I say is the truth by my reference. The game is dying in some ways, and there are some that believe it's mostly because of yourself. Myself? I believe it is you in part, hence this post.

Please. Take a step back and look at what you're doing. I want this game to stay alive. I can't stand seeing it die because one of the mods doesn't appear to be doing what she should be.

(Reply to this)

(Anonymous)
2009-03-18 01:26 am UTC (link)

I'm going to assume that because this is a post for game critique, I'm doing this in the right place.

Maybe it's because I'm a leftover from back when Carrie was at the helm and remember the way things were then or maybe it's something else, but I seem to recall a time when this game was fun: people got along for all intents and purposes and people didn't really have to be coaxed into participating. After Carrie left, the game continued in the same vein for a while, but now it's to the point where characters drop like flies when activity checks roll around, muns scurry to post for characters during that activity check week then disappear again only to be seen or heard from the next time it comes around, cliques have formed to the point where the game is split in sides (and if you think it hasn't, you have your eyes closed), and there is NO interaction between those sides save for calling one or the other out on things. There's been a rise in Drama Queens, OOCness, In-Game stuff creating tiffs outside the game, and other things. Is that the way a game like this is supposed to run or did I miss something in the rules and FAQs?

I'm not directing this at either Mod, I'm directing this at EVERYONE in the game, myself included. There is no reason this place should become a battleground, but that's where it's heading. If we can't be comfortable going to one another BEFORE we run to the Mods with every little thing, then we're all to blame for why the game is dying. If everyone took the initiative to open the lines of communication between players again instead of letting things bottle up and build until the only thing left to do is run to a Mod, it'd take a lot of the pressure off of them (there's only two of them, but there's a lot more of us) and make things more enjoyable for everyone here, I think. Give the Mods a hand, will ya? Pelt and Flik both have enough on their plate to run after every little complaint others have because no one couldn't be bothered to try and take care of their differences themselves.

TL;DR: The game isn't fun anymore and everyone (yes, everyone) is pointing fingers at the wrong people when they SHOULD be pointing them at themselves for not doing something about it before it reached this point.

(Reply to this)

	(Anonymous) 2009-03-22 05:20 am UTC (link)
	Give this site a rest, it deserves it. Good things should be over before they become annoying, and certainly this game has become a chore for many and a headache for others. Stop forcing something that cannot be forced anymore. (Reply to this)