MODPOST 1/2

[soul_mods]

Attention, Soul Campaign!

We’re opening reservations in a little over a week, and the mods would like to make some announcements regarding changes being made to the application and reservation process. These changes have been in planning for a long time, and is one of the reasons why we went for the break.

Reserves Page and Application Cut Off
The reserves page will open on November 1, 2011 as planned. The application cycle will be from December 16 - 23, 2011. Cut-off for next cycle will be December 15, 2011, 11:59pm EST.

Changes to the application form
We made some changes to the application form, which you can see here. The sections remain the same, but the text explaining these changes have been revised to make them clearer and more streamlined. We’ve included a secondary reference page linked in the application, which includes guidelines that will hopefully make the application easier for players to fill and the application cycle/process much faster than what we’ve been doing before.

We changed the weapon section so that weapons will only have one general ability. There will be a separate post to detail how this will affect current weapons (but don’t panic, we’re not going to make you change yours if you don’t want to).

Last, a summary of the events in the game since its beginning up til the Europe event has been posted in this page.

New revision process for the applications
Starting the next cycle, we will no longer entertain revisions for the Character Information section of the application. This section includes the character’s history, personality, abilities, and weaknesses. We feel that players who know their characters well should be able to write their applications in a manner that makes this section understandable to the application team. Any application whose character information section the application team finds lacking will immediately be rejected.

The other sections (SC-only section, meister, weapon, soul description, samples) will go through the usual revision process if necessary, since they are all sections unique to Soul Campaign.

Beta-reading system
However, since we will no longer be allowing revisions for the character information during the application cycle, we will be offsetting this with a beta-reading system to help players make sure that their applications pass the standards of the game.

How will this work? In the reserves page, the applicants commenting on it will have the option of asking for a beta-reader from SC’s pool of current players. You can volunteer to beta-read theirs and help them with their applications by replying to their reserve comment.

We’d also like to minimize the risk of applicants asking for a beta-reader and not getting any -- to do this, the mods will be collecting names of people willing to be included in a pool of beta-readers every cycle, and we will assign them to a lonely applicant.

If you’d like to volunteer, please reply here, and indicate any preferences (or non-preferences, for that matter!) on series or canon that you have. We appreciate it! App team members may also volunteer, but this doesn’t guarantee that the app will pass.

Test drive meme
We will also test something for next cycle. We will put up a Test Drive Meme in Soul Skirmish, to be linked to the reserves page. This will give the prospective applicants and the current players space to tag each other before the application cycle, to give the applicants a taste of the game before they come in.

The meme will include several scenarios that the characters can play out, depending on their choice. Some will be serious, while some will be more light-hearted. Soul Campaign is a plot-heavy game that depends on consistent relations and interactions between characters, as well as emphasis on world news and events; we’d like the applicants to be more aware of this as they app into the game.

Please note that threads in this meme will not be accepted for Activity Check. Sorry. :c

Whew!
So that’s it for changes! Please note that the new revision process, beta-reading system, and test drive meme are all still under testing for now, and we may adjust them depending on how December pans out. We appreciate your patience!

The second mod post will be up soon after this, so make sure to check it out, especially if you have weapon characters.

For questions about this post (and its links), you can ask here or email us at soulcampaign@gmail.com. (Don't worry if some questions take a while to answer, a couple of the mods are going on a short vacation for a couple of days. Thank you for your patience!)

Comments

[gotphones.livejournal.com]

You can sign me up! Give me a moment while I try to remember my fandoms

I can beta for apps for the following:
Games: Kingdom Hearts (series), FF13, Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles (series), TWEWY, Suikoden (series), Okami
Anime: Evangelion, Macross Frontier, Gundam SEED, Star Driver....etc.

I have a lot of obscure likes, though, for both games and anime/manga. Just ask if ever...

[mumyo_ken]

Additionally, I think that it's unfair to reject players based on the history section, when some people can simply link to a history for their characters, and others may have to write theirs out due to the canon being more obscure.

This is a concern I have as well. In addition to the fact that an app could get rejected if a link is not 'substantial enough.' What that means is really vague and could vary wildly depending on the character--I very much doubt the link I used for Souji's app, for example, would have been deemed at all adequate if his canon had been Bleach.

[mumyo_ken]

As long as the make sure the samples come from apps that were not revised. You can't give someone a sample that was tailored by advice from the mods, quite frankly. Not because it doesn't show what the app teams want, but because it's false advertising at this point.

[novelvision.livejournal.com]

Nope, all of the samples I was thinking of in this case were approved by all of the app team members and the mods and were from previous app cycles. So that does come underneath the 'no-tailoring' thing, because that would be biased.

[amazingentry]

Hey everybody! I know I'm late, but here's what I think.

From reading this, it sounds like many of you were asked to make very minor revisions on your Personality sections and now fear that such minor edits will now instead earn you a rejection. I do not believe this to be the case. Because there is now so much weight placed on the personality section, an application reader is more likely to ignore those minor edits and wave you through unless there are glaring problems with the section. Have faith that a comprehensive list of what is expected of an applicant will appear, but in the meanwhile, you may find the short blurb on the application very telling.

Character Personality:
Be thorough; we consider this the backbone of your app, and we will not be accepting revisions for this section if the application team finds it lacking. Focus on an analysis of character personality and motivations and use specific examples as evidence. We want to see how well your grasp is of the character’s psychology, so don’t turn this into a History section.

From this, you can pretty much tell that the readers want:

1) A firm idea of what motivates your character. Outline what drives the character and how that character may react to certain situations.

2) The major focus to be on the personality of the character, not the history. Keep the historical examples short and to the point and always discuss what they say about the character instead of using the history to launch into more history. Avoid long story-telling narrations and stick to the analysis. If you're really that worried about it, just read: if you spend more time talking about what happened and not enough going into how your character reacted and why, you probably need more analysis.

My own additions would be:

3) If pertinent, discuss your character's strengths, weaknesses, and quirks within the Personality section. If you don't, be certain that these facets of the character are dealt with thoroughly in the following Abilities and Weaknesses sections.

4) Make sure what you write in the Personality is reflected in the later sections, especially in the samples. People sometimes forget how important the Samples can be in tipping the scale, but I would place Samples up on the same level of importance as Personality.

I do not mention grammar because, really, we've accepted applications with less than impeccable English. To those who are worried about this being an English exam--it isn't.

Also realize that a new application system works both ways and that a new process also means a new, more consistent method of evaluation for the readers, which will then likely be shared with the community as a whole, especially since player participation is being relied upon via the new beta system to ensure everyone gets a fair chance. Speaking as someone who does read all of your apps, I can tell you directly that this new system is in place to affect a new streamlined, less fussy application process that will hopefully bring all successful applicants into the game within the same week, removing the awkward panic and frustration of multiple revisions and very, very late induction characters. Besides, the betas will be there to help, and they will be given all the tools necessary to do so effectively... otherwise, what’s the point?

So my real advice to everyone is to be patient. It's coming.

Re: QUESTIONS!

[seizeyoursouls.livejournal.com]

As a note, I'm sorry if the silence has been bothering anyone! As it has been mentioned in the post, we ARE going to discuss the questions and concerns! We're waiting for the rest of the modteam to come back together (which should only be a couple days at most hopefully).

We're sorry if the lack of acknowledgement of these concerns has bothered anyone. As always, if there are any further concerns/comments/etc, feel free to drop a note here or you can also PM the mod account or drop us an e-mail! Whichever is easiest for you. We will definitely get back to everyone ASAP!

[lavenderglasses.livejournal.com]

Seconding all this, pretty much. At lot of people app every round, but I feel like there's always a good amount that get in, tag a little and then just idle out. Maybe the whole lack of revisions thing might seem a little intimidating, but I don't think that should stop anyone who really wants to play here. If someone doesn't app because they thought the app was too scary, then it doesn't make me think they wanted to be here all that badly, and if those people end up not apping then at least it means there's less work and stress on the mods, and less wait for others who really do want to play, rather than more work and wait only to have the less serious appers dropping out right away anyway.

Hopefully the test-drive meme will help that out too. Maybe letting people have a go at playing characters in this setting will eliminate some of that "yeah i tried but it didn't really work out, sorry" that we get after every app round.

[shiromadoushi]

I'm pretty sure there's no connection between strength of/determination to app and how soon someone idles out. Not everyone wants to be somewhere "very badly" when they app. Many are just "Hey, I heard this game was cool, I want in!"

Tagging in and then idling out often is from people realizing the game either isn't what they though it was, or they didn't have the success they wanted to getting established. Or RL just started kicking them in the teeth or whatever.

This thought that it doesn't matter how hard an app is really comes off as: "If you REALLY want into our super special club house, pass this hazing!" which is honestly not the way to attract new players. There needs to be a balance between setting a high bar, but making it worth the effort and players won't know if we're worth the effort until they get in.

Apps should be about judging the quality of someone's writing/character knowlage, not a test of determination or strength of will.

[lavenderglasses.livejournal.com]

Except hazing would imply anyone was doing something outright cruel. A hard application is hardly "hazing". I find a better metaphor would be a college application. No one decides against applying to a college they really want to go to just because the application is hard. Even if they're not sure they'll get in, most at least try. No one is saying that SC is some super elite thing that you have to jump through all these hoops to get in, and phrasing it like that is more likely to scare off potential appers then the app itself. It's difficult, but worth it. If you want to go there, why should it matter if the application is a little intimidating?

But either way, it's not as if the new rules for apps are making it any more difficult to get in. The mods are just going to judge applications as a whole now rather than worry about little details that need revision when the app is otherwise good. It means that apps will get accepted without days of emailing back and forward, and only rejected if there are obvious, glaring flaws. This method is only going to streamline and quicken the process, and honestly it's kind of depressing that everyone is acting like this whole "no revisions" thing is so horrible and terrifying that they apparently aren't even seeing the reasons for it.

[shiromadoushi]

Hence the "comes off as." Not judging intent, but appearances. The newbie apping will NOT know that the apps aren't any harder. They will just see "NO REVISIONS" sign. Game apps are always a game of guessing what the app team wants and that note is telling them they HAVE to guess right. Seeing the anxiety that apps cause, that could very well be a deal breaker for someone who may have well gotten in easily.

And college is one thing. A game for recreation and a hobby is quite another.

And if the current players here, who have access to this conversation and explanation cannot see the reasons, how on Earth will a potential applicant?

[sineamore.livejournal.com]

Signing up!

I can do Homestuck, Loveless, Katekyo Hitman Reborn, Harry Potter, D.Gray-man, .Hack, Fullmetal Alchemist, Ace Attorney (PW & AJ only, not the AAI games. Sorry!), Resident Evil, most CLAMP stuff, Tiger & Bunny, TWEWY, Kingdom Hearts, Macross Frontier, 999 something hours/doors/people, Naruto, No More Heroes, and probably more. Just ask and we can hash something out I'm sure. :)

[trageteas.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure how much time or energy I'll have to beta BUT I know and love a lot of obscure canons and I'd like to be able to help people out with those. Shoujo stuff from the 80s and earlier is the biggest one, but if anything else comes up that I know or that it seems like I would know, you can send 'em my way.

[suchselfishness]

I can flat out tell you that asking for a quality application and solid character knowledge is not hazing. Hazing is an activity that makes a potential applicant feel threatened, endangered, or pressured into doing something they do not want to do. Asking someone to meet a certain standard of quality is not hazing by any standards. Hazing is making someone eat their own vomit, eat cat food, swim across a lake while drunk, imbibe large amounts of alcohol, or any number of other things that are illegal.

Hazing is not asking someone to write a decent application for an online game, and it's not a word anyone should be throwing around casually.

[socialbutterfly]

If apps are about judging the quality of someone's writing and character knowledge, then there is no more problem. That's exactly what will be happening.

And hazing. Really? Hazing. Might as well call that molehill a mountain while we're at it.

[lavenderglasses.livejournal.com]

There isn't a giant, scary, flashing "NO REVISIONS" sign, however. There is a note in the middle of the section explanation saying that they won't accept revisions on that section. It only seems like such a big deal because everyone here is making it a big deal about it.

Either way, if you want something then you should be willing to do at least a little for it, whether it's for school or just for fun. A little more care in writing an app, with the opportunity to have that app beta-tested, means that the mods have a much easier workload and everyone gets in quicker. It's not that big a deal, and it is meant to help applicants.

Really, the only reason people here apparently need the reasons explained to them is because it's a new thing and they want to know why. A new apper will most likely just see the rules and accept them, and if they actually pay that much attention to the "no revisions" note to think it's so harsh that they don't want to apply at all, then they don't have to.

[shiromadoushi]

I never said it was.

What I said was: "This thought that it doesn't matter how hard an app is really comes off as: "If you REALLY want into our super special club house, pass this hazing!" "

To say "Well if they REALLY wanted to get in, they would do it" is not far removed from real life hazing. That is the backbone of hazing. If you REALLY want to get in, you will suffer this. THAT is what I am comparing to hazing. Not the app process itself.

[shiromadoushi]

Which is functionally the same thing.

No revisions, when revisions are a very common part of an app process, reads as only getting one shot to do something perfect. One shot every, what is it, 3 months or so, to guess from very few examples, how this mod team wants you to do the personality section of your app. It IS a big deal to anyone who will or would be apping. I have already heard quite a number of people say that they will no longer consider this game as a game to app in because of this policy, or that they are no longer considering apping a second character.

This is not a matter of "just put more care into it" It's a matter of having to guess just how exactly a group of people you don't know will expect you to write a character section. Even if it's meant to help applicants, it does not at all see that way.

I have no problem with beta-testing. I think the beta testing is a wonderful idea as long as the betas have proper guidelines so that when a beta says it's good, the mods will think the same.

A policy that chases away potential players is not a good policy. A policy that discourages current players from apping another character is not a good policy.

[shiromadoushi]

The mindset of "It doesn't matter how daunting/intimidating the app is, if someone REALLY wants to get in, they will do whatever we ask" is exactly what allows for hazing to happen. That mindset does not care at all about quality, it is saying that it's a person's determination to get in the game that matters. That is what the comment I was replying to was implying, whether it was intended or not.

[socialbutterfly]

Actually, in context, it isn't even close to "they will do whatever we ask." I'll admit that, yes, Soul Campaign and nearly every other roleplaying game out there are members-only establishments. In our case, to become a member, you must fill out an application form that will be judged by a panel of current members. Just like in all of these groups, you either pass the application, fail the application, or are deferred for any number of reasons. There is no part of the process that strays away from the basic idea of 'submit an application.'

I do understand what you are trying to say, but at the same time, the context of the situation still makes the comparison a sensational one. This is a process that is very much about quality... once you decide to go through the process. Before you submit that app, whether you feel scared or intimidated or determined or absolutely calm is entirely up to you and does not affect the requirements nor the process. Calm, scared, or determined, nothing will happen until you write that app and give it in.

So, again, where is the hazing?

[lavenderglasses.livejournal.com]

They are writing an application guide, you know. This is something that has been planned from the start, and probably would have eliminated like half of the complaints if people had just relaxed and waited a bit.

No one is going to be expected to guess at what the mods want. The mods are going to do everything they can to make help out applicants. This is only being announced before anything else because it gives applicants more time to take it into consideration while writing apps, because they didn't want to drop it on everyone when there wasn't much time left to do anything about it.

Rather than everyone worrying on and on about all this, if everyone would just chill for a bit all your concerns will be addressed.

[shiromadoushi]

"Furthermore, I'd also like to believe that if a player really wanted to come in and join us, they'll make the effort to, no matter how "intimidating" it looks. "

" Maybe the whole lack of revisions thing might seem a little intimidating, but I don't think that should stop anyone who really wants to play here. "


Quotes like these [will all respect and apologies to the original writers as I am not attempting to single them out] give off the impression that it is the determination of the applicant to REALLY want to join THIS game over all others that is what's important, not the content of your app, which is what my reply was commenting on. When there is a very long period between apps, the fact that any small misunderstanding in a personality section means that you could be rejected without any chance to clarify or explain makes it into a test of determination.

While I understand that yes, the word hazing is a strong one, please also note that no where did I say hazing was what was happening or intended. If I had realized people were going to get hung up on the word, I would not have used it, but I really couldn't think of any other term off hand for the belief that people who want to get into a club should do anything, no matter how intimidating or scary, to get in. Hazing is something that to those who support it is seen as a test of determination. In that mindset, it's a gauntlet you run through to prove that you are good enough and driven enough to withstand anything to get into that group. Swap it for "initiation" instead if that works better. I can't edit it to clarify that at this stage because replies have been made.

Re: VOLUNTEERS for beta reading!

[rollindirt.livejournal.com]

I can volunteer, too.

I'm also mostly familiar with different shojo series, especially the ones from 80's and 70's and Disney/Dreamworks/etc! I can also do other old-school shojo such as Sailormoon and Revolutionary Girl Utena.

Then there are several other obscure series so don't hesitate to ask!

[soul_mods]

Hello!

Part of the goal of the new process is lessening the minor revisions, actually. Basically, this means that the section is judged according to content and less on the small things that the app team and its members can and will nitpick on. What does this mean? If your section is pretty solid, we will ignore the minor things in lieu of that and it will pass.

Clarifications are generally different from revisions and don't tend to influence the result of the judgment, so there's no need to worry about that.

The bit about the history section is something that we should have clarified beforehand, apologies for the unnecessary worry. The history section is traditionally in the character information section, but in the app process (old and new), we only judge(d) that section based on the personality/abilities/weaknesses. We read them all, but the actual judging starts in the personality section.

[soul_mods]

Hello, the question has been answered here!

[soul_mods]

Hello, thank you for the questions!

For something that might be a simple concern or different interpretation?

This is actually the problem that the new system is here to address. The app team in the past tended to be, for the lack of a better word, nitpicky about apps because the old app format had always been a little lacking in some guidelines and clear-set rules of what we should look for in apps or not. If you check the revision requirements for this particular section, about 90% of them had been about that: simple concerns or very minor revisions. The new system pushes that away, because it allows the app team to judge apps based on what's really important, namely the content. We understand your concerns, however, so we will work to clarify this in the future.

It's difficult to answer the question about beta-ing. Ideally, something that would pass the standards of our players should also pass the standards of the app team under the new process -- we don't read apps with the intention of rejecting them, we just want to see that the player has a good grasp of the character in question. We've read plenty of apps in the past that were not so well-written, but we liked because of its solid content. The same will apply to the new process. FM below has started on simple guidelines on it -- we may pick that up and add to it to help the beta readers with the task.

what will happen for new muns apping in from something so obscure there's no beta for it?

In the beta-volunteering part, it says there to state if you have no preferences on canons or are willing to beta anything. We will be getting the pool from that list.