weekly junkdates + Player Poll!

[these_balls]

Regarding the Fourth Wall Events:

We've heard around the grapevine that having a fourth wall event every six months might be a little too frequent, so we're considering switching it to just a once-a-year thing. But we'd like to hear from you guys: would you guys prefer the switch to having Fourth Wall Events only in May, or would you prefer having two per year, in November and May?

Leave your vote in the comments! Thanks, guys!


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Comments

[soggypastry]

I personally prefer two 4th Walls a year. Yes, it can seem too frequent, but you're not holding them every month. Six months is a long time in RPLand, with how quickly things can change and how fast people can come and go. No one's forced to participate; if they find they don't want to, they don't have to. I'll admit it's hard to do anything else during that weekend, but how is it any different than an event? Besides, it's only three days.

So, my vote is: keep them as they are. Two a year is pretty good.

[thetruehistorian]

I vote just once a year. Because I'm lame and just dislike 4th wall events.

[islandshore]

Once a year. I find fourth wall events to be really exhausting and hard to work with because none of it really counts, so making it just a once a year thing would be a little smoother, methinks.

[seasaltkeys]

I personally vote for 1 a year.

Despite being six months apart, two seems like a lot, compared to other games that seem to focus on one. A once a year thing makes things a bit more special I think.

At the same time, I'll be cool with either result.

[cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

I vote for twice a year.

I think they work out okay spaced that far apart, but more importantly, it gives people the chance to still participate if they happen to miss one, without having to wait a full year for the opportunity to do so again.

+ 1

[shadowdive]

Took the words right out of my mouth.

[infinitejustice]

Once a year. I'm of the opinion that no event should ever be repeated more than once a year, and a fourth wall event is way more exhausting than most normal events. And in Route's case, it ends up being irrelevant, since the characters never remember the events, anyway (aside from vague dreams, at least). Also, for people who've been in the game a while, it gets old having them that often.

[tearsofademon]

Personally, I like having them twice a year, if only because occasional weekends of trolling people are fun :) But I can see how people would get tired of them, too, so...

My vote is to stick with having them twice a year, but that if you do decide to change to once a year instead, that you still set up something fun in November, even if it's different. Not sure what, but something.

[tearsofademon]

Okay, coming back to this a day-ish later and reading other people's opinions, I still am sticking with my vote of twice a year, and that if it changes to once that you still do something special in November.

However, I think I'm going to ammend my opinion and say that yeah, the idea of the fourth wall being part of a bigger plot, or changing it so that the characters do remember what happens (or both, especially both) would be a breath of fresh air and quite welcome.

[combat_butler]

I will say once a year is enough. Having it happen once every six is just a little much, and in truth I'm quite bored of fourth wall events for Route. I didn't really have any fun outside of a single thread during the last one since it just felt so... overdone and stale to me. Speaking as someone who has been here for all of them, that is.

So as far as I'm concerned, having a full year-long break from it until the next one would be good. Though if it sticks to two, I won't complain. I just think two a year has always been a little odd.

ninja edit; though if they do stick to twice a year, it would really be nice if the 4th wall event wasn't ~*~the big thing~*~ that month. Having something more unique and interesting instead of something we've done four times already would be nice to help those of us who are kind of bored of it.

[vulpesvivus]

Yeah, this is pretty much my overall opinion on it too.

Can we be the old folks waving our canes at the kids on our lawn?

[usedlaserbeam]

I personally like having a Fourth Wall once every six months, but in fairness, I also have a lot of fondness for Route's Fourth Walls in general; I joined the game after test-driving a character at one, and two of my characters now have been apped as a direct result of them. I think they can be fun, stress-free ways of playing around with characters in the Route environment without having to firmly commit to them for a long period of time via apping, and that the event gives people who want to post during it a brief but vast amount of freedom to do things that they might not otherwise be able to do within the everyday goings-on of game canon. Some of my favorite threads have come out of fourth walls, and I'd be sorry to see the event drop down to once a year because it really limits players who might want to take advantage of the opportunities a fourth wall can provide, but who for whatever reason miss the very narrow window of just three days out of every three hundred and sixty-five to capitalize on it.

That said, I think one of the primary concerns with Route's fourth walls is the fact that no one can ever remember them afterward, and so in a sense those three days do become "worthless" days as far as the game narrative is concerned, because admittedly there's only so many times you can write "wow, guys, we all blacked out for three days again, huh?" before it just gets tedious and repetitive.

So my thought would be, rather than change the frequency of the fourth walls, maybe there's a way to reform the process to shake it up a little and do something new and different with it? We've got Kanto and Johto open now — maybe just hit one of the areas in November instead of both, and split the difference? Or find a way to let characters remember the events of it afterward, or tie the fourth wall into a bigger plot that actually changes the setting (temporarily or otherwise) and makes it so that the days don't just seem so throwaway by comparison.

[decrees]

I vote for twice a year. I have a lot of fun during fourth wall events and seconding Cobra here, they're spaced far enough apart for it to give players the chance to participate in one instead of waiting for a whole year.

I do think it would be good if we could still have other things going on during November and May though; having the fourth wall as the main plot for the month seems kind of like a waste. I think it would be interesting if we could actually learn more about what causes fourth wall ICly - I wouldn't mind having a plot devoted to that to take up the month there. But as it stands, fourth wall doesn't do much outside of provide a fun distraction for a weekend. I think a lot more could be done with it in terms of what our characters can find out ICly.

One of the issues I'm having with my characters is that the rumor regarding the Gym Badges has been proved to be wrong; they can't return home even if they get all the Badges and the Elite Four isn't open to take challengers. Having some other rumored way to get home would be interesting and would provide something for the characters to investigate. I think fourth wall would be a good way to open up another option there - perhaps someone can find out that there is some kind of machine behind it, or even that Team Rocket has something to do with it. Either way, I think it would give the characters something else to look towards.

Of course that's just my opinion and it has... nothing to do with the original topic here, whoops.

But yes, I'd like to keep it twice a year!

[buttons]

I second the idea of a plot to try and find out what makes the fourth wall tick!

Also, +1 on the twice a year.

[pinnedbangs]

While I understand that 4th wall events can get pretty dull (especially since the characters can't fully remember the events), I felt that they were an important aspect to Route. The characters were suddenly brought into the world in an unexpected manner. It made sense (to me) that these same characters be subjected to a strange, bi-annual event that becomes clearer to some depending on trigger-words/actions.

I like them twice a year because I'm able to join in the crazy madness at a time when I am available. Later in the year I'm usually knee-deep in NaNoWriMo (or some other project) and I have to pass on playing along. I love the zaniness that comes with the 4th wall, and sometimes CR that might not have happened in-game can happen there. In some cases it can transcend into OOC discussion and eventual CR explosions! When I have a new character, I do feel a little more comfortable approaching others during 4th wall. And once I do I feel like I can go all out and have fun. ...It sets the mood, you know?

But, again, it can get a little dull to constantly wake up a character and find out that they can't remember anything. If I may suggest, perhaps one of the two 4th walls could be fully remembered by the characters and (somehow) placed as a bigger event? Something to do with whatever otherworldly powers brought them into the pokéworld?

[bewilding]

I prefer them once a year. While they are fun, they're also rather formulaic and having them too often is a little bit exhausting, both ideas-wise and playing-wise.

[atrueheroine]

I vote for twice a year. As someone above me said, a lot can happen in RP land in 6 months, and the FW events are great for playing around with different sorts of possibilities, particularly for muns who aren't in the game and want to give it a shot, even if just for a little while. But I also agree that they shouldn't be the only event/plot happening in May/November, and I like the idea of a big one that will be remembered by the characters acting as a larger plot.

Besides, it's not like they're compulsory. If you don't like it, don't participate. It's pretty simple, really.

[chosen_light_child]

Personally, I think having two of them is a bit too much. It'd probably be better to keep it just in May.

[ghostytrainer]

Once a year, and everyone else has already kind of taken the words out of my mouth as to why.

[enjoymyatelier]

I don't really have a preference as to how many times it happens a year, but I like the idea of adding a little more plot to it like people have been suggesting-like, people remember it or they find the cause of it or whatever. I think that could go a long way towards making it less stale, and GOSH DO I LOVE PLOT YOU GUYS

[ex_aeroga402]

I'm voting twice a year. I've known people who got into Route because fourth wall gave them the confidence to try it out. Six months is a long time to me, honestly, so I can't really see it as "frequent" to have anything occur twice a year.

Besides, it's stink to miss the lone fourth wall of the year and have to thusly wait until a year later to have an opportunity to participate. These factors are the reason for my preference. I was really looking forward to having one in November.

[killer_sweets]

I love the route fourth walls. I honestly don't think two a year is really short of a time.

I think if the rules of the forth wall were change then it might not be as much of a problem. Since nothing that happens during forth wall effects the game.

[pikajanken]

I'm voting for once a year as well. Pretty everyone else has already said why.

[ex_cashcow493]

As for the poll, I don't care either way. If I'm not feeling a Fourth Wall event, none of my characters are disturbed entirely by losing three days. There are some characters who can be mentally unhinged by it, so I think the suggestion about having something 'alternate' for those who can't participate would be go. Maybe a tower goes out and PokeGear doesn't work for a region? A dreamworld with Darkrai? There are so many creative ways that can be done to accommodate both crowds, so I have faith that this can be resolved in a way that pleases everyone.

However, what I can say is that I don't really get the gist of missing a Fourth Wall event in Route.

This game is journal-based and therefore, any user who feels like running a personal meme in their journal (so long as the date is out of order and labeled as such) can successfully do so. There shouldn't be any reprimands for it because Fourth Wall events in Route have never been remembered as more than vague dreams, if that, to the characters involved. Therefore, I don't understand the need to have it be an active part of the game when players can do it whenever they please with no consequence. Unless posting memes/posts for other games goes against the rules.

Maybe make one optional where it's just a post in the memes community? That way there's one twice a year, but if the optional one is organized correctly, it could still be fairly easy to navigate. People can link their own posts so long as they are clearly labeled to be a part of the meme and those who wish to continue with their plans in-game don't feel pressured to be a part of it.

[brandnewday]

I'd prefer if we just had one! That's it, only a vote. ❤

[subtlecoruscate]

Twice because I love the crazy!

[uuing]

My vote personally goes to once a year!

[3_butterflies]

Voting for once.

Have a nice day everyone :)

[lightningbearer]

Personally, with the current format, I'd have to say I'd prefer seeing it only once per year. While it's fun to be able to goof around and play off people you wouldn't normally get a chance to, I find it extremely disruptive when it's an all-encompassing in-game event, that then is rendered null at the end. I'm not even talking in terms of activity (since I don't have any issue with that), but just that I dislike playing out a lot of character development in the main game only to have it rendered null, which seriously dampens my ability to enjoy such an event.

Plus, for the people who do enjoy it, alternatives exist, in the form of a plethora of memes and dressing rooms and so on and so forth. As cashcow mentioned, it's possible to do non-game AU posts in one's own character journal at any time anyway.

On the flip side, there's the other alternative of making the 4th wall event either entirely AU to begin with (when Amat does a 4th wall event, it takes place in an entirely separate comm that is fully AU to begin with, allowing normal play to continue in the main game uninterrupted) or make it solely opt-in (when CFUD recently ran a 4th wall event, players were able to choose whether to mark any posts they made in the comm as participating in the event or not during its duration).

But basically, when I join a game, I join it to play in that game, not to play in a lot of major events that don't even count towards in-game canon. 4th wall events are fun, but if it's going to be something that basically either players participate in, or don't play at all during that time period, I'd rather see it only once a year.


Edit: TO SUMMARIZE- 4th wall events are cool, but having three or so days that don't count as game canon period twice a year is NOT so cool. Limiting it to once per year, or AU or opt-in 4th wall shenanigans would be preferred.

[usedscratch]

I love that we have 2 a year. I have a lot of fun getting my characters into crazy shit. :D

[foolishwren]

I'll vote for two a year-- because while I tend not to enjoy them as much as I used to, it's nice to know that it's no big deal if I (or someone else) misses out on one-- since there'll be another one rolling around within the year.

I've also gotten some excellent character development out of them even with the 'bizarre dream' limitations on the memories, so there's that too.

[exeggutorhead]

I'm voting for two a year, because of the many reasons other people have given (it's fun, chances to play with characters you might not otherwise, ability to play with character powers in the setting). But also because one of the things that's useful and sticks around ICly from these events is the opportunity to put your character(s) anywhere on the map once they're over. With Route being spread out over such a big area, I think it's really useful to have that option for characters who don't travel much ICly but the mun might want them to get out to new places, or to get in-person CR for characters that never seem to be in the same place.

I definitely agree that if we keep having them twice a year that they shouldn't be the only event of the month, and so much agreement for having some kind of bigger plot with them or keeping the memories. I think that would make it seem like much less of a 'wasted weekend'. Adding anything new or different would be great, since as one of the people who's been around for all of them it's difficult to keep coming up with new and interesting ideas.

[newberktown]

Voting two a year because of all the reasons mentioned above, and because of the fact that if you don't want to participate, it's not mandatory! I've been at Route for the past two fourth wall events, but because of shyness, I haven't actually been much of a participant in them. (Here's to hoping I get over my jitters by the time the next one rolls around!)

It would be neat to change it up a little, or at least to have another event during the month. Maybe having it be more a pokemon event? Jirachi, for example, can grant wishes. Palkia and Dialga live in different dimensions, controlling space and time respectively, and Giratina, which is highly territorial, can cross dimensions. Maybe a horde of Banette, in seeking the children that disowned them as dolls, somehow lured all the fourth wallers in? Maybe it's all an illusion by a swarm of Gothorita? Have fun without it being a machine explosion!

[comeatmibro]

I'd personally prefer only one a year, but I'm not particularly a fan of the fourth-wall events to begin with. Part of that, I think, is the fact that they have no lasting impact on our characters — if they remembered the events, it might actually interest me more, and then having two of them a year wouldn't seem so pointless.

But as the fourth-wall events are now, I think one a year would be better. Some people have suggested another, different event in November, but truthfully, with Halloween on one side and Christmas on the other (and typically festivals for each one), I think that end of the year is a little crowded.

So, tl;dr: I think we should nix the November fourth-wall and/or change the fourth-wall formula.

[darkenedgales]

Personally, I'd rather have them once a year, for reasons stated by others and some more. While fun at first, the event has become somewhat repetitive from my point of view, especially since I'm not its greatest fan in the first place (mostly due to lacking characters I'd like to throw around at people). However, I'd like to mention I'm actually pleased with the "bizarre dream" system rather than characters remembering everything, since, well, it's fourth wall, and some stuff happening during it is a little too weird even for my tastes -- but that way we have a choice of not even including the parts that would be potentially mind-breaking or whatever.

Moreover, I'm going to second (third?) what Kev mentioned: that I don't feel fourth wall should be treated as the "main" event, mostly because they don't really have much to do with premise and don't affect the game as a whole. It's more like taking a break from the actual game rather than contributing to it.

That being said, I won't complain if we choose to stick to two a year, either, although I think it would be nice to include something other than those in their respective months if that was to happen, even if it's just a simple swarm.