Codex & Factory Patch Notes 4.2

[Jacob Crawford]

I have to agree with what's been said up to this point. This feels more like a step back from the Codex/Factory 4.0 update. Even as someone who has only recently started to get into the Codex side of things at least, it feels like this is just Dev threads with a different coat of paint, perhaps being even more restrictive than before.

My sentiment is shared with the others, feeling as though this seems rather unnecessary when a Judge can be there to say it's too OP, or won't be passed, or will need changes to be approved.

 

[thegreatbeyonder]

I concur with many of the thoughts expressed in this thread; that this is a step in the wrong direction.

 

[Jorus Merrill]

As a private citizen I'm 100% cool with all of these changes.

 

[Cira]

Am I correct in assuming that a separate expansion thread is required for each new location?

After speaking to [member="Netherworld"], I realize that perhaps people don't realize that "Expansion missions" allow the ability to add locations by submissions to the Codex. As a passive expansion mission, one can:

• Make three mass-produced products in the Factory. (For Tier 2+ and equals to one passive company expansion)
• Make three company operations specific submissions in the Codex. (For Tier 2+ and equals to one passive company expansion.

This change was made just to make it easier to list additions of operations, locations, and HQ changes. For example, if you are tiering up and you want to show which new locations, operations, or HQ changes, you can use existing threads you have already roleplayed for it or the approved codex submissions to add those locations to your company submission.


What does "operations specific submissions" mean? This means that these are codex submissions that are relevant to the current Company Operations the company has.

If a company is a mining company with the operations of "Mining, Refinement of Metals, and Fuels" then mining locations, fuel depots, fuel stations, mining stations, mining HQ's and the like are okay.

I hope that clarifies what is available, as an "expansion mission" isn't just a thread. They can be Factory or Codex submissions as well.



As for the rest, anyone is welcomed to make proposals on solutions in "Suggestions and Feedback". Those carry more weight than simply stating that one doesn't like a change. Not everyone likes changes. Some will, some won't. We have that in every Factory and Codex update. But staff can't be the only ones brainstorming here.

Get a good brainstorm going and provide a solution.

 

[Reverance]

[member="Cira"]

Perhaps you could provide us with the issue that this is trying to solve so we can go about crowdsourcing a solution?

 

[Natasi Fortan]

[member="Cira"]

Perhaps you could provide us with the issue that this is trying to solve so we can go about crowdsourcing a solution?

Staff can't be the only one brainstorming problems here!

 

[Quietus]

At this point we are very nearly back to the original state of the Factory/Codex.

I would beg to differ - the Codex is a far cry from what it was before the removal of development threads.

We succeeded in removing every single Codex requirement for dev in that transition. Every. Single. One. There were about 12 or so things that required development, including the beloved sithspawn which originally required 50 posts minimum just to submit it before I took over as Codex Admin.

50 posts.

Minimum.

Force Nexus were almost removed from allowance along with creating new planets that contained mineable RM. The latter was removed due to an overabundance of something that is, canonically, exceedingly rare. The former we decided to keep because, at the time, there were very few we ever saw submitted to the Codex. We wanted to give the memberbase a chance to see how well they handled no dev and we were, overall, not disappointed.

However we have seen a large influx of Force Nexus submissions over the past year, including planets and locations. Some of them are very good, with sound and developed intent. Many were lacking.

We have reached a point that something that, canonically, is exceedingly rare has become common place. They are now thrown onto planet subs just for the "cool" factor rather than having solid reasoning of depth behind them. We have reached a point where I will be forced to arbitrarily deny them because we've exceeded some unlisted quota that marks the point where I am uncomfortable with the amount of them passing through. It has nothing to do with them being OP, it has everything to do with attempting to curb the "just because it's cool" mentality.

Codex has added one thing to the RM list. One. This one thing now requires that you write a story detailing this thing, its origins/creation/discovery. There's no minimum post requriment, nor is there a strict and irrelevant mission accompanied. Force Nexus are not something to be casually added like sprinkles to ice cream. They should epitomize deep meaning and importance and it was my decision and the unanimous agreement of my Codex team that they be added to the RM list in hopes that we can cut out the people who don't want to put the extra effort into developing something of significance with a good, solid story that defines the reasoning and meaning behind its existence with depth and respect to what it represents.

I had also discussed with my team the idea of adding sithspawn/alchemically created creatures to RM. They heavily disagreed with the need and believed that the present system was effective and until such a time that we deem them being abused by the membership, they will remain as they are.

I cannot speak for the Factory, but I will defend my own and my teams decisions. We do not make them lightly and we do consider the effect it will have on the memberbase. If asking you to do what you are already here to do (write awesome, meaningful stories with your friends) is too much, feel free to offer me an alternative method. My PM box and discord inbox are always open and I am always happy to discuss ideas with members.

 

[Bonny Anne Read]

[member="Mahet"]

<3

 

[Julius Sedaire]

Without knowing why Restricted Materials are being added to things like they are Frank's Red Hot Sauce, I can't really (nor can anyone) source a solution. You guys are obviously trying to fix something, I have every faith in that reality. And I also have every trust that you didn't just slap these on without discussion or thought as to if there were a problem, what it was, options to fix it, and the whole process. So if you can maybe illuminate us on that, maybe we could provide useful feedback and critique. At current this is about as opaque as mud, in so far as to why it was done. So... We can't provide solutions or meaningful suggestions.

Regardless of the outcome of the update, I encourage that something be done. I find myself agreeing with [member="Darth Carnifex"] . Not cool man. Not cool.

 

[Malok]

[member="Cira"]

Suggestion: Rebrand Restricted Materials to Rare Materials!

1. Restricted Materials are Rebranded as Rare Materials.
2. Similar to Canon items, a writer may have no more than 10 restricted items across all of their characters. These items are to be reflected upon the profile of the individual's writer account for ease of tracking, as well as indicated upon each individual character'a biography. In PvP, all rare materials must be disclosed at the top of the writer's post.
3. Rare Materials may only be submitted as Unique production.
4. Major Factions which possess a restricted item source may produce rare submissions at Semi-Unique production.
5. Event/Contest Rewards containing rare materials are exempt from a writer's count.

In the context of the factory, the above will severely cut down the number of submissions containing a rare material. Staff doesn't have to do more than click on the writer profile to see their restricted material count when judging. From there, the submissions can be judged on balance, not what it's made of. With these, no one is wasting time writing a re-skinned development thread and it makes less work for the Factory Team overall. I think this is a fair set of rules that allows anyone to have their cake within reason.

 

[sabrina]

[member="Darth Metus"] I made of the rack armour, containing restricted material. I am not the only one, also every mando has beskar. How would you get round these.

 

[Malok]

[member="sabrina"]

I've been writing a Mandalorian since '13 and have no problem having less than ten beskar-based submissions. Most Mandos have their armor. That's one out of ten, across all characters. They can literally have ten fully armored Mandalorians and be golden with this suggestion.

 

[Jamie Pyne]

Thank you everyone. The factory staff are reviewing your suggestions. Please feel free to continue adding constructive feedback. Our goal is to make things better, and when that doesn't come across we'd like to find out why and fix it.

 

[Reverance]

[member="Jamie Pyne"] [member="Cira"]

Can we assume that the current alchemy issue is the replication of lightsabers resistance, when RM would be required otherwise, and the occasional overpowered alchemy item (in regards to force benefit)?

 

[Jamie Pyne]

[member="Reverance"]

In part yes. The number of ways Sith Alchemy bypasses other RM is one of the reasons it landed on the RM list now. Another reason is the abundance of submissions creeping into the factory that go above the norm, tying in various other benefits, be it Force power or enhancements, or protections. We've noticed it becoming a catch-all for all encompassing Force protection or enhancement. It was just getting out of hand.

 

[Reverance]

[member="Jamie Pyne"]

10-4.

Thank you for the answer.