The Scoop: Wixenstyx's Real Life has her fully occupied. She simply doesn't have time right now to even play with us on NarniaMUCK much less do administration and programming. After a discussion with her last summer, we decided that I would fill in until she was able to return. At the time, I formed two misconceptions: 1) That'd it be "short term" (3-4 months) and 2) Primarily, I'd merely fix things and "maintain" NarniaMUCK.
Obviously, it has been more than "short term" already...and my new estimate is that will still be a long while yet. There's no way to make specific predictions, too much of it is outside anyone's actual control to make guesses. So there goes misconception #1.
NarniaMUCK is a juggernaut and needs a great deal more than fixes and maintenance to keep going. I've learned that the past few months...every tangle I unsnarl reveals another three... So that misconception has also gone away and the past couple of months you've probably felt some of the effects of that--you might even have a little whiplash, the changes have come on so quickly recently.
So there you go. When the staff are hanging out in the lounge and they mention that SOMEONE has been working them to death--you'll know who they're talking about. Me. When you really hate some rule that comes down--you'll know who to blame (but see below about ideas!): me. When something great happens on the game, you'll know who to thank: the staff.
Our goals for the game are still the same as they've always been--make a great place to role-play in the magnificent setting of Narnia. In fact, we already have a great game, so the current staff and I have a big challenge ahead of us: making the game better. We're busily considering many options for improvements and frequently our difficulty is choosing which thing to implement first. So many good ideas--so little time.
There's no such thing as too many ideas, though. So I want to hear yours. I want to see those light-bulbs!
If you have a specific concrete idea, simply use the idea command or the web request form for New Requests. Both go to the same place, the request management system.
However, if you're not sure about it, or you think it merits some discussion, then post a topic about it on the forums. NarniaMUCK players are an intelligent and articulate group, I'm confident that an idea's ramifications will get explored thoroughly through their discussion. You may find that staff won't "weigh in" right away, though. That's because we want to give everyone a chance to express their viewpoint and we've found in the past that if we weigh in too early, some folks get shy about expressing their viewpoint and don't speak up.
Submit and post your ideas (except for laser pistols. I already suggested that one...it got rejected.
). There's only a couple of rules:- At all times, keep it civil, courteous, and respectful. I want to see fair and honest debate--not arguments. This is the most important thing. We are all passionate about making the game better. Don't let that passionate lead you into saying something harsh to someone who doesn't think your idea will make the game better. If it stays civil--then it is possible that through your discussion, you'll arrive together at the ideal version of the idea that transforms a good idea into a great one. Keep in mind that someone who opposes your idea and spots flaws in it is actually helping you--they're making your reasoning stronger by spotting the flaws. Fix the flaws and your idea gets better and stronger. Remember Obi-Wan.
- The other rule...please use either the forums, the idea command, or the request form. This is to make sure the idea isn't "lost or forgotten". If you page me with a great idea, it is possible I'll agree--that is a great idea. However...I have 2,147,483,647 different things floating around in my head at any given time. If you don't get your idea recorded on the forums or in the request management system--it'll get lost in my head. Good luck finding it.
I know I won't!
If you've read this far. Thanks for staying with it--this post has gotten far longer than I imagined it'd be in my head.
Feaelin
