Quazar

Good work, Walker. quote:Originally posted here by Walker: Thank you Strategic Commander Quazar!You're welcome. The Strategic Commander rank is part of the Galcom chain of command. I use it only as a temporary place-holder rank until Earthcom's organizational infrastructure is finalized. For now, please address me as Fleet Leader Quazar. My temp rank is Strategic Commander; but my position is Fleet Leader. This is completely separate from the User Titles shown below our public display names.

Welcome to Battlecruiser Online, Excalibur-D. Thank you for reading instructions before posting. If only more new players were like you. Good job! quote:Originally posted by DocHoliday: *doc makes a mental note to CHECK EVERYTHING before asking dumb questions*Smart move. Check this and this. Enjoy your stay.

I'll be watching my PM box for that MP handbook.

quote:Originally posted by Marvin: Beta is Prime's role-playing wing. We set it up to keep non-MP members from wandering off and joining other fleets.Beta is Prime's Role-Playing wing? Cool! quote:Originally posted by Marvin: if members of the wing went elsewhere to write ... to combine their ideas with those of like-minded authors ... and then post the results at the Prime Fleet forum. Such stories need not focus only on one segment of the Battlecruiser/UC universe.Superb observation! It's easy to focus only on your own nation, Terran, and alliance. But that approach can get sticky when you want your forces to interact with other nations. For example: how are Vesperon Military forces organized? What group types and ranks do they use? When writing about the Empirian-Vesperon War of 3004, or so, would you as an author want to generate such a structure on the fly? Wouldn't it be better if the Vesperon Military fleet structure was already defined? The problem is there is no Real Life Vesperon Military fleet leader here at Battlecruiser Online. quote:Originally posted by Marvin: If you had a "writers' guild" of sorts, members could be taken from each of the fleets. That way, the storyline could encompass ground ops, space ops, insurgent activities, raider atrocities ... all equally.That's a good idea, Marvin! This is how the rest of us can fill the gap I identified directly above. Such inter-Alliance collaboration ensures that no single outside group can set the rules for an all-NPC military. A writers' "guild" would also pool a lot of diverse talent and perspective. I believe we should form just such a group in the future. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. We still have our own Alliances to look after and shouldn't forget about Multi-Player. quote:Originally posted by Patrik Vanda: My personal thoughts on the RP side of BC are that more use should be made of the single player game experience as it is an area where anything can and does happen. Using AAR's and liasing with other Commanders in a controlled environment using basic rules which I have been working on would be interesting and having an exp system would also help keep things moving along.Patrik, it's import to distinguish between fan-fiction-based Role-Playing (such as The Omega Six) and Multi-Player After Action Reports (such as Marvin's Fleet Meet AAR in R/P Format). If you have questions about either one, let us know.

I registered Vanguard Fleet and my personal profile at http://www.galcom.net/ However, I was unable to make myself team captain.

Hang in there, Marvin. I will respond fully to this post when I have time.

quote:Originally posted by Jaguar: quote:Originally posted by Outlaw: Nicely done Jag, hope we bring more Gammulans to our cause because we simply are the best race in the game!Lord David created the website, I'm just hosting it. I like the graphics. quote:Originally posted by Jaguar: And register at the forum please, and let me know what else I ought to put in there...I can't register, or even access the BB. The server just returns an error message. Also the whole website was down for a couple of days earlier this week. Nevertheless, keep up the good work, Jag.

Those are good points, Marvin. If Elliptical Orbit was better than average fan-fiction, it's only because I am a perfectionist, not necessarily a talented writer. I want my stories to be good and to flow from one thread to the next. quote:Originally posted by Marvin: Few people have the time to read five or six different stories at once. Personally, I get the story lines confused ... can't remember who is writing what.The best guide I have found for tying together at least some RP threads is this timeline. Along with the official game history from the manual, many events therein pertain only to individual characters, most of who's authors are no longer around. This information is quite a bit to sort through, but the summaries of GWII, the Battle of Mars, and other events give reader and writer alike a clear perspective of one author's ideas. Desylva's RP timeline is far from perfect, or even complete, but it is a starting point. quote:Originally posted by Marvin: And, when contributions come at irregular intervals, I can never remember what happened last ... and I certainly don't have the time to re-read what came before.This is exactly what I have had to do. When I am short on time, I save my work on my computer and come back to it later. Like anyone, I don't have a good memory; and must often re-read what came before. This is because, as a writer and perfectionist, I want my facts to line up together, and with what other authors wrote before me. If it means re-reading what came before and performing extensive research, so be it. That is my level of commitment. This process of sporadic writing and re-reading can quickly turn into a daunting task. It all depends on how dedicated you are as an RP author. Writing good fan-fiction is hard work, but the success you can achieve is always worth it. quote:Originally posted by Marvin: But, if I could concentrate on one story, I'd stick with it ... read every chapter ... like it was some kind of Flash Gordon serial.From a reader's standpoint the situation is a little different. Reading a completed RP thread requires no waiting, but is akin to reading a Multi-Player After Action Report (MP AAR) for a match in which you could not participate. The personal thrill of being there is gone; but you at least sense the comradship of seeing members of your fleet in action - and representing you. For example: I'll bet Nick Jamont enjoyed reading about how Ben defeated you in the Fleet Tournament this year. You presented the facts well and with "continuity". You, Marvin, have the writing skills to succeed in classic RP should you choose. If I read about members of my fleet going up against the enemy forces, in MP AAR or fan-fiction-based RP, it makes me want to join them in their struggle. In this context, you can encourage your fleet members to play MP by writing MP AARs. quote:Originally posted by Mavin: I'd suggest you assign someone to be the story's editor, though. Someone to check spelling and chronology and ... uhmmm, what's it called? Ah ... "continuity." Yeah. I'd read something like that.As you know, the Battlecruiser game series appeals to a niche audience. Only a portion of that fan base joins a fleet. Within this smaller community, Earth Command is a niche Alliance that has specific interests within the Terran nation. So currently, I am the only one in my Alliance who possesses that degree of commitment. My goal, however, is to develop a love for fan-fiction in my fleet members so they can shoulder some of the load - and fun. quote:Originally posted by Marvin: And, if you formed a club or organization to make it work, I'm pretty sure Prime Fleet's Beta Wing would be happy to join.Vanguard Fleet focuses primarily on fan-fiction, participating in MP on the side; so I'm guessing that's what you mean. Though, I don't quite follow your meaning, Marvin. Please elaborate.

quote:Originally posted by Mavin: Did you mean something like the link we use for our system profile?Sure; that's a good comparison, Marvin. I had not thought of it that way before.

Happy new year!

Voted!

quote:Originally posted by Zane Marlowe: we're not going to see the old RP because that's not how people are here anymore.I agree with everything in your post but this. Classic RP takes more time, dedication, and, in multi-author stories, patience than most players currently possess. For example, it took me more than eight months to pre-write my first single-author RP - Elliptical Orbit. Though I had ample opportunity to write during that period, much more than now, there were times when I wanted to quit. Building extensive character biographies, filling in missing pieces of the timeline with little official history to go on, and properly formatting my posts drained me. To continue writing in that circumstance, or to wait for a co-author to come back and post after a week of no activity in the thread is just beyond most people's commitment. It takes dedication, to this game series, to your Fleet, and specifically to fan-fiction-based Role-Play to succeed at this art form. Trust me; no matter how much time you have available, the degree of your desire, your passion for this largely lost craft of story telling, will determine if you [*]post once, or even ten times, then quit for one reason or another, or [*]build your character, succeed in your fictitious adventures, and rise to the level of recognition and respect awarded by this community to only its best authors That is why I created my Quazar profile after 3 years of absence; it is the reason I joined Earthcom instead of some other Alliance. RP is what has brought me back to this player community for the last 76 months (that would be starting in September, 1998).

One idea I like is to place a quote, certification or graphic into the signature of the player champion and members of the number one fleet. This award could then remain displayed by the defending winners until the end of regular play for the next MP season. As our infrastructure stands now, I strongly oppose any compulsive monetary payment, either for fleet membership as a whole, or even just for the privilege to assist one's fellow fleet members in Multi-Player. Fleet dues are different from pay-for-play games. With an MMOG Subscription you actually provide financial support for a professional to continually build, maintain, and expand the universe in which you play, and provide the server hardware and networking bandwidth to host it. Despite the amount of money that Remo has pored into primefleet.com, galcom.net, and possibly an MP prize next year, he is not a professional Fleet Leader. He does, however, have the required skills to provide such service to his Alliance. If I was a new player looking to join a fleet, I might pay a small monthly membership fee to support a part-time professional Fleet Leader. quote:Originally posted here by Marvin: it sounds like an idea that's ahead of its time ... meaning we don't have a large enough "player-pool" right now.I fully agree. In order to get serious players involved your fleet, Fleet Leaders and other trusted high-level members should lay the ground rules for awarding new members access to the fleet server - and then work with the Trainees to achieve full fleet member status. Prime Fleet has developed the most successful in-game training program. Even with a solid curriculum under its belt, the Prime Fleet Leadership continues to improve upon it. Effective as it is though, in-game training is only one way to test for and develop commitment in new players. Other ways include: [*]reporting in for a set number of monthly roll calls [*]for those fleets that have specific structural provisions for RP (like Prime Fleet's Beta Wing), the potential fleet member could perform tasks as simple as writing a short biography for his main character all the way up to participating in a multi-author story from start to completion Eventually, I plan to field all of these initiation requirements, and judge the feasibility of each.

Click here to read Earthcom's membership policy. Then post in this topic to be counted as an Earthcom member. New or potential members should not post in this thread until approved in the Fleet DataBase. If you are interested in membership or have questions about the Earth Command Alliance or Vanguard Fleet, read this thread. Then, if your decide to apply for membership in our fleet, post your intention here. Happy New Year, gentlemen. Sound off.

Given that the Fleet Meets, Tournaments, Championships topic: started as the comment thread for a poll, and is currently on page eleven and the 407th post, I thought it best to start a new thread, dedicated our first full-length Multi-Player season. 2004 was just the beginning. The comming year will bring even greater accomplishments. quote:Originally posted here by Remo Williams: itÔÇÖs now time to get ready for the 2005 season which will kickoff on January 30th. A schedule for the first official meet in 2005 will be posted about two weeks prior to the meet. A few new rules will be implemented prior to the first meet along with a bunch of new match R.O.E. Derek, thank you for producing such an immersive game series!

quote:Originally posted by Marvin: And a to the guy who started it all.Ditto, Marvin! Merry Christmas to all my friends in the 3000AD Community.

Good work, gentlemen! I will start a new roll call topic early in January. Also, keep an eye on your profile for a new Fleet DB roll call. Try to report in to both the new topic and the DB within the first week if you can.

Since Derek has not ordered us to not reply to this topic, I will tell you, Jack, exactly why Remo Williams originally revoked your posting rights for one month. By asking, "Why should I conform to your forum?" The Friendly Sea Monster directly challenged the Supreme Commander (aka Derek Smart). Then, when you asked, "Was he banned?" you appeared to side with the trouble-maker. What should all of us learn from this experience? [*]Do NOT post without a valid Game Registration Info in your sig! Even once. I learned this first hand; and only by the mercy and generosity of the SC am I still here. [*]Never challenge the authority of Derek Smart. Do not even say anything that could be construed as such a challenge. Jack, by creating an additional profile, you have challenging Remo's authority as well, which was given to him by Derek. Remo Williams is a trusted administrator, one of several people that Derek has personally appointed to maintain order on this Bulletin Board. Now, by registering a third profile, you face a server-wide IP ban.... N'uff said.

Sorry, I can't attend this Saturday. Let me know what is decided. IMO, it would be nice to have Forum Staff meetings like this periodically, perhaps quarterly.

T'was originally posted awhile ago. Nonetheless, it's good to hear from Blades again.

Click here to read Earthcom's membership policy. Then post in this topic to be counted as an Earthcom member. New or potential members should not post in this thread until approved in the Fleet DataBase. If you are interested in membership or have questions about the Earth Command Alliance or Vanguard Fleet, read this thread. I am technically on leave, and thus am absent most of the time. But I will answer e-mail and Private Messages, usually within two weeks. So sound off, gentlemen. [ 12-04-2004, 02:48 AM: Message edited by: Quazar ]

quote:Originally posted by DennyMala: I've tried to answer the roll call in the DB but it says "acces denied".... quote:Originally posted by Mano Faber: Same here "acces denied".Gentlemen, this issue has now been reported here.

A Fleet DataBase Roll Call mechanism has now been implemented. However, some members from multiple fleets have reported difficulties in answering the roll call. Therefore, I thought it best to centralize this discussion for all Fleets. quote:Originally posted here by Supreme Cmdr: quote:Originally posted by Remo Williams: Ok men this is it I'm going to have to let some of you go for non-activity. This is nothing personal and I apologies to those that may feel that it is.Remo, I'm thinking that a fleet roll call should be probably be built into the fleet dB; but I can't think of any way that it can be done. e.g. you can update the fleet dB bulletin (and the forum thread) announcing a roll call. Then each fleet member would log in to the dB, go to their profile and maybe check a box or something? I dunno, am gonna go ask Mark (the web guy) what he thinks, since he has a good grip on stuff like this. quote:Originally posted here by Supreme Cmdr: quote:Originally posted by Remo Williams: It would be nice to use the DB in someway though thatÔÇÖs for sure. Maybe there could be a box to check in the user profile as you said and a submit button that would send the users player name to a dynamic page that can be viewed by all members. Then the page could be wiped at the end of the month to start a new roll call. Then the FL's could go to the DB and issue a roll call through the comms system telling all their members to login to the DB and check in. Don't know just a thought maybe it would be too much work for Mark to implement. I'll brain storm some more and let you know if I can think of anything easier.Mark and I are tossing some ideas back and forth about this right now. Your suggestion about sending the responses to a dynamic HTML page is an excellent one and which I hadn't thought of. Thats a brilliant idea and I've just sent email to Mark about it. The current plan is to have a check mark in the fleet dB entry for the person. When a roll call goes out, they check the box and log out. It then gets sent to the HTML page; when then gets cleared either automatically or manually when needed (e.g. every month). This plan was implemented in just the last few days. quote:Originally posted here by Marvin over at Prime Fleet HQ: Notice to All I just went to the fleet database to check our roster and noticed that a "roll call" has been initiated ... and, as of this post, the only two people who have answered are me and the SC. Everyone needs to visit the database, click on their own name, and answer the call.However, some members from Vanguard (Sandeu) and Prime (Mano Faber and DennyMala) have reported receiving "access denied" messages when attempting to answer a roll call in the Fleet DataBase. I don't know the exact circumstances that generate this "access denied" message because I, as well as Marvin, have answered the roll call with no trouble. It may pertain to the assigned Fleets dB Security Levels. Under this premise, it would appear that Fleet Leaders and those above can answer the DB roll call, while users of lower security levels, perhaps 0 and 1, are prohibited from such action.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever." Psalm 136:1 - NIV To all in the 3000AD community, have a blessed Thanksgiving in the sight of our Lord.

LOL, Remo. It was good to have the BOSS on hand today. quote:Originally posted by DREADA: Btw, good to see Quazar on there...EARTHCOM finally representing! Indeed; but for such a short time....