Collaborative Saga

[Kaden]

So, I have an idea for a saga format that I want to try out. I'm calling it a Collaborative Saga, in case you hadn't guessed.

Basically, it works like a normal saga, but with updates made by participating members as well as the saga runner.

Updates would be split into two forms. Story Updates are the standard variety. Collab Updates are the ones made by the members. As people post, they're loosely given a grade and, when it's time for the next Collab Update, the person with the highest score gets to throw something up.

Now, there would probably be other factors than just a score. I, for example, would also take into account how active a person has been, whether or not they're already done a Collab Update, and so on.

For the most part, a person writing a Collab Update will have free reign. They wouldn't be allowed to kill off other players, or completely derail the story established in the Story Updates, but otherwise they can do whatever they want.

So, what I want to know it whether or not this sounds interesting to people.

[Sage]

Very interesting.

Will it work? ...I honestly don't know. Hopefully. Sounds awesome.

[Celena]

It's a unique idea. This has the potential to be very good. What if the person who gets the highest score is unable to get something up? Would the update fall into the hands of the person with the second highest score? Is it too early to get a date for when you'd ideally like this collaborative saga to go down?

[Vad]

Sounds like a good form to put into effect with the one I'm developing slowly and surely. I'd be open for it. Have at it you! =D

[Dehan]

Do it. I find this very interesting, I also express the same inquires as Zena.

[Sol]

I like the idea in on paper but it does seems to have a few kinks, namely that having multiple people jumping in and out of the drivers seat at different times I'd be afraid of an eventual trainwreck. There are just a lot of variables that go along with changing the "guiding light" so frequently.

I'm not saying it can't work, given the right people it can and it'd be pretty awesome, it probably wouldn't take much to throw things into disarray though.

[Dehan]

Well how about those who want to do a update just run it by a staff member or we put it to a vote? I don't know. It looks like a good fun idea though could be a lot of twists and stuff make it all unpredictable and shocking.

[Kaden]

What if the person who gets the highest score is unable to get something up? Would the update fall into the hands of the person with the second highest score?

Giving the update to the second highest scorer was my first thought. It might also just fall back to the Saga Runner. I'd also want to keep a pretty tight leash on the time between updates.

My first thought was posting "ok, Person X gets the Collab Update this time, and they have 24 hours to get it posted." Delayed updates are far and away the most efficient way to kill a saga.

Is it too early to get a date for when you'd ideally like this collaborative saga to go down?

I have absolutely no time table set at this moment. I thought Kaz wanted to do something on, like, October for DA and I was hoping not to clash with Aether whenever Greg gets that started. The latter isn't as big a concern about the former, but y'know.

And, obviously, I don't want to try running it while half the RPG is on another planet. Well... I was just planning on doing it on Earth, but that doesn't necessarily have to be the case.

There are just a lot of variables that go along with changing the "guiding light" so frequently.

You're absolutely correct. Entertaining twists are just a stone's throw away from complete schizophrenia. That's why it's not all Collab Updates. The Story Updates would, ideally, keep things moving in the direction they're supposed to be moving in while the Collabs keep things interesting and exciting for the members.

[Orion]

I like it. It's original, quirky and allows members to somewhat control the flow of a story larger than themselves. I think it's worth a shot.

[Super Buu]

Sounds like a very worthwhile idea.

[Celena]

I like it. It's original, quirky

XD. I had to.

[Mal Nova]

I think it'd be a neat idea... It'd be fun to say the least....

That reminds me... DA!

[Cain]

Sounds like a lot of fun. I'd be interested.

[Sullivan]

Absolutely.

[Belle Hibiki]

Necro necro.

Is this still a consideration for the next time we do a PvE saga or...?

[Super Buu]

I thought this was a new thread until I saw my own post. This should definitely be done sometime (as an alternative to 'collaborative saga' where everyone involved just helps brainstorm the next plot movement).

[Kaden]

Yeah, I'd be willing to run this still.

Not going to lie, though, I'm skeptical as to whether or not it would actually work. Doing this would mean that the person chosen would have to write an update to the saga.

[Belle Hibiki]

True.

I think the main reason we have so many competitive sagas is because they're so much easier to host. Having to manage the whole story is what burns out ops that run them. If not a collaborative saga, some other way of distributing workload would be good.

[Sigfried Hunin]

I honestly just got back from drill so I'm not super into reading all of the posts right now, but it sounds sweet as long as one person can't dominate the updates.

[Kaden]

I honestly just got back from drill so I'm not super into reading all of the posts right now, but it sounds sweet as long as one person can't dominate the updates.

I would definitely keep from letting one person write all the updates. Even the bulk of them. I'd be more interested in letting everyone have some input rather than keeping a single individual at the steering wheel.

That's not to say I wouldn't let people update more than once if they earned it, but you wouldn't have to worry about a single domineering voice.

Other than mine, of course.