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Optimum Solutions to the MCME Building Block

greencaver

Moria Hall Professional
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MCME is suffering. Why is it suffering? There are a plethora of reasons, but one contributor to MCME’s hardship is its lack of new builders. This dearth is generated by disinterest in the artist rank and the multitude of failed artist applications that have presented many good builders to the server but have failed to initiate them into the famed building brotherhood. These complications indisputably arise, because the current application system dissuades those who may want to apply from applying, or those who bring noticeable skill to the table from continuing their application after a certain period of time, and this is due to the long, unrewarding, and demotivating nature of the current artist application system. The learning curve of building is quite steep on this server, and many people are not provided sufficient instruction and guidance when it comes to improving their skills. Additionally, artist applications can continue for years without any hint as to when they’re getting close to completion.

Thus, in order to mediate these issues, I present a new Builder Apprentice rank. It could be called Journeyman, Understudy, (credit goes to Alpapy), Foreman (credit goes to High Lord Wyattrox), Ward, Initiate or any other suitable name. This rank would be given to artist applicants who have shown their dedication to become a builder on MCME. People with the builder apprentice rank would enjoy certain privileges such as limited building ability on the main map and possibly some command permissions like /tp or /tppos. Do not worry. Their abilities would be sufficiently inferior to those of actual artists so that they remain motivated to achieve the role of artist. This new rank would encourage people to continue their applications as well as invigorate more people to apply, because they would feel like they’re getting something out of the application process.

Next, I believe that it would be prudent to personalize the application system by assigning specific designers as mentors for each artist applicant. The applicants could then receive feedback and education from their mentor, and the mentor would be able to put all of their effort into that one applicant (or if there were enough applicants, each mentor might have two applicants). The main issue with this proposition is that many designers specialize in one or two building techniques or styles, so they may not be able to provide their mentee with proper knowledge on every style used around the map. That being said, designers should be proficient in every style, so this shouldn’t be an issue.

Additionally, I believe that new players would have a much easier time learning how to build if there was a special location in themed build that included several step-by-step building tutorials as well as thorough explanations for each tutorial. These would be similar to the instructions that are often laid out for plots, but they would have more detailed explanations so that people could apply the knowledge that they learn from these tutorials to other builds. It would help them improve with the general building style of the server. There should be at least two tutorials for each building style on the server so that people can learn about and practice every style. Furthermore, the location of these tutorials should be given a public warp such as /warp building tutorials.

These changes will indubitably deal with the server’s building block, and it will increase the number of builders on the server.

#futureofmcme
 
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I disagree with the first suggestion of completing reforming the system with a new rank, however I do think you have an interesting idea with assigning applicants a specific mentor. I would assume this would be something that Foremen/Designers could opt into, as probably not every Designer would be cut out for that kind of thing, but I can think of a few who I think would make fantastic mentors.

Also, good idea about the building tutorials. I remember this was discussed a while ago and staff agreed to work on this, unsure if anything came of it.
 
I disagree with the first suggestion of completing reforming the system with a new rank, however I do think you have an interesting idea with assigning applicants a specific mentor. I would assume this would be something that Foremen/Designers could opt into, as probably not every Designer would be cut out for that kind of thing, but I can think of a few who I think would make fantastic mentors.

Also, good idea about the building tutorials. I remember this was discussed a while ago and staff agreed to work on this, unsure if anything came of it.

Thank you for the timely response. Could you elaborate on your dislike of the apprentice builder rank? It would be adding a new rank to the system, but wouldn't change it in any other way, so I'm not sure that it counts as "completely reforming the system".
 
In general there are two ways to learn things, 1 observe, 2 try yourself.
Any suggestions to improve the speed at which a commoner can get to artist should assist either of these 2 methods.

An Apprentice role could be argued to improve the ability to try yourself, but compared to what we already have (plots, jobs, themed builds, freebuild) it seems extremely redundant. What does it offer that these systems do not already offer in much more flexible ways?

Regarding a mentor system, while I understand the value of it on paper, in practice we do not have the manpower (enough skilled builders available), nor the talent (people good at showing people how to build), nor the interest (look how many builders reply to artist apps). Any apply all system generally does not get a desired outcome.
I wished to tackle this desire for more close mentoring differently by introducing the ability for builders to basically take people on a ride along. A plugin based system where the builder can invite one or two people to build together with on MCME. This would allow for a more flexible system that takes up less time of skilled builders (they could just build like they normally would), would be more fun in general (for both) and be much closer to fullfilling those two methods of learning than words of feedback, as aesthetics are often hard to be put in words.

A builder school of sorts has been proposed many times over the years, again a nice idea in principle, but too much work in practice. Build schools get outdated in +-2 years, so they'd have to be continiously updated. I have never been a big fan of it all together, so I'll admit I'm starting from a pessmissitic stand point. Even in the ideal scenario where you get some people some basics skills from what I have seen on MCME getting those basic skills ain't hard, that's a matter of a job or two, no serious artist applicant struggles with those. It's those 100's of tiny things that are difficult and those can't be put in a builder school.
 
I disagree with the first suggestion of completing reforming the system with a new rank, however I do think you have an interesting idea with assigning applicants a specific mentor. I would assume this would be something that Foremen/Designers could opt into, as probably not every Designer would be cut out for that kind of thing, but I can think of a few who I think would make fantastic mentors.

Also, good idea about the building tutorials. I remember this was discussed a while ago and staff agreed to work on this, unsure if anything came of it.
I tried to start a builder school. Have yet to find an interested builder/builders to do it with. Get in touch if you are.
 
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