Changes to staffing - animation and storytelling: Discussion thread.

[Adhira]

This is the thread to discuss the changes to the way we staff. Please keep the conversation civil and on topic, this thread will be moderated to make sure it stays on track and to enable us to clearly address your concerns.

[AmandaGreathouse]

This seems like it has the possibility to be pretty awesome. Already I've seen the weirdest staff interaction lately, knowing that there's more to come is both exciting and dread-inducing.

[tortall]

I love it, especially the part about random animated NPCs. I saw a bit of that last night, and though I was frustrated icly(and occly a little) at what happened, I was VERY excited. Two animations. Wow. This ROCKS. You imms rock. Every single one of you.

[FantasyWriter]

I love it, especially the part about random animated NPCs. .

She said what I feel perfectly.

[Sephiroto]

I'm pretty excited about the change.  I can't wait to see how it affects things.

[Archbaron]

So, if I'm understanding this correctly, now people in sponsored roles are going to focus more on their individual goals instead of the goals passed down to them from their clan immortals? It's exciting, and I hope it works.

[FantasyWriter]

Two questions:

Do the clan emails still work the same?
House Kurac players still sends mail to house_kurac@arm.org, etc

I noticed that Dakurus was listed as a "Red Storm" staffer.
Is RSV about to get some love too? or have I just not noticed it listed before?

[Synthesis]

If GMH members are getting their marching orders via e-mail, how are spies/mindbenders/etc. supposed to get in on that action?

[Archbaron]

If GMH members are getting their marching orders via e-mail, how are spies/mindbenders/etc. supposed to get in on that action?

Surely this information will be diluted among the clan and fall into the grasp of such spies and mindbenders.

[Adhira]

Do the clan emails still work the same?
House Kurac players still sends mail to house_kurac@arm.org, etc

Yes, clan emails work exactly the same.

I noticed that Dakurus was listed as a "Red Storm" staffer.
Is RSV about to get some love too? or have I just not noticed it listed before?

You just didn't notice I believe he's been the RSV regional staffer for a couple of years now.

If GMH members are getting their marching orders via e-mail, how are spies/mindbenders/etc. supposed to get in on that action?

Spies and mindbenders get their information in exactly the same way, by spying on the other players. The 'good stuff' that needs to be spied on will be, on the whole, generated by those pcs. If they're getting information from the upper levels it's likely to be brief information to assist them to enact things in game.

[manonfire]

I love it.

Bravo.

[Eloran]

This is the single greatest thing the staff have done in the past year.

Thank you. I cannot thank you enough.

THANK YOU. 

[Winterless]

I've already had this affect me at least twice. I love it. Keep it up.

[Riev]

Throwing my 2 bits and a haircut here. I think the change is very impressive. Animating the small stuff is what I thought STs were supposed to be doing anyways. I'm not expecting a whole lot, so anything small will impress me.


One quick one though.... does this mean that most staff is going to be watching players more often now? Or is it more that they will be sort of PLAYING with the players more now?

[jhunter]

This sounds like what I've always wished for. I hope this works out well.

[Zoltan]

I'm really looking forward to see how this all turns out. Good call on the staff's part, I think.

[number13]

Sounds good.  Really good.

Some of favorite times in Arm have been when staff spontaneously supported whatever the PCs were randomly doing (with animations or otherwise).  Spreading direct support past an inner circle of leader PCs will make the game world seem more alive for everyone -- but most especially independents and player-run clans.

[RogueGunslinger]

Awesome.

[Armaddict]

This actually inspired me to play a role other than the one I originally intended.  We'll see how that works out.

Sounds awesome, staffers

[Dalmeth]

I have to say, I played a long-term leadership role some time back, and this sounds like an answer to the prayers I had at that time.

Bravo.

[zanthalandreams]

Wow.  Just . . wow.

If I'm reading this right, and if it works out the way it looks like it will, then this game has just shifted from being an Imms' sandbox to a players' game.  That is a huge change.  That is an amazing release of responsibility.  This means that . . . oh wow. 

Thank you for even considering this restructure.  Get the word out about this, especially after it starts to work, and you will see some drifters returning.

[Armaddict]

Get the word out about this, especially after it starts to work, and you will see some drifters returning.

Speaking of which, yeah...over the years, I've definitely had people leave because they felt it was too hard to do the things they wanted to do, and essentially became IC lackeys to storylines that they had to do something momentus to affect.  So that statement may not be so far off.

[cyberpatrol_735]

Holy crap, I'm coming back to arm.

[deviant storm]

If last night's animations and fun were as a result of this than I am so for this. Go go group staffer Imms!

It was hella fun. And a rather big surprise.

[My 2 sids]

I'm really glad to see this.  My hope is that we'll start to see a lot more diversity in the types of characters and plots.