WoL vs. Math

[Sabine]

Sorry. I'm not going to use GR since it's an 18+ site. But if you would like to do that in private, that's fine. But attaching a DUEL name to it? I can't do that.

A private room created just for practice duels or non-logged or non-counting towards WoLs duels would be password protected and allow only certain people in.

No risk for 18+ issues there...

Again, option of AIM chats too.

But really that was a response to Claire's concern for logged rooms. I should have quoted her.

[Spell]

Sorry. I'm not going to use GR since it's an 18+ site. But if you would like to do that in private, that's fine. But attaching a DUEL name to it? I can't do that.

A private room created just for practice duels or non-logged or non-counting towards WoLs duels would be password protected and allow only certain people in.

No risk for 18+ issues there...

Again, option of AIM chats too.

But really that was a response to Claire's concern for logged rooms. I should have quoted her.

Lobby's aren't logged for public. Count to 30 in chat and it'll wipe the /back 30. So if anyone is uncomfortable with AIM or GM, they can do it there too. That's where I did all my practice dueling when I was new.

[JewellRavenlock]

I don't think practice alone was the point of what they were looking for. But I might've been wrong. If someone wanted to just practice, they can play with the practice tool. Foundational mentoring is a whole different story, which is what I was referring to.

I think practice is great.

I think mentors are awesome! I mean, I don't know I'd still be doing this with having been mentored by awesome people.

Both of those are a huge and major part of being welcoming, in my opinion.

Having a tournament or some sport-sanctioned events dedicated to new people is important too. It has official shininess too it. Like, "This.. this is something that the site has just for you!" I think it's amazing to have player initiated stuff for new people. Having something officially sanctioned? I think that's important for the meaning of it.

[Sabine]

Sorry. I'm not going to use GR since it's an 18+ site. But if you would like to do that in private, that's fine. But attaching a DUEL name to it? I can't do that.

A private room created just for practice duels or non-logged or non-counting towards WoLs duels would be password protected and allow only certain people in.

No risk for 18+ issues there...

Again, option of AIM chats too.

But really that was a response to Claire's concern for logged rooms. I should have quoted her.

Lobby's aren't logged for public. Count to 30 in chat and it'll wipe the /back 30. So if anyone is uncomfortable with AIM or GM, they can do it there too. That's where I did all my practice dueling when I was new.

It's just tossing out ideas dude. It's nice to provide multiple options that people may not be aware of. This doesn't necessarily directly relate to your idea of the 1 time a month thingy... but in general too for other options with no worries of scouting. What prevents anyone from going in and sitting on an alt and watching/recording duels in a lobby? It doesn't mean people will, but it seems we have people concerned abut our honor system... it could just be a way to not have to worry about that.

[Spell]

It's just tossing out ideas dude. It's nice to provide multiple options that people may not be aware of. This doesn't necessarily directly relate to your idea of the 1 time a month thingy... but in general too for other options with no worries of scouting. What prevents anyone from going in and sitting on an alt and watching/recording duels in a lobby? It doesn't mean people will, but it seems we have people concerned abut our honor system... it could just be a way to not have to worry about that.

No, no, no. I'm not saying your ideas are bad. I'm just pointing out that lobby's can be used too if the other options are not comfortable for others. I fully am aware of the misunderstanding and that you meant to reply to Claire and not me for the GR subject.

[Sabine]

It's just tossing out ideas dude. It's nice to provide multiple options that people may not be aware of. This doesn't necessarily directly relate to your idea of the 1 time a month thingy... but in general too for other options with no worries of scouting. What prevents anyone from going in and sitting on an alt and watching/recording duels in a lobby? It doesn't mean people will, but it seems we have people concerned abut our honor system... it could just be a way to not have to worry about that.

No, no, no. I'm not saying your ideas are bad. I'm just pointing out that lobby's can be used too if the other options are not comfortable for others.

YES YOU ARE..

No I'm just kidding. I just wanted to point out other options we may have. There are so many good ideas floating about. Also sorry for my crappy communications. I'm working and trying to keep up between customer calls BECAUSE I CAN'T CONTAIN MY EXCITEMENT and don't want to miss anything.

[G]

Having a tournament or some sport-sanctioned events dedicated to new people is important too. It has official shininess too it. Like, "This.. this is something that the site has just for you!" I think it's amazing to have player initiated stuff for new people. Having something officially sanctioned? I think that's important for the meaning of it.

This is something I'd like to touch on. Like, get multiple opinions on, maybe it requires another post?

What does "Officially sanctioned" mean to you?

To me, when I was in charge, people did have to to pretty much come to me and ask permission to hold special events. Unless it was something that was pretty much required to take place in the Annex or Arena, I would usually say yes.

So to me, anything that I would considered "Officially Sanctioned" is anything I said yes to that took place in one of the Dueling Rooms. (Swords related)

Sometimes, I'd agree to give up prizes for these events. (WoL/Challenge Right/No loss, etc.) but the fact that I, as admin, did not give a prize, I don't feel made the event any less sanctioned.

So I guess I'm asking what sanctioned means to everyone to see if to them it means "Held during Dueling Hours", "Held in a Dueling Chat", "Held in a Dueling Chat during Dueling Hours with Prizes given from the staff." Or even just "Okay'd by the Dueling Powers That Be"

Perhaps with a clear definition as to sanctioned some things may come easier? I don't know.

ETA: How much responsibility does Sanctioned put on the Administration?

[JewellRavenlock]

You know, G. That is an excellent question that I'm not sure I even know my own answer to. I thought I did, but you gave a few good examples of what might qualify and now I'm not so sure :)

[Hope]

I've been considering running a "fight club" where players can come and use anonymous names, even my own if they wanted, and just practice dueling in the lobby. I would offer help if they wanted it ooc and would offer to call all of the matches. I haven't really gotten around to posting it, but I'd be willing to do this at least monthly, maybe even two sundays out of the month, or Saturday when the European shift used to be? RDI side too

[Kalamere]

I’m away from home on crappy internet and about to walk out to the lake, so please excuse the bullet point format. I have a few things I want to throw out here, but also need to make it quick.

* We need to review our current new duelist information. Make sure the docs are up to date, include the right bits of information and are easy enough to find for someone brand new to the site. I can help fix what needs fixing, but need input.

* A new non-logged chat could be created. A request to Amal and/or Xeno could probably make that happen (not sure if Jake has that power?). I definitely think that the event being discussed should be on the RoH site, though don’t have a preference for night of week.

* A new Q&A folder in the forum might be cool. I’d even put in a note ignoring typical net custom and telling people they should just ask the question they have without having to surf through past questions to see if has already been answered.

* Once we’re sure all the FAQ type things look good, we could:
(a) Write a welcome new duelists type message, announcing the night the proposed event would take place and whatever else is appropriate. Maybe use the admin message feature Xeno puts site news on to make it impossible to miss when on the site with a link to get more info.
(b) Throw up an ad. RDI and FB certainly, but maybe this is when we leverage the Project Wonderful stuff Rakeesh posted about a while back, along with any other promotional avenues people have in mind.

* Get as many regulars to attend as possible. The draw to stay isn’t just learning the matrix and basic strategy. It’s also the RP. We need people there to play as well as coach. If it does turn out to be popular and attendance is large, it would probably be good for several callers to be on hand as well. There are a ton of us with DUEL names. See more than 2 or 3 duels per active caller going on? Switch names and help out. I think hour long duels can be a turn off frankly, so for something like this I think we want to minimize them if we can.

That’s all I’ve got right now. Time to go fishing.

~Kal

[Jake]

Just as a comment.

I've got no problem with the suggestion of a room that is not logged.

However, if the reason for the suggestion is fear of scouting, I'd offer that this isn't really a concern. Or shouldn't be.

There really is no value to scouting people that are new to the matrix. They have no patterns.

It's not like they know (yet) why Dodge is strong after a LegSweep, or why you shouldn't Duck after a High Cut. They're still figuring it out.

So...

The advantage of a logged room is that if issues arise (and hopefully none ever will) the Admin team has a record of the event. Without a log, Admin can't review.

From a scouting perspective, anyone silly enough to capture beginner duels is just capturing bad data.

Still, if the desire is a non-logged room, I have no issue with it.

FWIW

[Spell]

From a scouting perspective, anyone silly enough to capture beginner duels is just capturing bad data.

Truth.

[Xavior Mues]

A: Matrix based games are NOT unpredictable. Most duelist use scouting programs, of one design or another, that use basic math to calculate the odds of your opponent's next move. Yes, a thinking brain isn't completely predictable, but I've managed a high average by using math to detect repeating patterns as have basically all players with title holding characters.

B: Scouting true noobs is a wonderful idea. True, they are extremely random at first, but all of them find a creative way to defeat more experienced players before they begin to rise in rank. Scouting noobs is one way to add tricks to your bag.