Post by Admin Roc on Jan 12, 2012 18:31:26 GMT -5
Happy (belated) New Year, all! Shades of Vertigo is gearing up for the months ahead with a bunch of new initiatives and ideas to make your roleplays here just a little more epic. These are things that myself and the rest of the staff have been pondering and working on for quite a while and will be implementing shortly, much of which could have a direct (and awesome) impact on how you RP on SoV. Items on the agenda for the next few weeks include:
As part of it's response to recent events Shibusen will be looking to assemble new Spartoi units of Weapons and Meisters to help combat greater threats across the globe. Teams can be assembled from one or more person's characters -- if your member rank is high enough you can even create an entire team for yourself!
Faction Leaders
To stir up activity in our non-Shibusen factions (Witches, Exorcists, and Heretics) we're starting a new initiative whereby you, the forum members, can become Faction Leaders! We're looking for active, creative members who've been here at least three months to take the reins of one of our four factions both militarily and creatively, guiding them as "supreme commander" through the upcoming plot developments. The job of Faction Leader will have you creating Mission ideas for your faction, recruiting new characters / players to your cause, building up the lore and other ideas that make the faction interesting, and leading them to greatness! For your efforts you'll receive a regular payment of Points to the character account leading the Faction, a private password-locked section on the forums for your faction to plan and scheme, and have access to exclusive perks and inside-track info about upcoming plot developments.
You can choose to create a new character as in-story Faction Leader or have an existing one promoted to the role; staff will work with you to help make it happen. Shibusen Faction Leader is also available! Shinigami (if he survives the end of the manga; if not then Kid) is the official lead but there's still room for a character to handle the day-to-day administration. That, and there's never been a better time to apply for Death the Kid!
A thread for Faction Leader applications will be up shortly with more details. Each person may only be Faction Leader of ONE faction.
Territory Control
The new Territory Control system will add a competitive faction-based dynamic to the RP, letting our four major factions (Shibusen, Witches of the Mass, Exorcists, and Heretic Cabal) fight it out for control of important locations across the globe. Each Territory will have one or more Control Bonuses that help the faction at large or characters within it; for Shibusen this is Spartoi characters only, for other factions these benefits effect (and can be used by) Loyalists, a character aspect that will be implemented alongside the new Spartoi recruitment.
Examples of Control Bonuses include access to secret information, staff-designed special abilities, equipment, or perks, discounts for purchases in the Emporium, or access to high-value or plot-sensitive Missions, to say nothing of generous payouts of Points!
More details on Territory Control coming soon.
Self-Run Missions
Ever wanted to send your character on an epic adventure, only to have your creative drive peter out as posting delays stacked up? Well, no more! Self-Run Missions are here to bridge the gap between regular RP and Missions.
A Self-Run Mission (SRM) is very much the same as a regular Mission, only without the need for a Mission Coordinator. You take charge as both adventurer and adventure-giver, weaving the story how you want. SRMs can be done solo or in groups and earn both Points (though only at half the Mission rate) and other rewards through staff judging upon completion. No more waiting around for the plot to move forward -- the story's in your hands now!
More details about SRMs and how they work coming soon!
The 'Poke Nas' Thread, Point Distribution, and Staff Expansion
So this should come as no surprise to anyone... but I'm a bit behind. And as a forum Admin, the very thought shames me. Within the next few days I'll be setting up a thread specifically for bringing to my attention anything that I've missed or not gotten to in a while -- as ever, the rule is "feel free to pester Nas". Also, feel free to stop in just to poke me.
Point Distribution has fallen behind as well. It's a good thing this isn't real money because otherwise everyone on staff would be destitute by now for lack of 'paychecks'. That, and some of you are probably waiting on Points and other rewards from Missions and whatnot. The new Point Distribution thread aims to correct all that. The thread will be for everyone who's expecting Points or rewards to post in as a reminder to the staff; from now on Points & such will be distributed every two months (on the first of the given month) based on this list instead of at will or at first opportunity. This will ensure all debts are paid and everything is squared up regularly.
Finally, to accommodate all these new systems and plans, we will be looking to add new positions to the SoV staff! Up to two new C-Mods and two QMs (Quest Masters) will be added; if you'd like to apply go to this thread and fill out the short application at the bottom.
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HOW YOU CAN HELP
Right now the number one thing we need for the new features is ideas for Territories, miniature expansions of the Soul Eater universe that the factions can fight over or use as interesting backdrops for roleplays. A contest will be held starting in February for new Territories; twelve entries will be chosen based on quality and creativity with the winning members with the reward for each winning entry being a one-use 30% discount off any Emporium purchase -- additionally, the top two entries will net the winners each an automatic Member Rank Promotion. So fire up your thinker! We've got a world to build (and then fight over)!
So feel free to use this thread to discuss any of the imminent developments or submit ideas of your own -- Shades of Vertigo is always looking to improve. Happy 2012 all!