Dacy

Hello, Builders!! Happy New Year! Here in CR land, Easter Bunny and I have been busy planning what we’re going to be doing in this coming year. We wanted to give you all a little bit of an idea as to what to expect. We are hoping for a fun year, with more opportunities for base builders to show off what they’ve done, and more chances for people to appreciate their efforts. We heard a lot of feedback from the first contest, the big Spring one that we did in 2023, and we have listened and tried to improve on what we did. Which, according to many, wouldn’t be difficult, heh. So we hope that this year will bring many pleasant surprises to those that were disappointed last year. For this year, we thought about what it is that base builders want the most. We consulted with quite a few to make sure we were thinking along the same lines. We believe that: Most base builders want people to see and appreciate their work. Base builders in general hate creating something only to have it sit, unappreciated. Base builders also appreciate recognition. (Which has usually meant gold titles) This is a bit harder, because gold titles are kind of the standard in recognition, but, only the lead GMs can give those out, and for one, they don’t want to have to do that too often, and for another, handing them out in numbers large enough to make everyone feel recognized will make them not very special. So we wanted to do some things that will help people feel appreciated and recognized for their talents, but we still need to reserve the gold titles for those few that win in contests. But...we’re going to level the playing field a bit so that new builders aren’t competing with all of the experienced builders who’ve been working on their bases for years. More on that, later! We’d like to find other ways to let builders feel recognized and appreciated. So, we’re going to be trying a few things this year. Yes, we will have one big contest. But we wanted other ways to allow builders who do not relish competition to showcase their bases. So here are some things we have planned. Base exhibitions, showcases, “Base Con”...still working on the title. This is not a competition. We will be asking for bases, by category, whose builders/owners would like them to be seen and (hopefully) appreciated by the public. (categories: Arcane/fantasy, Nature, Tech/Sci Fi, Reality/modern life, other/mixed) We would have a “hub” base where we’d list the base codes for visitors to go see. (We would of course also list these in other places.) We would like the visitors to send any comments they’d like to make to the builder or owner (exhibitor chooses where/if people send comments, and we CRs won’t see them unless you want us to). This gives the builder feedback, and I’ve seen with one base in particular who demonstrated to me how effective this technique was, asking for feedback generally gives you very positive results, and can be a real boost. CR feedback would be upon request, likewise for critique. We know some do not want to hear critique, and some want to hear it very much. We would be publicizing this very hard, like a contest, without the competition. We would be open to holding a SG Fair, for SuperGroups with bases that are recruiting. We plan on one large base contest, for sure. It will be different than last year’s. We would like to continue with the “challenge” contests, the small specific building challenges, spread throughout the year. We would like a weekly listing of bases based off a set of more specific, smaller categories. These categories are to create a directory that is category based, and people would be encouraged to visit the bases listed each week. You list the code of a base that fits the category of the week, with the understanding that people can (and should) visit your base that week. (Optional: list your base but specify it is closed to the public. Let people know if they can request a tour.) This will help us fill out the categorical directory, which will help people find your base when they are looking for something specific, which means your bases get used (if you want them to be; if you do not, just indicate that on the listing). CRs will select a “base of the week” (if you’re in Dacy’s Discord, you will be given that title as a role) from the bases listed in that category. (This would be probably mid-week, TBD) The “base of the week” will not be the “best” base, this is not a competition! “Base of the Week” may be chosen for any number of reasons, from showcasing a new builder, to something unique about the build, to the overall skill of the build, etc. Bases can and should be entered in any category they match, but any base chosen as “Base of the Week” will only be given that honor once. “Category of the Week” listings and the “Base of the Week” will be suspended during Showcase and Contest times, and will be suspended indefinitely if there is a lack of participation. “Base of the Week” will be listed, with pictures, in the base building section of the forum, and on HC’s Discord, and listed by code on the Base Building channel’s MOTD. So, that’s a mix of contests and exhibition opportunities. We hope that everyone finds something they would enjoy there, even if you’re not a builder, and just appreciate bases! Now, this is the plan as of now. If you have comments, please give them to us NOW. We promise to listen and consider your input. One last thing: The success of this program, and really the entire CR presence, depends on you, and on participation. We’re here for you. If the community signals that it isn’t interested in what we are doing, then, we don’t need to do it, right? So here’s the crux of the question we have: do you want to be a community? See what others do, support each other, learn from each other? Do you want organized efforts to let people see your work? Some people won’t, and that’s fine. Some people prefer to be on their own, and we understand that. But we need to know if we’re, well, needed. And if we’re doing what you’d like to see! So here’s your chance to weigh in. Let us know. And join the fun! Cheers to all the hard working base builders! Your Community Representatives, Dacy and Easter Bunny

I've had this up, but it needed a few edits, and the edits don't seem to have "taken" when I try to replace the older versions, so, am re-uploading it. Long story, but tried to make it exciting (has gotten good reviews.) 🙂 Was written during earlier on Live. This is essentially the origin story (with a plot) for both my first main, Dacy's Trick, from whom I took my name Dacy, and her companion character who inspired her, Trick Dacy (hence the yellow coat you see on my avatar, he was inspired by Dick Tracy). -Dacy (I appreciate comments from people who have read this!) The Fight Begins.docx

Doh, I DID forget those, thanks!!

This is important, the devs would like help in exploring bugs in the editor, and they can't do it without logs to tell them what happened. This post relates to Cel Shading and editor crashes, but ideally, the devs would like us all to enable the diagnostic mode so they can help figure out why some of the things that we deal with, happen. And we all want that, right? So they can fix it? So please do this: To enable Diagnostics: First step, open launcher settings from either red outlined area. Second, unhide HC Diagnotstic by unchecking hide box > close settings. You might have to update or install Diagnostics > launch game from (Diag) This is for using Diagnostic Client to help find why cel shading crashes game periodically: Ingame > open options > click graphics tab > set advanced graphics settings to Enabled Scroll down to Experimental Graphic settings and set to enabled . click yes to warning (if you want the next step) Set cel shader to enabled > Click apply, wait for game to settle and then enter base as usual to start base building. Back to general instructions applicable to all instances of a crash: If game crashes, and gives crash dump window, up load the 2nd option for memory dump (NOT Full dump) ********* Important edit******** The following advice was meant to be a caution on turning on cel shading JUST to do a data dump. Cel shading is a known cause of crashes, and if you are not already having problems with it, I don't recommend turning it on for the first time on a large base, just to do the diagnostic. The diagnostic WILL NOT cause you problems, but can diagnose problems you might be having otherwise. So please turn it on to help if you have had cel shading on! And turn it on to help find other bugs. Thanks!! ********************************************* (From Dacy: I do recommend NOT trying this on a big base you value. I just don't trust things that make the editor crash to not mess with something. I have no idea if that caution is warranted or not, it might be a non issue, but I tend to be a bit paranoid around what might happen, and I'd hate to see a nice base messed up. However, if you do want to help out with a big base, which might yield great information for the cause, please do a demorecord first, so that if your base is messed up, there's a chance it could be restored. See Wiki for how to do a demorecord.) -Dacy

(sorry for huge delay, holidays hit hard this year!) I have not seen builders leaving, at least not in any significant numbers; I have seen quite a few new people showing up. My base building discord just keeps growing. But new people are just learning, and not ready to tackle commissions. Builders who have been here a while, many of those build only for themselves, or (as you said) are feeling burned out and have hit pause, or have a lot on their plates. And the vast majority of players do not bother to learn how; they much prefer to farm and pay someone to do it, or if not farm, earn and save to pay someone. Thing is, there just aren't so many people willing to put in the time to learn how to edit. The basics are pretty easy, but, those that want a base often have a vision in mind of how they want it to look, and that level of building does take time to master, effort to learn, and patience and determination to implement. There is undoubtedly some talent involved as well. If this was a Venn diagram, the circles would be: Time, Energy, Skill, Patience, and Desire to build. The intersection of these rings is pretty small, and given the numbers of players we have to draw from, you can see how the numbers are so small. If we had a more user friendly editor that made it easy to, for instance, make doors and windows, select different walls for the insides and outsides of buildings, choose different styles of floors, put in stairs, ceilings, roofs, different types of ground, paths, walkways, roadways....well, then you'd see many many more people building, I think, and many fewer feeling the need to hire someone. However, it is highly unlikely that we will ever have a different editor, given the resources we currently have. However, that doesn't mean I stop hoping for large improvements. 🙂 -Dacy

The larger problem is finding a base builder not already deep in projects... -Dacy

Flat slides, downward slides, and...UPWARD slides?? Yeah, come find out how we do all of those! Also, tiny tip video for those that have raised the walls around something and don't know how to put it back, or for those who need to select the room section, but can't because objects are in the way:

Don't miss the Giveaway this Saturday and again on Halloween! Stop in at one of the participating bases - or all of them - and get a treat worth millions! We are giving away Archetype Enhancements (ATOs), Winter Event Enhancements, Winterpacks, Superpacks, Rare Enhancements, and Influence! (Each treat is distributed on a random basis). The bases themselves are meant to give visitors a fun experience, too! So please, stop in and let us treat you! Sadly, no bases came forward to host for Indomitable or Reunion, so, if you're based on these shards, please transfer for the night to one of the other servers that has a base, or create a level one character to bring the goodies over to you! To claim your treats, just enter any or all of these bases and find the person handing out treats! Enter the code you see listed below the name of the base at a base entry portal, which is a P in a green circle on your city map. Make sure you enter the code for a base that's on the shard you are on. The treats are only given out during the hours listed for that base. We hope to see you there!

Finishing up the Halloween Event, it's the annual giveaway! Make your way to one (or more!) of these bases for some high value treats! Some of you may note that there are no bases hosting the giveaway on Reunion or Indomitable. That's sad, but we had no entries into the Halloween base contest that chose the winning hosts. People from those shards can still come over, either by transferring a character or by making a level one on a participating shard. The prizes are worth it, and the bases are lots of fun! I've personally had people tell me they came into the game just to experience the Witch's House. Don't let a little thing like a free server transfer keep you from great treats and a great experience! -CR Dacy

OPTIONAL PVP From 7-10 PM EST, Regular Live hours resume from 10-Midnight! We're adding some spice to some of our Live hours tonight! While the PvP flag is on, it's your choice whether you want to fight the monsters, or flee from them! So come on in for an even more thrilling Haunted House experience! Only Monsters Can Be Fought (not a free for all, you're safe from everyone except the monsters!) So, we're trying this to see if it goes well, is liked, is attended, and all that. IF people like the base grounds for pvp fun, I'd be happy to open the base during off hours for PvP. Live hours currently are 7pm-12am Fridays and Saturdays, and Sundays from 2-6pm, EST. If this goes well, I'll be happy to do more events! So let's see if this is something people want to see. -CR Dacy

Okay, base entrants! If you want to have monsters in your base for us to include as part of the judging, please contact me or Easter Bunny and let us know very soon! -Dacy

I'm afraid I have zero input or effect on dev decisions on in game goings on! I have no more power than you, just expertise in bases. 🙂 -Dacy

Also, please don't forget a very unique experience: The Witch's House, a haunted house on Everlasting. It will be open with live scares on Fridays and Saturdays from 7-midnight EST, and Sundays from 2-6 pm. Our fabulous giveaway, where we give away billions in donated influence, superpacks, rares, etc., will be on the Saturday before Halloween, and on Halloween, and we will be joined by other bases also offering these free treats! Just for stopping by! Watch for details on where these other bases will be, and don't miss the haunted house this year! (It's very easy to get here from other servers: Either transfer out and back, or just make a level 1. It's totally worth it!)

I'm not really sure why you posted this? Your response seems like perhaps you are trying to reword what I wrote so that it's more comprehensible. If so, I apologize for not being more clear in the first place, but, that is not what I was trying to say. Let me rephrase that. If, in the presentation of your Halloween base, you have planned for (or allowed for) some sort of creature to be included, be sure to let us know about that so we can plan to set up the time so you can include the monster. As an example, I gave the Witch's House, which has a good number of both "AFK monsters" which are creatures we've designed that we could not design otherwise, and they hang out in various places to give those places more "flavor", and also creatures we call "scare monsters" that are like a RL Haunted House, where they will try and scare the visitors in various ways. Those are manned and actively move. It is pretty clear to me that I did not write what I had intended in that section, so, I will go back and edit it. Thanks for calling that to my attention! -Dacy

I want to make sure you are aware of the Halloween Base Contest. I am looking for one base to host the Halloween Event on Reunion, all treats provided; if your base is the one selected, you'll get a title and merits, along with all the visitors on Halloween! Please check out all of the details in Events: Reunion builders, it's up to you! If no bases from Torchbearer are entered, then people will have to visit other shards to get their treats (which are prizes worth 10-20+million each, and you can get multiple prizes). I'm sure people would rather just see a great base on their home shard! So please, enter your best Halloween themed base. -Dacy

I want to make sure you are aware of the Halloween Base Contest. I am looking for one base to host the Halloween Event on Indomitable, all treats provided; if your base is the one selected, you'll get a title and merits, along with all the visitors on Halloween! Please check out all of the details in Events: Indomitable builders, it's up to you! If no bases from Indomitable are entered, then people will have to visit other shards to get their treats (which are prizes worth 10-20+million each, and you can get multiple prizes). I'm sure people would rather just see a great base on their home shard! So please, enter your best Halloween themed base. -Dacy

I want to make sure you are aware of the Halloween Base Contest. I am looking for one base to host the Halloween Event on Torchbearer, all treats provided; if your base is the one selected, you'll get a title and merits, along with all the visitors on Halloween! Please check out all of the details in Events: Torchbearer builders, it's up to you! If no bases from Torchbearer are entered, then people will have to visit other shards to get their treats (which are prizes worth 10-20+million each, and you can get multiple prizes). I'm sure people would rather just see a great base on their home shard! So please, enter your best Halloween themed base. -Dacy

Hi Jane! Thanks for the response! All that is required to join the fun is to let me know, and I'll give you an invite to my Discord, like this: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cw0Rzo8S0cQ/ and you click on the link, sign up for Discord (it's free) if you aren't there already, and come join my server. Shoutout that you're here to help with the Halloween event, and I will put you in the channel that is reserved for that. In that channel you will find much of the info you'll need, like a schedule to sign up on, and I will, later in September, be doing orientations where I show you the creatures, and backstage stuff in the Witch's House so you know where to go and how to get there, and what to do on each monster. You can also ask any and every question you might have in that channel. 🙂 So, come on over! Looking forward to seeing you! -Dacy

Hey, folks, I need people who want to have fun RPing as monsters (monsters supplied). Some of these are well scripted, if you like to know exactly what to say and do, and some are free form with lots of room to experiment and role play. This will be for the Witch's House, a well known and loved Halloween Event attraction. You can play as many hours or as few as you like. There are titles for doing at least 5 hours, and you even get to choose from a list if you are in the top 3 in hours that you have played characters. Please see this post for details: Thank you! I hope to hear from a good number of you! -Dacy

This will demonstrate the pieces and uses. -Dacy

if you'd like them to be part of the decor, please let us know that, so we can schedule a time at which they are there. (In the Witch's House, we have several afk characters on alt accounts that are there, but not really manned, to help with the atmosphere, and that is something that can be there every day.) If you want creatures that will move and interact with players, those will need to be scheduled. -Dacy

Addendum: If you are going to feature something in your base that requires character presence, like monsters operated by a player, let us know so we can schedule a time to judge when the character will be there, too. -Dacy

It's that time of year again! And this time, Homecoming is helping me get the word out, and also helping by providing permission for me to give out TITLES for some that choose to help with the event*! *Titles other than for the base contest will last one year Donation is simple. Send your donation of whatever amount to @Dacy through the in-game email system. If you wish, you may contact her and send a test email, if that gives you confidence. Make sure you note "Halloween" in the topic. Donors will also be mentioned on promotional posters (provided they donate before the posters are distributed). Once you've decided to donate, you'll learn what the surprise reward is! (This is so that the decision to donate is not influenced by anything other than the desire to help.) Recognition rewards start with donations of 999,999,999 influence/infamy. Scare Acting, now, that's different, and a whole lot of fun! Every RL haunted house has a crew that is helping to put on a show by donning costumes and scaring visitors, and the Witch's House is no different! We have created some amazing creatures, thanks to the talents of @Easter Bunny and @Ellyz. These monsters are designed with specific areas of the House in mind. All you do is let us know you'd like to participate by telling either @Dacy or @Easter Bunny, and we add you to a private channel in Dacy's Discord server with access to a sign up schedule so you can sign up for the hours you'd like for the character you want to play. You will also have access to a full description of the characters and what they do. Some are very simple, with binds that handle most everything, and some allow for more flexible and creative acting/RP. Choose a favorite, or have fun with the variety! Not only is it fun to play a monster, but you'll be "backstage" in the Witch's House, and if you choose, you can listen and/or participate in a voice channel while we're "live", where we all have a blast! We will be open on the weekends of October on Friday and Saturday evenings, and Sunday afternoons (EST). We will have more extended hours on the last weekend of October, and we will also be open much of Halloween. All players who work at least five total hours will earn a title. The three players who act for the most hours will get to choose their title from this list: Spine-Tingling Fright Tech Haunting Spirit Scarehouse Worker House Goblin Terror Technician Chaos Goblin Gore-geous Killing It Boo-tiful Embodiment of Fear Eerie-sistible Terror-ific Boo-dacious Boo Crew Phantasmic Master of the Haunt Fear Incarnate The rest of the workers that worked at least 5 hours will all get the same title, chosen from this same list after the leaders have made their selections. If you are unfamiliar with the House, talk to Dacy to get information and orientation. Orientations will happen later in September. If you'd like to participate by hosting, you'll have to check out the Halloween Base Contest! Your Base Community Reps, @Dacy and @Easter Bunny

Copy/paste in this topic with your responses, for your entry. Entry Form: Global (in game): Forum Handle: Discord Handle (if applicable): Collaborators (if applicable): Are you the owner or builder? If not the owner, do you have the owner’s permission? Owner’s global, if different from above: Builder’s global, if different from above: Base Name: Base Code: Base Shard: **Additional information you want us to know: (This might include whether you have an interactive element, such as a monster, that needs to be there, so we can schedule a time)