Events & Rewards/Plots & Community

[Badman Zeek]

It has come to my attention that a lot of good fruits that were once open to adoption for one reason or another have been claimed by staff and deemed event rewards. I ran into the issue myself, but have since moved on from that particular fruit. However recently I noticed how many fruits are actually listed as rewards and can't recall a moment within the past eight months where somebody obtained one. I honestly don't even remember the last event held here.

Anyways....

I was thinking some sort of reform on events and rewards should be made. For those fond of devil fruits who are restricted from making logias due to a lack of funds or not enough experience with a character, might want to turn to an event in order to obtain something special. Or even if they just wanted a particular fruit on the reward list, this should be readily accessible. It hasn't seemed to be an option for quite some time; and yes I am well aware of our site's history when it comes to events. But the times are changing and a good amount of the rewards have remained untouched due to the fact that the opportunity to even attempt to gain one has been lost to members.

We have a new cast of members who seem to be pretty active and willing to put in the effort. Perhaps it may be time for small time events to take place. The B-2 rebuild, could perhaps be a nice place to start. It actually seems like a mini event to me. But it is based on an incident caused by some miscreant (The Jack of Dancers) so it is plot based from my understanding.

If we had these type of things happening more frequently it'd definitely create more opportunities for "event" base rewards to be given out; granted staff were to consider such a thing to be an event.

Furthermore,

I'd like to make it clear that although I was mentioning devil fruits from events above, I am more so concerned with the events themselves and the amount/range of rewards granted; on top of the potential these moments have to help solidify an actual plot for the site. I'm sure some of you might recall me being an advocate for an OC Storyline that would encompass the entire sight regardless of Fraction, Occupation, Race, Location, etc. That honestly seems to be the only thing missing from this site. We have the community in terms of quantity, but IC (in-character) everyone is scattered— flowing to their own whims, my characters included. We are only reacting to what we include in our threads individually, despite things that happen to take place on the same island.

Now I was one for promoting the island updates based on what members have done in their own plots, and a good rper would take this into account within their threads to follow on said island, but is that really enough. I'd like to think not... The world our characters are in is far to vast to just be going by what occurs on each little island. And quite frankly most of the site doesn't have characters strong enough or high ranked IC to turn the tides of the incomplete world we rp in.

I'd really like to hear what others have to say on this matter so feel free to leave your thoughts.

_{NOTE: I am not attacking anybody so keep that form of negativity to yourself. Nor am I blaming staff for the way things are. They have their reasons, however I'd like to see some new amendments is all.}

[|The SHAKINATOR|]

The staff are working on a new rewards system that will come into play very soon.

[EriChar]

Since the system is almost universally accepted by the staff, I don't see the harm in sharing a few details while we iron out the kinks.

Basically, I've suggested that while events are good, but rarely finish, there should be ways for people to be able to acquire the top quality rewards outside of them, through 'normal' RP. What I've proposed is, based on the bonus system, we create a secondary shop that sells the event prizes (Fruit slots, Graded Swords, Rare Dials, Big Beri Amounts, special materials for building ships), and these can be traded in in place of one's bonus experience.

Rather than getting 5 exp + your score for a thread, if you chose to you could add whatever bonus you are awarded to a sort of 'wallet' which you can then 'save up' and buy these big prizes. They won't be cheap, of course, and things like the fruit slots would be a sort of 'one a year' type deal, but basically it will hopefully let people who are prepared to put the effort into their RP get a little something back.

It was actually creating this idea that gave us the improved range in the shop, since while writing this idea up, I had ideas for those items.

So, if you don't mind giving us a chance to get this finished up, hopefully you'll be benefiting from it sooner rather than later..

[Tay]

How about plots? Is BV just going by the storyline that follows the strawhats? Are there any plans for our own alternate storyline and scenes?

[EriChar]

I don't think I'd like to have an overall plot here; I think One Piece maintains a sort of 'branch' story, where each plot for each crew might overlap, but ultimately, it's their own tale. I mean, if you're desperate to get something 'big' going on, what's to stop you doing so? Does the staff need to be your mother and give you everything on a plate? Get out there, get some people together, and start a story; there aren't any rules against it.

[Badman Zeek]

Glad to hear there are already things in production for rewards.

As for a storyline,

The reason I mentioned it instead of some larger plots, is that a storyline brings everybody together on its own. And would be a basis for some of the events we could develop. As opposed to the OOC events we tend to have, they'd be IC and have a standing impact on everyone.

[Tay]

Yea like every once in awhule we could have like a "scene" thread that goes with the story line and everyone can participate in it.

[BEX]

In the past I’ve also advocated for IC events. People were always interested in the idea so I think it’s something that should be explored—however for those calling for more unity between characters that’s already within your grasp.

I noticed that we have a recent events updates policy now, something that in my previous stint in BV wasn’t present, and honestly I’m excited about that. Once you’ve completed a thread all you need do is add any recent major changes that you’ve contributed to that island by posting it within the Island History thread. That way when the next person rps they will see what you’ve done and can decide whether they’d like to undo it or simply utilize what your actions have caused as a plot ploy.

So far I’ve only seen one person do it and that’s because I mentioned it to him after rereading through all the new rules that we have in place. So yes, like you all, I do believe that IC events would be far more interesting, but at the same token you’ve all got to realize that the cohesive story of the entire site itself is within your hands as well.

Whatever new system staff comes out with to open up event fruits, Graded Swords, and the like will of course be enticing, but that’s only going to become important if we, the regular members, remember to utilize all the tools already given to us. Sadly, I’m currently really limited in my rping capacity ableit for plot threads with Jack Dancer, but in the future when life calms a bit I’ll happily begin throwing myself out there for the sake of other members.

In the meantime if you have questions about interesting plot ideas or simply new ways to make your rping experience better feel free to ask me. Reform is good when it’s greatly needed, but it’s not always the answer. Your individual rping is what makes writing with your character fun not necessarily what staff needs to be improving—that will come with time.

An example I’ll leave off with is perhaps people can start taking more canon characters out. Typically canons aren’t as popular as OC’s, but at the same time they are very powerful major plot engines. You want to create a mini-event? Hell, take on auditioning for one of the top characters and start putting up an interesting story in the RP assistance area telling people where you’re at, what the story is, and what the impact is going to be. If someone takes on one of the Shichibukai and suddenly appears within the Blues or in the Grandline making a huge stir that’s considered a major event.

If things like that happen and staff doesn’t recognize stellar rping examples like that, then I think is the time to demand change. As things are now, members have the tools, we just don’t quite understand them all yet.

Link regarding Island Updates Feed

BV Island Updates Feed Thread (Maybe by posting here your crew’s (organization/individual’s) actions become part of our daily announcements if they’re major enough sparking other events like what Zeek was mentioning in his first thread.

[Deleted]

Yeah I have a plot or two pre-planned that are probably 'event scale' to some extent, maybe mini-event scale, so I'm keen on the empowering members stuff which I do think does already exist. The only reason I haven't yet got to mine is power scaling really, laying the ground work and making sure it's believable so I feel like I've earned such a plot.

Perhaps plots of a certain breadth and scope could be another way to get a little something, graders could flag up potentially awesome threads for a little somethin' somethin', given the likely new system it could be just additional 'wallet' points. Or I guess you could not, either way I think hopefully when we have enough big guys running around, people will be willing to push the boat out a little more. In a way, it's good to think of your over-bearing arc, a story spanning across multiple threads as an event. Uhh, I'm just saying crap now....

[Tay]

Something with the Revolutionaries would be cool as well, and could get more revolutionary characters on the forum.