Alric Kuhn
Handsome K'lor'slug
I've had it with numbers. I hate math, I hate seeing them in my tech subs, so I suggest we get rid of them starting in the place where they're most offensive; Starships.
I believe that Min-Maxing is super real when it comes to starships, and I believe this most often occurs in gun counts speed, etc. How do I know this? Because I myself am super super guilty of it and I'm well aware that others are too. I've talked with multiple people and am well aware that it happens, as I'm sure most everyone is. So here is my suggestion, scrap the current system, scrap any idea of numbers and replace it with simplicity;
Strengths and Weaknesses, Description, Special features.
That's all you need to make a starship work. I know for a fact that right now several people don't even go near Starships because the numbers, gun counts, speed, etc, confuses them and they're afraid they'll mess it up. There's no real point to having the numbers either, they don't effect RP anymore than a description of "This ship has lots of guns" do and just serve to aggravate and push an arms race on the board(again I know this happens because I've participate in it).
Here would be my example Template;
Obviously this is a quick thing and would be refined but yeah...that's really it. No Gun counts, no speed ratings to push the envelope, the only numbers are in the Length. The lack of numbers simplifies things.
"But Chris!" You say. "What about my creativity?"
Well, you don't need to list everything out in numbers to be creative. You can absolutely still say your ship uses mostly turbo-lasers or Mass-Drivers or whatever, you can even say that your ship is "More powerful" than the next, Just instead of throwing a bunch of numbers out you now have to creatively explain in the ships strengths why it's more powerful. In the end I believe using exact numbers creates complexity and narrows Starships to a creative point where only a few people are actually capable/willing to make them, which is obviously a bad thing.
We want more participation, not less.
PS: When I told [member="Raziel"] this idea he said he loved me, that I'm awesome, and that all of my ideas are great and wonderful.
EDIT: Added Rhys' suggestion
I believe that Min-Maxing is super real when it comes to starships, and I believe this most often occurs in gun counts speed, etc. How do I know this? Because I myself am super super guilty of it and I'm well aware that others are too. I've talked with multiple people and am well aware that it happens, as I'm sure most everyone is. So here is my suggestion, scrap the current system, scrap any idea of numbers and replace it with simplicity;
Strengths and Weaknesses, Description, Special features.
That's all you need to make a starship work. I know for a fact that right now several people don't even go near Starships because the numbers, gun counts, speed, etc, confuses them and they're afraid they'll mess it up. There's no real point to having the numbers either, they don't effect RP anymore than a description of "This ship has lots of guns" do and just serve to aggravate and push an arms race on the board(again I know this happens because I've participate in it).
Here would be my example Template;
Image Source: (Please link to where you found the image, or to the original artist if possible. TinEye or Google Image Search can help.)
Affiliation: (Example: The TIE (Twin Ion Engine) Starfighter was primarily created for the Galactic Empire. Do not put the company unless the product is only for your company's use. Common choices include 'Open Market', Personal, or the name of a specific Faction/Major Faction.)
Manufacturer: (Kuat Drive Yards, BlasTech Industries, [Insert Major Faction Name], [Insert Character Name], etc. You must link to any Chaos Company submissions.)
Model: (Example: TIE (Twin Ion Engine). For submissions where a model wouldn't be appropriate, such as a custom walking stick, put 'N/A' for 'Not Applicable'.)
Modularity: (Can you add components to this submission? If so, link to all Approved Factory Submissions applicable. For most submissions, put 'No'.)
Production: (The scale is Unique (Only One Character), Semi-Unique (Only A Handful of Characters), Limited (Only A Select Group Of NPCs/PCs), Minor (Any Character, Only Select Groups Of NPCs), Mass-Produced. (Anyone.))
Material: (What is your submission made out of? Certain materials are more resistant, or vulnerable, to certain weapons. Example: 'Durasteel.' Link: Manufacturing Compounds, Metals, Compounds)
Classification: (Corvette, Personal Transport, Envoy, Scout, Assault, Freighter, Patrol Ship, Dropship)
Length: (Via Metric System. Max: 200 meters. Examples: Defender Class Light Corvette: 94 meters, CR92a Assassin-Class Corvette: 139.25 Meters, Marauder Class Corvette: 195 meters)
Width: (Via Metric System. Max: 200 meters. Examples: Defender Class Light Corvette: 34.7 meters, CR92a Assassin-Class Corvette: 58.95 Meters, Marauder Class Corvette: 131 meters)
Height: (Via Metric System. Max: 200 meters. Examples: Defender Class Light Corvette: 29 meters, CR92a Assassin-Class Corvette: 16.97 Meters, Marauder Class Corvette: 22 meters)
Hangar: (None, Standard, High)
Special Features: (Provide all of your submission's special features, including non-combat items and special weapons, here in a list. Please link to all Factory Submissions used. Typically requires development: Stealth technology. Ensure capabilities from features are included in the Strengths list. Links: Starship Weapons, Approved Technology, Shields, Engines)
Maneuverability Rating: (Low, Medium, High)
Speed Rating: (Slow, Medium, Fast)
Hyperdrive Class: (Slow, Medium, Fast)
Strengths: (Provide, in list format, a minimum of 3 strength of this submission.)
Weaknesses: (Provide, in list format, a minimum of 3 weaknesses of this submission.)
Description: (Describing your submission's history is optional. Please provide a detailed account or link of each special feature that is listed in this submission. All miscellaneous descriptive elements go here, such as Cargo Capacity, Passengers, Consumables, Crew, etc.. There is no requirement for amount of words here so long as you meet the minimum requirements for your special features.)
Development Thread: (The main way people work for their toys, though most submissions don't require a development thread. Restricted items require specific development threads. Substantial development threads can help judges approve more powerful submissions. If in doubt, put 'If necessary,' and a judge may or may not ask you for one. Threads cited here must be at least 10 quality posts and must be cited as the full thread title, no abbreviations.)(Restricted Items require specific development threads. The more posts, the more powerful the submission can be. Links: Banned & Restricted Items)
Intent: (Please describe your reason for submitting this. It may be simple or complicated. The Factory Judge will take this into consideration.)
Who Can Use This: (Optional. If you chose Limited, Semi-Unique, or Unique in Productivity above please list what groups/characters can use this submission in role-plays.)
Primary Source:(Please link the source of another writer's submission that you are modifying for your use; only necessary for "Chaos Canon" submissions)
Affiliation: (Example: The TIE (Twin Ion Engine) Starfighter was primarily created for the Galactic Empire. Do not put the company unless the product is only for your company's use. Common choices include 'Open Market', Personal, or the name of a specific Faction/Major Faction.)
Manufacturer: (Kuat Drive Yards, BlasTech Industries, [Insert Major Faction Name], [Insert Character Name], etc. You must link to any Chaos Company submissions.)
Model: (Example: TIE (Twin Ion Engine). For submissions where a model wouldn't be appropriate, such as a custom walking stick, put 'N/A' for 'Not Applicable'.)
Modularity: (Can you add components to this submission? If so, link to all Approved Factory Submissions applicable. For most submissions, put 'No'.)
Production: (The scale is Unique (Only One Character), Semi-Unique (Only A Handful of Characters), Limited (Only A Select Group Of NPCs/PCs), Minor (Any Character, Only Select Groups Of NPCs), Mass-Produced. (Anyone.))
Material: (What is your submission made out of? Certain materials are more resistant, or vulnerable, to certain weapons. Example: 'Durasteel.' Link: Manufacturing Compounds, Metals, Compounds)
Classification: (Corvette, Personal Transport, Envoy, Scout, Assault, Freighter, Patrol Ship, Dropship)
Length: (Via Metric System. Max: 200 meters. Examples: Defender Class Light Corvette: 94 meters, CR92a Assassin-Class Corvette: 139.25 Meters, Marauder Class Corvette: 195 meters)
Width: (Via Metric System. Max: 200 meters. Examples: Defender Class Light Corvette: 34.7 meters, CR92a Assassin-Class Corvette: 58.95 Meters, Marauder Class Corvette: 131 meters)
Height: (Via Metric System. Max: 200 meters. Examples: Defender Class Light Corvette: 29 meters, CR92a Assassin-Class Corvette: 16.97 Meters, Marauder Class Corvette: 22 meters)
Hangar: (None, Standard, High)
Special Features: (Provide all of your submission's special features, including non-combat items and special weapons, here in a list. Please link to all Factory Submissions used. Typically requires development: Stealth technology. Ensure capabilities from features are included in the Strengths list. Links: Starship Weapons, Approved Technology, Shields, Engines)
Maneuverability Rating: (Low, Medium, High)
Speed Rating: (Slow, Medium, Fast)
Hyperdrive Class: (Slow, Medium, Fast)
Strengths: (Provide, in list format, a minimum of 3 strength of this submission.)
Weaknesses: (Provide, in list format, a minimum of 3 weaknesses of this submission.)
Description: (Describing your submission's history is optional. Please provide a detailed account or link of each special feature that is listed in this submission. All miscellaneous descriptive elements go here, such as Cargo Capacity, Passengers, Consumables, Crew, etc.. There is no requirement for amount of words here so long as you meet the minimum requirements for your special features.)
Development Thread: (The main way people work for their toys, though most submissions don't require a development thread. Restricted items require specific development threads. Substantial development threads can help judges approve more powerful submissions. If in doubt, put 'If necessary,' and a judge may or may not ask you for one. Threads cited here must be at least 10 quality posts and must be cited as the full thread title, no abbreviations.)(Restricted Items require specific development threads. The more posts, the more powerful the submission can be. Links: Banned & Restricted Items)
Intent: (Please describe your reason for submitting this. It may be simple or complicated. The Factory Judge will take this into consideration.)
Who Can Use This: (Optional. If you chose Limited, Semi-Unique, or Unique in Productivity above please list what groups/characters can use this submission in role-plays.)
Primary Source:(Please link the source of another writer's submission that you are modifying for your use; only necessary for "Chaos Canon" submissions)
Obviously this is a quick thing and would be refined but yeah...that's really it. No Gun counts, no speed ratings to push the envelope, the only numbers are in the Length. The lack of numbers simplifies things.
"But Chris!" You say. "What about my creativity?"
Well, you don't need to list everything out in numbers to be creative. You can absolutely still say your ship uses mostly turbo-lasers or Mass-Drivers or whatever, you can even say that your ship is "More powerful" than the next, Just instead of throwing a bunch of numbers out you now have to creatively explain in the ships strengths why it's more powerful. In the end I believe using exact numbers creates complexity and narrows Starships to a creative point where only a few people are actually capable/willing to make them, which is obviously a bad thing.
We want more participation, not less.
PS: When I told [member="Raziel"] this idea he said he loved me, that I'm awesome, and that all of my ideas are great and wonderful.
EDIT: Added Rhys' suggestion
