OAS2 DMs Needed!

FanaticusIncendi · Post by **FanaticusIncendi** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 6:20 pm

This is the second time I've put out this call. I'm hoping that with all the recent discussion about DMs we will get some interested parties stepping up this time.

Please PM Admissions Head JaydeMoon if you are interested in DMing on the OAS2.

Thank you.
FI

Lusipher · Post by **Lusipher** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 6:24 pm

I get things straightened out with Spider Id be glad to help out.

Lusipher · Post by **Lusipher** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 8:52 pm

btw FI, I have that all straight now. So, again, Im willing to help DM there.

Attention ALFans...the OAS2 seriously needs DMs who can commit to a night or so a week to help us check out potential new members.

We seriously need to see more people volunteer to DM the OAS. In NWN1 we had a good 5 Dms or more who use to volunteer to help DM and then write down impressions about prospective players. A lot of potential players arent getting a chance to be looked at because of understaffing of the OAS2. Right now the Application is their only real way of gaining entry.

So, guys, if you can spare one night or so PLEASE STEP UP TO HELP!!

You need to be a member for at least a month or so I believe and are willing to work with players who may be new to online gaming or NWN2 in general. You will have to play with these players a few times to gauge their ability to roleplay. Im not sure how things are set up now, but there use to be OAS forums that DMs wrote information about potential applicants.

Im sure Jayde can speak more about this and I hope he will give this thread a good bumping with maybe some more info for all of us. If you can help out please express a desire to do so, though .

Thank you!

Lusipher

White Warlock · Post by **White Warlock** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 9:34 pm

I never considered the OAS/OAS2 to be a good idea, and in fact i have always thought it a drain on our resources to create, host, and DM. However, some still consider it a useful tool, despite there last being only one new person logging onto this server every week or so. If it is going to work, and if DMs are going to volunteer, i think some of these issues need to be addressed:

1. It needs to be hosted 24/7, or at least have scheduled hosting times.
2. The OAS2 needs to be advertised, a lot.
3. OAS2 needs to be setup to use Worldgate.
4. The haks required of the OAS2 should be the same ones used for ALFA2, so 'new' members don't get discouraged by loading yet another set of haks (i'm assuming this is already the case, but if it is not, it needs be).
5. The OAS2 should have Worldgate dl/setup info on the server information, which can be viewed when logged into Gamespy.

Such things addressed, i would volunteer. But volunteering to DM on a server that is never up, or is never visited, doesn't make 'any' sense to me.

Respectfully,
- Roy

Lusipher · Post by **Lusipher** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 9:58 pm

It needs to be hosted 24/7, or at least have scheduled hosting times.

It is. Its hosted by AL. It was 24/7 before his move and is up right now.

The OAS2 needs to be advertised, a lot.

It will be. You get me a solid group of committed DMs for the OAS2 and Ill advertise the heck out of it. It is a vital entry point for ALFA. I honestly prefer the OAS over the application. Once a solid team of reliable DMs are put together you wont have to worry about Dm times being advertised. Im working on that.

OAS2 needs to be setup to use Worldgate

No, it doesnt. As far as I know the OAS was set up to have the least amount of downloads needed. Teric set it up that players didnt have to go download huge files just to try us out and it not be their cup of tea or they werent able to show that their roleplay was justified for ALFA.

The haks required of the OAS2 should be the same ones used for ALFA2, so 'new' members don't get discouraged by loading yet another set of haks (i'm assuming this is already the case, but if it is not, it needs be).

See above. The OAS is bare bones if I recall. So players can get in and be looked at and not be put off by large downloads.

The OAS2 should have Worldgate dl/setup info on the server information, which can be viewed when logged into Gamespy.

This I agree with. In all Honesty, we need to consolidate a lot of info so new players can find it, understand it, and use it effectively.

Such things addressed, i would volunteer. But volunteering to DM on a server that is never up, or is never visited, doesn't make 'any' sense to me.

This is going to change if I have my druthers. I cant speak for FI or Jayde but im willing to do my part to help make this a more viable option for new players and new players are the lifeblood of this project.

White Warlock · Post by **White Warlock** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 7:41 pm

Alright here's where it is at.

I spoke to Hialmar and he's going to try and setup a 'non-gamespy' server data feature on the website, so people can check to see if anyone is on the NWN2 ALFA servers. This will make it much easier for DMs and Players alike to see the activity of the servers. This includes the OAS2.

The benefit of this should be obvious. For me, as a PDM on TSM, i can be ingame in TSM and still check to see if there is anyone logging into the OAS2. I can be in the forums or chat, and still see if anyone is logging into the OAS2, without having to load NWN2 and have it sitting in Gamespy.

Once this is setup, i'll volunteer for DMing in the OAS2 (assuming you guys will have me), and the website server status info will allow me to focus on TSM DMing.

Nalo Jade · Post by **Nalo Jade** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 8:00 pm

OAS DMs. Please use NWConnections to post your game time, this will allow you to know ahead of time if you will get players in or not.

New players are more likely to show up if you post in NWConnections and then maybe mention it in the GameSpy Chat room shortly before starting a game.

We are running games first and "teaching" roleplay second right?

I will help DM OAS1 &2 when I get a new PC, unfortunatley that is even further away now than before. So no real help from me in the immediate future.

FanaticusIncendi · Post by **FanaticusIncendi** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 10:00 pm

FanaticusIncendi wrote:Please PM Admissions Head JaydeMoon if you are interested in DMing on the OAS2.

Thank you in advance for volunteering!

Lusipher · Post by **Lusipher** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 10:07 pm

waiting to hear back from Jayde. Sent him an email yesterday or so.

JaydeMoon · Post by **JaydeMoon** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 3:50 pm

Sorry, was semi-AFK, spending the week with family.

So, OAS DMs:

Mostly we're looking for OAS 2 DMs, mostly, though we'll take some folks willing to DM on the OAS 1.

OAS 1:

Monitor the OAS 1 Forum for folks looking for DM time. Note that you are available by appointment if folks want to PM you.

OAS 2:

Be prepared to set aside one time a week for a weekly OAS 2 session. Initially, it will be by appointment as well, until we have enough OAS 2 DMs to have it be scheduled.

Both OAS:

Running short sessions with member candidates. Assessing their suitability for the community while also providing mentorship. Noting each applicants progress in a thread devoted to that applicant. Ultimately determining their suitability based on your and other OAS DMs' observations. Accepting/rejecting member candidates.

It's a good chance to work with the DM client and help shap the future of ALFA's membership. Also, with the OAS 2, you have a chance to try out and do things you normally would not be able to in the Live Servers.

Please PM me if interested.

ç i p h é r · Post by **ç i p h é r** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 5:41 pm

Is an NWN1 OAS even viable anymore? Do we get enough NWN1 applicants to justify spending the time/energy on it? Just curious. I've no idea.

Nalo Jade · Post by **Nalo Jade** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 8:26 pm

Mulu wrote:Number wise the pool of gamers is still mostly playing NWN1.

From Gamespy:
NWN1 690 servers, 2161 players
NWN2 196 servers, 415 players

The numbers change frequently, but it usually runs between a 4:1 and 6:1 ratio in favor of NWN1 over NWN2 as a function of number of people playing online. Something to consider when deciding where to put our efforts. NWN1 certainly isn't dead yet.

White Warlock · Post by **White Warlock** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 1:31 am

Do also consider many of us were ahead of the stream when it came to hardware and net connection. The numbers of people with PCs capable of running NWN1 and that are connected to the net has increased substantially, but the number of people with great video cards and cable/dsl net connection is still relatively low.

NWN1, with this latest update, looks rather tasty, so i may just pick up a copy and start building again.