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Search Options ►The fate of predicts and much more... READ ME.
Site Update
We're listening. Always. I watch the forums and silently take note of things that could improve the breeding system, and the complaints and suggestions that many users vocalize regarding it. For weeks have the breeding team has discussed ways to revamp parts of a system that has been pretty much the same for over a year now. We've not made any major changes to things... until now.
As a warning, we've taken many things into consideration and have come up with methods that we feel for now will be good compromises. We can't please everyone, so whereas we know some people will be disappointed in some ways, know that this is all for the best, so that the breeding system can continue to grow.
PLEASE be sure to read this thoroughly!
First up, we have the Predicts system. The queue has exploded since introducing the predicts system so thinking of a way to tame it has been a task. I've spoken to my predict helpers and Graymare and Mauri alike and have taken into consideration what users have said. We've done a few things to remedy the situation and test the stability for future growth.
The biggest change is that we are now dropping extra predict needs. You will only need to submit what is needed for a coin now! No more extraneous predicts required (except for a few coins that will need it just because of the coin possibilities). This is how many you'll need now:
EBC - 2
Eggnog - 1 per side
HLBC - 1
BC - 2
HBC - 2
LBC - 2
MBC - 2
This way there's greater chance of getting what you want... but we're not going to allow just anything. Rules still apply! We have, however, simplified the rules so they're easier to understand and judge. See the updated predict rules below (will soon be on the top menu bar as well when Yasu can get around to it)!
There is also a forum post that will supplement these rules, found here:
https://www.aywas.com/forum/topic/153262/
To speed up predict processing we're going to require users to send in the PSDs of their predicts to an email for the predicts crew to handle. Predicts staff is now going to be fixing minor things on predicts to make them acceptable, and more major things will be rejected as the norm. This way we won't have back-and-forth reject tag going on. When I mean minor things being changed, I mean things such as color fixes, little edit shifts, tiny marking tweaks, etc. Major things that break the rules and are blatantly trying to abuse the system will just be sent back.
We also will be keeping track of major infractions against the predicts system and are going to enforce predict bans for those that continually attempt to break the rules. Note that this is only in drastic measures where a user disregards rules, deceives, or disrespects staff and will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
All PSDs for predicts should go to aywas.predicts@gmail.com, labeled with "ID x ID Breeding Predicts" in the subject line. You may also add your username in the email so we can more easily contact you about predict submissions. Once predicts are accepted it is your responsibility to send the PSDs in to [email protected] to have them on file later. You risk future breeding issues if you don't! If any PSD has to be tweaked a staff member will forward it to you when you receive your eggs.
More about the new rules and predict requirements are found up in that Predict Rules link. Thank Graymare and Mauri for being supertroopers in writing it! All of these rules are NOT retroactive and start as of this newspost -- all predicts added from hereon out are governed under the new rules and any currently in queue follow the older requirement rules. We still highly encourage you to send in PSD files for those babies you're waiting for currently though, as we can process them faster!
Another predict update: from now on we are no longer accepting RBC or Derp predicts. We will process what is in queue currently but from this newspost on users are not allowed to submit predicts for these coins. Predicts for these coins have been removed because its faster and easier to get a site artist to handle these than work them through the predicts system.
The Breeding Tutorial has also gotten an update!
Be sure to read it and if any questions are had, post them in the Help forum.
Whew! Now we do need to address artist positions. I've hired a Mistake fixer and this weekend have been blasting through answering the thread to get them started. Kazna will be your new fixer-upper for all mistake needs, so expect to see a lot of progress there!
We're in need of BC and LBC-grade workers at this time, and I know I've gotten some apps lately for others that I'll address this week. Pay grades have also been tweaked to reflect a better tiered system based on work completed:
BC: 10 GP per offspring
LBC: 7 GP per offspring
MBC: 5 GP per offspring
RBC: 4 GP per mutant, 7 GP per normal
Remember that all applications can be found here under Breeding Chat, and all apps should go to [email protected]!
I hope this encourages people to apply, as we really do need more talent on the team. Cash incentives are still active as well, but at this time we do not have contracts available. If you're interested in GP payments, though, we hope that these changes help spark interest. Predict caps have also been changed to reflect the artist pay scaling, something that can be found in the Tutorial.
But if that's not quite enough...
Artist incentives are now being introduced for breeding staff! This is a system that awards not only tenure on staff but the quality work produced in a timely manner. Every three lists artists receive an extra prize, and the awards get better the longer the artist works. I can't reveal all the secrets about this to you all, but know that the prizes are worth it. All artists currently on staff will be receiving these prizes from now on, beginning with their current lists (not retroactive, but still gonna be neat!).
Lastly, some unfortunate news about the Drinking Game. We all know the crons have been a bit odd and a lot of discussion regarding September through December has gone on trying to figure out how to handle the winners. There have been several batches that 'won' when really only one batch was the true winner. After sorting things out I do have January and February screenshots, but since there's no clear winners captured for those previous four months we will be unable to award prizes for those months. I know that this will highly upset people that worked hard to attain their spots but in order to be fair across the board we had to come to this decision. Now that we're aware of the problem and how to cope with it until the cron is fixed we can properly track those scores. Yes it's a site problem but even so this is the best decision we've come to so that things are fair.
I also was informed that the old Asher drinking game prizes were never sent out... I'll be taking care of those too. I wasn't aware they weren't done! But proper prizes will get distributed.
Two new breeding add-ons will appear in the near-future once they have been coded to work. Keep an eye out for them! You don't want to spill these.
That looks to be it! Thank you for your constant feedback and again, we all do this so that the userbase is able to experience the breeding system in a pleasant and concise manner. Your support and understanding is appreciated.
Posted by Ash
(#90) on Sun Mar 4, 2012 9:43pm
- Carni
(#12344)
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Posted on: Mon Mar 5, 2012 5:09am
Thanks so much for taking the time to look into the issue and trying to fix it for all of us. I greatly appreciate it and hope it'll make things both easier and speedier for but parties involved.
Thank you!
- Carni
(#12344)
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Posted on: Mon Mar 5, 2012 5:10am
Doubleposting but... I just noticed about the whole predict-ban thing: People comission others to do their predicts, is that being taking into consideration?
- Rector
(#7191)
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Posted on: Mon Mar 5, 2012 5:45am
The only thing I'm 'awww'-ing' about because of this is the Derp Predicts being taken away. I can live, but it was so much more fun to play with them myself. I totally understand why you're doing it, it's just a bit of a bummer.
- Shadowhawk
(#14984)
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Posted on: Mon Mar 5, 2012 7:42am
Thanks for working to make the site a more enjoyable place. I can't wait for the Asher's drinking game breedings to get done! ^^
- Ryou & Daffu!
(#81)
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Posted on: Mon Mar 5, 2012 8:52am
You have no idea how happy this update makes me. ;_; <333
- Fae
(#821)
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Posted on: Mon Mar 5, 2012 8:53am
I don't see how this doesn't show clear winners
https://i40.tinypic.com/23lxzpy.jpg
- ℱairy♥ℬribey
(#69)
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Posted on: Mon Mar 5, 2012 9:03am
Best News Update ever <3
- Storm
(#23558)
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Posted on: Mon Mar 5, 2012 9:28am
I'll miss the Derp predicts, but I understand the reasoning. I always found it neat that you could make a beautiful baby out of something as quick and dirty as blending modes, especially as a non-artist that couldn't in a million years draw something pretty, but I completely understand that they were meant to be derpy and not pretty.
Otherwise, I love this update. Should make things much easier on everyone!
- Satin & Chenille
(#10)
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Posted on: Mon Mar 5, 2012 9:41am
I had no idea rbc predicts had been allowed in the first place. shows how much I pay attention!
Posted on: Mon Mar 5, 2012 3:49am
Ok, I've just read through the news, the guide and all the comments. First of all, congrats to Kazna! I've seen that thread, and there's a lot to do so good luck! <3 Next, it's nice to hear certain changes such as users being able to sell predicts per baby now instead of per set. I was worried that by reducing predicts, people were going to take advantage (eg. BC and only submitting hybrids) but I see that's all been thought out too. :) Predicts being tweaked by site artists is good, but maybe the 'tweaked' psd could be sent back to users first (ie. not with the babies) for users to ok them - just in case they are too different (I'll go find the board for that 'check box' suggestion though and post this again.)? As far as the drinking games go, I dont play them but I really feel for those who've lost out. Maybe a consolidation prize could be given to those on the list? Or a drinking game only those on the list at the time could play between them (like a rematch) with the original prizes given to the new winners? I know it wouldn't be much but it would be something. It may be virtual items but it's real money being spent by users. ; ) As far as Derps and RBCs go, well, I agree, Derps should be Derps (in the wonderful style Frey has perfected over the years, lol) but RBCs? I'm not sure, seeing as the queue was moving so fast, and would move even faster if we have to provide PSDs, whether this is at all necessary. Of course, I know I was planning my own RBCs and I dont think the outcome of the predicts I would have submitted would be too different to what the site artists come up with but still I feel an important feature has been taken away. :( I know more site artists are needed and I'm sure, with time, more will be hired but I know a few people (myself included) are worried about applying as artists too soon, not necessarily because the incentives aren't enough. We're still learning what is right and wrong, art techniques, interpretations of peoples ideas, time management, etc. etc. and predicts allow us that chance to learn without being worried we'll let the whole site down. This, in turn, means that some of us eventually make it that we can apply (and be accepted) as site artists. In my opinion, RBCs are one of those things that's a great middle training ground. You learn how to create a baby that adheres to the coins rules (balance of parents, redrawing markings, etc) but without the precision and knowledge you need for the other coins (excluding Derps).
Aww, gosh. I know I'm writing a lot and I hope I make some sense. XD I also hope you dont perceive this as whining. That's not my intention at all. I just wanted to put across a logical counter-argument/suggestion/whatever, lol! - V