Discuss - Open-Source World [long]

["toganni" <toganni@yahoo.com>]

To:  DragonQuest Players' Association
Cc:  do-rules@yahoo.com
17 March 2002


Dear DQPA and the body of DragonQuest Players,

Unfortunately, it cannot be said that there is a wealth of published 
materials out there for DragonQuest.  Most of my research shows the 
last articles and adventures being professionally published in 1988, 
leaving 14 long and lean years for the `Quest aficionado.  Add in the 
difficulty of being able to get a copy of the official Frontiers of 
Alusia maps and setting materials, and it becomes a rather grim 
prospect.

Since I am one to shun photocopying of copyright materials, I would 
like to present a project to create a new setting.  This new setting 
would flow along the same concept of the DragonQuest Open Source 
project, headed by a committee responsible for editing, continuity 
and distribution, with the body of the work being contributed by the 
DragonQuest players as a whole.

The advantages of this system include:
∙ Increased interest in DragonQuest
∙ Increased participation by the body of players
∙ A unified adventure world available to everyone, regardless of 
accessibility to professionally published materials
∙ A common setting to present to conventions
∙ The opportunity to create the same sort of `historical presence' as 
seen in shared fiction anthologies, massive multiplayer online role-
playing games, and the "Living City" materials run by the Role-
playing Gaming Association.

Certain steps will need to be implemented:
∙ Creation of the editing committee
∙ Establishment of rules (to include)
	- determining the format of the project
	- determining method of distribution
	- determining method of on-line presentation
	- requirements for submission
	- generation of the basic environ (bare-bones world creation)
	- method of approval for materials submitted
	- record-keeping requirements

My recommendations would include:
1)  A public discussion as to whether or not such a project is 
desirable, and viable.  If the body does not feel the project is 
warranted then there is no need to continue.
2)  If the project is considered viable, then public discussion and 
nominations be considered for deciding the body of the committee.  
Because this would be a project of responsibility and commitment, 
self-nominations should be considered with equal merit to any other 
nominations.  When a nomination is made, the candidate should express 
their interest to the project as well as any special skills or 
resources.  Desire to work should be the majority of the selection 
process, but it would be nice to know if someone has special skills, 
software or equipment that will enhance the project.
3)  Public brainstorming sessions would be greatly desirable, and 
would act as a `steering committee' for the project.  There are a lot 
of ideas out there (for instance, once designed, a professional 
printing of the base map) that should be presented without 
consideration of feasibility.  It would be the responsibility of the 
committee to decide, during the life of the project, the feasibility 
of the ideas presented.
3)  The DragonQuest Newsletter should be incorporated as the official 
voice of the project.  The DQN would announce updates and would be an 
excellent sounding board by presenting submissions.  Once the project 
becomes more solidified, the DQN would be able to present scenarios, 
rules and materials.  Rodger has continually demonstrated his 
commitment to DQN, and I would like the newsletter to succeed.

It should be noted that the committee is responsible for editing and 
ensuring continuity, but the core work of creation and development 
would come from the players as a whole.  One avenue that the 
committee could take would be to receive a submission proposal that 
broadly outlines the general concept of government, terrain and 
social concept.  The committee would evaluate, make recommendations 
to the submitter, and then `parcel' out a portion of land for that 
person to develop.  A standard writer/editor relationship would ensue 
with the committee ensuring the development project remains balanced 
and unified with the project as a whole.

In my opinion, there is a great need for such a project.  Role-
playing is at least equal in its artistic, creative process as to 
statistics and rules.  Being able to resort to a common adventuring 
environ would only bring the active playing body together, inspire 
new ideas, and to allow the players an outlet for their creativity. 

Thank you for your consideration.

David Vance
toganni@msn.com