Monthly GM Update Log - March

[cablam 477]

 

Monthly GM Log

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Introduction

Greetings everyone. As was quite evident to begin with, we did not post up a Monthly GM Log for February. This was due to a very strenuous month and by the time it had come around to remembering the log, the time had passed. However, we’re back again and will simply jump right into it. This month has been difficult too, though the amount of internal changes which have occurred are really bringing the GM Team forward leaps and bounds.

 

Spoiler

Thomas:

This month has gone mostly well, I  have no complaints and the GM Team itself has been astounding. More work is getting done than ever and I’m exceptionally pleased with just how the overhauling has come through. It’s been a bumpy start to the year, though I’m proud of what has been accomplished and the work lined up for the future is promising. I have no concerns with the GM Team at this moment, and believe that we’re on an uphill track towards a much better server. I couldn’t be happier with how things are going.

 

Cablam:

This month went quite well. We’ve made gains in numerous projects over this last month, slightly at the cost of modreqs but we’re working on that, and have fixed several systems. We’ve changed the way appeals and reports work to remove the potential of bias and make the system flow smoother. On top of that the region and land acquisition systems have been overhauled and simplified with documentation to log ownership, removing any confusion that may arise down the line. Hopefully in this next wave of trials we can pick up in a few areas we’re lacking in and continue to do a lot of great work.

 

Harold:

This month, has been a good month for not only players but for the way we handle being staff. Not only have we released the new cloud temple with the help of Angmarzku, our primary builder, but we've managed to revitalize the economy in the same sentence - giving players the opportunity to make money once again through the aid of Admin shops. This is not the end for the economy project either, you will have to watch this space for updates because they're in the pipeline. This month has also seen a huge overhaul in the way we handle Tiles as staff, with a full directory now in play and a warp system setup to travel between tiles with ease. In the same direction, we've setup and will begin to use a system of progress reports for GMs, setting goals and achieving them in terms of projects and activity. Our team is stronger than ever.

 

Harrison:

Whilst I've been away for a bit, due to IRL situations, I've been fairly happy with this month. The new standard for the GM team is being enforced and the team is working well so far. I look forward to properly situating into the new Manager regime and making sure I live up to expectations people have of me.

 

LadyRebecca:

It’s been a very busy month, thus far, and the GM team has been working diligently to help keep the server in working order. I am so pleased by the astounding amount of work and effort that is being put in by the members on the team and congratulate all of the members on their job well done. The team has been hard working with the numerous projects brought forward and communicates well concerning situations that arise. The largest post of positivity I have seen is the collective Ban Appeal and Reports. It really helps bring the team together and be on the same page when the everyone contributes and understands the reasons why things have taken place. I look forward to what the team is going to bring forward in the months to come.

 

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Trials

Once again, the first order of business is the announcement of our new Trial GMs! Selected for their desire to drive the team forward and engage with the playerbase, the Trials this Month are as follows!

 

 

 

To give a run down. Here is how the trial selection process works:

• The GM Managers convene and look over each of the applications and create a short-list of applicants to interview.

• The GM Managers and Lead take the short-listed applicants into an interview room in Skype or Discord and ask questions pertaining to who they are, the position, what they plan on doing if they get the position, etc.

• After the interviews have concluded the GM Managers convene once again and make their picks from the batch, proposing them to the Lead.

• If the Lead approves of the picks then they’re proposed to the team for feedback. If the picks are generally accepted by the GM team they’re contacted and inserted into the Trial process.

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Resignations/Removals

As with most months, we must unfortunately say farewell to some members of our Game Moderation Team. While we bid farewell, we are thankful for their tenure on our team, and are grateful for the work they provided to the server.

 

Sir_Niccum:

• While Niccum was doing a good job on the GM team a breach of staff protocol made him subject for removal. He took it extremely well and the GM Management wishes the best for his future as well.

GusanoArentonio:

• Gus was doing alright on the first half of his trial and then he became an admin.

Nekkore:

• Nekkore’s trial was somewhat lackluster with issues in activity due to real life commitments and unfortunately we had to fail his trial. We wish him all the best in whatever he pursues in the future.

Beast720:

• Upon promotion to Admin, Beast found that he wouldn’t have the time to devote to both the GM team and the Administration and opted to step down from his position on the GM team.

 

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Modreq Data

Following the data from every month, we gather and collect the count from Modreqs that have been done over the span of the monthly cycle. We compile it in a google spreadsheet and publicize it here for all to see.

This month we had a total of 2286 Modreqs. With our quota set at 3%, the total number of modreqs a GM would require to reach quota this month would have been 70 with a margin of error being 68-72. Last month we had around 3787 Modreqs, giving us a little over 1500 less this month.

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Projects

Although projects are not a necessary working point for the GMs, we’re constantly looking at ways to benefit our server and overhaul certain parts of our server for the betterment of the playerbase. We have a lot of projects currently ongoing.

 

1. Game Team Overhaul

Project headed by  Thomas includes a complete reworking of all internal systems and way the team itself operates. Likely seen already with the way Ban Appeals and Reports are working through the consensus of the Team collective, and of course the integration with Discord, Thomas and the Managers are working to change each individual facet of the team and rework it into something more useful.

2. Trailers & Video Guides

Picked up and run by JVQ, this project is set to providing the most premium and quality trailers and Video Guides to help advertise and increase player retention. While alone in this project, we’ve already seen some promising things and we can’t wait to share them with you guys.

3. LotC Economy

Without Harold at it’s head, the Economy has been a long forgotten part of the server and, most definitely, an important one. With the collaborative work of Harold, 501 and a few others, the Economy has finally reached a stable field where we are able to monitor the money in the system, and determine the prices of the prices of purchases accordingly.

4. New Player Events

Created by Vaynth, the New Player Events project was created to engage the new players in a fun, interactive environment wherein players are able to acquire mina and begin their experience on the server. In collaboration with various other teams, this project was created to improve player retention.

5. Tile Cleanup and Ownership

For a long time now the Tiles and their Ownerships has been long in question, and has been a messy affair for any GM trying to come to terms with it. Fortunately, Harold sat down and over the course of a week managed to fix up, document and clean up the Tiles for us to view and make reference of when doing our day to day work.

6. GM Guide Update

The GM Handbook has been sorely neglected for a couple of seasons now, and due to this many new commands, and even forgotten ones, have been left out and simply left without documentation. Magicpastry has sought to rectify this, and has been working with various other GMs in order to comprise a well rounded guide to commands, and the handling of situations.

7. Axios Warp Cleanup

Roughly a week ago, we  had almost 1000 warps on LotC. Today, we have just under 400. After spending several weeks combing through every warp and documenting each one with a valid teleportation point onto a spreadsheet for any staff team to make use of, the Warp Cleanup served to simply aid in keeping things clear and concise. Alongside this, Harold went around to each and every tile to establish a warp there to allow us to do our jobs just that little bit easier.

8. Tutorial Island

Worked on by our good pals Angmarzku, SexeHexe, and GusanoArentonio, the Tutorial Island is much like it says on the tin; An island to provide players new and old with an interactive tutorial to teach and guide people into the experience of Lord of the Craft. Due to us being as we are with unique plugins and operations, it’s important to ensure players have a seamless experience.

9. Primary Region Ownership Documentation

Similar to the Tile Cleanup, the Primary Region Ownership documentation has been long awaited. For a good amount of time now, figuring out just who owns what has been a bother, however thanks to this project by Cablam, and a nifty piece of code from our Dev Team, understanding just who owns what has never been easier.

 

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Current Member List:

Lead:

• Tahmas

Managers:

• HB

• Harold

• Cablam

• LadyRebecca

Members:

• Josh3738

• Angmarzku

• Vaynth

• Malinor

• MagicPastry

• AssassinofAwsome

Trials:

• Tsuyose

• ShadowedOblivion

• Moosehunter123

• SexeHexe

• Kipples

 

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As always, we urge you to ask questions should you have any. If you have any concerns regarding the server, the GM team or anything else, please feel free to contact a member of the GM Team and will do our best to help.

 

GM Applications

The application format can be found here: https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/156193-game-team-readme/

Spoiler

• Minecraft name/s: (List the username of your main, and any alternate accounts)

• Age: (Your age in whole years. Must be at least 14.)

• Timezone: (State your Timezone. Ex: GMT-6)

• Skype/Discord: (Both are required)

• What is your availability: (Tell us how many hours you can spend on the server daily, and between what times.)

• Tell us an issue you currently experience on the server: (If you’re experiencing problems on the server at this current time, please state what they are.)

• How do you feel individual GMs should present themselves?: (In your personal opinion, how should GMs communicate with the Playerbase, how should they act?)

• How do you feel the GM team collectively should present itself?: (In your personal opinion, how should the GM Team be led? How should the Team operate?)

• Please list three players who will vouch for you: (Ensure you contact these people first and let them know you are putting them down. We will then contact these people to get a feel for how you are as a person.)

• What is your relationship with the members of the current GM Team?: (Do you particularly work well with specific members of the current team? Have you had disagreements or disputes with certain members in the past, how do you believe this will affect your role:?)

• What are you finest and worst traits?: (Shoot for two or three of each. This part is to have you analyse yourself.)

• Tell us about your time on Lord of the Craft: (This is the most detailed part of the application. We want to know what your progress has been on the server. Have you been on any staff teams? Where have you predominantly played? What aspects are the most memorable to you, and why?)

• What parts of the server are you most interested in?: (What is it about Lord of the Craft that compels you? Is it the Lore of the server, the development and plugins?)

• Other than yourself, who of the current applicants would you like to see on the GM Team?: (Who, out of the current applicants, do you feel would make a good GM?)

• Link me a good song: (Don’t cheap out on me.)

 

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A word from Thomas

And finally, I’d like to make a very small announcement. For the next month, I will be stepping back and taking a break. After speaking to a good load of friends, I realized that I haven’t taken time for myself or those around me, and I’ve been so preoccupied with work for the past year now, and other than last Saturday I frankly cannot remember the last time I took a day off. It’s been on my mind for a good month now, and even my Team has pushed me to just have a day off and relax; It’s about time I did that.

 

To clarify: I’m not resigning, I’m not disappearing. I have a deep seated love for this server and I have too many ideas, plans and projects in the works to even consider doing something so silly. I’m simply stepping back from the work I’m doing to take a bit of a rest. There comes a time when so much work gets you a bit stressed out and a good break will do some good. In my absence, Cablam will be mostly working as the temporary figure of note.

 

Rebecca has been promoted to GM Manager under the recommendation from Harold and Cablam, and thing should continue as normal. This fundamentally changes nothing for you guys as a player base, and it’s only temporary. I’ll be back this time next month with a reinvigorated energy and drive. I’m looking forward to it, and I hope everyone has a good month.

 

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With that said, I hope you all have a wonderful month.

-Cablam

[shortchangehero 4217]

[Stag 3230]

Awesome news on the warp cleanup project guys! 

 

As for the tile cleanup can we, the players, see the info collected?

I have a favor to ask of the staff or any player. Can someone please map an updated map that labels EVERY major and minor settlement on the map? I believe with such a large map it would be beneficial not only to new players but to me (I am noob too) to see points of interest and where I can go to RP.

[senor_tortuga 692]

#AveTorto #TortoForPresiden #TahmasIsStill#1InMyBook,EvenThoughHeOnlyDid12Modreq

[cablam 477]

13 minutes ago, Sir K Andruske said:

As for the tile cleanup can we, the players, see the info collected?

I have a favor to ask of the staff or any player. Can someone please map an updated map that labels EVERY major and minor settlement on the map? I believe with such a large map it would be beneficial not only to new players but to me (I am noob too) to see points of interest and where I can go to RP.

The map is something we're considering getting done, @Magicpastry mentioned he could do something that like for us.

[Nekkore 641]

2 hours ago, cablam said:

Nekkore:

• Nekkore’s trial was somewhat lackluster with issues in activity due to real life commitments and unfortunately we had to fail his trial. We wish him all the best in whatever he pursues in the future.

 

I will return and my genius will be noticed, eventually.

 

But still good luck to the new trials out there, you're in for a world of hurt.

[SpodoKaiba 612]

3 hours ago, cablam said:

Gus was doing alright on the first half of his trial and then he became an admin.

as one would expect

[Thatpyrodude 2008]

37 minutes ago, Nekkore said:

But still good luck to the new trials out there, you're in for a world of hurt.

nah trial is p easy, just be active, engaged in gm discussions, be upper echelon in modreqs and don't have a scandal. That being said GL trials!

[Guest]

I'm impressed with how you've shaped the team, take your month off, hopefully things don't fall apart in the mean time.

[Ducklingator 795]

The team looks really neat, seems to finally be getting along. Until you'll purge it next month out of boredom.

[MrMineLoveDude 299]

Good Luck GM Trials!

[Rammer 388]

Thomas is taking time off? ******* finally maybe he'll actually sleep now

Also good luck to all the trials this month

 

[Trenchist 864]

Lol best month, tahmas is stepping down and projects are actually useful gj gm team

[cablam 477]

5 hours ago, Trenchist said:

Lol best month, tahmas is stepping down and projects are actually useful gj gm team

Tahmas is not stepping down, he is taking a break for a month where I fill in for him to get a breather. He'll be back in full swing by that time.

[cablam 477]

4 hours ago, Harold said:

wheres harold

He abandoned us to go get rich and buy an Audi.