Noticing a worrying trend

[Marcus Prasad]

Just wanted to raise awareness to the fact that noone seems to just jump in feet first into threads anymore. I count more than 5 open threads or more on the board that are ripe for posting in and yet sit empty.

It's starting to seem like the only way to get people to join your thread is to ask them directly.

Now is this the kind of board we want?

[Vincent.]

I don't think there are enough of us active at this point to provide that kind of spontaneity, unfortunately. I myself am involved in at least six or seven threads spread between several of my characters, and I know some other people (hurhur you know who you are) who seem to have even more on their plate. I used to limit myself to being involved in one thread at a time for the sake of avoiding storyline confusion, and I'm sure that everyone else out there has some sort of limit set for himself in that regard.

So maybe everyone's busy right now.

[Deleted]

I'm not, and yes I join only threads I'm asked to. Mostly because I don't know if people are okay with my style nowadays. I don't write two to three paragraph posts anymore on average, maybe once and while especially if there is a great deal of dialogue but mostly I write short. By short I mean look at the Hermosa Storm thread. I know there are people out there who don't like writing a good size long post and having someone response with four sentences so I don't post.

If people say they're okay with that I'll post, if not I shall leave it for another.

[Orion]

*agreement with first reply to thread*

Honestly... we're practically scattered across Long Beach, no central area where we all gather regularly. That's the RP excuse. The OOC excuse? We don't really have enough people.

Hmmm..... needs to be fixed somehow...

["Unfettered"]

This is a rather age-old issue of every site. In honesty, I would rather this thread was purged---the planting of doubt in one's board is mighty powerful and far more destructive. May seem like a "don't-ask-don't-tell" policy, and it is, but I've been RPing long enough to see sites wither and die.

First it starts with a post or a thread like this. Then people get raging concerned. Then people realize there's nothing to be done about it except to continue to RP or to join another, more active site...

...Because "the site is "*****."

And I'm omitting the word itself because of just HOW destructive I've seen it be.

I hear your concern. There is a solution: Just RP. Just RP and post with one another. Orion is pointing out the issue of a lack of centralization. And he has been one of our most patient RPers.

Now, the reason why this thread's topic, this trend doesn't concern me?

Because I've practically been on this site the stretch of every day of every year, except the very first.

This site should have ****, 2-3 threes ago, with the creation of PHS #42, with the creation of PHS #774. Because those sites were more active. What happened? How did this site just... come back?

Vespyr, Gilgagamesh, and I began to RP like crazy.

There was no one else on the site. For all we knew, no one was coming back. No fucks were given. This was our RP, our story, and the less people on the site meant the more control over the very story itself we could exert. People, tied of the bullshit RPers on 42 and 774... would pop on back for one reason or another. Nostalgia for some, curiosity for others...

...And they saw our activity. And they started with us again.

Keep in mind: Only three active people on the site. And we still brought it back.

Counter-Arguments: No, but this is different...

---No. This isn't different. Talking about stuff is exciting. Talking about stuff without devising plans is fruitless and the equivalent of gossip, I'm afraid. I like you all, but this thread is a reoccurring trend that needs to stop. I've asked people to cease in the past, to delete their own posts many times.

Now, since the thread has begun getting responses, I won't ask to just throw this out. I'll ask if I can delete this thread... as an RPer. Why? Because people love to talk about this topic when it comes up, they love discussing the misery of this miserable topic. Negativity, just like in the news, catches eyes, makes people want to respond.

This is my post. If you want ideas and actions, PM me. If you want to help and get involved and you have a certain skillset... PM. If you have free time... PM me.

---

@marcus: You've PMed me in asking for possibly helping me out on the site. A number of you have.

If you want to take action, then here's an idea---an idea, not an order: I suggest making a list of RP proboards sites that are not part of the existing 259 universe... and start posting advertisements. If we don't necessarily have an advertisement, see if anyone else around here has, and if you wish, collaborate.

Make lists of the sites you post up advertisements. Make an OOC thread that lists every thread you've advertised on it. Hit me up, show me how many threads and links to advertisements you've made, and hell... I'll sticky it. Just because it's damn commendable and good behavior that ought to be reinforced on the site.

---

@everyone Else: Aside from the advertising idea, there is also... investigating in which of your friends are into RP. Are into writing. People you know in person.

Back in high school, I began to advertise in my senior year. Things I've learned:

Bring in RPers That Are:
-...Willing to learn, willing to write... and with decent grammar.
*Stubborn RPers will often leave quicker than others. RPers with terrible grammar will often get ostracized, however undeserving it may be.
-...Preferably female.
*Sex is obviously a huge thing with people and society... and unavoidably us. The lack of females, however sexist this may sound... is desirable by our high female population, even if the actual isn't involved. >_> The brain is the largest sex organ, after all.

---

My Pledge:

-I will get "The Children's" details up and running soon. I'm very busy prepping with the 4th of July that is coming up very rapidly.

I'll be taking on, with Leon's permission, potential helpers to eventually perhaps run the multitude of characters, provided Leon permits this. Maybe 1 helper. Maybe 2. I am looking for people with a high standard of RP ethics.

I have had one person betray my trust in the past and abuse the site to go after one person. I have been very selective since. I am looking at people who don't view this site as a game... but as a story, and willing to work with me. After a three month provisional (or whatever happens, upon contraction of the helper), if the person or persons does satisfactorily... I will leave "The Children" in their capable story-modding hands.

Chances of being told a "thank you for your time" are more likely to occur within the first week of the three months.

That's my pledge. Getting the Experiments off the ground will take a huge load off my back and I'll be able to work on more projects that will be more questy-oriented.

This is my plan, advise, and gameplan. Who wants in?

[Vincent.]

All agreed. And speaking of advertisements, I noticed we don't have any banners/affiliate icons made. Those are extremely useful for getting word of the site around.

...There's my project for the day.

[David B.]

Im more than willing to help out with whatever. I'm super busy now-adays with work and other side projects, not to mention my own plots for my characters here. But I'll help with quests, storylines, or whatever else that's needed.

[Your Mom~]

I would rather this thread was purged---the planting of doubt in one's board is mighty powerful and far more destructive.

I agree with Mikey. Just RP. People have lives and they get busy. This board has been through far worse than a little dry spell, and I've been here for almost all of it. And really, its not so much a dry spell as it is people focusing on the threads theyre already in. Whether it be to avoid storyline confusion or because they're really enthralled in the current story and want to put a lot of effort into them instead of spitting out a thousand threads. Quality over quantity.

I'd rather a dozen good threads be going on than a hundred shitty ones. But that's my opinion.

[Marcus Prasad]

Point well made then!
For the record though, My intent wasn't to sow doubt or be destructive in anyway, This was more just to read opinions and get a feel for the mood of the board than to start shit.

And DAMN did I get opinions! =D

I concede to the point.

[Vetis]

Sorry to say it but this isn't some new trend. This place and every other xin bored are very clique oriented. Before it was ok because there was enough members to have multiple cliques but now it isn't. Its really why I've steered clear of here.its not really a bad thing. Let's face it everyone has people they prefer to rp with. That ain't changing. So perhaps a small recruitment drive is needed. Just speaking practicaly.

[Jack]

Mikey ripped out our hearts and threw it at our feet. Not that I have anything to add to this topic only that I found it funny that Mikey slapped Paddy for sowing the seeds of doubt only to basically lay it all for us in his thesis. So way to go Mikey. I joke <3 Love me because I love you.

Vetis said it straight and true, there's group A and group B, and then the outcasts who don't belong in group A or B. B is bigger than A only because the people in group B have multiple characters so when one person leaves that's not just one character and 1 story line affected that's multiple characters gone. Hence very quickly we loose entire groups and we're left with only group A who quickly dwindle in numbers.

Of course this leaves us where Mikey said earlier, a small number of people can still role play and progress, have fun but for the love of god just limit how many characters you role play across. At the end of the day you could have 10 characters but it's still just you. Stick with one and have fun.

I know that last point was a bit off topic but I think that should also be addressed. Swarming the board full of alt characters is no supplement for new people.

[Marcus Prasad]

Ya know I have to admit this thread, despite the verbal beatdown I had just recieved, Pretty much point blank examplifies all the positive traits of this boards population. Clear, concise opinions, No flaming in sight, Mikey with his Speeches that would make Patton proud as well as Nail the issue right on the head (Seriously, where do you get those from man!?!?!?)

Be proud Gentlefolks!

[Jack]

YOU LEFT ME OUT ASSHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!