Lancer's Synthetic Developer Application

[The lancer]

Ckey/BYOND Username: the lancer
Position Being Applied For: (Wiki Maintainer, Lore Developer, Deputy Lore developer): Synthetic Lore Developer
Have you read the Lore Team Rules and Regulations wiki page?: Yes
Past Experiences/Knowledge: CCIA since 2018, written some wiki material over the years
Examples of Past Work: A few things, all of which have been added to the wiki in some way or another.

 

And some city lore for the PRA found here.

 

Additional Comments:

In my opinion, the current state of IPC lore is relatively stable and overall good. I don't really believe that huge changes need to be made, the current lore already focusing on giving very diverse options for character creation without bringing IPCs in the forefront by granting them a main planet/country like other species. This brings them in a unique position characterised by agility and adaptability to new ideas. A new IPC is a clean slate, able to be infused with the theme of the place they originate from and develop it in a uniquely synthetic way. I really like how IPCs allow for very different approaches in regards to a synthetic's social and intellectual capacity, with the ability to cultivate both as time goes by, adding significantly to the feel of character development.

In terms of where I'd like to take it, I'd like to expand on the lore about how IPCs fare in various planets, as well as in Tau Ceti. Expansion and raising other IPC factions to more relevancy, such as Scrappers or the Golden Deep, bringing in attention and providing more options for character creation. More small calibre events and visits spanning multiple rounds is also a good way of achieving this, for I believe are both fun and allow changes to be implemented more organically. I would also like to expand on the nature of the positronic brain, providing explanation as to why synthetics can behave so differently, from directly mimicking humans to acting robot-like, both for stationbounds and IPCs.

 

 

[Caelphon]

Hi there! Just a few questions.

Quote

 

1. Hypothetically, lets say you had unfettered access to write and implement lore for IPCs, what would you do? Do you have any specific plans that you could expand on? (I see you mentioned plans already, but do you mind expanding on them?)

2. What is your perspective on IPC and their relations to Megacorporation? Do you like its current state, or do you plan on changing them? (either through expansion or rewriting)

3. Do you think Synthetic Lore could do with additional relations to other species? Why or why not? (This isn't exclusive to IPCs, more so artificial intelligence in general)

4. You are the Head of Staff relating to CCIAA. Do you think that you can juggle the responsibilities of both Head of Staff and Lore Writing whilst keeping burnout at bay? 

 

Goodluck. There are no wrong answers. 

[The lancer]

14 hours ago, Caelphon said:

1. Hypothetically, lets say you had unfettered access to write and implement lore for IPCs, what would you do? Do you have any specific plans that you could expand on? (I see you mentioned plans already, but do you mind expanding on them?)

I would like to bring more players to make characters from factions that are either unknown or have little participation, such as Scrappers and the Golden Deep. While the latter has seen some characters and even consulars on station, there have not been any substantial events to solidify their presence. The same can be said about the former, where to my knowledge, there have been no scrapper characters. I would like to bring attention to them, as well as provide means of such synthetics to come and work on the Aurora and Tau Ceti. The event format that I feel works best is one that spans multiple rounds throughout a week, with regular visits.

I would like to bring back some kind of antagonist synthetic faction directly opposed to megacorporate interests, in order to provide more friction and conflict within rounds. This would also work well with the already established presence of the Ceres' Lance agents that are able to visit from time to time. Said faction planting operatives that pose as ordinary characters, clashing with Lancers, as both of them attempt to bring uninvolved crew into their own side, would be a fun concept to play with.

I would finally like to establish some groundwork for differentiating between positronic brains on their capabilities to process and mimick organics, as well as the intelligence they exhibit. I wish to expand on the hardware aspect of the brains, the complexity, cost and what each can achieve. This would provide an explanation of why some IPCs feel more robotic than others, while debunking theories and stereotypes (G2s being dumb giants, for example.)

 

14 hours ago, Caelphon said:

2. What is your perspective on IPC and their relations to Megacorporation? Do you like its current state, or do you plan on changing them? (either through expansion or rewriting)

Megacorp IPCs are very different on account of which corporation they work for. NT is by far the most liberal in regards to its IPCs and their treatment. I do not really see any reason to change anything, except expanding on the relations Nanotrasen has with its IPCs, should there be a need for it. NT should still remain the "neutral" corporation for IPCs that allows a lot of character mobility, with the contractor factions being the special and restricted ones. I'm happy with the state we're in.

 

14 hours ago, Caelphon said:

3. Do you think Synthetic Lore could do with additional relations to other species? Why or why not? (This isn't exclusive to IPCs, more so artificial intelligence in general)

This is generally up to the writers of the species in question. I will not go out of my way to demand IPCs establish a presence in other species' planets and capitals. That being said, I would very much like to collaborate with other lorewriters to further relations between IPCs and different species, because I think synthetics can find a potential home anywhere and everywhere. Artificial intelligence does exist outside of Tau Ceti, but is mostly undeveloped and of little significance to the general lore, generally used to show a species' technological level, and nothing more (AIs used to manage farms and infrastructure). Should the other developers wish, I'd be very willing to expand on those as well.

 

14 hours ago, Caelphon said:

4. You are the Head of Staff relating to CCIAA. Do you think that you can juggle the responsibilities of both Head of Staff and Lore Writing whilst keeping burnout at bay? 

I've done well in managing all these years. I do believe I can handle both positions, since I'm still involved with the server and community.

[The Stryker]

Just to tack on a few questions, synthetic developer covers more than IPCs, do you have any plans for non-IPC synthetics, i.e AI and stationbounds?

Will you be able to handle the moderation aspect of the job? (i.e enforcing whitelists, hearing out community and lore canon apps?)

How open is your vision of synthetics? Will you be open to lore canonization applications?

[The lancer]

1 hour ago, The Stryker said:

do you have any plans for non-IPC synthetics

Not as of now. I'm open to ideas by all means, but apart from an expansion on the technical capabilities of positronic brains as mentioned before, there aren't any grand plans or reworks.

1 hour ago, The Stryker said:

Will you be able to handle the moderation aspect of the job?

Yes, I already have experience at moderating characters on account of my current job.

1 hour ago, The Stryker said:

How open is your vision of synthetics?

All ideas from everyone are always welcome. Community feedback and input is important, be it for existing or for new content.

[Bear]

Having worked with Lancer for almost two years now, it's very easy to endorse him. As competent team leader, a fantastic team player, and a creative individual, Lancer has more than shown his worth to the staff team. I think his ideas tend to be not only be creative but also unique and well written.

 

+1

[Lmwevil]

Hey Lancer, you're a doofus and I hate you so have some questions before I give you my plus one.

Do you have any plans on expanding on the purpose? The hiveminded intelligence of AIs in the meteor? They're fucking rad and synths have lacked any involvement of this faction. 

Do you have any opinions on the current portrayal of shells currently? 

Do you plan on making any new paperwork forms to torture encourage rp involving synthetics? Such as perhaps a form regarding the creation of a new IPC on station as an example.

What's the biggest thing you would think you bring forward to the lore team that the other applicants do not bring? 

Where is synth lore weakest, and where is it strongest? Where do you want to expand it first? 

[The lancer]

6 hours ago, Lmwevil said:

Do you have any plans on expanding on the purpose?

Purpose has never really been at the forefront, electing to generally maintain a behind the scenes presence. While I have not really thought about it, we could bring them out in a supporting role to main events.

6 hours ago, Lmwevil said:

Do you have any opinions on the current portrayal of shells currently? 

I think the current portrayal of shells is currently fine. If you are talking about the general view of other characters and factions towards shells, I think that it would be nice to revisit the theme of deception and suspicion of shellframes, supported by arcs and articles.

7 hours ago, Lmwevil said:

Do you plan on making any new paperwork forms to torture encourage rp involving synthetics? Such as perhaps a form regarding the creation of a new IPC on station as an example.

The community is largely against paperwork in its current state. I do not see the need to expand on it with synthetic specific forms, unless they play a persistent and tangible role, like vaurca avowals.

8 hours ago, Lmwevil said:

What's the biggest thing you would think you bring forward to the lore team that the other applicants do not bring? 

I believe this is for the loremaster to decide, they all have their strengths.

[Kintsugi]

I have one question: Nienna's roadmap before they left included mention of one concept, along with a design document's draft: biosynthetic shells. What is your take on biosynthetic shells, a la the androids of Alien or similar media? Are you conceptually opposed to them or are you interested in them? Would you have any plans to see them added to our lore and the game?

[The lancer]

I am fond of the idea of bioshells, and would be interested into looking into the whole thing and examining its potential future. There are going to be many issues to solve however, as this would be a pretty sizable undertaking both in the lore and code departments. As for their actual implementation, there would have to be a careful and stable approach for their introduction into lore as we moved to build upon their relations with society at large.

[Lmwevil]

I think where this application is weakest is a lack of raw passion, so my followup question is sugma, followed by the fact that  you are a paper pushing nerd that i hate immensely 😠

so my question is, what are you most passionate about for synthetic lore going forward? 

[Lmwevil]

Doublepost honk: (still the previous question tho also)

This is a question to every applicant since it's something that will inevitably come up, we may as well know your stance: 

What are your thoughts on Full Body Prosthetics? Nienna was very opposed to them, do you share the same sentiment?

[The lancer]

On 19/06/2021 at 14:57, Lmwevil said:

what are you most passionate about for synthetic lore going forward? 

I like to write lore, worldbuild and have the changes mean something to players involved. That is the reason for my application here, considering that synthetics are also the ones I play most often myself. I do not have a specific thing which I'm super passionate about, as I like to view the whole of synthetic lore as one that I will have to work on and develop.

 

On 20/06/2021 at 11:37, Lmwevil said:

What are your thoughts on Full Body Prosthetics?

I'm ultimately not a fan of them. I feel that they would bring up a lot more issues than overall benefits, such as complications in legal rights, distinguishing them from IPCs, etc. Positronics are already advanced enough, and many people do play their IPCs in a human like fashion.

[Mofo1995]

The following is a copy paste on your competitors applications as well.

I have the good fortune of having my pick of three very strong candidates, and the length of this application process is a reflection of my indecision between three people I'm keen to have on the team. A good problem to have! To try and break the deadlock a bit and gain some more insights, I have decided to ask you and your competitors these questions. What, in your opinion, separates you from the other two applying for this position? Why do you believe you would be the best candidate, and can you give examples on why your opinions for the direction of synthetic lore would be better for the server than your competitors? 

[The lancer]

On 02/07/2021 at 05:48, Mofo1995 said:

What, in your opinion, separates you from the other two applying for this position?

I try to keep things stable, but not stationary. I will probably not be doing extreme and radical things, trying to keep a balance while maintaining the lore we already have and building upon it.

 

On 02/07/2021 at 05:48, Mofo1995 said:

Why do you believe you would be the best candidate, and can you give examples on why your opinions for the direction of synthetic lore would be better for the server than your competitors? 

I am not here to compare or pick out flaws or shortcomings, neither to hype up my advantages to overshadow others, but rather to offer my services to a community I've grown attached to over the years by trying out joining the lore team. I do believe I can come up with ideas and solutions to overcome issues that may arise, and I am confident that the team will do well with me. Other than that, I am of the opinion that it is ultimately the loremaster's choice.

 

As a final note, I know I may not say as much as the other applicants, since I try to be measured in public without making huge promises I can't deliver. You can be assured though that I do pay good attention to the things I say, and that I do not necessarily consider this a weakness. I think that my previous work as a player on the wiki does prove that I can engage in lorewriting. I also do believe that in a more casual discord or DMs context, I am both approachable and helpful to a great extent (if this is a concern).

[Mofo1995]

It was a very drawn out process with a lot of discussion. No stone was left unturned and every bit counted as we deliberated on the choice for Synth dev. I know have the honor of telling you that I have chosen you. Welcome to the team!