The Cadmus Project

[Fuzz]

Well, as some of you may know, our very own Inferno Mage has been working on a side project for TFF for quite some time now. He has worked on the Trophy project in the past and we both figured it would be nice to start up a fresh thread dedicated to the "Cadmus Project". More information will later be available here:

http://cadmus.thefinalfantasy.com/

Mage is still planning and developing the creative end, and I will soon begin work on implementing it directly to the forum and trophy project.

I will now open the floor for Mage to discuss the details!! We are both excited for this project as it will surely help TFF grow and provide a unique posting environment.

[King Fenii]

Alright, let's get to it. First of all, let me explain the name. Cadmus was the son of Phoenix in Greek mythology. I had attempted a resurrection of Role-Play Battles here on TFF to increase interactivity. The project was called the Phoenix Knights, and was the first generation of my 'creativity'. This is its second generation of the resurrection: the son of the first. Thus the name Cadmus.

The grand plan behind the project is to make TFF a extremely unique place filled with lots of things for members to do and to admire. Cadmus consists of tweaks and augmentations of some current things on the forums, as well as brand new systems, that are all designed by me. This ensures that what we'll have here is extraordinarily unique, making it a haven for Final Fantasy fans. After all, this is THE Final Fantasy ^^

Now, to get down to some hard matters. The Cadmus Project will have four major elements:
- The Trophy Project
- The Class Project
- New Currency & Item System
- New Skins for the forums

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Let's start with the most simple part: the new skins. A while ago, I designed some new skins to be added on these forums. They're as good as done, and will give the forums a whole new, fresh look. There are six to begin with, but more will be added later on. The themes are: TFF Ivory, Ebony, Fire Crystal, Earth Crystal, Wind Crystal and Water Crystal. Basicly, it's White, Black, Red, Yellow, Green and Blue. Click HERE for a preview of all six. Simply put: TFF will receive a brand new look.

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If you've been a little active, you might've noticed the Trophy Project. The Trophy Project is designed to give every member something to buy with his money. I recommend going to to corresponding thread: CLICK HERE then! Also, the Trophy Project will be linked with the new Class Project.

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We all already have ranks for ourselves. But these are all formed by the number of posts that you have, which doesn't give much freedom to the user to be his favorite FF class. That's why I designed a brand new system, so now you can be the class you always wanted to be. There are a total of 50 Standard Classes and at least 11 Special Classes. The 50 Standard Classes are divided in 4 Divisions: The Power Division, The Mana Division, The Speed Division and the Fortune Division. CLICK HERE to get the chart on all Standard Classes.

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Next up is the new Currency system. First of all, the name of the Gold will be changed to Gil. I mean, it's Final Fantasy for peeps sake. Also, new standard items will be added to the eStore as a something essential for the mixture of the four new things here on the forums.

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***IMPORTANT***
I would advise you to read this, because if you're not much of a reader, you might still want to know what will be going on. So at the very least, read the following!!!

What the four points add to the forums is Member Maximisation: The members all get to customise as much as possible. Now, this will be a quick insight in how things are going to be once all points have been inserted into the forums:

First of all, you can choose your very own, favorite skin. That's just a small thing. Here comes the real part: Every member will then have his own Level, his own Statistics, his own Class, his own Trophies, but ALSO, his very own element!! This will make it nearly impossible for two members to be the same.

- Levels:
Before, your class was determined by your post count. Now, only your Level will be determined by your post count. (Approx. 20 posts = 1 Level)

- Statistics:
Everyone will have 10 statistics, and, as in Final Fantasy X, divided in four groups:
Power Group: HP, Strength, Defence
Mana Group: MP, Magic, Magic Defence
Speed Group: Agiltiy, Evasion, Accuracy
Fortune Group: Luck
To upgrade these stats, you will have to use Spheres which you can then buy at the eStore, or receive alongside Trophies. Each Sphere allows you to add 1 point to one stat within that group.

- Classes:
Once this System is running, everyone will have to choose a class out of the six starter classes of Final Fantasy I:
- Fighter
- Thief
- Monk
- Red Mage
- White Mage
- Black Mage

Choosing from one of those will get you some Spheres. Now, to upgrade to another class, you will need 2 things: the Level of the new Class, and the statistics for the new Class. Now, all of the Classes will only look at the Statistic GROUPS, not at the individual stats themselves, that gives a member the chance to be a certain Class with very unique Stats: Like a Paladin with low HP, but very high Strength.

Also, one can choose NOT to upgrade to the newer Class, that way you can remain the Class you've always wanted to be.

- Trophies:
If you have some Gil, then you can buy yourself some Trophies. Trophies are good for multiple things: they look nice, they show others what elements of Final Fantasy you like, but they also offer you extra Spheres or give you access to Special Classes. The difference between buying Spheres at a store and receiving them through Trophies are: if you buy a Trophy you don't know what type of Sphere you recieve or how many. The other essential difference is: you don't get to pick which on Statistic is placed, so, you don't control the Sphere. Once you buy a Trophy, a Stat automaticaly gets adjusted. So...be careful!!

- Elements:
If you thought that was all, forget it. Everyone can receive his own element, if he chooses to anyway. There will be 8 Elements: Fire, Thunder, Water, Ice, Wind, Earth, Light and Darkness. Like Statistics, you can upgrade your own elemental allignment, but now by buying Gemstones: FFIX style. But, once again, certain Trophies offer elemental changes, but, like the Spheres, these are forced on to your stats.

- Money & Items:
Once everything will be updated, some members will already be TOO stinkin rich! I was thinking about dividing the current Gold everyone has at the moment, but that would be too brutal. Instead of that, I will just reduce the Gold of members who have more then half a million Gold: so 500,000 Gold. Don't worry though, nothing TOO serious. It'll be a curve, with the richest to receive a reduction of about 50%. But they'll still have enough sugar for a long while after that.

Items that will definitely hit the stores are:
Power Sphere, Mana Sphere, Speed Sphere, Fortune Sphere, Ore, Topaz, Peridot, Opal, Aquamarine, Emerald, Sapphire, Garnet, Amethyst, Ruby, Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Moonstone and Dark Matter


***IMPORTANT***
Have you read the story above? If you haven't, well then you should! It's important!! It's the future!! What's more important than the future!?

Well, these are all the concepts. Most of it is actually all done. But there's two part in these concepts: the designing and the actual coding of them. So, I can't give you an estimate of when they're going to be finished.

Until then, I would LOVE to hear some reactions, and at least know that my work won't be in vain ^^ Come on! Flatter me

[Mistress Sheena]

....So TFF is going to be Gaia now?
What's with all this? Too much trouble than its worth. I mean, if you're going to make getting spheres with trophies a bad thing, why even include it in the first place?

Your skins need to be fixed too. The only difference is the color of the headers and such, not the whole forum. Black is too bright to be black. Make everything else black too you know.

It looks like you just half-assed on the skins. =\

It really does look like too much trouble than its worth. Besides, who's going to be doing all this? Cesar and Steve are too busy to implement all this stuff. =\

*Piroblaze's opinions do not reflect those of the entire staff or forum. Thank you.

[King Fenii]

Hmm, well, skins are skins; they can always be fixed. Also, I've talked to Fuzz, and he agreed to work on the project as well.

And getting spheres with trophies doesn't have to be a bad thing. It can strongly increase your growth if the Class you choose is similar to your taste of FF elements, which makes a lot of sense. See, if you're a Dark Knight, and you start buying Summon Trophies, see that's when it isn't a good thing. But if you buy Sword Trophies instead, it will be a good thing...

And NO, we're not gonna be Gaia! Gaia is all about its system, you can't dodge that. Here, if you don't want to take part of the whole 'system', you can just choose not to. You can just choose to continue posting regulalry like you are now. But, you will receive the CHOICE to do fun things on TFF, because the interactivity will simply be increased.

So, that is also beneficial for people who want to avoid all this fuss: people will post more, so there are more people to interact with...

Yay!!

[Fishie]

Holy crap dude. This project sounds really good. The skins look really nice though and the trophies sound like an interesting idea. Its seems like you did a lot of work on all of this. I'm looking forward to see how this will all turn out because it seems like a lot of cool things are to come to the forums.

[Andromeda]

Yeah, I'm in the same camp as Shadow. Looks like too much work to very little pay out. Seems like an over glorified hack that you see on all of the other FF forums. I have never been one interested in all of the hack items, accessories or anything like that. I come here to post and discuss with the people here. I make myself unique with my avatar and my banner. Everyone on this forum is already unique without this system. We don't need customized jobs and levels to be different.

There is no one on this forum that looks the same to anyone else and that is just from signatures and avatars.

I don't know what Gaia is like, but this does sound way too much like sending us to the dark side. I'm afraid the next thing I will hear is RPG hack. Thankfully the majority of the staff is strongly opposed to that, so that will never happen.

Anyway, I think the forums are fine the way they are right now without any of the changes. Maybe adds some new skins, but I am satisfied with the way things are that I don't want to see it changed. I like TFF Dark skin and have used it for the entire time that I have been here. I doubt that will change unless it becomes unavailable, which I will be quite disappointed by if that happens.

I would have to agree that skins are pretty poor. They are all the same. I like the fact that our skins are different, in header and style. The idea should be that there are different styles, not different colors.

And while you said it was only a rough number, I hope that you change the levels that are based on post count. Because all of the veterans have high post counts. And like me, I would have like lv 500 or something crazy like that.

And so what, we are going to have two jobs now? Or you removing the other titles. People enjoy that system, because the higher you go up the better your job becomes. That way there is a sort of reward for getting higher. People want to reach that Aeon status or Dark Knight.

I am also heavily worried what the postbits on the left is going to turn into. It is already pretty long to begin with. The longer that you make it the longer that you are artificially lengthening everyone's size. Not to mention everything that is going to have to called every time you want to view a thread. And when you have 30 people on a page all calling different things that are not even important to the thread on top of banners and images. The postbits is just going to get way too crowded.

And then people are going to want to fight each other with this. I just know that question will come up.

The Trophy thing seemed interesting and fine. Just a bunch of items. Did not look like it was going to change anything. So I did not really care about it that much. I did not plan on participating in it. But all of this is far more than originally spec'd out.

[LocoColt04]

Originally Posted by Andromeda

I am also heavily worried what the postbits on the left is going to turn into. It is already pretty long to begin with. The longer that you make it the longer that you are artificially lengthening everyone's size. Not to mention everything that is going to have to called every time you want to view a thread. And when you have 30 people on a page all calling different things that are not even important to the thread on top of banners and images. The postbits is just going to get way too crowded.

That is my only REAL concern -- all of the new calls are going to really increase bandwidth usage. I don't know how much room we have to wiggle since we moved to the upgraded servers. Perhaps if we have a TON of bandwidth that we're not using every month, then it won't hurt... but if we're using at least half of that bandwidth, all of these new calls could put us over our limits.

As far as the talks of an RPG hack go... yeah. No. Not gonna happen. Crazy thing is, there may be something to what's being said here. A lot of people will ask "what's the point of having all this stuff if we can't USE it?" and then expect for an RPG hack to be implemented, and it simply won't happen.

Every time we've tried, it's only spawned unheardof amounts of spam -- people who join solely for the gimmick and not for the boards themselves.

That's what Piro is referencing when he mentions Gaia. He's worried that the forum will fill up with gimmick-seekers and that real forum content will be strained.

I somewhat agree.

I like all of the new ideas though -- and I LOVE that it's all going to be optional. That is, perhaps, my favorite part. Knowing that we don't have to see or utilize any of the new features if we choose not to is what makes it worthy of trying. After all, how will we really know what will happen if we don't give it a shot?

I still feel the default forum settings should remain as they are, and that members can be notified of the new options (once implemented, that is) via stickied notices in the new member forum and other such things.

I want you to know that I am NOT opposed to change, so don't misinterpret this post.

[Andromeda]

Originally Posted by Loco

I like all of the new ideas though -- and I LOVE that it's all going to be optional. That is, perhaps, my favorite part. Knowing that we don't have to see or utilize any of the new features if we choose not to is what makes it worthy of trying. After all, how will we really know what will happen if we don't give it a shot?

I don't know one of us must be reading things wrong. Or I am misunderstanding what you are refering to Loco. Because as I was understanding it from the way Inferno was explaining it. The only optional part is that it would be optional for the members to participate. That he planned to impliment everything and not make features optional to be removed or not put it.

We already see spam bots and arcade posters that spam only to get into features that we have on the forum already. The staff quickly handles those matters. But this is only going to breed a new type of member. It is going to make the vain ones, the ones that like shiny things, the ones that are easily impressed by the last fad to just spam things up only to get what they want. We thankfully do not count spam in the spam forum, however that does not prevent spam in other forums. While it is our job to manage that when it happens. We should also try to minimize the likelihood of it happening to begin with.

Its going to be a breeding ground for vanity. What happened to having a forum that we post to talk and discuss? That is why we are all here anyway, right? If I wanted to play dress up, I'd go out to the store and try on clothes.

[LocoColt04]

Right, but here's the thing -- if none of the new elements are implemented on the EXISTING forum skins, then no one will HAVE to see them. They may be "participating" in the new elements without having an active role; obviously their statistics will affect the proposed system whether or not they choose to even view the new goodies.

I suppose that's what I meant when I used the word "optional."

[King Fenii]

Wow, what a way to start a day...

On the one hand, it's good that the Trophy is critisised like this, but one the other hand: don't do it so radicly...Please, try to stay realistic: because I'm not putting my time in something that doesn't add up; meaning I've thought this whole thing through of course.

So, let's start the defence:
Andromeda: Your first point is stating this will be like any other 'hack'. Well, this project will be one of a kind (which is also the meaning of using the word UNIQUE). But, I can understand where those thoughts come from: you just don't want to see TFF turn in to some silly forum like others may have been turned in to.

And about the skins: once again, these skins CAN be fixed, although that isn't even necessary. If you've read it right, you read that these are starter skins, and are supposed to only have coulours as their only difference. Later on, other skins will be added in the range of summons: so that means stronger colours and such.

Also, let me ask you: what Final Fantasy allows levels above 100? Yes, none. Well why would you want to do that here then...? The obvious limit of your limit will thus be Level 100.

The Classes...the current ranks WILL dissappear. So, of course we will only have 1 class!! And also, you're (the only word I can think of) nagging about certain titles one can achieve. I clearly stated you have Standard Classes and Special Classes. Special Classes are for those people that want to be Aeons or Espers or Gods.....and naturally, every Staff member may receive his own Class by CHOICE.

And then comment on the postbit.....wow.....what a surreal comment that is. :S What will be included in the postbit: Nothing much new.
This is what should be removed:
- Exp. Bar
- HP Bar
- Old Rank
- Gifts

This is what will then be added:
- New Rank (Class)
- Your three favorite Trophies (icons)
- Element

WOW! That IS an awful lot isn't it...? The persons statistics and other trophies will only be in his personal profile page. And so they will only show up if someone WANTS to view his or her stats and trophies. I can't believe I actually have to point this out...:S

Also, this isn't JUST any forum. You say you come here to discuss and post things. Well, it's a forum in the style of Final Fantasy...but this project is as optional as wanting to discuss politics in a forum.

Now, for the final point: The fear of idiots spamming for trophies and statistics. Well, the only way to make Gold here on TFF is posting and making some kind of sense. The only way to buy Trophies and Spheres is with Gil (Gold). Now...guess what: if you can't post regularly and in a normal fashion, you can't even take part of all these new options. Sure, there WILL be people in the beginning that will want quick money. But I don't think the dealing methods of the staff will be much different as they were with the quick money posters for the Arcade.

So, if someone wants to join just for the Cadmus Project, and wants to spam for Gil two things can occur:
1. He gets sick of it and quits at about 50 posts.
2. He starts posting with some sense to get what he wants.

Of course I will stimulate the second post, because I don't like spammers either. We're still a forum with people who make sense! So, activities such as RPs and RPBs will be tweaked, as well as the addition of Clubs for people in the same Class range or something. This is one of the finer points of the Project that needs to be detailed. But I wasn't counting on doing it NOW! I am still setting up the concepts and linking them all together. The grand sum of it will be the increase of activity in the form of nice posts.

LocoColt:
Well, I kinda guessed you weren't opposing me in the first place, as your post really contrasted Andro's. The problem you brought forward can be a serious one. And to be honest, I don't have a clue how to deal with it. I'm just a designer after all. I just create things, and after that I find a way to make it all work.

I'm also glad you look at this project realisticly. This way we can get rid of any trouble and possible future problems.

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Now, once again: The Project IS optional. TFF will still be TFF, I don't want to see it change TOO much. The only thing that will be added are new OPTIONS, hence the word optional. I didn't really appreciate Piro & Andro's comments at first, but hey...I gotta deal with it. After all, if I make the Project seem so good, I have to prove it don't I?

Well, I can't wait to hear another reaction now...^^

[Andromeda]

We want quality posts though. Having activity does not mean anything if all we are getting are poor posts only for the sake of posting. And this is not going to incourage good posting habits over bad posting habits. If anything it will incourage bad habits, because the vanity in people want the quick way out to get what they want.

There has only be four people that have posted, of course I am the only that spoken about the titles so far. And because you are replacing the old titles with new ones, you are suddenly not making something optional. You are removing things and adding things that are not optional, but required. So not everything you are doing is actually optional.

This is still a hack, you can call it unique all you want, but it is still a hack.

I'm of the school if it is not broke, don't fix it. TFF is not broke and has been working for us this way for like 8 years or whenever it was that we moved to vB away from the previous bulletin system. There is nothing wrong with what we have. Its a forum for discussing FF, we have the RP forum for those that want to explore living in the FF worlds.

And I have one thing that I want to say. Make gil rare, FFXI rare. Loco knows what I mean. Don't hand out gil for making a post. Hand out gil for making a good post. It doesn't eliminate people spamming, but still allow people to post, just don't reward them with gil for posting two sentences. Reward those that put up a paragraph or two, those that are actually seriously wanting to discuss. That way you are actually incourage better posting habits. And completely remove the bank. That way people only have gil in the thousands and not millions. That they have to work towards making it, not just setting on so much that they don't have anything to do with it.

And Inferno don't get me wrong. I respect you for taking on this large project. Its a fine idea, and I would not mind it if this was not TFF. However, I have been here for going on 5 years now and I like the way forum is or was. I don't see the need to be changing it or even inching that foot closer to being like all of the other forums. We have eliminated hacks in the past because we strive to not be like all of the other forums that are filled with nothing but hacks. We are not here to have stats and items that make us feel like we are living in a FF world. We are here to discuss, that is what is important. If anything needs to be improved is the getting better posting habits, better members, and keeping them.

[King Fenii]

Well, of course I will encourage quality posts! I'll do this in the form of recreative writing! Gil wil be awarded for standard posts, but it will grow exponentially for longer posts.
Example:
- A simple post is worth 10 Gil, it's the minimum of 3 words or so.
- A nice good sized paragraph of at least 5 to 7 sentences is worth like 25 Gil.
- And then another paragraph (so 2 paragraphs) are then worth about 60 Gil.

Note that this is just an exampl