Boards›Concepts & Creations

🌟 [The Future of C&C] Part 3 - New Rules [Rough Draft]

ModEchoing·6/25/2017, 10:28:09 PM·14 votes·1,527 views

Good day to you, fellow summoners and conceptors!

Based on some of the feedback we've gotten from the previous thread, along with our own personal musings and observations of common patterns, we've gone and whipped up a rough draft of a new set of rules. Ideally, they should be able to replace the rather vague culture blurb under Guidelines at the bottom-left of the screen. We're showing you this draft to give you an idea of what's on our minds and get an idea of what's on your minds regarding acceptable RULES OF NATURE guidelines for this board.

#1. Follow the Universal Rules. Read them. Abide by them. Accept no substitutes.

#2. Be polite and respectful. Critique constructively. We’re a community first and foremost. Treat each other with respect. If you dislike someone’s content, be polite in voicing that opinion, and consider providing a friendly and constructive critique. If you disagree with someone’s opinion of your work be respectful in how you respond. #3. Foster creativity, learning, and discussion. No one likes getting their work torn apart. Creativity has value, and everyone starts somewhere. Be aware of opportunities to encourage creativity, to suggest avenues of exploration and improvement, to engage in meaningful discussion, to teach, and – perhaps most importantly – to have your views challenged and learn from those challenges. Remember that no one is ever beyond improvement. #4. Post content with value. Threads should either showcase a full or partial creative work, or invite discussion on creative works or creative processes. Concept threads that merely name an idea without at least some exploration of how idea could be designed or implemented may be subject to removal.

For example, “We should have a new Master Yi skin!” doesn’t really contribute much value. "We should have Power Ranger Master Yi!" with a picture of a power ranger for reference is better, but we’d encourage still more. Expand upon it! Maybe his sword should glow red! Maybe his ultimate transforms his outfit! Maybe his recall animation is a digital-themed teleport! Does he have any unique particles? These little things help make your post better, help to sell your concept when you pitch an idea to the community, and offer more starting points for interesting discussion.

Alternatively, “Let’s brainstorm ideas for a new Master Yi” skin followed by a few descriptive examples of your thoughts is a fantastic thread. It sets the direction of the discussion, gives some concepts to discuss as a starting point, and opens the door to community involvement and interaction.

#5. Reach out. Participate. This is less of a rule and more of a request. Expand your horizons. View and discuss content you aren’t normally familiar with. Be an active part of the community and explore beyond your own creations.

We actively encourage trading critique and sharing your own content – with one criterion. If you’re posting links to your own work on someone else’s thread, make sure your post contains some meaningful feedback or contribution. No one likes seeing something as simple as “Looks good. Please look at my creation.”

Remember, this is a rough draft! We're eager to hear your thoughts! The Archivists are here to help you enjoy yourselves and facilitate creativity, and we need your support and feedback to make that work.

25 Comments

ModThe Djinn6/25/2017, 10:37:16 PM6 votes

Speaking for myself, I'm gonna specifically ask the following three questions:

  1. Are these rules clear and easily understood?
  2. Do these rules help the community, or are there places they are too restrictive or too lax?
  3. Are we missing any rules we should have, or do we have any we shouldn't?

All other feedback is totally welcome, of course!

Doctor Fail6/25/2017, 11:25:25 PM3 votes

Rule number 4 is not a good rule. It is awfully subjective and as such can risk causing constant friction between people who perceive thread value differently, while giving very little to no casually noticeable payoff in return.

To elaborate, using your "bad topic" example: "We should have a new master yi skin!". Such a thread technically IS an invitation to brainstorm new master yi skins in an open door community interaction. It is at its root undeniably an invitation to talk about the idea of concepts, so where else would it go if not in concepts? The rule writer, obviously, does not see such threads as being of value. However, since it technically adheres to all but one of his/her listed criteria, other people are going to feel it belongs. Sometimes a topic creator simply wants to fish for ideas and have an in the moment discussion on what would be cool without necessarily having a direct pre-emptive, and there really isn't anything wrong or harmful with that as long as they arn't massively overrunning everything else to massive detriment. As of right now they are not, and with the upcoming board split they won't be sharing space with as many other things and as such will probably be even less in the way of "serious" and "professional" topics.

While I wouldn't ever create or perhaps even actively participate in such a topic as it isn't my cup of tea, I feel the need to bring this up simply because there just isn't much gain here and the rule feels put in place mostly because the current wardens have a strong and obvious list towards the super serious concept creations, rather than the more casual. Do not take that as a negative trait, as it's not meant as one. It isn't necessarily good or bad. It just exists.

In addition, if you need three paragraphs to clarify on a single rule then it probably isn't intuitive enough to be a good strong public forum rule.

Warlord Scrap6/25/2017, 10:58:55 PM2 votes

Tbh i think number 4 is gonna cause problems. Anytime the community doesnt see a clear line in the sand theres problems.
Now number 5 seems like the furthest departure from prior guidelines in nothing off topic. I dont mind it so much and i really do hope it works.

Also have you made a decision on how many subboards your breaking into. (Small follow up from part 2) or are you planning on discussing that in a later post.

Skylarke6/26/2017, 12:33:20 AM2 votes

I think in general that the rules are fine - loose enough to not stifle ideas but providing a basis for enforcement with the exception of Rule 4.

Quality is subjective, and we have already had cases in the past where some have used quality, or their narrow and inclusive stance and view on such as grounds to go after others.

A formal codified stance in this regard will not help matters as it will only legitimise their actions and give them a viable excuse beyond deluded ranting. Thus, if such a rule were to be enforced it should be as an informal one.

Gushis7/4/2017, 7:25:06 AM1 votes

I feel like the rules are clear and straightforward, but I also feel like it NEEDS to include a section talking about downvoting and what it's used for. People shouldn't downvote stuff that they disagree with or don't like, they should downvote things that don't follow the rules or clearly don't show effort.

Wigglepufftuff7/10/2017, 7:05:40 PM1 votes

Just wondering, if someone who can't draw well (like me) wants to post something, do we just post it while describing it or do we need art and pictures? thanks!