mod announcement: app cycle caps & challenge applications.

[initiates]

Hello everyone! It's Ophelia, and I'm here to let you know about a couple of changes that have been made to our application set-up and our challenge app set-up.

➨ Come next cycle, applications will be capped at 65 applications per the round.
➨ The first 24 hours of the app cycle will be reserved for players with reservations for their character.
➨ Due to this, players interested in applying for OCs will be permitted to reserve their OC, just as they always have.
➨ Also due to this, we're going to be changing the way that challenge applications are handled. If someone submits an application as a challenge application, the applications will be judged against each other in the interest of picking the best candidate. (Challenge apps rarely occur, but our current set-up doesn't allow for the same challenge app scenario--and now with the new reservations' purpose, it seems more practical).

Other details:
➨ At this time, there won't be a cap on reservations.
➨ There will not yet be changes to the following, unless this method does not work;
there won't be an overall character cap in game, and there won't be a stricter AC--however, these are options for the future once we see how everything ends up.

Regarding the cap on applications, I hate to do something like this, and I want you guys to know that it's not because I want Exsilium to be some sort of exclusive club. This shouldn't be permanent. In order to manage our metaplot and the sheer volume of apps and reservations coming in, we're going to need to slow the apps for a little while. If it doesn't work this way, we'll take a second look at it and see what other changes we can make.

I will try my best to update all of our rules and FAQs and pages to reflect this, but please let me know if I miss anything! Thank you very much.

As always, questions/comments/concerns are welcome on this post!

Comments

[heartbound]

So how will who gets in first be decided? Will it be decided solely based on when the apps get in?

[616]

Yes, it will be the first 65 apps that are received. It's decided by those apps that get in first.

[uncalled_for]

I'm relieved to see the mods trying to slow down the incoming apps, but as for a more long term solution should things not improve...

Would it be a little too out there to suggest making apps last for a week every other month? The larger gap might help keep things leveled and allow for newer characters to settle better before the next big wave comes in. I'm estimating most characters who come in will still be dragging in their intros for another week or so after apps close. That's really only a two week break before another round begins. There would still be a huge influx, without a doubt. But the extra time could be ideal for plot development as well.

Juuuust an idea. :)

[initiates]

I will definitely consider that for the future, especially in upcoming app cycles! I worry about making really extreme changes at once (versus sort of gradual ones) in case the spike in apps is just a temporary thing.

[uncalled_for]

I'm not so sure on it being a temporary issue. This is the 3rd app cycle in a row we've had this spike in apps. Exsily has a lot of interest, especially when looking at ATP and the enormous reserves list we've had for at least two rounds in a row now. Interest isn't likely to die out unless the game itself is changed in some way that others wouldn't find appealing. I think changing the AC to be more strict may be that sort of turn off. But I truly also have never seen a comm go to a once-a-month app cycle to a once-every-other-month in such a short amount of time either.

Regardless, it's a suggestion among many options. I'm sure you guys will come up with an agreeable and solid solution.

[(Anonymous)]

I understand that you don't want Exsilium to be an exclusive club? But there is a difference between not being exclusive and letting it be a free for all. I think 65 is too high of a number but I applaud that you are trying to do something about it.

I think more measures are needed to be honest, and I think the cap might need to be permanent. Or at least, we need to consider that option.

[initiates]

As it is currently, we get 100 applications or more per cycle at trending. Sixty-five is our most reasonable number discussed between 50 and 100, and I am comfortable with that number. Remember that 65 applications is only the amount of applications that are permitted during a cycle, and not the guaranteed number of accepted applicants.

A "free for all" scenario would be more likely if applications were permanently open. I am not interested in permanently capping applications, as I don't feel comfortable making any permanent decisions knowing that the RP environment itself is a fluctuating one. There is nothing to say that our influx of apps is going to be permanent, so I'd rather steer clear from making a solid rule like that until we have an idea.

The game is always improving, essentially, and none of my mod decisions are made with permanency in mind because the game's policies need to evolve and grow with the game. Sixty-five is our starting point, and we'll make changes as necessary from there.

[(Anonymous)]

My apologies, by permanent I meant more in the vein of "for the foreseeable future" not necessarily set in stone or that it can never be changed. Bad choice of words.

[priad]

Out of curiosity, why 65 applications? How many have you been getting that makes a 65 app number in particular the cut-off point? Or was it just how many you reasonably figured the mods could do while balancing their real lives?

This is mostly just me being curious, I do care about the game, I'm just wondering about the reasoning.

[chittybang]

unrelated and unhelpful but HEY! I didn't recognize you at first with an illustration of sir priad |D awesome

ok scuttling off to work sorry

[priad]

Lol it's cool!

I finally found someone who had illustrated him, and I was so glad they got the dreads/plaited hair coil that the Snakes are reputed to do on all their non-bald members, it makes him look really distinctive since most SMs either are baldies or have military cuts. (Except for blood angels they all look like Fabio/other fancy lads)

[initiates]

Trending, we've received anywhere from 90~120 applications for our last three application rounds. Sixty-five is easier for the moderators to handle, as well as a good medium between application cap numbers used by other games (we were discussing a good fit between 50 and 100).

[priad]

Thanks! I was getting all nate silver numbers nerd up in here and I was very curious. I hope the game continues to do well and get lots of people. <3