The Hub - Unifying Crime Rp, Oocly Mostly

[Conflee]

.
.
Hello! Ill skip the lengthy introduction-

Essentially, a very long time ago, a year actually roughly, Massive started to lean away from Direction Roleplay to Co-Operative Roleplay, which I've been reading into a lot due to my own issues with the topic. Basically scouring old threads etc. And this, paired with how frequently Crime Roleplay likes to just kill itself and stop existing for months at a time, I am planning out some form of Player-Run system to kind of... meld the ideas of Co-Operative Roleplay with the more chaotic nature of Crime Roleplay, in the form of an IC and OOC organization simply called "The Hub", named after a pub on Madison Street in Chicago that was a "Bad Guy Bar" in real life. (Yes this means we are going to kidnap the corpse of a deceased emperor eventually dont worry about it). Generally just making an OOC environment that favors cooperation OOCly and encourages conflict ICly, keeping everything clean and neat and chaotic all at once in that fun, anarchic Crime RP fashion we all love.

The goal of "The Hub" is simple. ICly it would be a safe haven location, neutral grounds of sorts, to foster evil plots and intrigue. Probably, if we get a location, it would be located "ICly" near the entrance to the Slums. Ill explain "ICly" later.

OOCly, The Hub works as a Skype Chat and series of Google Documents and forms, where players can essentially log activity, request notice board additions, rent out space for events, and OOCly plot together to enhance roleplay, by pre-planning events that wold normally only happen impromptu. For example, Base Raids, Gang Battles, etc. Instead of desperately hoping to bump into people while in a group, you can coordinate with each other to make it happen- all OOCly of course.

As for the role of "Director" I like to think similarly to how the Noble System takes that role in Noble RP, The Hub would have that role in some respects, integrating the existing Great Gang system as well.


On the topic of Great Gangs, this system does share some of the, ideas, I think, but I'm wanting to take it further by including literally everyone who Crime RPs or lives in the Slums more or less. Everyone interested at least. Form a massive amalgamated thing to keep things competitive (and even happening at all) ICly and cooperative and organized OOCly.


To mention the In Game Location ideas a bit that I hinted at above, after thinking on it, assuming this idea was supported and I can mass enough interested bodies, I am hoping to request a region, similarly to how Approved Charters are granted regions and the Great Gangs were, that isn't, actually in the Slums per say. By this I mean, ICly, it is, and its entrances will be, however it will use tunnels that lead to teleport gates to give the illusion of being connected. My reasoning for this is to prevent issues that many people have in the Slums and the last Sewers we had: Emotes being viewed in literally every inch of everywhere. Especially with Announcements, it was incredibly frustrating when the Usque were plotting and having a meeting and the Nenyarina could hear us because the positioning of things put their grove on top of the room. So, this room would, OOCly, need to be located underground, away from the Slums and City, deep enough that on the surface, nobody can hear Announcements. Probably under the Mountain somewhere to be honest. All simply for OOC convenience. That is assuming this idea takes off in any manor, again.


For IC management, the location would probably be run by some character I make up for it. I have had an idea for a really arrogant, cocky, charismatic arsehole character for a while that might be fun. His role would come down simply to unbiasedly enforcing the IC rules of the location, IE No fighting, no murder, no poisoning, blah blah.



The reason I am posting this here is because I want to hear some feedback before I begin the long process of making it a reality through IRP action and OOC action. Anyone interested? Anyone have ideas? Anything? Let me know.

People I know Roleplay in the Slums ish I think:
@Sozzer @Aespair @MonMarty @KiddingAround @NChulingeth @PosidonX7 (i think your the right one im bad at names sorry) @Jack_Castle @flareskies @KayKay704 @xXKingDraugarXx @DeltaInsomnia @_XIII_ @Patsie @Miss_Confined @Suzzie @Jouster @Goldifish

Feel free to tag more there are like 80 of you I cant know even 1/3rd.

 

[ZZaque]

As for the role of "Director" I like to think similarly to how the Noble System takes that role in Noble RP, The Hub would have that role in some respects, integrating the existing Great Gang system as well.


On the topic of Great Gangs, this system does share some of the, ideas, I think, but I'm wanting to take it further by including literally everyone who Crime RPs or lives in the Slums more or less. Everyone interested at least. Form a massive amalgamated thing to keep things competitive (and even happening at all) ICly and cooperative and organized OOCly.

Click to shrink...

The Great Gang system is to potentially be changed shortly.

Slum Bases are also located way further away from one another now, so keep that in mind.

If you want to talk about this in more detail, PM me and we can talk.

 

[Sozzer]

I'd argue that something more wide-scale like this ought not to be particularly formalised, as it's simply too all-encompassing to really work in that manner. I was meaning to talk to you about it when you brought the idea up on skype, but got sidetracked. I'll do so now, though.

 

[Conflee]

The Great Gang system is to potentially be changed shortly.

Click to shrink...

I have heard a couple different things, from no rework to rework in progress to rework maybe over the last month, which is why I've been a bit absent in the crime scene- too scared to try to start anything new for now in case I have to fiddle. Until now at least.

But I am interested in talking more on it, once I can get more feedback here maybe at least. I want to hear what the people who it will be mostly affecting think first before I start finalizing the concepts in my head fully.

I'd argue that something more wide-scale like this ought not to be particularly formalised, as it's simply too all-encompassing to really work in that manner. I was meaning to talk to you about it when you brought the idea up on skype, but got sidetracked. I'll do so now, though.

Click to shrink...

As for the arguments in the Skype chat:

I would probably request players not attempt coups on The Hub simply for the sake of its continuation. A take over muddles the point of it entirely almost, because it ceases to be unbiased if its run by an actual gang.

As for the risks of making it TOO open, there would be a system in place, probably, granting different "power" to players with cleaner records, more activity, etc, and (private) warnings and eventual kicks from the chats to anyone who is found to be meddling with files, falsifying reports, or undermining the system by bringing up OOC salt or drama repeatedly after said warning etc. Essentially just to clean out the worst and encourage the cooperation.

And as for my intended character to head this ICly, dont worry ima make him a coward too lol so it should be a lot of fun back and forth interacting. Acting tough when he knows hes safe like "I will turn you inside out and make you my hand puppet boy" while hes surrounded with allies to an orc, then instantly like "oh you want me to polish your boots with my tongue yes yes of course the most efficient method how did I not think of it your so wise and powerful sllllerrrrp" as soon as hes surrounded or something lol

 

[Aespair]

I really, really don't like the idea of pre-planned events or raids where the outcome is already known from the start. Feels scripted and dishonest, plus the person who makes the script tends not to suffer negative consequences. As I mentioned a little over a week ago, however, I've already begun work on a natural rework / extension of the crime system. You are free to make this 'Hub' as its own Great Gang, but don't advertise it as a server officiated system. It will be just as susceptible to attack as the Circle or the Devout Few (I.e. don't ask people not to raid or coup it like you suggested in your last message).

 

[Conflee]

I really, really don't like the idea of pre-planned events or raids where the outcome is already known from the start. Feels scripted and dishonest, plus the person who makes the script tends not to suffer negative consequences. As I mentioned a little over a week ago, however, I've already begun work on a natural rework / extension of the crime system. You are free to make this 'Hub' as its own Great Gang, but don't advertise it as a server officiated system. It will be just as susceptible to attack as the Circle or the Devout Few (I.e. don't ask people not to raid or coup it like you suggested in your last message).

Click to shrink...

I wasnt intending on the outcomes being preordained, only pre-planning times and places to make stuff actually happening. Having to rely of randomly bumping into people isn't really effective.

Edit: Im also not wanting to replace the current Great Gangs system in any real fashion, this idea is more of a... supliment? Additional thingy? Great Gangs, as of current, the main perk is a base and being able to submit progressions, which also encourages activity to keep meeting requirements, and to keep partaking in progression and resource management minigame of sorts. This is just a way to gather everyone together, Great Gang or not, to make things a little more organized on an OOC level, and offer some other little things, like Neutral Grounds for meetings, etc.


And for the whole asking to not be raiding thing, thats a bit of an iffy topic because on one hand I agree it should all be fair game but on the other the only purpose say, if they still existed in any function the Devout Few taking over The Hub, is that now its not neutral, and every gang that doesnt like them ICly (which was literally every gang) no longer uses it. So the system collapses because someone wanted to take over a mostly meaningly bar location. Thats my reasoning at least, I would still probably allow some stuff and be fine with smaller attacks but like, taking over or major disruption of operation defeats the entire purpose.

 

[Wumpatron]

Let me summarize this into the simplest form possible. The Hub is meant to be a cooperative location where gangs/criminals can go to and interact with each other without there being any murders, fighting, magic conflict, etc.?

Like the hotel from John Wick.

 

[Sozzer]

I have heard a couple different things, from no rework to rework in progress to rework maybe over the last month, which is why I've been a bit absent in the crime scene- too scared to try to start anything new for now in case I have to fiddle. Until now at least.

But I am interested in talking more on it, once I can get more feedback here maybe at least. I want to hear what the people who it will be mostly affecting think first before I start finalizing the concepts in my head fully.




As for the arguments in the Skype chat:

I would probably request players not attempt coups on The Hub simply for the sake of its continuation. A take over muddles the point of it entirely almost, because it ceases to be unbiased if its run by an actual gang.

As for the risks of making it TOO open, there would be a system in place, probably, granting different "power" to players with cleaner records, more activity, etc, and (private) warnings and eventual kicks from the chats to anyone who is found to be meddling with files, falsifying reports, or undermining the system by bringing up OOC salt or drama repeatedly after said warning etc. Essentially just to clean out the worst and encourage the cooperation.

And as for my intended character to head this ICly, dont worry ima make him a coward too lol so it should be a lot of fun back and forth interacting. Acting tough when he knows hes safe like "I will turn you inside out and make you my hand puppet boy" while hes surrounded with allies to an orc, then instantly like "oh you want me to polish your boots with my tongue yes yes of course the most efficient method how did I not think of it your so wise and powerful sllllerrrrp" as soon as hes surrounded or something lol

Click to shrink...

I think someone having an IC stake in a system they run OOC is muddying the waters enough.

 

[Conflee]

I think someone having an IC stake in a system they run OOC is muddying the waters enough.

Click to shrink...

Every group has this though. The Violet Order for example, or any other charter, the player leading it does a lot of OOC work to maintain it, and an IC Stake in the system continuing.

 

[Sozzer]

Every group has this though. The Violet Order for example, or any other charter, the player leading it does a lot of OOC work to maintain it, and an IC Stake in the system continuing.

Click to shrink...

There's a difference between an IC stake in the system continuing, and one within the system itself.

 

[Conflee]

There's a difference between an IC stake in the system continuing, and one within the system itself.

Click to shrink...

Im not running any gangs or groups who will be meddling with it. The closest might be the Viola but their goal is not crime related at all so I doubt they will ever get involved even slightly beyond meeting people in the location.

 

[Conflee]

To give a little expansion onto this to maybe give people more to dig over since responses have been a bit sparse:

There would probably be some kind of internal "Reputation" system involved, based on activity, positive OOC influence, and other factors, with Solo Players (or groups of 5 or less) gaining small bonuses to compensate for how much more potential for activity larger gangs have. On top of this, there would probably be some sort of privilege for Great Gangs, given they all have to go through their own review process to be approved by staff.

The Internal Reputation of individuals or gangs probably wouldn't have much relevance in RP per say beyond being a way to quantify activity and guesstimate how well known you are probably.


I dont want it to become too complex, just a simply estimation. Maybe some system where points are added for reported activity, and reduced for major failings, and then have a set amount of points subtracted from everyone on a bi-weekly basis to keep one group from amassing a ton then bailing and leaving the system one-sided.

Mostly a vague idea.


Another thought was perhaps, reaching out to players who run businesses, nobility, etc on an OOC level and find groups who are willing to put their businesses at risk for roleplay purposes, with moderation in place to prevent targeting players. As an example, say a crime group, generic name um, the "Blood Masks" is looking to raid a lower tier business and rob the place. I would look at the list of businesses that have signed up, look for something I think fits the target criteria, and get them into a group together to negotiate when the event should happen, that way both sides can have people there to roleplay out the scenario. Note: The final outcome will not be predetermined unless both parties say they want an outcome. Thats up to them to discuss.

I would also try to avoid putting groups at odds that might have preexisting OOC issues with one another, to keep things amiable for the most part. So if I knew, Bobsockjockstock69 and LooseGooseNoose hated each other's guts, I would avoid pitting Bob's gang against a business that Loose runs, etc.