The IC and SE System

[xRECKONERx]

(shameless plug for making normal queue the newbie queue and creating a new queue for "standard" mafia games)
Other than that... I think, really, the IC/SE distinction is outdated. ICs really have no "authority" anymore, and SEs are usually just as experienced. I'd much prefer a system by which we had dedicated newbie versus non-newbie slots, and had the moderators of newbie games take on the burden of information/authority.

The IC should hypothetically be objective when referencing information as well, but many times, this introduces a problem in newbie games where people either rally behind the IC because information=authority=genuine, or people fear the IC and kill them first because they're so experienced. If the information given by an IC (in the context of their IC duties) is supposed to be objective and in a vacuum anyway, then why not just give the mod that responsibility?

EXAMPLE: The IC accuses someone of OMGUS. The IC then posts a link explaining what OMGUS means. This action, even if taken objectively, will be viewed in a biased light based on the other players' perception of the IC. Was it a game related thing? Was it not? How do you distinguish between the two in a way that isn't red texting? Whereas... if a moderator sees someone crying OMGUS then they can link relevant articles and explain things in a way that absolutely WON'T be viewed in any biased manner, since they're the moderator.

[xRECKONERx]

Here's my thing: I think playing in a normal game gets you the same thing playing in a newbie game does.... except, the newbie game is limited in its setup variation, leading to long term "optimal strategies". "Okay, we have a ____, which means ____ can't be in the setup!" Why should that be a thing in the newbie queue?

I know that's not what this thread is for, but at least the first step to correcting that would be to get rid of outdated things like IC/SE. I can understand a newbie's frustration when they show up on the site, having played mafia elsewhere, and are expected to join a queue called the "Newbie Queue" (which insinuates lack of knowledge) and play a "newbie role" (which puts them in an inferior standing to other players) and play a "newbie setup" (which has limited options and low variance).

[xRECKONERx]

Activist mods????? Is that an actual word with actual meanings or is it just buzzwords

[xRECKONERx]

(I don't think a newbie committee is needed.)

[xRECKONERx]

Why would second guessing a mod be any worse than second guessing a player who actually, by the nature of their role, has an agenda in the game?

[xRECKONERx]

I've also thrown that idea around before. I think the main issue is that it's hard to have a neutral party fill that role.

[xRECKONERx]

I don't think that would be a super popular position though.

[xRECKONERx]

Newbie 1567: Town IC killed N1.
Newbie 1566: Town IC killed N1.
Newbie 1564: Town IC endgamed.
Newbie 1562: Mafia IC lynched in LYLO.
Newbie 1561: Town IC killed N1.
Newbie 1560: Town IC killed N1.
Newbie 1559: Town IC endgamed.
Newbie 1558: Town IC endgamed.
Newbie 1557: Town IC survived and won.
Newbie 1556: Town IC killed N1.
Newbie 1555: Town IC killed N1.
Newbie 1554: Town IC killed N1.
Newbie 1553: Mafia IC survived and won.
Newbie 1551: Town IC killed N1.
Newbie 1550: Mafia IC lynched D3.
Newbie 1549: Town IC survived and won.
Newbie 1548: Mafia IC lynched D4.
Newbie 1547: Mafia IC lynched D2.
newbie 1545: Town IC survived and won.
Newbie 1544: Town IC killed N1.

Just looking at the past 20 games...
The IC was town 15 times.
The IC was killed N1 9/15 times.

It's not as 97%-ish as I thought it was, but still -- that's a big trend that you can't ignore that really lends itself to wondering if ICs are doing more harm than good to newbies.