ArenaSnow — Roleplayer Guild

As far as feedback, I don't have anything particularly unique to say that would be likely to change stuff, but I'll just give preliminary thoughts since nobody else has.

The game hit a rock with me, pun intended, with the particulars of the structure. They are legitimate particulars in general, and probably necessary to some extent given the public setting (which is why I didn't bring it up, as I make no claim to stand for a majority and was willing to simply attempt to pass it), but nonetheless in my opinion somewhat stifling to creativity and structure. On one hand, they do help to omit BS constructs that are designed to win or feel speshil for no good reason. On the other, the following caught in my mind;
 - The 'backgrounds' section looks a lot like an RPG as compared to a proper RP, which is the main warning bell for me, because I consider the style of RPG simply too restrictive for me to thrive given my preference for a more freeform RP structure. Put simply, the premises put a limit on background diversity. While it helps eliminate some cases of BS, the blatant ones should be relatively easily taken out by GM observation and action long before the game begins.
 - Current ship section is good for reference, little problem with that.
 - Manpower is interesting, though a bit static for my tastes. My real issue and question, something which I would have eventually brought up were this to show more activity in general, is something I'll bring up soon in relation to this. The other two bits don't elicit reactions one way or another.
 - What I don't get is the population focus, especially how things like a blacksmith, a stone quarry, a court, whatnot have to do with it. It seems like there are stats and mechanics applied to things that could be conveyed/set up through roleplay proper, and those numbers and static choices make me go 'eeeh' most of all. This is the main bone. Is population defined in the nation sheet? Even if it is, the percentile effects make me very skeptical. It's the sort of layout I'd expect for a video game, not a roleplay. If I wanted slim building options where everything follows those archtypes in the span of nation building, I'd have invested in Total War. Still, I was willing to go 'eh, maybe I'll just gun it'. But for the sake of providing feedback of a sort, I must say, my original interest was much diminished. Not that it's hard to do that, and again, appealing to me is not how you get a large, solid audience.
 - 'other information' strikes me as both logical and reasonable.
 - Adivsors/Officers are another 'meh' zone. I know it's not supposed to come across as a mechanics gimmick/stat grinder, but at a basic level, I feel that's just the overlay for a stat and mechanical centric experience. I often like to actually portray day to day functions from the perspectives of people at those levels, instead of just the top face. I did that a good bit the last time I seriously invested in a nation roleplay here. Granted, that was years ago, but in any case, I do think the mechanic is somewhat stifling to diversity in portrayal, which I consider to be unique in the NRP section by how varied the presentations can be while still completely functional as compared to a standard roleplay where you are the character engaging in the GM's world.
 - Rules are solid.

Above is a word mash and in part incomplete thoughts, so take it as much or as little as you wish, as much as makes sense. I know I have trouble on that latter piece rather often.
ArenaSnow Banned

Devourer of Souls

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