On reviving dev threads

[Quoron Cadera]

When I first arrived on Chaos a year ago dev threads were the way that restricted materials and other neat things were allowed for submissions. I think the idea of going on a quest for a certain item or for a quest around making that item is a really fun opportunity for writers to put that extra level of love into each submissions. Now that Dev threads are no longer required for submissions that use restricted materials I would like to propose a usage for dev threads. I believe that if a writer takes the time and energy for a dev thread they should be allowed to use a rating like hyper-unique or something along that line to differentiate it from other submissions. I think if a writer completes a dev thread and factory submission for that item it would be a fantastic reward to allow them to make that item more powerful. A possible way to stop this system from being abused is implement a one item per character rule and stop the item from being passed to a person that already owns one of these items. This system would provide a neat way to make IC heirlooms for characters to use. I personally love to make swords and I know others that love to make all manner of other items and I think this opportunity would also allow for more collaboration between writers for the purpose of creating new items. I think all item submissions should have some flaw simply given the nature of the forum but I think that by providing writers a way to make more powerful items by embarking on a quest would be a very cool possibility.

 

[Scherezade deWinter]

[member="Quoron Cadera"] Considering that unique means only one of it exists, what would hyper-unique mean?

And while I understand and appreciate the sentiment to have everything done IC and I do so myself more often than is healthy, I really don't see how re-implementing the old system (which is what you are proposing) back in with new names would improve anything on the site.

 

[Quoron Cadera]

[member="Nessaroze"]

I have no idea what it would be called, I was just presenting a style of idea. I think the current state of the system is great and helpful for making all sorts of wonderful things. I merely propose this as an addition for those nuts (like myself) who want to really go in depth with creation, and I would like to have some sort of external reward for that.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

Never again.

Death to dev threads.

 

[Quoron Cadera]

[member="Darth Carnifex"]

I am not saying they would be mandatory but only as an optional extra step one could take to make an item.

 

[LT-137]

This would probably be better suited to being discussed in the Factory, or Codex respectively.

However, with that being said...

You can technically do all of what you're asking for already. If you wanted to add depth and weight to a unique item, you'd pour the time and effort into making it live up to its unique ranking. Dev threads were a terrible idea, and wouldn't work with how the Factory and Codex are presently structured. I'd like to see them remain as nothing more than a reminder of the dark times; if not forgotten altogether.

 

[sabrina]

I liked dev threads, but they're dead.
Though nothing stopping you doing them anyway.

 

[Kurayami Bloodborn]

Dev threads were at best annoying and helped little in the way of balance. Not to mention there isn't anything stopping you from making a slightly(or even a bit more) unbalanced item and using it in RP. It only would become an issue if it were reported for misuse, then the sub would be pulled and reviewed with edits possible to be kept from being archived. Solid no from me.

 

[Kainan Wolfe]

[member="Quoron Cadera"] There's nothing stopping you from doing a dev thread. I often link my submission to IC events. There's also nothing stopping you from making a powerful item, you just have to balance strengths out with sufficient weaknesses. This being said, I believe mandatory dev threads should be a thing of the past. Its bad for the people making subs and bad for the people judging said subs.

 

[Ravenfire]

Basically everyone else has said what I view for dev threads anyways. But I will mention if you want to do a thread to make an item extra unique go for it. Making them mandatory or attaching a special compensation that comes off them is ridiculous. If you really want to make something special go for it and know your reward is that it was your own time and work and you had fun making it. I don’t speak for all the factory staff but personally I am going with a solid no on extra rewards for dev threads. You wanna use a dev thread for extra detail on how you got it go for it but I won’t support special stuff being added because you completed a thread creating the item.

[member="Quoron Cadera"]

 

[Gir Quee]

I'm in agreement with most of the commentators here, and I think they've explained those thoughts fairly well to the point that I will not rehash them again. But let me be clear about this from an official staff position.

It is extremely unlikely that development threads will be coming back in any sort of official capacity aside from SSDs.

Unofficially, as others have mentioned, you can do a development thread and then make a submission as powerful as you'd like. Remember, we don't judge subs officially on exacting balance any more. Some people may honor that development thread as a reason for a more powerful than normal submission, and it may not be an issue for them. Other writers you may encounter may not feel that way. If that submission is reported, the staff will not be using these unofficial development threads as a defense for overpowered or otherwise problematic submission.

 

[ToKola Bakari]

Personally i think what's best for the site now is to move FAR from the dev thread mentality. As [member="Gir Quee"] and [member="Darth Tacitus"] have said you can do your own "dev thread" to justify your submission. I always appreciate and respect people who do that and it's awesome. However, as long as we're holding outselves accountable dev threads are just another unnecessary step for a lot of people to resent.

[member="Quoron Cadera"]