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12:32, 14th May 2024 (GMT+0)

Genre List Changes.

Posted by FallingMorning
bigbadron
moderator, 13739 posts
He's big, he's bad,
but mostly he's Ron.
Fri 7 Jun 2013
at 17:43

Re: Genre List Changes

Though as jase has already stated, further up this thread, a poll is not the best way to do things in this case, because it does not allow for somebody coming in and saying, "I have a better suggestion for the name."

Bear in mind also, that the vast majority of the categories have already been locked in.
rogar308
member, 391 posts
Gaming is good!
Got RPOL in my soul
Fri 7 Jun 2013
at 17:58
  • msg #288

Re: Genre List Changes

Some polls can be set up to enter in another option. That said, if folks don't feel it's merited, well, I feel I at least did my duty in throwing it out there. Even if it was just one category to vote on I know I'd appreciate the opportunity. Of course, it's easy for me to say since I'm not doing the work.
bigbadron
moderator, 13740 posts
He's big, he's bad,
but mostly he's Ron.
Fri 7 Jun 2013
at 18:23

Re: Genre List Changes

quote:
Some polls can be set up to enter in another option.

Unfortunately the site's poll function is not one of them.
LoreGuard
member, 429 posts
Fri 7 Jun 2013
at 18:46
  • msg #290

Re: Genre List Changes

I have to say, in my strong opinion, if you include the category Eastern (as that name), I think you should not include the category Western (as that specific name), as the presense of both of them makes them seem to have a typical relationship between the two, which would encourge them to slide to their wrong definition.  If you go with Western, I'd probably lean towards Oriental... If you use Frontier... that would leave Eastern as a potential.

Otherwise, you will naturally get them trying to balance themselves on a line and get.
#1 Western (for western cultures)
#2 Eastern (for eastern cultures)
Which #1 is not the intent of that category/element.

I'd be curious how many games would likely fall into the Eastern category.  (it brings to mind the question, how about African cultures, for instance?  Do we want to include one but not the others?)  Don't take that as a minus on eastern or oriental.  I just wonder, can be produce any information to get an idea of how many would likely fall into that category if it were made.


Polls might be able to be done to, for instance, get an opinion on specific category names, or options.  I have no idea how many polls I have missed however, by not necessarily stoping to check on them.
Brygun
member, 1679 posts
RPG since 1982
Author, Developer
Fri 7 Jun 2013
at 23:10
  • msg #291

Re: Genre List Changes

jmkool:
Given the tooltip, I would strongly secure my votes for Eastern (and Western) as the most recognizeable terms.  Eastern broadly covers a wide set of very similar themes, and examples such as Wuxia and Oriental.


Which raises a good point, if you didn't intend it, that in the tooltip for Eastern can be mentioned the others:

Sample:
Eastern is the broad category including such games/phrasings as: Oriental, Wuxia, Asian, Samurai etc


Thus hiding the possible offending terms down a layer. Showing it as a term some might recognize.




I'm against a general poll as most users are fairly static. Those most interested in debating changes to the free service are those that read the Development forums (or at least skim them).

If you open it to widely seek out views of the 1,000s of users you will certainly get 100s of options and risk bogging down this process. Sometimes the correct management is "interested group" rather than "large masses"
This message was last edited by the user at 23:14, Fri 07 June 2013.
Lunarius
member, 290 posts
eadem mutata resurgo
pax ex tyranny
Sat 8 Jun 2013
at 00:18
  • msg #292

Re: Genre List Changes

So where do votes stack at this point?





My primary choice is Eastern, though I'll put my support behind Eastern/Wuxia to avoid Oriental getting a foothold if I can help it.

I don't have an opinion on Western/Frontier (or Action/Adventure, for that matter).  It'll look a little off to have a few categories formatted like that, but it won't look so off that I'd take nonsensical or racist as a better option.


I'm not very fond of Oriental even being in the tooltip--if the tooltip is something that is even up for our suggestions--but it is a lesser of the two evils.

LoreGuard:
how about African cultures, for instance?


I believe that some parts of Africa overlap into the 'Eastern' heading, Egypt specifically, but I could be very wrong about this.  My powers of google-fu are weak lately, and I'm not really comfortable being all "yes!" or "no!" on it.
jase
admin, 3142 posts
Cogito, ergo procuro.
Carpe stultus!
Sat 8 Jun 2013
at 01:36
  • msg #293

Re: Genre List Changes

jmkool:
I just don't feel that Wuxia is a good fit, and I have two problems with it.  Firstly, I didn't recognize it, and had to google it to find out what it was.  Secondly, it refers specifically to martial heroes.  I think the point of the Oriental tag is to describe the setting, not the heroes.  I want a category that encompasses Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon type games and Aladdin settings, Samurai warriors and feudal Japanese imagery.

Slashes don't mean the game has BOTH elements.  Slashes, in the English language, commonly means either.  "Dear Sir/Madam" doesn't imply they're some kind of cross-dresser.

A/B means A or B.  In this instance they're not mutually exclusive so it can also mean A and B.

As for Wuxia, I had to look it up the first time I ever saw it as well -- I suspect everyone did.  I'm up for dropping it, as it's not supposed to be there as some counter-balance to the "Frontier" in "Western/Frontier".  Eastern, on its own, it might look less like a counter category if it doesn't have a slash component.


LoreGuard:
how about African cultures, for instance?

If there's call for a category then it'll be added in.  Justification/rationalisation for a category isn't because another category is available, or it'd balance out nicely.  Justification is "because games would use it".


I don't think a poll would be helpful in this instance, even if we could add in our own voting options as we went along.  We'd have hundreds of different responses, many possibly by those who haven't read into the topic enough, and I believe there's also be a large requirement to be able to change a vote ("ooh, that's a new option, I like it, I want to vote for that catchphrase now!").

I'd be nice if we had more thank about twenty people discussing the topic, but I don't think a poll is feasible.
FallingMorning
member, 69 posts
Sat 8 Jun 2013
at 02:07
  • msg #294

Re: Genre List Changes

Lunarius:
I believe that some parts of Africa overlap into the 'Eastern' heading, Egypt specifically, but I could be very wrong about this.  My powers of google-fu are weak lately, and I'm not really comfortable being all "yes!" or "no!" on it.

Honestly, I'd probably use Western/Frontier for most games that I could imagine doing in Africa. Focusing more on the Frontier aspect than the Cowboys 'n Indians Western shoot out aspect. Then again, when I think of games possibly taking place in that part of the world, I tend to think of things like 'Congo' or 'The Ghost and the Darkness.' Or maybe 'The Gods Must be Crazy.' But it really gives me a 'Frontier' feel when I think about it.
Lunarius
member, 291 posts
eadem mutata resurgo
pax ex tyranny
Sat 8 Jun 2013
at 02:12
  • msg #295

Re: Genre List Changes

In reply to FallingMorning (msg # 294):

I certainly wouldn't disagree with that classification.  Also, now I need to track down and re-watch The Ghost and the Darkness.
Brygun
member, 1680 posts
RPG since 1982
Author, Developer
Sat 8 Jun 2013
at 05:41
  • msg #296

Re: Genre List Changes

jase:
("ooh, that's a new option, I like it, I want to vote for that catchphrase now!").


OMG!

We are voting on catch phrases!

Such an Incredibles moment. lol

I know all your favorite catchphrases - Incrediboy
This message was last edited by the user at 05:42, Sat 08 June 2013.
arkrim
member, 852 posts
Professional Wiseguy
greyscalemail.com
Sat 8 Jun 2013
at 07:18
  • msg #297

Re: Genre List Changes

So...Western/Frontier and Eastern sound fine to me. I'd prefer just Western and Eastern for simplicity and recognition, but "frontier" it doesn't completely ruin it. Especially since other categories already have some slashes in use already.

I'll stick to that like glue then. I'm happy with what everyone here has come up with as a whole. And I think we're pretty much wrapped up unless someone wants to change their vote?

In any case, I think everyone here has done a great job contributing and it's fantastic that this idea was brainstormed into some actual feasible changes. I'm excited about them. You guys are great and even though it's not really my place, I want to thank everyone for contributing your input. I've really enjoyed seeing your ideas and I'm incredibly thankful to jase and bigbadron for everything you guys do here on RPOL. You guys are awesome!
Lunarius
member, 292 posts
eadem mutata resurgo
pax ex tyranny
Sat 8 Jun 2013
at 08:29
  • msg #298

Re: Genre List Changes

Western/Frontier and Eastern are excllent in my opinion.

Thanks, Akrim!  And I wholeheartedly agree; conversation on the net that don't rapidly devolve seem rare outside of RPoL.  We have some very fine caretakers and members here.
FallingMorning
member, 70 posts
Mon 10 Jun 2013
at 07:22
  • msg #299

Re: Genre List Changes

I could get behind Eastern, on its own, considering Western/Frontier has the added descriptor (Frontier) which should help avoid a directional comparison between the two. I don't think Wuxia would be appropriate, largely because I don't think it is easily recognizable by the majority of potential users, at least without having to look it up on one's search engine of choice (I know I had to do that).

So, my vote can switch over to just 'Eastern.'
jmkool
member, 300 posts
aka'd as The Kool
Tue 11 Jun 2013
at 03:31
  • msg #300

Re: Genre List Changes

I'd be satisfied with Western/Frontier and Eastern.
adrasteia1
member, 1345 posts
Even a small star
shines in the darkness
Tue 11 Jun 2013
at 07:13
  • msg #301

Re: Genre List Changes

As would I.
FallingMorning
member, 71 posts
Thu 13 Jun 2013
at 21:03
  • msg #302

Re: Genre List Changes

Alright, I think this is where things stand since the last time votes were put together on this particular topic. The others haven't seen any changes that I noticed, since we've been focusing on this issue.

23)  Asian, Eastern, Oriental - New
  • Eastern - ErrantKnight, Brygun, Lunarius, arkrim, FallingMorning, jmkool, adrasteia1
  • Eastern/Oriental - Shannara, erbridge, gladiusdei
  • Eastern/Wuxia - bigbadron, jmurrell, Skald, jase, Low Key
  • Oriental/Wuxia - PushBarToOpen

On the other issues, I'm just copying the last vote list I found so it'll be front and center (with my own minor change included):

21)  Post Holocaust - Rename
  • Apocalyptic - FallingMorning, Lunarius, bigbadron, ErrantKnight, arkrim, Utsukushi, adrasteia1, seasong, jmkool, erbridge
  • Apocalyptic/Disaster - Skald, Low Key, Nightowl, Shannara, Seahawk, BlackRavyn

22)  Drama, Romance, Relationship - New
  • Drama - Lunarius, Lancebreaker, ErrantKnight, arkrim, Low Key, seasong, jmkool, FallingMorning
  • Romance - Piestar, Skald, Brygun, adrasteia1, Shannara, BlackRavyn, Nightowl
  • Drama/Romance - jmurrell, erbridge

24)  Contemporary - Rename
  • Contemporary - FallingMorning, Lunarius, Lancebreaker, bigbadron, Skald, Low Key, Shannara, Seahawk, seasong, Nightowl, jmkool, erbridge
  • Modern - Piestar, ErrantKnight, Brygun, arkrim, adrasteia1, BlackRavyn, rogar308
    (Still wondering if "Contemporary/Modern" will be the only way of satisfying most, as we're fairly split here.)

Lunarius
member, 293 posts
eadem mutata resurgo
pax ex tyranny
Mon 17 Jun 2013
at 07:04
  • msg #303

Re: Genre List Changes

So, officially, where are we at now with the voting?
jase
admin, 3146 posts
Cogito, ergo procuro.
Carpe stultus!
Mon 17 Jun 2013
at 11:08
  • msg #304

Re: Genre List Changes

I assume FM's tally is correct, so several don't really have a clear winner.
bigbadron
moderator, 13758 posts
He's big, he's bad,
but mostly he's Ron.
Mon 17 Jun 2013
at 12:09

Re: Genre List Changes

Why not put just the unclear ones up for an rPoll, with the only options being the ones listed above?

I'd probably go with Contemporary for that category though, if it were up to me, since I tend to think of 2 to 1 as a fairly clear margin.
This message was last edited by the user at 16:20, Mon 17 June 2013.
LoreGuard
member, 431 posts
Mon 17 Jun 2013
at 16:06
  • msg #306

Re: Genre List Changes

In reply to bigbadron (msg # 305):
quote:
22)  Drama, Romance, Relationship - New

■Drama - Lunarius, Lancebreaker, ErrantKnight, arkrim, Low Key, seasong, jmkool, FallingMorning
■Romance - Piestar, Skald, Brygun, adrasteia1, Shannara, BlackRavyn, Nightowl
■Drama/Romance - jmurrell, erbridge


How about:
Chick Flick
it just flahed to mind reading the other elements.  I'm not certain if it would be understood outside the U.S. or not, but it did seem to include the elements reasonably well.  Anyone else familiar with it as a common movie term?
Utsukushi
member, 1233 posts
I should really stay out
of this, I know...but...
Mon 17 Jun 2013
at 21:01
  • msg #307

Re: Genre List Changes

bigbadron:
I'd probably go with Contemporary for that category though, if it were up to me, since I tend to think of 2 to 1 as a fairly clear margin.

Pshaw.  It's 12-7.  That's only 1.714285714285714 to 1.

Although I might just still be vexed that Do Not Include was dropped from Eastern/Oriental while it was tied for first... I know, I know, Jase totally said to say something then, but we were going camping.  Anyway.  I would actually add my vote to Contemporary out of the current choices, too, so that's closer...

LoreGuard:
Chick Flick
it just flahed to mind reading the other elements.  I'm not certain if it would be understood outside the U.S. or not, but it did seem to include the elements reasonably well.  Anyone else familiar with it as a common movie term?

I... do you want women on the site?

No.  I can see what you're thinking, honestly, but the... the atmosphere that goes with kind of thing is, for a lot of people, not good.

I'd vote for the Drama/Romance on this one.  I see that that, in itself, is behind, but I was going to vote for Romance and then realized that that would make a flat-out tie - so with the other two in a dead heat, it seems like it might be a good place for the /.  Plus, both halves are pretty short.
DarkLightHitomi
member, 102 posts
Wed 3 Jul 2013
at 11:52
  • msg #308

Re: Genre List Changes

bigbadron:
I disagree that the issue has not been addressed.  I addressed it in my post.

I would point out, also, that there will always be a hot new genre that people are searching for that is not specifically addressed in the list.  Should we, then, add a new FotM genre every month?


You could name a genre "FotM" just for hot new genres, then there wouldn't be a need to update it every month. Or have a misc genre.

 Having a sticky post that tells where uncommon genres get folded into the current list could be an alternative ( though who knows if it would actually get used)

There was way, way too much for me to read so if these got covered, I apologize.
bigbadron
moderator, 13786 posts
He's big, he's bad,
but mostly he's Ron.
Wed 3 Jul 2013
at 12:29

Re: Genre List Changes

A misc genre is very unlikely to be added.

The FAQs:
Ok, can you add an "other" or a "miscellaneous" classification?

Again, no.  It's better to put a game in a category that's at least slightly related to it rather than in a big melting pot with games totally unrelated to it.  Having a catch-all classification invites laziness, and people will just throw their games in there without really thinking about where the games should really go.
         /help/?t=faqs&page=frf
Alexei Yaruk-Mundhenk
member, 1336 posts
Ad Majorem
Dea Gloriam
Mon 8 Jul 2013
at 00:01
  • msg #310

Re: Genre List Changes

My votes are as follows.

23)  Asian, Eastern, Oriental - New
+1 Eastern/Oriental

21)  Post Holocaust - Rename
+1 Do not rename.

22)  Drama, Romance, Relationship - New
+1 Drama/Romance

24)  Contemporary - Rename
+1 Modern
Sleepy
member, 252 posts
Sun 11 Jan 2015
at 07:37
  • msg #311

Re: Genre List Changes

In reply to PushBarToOpen (msg # 10):

I'd +1 that if it was just like a checkbox with the word "Other". Keep it the way it is, add []other________________ and let people who want to use it have at it.
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