I know I'm not in the RP at the moment, but I don't think that should stop me from presenting my opinion on current matters.
Now, the point I'm about to bring up is very important, so I'm going to write it in bold, capital letters to get the point across:
Now, this doesn't mean that WAAPT isn't worth taking seriously. I wouldn't dare say that. It's perfectly fine to put a lot of effort into something, even if it's just for fun. However, it's not okay to take it so seriously to the point where all of you seem willing to murder each-other over the most minor of disagreements.
I've been keeping tabs on WAAPT while I've been gone, and while I wasn't around to see what happened yesterday for myself, I did happen to catch the aftermath. Needless to say, I was both disappointed and disgusted by this behavior, especially since the whole thing erupted over such a minor issue.
But the worst part is that this is only the latest in a long line of arguments I've witnessed in recent times. I recently returned for a brief stint in WAAPT before departing again (Shameless plug: Check out the Pokémon art in my DA gallery. Link in my signature). Yet, it seemed that during that brief period of time I was there, arguments seemed to erupt between people at least once every day or so.
It didn't help that there were mostly over downright petty issues such as shipping (Which really shouldn't have as much importance in WAAPT as it does, but that's another matter entirely), for example. The kind of matters that make you wonder just why anyone would take something so silly so seriously.
This precedent made me feel during my time here that WAAPT was a community full of people who were prone to exploding into arguments over the slightest provocation. Instead of feeling like a group of friends all working together on one thing, it felt more like you're just begrudgingly working with each other in-between petty arguments.
Now, I don't know about you, but that doesn't seem like the kind of group I would want to be a part of. And I can't help but think that if this behavior keeps up, you're only going to end up tearing yourselves apart. Because how long until people start deciding that they can't take this rubbish anymore and leaving to places where they won't get shouted at because they dared to do something somebody didn't agree with?
Because stop and think about it for a second: You're arguing over an Play-by-post game about Pokémon. Now, Pokémon may be the best thing ever, but is it really worth fighting over this way? Does nobody ever stop and take a second to consider they're fighting so vehemently over a franchise about ten year old kids pitting murderbeasts in heated battles with each other?
No, no it isn't.
TR;DR version: Don't kill each other over petty arguments. It's stupid and childish.
And for those of you who say "Why should we listen to you when you've started more than your fair share of arguments?" To that, I say this: That may be true, but that make my point any less valid? No. I don't think it does.
Okay, I'm done. Happy Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa/Whatever holiday you celebrate this time of year.
As the person who started the drama yesterday and who it was centered on, I am letting you know right now that while what caused me to snap was a stupid thing to make such a big deal over, the situation was NOT about WAAPT. I had been in a shitty mood and got pissed about something in chat, then ended up aiming all my anger and negativity at myself over a stupid little mistake. I refused the help that was offered to me and caused tensions to rise.
Of less serious but pressing matters
I will not be on during the weekend, since I'm visiting my mother. So I need someone to RC for me. Here's a guide.
-DON'T evolve Otohime >:O
-Trip isn't as much of a jackass as before, but still tends to say the wrong things.
-Trish is aggressive, but has a soft side.
-Lily is probally gonna be handed temporarily to Ace's/Psyche's/Whatever's character, due to Marcelily :3.
So, anyone?
Luke: A. What Sixth said, and B. While your point is very much legitimate, people are far less likely to take you seriously when you act childish yourself and throw aside friends for petty reasons.
But that's not what I want to focus on.
We've been talking in NL, and and at the risk of sounding really elitist, we decided we have a problem with being too acceptting of the lowest common denominator. Godmodders, powergamers, the grammatically impaired, people who cause meta issues with excessive whining or nitpicking or annoying attempts at being "funny", etc, etc.
Now, while we're not kicking anyone out again just yet, we have talked about being MUCH stricter about who we let in. Or back in, for that matter. Hopefully not to the point where we're that "really snooty RP that has impossibly high standards", but strict enough that we aren't "the trash RP where all the idiots go."
So, while idiocy (especially meta idiocy) can be hard to filter, we worked out a four-step system that will allow us to screen newbies more effectively.
1. When newbie expresses interest, ask them to read Every's essay, then post their basic signup.
2. When newbie posts signup, check for proof of essay-reading. If not present, pester them until they do read it, and then direct them to chats, wiki, and most important for the next step the secondary forum. (If they try to post without reading the essay, Tangent has confirmed he will thump.)
3. NEW! Have the newbie post in a testing ground thread on the second forum, to get a sense of their playstyle and see if it has any glaring problems. Link to testing ground to be added.
4. If they don't show any glaring issues in testing, then welcome them aboard.
Some might think it's too elitist. Others might think it's too complex. For the former, there is a difference between being elitist and having standards. If too complex, well, this RP has a lot of complexities. If they can't handle this, they likely can't handle those.
However, we are all still willing to take suggestions, concerns and comments for this. We need a system like this, but not necessarily exactly like this, so any tweaks will be carefully considered. Thank you.
Contact Me!People not wanting to use the testing forum isn't a valid point, IMO. Certain R Pers seem to have a nonsensical aversion to anything outside the RP thread and Discussion proper, and that is an attitude that should honestly be corrected.
People not being able to, on the other hand, is a valid point. Perhaps Straw's idea could work there. Though I'd like to see other suggestions.
Contact Me!Problem with PMs are that only two people can see them. People having issues accessing the testing forum is a legitimate problem. The fact that not everyone uses the secondary forum is something I find...less so. Fact is, there is stuff there that's relevant to the RP at large, so it ought to be used more anyway.
EDIT: Ninja'd.
edited 14th Dec '12 2:55:23 PM by rmctagg09
Hugging a Vanillite will give you frostbite.What about just, like, a testing segment in the RP proper? Assign them to one person and have them interact for a few days, and if they aren't up to scratch, just put their character on a bus.
I do agree with Wolf in that using the test forum should not be mandatory. At least, not after they've been accepted into the RP.
(Speaking of which, I made a new Zoropost last night.)
Victory! Honor! Destiny! Mutton!That could work too. It basically does the same thing as the test forum idea, but onsite. Plus, more people can see it, as opposed to P Ms, where only two people see it.
Wolf: They never have to use it again if they don't want to. And I want you to be honest to us about why you don't like it getting more important, aside from your personal problems and priorities accessing it.
(If I'm being too passive-aggressive, I apologize.)
Contact Me!We aren't moving the whole RP. I actually agree with you heartily there. We're just using it as a non-canon testing ground for newbies, since it would be tricky to do on TVT.
Contact Me!

See you, Every.