Poll: Application Sample Changes

[simpathis]

— POLL: APPLICATION CHANGES —


Hey guys! As one of the things being worked on for the game, we have a proposal for you guys. To help new players coming in have more of a feel of the game, as well as better prepare and encourage players to utilize the emotional aspect of the setting, we are considering changing the samples to make it conform to the game's premise.

Currently we only request one sample. This sample can be linked or an original written sample. As you know, the sample is used to help show how a player actually plays a character and show their take on the characterization.

The Proposal: In addition to a normal sample, a player must include a sample that portrays the character affecting the environment with emotions, or "emotional sample" for short. This can be done in one of three ways and the format can be either first person brackets or third person prose.

• Option 1. Write an original sample set within Empatheias that has a bit of a "normal" scenario and then an "emotional" scenario. Most likely the two will be related (perhaps the scene starts normal and then emotions happen). With this option, you only need to provide one sample, but you will have to write it rather than link it. Written samples can use whatever prompts available in game (test drive prompts, task board, old intro log prompts).

• Option 2. If a player links to a thread outside of the test drive—such as memes, old game threads, museboxes, etc.—they will either have to 1) write out a short (no more than two paragraphs) sample of the character in Empatheias' setting with some kind of emotional reaction OR 2) include a link to a Test Drive thread that fulfills the "emotional sample" requirement. With this option, you will have to provide two forms of samples.

• Option 3. Test Drive threads can satisfy both requirements. So long as there is enough character portrayal and a scene with an emotional reaction, be it within the prompt or done during the thread, then the player will only need to link it and they are done. With this option, you only have to provide one form of sample.

In short, somehow, somewhere, we would require the applicant to include a sample that shows both normal characterization AND using the emotional aspect of the game. This can be done separately or combined.

For those who use the test drive, this shouldn't be any more work than under the current scheme. For those who would want to rely on old game threads, this change would require you to still provide an original sample. However, as mentioned in the proposal, the "emotional sample" can be short. It is to only serve how you as a player would use the game's environment and you will always be encourage to be as creative or as simple as you want. From a simple rain cloud to streets churning in devastating, anything goes. It will also help ensure that the player understands the game's setting.

In terms of "judging" the sample, we would still only be focused on how the player is depicting their character. The emotional sample will neither add nor detract to this and will have no additional weight. Any revisions asked would still focus on characterization. So for example, if a player opts to write their sample, they will still need to provide enough for us to get an idea of their character. If it's just filled with emotional rain, we could ask for more on characterization.

Because this is a rather large change to the application, we want to poll the current playerbase as to what you think about this. It will run until the end of Sunday, May 17 and the results will be posted on the following Monday along with the Mid-Month Announcement and Test Drive. If approved, the change would be put into effect immediately.

So please vote! If you are adamantly against the idea, please tell us why. Knowing all perspectives will help for any future changes we may think of. If you have any questions or need clarifications, please ask them as well.

Poll #16685 Application Sample Changes

This poll is closed.
Open to: Access List, detailed results viewable to: Just the Poll Creator, participants: 30

Do you approve the sample change proposal?

Yes
8 (26.7%)

Neutral leaning toward yes
11 (36.7%)

Neutral
7 (23.3%)

Neutral leaning toward no
2 (6.7%)

No
2 (6.7%)