Org Promotion

[Axalon]

I generally agree with what Gigantus says in his posts above (post 159 & 162) save two things, and I’ll try to focus on that in this post here. I'll try to provide some perspective out of the actual receiving end, as a published modder in general on this site….

1. In order for there to be a point in have a mod hosted, and especially so in this site it has to pay off in gaining/holding that status for your project. It has too pay off somehow to keep supporting and maintaining it, even after completion. It has too be attractive, beneficial and meaningful to do so on this site. It has too go beyond the standard package of sub-fora and local moderator rights. It has too offer something more, it has to be something better. The most natural and viable step in that direction that this site CAN offer is probably location and by extension exposure, and the neighboring and available infrastructure here. The location has too be as good, or preferably better then the usual/regular space for ordinary threads – if not, then the “Hosted Mod”-package will have fundamentally failed in attracting potential candidates in a competitive way (which is a necessity). This failure has actually happened here at the Org in the past, and several mods seems to have turned down the prospect of gaining hosted status. Obviously that is bad. Having mods hosted is a benefit and advantage for a site, as it draws strength and traffic from that stuff – once properly supported and established – it generates traffic and interest to this site. This goes especially for a small struggling site like this one. So, attractive location is an important factor that has too be included in the "hosted mod"-package, and as it is - its not (not on this site anyways). This basically leads us to my second point...

2. Being bunched up and forced to share section/category with EB 1 & 2 are nowhere as glamorous as Gigantus suggest it to be (in post:159). The fact is that the ONLY common ground the other three small projects have with EB is: they happen to be mod-projects too. Its not for the same games, its not for the same crowds, its not the same ideas, problems or challenges. We are structurally severed from our base game, on which we always depend. We have no exchange with EB, at all. We have zero reason too, its not same games. The unrealistic and oversimplified “community”-concept and notion that this administration keeps insisting upon falls apart right here. The reality is that there is no community in the "Hosted Mod"-section/category of this site – not between EB's and the other projects who are forced to reside there. At least all the other three projects are for the same game - MTW. So technically I could go to - say the “Ancient boys” – and ask if they had a clue on whatever problem X and hopefully get some assistance or further clues on it, or they could come to me. That is possible, because it the same game. We have at least something, in common.

Then there are manpower and scale factors. "Redux" is a solo-projext, "Pike & Musket" are 1-3 people, "Ancient" 3-5 people. Its small stuff in comparison with EB 1&2, and it need posts, interest and exposure on a whole other level the EB 1&2 does with its roughly 10 moderators each. I am one man, I alone can only go so far in the Redux-area, I have certainly tried talking to myself but in the end I must have external input and posts all the same for anything to truly happen there. Basically, its an entirely different reality, with completely different problems and challenges. All this are roughly true and representative for the other two MTW-projects as well, as I understand it. Its like two virtual skyscrapers and three small houses sorted in the same place because they are all “buildings”. Its absurd and is NOT doing the other three projects any favours. That's the experience I had consistently some 4+ years now...

The "limelight" Gigs, is the great and eternal shadow of two skyscrapers upon our three small houses, I seen little else thus far...

- A