So what was/is wrong with AOL Simming? Well that needs to be covered in several topics to truly explain the problem. But the short answer would be......PEOPLE. And I mean this in the literal sense. There are a lot of people out there doing some really screwed up things. And those things have created a stigma for the entire genre.
To delve into this epidemic in AOL, let me use the example of Star Trek Simming, which is, after all, what this blog is about.
Star Trek Simming is based on the universe created by the late Gene Roddenberry. This universe is, arguably, one of the most easily recognizable and copied Sci-Fi universes in existence. It is popular. And that is why many have been drawn to it. However many have been drawn to it for the wrong reasons.
In the early and mid-Nineties there were a proliferation of Sim groups dedicated to Star Trek utilizing the Star Trek genre. It is pointless to name all of them, because here were so many. And many had different takes on Gene Roddenberry's universe. But the common thread is that theses groups used and continue to use, AOL live action sim techniques via chatroom.
While these groups thrive for a time, they eventually sprouted offshoots. This happened for various reasons, but usually because these offshoots disagreed with how the group was run and wanted to do things their way. There is nothing wrong with that. But consider some of the other reasons. And, unfortunately, one of those reasons for these offshoots developing was because these individuals were asked to leave the parent group, for one or more reasons. They were dissenters. So many of these individuals took their dissention and created more groups.
The basic building block of any Sim regardless of genre and method of play is the GM/DM/CO. The function of this individual in his or her various incarnations is to run the Sim. That entails creating the storylines, running the live action, recruiting and training the players, maintaining civility and a host of other things. The GM/DM/CO is a difficult position requiring a great deal of skill knowledge and talent. And while many would like to be the captain of the ship and even more have the ability to start their own Sim, not many have the ability to do so.
This is not unique to Star Trek Simming. But it is magnified. It is magnified because of the close proximity and familiarity that AOL Simming breeds. People communicate in real time. And the GM/DM/CO communicates to many in real time as well, even outside of the Sim. So if the message is good, people get a lot of it. And if the message is bad, people get a lot of that as well. It is a double edged sword.
Many of these individuals take on this task with little to no experience. Many COs of starships have never held a command position on another Sim or in another group. They have limited board maintenance skills, graphics skills, and....this is the kicker....WRITING skills.
Many do not think they need writing skills. Explain to me how you can Sim without writing? You see the dilemma.
To delve into this epidemic in AOL, let me use the example of Star Trek Simming, which is, after all, what this blog is about.
Star Trek Simming is based on the universe created by the late Gene Roddenberry. This universe is, arguably, one of the most easily recognizable and copied Sci-Fi universes in existence. It is popular. And that is why many have been drawn to it. However many have been drawn to it for the wrong reasons.
In the early and mid-Nineties there were a proliferation of Sim groups dedicated to Star Trek utilizing the Star Trek genre. It is pointless to name all of them, because here were so many. And many had different takes on Gene Roddenberry's universe. But the common thread is that theses groups used and continue to use, AOL live action sim techniques via chatroom.
While these groups thrive for a time, they eventually sprouted offshoots. This happened for various reasons, but usually because these offshoots disagreed with how the group was run and wanted to do things their way. There is nothing wrong with that. But consider some of the other reasons. And, unfortunately, one of those reasons for these offshoots developing was because these individuals were asked to leave the parent group, for one or more reasons. They were dissenters. So many of these individuals took their dissention and created more groups.
The basic building block of any Sim regardless of genre and method of play is the GM/DM/CO. The function of this individual in his or her various incarnations is to run the Sim. That entails creating the storylines, running the live action, recruiting and training the players, maintaining civility and a host of other things. The GM/DM/CO is a difficult position requiring a great deal of skill knowledge and talent. And while many would like to be the captain of the ship and even more have the ability to start their own Sim, not many have the ability to do so.
This is not unique to Star Trek Simming. But it is magnified. It is magnified because of the close proximity and familiarity that AOL Simming breeds. People communicate in real time. And the GM/DM/CO communicates to many in real time as well, even outside of the Sim. So if the message is good, people get a lot of it. And if the message is bad, people get a lot of that as well. It is a double edged sword.
Many of these individuals take on this task with little to no experience. Many COs of starships have never held a command position on another Sim or in another group. They have limited board maintenance skills, graphics skills, and....this is the kicker....WRITING skills.
Many do not think they need writing skills. Explain to me how you can Sim without writing? You see the dilemma.
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