The UFP simms, now just down to one main simm with two halves, is a place for folks to collaboratively write a series of stories, and live out an adventure with pen and paper, or modern times, a web browser and email. Since 2011 the simms have been running strong and the FNS decided to sit down with McClintock who runs the simms alongside a number of assistant GM's.
For those who may not be aware, what is the simm in a nutshell?
McClintock - The UFP simm is a text-based roleplay where people can begin their own journey within Starfleet or as a civilian simply by writing what they would do as a career officer, either on a Rhode Island class starship the U.S.S. August or a burgeoning colony. It is written in real-time and set during the STO timeline, currently 2411 with (as you may well know) the Federation being beset on all borders by various foes.
What role do you play, both in a UFP sense and from an in-character sense?
McClintock - Quite recently I have taken up the responsibility of administrating and maintaining the simm roleplay when Caymen Greener decided to step away. Meanwhile my character has steadily risen through the ranks as time has gone by; from the ship's Marine Executive Officer, to CO, and has in 2411 been appointed the ship's Executive Officer due to that experience.
What is one of your favorite moments in the UFP simms since their inception in 2011?
McClintock - As a reader I loved how the STO storyline was incorporated into the simm's first mission with the Borg attacking Memory Alpha as the August takes on supplies for it's beginning exploratory mission. More recently one of my favourites was the blossoming romance between Senna Nogumo and Kurtis Lyden, taking form of mission posts and logs alike. It was great to witness that in-character during our stint at Kintana Station in mission posts "The Glade" and "Into the Mind's Eye".
What are you working on now on the simm? what adventure awaits those who wish to join?
McClintock - We've recently started a new mission simply titled "New Beginnings", which is ideal because while nothing has been planned, people can write whatever they wish, and also for new players to join us in the summer-time quiet. A new post involving an unexpected crisis arrives however, and any new players can immediately take advantage of it.
Why join the simms? can't I just write my own stories and publish a novel some day?
McClintock - Absolutely, I would encourage you to do that however the simm is at it's core a collaboration with many other people from different walks of life, interacting with different characters. It is one thing to craft a novel for you by yourself, but a whole new realm of satisfaction is generated by writing with and alongside other people.
Can you show us a sample of some writing from one of your recent posts?
McClintock - Certainly. I think looking back over my time, I'm quite proud of a personal log called "Desperate Men", which detailed one of my character's recurring dreams/nightmares from his past quite vividly. I think it stands as the most succinct yet fluid piece of writing I've done yet.
He tastes salty blood.
His and others'.
There are scraps of human tissue on his face.
His and others'.
He assesses the situation. Up, down, out, in. All relevant compass points. Doesn't look good. Actually, it never looks good. Two shuttles blown out of the sky, onto their sides like downed rhinos. Pilot didn't spot it in time to shoot it down. Despite the armour four of his men are dead or mortally wounded. He's the only one mobile. There's no good reason why this is the case - it's luck, nothing more. None of the dead and dying men had done anything wrong. He had done nothing particularly right.
From Desperate Men (by McClintock)
His and others'.
There are scraps of human tissue on his face.
His and others'.
He assesses the situation. Up, down, out, in. All relevant compass points. Doesn't look good. Actually, it never looks good. Two shuttles blown out of the sky, onto their sides like downed rhinos. Pilot didn't spot it in time to shoot it down. Despite the armour four of his men are dead or mortally wounded. He's the only one mobile. There's no good reason why this is the case - it's luck, nothing more. None of the dead and dying men had done anything wrong. He had done nothing particularly right.
From Desperate Men (by McClintock)
What if someone says, "Wow, that sounds amazingly fun - I just can't write?"
McClintock - I would say if you have the passion and the stamina to write consistently, it matters less what your ability to string sentences together is. See what I did there? Abilities can always be improved upon as you as a person grows, and the ability to write (or type in our case) is no less a part of that.
So whats available for new players to become?
McClintock - On the U.S.S. August, we have need of a capable helmsman, tactical, engineering and medical/science officers but there's also plenty of space at our newly colonized planet for ambassadors or civilians if you prefer being grounded - literally.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE UFP SIMMS CHECK OUT THEIR RELATIVE LINKS BELOW
THE UFP SIMMS FORUMS
NEW BEGININGS MISSION POST
WRITTEN BY CAYMEN GREENER
EDITED BY TORINTH - STEPHEN.HALL@UFPLANETS.COM
Hopefully it will encourage people to give the UFP SIMMS a try.