Feedback and Input! Round 2!

[bravenewmods]

Hey guys!

Since we've just come out of a major event, we'd like to take this opportunity to ask for another round of feedback and input similar to what we had a few months ago! We'd like input both on the event itself and on some game mechanics that we are wondering how to streamline right now.

The Event
Basically, we heard from a few people that it was difficult to know how to really jump in. Additionally, as mods, we noticed that people were reluctant to group up with each other; at the beginning, there were many solo threads waiting for a response. We can't respond to everyone's threads individually, so during events, we really do need for groups to be able to happen. Our response to this was to allow the event to go a few extra days, but we'd be open to hearing any suggestions about how to streamline future events.

Feel free to give any other comments about the event, too, positive or negative!

Wild Pokemon Bonding
First off, thank you to Nor for having helped us since our first round of Helper apps! She has asked to step down, so everyone thank her for helping us out so long!

This brings us to a question/concern we currently have:

What would you guys like to see from the wild Pokemon bonding in this game? Is having the option to have someone thread Pokemon with you someone you guys want to see continue? At the moment, there is a possibility that we will scrap this mechanic based on input received and on discussion with our Helpers, past and present. (Helpers, we'll initiate a conversation with you probably tomorrow!)

Anything Else
We're open to hearing feedback about anything else, too!

This post will be open to anonymous comments. However, we cannot screen the post as anon would then not be able to see our responses to them.

Comments

[ingoodhans]

For the groups, I think coming up with some kind of tagging order could help preempt that "I don't want to step in if someone is waiting..." feeling. This causes a delay problem if the person whose turn it is can't respond, but having something like, maybe you get skipped if you don't reply within a certain window? That could work. (Unfortunately, this might mean people with tighter schedules might not be as able to participate... every decision has its setbacks, so that's just one suggestion.)

Alternately, maybe players having a more open discussion within groups/teams about what each person wants (as a goal) to do in the group thread could help, too. Part of the reason why I didn't step up sooner with Hans, for example, was because I wasn't sure if I'd be stealing the limelight (oocly) from someone who wanted to perhaps have a bigger role. Then again, I'm naturally prone to avoiding stepping on anyone's toes, so maybe I could have asked people too... well, that sort of thing. Communication, even over plurk, could help smooth things along. Maybe the modplurk could set up a thing and ping people, or at least provide that shared space for players to ping each other when it's their turn...?

I agree that the pokemon bonding mechanic is really fun and adorable, but I can see how it can be very time consuming for you guys as mods too. Maybe if they're worth more trouble than you'd like, you could set up a queue? People could sign up once a week, and get them done over the course of that following week...? I dunno, really. It's not a mechanic I've used much recently, but it's super fun and I think it should stay in some way, shape or form.

Also thanks nor!!!!!!! \o/ ilu