Your View: A Change In The Application To The Server

[Rhia 936]

Hello Lotc,

 

A while ago I posted a Your View about the server application and based off that feed back have started to make a few changes.

 

Current application

 

And the Updated application with a selection of your proposed changes. I've also reworded most of the application just so there is more flow. 

 

Most of the changes are related to VA/evil characters. It serves as a tool to help new players role play as villains. A buffer, as we've removed VA's. 

 

There is also a question about a rule they may not understand, This would not be something to accept or deny an app on but a chance for clarification before they enter the server. If the applicant does have a question on a rule the AT handling the app would answer it regardless if accepting or denying the app. 

[Demotheus 651]

I think you should make it a bit more difficult. People know my opinion on that by now, I'm sure. But it is painfully easy to get into the server with the bare minimum. 

 

Edit:

FIRSTLSTAKJWERPAJ[

[Rhia 936]

I think you should make it a bit more difficult. People know my opinion on that by now, I'm sure. But it is painfully easy to get into the server with the bare minimum. 

 

Edit:

FIRSTLSTAKJWERPAJ[

 

How would you make it harder? We want to avoid ORQs as its not really a good example of how RP works on the server. 

[Birdwhisperer 1174]

 

Give us a highlight of their past, What life events make your character the person they are today? This is like your biography so include server lore when writing! (Like names of towns or another race): -

I think this should remain as a general biography, maybe include a suggestion to highlight a significant event, but not only one event. Edit: reading this over I think I misinterpreted it, don't mind me.

 

And the app could be made harder without adding questions, simply by raising the standards. It's good that you have questions for goals, strengths and weaknesses though, that's pretty important.

[Rhia 936]

I think this should remain as a general biography, maybe include a suggestion to highlight a significant event, but not only one event.

 

And the app could be made harder without adding questions, simply by raising the standards. It's good that you have questions for goals, strengths and weaknesses though, that's pretty important.

 

I've added a bit about how that is the player bio, AT's have also complained that people write huge paragraphs so maybe just a few highlights would be a better option... I'd totally be open to rewording it if you had something in mind. :D

[Demotheus 651]

How would you make it harder? We want to avoid ORQs as its not really a good example of how RP works on the server.

No character's backstory should be any less than 2-3 paragraphs, which is what I all too often see. There's bare bones details and it just sounds like a series of events listed with only a loose 'story' aspect. 

 

http://www.lordofthecraft.net/topic/58059-demotheus-application/

 

This was my application to the server. There's a funny story behind it, but basically I wrote a ton of detail for a twelve year old dwarven girl. Do I expect everyone to bother putting that much effort, care, etc. into their application? No. I don't. In fact it's probably far too much to read if every single person did that sort of thing. But should it feel like a story, make a connection to the character you're defining's life? Yes. 

 

There needs to be a greater amount of detail in adult characters, let alone children. I still check out the application section from time to time and what I see is not enough in my opinion. Again, you don't have to be a world class writer, but it has to look like they put in their full effort, or at least put in a decent amount of effort. 

 

Maybe I'm /still/ too strict-minded, but I don't think it's unreasonable. Why would they put in effort in their RP if they don't in their application?

[Rhia 936]

No character's backstory should be any less than 2-3 paragraphs, which is what I all too often see. There's bare bones details and it just sounds like a series of events listed with only a loose 'story' aspect. 

 

http://www.lordofthecraft.net/topic/58059-demotheus-application/

 

This was my application to the server. There's a funny story behind it, but basically I wrote a ton of detail for a twelve year old dwarven girl. Do I expect everyone to bother putting that much effort, care, etc. into their application? No. I don't. In fact it's probably far too much to read if every single person did that sort of thing. But should it feel like a story, make a connection to the character you're defining's life? Yes. 

 

There needs to be a greater amount of detail in adult characters, let alone children. I still check out the application section from time to time and what I see is not enough in my opinion. Again, you don't have to be a world class writer, but it has to look like they put in their full effort, or at least put in a decent amount of effort. 

 

Maybe I'm /still/ too strict-minded, but I don't think it's unreasonable. Why would they put in effort in their RP if they don't in their application?

 

I can understand this concern, but how often did you really need your backstory in rp? Most people RP in the moment, I know that I've never used my "back story" that much in rp, if an applicant can boil down their past into a handful of major events and a few outlining details thats all they really need... But then again some people rely on backstory heavily. I think that the way it's worded now gives a chance for both types of players. You can fill out paragraphs or just the important stuff. We won't ever have a max for how long a bio can be. 

[Demotheus 651]

I can understand this concern, but how often did you really need your backstory in rp? Most people RP in the moment, I know that I've never used my "back story" that much in rp, if an applicant can boil down their past into a handful of major events and a few outlining details thats all they really need... But then again some people rely on backstory heavily. I think that the way it's worded now gives a chance for both types of players. You can fill out paragraphs or just the important stuff. We won't ever restrict length when it comes to bios. 

It also helps develop the character and their supposed skillsets/weaknesses.

 

I hate seeing people get in with fears, weaknesses and skills that are not explained, or are explained like so 

 

"My father taught me the way of the sword when I was thirteen." ...really? that's it? Okay, what's the story behind your hatred of dark elves? Why do you have this that and the other quirk? 

 

I don't like people making a character but having no idea why they're like the way they are. *shrug*

[Hunter (sckolar) 50]

More difficult. When I joined, the app team didn't tell me how to fix up my app, they just told me the areas. The easier it is to get in the server, the more 10-12 year olds I likely see. I think the app team needs to stop helping the new players so much. Players show how detailed, and interesting they can make their story & RP the more difficult it is. (Sorry, this was more directed at the app team)

 

as for the app itself, I think questions should just get packed into the bio. This way, you can tell how creative, and descriptive the player is.

 

example:

 

"What are they like (personality)?: -

What are their ambitions?: - "

 

These two can be just put in the bio, and do not tell the player to explain these. If they are old enough, and actually have school experience writing bios, then they should be able to figure it out.

[spawnfan55 5]

I personally think that applications should be made harder cause of the random spike in "MINAS OR DIE" players in the months after the server applications were made simpler.

[RK9ify 86]

I like the updated format. I like all the changes related to villains, too. 

So, yeah, I would go with the updated format.

[argonian 14254]

Make it not a requirement to have server towns in your bio. I've seen it lead to new Humans mentioning Aegis towns and stuff because it's hard to tell what the current towns are when you have never been on the server. Back when I joined, the lore check was telling us to name all the races(not including subraces and Undead, etc.). We could add a question for all the races and a question for them to name one server town or something, instead of making them mention it in their bio and end up saying they live in Alstion.

[Aislin 4354]

Making it harder will do nothing except decrease the amount of applicants to the server (which is bad). You need to place an emphasis on applicants' understanding of the rules and willingness to learn.

 

I suggested a "hidden test" in the application back when I was on the AT. For instance, in the rules hide something like "put your favorite fruit at the end of your biography" to test whether people have fully read them.

 

Furthermore, make sure the AT is looking for peoples' willingness to learn. This is really the most important thing that the AT should be looking for (and I don't think the current team is), since a whopping majority of minecrafters are stupid and can't write an application for ****. It helps if the reviewing AT member actually speaks to the applicant via PM.

[ski_king3 0]

Making it harder will do nothing except decrease the amount of applicants to the server (which is bad). You need to place an emphasis on applicants' understanding of the rules and willingness to learn.

 

I suggested a "hidden test" in the application back when I was on the AT. For instance, in the rules hide something like "put your favorite fruit at the end of your biography" to test whether people have fully read them.

 

Furthermore, make sure the AT is looking for peoples' willingness to learn. This is really the most important thing that the AT should be looking for (and I don't think the current team is), since a whopping majority of minecrafters are stupid and can't write an application for ****. It helps if the reviewing AT member actually speaks to the applicant via PM.

 

Pretty much this. I know during my tenure as AT, I accepted some people whose apps weren't quite up to snuff, but made it clear in their discussions with me over PM's they were willing to learn and understand the rules/how one roleplays on this server.

 

Also, am I wrong in saying there's now two sections which could be construed as where one would write their biography? It's pretty unclear with the new second biography question, and pretty unnecessary. All it will do is make applicants unsure of themselves. The rest of the additions are alright I guess, but pretty unnecessary. The current application is the best one LotC has since I started playing on it, and I don't think these changes will do anything to meaningfully improve it.

[Demotheus 651]

Making it harder will do nothing except decrease the amount of applicants to the server (which is bad). You need to place an emphasis on applicants' understanding of the rules and willingness to learn.

 

I suggested a "hidden test" in the application back when I was on the AT. For instance, in the rules hide something like "put your favorite fruit at the end of your biography" to test whether people have fully read them.

 

Furthermore, make sure the AT is looking for peoples' willingness to learn. This is really the most important thing that the AT should be looking for (and I don't think the current team is), since a whopping majority of minecrafters are stupid and can't write an application for ****. It helps if the reviewing AT member actually speaks to the applicant via PM.

I think there shoudl be SEVERAL of those 'tests' so that they dont' just stumble across it and realize "Huh. Guess I don't have to read those anymore!" ;They'd get the first right, but then none of th eothers afterwards.