I would first like to thank everyone who took part in the survey. Becky and I were surprised at the feedback and feel the high turnout was related to the fact that it was anonymous. If that is the case, we want to make sure everyone realizes we don't bite. =) The OOC community is for any kind of discussion whether it be something goofy and unrelated or a serious constructive criticism of the game. We can not stress enough how important is to communicate, even if you fear a negative reaction. Click the link below to view the survey results as well as comments under each question. Thanks again guys.
-Dan
Survey Closed as of - Monday, October 27th Total Participants - 13
*Note: Some questions were skipped by members.
(1) Please describe your feelings about the current plot of the game.
It’s Okay -- 53.8% [7] It’s Great! -- 46.2% [6] It’s not for me -- 0% [0]
DAN: A fast forward is currently in the works, hopefully this will settle any plot confusion or discrepancies.
BECK: We're planning on starting the fast forward-related OOCs immediately (Monday/Tuesday) and hope to have everyone all caught up and ready to go by the end of the week. Everyone will need to decide what their characters will have been doing for the time that will have passed (which will be more than 1 year but less than 2, most likely). Also, you'll have to make minor updates to their profiles (ages, affiliations(?), histories(?). But the brunt of the work will be on Dan and I, getting all the lists caught up, etc. But this needs to involve everyone and the upcoming plot should be a group effort. That way we can all have what we want, new or not!
(2) Please describe your feelings regarding the pace of the game.
Way too slow, it drags. -- 69.2% [9] Comfortable and appropriate for a game of its size. -- 30.8% [4] Way too fast, I can’t keep up. -- 0% [0]
DAN: As mentioned before, the pace of the game is not totally dependent upon the moderators or main character-players. It is up to all members to post in a timely manner to keep things moving. Posting requirements have also been altered to address this issue.
BECK: I've recently gotten in touch with a few members who have gotten swamped with RL things and they will be on hiatus until early-mid November. They are Ulysse (Gambit) and Lili (Siryn) and will be coming back to us shortly, though, so don't worry. I think what Dan said applies, but I also think that plot should be more thought out and paced a little better than it has by the mods/myself. I would just like more feedback where the storyline is concerned (and luckily, the survey answers provided some of that!).
(3) How do you feel about having four communities for one game?
It’s a good idea, I like it. -- 61.5% [8] It’s a hassle, I don’t like it. -- 23.1% [3] I don’t have an opinion. -- 15.4% [2]
DAN: Eliminating one community is still being discussed. The purpose of all four communities is to keep things organized. There are links to each comm on almost every page of the game for your convenience. If you are confused as to what goes where, please contact either Becky or I.
BECK: I would prefer to keep the x_fluff_x community, for personal reasons. And since the majority seems to not mind, I'd rather not go through all the work of removing it from lists and such. I haven't even gotten to utilize it fully, so I plan to once the FF has taken place. For people concerned with their threads being buried or forgotten, we do keep the THREADS LIST updated (little behind at the moment) - and it features the combined threads from all three IC communities. So, players can look at that to see what is available to be posted in, what should still be looked at, etc. It also houses the HUGE list of closed threads, so you can see what's been done without having to use the TAGS. I'd also like to say that all threads are important, and the fluff community isn't there to demean or belittle. I agree with this statement [ "Every thread is important to character and relationship development..." ] for the most part. Some threads I've written, however, have just been purely for fun (not plot progression) and if they do not get looked over by one and all, it would have no effect on the game or plot. This is all for fun, of course, but sometimes we have to use our brains and put emotions into threads that we wouldn't need to for something more frivolous. And I think when someone pours their heart out in a thread and plans things out offline and discusses things with other players in detail, that that should be highlighted and showcased.
DAN: Your favorite weather witch and circus monkey are the winners! Along with the healer and animator Josiah and Conlan.
BECK: Wow - circus monkey, Dan? My inner-Storm takes offense to that. I'd like to make a comment, though. However cute Jean/Scott are, they will shortly be no more. Leigh and I have decided to put them into a separation for more than one reason, so that should provide us/everyone with some fun opportunities. Whee! Also, yay for gay!love/OC!love.
(5) Professor X should remain an NPC (Non-Player Character).
Agree -- 61.5% [8] Disagree -- 38.5% [5]
DAN: Both Magneto and Professor X were deemed NPCs at the same time for several reasons. Mainly because almost every character in the game wanted interaction with them, causing major headaches and time constraints for the players. Making them NPCs allows any member to interact with them as they wish. So, Professor X will remain an NPC.
BECK: Hey, at least some people wanted to see him wandering around. But apparently someone wants to see him dead, so [see below]. Lol. I'd like to see both Hank and Jean dead again, but only one of those is canon for the filmverse. The former is mostly because I [mainly] NPC him. lol But yeah, far too many people coming and going out of the cemetery.
(6) There is an adequate amount of open threads up at any given time (meaning threads that any character can join).
Disagree -- 58.3% [7] Agree -- 41.7% [5]
DAN: Enough open threads is an issue in a lot of games I believe. The problem is that everyone has a different agenda for their characters and with agendas come specific tags. Open threads not only contribute to plotless writing at times, but can slow the pace of the game depending on how many people are replying. Waiting turns can get very time consuming. However, for those only playing one or two characters, I can see how the lack of opportunity can be troublesome so this issue will be worked on as well.
BECK: My suggestion? Open them if you want them open! If you'd like to interact with random people, make it so. If the character that jumps in isn't someone your pup wants to talk to, either have them leave the thread, ask someone else to join in, or talk to the player and ask them if they could use another of their characters instead. Don't be afraid to open things up, though. Someone will jump in, even if it's an OC filing their nails. Lol.
(7) The current original characters add significant plot to the game.
Agree -- 69.2% [9] Disagree -- 30.8% [4]
DAN: There are some players that feel their OCs don’t contribute to the game’s plot, which brings us back to the main issue of not taking initiative. If you want your character to be involved, then be involved. There’s a reason some characters seem to get the spotlight more than others, because that player has decided to be a part of the story. Be a go-getter! =)
BECK: While I agree with most of what Dan has said here, I think that there are some hard feelings about original characters (with myself included) and that people are afraid to take the spotlight with their originals to make sure canon characters get the attention they 'deserve'. Well, I find some of our originals WAY more interesting than some of the crappers that Marvel has cooked up over the years. However, if your original isn't working, there's a good chance it should be let go. If your canon isn't working for you, do the same. Don't struggle over things and plot - this is supposed to be fun. And if your OC isn't getting the reception you thought they would, maybe there's a reason for it. We allow original characters, so you joined the game with that knowledge. I'd like everyone to have the opportunity to play one, because we all have things to offer, eh? Finally, this is a democracy, so if someone's original character chaps your ass, lemme know (even if it is mine). I don't want to make anyone crazy and frustrated/annoyed. I play loads of characters and can adjust accordingly.
(8) Which of the following canon characters would look the best in a string bikini?
DAN: The image of Beast in a bikini has been burned into my brain.
BECK: Fook you guys. Again, my inner-Storm is offended. And amused.
(9) If you could eliminate or tweak one game rule, what would it be and why?
· I was going to say the posting but that's been added to so I'm good!
· Get rid of the age limit.
· I would add a character limit - maybe 5. I would also add a retcon rule and subject them to voting by all members of the comm (with a simple majority required).
· I think the rules are fine.
· Players may only play canon characters that can be found on the wanted/needed list unless an excellent case is made in another character's favor." I understand why this rule is in place, but there are a ton of X-Men characters and I think people should apply for whatever character they want - within reason, of course. Plus, I think this rule might discourage some people from applying. Not everyone's going to want to take the time to argue their case to play their favorite character(s).
· I wouldn't!
· None
DAN: The age limit rule is being discussed. A character limit has been added. All available playable characters can now be picked up.
BECK: Age limit - this is around mostly because I don't like dealing with 14-year-olds. I was one, I know some, and I've played with some. I'm not someone's mom and I like to be open and honest with all of the players in the game and speak like an adult and use adult words and humor. Therefore, 17+ should stay, in my opinion. Hell, even if someone lies to me, and writes wonderfully and acts maturely, that's better than nothing. Out of sight, out of mind.
(10) If you could add a feature or improve the game in some way, what would it be?
· More game-wide plot would be fun but I suppose that's also up to the characters to make their own plots. I like everything the way it is now, in all honesty.
· More communication in ooc about what's going on in the game itself.
· Weekly chats/more communication.
· Transformation plots? Out the window. They seem very juvenile now.. HFC? Already in power. X-Men/Brotherhood? Much stronger rivalry; very few/no side-switching. General feel? Much darker. More ruthless. A desperate Brotherhood willing to kill a lot more people (and important, canon people) than they have. Beast would stay dead. Prof X might be dead/comatose, depending on circumstances. HFC would be psychically controlling the President and creating an extremely hostile environment for mutants. In general, a more "adult" game, especially if we're imposing an age requirement. More people would smoke and drink and swear and be violent. Oh, and I really am not into retcons. Or, at least, it would be nice if the retcons could be explained way more than they currently are.
· I'd have to think on it, but everything seems fine to me at the moment.
· None that I can think of at the moment.
· Have one community for threads. Every thread is important to character and relationship development, sticking them somewhere else is annoying.
· I'd give us a wiki or something.
· More small plots
DAN: Hopefully an increase in game play and a fast-forward will improve plot issues. Again, more communication in OOC is dependent upon everyone. We don’t want to track people down and make them reply. As far as sustaining a more “adult” like game, that depends on what adulthood means to you as an individual. Yes, we have sex and swearing, but we also want it to be tasteful. A lot of the characters have complex relationships and inner-struggles that are anything but juvenile. Having one community is not a popular idea, but eliminating one is being discussed. A Wiki page is debatable, but would ultimately be a decision Becky (the creator) would have to make. Small plots have a great deal to do with your ’wanted scenes’ list, keep them updated and do what you want with your character, the opportunities are endless.
BECK: I think Dan summed things up nicely. I tend to agree with the character deaths [ "Beast would stay dead. Prof X might be dead/comatose, depending on circumstances." ]. Loss is emo and fun. The retcon situation has been addressed and I've added a rule on the topic to the rules page. :D As an end note - the HFC will be discussed in the upcoming OOCs about the fast forward, but I'd like to ensure everyone that they will be involved and any suggestions and input on the topic would be/have been greatly appreciated!