What would make you all more active? Options

[Fujitsubo]

I've always loved this site since day one, when I bought my first HM game.

I recognize the forum staff's efforts in keeping the boards organized and weeding out spam, inappropriate posts, confirmation of useful game tips and the like, but more often than not I find myself posting here for the lighthearted conversation in non-HM-related threads.

I'm with CookieMix on the fact that there are many rival sites out there with tons more information, pictures, game tips, etc. that, forgive my honesty, seem a bit more "professional". And it's not like we can just rip content from other sites and claim it as our own.

However, I think we were definitely onto something with the RPG, and contests. We're fortunate to have talented fanfiction writers and artists, as well. We have the classic "Favorite Character and Why", "Favorite Game and Why" threads too, and other such prompts that tempt us all to give input.

So, if it were up to me, here are some things I'd consider doing:

- The most graphics I see on this site are primarily in users' signature blocks. Even if we have to link back to every site that may grant us permission to use images, I'd still like to see an expansive collection of both original artwork, screenshots, even fanart galleries. We could use more improved sections dedicated to fanart/fanfiction so that some of our users' greatest works aren't lost in threads from years ago or deleted entirely, and thus use a voting/rating system with star icons or something. Plus, I sometimes randomly found awesome pictures of HM cosplay that I was sad to see didn't make it onto this site.

- When I was younger I loved to visit Sailor Moon fansites. You'd never know what you could find -- "Which Character Are You" quizzes with complex questions and unpredictable answers, puzzles, flash games, stuff like that. I'm sure the very same can be done on this site for Harvest Moon characters. And Lunatia's pop quiz idea was awesome; you could even have quizzes at different levels (Easy, Medium, Hard).

- The RPG is a fantastic idea. However, from my own experience I felt it was difficult to keep trying to roleplay since it had an entirely different feel from the HM video games I'm used to playing. The atmosphere just didn't seem to match for me. We had a lot of younger characters running around frantically searching a job, a relationship, anything to RP about. I felt that more effort could be put into shaping the village itself -- what traditional HM shops or businesses were needed the most, what personality types nobody ever played. Not to say that I want the RPG to be too restrictive, but I have joined Harvest Moon roleplaying forums that had stricter rules (mostly just to encourage better writing), and for me they used to provide a great challenge.

I love referencing HM64 simply because it's my favorite, but back in those days of older games no character had a vehicle or something, obviously, and in real life that village presented to us in-game would have been insanely dull, and so the characters would have to make their own amusement with the simple, seemingly primitive circumstances they were given. We also could have done with characters from the actual games.

Reading someone roleplay Claire the way (s)he imagined how she would really interact with another actual HM character, outside of the few lines of dialogue programmed into our console games, would be rather entertaining! And since not everyone on this site likes to RP, I'm sure we have plenty of the original cast to go around for awhile. I felt that, writing as my roleplaying character Aurelia, it was nearly impossible to stand out among everyone else's OCs, and that I was using her as a chat avatar as opposed to someone I could really emulate in the 'authentic', true HM world.

- There's an app/game/whatever on Facebook that I never really took time to look at called FarmVille or something like that, and when I get those annoying notifications about what my friends did with it, I can't help but think of HM. Suppose someone does an awesome piece of art, writes a great story, or puts effort into a noteworthy RPG event -- win a cow or chicken icon to put somewhere like buttons on a bulletin board?

[Jim]

First off let me say I'm not quoting that because it'd be way to long of a post if I did and second off <3!

An actual revamp of the fan area would be nice maybe something along the lines of having a fanart, fanfiction, and other fan content of the month.

The quiz thing would be a little more difficult for someone like me to pull off as I never can seem to pull of asking good questions, but it sounds like a really fun idea and I'm willing to give anything a shot.

As for the RP well that ones a little more difficult to address. I'd like to give everyone the freedom to do what they wanted with their characters within limits of the few rules that we actually have for the site itself and all in all it just doesn't quite seem to work out right. We end up missing critical pieces of a Harvest Moon town while having five or six inns and cafes. I'm considering setting up a system where I can set up a list of traditional harvest moon-esque shops and try to see if there are any members who are willing to take them up. Role Playing is something I myself take great pride in and I have to admit I've slacked off a lot here lately so I'm going to try and clean it up and get it tidy again with the free time I have. I'd still like to welcome you to join us in the RP, I can guarantee you that there are some of us whose characters would fit perfectly into the HM world and would be character you would actually want to try and befriend. Festivals are the hardest part of this job right now though. It just seems that whenever we try to produce something it ends up completely flopping and we end up looking like fools ;~; . However; we're going to start getting a few prepared anyway for the thanksgiving season as Halloween is just way too close for comfort right now.

That last thing about Farmville, well I tried it a little bit and realized that harvest moon was so much more entertaining than that game could ever be which is why I played it for a day then picked up my DS and started playing FoMT again. As for badges for writing fan work, I think it's a great idea and fortunately enough dunkel actually has the means for us to do that thanks to his HMPets that he's been creating for so long now.

[[-Becky-]]

*Agrees with everything Jim said*

Just letting you all know that the Halloween contest is being held in The Tavern: Click Here

Look forward to seeing everyones entries.

[Chen Li Cha]

I tried? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci7MftVs1iE

[[-Becky-]]

Good job

[PCG]

NIce:)

[Unbestowed]

Okay, since Im all for HMfarm.com I decided to help you guys using an affiliate.

http://www.hmisland.com - To the right of the page. Top affiliate.

don't ban me.

[Fujitsubo]

HMPets? How do I jump on that bandwagon?!

[[-Becky-]]

Here you go Fujitsubo: Click Here

Anyhow, just a little reminder for you all. The Halloween Contest will be closing on Sunday. Anyone who would like to enter please send your entries to either myself, Jim or dunkel by Sunday.

Halloween Contest

[Osaka]

This is so sad.
I came back here in curiosity (No one probably remembers me :| oh well) , and then I read this thread and it spoke to me. I dont want this forum to die, so I decided that Ill try to come more often and help advertise. (I dont know if responding like this is awkward, but I couldnt find a introduce your self thread. sorry if it is. ._.' ) Is there advetising on fogu/ ushi no tane? I go there somethimes for info and there are people in their forums. (I dont know how many usually go there, but I usually get my questions answered.) Yea, my main reason for leaving is probably the lack of people, free time to be on the computer, and my problems with a commitment. *.*'' So far The suggestions other people made sound good to me. Ill try to think of some ideas. :>

This post has been edited by Osaka: Nov 10 2009, 04:21 PM