edtosivaree
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Post by edtosivaree on Oct 20, 2015 23:03:36 GMT -6
Alright, so after some thinking I kinda understand what you are doing with the limitation of four SPARTAN's, but at the same time I can see this being a bit detrimental to the site.
Before I go on, please note that I have no desire to have a SPARTAN profile so this is not for my own agenda or anything.
So as I said, I understand why you want the limitation on the SPARTAN's. They are powerful, and a lot of people really want to be one. Come on, they are supersoldiers! They are pretty badass! I agree with their position on the tier system for this reason exactly. Not that I really have any say but I may as well throw that in.
The big problem is that in their biography, you mention that it had slightly better survival rates than the original SPARTANs. I am going to just ballpark this and say they are around 35-45. Now you are saying 4... out of the number floating somewhere in my estimate... can be made. This is a little unfair, because there are going to be people who show up late to the show, and the four positions ((Which lets face it, are not a lot)) are already filled. This means no matter how qualified they are for the position, they will have to wait until one of the current spartans die.
Surprisingly though, I agree with the restriction still, only not how it was implemented exactly. Again, little to no say, but may as well say something. If my assumptions so far are in fact true, or close to the oint, then why not just restrict the amount of SPARTANS on the site total to the Number of SPARTANS that were actually created, and whenever a Mission that allows SPARTAN's to participate comes up, anyone who wants to use a spartan must "sign up" so to speak. The staff then go through the list of people who would like to use their spartan and choose the desired amount of spartans for the mission. All others, tough luck guys!
This stops people who are late to the show from missing out on one of the FOUR slots that are available, giving them a better chance with a nice # in estimate, while still restricted realistically. Also gives the staff control of where the spartans go still in Main Missions, and any side Mission needs staff approval regardless.
I don't really see how this would be a /bad/ idea, but if it is I would like to know why.
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MrKill
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The Site dad
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Post by MrKill on Oct 20, 2015 23:58:18 GMT -6
Alright, so after some thinking I kinda understand what you are doing with the limitation of four SPARTAN's, but at the same time I can see this being a bit detrimental to the site. We've been using the same system for years now, and we're keen on keeping the system intact, for reasons I will list below. SPARTANs have been the top-of-the-line, flagship profiles for the website for years in the past; but that's changing more to vocal and physical leaders like Admiral's and General's now that the RP is shifted focus towards a larger universe. In a single mission, like the staff missions, these profiles influenced the battles the most. On a galactic scale, however, they no longer inflict the total war effort; rather than single battles. What effects the global war effort is the tactics and strategies being developed by the UNSC leadership and intelligence branches [or in our case, branch]. In the information page, which was just posted, the staff state that they had slighter better survival rates because it would be unrealistic for that type of medical augmentations to not be further developed for a second class of SPARTANs in light of the staggering losses the first class suffered. The first class of SPARTANS, almost half of them died. For the new class, that number is similar, and by 'slightly' we keep to canonical numbers from the first class - meaning that \slightly' it's a fraction of a percentage - and it can be safely assumed that half of the second class were either killed or crippled during the augmentation process. However, as for the numbers. We haven't decided how many SPARTAN II in this second class there will be. However, there can only be a maximum of four controlled SPARTANs at any given time because of the sheer power of the character, in which you yourself admit. Allowing more SPARTANs significantly unbalances the role-play and diverts from our goal of shining light on the less popular aspects of the Halo Universe - like what the Marines or Covenant Elites were doing outside novels, games and comics. This will not work, and will 'water down' what we've achieved with the SPARTANs thus far. SPARTANs, while no longer 'flagship' profiles, are insperations for new users and experiences users alike. The requirements we have set for the SPARTANs will remain, and if we allowed your suggestion, we would see dozens - and forget the 'SPARTAN' title for a moment - of tier six profiles being created. Our RP would be top heavy, and with our setup, it has proven - as evidenced in multiple missions and the lack of high tier KIA or MIA profiles - to be more detrimental than not allowing a wide arrange of SPARTAN characters. There are no longer 'main missions' and 'side missions', that term has been generalized into 'member missions' and they're now open to all of the users to freely create, plan, manage and introduce into the role-play. You can read more about that here: yappashalorpg.com/thread/11626/mission-creation-guide Regardless, the SPARTAN count will stay at four for the reasons above. It is explained. |
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edtosivaree
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Post by edtosivaree on Oct 21, 2015 1:19:49 GMT -6
This right here is kinda what I was actually trying to address. Mainly the reasons why only four SPARTANS can ever be controlled. Please note, that I am fully aware of the strength of these profiles. I am.
Lets put it like this. There are people on this site who are more than capable of being a SPARTAN. We have some. Now, we have three slots left for SPARTANS. Say these slots are filled. Someone shows up, and wants to be a SPARTAN /REALLY BADLY!!!!!/
Regardless of whether or not they can meet the expectations and requirements the Staff have for SPARTANs, they will not be able to have a SPARTAN unless a current SPARTAN is eliminated. This could be a major downer on a player, because of what a SPARTAN means to them. It could also mean a potential loss of a Roleplayer.
Now, lets look at it like this. A new person shows up, REALLY wants to be a SPARTAN. Instead of being told "You have to meet all these requirements AND hope that one of the current spartans are eliminated" they are told "You have to meet these requirements".
This alone tells said new person that a SPARTAN is in fact obtainable. regardless of their skill level, they now have an obtainable goal, because really with the stringency of the SPARTAN profile I really don't think you guys are going to fill in 33+ profiles no where in the foreseeable future.
As for the top heavy? Well... That depends. I believe I was told that the higher tier your character is, the more responsibilities and expectations there are on you as a roleplayer. This being the core reason for the Staff Sponsorships. You need three staff members to Sponsor you, to even complete the profile let alone have it approved. Hell, you could make SPARTAN's T7 and make it Two Admin have to Approve it, as well as Moderators. You could even make SPARTAN's their own Tier and have it be a Staff wide approval. After All, SPARTAN's are the Flag Ship Icon of the Franchise
If we gave every joe shmoe and their grandmother a spartan then of course things would be top heavy, but as I am to understand the site is currently looking to grow. The site has already demonstrated that only the most trusted members get SPARTAN's from those that I am aware of, so really having more than 4 SPARTAN's would not be an issue unless a SPARTAN was given to a wrong individual.
As for my comment about "Main Missions", I had just read the thread about making the site more lively, so I added that for "insurance" so to speak. Staff still have control over all cannon "User Missions" via approving or denying them.
Long Story short, you already put in place temporary blocks on high tiered profiles. You're only allowed to have a MAX 2 T5+ characters to a player, and you will shut down the ability to register characters of high tiers if the site becomes to top heavy. You could make it so that there are one MILLION SPARTAN's available, you still decide who and who is not capable of controlling one. All low numbers do is make that goal harder and harder to see. It does not make it harder to get. It is discouraging to ((valuable)) new players to know that there are a flurry of people who have been around longer who have substantially higher chances of getting these very small slots. Once they are filled, someone has to lose a character, or just wind up quitting the site for a slot to be open ever again.
No one wants that.
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Faclan
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Everyone's Favorite Space Chicken
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Post by Faclan on Oct 21, 2015 1:36:00 GMT -6
I think its an interesting idea for the bigger missions if/when we bring them back. Have a selection of Spartans that can go on different 'missions' as it were while having different ones work together in the big missions that could be a different team each time. I think it would make it a bit more interesting having more Spartans to be deployed in the 'member missions' just so long as its discussed with the particpants in the main thead before.
I don't know if it will be such a huge problem Kill - the requirements for the profile will still be the same and that alone will keep people who lack the skillz to make one from making one. But as the site continues to grow some of the people joining will be able to walk the walk and mayhaps will want to be a Spartan...rather than a cool alien (;_; i cry everyime). It makes sense that you want it to be this big thing for people to strive and want for, but Edto is right that if the positions are filled then its not somthing to aspire too as its unlikely that the spots will become available that often. And if they do it will probably be filled by an older member first.
It would just have to be known that you may not be able to use them that much and that you will not be able to win every mission yourself. Perhaps even let them know that even compared to normal soldiers you will have a high chance of dying. As long as people understand that it should hopefully limit the fighting that could happen if they character may die. I think as long as people understand that and the fact that the requirements will still be strict should keep it all fine and dandy. I agree that it will be an issue if theres like 10 Spartans in a bigger mission but as Edto suggested there would be a limit each time for Spartans which would allow different people to Spartan it up in each larger mission.
I suppose if this idea is just a no go people could also do test runs of Spartans in side missions or sandbox (not member missions as those I believe are cannon). I would be happy to supply some aliens for the test if I am asked.
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Frazer
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Post by Frazer on Oct 21, 2015 6:30:48 GMT -6
I don't mean to be a party pooper here but I really don't think it needs changing. We have never really needed more than 4 Spartans on the site as only a few members want to make those characters and actually use them. Second of I think I speak for other fellow Spartan wanna bes here but having a limit of missions your Spartan can go on ect ect would actually make things worse. People don't put all the time in effort into making a profile, 1400 word BIO and 5000 word RP sample, to then maybe not get on some of the main missions... I can see why you would want to increase the number that way new members don't leave straight away but this site isn't just about Spartans it's about marines, naval personal, Kig Yar ect ect. If your coming on the site to just be a Spartan then that in itself is a lost goal you know :/. At the end of the day I see the reasoning behind the idea but even if it was increased the max amount to like 10, the numbers wouldn't be used. I guarantee we will struggle to get just 4 Spartans on the site never mind more than that. If it's not broken then don't fix it the term comes to mind here. It's worked perfectly until now I say keep it as it is. Also Fac I really like that idea of practicing in sandbox and if it's full making a spartan in the sandbox and playing with him there. Good idea  . |
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MrKill
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The Site dad
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Post by MrKill on Oct 21, 2015 9:01:18 GMT -6
I appreciate your feedback concerning the SPARTANs, however we're not going to make any changes in the near future regarding their slots and how many of them are available. The second class of SPARTANs being released was to stop causing conflict with the canonical state the first class of these supersoldiers are in - in which nearly all of them are now named - so this gives more freedom to the people making SPARTANs. As for the sandbox idea, we don't really govern that, as it's non-canonical and used for custom stories, practice and just general Halo or non-halo related role-play; you could play a SPARTAN IV sent back to 1944 if you really wanted to who decided to kill Hilter and changes history so much that humanity went extinct in 2201 - just saying. It could have happened.  User Missions are no longer staff approved, all you need is enough people in your interest check - which is a number you, the user making the mission, dictate - and the mission can be launched. |
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Post by Llau on Oct 21, 2015 9:30:10 GMT -6
I have to agree with Kill and Frazer here about the Spartans. It's better to have a limit on them. Besides, a lot of people don't want to put in the effort of creating a T6+ profile, and maybe even a T5 profile, too if they aren't used to writing so much (the more you write though, the easier it becomes to write more).
Then there are those who prefer the underdog, and don't care to play as a Spartan, and would rather make an ONI, marine, a Naval character, or an ODST. Or are more interested in the Covenant Forces, and create an alien character instead, or both factions, even.
In any case, we much prefer new members create a lower-tiered character(s), instead of going straight to the jugular and create a high-tier profile because we want to see how well they do and if they can handle it. The higher the tier, the more responsibility you have within the RP, as well as needing to keep them active (T5+). If they stop being active with it, of course, then their profile is sent to inactive, and someone could have a chance...if they so wish, and are willing to do it.
With that, this is why I agree with Frazer, when he said this, and then take what I mentioned above into account (as well as what Kill said to you:
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