Suggestion for Future if not Present Activity Checks

[Deleted]

I think it really might be worthwhile, for the site as a whole and the admins specifically, 'if' when an activity check is issued, you added a category for "When was the last time you posted?" with a stipulation that posts 'after' the activity check don't count.

With the updated rules on how many chars one can attain, etc. dead weight in the form of primary staple characters that are being effectively mothballed is an actual issue now.

Granted, if someone posted on the Absence Notice (before or during their absence as opposed to announcing their return), that should obviously play a role in terms of whether the staff thinks that for that particular player, the activity check is enough. But in general it seems like lots of people completely vanish, and if anything they're given way way too much leeway when it comes to keeping characters who have been inactive for sometimes half a year or more.

[Revan]

That is easily checked in a person's profile and is unnecessary to add. Also, posting in the activity check is telling us you are going to be active. As I did after the last activity check, I will check people's actual activity post-check. Those not active lose their characters. Those who chronically disappear will be put on probation.

For me, I only recently became a mod again and I opted to give everyone a fresh chance to be active during the last check. I am, however, aware of the people who haven't been around and that I have had issues with during the last check. The rest of Staff are also aware. If you (or anyone else) have a specific concern, feel free to PM myself or another Staff member. (Or all of us at once )

[Deleted]

Ahhh had no clue anyone did that. To be honest, and I get your reasoning, but it
never seemed to be the case owing to the fact that I think the rare to blue
moon-esque appearances of some main chars has been an issue since I was first
introduced to Marvel Heroes and seems to be part of why keeping a storyline
flowing has been next to impossible unless it's over the course of literal
years passing to complete even single threads. I know a lot of this is outside
staff's control as people leave, or slip into quiescence and so forth (myself
included on at least one occasion) but my char was I believe placed in limbo and
opened up, while several others have rarely if ever been.

So historically speaking it's always seemed that no one has ever paid much
attention to that sort of thing, though people always seem to pop out of the
woodwork to answer activity checks despite the fact that activity sometimes seems
like an alien concept to them.

So thought this might light a fire under them, as opposed to a more
nebulous'we're watching' sort of setup. But that's staff's call.

[Super Chick]

This has been an issue close to my heart for years. This past summer threw me for a major loop and kept me from being active like I had been for the seven years previous, giving me some insight into the disappearances that are far too common on RPGs. That said, I came back as soon as I was able. This forum and my other are my own personal passions. I love writing. It is more than a hobby for me; it is a creative outlet that helps me relieve the stress of my day and gives me the motivation I need in my life.

This, I understand, is not everyone's view of RPGs and online activities in general. But I wish it were. I wish others understood what a passion this kind of writing can be for others and how it upsets those committed to carrying on a story to its finale when they disappear for long periods of time and leave things unfinished. It is a personal responsibility that no one can force on another, but dang if I wish it weren't different.

Writing in role plays differs from other internet gaming like MMORPGs and DnD derivatives. Writing cooperatively, making stories come to life together is an adventure that can't just be so easily picked up when you have time in a few months. Writing is an art form, a creative outlet for creative people whose imagination is spurred on by the interaction of others in this common setting. We thrive on one another's involvement and get excited for that next post to see where the story is going! When long breaks are taken, us creative types lose interest or just pretend the story finished so we can move on. We can be an emotional lot, driven to greatness by our love for a good story or driven insane by an unfinished one. We can feel insulted when others don't seem to be as interested in our collective story, or even rejected when people just disappear. It can drive us to just ignore plots we tried to play in, be hostile to those who disappeared if they return, or simply decide never to post with them again. Creative types are your most loyal and best friends, or your worst enemies.

All of the above is to say, I feel your pain. And to this end, I have been working with staff to come up with a program to help people who want to be here remain active. Nothing is going to be foolproof. Nothing can make people attentive who are not as invested in this RPG as we are. But something is better than nothing, and hopefully it won't be looked at as just "another rule" but as an incentive to help people not give up or become distracted quite so easily.