Starbase 118 Ops New Officer Handbook: Difference between revisions

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Starbase 118 Ops New Officer Handbook (view source)

Revision as of 03:26, 21 February 2023

1,216 bytes removed ,  21 February 2023
took out anoymous emails, added a little information to NPCs and MSNPCs
(removed reference to character cafe and lounge on forums as they are no longer there. removed reference to top sims and replaced with link to the forum. changed accolades to appreciations. updated links.)
(took out anoymous emails, added a little information to NPCs and MSNPCs)
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<div style="background: LightGrey; border: 1px solid #BD934F; margin: 1em auto; padding: 0 10px; width: 400px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;">''Tip: Feel free to play your PNPC as often or infrequently as you like, but if they start to eclipse your main character you should consider making them your main character (and your old main a PNPC). You can do this at any time, just ask your CO.''</span></div>
<div style="background: LightGrey; border: 1px solid #BD934F; margin: 1em auto; padding: 0 10px; width: 400px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;">''Tip: Feel free to play your PNPC as often or infrequently as you like, but if they start to eclipse your main character you should consider making them your main character (and your old main a PNPC). You can do this at any time, just ask your CO.''</span></div>
   
   
Finally, if you're really stuck or seeking variety, you may play a PNPC. Once you're comfortable with your main character and settled in with the crew, you can create what's known as a Player NPC or PNPC. A PNPC is like a regular NPC, but only you can write for them. In some ways they're like a second character, but they're supposed to play a supporting role. A good PNPC might be:
Finally, if you're really stuck or seeking variety, you may play a PNPC. Once you're comfortable with your main character and settled in with the crew (generally we allow this at rank Lieutenant JG, but will make exceptions on a case by case basis), you can create what's known as a Player NPC or PNPC. A PNPC is like a regular NPC, but only you can write for them. In some ways they're like a second character, but they're supposed to play a supporting role. A good PNPC might be:
   
   
*''A boyfriend or girlfriend for your character.''
*''A boyfriend or girlfriend for your character.''
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{{LCARS-bar-heading|MSNPC|200|COLOR=linear-gradient(to right, #e6be35, #c17207)}}
{{LCARS-bar-heading|NPCs|200|COLOR=linear-gradient(to right, #e6be35, #c17207)}}
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A Mission Specific Player Non-Playing Character, or MSPNPC, is an NPC assigned to a specific player for the duration of a mission. They are usually antagonists, and are played just like any other character, except they are generally only played for the mission they were created in. Occasionally, some MSNPCs are seen again in future missions or sims.
==='''MSNPCs'''===
Tip: If you're assigned a MSPNPC, don't tell anyone- and try to mix up your writing style and format a little to keep people guessing! The mystery is half the fun!
 
A Mission Specific Player Non-Playing Character, or MSPNPC, is an NPC assigned to a specific player for the duration of a mission. They are usually antagonists, and are played just like any other character, except they are generally only played for the mission they were created in. Occasionally, some MSNPCs are seen again in future missions or sims.
   
   
MSNPCs are assigned by the command staff of the Starbase. Generally an email is sent out near the end of a shore leave period and anyone who wishes may apply to be one of the characters. Most of the time, applicants are not told what, or who, they are playing until the details are ironed out and the mission is about to begin.
MSNPCs are assigned by the command staff of the Starbase. Generally an email is sent out near the end of a shore leave period and anyone who wishes may apply to be one of the characters. Most of the time, applicants are not told what, or who, they are playing until the details are ironed out and the mission is about to begin.
   
   
When thinking about simming a MSNPC, it is important that you consider your availability. Regardless of how many PNPCs or MSPNPCs you are simming, you will be expected to maintain your sim rate throughout the mission in addition to these extra characters. If you think that spending the extra time for another character might mean that you sim your main character less, then it may be a good idea to wait till next time.
When thinking about simming a MSNPC, it is important that you consider your availability. Regardless of how many PNPCs or MSPNPCs you are simming, you will be expected to maintain your sim rate (12 sims per month, 3 per week) throughout the mission in addition to these extra characters. If you think that spending the extra time for another character might mean that you sim your main character less, then it may be a good idea to wait till next time.
Once assigned, you will be sent an introduction email explaining your character for the mission and any limitations that may be placed on said character. You will be expected to sim this character as needed throughout the course of the mission, even though that may not be as much as is considered 'full time' for purposes of the fleet. You are, however, required to sim it enough to push the plot forward so that it does not stall because of tags or events that are in the hands of the MSPNPC and its writer.
==='''Anonymous Email Accounts'''===
At the beginning of a mission, the CO takes volunteers for people to play these roles, and assigns them each to an anonymous e-mail account that has been set up especially for this task. During the mission, no one knows who is playing which MSPNPC, including the other MSPNPCS. We have found that this adds to the suspension of disbelief, removes expectations from the MSPNPCs, and makes the game more enjoyable.
   
   
At the end of the mission, identities are usually revealed, and the anonymous email addresses are abandoned until they are needed again for the next mission. The anonymous email accounts should not be used for any other purpose than to send sims in from your MSPNPC. Be careful to check your email 'TO' line to make sure that you are sending the sim from the correct address so that you maintain the mystery of the character.
Once assigned, you will be sent an introduction email explaining your character for the mission and any limitations that may be placed on said character. You will be expected to sim this character as needed throughout the course of the mission, even though that may not be as much as is considered 'full time' for purposes of the fleet.  
   
   
Some writers make a game of privately trying to guess the MSPNPC's writers just before the big reveal, so feel free to join in with that, too!
'''Simming a MSPNPC'''
Simming a MSPNPC
   
   
MSPNPCs are simmed just like any PNPC. Simming an MSPNPC is a great chance to try something new or challenging with a character, since they are designed to be temporary.
MSPNPCs are simmed just like any PNPC. Simming an MSPNPC is a great chance to try something new or challenging with a character, since they are designed to be temporary.
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It should be noted that although MSPNPCs are usually villains, writers are reminded that ALL SB118 sims must be PG-13. Scenes of extreme cruelty or sadism, even from MSPNPCs, isn't acceptable. If you want your character to commit a serious 'kick the dog' moment, it is best to 'fade to black' or employ vague or poetic wording to do so. If you're ever in doubt that a scene might not be PG-13, it probably isn't... but the PG-13 rating is a very subjective thing. As always, if you're uncertain, ask the command staff for clearance.
It should be noted that although MSPNPCs are usually villains, writers are reminded that ALL SB118 sims must be PG-13. Scenes of extreme cruelty or sadism, even from MSPNPCs, isn't acceptable. If you want your character to commit a serious 'kick the dog' moment, it is best to 'fade to black' or employ vague or poetic wording to do so. If you're ever in doubt that a scene might not be PG-13, it probably isn't... but the PG-13 rating is a very subjective thing. As always, if you're uncertain, ask the command staff for clearance.
   
   
Simming an MSPNPC can be a lot of fun, as long as it doesn't become added stress to an already packed schedule. It is important to keep this in mind when you apply to write as one of these characters.
Simming an MSPNPC can be a lot of fun, as long as it doesn't become added stress to an already packed schedule. It is important to keep this in mind when you apply to write as one of these characters. A player must be able to sim at full time (12 sims per month, 3 per week) in addition to MSNPCs sims. 
   
   
Writers of anonymous characters are also asked to maintain the secrecy of their character and not reveal any information that might blatantly show off who the writer is behind the character.
 
==='''PNPCs'''===
 
See "Need Help Getting into the Story?" section above.
 
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