[deuZige]

I was actually wondering. I have mentioned this here and there before but no real answer i can remember was provided. So i thought id ask it here.

For every type of gameplay, or almost every type, a seperate tactical devision exists. Starfleet operations, house of Kular, Ravens and so on. Most of those games are not directly linked to the UFP even. Now theres a gametype being played right here on UFP and its almost unnoticable on the site or anywhere really. Im talking about the SIM played on Novasimm forum. The USS August. Its like the old PBEM RPGs where everyone writes as piece of the developing story from their own character picking up where the other left off, only now its in a forum sim system. Its stories and characters are fascinating and so are the missions they experience.

Ive got the feeling the number of people playing it is dropping ever so slowly and think that, with the number of people visiting ufplanets.com, the number of players and interest in the sim would greatly increase and improve if the sim had its own tactical division (somewhere above Infinate Space) in the site.

And if need be i'd be prepared to take on whatever it takes to run that tactical division everywhere needed. So far i think there's about 17 active characters and there's lots of positions left to fill. I think we can use any exposiure we can get.

2nd. Lt. Zoteke Madwan Marine/Figherpilot
Civilian Ahrund Madwan Superspesjal smawt 2,5 year old.

[Caymen Greener]

Deu,

This is a great question and it was part of the initial proposal (a LOT of discussion here). However, once the Simm was accepted and implemented, it was deemed to be pure RP tool and thus was placed under member communications. If the game took off further (e.g.: a spinoff simm for instance), it could receive its own division. However, that obviously has not happened. The simm is very successful, although we have a lull in joining and traffic over the last couple weeks (I think most people are absorbed by SWTOR and STO F2P). And I think this success will continue. In fact, I'm hoping an article in an upcoming Herald might spark some interest - we'll see if/when that unfolds.

In the future, it would be great to see this as a tactical division, or depending on how the community expansion of UFP goes, it could be a separate entity of some sort that's not necessarily a gaming division. I personally view it as a game, but others view it as a secondary RP outlet that is not really a "game" such as STO or RPG-X.

I welcome others from UFP, the simm, and SFC to comment. I think it's worth another discussion since it has been about 7 months or so running.

Caymen

[Bondgadget]

I do believe the Simm is possibly being moved via the fleet changes to somewhere on the index page, but I do not believe it is under the Tactical divisions.

Personally, I believe that the Simm has done quite well for itself and it should be applauded for its continuing work, in supplying a unique way of fun to the fleet. However I think the Simm is probably best not under the Tactical Divisions area. In the Tactical Division area, the structure that divisions require would be confusing to apply to the Simm area. It would be less confusing to members if the Simm remained independent from the divisions, because I believe that the best way it can function is the way its been working for itself and for the members.

As said previously, I do believe the Simm will be moved to the Index Page under the changes, I just cannot say where, because I have forgotton.

[Caymen Greener]

One thing to note is that there are a lot of groups/clans/sites/fleets out there that focus on PBeM/PBForum simming (Obsidian and UFOP seem to be the two biggest these days - I used to be in AQSG but they have somewhat fizzled). But we must understand that {UFP} is not that - we are more than that, and the simming aspect is just another piece. It is a small piece, and something I am glad Josh and I could bring to the group. If we truly want to be the ultimate Trek community, then we have to have outlets like this for people join in on. I hope it grows as UFP grows!

Caymen

[Bondgadget]

One thing to note is that there are a lot of groups/clans/sites/fleets out there that focus on PBeM/PBForum simming (Obsidian and UFOP seem to be the two biggest these days - I used to be in AQSG but they have somewhat fizzled). But we must understand that {UFP} is not that - we are more than that, and the simming aspect is just another piece. It is a small piece, and something I am glad Josh and I could bring to the group. If we truly want to be the ultimate Trek community, then we have to have outlets like this for people join in on. I hope it grows as UFP grows!

Caymen

I agree its nice that we do have these sections that people can join in, and that it is available to all members. Thats said, though it being on the Index page will give it more notability in the fleet, I think another reason why some members are unaware of the Simm, is not that it is hidden away, because its obvious people can find it from this post, but that it may need more advertising to show that it exists, like you are doing with the herald.

Perhaps to get more exposure, you could also see if you could include some sort of teaser in the UFPAC or on the UFP youtube channel or something like this.

[Caymen Greener]

...but that it may need more advertising to show that it exists, like you are doing with the herald.

Perhaps to get more exposure, you could also see if you could include some sort of teaser in the UFPAC or on the UFP youtube channel or something like this.

I like the idea of putting a teaser in the next UFPAC - I'll think about that. I am anxious to see how the Herald article fairs - that will be very telling of advertising efforts. As will a front-ish page link.

Thanks again for the input, Bond!

Caymen

[deuZige]

I agree with everybody! All i wanted to point out is that the Simm is pretty much unknown and unfindable on the UFP site, and that we might get more players when we're more visible.

I really love the idea of a trailer for the sim. Maybe i'm going to see if i've got a drop of talent, skill or just luck in my mouse left to crank out a trailer or something.



Thanks for the great replies

[Silynn]

I really love the idea of a trailer for the sim. Maybe i'm going to see if i've got a drop of talent, skill or just luck in my mouse left to crank out a trailer or something.

If someone is really ambitious and have the know-how (not to mention time)... doing one using STO might be a neat thing to see. Filming Caymen as he walks around the actual USS August, sitting in his chair on the bridge, etc.

[Dave Harper]

that could work but they need to allow you to have console emotes and such to man the stations for the crew... and mabye allow youto fully customize the entire ship<not just the bridge but hallways colors ectra>

[Christopher Halsey]

I think all the points raised have been answered but just to make certain.

The divisions are only for actual games so this kind of RP is more of a service than an actual video game.

With the planned changes for this year we are moving away from just being seen as a gaming clan and positioning ourselves more as a Star Trek fan community and as such our gaming proposition will not diminish but our non-gaming and roleplaying offering will be vastly improved.

As part of this change the website and forum content and layout will change considerably from what we have now and elements such as this will be given higher visability whilst the ability to navigate content will also improve considerably.

What we currently have in terms of set up is effectively just there to measure whether this kind of RP would be popular and viable. Effectively we have just been testing the water so to speak and the learns taken from this will be used when we re-launch.

[deuZige]

Please don't get me wrong, i'm not complaining or whining or critisizing. I'm just suggesting, wondering, thinking, having an opinion. I think the site, the UFP as an organisation and as a STO fleet, the forum and the Herald are all absolutely awesome and i cannot stress enough the fact that the UFP, the August and the site have pulled me out of, and are keeping me out of, an absolute depression. I can inmensly enjoy whatever i do here and cannot thank everyone enough.
I hope i didn't give any impression to the contrary.

[Carmen les Toreadors]

What we currently have in terms of set up is effectively just there to measure whether this kind of RP would be popular and viable. Effectively we have just been testing the water so to speak and the learns taken from this will be used when we re-launch.

In this respect you have two strong lady RPers who are getting started in SIMM and if we do well forming a bridgehead, be sure there will be more RPers on the way as I continue to wage psychological warfare on the forums.

Leadership by example, remember? :3

[Caymen Greener]

In "conclusion", I think with the website overhaul and new focus on "community", combined with the Herald article, we're going to get plenty of notice. This was a good thread to start so thank you to those of you who contributed (including those from SFC).

Let's take the trailer and any other future advertising to another thread inside the UFP Simm forum section as separate discussions.

Caymen

[Josh Broughm]

I agree with the idea of a SIMM trailer.