The Energon Pub

Well, the problem is mainly that, while you're waiting for the other person to respond, the rest of the RP is moving on... and then by the time you realize the other person isn't going to say anything, you're way behind and it's a complete chore to figure out a good way to play catch-up. Seeing as how you already missed the logical spot(s) for your character to say/do something. Or alternatively, there's a big spurt of posting that leaves you behind by the time you get to check on/read/write a response to everything.

Basically it's the difference between constantly having to insert yourself into what already happened, and getting to actually help advance what's happening.

I find I run into that problem in forum/freeform RP a lot, which makes it a whole lot more frustrating/unfun than the type of RP I'm used to. In a session-based RP, you never have to worry about things moving on without you, or conversely, things getting stalled for a long time. Which is why I said I don't think I'm good at this sort of RP.

The rules for Fanmade characters have been updated. They are now open to all players with no canon character restrictions. The stat limit for fanmades has also been raised from 65 to 70.

Jeysie wrote:Well, the problem is mainly that, while you're waiting for the other person to respond, the rest of the RP is moving on... and then by the time you realize the other person isn't going to say anything, you're way behind and it's a complete chore to figure out a good way to play catch-up. Seeing as how you already missed the logical spot(s) for your character to say/do something. Or alternatively, there's a big spurt of posting that leaves you behind by the time you get to check on/read/write a response to everything.

Basically it's the difference between constantly having to insert yourself into what already happened, and getting to actually help advance what's happening.

I find I run into that problem in forum/freeform RP a lot, which makes it a whole lot more frustrating/unfun than the type of RP I'm used to. In a session-based RP, you never have to worry about things moving on without you, or conversely, things getting stalled for a long time. Which is why I said I don't think I'm good at this sort of RP.

I will say that some of the recent disappearances by some players have been disappointing. I'm not sure if people expect the game to be non stop battles and then leave when the battle is over or something else. All we can do is move on.

As for your current situation Jeysie not much has really happened. Things are in a bit of a down period while we set up for the next bit story arc. You haven't really missed anything or been left behind. This is more of an opportunity to roleplay socially. Your character can start up a conversation with another more active player's character. Just basically drop whatever conversation you were having with a character who has disappeared and move on to a new one. I know it might feel a little awkward but that's the best way to do it. I wish I knew how to prevent people from disappearing from the game like this but all we can do is just move on as best we can. Their disappearing is certainly not your fault.

Devastron wrote:This is more of an opportunity to roleplay socially.

Eh, not really... the interactions that my other characters were having with the players who left *were* the opportunities to interact socially. Otherwise, everyone in the Con side is busy with their own things now, and Skids has no IC reason to bother with training.

Like I said, I'm just not good at finding characters to play that are interesting *and* useful, since the storyline currently doesn't need the sorts of characters I like... which kind of goes back to my earlier misgivings I posted in here too about the mods refusing to say which sorts of characters will be useful. So I guess I'll say that if I don't post for a while, it's not because I left completely, but because I don't have anything to contribute right now. That's why I said I'm not good at this sort of thing.

Jeysie wrote:Eh, not really... the interactions that my other characters were having with the players who left *were* the opportunities to interact socially. Otherwise, everyone in the Con side is busy with their own things now, and Skids has no IC reason to bother with training.

Just because the other cons are already doing their own thing doesn't mean you can't get involved with what they're doing. Needlenose can easily join in with the training Skywarp and Thundercracker are doing. Even though Needlenose is not a seeker technically, he's still a jet. 'Warp and 'Cracker aren't going to shun him. I mean, Skywarp may play a trick on him, but not shun him.

As for Skids not having a reason to train, he has every reason to train. If he's not that good of a fighter then this is the perfect chance for him to work on becoming a better fighter. Eventually, he'll find himself in a battle and will need to fight back whether he wants to or not. The training room is a great chance to develope your character's skills and also socialize with the other 'bots. No one's going to make fun of Skids. Although, just stay away from Sunstreaker.

Jeysie wrote:Like I said, I'm just not good at finding characters to play that are interesting *and* useful, since the storyline currently doesn't need the sorts of characters I like... which kind of goes back to my earlier misgivings I posted in here too about the mods refusing to say which sorts of characters will be useful. So I guess I'll say that if I don't post for a while, it's not because I left completely, but because I don't have anything to contribute right now. That's why I said I'm not good at this sort of thing.

You could always create a fan made to your liking. That might be the best bet for you since you're having difficulty picking a cannon.

And, just for the record, you ARE good at this game, whether you realize it or not. You are an excellent writer and have contributed a lot to the game.

Smokescreen GT wrote:Just because the other cons are already doing their own thing doesn't mean you can't get involved with what they're doing. Needlenose can easily join in with the training Skywarp and Thundercracker are doing. Even though Needlenose is not a seeker technically, he's still a jet. 'Warp and 'Cracker aren't going to shun him. I mean, Skywarp may play a trick on him, but not shun him.

It's easier to jump into an open situation to respond to than into something other players are already in the middle of just fine.

Smokescreen GT wrote:You could always create a fan made to your liking. That might be the best bet for you since you're having difficulty picking a cannon.

I'm terrible at thinking up OCs based on existing universes as opposed to homebrew or D&D type RPing universe designed for OCs. (Plus, to be honest and unpopular, I generally dislike fanon OCs anyway.) The only two OCs I have made for other purposes are a Cassettibot gossip journalist-turned-spy, and a Decepticon semi-quack medic, neither of which would work in this setup for obvious reasons.

This wasn't so much a plea for attention/advice/special treatment as just saying it's why I haven't been posting much.

Well hello everyone,

The staff has been wondering which of your characters, if any, will be going to Cybertron. Or if you guys will pick up any more characters to have on the planet.

PM either Deva or myself to let us know.

Thanks,
Em

Hey guys, I've been looking at the registration profiles for some of the newer players and I've really been thinking we should still require that new players use cannon chars first and get a feel for the game before applying for fanmades. I'm all for multiple fanmandes but that's something they should prove they are capable of having before being given. These new players wiht profiles clearly show they don't understand the rules and I'm not so certain I would trust them with their own fanmade in the game so soon. also, am I the only one who thinks this change is rather... sudden?

Roadbuster wrote:Hey guys, I've been looking at the registration profiles for some of the newer players and I've really been thinking we should still require that new players use cannon chars first and get a feel for the game before applying for fanmades. I'm all for multiple fanmandes but that's something they should prove they are capable of having before being given. These new players wiht profiles clearly show they don't understand the rules and I'm not so certain I would trust them with their own fanmade in the game so soon. also, am I the only one who thinks this change is rather... sudden?

Well you can trust that we aren't going to allow fanmades in that don't work with the game setting like the two that were recently posted. They still need to show they understand the rules and the game before they join. It not just a fanmade problem as more than a few canon applications have some through showing just as little understanding of the game as these have.

Just to let everyone know that I will be on vacation starting tomorrow, August 22nd through August 30th. I've made arrangements with Deva and Wodicus to look after my characters. Have a good week everyone.

Salutations cretins! I'm back from vacation. I take it no one did anything stupid while I was away.

Ember wrote:Salutations cretins! I'm back from vacation. I take it no one did anything stupid while I was away.

embers back, let the stpidity begin!

Welcome back, Ember! Hope you had a great vacation.

Just so everyone knows Cry won't have internet access until thursday sometime.

As you all know we are a small group here at the RPG. The staff has been wracking their brains to come up with ways to attract more players, unfortunately we've exhausted our own resources so we're looking to you for some good ideas. If you have a way to attain more players please post it here.

Thank you.

Ember wrote:As you all know we are a small group here at the RPG. The staff has been wracking their brains to come up with ways to attract more players, unfortunately we've exhausted our own resources so we're looking to you for some good ideas. If you have a way to attain more players please post it here.

Thank you.

i wanna say a "tutorial rpg" could help get newer players something simple that wouldn't effect the main rpg, but could give people a chance to try it out without alot of trouble.. i think a lot of people are afraid to try. i was actually talking to people about rpg forums and the common thought was "i wouldn't wanna screw up someones game. i wouldn't know what i'm doin".

Also just getting the word out there. every few months there is a players drive in the news feed, that drums up a few attempts..

idk, just brainstorming

Maybe write up a summary of where the RPG's been and where the storyline is heading, so people can get an idea of who they want to pick to play and what they'll be in for? It can get tricky getting into the backstory of a forum RP that's already been going on before you get there.

I think it might also help if there was an actual example application available that people could use as a reference, and then copy and paste to fill in.

The problem is not on you mods end. You're doing everyhting you can. The RPG is getting attention. But the lack of properly applied chars is the issue on the players end. Everyone here that is in the RPG knows what the rules are because they've read them or have experiences form the past two incarnations of the RPG to know how things go and get the rule changes when they occur. These new people trying to get in, many of them just aren't reading the rules, nor looking to more successful profiles for reference. Heck I've seen some of those sample posts, some of them weren't even trying. The ROG will grow, but you have to be patient.

And believe me, no summary is worth writting up to help because it's not a player knowing what's going on in game problem. Most of them won't bother to read it. It's a new guy not wanting to put serious effort into making a profile or doing it properly problem. One thing I've learned wokring around people is you can put a big sign up wiht big bright letters, with lights, telling them what they want to know and they'll stand right in front of it and ask you what they want to know without even looking. I'm trying not to come off as negative so I apologize if it seems that way, just calling it by my perspective and this isn't to say that it's true about all of them.

My only suggestion is to pm said player with links to the rules and give them a sample profile with which to use reference. For sample posts, I say give'em a good one with which to reference, but not use to adlib and claim it as their sample post.

Just a note to say I'll be away from a computer for a few days, so Swindle and my first post from Hound probably won't be until next week.

Ok guys, we're looking to get some Bots and Cons to Cybertron soon. If you guys have particular characters you want to go there then let us know. The Predacons and the Dinobots are definitely going along with a few others that we've talked about with players already. Just give a shout out here if you want to send a character to go along with them.

Blackstar could go back to Cybertron, if more crew is needed.

Hi, all.

I'm interested in joining in on the action here.

I have read (probably not too thoroughly, though) the rules, the history and New Character Applications thread, but I think it's fair to say that it's a bit daunting for a new person like himself. Never knew what an RPG was until sometime this year, you see, so I'm bound to get a few things wrong. I'd say a lot of things, actually.

Anyhoo... From what I understand (which is, obviously, very little), I can apply for canon characters not restricted to the canon roster list, right? So I could nab, say, Wildrider or Silverbolt or Powerglide? Well, probably not Silverbolt, since he's a combiner team leader. I gotta work my way a little for those guys.

Plaything wrote:Hi, all.

I'm interested in joining in on the action here.

I have read (probably not too thoroughly, though) the rules, the history and New Character Applications thread, but I think it's fair to say that it's a bit daunting for a new person like himself. Never knew what an RPG was until sometime this year, you see, so I'm bound to get a few things wrong. I'd say a lot of things, actually.

Anyhoo... From what I understand (which is, obviously, very little), I can apply for canon characters not restricted to the canon roster list, right? So I could nab, say, Wildrider or Silverbolt or Powerglide? Well, probably not Silverbolt, since he's a combiner team leader. I gotta work my way a little for those guys.

The staff is here to lend you any assistance we can. Those characters would all be playable. Currently there no actual combiners in the game but Silverbolt would likely be higher ranking. Wildrider and Powerglide woult be good starting characters. Just check out the sample application posted and some of the approved applications to see what we are looking for in applications.

Recognizing that I have been a twit in the past. May I ask that you include in the game once more. I miss contributing to the story. I hope to prove to you all that I am committed to superb story-telling above all else. Please forgive my previous transgressions.

Optimist Prime wrote:Recognizing that I have been a twit in the past. May I ask that you include in the game once more. I miss contributing to the story. I hope to prove to you all that I am committed to superb story-telling above all else. Please forgive my previous transgressions.

I'm really not sure why you're apologizing. Things happen and sometimes you have to go with the flow. Anyway it's all water under the bridge. Welcome back! We're always happy to have a great player return.