Our current process order needs some tweaks. I am not advocating any major shakeups, but I know some of you are chomping at the bit to propose a controversial change, so I expect this PR thread to have some lively debate. The issues I want to address are fairly minor:
This sequence would allow us to have the name picked immediately after deciding on the art. Also the Sprite Thread is pushed a little later in the process. It still has plenty of time to get some quality sprites, but it curbs the risk of having it stay open too long.
Moving art to the end of the process
I know this has been mentioned quite a bit on the server, and I know it is going to be discussed here. So, I might as well get my concerns out in the OP, so everyone can factor this into any proposals they wish to make.
There is currently a suggestion to delay the art threads until the end of the project, presumably after the movepool has been decided. In this way, ALL competitive aspects of the pokemon will be decided first, without being influenced by a non-competitive aspect like art. This would presumably eliminate all the flavor disputes that arise the minute good art starts appearing in the art thread. This would also allow the artists to make designs that fit the entire pokemon, not just the typing and stats -- which are the only aspects decided before the art poll currently.
I understand the desire to do this, and I think there are many benefits. But, I believe the negatives outweigh the positives.
If we tack the art onto the end, it will cause the projects to stretch even longer than they already are. Art must be done before sprites, and those two steps take a long time to complete. Right now, art threads are open concurrent with the rest of the project. This gives artists plenty of time to make submissions, receive feedback and make changes. If we pile it all at the end, it will either compel the artists to rush, or it will make the overall project too long. This practical scheduling concern with the art thread, has been discussed over the last three CAP projects, and there has not been a better solution presented up to now.
But, even if the schedule could accomodate art at the end -- I still don't think it is in the project's best interest to do so.
As I have mentioned here and elsewhere - momentum is a huge part of the CAP project's success. CAP projects are EXCITING. When a CAP project is really firing on all cylinders, this is one of the most exciting forums in all of Smogon. Despite all the focus we put on our riveting discussion of the competitive metagame -- those discussions are only one part of the overall allure of the CAP project.
Art plays a HUGE role in the overall appeal of our project. This project caters to and covets artists, and we do so for a reason. Cool art gives visual form to a cool project. People love pretty pictures.
We intentionally spread art threads throughout the entirety of the CAP process to provide an interesting and exciting backdrop to the competitive discussions that are ongoing. Hopefully, while people are visiting and perusing the cool sexy pictures -- they might take the time to lurk the other threads and realize what a good thing we have going here. Art is good advertising, and it builds community morale -- even for the project diehards. I want to make sure we spread that morale evenly throughout the length of the project.
I realize that flavor issues are annoying during competitive discussions. But trying to "remove the temptation" by moving art to the end of the project is not going to solve it. Fanboys will still run rampant on the project, but instead of using the art as justification for their silly flavor arguments, they will use typing, ability, stats, and moves. Delaying art isn't going to make the noob fanboys any smarter. You are kidding yourself if you think it will.
Delaying art won't impact the quality of discussions from longtime CAP contributors. Those members are already capable of differentiating between flavor and competition -- and they know the proper time and place to discuss each.
So what purpose will it serve? It will possibly rush and diminish the contributions made by the fantastic artists and spriters on the project. And it will possibly diminish the momentum of a project that desperately needs to maintain it. All in some vain attempt to stop fanboys from shitting up CAP threads? No, it's not worth it, in my opinion.
If we want to stop the flavor madness, we need to do so through education and other means. Not by treating art like a liability on the CAP project, when it is, in fact, one of our most exciting assets.
- I don't like the fact that for 90% of the CAP project -- we have no name for our creation. Referring to "CAP5" or "Rockmon" is OK for a little while, but it doesn't build "brand identity" (as they say in the marketing biz) and gets in the way of people taking ownership in the creation. It's hard to love something with a cold, soulless name like "CAP5". I want the name polls moved as early as is reasonably possible, so we can attach a name to our creation and begin building excitement early on. Also, it makes discussions easier.
- The sprite thread was open way too long in CAP 5. Part of this is due to a very long project overall, but I am beating that drum over in another PR thread. Even if the project was shorter, I still think it would have been open too long. Sprite threads need a long time to develop, but not 33 days -- which is how long it was open in CAP5.
By the time the Sprite Poll was conducted, the Sprite thread had lost all its energy and enthusiasm. Therefore, the Sprite Poll was a ho-hum affair, even though the overall number of high-quality sprites was better than any past CAP project. The Sprite Poll is intended to end the CAP project on a high-note, with an awesome sprite that has everyone salivating to see it implemented on the CAP server. In fact, an exciting CAP sprite poll should be the perfect lead-in to a surge of new players on the server, and hopefully a nice start to the playtesting effort. If the Sprite thread isn't timed properly, it's a huge buzzkill on the project at a time when we really need to end with a bang.
Code:
(Multiple parts with a single bullet, means they are initiated simutaneously)
[LIST]
[*]Concept Submissions
Topic Leader Nominations
[*]Part 1 (Concept Poll)
Topic Leader Selection
[*]Part 2 (Main Type Poll)
[*]Part 3 (Secondary Type Poll)
[*]Part 4 (Style Bias Poll)
Stat Spread Submissions
Art Submissions
[*]Part 5 (Build Bias Poll)
[*]Part 6 (Stat Rating Poll)
[*]Part 7 (Stat Spread Poll)
[*]Part 8 (Art Poll)
[*]Part 9a (Ability Discussion)
Part 10a (Name Discussion)
[*]Part 9b (Ability Poll)
Part 10b (Name Poll)
[*]Part 11a (Attack Moves Discussion)
Sprite Submissions
[*]Part 11b (Attack Moves Poll)
Part 12a (Defense and Support Moves Discussion)
[*]Part 12b (Defense and Support Moves Poll)
[*]Part 13 (Complete Movepool Poll)
Part 14a (Pokedex Entry Discussion)
[*]Part 14b (Pokedex Entry Poll)
Part 15 (Sprite Poll)
[*]Server Implementation
Finalize Analysis
Misc (Pre-Evos, Height, Weight, etc.)
[*]Playtesting
[/LIST]
Moving art to the end of the process
I know this has been mentioned quite a bit on the server, and I know it is going to be discussed here. So, I might as well get my concerns out in the OP, so everyone can factor this into any proposals they wish to make.
There is currently a suggestion to delay the art threads until the end of the project, presumably after the movepool has been decided. In this way, ALL competitive aspects of the pokemon will be decided first, without being influenced by a non-competitive aspect like art. This would presumably eliminate all the flavor disputes that arise the minute good art starts appearing in the art thread. This would also allow the artists to make designs that fit the entire pokemon, not just the typing and stats -- which are the only aspects decided before the art poll currently.
I understand the desire to do this, and I think there are many benefits. But, I believe the negatives outweigh the positives.
If we tack the art onto the end, it will cause the projects to stretch even longer than they already are. Art must be done before sprites, and those two steps take a long time to complete. Right now, art threads are open concurrent with the rest of the project. This gives artists plenty of time to make submissions, receive feedback and make changes. If we pile it all at the end, it will either compel the artists to rush, or it will make the overall project too long. This practical scheduling concern with the art thread, has been discussed over the last three CAP projects, and there has not been a better solution presented up to now.
But, even if the schedule could accomodate art at the end -- I still don't think it is in the project's best interest to do so.
As I have mentioned here and elsewhere - momentum is a huge part of the CAP project's success. CAP projects are EXCITING. When a CAP project is really firing on all cylinders, this is one of the most exciting forums in all of Smogon. Despite all the focus we put on our riveting discussion of the competitive metagame -- those discussions are only one part of the overall allure of the CAP project.
Art plays a HUGE role in the overall appeal of our project. This project caters to and covets artists, and we do so for a reason. Cool art gives visual form to a cool project. People love pretty pictures.
We intentionally spread art threads throughout the entirety of the CAP process to provide an interesting and exciting backdrop to the competitive discussions that are ongoing. Hopefully, while people are visiting and perusing the cool sexy pictures -- they might take the time to lurk the other threads and realize what a good thing we have going here. Art is good advertising, and it builds community morale -- even for the project diehards. I want to make sure we spread that morale evenly throughout the length of the project.
I realize that flavor issues are annoying during competitive discussions. But trying to "remove the temptation" by moving art to the end of the project is not going to solve it. Fanboys will still run rampant on the project, but instead of using the art as justification for their silly flavor arguments, they will use typing, ability, stats, and moves. Delaying art isn't going to make the noob fanboys any smarter. You are kidding yourself if you think it will.
Delaying art won't impact the quality of discussions from longtime CAP contributors. Those members are already capable of differentiating between flavor and competition -- and they know the proper time and place to discuss each.
So what purpose will it serve? It will possibly rush and diminish the contributions made by the fantastic artists and spriters on the project. And it will possibly diminish the momentum of a project that desperately needs to maintain it. All in some vain attempt to stop fanboys from shitting up CAP threads? No, it's not worth it, in my opinion.
If we want to stop the flavor madness, we need to do so through education and other means. Not by treating art like a liability on the CAP project, when it is, in fact, one of our most exciting assets.