Policy Discussion

[singularitymods.livejournal.com]

Some of Singularity's players have questions about the game policies on AU character applications. This post has been put up to allow players to approach the staff to ask questions, offer suggestions, and voice concerns regarding those policies. The moderators are also available via IM/PM [contact information] if any player does not feel comfortable discussing their concerns in public.

As of the end of this application round (August 15th), AU applications will be closed until this matter can be resolved. This ban on AU apps does not apply to the exceptions listed in the AU policies (malleable protagonists and canon AUs).

Comments

[singularitymods.livejournal.com]

In our last mod post we clarified a few things:

http://singularityooc.livejournal.com/175376.html#cutid1

In the "better as a fanfic" section we clarified that AUs that have, quote "more than one or two significant plot or character points have been altered, or which radically alter the setting, tone, or characterization." fall under this rule.

For example, Donut as a Freelancer is okay, as it follows the canon. However, something like Donut in Tex's role wouldn't be acceptable. The latter wouldn't be acceptable because Tex's role requires things that Donut, in the same position, wouldn't do.

[ecto-biologist.livejournal.com]

If I may interject?

I think what we're looking for is, while that's a decent start, in practice not much changes. Examples are all fine and good, but I think Teal is onto something when AUs need to be judged more on quality to handle characters/prose, and less so of AU content itself. For instance there could be an AU were everyone is essentially the evil twin to their canon. It's a small change but could be justifiable as an AU character - but personalities could be radically different based on this.

Of course, there are some exceptions. Paper thin AU justifications obviously won't fly, but as it stands, the Better As Fanfic catchall doesn't seem like it should stay.

[totallynotaspaz.livejournal.com]

(Lisa/Nathan-mun here in a different journal)

I'm going to steal what Teal said earlier in this post:
"the merits of an AU should be judged on the quality of the prose and the ability of the player to handle a character, not the content of the AU itself."

Using your example, Donut in Tex's role could potentially work depending on how the applicant handles it. Maybe instead of simply swapping one character into a different position, the applicant explores how he copes with a position not suited for him and his personality--maybe he breaks the rules to abide by his own morals, maybe he can't cope and has a breakdown.

Even the most far-fetched basic concepts can be wonderfully executed if the applicant knows their character well enough, but it seems as though right now, these AU apps are being judged by their mere concept and not so much their execution.

[puppetfetishist.livejournal.com]

^ +1. All of these things.

[memorymodus.livejournal.com]

I agree with all of these things. If the execution is good, shouldn't an AU at least be given fair treatment?

[barkstabbark]

+1 worded way better than mine herp

[barkstabbark]

What if the AU had Donut in Tex's role, resulting in different events since Donut makes different choices?

I understand your point, but I don't think you're looking at the whole picture here. As I've mentioned, AU'd characters should still be recognizable and make the same sorts of choices, as that's what makes them who they are. Swapping around characters and leaving every other thing the same wouldn't make sense, since characters would have to make decisions that wouldn't always make sense for them, but if they did make different decisions based on their personalities, that isn't wrong or out of character. That's what making an AU is all about!