Why Collaborative Efforts Often Fail...

[samwise7]

I think we all remember High School classes, where there was a "group project."  I always dreaded them, because it always meant that I did all the work for the slackers, so my grade didn't suffer.  Every now and then I would get stuck with a fairly productive group, but for the most part I got stuck with those that just didn't care.

So it is the same with Worldbuilding efforts with a group of people.  I had thought that people that said they would "enjoy worldbuilding", would be different (I mean we're geeks after all, hehe and should stick together), but lo and behold my hopes were crushed, and my anger boiled.

So guess what, I got stuck finishing everyone else's work for them.

I would like to be nicely surprised in the future, but history has shown me that group projects are for the birds, and the only way to get something done is to do it yourself, or find a select few rare people that will work as hard as you.

It's sad to say, but working on group worldbuilding projects has left a slight hatred for worldbuilding...

[SA]

It's sad to say, but working on group worldbuilding projects has left a slight hatred for worldbuilding...

:o









On a more serious note, I've often found that the problem lies in the fact that worldbuilders (myself included) often have very specific creative tastes, and it's very easy for those tastes to conflict.  When the design starts to head in a direction they don't agree with, it's kaput.  I remember a project I started with Nasty Nate and Epic Meepo, which suffered far more because of our artistic differences than because of apathy.

[Numinous]

It's sad to say, but working on group worldbuilding projects has left a slight hatred for worldbuilding...

Convergence was pretty awesome though, while it was around.

[Nomadic]

I will say that if this is about the thing going on with the hex based world. That I said up front I could guarantee nothing. This does not mean I have given it up. It is just that the flow has started for my ideas with my own campaign world. While I don't want to come across as snobbish, if I have to choose between working on a collaborative project off to the side or my primary creation I am going to choose my primary creation first. Once my creation is done or my train of thought has slowed I can return to the other, but I am going to be naturally prejudiced towards my own work.

[SA]

Convergence was pretty awesome though, while it was around.

*Sigh*

Yes.  Yes it was.  *Looks wistful*

[Elemental_Elf]

I hate group projects because either I´m stuck doing all the work, or I´m the slacker forcing some one else to do all the work. I dislike both equally. I have tried group world building projects with my players but it always dies because one of us gets bored/doesn´t like the direction and, essentially, quits. It sucks when it happens but it always does... This is why I make my own worlds, but incorporate elements i know my players will enjoy (yeah for single person projects!).

[samwise7]

I will say that if this is about the thing going on with the hex based world. That I said up front I could guarantee nothing. This does not mean I have given it up. It is just that the flow has started for my ideas with my own campaign world. While I don't want to come across as snobbish, if I have to choose between working on a collaborative project off to the side or my primary creation I am going to choose my primary creation first. Once my creation is done or my train of thought has slowed I can return to the other, but I am going to be naturally prejudiced towards my own work.

On a more serious note, I've often found that the problem lies in the fact that worldbuilders (myself included) often have very specific creative tastes, and it's very easy for those tastes to conflict. When the design starts to head in a direction they don't agree with, it's kaput. I remember a project I started with Nasty Nate and Epic Meepo, which suffered far more because of our artistic differences than because of apathy.[/quote]

That could be a good point, I've never thought of.  In my project though each person's work is isolated for 5,000 years, so they have almost full reign on doing whatever they want.

Hehe, I guess I'm just being pessimistic about the project, but at the same time it's angered me in the past.

I'm hoping the new members will be different.  :)

[Lmns Crn]

See, these are reasons why I don't go in for the community projects, tempting though they often sound. It's vital for my continuing cordial relations with the members of this community that I not make any extra promises I can't keep.

Sorry the situation is bringing you down. Maybe take a bit of a break, and cultivate your private garden of ideas for a while?

[samwise7]

Well, I'm a pretty down person by and large, so I'm used to it, hehe.  Most of the work is from the last run through anyway.  I don't know why I still have their name on what they made, as I made most of it to finish what they started.  hehe.

I really do have hopes for the new members.  Time will tell I guess.  I need to have patience.  

I have taken a break here and there (doing other geek things).  It's always a little disheartening, when I take a break and come back, and I was the last post.

[Nomadic]

I find that the best way to get ideas from other people is to stay small. Open up an area for people to throw out their ideas on religions or creatures or whatever else. If nothing else because of the setup of something like that it's less disheartening if people say nothing.

[Epic Meepo]

I remember a project I started with Nasty Nate and Epic Meepo, which suffered far more because of our artistic differences than because of apathy.

I remember that; it's too bad we had different end-points in mind, because that would have been awesome.

On a more optimistic note, I had a very good experience designing Cebexia with the help of over half-a-dozen contributors a few years back.