Target Audience

I like the idea but who decides who is experienced or a beginner?

I've been playing SimSig for years but only just got into MP... I play the game by the book but am prone to an occasional error or two. Would that count as experienced?

While I'd hope that users could self identify in one of the groups, I foresee at least one argument about someone getting a rough deal somewhere.

I don't see a problem with this, so long as we are vigilant against developing an 'elite crew' constantly playing exclusionary multiplayer games with very few beginner's opportunities.

Just like most games (or any game), multiplayer is at its best when everyone is having a good time and not taking it *too* seriously. Beginners have to learn somewhere, and the most experienced players will generally be the best teachers.

Taking a busy panel in multiplayer is quite daunting the first few times, especially if mistakes have knock-on effects throughout the entire sim. Letting a beginner into an experienced players' game and letting them have a quiet panel while observing the busy ones can be great learning.

I also think that this a a great idea. However, there are some people who won't accept their position (experience wise) on SimSig. This may lead to arguments and some people feeling offended.

I'm not really sure what type of session I'd fit in with, as I love to hear people's criticism, and I always try to avoid poor regulating, late running, etc... But I'm not familiar with some routes. So, what type of session should I join?

Like I said, this is a good idea, even though some may disagree with you and if you do start using this classification method, then I will probably start to as well.

Leon

" said:

I also think that this a a great idea. However, there are some people who won't accept their position (experience wise) on SimSig. This may lead to arguments and some people feeling offended.

I'm not really sure what type of session I'd fit in with, as I love to hear people's criticism, and I always try to avoid poor regulating, late running, etc... But I'm not familiar with some routes. So, what type of session should I join?

Like I said, this is a good idea, even though some may disagree with you and if you do start using this classification method, then I will probably start to as well.

Leon

Thanks for commenting. I'm not sure I'm going to start using the proposed classifications straight away - topic was created to start some discussion.

In terms of your query around familiarity of a route I would say if you have a reasonably good understanding of Sim Sig and are familiar with an area (either part or all of a simulation) then there is no reason why you couldn't join an Experienced session. If you, or another user, aren't familiar with an area (or route as you refer to) then one of the other categories will be more appropriate.

I think I would make a subtle modification here - rather than asking for a certain level of competence/experience/ability intrinsic to the signaler / player, it would be better instead for the host to specify (most likely from templates come to by community consensus) a set of standards to which signalers are expected to adhere and the levels of deviation from these standards that will be "tolerated".

Say, for example, two extremes and a centre ground - please note I am not proposing the content of these as standards (I think there should be five standards as it happens, with neither extreme used much) - but I am proposing the format, or something close to it:

[table]
[tr]
[th]Beginner:[/th]
[th][/th]
[th][/th]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td width="100"]Action[/td]
[td style="width:300px"]Expectation[/td]
[td style="width:600px"]Consequence[/td]
[/tr]
[tr ]
[td]LX shown to Road Users for too long[/td]
[td]Try not to do this[/td]
[td]Gentle reminder if signaller does not seem to notice[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Route cancelled causing ACOA[/td]
[td]Try not to do this[/td]
[td]Gentle reminder if done more than half hourly[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Train left at danger for no paticular reason[/td]
[td]Try not to do this[/td]
[td]Gentle reminder given[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Sexist joke in chat[/td]
[td]Encouraged[/td]
[td]Everyone chuckles or rolls their eyes[/td]
[/tr]
[tr][td]Etc...[/td][td]...[/td][td]...[/td][/tr]
[tr]
[th]Middle Ground:[/th]
[th][/th]
[th][/th]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td style="width:100px"]Action[/td]
[td style="width:300px"]Expectation[/td]
[td style="width:600px"]Consequence[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Holding up road users for excessive period at LX[/td]
[td]This should not be done[/td]
[td]Signaller firendlyily notified. If continues to happen further sanctions taken[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Route cancelled causing ACOA[/td]
[td]Bad - unless avoid delay > 20 or to correct silly mistake avoiding inevitable[/td]
[td]If done more than a couple of times, consider sanctions[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Train left at danger for no paticular reason[/td]
[td]Try not to do this - and definitely concentrate[/td]
[td]Gentle reminder given for occasional "offences". Consider sanctions if evidence signaller not concentrating[/td]
[/tr]

[tr]
[td]Sexist joke in chat[/td]
[td]Discouraged[/td]
[td]Everyone rolls their eyes, persistent offenders told to shut up[/td]
[/tr]
[tr][td]Etc...[/td][td]...[/td][td]...[/td][/tr]

[tr]
[th]Simulation:[/th]
[th][/th]
[th][/th]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td style="width:100px"]Action[/td]
[td style="width:300px"]Expectation[/td]
[td style="width:600px"]Consequence[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Holding up road users for excessive period at LX[/td]
[td]Totally unacceptable[/td]
[td]Dice is thrown to see if road user calls up to complain. If so, then signaller is suspended.[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Route cancelled causing ACOA[/td]
[td]Unacceptable except in emergency[/td]
[td]Immediate loss of panel[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Train left at danger for no paticular reason[/td]
[td]Concentration required. PNBs must be announced[/td]
[td]Gentle reminder given to occasional lapse. Evidence of either inattention or inability leads to loss of panel or "demotion"[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Sexist joke in chat[/td]
[td]Depends on era[/td]
[td]If simulating <1985, signaler is promoted. If simulating 2015, signaller is imprisoned.[/td]
[/tr]
[tr][td]Etc...[/td][td]...[/td][td]...[/td][/tr]


[/table]



I also think - as a general observation - that the main goal at the moment should be growing the Simsig community and we can and should tolerate less "quality" in furtherance of that goal because the quality will arise later from the chaos. You see this time and time again, wikipedia V citizendium, linux V minix, planned economy V free market economy, sausage V pigs ear, natural selection V the moon. Obvious example: I'm sure TheBVE won't mind me saying that when he burst on to the scene a couple of months ago he was basically a huge irritant. A couple of months later and we now have several hosts a week from him and they are improving in quality at a quite remarkable rate, even if he does also enjoy polluting the chat box.

Sexist joke in chat | [b]Encouraged[b]