I posted this in another thread, and it got a good response, so I wanted to post it here, and get feedback from all of you.
What if (and if you like this, let me know and I'll post it on the idea page) we opened up an extension to the webpage/forum that is an RP wiki. In the wiki we would have all the great RP stories of the different ages of Aabahran, but we also have the ability to write Rp backgrounds to the different classes and races AS WE SEE THEM IN AABAHRAN. This would be player written and moderated, with the forum moderators having the ability to delete/edit any RP definition that may hint too much at qrace skills/abilities.
As an example of such a Wiki, check this:
http://www.hollowgame.com/wiki/Races_of_Hollow
(Click on the race title to see more in-depth RP info)
What do you think?
NOTE: If you know how to set up a wiki or have an idea about cost, etc. - would you be willing to share how to do it? One of the big responses I got was that we don't know HOW to do a wiki. I'm sure someone in our game community does, however...
Also, I should mention that the current history, race/class help files, etc. should be used to SEED the wiki, but it is up to players to write things more in depth, and add files about prominent characters, tales of past RP plots, in-depth race/class background, etc. It is also up to players to moderate eachother, with th eonly drain on imms being moderating qclass/qrace info that may be too forthcoming. This would be a player-run and player-developed source of RP info that can help the overall RP in the game. Thoughts?
Sorry mate but I prefer real-time updetable map showing cabal lands and areas of the Aabahranian world,instead of wikipedia.
Like I said in the other thread, I really like this idea. I have no idea however, how to set up a wiki, although I'm sure there must be information about it somewhere.
edit: http://www.wikihow.com/Start-a-Wiki
I think the IMMs or their appointees should write certain parts of it, like Races, Classes, Cabals (and their Clans) and a general history. If we let players get into that stuff and edit it too much, it defeats the purpose of having a reference Wiki anyhow.
I do love the idea and I think this, coupled with an updated website, would draw in a lot of players looking for a more RP-oriented environment.
How could we do it and allow it to be something enjoyable, and not a drain on imms time? While I love this idea, to leave it to the imms would be a SERIOUS time consumer, and they have MUCH more important things to be doing, real life excluded (of course 
)
They wouldn't need to do it, just keep an eye on it to make sure it remains in the flavor of FL.
How could we do it and allow it to be something enjoyable' date=' and not a drain on imms time? While I love this idea, to leave it to the imms would be a SERIOUS time consumer, and they have MUCH more important things to be doing, real life excluded (of course )[/quote']
Agreed. I think the imms should have moderator status of the wiki as well, and possibly the ability to lock or approve additions made?
I've got a form of wiki set up, but a few things need to be sorted before I unlock it.
Namely the issue with just anyone being able to come and edit it. Normally, this wouldn't be an issue, but I haven't been able to find any free, more powerful wiki software than what I've found so far that allows admins/mods to say, authorise accounts. Without this functionality or something similar, it would take an awful lot of moderation to ensure the wiki is kept clear of the sort of stuff it shouldn't have on (hidden skill info, or offensive content for example) - and should somebody find themselves dissatisfied with the staff or the MUD, I'm sure you can imagine what will happen, a la the whole TMS review fiasco.
Why not just use the functions of this forum? There's an essay section after all where you could easily just add to that about various reasons for various races and what have you. Players could submit entry via Prayer Forum to add to it and someone could Moderate it to fit so that no qclass/race info isn't leaked.
Why not just use the functions of this forum? There's an essay section after all where you could easily just add to that about various reasons for various races and what have you. Players could submit entry via Prayer Forum to add to it and someone could Moderate it to fit so that no qclass/race info isn't leaked.
I think the downside to that idea is that it still requires the IMMs to spend time checking through it. With lack of time of IMMs as something thats almost evident, I think what they are looking for is to authorize people..... like you perhaps :confused: , who they know won't abuse the wiki and just let you post away.
We could still use this forum as a means of being able to make it like a wikipedia kind of thing. Either by allowing people access to the particular thread or by making a new one entirely to such things where Moderators (not necessarily Imms) could post in the section the ideas of what the players think of them and can stop unnecessary info from being posted overall.
Let the players write it and the imms approve it?
I think what Roykagh is saying is that he would like to open up the Wiki to begin articles, but the problem is that once it is open, it is open for EVERYONE and ANYONE, including people who have been banned from our forums for one thing or another, and may carry a grudge.
Until a way to moderate the Wiki is discovered, it can't be opened up.
Maybe throw out the type of Wiki program you are using, and maybe some of our community might have insights as to how to solve the problem?
As a side note, Roykagh - you're my freaking hero. I in no way expected such a quick response to actually applying this idea. Rock on, my friend.
Rock on.
While people who hold a grudge could and most likely would write negative things in the wiki, I think people will see it as the immature attack on a community that it is. We as players would also most likely be looking over it daily and could change it back quick and easy. The only issue then would be a persistant bugger, and really they just need to get a better life.
Also, can't you IP-Block sites from accessing/modifying a wiki? I know you can now trace the changes to a wiki based on IP...
How would this help RP?
It might not help RP, but it will certainly bring new people.
I remember when I played FL for a first time (FL was the first and only mud game I ever played), I had no idea what I was doing. I thought that Val Miran was in the middle, I really had no idea. When I looked at the map tho, then I got really into the game, as all those letters which were flying by now actually started to mean something...
'Haha, Yup, gotta agree with F0xx there. I didnt even know where miruhvor was in comparison, and when i type west for some reason i think im going right...
Is there any way to set up the Wiki software to forward any and all changes to an email account, so that they can be reviewed?
Also, a person who registers could be required to list their forum SN, and their wiki handle could be checked on login against the status of their forum account. Alternatively, autoregister all forum members to the wiki (or otherwise tie in the actual login process to our forum accounts), and then you'll know who's who if anyone misbehaves.
Some good ideas here, and Grishnak does make a good point. Watch this space.