**NS Roleplay Symposium 2017**
LOCATION: Symposium Hall
TOPIC: "Community Questions and Closing Thoughts”
TIME: 12PM Eastern Friday, July 14th
Good morning, everyone. Welcome to "Community Questions and Closing Thoughts”. I’m Swith, your moderator. Grab your coffee, pull up a chair, and let’s dish.
This smörgåsbord session covers questions about your communities (you know, the culture of the uniques subforums), as well as roleplay questions.
Panelists, jump in as you please. Don’t forget to say a bit about yourself. And, as with all morning sessions… we’re informal.
BEGIN
::
FRFS - Today at 9:01 AM
Gooooooooodmorning I'm FRFS, I'm an FT player and usually for the most part stay up in the upper half of the forums.
Maltropia - Today at 9:01 AM
'ello 'ello. Lovely to be here on sadly the last day of the Symposium. I'm Maltropia, a senior N&I Mentor. That's pretty much it, actually.
Agy - Today at 9:01 AM
Morning/Afternoon/Evening, depending on where you are. I'm Agy, representing P2TM. I like chicken.
Swith - Today at 9:02 AM
Good morning panelists!
Let's start out by asking you what your favorite Symposium panel is/was, and why?
Maltropia - Today at 9:03 AM
I'm tremendously biased, but for me it was the GE&T one. That's not to say I didn't thoroughly enjoy every one I participated in, but I'm absolutely delighted to have been able to give some insight into my favourite subforum and how it works.
Swith - Today at 9:03 AM
My own favorite was any I didn't have to moderate :stuck_out_tongue: It allowed me to focus on answering questions, or sleep. But I think the interview with Zwang was the best, as I learned a lot from it.
Tilt - Today at 9:03 AM
Hello, am Tilt, who was blowing my nose. I lurk in P2TM.
Agy - Today at 9:04 AM
Probably either the worldbuilding symposium or the narrative one. I didn't get to read through all the transcripts but I thought those two had a lot of great questions.
Oh, that and the midnight mentor hour. That shit was hilarious.
Tilt - Today at 9:04 AM
I liked War & Storytelling for information and Mentor Hour for entertainment.
FRFS - Today at 9:04 AM
For me the worldbuilding panels were my favorites. It's such an intensive and large part of what we do on NS. That can honestly seem over burdening and does scare a few people away from even attempting. So to hear some great insight and tips/tricks disseminated to the community in an effort to improve worldbuilding was quite enjoyable.
Swith - Today at 9:04 AM
Our audience would like to know if we'll do this event again. I'm sure we will. But are our panelists willing to return next year?
Maltropia - Today at 9:05 AM
I'd absolutely love to do it, and hopefully it won't clash so much with either sleep or my thesis if we do it again.
Swith - Today at 9:05 AM
I'll be back, of course.
Tilt - Today at 9:05 AM
Yes.
Agy - Today at 9:05 AM
I'd be down.
FRFS - Today at 9:05 AM
I see no reason not to do events like this in the future.
Swith - Today at 9:05 AM
Was there a question asked during this week that stuck with you and left you pondering?
Agy - Today at 9:06 AM
I mean... probably, I'm just not processing it right now because it's 9 AM where I am and I shouldn't be awake. But probably
Swith - Today at 9:06 AM
For me, not so much a question. It was the gameplay panel. It really got me to thinking of ways we can mend the rift between R/D and RP.
Maltropia - Today at 9:06 AM
Most of the questions were worth pondering, I think.
Tilt - Today at 9:07 AM
Mostly the world building and GE&T ones. Not a single one specifically. I wish I had time to explore the answers in depth.
FRFS - Today at 9:08 AM
There were a few questions raised this week that left me thinking a lot more than I thought I would. It's easy to forget how complex this can all be, and you think you have a good handle on it all. Then someone asks a question that just leaves you stunned.
Swith - Today at 9:08 AM
Let's focus on our respective communities a moment.
If you had to explain P2TM, GE&T, NS Sports, II, FB&I, or NS to someone, how would you describe your favorite haunt?
Tilt - Today at 9:09 AM
Insane in the membrane. That's how we're so creative.
Maltropia - Today at 9:09 AM
I used to be better at explaining GE&T. I guess over time I've realised it's more than just what it says on the tin.
Agy - Today at 9:10 AM
P2TM is essentially a catch-all for non-NS RP, so it's hard to describe...
Probably something along the lines of being something for everyone.
Swith - Today at 9:10 AM
P2TM is for non-nation roleplay, of course. But it's more than that. There are a lot of RP forums online. Very few are at our calibre though. I think that's, in part, due to our approach as a community. We expect more from our players and their games... meaning F7 stays in F7. We're more helpful than communities found on other sites. Our players are diverse, but mesh together well.
Tilt - Today at 9:10 AM
More so, we really are accepting of outsiders because we have such a wide range of interests.
FRFS - Today at 9:11 AM
"Do you ever get pissed off at how your respective country is run? Do your politicians just aggravate you to no end? Does your national policy on certain issues just make you vomit? Do you just wish sometimes you could just create your own nation? Do you think sometimes you could have written a 'better' Constitution? Well do I have the thing for you!"
Zwangzug - Today at 9:11 AM
pokes head in yo, Zwangzug, NS Sports person, up early for once
Swith - Today at 9:11 AM
As players, have the panels made you want to venture into other subforums?
FRFS - Today at 9:11 AM
P2TM has become a little less frightening >__>
Tilt - Today at 9:11 AM
Yes.
Maltropia - Today at 9:11 AM
Yes.
Zwangzug - Today at 9:12 AM
A little more than usual, but I'm still not confident I could find a good thread that would work for me.
Swith - Today at 9:12 AM
I'd like to do something with GE&T. I have for years, but the panel gave me a new appreciation of it. And, of course, there's my growing interest in NS Sports.
Agy - Today at 9:12 AM
Yeah, I'm reminded of why I used to love N&I. Might go back there some times.
Swith - Today at 9:12 AM
FRFS we live to frighten!
Tilt - Today at 9:12 AM
With pies.
Swith - Today at 9:12 AM
Was there a question you wished were asked but never were?
Tilt - Today at 9:13 AM
Can't say so.
Agy - Today at 9:13 AM
Uh... No, I mean, I didn't go in with the intention of wanting specific questions to be asked but I think what was asked was thoughtful and engaging.
Swith - Today at 9:13 AM
There were a few for me, but we just wouldn't have had time to mess with the topic.
FRFS - Today at 9:13 AM
The rounds of questions were very varied and I think touched on a lot of different aspects of NS.
Zwangzug - Today at 9:14 AM
Expected maybe. Dunno about wanted? It'll probably take too long to come to me
Maltropia - Today at 9:14 AM
I honestly expected the GE&T questions to be more on the technical side of things, but ultimately I'm glad they weren't. I think the questions we got were good.
Gren - Today at 9:14 AM
I'm here. I'm Gren. And I'm a human person.
Zwangzug - Today at 9:14 AM
Maybe as regards the diversity stuff but that's a different kettle of fish.
Tilt - Today at 9:14 AM
Well...actually, there is one certain one about a Pathagosaurus plushy.
Swith - Today at 9:14 AM
When will the new GE&T Guide be done? And the P2TM "How to make an OOC" guide?
Tilt - Today at 9:15 AM
I'm watching you. You know what you doing.
Swith - Today at 9:15 AM
coughs The OOC guide is half-completed. Sorry I didn't get it done in time for this event, peeps.
Tilt - Today at 9:15 AM
I...didn't know we were making one. Are we?
Swith - Today at 9:15 AM
Yes, Tilt.
Maltropia - Today at 9:15 AM
Probably not before my thesis, at this rate, but that's just two months away so it might not be in the too-distant future.
Swith - Today at 9:15 AM
What's something you dislike about your community?
Gren - Today at 9:17 AM
I dislike the obsession P2TM seems to have with fantasy to the detriment of sci-fi.
Swith - Today at 9:17 AM
We've never really had strong cliques in P2TM, just popular RP. In the last two years, we've seen a few cliques crop up. It's not that I don't like cliques. I don't like how cliques, in general, tend to divide communities.
Zwangzug - Today at 9:17 AM
A lot of people have thin skin and expect the world to revolve around them and then take it out on others when it doesn't.
Maltropia - Today at 9:17 AM
Behold the paradox
To me, N&I is often too insular. I get the thing about cliques and regions and hanging out with your friends, but inter-regional RPs (and I mean on a regional level) seem so rare to me that they're made out to be big events. I don't know why we do that. Aside from the drive-by interactions in GE&T and open threads in II, I mean.
Agy - Today at 9:17 AM
I mean, personal opinion, but I think it's a bit of a shame and kind of indicative of bad taste that a lot of creative RP ideas sort of just die (although part of that is to do with poor planning or bad OPs) but we regularly get people doing school RPs and recycling the same few ideas regarding war RPs and fantasy. That's quite irritating to me.
FRFS - Today at 9:18 AM
The "bad" competition, the "iWinners". Those who are more focused on winning within the story, than creating the story.
Swith - Today at 9:18 AM
Agy, oh yeah, that does get old.
I actually enjoy school RP, but it's always the same thing. We need a new EH - unique and more "save the universe" than "it's a school with school drama". Hmmm. Maybe I'll do one.
Tilt - Today at 9:19 AM
The overloading of certain types of RPs. It kills interest in those that are more well-written than others, solely because the less well-written ones came first. Sometimes due to less detail having to be written.
Police and true crime, as a leading example.
Maltropia - Today at 9:19 AM
Honestly, Swith, I can't wait to be done my thesis now, because this Symposium has given me so many things I want to do.
Agy - Today at 9:20 AM
I don't mind if it's creatively done but, like I said, recycling the same few ideas as really good ones get tossed to the wayside kind of irritates me, Swith.
Maltropia - Today at 9:20 AM
(and yet here I am, sitting on my hands not writing it)
Swith - Today at 9:20 AM
Do N&I players have to deal with lots of anime things? Like anime nations, or roleplay where you feel stuck in an anime world?
Malt, just a little longer and that thesis will be knocked out. Then, come and play!
Maltropia - Today at 9:21 AM
I don't find that. Plenty of people have anime flags (gameside, not IC) but I only know a handful of people who really anime it up within their canon. I don't think there's a problem with that any more than there is with people who base their stuff off other styles. I'd say we get more Nazi-wannabes than anime nations.
FRFS - Today at 9:21 AM
You don't have to deal with them if you don't want to. It's really up to you to engage with something that conflicts with your preferred aesthetic.
Gren - Today at 9:22 AM
More wehraboos than weeaboos, is that what you're saying, Malt?
Swith - Today at 9:22 AM
Was there ever a panel you felt was lacking in some aspect, or that didn't do your community justice?
Gren - Today at 9:22 AM
I don't think so, personally.
Agy - Today at 9:22 AM
Likewise, don't think so.
Maltropia - Today at 9:22 AM
That and Trotaku, gren
That doesn't work as a pun. Trotsky+otaku. I'll move on.
Tilt - Today at 9:23 AM
Agy - Today at 9:23 AM
Trotaku! It me!
Gren - Today at 9:23 AM
Tilt - Today at 9:23 AM
Same as the others.
Gren - Today at 9:23 AM
I understood the joke.
Swith - Today at 9:23 AM
A lot of us are representing our communities (subforums), but do any of you haunt other communities (subforums) as well?
Gren - Today at 9:24 AM
Does the infested cesspool known as NSG count?
Tilt - Today at 9:24 AM
I lurk in most places.
Zwangzug - Today at 9:24 AM
Issue Editor secret hideout?
Maltropia - Today at 9:24 AM
I used to occasionally poke my nose into NSG, but it stinks too bad so I left.
Swith - Today at 9:24 AM
I haunt N&I. You won't find many posts under my "Swith" nation, but I have my puppets there. I also haunt NSG (I created the NS Feminist Megathread) and occasionally play in F7 for fun.
FRFS - Today at 9:25 AM
Until they drop the "Global" from GE&T I shall never enter there!
Maltropia - Today at 9:25 AM
GE&T is probably my second-most active forum, after II. I also do some NS, thoroughly enjoyed P2TM in the early days, and have recently done a small bit of Sports on a puppet.
Agy - Today at 9:25 AM
Used to hang out in NSG but got sick of fighting with people. Sometimes I drop by F7 and see the quotes thread, seeing as I used to be a regular there as well, but other than that, not much.
FRFS - Today at 9:25 AM
Should just be E&T >__>
Maltropia - Today at 9:25 AM
frfs It's just 'cause we sell globes there. Chill, man.
Swith - Today at 9:25 AM
You know, I kinda agree with that FRFS.
Who was your favorite panelist?
Gren - Today at 9:26 AM
Yours truly.
Maltropia - Today at 9:26 AM
This is a trick question, isn't it, Swith.
Zwangzug - Today at 9:26 AM
Yeah really, I haven't even read all the transcripts.
FRFS - Today at 9:26 AM
Zwangzug cause she did her whole panel herself with no support like a champ.
Gren - Today at 9:27 AM
"RP Symposium Championship" does sound like it should be in NS Sports.
Agy - Today at 9:27 AM
sweating Uh... Gotta be careful... ALL POWERFUL GOATLORD KYR-
In all seriousness, you've done the symposium a great service with all your work, Swith. Good job
Swith - Today at 9:27 AM
My far, my favorite was Koth. It took balls of steel to wade into a symposium dominated by roleplayers. Though he's a roleplayer (and a damn good one, at that), he's known as one of the 'faces' of gameplay... raiders. Not only did he come in with a positive attitude, but he was open to player questions in the main channel, and dolled out quality advice regarding character dev. He handled himself well in the gameplay panel.
And then there's Zwang. She kicks ass in NS Sports, and showed infinite patience.
Thanks, Agy.
Maltropia - Today at 9:27 AM
We had a genuinely great team here. I don't think I could single out any one panelist as my favourite. Everyone was professional and insightful. Our guests were fantastic.
Tilt - Today at 9:28 AM
Ched.
Agy - Today at 9:28 AM
Oh, Ched, too, for all the great questions
Gren - Today at 9:28 AM
Honestly, though, my feelings are the same as Malt's.
Swith - Today at 9:28 AM
. Ched made EVERY panel, including those he could only offer PM'd questions to.
Tilt - Today at 9:28 AM
(pie)
Swith - Today at 9:28 AM
Do you think there are ways to strengthen the relationship between communities on the RP subforums in those subforums themselves, and lessen the effects of cliques?
Gren - Today at 9:28 AM
Ched is the RP Symposium Championship's MVP.
Tilt - Today at 9:29 AM
Most likely. How best to do it is beyond me at the moment.
Gren - Today at 9:29 AM
^
Maltropia - Today at 9:29 AM
I think what this Symposium demonstrates is that all our communities can come together seamlessly for a good time where we all learn about each others' communities. If this doesn't inspire people to try out new things, I don't know what will.
Agy - Today at 9:29 AM
I think symposiums like this are one way to start - bring people out of their cliques and into a common space for moderate discussion. I think in-general you find cliques emerge when people don't have reasons to interact with more than a few players on any forum at any given time.
Swith - Today at 9:29 AM
We of the NS Mentor Program which dwell in the Fifth Dimension eternally strive to harmonize our community. <- official answer. I'd actually like to see more events that bring together nation-roleplayers and those from 5D.
Tilt - Today at 9:30 AM
^
FRFS - Today at 9:30 AM
It's just about stepping out of your comfort zone and get into the mix with others who are not like you. If you've never been to another sub forum, jump in and see how the water is. You never know, you could have fun.
Swith - Today at 9:30 AM
Good observation, Agy.
Someone noted the other day that it's almost impossible to tell which panelist belongs to what community. Did this synergy exist before the symposium?
Maltropia - Today at 9:31 AM
I didn't even know half the panelists before the Symposium.
Gren - Today at 9:31 AM
Maybe it did and it took the Symposium to recognize it.
Agy - Today at 9:31 AM
Definitely not. I don't think we were at each others throats, but we simply didn't interact enough for there to be synergy, in my opinion.
Tilt - Today at 9:32 AM
Unsure. I know most of the Minties by sight on forum, so I think that gives it away.
FRFS - Today at 9:32 AM
This is my first exposure to you lot. So I'd say no it didn't from my standpoint. But I'm glad it wasn't difficult to create what you saw here this week.
Tilt - Today at 9:32 AM
True.
Swith - Today at 9:32 AM
Honestly, IMHO, the synergy wasn't strong before. Even on the Mentor Team, we didn't have many opportunities to interact with each other, given we handled different aspects of NS. If this event can bring us closer as players, I imagine it also has brought our communities together as well.
Zwangzug - Today at 9:32 AM
What FRFS said.
Swith - Today at 9:32 AM
Was there one panel you wish you could have skipped completely as a speaker?
Agy - Today at 9:33 AM
I skipped a bunch so I got lucky, nope
Swith - Today at 9:33 AM
Not really. I sat the ones I wanted to sit, and modded the rest because I was available.
Maltropia - Today at 9:33 AM
The Midnight Madness one, if only 'cause I needed sleep. But no, if anything I wish I'd sat on more.
FRFS - Today at 9:34 AM
I wish I could have participated more
Swith - Today at 9:34 AM
When do you expect we'll see the P2TM workshops that were discussed earlier in the symposium?
Gren - Today at 9:34 AM
I'll sit this one out.
Maltropia - Today at 9:34 AM
I can't even pretend to answer this question.
Swith - Today at 9:34 AM
Soon, Gren. Soon. Your Mentors need a break. But Madhouse has some things in the works.
Agy - Today at 9:34 AM
No idea, but I hope we see them soon. I was thinking of discussing the culture workshop with y'all after the symposium was over.
FRFS - Today at 9:35 AM
You'll see them tomorrow. And if you don't bug all the P2TM Mentors every waking moment until they come into fruition.
Swith - Today at 9:36 AM
Do roleplayers in N&I have roleplay orgs?
For those unfamiliar with P2TM, we have groups with threads in our subforum. You'll find special interest groups, like a Warhammer group or a Tolkien group, and we use these to network with players. We also have teaching groups, and general pubs or councils.
FRFS, they love to light fires under us.
Gren - Today at 9:36 AM
We even have an asylum.
Swith - Today at 9:36 AM
Yep! Must have an asylum for P2TM.
Agy - Today at 9:37 AM
Tilt put it best, we're insane in the membrane
Gren - Today at 9:37 AM
Ain't got no brain!
Its insane! Got no brain!
Maltropia - Today at 9:37 AM
We have regions and we have alliances, which are usually more OOC-driven than IC; I'm slightly too out-of-the-loop to say whether we have special interest groups.
Swith - Today at 9:37 AM
Tilt - Today at 9:37 AM
Bring your own brightly colored machine tool.
Swith - Today at 9:37 AM
Malt, that makes sense, given the N&I overall theme.
FRFS - Today at 9:38 AM
I haven't seen any groups like that in my experience of N&I. But the FT community in of itself is similar to that concept.
Swith - Today at 9:38 AM
Zwang, does NS Sports have groups like this? Player networking ones, etc.
Zwangzug - Today at 9:38 AM
Not really.
It's more like "there are the people who do basketball" and "there are the people who do cricket," which might not overlap much.
But nothing formal.
Swith - Today at 9:39 AM
A plug here... Madhouse is for ALL roleplayers, including those that haunt GE&T, II, NS, and NS Sports.
Do you wish a certain panel lasted a bit longer, like something you could spend ages talking about?
Gren - Today at 9:39 AM
Honestly, I could've spent hours on the diversity panel.
FRFS - Today at 9:39 AM
The worldbuilding panels could easily never end.
Agy - Today at 9:39 AM
Definitely the narrative panel, and worldbuilding. Also the war & storytelling panel. That one in particular I would've wanted to see more answers for.
FRFS - Today at 9:39 AM
War and storytelling was also extremely fun.
Tilt - Today at 9:40 AM
No. Good length all round. Further discussion elsewhere is good; we could do with that.
Swith - Today at 9:40 AM
I wanted to pick Zwang's brain regarding all the details that go into scorinators.
Do you think people in your community would attend a monthly "special topic" panel here on the Mentor server?
Tilt - Today at 9:40 AM
Yes.
Agy - Today at 9:41 AM
Definitely.
Maltropia - Today at 9:41 AM
People in my community attended this, so probably yeah.
Zwangzug - Today at 9:41 AM
Maybe? I know some of them are into discord and some of them are like "too new school" but who knows. They might read transcripts anyway.
Gren - Today at 9:41 AM
I think so.
FRFS - Today at 9:41 AM
I'd believe so. Especially given the attendance FTers show in the mentor server anyway.
Swith - Today at 9:42 AM
Are there any universal commonalities and problems that have come to light during the symposium for you?
Maltropia - Today at 9:42 AM
We're all tired in the morning panels.
Agy - Today at 9:42 AM
^
Gren - Today at 9:43 AM
^
Tilt - Today at 9:43 AM
^
FRFS - Today at 9:43 AM
Yes. All areas of the forums have the same issues with getting started with stories, finding people to get involved with stories, and figuring out how to tell them properly.
Agy - Today at 9:43 AM
More seriously, I find universal commonality in the worldbuilding sessions with players regardless of their chosen community. Everyone has similar questions about how to craft a compelling world and the characters within it.
Swith - Today at 9:43 AM
I think a misunderstanding of our communities has always existed. I think we solve some of this by having join panels. People got insight into how things are done 'up north' or 'down south'. We didn't have a means to do that before.
FRFS - Today at 9:43 AM
Also I love the early morning panels! D: it's the only time I'm not at work
Zwangzug - Today at 9:43 AM
Maturity range. But also, I think maybe the issue when even mature RPers have "what if I only have a little bit to say in this post," don't want to fluff things out for the sake of it. (Or is that just me?)
Swith - Today at 9:43 AM
FRFS.
Maltropia - Today at 9:44 AM
I think it's pretty clear that every community has within it a desire to better itself. This sounds like an MLK speech already but what I mean is that we all go out of our way to make our forums better places to RP.
Swith - Today at 9:44 AM
It's not just you, Zwang.
As a result of this symposium, what can you say now about the state of Roleplay on NationStates?
Agy - Today at 9:45 AM
I think it's in the same spot it's always been in - good attributes, bad attributes, could use improvement.
Swith - Today at 9:45 AM
I think it's strong and healthy, and not going to die out anytime soon.
Maltropia - Today at 9:45 AM
I think it's pretty clear that we have a lively and talented RP community.
FRFS - Today at 9:45 AM
It's definitely a strong aspect of the site. And the overall community itself wants to improve upon what it currently does.
Swith - Today at 9:45 AM
How many of you are going to take the weekend off once today concludes?
Maltropia - Today at 9:46 AM
Would if I could.
Tilt - Today at 9:46 AM
Yes.
Swith - Today at 9:46 AM
raises hand
Gren - Today at 9:46 AM
I can't.
Tilt - Today at 9:46 AM
I have some RP to do.
Gren - Today at 9:46 AM
I've got posts to write in the RPs I'm in, and research to work on.
Tilt - Today at 9:46 AM
And some writing and studying.
Swith - Today at 9:46 AM
I cheated and caught up with some of mine last night, hence I didn't go to bed until around 5AM.
Tilt - Today at 9:46 AM
Bad Swith.
Agy - Today at 9:46 AM
tsk tsk
FRFS - Today at 9:47 AM
I've got a few posts to work on >__>
Maltropia - Today at 9:47 AM
Lit Review > Methodology > Posts, in that order.
Agy - Today at 9:47 AM
I have to catch up on IRL stuff this weekend, but other than that I'll be RPing so no weekend off for me
Swith - Today at 9:47 AM
In what way could this Symposium have better helped newcomers getting around NS? Ideas and suggestions for next year?
Gren - Today at 9:47 AM
Not RP research, that's easy. I've got a science experiment I should have started on in May.
Tilt - Today at 9:48 AM
A flow chart with a ton of wackiness a la Mentor Panel.
Swith - Today at 9:48 AM
I'd like to see more panelists pulled from our communities. There are a lot of talented and knowledgeable people out there.
Gren - Today at 9:48 AM
^
Maltropia - Today at 9:48 AM
"Are you posting?" > No > "Get posting."
FRFS - Today at 9:48 AM
I'd like to see this more spaced out
So it's not all jammed together back to back to back
Zwangzug - Today at 9:48 AM
I'm not sure if we're advertising it to newbies?
Agy - Today at 9:48 AM
Definitely expand the panelist pool. Maybe have fewer panels per day but extend the length of the symposium so more people can attend?
Swith - Today at 9:48 AM
The panels? Some were gruesome, schedule-wise.
FRFS - Today at 9:49 AM
Maybe a day off in between panels
Maltropia - Today at 9:49 AM
Yeah, definitely more panelists would be nice.
Swith - Today at 9:49 AM
Or perhaps a weekend series of panels for those involved in work/school during the week.
Agy - Today at 9:49 AM
Definitely
Gren - Today at 9:49 AM
I think more people able to moderate would be better.
FRFS - Today at 9:49 AM
And also. Everything should be shifted to pacific standard time
Tilt - Today at 9:49 AM
^
Gren - Today at 9:50 AM
Compromise: CDT.
Maltropia - Today at 9:50 AM
A format by which people could post questions for the moderator to pull from, say, the OSF could work for people who can't make the slots.
Tilt - Today at 9:50 AM
FRFS
Swith - Today at 9:50 AM
I know this was somewhat asked earlier, but
"Because of the panels, are you now inspired to join in some RPs or subforums as a result of their extensive discussion throughout this week? Like do you want to jump right into something?"
Maltropia - Today at 9:50 AM
Yes.
Gren - Today at 9:50 AM
Honestly, I think the live format for questions is better, Malt.
Swith - Today at 9:50 AM
I know we didn't get to plug too many RP here. I'm interested in ES now, though I know I won't have time for it.
Agy - Today at 9:50 AM
Definitely wanna jump back into N&I
Though I'll need to find time for it
Gren - Today at 9:51 AM
I'm honestly considering getting into GE&T.
Tilt - Today at 9:51 AM
GE&T.
Swith - Today at 9:51 AM
Malt, for a lot of panels, that's what I did. People asked questions in advance because they couldn't attend.
Maltropia - Today at 9:51 AM
Oh, definitely, Gren, but we've had quite a few people saying "dang, wish I'd made that one," especially for the panels that didn't get a repeat. Ah, cool, Swith, that is good so.
Swith - Today at 9:51 AM
Oh, definitely GE&T. That panel sparked so many ideas!
Maltropia - Today at 9:51 AM
Tilt - Today at 9:52 AM
adds Gren to list
Swith - Today at 9:52 AM
Have you had feedback from your community regarding the Symposium? Overall, was it positive, negative, or neutral?
Agy - Today at 9:52 AM
I mean Madhouse has had universally positive feedback so there's that
Gren - Today at 9:52 AM
I'm on a list now?
Maltropia - Today at 9:52 AM
another* list
Gren - Today at 9:52 AM
Oh, God, how many lists am I on?
Zwangzug - Today at 9:53 AM
Not really. I've linked my contributions on the sports forum but haven't heard anything there yet.
Tilt - Today at 9:53 AM
Pie
I haven't seen any either.
Maltropia - Today at 9:53 AM
One GE&Ter posted some praise on the Symposium thread, but that's about it. Most of the feedback has been in here.
Swith - Today at 9:53 AM
The feedback from P2TM, as given to me, was mostly positive or neutral. People wished there had been more advance notice. Many found out about it via the news feed (thanks Ballo!) but the lack of having a thread dedicated to it in P2TM lead many to believe it was just for II alone. They've suggested having a thread in each subforum, run by a Mentor (or a renowned NS Sports player like Zwang) in order to keep people updated, encourage people to attend, and post transcripts in.
FRFS - Today at 9:54 AM
I'd say the overall reception was decently positive in the FT community, regarding the symposium. No one outright complained. And in NSFT we are a highly opinionated bunch.
Maltropia - Today at 9:55 AM
I've seen "thread in each subforum" done before, but it usually works out messily. Still, better than leaving people feeling unwelcomed.
Swith - Today at 9:55 AM
Do you wish some of your communities had been more involved, or do you think their level of involvement worked well?
Tilt - Today at 9:55 AM
Just fine.
Gren - Today at 9:55 AM
Perhaps it could be a global thread, then?
Swith - Today at 9:56 AM
As I touched on above, many in P2TM thought it was for II only. I would have liked to have seen more of us involved, but I understand the reasons they weren't. Better communication next year!
Agy - Today at 9:56 AM
I thought P2TM involvement was okay, but definitely more people involved would be better
Gren - Today at 9:56 AM
I think P2TM (and Madhouse) had decent levels of involvement.
FRFS - Today at 9:56 AM
Aye a lot of good lessons to apply to the next symposium.
Swith - Today at 9:56 AM
Ched did represent roughly 2/3 of the community via his questions.
Maltropia - Today at 9:56 AM
No disrespect to Ched, but I think I would have liked to see more people asking questions. We had a great turnout but they were largely a silent majority.
GE&T's panel was on short notice so I don't think we really could have had more involvement, though there are people I would have liked to invite to that panel.
Zwangzug - Today at 9:56 AM
I think it worked okay. It could have been different next time, but it could also be a "too many cooks spoil the broth" thing.
Swith - Today at 9:57 AM
Very true.
Tilt - Today at 9:57 AM
Spotlight was a good way to get insights from a wide range of P2TM.
Swith - Today at 9:57 AM
Tilt, yep. For those unaware of it, we had a small thread for denizens. Spotlight on the Roleplayer | NationStates Roleplay Symposium 2017
For those that are not Mentors, do you feel like you would be a good candidate for Mentor appointment?
Agy - Today at 9:58 AM
Hell no, no time
Tilt - Today at 9:58 AM
No.
Maltropia - Today at 9:59 AM
I'd like to give it a try some time.
Zwangzug - Today at 9:59 AM
For a variety of reasons, I think the sports forum gets along okay without a formal mentorship system.
Swith - Today at 9:59 AM
Malt, Mentoring?
Tilt - Today at 10:00 AM
nominates Mal
FRFS - Today at 10:00 AM
Possibly. All the mentor program is, is a vehicle to disseminate good advice in a positive setting. To help improve the community around you, while improving yourself.
Swith - Today at 10:00 AM
Is there anything you want to tell us about yourselves, as in "what you do in real life" or "hobbies outside of NS".
FRFS - Today at 10:00 AM
You can be a "Mentor" without the Minty jacket. Just focus on being a good person to your fellow NSers and help them when appropriate.
Tilt - Today at 10:01 AM
I write. Big surprise, I'm sure.
Swith - Today at 10:01 AM
For those audience members curious about the minty jacket, or considering nominating someone from their community, we do have a Program overview here: Mentor Program Overview | NationStates Roleplay Symposium 2017
Agy - Today at 10:01 AM
If y'all ever see someone begging for money or cigarettes, do em a favor and spare some change. Maybe a sandwich if you can manage.
This is your PSA from your local anarchist/communist
Computer science major involved in political and social activism
Tilt - Today at 10:01 AM
I cook, if that counts.
Zwangzug - Today at 10:01 AM
I'm working, very slowly, on a math degree. I'm a Lutheran and I love the Chicago Cubs.
Maltropia - Today at 10:01 AM
I'm a college student, with two months left in my MSc in coastal management. Mostly I faff around and listen to unhealthy amounts of ELO.
Gren - Today at 10:01 AM
I'm a Physics major. I'm also involved in LGBT+ activism.
Swith - Today at 10:02 AM
I knit when I'm not online. I finished my dissertation recently, and I'm waiting for them to schedule me in to argue my position. Then I'll FINALLY have my PhD.
Tilt - Today at 10:02 AM
Oh, you guys went academic. RIP me.
Swith - Today at 10:02 AM
Gren, no shit?
Gren - Today at 10:02 AM
Dr. Swith!
No shit.
Maltropia - Today at 10:02 AM
Doctor Swith.
Agy - Today at 10:03 AM
Dr. Fennec has a nice ring to it
Tilt - Today at 10:03 AM
Congrats!
Swith - Today at 10:03 AM
huggles the fellow physicist!
Tilt - Today at 10:03 AM
Swith - Today at 10:03 AM
Malt, I'll wear the title with pride, but never use it.
Tilt - Today at 10:03 AM
butters Gren in approval
Gren - Today at 10:03 AM
Woo! Physics everywhere!
Maltropia - Today at 10:03 AM
I sign myself Maltropia BA everywhere.
Swith - Today at 10:03 AM
Do your hobbies or education have bearing on your roleplay and worldbuilding?
FRFS - Today at 10:03 AM
The only real super interesting thing about me is: I've survived nine near death experiences, some worse than others.
Gren - Today at 10:04 AM
If I ever get a PhD, I'll just stick with it for the gender-neutral title.
Swith - Today at 10:04 AM
Holy cow, FRFS!
Agy - Today at 10:04 AM
oh wow, that's depressing but also impressive, FRFS
Tilt - Today at 10:04 AM
Yes. Every post I make, I refer to my CAHIMS.
Gren - Today at 10:04 AM
I find they do. Its impossible for me to RP in a setting with mechs, for instance.
FRFS - Today at 10:04 AM
As Kyru has stated I have the "best worst luck".
Maltropia - Today at 10:04 AM
Massively. Absolutely completely influenced by my education. I did history and geography for my undergrad, and you'll note an awful lot of history and geography in my worlds. My nations are always vehicles for my interests.
Zwangzug - Today at 10:05 AM
Uh, when I started out with Zwangzug, I worldbuilt a bunch of chess (game and musical) allusions into it and roleplayed with those. Once it came back from CTEdom, I built in a bunch more diverse boardgame stuff to it, since my hobbies had branched off since then. So it's mostly background in-jokes, but it's there.
Gren - Today at 10:05 AM
Malt, if your degree ever takes you to Louisiana, don't be a stranger.
Swith - Today at 10:05 AM
I actually add knitting skills to some of my characters, and they make scarves for other characters some Christmas. In the IC. For reals. My research interest are all spent on my nations' worldbuild.
Maltropia - Today at 10:05 AM
I'll let you know if I wind up in your neck of the woods, Gren.
Tilt - Today at 10:05 AM
More seriously, I have played characters with a medical background (I studied medicine for a year abroad) and characters who are computer experts. Shoutout to Mincaldenteans for running Shadowdancer, in which my character is the latter.
Maltropia - Today at 10:06 AM
Min's still running that? Awesome.
Gren - Today at 10:06 AM
When is that getting rebooted, anyways?
Agy - Today at 10:06 AM
Definitely. I find it difficult to RP with people who treat computers like magic
Tilt - Today at 10:06 AM
Swith's IC knitting products are awesome.
Maltropia - Today at 10:06 AM
I was in the first incarnation of that. Good craic.
Swith - Today at 10:06 AM
Join, Malt. We moved it to our OSF but I hope we'll see it back in P2TM again.
Tilt - Today at 10:06 AM
Maltropia yup!
Agy - Today at 10:06 AM
But also as a political activist I find myself shying away from more edgelordy RPers, mostly out of preference.
Gren - Today at 10:06 AM
Computers depend on quantum physics. Quantum physics is voodoo. Therefore, computers are voodoo.
Swith - Today at 10:07 AM
Wait... woah.... Malt, you were in P2TM?
Tilt - Today at 10:07 AM
gren pets
Maltropia - Today at 10:07 AM
I ran at least one P2TM roleplay in my time.
Gren - Today at 10:07 AM
Same, Agy.
Maltropia - Today at 10:07 AM
It was an alt-history thing, though, so take that as you will '
Swith - Today at 10:07 AM
That's awesome, Malt!
Tilt - Today at 10:07 AM
I remember you from back then Maltropia
Swith - Today at 10:08 AM
What's the Unique Selling Point of the part of the subforums you represent; i.e. an elevator pitch for why we should join in there.
Agy - Today at 10:08 AM
Do you like fun? P2TM has much fun. You might die there's so much. FUN FUN FUN.
Slightly more seriously, P2TM gives you the creative freedom to be who you want to be. Any series or RP idea you can think of (provided it's PG-13), you can do it in P2TM
Gren - Today at 10:08 AM
Whatever you want, chances are, P2TM has it.
Maltropia - Today at 10:08 AM
The unique selling point of GE&T is that it is the unique selling point.
Zwangzug - Today at 10:08 AM
Random encounters with nations from across the globe (and then some) providing daily opportunities to tell stories about your nation and build its canon.
Tilt - Today at 10:09 AM
NSG has something for everyone. P2TM has something for everyone that won't make you want to jump.
Swith - Today at 10:09 AM
If you want to get away from nation roleplay for a while, and just join a game that leads to wherever your heart takes you, P2TM is the spot for it. In some games, you can bring in characters from your own nation. In some, elements from people's nations serve as a backdrop for non-nation, non-canon roleplay. If you'd like to network with players, we have organizations and groups that focus on genre, franchises, or techniques. We're always looking for new denizens.
Tilt - Today at 10:09 AM
Swith - Today at 10:10 AM
Panelists, is there a question you'd like to ask?
Maltropia - Today at 10:11 AM
Swith What made you stay on NS?
Agy - Today at 10:11 AM
If there was one element of roleplay you could make it mandatory to learn before being allowed to RP on the NS forums... what would it be?
Maltropia - Today at 10:12 AM
Actually, should that be @ched?
Tilt - Today at 10:12 AM
How do you shape a character? All at once up front or via evolution in the storyline?
Swith - Today at 10:13 AM
The site? It got me through some very rough times, health-wise. It reminded me that I could still contribute to something when I just couldn't function physically. And the people I've met have really become a part of my real life in so many ways. We grew close over time.
In NS, the subforum... I just can't escape the allure of playing there. I love to run the Big Bad for my own group, and I've stayed in touch with that community with the hope of eventually coming back to knock out another game.
Also, we'll eventually launch IAPA in NS.
Zwangzug - Today at 10:14 AM
Mostly the RPs were really cool.
Maltropia - Today at 10:15 AM
Agy's question - 'Mandatory' seems a bit much, but I think that if you want to roleplay you need to be prepared to read, and read widely. Not just the stuff your RP partners produce, but stuff to help you learn and broaden your horizons in terms of knowledge, content and style.
Zwangzug - Today at 10:15 AM
I felt some pressure early on "oh, you need to be in it for the storyline, if you worry about winning you're doing it wrong," and I maybe internalized it too much, but it made me start planning ahead and dreaming up some crazy ideas.
Swith - Today at 10:16 AM
Mandatory... proofreading. Also, not mandatory but helpful, players joining games and learning about the community's methods and practices before trying to open their own games. So many RP fail from the start simply because the OP was new and didn't know that the P2TM community looks for certain elements (like apps and an overview AND an OOC thread to put those in) before joining a game.
Tilt - Today at 10:16 AM
How BBCode works.
Zwangzug - Today at 10:16 AM
Agy's question: I'd say somewhat-coherent spelling and grammar, it would weed out people who didn't even want to put that much effort into it.
Tilt - Today at 10:17 AM
^
Swith - Today at 10:17 AM
Do you feel players with poor skills, like poor grammar or the inability to write without using colored fonts and asterisks, pull down your subforum?
Agy - Today at 10:18 AM
Not necessarily. I think in groups they might, but individually they just need help.
Gren - Today at 10:18 AM
I don't know of anyone outside of F7 who does that, mostly because our subforum's culture is so against it.
Swith - Today at 10:19 AM
For P2TM, the answer is a resounding "NO!" Players like that are just noobs. During my time as a Mentor, I've found so many have exquisite imaginations but simply lack the tools and techniques necessary to use it properly. They've grown over time and through practice, and contribute so much to P2TM now. They wouldn't have, had we not reached out to them - players mentoring players - to help them.
Zwangzug - Today at 10:19 AM
I do. I'm kind of a stickler like that. (And I'm not referring to people whose first language isn't English when I say "coherent grammar," I usually mean young kids who don't put a lot of effort into their writing.)
FRFS - Today at 10:20 AM
I don't believe it "pulls down" the subform as a whole, since it's really just an opportunity for someone to learn. It takes some time to get squared to how a community behaves itself and operates.
Maltropia - Today at 10:20 AM
To a lot of new players, I think, II is the place where you shoot stuff, so it gets quite a large proportion of new players. I don't think that they make II worse, even if sometimes II has a half-serious stereotyped reputation around it. My roleplaying was nothing spectacular when I set out, and there's no shame in the fact that everyone has to start somewhere.
FRFS - Today at 10:21 AM
Oh god my first stories cringe
I'm sure every one of us became semi-coherent writers after long travels down cringe avenue.
Agy - Today at 10:22 AM
im glad my first stories weren't on NS, is all im gonna say about that
FRFS - Today at 10:23 AM
It takes a lot of sometimes almost embarrassing moments to become a better writer. You have to put yourself out there to the public in order to have any sort of idea where you're at in terms of writing.
Maltropia - Today at 10:23 AM
I think part of the problem is that very often we don't engage with people who roleplay "badly." I know I've had the mentality that you "lead by example" - if I write a wall of text, they'll figure out that they, too, should be writing walls of text. But you can't just jump from one-liners to short stories. The way we ought to go about it is directly engaging with their narratives and their characters, and giving them things specifically for them to respond to. It's easy to gloss over the fluff and the incidental happenings, but when it's your character being addressed and being interacted with, you have the impetus to respond.
Swith - Today at 10:23 AM
As a follow-up to this, and our final question,
is there any advice you can give to those that mentor their fellow players? Any tips for handling things, or methods you use when approaching someone struggling to learn? Is there anything you recommend NOT doing when trying to help a fellow player?
Maltropia - Today at 10:23 AM
See above?
Swith - Today at 10:24 AM
See above works, Malt. nods
Gren - Today at 10:24 AM
^
FRFS - Today at 10:25 AM
Be kind, be courteous, understand that everyone is going to be defensive about their ideas at first critique. Be gentle with your pushes and prods in other directions. Be ready to hear "no", and respect that no.
Agy - Today at 10:25 AM
Probably an obvious one but don't condescend the player you're mentoring. People want to be approached as equals, not as children, and especially in their hobbies condescension will rub them the wrong way. Even if they are being frustrating, taking it out on them isn't going to do anything.
But y'all know that already or you wouldn't be mentors!
Maltropia - Today at 10:25 AM
Be patient and be polite. Not everyone is willing to accept help, but there are some people who when helped just make it all worthwhile. Don't let yourself give up on helping people, because you are making a difference even when it feels like you aren't.
Swith - Today at 10:25 AM
My advice: suggest, but don't demand. Guide, but don't do all the work for them. Know your own limitations before trying to limit others' growth. Be kind, be reasonable, be able to handle backlash. And, above all, keep in mind that your efforts are towards the future, and towards helping those players become stronger for sake of the community.
Thank you, Panelists - not just for this panel, but for all your hard work! And thank you, denizens of the Question Chamber, for giving us things to think about, and asking us so many wonderful questions.
This wraps up our final afternoon panel for the 2017 NationStates Roleplay Symposium.
Tune in tonight for “They're Here: Modball Panel” (Oddball #3) 8PM Eastern to watch us roast Mods.
Okay, roast Overgoat. With garlic.
NS Roleplay Symposium 2017
TOPIC: TOPIC: "Community Questions and Closing Thoughts”
TIME: COMPLETED
LOCATION: Symposium Hall
TOPIC: "Community Questions and Closing Thoughts”
TIME: 12PM Eastern Friday, July 14th
Good morning, everyone. Welcome to "Community Questions and Closing Thoughts”. I’m Swith, your moderator. Grab your coffee, pull up a chair, and let’s dish.
This smörgåsbord session covers questions about your communities (you know, the culture of the uniques subforums), as well as roleplay questions.
Panelists, jump in as you please. Don’t forget to say a bit about yourself. And, as with all morning sessions… we’re informal.
BEGIN
::
FRFS - Today at 9:01 AM
Gooooooooodmorning I'm FRFS, I'm an FT player and usually for the most part stay up in the upper half of the forums.
Maltropia - Today at 9:01 AM
'ello 'ello. Lovely to be here on sadly the last day of the Symposium. I'm Maltropia, a senior N&I Mentor. That's pretty much it, actually.
Agy - Today at 9:01 AM
Morning/Afternoon/Evening, depending on where you are. I'm Agy, representing P2TM. I like chicken.
Swith - Today at 9:02 AM
Good morning panelists!
Let's start out by asking you what your favorite Symposium panel is/was, and why?
Maltropia - Today at 9:03 AM
I'm tremendously biased, but for me it was the GE&T one. That's not to say I didn't thoroughly enjoy every one I participated in, but I'm absolutely delighted to have been able to give some insight into my favourite subforum and how it works.
Swith - Today at 9:03 AM
My own favorite was any I didn't have to moderate :stuck_out_tongue: It allowed me to focus on answering questions, or sleep. But I think the interview with Zwang was the best, as I learned a lot from it.
Tilt - Today at 9:03 AM
Hello, am Tilt, who was blowing my nose. I lurk in P2TM.
Agy - Today at 9:04 AM
Probably either the worldbuilding symposium or the narrative one. I didn't get to read through all the transcripts but I thought those two had a lot of great questions.
Oh, that and the midnight mentor hour. That shit was hilarious.
Tilt - Today at 9:04 AM
I liked War & Storytelling for information and Mentor Hour for entertainment.
FRFS - Today at 9:04 AM
For me the worldbuilding panels were my favorites. It's such an intensive and large part of what we do on NS. That can honestly seem over burdening and does scare a few people away from even attempting. So to hear some great insight and tips/tricks disseminated to the community in an effort to improve worldbuilding was quite enjoyable.
Swith - Today at 9:04 AM
Our audience would like to know if we'll do this event again. I'm sure we will. But are our panelists willing to return next year?
Maltropia - Today at 9:05 AM
I'd absolutely love to do it, and hopefully it won't clash so much with either sleep or my thesis if we do it again.
Swith - Today at 9:05 AM
I'll be back, of course.
Tilt - Today at 9:05 AM
Yes.
Agy - Today at 9:05 AM
I'd be down.
FRFS - Today at 9:05 AM
I see no reason not to do events like this in the future.
Swith - Today at 9:05 AM
Was there a question asked during this week that stuck with you and left you pondering?
Agy - Today at 9:06 AM
I mean... probably, I'm just not processing it right now because it's 9 AM where I am and I shouldn't be awake. But probably
Swith - Today at 9:06 AM
For me, not so much a question. It was the gameplay panel. It really got me to thinking of ways we can mend the rift between R/D and RP.
Maltropia - Today at 9:06 AM
Most of the questions were worth pondering, I think.
Tilt - Today at 9:07 AM
Mostly the world building and GE&T ones. Not a single one specifically. I wish I had time to explore the answers in depth.
FRFS - Today at 9:08 AM
There were a few questions raised this week that left me thinking a lot more than I thought I would. It's easy to forget how complex this can all be, and you think you have a good handle on it all. Then someone asks a question that just leaves you stunned.
Swith - Today at 9:08 AM
Let's focus on our respective communities a moment.
If you had to explain P2TM, GE&T, NS Sports, II, FB&I, or NS to someone, how would you describe your favorite haunt?
Tilt - Today at 9:09 AM
Insane in the membrane. That's how we're so creative.
Maltropia - Today at 9:09 AM
I used to be better at explaining GE&T. I guess over time I've realised it's more than just what it says on the tin.
Agy - Today at 9:10 AM
P2TM is essentially a catch-all for non-NS RP, so it's hard to describe...
Probably something along the lines of being something for everyone.
Swith - Today at 9:10 AM
P2TM is for non-nation roleplay, of course. But it's more than that. There are a lot of RP forums online. Very few are at our calibre though. I think that's, in part, due to our approach as a community. We expect more from our players and their games... meaning F7 stays in F7. We're more helpful than communities found on other sites. Our players are diverse, but mesh together well.
Tilt - Today at 9:10 AM
More so, we really are accepting of outsiders because we have such a wide range of interests.
FRFS - Today at 9:11 AM
"Do you ever get pissed off at how your respective country is run? Do your politicians just aggravate you to no end? Does your national policy on certain issues just make you vomit? Do you just wish sometimes you could just create your own nation? Do you think sometimes you could have written a 'better' Constitution? Well do I have the thing for you!"
Zwangzug - Today at 9:11 AM
pokes head in yo, Zwangzug, NS Sports person, up early for once
Swith - Today at 9:11 AM
As players, have the panels made you want to venture into other subforums?
FRFS - Today at 9:11 AM
P2TM has become a little less frightening >__>
Tilt - Today at 9:11 AM
Yes.
Maltropia - Today at 9:11 AM
Yes.
Zwangzug - Today at 9:12 AM
A little more than usual, but I'm still not confident I could find a good thread that would work for me.
Swith - Today at 9:12 AM
I'd like to do something with GE&T. I have for years, but the panel gave me a new appreciation of it. And, of course, there's my growing interest in NS Sports.
Agy - Today at 9:12 AM
Yeah, I'm reminded of why I used to love N&I. Might go back there some times.
Swith - Today at 9:12 AM
FRFS we live to frighten!
Tilt - Today at 9:12 AM
With pies.
Swith - Today at 9:12 AM
Was there a question you wished were asked but never were?
Tilt - Today at 9:13 AM
Can't say so.
Agy - Today at 9:13 AM
Uh... No, I mean, I didn't go in with the intention of wanting specific questions to be asked but I think what was asked was thoughtful and engaging.
Swith - Today at 9:13 AM
There were a few for me, but we just wouldn't have had time to mess with the topic.
FRFS - Today at 9:13 AM
The rounds of questions were very varied and I think touched on a lot of different aspects of NS.
Zwangzug - Today at 9:14 AM
Expected maybe. Dunno about wanted? It'll probably take too long to come to me
Maltropia - Today at 9:14 AM
I honestly expected the GE&T questions to be more on the technical side of things, but ultimately I'm glad they weren't. I think the questions we got were good.
Gren - Today at 9:14 AM
I'm here. I'm Gren. And I'm a human person.
Zwangzug - Today at 9:14 AM
Maybe as regards the diversity stuff but that's a different kettle of fish.
Tilt - Today at 9:14 AM
Well...actually, there is one certain one about a Pathagosaurus plushy.
Swith - Today at 9:14 AM
When will the new GE&T Guide be done? And the P2TM "How to make an OOC" guide?
Tilt - Today at 9:15 AM
I'm watching you. You know what you doing.
Swith - Today at 9:15 AM
coughs The OOC guide is half-completed. Sorry I didn't get it done in time for this event, peeps.
Tilt - Today at 9:15 AM
I...didn't know we were making one. Are we?
Swith - Today at 9:15 AM
Yes, Tilt.
Maltropia - Today at 9:15 AM
Probably not before my thesis, at this rate, but that's just two months away so it might not be in the too-distant future.
Swith - Today at 9:15 AM
What's something you dislike about your community?
Gren - Today at 9:17 AM
I dislike the obsession P2TM seems to have with fantasy to the detriment of sci-fi.
Swith - Today at 9:17 AM
We've never really had strong cliques in P2TM, just popular RP. In the last two years, we've seen a few cliques crop up. It's not that I don't like cliques. I don't like how cliques, in general, tend to divide communities.
Zwangzug - Today at 9:17 AM
A lot of people have thin skin and expect the world to revolve around them and then take it out on others when it doesn't.
Maltropia - Today at 9:17 AM
Behold the paradox
To me, N&I is often too insular. I get the thing about cliques and regions and hanging out with your friends, but inter-regional RPs (and I mean on a regional level) seem so rare to me that they're made out to be big events. I don't know why we do that. Aside from the drive-by interactions in GE&T and open threads in II, I mean.
Agy - Today at 9:17 AM
I mean, personal opinion, but I think it's a bit of a shame and kind of indicative of bad taste that a lot of creative RP ideas sort of just die (although part of that is to do with poor planning or bad OPs) but we regularly get people doing school RPs and recycling the same few ideas regarding war RPs and fantasy. That's quite irritating to me.
FRFS - Today at 9:18 AM
The "bad" competition, the "iWinners". Those who are more focused on winning within the story, than creating the story.
Swith - Today at 9:18 AM
Agy, oh yeah, that does get old.
I actually enjoy school RP, but it's always the same thing. We need a new EH - unique and more "save the universe" than "it's a school with school drama". Hmmm. Maybe I'll do one.
Tilt - Today at 9:19 AM
The overloading of certain types of RPs. It kills interest in those that are more well-written than others, solely because the less well-written ones came first. Sometimes due to less detail having to be written.
Police and true crime, as a leading example.
Maltropia - Today at 9:19 AM
Honestly, Swith, I can't wait to be done my thesis now, because this Symposium has given me so many things I want to do.
Agy - Today at 9:20 AM
I don't mind if it's creatively done but, like I said, recycling the same few ideas as really good ones get tossed to the wayside kind of irritates me, Swith.
Maltropia - Today at 9:20 AM
(and yet here I am, sitting on my hands not writing it)
Swith - Today at 9:20 AM
Do N&I players have to deal with lots of anime things? Like anime nations, or roleplay where you feel stuck in an anime world?
Malt, just a little longer and that thesis will be knocked out. Then, come and play!
Maltropia - Today at 9:21 AM
I don't find that. Plenty of people have anime flags (gameside, not IC) but I only know a handful of people who really anime it up within their canon. I don't think there's a problem with that any more than there is with people who base their stuff off other styles. I'd say we get more Nazi-wannabes than anime nations.
FRFS - Today at 9:21 AM
You don't have to deal with them if you don't want to. It's really up to you to engage with something that conflicts with your preferred aesthetic.
Gren - Today at 9:22 AM
More wehraboos than weeaboos, is that what you're saying, Malt?
Swith - Today at 9:22 AM
Was there ever a panel you felt was lacking in some aspect, or that didn't do your community justice?
Gren - Today at 9:22 AM
I don't think so, personally.
Agy - Today at 9:22 AM
Likewise, don't think so.
Maltropia - Today at 9:22 AM
That and Trotaku, gren
That doesn't work as a pun. Trotsky+otaku. I'll move on.
Tilt - Today at 9:23 AM
Agy - Today at 9:23 AM
Trotaku! It me!
Gren - Today at 9:23 AM
Tilt - Today at 9:23 AM
Same as the others.
Gren - Today at 9:23 AM
I understood the joke.
Swith - Today at 9:23 AM
A lot of us are representing our communities (subforums), but do any of you haunt other communities (subforums) as well?
Gren - Today at 9:24 AM
Does the infested cesspool known as NSG count?
Tilt - Today at 9:24 AM
I lurk in most places.
Zwangzug - Today at 9:24 AM
Issue Editor secret hideout?
Maltropia - Today at 9:24 AM
I used to occasionally poke my nose into NSG, but it stinks too bad so I left.
Swith - Today at 9:24 AM
I haunt N&I. You won't find many posts under my "Swith" nation, but I have my puppets there. I also haunt NSG (I created the NS Feminist Megathread) and occasionally play in F7 for fun.
FRFS - Today at 9:25 AM
Until they drop the "Global" from GE&T I shall never enter there!
Maltropia - Today at 9:25 AM
GE&T is probably my second-most active forum, after II. I also do some NS, thoroughly enjoyed P2TM in the early days, and have recently done a small bit of Sports on a puppet.
Agy - Today at 9:25 AM
Used to hang out in NSG but got sick of fighting with people. Sometimes I drop by F7 and see the quotes thread, seeing as I used to be a regular there as well, but other than that, not much.
FRFS - Today at 9:25 AM
Should just be E&T >__>
Maltropia - Today at 9:25 AM
frfs It's just 'cause we sell globes there. Chill, man.
Swith - Today at 9:25 AM
You know, I kinda agree with that FRFS.
Who was your favorite panelist?
Gren - Today at 9:26 AM
Yours truly.
Maltropia - Today at 9:26 AM
This is a trick question, isn't it, Swith.
Zwangzug - Today at 9:26 AM
Yeah really, I haven't even read all the transcripts.
FRFS - Today at 9:26 AM
Zwangzug cause she did her whole panel herself with no support like a champ.
Gren - Today at 9:27 AM
"RP Symposium Championship" does sound like it should be in NS Sports.
Agy - Today at 9:27 AM
sweating Uh... Gotta be careful... ALL POWERFUL GOATLORD KYR-
In all seriousness, you've done the symposium a great service with all your work, Swith. Good job
Swith - Today at 9:27 AM
My far, my favorite was Koth. It took balls of steel to wade into a symposium dominated by roleplayers. Though he's a roleplayer (and a damn good one, at that), he's known as one of the 'faces' of gameplay... raiders. Not only did he come in with a positive attitude, but he was open to player questions in the main channel, and dolled out quality advice regarding character dev. He handled himself well in the gameplay panel.
And then there's Zwang. She kicks ass in NS Sports, and showed infinite patience.
Thanks, Agy.
Maltropia - Today at 9:27 AM
We had a genuinely great team here. I don't think I could single out any one panelist as my favourite. Everyone was professional and insightful. Our guests were fantastic.
Tilt - Today at 9:28 AM
Ched.
Agy - Today at 9:28 AM
Oh, Ched, too, for all the great questions
Gren - Today at 9:28 AM
Honestly, though, my feelings are the same as Malt's.
Swith - Today at 9:28 AM
. Ched made EVERY panel, including those he could only offer PM'd questions to.
Tilt - Today at 9:28 AM
(pie)
Swith - Today at 9:28 AM
Do you think there are ways to strengthen the relationship between communities on the RP subforums in those subforums themselves, and lessen the effects of cliques?
Gren - Today at 9:28 AM
Ched is the RP Symposium Championship's MVP.
Tilt - Today at 9:29 AM
Most likely. How best to do it is beyond me at the moment.
Gren - Today at 9:29 AM
^
Maltropia - Today at 9:29 AM
I think what this Symposium demonstrates is that all our communities can come together seamlessly for a good time where we all learn about each others' communities. If this doesn't inspire people to try out new things, I don't know what will.
Agy - Today at 9:29 AM
I think symposiums like this are one way to start - bring people out of their cliques and into a common space for moderate discussion. I think in-general you find cliques emerge when people don't have reasons to interact with more than a few players on any forum at any given time.
Swith - Today at 9:29 AM
We of the NS Mentor Program which dwell in the Fifth Dimension eternally strive to harmonize our community. <- official answer. I'd actually like to see more events that bring together nation-roleplayers and those from 5D.
Tilt - Today at 9:30 AM
^
FRFS - Today at 9:30 AM
It's just about stepping out of your comfort zone and get into the mix with others who are not like you. If you've never been to another sub forum, jump in and see how the water is. You never know, you could have fun.
Swith - Today at 9:30 AM
Good observation, Agy.
Someone noted the other day that it's almost impossible to tell which panelist belongs to what community. Did this synergy exist before the symposium?
Maltropia - Today at 9:31 AM
I didn't even know half the panelists before the Symposium.
Gren - Today at 9:31 AM
Maybe it did and it took the Symposium to recognize it.
Agy - Today at 9:31 AM
Definitely not. I don't think we were at each others throats, but we simply didn't interact enough for there to be synergy, in my opinion.
Tilt - Today at 9:32 AM
Unsure. I know most of the Minties by sight on forum, so I think that gives it away.
FRFS - Today at 9:32 AM
This is my first exposure to you lot. So I'd say no it didn't from my standpoint. But I'm glad it wasn't difficult to create what you saw here this week.
Tilt - Today at 9:32 AM
True.
Swith - Today at 9:32 AM
Honestly, IMHO, the synergy wasn't strong before. Even on the Mentor Team, we didn't have many opportunities to interact with each other, given we handled different aspects of NS. If this event can bring us closer as players, I imagine it also has brought our communities together as well.
Zwangzug - Today at 9:32 AM
What FRFS said.
Swith - Today at 9:32 AM
Was there one panel you wish you could have skipped completely as a speaker?
Agy - Today at 9:33 AM
I skipped a bunch so I got lucky, nope
Swith - Today at 9:33 AM
Not really. I sat the ones I wanted to sit, and modded the rest because I was available.
Maltropia - Today at 9:33 AM
The Midnight Madness one, if only 'cause I needed sleep. But no, if anything I wish I'd sat on more.
FRFS - Today at 9:34 AM
I wish I could have participated more
Swith - Today at 9:34 AM
When do you expect we'll see the P2TM workshops that were discussed earlier in the symposium?
Gren - Today at 9:34 AM
I'll sit this one out.
Maltropia - Today at 9:34 AM
I can't even pretend to answer this question.
Swith - Today at 9:34 AM
Soon, Gren. Soon. Your Mentors need a break. But Madhouse has some things in the works.
Agy - Today at 9:34 AM
No idea, but I hope we see them soon. I was thinking of discussing the culture workshop with y'all after the symposium was over.
FRFS - Today at 9:35 AM
You'll see them tomorrow. And if you don't bug all the P2TM Mentors every waking moment until they come into fruition.
Swith - Today at 9:36 AM
Do roleplayers in N&I have roleplay orgs?
For those unfamiliar with P2TM, we have groups with threads in our subforum. You'll find special interest groups, like a Warhammer group or a Tolkien group, and we use these to network with players. We also have teaching groups, and general pubs or councils.
FRFS, they love to light fires under us.
Gren - Today at 9:36 AM
We even have an asylum.
Swith - Today at 9:36 AM
Yep! Must have an asylum for P2TM.
Agy - Today at 9:37 AM
Tilt put it best, we're insane in the membrane
Gren - Today at 9:37 AM
Ain't got no brain!
Its insane! Got no brain!
Maltropia - Today at 9:37 AM
We have regions and we have alliances, which are usually more OOC-driven than IC; I'm slightly too out-of-the-loop to say whether we have special interest groups.
Swith - Today at 9:37 AM
Tilt - Today at 9:37 AM
Bring your own brightly colored machine tool.
Swith - Today at 9:37 AM
Malt, that makes sense, given the N&I overall theme.
FRFS - Today at 9:38 AM
I haven't seen any groups like that in my experience of N&I. But the FT community in of itself is similar to that concept.
Swith - Today at 9:38 AM
Zwang, does NS Sports have groups like this? Player networking ones, etc.
Zwangzug - Today at 9:38 AM
Not really.
It's more like "there are the people who do basketball" and "there are the people who do cricket," which might not overlap much.
But nothing formal.
Swith - Today at 9:39 AM
A plug here... Madhouse is for ALL roleplayers, including those that haunt GE&T, II, NS, and NS Sports.
Do you wish a certain panel lasted a bit longer, like something you could spend ages talking about?
Gren - Today at 9:39 AM
Honestly, I could've spent hours on the diversity panel.
FRFS - Today at 9:39 AM
The worldbuilding panels could easily never end.
Agy - Today at 9:39 AM
Definitely the narrative panel, and worldbuilding. Also the war & storytelling panel. That one in particular I would've wanted to see more answers for.
FRFS - Today at 9:39 AM
War and storytelling was also extremely fun.
Tilt - Today at 9:40 AM
No. Good length all round. Further discussion elsewhere is good; we could do with that.
Swith - Today at 9:40 AM
I wanted to pick Zwang's brain regarding all the details that go into scorinators.
Do you think people in your community would attend a monthly "special topic" panel here on the Mentor server?
Tilt - Today at 9:40 AM
Yes.
Agy - Today at 9:41 AM
Definitely.
Maltropia - Today at 9:41 AM
People in my community attended this, so probably yeah.
Zwangzug - Today at 9:41 AM
Maybe? I know some of them are into discord and some of them are like "too new school" but who knows. They might read transcripts anyway.
Gren - Today at 9:41 AM
I think so.
FRFS - Today at 9:41 AM
I'd believe so. Especially given the attendance FTers show in the mentor server anyway.
Swith - Today at 9:42 AM
Are there any universal commonalities and problems that have come to light during the symposium for you?
Maltropia - Today at 9:42 AM
We're all tired in the morning panels.
Agy - Today at 9:42 AM
^
Gren - Today at 9:43 AM
^
Tilt - Today at 9:43 AM
^
FRFS - Today at 9:43 AM
Yes. All areas of the forums have the same issues with getting started with stories, finding people to get involved with stories, and figuring out how to tell them properly.
Agy - Today at 9:43 AM
More seriously, I find universal commonality in the worldbuilding sessions with players regardless of their chosen community. Everyone has similar questions about how to craft a compelling world and the characters within it.
Swith - Today at 9:43 AM
I think a misunderstanding of our communities has always existed. I think we solve some of this by having join panels. People got insight into how things are done 'up north' or 'down south'. We didn't have a means to do that before.
FRFS - Today at 9:43 AM
Also I love the early morning panels! D: it's the only time I'm not at work
Zwangzug - Today at 9:43 AM
Maturity range. But also, I think maybe the issue when even mature RPers have "what if I only have a little bit to say in this post," don't want to fluff things out for the sake of it. (Or is that just me?)
Swith - Today at 9:43 AM
FRFS.
Maltropia - Today at 9:44 AM
I think it's pretty clear that every community has within it a desire to better itself. This sounds like an MLK speech already but what I mean is that we all go out of our way to make our forums better places to RP.
Swith - Today at 9:44 AM
It's not just you, Zwang.
As a result of this symposium, what can you say now about the state of Roleplay on NationStates?
Agy - Today at 9:45 AM
I think it's in the same spot it's always been in - good attributes, bad attributes, could use improvement.
Swith - Today at 9:45 AM
I think it's strong and healthy, and not going to die out anytime soon.
Maltropia - Today at 9:45 AM
I think it's pretty clear that we have a lively and talented RP community.
FRFS - Today at 9:45 AM
It's definitely a strong aspect of the site. And the overall community itself wants to improve upon what it currently does.
Swith - Today at 9:45 AM
How many of you are going to take the weekend off once today concludes?
Maltropia - Today at 9:46 AM
Would if I could.
Tilt - Today at 9:46 AM
Yes.
Swith - Today at 9:46 AM
raises hand
Gren - Today at 9:46 AM
I can't.
Tilt - Today at 9:46 AM
I have some RP to do.
Gren - Today at 9:46 AM
I've got posts to write in the RPs I'm in, and research to work on.
Tilt - Today at 9:46 AM
And some writing and studying.
Swith - Today at 9:46 AM
I cheated and caught up with some of mine last night, hence I didn't go to bed until around 5AM.
Tilt - Today at 9:46 AM
Bad Swith.
Agy - Today at 9:46 AM
tsk tsk
FRFS - Today at 9:47 AM
I've got a few posts to work on >__>
Maltropia - Today at 9:47 AM
Lit Review > Methodology > Posts, in that order.
Agy - Today at 9:47 AM
I have to catch up on IRL stuff this weekend, but other than that I'll be RPing so no weekend off for me
Swith - Today at 9:47 AM
In what way could this Symposium have better helped newcomers getting around NS? Ideas and suggestions for next year?
Gren - Today at 9:47 AM
Not RP research, that's easy. I've got a science experiment I should have started on in May.
Tilt - Today at 9:48 AM
A flow chart with a ton of wackiness a la Mentor Panel.
Swith - Today at 9:48 AM
I'd like to see more panelists pulled from our communities. There are a lot of talented and knowledgeable people out there.
Gren - Today at 9:48 AM
^
Maltropia - Today at 9:48 AM
"Are you posting?" > No > "Get posting."
FRFS - Today at 9:48 AM
I'd like to see this more spaced out
So it's not all jammed together back to back to back
Zwangzug - Today at 9:48 AM
I'm not sure if we're advertising it to newbies?
Agy - Today at 9:48 AM
Definitely expand the panelist pool. Maybe have fewer panels per day but extend the length of the symposium so more people can attend?
Swith - Today at 9:48 AM
The panels? Some were gruesome, schedule-wise.
FRFS - Today at 9:49 AM
Maybe a day off in between panels
Maltropia - Today at 9:49 AM
Yeah, definitely more panelists would be nice.
Swith - Today at 9:49 AM
Or perhaps a weekend series of panels for those involved in work/school during the week.
Agy - Today at 9:49 AM
Definitely
Gren - Today at 9:49 AM
I think more people able to moderate would be better.
FRFS - Today at 9:49 AM
And also. Everything should be shifted to pacific standard time
Tilt - Today at 9:49 AM
^
Gren - Today at 9:50 AM
Compromise: CDT.
Maltropia - Today at 9:50 AM
A format by which people could post questions for the moderator to pull from, say, the OSF could work for people who can't make the slots.
Tilt - Today at 9:50 AM
FRFS
Swith - Today at 9:50 AM
I know this was somewhat asked earlier, but
"Because of the panels, are you now inspired to join in some RPs or subforums as a result of their extensive discussion throughout this week? Like do you want to jump right into something?"
Maltropia - Today at 9:50 AM
Yes.
Gren - Today at 9:50 AM
Honestly, I think the live format for questions is better, Malt.
Swith - Today at 9:50 AM
I know we didn't get to plug too many RP here. I'm interested in ES now, though I know I won't have time for it.
Agy - Today at 9:50 AM
Definitely wanna jump back into N&I
Though I'll need to find time for it
Gren - Today at 9:51 AM
I'm honestly considering getting into GE&T.
Tilt - Today at 9:51 AM
GE&T.
Swith - Today at 9:51 AM
Malt, for a lot of panels, that's what I did. People asked questions in advance because they couldn't attend.
Maltropia - Today at 9:51 AM
Oh, definitely, Gren, but we've had quite a few people saying "dang, wish I'd made that one," especially for the panels that didn't get a repeat. Ah, cool, Swith, that is good so.
Swith - Today at 9:51 AM
Oh, definitely GE&T. That panel sparked so many ideas!
Maltropia - Today at 9:51 AM
Tilt - Today at 9:52 AM
adds Gren to list
Swith - Today at 9:52 AM
Have you had feedback from your community regarding the Symposium? Overall, was it positive, negative, or neutral?
Agy - Today at 9:52 AM
I mean Madhouse has had universally positive feedback so there's that
Gren - Today at 9:52 AM
I'm on a list now?
Maltropia - Today at 9:52 AM
another* list
Gren - Today at 9:52 AM
Oh, God, how many lists am I on?
Zwangzug - Today at 9:53 AM
Not really. I've linked my contributions on the sports forum but haven't heard anything there yet.
Tilt - Today at 9:53 AM
Pie
I haven't seen any either.
Maltropia - Today at 9:53 AM
One GE&Ter posted some praise on the Symposium thread, but that's about it. Most of the feedback has been in here.
Swith - Today at 9:53 AM
The feedback from P2TM, as given to me, was mostly positive or neutral. People wished there had been more advance notice. Many found out about it via the news feed (thanks Ballo!) but the lack of having a thread dedicated to it in P2TM lead many to believe it was just for II alone. They've suggested having a thread in each subforum, run by a Mentor (or a renowned NS Sports player like Zwang) in order to keep people updated, encourage people to attend, and post transcripts in.
FRFS - Today at 9:54 AM
I'd say the overall reception was decently positive in the FT community, regarding the symposium. No one outright complained. And in NSFT we are a highly opinionated bunch.
Maltropia - Today at 9:55 AM
I've seen "thread in each subforum" done before, but it usually works out messily. Still, better than leaving people feeling unwelcomed.
Swith - Today at 9:55 AM
Do you wish some of your communities had been more involved, or do you think their level of involvement worked well?
Tilt - Today at 9:55 AM
Just fine.
Gren - Today at 9:55 AM
Perhaps it could be a global thread, then?
Swith - Today at 9:56 AM
As I touched on above, many in P2TM thought it was for II only. I would have liked to have seen more of us involved, but I understand the reasons they weren't. Better communication next year!
Agy - Today at 9:56 AM
I thought P2TM involvement was okay, but definitely more people involved would be better
Gren - Today at 9:56 AM
I think P2TM (and Madhouse) had decent levels of involvement.
FRFS - Today at 9:56 AM
Aye a lot of good lessons to apply to the next symposium.
Swith - Today at 9:56 AM
Ched did represent roughly 2/3 of the community via his questions.
Maltropia - Today at 9:56 AM
No disrespect to Ched, but I think I would have liked to see more people asking questions. We had a great turnout but they were largely a silent majority.
GE&T's panel was on short notice so I don't think we really could have had more involvement, though there are people I would have liked to invite to that panel.
Zwangzug - Today at 9:56 AM
I think it worked okay. It could have been different next time, but it could also be a "too many cooks spoil the broth" thing.
Swith - Today at 9:57 AM
Very true.
Tilt - Today at 9:57 AM
Spotlight was a good way to get insights from a wide range of P2TM.
Swith - Today at 9:57 AM
Tilt, yep. For those unaware of it, we had a small thread for denizens. Spotlight on the Roleplayer | NationStates Roleplay Symposium 2017
For those that are not Mentors, do you feel like you would be a good candidate for Mentor appointment?
Agy - Today at 9:58 AM
Hell no, no time
Tilt - Today at 9:58 AM
No.
Maltropia - Today at 9:59 AM
I'd like to give it a try some time.
Zwangzug - Today at 9:59 AM
For a variety of reasons, I think the sports forum gets along okay without a formal mentorship system.
Swith - Today at 9:59 AM
Malt, Mentoring?
Tilt - Today at 10:00 AM
nominates Mal
FRFS - Today at 10:00 AM
Possibly. All the mentor program is, is a vehicle to disseminate good advice in a positive setting. To help improve the community around you, while improving yourself.
Swith - Today at 10:00 AM
Is there anything you want to tell us about yourselves, as in "what you do in real life" or "hobbies outside of NS".
FRFS - Today at 10:00 AM
You can be a "Mentor" without the Minty jacket. Just focus on being a good person to your fellow NSers and help them when appropriate.
Tilt - Today at 10:01 AM
I write. Big surprise, I'm sure.
Swith - Today at 10:01 AM
For those audience members curious about the minty jacket, or considering nominating someone from their community, we do have a Program overview here: Mentor Program Overview | NationStates Roleplay Symposium 2017
Agy - Today at 10:01 AM
If y'all ever see someone begging for money or cigarettes, do em a favor and spare some change. Maybe a sandwich if you can manage.
This is your PSA from your local anarchist/communist
Computer science major involved in political and social activism
Tilt - Today at 10:01 AM
I cook, if that counts.
Zwangzug - Today at 10:01 AM
I'm working, very slowly, on a math degree. I'm a Lutheran and I love the Chicago Cubs.
Maltropia - Today at 10:01 AM
I'm a college student, with two months left in my MSc in coastal management. Mostly I faff around and listen to unhealthy amounts of ELO.
Gren - Today at 10:01 AM
I'm a Physics major. I'm also involved in LGBT+ activism.
Swith - Today at 10:02 AM
I knit when I'm not online. I finished my dissertation recently, and I'm waiting for them to schedule me in to argue my position. Then I'll FINALLY have my PhD.
Tilt - Today at 10:02 AM
Oh, you guys went academic. RIP me.
Swith - Today at 10:02 AM
Gren, no shit?
Gren - Today at 10:02 AM
Dr. Swith!
No shit.
Maltropia - Today at 10:02 AM
Doctor Swith.
Agy - Today at 10:03 AM
Dr. Fennec has a nice ring to it
Tilt - Today at 10:03 AM
Congrats!
Swith - Today at 10:03 AM
huggles the fellow physicist!
Tilt - Today at 10:03 AM
Swith - Today at 10:03 AM
Malt, I'll wear the title with pride, but never use it.
Tilt - Today at 10:03 AM
butters Gren in approval
Gren - Today at 10:03 AM
Woo! Physics everywhere!
Maltropia - Today at 10:03 AM
I sign myself Maltropia BA everywhere.
Swith - Today at 10:03 AM
Do your hobbies or education have bearing on your roleplay and worldbuilding?
FRFS - Today at 10:03 AM
The only real super interesting thing about me is: I've survived nine near death experiences, some worse than others.
Gren - Today at 10:04 AM
If I ever get a PhD, I'll just stick with it for the gender-neutral title.
Swith - Today at 10:04 AM
Holy cow, FRFS!
Agy - Today at 10:04 AM
oh wow, that's depressing but also impressive, FRFS
Tilt - Today at 10:04 AM
Yes. Every post I make, I refer to my CAHIMS.
Gren - Today at 10:04 AM
I find they do. Its impossible for me to RP in a setting with mechs, for instance.
FRFS - Today at 10:04 AM
As Kyru has stated I have the "best worst luck".
Maltropia - Today at 10:04 AM
Massively. Absolutely completely influenced by my education. I did history and geography for my undergrad, and you'll note an awful lot of history and geography in my worlds. My nations are always vehicles for my interests.
Zwangzug - Today at 10:05 AM
Uh, when I started out with Zwangzug, I worldbuilt a bunch of chess (game and musical) allusions into it and roleplayed with those. Once it came back from CTEdom, I built in a bunch more diverse boardgame stuff to it, since my hobbies had branched off since then. So it's mostly background in-jokes, but it's there.
Gren - Today at 10:05 AM
Malt, if your degree ever takes you to Louisiana, don't be a stranger.
Swith - Today at 10:05 AM
I actually add knitting skills to some of my characters, and they make scarves for other characters some Christmas. In the IC. For reals. My research interest are all spent on my nations' worldbuild.
Maltropia - Today at 10:05 AM
I'll let you know if I wind up in your neck of the woods, Gren.
Tilt - Today at 10:05 AM
More seriously, I have played characters with a medical background (I studied medicine for a year abroad) and characters who are computer experts. Shoutout to Mincaldenteans for running Shadowdancer, in which my character is the latter.
Maltropia - Today at 10:06 AM
Min's still running that? Awesome.
Gren - Today at 10:06 AM
When is that getting rebooted, anyways?
Agy - Today at 10:06 AM
Definitely. I find it difficult to RP with people who treat computers like magic
Tilt - Today at 10:06 AM
Swith's IC knitting products are awesome.
Maltropia - Today at 10:06 AM
I was in the first incarnation of that. Good craic.
Swith - Today at 10:06 AM
Join, Malt. We moved it to our OSF but I hope we'll see it back in P2TM again.
Tilt - Today at 10:06 AM
Maltropia yup!
Agy - Today at 10:06 AM
But also as a political activist I find myself shying away from more edgelordy RPers, mostly out of preference.
Gren - Today at 10:06 AM
Computers depend on quantum physics. Quantum physics is voodoo. Therefore, computers are voodoo.
Swith - Today at 10:07 AM
Wait... woah.... Malt, you were in P2TM?
Tilt - Today at 10:07 AM
gren pets
Maltropia - Today at 10:07 AM
I ran at least one P2TM roleplay in my time.
Gren - Today at 10:07 AM
Same, Agy.
Maltropia - Today at 10:07 AM
It was an alt-history thing, though, so take that as you will '
Swith - Today at 10:07 AM
That's awesome, Malt!
Tilt - Today at 10:07 AM
I remember you from back then Maltropia
Swith - Today at 10:08 AM
What's the Unique Selling Point of the part of the subforums you represent; i.e. an elevator pitch for why we should join in there.
Agy - Today at 10:08 AM
Do you like fun? P2TM has much fun. You might die there's so much. FUN FUN FUN.
Slightly more seriously, P2TM gives you the creative freedom to be who you want to be. Any series or RP idea you can think of (provided it's PG-13), you can do it in P2TM
Gren - Today at 10:08 AM
Whatever you want, chances are, P2TM has it.
Maltropia - Today at 10:08 AM
The unique selling point of GE&T is that it is the unique selling point.
Zwangzug - Today at 10:08 AM
Random encounters with nations from across the globe (and then some) providing daily opportunities to tell stories about your nation and build its canon.
Tilt - Today at 10:09 AM
NSG has something for everyone. P2TM has something for everyone that won't make you want to jump.
Swith - Today at 10:09 AM
If you want to get away from nation roleplay for a while, and just join a game that leads to wherever your heart takes you, P2TM is the spot for it. In some games, you can bring in characters from your own nation. In some, elements from people's nations serve as a backdrop for non-nation, non-canon roleplay. If you'd like to network with players, we have organizations and groups that focus on genre, franchises, or techniques. We're always looking for new denizens.
Tilt - Today at 10:09 AM
Swith - Today at 10:10 AM
Panelists, is there a question you'd like to ask?
Maltropia - Today at 10:11 AM
Swith What made you stay on NS?
Agy - Today at 10:11 AM
If there was one element of roleplay you could make it mandatory to learn before being allowed to RP on the NS forums... what would it be?
Maltropia - Today at 10:12 AM
Actually, should that be @ched?
Tilt - Today at 10:12 AM
How do you shape a character? All at once up front or via evolution in the storyline?
Swith - Today at 10:13 AM
The site? It got me through some very rough times, health-wise. It reminded me that I could still contribute to something when I just couldn't function physically. And the people I've met have really become a part of my real life in so many ways. We grew close over time.
In NS, the subforum... I just can't escape the allure of playing there. I love to run the Big Bad for my own group, and I've stayed in touch with that community with the hope of eventually coming back to knock out another game.
Also, we'll eventually launch IAPA in NS.
Zwangzug - Today at 10:14 AM
Mostly the RPs were really cool.
Maltropia - Today at 10:15 AM
Agy's question - 'Mandatory' seems a bit much, but I think that if you want to roleplay you need to be prepared to read, and read widely. Not just the stuff your RP partners produce, but stuff to help you learn and broaden your horizons in terms of knowledge, content and style.
Zwangzug - Today at 10:15 AM
I felt some pressure early on "oh, you need to be in it for the storyline, if you worry about winning you're doing it wrong," and I maybe internalized it too much, but it made me start planning ahead and dreaming up some crazy ideas.
Swith - Today at 10:16 AM
Mandatory... proofreading. Also, not mandatory but helpful, players joining games and learning about the community's methods and practices before trying to open their own games. So many RP fail from the start simply because the OP was new and didn't know that the P2TM community looks for certain elements (like apps and an overview AND an OOC thread to put those in) before joining a game.
Tilt - Today at 10:16 AM
How BBCode works.
Zwangzug - Today at 10:16 AM
Agy's question: I'd say somewhat-coherent spelling and grammar, it would weed out people who didn't even want to put that much effort into it.
Tilt - Today at 10:17 AM
^
Swith - Today at 10:17 AM
Do you feel players with poor skills, like poor grammar or the inability to write without using colored fonts and asterisks, pull down your subforum?
Agy - Today at 10:18 AM
Not necessarily. I think in groups they might, but individually they just need help.
Gren - Today at 10:18 AM
I don't know of anyone outside of F7 who does that, mostly because our subforum's culture is so against it.
Swith - Today at 10:19 AM
For P2TM, the answer is a resounding "NO!" Players like that are just noobs. During my time as a Mentor, I've found so many have exquisite imaginations but simply lack the tools and techniques necessary to use it properly. They've grown over time and through practice, and contribute so much to P2TM now. They wouldn't have, had we not reached out to them - players mentoring players - to help them.
Zwangzug - Today at 10:19 AM
I do. I'm kind of a stickler like that. (And I'm not referring to people whose first language isn't English when I say "coherent grammar," I usually mean young kids who don't put a lot of effort into their writing.)
FRFS - Today at 10:20 AM
I don't believe it "pulls down" the subform as a whole, since it's really just an opportunity for someone to learn. It takes some time to get squared to how a community behaves itself and operates.
Maltropia - Today at 10:20 AM
To a lot of new players, I think, II is the place where you shoot stuff, so it gets quite a large proportion of new players. I don't think that they make II worse, even if sometimes II has a half-serious stereotyped reputation around it. My roleplaying was nothing spectacular when I set out, and there's no shame in the fact that everyone has to start somewhere.
FRFS - Today at 10:21 AM
Oh god my first stories cringe
I'm sure every one of us became semi-coherent writers after long travels down cringe avenue.
Agy - Today at 10:22 AM
im glad my first stories weren't on NS, is all im gonna say about that
FRFS - Today at 10:23 AM
It takes a lot of sometimes almost embarrassing moments to become a better writer. You have to put yourself out there to the public in order to have any sort of idea where you're at in terms of writing.
Maltropia - Today at 10:23 AM
I think part of the problem is that very often we don't engage with people who roleplay "badly." I know I've had the mentality that you "lead by example" - if I write a wall of text, they'll figure out that they, too, should be writing walls of text. But you can't just jump from one-liners to short stories. The way we ought to go about it is directly engaging with their narratives and their characters, and giving them things specifically for them to respond to. It's easy to gloss over the fluff and the incidental happenings, but when it's your character being addressed and being interacted with, you have the impetus to respond.
Swith - Today at 10:23 AM
As a follow-up to this, and our final question,
is there any advice you can give to those that mentor their fellow players? Any tips for handling things, or methods you use when approaching someone struggling to learn? Is there anything you recommend NOT doing when trying to help a fellow player?
Maltropia - Today at 10:23 AM
See above?
Swith - Today at 10:24 AM
See above works, Malt. nods
Gren - Today at 10:24 AM
^
FRFS - Today at 10:25 AM
Be kind, be courteous, understand that everyone is going to be defensive about their ideas at first critique. Be gentle with your pushes and prods in other directions. Be ready to hear "no", and respect that no.
Agy - Today at 10:25 AM
Probably an obvious one but don't condescend the player you're mentoring. People want to be approached as equals, not as children, and especially in their hobbies condescension will rub them the wrong way. Even if they are being frustrating, taking it out on them isn't going to do anything.
But y'all know that already or you wouldn't be mentors!
Maltropia - Today at 10:25 AM
Be patient and be polite. Not everyone is willing to accept help, but there are some people who when helped just make it all worthwhile. Don't let yourself give up on helping people, because you are making a difference even when it feels like you aren't.
Swith - Today at 10:25 AM
My advice: suggest, but don't demand. Guide, but don't do all the work for them. Know your own limitations before trying to limit others' growth. Be kind, be reasonable, be able to handle backlash. And, above all, keep in mind that your efforts are towards the future, and towards helping those players become stronger for sake of the community.
Thank you, Panelists - not just for this panel, but for all your hard work! And thank you, denizens of the Question Chamber, for giving us things to think about, and asking us so many wonderful questions.
This wraps up our final afternoon panel for the 2017 NationStates Roleplay Symposium.
Tune in tonight for “They're Here: Modball Panel” (Oddball #3) 8PM Eastern to watch us roast Mods.
Okay, roast Overgoat. With garlic.
NS Roleplay Symposium 2017
TOPIC: TOPIC: "Community Questions and Closing Thoughts”
TIME: COMPLETED