Development Threads for Species and "Restricted Characteristics"

[HK-36]

This is something I have thought about when reviewing [member="Tamara"]'s recent species sub The Dark Star Project it was a submission for a lab-created lifeform with regeneration abilities and an reinforced skeleton. I did my thing, reviewed it, after some edits I stamped my permission on it, and the sub had a nice long, detailed development thread to go with it.

But what if it didn't had the development thread? I would probably ask then if it did had one, and if Tamara would say "No" could I really ask for one? I mean this is how the current template for Species Creation looks like,

Spoiler

• Name: [Name of the species]

• Designation: [Sentient, semi, or non-sentient]
• Homeworld: [Name of homeworld, and link to the thread for the homeworld if custom]
• Language: [List common languages of this species]
• Average height of adults: [In meters]
• Skin color: [List commons skin colors]
• Hair color: [List common hair colors, if any]
• Breathes: [Type of atmosphere or medium it breathes]

• Strengths: [2 minimum]
• Weaknesses: [2 minimum]

• Distinctions: [Unique physical traits that define what they are]
• Average Lifespan: [In standard years]
• Races: [Not subspecies, distinct cultural or physical races (aka, just like human races)]
• Diet: [List common foods, what is poisonous]
• Communication: [List common communication medium]

• Culture: [Describe general culture]

• Technology level: [Describe societal technology level]

• General behavior: [Describe general behaviors]

• History: [Describe an abridged history]

• Notable Player-Characters: [List player-characters]
• Intent: [Describe the plan for this species. NOTE: This section alone can have your species dismissed. Species created on a whim or for purposes to undermine the integrity of Star Wars will not be approved.]

While it is a very good template and everything I would really need to know about the species is included in it, I believe we should add a Development Thread section into this template, right below the name. Right now if I would ask a writer who submits a species for a development thread I feel there's really nothing stopping them from saying "Well, the template doesn't even have a spot for a development thread, why are you asking me for one?" and with the Development Thread section added to the template, us species judges would have more leverage in cases where we feel a development thread for species would be necessary.

Furthermore,
I believe we should go as far as making a "Restricted Characteristics" thread in the Species section of the Factory. Like the Restricted Items, it would list the abilities a species would have for which we would ask a development thread to be written. For example, being Force Dead, regenerative properties, made in a lab, lightsaber resistance, telepathic communication, being huge, maybe even strong poison, etc.

Now in these Development Threads, I would ask for the species to be either studied or the process of their creation in laboratory detailed, the character would be attacked by the species and their special ability would be used against the character, a detailed description of how the special ability of the species would affect the character or how the character would be able to evade it would follow, or just for the character to observe them in their natural habitat as they utilize their special properties.

So, that's my proposition, add in a line for Development Threads to the template, and list Restricted Characteristics for which we would ask a development thread to be written.

I would like to hear opinion of my fellow species judge [member="Ilias Nytrau"], the previous species judge, [member="Jared Ovmar"], and of course, our admins.

 

[Arage Bao]

Don't like this idea, most submissions aren't inherently powerful to justify a general rewrite. Adding to that is the fact that -if- a species has attributes, which makes you think something like: "Hmm.. this really could use a development thread." then you are in the right to ask for one.

Especially because there have been previous cases where dev. threads were made by the submitters, even without a Judge asking for one. So there is a precedent.

If you feel a submission is too much, and needs a dev. thread to justify that -and- the submitter refuses to make one... you can just deny it.

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

Since it has now been graciously approved by Dread Mistress [member="Fabula Cavataio"], I feel I can speak on this.

I think the amount of species which would require one are very small. It was only because I created a toned-down female Wolverine that it would be necessary.

I think that instinctively people know when they need a dev thread most of the time. If they don't they can be asked to do one. If they refuse, as [member="Jared Ovmar"] says, they will be denied.

 

[Asemir]

Also, I don't feel that the lack of an explicit need for Dev Thread (or any other requirement) precludes the ability for us to ask for a Dev Thread. The rules can't predict all scenarios, meaning we Factory Judges (and RPJs) should have discretion and final say on what is needed to prove a submission viable.

 

[Domino]

We can always ask for a dev thread to be done (I think this either needs a substantial dev thread or be toned way down in these ways) works nicely. The problem is that with species people see dev threads as creation stories, which they can't necessarily do with some critter, I think some people don't know that a dev thread can also be about discovering a creature as it's still unapproved.