THE APPRENTICE [Four Remain?!]

[Blackberry]

Task #1 Reviews

Let's get to it, shall we? Let's review the submissions and then I'll reveal the winning team. The winning team will be safe. The losing team's Project Manager will be required to select two other contestants to join her in the Board Room.

TEAM EUCLEIA

First, I like the selection of a greek goddess for your

team name

. Hopefully it will bring your team good luck and foreshadow the glorious products to come from your team.

Concerning

Assignment #1

, you wrote an essay about the five fundamentals of a Mish Mash game. I can find no fault with the last four fundamentals and believe they are all spot-on.

Concerning

Assignment #2

, I thought you did very well with coming up with a game idea that embodies all five of the fundamentals that your team selected. I also believe the opeing post was aesthetically pleasing and cleverly written. While I found the storyline was well written, I do also believe it was a bit lengthy. At first glance, one might think 'this looks too long to read' and leave the thread. Just a thought to consider. The flavor is clearly there, there is clearly balance with everyone beginning on the same footing. It is an innovative idea, combining qualities of the Haunted Mansion type games with challenges, which at the same time leads to provoking player dynamics.

TEAM EXCEL

First, I also like the

team name

that your team selected. I am an excel-addict and constantly utilize the application to play and organize my Mish Mash games. At the same time, you managed to copy a previously-used Apprentice team name. At first I was not fond of the idea, but I liked how it was integrated into the theme of this game.

Concerning

Assignment #1

, I was not as enthusiastic about the list that your team created. Performing to the best of the moderator's ability, and 'lending class' are both great fundamentals that I will accept. However, I do not agree with the 'player activity'/'get a lot of players' idea is a fundamental feature of a Mish Mash game. While generating a lot of interest in your Mish Mash game does allow it to become popular and memorable, I don't think it is a fundamental attribute. Also, the player activity itself is not an attribute of a game that you can control. It is indeed a goal of the game, the fundamental attributes that you selected should be ones that lead to that goal (such as provoking interesting player dynamics and unique flavor) that should result in high player activity. As someone has mentioned already, a moderator should not have to constantly notify players, a game should generate enough interest and enthusiasm that players check the thread often and do not have to be notified.

Concerning

Assignment #2

, I think the Game Guide was poorly written, as Leonshade has pointed out, there is no explanation of a turn and it simply reads as if there is only three rounds. Compared to your opponent's submission, I believe your aesthetics and flavor and a bit boring. In terms of game mechanics, I think the simple one team vs. one team is not complex enough or innovative enough to generate excitement amongst the players. Also, the list of spells and items read like a generic RPG that we've seen many times before and I see a lack in provoking strategization with the list of abilities available, i.e., I think it'd be boring to play. Lastly, considering you selected 'Simple' as a fundamental feature. I do not believe your Mish Mash game explanation is simple at all and any newcomer might have to reread the rules a few times to comprehend everything.

[Blackberry]

Task #1 Results

I will now reveal the results. Despite my harsh criticism, I think both teams did a great job, and I am proud of both submissions. I think most of you put in plenty of work despite the fact that some of your teammates may not have been so helpful.

Without further ado, the winning team is

Team Eucleia

. Your entire team is safe, for now.

Tragedy

, as Project Manager of the losing, team you must select two individuals to join you in the boardroom. I would think about this decision very carefully before you make your selection. The three of you will be questioned by me and one of you will be fired.

Mist7676

- You are lucky your team won. However, it is noted that your performance as a Project Manager was pathetic. You can thank your team mates for carrying you through this round, but I expect you to come back and step it up.

Cybele

- This is a competition. I do not expect you to assist the other team. If I were in competition with another Mish Mash host, I would not want my apprentice to run to the other moderator and help him or her build their ideas. While I appreciate the enthusiasm to make this a good competition, if you assist the other team, that disallows me to see what the potential candidates are capable of. You become a distraction that detracts from the other contestants. Assisting the other team is a bad idea, do not do it again.

Tragedy

- I understand you were in a rush to complete this task because you came up with it at the last minute. I think it came out sloppy. However, I do appreciate the effort you put into changing the terrible Scummers to Scummers idea. A bit of advice, I absolutely hate Apples to Apples and I think the game would have become boring really quickly had you suggested it.

[Tragedy]

*Curtsies*

Thank you very much!

Both Chevre and Cjdrum will be nominated towards the Board Room immediately, please.

[Blackberry]

On a side note, anyone that still hasn't answered their questions is still expected to do so.

Tragedy

- Please provide your reasons as well for your selections.

[Twistedspoon]

chevre and cj aren't going to be around are they?

why not fire them both and put cybele on our team :p

[Thomith]

that brings up a question, what if two people dont say a thing in the board room? xD

[Blackberry]

that brings up a question, what if two people dont say a thing in the board room? xD

It looks like you might just find out.

[Cybele]

It has been suggested the possibility of a double-firing.

[Cybele]

Cybele

- This is a competition. I do not expect you to assist the other team. If I were in competition with another Mish Mash host, I would not want my apprentice to run to the other moderator and help him or her build their ideas. While I appreciate the enthusiasm to make this a good competition, if you assist the other team, that disallows me to see what the potential candidates are capable of. You become a distraction that detracts from the other contestants. Assisting the other team is a bad idea, do not do it again.

Consider me humbled.

[Tragedy]

I'm sorry, I mean.

Kiwi and Cjdrum.

[animorpherv1]

chevre and cj aren't going to be around are they?

why not fire them both and put cybele on our team :p

You can have TornadoSwirl and JDGA.

[animorpherv1]

WOOP.

INB4 DETELE TS.

[Tragedy]

chevre and cj aren't going to be around are they?

why not fire them both and put cybele on our team :p

You can have TornadoSwirl and JDGA.

Thanks for being inconsiderate about your teammates, too.

[Thomith]

chevre and cj aren't going to be around are they?

why not fire them both and put cybele on our team :p

You can have TornadoSwirl and JDGA.

How generous of you, giving up which seems your two most inactive players (well tornado at least)

[animorpherv1]

chevre and cj aren't going to be around are they?

why not fire them both and put cybele on our team :p

You can have TornadoSwirl and JDGA.

How generous of you, giving up which seems your two most inactive players (well tornado at least)

I thought so myself.

[Blackberry]

Tragedy

- Please provide your reasons as well for your selections.

[Twistedspoon]

chevre and cj aren't going to be around are they?

why not fire them both and put cybele on our team :p

You can have TornadoSwirl and JDGA.

How generous of you, giving up which seems your two most inactive players (well tornado at least)

i thought you replaced tornado :p

[animorpherv1]

chevre and cj aren't going to be around are they?

why not fire them both and put cybele on our team :p

You can have TornadoSwirl and JDGA.

How generous of you, giving up which seems your two most inactive players (well tornado at least)

i thought you replaced tornado :p

Nope.avi

[Tragedy]

Kiwieagle

-

Although I truly didn't think about it too much, but Kiwieagle did wish to get out of this game. I'll grant that possibility of having it to happen. Of course, he wished so himself. But kiwi can sometimes gives the wrong ideas too... ^*Mumbles*

Cjdrum

-

No contributions given at all. He's usually online, but no posts at all. I'd like to eliminate him for the sake of being unhelpful. But if he survives through the game, then I hope he will be able to contribute plenty of things for our team to work with maximum amount of effort given.

[Thomith]

chevre and cj aren't going to be around are they?

why not fire them both and put cybele on our team :p

You can have TornadoSwirl and JDGA.

How generous of you, giving up which seems your two most inactive players (well tornado at least)

i thought you replaced tornado :p

If i did i don't know about replacing him.

[Blackberry]

Thomith

has not replaced in

yet

.

[Blackberry]

Welcome to the

Boardroom!

Welcome

Tragedy

,

kiwieagle

, and

cjdrum

to the Boardroom.

Team Excel

has lost the task and Tragedy has selected you two to join me in the Boardroom. Now is the time to plead your case as to why you should stay in the game.

Tragedy

• Why did you not bring Chevre into the Boardroom? Do you think this could be a
  mistake
  and may result in you getting
  fired
  ?
• Do you think kiwieagle's performance in this task was a sufficient reason to bring him into the Boardroom?
• Do you think you deserve to stay in this game and battle it out?
• Why do you think your team lost the Task?
• Why should I keep you in this game? What makes you a good Apprentice candidate?

kiwieagle

• Are your surprised Tragedy brought you into the Boardroom?
• Given your performance in this task, do you feel there is sufficient reason to bring you into the Boardroom?
• How do you feel Tragedy performed as Project Manager? Do you think she is worthy of being The Apprentice?
• Tragedy says you wished to get out of the game, do you wish to leave the game?
• Why should I keep you in the game? What makes you a good Apprentice candidate?

cjdrum

• Where are you? Do you still wish to compete in this game?
• Why should I keep you in the game? What makes you a good Apprentice candidate?
• Do you feel Tragedy made a wise decision by brining kiwieagle into the Boardroom?
• How do you feel Tragedy performed as Project Manager? Do you think she is worthy of being The Apprentice?
• If I were to keep you in this game, what would you do to prove to me I made a smart decision?

[Chevre]

:O

[Tragedy]

Why not Chevre?

He has game experience, although he's inactive, his experience with Mish Mash Modding can totally help us win challenges.

Kiwi?

No. It wasn't the main reason why he's here-ish.

Do I deserve to stay?

Yes I do. As long as I can support my teammates and win the challenges while filling them up with ideas, I'm willing to not back out from being the Project Manager.

Why did we lose?

Because everyone wasn't here. Without unison, our teammates won't be able to do things correctly without supporting each other. Supporting each other makes challenges go easier and gain confidence to win each challenge as a great team.

Why should I stay?

Because I'm a team player. I tried my best to get everything working with my teammates, by being pretty active as their representative. I hereby claim responsibility towards bringing my teammates into a down a bit (Since I didn't contact Chevre/cjdrum/SK <- ...)... However, I will try to change it and work my way through the game. I would make a good Apprentice Candidate since I have great ideas to share with everyone, and I would try to help everyone as much as I can to change things into a great idea.

[Blackberry]

For anyone that is curious, here is what I think the fundamental features of a Mish Mash game should be. I might need to reword some of them, but it's the gist of my views. QUESTION THEM YOU DIE.

Moderator Commitment & Morality

• A moderator should be
  active
  and honor deadline commitments made.
• A moderator should be commited to being
  fair
  and
  unbiased
  .
• A moderator should also have fun and make friends with his or her players ^_^.

Appeal

• A Mish Mash game should have an enticing
  flavor
  or
  storyline
  .
• A Mish Mash game should have appealing
  aesthetics
  or
  textual design
  .
• This includes consistency, gramatical correctness, concise instructions, and correct spelling.

Innovative Mechanic Design / Creativity

• A phenomenal game should sprout from an innovative idea with intriguing game mechanics (strategy, mystery, roleplay).
• Often, combining two ideas, or taking an old idea and transforming it in a brand new way is how this is accomplished.
• This is also accomplished by applying an unseen idea and applying it to the Mish Mash forum.
• The two features listed below are also huge factors when developing the game and contemplating the mechanic design.

Player Dynamics

• A unique function of the Mish Mash community is that players are often allowed to discuss outside of the thread, unlike normal Mish Mash games. This allows us as a community to form deeper and more complex bonds with one another.
• Designing a game that encourages complex interactions (teamwork, rivalries, betrayls, mistrust, and friendships) is a huge factor of what makes the Mish Mash community unique from playing Mafia in the forums.

Playstyle Balance

• Combining the 'Balance' attribute and 'Simple' attribute, I feel that a truly balanced Mish Mash game takes into account the different activity levels of players.
• Players should be able to equally enjoy and compete in a game whether they are online 24/7 or can only get online an hour a day.
• An example would be not having live challenges or challenges based on activity. An example is a game that allow for players to either play the game solo (for when they are busy), or if they wish, to strategize about the game and spend as much time as they wish to discuss the game with fellow players (Survivor, Rumble, Haunted Mansion, Planet Mafiascum - teamwork is encouraged in all of these games, however, at any time a player can play solo, so someone who may be busy for a few weeks has the opportunity to still enjoy the game as the strategical interactions are not required).