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Post by Picasso on Mar 27, 2013 14:09:39 GMT
So CR has always had the rule of first come, first serve, however I'm wondering whether there is any better option.
Obviously it can be frustrating to be waiting for a cub to be claimed, you go to bed, and in the morning they're all gone. Time zones can suck. If you stick around long enough, you're almost guaranteed to finally get a cub, but it may involve waiting.
I've seen other sites with an 'audition' way of taking cubs. Anyone who wants a single cub will all make a mini-bio, explaining what they will do for this cub. The parents then choose, out of the people who've auditioned, who gets the said cub. I'm not entirely sure I like this idea - I can imagine many people choosing people they know will be active (i.e. the members who have been around on CR longest, and that's not necessarily fair)
However...
Cubs seem to make people go crazy. Everyone wants one, but once you get 'em, you have no idea what to do with them. The majority of cubs born on CR end up being dumped and unfortunately lost. It's pretty sad to see an entire generation gone, when they could've had an amazing potential. I try my best to come up with a personality I can stick with when I have a cub, otherwise I know I will end up getting bored of them.
Anyway, thoughts? What is the best way to claim a cub? I am open to new ideas ^^ |
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Post by Hunter on Mar 27, 2013 15:00:04 GMT
I already like the 2 week rule we’ve got since it might at least take off some of the worst “cub-dumping”. But I actually also like the mini-bio. It doesn’t have to be a whole paragraph, just a few rough sentences or notes so that the “parents” can get an idea of how the member wants to make the cub. That being said, I think it’s easy for me to like the idea since I pretty much have been here from the beginning xD But then again, I think hope people around here are open-minded enough to “take in” newer members as well if they can see that the person has a nice idea for the cub.
Perhaps the parents could write a few things in their breeding thread about how the mother and father will be toward the cubs? For example if the mother would be very loving toward them all while the father wouldn’t like the females of the litter. Then the members can see if they like that idea, want in on the “plot”, and make a mini-audition? I don’t know, but perhaps that it fuel some muse into people so that they won’t dump their new cub so easily?
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Post by Picasso on Mar 27, 2013 17:53:55 GMT
gtfo Mud. Dont test in my board D:< |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2013 18:03:34 GMT
I like Hunter's idea of how the parents will treat the cub :3 A lot of the histories of new characters deal with how previous pack members or family members treated them and it's a big part of the cub's environment.
I also like the audition idea; I think maybe having an extra long personality? Instead of just 200 words make it a bit more than that so people have to really think. Also, planning plots ahead really helps. If the cubs are born and the parents are picking, in the meantime there could be like a plot thread trying to figure out how to keep the cubs active and give them something to do. Like, perhaps, how exactly they will grow up, not just based on the parents' treatment of them.
That could also help with activity, maybe, if there were a few more plots going on than just cats vs dogs vs peace. This one site I used to really love and that was really active, I hardly remember the site-wide plot if there even was one just because there were so many side plots going on and it made it all really fun.
So not a plot just to kickstart the cubs, but maybe some mini plots the cubs could fit into.
If... that makes any sense ._.
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Post by Picasso on Mar 27, 2013 18:14:55 GMT
I totally agree with you Faol. I honestly cannot create a character and stay active with them if I have no decent plots for them. I'm often quite desperate when I first make a cub to get some good plots going with it (see: London). I really struggle with open threads that have no direction. I dunno, I just need something interesting to happen D8
But yeah, cubs do need plots to spice things up. Not many people really roleplay cubs because of this. I've seen really good plots with litters before (see: Florence/Panja cubs being kidnapped) and it really does shape their personality. I love the development of those cubs (even though it's only Denim and Alex left. Sadly, that is actually better than nothing).
But I agree, I should start thinking of a good plot to interest future Nutmeg/Brandon kitten owners.
As for a longer personality, I can see where you're coming from. It requires people to think more about their future character. Besides, with a cub, you don't have to write an appearance or history, so perhaps a personality should make up for that. But I dunno xD
As I was discussing in the cbox earlier, perhaps parents can decide whether it's an 'audition' kind of thing or 'first come, first serve'.
The only problem with auditions is... I can imagine people getting frustrated if they're never chosen. You write out three or four personalities for four different cubs, and each time you don't get chosen. I can imagine feeling very angry and annoyed. In fact, I'd even start feeling self-conscious and worried of being disliked, or that my roleplaying is crap. I don't want someone feeling like they're unwanted D8
And as to what Hunter said, yes, it could be optional for parents to briefly explain how parents would act towards the kits (for example, I'm planning for Nutmeg to feel no connection whatsoever towards her kits, which would affect them deeply. And the fact that they dont have a biological father..) |
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Post by Hunter on Mar 27, 2013 18:51:30 GMT
Yearh I see where you’re going Pic with the ”not being picked” worry. I would feel the same way if it was me writing several ideas and not being picked a single time. But (yes I have such a one xD) I could also imagine that the cubs would be some sort of evenly put out. Take for example me (!!!xD). I have a ton of charries already, so I wouldn’t necessarily be picked because of this exact reason since you could question whether I could stay active with the cub since I already have so many characters (and if I already had a cub from another litter, then you, as the parent, might also want to give some other members a chance).
So if seven Hunters auditioned for a cub, then it might end up being Tommy and Katie getting the cubs instead since their ideas also are good (+ they don’t have near as many characters and therefore might be more likely to stay active with the cub).
But still, a “first come first serve” should definitely still be an option. Also because it might not be everyone who are so “picky” as to whom will roleplay their cubs.
Lol, seven Hunters
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MudBug
Cub
Going on vacation - catch a cold. OTL
Posts: 18 
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Post by MudBug on Mar 27, 2013 23:49:37 GMT
I've dealt with the audition process before, it went smoothly, but on that particular site litters were more commonly 6-8 cubs, versus the usual 3-5 here on CR. The limited numbers here would make auditions a bit slanted. Also, I could see auditions for cubs from prominent characters ie. BrookexBane, Any big cat litter ever, etc. being ridiculously impossible for newer members seeing as those cubs are so deeply rooted in other characters belonging to more senior members, if that made sense. Parents would naturally be more inclined to giving them to players with other characters that would heavily influence the cub's lives, for the sake of easy plotting. Nothing wrong or mean about it, just how things would likely happen.
That being said, the audition idea still has it's obvious upsides. Since we're still just in the spitballing stage, I had an idea that was sort of a not-so-harsh version of first come/first serve.
What I'm thinking is, instead of claiming cubs, people can claim "spots", and they can do so before or after the parents claim their exact cub.
<example>
*Litter posted, 5 cubs, parents haven't chosen*
Member1: "spot claim!"
Member 2: "spot claim!"
Parent1: "Cub #3"
Member3: "spot claim!"
Parent2: "cub #1"
*"Spots" are claimed in order of first post*
Member1: "Cub #4"
Member2: "Cub #5"
Member3: "cub #2"
*all cubs claimed*
</example>
Basically, instead of stalking for a certain pup, you nab a spot, whenever you happen to be on, if there's one left, and then you only have to hope the parents don't take the cub you want, or maybe the one or two people who nabbed a spot before you. Of course, if you only had one cub you wanted, you just open your claim back up. Besides, most people have a 1st, 2nd, and even 3rd choice of what pup they would want if the parents take up their favorite(s). This way you're atleast gauranteed a cub, and won't go to bed empty handed if you see the litter posted, but the parents haven't claimed.
It's still not completely without the "right place, right time" factor, but it takes it down quite a few notches. Just an idea. |
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( FATE )
Juvenile
Constantly listening to Sail the unlimited gravity version.
Posts: 51
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Post by ( FATE ) on Mar 28, 2013 3:42:49 GMT
Alrightttttt. I feel like writing my opinions haha.
Okay, so you all have very great suggestions. I love the idea of auditions, but I also see where Picster is coming from. At first I thought I really favored the idea but now that i'm thinking about it; I don't think it's going to work. Well, it'll work but honestly...I would feel self conscious after being rejected once. Especially if it's one I really wanted. Although, I by all means think it's a better idea than the first come, first serve as many litters have not continued and generations have been lost.
I totally vote for the parents describing the plot. It gives members an idea of the generation or family they're walking into. I was thinking about it and I really regret with Bane and Brooke's first litter not having threads with the kids. So perhaps a thread could be started about the same time the litter is created and then the cubs will be required to do at least one thread? Or ideas for threads could be posted by the parents. Even say, the idea that maybe the person playing the dad would really like for a daddy/daughter relationship with one daughter? Honestly, I just think that the parents should give a short background and plot idea to the potential cub owners and anything else they'd like to include.
Which is why I think that the idea of the parents choice should be a go. Parents will be required to do a background/plot update and also get to choose if it's first come first serve. The form could have it to fill out and then they could fill in what they would like. And I don't think it really matters when the plot thing is filled out, just as long as it's filled out when the parents posts in the thread.
Lastly, I don't think spot claim will work because even though it's a very smart idea, I can honestly see many people posting not remembering that they're are two parents. Then I'd feel the pressure to not get one and I'd feel sorry for the person who posted late. Hope I addressed everything haha, I like discussion.
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Post by Hunter on Mar 28, 2013 9:32:28 GMT
I see Mud's point where it'll be hard for new members to get for example a BrookexBane pup. (As for the big cat litter, I think it always will be hard for new members getting one since they're also going to pay for the cub? Not entirely sure but I think I did that for Kira? Can't remember xD).
But (yes, now I sound real bitchy), I also think that newer members perhaps have to realize that they have to show they can be active before getting an "important" character. For me it's a little like the fact that you can't be leader or second-in-command in one of the three packs as a new member - it's something you need to get IC where you need to show you can be active (just an extreme example). But we also have to remember that it might not be every litter on CR where there'll be auditions. There could come a litter to a "popular CR couple" where the parents aren't so picky - perhaps because they already have had a litter where there were cub-auditions. I know from the Clegesis litter that I felt a little sorry when I already in the beginning saw that at least one of the puppies wasn't going to be made though it'd already been claimed. Something like that can of course always happen, but it might happen less if the parents should choose to make the auditions (just a thought, have no clue if it's correct (: ).
As for the claim spot, I can see both good and bad. It might be a better alternative than the first come first serve we have already, but as Fate says, people might forget about the parents, going all "i want i want i want", at least in the popular litters. Again, I have no idea if that'll happen, I could just see it for me xD
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MudBug
Cub
Going on vacation - catch a cold. OTL
Posts: 18
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Post by MudBug on Mar 29, 2013 5:04:10 GMT
I see what you guys mean about the spot thing and people claiming one too many spots, but that wouldn't be too big of a problem. People already claim when all the pups are gone all the time, not realizing, or just mistakes. Wouldn't be a deal breaker.
I understand your point Hunter, about newer members proving activity, having to pay for a big cat, etc.. But, by "newer member" I didn't quite mean 'joined exactly two weeks ago'. Being one of the few members left who didn't join RIGHT when the site began, I can still slightly relate to members who have been around for a few months, yet still feel like a n00bz. My real point was, when characters have been established, no amount of proven steady activity can make up for simply not having characters in the "inner circle" of the cub's life, was my point. Again, not saying all of CR would shun the new kid (we're in all honesty the best site I've ever seen for that aspect), purposely or accidentally, but it seems inevitable to me.
As for the parents posting plots/relationships/etc. they want, I'm all for that. I don't think it's unfair or out of reach of the parent player's rights to require/request certain plots work out. After all, if it weren't for their characters/plot/coins (if the case may be) making this litter happen, nobody else would even have a pup to fight for.
Another thought just occurred to me... perhaps it could be a rule that auditions were anonymous? Perhaps make an "auditions" account, and use that one for all auditions posting in litters/leaders/etc.? Leaves nothing for the parents to consider but the actual personality they're reading. |
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Post by Picasso on Mar 29, 2013 9:35:40 GMT
Okay I'm chipping in again.
I think Hunter has a very valid point about major litters like Brooke/Bane having to prove their activity. Although as Mud was saying... In my opinion I wouldn't be worried about a member who's been around a few months going inactive. Yeah, 'old school' members may have a better understanding of the dynamics of the family, but along as 'newer' members were active, I'd give them chance.
Personally, I don't like the idea of anonymous auditions. Truth be told. I WILL look at your activity level (as so many cubs get lost). I won't be looking at the member themselves, just making sure they've got a few characters, and they can keep up with role playing. Is that bias? Should I not be doing it that way and only judge on the personality? Because if we did it anonymously, I'd be worried someone like pre-boyfriend era Mudbug would try for a cub. Mud had 20 characters and couldn't keep active with them. Her personality for a cub, I'm sure, would be awesome, but there's no way in hell I'd expect her to keep active with the cub.
But I love you now Mud ;) you got no characters.
A little rambly but I just woke up. Anyway, anonymous or not anonymous? |
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MudBug
Cub
Going on vacation - catch a cold. OTL
Posts: 18
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Post by MudBug on Mar 29, 2013 18:06:33 GMT
Well forget you guys! No respect I get around here, just no respect... /huff
Well I didn't think anonymous would be a big deal, seeing as we already have an actual rule in place, with the two weeks activity before you can claim a cub rule. Isn't that supposed to cut back on adopted & dumped cubs? :/ |
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Post by Picasso on Mar 29, 2013 18:42:03 GMT
Haha xD
Well the rule is there to prevent cubs being dumped but it doesn't necessarily work D: But I'm intrigued about other people's opinions for anonymity. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2013 21:26:55 GMT
Maybe have it anonymous, but give the application a number and then message a neutral admin (an admin/mod that's not one of the parents, can be discussed beforehand so they know they don't want one themselves) with your username and the number. So the parents don't see who it is, but an admin or whoever can make sure the person is active.
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