Victory Handbook: Difference between revisions

Fixed naming convention as per Fleet Admiral Wolf's requirements, other minor changes.
(→‎Meeting Fleet Requirements: - Fixing silliness.)
(Fixed naming convention as per Fleet Admiral Wolf's requirements, other minor changes.)
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<div style="background: LightYellow; border: 1px solid black; margin: 1em auto; padding: 0 10px; width: 200px; float: right; text-align: left;">'''Tip:''' Although naval tradition requires officers on-board a ship to be referred to as "sir" regardless of gender, on the Victory we tend to be a little more relaxed. Female officers generally prefer to be called either by their surname, their rank, or in formal situations "ma'am". As usual, this is up to the officer in question- if there's ever any doubt, err on the side of formality. You can't go wrong then.</div>
<div style="background: LightYellow; border: 1px solid black; margin: 1em auto; padding: 0 10px; width: 200px; float: right; text-align: left;">'''Tip:''' Although naval tradition requires officers on-board a ship to be referred to as "sir" regardless of gender, on the Victory we tend to be a little more relaxed. Female officers generally prefer to be called either by their surname, their rank, or in formal situations "ma'am". As usual, this is up to the officer in question- if there's ever any doubt, err on the side of formality. You can't go wrong then.</div>


How to sim in UFOP would have been taught to you in the academy. Rather than go over the specifics of how to make a sim, this section will instead cover how we do things on the Victory, since different ships can have their own "style" of doing things.
How to sim in SB118 would have been taught to you in the academy. Rather than go over the specifics of how to make a sim, this section will instead cover how we do things on the Victory, since different ships can have their own "style" of doing things.


Understandably, our style is almost identical to what you would have encountered at the academy. The only thing which might be surprising is that we don't capitalize the last names of crew members who are speaking (which some other crews do).
Understandably, our style is almost identical to what you would have encountered at the academy. The only thing which might be surprising is that we don't capitalize the last names of crew members who are speaking (which some other crews do).
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====Meeting Fleet Requirements====
====Meeting Fleet Requirements====


Generally speaking, UFOP requires ten sims a month to be considered a "part time" simmer. Simmers who are more active sim every other day (fifteen a month, a "full time" load) and some sim every day. Some sim more often than that... but that's far from required.
Generally speaking, SB118 requires ten sims a month to be considered a "part time" simmer. Simmers who are more active sim every other day (fifteen a month, a "full time" load) and some sim every day. Some sim more often than that... but that's far from required.


It's a casual observation that the more someone sims, the lower the quality and the shorter the length of the sim is. So sacrificing quality for quantity is obviously not desirable. However, someone who only sims twice a month- even if those sims are the bees knees- isn't desirable either.
It's a casual observation that the more someone sims, the lower the quality and the shorter the length of the sim is. So sacrificing quality for quantity is obviously not desirable. However, someone who only sims twice a month- even if those sims are the bees knees- isn't desirable either.


So each writer must find a balance, find what works for them. But no matter what you decide is best for you, UFOP membership requires at least ten sims a month to be considered active- it's just not fair to your fellow simmers to sim any less. Generally speaking, these sims should be evenly spaced out (every few days), rather than a large burst of activity at the end of the month.
So each writer must find a balance, find what works for them. But no matter what you decide is best for you, membership in our group requires at least ten sims a month to be considered active- it's just not fair to your fellow simmers to sim any less. Generally speaking, these sims should be evenly spaced out (every few days), rather than a large burst of activity at the end of the month.


Consistently maintaining a sim count higher than the bare minimum (generally 20+ a month) and answering your tags with alacrity looks very good for promotion, keeps your character involved in the plot and allows for a much more fun simming experience for the whole crew.  
Consistently maintaining a sim count higher than the bare minimum (generally 20+ a month) and answering your tags with alacrity looks very good for promotion, keeps your character involved in the plot and allows for a much more fun simming experience for the whole crew.  
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Additionally, in order to advance in rank beyond Lieutenant you should be showing that you are, in some capacity, involved in the OOC working of the ship and the fleet. This is generally something small and, in most circumstances, doesn't take up much more time than an hour a week. Something like becoming a wiki editor, a forum moderator, writing something for the Fleet News or in some way contributing to the ship and the fleet as a whole. Even Ensigns can contribute, so don't be shy- ask away.
Additionally, in order to advance in rank beyond Lieutenant you should be showing that you are, in some capacity, involved in the OOC working of the ship and the fleet. This is generally something small and, in most circumstances, doesn't take up much more time than an hour a week. Something like becoming a wiki editor, a forum moderator, writing something for the Fleet News or in some way contributing to the ship and the fleet as a whole. Even Ensigns can contribute, so don't be shy- ask away.


On the Victory, we like to think we're better than most ships- while we can't step outside UFOP bounds, we'd like to think that every member of our crew puts out a good quality sim every other day on average. That's three-and-a-bit sims a week, or fifteen a month. Again, this looks good for promotion!
On the Victory, we like to think we're better than most ships- while we can't step outside the bounds of fleet guidelines, we'd hope that every member of our crew puts out a good quality sim every other day on average. That's three-and-a-bit sims a week, or fifteen a month. Again, this level of commitment looks good for promotion!


==Common Problems==
==Common Problems==
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MSPNPCs are simmed just like any PNPC. Writers of MSPNPCs are advised to avoid including information that would reveal their identity. 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. Writers of MSPNPCs are advised to avoid including information that would reveal their identity. Simming an MSPNPC is a great chance to try something new or challenging with a character, since they are designed to be temporary.


It should be noted that although MSPNPCs are usually villains, writers are reminded that ALL UFOP 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 your CO.
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 your CO.


==Ranks and Promotions==
==Ranks and Promotions==
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<center>'''Ensign'''<br>[[Image:DS9style-ens gold.png]]</center>
<center>'''Ensign'''<br>[[Image:DS9style-ens gold.png]]</center>


All writers, even those who chose to sim an enlisted crewman, begin their careers as Ensigns. Ensigns are expected to have a basic knowledge of how to sim at UFOP, should be meeting the monthly post requirements as set out by the UFOP constitution and should be eagerly contributing to their ship's duty post.
All writers, even those who chose to sim an enlisted crewman, begin their careers as Ensigns. Ensigns are expected to have a basic knowledge of how to sim at SB118, should be meeting the monthly post requirements as set out by the SB118 constitution and should be eagerly contributing to their ship's duty post.


Ensigns of particular talent and flair may be allocated the role of 'department head', but generally they are assigned to a more senior officer in that field.
Ensigns of particular talent and flair may be allocated the role of 'department head', but generally they are assigned to a more senior officer in that field.
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Lieutenant (Junior Grade), or Lieutenant JG, is the first rank you can earn during your stay at the Victory. To reach the rank of Lieutenant (Junior Grade) a writer should:
Lieutenant (Junior Grade), or Lieutenant JG, is the first rank you can earn during your stay at the Victory. To reach the rank of Lieutenant (Junior Grade) a writer should:


* Be in good standing with the UFOP.
* Be in good standing with our community.
* Display a solid grasp of the simming format for UFOP.
* Display a solid grasp of the simming format for SB118.
* Sim a well developed character with a distinct personality.
* Sim a well developed character with a distinct personality.
* Contribute to both ship-wide plots and personal story arcs.
* Contribute to both ship-wide plots and personal story arcs.
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Lieutenant is the second rank you can earn during your stay at the Victory. To reach the rank of Lieutenant a writer should:
Lieutenant is the second rank you can earn during your stay at the Victory. To reach the rank of Lieutenant a writer should:


* Be in good standing with the UFOP.
* Be in good standing with our community.
* Display a mastery of the simming format for UFOP.
* Display a mastery of the simming format for SB118.
* Significantly help with the direction, plot or exposition of a shipwide plot.
* Significantly help with the direction, plot or exposition of a shipwide plot.
* Maintain a strong OOC presence aboard the ship, including regular contributions to the OOC list and the ship's forums.
* Maintain a strong OOC presence aboard the ship, including regular contributions to the OOC list and the ship's forums.
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Lieutenant Commander is the third and final rank you can earn without beginning to cross into the realm of command. A writer who wishes to become a senior staff member and reach the rank of Lieutenant Commander should:
Lieutenant Commander is the third and final rank you can earn without beginning to cross into the realm of command. A writer who wishes to become a senior staff member and reach the rank of Lieutenant Commander should:


* Be in good standing and well recognized within the UFOP, preferably due to significant involvement in fleet affairs.
* Be in good standing and well recognized within our community, preferably due to significant involvement in fleet affairs.
* Display an OOC maturity and responsibility which would be appropriate for one so close to command.
* Display an OOC maturity and responsibility which would be appropriate for one so close to command.
* Be ready to place their character out of the spotlight to assist new writers to the fleet.
* Be ready to place their character out of the spotlight to assist new writers to the fleet.
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* Entering the regular Writing Challenges, held every two months.
* Entering the regular Writing Challenges, held every two months.
* Nominating well written sims by either yourself or your crew for the Top Sim contest.
* Nominating well written sims by either yourself or your crew for the Top Sim contest.
* Writing articles for the UFOP-News blog.
* Writing articles for the SB118-News blog.
* Joining the UFOP Publicity team! (Ask your CO for more about this!)
* Joining the SB118 Publicity team! (Ask your CO for more about this!)
* ... and many more!
* ... and many more!


====Extra Writing Avenues====
====Extra Writing Avenues====


The UFOP hosts a Writing Challenge competition, which is run every two months. The winner from the last round picks the topic for the next round.
The community hosts a Writing Challenge competition, which is run every two months. The winner from the last round picks the topic for the next round.


The Forums also have a "Character Cafe" section, where writing in ''any'' style can be posted- even if it's not Star Trek related!
The Forums also have a "Character Cafe" section, where writing in ''any'' style can be posted- even if it's not Star Trek related!
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