DATABURST

[MOD] GAME STATUS

Sun, 19 Sep 2021 19:39:31 GMT

Posted by: datamods

Hi little neons, modli and the rest of the modteam here with an announcement regarding the status of databurst.

In light of the feedback received on the September SOTG post, and realizing the depth of the issues that need to be addressed in order to make the game properly functional and engaging for everyone, we have made the difficult decision to put the game into a full hiatus for the time being. The necessary changes that were rightly pointed out are too encompassing to do while the game is active as it will address some core mechanics.

Additionally, all members of the modteam have had their IRL circumstances — and thus their modding availability — change significantly since June, which has been contributing to the continued inconsistency in drafting and posting events and other game updates. Please join me in giving the rest of the modteam our thanks for the hard work they have put forward to assisting dB!

I know some of you were excited for the "outside the Firewall" event and I'm very sorry about this timing, but I feel this is the only recourse to handle the depth of changes to be implemented. I hope to save that event for the relaunch when the game has been fixed and is ready to go live again. I do not have a firm date set, but it will be in the new year.

The communities will remain open until the end of September for posting and commenting, after which the members list will be cleared. Please be assured that nothing will be deleted and that no one will lose anything, it will all remain accessible. The game will reopen using the same communities, so nothing needs to be moved. Players who wish to return with their characters will have the option of picking up their CR development if they so choose; more information on that will be available when we get closer to the relaunch date.

Finally, thank you to all of dB's players, past and present, for your enthusiasm and interest. I know dB has great potential because of all of you, and that's why this decision is extremely hard, but ultimately the right thing to do. You all deserve a game that's functioning at its best, not limping along. I'm incredibly thankful for the patience and support you've shown, and I look forward to sharing a revitalized databurst with you in the future.

Best,
Li, Kazie, Numi, & Skyler

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✘ SYNOPSIS: September 2021

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 17:04:19 GMT

Posted by: datamods

⊶ SYNOPSIS: SEPTEMBER 2021 ⊷

These monthly Synopsis posts are designed to give a general overview of the types of things that characters might experience over the course of the month in the simulation, and include things like themed glitches, potential NPC interactions, setting shifts, and other types of prompts. These posts have 3 sections: Code Revision, City Classifieds, and OOC & Mod Notes.

✘ CODE REVISIONS: These are the glitches that characters may encounter in their daily routines while navigating the city, which are caused by the developers uploading new updates into the system. Most can be experienced at any point, but some of them will only happen during specific portions of the month and will be marked accordingly. This schedule is only known OOCly, and characters have no way of knowing what's coming down the pipe for them, but it gives players some content to plan their CR and logs around, etc.

✘ CITY CLASSIFIEDS: These are the in-simulation "action prompts" that the Svelte program generates in order to engage the characters. Think of them like video game side quests! They are normally temporary jobs, fetch quests, solvable puzzles, and other similar things. They usually entail an initial interaction with an individual or group of NPCs, before directing characters to seek out others trapped in Svelte in order to accomplish the goal. They typically result in a monetary (credits) or modest prize reward. These are ICly known, in that characters can learn about these tasks by perusing the network, talking to NPCs, or even being randomly approached while doing other things.

✘ OOC & MOD NOTES: Just what it says on the tin! Anything that players may need to know for the upcoming month will be in this section. If you have any questions, please reply to the Questions comment on this post. Otherwise, you're welcome to use this post to kick off some plotting with your fellow players.

( Click to expand! )

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✘ STATE OF THE GAME: Sept 2021

Sun, 05 Sep 2021 04:19:31 GMT

Posted by: datamods

Hey neons! Time for a little chat.

Obviously the game has slowed down considerably, and there have been a lot of drops lately, so I thought I'd reach out with some options for how we can continue forward for the time being.

This post is open to current, former, and prospective players. Please feel free to weigh in regardless of current standing! Anon has also been enabled on the comm if that's preferred.

Some further info below the cut:

( ”Click..." )

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✘ Activity Check: September 2021

Wed, 01 Sep 2021 17:01:38 GMT

Posted by: datamods

⊶ ACTIVITY CHECK: SEPTEMBER 2021 ⊷

This AC post covers the period between September 1st to September 30th, and is OPEN ALL MONTH. As outlined by this post, players can now submit their activity at any point during this month once they have it. Backtagging on older posts is allowed, but all comments submitted for AC points must be from the month of the current check.

NEW CHARACTERS: If you were accepted during the most recent application round, your AC is check-in only! (But if you have AC points and want to fill it out, don't let me stop you.)

A reminder post will go up during the last week of the month, but there is NO warning list for Activity Checks after the month closes; players are encouraged to track the #activity check tag in the OOC community! Failure to respond to the Activity Check without having a hiatus notice submitted will result in your character(s) being swept from the game.

For a full rundown of guidelines and exceptions, please see the Activity section on the Rules & AC post.

ACTIVITY REQUIREMENTS

The monthly activity requirement for the game is 10 points from any combination of the following:

✘ 1 post (log OR network) = 3 points
✘ 1 log tag = 2 points
✘ 1 network tag = 1 point
✘ 1 inbox or TDM tag = 1 point

AC points may be accumulated across a maximum of 5 sources; there is no minimum, if you've made all of AC in one place, that's fine too!

Logs must have some body or starter content to qualify for the 3 AC points. Log tags count whether done in bracket or prose style, and regardless if they are in the log comm OR if they transition to an action thread branching off a network post. Inbox and TDM tags count as a single point regardless of their formatting (log/network). If you have any questions about what counts for points, please ask them below.

You may include add in a few sentences summarizing what your character has been up to over the month. This section is optional, but it a) can help generate CR opportunities at a glance and b) inspire the mod for new plotty things (and it does, frequently).

AC EXAMPLE & FORM

To complete this month's AC, please fill out the form below. When linking your comment threads, please link directly to the individual threads and not to the overall post they're from. Thank you!

PLAYER NAME: Modli
CHARACTER: $doubleneon (datamods)
LINKS: network post - 3 points, 4 log comments - 8 points
SUMMARY: User $doubleneon sent some cryptic messages about birthplaces to those trapped in Svelte! They're unnervingly cheerful and seem to think they're helping the characters, although they're not returning any messages at this time. They also delivered some audio gifts that inadvertently traumatized more people than they'd expected. Whoops!

ACTIVITY RESULTS

— pending —

If there are errors in this list, please contact the mod!

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[MOD] September Updates

Sat, 28 Aug 2021 06:03:16 GMT

Posted by: datamods

Hello little neons! Your modli here with a couple of quick announcements regarding things upcoming in September.

Due to my schedule being super crazy with this temp job, both reserves and applications will be open for the entire month of September, beginning Sept 1! Reserves will be held for 10 days from their reserve date, and apps will be processed as they come in. If it goes well, I may consider moving us to always-open going forward, but for right now it will just be for September.

I've been planning a large plot for a little while that I've been putting off because things have been extra extra hectic for everyone this summer, but with September just around the corner (how?!) I figured I'd better toss this up.

Without giving too much away, the plot would run for 2-3 weeks (starting mid-Sept) and take the characters outside the Firewall to explore a non-Svelte locale... is this something you'd all be interested in, or are things still a little too 😵 for everyone? The last thing I want to do is drop a big plot when no one's going to have mental bandwidth to enjoy it. Additionally, we haven't had a 4th Wall event yet (although our TDMs do work a little bit like constant 4th Walls, being optional game canon). The September event could be a great time to incorporate that too.

This isn't an official poll or anything, but please let me know your thoughts if you have a moment?

Thanks ♥

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AC Reminder

Tue, 24 Aug 2021 18:16:49 GMT

Posted by: datamods

Hello little neons!

This is your 1 week reminder to get your August AC submitted if you haven't already! You have up until the end of the month to post to it.

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[OOC] BLACKLIGHT MARKET - Plotting Post

Tue, 24 Aug 2021 17:52:47 GMT

Posted by: datamods

⊶ PLOTTING: DOWN AT THE BLACKLIGHT MARKET ⊷

Here is your general plotty post for the DOWN AT THE BLACKLIGHT MARKET August mingle log. Tag in with plans for your characters, link your top levels, coordinate terrible shenanigans with others... anything you need.

Please use the Questions comment below if you need more information about the plot itself. Have fun!

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[MOD] August Mingle Log

Sat, 21 Aug 2021 09:41:07 GMT

Posted by: datamods

Good morning/evening neons!

Please note that the mingle log is (obviously) delayed by a few days but that the majority of the mod team is pitching in to get the event ready as soon as we're able. We have a fun and collaborative event planned and we're looking forward to sharing it with you :)

Thank you for your patience!

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+1 Grumpy Bastard

Sun, 15 Aug 2021 02:01:45 GMT

Posted by: crawfordstone

Hello people!

My name is Colin and I bring you another OC! His name is Crawford and though he hasn't discovered it yet, he's a meta human (called phenoms in his world). He's telekinetic, but because he's not even aware of it, stuff randomly reacts to his emotions. And emotional control is definite not his forte.

He's the sort of guy that's grumpy and angry most of the time, and would rather punch someone in the face than make small talk. Mostly because he doesn't want anyone knowing anything about him. He's got...issues.

You can pester me on plurk at glitchorion or on discord at GlitchOrion#5484

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✘ Test Drive Meme #8

Fri, 06 Aug 2021 03:58:20 GMT

Posted by: datamods

ıllıllı TEST DRIVE MEME #8 ıllıllı

Welcome to databurst's latest Test Drive Meme! If you're considering joining our game and want to give the setting a whirl, or see whether your character is a good fit, you're in the right place. You can choose from any of the following scenarios below, or make up your own that fits in the Setting.

As part of our June 2021 State of the Game changes, our TDMs now run on a six-week schedule. Please note that TDM threads can be considered game canon if all thread participants agree. Enjoy!

If you haven't yet, you can give a follow at the game plurk databurst or hop into the Game Discord to meet other players (both current and potential players are welcome!)

Here are some upcoming dates to keep in mind:

RESERVES OPEN AUGUST 1 @ 12:01 PM (ET)
APPLICATIONS OPEN AUGUST 7 @ 12:01 PM (ET)

{ 🎵 recommended listening }

Thank you [$NEWUSER] for participating in the SVELTE city simulation! Having reviewed your application on [##DATE] we have decided that you are a prime candidate for our focus group, and encourage you to engage in everything our newest product has to offer. 

Enjoy the unparalleled immersion courtesy of our cutting edge digital recast technology. As a special bonus, you'll also be receiving a [%%PROMO (error:file missing)] as a token of our appreciation at the completion of the simulation. 

This introductory file will help guide you through the various [%%LOADFAIL:content (welcomeguide.sgm) not-found] —— [uplink||terminated // #framework:corrupt]

LOADING... BEGIN SIMULATION "SVELTE.SGM"
( click here to expand )

PROMPT 01. ➤ FALLING DOWN THE RABBIT HOLES

In addition to other rollback changes currently affecting the city, it seems that part of the developers' process is to eliminate large sections of corrupt data at once, which is resulting in large chunks of space randomly fritzing out of existence. Sometimes this will be limited to only surface materials, leaving the digital wireframe models behind, and sometimes it will be the entirety of an object or structure, which will look like a negative black space lit with a smattering of multi-coloured pixels.

However the process either doesn't or cannot take into account that people — both NPCs or characters — might be using these spaces at the time. Blocks of sidewalks and roads might disappear, or portions of floors or walls in buildings. The elevated mag-rail that serves as the city's main public transportation seems especially hard hit, causing frequent delays and itn extreme cases, even some partial derailments. Characters might be called on to assist with connecting NPCs to various other means of transport, including ones they themselves might offer.

If organization is more their style, the NPC's City Hall is requesting file clerks to try and keep track of the businesses affected, which may include being dispatched to survey the sites in question. Unfortunately like the rest of the glitchy system the simulation runs on, these dispatches often go in twos and threes, meaning that multiple characters may meet up at these locations. Hope they work well together!

PROMPT 02. ➤ HOPES AND DREAMS IN THE JUNKYARD

Recent events have left damages to many buildings around the city damaged both in structure and interior, and there are presently ample jobs for junk haulers to help clear away some of the refuse. The new location in the city to bring the trash to is called the Junkyard Joint, and the NPCs employed there seem surprised by the sudden influx of work (oddly, they are not surprised by the fact that their establishment didn't exist a month ago...)

Characters who are looking to find a quick spot of work can find options as scrap sorters, where they'll divide up different types of metal and plastics, soft materials like cloth, paper and cardboard. The work can be tedious, but it's just another reason to chat up the person working next to you!

Additionally, it's possible to come across pieces of objects from characters' worlds in the debris, although they will be damaged or broken. Some of them will also be "rendered" incorrectly, such as being the wrong colour, wrong material, or just size-and-shaped differently from what someone might remember. Characters are given instructions to turn in these objects to the Junkyard staff... but what they don't know won't hurt, right?

PROMPT 03. ➤ ALL IN A DINER DAY'S WORK

The Hex Diner is a spot where many characters find themselves gravitating to. Populated by gregarious and friendly NPCs, they often take on additional server help on a daily or weekly basis, making it a quick and easy spot to make some credits.

They don't even seem to care if you haven't had any experience in this type of job before (or maybe they're simply programmed not to be allowed to care... is that creepy? Probably.)

Chat up your new coworkers, attempt to coax a notoriously stubborn espresso machine into behaving, or do a double-take when that cheesecake in the display case turns purple due to a code glitch. (Is that safe to serve? Who cares, your shift is almost done...)

The only problem with that however, is that the credits system is somewhat broken mess that rarely makes sense. If you're a server, try explaining to your customer that they're being charged 2000 credits for that cup of tea they had — but coffee was on special today, only 10 credits! If you're a customer, you may not have been expecting the equivalent of buying a house for your lunch bill today.

Unfortunately, the NPCs seem completely unable to discern anything wrong with the scenarios... but they do understand that trying to skip out without paying is a crime, and will react accordingly!

PROMPT 04. ➤ AS PER YOUR REQUEST [NETWORK]

It makes sense that the network would become a lynchpin of those trapped here. Regardless of abilities or background, the digital medium with its confusing, erratic, mind-bogglingly incorrect information somehow puts everyone on the same playing field.

But there are people here now who can show you the ropes if you're unfamiliar with this sort of technology — choosing a user ID (or laughing at your misfortune if you got stuck with a system-generated one), how to save and access files, and how to message individuals, groups, or the network as a whole. Additionally, these devices act as code inputs, allowing little bits of the simulation to be manipulated and altered!

Whenever new information is added or a direct message. Although they have previously come from the mysterious user known as $doubleneon, this one comes from someone identified only as $xe54 — the device gives a cheerful little ping! to alert the user...

SUBJECT: PEER REVIEWS STATUS: DELIVERED
SENDER: $xe54

RECIPIENT: $USERNAME | LIST/$Svelte[ALL]
ATTN: $USERNAME

Please find attached your list of previous sessions, as requested.

7.062 • 33.975 • 44.768 • 54.358 • 92.206 • 93.349
REPLY 💬
ARCHIVE 📂
DELETE ❌

NAVIGATION ➤

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✘ Activity Check: August 2021

Sun, 01 Aug 2021 15:31:11 GMT

Posted by: datamods

⊶ ACTIVITY CHECK: AUGUST 2021 ⊷

This AC post covers the period between August 1st to August 31st, and is OPEN ALL MONTH. As outlined by this post, players can now submit their activity at any point during this month once they have it. Backtagging on older posts is allowed, but all comments submitted for AC points must be from the month of the current check.

NEW CHARACTERS: If you were accepted during the most recent application round, your AC is check-in only! (But if you have AC points and want to fill it out, don't let me stop you.)

A reminder post will go up during the last week of the month, but there is NO warning list for Activity Checks after the month closes; players are encouraged to track the #activity check tag in the OOC community! Failure to respond to the Activity Check without having a hiatus notice submitted will result in your character(s) being swept from the game.

For a full rundown of guidelines and exceptions, please see the Activity section on the Rules & AC post.

ACTIVITY REQUIREMENTS

The monthly activity requirement for the game is 10 points from any combination of the following:

✘ 1 post (log OR network) = 3 points
✘ 1 log tag = 2 points
✘ 1 network tag = 1 point
✘ 1 inbox or TDM tag = 1 point

AC EXAMPLE & FORM

To complete this month's AC, please fill out the form below. When linking your comment threads, please link directly to the individual threads and not to the overall post they're from. Thank you!

ACTIVITY RESULTS

Patricia Oleander (Stranger) (sharpshooting_sawbones) - no AC response, character swept
Bugsy King (OC) (push_that_pesticide) - no AC response, character swept
Gil Ryanson (OC) (breakaleginhalf) - no AC response, character swept

If there are errors in this list, please contact the mod!

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✘ SYNOPSIS: August 2021

Thu, 29 Jul 2021 07:58:57 GMT

Posted by: datamods

⊶ SYNOPSIS: AUGUST 2021 ⊷

( Click to expand! )

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August Synopsis

Wed, 28 Jul 2021 06:12:40 GMT

Posted by: datamods

Hi little neons!

Modli here to let you know that the August synopsis post will be up as soon as we can have it for you. Various IRL issues have impacted the modteam's availability this week (month) and you know how time does that nonlinear thing now, where it's mid-month and then suddenly it's not? Yeah, that.

Thank you for your patience, we appreciate it! 💙

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AC Reminder

Sun, 25 Jul 2021 17:15:21 GMT

Posted by: datamods

Hello little neons!

This is your 1 week reminder to get your July AC submitted if you haven't already! You have up until the end of the month to post to it.

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[OOC] EXTINGUISHANT (July Mingle Plotting)

Sun, 18 Jul 2021 05:30:53 GMT

Posted by: datamods

⊶ PLOTTING: EXTINGUISHANT ⊷

Here is your general plotty post for the EXTINGUISHANT July mingle log. Tag in with plans for your characters, link your top levels, coordinate terrible shenanigans with others... anything you need.

The effects of character actions will impact August's synopsis events, so get plotting! Please use the Questions comment below if you need more information about the plot itself. Have fun!

SET FIRE TO THE... (FIRE PLOTTING)

The leaked patch notes have proven to be as well-implemented as one might expected from the Svelte simulation, leading to many new instances of flammability that were (probably) unintended. Some ideas to get you started:

Will your character be helping fight the fires directly?
Will they be helping to evacuate NPCs or other characters, or protecting specific locations (whether by trying to divert fires, or by removing/saving valuables?)
Will your character be injured in the fires, or being in need of general healing/tending?

CONSEQUENCES (TEAMBUILDING RESULTS)

Part of this month's event effects are determined by character's participation during the Teambuilding event, using the OOC check in that players submitted.

Whether your character is receiving an item, or losing a memory, please submit them to the Consequences comment below. Thank you!

Characters who participated will receive 1 boolean and a small, non-magical object from home:

Agent Texas a_shadow
Chop Shop spidersgeorg
Gil Ryanson breakaleginhalf
Ken Kaneki anthropophagite
Malcolm Bright prodigalmess
Nero sassery
Noiz zunge

Orpheus loversdesire
Rich Goranski firewalled
Silje Storstrand skjoldpike
Soundwave quietone
Wade Wilson ishotyouuu
Washington hardwearing

Characters who did not participate will lose one pleasant memory of their home:

Adorabat violence_ensues
Agent Connecticut liesdontfindyou
Astral soulbonder
Bugsy King push_that_pesticide
Carolina leaderboards
Coda Sinneslöschen senseloss
Elizabeth Harmon misteria
Fenris thebluewraith
Finn Onaru fireandhoney
Ginger D'Abernon brightlostthing

Jon Snow scaledwolf
Julie Grigio redwinekindofgirl
Katsuki Bakugou hot_handed
Knock Out redcosmedic
Leonard Church originalcopy
Mono lostintransmition
Nostradamus nostradamnit
Patricia Oleander sharpshooting_sawbones
Tracks makingtracks
Victor Elysan hevner

WELCOME TO SVETLE... (NEW ARRIVALS)

Characters who are new in June or July will be receiving a private message from $doubleneon providing the location of an exclusive supply depot.

Only these characters, or others accompanied by these characters, will be able to see or enter this location:

Anders rebelhealer
Anna Morasca itswhoyouare
Breakdown shouldergun
Bumblebee winglessbumblebee

Desmond Scott inquietudes
Dexter Grif itsorange
Orlando Gardiner scanningutterly
The Doctor not_the_question

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+1 Sim Soldier

Thu, 15 Jul 2021 16:01:49 GMT

Posted by: itsorange

Hiya!

It's J bringing in another character already.
I was working on this app before I apped the Doctor, but that app was ready last month and this one wasn't quite ready yet.

Anyway. This is Grif from Red vs Blue. He's one of of the sim soldiers from Blood Gulch. (He's very different from Twelve, which is one of the reasons why I app'd him.) I'm pulling him from the tail end of S13. So the Reds and Blues and Epsilon were getting ready to fight off Hargrove's goons, but he doesn't know if they won or not! And he doesn't know that Ep didn't make it, nor that Ep left him a message.

So arriving here with all the gravestones was... traumatic to say the least. Also, he's kind of tired of being used by all the 'Powers That Be', so when he calms down from "you sure not everyone is dead???" he's going to be pretty angry to be here. Even if this place IS nicer than Blood Gulch, or even Chorus, and Church is here. And, okay, some of you Freelancers are okay too...

I'm using his TDM as game canon, so you can feel free to consider that his intro and continue to tag him there, if you want.

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ooc introduction +1 Minibot Bumblebee, reporting in!

Thu, 15 Jul 2021 12:40:44 GMT

Posted by: winglessbumblebee

Hello! Shy here, 29 years of age, Bumblebee there, over 4 million years of age! I'm not 100% sure what I'm doing as I've never really got far with Dreamwidth RP. So this is my official first game! I prefer they/them/she/her pronouns.

Bumblebee is a Transformer from G1 portion of its canon. He's a 8-12 foot tall yellow Autobot mech and can turn into a Volkswagen Beetle. He's a friendly enough little guy for his species and it often is a tender spot.

Bumblebee's canon is split between the comics and cartoon. While the cartoon I lean more towards as his canon, I do approach it from a more adult perspective and somewhat serious perspective. So while the cartoon is goofy be warned there is much in canon about war, death, and many things that come with that.

To plot around things you can reach me primarily through the journal.

Or I guess I could also plop my discord in.

Discord: ShyChangling#8323

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CR WITH ME! July 2021

Fri, 09 Jul 2021 21:02:51 GMT

Posted by: datamods

TIME FOR A CR WITH ME MEME!

▶️ What's a CR Meme and what's it for?
Different than a plotting post, CR Memes help players set up different types of development they'd like for their character. Rather than planning reactions to specific plot events, these are often longer term developments that you want your character to go through.

▶️ How does it work?
Here's a form that can help provide the information others might need to see if you've got a CR match! This form is optional, but specificity helps so even if you don't use this template, try to hit the same main points.

▶️ What's on the form?
There's three character sections: Current Status for a summary of what your character's been up to, CR Goals for the plotting and discussion of types of development you'd like to fill, and Preferences to help narrow down what types of threading/plots you're interested (or not) in having.

▶️ HERE'S THE (OPTIONAL) FORM:

PLAYER NAME HERE CONTACT METHOD(S): @USERNAME.plurk • Discord: User#000 • Journal PM CHARACTER NAME HERE (@USERNAME) • CANON/SERIES CURRENT STATUS: Where's your character at developmentally right now? What's their normal daily routine like? What are they currently enjoying about Svelte, or what is really stressing them out? CR GOALS: What specific types of CR are you hoping for: protective? Affectionate? Antagonistic? Do you want someone to find out about your character's past? Do you need someone to challenge them? Do they need a mother hen to worry after them and make sure they eat? PREFERENCES: Do you prefer network interactions, or face-to-face logs? Do you like angst, fluff, drama, plot-based scenes, all of the above? What sort of things are you a little more lukewarm about in regards to this character, or would rather flat-out avoid? Do you absolutely hate writing negative CR? Would you sooner chuck your laptop out the window than write one more SOL thread? All those considerations can go here. ANYTHING ELSE/EXTRA: For all your bonus linking / GIF / quirky quote needs!

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Enable Me Please! Meme - July 2021

Tue, 06 Jul 2021 21:21:32 GMT

Posted by: datamods

THE ENABLE ME PLZ! MEME

▶️ It's time to put together the monthly requests for characters you'd like to see brought to the game! The next enablemeplz post goes up on Saturday, July 10th so please have your requests in before then!

(NOTE: EMP has changed to the second Saturday of every month.)

▶️ List what characters you'd like to see! Make sure to specify the canon and any characters from the franchise which are already in game. Feel like there's a character or series that suits the setting? You can request those too!

(Be sure to check the Taken List for franchises at or near cast cap!)

▶️ You can also let the game know what characters you're thinking of apping yourself! More people may be excited to see them than you think, and nothing's better than drumming up some enthusiasm while you're still considering who you'd like to bring.

▶️ Ready to throw someone into the neon city? Our current Test Drive Meme is up HERE! TDMs are now posted every six weeks.

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✘ Activity Check: July 2021

Thu, 01 Jul 2021 16:32:46 GMT

Posted by: datamods

⊶ ACTIVITY CHECK: JULY 2021 ⊷

This AC post covers the period between July 1st to July 31st, and is OPEN ALL MONTH. As outlined by this post, players can now submit their activity at any point during this month once they have it. Backtagging on older posts is allowed, but all comments submitted for AC points must be from the month of the current check.

NEW CHARACTERS: If you were accepted during the most recent application round, your AC is check-in only! (But if you have AC points and want to fill it out, don't let me stop you.)

A reminder post will go up during the last week of the month, but there is NO warning list for Activity Checks after the month closes; players are encouraged to track the #activity check tag in the OOC community! Failure to respond to the Activity Check without having a hiatus notice submitted will result in your character(s) being swept from the game.

For a full rundown of guidelines and exceptions, please see the Activity section on the Rules & AC post.

ACTIVITY REQUIREMENTS

The monthly activity requirement for the game is 10 points from any combination of the following:

✘ 1 post (log OR network) = 3 points
✘ 1 log tag = 2 points
✘ 1 network tag = 1 point
✘ 1 inbox or TDM tag = 1 point

AC EXAMPLE & FORM

To complete this month's AC, please fill out the form below. When linking your comment threads, please link directly to the individual threads and not to the overall post they're from. Thank you!

ACTIVITY RESULTS

Ginger D'Abernon (OC) (brightlostthing) - no AC response, character swept
Nero (sassery) - no AC response, character swept
Orlando Gardiner (scanningutterly) - no AC response, character swept

If there are errors in this list, please contact the mod!

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Activity Check: June 2021

Thu, 01 Jul 2021 16:10:33 GMT

Posted by: datamods

⊶ ACTIVITY CHECK: JUNE 2021 ⊷

This AC covers the period between June 1st to June 30th. As per THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, June is a check-in month only. Comment below with your character information, but you are not required to have any point counts for this month.

Additionally as of JULY 2021, we are moving to an OPEN AC, that post will be up very shortly! If you have any questions regarding that change, please see this post. Thank you!

ACTIVITY RESULTS

Darlene Alderson (rootaccess) - no AC response, character swept
Nier (Gestalt) (demonicelement) - no AC response, character swept
Orlando Gardiner (scanningutterly) - no AC response, character swept
Lillie (CRAU) (walkontwolegs) - no AC response, character swept
Mizuki (CRAU) (moonlitpath) - no AC response, character swept
Yuma Tsukumo (guideslight) - no AC response, character swept

If there are errors in this list, please contact the mod!

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✘ SYNOPSIS: July 2021

Tue, 29 Jun 2021 19:47:28 GMT

Posted by: datamods

⊶ SYNOPSIS: JULY 2021 ⊷

( Click to expand! )

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✘ Test Drive Meme #7

Wed, 23 Jun 2021 02:38:32 GMT

Posted by: datamods

ıllıllı TEST DRIVE MEME #7 ıllıllı

Welcome to databurst's latest Test Drive Meme! If you're considering joining our game and want to give the setting a whirl, or see whether your character is a good fit, you're in the right place. You can choose from any of the following scenarios below, or make up your own that fits in the Setting.

As part of our June 2021 State of the Game changes, our TDMs now run on a six-week schedule. Please note that TDM threads can be considered game canon if all thread participants agree. Enjoy!

If you haven't yet, you can give a follow at the game plurk databurst or hop into the Game Discord to meet other players (both current and potential players are welcome!)

Here are some upcoming dates to keep in mind:

RESERVES OPEN JULY 1 @ 12:01 PM (ET)
APPLICATIONS OPEN JULY 7 @ 12:01 PM (ET)

{ 🎵 recommended listening }

Thank you [$NEWUSER] for participating in the SVELTE city simulation! Having reviewed your application on [##DATE] we have decided that you are a prime candidate for our focus group, and encourage you to engage in everything our newest product has to offer. 

Enjoy the unparalleled immersion courtesy of our cutting edge digital recast technology. As a special bonus, you'll also be receiving a [%%PROMO (error:file missing)] as a token of our appreciation at the completion of the simulation. 

This introductory file will help guide you through the various [%%LOADFAIL:content (welcomeguide.sgm) not-found] —— [uplink||terminated // #framework:corrupt]

LOADING... BEGIN SIMULATION "SVELTE.SGM"
( click here to expand )

PROMPT 01. ➤ READ ME A GENTLE ELEGY

One thing that characters might have noticed is that there are no cemeteries within the city limits, which seems a little odd since there's a morgue. Then again, there isn't an abundance of open green areas in Svelte either, and in a place with a respawn mechanic, is there any real reason to need a graveyard?

Apparently... yes, as it might have made this newest development slightly less creepy.

Holographic gravestones are popping up all over the city: In the middle of the streets, inside shops and stores, even inside people's homes. Nothing like waking up in the morning and finding a miniature cenotaph between you and the coffeemaker.

Some of them bear the nonsense language of the simulation, or otherwise are obvious placeholders like "Joe Dirt", but many others bear the names of both existing characters, and potentially people they know even if they have never been in Svelte before.

Listed with others are causes of death, but some of them are genuine and some of them are decidedly not, ranging from extremely probable ("fatally shot during a mission") to the near-ludicrous ("accidentally incinerated during a game show malfunction").

And some of them are 100% accurate, both for canon deaths and those experienced in Svelte (even those from doppelgangers!).

Because they're holographic, these gravestones can't be removed through physical means... either they dissolve into pixels and reform nearby, or they are entirely immune to damage. Attempting to remove them by using code manipulations has a slightly higher success rate, although it might just relocate it out of range and into someone else's house instead...

PROMPT 02. ➤ TIME FOR A GRAVITY CHECK

In their exploration of their new surroundings, characters may notice something odd. Objects are heavier or lighter to the touch than expected. They bounce and float more readily, or the exact opposite.

A dropped pen may prove as tough to retrieve from the ground as a bodybuilder's dumbbell. Rolling out of bed results in slamming a crater into the floor and struggling against unseen forces to merely stand. Or jumping in place allows even the least athletic person to grab onto high ledges, pull themselves up and scale buildings and fences if they so attempted... that is, if they don't wind up springing too high and finding themselves unable to stop their acceleration. Better kick against the outer wall to find a way down! Or worse, put your hands up to stop from slamming into the ceiling.

Another oddity shows its face that's related to that. In some areas, particularly indoors, gravity appears to end up selectively reversed, with basic objects (and people, you lucky persons you) stuck to the ceilings. The couch is uselessly plastered there, as are the chairs at the table, but the table and fridge... aren't. Half the items in stores float hovering near the ceiling or underside of the shelf above, or bobbing in the air.

Just hope that the items you want are within easy reach and that gravity doesn't prove too much of a logistical challenge. Getting a face full of milk you tried to pour on your cereal sounds rough.

What's worse is when you're stuck crawling along the ceiling and upon your entering a new room the pull of gravity suddenly switches back to normal, sending you falling back down (and bouncing like a rubber ball because of course).

At least it could be worse. Gravity could send you endlessly flying into the sky like a poor balloon. (Don't tempt the devs, shhhhh.)

PROMPT 03. ➤ ALL IN A DINER DAY'S WORK

PROMPT 04. ➤ QUID PRO QUO OR SOMETHING [NETWORK]

It makes sense that the network would become a lynchpin of those trapped here. Regardless of abilities or background, the digital medium with its confusing, erratic, mind-bogglingly incorrect information somehow puts everyone on the same playing field.

But there are people here now who can show you the ropes if you're unfamiliar with this sort of technology — choosing a user ID (or laughing at your misfortune if you got stuck with a system-generated one), how to save and access files, and how to message individuals, groups, or the network as a whole. Additionally, these devices act as code inputs, allowing little bits of the simulation to be manipulated and altered!

Whenever new information is added or a direct message is received — many of them from the mysterious user known as $doubleneon — the device gives a cheerful little ping! to alert the user...

SUBJECT: PEER REVIEWS STATUS: DELIVERED
SENDER: $doubleneon

RECIPIENT: $USERNAME | LIST/$Svelte[ALL]
I have a big favour to ask of you! In order to complete a peer review, I need some in-simulation data. I promise I'll make it worth your while to help me out, I'm really in a pinch with this.

Please find three strangers (that is, your relationship score is RHO-level or lower, excluding TAU-level) and interview them for the following:

1. What's one thing they LIKE about the Svelte simulation?

2. What's one thing they DISLIKE about the Svelte simulation?

3. Who would they RECOMMEND the Svelte simulation to, for future intake rounds?
REPLY 💬
ARCHIVE 📂
DELETE ❌

NAVIGATION ➤

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[MOD] June Activity Check

Tue, 22 Jun 2021 03:04:12 GMT

Posted by: datamods

Hi little neons! Please expect a bunch of modly updates in the next few days, but this one is regarding June Activity Check.

Since there hasn't been a synopsis or a mingle, it's definitely not fair to expect people to make AC for this month, so I'm waiving all point requirements for everyone and June will be check in only (unless you're on hiatus, then you're automatically marked cleared.)

If you've taken a hiatus that exempted June's requirements, it will be "refunded" — that is, it'll no longer count as a double hiatus if you need one next month.

Starting July 1st, the new "open post" AC will go live and be open for the whole month (see the recent State of the Game post for more details on that).

If you have any questions, please let me know here!

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[MOD] Help Staff INITIATE

Mon, 21 Jun 2021 15:21:20 GMT

Posted by: datamods

Good morning neons, I'm pleased to let you know that we have three new assist staff onboard!

Please give the warmest welcomes to Kazie (player of Silje and Breakdown), Numi (player of Noiz) and Skyler (player of Astral) who will be helping get databurst up to 100% again. I know I originally said I was looking for two helpers but I didn't want to pick 2/3, whoops.

We have started a to-do list by priority to get things done ASAP, so please bear with just a little longer. Thank you all for your patience!

— Modli

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