What will keep you in ALFA2?

[Xanthea]

It doesn't all have to be instant gratification fun. You can certainly invest in future fun with some momentary suffering, like struggling with the godawful toolset so you can run something in the future.

I'm just saying, if you're not getting more back out than you're putting in then you should probably find a different hobby. And some people at least give me that impression, which I find kind of depressing.

[Xanthea]

I guess what I mean to say is "DM. It's your civic duty" isn't a particularly compelling sell. I think "DMing is a lot of fun and you'd probably enjoy it" is a much better line to take. Particularly if ALFA takes steps to make DMing easier and more enjoyable.

I guess to be more constructive the things that kept me from DMing more were:

1) Rarely very many players online.
2) A huge level gap between PCs.
3) A huge physical gap between PCs. They tended to be spread out all over the server doing their own little thing instead of hanging out together.

[Adanu]

I guess what I mean to say is "DM. It's your civic duty" isn't a particularly compelling sell. I think "DMing is a lot of fun and you'd probably enjoy it" is a much better line to take. Particularly if ALFA takes steps to make DMing easier and more enjoyable.

I guess to be more constructive the things that kept me from DMing more were:

1) Rarely very many players online.
2) A huge level gap between PCs.
3) A huge physical gap between PCs. They tended to be spread out all over the server doing their own little thing instead of hanging out together.

So are you saying that unless the players are all together for instant fun, it isn't worthwhile to DM?

[Zelknolf]

I guess what I mean to say is "DM. It's your civic duty" isn't a particularly compelling sell. I think "DMing is a lot of fun and you'd probably enjoy it" is a much better line to take. Particularly if ALFA takes steps to make DMing easier and more enjoyable.

I guess to be more constructive the things that kept me from DMing more were:

1) Rarely very many players online.
2) A huge level gap between PCs.
3) A huge physical gap between PCs. They tended to be spread out all over the server doing their own little thing instead of hanging out together.

Well, there's some stuff that you can do in response to this-- trying to build a very appetizing hub in the middle of a server, which everyone could reach in 15-30 minutes, that had content to give people a reason to log in when DMs aren't around would go a long way to there being something for a DM to log into. Have more of it-- or more valuable versions-- for lower-level PCs and it'll help get people to a range where they can participate with higher-level friends.

Without that baseline, though, it does get very hard to be an ad hoc DM; folk generally won't log in and hope that something happens (it's usually a losing strategy). You have the option of scheduling events, of course; there's stuff like whenisgood to mitigate the logistics, and HDMs continue to have the power to give DM-session-length exceptions to travel restrictions, so you can get a more-uniform party. It's definitely more overhead, but you could definitely make it happen.

[Ronan]

Alright, I'd come back for King of the Ring.

[Xanthea]

So are you saying that unless the players are all together for instant fun, it isn't worthwhile to DM?

It is certainly less worthwhile if everything you want to run requires a big scheduling effort on the forums instead of just being able to log in and go, yes.

[Adanu]

Want instant gratification, eh?

[Xanthea]

So how's your campaign going?

[Xanthea]

I guess carrying on with the theme of "making DMing easier and more fun".

1) More areas in game that are easy to adapt to an adventure on the spot. There's a lot already, but more are always nice.
2) More creatures available in the DM list. Zspawn was a great addition, more stuff along those lines, as well as improvements to zspawn would be great.

[Adanu]

I gave a little playful ribbing. There's no need for the sarcastic sniping.

[Ronan]

AHEM.

What will keep you logging back into ALFA2?

Alright, I'd come back for King of the Ring.

[Rumple C]

AHEM.

What will keep you logging back into ALFA2?

Alright, I'd come back for King of the Ring.

Geez, read the rumors post in WHL!

[Ronan]

I see. Ahem redacted.

[orangetree]

What I wish...

1) Fairness... rules are applied to everyone.

2) A nice community... friendly, nice tells, kindness, help. (My contribution these days to chatter is severely limited because of the heat I feel)

3) Interest... (As in other PCS or DMs being interested in my RP, so I don't feel like i'm 'inflicting' it on people or being avoided, or worse, having to beg for RP and pray I can reach them on time)

4) The belief that I can contribute to server events, can gain land, wealth, title, etc... never ever had that.

5) have a heroic PC with NPCs or even PCs react to that.

6) Equality to Race, Sex, and yes... even Time Zone.

[Ithildur]

6) Equality to Race, Sex, and yes... even Time Zone.