RPG Seasonal Rotation Thoughts

[Red]

The Marvel, DC and One Universe RPG's are all exempt from the seasonal rotations.

I'll edit your post accordingly.

Edited for your conveniance, JB.

Season I

WSS?
Transformers
Multiversers

Season 2:


Ult. Marvel
Get Violent
New Age
Zombie

Season 3:

Ult. DC
Create-A-Hero
Heroes
Gods & Men

 

[trustyside-kick]

There is no need to add RPGs to the rotational story that are on the brink of dying or extreme inactiveness. When those RPGs come back to life, and seem to have hope for a second season, then I say add them to the rotation. That's why I only have 9 RPGs in my example. But if you exclude the Big 3 that makes 6 in rotation.

 

[twylight]

Oh Dude >.<; I am falling asleep at the keyboard but the amount of posts makes me happy and glad and *squee* I shall read them all tomorrow! ^_^

EDIT: Oh, can it, I read them all anyway.

I have yet to say anything, which is usual for me. Mostly due to the fact that I'm skeptical of it. But I'll wait until I see an actual concrete plan before I ***** about it or say I like it.

You'll like it or ELSE!

Here's my thoughts on a schedule:

Trimester 1:

OU
Ult. Marvel
New Age
Create-A-Hero

Trimester 2:

Marvel
Ult. DC
Get Violent
Multiversers

Trimester 3:

DC
WSS?
Transformers (we need to get that game back in gear! )
Heroes


and if G&M and Zombie aren't dead, and TV RPG is re-approved after I redo the idea, we can fit those in there too.

Trimester? Is there something you aren't telling us?

She asked for opinions, so she's getting them.

And I :heart: them too!
---------------------------------------

Okay so after some thought..I think...we should do a little internal weeding and see which RPG's are 'dead' and 'alive' before we make this a debate about which ones are involved.

The overall idea was....*blanch* basically there [I[would[/I] be some overlap. and as for the time/length thing, that is something that would also need discussion, whether there be shorter seasons which would make the off season for that RPG shorter, or long season's short interludes, certain RPG's shorter. Obviously no one wants to get stiffed, but basically all options are open.

To be honest, this very idea could die here with only discussion if it can't be worked into a err....workable system. Again, I just want to see the reaction/problem solving skills to this slump we're in.

 

[Blacklight]

Trimester? Is there something you aren't telling us?

Yeah. You knocked me up!

 

[Catman_prb]

I think I speak for the whole of humanity when I say

 

[wiegeabo]

Ok, so I thought about this last night. Came up with something.

One potential problem I see is too much time between seasons. I don't want to have to wait 3, or even 6, months to post in an RPG because we're trying to avoid overlap. But we obviously do need time off. So I thought, why not take small breaks during a season?

This is my idea. Every RPG runs for 8 months in a year. After two months, they take a month off. Doing this four times equals 12 full months. And the 12th month wouldn't just be a break, it would be the break between seasons. And by staggering the months the in which the RPG's run, while some games are on break others will still be going.


Here's a picture of what I'm trying to describe. (It's in spoiler tags because it's a little big).

Spoiler

So, all the RPG's are put into groups of three. The first RPG in each group plays during the red months. The second RPG's play during blue. The third play during green.

Notice that group 3 only has two RPGs. That's the beauty of this system. If another game pops up, it would be RPG number 9, get put into group 3, and play on green months. If yet another games starts, we just create a new group (Group 4), and it becomes the first RPG in that group, playing on red months.

What this method does is ensure that no month has more than two sets of RPG's running at a time. So, if we were to put the big three (DC, Marvel, OU) into Group 1, everyone playing in all three of those games would only ever have to worry about playing two sets of characters at a time.

 

[trustyside-kick]

Ok, so I thought about this last night. Came up with something.

One potential problem I see is too much time between seasons. I don't want to have to wait 3, or even 6, months to post in an RPG because we're trying to avoid overlap. But we obviously do need time off. So I thought, why not take small breaks during a season?

This is my idea. Every RPG runs for 8 months in a year. After two months, they take a month off. Doing this four times equals 12 full months. And the 12th month wouldn't just be a break, it would be the break between seasons. And by staggering the months the in which the RPG's run, while some games are on break others will still be going.


Here's a picture of what I'm trying to describe. (It's in spoiler tags because it's a little big).

Spoiler

So, all the RPG's are put into groups of three. The first RPG in each group plays during the red months. The second RPG's play during blue. The third play during green.

Notice that group 3 only has two RPGs. That's the beauty of this system. If another game pops up, it would be RPG number 9, get put into group 3, and play on green months. If yet another games starts, we just create a new group (Group 4), and it becomes the first RPG in that group, playing on red months.

What this method does is ensure that no month has more than two sets of RPG's running at a time. So, if we were to put the big three (DC, Marvel, OU) into Group 1, everyone playing in all three of those games would only ever have to worry about playing two sets of characters at a time.

That is an awesome way to go about, which is why I thought of it also. Yea, thanks for stealing it while I was napping, wieg.

Seriously though...this may be the answer.

 

[Batman]

I kind of like the idea, storytelling wise, to devise the seasons into 'acts'. Each act lasts for two months, then there's a month period between them. Then they resume all storylines in the second act, which lasts for two months, then another break. Then there's a third and final act, then a month off to prepare for the next season.

 

[wiegeabo]

I kind of like the idea, storytelling wise, to devise the seasons into 'acts'. Each act lasts for two months, then there's a month period between them. Then they resume all storylines in the second act, which lasts for two months, then another break. Then there's a third and final act, then a month off to prepare for the next season.

Ooo, I like it phrased like that. Makes it actually sound like drama. It's also good if players just want to do little one act plays that will finish up in a month or two.

 

[Batman]

It also leaves more room for alot of exciting character development, such as cliffhangers, where a character is on the verge of death, or something major occurs.

For instance, imagine an invasion arc of some kind. We could have the first act of that game end with the arrival of the invaders, to make it more exiciting for both the reader and the players involved. With the month gap, they could pre-plan their character's responses, and make for some really great and thought out RPGing.

 

[trustyside-kick]

Yea, and anyone who wants to argue with two months not enough for certain arcs...you gotta keep in mind that you won't be juggle all your characters in those two months.

This plan is practically immaculate. I love it.

 

[Charlie No-One]

Why are certain RPG's exempt?

 

[Green Lantern]

Using that plan the only RPG that would be exempt I'd think is the RPG League because it is set up in a different format.

 

[Lord Doom]

Ok, so I thought about this last night. Came up with something.

One potential problem I see is too much time between seasons. I don't want to have to wait 3, or even 6, months to post in an RPG because we're trying to avoid overlap. But we obviously do need time off. So I thought, why not take small breaks during a season?

This is my idea. Every RPG runs for 8 months in a year. After two months, they take a month off. Doing this four times equals 12 full months. And the 12th month wouldn't just be a break, it would be the break between seasons. And by staggering the months the in which the RPG's run, while some games are on break others will still be going.


Here's a picture of what I'm trying to describe. (It's in spoiler tags because it's a little big).

Spoiler

So, all the RPG's are put into groups of three. The first RPG in each group plays during the red months. The second RPG's play during blue. The third play during green.

Notice that group 3 only has two RPGs. That's the beauty of this system. If another game pops up, it would be RPG number 9, get put into group 3, and play on green months. If yet another games starts, we just create a new group (Group 4), and it becomes the first RPG in that group, playing on red months.

What this method does is ensure that no month has more than two sets of RPG's running at a time. So, if we were to put the big three (DC, Marvel, OU) into Group 1, everyone playing in all three of those games would only ever have to worry about playing two sets of characters at a time.

Wow. Byrd was right.

 

[Batman]

"Byrd was right"? Don't speak of such blasphemy.

 

[Green Lantern]

"Byrd was right"? Don't speak of such blasphemy.

Yeah, that's like saying MB is straight.

 

[Batman]

Damn right.

It may be true, but it's laughable in concept.

 

[Green Lantern]

Wait. You just said that the idea of you being straight is laughable? Ladies and gentlemen, stepping out of his closet... I introduce MB.

 

[Lord Doom]

"Byrd was right"? Don't speak of such blasphemy.

But he was... Everyone DOES hate me.

 

[Keyser Soze]

I should start this post by saying that I'm undecided on whether or not I'm against the seasonal rotation scheme. However, with the overwhelmingly positive response here, I feel it is necessary to play Devil's Advocate, and express my doubts.

With wiegeabo's idea of breaking up each season into 2-month chunks, with one month off in between each segment, I fear it could make things a bit too episodic. Its one thing having arcs that span a season, but breaking it up into even smaller chunks could be a real momentum-killer. Like, you do all your solo posts to set the groundwork for your arc, and you're finally ready to jump into the action when - bam, we're off for a month, sorry.

I just don't see how breaking up the season and enforcing LESS activity in the IC threads is supposed to make the threads more active. Part of the problem as it is is lack of flow.

I can understand that a seasonal rotation is helpful for guys who are in like 8 RPGs. But when I see people having to draw diagrams to illustrate their points, and coming up with all these systems, it seems like the complex, roundabout alternative to....well, NOT playing in 8 RPGs. And while it aids those people who join everything, it essentially punishes the people who prefer to focus on 1 or 2 RPGs, as they have to go through periods with nothing at all to do.

It just seems overly complex. RPGs already go through month-long dead periods as it is, but I think if will hurt the RPGs more if, when new members come along and are like "Hey this is cool can I join?" We're like, "Sorry, no, with our rota system this RPG is currently closed, please come back in a month."

 

[Charlie No-One]

I fully agree with Keyser. I limit myself to only a few RPG's. I don't want to go a few months without playing.

I just don't see how this will help get activity up. The RPG's always went through a slow point and maybe the high number did affect some players, but for the majority, I don't think so. People play what they want and by limiting that by a few months, IMO, won't fix things.

 

[NamesAreUseless]

I really like this rotation idea. So count another yes

Edited for your conveniance, JB.

Season I

OU
WSS?
Transformers
Multiversers

Season 2:


Ult. Marvel
Get Violent
New Age
DC
Zombie

Season 3:

Marvel
Ult. DC
Create-A-Hero
Heroes
Gods & Men

Thats a good list Syn, except ... what about the Pokemon RPG? Both the IC and OOC are still on the first page! I think it should get added into Season 1, seeing that theres an empty spot there.

I'm curious if anyone would want to revive the Movie RPG. I signed up a character for it and haven't posted, but would be willing to if it got added to the list. Just wondering, since this rotation system would especially help to support the dead ones that may still be able to be revived.

As for the Big 3, I agree with some here that all three should be a part of a different season. I'm not a part of any of the big 3, so I can't say my opinion should account for much.

Just my 2 cents.

Oh, and for those in only 1 or 2 RPGs who feel this system isn't helping them: maybe you could into joining another RPG or two? (Especially to the smaller ones that could probably use more players).

 

[Saved]

I fully agree with Keyser. I limit myself to only a few RPG's. I don't want to go a few months without playing.

I just don't see how this will help get activity up. The RPG's always went through a slow point and maybe the high number did affect some players, but for the majority, I don't think so. People play what they want and by limiting that by a few months, IMO, won't fix things.

The whole point of this, at least my point, is so people are able to play in more RPGs. I, however, don't think we should have 2 month long seasons. I think we should have however long a typical season lasts be the status quo, and we work off that. The draw back is, yes, people will go time without playing in certain rpgs, and it will also limit new comers who want to play in an "out of season" RPG as Keyser said. I guess we have to figure out a way to compromise or fix these problems before enstating the rotations. If we can't do either, then I guess the rotations would be a bad idea. I want to make it clear I am not flip flopping, but with Keyser's points, it seems apparent that pros are tied with the cons.

 

[Charlie No-One]

I was going by the two months thing. That alone is a long time to not play, but by delaying an RPG by a whole season at its current length? I find it silly that an option like that is even being considered.

 

[wiegeabo]

I do agree with a lot of what Keyser is saying with taking breaks in the middle of seasons. It was just the most equitable solution I could think of that also allowed for the most playing time.

Maybe we should take a step back and look at what we're trying to do. Are we trying to treat the symptoms or cure the cause. From what I can gather, the big problem is that there's not a lot of time to play in a lot of RPG's because so many over lap. That sounds like a symptom, and rotation is trying to treat that when we should actually be looking at the cause.

So, what causes this lack of time. I see two things right off the bat:
First, real life gets in the way.
Second, playing in a lot of RPG's.


There's no way around the first problem. Life is going to do that to all of us and never be predictable. And nothing we can do or think of is going to take care of this.


I see two solutions for the second problem:
First, don't play in a lot of RPG's. If you can't devote the necessary amount of time, then don't play in it and focus on the others you are in. That's why I don't play in several that sound really interesting. I just wouldn't have the time, and I don't want to give up the ones I'm in.

Second, maybe the RPG's should have a limit. Players shouldn't be allowed to join another RPG, or pick up additional characters, if they already are in a number of them. I know that might sound limiting, or even cruel, because there are so many characters and RPG's that would be fun to play. But what do you get out of it? Wouldn't be better to have more time to focus on making a lot of posts in a couple of games rather than some posts in a lot of games?


I don't know the answers to those questions. I'm just making some broad generalizations. There are probably people who can put a lot of quality posts in all their games despite having a dozen characters. But sometimes, at least to me, that seems excessive.