Uh Oh! Idea time BA'ers! Casual BA Tourists? WAT?

heyhey everyone!

I'm in ur BA, maekin' new threadz! =D

*laughs*

Alrighty.
In all seriousness now.
I read an idea by Drammor in the OOC thread that mostly got passed by. But I got really excited by the prospects that his idea can open up, and I want to share and ask your opinions about it.

Drammor's original post about it:

Originally Posted by Drammor

I have an idea! It may be a good idea, it may be a bad idea. A couple of people think it's at least interesting, though, so I'm going to talk about my idea here, where everyone can see it and present feedback on the idea. This idea may change the way we think of the Character forum in the EH. Hopefully, if this idea is implemented, it will enhance the storyline and playing experience for everyone here. It is my hope that you will all look at this idea with an open mind.

Edit: Oops. I forgot to mention what the idea is. It is to create a thread in the Characters forum for free-use characters. That is to say, a character made by one person that can be used by another person. Given that nature of these characters, it is likely that they will either be NPCs of moderate to great importance in a single storyline or group of storylines, or which could be fitted to several storylines, or monsters for people to fight with.

This way, anyone in the EH could go looking into this free-use characters thread for something to spice up their thread with or add a little depth here or there. This could be good for arena style fights, things to encoutner while wandering through the forest, needing a random sort of villain for a story arc... lots of stuff.

So, what does everyone think?

The BA, currently, is almost .. an exclusive world all by itself in ZU. And the thing that scares some of us away is the dedication that is usually required to take part in EH and all its activities. From the moment of thinking up, creating and finalising a character until the point of approval, training and partaking in all the wee other activities around. It's usually a lengthy process that requires a lot of patience and dedication to mostly just the BA section exclusively.

That is why I'm proposing that ...(This might not have been the goal in Drammor's mind and I'm sorry if I'm mangling it, Drammor! ^____^ ) but ... what if Drammor's idea is implemented and non BA'ers allowed to test the waters by choosing a "free use already-approved character" and taking part in a casual few roleplays just to see what its about?

That would allow more circulation and perhaps much fresh blood for people who won;t be intimidated away by the "LONG TERM DEDICATION" aspect to it; as well as those who rEAlly want to take part but cannot think up a hugely complicated new and completely original and creative character or don;t have the confidence/time to.


Basically, I'm suggesting that the BA have a few free usage approved characters that anyone can use =) perhaps it can be a project wiTHIN itself for the BA! To create a "BA Character Crew" - maybe in the form of a competition even. And perhaps it might even repreSENt the BA; like a few main characters in an RPG game that players-to-be can control.

For example, I almost imagine there being an LEA Character xD and a Duke character - they can be made into mythical and approvable-y way but for them to be standard ... characters that everyone knows =)


The POSItives:


- Will help create a universal BA identity
- An clear identity that holds it together when a newbie looks in and wants to see what the place is about and just get a foot in the door ( :> ) (rather than: uh oh .. there are a million different people's characters! .. uhm. Stab in the dark tiem! ;-; )
- Being able to "play" the main characters gives a valuable "trial" experience for non-BA'ers that'll take the pressure away
- More traffic and new blood in the BA!
- Therefore more spontaneity, freshness and fun ^-^




So, what say you? :>
Discuss!

*Puck Seal of Approval*

This idea is super!

Puck can help make character's for eit =3

I realize that I'm only minimally active here ATM, but I agree with Asia that there's become one scary-ass emphasis on having characters to participate.

I notices, specifically, the rule that says 'Noone without an approved character can post in the OoC' in the fist post of what is, essentially, the meeting place for the whole Amphitheatre.

HOW are new members, people who want to learn and explore ideas and talk and compare and fantasise and make their first creations the best they can be meant to interact with the existing community, make an effective engine in which to participate with it and integrate well without being able to ask questions, chat casually and learn what it's all about before jumping in feet-first?

I understand that yonder plans for massive reform tend to scare people here, but it's a definite problem that we should work around. See how empty this place is nowadays? :<

Word.

Asia's idea is actually pretty good. I'm willing to make a character for such an even, and even help the casualers rp'ing. We need a resourse pool of characters.

But those characters need to be worked on much more than what are the Standard here in the BA. If a character is approved for use, the background, appearance, powers, strengths and such need to be vastly improoved. I can't see Try or Simon being approved as casual characters ever, although Aronin might, if the bio and the limitations of his powers are worked on. We need to know exactly what he can, and cannot do.

Basicly, the characters need to be PPP graded (Power Playing Proof). Those casualers will most likely power play, some more than others, and if the powers are exact, disputes are easier solved than now. (Points to Tenport Arena)

Also, a tournament, where BA'ers fight against casualers, if that was your idea, then I'm not so sure. A tournament with casualers against casualers are a better shot. And a tournament between BA'ers. (We should really start one up. I've never had the chance to join one :\

Oh, and as you mention LEA characters and Duke character, I got another idea.
There are characters that are approved, and never used. The creators never came back. How about digging through the graveyard of unused characters, refurbishing them aka giving them the "master's touch" and present them as casuals? (Of course, if the creator is still around, (s)he should be asked in a polite way first. (If you refuse we'll preform hideous acts of smex and grape on your character!)

In the Positives, you say it will create an universal BA identity.. Won't that require a set story, of course with plenty of choices, to be created alongside? The creation of a story is almost, as big as creating a character. Seccondly, what did you mean with the seccond point? That the whole BA should be about a theme? So people knows where to start? It's not how it works down here in the BA. Everybody from every time and place is batteling everywhere. The only thing binding most together is The Dome, which is already the starting point of the BA for newbies.
Also, being able to play the main character, are you perhaps proposing a D&D take on the RP'ing?

Just my two cents, which in no way is representive for the whole BA.

edit: Awkin, we have the Newbie thread for that. But I agree, partially. The rule is there so that it does not become a seccond community thread. It's a place where RP'ers is contained, and where they can be under complete surveilance. (The FBI, CIA and KGB is constantly monitoring the OoC!!! ZOMG! HIDE THE SMEX!) But it should not be too much to keep away those that wish to start. It should not be forbidden, perhaps allowed for a day or two, untill they get their character up.

This sounds like a job for the Creative Character Machine!

And I like the idea. Sounds wonderful for bringing in new blood.

Librairian approves.

This prospect would surely attract more up-and-coming writers down to our little section of the Universe.

I would gladly help create some public domain characters for both new writer use, as well as general NPC placement.

- Will help create a universal BA identity

Uh... Like a melting pot, or a Mosaic. I like that latter best because we can all do our own thing without having to conform to someone else's rules.

- An clear identity that holds it together when a newbie looks in and wants to see what the place is about and just get a foot in the door ( :> ) (rather than: uh oh .. there are a million different people's characters! .. uhm. Stab in the dark tiem! ;-; )

Can you clarify that, please. :Arch:

- Being able to "play" the main characters gives a valuable "trial" experience for non-BA'ers that'll take the pressure away

Like a Trial subscription to a payed MMORPG? Sure.

Furthermore, once they feel aquainted enough with the BA that they want to join, they should be encouraged to make their own character and put the 'rental' back into circulation. =D

- More traffic and new blood in the BA!

New blood? Sounds good to me... and the various blood-thirsty creatures *coughknivescough* lurking in the OoC. =A

- Therefore more spontaneity, freshness and fun ^-^

That makes me happy in my pants. =P

But the question is, should those people be NPC's and casual characters, or NPC's or casual characters?
A NPC usually does not have the qualifications of being a fully playable character, reflected on in the details of the powers. Appearance and bio could be on height with those chars.
Point is, casual characters should be more detailed.

edit: Now, how about a trial period of the trial period? Create a subforum in the characters subforum, where people can post their casual characters, and get them approved. And how about an idea subforum where people can post ideas that those that are not as creative can get ideas for characters? Probably gonna help with the visitors.

I like this idea :3

All credit should go to Lady and Drammor x3 <3

Fascinating. Z gives his approval. I like this idea, and it is rather a good idea. ^_^

I had an idea like this once before... I don't remember what happened to it.
Anyway, add me to the 'I like it' list.

I SECOND THAT.

Good idea, Drammor, and thank you Lady for bringing it to our attention. I would be so excited to make characters for anyone/everyone to use. In fact, I think I would feel honored. :3

I would be willing to make some characters. I like making characters more than using them anyway. If we set up some guidelines, I could think of various characters to use.

This reminds me of a character shop idea I used in a small board once. Count me in if it gets approved.

I agree to this 100%. ^_^ It sounds good, especially for the new kids on here who want to learn how and what a character is for.

Originally Posted by Chad

I would be willing to make some characters. I like making characters more than using them anyway. If we set up some guidelines, I could think of various characters to use.

This reminds me of a character shop idea I used in a small board once. Count me in if it gets approved.

So, I have question.

Is the Chad great? Is he great?

Originally Posted by Silver

So, I have question.

Is the Chad great? Is he great?

I might be out of shape nowadays, but I have the drive. Just give me a chance. I have a lot of characters that I've had approved in this place.

I approve. *stamps*

*hasn't read entire thread* I propose a thread to just test out a character before going out and making their profile. Just where you could make a sample post to be critiqued or something like that.

The Chad is fail. If anyone can one-up the Chad by guessing what I'm referencing, they earn +5 points. [Note: All living and non-living creatures and non-creatures who use or somehow access the internet automatically possess -15 points.]

Originally Posted by Silver

The Chad is fail. If anyone can one-up the Chad by guessing what I'm referencing, they earn +5 points. [Note: All living and non-living creatures and non-creatures who use or somehow access the internet automatically possess -15 points.]

Charlies' Angels?

Not sure. <_<

I have like an entire universe of characters in my head waiting to be unleashed.

Grant them the permission to come out! ;3