<div align="center"><strong><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span class="bbc_u">Announcement</span></span></strong></div><br/>Some of you may have already received this general idea via PM and seeing as how the response has been on the positive side I've decided to post it up here on the OOC for everyone to consider and discuss.<br/><br/>Obviously the game is slowly dying. Whether it is due to NaNoWriMo, the upcoming holidays, midterms, or end of the year work, the inevitable truth of it is that Waxing Rhapsodic is going to come to an end if it keeps going the way it is. So, with the help of echoes and several others who gave their input and suggestions, here is the idea that I'd like to implement in hopes of reviving the game:<br/><br/>The gallery catches on fire (specific reason as to how can be discussed or just left unknown) and thus needs to be rebuilt, or the damage may have been bad enough that we relocate in the meantime. This would explain the smaller group, since so many have left us this is mostly so that things are tightened up - making it easier for us to function smoothly as a smaller group. Now located in a smaller building this means not just fewer rooms and studios but lack of widely shared space in general. To remedy this, I suggest shared room and thus hopefully more interaction as a result.<br/><br/>The problem is that the gallery is now low on funds.  Or rather, we may still have some money in the bank but it won't be enough to sustain all of the staff and facilities due to a chunk of it already being used to relocate/renovate. This means that money will no longer be flaunted everywhere anymore, the gallery will no longer be as nearly as fancy and well equipped as it once was. It also means that the photographers better up their game and start bringing in some money.<br/><br/>Basically, what I'm hoping for is that this will in turn give the game a more competitive edge. A sort of race to see who will be able to produce the most pieces of art and sell them as well. This will put pressure on the photographers, but it will also affect the rest of the staff. Lacking models, photographers will grab at whoever's available. Lacking assistants, everyone will be forced to help out in some way. This pretty much means that everyone will have a chance to do everything and dabble in areas they hadn't been able to experience yet. Perhaps we will see how many complete pieces of art each photographer has gotten done at the end of one game week and that person may get a reward of some kind? Of course, for models/assistants whoever's best and showcased most will become more valued and wanted in general.<br/><br/>As for the layout, I'm thinking that there will still be one floor each allocated to the Gallery and Basement (for events). However, all of the Assistants, Models, and Staff will share one floor. Maybe they each get their own rooms. Maybe they get roommates, whatever the general consensus may be. (Of course, they all still have the option to live in the city if they can.) Besides the rooms there will be a general area that is shared. A nice lounge/suite sort of area with kitchen, entertainment, etc. Nothing nearly as fancy as before - the focus is to work not play (though there will be plenty of playing around I'm sure.)<br/><br/>For the photographers, they can share small studios in 2s or 3s. It would be similar to the general floor that the rest of the staff get. However it would mean that the small work area in the studios would be split to be used so more than one photo shoot can take place in a studio at a time. On the other hand, there will be a floor dedicated to a large studio. This one has to be reserved ahead of time and once that time is up they're out since the next party has to use it. This means that more than one shoot can occur there within a day's time. Of course, there is always the option that you may have to find some other place for your shoot when the studios are occupied. This might mean a thread for outdoor shoots, or it can even merge with the city thread perhaps (though this might get a little confusing?). I may very well end up just re-using some of our current threads and edit them as needed, but there will still be a few new threads and others will be closed to posting.<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/>Here are several other ideas that I felt could be implemented into the game. Either immediately with the move or sometime in the future:<br/><br/>echoes - Let each photographer and assistant choose one prop that they would like to bring over. This can be a favorite prop or just something they managed to salvage from the fire. These props will then be shared property between everyone, however, there can only be one of each (which may lead to some scrabbling). As for who would like to bring what, players can decide amongst themselves or PM one of the GMs to inform us about it.<br/><br/>Lady Kitsune - For a future Event, a Live Art exhibition. I can see this easily turning into a competition where each photographer (it can be solo or in pairs/groups) showcases one exhibit. Players will vote with the poll by choosing their favorite exhibits. The winner will get a nice prize (what exactly the prize is can be discussed) and perhaps the event was sponsored by one of the buyers.<br/><br/>jaberwok - Portfolio Competition, another possible future Event. Here, photographers (also solo or pairs/groups) choose a theme that they would like to explore and present a portfolio of those photos. Players will vote with the poll by choosing their favorite exhibits. The winner will get a nice prize (what exactly the prize is can be discussed) and perhaps the event was sponsored by one of the buyers.<br/><br/>kaz - Besides the shared facilities on the resident floors, maybe add a cafe to the main/Gallery floor as well. This can help to bring in some 'profit' and it would also be easier to grab a quick snack or coffee for the staff. It also makes for a convenient meeting place.<br/><br/>kaz - Eventually, introduce a rival gallery to the picture. This can be done via NPCs but it will be something to give that extra boost of competitive feel and urgency.<br/><br/><br/><br/>What do you guys think? Feedback, input, opinions, suggestions...all are welcome!