07-21-2023, 02:21 AM
(This post was last modified: 07-21-2023, 02:22 AM by Friendly Necromancer.)
Pasting this from my suggestion in the Discord.
More Relaxed Considerations for Signature Abilities
I would like to preface this suggestion with the fact that I am not currently working towards any sort of signature now and I do not expect to have one in the foreseeable future.
With that said, it seems that the application process for signature abilities is contentious, to say the least. The current system rightfully is built upon scrutiny so that the abilities are, ideally, treated as rewards for outstanding roleplayers or, at the very least, those that can be trusted to not squander or misrepresent them. More often than not, the application process is quite simple but it seems to find any actual success you will need to go over and beyond the suggested template for applications and include a substantial amount of logs or an essay attempting to convince the presiding staff members that your character stands above others. This system creates a specific obligation to roleplay in a particular manner if the average player hopes to obtain a signature ability rather than organically roleplaying, one that highlights the character's ambitions and emotions in every scenario. The aforementioned manner of roleplay is but one of many ways to flesh out a character, yet it is easily the most popular when signature abilities are considered as shown by the cyclic rise and fall of arguably generic protagonists and antagonists. This method of writing and characterization is by no means incorrect, however, other methods should be more widely considered as much of the game's setting is subjective and as a result, there are very often varying views as to how a particular type of magic/technology may work and how characters should act depending on their affiliation/race/history.
It is no secret that the quality and utility of signatures vary wildly, with some even serving as detriments when compared to their ordinary abilities. Though signatures are by no means required to have a significant presence in the game, they serve not only as badges of distinction among a player's peers but also as motivation for those who obtain them not only for the new avenues they may provide for characterization but they also show a player that their character is an appreciated presence. There is no shortage of players who have been playing Eternia since its earliest iterations and have never found themselves in possession of a signature ability despite their best efforts, which has been and can be a massive detriment to their overall experience of always feeling like just another side character.
As for the preferential treatment of individuals who seem to regularly find themselves enabled by the staff, I could further argue how it works against allowing for a diverse cast of writers to find themselves in the spotlight, but that would require extensive referencing and likely no shortage of debates and arguments to potentially reach an answer that isn't grey.
With the considerable disparity in the potency of signature abilities and the revitalization it may bring to the player base, I believe that the review process for applications should be more forgiving, even if only temporarily to gauge its impact.
More Relaxed Considerations for Signature Abilities
I would like to preface this suggestion with the fact that I am not currently working towards any sort of signature now and I do not expect to have one in the foreseeable future.
With that said, it seems that the application process for signature abilities is contentious, to say the least. The current system rightfully is built upon scrutiny so that the abilities are, ideally, treated as rewards for outstanding roleplayers or, at the very least, those that can be trusted to not squander or misrepresent them. More often than not, the application process is quite simple but it seems to find any actual success you will need to go over and beyond the suggested template for applications and include a substantial amount of logs or an essay attempting to convince the presiding staff members that your character stands above others. This system creates a specific obligation to roleplay in a particular manner if the average player hopes to obtain a signature ability rather than organically roleplaying, one that highlights the character's ambitions and emotions in every scenario. The aforementioned manner of roleplay is but one of many ways to flesh out a character, yet it is easily the most popular when signature abilities are considered as shown by the cyclic rise and fall of arguably generic protagonists and antagonists. This method of writing and characterization is by no means incorrect, however, other methods should be more widely considered as much of the game's setting is subjective and as a result, there are very often varying views as to how a particular type of magic/technology may work and how characters should act depending on their affiliation/race/history.
It is no secret that the quality and utility of signatures vary wildly, with some even serving as detriments when compared to their ordinary abilities. Though signatures are by no means required to have a significant presence in the game, they serve not only as badges of distinction among a player's peers but also as motivation for those who obtain them not only for the new avenues they may provide for characterization but they also show a player that their character is an appreciated presence. There is no shortage of players who have been playing Eternia since its earliest iterations and have never found themselves in possession of a signature ability despite their best efforts, which has been and can be a massive detriment to their overall experience of always feeling like just another side character.
As for the preferential treatment of individuals who seem to regularly find themselves enabled by the staff, I could further argue how it works against allowing for a diverse cast of writers to find themselves in the spotlight, but that would require extensive referencing and likely no shortage of debates and arguments to potentially reach an answer that isn't grey.
With the considerable disparity in the potency of signature abilities and the revitalization it may bring to the player base, I believe that the review process for applications should be more forgiving, even if only temporarily to gauge its impact.