Audi famam illius - IMPORTANT GAME DISCUSSION

[mansionstaff]

Smash Academy has, for about seven years, been known as a school-setting game. The mods have discussed extensively options for the game's future and what directions it can go in to reflect its current state. We would like to introduce that to you and get your feedback. The pathway Smash Academy can take, is ultimately up to the playerbase, so be honest about what you want and what you think would hold your interest.

As Smash Academy ages, it is evident that it is losing focus on the things that defined it a 'school setting' to begin with. Class logs have become less frequently utilized, we're missing social cliques (jocks versus band geeks, for example), and other 'school' elements like the student council and overall feel of an educational institute. Sometimes there is difficulty incorporating certain "character types" easily into a school setting. Consequently, we're proposing moving said focus away from a school atmosphere and onto something new.

Introducing Smash Manor / Chateau / Mansion / etc.
We propose the concept of an excessively large mansion on the floating island. As you might recall, the Isle of the Ancients was introduced late summer 2014 and has been present since. By doing this, we can continue to hold many of the very popular events like dances, festivals, dormitory logs, blind dates, and kissing / memory mistletoe just as they have been. We would be eliminating events such as graduation and prom, but can easily substitute other appropriate celebrations in their place.



This does not mean we would outright eliminate the academy on the ground. We could leave that present and people looking to satisfy the occasional urge for school antics would be able to do so in either an entirely new and additional dressing room, or in the one we are currently using (which might be better in the long run).

Getting to FDC and its various shops, the contest hall, the bars, and so on, could potentially be relocated to a nearby floating island and become convenient for characters to reach, whereas traveling to the academy itself on the ground would be more difficult (in an effort to more effectively shift our focus off of a school setting).

Topics of Discussion

• Questions: what it says on the tin.
• State of the Mansion: how the mansion and living arrangements could be.
• A Whole New World: how the surrounding area and game environment could be.
• Event & Plot Lotteries: player submitted events (ala the game plotting thread in personals, only better organized).
• Challenge Mode: introducing new ways to spice up your rp, and get rewards and perks for it.
• Game Names: the name of the game is important!

Take some time to think about where you want to see Smash Academy go in the future years. Let us know how you want the game to evolve and change.

Comments

[butteroffdead]

Yeah, that's how I envisioned the trophies. They're kind of like amiibos, aren't they? Whenever I look at my amiibo, I can't help but think of it as though it has a life of its own inside in the form of data. When Master Hand scans HIS amiibos, they come to life! Except instead it's more like they were summoned from their world. They don't think of themselves as trophies or figurines that are part of a giant collection. Master Hand you hoarder.

Personally, I don't find fights boring or repetitive, but I understand I'm just one person with my own set of preferences. We could come up with a way to set up fights in a way that is more fun, like playing a game? Keeping track of damage, maybe involving a bit of dice-rolling, etc.; something involving that 'numbers game' you mentioned so it makes it favor those who have higher advantages in a certain aspect over others, but there is still a chance that the one with the disadvantage manages to overcome it (but with the exception of pre-arranged plots or player desires if they already talked it over and want things to go a certain way; those should override everything else). I think it would be neat to at least test something (in the DR?) if we can come up with a system that's balanced, not too complex, and fun! It can surely be handwaved if someone's not feeling up to it, and the match can be briefed over. And there can also be freestyle fights where there are no numbers involved and the players just run with it, sort of how we've been doing the entire time.

But yes, I wholeheartedly agree! I was thinking personally of things like Mario Kart tournaments, or other "mini-game" events that require different sets of skills. Sushi-eating contest like in Pokemon Stadium. But I think the whole culture of the place is based on: COMPETITION: FOR FUN AND GLORY! So there can definitely be other ways to compete- like Smash Run, yes, where characters run through labyrinths full of monsters to beef up their stats and get goodies then compete in the end, or we could even give Smash Run our own twist. As far as rewards go, maybe they should be more personal rewards, like a new weapon or even a Sprinkletown gift card?

I'm thinking we should abandon the idea of tier lists. Either that, or make them arbitrary and not heavily based on performance. It would stoke drama if someone thinks their character should be in a higher tier but people disagree with them, and then it's not worked out in a diplomatic manner. That's just an example I can think of. Another worry is it would add a layer of complexity no one really asked for.