Newbie Queue Changes: The IC Role

[PenguinPower]

After review of newbie feedback from a large sample of games and internal discussion with the team, I have made the decision to remove the Inexperienced-Challenged (IC) role from the Newbie queue. An additional SE role will take it's place, meaning that Newbie games will now have a minimum of 3 SE roles. Typically, the first post of an IC is an informative post explaining terms used on site and helpful tips (see here). This will be standardized and included by the moderator of the game in addition to the Newbie Setup post.

We do have a core group of ICs that dedicate their time to play in Newbie games for the benefit of the site. I appreciate their dedication, and hope they continue to play as SEs. At the end of the day, the best way for newbies to learn to play the game is to play, and our SEs already create a good environment for newbies to learn.

This change will take effect with Newbie 1917.

[Elsa Jay]

Farewell, Innocent Children... You will be missed.

[Innocent Children]

Farewell, Innocent Children... You will be missed.

[Elsa Jay]

Oh hey, welcome to your funeral. Want some snacks?

[Innocent Children]

Oh hey, welcome to your funeral. Want some snacks?

Gingerbread please, kind lady.

[Flubbernugget]

This might make me play newbies again. I always felt selfish signing up as an SE when the high demand was IC, but the one time I IC'd I did very poorly.

[Creature]

RIP IC confessionals

[the worst]

I think this is a net positive change tbh.
Having highly competent SE players who can keep an IC in check / also provide advice and feedback is always a huge boon and I think it's really valuable to increase the importance of those slots rather than lean on one player to be an express mentor figure.

The fluctuating rate of newbies / slowness of games firing does seem like a more urgent issue fmpov but, this likely isn't the place to air that..

[BBmolla]

Bring back 2of4

[Plotinus]

Will moderator feedback replace IC feedback or will more SEs do it postgame or just people do it if they feel like it?

[mhsmith0]

Will there be increased accountability and consequences for SEs who are toxic, chronically replace out, refuse to be helpful, or do any number of other things we don’t want to see in newbie games?

[PenguinPower]

Will moderator feedback replace IC feedback or will more SEs do it postgame or just people do it if they feel like it?

Postgame feedback wasn't a consistent thing to begin with. If mods/SEs want to provide feedback to newbies they are more than able to, but it won't be compulsory.

[PenguinPower]

Will there be increased accountability and consequences for SEs who are toxic, chronically replace out, refuse to be helpful, or do any number of other things we don’t want to see in newbie games?

SEs (or any player) who are creating a toxic environment/violating site rules should be reported via the site's report function so that it can be reviewed by the Listmod team. This will help ensure accountability. Likewise, SEs who consistently replace out/flat out refuse to be helpful should be reported directly to me for review. SEs are not under the same obligations as an IC, but they are still site representatives for newer players.

I'm not sure what the other number of things are, so I can't comment.

[Psyche]

After review of newbie feedback from a large sample of games and internal discussion with the team, I have made the decision to remove the Inexperienced-Challenged (IC) role from the Newbie queue. An additional SE role will take it's place, meaning that Newbie games will now have a minimum of 3 SE roles. Typically, the first post of an IC is an informative post explaining terms used on site and helpful tips (see here). This will be standardized and included by the moderator of the game in addition to the Newbie Setup post.

We do have a core group of ICs that dedicate their time to play in Newbie games for the benefit of the site. I appreciate their dedication, and hope they continue to play as SEs. At the end of the day, the best way for newbies to learn to play the game is to play, and our SEs already create a good environment for newbies to learn.

This change will take effect with Newbie 1917.

great job

[TTTT]

RIP IC confessionals

I will be requesting a PT in all my Newbies from now on
and making no deletions before it is released at end of game
I encourage other SEs to do the same in the spirit of newbie games

[OkaPoka]

Having mods actively commentate in mod pts would be cool to have for all looking to improve

[Gamma Emerald]

At least now there's no worry about the IC dying N1

[teacher]

As the last of the ICs (newb 1916), I am kind of sad about this. Thor did a wonderful job in my game and inspired my own sense of duty to the site. I get the change, but hope that it will be required of mods in particular to rate the SEs so that newer players can feel the community that is here. It has been the desire to contribute to the site that has kept me coming back even as I am busier in the winter.

[PenguinPower]

As I said in the first post, there is a core group of ICs that have made it a point to play Newbies and focus on a good introduction to the site and provide an explanation of the play here. My hope is that they continue to do so as an SE.

I don't see the ability to contribute to the site as diminished by the removal of the role. Provide your feedback on play and site meta, provide end of game reviews - these are things you can still do. If an SE is going against site rules, is constantly flaking, or otherwise setting a bad example - report the post(s) or PM me directly.

[teacher]

I posted after I signed up as an SE. I get it, and I can see the need for it. Just.....nostalgic etc. and felt like sharing. Thanks for all you do.

[PenguinPower]

Thank you for what you do.

[Irrelephant11]

As the last of the ICs (newb 1916), I am kind of sad about this. Thor did a wonderful job in my game and inspired my own sense of duty to the site. I get the change, but hope that it will be required of mods in particular to rate the SEs so that newer players can feel the community that is here. It has been the desire to contribute to the site that has kept me coming back even as I am busier in the winter.

Similar feelings here
Will miss the IC role, though I don’t have a rational argument to keep it

[Irrelephant11]

Oh and teacher and I had the same first newb game! Same feelings <3

[Gamma Emerald]

Btw this doesn't change the fact I still don't feel ready to return to SEing.

[Boonskiies]

As I said in the first post, there is a core group of ICs that have made it a point to play Newbies and focus on a good introduction to the site and provide an explanation of the play here. My hope is that they continue to do so as an SE.

I don't see the ability to contribute to the site as diminished by the removal of the role. Provide your feedback on play and site meta, provide end of game reviews - these are things you can still do. If an SE is going against site rules, is constantly flaking, or otherwise setting a bad example - report the post(s) or PM me directly.

In my experience, a lot of SE’s played like an IC anyways, and I don’t see that changing. If anything, they’ll do it more. It also streamlines gameplay and gets rid of the “would be only do that kind of thing because he’s IC” WIFOM, which is solid.