Application Approval: Evolution?

[trustyside-kick]

Before I begin, let me make it clear this is referring to the acceptance of applications for characters (after an RPG is already formed/established).

Just about all the RPGs function the same way, however some of the applications and what they require are different. One thing that has seemed to have been an issue and brought up a few times in general have been reserves, but that is not the main thing driving me to present this idea.

Something occurred in the beginning of the DC RPG's latest Season between SuperFerret and Red X that was a very interesting idea: they both wanted to apply for Deathstroke, and decided they would both apply and then "we" (the other players in the RPG) would "vote" on the better application.

What if the RPGs were to convert to a similar/different method when it comes to approving players? A few of the following scenarios came to mind:

- When a new Season or RPG is formed, give the players a week to apply for anyone they want but do not approve until the week is over. This way, if 3 people apply for like Superman (for example), the way it is decided by the GM and AGMs would be to pick the best application out of those three (stuff like the sample would be most crucial).

- Or, you can go with the SF/X idea I revealed earlier. Although, it would change and be more like the idea above (not approving until the week is over). The main difference? The players would vote.

Now, I'm not trying to suggest removing power from the GMs or AGms or anything, it is just an idea.

In general, this could make the application process a lot more meaningful, and perhaps make some people take it more serious, thus removing any people not up to the task at hand.

 

[Harlekin]

I don't agree. People shouldn't be judged for their writing capabilities. First come, first serve is the fairest way.

 

[Val]

I don't agree. People shouldn't be judged for their writing capabilities. First come, first serve is the fairest way.

If you are no good at writing, how will you be any good at playing a particular character? Whoever does a better job should get it.

The whole point of applying is to see which one of the the players will do a better job as each character, it should be voted on so the games will have better quality. If it's first come, first serve, there is no point in writing a long application.

 

[Harlekin]

Yeah, that's not the point of RPGing at all. That's like excluding someone from tag because he can't run as fast as the others.

Of course, we expect a certain standard of writing, that comes natural. However, I don't think it's right to choose one person over the other. These votes would come down to personal preference. Something we tend to forget that the RPG's aren't like a job. It's not work. You're not getting paid for this. It's a game. Really, the only thing we should and can reasonably expect from people is that they want to have fun.

Deciding on who is the better writer is just ridiculous. To keep things fair we should just keep 'first come, first serve' as the rule.

 

[Val]

I agree that it should be fun but a bad/ooc player can ruin the fun, I have played with some really bad players and it wasn't that they were bad at writing, but at characterization, it makes it harder for other players to react and stay IC or make sense of situations if someone is extremely OOC.

If you won't evaluate who is the best player for the character, who knows that character better and can portray them well, what is the point of an application?

 

[trustyside-kick]

Harl, you seem to have taken it the wrong way.

This isn't "who writes" better, it just enhances the application process. Yes, it removes the first come first serve rule when a new Season or new RPG is formed, but it gives each person a week to apply for anyone they want, and if someone else applies, then I was saying to go with the whole "GMs decide on it" or I thought it could be fun like the SF/X thing and have the players "vote".

Don't you see? This is if like more than one person applies for the same character when that week is over. Plus, it only applies when a new Season or RPG is formed; not afterwards.

Lastly? It was a suggestion. I just figured it could be something fun to try out. Also, with what is going on in that Noir RPG? Makes me even more for the idea. :/

 

[Harlekin]

Sorry if I came across a little mean, I didn't intend to.

Also, I get that it's there just for the first week, but an honest question: If people need to choose the best application, what are they going to base their choice on? The writing, I assume? I don't see how else you could.

 

[JinnSato]

I was for this but then I gave it some thought.
lets just say MB and some run of the mill RPer apply for the same character. MB is going to win hands down.

 

[Green Lantern]

Thats why we always recommend starting with little name characters anyway. The more practice you get, the better you become. Scenario: Say MB and NoobieX both apply for Superman. MB wins the role, but NoobieX still wants to play, so he applies for Superboy and gets the character. Over a season he vastly improves his writing with the help of other RPers, and decides to apply for Superman at the beginning of the next season again. This time his post is better than MB's (Granted thats not hard, I mean BYRD does it all the time... and if Byrd can do it anyone can). So he wins the role.

 

[Batman]

This time his post is better than MB's (Granted thats not hard, I mean BYRD does it all the time... and if Byrd can do it anyone can)

...The ****?

That was a little uncalled for.

 

[Blacklight]

Maybe this idea should be used in some cases but I rarely see two people go after the same character. And when it does happen, it's usually mutually and peacefully settled between the players.

 

[SuperFerret]

I've long been a detractor of the current application system. Why do we need to fill it out at all if it's first come, first serve? I've known of only one real event where an application had been declined. There's no point in writing out a full application when the only info gleaned from them is "Hi, I'm (poster) and I'd like to play (character)."

 

[Eddie Brock]

I've long been a detractor of the current application system. Why do we need to fill it out at all if it's first come, first serve? I've known of only one real event where an application had been declined. There's no point in writing out a full application when the only info gleaned from them is "Hi, I'm (poster) and I'd like to play (character)."

3 Reasons Why You Chose That Character, Two Sentences in Proper English Explaining blah blah blah, How Many Times Do You Intend On Posting, and Username all need to die from the application.

The first three are generally either:
A. reviled.
B. taken extremely lightly.
C. both.

And the last one is a given. If you're posting the application, your username is going to be visible in the post.

 

[twylight]

...The ****?

That was a little uncalled for.

Oh, you get red letters and 'teasing' is uncalled for??




As for this discussion I'm staying out of it.

Lots of people know my feelings o what should be and shouldn't be included in the application, and quite frankly, that's the reason I never changed the DC RPG application. It causes to much of an argument/discussion and no one ever sees eye to eye on it.

 

[Green Lantern]

...The ****?

That was a little uncalled for.

JOKE

 

[Harlekin]

Filling out the application shows a certain amount of dedication. You really want to play this character. I don't think we should mess with it.

 

[Batman]

JOKE

You 'joke' about me all the damn time. You've just never insulted my writing ability, which took me off guard, I guess.

 

[Green Lantern]

Woohoo I finally offended him! I win!

 

[Karem-Knight]

I think it's good that we have a backup plan in case of something like this, this would also be beneficial for new RP'ers who are taking up a major character.

*leaves discussion realizing MB can snap and use his mod powers for bad purposes.*

 

[Batman]

I would never do such a thing.

...Unless I had a symbiote.

 

[Green Lantern]

You do In OU

 

[Charlie No-One]

Filling out the application shows a certain amount of dedication. You really want to play this character. I don't think we should mess with it.

No. It doesn't. It just shows interest in a character.

I agree that the application should be based on writing. An RPG revolves around writing and interaction. If you are going to take a character, especially an iconic one, you need to be able to write well.

 

[SenseiofCheese]

IMO, it wouldn't work if a veteran RP'er and a newcomer were to apply for the same character and then the other players would vote for which one gets to play him/her. No matter how good a writer the newcomer was, most if not all the other players would vote for the veteran whether it be out of friendship or jumping on the bandwagon.

 

[Charlie No-One]

Yeah. The GM should base it on writing and not who was here longer. No voting.

 

[trustyside-kick]

IMO, it wouldn't work if a veteran RP'er and a newcomer were to apply for the same character and then the other players would vote for which one gets to play him/her. No matter how good a writer the newcomer was, most if not all the other players would vote for the veteran whether it be out of friendship or jumping on the bandwagon.

I personally don't think biased thinking were to be an issue. Really it comes down to who knows the character better and has a better feel for them. I've seen a lot of people who are I guess classified as "newcomers" who did a fantastic job.

Join date should NEVER been a factor. And frankly, if people are biased, I'd prefer those biased people not play.