Playing USI-RPG is easy enough. Please refere to the
TERMS OF USE for important information regarding content
( basically an " EULA".)
USI is a Play Be Email Role Playing Game. So to play,
you submitt emails to our server, which in turn take your
emails and emails it to everyone on the list (effectively
your fellow crewmates.) Once being assigned to ship (
If you are a new cadet you will start on an academy ship
for training of the USI universe ) you will start to recieve
emails in story format. These emails are called POSTS.
A Post is basically your submission to the current running
story.
EXAMPLE POST -
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NRPG - Awesome plot we have!
RPG - Johntson ran up the corridor, his gauss pistol
in hand. The Darkarian was around here somewhere. Honestly
he was scared out his wits, but an order was an order.
Unfortunatly, the team of 12 marines behind him didn't
calm his nerves. He knew the Darkarians were evil, powerful,
and relentless. He had some experience with them, but
usually always behind the safety line...
Lt. Johntson
Marines
USI Execuzatshack
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The three things to note in this example are the NRPG,
the RPG and the Signature at the bottom. The NRPG may
be used for short comments or announcements ( like if
you are unable to post, this would be used to notify the
crew so that they know.) In most cases we encourage the
use of the Forums for chit chat and non role playing converstation.
The Forums are quite active and are visited frequently
by most members of USI. The RPG is used to note that what
you type after the RPG is your actual contribution to
the running story. The above example is EXTREMELY short,
and it is recommended that your contributions or posts
are at least a page in length. This keeps the interactivity
and character progression flowing smoothly. This also
puts you in good standing for promotions and awards. The
last is the signature. This allows us as the readers of
your contribution or post WHO wrote it. This is usefull
especially if you post something which ISN"T centered
our your character.
When you post, you will end up emailing an address similar
to [email protected] or [email protected]. You
will have a few options for configuration of such. IF
you need to, and do not have an email address, you may
use the website to view posts, and to post to the list
yourself.
Interaction
& Development |
The most basic of Role Playing is the interaction between
you and the other players. With our free form style of
playing, its easy to step on the others toes when it comes
to the actual interaction of character. Typically, its
a good rule of thumb to not post thoughts or ideas of
that other players character, until enough experience
has been obtained, that the owner of that character does
not mind you posting those. As an absolute must, do not
go killing off, maiming, killing family members of that
char, or posting them doing something totally erratic.
They will get after you and is not conductive to a good
playing atmosphere. This calls for trouble and often times
will almost immediatly mark you as an unwanted player,
or a trouble maker. However, if you do get permission,
Often times it can be a fun plot twist to do the aformentioned.
Good Communication is healthy to a group of players, and
promotes unity, and great fun.
By extension, this also applies to universe related characters and inanimate objects such ships, stations, planets, factions, including the ones you may play on. The modification of these are restricted to approval.
A player may also develope his own character despite his
ranks, species, or alignment to his own will as long as
they abide by the given rules and Terms of Aggreement.
These have been developed because of abuse of the system
and lack of maturity by past players. This also means
that if you see a player who is a Nephatsu who is quite
sadistic and one that is quite nice, it doesn't mean they
are playing their characters incorrectly. This measnt
hat their character is that way. There may be typical
features and facts about a species which should help you
define your character. Nothing other than stated rules
have say how your character grows and developes. If you
play a Matrix who was born in the SCM colony of Gershon,
then so be it. That is YOUR Character.
As good rule of thumb, to prevent others playing your
character incorrectly or trying to dictate the direction
of your characters development, posting at least three
times a week will ensure that your fellow players will
not do this. Posting at least this much will also you
fit into the crew, and make a place for yourself on your
current post.
PSI ( Psionic Power ) and MS ( Matrix Sensory ) are great
things to enhance your charactesr abilities and talents. The current
character system automatically generates your PSI level based off of the amount of points you put into psionic / Msionic based abilities. If you
are a character that has PSI, then its impossible to have MS. Its either one or the other.
Interaction of MS an PSI are as follows. PSI May detect
presence of MS, but regardless of level may not read minds,
or manipulate ( Mind control ) or emote to an MS. Being
the nature of MS, they simply do not detect or acknowlage
PSI beings. Definition of Psionics and MS are decribed
in the Universe pages under " The Game"
A short word about Player Creations, Technology, and
their use in the game.
Although we take place in a Science Fiction and Fantasy
realm of Role Playing, its often too easy to create an
omnipotent being, or a wonderful device of magnificent
power to aid you in your quests. Usually its the brilliant
creation of the players character which summons up the
help, and suddenly all peace is declared throughout the
galaxy. Regardless of how intelligent or strong your may
think your character is, this is bad form of role playing.
The ability to instantly end the conflict, negates the
whole purpose of the RPG in itself, which is to create
a character, and define its experiences through our imagination.
Creating a superhuman that flies the second you begin
to post and can never die is not very imaginative, and
ruins the game for the others. We often referre to this
as SuperHero Syndrom. Because of such, we have banned
the ability to instantly create your own technology, and
your submitted character will be subject to approval.
Player created enemies (that which isn't defined by the
USI Website and its Database of the Universe) should take
this into account when posting such. Player created species,
ships, etc, should also take this into account. Although
we do allow for free form writing, just because you write
it into the story / plot line, doesn't mean it will become
canon, and all material is subject to extermination by
your commanding officers. Maturity of your creations need
to be used, and if done so properly, everyone ends up
happy, and you get to use your imagination freely.
And now let us read from the holy book:
"And there shall be a total of two characters. Three
is two many. Four is definitely out. One is enough, unless
the need for another has arisen in the heart."
- Loosely based on Monty Python's Search for the Holy
Grail.
A few things which will help you in your writing, are
the noting of certain situations.
RPG - is used to signal
that all written information, is meant as an addition
to the running story.
NRPG - is used to comment,
whether RPG related or not. We preferre to keep the NRPG's
to a minmum, and anything not story related, please post
in the forums.
< > - These are used
to note when speaking through a communications system,
IE ShoulderComm, or to another ship via Computer. Example
of usage would be : <"Captain, we are taking heavy
fire!">, Tagger said, covering his head.
~ - Is used to note when
speaking through PSI (Telepathic), or Psionic Communication.
Example: ~Help me!~, Taelin said, mustering her mental
powers.
" - Quotes are used
commonly as a way of noting verbal communication. Example:
"Hello, sir!", Tagger said excitedly.
Note that quotes are used in the communication style
noting. This is because they are still verbally speaking,
and require the quotes. Psionic communication does not
require the use of quotes when writing.
Signature should go as follows :
Rank and Name
Position/Department
Ship Name Ship Registry
Ship Class
Often times other information may be added, but we ask
that you maintain maturity when creating your signature.
Often we have noticed other putting things ALONG with
their signature such as "Main security Banana "
And such. We don't' mind you do that as long as the rest
of the signature is there.
Sometimes you will encounter a player from another culture
or even language, we ask that patience be observed when
mistakes are made grammatically, and if they post out
of line (EX: posting your character unappropriatly.) They
might not immediatly understand the situation as you.
An easy thing to remember while playing the game both
on the lists and using the other services is RESPECT.
There are others who play this game, treat them as you
would like to be treated. Often times, the favor is returned.
Species may only be used if they are in the database.
Part of this is because of our character design system,
and another part is because its really easy to just say
" I am a Gorgoon and I am invinciible." Which
of course is lame and then you get no friends and have
a HORRIBLE time playing the game. So the available species
to play are in the database.
Secondly - while you may be a member of that species,
it doesn't mean that you have pull, sway , or mass influence
in the grand scheme of that species. As you progress in
the game you may post according to that species which
you have selected, but actions such as calling that species
mass fleet over to rescue you and only you from some ill
fate doesn't work. In fact it doesn't happen. As a game
you must respect the fact that while you are special,
so is everyone else. And you must also respect the fact
that as you play this game, you are playing as an officer
of the Unified Space Intelligence. Which means that even
in treaties, those species have no obligation to suddenly
help you out, time and time again.
Posting to your ship, or email list is an essential part of playing. Because you are playing
with a group of people, its important that you stay active and post frequent enough to maintain your position on that list. Lack of posting
can eventually get you possibly demoted, or removed from the game passively.
Normal players, those without any game administration
reponsibility (First Officers, Captains and Admirals are those with game administration responsibilities), need to post at least three times a week to even be considered for any
of the promotions (rank advancements.) If you unable to do this, we recommend you notify your captain so that we are aware and don't accidentally remove you from the game. If you go without posting for about 8 weeks, you are automatically removed from the game.
You may end up at Tryst Training, a 'holding' area if you are unable to post for about 4 weeks. This is to make sure that new players are given the chance that you were by making those positions available. Should you wish to return, please begin posting to the ship, but we aware that your position may have been replaced and you might end up as a Junior officer again.
Captains must maintain posting minimum as well. Should they be unable to post minimum for 4 weeks, they are removed from their command, usually demoted. WE do allow them more time to return before being removed from the game. They have upto one year.
Admirals may post in various forms, and their posting requirement is different. It is imperitive that they are able to support their ships that they oversee. As long as they are performing this duty, their actual posting can be variable. If a ship that they oversee, for example, has a captain who has been unable to post, it will be the Admirals responsibility to maintain that ship at the time. This means that they must post at least three times a week to ensure that the ship is able to play without that captain until a new one is assigned or the old one is able to return to posting. We strongly encourage admirals to have at least one character that is posting minimum on one of their overseen ships as a point of presence and to maintain interest in the game and its universe.
We understand that this is a game, and try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. We also try to be pretty relaxed in the rules and try to accomodate everyone situation. Players do need to understand that many of the rules are in place to ensure that the game does run smoothly. If you end up being demoted due to lack of posting, please understand it is because there are players who are able to play, and we need to give them the same opportunity.
As with anything, the key to sucess is being able to communicate. If you are unwilling to communicate with the leadership of the game, most likely this will end up in us not understanding your situation or knowing what you need as a player to make this game as fun and entertaining as it can be. This goes for players, captains and Admirals. PLEASE, if you're having problems with anything you need to let us know so we can help resolve the issue and get you having fun again.
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