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somarium_ooc2013-08-01 12:59 pm
somarium_lords) wrote in somarium_ooc2013-08-01 12:59 pm
Entry tags:
Activity Check: July
It's time for the activity check! This is just to filter out and remind people to remain active in the game.
You need to provide ONE of the following requirements to pass the activity check for the month of July:
Everything provided on the activity check must be dated from July 1 to July 31 only.
Entries must be made by your character, while comments only count toward comments made by your character. Individual threads in an entry by your character cannot be submitted as separate activity. Threads must also reach at least three replies to count as a valid thread for activity.
Please note the following as well:
• Entries used for AC must have replies to responding comments to be valid. (Entries with no replies can still be counted for AC)
• Joint entries count as an entry for both characters. Those involved must actively reply for the entry to be considered as valid activity.
• Backdated threads are only valid if it takes place on the last week of the prior month and if most replies were made on the month of the check.
• Voicemail threads are considered threads, not entries.
• Closed logs between two characters will be treated as threads.
• Comment spams consisting of chains (1/3, 2/3, 3/3) are only considered as 1 comment.
Characters are only exempt from activity check if they were accepted during the month of the check or have posted a hiatus on the official hiatus entry prior to AC or if they have been on hiatus for 3 weeks during the month of AC. Any hiatuses made during the check must still provide activity to pass. If a character has been hiatused for 2 weeks during the month of the check, they will need to submit half-proof of AC.
Half-proof of the activity check is as follows:
The following journals have incurred a strike in the last AC and must pass the check to stay in the game.
abrahamerskine
b_loodflower
bellonaborn
bielefelt
bloodsplatters
combiplay
curtisconnors
doctorisin
dreamgranter
extraordinarily
fuckinga
goodwilled
itsaprototype
marimo
medicate
mypermissiontodie
preordinates
psychopath
timidscars
uponhischarge
white_demon (carried from June)
xxblacklabel
yatagarasu
zerointegrity
Remember that you must provide some activity to take a strike.
Still confused? Here is a flowchart to help you out:
CLICK TO ENLARGE
Comment to this entry using the following template. Please keep all your characters' activity in ONE thread.
THE CHECK ENDS 11:59 PM (CST) AUGUST 5. This means you have all through Tuesday to post your links before the AC closes. The danger list will go up on Sunday night.
For any questions, please as them in the provided thread below. If you have any problems, talk to any of us mods (Laena, Mart, Cura and Shannon). We'll be more than happy to work with any issues you may have.
You need to provide ONE of the following requirements to pass the activity check for the month of July:
| 1 Entry + 15 comments. | 2 Entry + 7 comments. | 20 comments. |
Entry: One (1) entry from somarium or dreamnet.Comments: Two (2) or more threads totaling to at least 15 comments with at least 2 different characters. |
Entries: Two (2) entries from somarium or dreamnet.Comments: One (1) or more threads totaling to at least 7 comments. |
Comments: Three (3) or more threads totaling to at least 20 comments with at least 3 different characters. |
Everything provided on the activity check must be dated from July 1 to July 31 only.
Entries must be made by your character, while comments only count toward comments made by your character. Individual threads in an entry by your character cannot be submitted as separate activity. Threads must also reach at least three replies to count as a valid thread for activity.
Please note the following as well:
• Joint entries count as an entry for both characters. Those involved must actively reply for the entry to be considered as valid activity.
• Backdated threads are only valid if it takes place on the last week of the prior month and if most replies were made on the month of the check.
• Voicemail threads are considered threads, not entries.
• Closed logs between two characters will be treated as threads.
• Comment spams consisting of chains (1/3, 2/3, 3/3) are only considered as 1 comment.
Characters are only exempt from activity check if they were accepted during the month of the check or have posted a hiatus on the official hiatus entry prior to AC or if they have been on hiatus for 3 weeks during the month of AC. Any hiatuses made during the check must still provide activity to pass. If a character has been hiatused for 2 weeks during the month of the check, they will need to submit half-proof of AC.
Half-proof of the activity check is as follows:
| 1 Entry + 7 comments. | 10 comments. |
Entry: One (1) entry from somarium or dreamnet.Comments: One (1) or more threads totaling to at least 7 comments. |
Comments: Two (2) or more threads totaling to at least 10 comments with at least 2 different characters. |
The following journals have incurred a strike in the last AC and must pass the check to stay in the game.
abrahamerskineb_loodflowerbellonabornbielefeltbloodsplatterscombiplaycurtisconnorsdoctorisindreamgranterextraordinarilyfuckingagoodwilleditsaprototypemarimomedicatemypermissiontodiepreordinatespsychopathtimidscarsuponhischargewhite_demon (carried from June)xxblacklabelyatagarasuzerointegrityRemember that you must provide some activity to take a strike.
Still confused? Here is a flowchart to help you out:
CLICK TO ENLARGE
Comment to this entry using the following template. Please keep all your characters' activity in ONE thread.
| 1 ENTRY + 15 COMMENTS | 2 ENTRIES + 7 COMMENTS | 20 COMMENTS |
THE CHECK ENDS 11:59 PM (CST) AUGUST 5. This means you have all through Tuesday to post your links before the AC closes. The danger list will go up on Sunday night.
For any questions, please as them in the provided thread below. If you have any problems, talk to any of us mods (Laena, Mart, Cura and Shannon). We'll be more than happy to work with any issues you may have.
QUESTIONS
Re: QUESTIONS
At the top it says this: "Everything provided on the activity check must be dated from July 1 to July 31 only"
Which made me think that we weren't allowed to have any threads going past this point that can count even if they were started in the current month. Meaning, even though I have a thread dated 7/30 even if it gets tagged back from this point on it won't count because all new comments will be after August 1.
Then I read this: "THE CHECK ENDS 11:59 PM (CST) AUGUST 5. This means you have all through Tuesday to meet the requirements before the AC closes"
So does that mean the thread CAN extend into August? I guess I'm just confused by the wording of things.
I would like to say that with this new shorter AC window, I wonder if maybe a little revamping of requirements might be in order. Now, I have always made AC and have never taken a strike in over a year of playing here so this is not a complaint from someone who can't make the AC normally. This is a concern because I find myself worrying more over Som's AC then any other game I am in (and I am in 5 games).
For example, my game with the next strictest AC only says that if you have 2 posts then you are cleared. Or if you have a post/log + 15 comments (combined from 1-3 threads) then you are cleared. Or you can have 1 post and 1 log. As long as you hit 2 requirements. This game is of similar size and speed as Som. I find these requirements far easier to hit on a monthly basis even though a post is required.
I guess the one I want to focus on as far as being the strangest requirement is the "2 posts + 7 comments", although I feel like needing 3 separate characters in the 20 comments requirement can also be a tough request. I would think that as long as you are actively tagging your 2 posts, you shouldn't need to have to supply even more proof of activity. Some posts get anywheres from 5 to 10 people tagging into it and that is a pretty hefty amount of activity to keep up with and then ALSO have to go and find more things to tag. Especially with characters that might not be particularly social this seems like a pretty steep requirement. As for the second one, It's almost like it is encouraging more tagging out which is good, but again..sometimes it is hard to tag out to three different characters in one month if the current plot doesn't interest you, or if no one posts anything that you believe your character would respond to.
As I said, I don't want to sound like I'm whining because the requirements are hard. I've always passed AC and usually my characters have well above what I need. But I just feel like I need a little clarification on that one rule and also, because this is a new format that people are going to have to get used to, maybe some leniency should be shown for the first couple ACs. We've had a lot of drops recently and I have to wonder if it is because Som has one of the strictest AC requirements out there. Is there any reason the requirements are this strict for this size of a game?
Just my thoughts though I know there are several other players that have voiced concerns over these requirements and particularly were worried with this new AC format.
Re: QUESTIONS
That said, we believe you misunderstood this new AC. This AC post is for players to post the links to threads of their activity from July. Unlike the previous AC, these five days are not included in the month. Previously, we had the AC run during the month, thus why threads made during the last week were allowed—they were part of the month.
The time for making AC has not changed. It is still the entire month. The only difference is the time of when you post the AC. That is also why this AC is only five days. The only thing players need to worry about during these five days is to gather their links and post.
This was all detailed when we first introduced the system.
As for the drops and its correlation to the AC, we find that highly unlikely due to the fact that our requirements and restrictions have been around for at least two years, with the three options being around for around four (if my memory is right). The only thing that's recently changed is us enforcing them and tightening around loopholes that many people used to just skate by.
Re: QUESTIONS
I am in another game that runs their AC much like this new format. I am familiar with how this system works so don't think I misunderstood. That one went up today as well and gives people 3 days to get their threads in. But they only require 1 thread of 10 comments so the AC is quite a bit easier.
I was simply voicing my concerns on the requirements even though they haven't changed in the last few years. I've always found them to be rather strict and seem to be requiring a lot out of its players. I understand the need to encourage people to be active and I know in the past people have gotten away with loopholes in the rules. I applaud your attempts to get all the rules ironed out and smooth.
This new system pretty much eliminates any sort of last minute scramble to make AC as well because once it is up, time is up. And this is good, I see nothing wrong with that. I'm not questioning the system. I feel like it's a good one that games could succeed with following. We as players wouldn't have voted it in if we didn't feel it would succeed.
I admit I was trying to scramble and it didn't work out sadly. I don't mind. I know I will make AC next month so I'm not worried about it. I pretty much was just curious why Som had such high requirements more then complaining about the new system. If you notice, I only asked a question because I wanted to be sure I was understanding the rules. I'm perfectly fine with this system, just leery of the requirements as I have been from the beginning of my time here.
Thanks for taking the time to respond though. I appreciate it.
Re: QUESTIONS
We've had a lot of discussion about Somarium's AC requirements so I won't exhaust it again. However, I will posit this. What exactly makes Somarium's AC seem so hard to some? Immediate answer: getting the tags. If a player is not tagging or posting much in general, then there's not much we can do nor is there anything more to discuss. Somarium just may not have the right pace. But if it's because "I can't get tags" then having a lower requirement seems like it would be a good fix.
But it's not.
Instead go further, why are you not getting tags? You're doing what you can, but you can only do so much on your own. If you're not getting tags back, then isn't the problem not with the the actual requirements but the lack of tagbacks?
Thus, how would reducing the requirements address that issue? It would help those who were unfortunate victims of dropped threads better make it, sure, but that's a little backwards. That would instead actually be saying "We know people won't tag back or will drop threads, so we'll ask for lower requirements because we know that's the extent of the activity there will be." That isn't facing the issue at all—in fact it would more or less promote it.
And that's why when we have people come to us about the requirements, you have to really look at the reasons why the requirements seem hard to achieve. Other than players just not having time, it's threads being dropped. This latter reason is something that we've noticed has been a problem and, though it's heavy handed, recent AC changes have removed past known flakers and last-minute players that helped perpetuate the problem.
Re: QUESTIONS
But what you are saying makes it sound like you are punishing those of us that are active and a victim of the dropping. I understand your reasoning as far as keeping things strict, but obviously a good portion of good players are having issues if the strike list is always as big as it is.
I know when I was lead MOD at the game I ran a few years ago we noticed a lot of dropped threads and that we would have chronic thread droppers. What we ended up doing there was monitoring those we knew were an issue, or checking on things after another player would come to us with issues. We then added a rule to the AC about dropped threads. We said that any player known to drop a percentage of threads would receive a strike on a '3 strikes and you are out' kind of rule. We said it was fine to end threads if there was a loss of interest but to add a note at the end saying that it was discussed with the other player and was finished. This ended up helping out with the dropping a lot. Knowing that they were going to be held responsible for actually finishing threads also helped them to pass AC.
I just thought I would put out the suggestion. I know you guys are always asking for suggestions as far as plots and things so I figured you'd be open to suggestions in other areas as well.
Re: QUESTIONS
But another thing I wanted to point out is the actual demographic of those on the strike list. The reasons why the strike list has increased recently is due to our recent modifications (some of which are now moot due to the new schedule), not because of the actual requirements. The requirements themselves have stayed the same for years, and upon applying into the game, players who have read the rules acknowledged and were aware of what was expected. For the most part, this has not been issue. Thus the strike list will always contain some if not all of the following. I'm listing them in the order of significance (that is, the most common occurrence).
#1. Constant inactivity. The player hardly ever posted or tagged out to begin with and would just try and get some last minute tags in. Such players have been weeded out due the latest restrictions regarding last minute posts. As mentioned, these restrictions are no longer in effect, but we'll be keeping an eye on it.
#2. Bad month. RL likes slapping all of us in the face at whim, and usually people who end up on the strike zone are those who would normally make the AC and for whatever reason could not this month. These players will usually be fine for the next few months until something else happens.
#3. Threads were dropped. Players would have met AC, but a thread was dropped. This was especially noticeable when they couldn't meet the 3 comment minimum. Not meeting that minimum meant that the other player only tagged back once. Not good. That was why we added the restriction that players must tag back on their post for a decent amount, or at least more than twice. If they don't, it won't count toward their own AC since it would otherwise not be fair.
All those three and a combination of the two are the reasons why people get the strike list. Slow players are only caught when their thread is dropped. It may be unfortunate, but as I said before, players accepted the activity check upon applying since the AC and the requirements are on the rules page.
Another thing to note is that the players on the strike list are often not repeat offenders. That is because they either drop/idle out the following month, shape up, or just had that one-off bad month.
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However the strike will carry over and you will have to give full requirements in August to pass and stay in the game.
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Do my characters still need to post AC? I have two with strikes and two without from the month before.
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We had concern over Yamamoto and Crane, however. It looks like you had been struggling with activity for them for a few of the checks. Do you have any activity for them for July?
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In your reply, you stated that they passed AC the month before. This is not true, otherwise they would not have received a strike. Taking a strike means not passing full AC check. Furthermore, in your hiatus note, you stated, "I began a few threads late this month and will keep up with those during my hiatus so I don't leave the players hanging, internet granting," which is one of the key reasons why we are concerned at this point since, while we have noticed that you had some activity for Peter and Marius this month, we have not found any for Crane or Yamamoto. Even the threads you submitted as proof of activity for them for the June AC (here and here) to qualify for the strike were not continued in any way.
At this point, any proof of activity for either is all we are looking for. Not the amount. If they do not have any, then unfortunately, we feel they should be removed from the game.
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And in my reply, I said they passed AC 'the month before', which isn't clear, but I meant the month before the strike. Sorry if that was unclear.
I don't have any AC for them for the month, but again, I'll submit that unless you can show me where that is in the rules that says I should or it's on a case-by-case basis, I will say I find that unfair and you should have mentioned it to me when I took the hiatus. Thanks.
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Only the AC check, as far as I could see, had anything about this and it states:
"Characters are only exempt from activity check if they were accepted during the month of the check or have posted a hiatus on the official hiatus entry prior to AC or if they have been on hiatus for 3 weeks during the month of AC. Any hiatuses made during the check must still provide activity to pass. If a character has been hiatused for 2 weeks during the month of the check, they will need to submit half-proof of AC."
As my characters posted to the official hiatus page, for three weeks, before the hiatus and before AC check, they should be good by these rules. It says that hiatuses made during AC need to prove some activity to pass; mine hiatused at the start of the month, way before AC. It says that two-week hiatuses need to provide half-proof, but says absolutely nothing about hiatuses taken for longer than that, which mine was.
Again, unless I'm missing something, I have to say I don't see this in the rules anywhere, and think you should have told me ahead of time that I had to provide some activity; or how would I have known? If I'm wrong, and it does say so somewhere, my apologies and please let me know where so this doesn't happen again.
EDIT:// Also, sorry to keep commenting lol! I'm sure I'm driving you bats. I would point out that those replies (the two you linked to) were made the night of June 30th, which was the day I was leaving for Istanbul for my hiatus. I did say 'internet granting', and didn't have the internet at my dorm while I was away on my hiatus. Those were threads I planned to continue with, as stated! Now that I'm back it would be easy to, especially since those two players are now back from their own hiatus (Jax just came back yesterday, I think, and Kurogane's player notes the gap in their reply time was due to their own hiatus.)
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You did pass with both in May, but in Yamamoto's in case it was because he had a strike in April. He also had a strike in February. Already we're having the pattern of Strike --> Pass --> Strike --> Pass. Thus the only reason why you did pass in May was because you had the strike in April.
For Crane, we noticed that most of his threads are coming in during the last few days of the check and thus only barely passing. This occurred in May, April, and it wasn't so much in March, but it occurred during that as well.
I did not look at Peter and Marius and I am assuming that the pattern is not as heavy because they've always been cleared (with Marius also being newer so there's less to go by). But even if it so, we are getting the sense that you focus more on them and will almost certainly pass AC with those characters.
Yamamoto and Crane, however, are less certain and they having strikes while the other two passed in June are clear evidence of that. Peter and Marius all had links that started early in June. Crane's only "proof" back then was very last minute, and the same is true for Yamamoto. To be honest, we shouldn't have accepted them.
To end, and to once again emphasize, this is less about a generic rule and more on point of us addressing poor activity in relation to these specific characters. Yamamoto at the very least has seen the worst of it and we are questioning Crane's. It may look like he's passing, but the dates tell us a different picture. We'd also like to note that you yourself placed the responsibility on tagging others, regardless of where you were. And we also noticed that upon your return, you only tagged with Peter and Marius.
We understand that players will have preferences on who to play with, especially on their return. We're not faulting you on that. We are just most concerned about the other two, particularly since they have the strike and more so due to the trend we have been seeing. That is why the bar on those two characters is much higher.
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Still, that's fine, it's up to you guys and I will respect your choice and the logic behind it.
All I'm asking here is that you guys have the decency to agree that there was literally no way for me to know you treated hituses on a case by case basis. There is no rule against taking a strike a few months, and then have to show proof of hiatus. The person who commented above me had a strike, hiatused for three weeks, and is exempt from AC. Your own rules STATE that three weeks hiatus is exempt from AC. Therefore there was literally no way for me to know I'd have to show ANY AC this month, regardless of what my characters did or didn't do the last week of the month.
Again, it's fine that I have to drop them. I get why, it's all good. But I want you guys to at least be fair enough to say there was no way for me to know that in advance; if I had, I would have focused on closing out my CR right away. That's all, and I hope that's not unreasonable.
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We have always made it known and have mentioned in previous AC policy changes that those with inconsistent and questionable activity will always be looked at harder. The changes alone reflect that. This included our hiatus policy, which also went through some changes. Hiatuses are also considered on a case-by-case basis, both in granting them and in considering for AC.
In truth, what has made this difficult is your continual deflecting of admitting you had no activity. If you had simply stated you had none from the very beginning—which is all that we asked for—then this would have been resolved much sooner and more likely to your favor. That is, we would have allowed you to continue with your stated plans.
We do want to work with our players, but there was not as much cooperation on your end. We appreciate that you understand our reasoning, but I would still like to tell you how you did come off toward us so that you are aware. You sounded more defensive than it needed and attempted to shift the burden of responsibility on us. When it comes to activity, that is actually the player's, not ours. You at least should have known that Yamamoto and Crane were going to need more activity and there were ten days when you could have tagged in somewhere at sometime. If it were only five days, then we would not be expecting as much. But a 3 week hiatus, while exempts you from posting to the AC, does not exempt you from activity in general. That is something that we should not have to explain or even state anywhere. It is assumed that the moment you return, you will once again play your characters, whether it's just two or three comments or a new post.
Again, we are glad that you do see our reasoning. But we also want to note again that when a player has multiple strikes, they should already be aware that they're crossing a very tight line and do not need us to remind them.
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Again, thanks for explaining, sorry if I upset you guys in any way.
Let me know if its cool to finish their threads up before the AC check ends. If not, I'll go ahead and put them on the drop page.
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You are more than welcome to finish their threads and we will go ahead and mark them as dropped once the AC ends. At that point, while you will be able to continue threads you will not be able to start anything new. You are also allowed to reapply them, or at least Crane since I believe you had some plots with him in mind, but it would not be until October.
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That's great. That's really all I needed to do, so if I can close out the CR before AC ends with your permission, then that's perfect. I can get the items for the plots to the other characters and not leave anyone hanging. Appreciate it!
Re: QUESTIONS
Re: QUESTIONS