Since there are lots of people with ideas for new cases and games and such, I think it's about time we lay down some ground rules for "recruiting" topics. These are just my suggestions, so they won't be "official" until I've gotten imput from you guys, the case makers.

I think everyone starting a thread for their project should have something like this in the first post that can be edited along the way, please feel free to offer your thoughts:

Title: The title of the project.
Project head: Who is in charge? Even if most of these are going to be very collaborative, there should always be a leader.
Current contributors: Can be updated as people join.
What I Have:

To me, "what I have" is the most important part of "pimping" your project to the masses. No one wants to sign on for a game that isn't going anywhere, under a leader who is only barely contributing. Anyone looking to recruit for their project should first be very clear about how much they can contribute, least of all that being the main concept. In the case of case makers specifically, am I right in assuming the following are the main areas?

Scripting: Writing out the plot and dialogue
Spriting: Creating and animating any OCs, making canon characters compliant with whichever case maker is being used.
Programming: Transforming the instructions in the script into case maker language.
Editing: Making sure things run smoothly and have been checked for accuracy and consistency.

Add as necessary. I'm of the opinion if you can't do at least one of those things, you're better off assisting someone else's project rather trying to begin your own. "I kind of have an idea but I don't know how to write a case" or "I have an original character but that's it" just isn't enough.

And then:

What I Need:

I assume that most people coming into this section are looking for help from someone, because otherwise...if you had everything already, you'd be working on it and wouldn't need a thread

Status: How much has been done and how long it might take to do the rest.

Like...here's an example. Let's say I was interested in turning one of my fics into a playable case. Just an example, mind you.

Title: Turnabout Blahbity-Blah
Project Head: Me, Croik!
Current Contributers: Just me
What I Have:
Scripting: Since it's already a fic, I convert it into script form with actions and such.
Spriting: There are 3 original characters and 1 victim that I can do the spriting for.

What I Need:
Programming: I have no idea how to turn a script into programming language. Please help!
Editing: Another set of eyes is always a good idea.
Backgrounds: I can sprite but I don't have any experience with doing custom backgrounds.

Status: Not even started :P


So what do you guys things? Please gimme imput.

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Just when I was going to post my topic... Yes, that might organise this section abit. But most of that info is usually in the common Casemaker Wiki.

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But if someone plans to recruit and discuss their case here on the forum, the information ought to be here too, for convenience sake. Of course, if you prefer to do your planning off site, you can always provide a link to the wiki entry or your contact info or something.

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You shouldn't really NEED titles or heads, heads can be assumed to be the thread starter, and titles aren't always made at the start.

The only part that really matters when first starting the thread is the "what I have", but the rest is nice to put too. I don't think an official rule is needed.

Even just a working title helps to distinguish each game from each other, though. And why wouldn't you want to include the most information about your project as possible? The more confident, organized, and capable you know, the higher your chances of attracting volunteers.

"Lead by example" is the first rule of leadership!

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It's still a good thing to add all that info, I just don't think we need a rule. That's just my opinion though.

I just don't want this section to turn into a flurry of posts of, "DOES ANYONE WANT TO MAKE A CASE WITH MY ORIGINAL? :D :D :D" If someone isn't willing or isn't organized enough to follow one simple guideline, maybe they need to rethink their plans.

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Without rules, people will do anything. With rules, some people will try to bend them, but at least its easier to deal with. :3 So I like the idea of an official guideline that people must follow, it doesn't take that long anyways.

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Actually, I think you guys were right about this, now that a whole bunch of new games are popping up.

As long as the rule is only enforced on NEW topics, that's fine.

Not that I don't plan to adapt mine, I'll do it eventually, but older topics created before the rule shouldn't have to comply right away. Give them some time.

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This isn't a rule that we're going to be locking anyone for or anything, just a guideline that may make it easier for project managers to attract people to their game.

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I'll contribute to "Turnabout Blahbity-Blah"! lolz jk.

Good idea, don't want to see any of those "Um, I'm making a game. Kthxbai."s.

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