Curm's DMA Questions

[Rotku]

Curm, I've got one question for you. I've worked closely with you a lot these past few years, both as a DM and Admin, so don't have many things that I can guess the answer at. However, I'd like to know your thoughts on the point that FI raises: That it's not good to both HDM and Admin, due to the work loads involved in each role. Do you think you've got a solid handle on both roles? Or do you think, if you get reelected, there may be possible changes to some of the systems that you can make, in order to help things flow more smoothly and take some work load off your shoulders (that's a long sentence).

[CloudDancing]

My questions:

1. Do you like being DMA and the responsiblities therin?


2. Is the workload reasonable for one person to get HDM reviews done AND DMA issues taken care of? (this echos Rotkus question)

[oldgrayrogue]

In the spirit of fairness Curm, I'll ask you the same questions as I asked Mirabai.

What is your philosophy regarding the following:

1) Standards.

2) Wealth Guidelines.

3) Level progression rate and DM moderation of same.

4) Campaign style play versus ad hoc style play.

Specifically, since the reduction of size in the player base from NWN1 days, do you believe Standards should be utilized aggressively to address potential game balance issues on the front end versus addressing specific instances of player misconduct on the back end through PA enforcement? As to wealth guidelines, it has been noted in the past that many current ALFA PCs are at the low or mid range of our wealth guidelines. To the extent this is still the case, do you believe it is a good thing or not? In the past there have been concerns raised as to the rate of level progression i.e. that PCs are leveling too quickly, especially at lower levels. How would you moderate level progression as DMA? Finally, do you favor a traditional campaign style of play with a limited number party as in PnP, or a more ad hoc style, and which do you think is preferable on ALFA's game platform? Please include your views on the foregoing in your response. Thanks.

[Dorn]

TSM and BG makes 2
moonshaes and WHL makes 4
skullport makes 5

sustainable? In terms of DMs...and by association players?

[Veilan]

Hey,

would you consider to upgrade the DM support infrastructure we have in place? If so, in what form could you envision doing that?

[Curmudgeon]

Curm, I've got one question for you. I've worked closely with you a lot these past few years, both as a DM and Admin, so don't have many things that I can guess the answer at. However, I'd like to know your thoughts on the point that FI raises: That it's not good to both HDM and Admin, due to the work loads involved in each role. Do you think you've got a solid handle on both roles? Or do you think, if you get reelected, there may be possible changes to some of the systems that you can make, in order to help things flow more smoothly and take some work load off your shoulders (that's a long sentence).

I believe that after 2 years as HDM and one year as DMA I have a fair idea of what each job entails, and yes, there's a lot to be done under both hats. In my RL job as a production manager working on major public events, I've learned that delegating tasks to qualified people gives me the time to keep the overall picture in focus, and I've tried to do the same thing in ALFA. I am always open to good suggestions, and have already begun putting some of these into place to help streamline operations.

My HDM productivity may have fallen off a bit over the summer, but I believe I'm getting back up to speed in that department, and rapidly catching up on the backlog. I've also maintained my commitment to training and supporting the ALFA builder community in the interest of developing the skillsets that help keep ALFA moving forward.

[Curmudgeon]

My questions:

1. Do you like being DMA and the responsiblities therin?

Yes, most of the time. I enjoy helping others resolve their technical issues, and I like working with the other current members of Admin towards the future good of the community. What I dislike as an engineer is dealing with the drama created by the inevitable clashes of highly creative personalities, but I understand that herding cats is never an efficient operation. The other part of the job I find onerous is dealing with those who can't play within the rules.

2. Is the workload reasonable for one person to get HDM reviews done AND DMA issues taken care of? (this echos Rotkus question)

See my reply to Rotku's question. One can always do things better, and this I've tried to do, though personnel changes have necessitated some adjustments of late.

[Curmudgeon]

TSM and BG makes 2
moonshaes and WHL makes 4
skullport makes 5

sustainable? In terms of DMs...and by association players?

Only one way we'll ever find out. "Build it, and they will come," is the model I'm presently espousing. More servers = more places for players to enjoy, and more places they're not playing where they'll be able to DM.

[Curmudgeon]

What is your philosophy regarding the following:

1) Standards.

2) Wealth Guidelines.

3) Level progression rate and DM moderation of same.

4) Campaign style play versus ad hoc style play.

Specifically, since the reduction of size in the player base from NWN1 days, do you believe Standards should be utilized aggressively to address potential game balance issues on the front end versus addressing specific instances of player misconduct on the back end through PA enforcement? As to wealth guidelines, it has been noted in the past that many current ALFA PCs are at the low or mid range of our wealth guidelines. To the extent this is still the case, do you believe it is a good thing or not? In the past there have been concerns raised as to the rate of level progression i.e. that PCs are leveling too quickly, especially at lower levels. How would you moderate level progression as DMA? Finally, do you favor a traditional campaign style of play with a limited number party as in PnP, or a more ad hoc style, and which do you think is preferable on ALFA's game platform? Please include your views on the foregoing in your response. Thanks.

1) Standards keeps the game we play in balance. I stand firmly behind the need for an active Standards group. Enforcement of rules laying out proper player conduct is another issue entirely - I'm not sure what you're asking here.

2) Wealth Guidelines are just that. Guidelines to help us steer towards an ideal. It is always easier on both sides to give a player more wealth than to take existing wealth away, so keeping the "loot valve" turned to the LOW side gives us more room to maneuver.

3) Level Progression - I believe our current rates of advancement are fine - beginning PCs have a fair chance of reaching the low-mid levels in a reasonable amount of time.

4) Campaign-style play vs ad hoc play: Campaign play is wonderful, for those whose schedules can accommodate it. Unfortunately, that rules out a majority of ALFAns. Should ad hoc DMs be able to limit the participants in their events? Of course.