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

+1

[barkstabbark]

Personally, I don't see what's wrong with consulting a cast before dealing an acceptance to an AU app that could cause problems. If the current cast has an issue with it, I think it's fair to disallow the AU since it's difficult for canon castmates to avoid AU castmates most of the time.

Comfort of existing players is important, but it's better to, well... ask, rather than assume. Maybe the castmates really like an AU, maybe some of them don't, just assuming one way or the other is a little unfair for everyone. In a case where there is no existing cast, as long as the AU is played well I don't see why canon characters that don't exist in the game yet and might never exist should be put above AU applicants.

Sorry for kinda throwing this in the middle here (hi nathan mun hi), but. I guess I'm getting the impression from a lot of people that they are uncomfortable with AUs that are not slight deviations from a canon? I don't know, I can't really argue with that since it's only an opinion, but if Singularity is supposed to be a game that accepts AUs I think its a bit on the silly side to hold such a strictly-canon mindset in general. I haven't played in too many AU games myself, but I've had the impression that a lot of communication between casts is involved just to avoid problems like AU characters that canon castmates don't want. If someone is just against the idea of an AU character they might not be able to treat like a canon one, I'm not sure why they would choose to app at a game that accepts AUs in the first place. It's supposed to be one of the reasons people come to games like sing.

I'm really repeating myself now, but just because more drastic changes in AUs might be allowed doesn't mean ones that are difficult to interact with should be accepted. I just think this is something that would be better and more fairly dealt with on an individual basis. If something can cause problems, that doesn't mean it will every time, and that doesn't make it fair to reject entire categories of AUs just because not all of them will work. These are specific problems that can be easily addressed without resorting to "you changed too much."