FUTURE OF MUSTANG

[WICKED♪ ♫]

Good morning, friends.

I woke up this morning with a terrible fear that my beloved site had died in my absence. But as I sat down to open up the page, the fear got worse. I didn't know what would have become of MUSTANG when I loaded it. Would it be alive and kickin'? Would it already be dead? Had it been dead for weeks and I hadn't known? To say the least, it scared me. So when I logged on today and saw that it has been very quiet but is not yet dead, I was happy.

But I'm also disappointed with myself. I wish I could stop drifting off. I want to spend time here every week with you amazing writers and the characters you have created. This site has been part of my life since I was 16, and that's not something you just let go.

So now I need to call on all of you to help me. Where do we go from here? I may have administrative powers here, but all of you members are what make MUSTANG a community, and your input is so very important to me. Do you want a new skin, a new plot, a new admin? Let's open up the discussion.

I fear that if we don't have this conversation now, later it will be too late. So if you want MUSTANG to live on and prosper, please toss in your two cents. Or even one cent. Every penny helps.

WICKED <3

[misko]

I love Mustang. I've stalked it for years, and yet every time I join life somehow kicks me in the pants and sends me off. I won't lie, this seems to happen a lot.

As for Mustang and the future of it, I really hope it continues to be one of the long-standing horse roleplays out there -- especially, as it seems like one of very few successful natural horse -- a rarity, these days. I tried to kickstart one of my own, and it's hard to generate interest. It's hard, but I think you have a decent member base -- and that's already half the battle.

If you're looking towards a physical revamp -- I really do like this skin, and I hope you mean a simple switch of banner and background and colors. xD

Not sure how I could be of help, but I'd be happy to try in any way necessary. As a new member, not sure how much weight that carries, but there it is, haha. 

[<{Txepster}>]

Hey Wicked, sorry my own activity hasn't been great. In all honesty besides my life is hell from loosing our home(property was in the family for over 50yrs) to I'm being singled out by the shop supervisor, I have been over at our sister site, Belligerence alot. Though more socially as my lack of fast posting prevails me anywhere I go. Gah im babbling sorry.

I have mixed feelings about Mustang, but one that keeps me here/coming back is that it too has been apart of my life since I was 19 or 20. (I'd have to look at my join date on the old site) And that's why I can't give it up completely. Im not sure if making a Version 3 would help. Refresh and renew the feeling of Mustang. Perhaps rename/reorganize the categories and boards. Change up the landscape between the north, south, east and west as both sites seemed to have similar ecosystems and habitats. (These r just a few ideas)

I'd only say new admin if you whole heartedly Trust someone to take over IF you don't think you can dedicate enough time to keep the site running. That'd be the only thing there. Otherwise its hard to say what to do. I LOVE natural realistic horse sites, but having fresh new ideas to keep them lively is hard. That's were fantasy equine sites win is they had a vast array of things to entice people to join.

Maybe try to put in new aspects in the rping, have an actual site wide plot again. Plagues or predators become to great. Idk to me just seems the place is very complacent and mellow, need excitement of some sort to spark fun. For as much as the members are great with coming up with IC drama sometimes random big events by staff can spice things up. Like the idea of the mare and stallion in charge of training youth Never took off, which I think that would've been neat. But it had great talk and hopes and then once characters were chosen for the positions it just.. Dropped. And never pursued.

Things like that don't help. But maybe a similar thing can happen and the staff just keep on it. Member fails to keep character active, choose another and another till someone fills the position correctly and actively. Just a thought. Im trying to be helpful but not sure if it's working.

Either way for how little I am active I'd still hate to see the site die or fade away.

[musical]

Could you have a co-admin? I dont know much about the running of the site and I dont know if it would be possible but it would take some pressure off of you certainly but like txep said, only if you completely and utterly trust them to care for and help the site grow.

I cant speak for everyone but i wholeheartedly cannot blame you for being absent. I wish I could live in MUSTANG, and be my characters 24/7 but something called real life does unfortunately get in the way.

I personally feel that we should stay a realistic roleplay, as there are very few out there because fantasy seems to have taken over (and the majority of these sites seem to have a lifespan of a year or so) and I dont think its to do with the way the site looks, but the members themselves. RP sites have boom days and not-so-exciting days, like do you remember when we had over 100 members  on at once a few years ago?? that was amazing!

From March until June it will always be less active i think as us young'uns have exams and what for so there will always be less activity from us - i say be patient and the activity will creep back. A change of skin would freshen the place up though ;)

[faizahpandora]

I haven't been here long, compared to other members. But this is the longest lasting horse RP I've come across. And I absolutely love it here. I haven't been the most active since losing my own internet, but with no one replying to my threads its been difficult to stay interested.

Personally, I would like to see a human aspect to the site. Perhaps round-ups, breaking, the whole wild west possibility. If you wanted I could go into more detail. Adding the human persuasion to the site might breathe a bit more life into here. At least, in my own opinion.

[camillypie]

Hello!

It's been a long damn time and I miss my home very very much. There's been way too many bad things happening in my life and it's hard for me to connect to my most beloved characters as I once had. I have been stalking around and mulling over potentially bringing myself back up to speed with you all. A clean slate, if you will. 

I do agree with pandora, it can be hard as everyone has people they like roleplaying with; there's always aspects of other's writing or post length that can honestly drive you mental. I don't mean that offensively as there are varying styles and skills of other members. I was on a site that did a roulette post where you signed up your characters by putting like ie: Character name, how many threads, how many characters and you got sorted into threads where there would be a scene and sort of theme almost to the post and it broke people away from their "cliques" and got them to roleplay with someone they maybe hadn't before. I met someone by doing that who is actually a good friend now. It's sad when you finally get a plot going and then the person bails or just doesn't reply but will reply to others. So maybe something like that could be good for site involvement with new members, growing harems and herds, alliances, mates, plots, fights...whatever really.

I love the skin of this site and wouldn't change it. Have you thought about maybe switching to jcink? Just one option as proboards can get messy sometimes.

[shady]

Hello, I'm still rather new so I'm not sure really what to expect from here but I do like rping and this is my first real horse one. I'm still rather new to it but from what I see I do like this site. Maybe have something like camillypie suggested. It does sound rather fun and could help, also maybe introduce "humans" as well not all year round but like during the fall or something.

Also, maybe have the best fighters on here take on a champion fight each year. Like have a rally each year come spring, have the best fighters from the east, west, south, and north. Or have enemies face off with each other or to mix things up and have allies fight.

Maybe have a member of admin play the role of "mother nature" for a year on the site then it switches the new year.

[WICKED♪ ♫]

Thank you so much to everyone who has replied so far. I love hearing your feedback, and it is helping to give me ideas as to what you would like to see in the future.

BUT, I still need more feedback! So to all of you other lurkers out there, please stop by and take a few minutes to write down your thoughts.

Thanks so much friends!

[Bandit]

I really love the sound of the post roulette. I know I can be guilty of not actively expanding who I RP with so having it randomized like that could be fun.

I'd be all for a change of skin, this one is super bright for me, even if the contrast between text and background is good, it is just extremely bright (when I'm actually on a computer).

I don't think you should give up your spot at the helm Wicked, but maybe its time to add in some more to the crew? I know a good number of the other staff are also away because life seems to be kicking everyone's ass right now but having another person (or persons) to help out as staff might be helpful on you and everyone else.

And as just an aside... fix the quick reply! Please, please, please! I doubt this will help activity or anything but it would make me a happy camper xD

[vnes♥]

Wicked and Mustangs,
I've been on here a couple months and originally thought it a little hard to get some good posts going because there did seem to be cliques and a lot of closed threads going on. In time I got to know a bunch of members and got my mojo going and didn't feel discouraged, the shout box helped. Would you maybe consider a cbox or bringing one back if you had to end it previously? I find this helps me get to know the players more and motivates me to take a look at what other people are writing even if I won't post or thread with the player/char.

I love the roulette idea, I think that would be interesting and would work so long as the players keep up. ^^ Along the same line (and I haven't quite completed this idea yet lol), I thought we could do something like quick threads or quick plots contest to spark life back. Basically, for a set time period, players must engage their chars in threads with different characters AND players. Posts may only be 100 words or less and a 80% dialogue thread would be acceptable. ^^ Players that post the most can win prizes. You can play with this a little like make a sight-wide plot or something. Admin can hold as contest or players (with some $$ to share) can host these. Note that while I love site-wide plots, they die when players loose interest so emphasizing keeping posts quick and short.

I also love the annual battle exhibition idea. This would create a more competitive feeling among the territories and stir some drama. Chars can then decide I'll join that herd because the Champ runs the place...etc. ^^

An advertising contest and a new skin can't hurt (or maybe just a different color scheme? i love this skin). ^^

My life went to hell since January after I lost someone very dear to me and I am still trying to adjust to life without this person. But writing has helped me, though my muse has been immensely impacted. I have to confess that like Txep I've been on other sites and am also an admin at the affiliate WW site, but I really do love Mustang and am hoping to be more active in the coming months. You and the loyal long-timers have done a marvelous job at keeping something special going. I can't make promises but I will do my best to help however I can. 

<3 vnes

[Whipster]

We need excitement. Less expectations. Guidance from our staff. Active admins. Colors to add to the blandness. I have man suggestions but unfortunately I haven't the time to sit here and write that all out. But once I come back, I'll elaborate and add on as I see fit with everyone else's suggestions.

But my bottom line is that we as staff can't rely on the members to keep us afloat. We've all got a lot of irl things that keep our heads off the computer these days.

[Kezz]

(( Excuse the lack of paragraphing - my space bar is broken and it is driving me insane. )) Part of the problem with MUSTANG is that our core member base is very small, and for a long time the site has relied on the activity on 4-5 people posting to keep it alive, and now those people are dealing with real life things MUSTANG is starting to sink a little. It might sound a little harsh but in my opinion that is the truth. It needs to change. I think it's great we have newer members such as vnes who have been pumping new life into the site; we need more of that<3 I otherwise agree with most suggestions. I don't think we should start a Version 3, we would still find the same issues, so instead we must fix the ones we have on this version. Keep things realistic, too many sites are all for horses running around with lime green coats and fire breathing pegasi (disclaimer baha: I have nothing against fantasy, I'm on a fantasy site) but I personally think there should be more realistic sites. Great idea about the posting roulette; I find myself sticking to posting with the same people mostly because I am a creature of habit, or because they are my friends or because I am busy and know they won't mind if I take a while to reply, but really I should stop being a toad and try a little harder to thread with others. Definitely stick with PB, jcink is a headache that I avoid at almost all costs haha ;-; The skin at the moment is nice, if a little... bland. But that can be changed. I think possibly adding one more staff member, as a mod to do the odd jobs that sometimes need doing if we are all away would help to keep things flow, though I think personally until recently we/I have been fairly good at keeping on top of said things, though this could be because we haven't been very busy. Also the quick reply is broken because of the skin, Wicked said she's tried to fix it to no avail, wahh. Oh, yes, I prefer cboxs' too, and quick threads or quick plots contest is a fantastic idea and is what will probably get us back into business. True activity comes from how active the members think the site is: if they see people posting it motivates them to get involved, and gives the place a buzz. If it looks dead then there is no inspiration and people usually think what's the point. # This is just an aloud thought: I see sites such as Helovia, which is insanely active, and I wonder how they do it.

[RED&BLACK !]

I agree with Kezz about the member base thing. It's by no fault of that group or any of the other members that this has happened, but it is still a issue that I think does affect the activity level here. The post roulette idea that cam head is awesome, I think, and that way we would be able to bring more people into that "group" and people would be more motivated to post!

I'm going to point out that I have conflicting feelings about the fight group. I think it would be good for people who really enjoy doing fights, but for people who don't enjoy them, maybe don't have time for big battle posts, etc., and I'm wondering how we would choose the "best" fighters from each land in a unbiased way, without people feeling upset or left out? (Maybe just a tournament with anyone who wants to participate instead of the so-called "best?) These are all just things that would have to be ironed out - I still think it's a GREAT idea for people who are especially into that stuff

I think a little more color could be incorporated for spring/summer? some greens and yellow stuff so it could be a lil more vibrant. but that's just me c:

Site wide plots are always good! It just has to be something that a lot of people are interested in. Like, with the wise mare and stallion, that called for a lot of activity from everyone - the wise horses and allll the foals around the site would have to participate to make a decent community plot. So maybe it's easier if we find something that doesn't all for too much changing of other plots (like how the wise horses' decision and training would decide the lives of the foals, and interfered a lot with the other threads). Natural disasters, predators, humans are all good things that wouldn't be so hard to keep going I think. Another idea is to maybe bring in some horses from another land? That have different customs and everything and could be hostile or not, which would allow for some "weirder" interactions than with the normal horses.

If site wide plot is something people want, let's go for it! But in a different thread to discuss ideas so this doesn't get all cluttered like I'm making it :')

[Splashs]

I haven't read through all the comments for this (I honestly just got on from not checking the site for... 2-ish months?) but I think starting fresh would help the site. Perhaps people start moving in and drive the horse herds farther from their homes? Fires are started by the humans to drive horses out off the land.. It gives some of the main horses a change to start over and try to rebuild their lives.


Okay so I skimmed through the last few comments that were made and I agree 100% about the 'core group' of the site. (Red, I love you to bits, so don't take this to heart.) Nerissa/Halloween have been in charge of Bear's Den for how long? Yeah, it's part of the game and such, but having the same ruler of one land for so long personally drives me insane and I feel driven away from those lands due to one person constantly owning that piece of land.

All the characters are becoming the same good/bad type and it's difficult to find someone in the middle who will either clash or mesh with another character. Which brings me to having a Version 3. It gives the site a chance to restart, new friends to be made, and the core group to restart and forces them to expand. I'm not sure what all happened on Version 1 that caused you guys to have a Version 2. V2 has been active since 2010? (is that correct or does that include V1 as well?) Correct me if I'm wrong on the 2010 thing.. But if V2 has been active for 5 years, I think it's time for a V3.

I think the roulette thing is cool..
I don't think having another staff member is going to help the site as a whole.

I, personally, struggle with site-wide plots. I don't like them as I feel forced to do this    with my characters versus being able to do this    with them.

I'm agreeing the colors and such... It's boring. There's no life in it. It looks as if it was just thrown together/default mode. Either more colors or some form of LIFE put into the skin and such. Like, you know how in restaurants how they'll have brightly colored walls? That, without people actually knowing/realizing, makes them hungrier than they originally thought. Where I work, my home store is bland and doesn't look inviting. (very basic grays.) Where if you go to the store next to ours, who are busy on a constant basis, they are bright and look inviting. It's the same when you go out to eat. It all depends on colors and getting into the heads of people without them realizing it.

Renovations need to be done if you want to keep V2 alive. Draw distant members back, bring old members who have quit come back. Make it pop. Standing it out from your other realistic horse rpgs. LIFE is what is going to bring it back to what it used to be when I joined about 2-3 years ago. 2-3 years ago, the site had so much life in it and colors and it drew muse that I had forgotten I had. In fact it brought even more muse with it than I could handle. I was bubbling with muse. As the site colors drifted to your very bland grays, whites, and the pale blues.. My muse drifted away.

Another suggestion? Limiting users to amounts of characters so there aren't billions upon billions of characters being created that just sit there collecting dust. Have a yearly game where it'll allow 3-4 members (or however many you want) to create ONE MORE character if they can handle it. Lots of people, and I'm guilty of doing it too, create characters and then never use them, no matter how amazing their back stories are. When horses are created, assign fertility percentages to mares {ranging from Infertile (0% fertility)[Player gets to pick if the mare is infertile or not. Otherwise 1%] to Goddess (100% fertility)} and have members choose if they want their stallion to be fertile or sterile. (99% of people would choose fertile, I know that, but the 1% would have amazing plots for that stallion that is sterile.)
^ I know that suggestion is hard when several people have billions of characters, but perhaps it would give them (and me) a chance to go through them and pick and choose which ones we want to keep or get rid of the unwanted ones. We could put the 'unwanted' horses up for adoption for new/old players who want a base to start from and get them going. The character would have a month (or however long you want) in adoption before it would be deleted from Mustang. But 10-15 characters should be LOTS for members. And keep in mind, you'd need open slots for breeding and such.

*shrugs* It's 1:30am here, these are just my thoughts and opinions on things.

[Kezz]

Hmm, I don't think one person owning a land for a long period of time is an issue so long as they are reasonably active, and especially since there are several other herd lands up for grabs there seems no reason to me why that would be a problem? I also disagree with the good/bad stereotype but that's just my opinion, I could be wrong. And v2 has been active since 2012 I believe. I think uprooting the whole site for a v3 is, at first, a cool idea, but I frankly don't think things would change. Really, what would change other than url? Anything that we could change on there we can do here.



I agree with everything about needing to make the site pop again. And I'd love to bring back beloved old members, wah</3

Also I loathe character limits. I just do. It kills my muse personally because I feel restricted. What I have always loved about MUSTANG, that you don't often find these days, is its flexibility and its lack of confining rules that I find on every other site. Freedom to do as we wish; personally my muse is extremely difficult, and the smallest things can kill it. Character limits would mean that I wouldn't be able to take on new foals, and I always find that my 2nd, 3rd, 4th gen characters are the ones I have the most muse for because of their backstory and their parent's history here. 






DEFINITE PLANS SO FAR: 

• New skin
• Extra staff mod
• Posting roulette
• Quick thread/plot contest
• Optional annual tournaments (regional?) 
• Lots of advertising, lol.
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Thoughts Splashs WICKED♪ ♫ Whipster and everyone! :)