Khronos' Korner
So You Want To Run An Event?

With the discussion surrounding passing the torch, this time around, it seemed like a good idea to discuss what it takes to get GM support for an event, be it IC or OOC, and what sort of support can you expect.

For OOC events (races, sim competitions etc), obtaining support is generally easiest, as the rule book is significantly smaller. In the case of GM provided prizes, the higher level the desired reward, the more work the competitors will be expected to perform to win their prize(s). Although, having said that, a prize match system exists. For every credit provided in the prize pool by players, TRI-RMD will match. The same with other prizes, such as equipment and artifacts. The key is communication – TRI-RMD will not donate prizes unless they are agreed to up front. Aside from prizes, other temporary support can be provided – like transient stations, equipment stocks etc. If special services are needed (cloaked ships, enforcers, TRI shuttles and the like), then these must be flown by the GMs – players are not permitted to fly these ships, even for OOC events. If you are not sure, ask up front – the worst that will happen, is I’ll say no, and you never know, I might actually say yes (especially if ice cream is involved J ).

For IC events, the waters surrounding GM support become much muddier. There are, generally three criteria I apply when agreeing to support a player driving storyline:

Is it fair?

This means, in general, that the outcome should not be scripted, or predestined to give some party an advantage somehow. Take a recent example – Injustice production. When approached by various players with a request for an arc to shutdown production, my answer was no. An arc that might shutdown production, based on the actions and reactions of interested pilots though, was very feasible.

Is it fun?

This can be very hard to judge, and its pretty broad, but so long as the sole intent is not to make life miserable for a group of unwilling players, then this one is good to go.

Does it comply with the game world?

This is, perhaps, the most contentious of all. We all have our views on how the game world should operate. However, part of my job as events GM is to act as the ultimate arbiter of what does and does not comply with the axioms that define the Jumpgate universe. What makes this harder, is that a lot of the axioms are not generally known. However, mistakes aside, when an IC arc or event is executed with GM support, it becomes part of the ‘official’ ongoing story, and thus sets precedent for future requests. When an arc tries to chart new territory, I have to consider not only how logical the concept is, but what the consequences could be down the road.

So, assuming that your idea passes muster, what support can you expect? Well, there is no simple answer – I have a broad spectrum of tools available, from TRINN publicity, to RPC interaction, to financial aid and more. These are all available, depending on what is needed, and what is technically possible.

Always remember, that just because GM support is not available, should never, in itself, drive you to cancel your IC arc or event. Just because TRINN doesn’t pick up your side action, doesn’t mean it wont be fun for the players involved.

Khronos' Korner will be a periodic feature column in Darkspace Dispatch.  Khronos' welcomes pilot general questions regarding different approaches to player-driven storyline development and management.  Questions regarding a specific story arc will not be answered in the column, but may be directed privately to GM_K.  Questions for Khronos' Korner can be sent to darkspace@jgcentral.net.

 
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