WE ARE IMMORTAL

[kota]

AND IMMORTALS DON'T DIE.

This site has been around too long to go out without a fight! I really shouldn't be the one to talk because my activity has been scarce these past few months. That doesn't mean I won't try!

I've emailed Wicked to see what she would like to do considering the future of the site. Anyway, I have a few ideas that might get the activity drumming again. Most of these have already been brought up by other members I just wanted to get them all listed in the same place!

• Active Open Thread List - I know that Bandit had started one of these and the idea was absolutely brilliant but after awhile it became inactive. I think this would help members branch out of their cliques.
• Plot Opening List - Maybe in the same thread as the Open Thread list? Just in the case of large plots that are in want or need of a specific character type?
• Fight Tournament - We've brought this up on a number of occasions but never went through with it. I know a lot of us don't feel comfortable writing these especially because most of them have high stakes for their characters and they are muse draining. Maybe we could have an annual rapid-fire fight tournament? Something like this could spark up rivalries fairly quickly and lord knows that can get the muse flowing.
• Seasonal Mother Nature/Surprise & Disaster - I've always loved the surprise and disaster board but in the past year it has gotten incredibly rare. I always saw it as a sort of catalyst that brought on a bit of excitement.
• Bi-Weekly Post Roulette - Y'know, just to keep the spontaneity going.
• IC Chatbox Revival - I remember coming on here when my muse was running dry and just messing around in the IC box. It always kind of inspired me to stick it out and find my inspiration. Even if I barely had any muse I still felt like a part of this place.
• Yearly Skin Change - Places like Wild Equines and Helovia are super active and have a yearly skin change. Part of me thinks that the change attracts new members. But maybe that's just me.
• Store Revamp - Maybe add a few more items? Maybe each week we could have a new deal or limited edition item? It might encourage members to right more so they can afford these new deals.
• Holiday Events - Back in the day we used to have a lot of these and I'm sure most of us miss them a bunch!
• Gossip Column/Newsletter - Just so everyone can keep up with what's going on around here! Then we can all be excited about what other members have going on with their characters.
• ADVERTISING! - The most important of all activity boosters! We all love new members! And the only way to get them is to give MUSTANG a reason to be on the map!

I'm not a staff member so I'm not really sure I can even get any of this going! But it's worth a try!

[Whipster]

Without WICKED♪ ♫, we can't do much. I want nothing more than to get this place thriving again, and honestly... It's not as hard as it seems. Its a lot of work, and it takes time, but it's worth it. MUSTANG was a well established forum.

I think that if we all pulled together (those who have remained) we could do it. I truly believe that we should have a site overhaul, or even a third version/new board simply because starting new might be easier, and it's a clean slate.

[WICKED♪ ♫]

I am so thankful to you both for caring so much about this place. It has been around for so long, and seeing it die would be so painful. I admit I've been avoiding the site because I was afraid of what I'd see. But I'm so proud that this is what I found when I logged back in.

So, first question. Revamp this site, or start a new one? There are benefits to both. If we keep this site, we don't have to re-post all the rules and histories and such. But if we start a new site, it'll be a stress-free way to transition into new characters and such.

[Whipster]

I'm thinking that trying out an entirely new board might just be the easiest thing for us to do. It gives us all a chance to go over everything and revamp those things (such as rules, histories) and it would be easier for us to make new characters/start new.

I think part of the problem is that we can't find muse now that our oldest, closest characters have passed on! Plotting became hard, I think.

[Kezz]

I agree, I think a new board is in order. At first I was reluctant at the thought but I've changed my mind; a completely fresh start worked before with v1-v2 and hopefully it will work again C:

[★SPACED]

I'm definitely up for a complete fresh start! Lets do this!

[kota]

THANKGOD FOR ALL OF YOU GUYS <33333

[vnes (lurking)]

I think the kindest thing to do would be to let it die. It's been on a steady decline for a long time and it seems like most people are into mythical animal role-plays now. This place has been so amazing but all good things must come to an end.

[Whipster]

Vnes, thank you for your input! But there are a lot of long lasting realistic horse rps out there. Mustang is in a lot of people's hearts, and every once in a while things need a reboot and fresh start to get it going again. It didn't help that a lot of our staff/loyal members went away at the same time because of the upcoming summer/finals/have you. I firmly believe that we will pull through.

[★SPACED]

Where do we start!? I think even if people are keen on fantasy role-plays these days (not my cup of tea in the slightest) we have a loyal few that stick around - and personally I enjoy having a roleplaying community over a massive site where nobody really knows each other. So what should be the first thing on the agenda?

[★SPACED]

Also, stick with pro boards or move to jcink??

[Whipster]

PLEASE NO JCINK.

I work off mobile most of the time and it does not load or post right, and it also has a hard time fully loading on my computer. As well, it's just...hard. I feel we should stick with pb. I'm very against most other forum creation sites, to be blunt.

I think first step would be a new board which is up to WICKED♪ ♫ to put up and add us/whoever on as staff so the creation process would begin. Maybe we can assign jobs? Graphics, boards, bringing over important threads, rereading and adding onto the rules and things like store items.

Every idea that kota has on her original post I firmly believe we should take over to the new site. Because she is right on basically everything. Also, want to say that I can't agree more Spaced. I don't think we need 20+ active members to be successful. A group of 7 is worth it in my eyes as long as the site is still posted, updated, and cared for. Would I love to see a good member count? Yes, but again... I'd rather have loyal than poofy/gone a week later. We've had plenty of those.

[Kezz]

Sorry I haven't been giving much input here, but I totally agree with everything that has been said. I think we should try and get a new board up by the end of the week so we can at least get the ball rolling. Assigning jobs is a good idea, it's going to be quite a bit of work so it's important we all pull in together (: I can't wait to get back to writing with my friends<3

[Bandit]

I've been stalking the site/this thread for a while now and part of me is glad it's finally getting attention and love again. However I have to say I likely won't be coming over to a v3. I have far too much going on in my real life to reestablish myself and new characters. One of the reasons I fought so hard to try to be active here still was the fact almost all of my charactets had so much on site history so basically wiping that away and starting over really isn't something I can do right now. I wish you the best of luck, but I also hope v3 can improve on some of the issues/mistakes that happened here.

[Whipster]

I'll text Wicked soon and we'll talk about the next steps to take, Kezz. I've missed all of my MUSTANG companions for such along time; my muse has suffered because I can't find such awesome partners anymore. And Bandit, I appreciate your support and I'm sorry you won't be joining us on v3. I hope all is well irl, and that you stop by on occasion to say hello. I agree with you, starting over after having such influential characters is tough.