TVTropes builds a campaign setting!

I think we should sort out the basics here rather than spending three pages stumbling over it in a new thread.

I also think getting basics of our group own in this thread is best but I support what Sijo said aside from that.

I'm fine with Exe's idea, but I'm not sure if we need that many tiers.

For example, there's no real need for an administrator to decide what topic should be done: we can just settle an order here and do it according to plan.

Also, I think voting doesn't work with everything for projects like this: it is ok if it is something completely new or foundation-laying (like, for example, how magic works) or just a skeleton idea that needs fleshing out, but for fleshing out details of how it all mesh together it's a no-no.

It's worked well for over a year, the upkeep slowed but I doubt that was because of the voting system more likely lack of energy or creativity and no system would fix either of those problems.

edited 21st May '13 9:37:07 PM by Vyctorian

What happened was that there were too many conflicting and half-formed ideas... because the voting system was too lax. The setting became bloated and confused. The system needs changed, otherwise nothing will work better.

Alright, I dig that, Ira. Setting things out first and foremost and then just doing things according to plan should work.

Again I disagree.

I think we should only vote once we've exhausted all discussion.

Vic, do you have any basis for your disagreement? If you can actually demonstrate a way that the old system did not fail utterly in its execution, be my guest.

As it was, the lack of management, wanton voting yes to anything and everything without consideration as to its impact on the setting, and lack of any actual structure to the voting system meant its execution was clumsy at best. Additionally, as Ira said, the system was flawed in regards to the management of details. The concept of a vote for large things is not being abolished; rather, a system beyond "everyone in the room right this moment say aye" is being put into place, which will give enough structure to the thing to prevent confusion and chaos.

A streamlined system would look something like this:

Everyone who plans on being a full-time contributor signs up, initially in this thread. Signing up means quite simply that you have promised to contribute to the project steadily. In addition, if you wish to assign yourself any particular task, include it in your sign-up form. Tasks might include managing the vote count, doing upkeep of the trope page if it is made, doing and re-doing graphical necessities such as a map, etc.

Voting would occur only when necessary. There are a few scenarios in which voting is needed:

• Proposition of a large piece of information, I.E. a species, nation, deity, etc. This should only be taken if there is significant disagreement; ideally, everyone should act like a professional and give and take criticism without whining like a bitch, resolving issues with tweaks to the subject matter when needed instead of just "nuu, I'm not changing this even if it would make it better." In the event that people are fighting like kids at a playground instead of people working together on a legitimate project, voting along this line will occur.
• Proposal of two mutually exclusive pieces of information. When a choice needs to be made for the setting- for instance, do we want gods to be like this or like this- a vote is called for. This should only occur after discussion is concluded, if and only if two or more equally viable options remain.

Beyond that, filling in details and stuff? Just a thing that happens. If you have issue with a detail, don't call for a vote, discuss it. That's how actual creative teams do things.

In general, I think this project should be approached with some sense of seriousness and professional standards. IF you want to make a pro-quality setting, you act like a professional contributing to a project of such quality and standards.

edited 22nd May '13 8:59:54 AM by Exelixi

I'd like the right not to vote, and Yes votes are just tallied against No votes instead of the total voters.

If it isn't a big enough decision for it to be necessary for everyone to vote, then it's not a big enough decision to vote about. If you're apathetic to an issue, either examine it more closely or call to delay any judgement until more is sorted out.

I hate voting No on things.

Then don't sign up to vote. If you're only going to vote when it is to vote yes, there's no point; it unbalances shit. Just don't sign up to vote.

I suppose what your proposing could work now that I've heard more about it but I still feel the admin, executive thing feels like an unneeded layer of complexity. Those seam more like sub-jobs of full time contributors than their own unique positions.

edited 22nd May '13 2:05:59 PM by Vyctorian

Proposed steamlined system above.

Seems OK by me.

Full-contributor time, and I could do some basic maps, and light maintenance of the trope page.

Another thing: we have to be aware of having too many things within our setting. One of the reasons why the last one become so complicated and convoluted is that we have so many races and cultures and history and magic and items and gods all interacting at once. There needs to be a point where we say "we need to stop now. This aspect of the setting is complete" (definitely one of those cases where voting is necessary).

Also, I'll sign up for full contribution too.

edited 22nd May '13 4:42:10 PM by IraTheSquire

Also this weekend I'll be away from Tv T, but I'll try and check in.

If I do become a full-time contributor, I think I'd like to help with magics and gods and such? Though I'm unsure if I'll manage to do so, I think I should try. The only bad news is that my exams are next week :/

I've got ideas about gods and Eldritch Abominations and how they link to the Magic/Physics in general.

Yes, when to stop is why the topics work this way. When there is enough, the topic moves forward.

I sign up as full-time contributor, mostly as Editor eg. counting votes, keeping records, that sort of stuff.

And don't worry, folks, we aren't on any timetable (yet, anyway) so don't worry if you're busy in the near future. :)

I'll contribute, of course.

First: I can't find Dohmain Seal's trope page It appears empty for me.

Secondly: two questions: 1) Can someone who subscribed for something still give ideas and stuff for other areas? For example, I can't see much work on Magic, Realms and Gods after the creation of the new setting asides from the occasional tweaking and checking if magical races, classes and whatnot work correctly. So I'd like to be able to contribute to other stuff. Or at least have the option

2)I suppose I should wait until a new thread is made, but would it be prefered to have a small pantheon, with a simple Dawn of the Universe, less races and simple magic; or a big pantheon, a bigger Dawn of the Universe, same or slightly bigger amount of races and more complicated magic? I have ideas for both, but mine to the latter is kind of straight out Greek Mythology, and my idea for the proper sounds too small (though I'd like if there were different, probably "wrong", beliefs on how the world was made or works out there in-universe)

Apparently Exelixi deleted the whole content of the thread. Geez, give us a warning next time, OK? (Stuff can still be salvaged from the page's History section.)

And yes, just because you have one specific "job" in the project doesn't prevent you from making suggestions on various topics.

And deciding the type and scope of the setting's pantheon is probably one of the things we'll have to settle first.

edited 23rd May '13 10:54:47 AM by Sijo