wowzewow

also when it gets compressed down into the 32x32 in game sprites it'll be impossible to actually tell and we'll have to fall back to straight lines

Honestly, these flags are great, Goolies. I have a bit of feedback, if you don't mind. - I love the Greenland-ization of Silversun. Makes the colors really *pop*. However, the bezier-curve wavy reflection is just too digital. Flags are designed physically, with straightedges and compasses. It's too obvious that this was made in a computer program. Of course, you could argue that this is the future and this doesn't matter, but this just means the flag looks more like a corporate .svg free online powerpoint graphics starter kit, rather than a sit-down serious flag. - I think the hammer and sickle is a bit too on-the-nose that "VENUS IS COMMUNIST". I feel the deep crimson red and yellow stars already evokes strong soviet vibes, and it doesn't necessarily lock the planet into full on communism, but rather more broader strokes of socialism. - Pluto, I think the pink/purple are way too close together. Once you squint (or better yet, squish them down to the 32x32 pixel art flag size), they're basically indistinguishable. I think they should be made the same color, or have them be completely different. As for the cantons, personally, I like them staying, mainly because of what the Solarian Alliance really represents. It's an authoritarian empire first and foremost, under the guise of democracy. It's Sol-dominated, and it shows that the planets are obviously under the heel of the Alliance, as compared to the comparatively laissez-faire Tau Ceti and the loosely held together CoC.

Thumbs up from me, honestly. Although they're a bit anal-retentive working as the Wiki-head, I can't really complain. They've put in the work, they deserve the territory. Seeing the proposals for the future for Tajara lore just made me go "Damn, I'm convinced." +1

Frankly, I didn't really know what much I could do in that round. I was basically sitting on my hands for the most of it. I was constantly trying to ring alarm bells trying to "raise" the heat and escalate the situation so Security can actually play the game - unfortunately, I can't really ask Sec to go guns blazing since it was up to the HoS' jurisdiction. So I was just stuck with saying "The Idris Reclamators are doing REALLY FUCKED UP SHIT we need to do SOMETHING", and "I'm in charge of the ship's finances, this isn't adding up". It wasn't until the Assistant flat out had to succumb and die that I could go "HOLY SHIT THEY KILLED A MAN ESCALATE NOW!!!" Basically, I was stuck between a rock and a hard place, because I don't think there was really much I could do during that round. the HoS was already talking to the Reclamators, and the Captain was *just* coming back from ferrying people on the shuttle. I didn't particularly want to muscle in on anything to avoid overstepping my bounds as a XO.

Well. Can't we just increase every *OTHER* job other than Medical and Security?

I definitely think we shouldn't be kneecapping ourselves to a hard limit. I think we should definitely rethink how we handle our playercount. The fact our server just starts falling apart once we're out of this "goldilocks zone" of 20-50 players is not particularly healthy for growth.

Either that, or make it so Command has to add them. (Even then, I'm unsure, since they'll probably be busy at the oddysey stuff) I don't think this'll mess with balance too much, since basically half or more of the ship's down on the away site. Kind of sucks to be locked out of a round because you missed roundstart. Also kind of sets a hard cap on the amount of players we can really have (because who the hell wants to play Off-duty?) Can't really top the server charts even though we literally are getting the most amount of players interested as possible.

Alright, so, please forgive me - it's literally my first few rounds, so I apologize if I overstep a bit while I try to figure out some gimmicks. Morgan's supposed to be a pencil-pushing, slightly overbearing manager that tries to do "efficiency" stuff. Actually, this is all connected, and it was a pretty confusing ordeal, so let me explain. - Morgan gets annoyed at a Security Officer for playing video games. Just body-languages frustration, but nothing more. - Officer pulls Morgan aside - "This is unbecoming of the PMCG. Allow me to correct this behaviour on your behalf" - Said officer files an injunction and other things on their own discretion. As there were no other command staff available, I felt it was some good paperwork RP, so I signed off on it. (And to be extra certain, I ahelped as well to double check if I had the authority to do so.) - Mid round, HOS joins and takes over. Afterwards we had a conversation about the injunction and then the problem was resolved. Apologies if my intentions weren't clear. I wasn't planning on hiring or firing anyone. I was trying to do a survey gimmick where I'd intervew someone for a moment, then give them a gold star/coupon as a fun side thing. There was only really Security (busy with Greimorians) and Medical, so I didn't have much choice in trying to get the gimmick going. There was no Bridge Crew, Service nor other Command staff for most of the round, so I had to fill in. As soon as the HoS joined, I immediately went hands-off.

BYOND key: Wowzewow Discord Username: alsoandanswer Character names: Wesley Miyazaki Jeremy Hanford Morgan Chiang-Slaughter How long have you been playing on Aurora? Nine years, intermittently, with a couple of hiatus periods. Have you received any administrative actions? And how serious were they? Yes. Not very serious. Please provide well articulated answers to the following questions in a paragraph each. What do you think the OOC purpose of a Head of Staff is, ingame? A Mini-DM, basically. Give people things to do. Set up scenarios for roleplay. Something that really stuck with me way back when I was playing a chef was the Captain ordering a steak, a glass of wine, and some mushroom soup. It wasn't much, but it gave me something fun to do. To elaborate - it's all about *delegation*, you've got *power*, and you *should* use it. It's fun to boss around a bunch of goons - but it's also fun to be bossed around. "Aye-aye boss, with pleasure", as you order some security boys to give em' what for. If they don't comply, well... do this or you're fired! Conflict! Either way, everyone has fun. Typically, good leadership's about conflict mediation - not taking sides, and ending things peacefully, that's nice and all. However, it's more fun to draw lines in the sand and form teams. Since you're a member of command, you have the *authority* to do these kinds of things. And it's the best kind of roleplay that you can get on the server. Every character gets to pour out their grudges and greviances, and it's a very emotionally raw experience. People die, fight, and get messed up! Its dramatic, romantic, fantastic. What do you think the OOC responsibilities of Whitelisted players are to other players, and how would you strive to uphold them? Be good roleplayers, basically. If something goes wrong, just help smooth things out and make sure the show goes on. Realistically though, you aren't a loredev, nor an admin, so your responsibilites are much more muted, but also a lot more personal. There isn't this power dynamic, so you're a lot more of a mentor and friend than anything else. Also makes you a lot more approachable. You're "higher ranking" per se, but in knowledge, rather in authority. You should be a rock to other players, and when they see your name in the manifest, they know they'll be in for a good time. Explain how the recent events in the Spur changed your character and how they came to be employed on the SCCV Horizon. As much as a Solarian citizen as anyone else, unfortunately, Morgan isn't particularly all too fond of the Solarian Alliance, with its dogmatic rhetoric and nationalistic fervour. Though Sol Common was the lingua franca, he never really felt a connection to it. Dad spoke a dialect. Mom spoke Basic. Sol Common was the language of propaganda. Failure after failure, corruption, scandals. The fact that his leaders were utter imbeciles were an insult to his to intelligence. And he'll be damned if he's going to be drafted into the Solarian Navy to die in a Gadpathurian trench. With a broad higher education in Basic under his belt and a fire in his gut, he sought employment with the SCC. Working for a few years inbetween menial jobs and middle management (for that valuable "work experience"), he's hoping that his new position's his ticket up to the big leagues. Though, it'd be hard to say he *hates* the Solarian Alliance. Changing masters from pauldrons and military formals to suits and ties isn't particularly all sunshine and rainbows for him, but at least there's a way up and out, he hopes... Well, at least it's better than the senseless self-absorbed bickering of the Coalition, but that's something to think about for another time. (Yes. I've been playing him as a bartender for a while - I just wanted to test out his character. Once he's promoted he'll be aged up and have some things changed around) What roles do you plan on playing after the application is accepted? Executive Officer. Have you familiarized yourself with the wiki pages for the command roles? Yes. Characters you intend to use for command or have created for command. Include the job they will be taking: Morgan, Chiang-Slaughter Tsing-Hsien - Executive Officer Morgan is a New Hai Phonger - well, at least half, mom's a Bieselite and *insisted* on the double barelled last name. A gaunt, sharply dressed New Hai Phonger man, usually seen with a ledger or clipboard in tow. It's as if he's *thinking* through his pen - that is, if his white dress gloves don't catch your eye first. Usually deadpan and monotonous - some see this as uncaring, uncouth - but really, he's mostly nonplussed most of the time. However, that's not to say he isn't emotive... (and that's for you to find out!) His hair is in a rough undercut, his beard mostly stubble, thicker at the mustache and chin. A pair of horn-rimmed spectacles rests on his face. He's kept in an utilitarian manner. Do you understand your whitelist is not permanent, and may be stripped following continuous administrative action? Yes. Have you linked your BYOND account to the Forums? Yes. Extra notes: I can't particularly always play at peak-hour. It's usually around 3-7am and I have things to do in the morning.

Well, I've updated the main post, but I'll elaborate briefly again here - Although not directly involved in the Solarian Civil War nor the Interstellar War, his higher education in Basic allowed him to peer past the veil of propaganda and nationalism. With his political fervour and views akin to an old-fashioned Intelligentsia, it would probably lead to him being put up against the wall in front of a firing squad. He isn't particularly keen on sticking around. Although he has some reservations about kowtowing to his new corporate overlords, at least being taken away by the Navy to be sent into a Gadpathurian trench isn't one of his concerns anymore. @Owen@NM_ Addressed.

BYOND key: Wowzewow Discord Username: alsoandanswer Character names: Wesley Miyazaki Jeremy Hanford How long have you been playing on Aurora? Nine years. Have you received any administrative actions? And how serious were they? Yes. Not very serious. Please provide well articulated answers to the following questions in a paragraph each. What do you think the OOC purpose of a Head of Staff is, ingame? A Mini-DM, basically. Give people things to do. Set up scenarios for roleplay. Something that really stuck with me way back when I was playing a chef was the Captain ordering a steak, a glass of wine, and some mushroom soup. It wasn't much, but it gave me something fun to do. To elaborate - it's all about *delegation*, you've got *power*, and you *should* use it. It's fun to boss around a bunch of goons - but it's also fun to be bossed around. "Aye-aye boss, with pleasure", as you order some security boys to give em' what for. If they don't comply, well... do this or you're fired! Conflict! Either way, everyone has fun. Typically, good leadership's about conflict mediation - not taking sides, and ending things peacefully, that's nice and all. However, it's more fun to draw lines in the sand and form teams. Since you're a member of command, you have the *authority* to do these kinds of things. And it's the best kind of roleplay that you can get on the server. Every character gets to pour out their grudges and greviances, and it's a very emotionally raw experience. People die, fight, and get messed up! Its dramatic, romantic, fantastic. What do you think the OOC responsibilities of Whitelisted players are to other players, and how would you strive to uphold them? Be good roleplayers, basically. If something goes wrong, just help smooth things out and make sure the show goes on. Realistically though, you aren't a loredev, nor an admin, so your responsibilites are much more muted, but also a lot more personal. There isn't this power dynamic, so you're a lot more of a mentor and friend than anything else. Also makes you a lot more approachable. You're "higher ranking" per se, but in knowledge, rather in authority. You should be a rock to other players, and when they see your name in the manifest, they know they'll be in for a good time. Explain how the recent events in the Spur changed your character and how they came to be employed on the SCCV Horizon. As much as a Solarian citizen as anyone else, unfortunately, Morgan isn't particularly all too fond of the Solarian Alliance, with its dogmatic rhetoric and nationalistic fervour. Though Sol Common was the lingua franca, he never really felt a connection to it. Dad spoke a dialect. Mom spoke Basic. Sol Common was the language of propaganda. Failure after failure, corruption, scandals. The fact that his leaders were utter imbeciles were an insult to his to intelligence. And he'll be damned if he's going to be drafted into the Solarian Navy to die in a Gadpathurian trench. With a broad higher education in Basic under his belt and a fire in his gut, he sought employment with the SCC, and got on the first ship he could. The Horizon. Though, it'd be hard to say he *hates* the Solarian Alliance. Changing masters from pauldrons and military formals to suits and ties isn't particularly all sunshine and rainbows for him, but at least there's a way up and out, he hopes... Well, at least it's better than the senseless self-absorbed bickering of the Coalition, but that's something to think about for another time. What roles do you plan on playing after the application is accepted? Executive Officer. Have you familiarized yourself with the wiki pages for the command roles? Yes. Characters you intend to use for command or have created for command. Include the job they will be taking: Morgan, Chiang-Slaughter Tsing-Hsien - Executive Officer Morgan is a New Hai Phonger - well, at least half, mom's a Bieselite and *insisted* on the double barelled last name. A gaunt, sharply dressed New Hai Phonger man, usually seen with a ledger or clipboard in tow. It's as if he's *thinking* through his pen - that is, if his white dress gloves don't catch your eye first. Usually deadpan and monotonous - some see this as uncaring, uncouth - but really, he's mostly nonplussed most of the time. However, that's not to say he isn't emotive... (and that's for you to find out!) His hair is in a rough undercut, his beard mostly stubble, thicker at the mustache and chin. A pair of horn-rimmed spectacles rests on his face. He's kept in an utilitarian manner. Do you understand your whitelist is not permanent, and may be stripped following continuous administrative action? Yes. Have you linked your BYOND account to the Forums? Yes. Extra notes: No.

https://github.com/Aurorastation/Aurora.3/pull/20467 Basically, Fluffy and I have managed to upgrade the lobby art to support PNGs. I've updated the buttons and logo to also be transparent to show off the cool art rather than blocking it. Anyway, I need your help. If you've got art skills, you can cement your place in the server's history. We're missing lobby art for Dionae, Unathi, and Skrell. If you've got any other ideas feel free to DM me at alsoandanswer on Discord. Resolution is 1920x1920. UI looks like this. Be sure to sign your art! (But if you don't want to, you don't have to.)

I actually have an unorthodox suggestion, and it's to shift to UTC+8 instead. A sizable chunk of our userbase is American, therefore play in the evening, i.e., after work. Therefore, it would make sense for the time to be morning on the Horizon - peak hour means day-shift on the Horizon, then lowpop would sensibly be night-shift.

Alright, I know this sounds stupid, but hear me out. Keep in mind with all "antag" queues, you need to be readied up. (But you won't be antag, you're just signing up for freaky friday) If anyone doesn't know what "Freaky Friday" is, it's basically a body-swap episode. Both of you have a task that you'll have to complete together so you'll switch back to your own bodies. Lore reason is bluespace nonsense. Basically, it's an excuse for characters that usually would have NO reason whatsoever to interact with each other. And you know, other fun stuff. Also, I wanted an excuse to unironically type Freaky Friday today.

Honestly, I'm all for this - it's just that AI and Cyborgs need to be removed if this happens. I'll be frank here - AI and Cyborg are on death's door on this server. They're overpowered, and only held back by AI laws that only really work in LRP - MRP enviroments as a power limiter. Unfortunately for us, this also limits their roleplay capabilities to have as much personality as a sentient roomba. There is no good reason to play one in the year of our lord 2025. At this point, IPCs and Borgs basically step on each others toes to a fault, and I think it's time to actually just bring this one out back and make the final curtain call. It's just up to the IPC lore team to handle it. EDIT : As for sprites, I think this is an non-issue. And this is coming from the Head Spriter (i.e, me). Just disable inhands if it's really bad (and even then, it's nearly the same case for bulwarks for just adjusting a few x and y values) and only allow hats to be equipped. The rest can be implants or whatever. Ironically, the last thing I'd want is for my effort making these Cyborg sprites to go to waste by being basically seen once in a blue moon.