Of The Month?

[Whim]

Most sites seem to have a member of the month/character of the month contest, which is then posted somewhere. Would you like to see that here? How would you like it to be structured? (Of the month, of the season? By vote, nominated, or chosen by staff?) What would you like to include? (Member, character, couple, thread?) Would you like winners to earn rewards (marks and cash), or only the joy of winning?

I, personally, do not have a whole lot of opinion on this, so I'll prettymuch do whatever people want. So let me know!

[Coal]

I quite like OTMs, though generally only if the members vote on the winners as that just seems fairer. For categories there could be all the ones you mentioned, as well as perhaps dragon of the month? Just a thought anyway. If there are rewards I personally think they should be quite small, just so that people don't start getting too competitive.

Just my thoughts :3

[Na]

Personally, I don't particularly care for OTM's because it feels like a popularity contest and I've never cared for those (I have no idea why since I have absolutely no social life outside the internet...) however that's not to say if the majority of the people want OTM's I'll join in. I agree with Coal on her points, and maybe have people nominate them as well.

[Z]

Having others nominating the OTMs would seem fair. Rewards? Their avatar and name in a side box on the main page? That would be reward enough in my mind. Or just knowing they were chosen, would be quite awesome in itself. I would want it to be fun and not competitive.

[catnip]

I've never been on a site that's done them, so I'll have to trust everyone elses opinions. I think it might be better done every three months, especially if the site stays small.

As for prizes, I think that they should be small. Maybe some marks, or an extra egg in a firelizard breeding, or stuff like that. Things that aren't rare, but could still be nice to have.

[vworp]

I agree with Na that it can turn into a popularity contest, but it's also fun to feature characters. Maybe the OTM could be randomized out of a pool of active characters, if you don't want to use voting.

[redwerecat]

I agree on the points most others made. I also strongly support member nominating the OTMS themselves woth the exclusion of their own. And give a reason! Like... "I nominate B'ob for charachter otm for xyz reason." Or something. It let's people nominate characters they threaded with or whatever? Not really sure. Again I like the thought and it can be fun.

[Whim]

To counter the popularity contest risk: what if it wasn't a competition? There could be multiple characters/threads/whatever of the month, if the structure was changed to something along the lines of 'be nominated and get four votes' to win instead of 'be nominated and get the most votes.'

[moonchilde]

I think singling out characters/members for awards is a sort of weird popularity contest, and I'm not a fan. What I prefer are awards that highlight interactions, because one can be an excellent writer but a poor RP partner, y'know? Say "best thread", because that involves two+ people interacting. or best... Not couple, because it doesn't need to be romantic, but a pair of characters whose interactions/relationship is interesting. Things that would always involve more than one person being in the award.

[ASTROLOGICAL!!]

I think OTMs can be helpful for established sites because it helps new members feel like they're doing good when they get nominated or elected, and that's ultimately why I think admin decision could possibly override votes because they can choose people who have never won OTMs and who they believe deserve it. The feeling, as a new member, to be given such an award is often enough to ensure a member stays longer and feels more welcome.

If there aren't new members to feel welcome, it's not really a useful tool.

Maybe a love thread instead? Where we can talk about how awesome other people's characters are? The four votes to get an OTM is also a neat idea.