Formalizing Savukk
Savukk has become dormant. Among the reasons given in other discussions, the biggest is a lack of system framework. Up to this point, we've only been collecting data, there has been none of the collective history that we wanted, in fact there isn't any international "play" at all. We've all been conworlding solo, just on the same planet. Spurring activity seems to require more than just opening the planet to free settlement. A structure for who can play, when, and how is needed to facilitate interactivity. when the current "players" start interacting and making the world interesting to people outside, that is when we'll start getting more than just the regular "player in passing" who only colors the map, stares at it for a few days, then takes off never to be seen again. Its boring, why stay? The structure I'm going to propose isn't perfect, it won't make everyone happy all the time, and it isn't set in stone. Its just a bare-bones frame to start things moving. There are three majors parts to it and I welcome ideas for modification or addition, it needs it. First: Restructuring the physical Savukk Project board. With all the country info on the main forum and no real division, its already too amorphous to try to play. country thread have the countries info and aren't really a good place to start mixing in politics, diplomacy, or a continuing history; its too messy. I propose dividing the Savukk forum into a) a country info subforum, a place to put all the reference materials for each country, but no "play" b) a history or "play" forum where the interacting of states happens. Wars, trade, famine, earthquakes, etc. This is where the physical action is. And c) a diplomacy forum. The non-physical diplomatic wrangling between nations. Kinda like OOC. I want to attack TF, TF says no, we argue. When a conclusion is reached, it materializes in the "play"/IC forum. Also, I think there needs to be a form of mediation or council to control large events: who wins a war, where/when there's an act-of-god, etc. I know people weren't hot for it, but there was no better ideas. The "play" forum would have one thread each for every pair of interacting nations: Tamega - Skjeimitekann Tamega - Nokeo etc all interaction between a set of countries should take place in only the designated thread. It should also have a minimal rule system - don't take control of something that isn't yours without permission, global actions requires a vote, etc Overall, the Project forum should be structured something like this: Opinions? Additions? If you don't like it, what's another option thats feasible?

I will be adding to (and reviewing) this topic as much as possible later this week and/or this weekend, when I have more time.

I would like to hear what others think of fmra's ideas.

I'm still waiting to hear from project members on fmras proposals.

I was going to reply sooner, but then scrapped my post twice for some reason, but I'll take a go at it once more: Basically, I approve of everything that fmra suggested. We are sort of all developping our nations on a planet without actually working together, but rather suggesting things. - In order to make ourselves collaborate, we may need to shrink our world rather than expand it (i.e. hazyness between nations), and start having more contact between each other. Or, it may mean that we would have to move a few centuries forwards, since some of our nations don't have much established methods of transportation. As fmra suggested, I like the idea of having a subforum for politics/debates and wars/conquering/natural disasters. But I would rather put fmra's 3 ideas in to to forum (a, b&c) As for the mediation, I think people should vote. But not necessarily by using a poll, but also posting their vote including criticism and comments about how things seem or how they would end up like and way. < For example, A and B are at war over X reason, A has a stronger army, B has an upper hand on strategy. - blahblah, who should win and why > - Perhaps if there were a final mediator, it could be someone that's not part of the war, but is chosen as mediator by both A & B.

As fmra suggested, I like the idea of having a subforum for politics/debates and wars/conquering/natural disasters. But I would rather put fmra's 3 ideas in to to forum (a, b&c) Well, I agree about the specifics, but rather than full sub-fora, perhaps a few sticky threads will do the trick...

I understand the want to keep things simple, but I proposed subfora because it keeps things cleaner. People will have a better idea of where things go (and when they don't, we have an excuse to yell). It also helps people set up a frame-of-mind for each, with IC writing kept apart from vernacular OOC. I guess we could attempt stickies, but that also makes it more difficult to search out one specific thing (or we end up with numerous stickies). Is it difficult to make subfora? I haven't managed a board in depth. if it is, I'll come up with a different tactic. I don't want to create more work than its worth...

Is it difficult to make subfora? Mind-numbingly difficult... :P Hakaku, fmra, you are both mods and have the ability to move these things around and make the appropriate threads in each sub-fora, please do so at your next convenience.

I agree with fmra and the subfora. In my oppinion, I think part of the problem is the lack of rules. Although school limits my time, I know I would be more involved if I had a better understanding of how the world functions, like how trade is worked out, things of that nature. My general lack of experience makes me fill a little stupid and slightly out of place. I also like Hakaku's mediation plan. Very democratic, but requires the voters ability to support their decision.

The problem with the rules we have is they are really vague. They don't really have mechanics, like how trade and diplomacy work. Are we allowed/does etiquette us to say "Is country X willing to trade with me" or something like that? Or is there a process we go through? Maybe we need to add an FAQ somewhere.

Its true that the actually mechanics have kinda been glossed over, the framework I put together is just something to get things moving. If you have any ideas for mechanisms for trade, diplomatic relations, or war, please offer them. The more developed the game becomes, the more fun as well.

Although I do not have a list yet, where should I post it when it is ready?

Why not post a new thread in the 'Rules' subforum?