Thread: New Categories?
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Old 07-01-2006, 10:10 AM   #6
prof1515
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While it's a good idea, the "category" listing on the main page is really, with the exception of "graphical" more of a theme/setting.  Under the advanced search is more for theme/setting than the type of RP or gameplay.  I'd definitely like to see the advanced search modified to add RPI to the list of Role-Playing options (presently "none", "accepted", "encouraged", and "mandatory" are all there are) and think that both listings would be good for addition to the main page category option.

The only real problem that exists is the dishonest way in which many MUDs list themselves.  Of course, it's not all the fault of those listing their MUDs.  The existing categories are poorly conceived and defined.  Presently there is "Fantasy" and there is "Medieval".  What is the difference, since a significant amount of fantasy consists "medieval fantasy" and no MUD listed under "Medieval" is truly historical (and a good number of them barely constitute "medieval fantasy".  Fantasy might be seen to count science fiction but then there's also the category of "Futuristic" though not all science fiction need be set in the future.  The result is a mess that really needs redefining.

Assuming MUDs could fall under more than one heading (but not more than one theme or type) I'd recommend the main page categories be changed to read:

Resources
Theme - Fantasy
Theme - Historical (though including this would probably result in an empty page)
Theme - Horror
Theme - Multigenre
Theme - Science Fiction
Type - Graphical
Type - PK
Type - RP Optional
Type - RP Required
Type - RPI

This would help alleviate some of the confusion in trying to figure out what kind of a MUD will be listed.  Of course, people can still be dishonest in their listing (especially in the categories of "type" such as RPI) but it would be a lot easier to find a specific theme/setting.

As for the advanced search, the categories there include a mix of settings/themes (though there's another spot for "Theme of your MUD" as well). RPI and PvP wouldn't really fall under Category since the prevailing meaning there is setting or theme. Under Roleplaying and Playerkilling though, I would agree with the addition of RPI and different PK terminology respectively.

Take care,

Jason
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