Hello there! My name's xCRAZYxFACEx, and I have an idea.

Have you ever wanted to create a world, a setting, or something, but felt it was too daunting a task? Perhaps you wanted someone to bounce ideas off of, but could never find the right person? Or maybe you're really great at certain aspects, like the broad strokes of a setting, but the details always eluded you? (Or maybe it's the other way around, where the details come easily but the big parts are just too big to handle).

In short: you feel like you might want a helping hand or two.

Well, this thread is for you, the dreamer, the creator, the collaborator. What I'm trying to create here is a spot for two or four other people that want to worldbuild something epic by collaborating with other people. The ideal scenario is to create something unique and refreshing, where everyone brings something to the table, and thereafter we can run a game for people that want to join in.

So, how would this work? My thought is this: Everyone is a co-GM, so to speak, but we take turns being the overall GM.

Let's assume two people join me in doing this. What would likely happen is that I start off being the GM, and I ask a question: What is the genre of our RP? Everyone takes a vote, with the GM also taking the role of moderator. We might decide sci-fi, fantasy, modern, or something in-between. But, what if we can't decide, or if everyone wants to do their own thing? At that point, we talk it out, with the current GM leading the conversation. We argue for our vote, and we listen when others do the same. We come to a conclusion, and we vote again. In the scenario that we cannot decide on a solution, the tie-breaker has the final say on what it is, just so that we can move on. (I'll explain the role of the tie-breaker in a bit).

Ultimately, this comes down to trust. Trust that the others won't try and screw everyone over, and trust that everyone wants to come together to create a wonderful setting. And the most important part: when a decision is made that you don't agree with, we move on. You might not like it, but for the sake of the group I ask that you not sulk or complain about it. If you commit to this, I really want you to commit. The idea of collaboration doesn't work if people leave after not getting their way.

Back to the idea of the Ubermensch the overall GM. We take turns. Once a decision is made and the details are ironed out for a question, the next person in turn asks a question. At first we'll start with broad strokes, like, "What's the genre?" and, "Do we want an epic setting or something more concise and compact?". But as we move on, the questions will become smaller, like, "What's such-and-such companies' name?" or, "What's the name and background of a particular ruler at this point in time?" Here, the idea is that the current GM decides what's the most pressing issue to focus on, and we focus our efforts on said question. We don't question it, we just do our best to answer and come up with more details for the setting. Don't like a question, or feel like we should be focusing on something else? Wait your turn, and then you can bring it up.

Now, I'm hoping for at least two people to join, and I'm doubtful about taking more than four people in for this group. And hopefully, there's not just three people clamoring for a spot. I want an uneven number of co-GM's, so that we don't run into a case where there's a fifty-fifty split down a certain issue. Majority should decide what happens, and if there's no cohesion then the tie-breaker breaks the question and we move on. Now, who's the tie-breaker?

The tie-breaker is the one that will ultimately decide the answer to a question in the event that no compromise can be reached. How do we decide who's tie-breaker? Easy, it's either the previous GM if we have a group of three, or the GM from two questions ago if we have a group of five. That way, the GM cannot both decide on a question and then immediately answer it based on what he/she wants.

So, is this world-building thing for you?

I highly prefer people that have done some form of world-building before, and/or people who have GM'ed a game before. I want someone that can take charge of a situation for a small group of people, and has the creativity and gumption to back it up. If you feel like you meet these requirements, go ahead and show your enthusiasm in a post below. Feel interested but not sure if you'd fit the bill? Shoot me a PM about this topic, and we can talk it out and see if you're a good fit.



Now, in your post, I want you to just talk about what other games you've been in before, and what experience you have in world-building and GM'ing. No experience isn't a deal-breaker, but if there's somehow an abundance of people wanting to join, it might prove to be a problem. Also, leave down your preferred method of communication (e.g. Skype, Discord, standard PM/posts, what have you), and if you have a suggestion for where to keep all of our writings down, go ahead and mention it. Personally, I would prefer a Skype group to communicate with y'all, and we'd use a collection of Google Docs to write down the story, background, and setting. But, I'm definitely open to other methods, if people prefer something else.

Got a question? Go ahead and ask, either in PM or in a post (preferably a post, that way everyone else who might have a similar question can see it and the answer). If I feel your question is especially pertinent, I'll add it to the FAQ.

Got a comment about this idea? Feel free to share your thoughts! Feedback from anyone would be greatly appreciated.

Alrighty then, on to the FAQ!



Q: What if I want to join this project, but don't want to help with GM'ing a game afterward?
A: That's perfectly fine! I'm looking for people to help create a setting first and foremost, the game afterwards will just be icing on the cake. Just mention if you'd like to help with a game afterwards or not in your post.

Q: I joined, but something IRL is keeping me from the collaboration. What do?
A: I get it, real life can be a pain. It's certainly knocked me down a peg or two before. If you feel like you can't devote as much time as before, just shoot me a message or post it here. I'd prefer if you didn't leave entirely, but then again I can't exactly stop you. Just let me know if you're quitting or just taking a break due to something. If it's a break, give me an estimate on how long until you can make it back. If you leave and don't give me a heads up, that's a quick way to get booted entirely. Don't make me be mean, I don't like it.

Q: How will we communicate?
A: I'd prefer Skype, since I already have it, but that ultimately comes down to what people want to use. If you've got a better alternative, please, mention it!

Q: How will we write down and keep notes of the stuff we're doing?
A: I was thinking of using Google Docs, and having a hub page of sorts with the the links to all the other pages. I could also create a Advanced Topic where we discuss things in OOC, and the IC will hold down all our official notes and decisions. I'd prefer not to use the last method, in the event we create a setting with a twist or some secrets. Don't want a game based on the setting to have all it's secrets spoiled, right?

Q: Memes?
A: Pls no

You've definitely got me interested. I don't have much experience running games on RPGuild but I've been running tabletop games for about 20 years, I've played several play by post games, and have some experience with creative collaboration. I've got ample worldbuilding experience including fantasy, urban fantasy, cyberpunk and science fiction worlds; I've even built some databases for housing world data and encouraging consistency.

@Grimmway
Awesome, I'm glad you're interested! You definitely have the experience part down, so don't worry about that. RPGuild is a lot like other play-by-post sites, so again, no worries.

I've just got two questions for you: Where do you want to write this stuff down, and how will we communicate? Like I mentioned in the post, I'd go with GDocs and Skype, but I'd like to hear what your thoughts on it are. Don't care and you'll just go with the recommendation? That's fine. Have some special voodoo magic site you'd like to recommend? That's fine too.

Other than that, since you're the first person in two days to show any interest, I'd say you're aboard! We'll wait a bit longer to see if there's any more interest.

(Oh, one last question I forgot: would you like to run a game based on the created setting after we're done? This'll be way down the line, but I figure I should ask now so I know what to expect.)

@xCRAZYxFACEx I don't have much experience with Skype... I've used it for team chat in a couple of shooters but I'm happy to try it out. I'm also good with Gdocs since most of my stuff already exists in the Google ecosystem. Alternately if you're looking for something more novel/team oriented/slack-like I can suggest Ryver, Glip, or HipChat.

I'd also be up to running a game based on the created setting.

I approve. Interested.

I do not know what you mean when you say 'game,' but if you go to my profile my bio summarizes my overall experience as a roleplayer. Altogether I have some 16 (verging on 17) years of familiarity with collaborative storytelling and worldbuilding. I have been a member of this site since Oldguild 2007, and if you ask anybody who has collaborated with me in the past they should confirm that one of my greatest strengths is worldbuilding. My greatest failing as a writer is my inability to write in a vacuum and come up with an initial premise. I participate exclusively in Advanced and Advanced NRPs, and my preferred genre is Hard Science Fiction.

In all the time I have been writing online, I have only ever started four roleplays. Refer back to aforementioned weakness, combined with an obsessive need to make sure the posting is perfectly timed and sufficiently thought-out. My preferred form of communication is posting and messaging right here on the forum, although it should be noted I do most of my collaborative writing via syncpads.

Edit: Example of one syncpad platform I commonly use. http://piratepad.net/k6zAi0OPQi
In my experience it tends to be a bit easier on the eyes and more discussion-friendly than google docs.

@Grimmway
That's fine, that was pretty much my initial experience with it as well. Besides video or regular calls, we can also just form a group and type out stuff in chat. As for the other team-speak options, well, if we already have Skype, may as well stick with what we know. That and the fact that upon (admittedly minimal) perusal, they don't seem to offer too much more beyond what Skype does. Although, I think it's a moot point. (See below)

Secondly, at some point do you mind showing me a database like the ones you mentioned? I'm interested in the implementation and how it could be used for the setting.

@Terminal
Well then. I'd say you're more than qualified as well! Glad to have you on board, once this starts.

Also, are you potentially willing to help run a roleplay based on the setting we create after we finish? A yes or a no is fine, I'm just curious as to what I can expect down the road.

To both of you:
Considering that this is a small group so far, and that Terminal prefers messaging and posting on here, I think we can get away with not using a third-party program like Skype to keep in touch. Here's my proposal: we use either an Advanced RP OOC thread or a PM convo to keep in touch and share our general thoughts. We use GDocs to keep all our completed writings noted down, with multiple individual documents with our notes and decisions linked to a main document that acts as the hub for all such things. We can use a syncpad when we're actually writing down stuff in response to a GM question, then export it to a GDoc when we're done. (Depending on if we use a thread or not, we can also link those GDocs in the IC or have them written out as plain text in IC instead.)

Back to the ARP thread versus PM convo: I see it as a matter of openness versus privacy. I don't have much of a problem with using a thread, my only concern is running an RP afterwards and having all that information open to players. Like I said, this is only a problem if we plan some major twist or plant misleading information as to the nature of the setting. Then again, that information would be available to people wanting to explore all the work we've put into a setting, without any extra legwork on our parts. I'm open to either, I want to hear what you guys think.

Terminal, do you have a recommendation for a syncpad? I don't know much about them, haven't used them before, but it should have a high cap for character count, have an easy to use gui, and a way to communicate and differentiate between all of us. Is piratepad a good option? Or is there another syncpad that might work better? I'll leave it up to your discretion.

@xCRAZYxFACEx
Yes, I am perfectly open to the prospect - so long as I am given advance warning ahead of time.

As for Syncpads, there are three common variants available to us which all share common features with minimal differences that are largely aesthetic. Features include:

• Synchronized writing. Everything anyone types is added and updated in real-time, with identifying authorship marks (which can be removed, although this is still recorded in the history slider mentioned below). Each individual character, and each edit, can be traced back to a particular author.
• A history slider that records the entire history of the pad, including edits.
• A built-in sidebar chat (there is no rule saying we cannot use the main page for chat itself, it is largely a neatness thing).
• There is no character count cap that I am aware of. I have personally written collaborations in syncpads that have exceeded a million characters. I have heard from certain individuals that they have written much longer works.
  (There is a per-line character cap count due to how syncpads store information, but I have only hit it a few times. All it means is that we cannot have run-on paragraphs all contained on the same line. As long as we decide we are not above using line breaks we should be fine.)
• The gui is extremely streamlined and intuitive to use. It is ultimately not quite as powerful as google docs, but everything we need for the purposes of formatting is present.
• No need for accounts, registration, or log-in of any kind. You enter the pad and you have full access.
  (This does mean the only way to restrict access is by keeping a pad link between us, mind you.)
• Pads are essentially immortal as far as data storage goes. I still have pads from more than four years ago floating around.

Piratepad is essentially the best of the available syncpad options. The others have questionable stability and fewer utilities.

Check out the link I posted above to mess around and get the hang of it - it is fairly straightforward. If you want to create an entirely new pad, just hit the big 'PiratePad' logo at the top of the screen and it will spawn a brand new one for you.

@Terminal
Sounds good! I'm gonna open up a pad for our general use and link it in a convo between all three of us, so we have something that isn't open to the public.

I'll also link a GDoc that will act as the hub for our notes. It'll just have annotations about the kinds of notes we have, and then links to other Docs that have the information that we write down.

Do you have an opinion on having a thread versus just a PM convo? Cus if not, and if Grimmway doesn't have anything to say on it, we're defaulting to PM for that stuff.



Yes, this is still open to new people that want to collab. Don't be shy. Just keep in mind I'm shutting the door so to speak at four co-GM's.