89th Rules Updates & Proposed Updates

[Baby Wessex d9b [earthling]]

Dear THG RPG community,

As we approach our site anniversary, we’ve all been reflecting on how we can better the site. It’s been joyful to see all of the new plots and enthusiasm for parts of the site that are sometimes neglected (such as as the Capitol and districts). We hope you’ve enjoyed them!

Recently a group of members put together a proposal of changes they’d like to see implemented. These ran the gambit from Games mechanic suggestions to staff structuring to plot ideas. Aya and I have reviewed every one presented to us and are able to move forward with the ones below right now.

However, we know that not everyone was able to participate in this proposal. As ever, we welcome your feedback any time via DMs and each games with the games-specific feedback forms. In this case, we’re also going to bump the Site Feedback Form which Aya and I will be checking daily through the end of the month. Anything sent to us will be incorporated into the proposed requests and we will continue to work on them throughout this fall.

Without further ado, here are the changes being implemented:



89th Games specific rules updates:

Per a member’s suggestion, the GMs will set-up an on-demand mutt interest form. If the tribute’s writer is gone over 24 hours, another staff/vet meme will take over writing the mutt to keep the fight moving

In order to facilitate more timely mandates, we will have a neutral timekeeper (this will be Kay who will sit out the 89th or possibly Dars if he isn’t reaped) (this will now be the most recent victor, who cannot enter the reaping anyhow. For the 89th, that person is elegant). This person will be in charge of gently nudging tributes when they’ve surpassed the 24-hour deadline to post.

The Victor Presentation is to be written by the Games’ GMs. For now, the Victory Tour’s organization has been the privilege and responsibility of the victor. We will work with the victor of the 89th Games to make sure this is done to their satisfaction.

To allow for more flexibility, at the request of several members, the current dice descriptions can be modified In Character. The dice damage are non-negotiable and need to be entered in the engine as they are rolled (due to armor and stations). During 1v1s or in the late games with all parties consenting, the description of the damage can be modified. If push comes to shove, we will side with the preference of the attacked.
Additionally, Aya has been and will continue to work on a dice system overhaul. When she has more of the framework, she will ask for community input this fall.

Per a member’s suggestion, we will create an on-call tribsitter signup system (in addition to reviving the previous mentoring system) to make it easier for members (especially newbies) to request tribsitting when necessary.

Per a member’s suggestion, and with agreement from the 89th GMs, we will lengthen the amount of time between the Reaping and the Bloodbath to be 3 weeks.


Staff Updates:

More emphasis on the Department Heads as problem-solvers. Also, most staff hirings will be done with the admins + specific department (as has been the case for the last several years). We will only seek applications for roles that require very specific knowledge and/or skills.

Create and maintain a public site calendar (on Kay’s urgent to do list; hope to have this up by the end of the month)

We will endeavor to be more sensitive to staff schedules with regards to GMing and will reinstate a GM interest form ahead of each Games, beginning with the 91st Games.

We will be creating an all new Graphics Team, headed by umber vivuus 12b 🥀 [dars] ! To get the team off the ground and in fairness to our hardworking staff, we’ll be focusing first on intrastaff transfers. Stay tuned for more updates!


Games Updates:

Major new mechanics should be disclosed prior to the close of the Reaping. This has always been Aya’s and my intention; we will double down on this in the Gamemakers Handbook. As for secret Quell twists, we will ensure that if the Quell twist must be secret, when the twist is to be revealed will be clearly stated.

Additionally, if anyone wants to test new mechanics, Ratmas is coming up and we’d be happy to work with you on an IC event to test said mechanic (sort of like the Olympics).

For the Gamemakers: we will continue to encourage thoughtful new mechanics and will help GMs make sure they are balanced and fair, and that tributes are notified in a timely manner.

There is a clear desire for more involvement with the Retro Games. This is something we will discuss with Lalia. In that vein, we are delighted to see the influence of the Junior GMs and look forward to the 6th Retro Games. All of us (Aya, Lalia, Kay) would love to see the Retro Games suggestion doc used more; if any suggestions come via the Site Feedback form or in DMs between Retro Games, we will be happy to pass them along to Lalia.

Changes will be made to the way Reapings are done. Aya is zeroing in on some options, which we hope to implement by the 90th Games to see how it works. Stay tuned for more updates about this in the coming months.


Other:
Aya will look into recent glitches with ripred_bot.

A plotline for the High Council was suggested and will be discussed with the Councilors!