How do we handle the RPG's problems?

[Thomas Stiegler]

Because of the complexity of this debate it seems to be important that we differentiate between characters and members of the RPG.

In the real world we are all different. If we all had the same characteristics this world would not be what it is - positively as well as negatively. A world without any differences is not capable of development and means boredom.

For the RPG it should be the same. The differences between characters are of great importance for realism and credibility. And tension increases in proportion to realism and credibility.

I think one main problem of this RPG is the fact that there are many characters being played by less members.

I have myself been a member for five months now, but I only play three characters: the romulan Ambassador Tomek, the cardassian Admiral Madred and - of course - this one. And I'm not sure if I could handle well with much more. Before posting anything, I always think about the possible reactions on my behavior. I try not to post just to say something, but to give other characters a possibility to interact with me. If I had ten or more characters, I wouldn't know how to act in a responible manner with everyone of them...

I know that a RPG needs characters. But to me it seems more important how each character acts than how many (potential acting) characters there are. My proposal is to reduce the number of characters per member to increase the number of responsible and useful posts. I suggest the following:

1. For every ship, station and department no more than 1 character per member.

2. For every empire no more than 2 characters per member.

3. Altogether no more than 5 characters per member.

I also know that this is no answer to all the problems we have here, but I hope I was able to explain my point of view. If you think all this is totally useless, you maybe at least understand why I haven't registered for more than three characters.

Thanks for your patience.

(Edited by Thomas Stiegler at 4:37 pm on Oct. 3, 2002)

[Vorak]

Personally I don't think we should, or CAN make a limit of characters.

I do understand Stiegler's reasoning too, and yes I do agree with it.  Imagine that only 3 or 4 important people (besides me and Winterspoon) leave the game.

If Strider leaves, then his characters:
1. John Casden
2. John Riker
3. Aaron Sisko
4. Thomas Riker
5. Sorik
6. Turok
7. Steve McCoy
8. Sloan
9. Cordell Walker
10. Jacques Clouseau
11. Luther Stickell
12. Ethan Hunt
13. Arthur Fonzarelli
14. Kurga
leave as well.

if Tomas Goransson leaves, then his characters:
1. Zack Mannion
2. Hirohito
3. Michael Gant
4. Tamok
5. Amarik
6. Rugal
7. Kodak
leave as well.
That means: 2 people have to leave for the RPG to have 20 characters less.

And then half the game is empty.

As you can see, for an RPG it is not so good that half the game depends on only so few people.

My arguments:
- a limit of characters cant be set, because as Strider points out, one can handle more than the other so its a personal thing
- every PERSON should have maximum ONE character on each ship or station, I agree
- forbidding to make more characters for every member is impossible, they sign up with another email address and for most people you won't even know for sure its them and you have no valid proof to base it on, and if it someone else after all, then we lose a member because of a false accusation.

So what I mean is:
YES we need more PEOPLE, and not just MORE CHARACTERS with the SAME people.
But we can't ask for existing characters to be killed off.

[Mikhail Arkov]

i agree and dissagree with this.
The corps does not have many menbers so to fill up things 1 player creates more charathers for that ship.

if i leave now i leave behind.

- Mikhail Arkov
- Doctor Gogol
- Geert de heer
- Goldar
- Hawkeye Pierce
- Leonid Pushkin
- Sobor
- The Torrans
- Trodin
- Zukovsky Ourumov
- Henry William Bishop
- Edmunt Blackadder
- Micheal J miles

but thats a risk if you limit charather build your going to find less people want to join.
we need to make a safetly net in chase people
leave but what your talking about is not a good plan

[Hedford]

Yes I also agree, and for the characters I also have 7 characters or so, and I can handle it. I have the time and I am addicted to this RPG :biggrin:....and I might put it a bit hard but it makes me furious when they are always fighting because there is something wrong....

The Rivendell mission was going good, it was raining posts but then suddenly there was an argument and now people aren't posting as much...or even no more! WHY??

I was hoping that people had learnt from the earlier incident.(I DID)..but what I see is that people, who are members for a long while, are the ones who are fighting....if people want a good and fun board they have to give something to recieve...it can't always go like the way you want.
I also give and recieve and that's why I am visiting this RPG every day, and why it's addicitive to me http://expansionfleet.sparks.priorweb.be/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

[Rugal]

Hm, yes. http://expansionfleet.sparks.priorweb.be/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> Why not? But then someone must help me with the iconboard cuzz I have no knowledge of install it or anything.

[Nocturnus]

oh montrell come to my office.. I'm sure I can find you plenty to do http://expansionfleet.sparks.priorweb.be/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

[Vorak]

Ok there have been problems:
- one not getting along with the other
- missions that die because they become a mess or because people dont post often enough
- some sections do well, others are dead
- ...

How can we handle these problems?

For example, what do you think is better? Many ships with small crews, or few ships with large crews?

Keep everything on this board? Or split up in more boards to keep it in better order?

How do we get more people to join this RPG?

How do we work out our differences and handle problems with people we dont get along with?

I hope all of you will participate on this topic...

[Dalen Winterspoon]

Ahhhh, at last, someone interesting who has pointed one of the 2 main Problems of this RPG!
Yes = more members!
For what?
Yes = less characters!
Suggestion, a new member who desires to play ONE of your character can use your character....

Now, other thing....
We have ENOUGH Admirals, Vice-Admirals, Generals and Brigadiers in here. NO MORE!
Enough people has MUCH POWER in here.
Stop! Power corrupts unbalanced persons. We have had one sad example, this recent days, right?

[Thomas Stiegler]

Yes, there may indeed be some people who are able to control a mass of characters. But I wasn't only talking about the ability of controlling characters, but also of the quality and responibility of posts. And I think, even if some of you may be able to handle with 10 or more characters - that is also a question of power. A member with so many characters will automatically have much more power and influence on the RPG than a member with less characters - power that cannot be controlled. And that is maybe one part of some chaos that is around here, sometimes.

(Edited by Thomas Stiegler at 6:24 pm on Oct. 3, 2002)

[Vorak]

I don't have problems with more than one character for a member, I just need more members creating characters... and spread them on different ships, different tasks...

[Nocturnus]

nicely put.. u sure your not a true diplomat at heart? http://expansionfleet.sparks.priorweb.be/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

[Dalen Winterspoon]

100% approved!
Nothing to add.
Except there is only, for the moment, ONE Co of the Corp (me!) and ONE Xo (Geert).... It will be difficult to achive this goal, somewhere. But, when the Corp Members Number will increase, YAY!
*jumpi jumpa jumpo* © Sara
:biggrin:

[Montrell]

Yo DO http://expansionfleet.sparks.priorweb.be/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/agree3.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':agree3:'> http://expansionfleet.sparks.priorweb.be/ikonboard/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/bowing.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bowing:'>
When can I start!

[Sloan]

Many ships, small crew.

One rpg.

[Sloan]

Hmm....well, I agree and I also disagree. I can see both sides of the coin. There are people who can control a large number of characters...like me. So if a rule is made, I am not going to kill off a bunch of my characters to meet the 5 character limit.