For Normal's, first-time mods can only do Mafia/Werewolves flavor. Mods who have successfully modded a game can use every generic flavor as long as it doesn't influence the game in a game-breaking way.
The thing about normal flavour is there is no restriction on putting in a ton of flavour that's mafia-related. I don't think it's necessary for the mod to make public a list of which role fits which flavour name, but it does make sense to have one, and to give the mafia the right names if need be. I can foresee a problem with 'I'm a veteran of a previous campaign along with X, who is my mason partner.' 'I'd have thought the masons would be radio operators.' Etc.
Vi wrote:I'm fairly sure mith didn't want a definite whitelist for Normal roles.
I don't know whether he did or not but the point of my idea was that the ????? entries keep that whitelist from happening. Basically, I'm suggesting a list that has all of the common roles plus a few spots where the role isn't mentioned, to cover other possibilities. But... meh... I think we're getting sidetracked here. I'm still fine with no PM flavor if that's what it takes to have leeway for death-scenes. PM style flavor (ex: vig==sniper) can always be kept out of PMs and posted with the cardflips.
@SSBF's idea:
It's not bad, but I don't know if one game fits the bill. I've often thought that an "advanced mod" classification would be helpful on this site and this is just another reason. Not sure what the requirements would be. For this case, probably succesful modding of one normal and one theme game would work.
@Fonz:
That's exactly what I already do (you know from Mafia in Mendo). I don't know that it wouldn't work for a wider range of flavor, but I do see the point about role-names being inherently mafia/werewolf flavored as they are.
Requiring one Normal and one Theme game is sort of silly, though - with that experience you can run any style of game on the site, with any flavor you want.
Flay wrote:Requiring one Normal and one Theme game is sort of silly, though - with that experience you can run any style of game on the site, with any flavor you want.
But the Theme Queue is shorter for Minis anyway. Larges don't usually get backed up. So you're better off running it as a theme anyway if you already have the experience.
What about giving Flavor but using proper names instead of profession related names? Like if your doing say a military theme. Instead of telling someone they are a Scout (Tracker) just tell them they are Bob (Tracker). The Doctor isn't a Medic, he's Timm. Then you can put in as much backstrory as you want about Bob and Timm but just don't tell them what their actual rank and function is in the unit.
As to the question of queues, what I'm talking about is not a theme game but, rather, a normal with a cool story. I don't know how the rest of you feel about it but, when I go to one of the theme queues, I'm expecting strange mechanics, odd or unique roles, flavor puzzles, using non-mafia knoweldge to gain an edge in winning the game, etcetera. I'd be mildly annoyed if I /inned for one and found out that it was just a normal with a story about Bob and Timm.
From what I understand of Themes, they can be either. But IMHO, the mod really should disclose something about the setup so people have an idea of what they are getting into. The times I've seen Theme games run just for flavor, the mods have explicitly stated as such. I also thing special mechanics need to at least be mentioned even if they are somewhat secret. And clearly bastardmod games need a disclaimer.
So... seriously? You think that if someone was running a twelve player setup with a tracker, a doc, and two masons against three goons, but that the deathscenes involved an original story about twelve people finding a winning lottery ticket insetad of a town invaded by the mod, that should be run in Coney Island? I guess we just disagree.
No I don't. But according to current site rules that's the way it works. I guess I don't mind because it gives experienced mods a way to jump the Normal Queue.
Yeah, but... all we're saying is it CAN be done now, without a change, under the conditions you're outlining.
The original proposal was better, because it allows people more freedom to run 'Normal' (non-wacky/Mutation/source material) games with the Normal experience requirement, not the Theme experience requirement.
Be glad - when I brought this up years ago, mith just told me to stuff it. Now he's at least listening...
Vi wrote:I know that at least one Newbie game I've modded has probably crossed the flavor line on paper. Then again, it was very clear that the flavor was Town vs. Mafia and knowledge of what I was talking about didn't change anything. That and it was my best flavor writing onsite so far; I really need to step it up because that game is old now
Tons of my old Newbie Games are flavored; everything from WWII to High School to I don't know what else. I'm probably part of the reason we can't have nice things.
Wow, just looked at my moderating record on the wiki:
Newbie Game #142, World War II-themed roles in the C9 setup
Newbie Game #155, C9 setup; Scum won on Day 3 after a great recovery from having one of them lynched Day 1.
Newbie Game #164, High School-themed roles in the C9 setup
Newbie Game #190, 'Kids These Days'-flavored C9 setup
Newbie Game #166, 'Gang War'-themed roles in the C9 setup
Newbie Game #196, Corporate-themed roles in the C9 setup
Newbie Game #203, C9 setup
Newbie Game #198, C9 setup
Newbie Game #217, C9 setup with some Roman flavor
Newbie Game #222, C9 setup
Newbie Game #223, C9 setup with Dylan Thomas flavor
Newbie Game #228, C9 setup with Doctor Doom flavor
Newbie Game #242, C9 setup with Eddie Izzard flavor
Newbie Game #243, C9 setup with Rock-n-Roll flavor
Newbie Game #248, C9 setup with Sheep & Wolves flavor
Newbie Game #255, C9 setup with lovers' quarrel flavor
Reading a bit, I would prefer somebody not to be declared/proclaimed an 'Experienced Mod' or anything like that until they've modded at least 2 or 3 successful theme games (2 if large, 3 if mini). Successful being decided upon by a general consensus among the players that the games in question were enjoyable AND balanced. Mods who consistently do bastard games (like Tarhalindur, who can make a good, balanced game even with 69 degrees of bastardry) should be given a special classification of 'Bastard Mod'.
Retired as of October 2014.
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