The official choose the theme thread.

[lord_denton]

Its now time to finally pick out the theme for the set. So, here is how it works:

Pick 1 theme, like the war of 1812, famous pirates, etc. Write a few ideas about it, maybe some notes, some pros and cons perhaps.

Use this thread to get your idea engine going(but you are not limited to this):

custompirate.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=20

Now, do not post this here! Instead, PM me. After about 15-25 days I will anonymously post all the ideas I have been submitted. Then, choose your 2nd favorite theme from that list. You cannot make another new one, so make your 1st choice count (they are worth more points)!

Also, when time comes to count up the votes, we shall combine like ideas (ie, French Revolution and Late 18th century French wars). The one that is more preferred will be chosen as the winner if that idea wins. For example, we shall combine French Revolution and late 18th century French wars together, but the more popular one will be the one chosen.

Now, I know their are other ideas how to go about this. However, those ideas suggested seem to be in the minority, and are more well-suited to scenario games. Do what Sariouriel did, and make a ideas thread for it:

www.pojo.biz/board/showthread.php?t=717706

I think I have made a fool-proof system with how this is done.

[lord_denton]

Forgot to mention, any questions/concerns/comments/flammatory remarks are opened to be PMed to be.

[lord_denton]

Okay, it seems us (including me and the community) have made this harder than it needs to be. So, here are some concerns that I have seen:

Doesn't a theme limit creativity?

It does. However, it also easily organizes lots of potential subject matter, and brings some form of bondage. Also, the forum has had consistent problems with too many ideas that can't be handled. Just my view. If everyone wants no theme, then there shall be no theme...

Hi Lord D,

I'm just wondering about how a theme is going to work. Is it going to be a historic theme or are we going to separate it. For example it seems to me that we are looking at a specific time in history. To me, it seems a little "specific", and I not sure whether or not we really need a "specific" theme.

I didn't say that it needed to be historic (However, all my examples were historic in the first post since I was lacking creativity ATM). The community seemed to opt towards history in the poll at Minature trading. I think we need to give them (the majority of voters) what they want.

My point with the theme is, although it may be focusing in on something specific, and that would logicaly limit creativity (which we seem to have problems with too much of), however, with some things like the American Revolution, there were hundreds of ships from various nations.

Every period in history has enough "filler" flavor in it to make a game out of, I'm positive.

What I mean is a theme is fine, but can be a bit too definitive when it comes to a specific time period.

I take it that this means that a central "theme" is okay (for instance, the colonization of the new world) but specific "topics" limits creativity too much (for instance, Hernando Cortes conquers the Aztecs).

First off its was only designed as a game, so we can build a set around the game easy enough. We can also introduce some history easy enough. But doing that and slotting into a specific time in history must make things harder.

I apologize, but I seriously don't see what the problem here is. Lets say, the winner of the poll is American Revolution. We take a famous battle, say where the Hyder Ally captured the General Monk. Okay. We make stats for those two based on their performance, and then we add the Hyder Ally's famous captain, Joshua Barney.

Pirates has never had a definitive time period, a single point in history and if you do that. Aren't you cutting down your options somewhat? making it harder?

Yes, we cut down the options. But it helps us focus better.

Now, I don't want to be the restaraunt where the chef is screaming "YOU CAN'T HAVE THE FRIES WITH THE HOT DOG! IF YOU WANT FRIES, GET A BURGER!", but more the salad bar that lets you choose what you want, how much of, etc. etc.

If there are any more questions, maybe a disscussion thread is in order...