Post by Vorpal Fennec on Dec 29, 2016 2:58:50 GMT -5
Frequently Asked Questions
These are the most common questions. If you have a question and can't find the answer here, please post the question in a new thread in this forum.
Q. What is this this group about?
A. Madhouse Productions stands by the following:
- All People have talent regardless of their experience or age - nobody is useless.
- Young People have wild imaginations not yet tempered by experience or reality - foster their passions.
- Some People are passionate about their favorite genre - this is wonderful. When writing short stories or drawing fanfic, please don't hesitate to post it on the OSF (follow the PG13 guideline).
- It doesn't matter if your wonky tech or society is unrealistic when engaged in nation roleplay - you made it and it makes you happy. (Be aware that one Person's tech may not work well in a Group sharing similar tech - your hard line science jump engines will be useless in a gameverse where ships are powered by unicorn farts. Likewise, unicorn-fart jump engines might not be workable in a hard science game. Ask before signing up for a game, if in doubt. )
- Pay it forward - help when asked, be kind when interacting, follow basic etiquette.
Q. What if I don't know how to roleplay, or I'm new to online PBP stuff?
A. You deserve a chance to learn in a positive environment.
Q. Will you teach me how to write/role play/world build? So how do you teach stuff?
A. We're not a school. People learn by immersing themselves into a game or project. They're exposed to more experienced writers, worldbuilders, roleplayers, etc and thus the get a taste for various writing styles. Members offer positive critique to gently guide them regarding structure, verbiage, pacing. We believe in praising as well. Every member, regardless of experience level, is in a constant state of growth and learning.
That said, we also offer one-on-one mentoring via the IRC channels, Google docs, or other medium. Our membership currently boasts three official NationStates Mentors and they can assist you regarding NationStates game play. Plus we are not exclusive on that site. Our membership networks with other gaming groups. We have no problems with referring our members to those groups. Some of our members are networked with International Incidents RP Mentors (MT and FT) as well.
People do not have to belong to NS or any other online RPG site in order to belong in the Madhouse.
Q. Is there a difference in membership levels?
A. Yes. There are three levels: Founder, Echelon, General Membership.
- Founder: these people either founded the original Pædagog or else helped refound this current incarnation.
- Echelon: these people assist the Founders in running the organization; they're happy flunkies that have extra time to dedicate towards mailing lists, moderating (not Moderating!) discussions/debates, neatening OSF code, etc.
- Member: general membership. General membership includes both experienced RPers and beginners alike.
Q. Is this a social club?
A. We do socialize and goof off, but our focus is on our hobby.
Q. Is it a clique?
A. Nope. A clique is a small group of people, with shared interests or other features in common, who spend time together and do not readily allow others to join them. We want a large membership filled with people that hold a variety of interests. We need diversity. The larger our group, the more information we can offer to those within and outside it. We don't bar membership to many people. The only things that will bar you from joining are A) a negative history in the Mod forum (numerous flaming, baiting, spamming warns), or B) a quick browse of your post history or sig indicates that you have problems playing nice with others (it's all in how you phrase what you're intolerant of) - we aren't your personal platform.
Q. Is everything on this forum about role playing? Do you do other stuff?
A. We have a general discussion forum, a foodie forum, a philosophy forum, the NaNoWriMo Group forum, and a forum dedicated to roleplay games. Sure, we role play, but we also have other interests.
Q. Can I use a swastika on the OSF?
A. Madhouse Productions is a privately owned organization. As such, it does not have to recognize freedom of speech or freedom of expression. Posting on our OSF is a privilege, as is membership. Madhouse elects to exercise its right of ownership by adopting NationStates policies regarding the restriction of swastikas as avatars or in signatures or in any area where the symbol can not be discussed. Likewise, do not post links to hate group sites such as Stormfront, Anti-Antifa etc. Period. Failure to comply will result in the immediate loss of membership. And we will laugh at you. Uproariously. You'll be the butt of our jokes for years to come. Don't do it man! Don't do it! You can use a swastika in an OSF forum when it pertains to a discussion topic such as alternate history, your NS nation history, an IC or OOC role play thread, other discussion, etc.
Q. Can I use slurs?
A. If used IC in dialog - yes. If used to describe a group (nigger, kebab, spik, kike, gyp, jap, cracker, fag, tranny, libtard, repukeagain, etc) - no.
Q. Can I use swear words?
A. We don't give a fuck. Look, keep it PG 13, don't do things in excess, and behave with some politeness and you'll be fine.
Q. Pertaining to the four answers above... Why?
A. Because Cer is an asshole... as well as our oldest living original Founder.