Road Ahead August-October

[Jeric 46,835]

I think I’ll make this a reoccurring announcement. With the final BronyCon behind us, and several users and staffers reinvigorated by being surrounded by 10,000 fans, I think it’s a good time to update you on what is being worked on and what is being considered. 

 

Roleplay Rework

Even though the slew of topics requesting feedback has stopped this continues to be worked on. The first Phase of changing Character Sheets is almost done and just needs some visual modification. After that Canon Characters will be added to that list, Equestria Empire will be reopened in its own section, including new rules and a new take on Roleplay. A new application system that is far more seamless will be launched. This is an ongoing project so it will be constantly “upgraded” as after it starts. 

Conceptual work on the Table Top system will follow. 

 

Focus on Art/Creation

Soon there will be some changes to the emphasis on art, specifically YouTube and Fanfics. Expect contests, workshops, and a rework of Golden Oaks fanfic recordings and live readings. 

 

More Community Calls

I don’t need to tell you that having a bunch of you for community chats on Discord is a highlight. It’s how I got to know some of you, and it also allows me an opportunity to let my hair down and not being the Adminy guy who is always enforcing the rules. Expect more of these. 

 

Planning the next MCM

So we have some small housekeeping on MCM VI before we start planning MCM VII.  This is 100% coming back. If you have any ideas for it let me or the Events Team know. 

 

Ranks

We have new rank badges designed and will be unveiled and implemented this month. Those above 10,000 posts will have a new rank. 

 

Commissions

Commissions are a huge source of revenue for us. Without them we may not be able to keep the lights on. We are hoping to highlight the current slate of Commissions artists. We are also going to test out a Commissions request forum which would allow you to post a specific art request if you have no specific artist in mind. That would allow a free commission artist to hit you up and give you a quote. 

 

Recognizing Veterans and Tenure

Those who came here long ago and are still active will be recognized for their dedication to our community. 

 

Subs and Donors

Those that financially support MLPF will be more visually recognized, and we are looking at new perks to show our appreciation. 

 

Community Specialists for Staff

With the Events Team a huge success, and RP being reworked as a unique Department, there may exist opportunities for staff positions on MLPF outside on Moderation that focus on non-moderation projects and duties, like welcoming new users, social media, being an ambassador of a section like visual art or writing. Stay tuned. 

 

Marketplace Feedback Needed

Over the years several members have asked that we consider a marketplace to sell or buy Pony Merch. We have the ability to do this, but two things always got in our way - having a dedicated person with The availability to manage it, and finding a reasonable and palatable fee for the system. Finding a balance of making it valuable for the seller, while also helping MLPF stay viable is a tricky proposition. Too low and it isn’t worth it. Too high and we come across as greedy. If someone has a Plushie they want to sell for $100 is 10% an acceptable fee? Would the seller accept that? How do we manage moderation? How should people apply for a shop? How do we promote it? Would you buy someone else’s used merch? What about prints from artists? 

These are the questions we would like to have answered before we plan something like this. This is just a thought a few have had on staff, and we need to gather feedback before we put resources on it. 

 

That is it for now. I’ll try and do this quarterly to get feedback or tell you, the user, what we have in store. 

 

 

[Ganondorf8 11,118]

You definitely know that I'm curious about the Marketplace idea, Jeric, given what we've discussed over on Discord. I wouldn't be able to manage it--numbers aren't exactly my specialty despite selling on eBay for over four years now--but I would love for this feature to be given new life.

[Cash In 21,513]

I'm liking these ideas, so it would definitely be neat to see these get implemented.

[碇 シンジン 27,427]

Really good to have the site itself evolving and moving forward along with the community.

[DJ Wolfe 5,310]

New rank badges, you say? Interesting.

[MangoFoalix 24,898]

Too bad I won't be able to try out the new rank badges, I but I still do get that cool blue badge I have.

[Venomous 18,813]

I look forward to seeing these new alterations implemented. Although, I think I can speak for most of us when I say that I am mostly excited to see these new ranks... I’ll get a new one for getting past that 10,000! Bye bye unicorn. 

 

[Lucky Bolt 34,914]

Awesome! The new rank badges I'm probably most excited for!  Also, those new staff opportunities will be interesting to see. 

[Mini 451]

8 hours ago, Jeric said:

being an ambassador of a section

Spoiler

I volunteer as ambassador for the forum games so I can teach people how to shitpost

 

these changes sound exciting, especially the new rank badges 

[Will Guide 21,325]

Recognition for veterans, you say? Well, I've been a part of the MLPF since between Seasons 3 and 4. I wonder if that counts for something? We shall see

[Sparklefan1234 161,870]

11 hours ago, Jeric said:

We have new rank badges designed and will be unveiled and implemented this month. Those above 10,000 posts will have a new rank. 

 

 

Seriously, I bet the new rank badges will look awesome! 

[TheAnimationFanatic 3,543]

7 minutes ago, Sparklefan1234 said:

 

 

Seriously, I bet the new rank badges will look awesome! 

Here Here!

[Totally Nyx 35,500]

11 hours ago, Jeric said:

Focus on Art/Creation

Soon there will be some changes to the emphasis on art, specifically YouTube and Fanfics. Expect contests, workshops, and a rework of Golden Oaks fanfic recordings and live readings.

11 hours ago, Jeric said:

Community Specialists for Staff

 With the Events Team a huge success, and RP being reworked as a unique Department, there may exist opportunities for staff positions on MLPF outside on Moderation that focus on non-moderation projects and duties, like welcoming new users, social media, being an ambassador of a section like visual art or writing. Stay tuned.

Personally, these are the two I'm most looking forward to. As a lover of most art forms and trying to learn digital art myself, I'd love to see artists get a little more love. And those new staffing positions have me pretty intrigued as well.

[Jeric 46,835]

3 hours ago, Will Guide said:

Recognition for veterans, you say? Well, I've been a part of the MLPF since between Seasons 3 and 4. I wonder if that counts for something? We shall see

Veterans of MLPF not the fandom. 

[PinkieShadow 4,053]

Very interesting topics indeed, all of them.

Marketplace, I think there are many out there ready to buy used stuff. 10% sounds fair to me, this place needs funding too.

I curse the place where I live, in the name of Internet. Sadly I can't use discord "live" on a sattelite link *sigh*

[Will Guide 21,325]

20 minutes ago, Jeric said:

Veterans of MLPF not the fandom. 

I understand that. I was part of the MLP Forums since May 2013 and officially a fan of the show since April 2013. 

Edited August 11, 2019 by Will Guide

[Sparklefan1234 161,870]

13 hours ago, Jeric said:

Recognizing Veterans and Tenure

Those who came here long ago and are still active will be recognized for their dedication to our community. 

 

I'm also *very* curious about this. 

[Jeric 46,835]

Get ready because tomorrow I start doing things. 

[Sparklefan1234 161,870]

9 minutes ago, Jeric said:

Get ready because tomorrow I start doing things. 

 

Let the "Rarity is Best Pony Forums" redecorating commence! 

Edited August 15, 2019 by Sparklefan1234

[DJ Wolfe 5,310]

25 minutes ago, Jeric said:

Get ready because tomorrow I start doing things. 

Readying intensifies

[Solus Lunar 0]

Will the website and fandom survive after the end of FIM