New 1x1 Format?

[ghostling]

Hello! So this isn't a complaint, I suppose kind of somewhere between query and suggestion -- if it's been addressed before, by all means let me know! I did skim through the suggestions board but I could've missed it. Essentially, why change the 1x1 format to this? I pretty much exclusively take part in 1x1s and the old system, with tabs for IC, OOC and character info was so helpful, quick and easy to use. I really appreciated being able to jump from writing up a response to checking some information on a character and back again. This way seems so scattered and inconvenient? Unless users add in hyperlinks to the OOC and character topics, there doesn't seem to really be a quick way to swap between them. Even then, opening a new tab/window isn't the handiest way of doing things. Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but the feature to insert tabs into a post would still mean having to go back to the first post if that was used to add in character information -- no?


I'm just uncertain why such a change was made, and if there's any chance of getting tabs back as they were, etc. -- I'm a little reluctant to start new threads this way, is all. 


If I've missed something that's made my suggestion/question invalid I apologise lol, please do point it out. Also, I understand there's still a lot happening and the mods are super busy -- by no means am I suggesting that this should be a priority. I'm sure it's work-around-able, but, yeah. Would be good to know what's going on with that! Thanks for reading, etc. etc.. 

 

[SirBlazeALot]

Unfortunately, the tabs that we're used to like IC, OOC, and Character Sign Up won't be returning. From what I understand they're actually the central reason why the site was updated. Everything I know about this I know from browsing the negative feedback forums, the biggest one being "Dissapointed" or however it was mispelled lol but that one's now been locked because things got emotional over there. But I'll try to repeat what I know and then offer my two cents on the issue as well. 


XenForo's forum software was the old forum software, and those tabs were custom made for RPN. However, about a few years ago, support at XenForo became shakey and then eventually dissolved to zero support at all. The mods did what they could to keep the tab system working, but it was essentially a ticking time bomb, eventually the whole tab system was going to crumble.


So we switched to Invision and Invision doesn't have  the tabs, and as far as I can understand, we won't be getting them back. Unless they can commission Invision to do it the same way they did with XenForo, but none of the mods have mentioned doing that. So it looks like things are what they will be now and we've gotta learn to get over it.


I agree, I thought the Tab system was much cleaner than what we have now, which is similar to if not exactly like the way the Hosted RPs were run on the old site. I've never been a fan of the Hosted RPs and the way they're formatted, I always thought the regular RPs with the Tab system was far superior. Which is why when all the update stuff started happening and one of the main selling points was: "Every RP will basically be run like a Hosted RP! " I was sitting quietly at my desktop asking myself "Yeah but who even wants that?" Some might but clearly others like you and I didn't. And based off of what I heard fron others, we're in the majority on that. But again, this was a technical emergency and a necessary change. But that doesn't mean that it isn't a downgrade if you ask me. Anyway, I've got some ideas on how to help you.


The 1x1s aren't run like the group RPs, they are "the same" except you can't have tabs. What you have to do is create a thread for IC, then go into the other sections and create threads for OOC, Character Sign Up, and whatever else you might need, and then link them in the first post. That's the way it's meant to be used. So far, I'm not a fan, I like things to be uniform, and as a GM of 4 different RPs and a partner in 2 1x1s, the sameness of the old site will be missed.


So to fix that sameness, I'd recommend just creating your 1x1 in the group RP section and just running it as if it were a group RP with only two people. I'm sure the mods don't want you doing that, so perhaps teaming up with other 1x1 players to make a group thread for several RPs might work well. Ya know, sort of like being roommates? Because most of the new stuff that was implemented to cover up the obvious downgrade of the site due to the loss of the Tab system is only available for group RPs at the moment. And if any Mods are reading, I think it would be best to make the 1x1s the same as the group RPs. That way every type of roleplayer has access to the cool new features and not just group roleplayers and desktop guys (because mobile players really got shafted especially on the oh so coveted brand new editor [we can't even align things on mobile?]).


Anyways, I hope this helps at all, if only to know that someone else feels you on this, ya know? It's a sad departure away from a better format in my opinion, but we've just gotta flow with the change.

 

[ghostling]

@SirBlazeALot


Ah, okay, thank you for letting me know! I understood that the shift was necessary due to XF disintegrating, but I didn't realise the tab system was exclusive to that software. That at least helps me make sense of things a bit more. 


Honestly I just feel a little... deflated, I suppose, because I've always been a very enthusiastic 1x1 writer and haven't had much interest in group RPs whatsoever, and the change to 1x1s felt a little like "you can't have these features anymore because we don't think you need them". I might just be taking that a bit personally though I suppose, and I understand that catering to the largest part of your user base makes sense but, eh. The 1x1 system just seems so scattered. Even if I do hyperlink everything, it was so easy and convenient to switch between tabs! I know it's not much more effort, but having to click back to the first page of an RP, open a new window, just seems... clumsy, I suppose. Ah, well. We'll all get used to it eventually, I suppose. 


But yeah, it would be great to see more options for 1x1 writers in the future of the update. I'm sure we're just as dedicated and enthusiastic as the group writers, even if there aren't as many of us ;v; 


It does help! I appreciate at least having a better understanding of what's going on. I'm staying optimistic for how the site will change as the updates settle in, for now.

 

[SirBlazeALot]

@ghostling I agree 100%, your choice in diction is really spot on for how I feel too. Deflated, and the new way feels clumsy. Is it the worst thing ever? No. But clumsy is a really good way to describe the new design. *Pats on back* We'll make it through this man. Glad I could help, if only a little.

 

[ghostling]

@SirBlazeALot


Certainly not the worst thing ever at all! Honestly, I'm impressed by how much has been done with such a short amount of downtime. I was anticipating a much longer wait, and... while I've seen a lot of people saying they'd rather have waited longer and have everything fixed before the site came back up, I prefer it this way tbh. It also means the userbase gets to give input while things are still changing, even if that input isn't all... necessarily... hugely constructive... lol. But yeah! It'll all be fine ٩(◕‿◕)۶ just gotta be patient.

 

[The Dark Wizard]

We have no issues if you use the group system and lock it down to two people. We might be moving in 1x1 in the future but let us focus on groups first place.

 

[SirBlazeALot]

@ghostling That's a good attitude to have! A common complaint I've been seeing has been "It should've been beta tested first!" Well, if we all try to think of ourselves as beta testers and this early version of the new site being the beta test, then we as a community can make RPNation great again... just no hashtags. Actually fuck that shit lets make a hashtag.


*Plays a bunch of national anthems all at once*


To anyone reading this, mod or normal RPer, Lurker or whatever, we all have a civil duty to this website we all love to #makerpngreatagain by offering constructive criticism to the mods who work hard to upkeep the site, reporting bugs, offering suggestions, being there for each other, and to not be dickwads about it! TOGETHER, we can all #makerpngreatagain!

 

[ghostling]

@The Dark Wizard


Thank you! I'm happy to be patient, god knows you guys have more to worry about than we do. 


@SirBlazeALot


Hah that's an interesting concept, for sure. Constructive criticism all the way, though, and patience!!

 

[call me rae]

We have no issues if you use the group system and lock it down to two people. We might be moving in 1x1 in the future but let us focus on groups first place.

I had a thought related to this. That maybe you could make the current 1x1 section into a kind of Thread Based section? Where people can make roleplays in a slightly easier and more simplied way. You know just make the main thread and whatever supplemental threads are necessary.


For example for those groups that are more "simple" where the GM only wants a thread to roleplay and maybe an OOC to let their players talk to one another and little else. They can go to the Thread section and just make a Main thread and an OOC thread and boom, their open for business.


This frees them up from having to deal with the complex system that is the Hosted Projects that might frankly be more than they really want to tackle for their roleplay.