Utopia Forums News Team

So instead of further derailing another thread, I figured I should make this it's own thread.

As far as the image coding thing, it seems like with every option there are some problems...
a.) Just allow image coding on the forums for everyone. Then we run into issues with spam bots flashing up giant dongs all over the forums.
b.) Set up a subgroup for an official news team and only allow them to post images.
c.) Allow images to be posted, but they must be approved by a mod. As I said earlier, this would be a nightmare for the mods with everyone wanting to post images.
d.) Just continue to not allow image posting. The whole story will be text.

So it seems clear that b and d are the likely outcomes here. I said earlier that the bulk of the news stories have always in the text, so I don't think the news stories without displaying the banners will be missing much. That said, it's always fun to have banners up. That's why we have them in-game and such.
My problem here is, I'm not all too sure on the feasibility of setting up a 'News Team' subgroup for the forums, or how soon something like that could be done. So if that's something that we definitely want to try, it may take a while to set the whole thing up...


With all that said, on to the actual News team deal. If we're going to do this, I would like all aspects of the game covered. From the lowly ghettos to the top kds. I know ghetto wars aren't exactly the most exciting things to report on, but perhaps contacting ghetto players about changes that affect them would be cool. The point is, I don't want any kd to feel excluded from the News.

So, who exactly would want to help with a project like this?

I dont wanna help out but I would love to read the stories lol

And with this I announce I am officially applying for a position at utimes!

Steel says +1 to giant dong pics!

I may-possibly-potentially-sorta-kinda be interested in this idea though.

I will consider you 100% fully invested in this DH lol

I used to edit for utimes but got sick of that pretty quick, so it's hard to say lol.

Where would we get our news information from...? Tell me more.

(b or d are the best choices)

The SOP: interview a leader from both kingdoms, write a draft telling an unbiased story of a conflict, present the draft to the leaders for approval or content editing, get approval of final draft from both leaders, edit, publish.

FUNSHOW is currently at war with Zenobias Zealots, we are wondering if the war is for real does anyone know about it?

No it's a fake war. Funshow is in a retal war with Rage, who are in fake wars with ZZ and SG respectively.

Let's stay on topic please =]

I know Mad Scottish was interested and he said he wanted to talk with a few people about writing articles again.

I'd be willing to do it as long as I knew for sure there were people who were going to report on top kd stuff. Plus I'd like to find some other people to report for ghettos.

Interesting... !

Don't worry Palem, for the ghetto reporting you can just ask your kd-mates how the changes affect them ;)

I am interested in writing on the basis that there are several at least a couple of others who will be writing as well. I dont want it to be a case of, everyone coming to me about it, when I already run an alliance and a kingdom. I would end up more than annoyed pretty quickly.

But it is something that interests me a lot, and it is a lot of fun.

I would gladly head up a news section on "ghettos" warring or even just attempting to build a kd with a random group of people. It's a hard task and it requires a surprising amount of effort to achieve real kd growth in this game when recruiting for low level. I find it interesting. Also I enjoy reading "who are these ghettos" in every news story :)

So, we have...

DHaran (maybe)
Mad Scottish
Me
goodz

Any more other takers?

I would love to but only knowing my ghetto I wont have much to talk about.
apart from when will the energy WD. As we kick ass all* the time.

Well this would give you a chance to branch out and talk to other players in ghettos =]. As long as you aren't covering any "holier than thou" players you really don't need to be well connected or anything lol.

I'd still like to find one or two more people to cover the lower end of the game, but you guys can start fishing for/writing stories.

I might be able to find some time to help with this.
I can readily cover the regular warring kingdoms group.. Those that grow basically only during war, and get 5+ wars per age.
Since I already know a bunch of the guys in these kingdoms (being in one myself) it should not prove that difficult to get their News and commentary from each side.

The problem is, I work 60 hours a week, so actually finding enough time to write nice articles could prove problematic.

I'm interested. Seems like it could be fun.
Edit: I love writing so I'd be interested in both sides of it. So either way, reading or writing lol.
Edit too: I kind of agree with goodz. The whole building from scratch thing is something I find very intriguing. It is how most KDs got started in the first place, after all, and we have several small KDs trying to do just that. There's also a lot of other things here that could be news-worthy, and I'd want to explore that as well.

I don't think I'd have time for it, but I would certainly read it often. I find the Utopia diplomacy so interesting.

Mad_Scottish, I don't know how you have time to run an alliance and a kingdom! I feel like I barely have time to run my ghetto kingdom. :-P

Couldn't resist

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXlskUxlI7E

Knowing when you can be on and what not helps a lot. I fit it around my schedule, rugby and gym etc. I just refuse to let it get in the way. If it has too, ie a war, im monarch so I alter my plans but i still fit it around my schedule 90% of the time and you just have to be happy with it. Alliances work in a lot of different ways, running one is fairly easy in terms of the fact that you dont have to be on all day everyday in order for it to be alright. There are various people that help keep things going and deal with issues as they arise. More than anything else though, I am so used to it that I wouldnt know what to do with myself if I wasnt a monarch or alliance leader lol

They don't just have to be war articles. You can write about whatever you think is news worthy. If people like it, it'll get support. If people don't like it, we'll scrap it.

Nobody - If you could gather up the story (interviews, CE, ect), I'm sure someone would be willing to finish it off and write up the article for you.

So let's see...we have:
DHaran (maybe)
Mad Scottish
goodz
me
Nobody (maybe)
goodlilwitch

Seems like a good enough starting point for me to get started, as long as DHaran and Nobody can give a little more solid commitment.

People can always message one of us if they feel we should cover something, that way it broadens our scope a bit.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bishop

Couldn't resist

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXlskUxlI7E

---

Haha, that's what I've been thinking about the whole time!

So I'm thinking...

Top coverage
DHaran (maybe)
Mad Scottish

Mid coverage
me
Nobody

Ghetto coverage
goodz
goodlilwitch

It should also go without saying, only unbiased stories. Don't write a story about your kd. If you think it's news worthy, ask someone else to write a piece on it.

As Mad Scottish said, if anyone sees something news worthy going on and thinks it should be covered, message someone and we'll see if we can/want to cover it. Preferable message someone in the appropriate tier.

Also, make sure you're working on different stories. If anyone's got any questions, be sure to ask...

I really like the idea. Good luck guys ! :)

Biased stories would be better imo. Get a writer for each side of the arguement. Cuz even when people try to be unbiased, they cannot help to be at least a little. So write 2 versions, with biased (but not lies) influences.

Palem, I'm collecting info and player statements for a war report atm.. might be a couple days. might not even happen either.

Waiting for a reply from the "story-KD" (lol).

Quite a few things going on atm with a few finished wars. Trying to get info now and articles should be coming up shortly I hope.

i used to write articles for utopia temple! do i get to be ur star reporter?

no brado you dont, cause you suck. I was way better than you :P

NEVER! you tell such lies, a good reporter never lies!

haha, if you are wanting to get on board that shouldnt be a problem.

You could take DHaran's spot since he hasn't gotten back to me yet about participating...

Sounds fun, do it!

You're so needy! I was interested in the idea, didn't know you were kicking it off so quickly lol.