To previous members of Chubbs and AD

[Omni]

Since I've never done any of this before (Chubbz, AD, this sort of roleplaying in general), I have a related question.

Why is it so important for everything to be so rigid and numerical? To the point of deducting OM and having a pretty oblique point system and all that, I mean. And especially tying OM gains into word count, when it's pretty generally accepted that brevity and concision are better indicators of good writing.

Maybe it's the writer in me that finds an issue with it. Any time I've done collaborative writing, like in college, with writer friends, or when I did a lot of freelance web developing and advertising, the focus has been on the writing being high quality and entertaining, rather than adhesion to a bunch of rules (many/most of which seem unnecessary anywhere but in a prime v. prime fight). I can see how this sort of roleplaying is only peripheral to that stuff. I like this site so much because it put a setting into play and let me create and explore a character with other writers, not because of the complicated OM spending and having to memorize dozens of rules threads (I took that in stride and always would, cause it's your show, obviously :pink: ).

I think maybe it's because it's like playing an RPG, like WoW or D&D, but giving you more creative freedom. Does anyone else feel that way?

I get your point about brevity being a good thing. But at the end of the day it's basically about simplicity. I've successfully implemented systems where people get judged on writing 'quality' and then given rewards. The problem with that is that it requires someone to 'judge' every piece of writing. Obviously a major problem is that opinions differ. I still want to reward people for really trying, hence why I put in bonuses for Exceptional Writing. Obviously, judging also comes into play in competitive situations.

Honestly, there's lots of sites out there which are totally freeform, and you basically just do whatever. And that's fine. I made this site because I wanted an alternative. Because I love RPGs, I love earning stuff for my character, I love the competitive element. I made it to fill what I saw as a gap, a niche, not necessarily to appeal to everyone who doesn't like the RPG stuff.