route_006 | HMD: May 2012 response!

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HMD: May 2012 response!

Hey, Route people!

So, we've assembled most of the stuff brought forth during the HMD. We know we've got our work cut out for us, but we've gathered some potential solutions that we hope will satisfy. That said, it's all a work in progress—it always is, and hopefully always will be as we continue to grow and learn—so we hope you'll give us your input!

Anonymous is enabled for this discussion, but we'll admit that we thought the HMD discussion got more than a little heated in places, so if we find things are getting out of hand, responses will be screened outright. Please keep discussion productive.

GENERAL MAINTENANCE

Availabilities definitely needs some doing. We're planning on getting together, possibly on Tuesday or Wednesday, and getting all of this done in one shot if we can. Since Sunny and I have so far been ineffective in getting this done, we're counting on our lovely techs. We'll be including more Gen 4s and 5s, especially in Kanto where we're hoping more people will roam to.

Unfortunately, starting in Kanto will not be possible at this time, nor will we be introducing any new regions. Two is already enough of a headache, haha.

Starters will be getting a complete overhaul, but we haven't decided how to go about this quite yet. It's likely that we're looking at a case-by-case basis, with every not-fully-evolved or single-phase pokemon available to every character (except Rockets, who will continue to have IC restrictions, and dragon-types and other powerhouses/rares will continue to be limited). We're just looking at a way for that to happen without a giant table or image(s) that will lag every computer that isn't running the newest hardware or doesn't have a high-speed connection.

Contests and Coordinators will not be an official, mod-run class for the time being, at least not until we get everything else looked at. However we'd be happy to allow players to coordinate [/rimshot] events if they'd like! We've gotten some suggestions (looking at you, Kev), so we're offering that as a stopgap for now.

We're working on a list of previously-asked Inquiries questions, but at six pages, we're asking for your patience.

We'll also be reinstating Police Bulletins, courtesy of Sunny. Thank you, Sunny! Which brings us to...

TEAM ROCKET

Firstly, PC rockets feeling like they're being treated as NPCs. That was wrong of us—of me, Ara, since it was my plot—and I apologize for anyone that felt like they were being used. Some Rockets enjoyed it, which I'm happy to hear, but we're not here to lead anyone around by the nose. With that in mind, what we'd like to propose is the creation of a Rocket Community to serve the interests of Rocket muns.

The way we'd run it would be thusly: while everyone would be asked to subscribe to the community, only Rocket players could become members. That way all players could be invited to plot with rockets, while Rocket muns (and the mods) could continue to organize nefarious things in secret, behind the scenes. This way, Rocket players could be forewarned about mod-run plots while keeping things a secret from the players at large for suspense. The missions post would become missions-only, not to mention we'd have a clear list of in-game Rockets at any given time. We already have a comm for breeders, so we figured, why not?

So, Route: ROCKET COMM, YES OR NO? Please let us know your opinions; unfortunately, DW doesn't allow polling from non-paid accounts, so we'll have to ask you to leave a comment. For the purpose of this exercise, only logged in votes will be counted as we would like a clear headcount as to what our current players want.

The theft requirement was another pressing concern: we had no idea people felt so strongly about it! When we introduced it, we were met with quite a bit of approval, so we were surprised to see so much ire. What we'd like to do is to make it A) biweekly, and B) less demanding. What we propose is that from now on, any pokemon above level 15, or even lower-leveled rare pokemon, can be brought in to the Team to make quota; however, extra monetary rewards (P5000 and +) will be offered for pokemon above lv 30 or of uncommon rarity. Like right now, larger, 'full-time' missions can replace the theft requirement (the FAQ has been edited to reflect this tidbit).

All Rockets will be required to have a mission as soon as their training is over. Speaking of which, we'd like to make Rocket training one week instead of two. (We'd also like to remind people that characters can post and interact with others during their training! They can use the network as anyone would, they just might be a little tired, haha.)

Rocket secondary starters will be expanded on to include Zubat, Woobat, Scraggy, Murkrow, Croagunk, Stunky, Vullaby, Drowzee, Vulpix, Houndour, Skorupi, Seviper, Trubbish and Spinarak. Any other suggestions are welcome!

Rockets of rank Beta or above can request transport by helicopter to any destination they require, provided they can claim 'Team business' (...this is flexible, cough) to do it.

We'd like to add that Rockets also have the bases in Goldenrod and Celadon, as well as Mahogany (emptied, but currently undergoing renovations and downsizing), with new facilities being built in Saffron and Lavender. The facilities are pretty swank, all things considered—TVs, leather couches, rec areas, showers 24/7—and you don't have to pay to sleep there.

Of course, cross the Team and you'll still get your butt handed to you, just saying. Failing to occupy oneself with a mission, or failing to bring in any pokemon, will result in punishment, with repeat offenders being punished more harshly. Scratch their back, they'll scratch yours, but the hand that feeds is also the one holding the rod.

Again, everything here is changeable if enough people want it. These aren't 100%-satisfaction-guaranteed-or-your-money-back solutions, and we're not trying to pretend they are. They're just the best we could come up with with regards to what was brought to us, so if anyone has any solution more viable than what we have here, please let us know.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Hey, Rocket muns, get in here! We want your opinions with regards to the current Team, as well as the solutions proposed above.

What do you think?

Not a Rocket mun, but very interested in apping a character myself, so I wanted to pose an idea that's been bouncing around in my head. I know one of the heated features of a Rocket was how much the theft requirement was handwaved, so perhaps if there was a character that could be an assistant or three to the NPC in charge of it, then people would have a reason to take advantage of it more often.

This could be more than one player (I think a group that gets along well together would be ideal) and it could be set up identical to the Breeding Centre audio post (the post for reference). With people offering to help out both IC and OOCly, it'd be easy to track which Rockets have been 'successful' and which ones have been 'slacking', which means the potential for promotions and punishments!

Additionally, it could be a sticky post or one of the easily found ones in the potential Rocket Community. Tracking a post for all replies would be easy for those who volunteer and it opens up potential opportunities for Rockets who aren't violence-heavy.

Edited (typoooos ) 2012-05-21 15:03 (UTC)

I have nothing useful to add atm aside from a great big +1 for the idea of the Rocket comm, assuming non-Rocket commenting is enabled: we're going to need victims/heroes/etc sounding off once plots are ready to be announced. Probably goes without saying, but I just wanted to check. <3

(I'd also like to propose, with all the new improvements and additions to the way Rockets are set up here, that Route run a specifically Rocket-based ad in the next ATP. I'd be happy to type something up myself, but I'd also love to see Rocket muns chatting with potential applicants. There's a lot of different jobs to fill, now - let's try and find more teammates to fill them!)

...I lied, I do have something to add.

Why are thefts/Pokémon acquisitions a set number in the first place? Yes, it's a criminal organization, it makes sense to have a quota - but even if a Rocket wanted to use the requirement to run a theft plot, I doubt anybody'd want to do that every two weeks. And handwaving doesn't create RP opportunities.

Instead, why not make the focus more on "everyone has to have an individual mission"? That's already the case for people with a "full-time" mission, but why not expand things so everybody has something they do full-time? "Steal as many as possible" can be a job for those who'd like to play out the kind of plots making quota would entail, but either way, Rockets would be involved in activities that involve other players, instead of happening behind the scenes.

I do understand this could create an issue of "too many people all looking for victims/heroes at the same time", but wouldn't constant Pokémon thefts even among NPCs be causing that kind of unrest? If people have longer-term plots that don't necessarily involve continuous payoff, interactions and plans can build over time.

tl;dr - The quota, to me, doesn't seem like a practical way of creating potential for RP. Instead, why not give everybody long-term plots?

Ok, I think I might be getting confused by the wording of the paragraph explaining the Rocket comm, so let me see if I've got this straight.

OOC, everyone can read all of the TRComm posts.

OOC, everyone can comment to OOC TRComm posts.

OOC, only the muns of IC Team Rocket members can create an OOC TRComm post.

IC, only Team Rocket members can create, read, and comment to an IC TRComm post.

Is that what was said?

/not a rocket anymore, but~

I like the sound of that idea. It makes sense organizationally, too, to have certain people focusing on "Pokemon Acquisition" if that's what their talents entail, while others can focus on research or experimentation, and what not. Under that particular setup, though, I think it'd be a little unfair to keep the rewards for stealing/capturing certain pokemon in place, since there aren't similarly achievable rewards for those in the science or administrative positions, and the job would be (sort of) a voluntary act anyway.

Unless, TR members can volunteer for two or more positions, with the potential for monetary rewards acting as an impetus for science and administrative staff to sign up and get out of the lab once in awhile.

Anyway, I second it.

Sorry if it's worded poorly (it probably is, oops), but that is more or less the state of things already!

Pokemon-theft is sort of the default mission, ie. if you don't want your character to be involved in anything else listed/don't have any ideas yourself, you're free to have your character steal/catch Pokemon as their given duty, instead! They just have to be doing something. The idea, more or less, IS that everyone has to have an individual mission, and that can either be the default Pokemon-theft OR one of the missions, OR they can run a plot themselves (if they have an idea they want to go with!)

No, a basic theft requirement doesn't create many CR opportunities, but we as mods would feel uncomfortable trying to force everyone to do missions if they don't want to (although we agree, that sort of thing is encouraged and it would be great if everyone utilized CR-building missions instead of just handwaving!), which is why the thefts are still an option, handwavable or no. But they are just that: an option. The 'quota' does not exist for anyone who has their characters involved in other missions or mission-related plots-- it is there to give the players who just want their character to do the biweekly thefts instead an idea of how much they are expected to do.

We are happy to give everybody a mission should they choose or think of one, but we feel it would be unfair of us to force it upon players. Nobody HAS to play or handwave the theft mission if they'd rather have their character do something else, be it a listed mission or a mission idea of their own. It is flexible.

Ultimately, it is up to you as individual players to play with each other and choose missions that would be fun and productive for you! We can't make those choices for you as mods. What we CAN do is provide mission prompts and be here to run ideas for player-generated missions past!

I hope that makes sense, please feel free to ask any questions if I was unclear (I just rolled out of bed so I might be a little fuzzy, haha).

Nope, it makes sense! (And I'm having a case of fuzzy brain myself).

In that case, maybe streamline the wording? Make "Pokémon catching/stealing" a mission on the missions post that you're automatically signed up for, unless something else appeals more? That might make things clearer for new players, organization-wise.

Directing everyone to the missions post also shows the game's focus on player flexibility, too: new Rockets start out looking at everything they can do and can pick from there or invent their own.

Oh, good!

And yes, I think the current wording must be the source of at least SOME of the confusion-- those are all great ideas and I'll see about getting them implemented as soon as possible, they'll probably help a lot!

Thank you! :)

Pff, thank you guys for listening to everybody. ^_^ It's been lots of fun playing a Rocket as all the new features/plots have been implemented - I can't speak for everybody else, but I've loved all the plotting that's come of the missions post etc. already. <3

All I can say is I'm really excited for all of this. Please don't let us down with availability!

With starters, would one giant picture with all of the basic stage Pokemon be a lot easier to load than a ton of smaller ones? I'm not sure but I'm sure there's some kind of fix for this out there.

Hmmm-- For Rocket Starters not that I even imagine anyone would use these but Stunky and Croagunk maybe? They seem pretty... Rocket-y. Maybe Scraggy, Murkrow, and Vullaby too, with Rufflet (Vullaby's super manly heroic opposite and all) being a not-allowed-for-Rockets starter?

Otherwise I can't really add much other than this all looks super awesome! Looks like I picked a good time to come back.

You are correct! It's primarily for the rockets to communicate with one another with the IC communication, but for the OOC most plotting will be open to everyone unless it's something that will involve the rockets first.

Well, with making one large picture, it'd be harder to link the info pages for each pokémon next to it. And that would just be given people could load such a large image, or if we could make one with the names easily readable that wouldn't be some over-1000px in dimensions. My main concern with one large picture is making sure everyone will be able to load it, or that it can be not-as-large and still capable of being read.

I'm honestly not sure how we can really change this either, unless we divide them into common groups. We'll still play around with it, though! If all else, we could switch to purely text lists.

We'll get together this week and get started if it kills us, anon!

As for using a picture (or multiple pictures), we did discuss this but the concern was that A) it might be really hard for those with slower connections to load and B) we wouldn't be able to link to each Pokemon's page for easy access to those without much Pokemon know-how.

That said, it's still a possibility!

Currently, we're leaning towards our codewizard Mei coming up a table that won't be too unwieldy to edit should we need to.

Availabilities will have to come before that, though!

WHOOPS AND THEN ANOTHER MOD GOT TO THIS FIRST. Hurrrrr.

Tally a vote for yes, then. ^_^

If it matters, from what I can tell, there aren't THAT many more to add in the first place, it would just be HTML hell on you guys to reorganize...

What about taking pictures using printscreen of the Pokedex lists on Bulbapedia?

I just want to say that I support the idea of a Rocket comm 100%!

I just have a few things I would like to say. I'm very pleased overall.

Unless you have some guidelines for us, I think you should just leave coordinators and contents as a nothing for now. I know you don't mean to come off as telling as that you're too busy so do it yourselves, but since that's something that was "coming soon" since the game opened, even before Gen III became an issue, I would like it to get proper attention from mods first and foremost whenever the time comes instead of players doing whatever.

With availablity, you won't ONLY be doing Kanto over though, am I correct? While understandably it needs the bigger overhaul of the two regions, Johto still needs it just as badly or even more since that's where players actually start out.

For future applicants for the next round, will you have starters finished by then? If not, can you at least have a written list prepared in the meanwhile?

Last... Rocket Bases. Can players choose which base they start in with new characters or is this just for reference?

It's mostly because of the table. Adding a new one means we have to go back in and change all of the column and row alignments bit at a time. It's not much, but the slightest error or change means HTML hell, like you said. It's not too horrible, just tedious and tad frustrating.

Hmm... Possibly! But that would really just be for overall images. We could link everything via text, though...

Hurhurr~

For the first two:

Well, for Coordinators and contests, we do want to implement them someday soon, and Kev's pitched his idea at us before. The reason it wasn't implemented earlier was actually my doing - with how many errors Okami and I had on our own plates, I knew we'd be biting off way more than we could chew if we opened coordinators. It was more or less an idea that we shelved for a while to make sure we could fix the other errors. And while we're on the right track of getting the Rockets moving, coordinators and contests are a new and open possibility. But do take our word for it that we're definitely not going to rush into this as well.

And no, for the availability, we'll be overhauling Johto's as well! We're just working on Kanto's first because there's a concrete list for the Johto region, while there isn't one for Kanto yet. We've been slowly adding to that one (pokémon or three at a time), but we haven't flooded it with a ton of new things. But we will once we have a Kanto list down as well.

As for the last two questions, I'll leave those for Ara to answer seeing as I'm not quite sure myself. We're currently in the process of fixing up the starters, so I don't think that's too impossible of a request, but we're currently still in the middle of deciding.

Not wanting to rush in is fine, I'm just not sure what will happen if it's left to players flailing around and then made to become an official part of the game. I would think it better to just leave things as they are now until you guys can make coordinators into a reality.

Do you know how soon we'll be able to see these lists and will we be able to give feedback on them on whether or not they're ready or overhauled enough? I understand Kanto is important but seeing as most people are in Johto I would hope that is on the way soon too...

Undersoon, I will wait for her reply.

If you wanted to do that, if you copied one name/url over and over and then just changed the Pokemon in the name/url, that would probably go really really fast.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

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HMD: May 2012 response!

ROCKETS, GET IN HERE

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Sorry, needed to edit for clarity.

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Dr Kato-mun here!

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