Policies and Guides Updates

[DM_Kev]

As many of you know, I have recently been putting my time into improving the organisation and presentation of our policies and guidelines for on and off server going ons. The end result, I hope, is that knowledge and understanding of how Untold Tales was intended to be played is increased and that roleplaying standards improve. Also, it is my hope that clarity is given to players on certain issues and that DMs can perform their jobs happily, without fear of interference or actions which may undermine their role. Finally, it is intended that we have a system for player complaints that is fair, accurate and which doesn't interfere with on server going ons.

Yesterday I cleaned up our "Community Regulations" sticky thread. Rather than just the server rules/guidelines, I have put ALL our policies into this thread so that all the information you need is in one place, rather than scattered about through all manner of different threads, some of which have dissapeared off the board.

The new, revised thread is sticky and will always be in the top set of threads in our general forum area. (http://forums.wireplay.co.uk/showthread.php?t=304132)

It is my intention to go a step further with the spreading of awarenness of our policies and guides by placing them ALL in an easily accessible part of the starting area of Untold Tales. All new players will be asked if they have read and accept all of the policies outlined. If they do, they will be given a token which confirms they agree and will be allowed to proceed into the world and will not be prompted again. Should a player be uncertain or refuse...well, they don't enter the world. They can re-read our information or visit a server more to their taste.

In addition to this, I will look into making all our policies and guides available in a player friendly format which players can CHOOSE to carry on their characters person. I know that not all players enjoy lugging articles around, so I will make this an optional feature of the world.

Many of you, I know, are looking forward to the release of the updated player manual - a reference article which outlines all of our policies, customisations and guides on roleplaying and building characters in a Tolkienesque setting. I will shortly be posting the second draft where I will ask for any final comments before I post the final version.

I hope this project is good news to you all, more news will follow when I have it.

Enjoy the game :)
Feel free to comment.

[int19h]

Just one question, Kev.

One part is titled "Wireplay NWN Complaints Procedure". However, it does contain some very far-reaching "don'ts" - are those universally binding, like the rules listed elsewhere? Or only apply under the specified condition ("If you wish to report anything ... ")?

[DM_Kev]

That is a seperate request we have made specific to when making a complaint.

I can see it could be a little problem, if players don't read the complaints procedure first. I'll give the server policies a polish when I have time.

[karakedi]

In addition to this, I will look into making all our policies and guides available in a player friendly format which players can CHOOSE to carry on their characters person. I know that not all players enjoy lugging articles around, so I will make this an optional feature of the world.

I suggest that this not be in book form, which takes four tiles and weighs a pound. Instead, perhaps you could put the text onto the description of a single-tile, weightless item such as a gem or ring. It should also be droppable and yet readily available from many merchants at no or minimal cost. Those features would make it more likely that players would add it to their inventories.

[Steve-Law]

Isn't it in the Journal?

[karakedi]

Only some of it, and it disappears after one takes a quest, I think.

[int19h]

It doesn't, it just happens to be in the "completed quests" tab. And when you take the quest, the view switches to "open quests" tab by default.

[DM_Kev]

Nothing will be in the journal as it pushes other entries out of view - id rather the journal just provide quest info.

It won't be a book either - It will be a tiny item (token sized).

[DM_Kev]

Adding to the good work already completed, I have done a bit of Q and A with players in the IRC channel regarding the changes. Amongst the very positive feedback on the potential of the changes I got, it was questioned on whether the server code of conduct could be re-written in the presence and with the full input of, the community - players and DMs.

So I said yes! What better way to kick off our efforts at running a more organised and more player/dm friendly community. I will be inviting full discussion on the format and content of a new server code of conduct on these forums. Rather than me start the thread, I will welcome a player/dm to open the discussion thread and get some dialogue going.

I hope as many of you as possible take this opportunity to help shape the way that our community is run. :)