17 December 2014 @ 05:55 pm
STATE OF THE DUCK  
Hey guys, your friendly mods here! In the past months we've gotten some suggestions for changes that could be made to the game in order to drum up more interest and activity, all of which have been discussed! However, before making any official decisions-- and before bringing anything to a vote-- we wanted to check in and see how you guys are feeling about the game, since it's been a while since our last State of the Duck post. We're still small and slow, but we're also relatively steady-- we get few apps, but also few drops. If the general consensus is that things should keep chugging along and that we should keep trying new things to invigorate the game, that's 100% fine with us-- we're up for continuing on with the game as both players and mods.

However, we do want to make sure that that's really what you guys want. In the past when we've implemented suggestions, we've found that they haven't made much of a difference-- more options for NPCing were requested, for example, but no one ended up using the NPC apps that were created in response to that request. There are a lot of reasons something like that could happen-- maybe people just didn't like the way a particular suggestion was realized, or maybe people liked having it as an option even if they didn't have any concrete plans to use it yet. But a situation like that can also be a sign that people don't have much interest in the game anymore (or only have interest in it as a laid-back back-burner game-- which is fine, if that's what's wanted!).

Unfortunately, I don't currently have any paid accounts to use for this and I can't do an official poll, so this will have to do: do you want to close the game, keep the game open as-is with no further attempts to liven it up, or keep the game open and continue to work together to try to increase its speed/size?
 
 
19 September 2013 @ 08:22 pm
Extra! Extra!  
Hey everyone! Orly here with more on the ic and ooc newsletter project!

On the last post we made about this, we had polls concerning timing and the format for the ic newsletter. From that, we have determined that newsletters will be once a month, at least to start with. The ic and ooc newsletters will be posted two weeks apart every month, to help keep a balance, inspire new activity, and avoid burnout.


As for the format for the ic newsletter, that came close enough that I thought a runoff vote would be a good idea! Remember, these newsletters will be composed of player submissions, so you will have to submit in the format you choose. Please try to go with what best suits your playing style!

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 10


What format should the ic newsletter take?

View Answers

links to existing posts with commentary
7 (70.0%)

something like a gossip column
3 (30.0%)




Once we nail down the format, I'll get a submissions post up and we can start getting these things to press!
 
 
11 August 2013 @ 07:16 pm
All the news that's fit to...duck?  
You may recall that in the last state-of-the-game post we raised the idea of ic and ooc newsletters for the game. The poll showed a fair amount of interest in this, and we would really like to try it out! It should help keep people up on characters that aren't existing cr and help inspire ic discussion. Since, sadly, Shiro is leaving us, I will be taking charge of this (at least for the moment).

The big question, of course, is how to implement this! Since both newsletters would rely on submissions from the players, it's important that we do this in a way that's convenient and interesting for all of you! Thus, it is poll time.

poll and further comments behind the cut )

Thank you!
 
 
28 April 2013 @ 05:37 pm
Ducks, NPCs, and you!  
We've had a lot of requests for, and some confusion over, the use of non-game characters in game posts over the last few months, so it occurred to us that it's probably time for a reminder about the game's NPC policies!


1. If you're posting a canon update that includes NPCs from your character's canon doing or saying something they did or said in canon, you don't need to ask for mod permission unless you'd also like to have NPC interact with game characters in the comments. Canon content = completely fine.

2. If you want to include an NPC in a post of something that is not explicitly canon, you will need to request permission! This includes a slice-of-life accidental voice post of your character and an NPC which you think would naturally happen and in which the NPC would not be responding to comments, in addition to things like your character's canon roommate finding the community and talking to it for a post. This goes for any NPC, too, not just those you believe would be appable characters. An unappable robot helper requires permission along with your character's boss.

3. Any time an NPC will be interacting with game characters, you will need to request permission first. "Any time" means "any individual instance" - you can't request blanket permission to NPC a character indefinitely, regardless of their relationship to your character. We've had players app semi-sentient sidekicks before for this very reason, in fact.

4. If you'd like to run a plot with your character that would affect other, appable characters in their canon, you will need permission! So if, say, Masamori was going to go evil for a while because of curse another community character put on him and he would end up hurting someone he works with as a result, the other players involved and I would have to request permission first. (And demonstrate that the plot would be handled sensitively.)

5. We have a general standing caveat to NPCing that holds that anyone who apps a character you have NPCed doesn't have to go by anything you did. Since players who app previously played characters can ignore previous iterations, this is really just part of how to make everything easier for new players. We try to remind players of this whenever we approve a request, but since it's part of overall policy it probably belongs on this list as well.


We hope this refresher makes things a bit clearer for everyone! And if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!
Tags:
 
 
13 February 2013 @ 08:40 pm
Reminder regarding videos!  
Hello all, the mod team here with a friendly reminder about formatting for community posts! Please put all videos or large images behind a cut.

This isn't a huge problem, but we've been noticing more of it recently and thought it might be time for a reminder! We know it can be really fun or useful to post videos to the community, but not all players have equal internet speed (some players, for example, may still have to use dial-up), and having videos, large images, or .gifs just out on the main page can seriously slow down the ability of some players to browse over what's been happening in the game (or freeze up everything they're doing altogether). It can also be a good idea to have a transcript of any videos, for the sake of people who can't view them, though that is not in any way required.

Thank you!
Tags:
 
 
06 November 2012 @ 04:16 pm
 
Yo! You are probably all thinking, "Please, Ichi, stop with the mod posts," but alas, I am here today with yet another one.

I've updated the whole Player Directory, and some of you might have even forgotten that it exists, so I am here to remind you: this is a useful post and I would be very grateful if everyone please filled it out if they're not already listed! Thank you. ♥

Secondly, I have made us a nice little Navigation Post. All of the communities and all of the important posts are listed up there. This is pretty much just for the sake of convenience, and to save you time; you no longer have to go looking for posts, they're all right here! This post is linked in both the OOC and IC community sidebars. I hope it ends up being useful for everyone!

(Thirdly, have you done your activity check?)
 
 
22 October 2012 @ 05:13 pm
 
Hey, guys! I am here with yet another modly thing.

I'm redoing the whole Requested Characters list, because it was almost entirely out of date and had lists for casts that we don't... actually have now. It's just for you guys to list characters you want to see on the community, either in or out of your casts, so that potential applicants can take a look at who we'd really love to get!

The list has been completely cleared just to make this as easy and tidy as possible, so do me (and yourself) a big favour and head over to that post, fill out the form and request some characters!
 
 
30 August 2012 @ 12:25 pm
IMPORTANT: Recruiting Modpoles  
Hi duckies!

Things have been a bit crazy for your mod team lately, in case you haven't noticed, so we've decided to bring on a couple of modpoles to help pick up the slack. Specifically, we are looking for someone interested in helping Miri with Event and Virus Scheduling and someone to be a backup/helper for Cnd for Applications.

Modpoles get invited to our SUPER SECRET COMMUNITY where we sit around being fed peeled grapes by nubile young men and women discuss issues that come up with the game, as well as basically helping out with whatever needs doing. It's fun and low pressure, but does require a commitment to the game as a whole and generally being around when issues come up.

So if you are interested in this highly prestigious position, please fill out the form below and Private Message it to this account [personal profile] tripled_mods. We will discuss and make some choices. We may just bring on one, or may bring on a couple, it'll probably depend on our feels and how many people apply.

And now... The Handy-Dandy Form:

 
 
15 August 2012 @ 12:18 am
In the name of the moon, I will punish you!  
That's right, the Sailor Moon virus is coming up this weekend! Teams of pure-hearted maidens use the power of the stars to rip evil a new one while trying to survive high school, you know the drill. Except for this virus it could be Thor in a miniskirt hammering the Master while trying to figure out what manner of beast a Twinkie comes from. So, you know, Thursday.

Use this post as a general plotting catch-all! Some thoughts to help guide you:

  • You don't have to stick to planets. Sailor Betelgeuse, Sailor America, and Sailor Lettuce are all perfectly viable.

  • Your character can be totally aware of their powers and what they were born to do, or they can wake up totally unaware to find a cute little mascot informing them that a team needs them. It's up to you!

  • Not a hero? No problem! Assemble a team of villains, the campier the better.


Have at it!
 
 
25 July 2012 @ 08:32 pm
Viruses are decided!  
The winners have battled through the arena and emerged victorious. Bad End will take place August 2-3, and Sailor Moon will take place August 18-20. Plotting post will go up in the next week or so for Sailor Moon!
Tags:
 
 
19 July 2012 @ 11:15 pm
VIRUS TIEBREAKER  
Two will enter the ring. One will leave. Your vote decides your destiny.

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 45


BATTLE TO THE DEATH

View Answers

Done With You Professionally
21 (46.7%)

Sailor Moon
24 (53.3%)

 
 
14 July 2012 @ 12:30 am
 
Ready to fuck up your characters' lives with a virus? Only 1000% of the time, right?

Virus poll for July/August )
 
 
23 December 2011 @ 01:53 pm
 
Serious business poll time, guys. I know most of the comm has been following the recent LJ shenanigans. Most of the discussion has been on plurk, and while that gives us a general picture of what the playerbase feels, we need an accurate count.

[Poll #1805369]

Some things to consider:

- Invite codes are not required for Dreamwidth right now.
- On Dreamwidth, you can import your entire journal, entries, comments, profile, and all.
- Dreamwidth is working on an import community feature-- we would literally be copying over the entire four years of entries.

Full disclosure: the mod team would like to move. But there will be no move if the majority are against it. If there's a substantial minority that are against it, we'll also weigh our options-- to help us, if you're not sure of your opinion or have reservations, please comment, and we'll 100% work on making everyone the happiest that we can.

Also, this poll is not going anywhere until midway through January, as far as we're concerned-- we're not going to pull the rug out from under anyone in terms of a decision.

UPDATE: I asked, and importing DDD would take 2-3 days, tops.

Also, just to clarify a bit-- this isn't really about the layout. If it was a visual thing we'd grumble a bit and work around it as usual. It's a question of functionality-- several members can't actually get the new layout to load-- and also a question of treatment of paying customers. Most of the responses from higher-ups in LJ have been downright rude, whereas as you can see, I literally got a response within half an hour from DW.

SON OF UPDATE: This is a post outlining the differences between DW and LJ accounts, mostly the different features as they apply to RP.
 
 
15 May 2010 @ 06:02 pm
 
I'm increasing DDD secrets to four days; we have roughly a metric CRAPTON that were submitted today (aka 38), and I already have about 25 in the day 3 folder. I'm impressed, guys.

- Itsuki ♥
 
 
05 February 2010 @ 05:53 pm
 
I have been doing things without putting them in the rules! This is not good. Hence, this small addition to the application rules:

If you are re-apping a previously dropped character, feel free to link your old entries for a first person sample. However, if it is your first time applying, please write a new sample for your application, rather than linking to an entry in another game.

There are a couple of reasons for this, but the main one is that characters often change over time when being played in another game, and it's easier for me to judge your application if I see your current playing vis-a-vis canon. It also shows your ability to play a character even without familiar CR to bounce off of.

Suki ♥
 
 
07 December 2009 @ 01:00 am
 
Hello my wonderful community, I have some announcements for you.

- Some of you may have heard through the grapevine that I was rather unaccountably harsh towards a player. This was due to my own misunderstanding of the situation, as well as personal stress; I am very sorry for letting it get out of hand, and freely admit I went too far. I don't want my explanation to come off as an excuse; like I said, I know I was definitely in the wrong with the decisions I made. Also please note, if you have an issue with any of us mods, you can always ask to speak to someone else instead, or use a modpole as an intermediary.

- In addition, please don't swear or yell at the moderators. We're all people too (although we have suspicions about Shiro being a cyborg) and believe it or not, we are all really trying to do what's best for the game. If you have an issue with how we've put something into practice, please be civil, and 90% of the time we'll be able to work things out to your satisfaction.

- There were a few crossed wires today regarding some event scheduling; that will be worked out in the next few days, so hang tight! Just so you know, Miri typically handles viruses/events, Tif handles approval requests and lists, and I handle apps; in the future, we'll direct people towards the appropriate mod to talk to, to stave off any other miscommunications, but as above, if you have an issue with one of us you can take your pick of mod, and they'll get the info to the right person.

- As always with modly posts, take a few moments to review the rules, especially the first one. All of us need a review of that occasionally. Harassing people, especially, is never okay, no matter what the reason.
 
 
10 October 2009 @ 02:15 am
[AC: Characters Unaccounted For]  
ATTENTION


Below is a list of journals that were unaccounted for during activity check. Please note that this is not a final purge list, so don't remove any of these characters from your friends lists. We'll be posting the final purge list on Sunday, October 11th.

Please check to make sure none of your characters are mistakenly listed! )

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to comment here, or you can contact me through PM or AIM (samraiprosecutor)!

Remember: if there's someone on here who dropped within the past seven days, they have not been removed because they're within the seven-day grace period and have not been removed from the taken characters list.

Likewise, if you see someone on here who you know dropped a long time ago, chances are they did not notify us of their drop on the taken characters list. There's always the chance that we could have overlooked someone, as well, but the purpose of AC is also to make sure all of the lists are updated, so no worries. They'll idle out, anyway. ♥


That's all! Thank you~♥ And thanks, as always, to our volunteers! You guys are amazing!
 
 
Current Mood: exhausted
Current Music: The Satellite of Love Theme - Joel Hodgson
Current Location: Beeeeeeed...
 
 
16 August 2009 @ 05:37 pm
A little announcement.  
Hey, everybody. It pains me to say this, but as of today, I'm no longer part of the mod team. Due to personal reasons, I'm stepping down.

I want you to know that you guys have made this the best ten months of moderating that I could have ever hoped for. The level of maturity and understanding you've all displayed during rough patches has never ceased to impress me. You're an amazing playerbase, and I am so, so proud and thankful to have gotten the chance to serve as a moderator for you, as well as grateful for having the chance to be a part of such a great mod team. You're all seriously wonderful.

Never change, okay? I love you all. ♥
 
 
Current Mood: sad
 
 
13 August 2009 @ 05:07 pm
VIRUS TIEM  
Just a reminder: the FLASH OF WHAT'S TO COME VIRUS is tomorrow! :D
 
 
Current Mood: hungry
 
 
12 August 2009 @ 10:35 am
[YOUR WEEKLY FA/RL]  
[ ADMIN CONSOLE | MASTER LIST ]

FA/RL FROM 08/05/09 - 08/12/09


REMINDERS:
Removes are continually one week behind due to the seven-day grace period.
Adds should always be up to date, unless you haven't added yourself to the Taken Characters List, in which case I'll give you a few days before I start bugging you. :3
 
 
Current Location: United States, California, Diamond Bar
Current Mood: busy