Modly Follow-Up
Well, now, it's been a bit of time since our last post. Tereesa and I have chatted a bit, we've pushed our brains together and then rather quickly pulled them back apart again because first, ew that's sticky and second... neither of us wants any further into the other's brain, thank you. After reading through feedback, talking things over, sorting out any concerns, here is what conclusions we have come to:
Regarding Game Interest and Characters Remaining
There seemed to be a rather unanimous decision to keep everything open for play, even though we are running on the slower side. Actually, that seemed to work in favor for some of us, and from what we could tell, everyone seemed to be keen on keeping their characters for now, plus possible additions -Em, I'm looking at you... :P
Myself, also. I'm working on finishing my Poison Ivy app. Hopefully this week at some point.
Regarding the Relaxed Activity Rules
In case these were missed, since it was done rather on the side months ago. They were changed to reflect the overall slower nature of rp in general among some of the more settled and older players on IJ these days. The new policy is basically this:
Each new approved character is required to have activity of some kind: a new thread/narrative, or commenting on an existing thread. This needs to be done within a week of acceptance unless previous discussed with the moderators.
We expect activity, but do not have an actual requirement beyond that. We are all adults with busy lives. We understand that there are things like work, spouses/significant others, children, and holidays that sometimes (and in most cases, should) take precedence over this game. We prefer you keep us in the loop, just so we know you are still interested in playing.
If we notice a rather long spanning lack of activity and have not heard from you in equally as long as time, we will make three attempts to contact you for follow-up on your status. Character removal due to inactivity will be due to moderator discretion and will involve (if at all possible) the player of the character in question.</i>
This may change in the future.
New Threading/Posting/Activity Options
It was something I had suggested and it is obviously completely optional.
There is already the obvious of doing threaded scenes with other characters, or even narrative posts where your character just posts a developmental bit of exposition (perhaps with dialog with an NPC) to move them forward.
AIM logs have been an option as well, though neither Tereesa or I do them very often ourselves to have previously felt including information on them in the game rules. I have put together a separate Posting Rules and Guidelines pages to clarify all of these things.
Above and beyond those, new to Almost Paradise, is the addition of being able to send brief electronic communications to other characters on the island. Now, upon arriving on the island, regardless of when, everyone received a cell phone in their welcome basket. This phone automatically updates the phone registry listing with needed numbers in it. So, it makes sense to include this communication option.
Most games separate a community out for these things, but we are a small enough group that we do not feel that currently this is necessary. This may change in the future, but for now, all activity, so that we can track it, will be kept in the almost paradise community.
The modes of electronic communication now available are: Voice Call, Text, and Email. What is going to distinguish these from other posts is how you start the subject line. The subject line of your community post is going to start with what type of post it is, then who it is directed to. An email would probably have a subject line as well. More information on suggested formatting (and even a visual example of a text) is on the Posting Rules and Guidelines page.
This is designed to allow some quick back and forth conversation between characters without requiring any exposition. Single lines, and/or sentences are more than welcome and even encouraged. Just keep in mind that if a conversation is between two people, you probably can't just jump in.
Tag Your Own Posts
If you can, of course. The posts to the main community get added to the memories based on characters involved (well, that's the plan for the future anyway, my rainy day plan). However, sometimes that can change if someone gets added to a thread mid-run. This is where the tags are really handy. If you start a thread, after you post it, you can edit tags on that thread right after you've posted it. Each character in the game should have a tag available for their character. If there is not one, use the untagged tag, and one of us will fix it later. Or poke me on AIM and I'll take care of it.
If you join a thread to comment and you or someone else has not tagged the thread, please tag it. It really does help keep track of who is where and all that. Please. Think of your mods. You love us. Two of you have met my husband. Do it for me out of love. LOVE! And maybe a touch of pity.
Beyond that, if you have any questions, want to harass me or give me squishes, feel free! I am here for all of that and more! Make sense? Clear as mud? Yes/no/maybe/poke a badger with a spoon?