HMD: October

[empevents]

— HMD: OCTOBER —

All right guys, here's our newest gamewide HMD. Exact same as before, so here are a few things you should know as well as the rules and guidelines to how to participate in this HMD.

• Optional. This is not a mandatory HMD. You do not have to participate, however we highly encourage those who have questions or want tips to comment.
• Public + Optional Anon + IP Logging On. This is open to the public, so those outside of the game can give critique. There is no requirement to join the community. Anonymous commenting is turned on however IP logging remains on and players can say whether they want anonymous comments or not. If a player has requested only logged-in critique, please respect their wishes. Not everyone is comfortable with anonymous.
•Those giving crit: be polite and constructive. This HMD is to help players improve their playing and thereby improve the experience of everyone. It is also to help players point out things that might be questionable. Sometimes there are legitimate reasons for it, and sometimes it's a misinterpretation or clear mistake. Regardless, your crit should be helping the other player see their mistake and/or offer ways to help improve. You can be frank, you can be blunt, but you should not be disrespectful. Crit can be a hard pill to swallow, and while you shouldn't have to sugarcoat it, you can try to make it more palatable. In addition, try to provide actual examples of what you're talking about. It will help facilitate the discussion and give a better idea of your point.
• Those receiving crit: be open-minded and receptive. Receiving critique can be very difficult, but if you're participating in this HMD, then that must mean you are prepared for that possibility. If you receive critique that doesn't make sense, do not be defensive. Instead ask questions and try to clear up misunderstandings. In addition, be open to what people have to say. Sometimes we have blinders on when playing our characters and may not see problems that others do. Be willing to compromise as well. Maybe you don't agree with everything that is said, but there could be helpful nuggets in there. If there are things you are specifically worried about, you should include it in your comment. This could help others help you.
• Going Anon. If a player has opted for anonymous critique, it should be written no different than if you were giving it while logged in. All of the above rules apply. Basically think of it this way: if you wouldn't say it while logged in, then don't say it anon. The only real reason to allow anonymous here is to help those who want to give meaningful crit, but are shy or afraid for whatever reason. It is not to be abused.
• Monitoring. We will be monitoring this post, and if any harassment is found, it will be immediately screened and frozen. Any repeat offenders will be banned. Any anonymous abuse will result in anonymous turned off. If there is anything to report, contact us.

If you understand how this HMD works, fill out the appropriate form and comment to this post. The questions should help players have some structure and formulate how and what to write what they want.


RECEIVING CRIT:
Player:
Character(s):
Personal HMD? If you have a personal HMD, you can link to that as well.
Anon allowed? Yes or No
Concerns: Any concerns you have that you'd like others to try and help you with. Is there something about your characterization that you feel off? Do you wish to improve your writing? Do you need tips how to be more engaging?
Anything else: Anything else you'd like to mention, such as any notes about the character or canon material that you feel others should be aware of. For example, if your character is from one version and not another and how that might affect characterization.

<b>Player:</b><br /><b>Character(s):</b><br /><b>Personal HMD?</b> If you have a personal HMD, you can link to that as well.<br /><b>Anon allowed?</b> Yes or No<br /><b>Concerns:</b> <br /><b>Anything else:</b>

The mod/game critique thread can be found here.

TEST DRIVE: NOVEMBER

[empevents]

— TEST DRIVE: NOVEMBER—

Welcome to empatheias' test drive meme. This test drive is to help interested players test their characters in the game's environment. We've included a few prompts that incorporate specific elements of the game, though you'll find all of them have a lot of leeway for players to get as creative as necessary. Before diving in, here are a few things we'd like to remind everyone about the game in general:

• Date reminders. Date reminders. Reserves open Saturday, October 24th and Applications open Sunday, November 1st.

• Emotions are key! Empatheias' premise focuses on how anyone's emotions can affect their environment, be it big or small. While not every emotion will cause a reaction, significant ones definitely will. How much effect a character will have will ultimately be up to you, the player. Also, while we're giving a lot of leeway for the test drive, keep in mind that there will be some limits in the actual game.

• Everyone has an amulet. All characters have a unique amulet that is specialized for them. It will contain all of their emotion drops and it serves as the network device. Remember, communication is telepathic. Otherwise, it works basically the same.

• Assume the character is already in the game. Because "OMG WHERE AM I IS THIS REAL LIFE" threads aren't going to be very helpful in this test drive! Plus those are going to happen in-game, anyway. So to make things easier, just assume that they've been around at least a week or so. Still learning the ropes, but not a complete "first day" experience.

• First or third person allowed. Your threads can be in either first or third, but we'd advise being flexible about it. Remember, these threads can also be used in your application for samples! Reminder: We only require one sample and it can be done in either format. We have also made a change to our sample requirements, so look over the Applications page!

Now with that out of the way, here are some prompts you guys can work from!

( Read more... )

For your threads, put the Character Name and the Canon in the subject line to help readily identify them. You're also welcome to use more than one prompt for respondents to choose from. If you have any questions or want to brush up on the game information, refer to the Game Information entry. Otherwise, tag around and have fun!

D... D... I don't want to say it.

[gather_ye_rosebuds]

Right, so, I've already discussed this on Plurk, and I hate doing this, but here's the deal:

The new job that put me on hiatus is no less stressful after being done with training. If anything, it seems to be a bit more stressful, given that we're under-staffed, just now. So, for the time being, I need to drop Lacie, and thus the game.

I hate doing this. Between all of the friends Lacie has made and all the ones she could've made, and all of the shenanigans we all could've had, I really loved being here. It's just that the way things stand now, I can't sustain the activity I'd need even to make even this game's completely reasonable AC.

If things calm down enough that I can get my creative motor revving again, Lacie will be back to cause trouble for everyone that very day... or at least at the next convenient app cycle. But for now, this is goodbye.

Love you, Emp.

Don't forget me.

~Litha