Topic

Block Party Permits!

Using Bureaucratic Arts skills, it would be great to be able to apply for and buy a Block Party Permit for a specified public street over a specified stretch of time.

The main function of this permit would be to limit the number of items an individual player can pick up at a public street party in one real-life hour. Perhaps players could be limited to 10 items, or some other reasonable, predetermined number. (As I’m not wise in the ways of coding, I have no idea if this is do-able, but thought I’d throw it out there.)

A permit like this would make it possible to throw public street parties that anyone is free to attend, while ensuring that things like decorations and food remain available for all to share and enjoy. At present, public parties are often hampered by individuals who indiscriminately hoover up anywhere from tens to hundreds of items—some even changing their clothes in the hopes that they won’t be recognised by organisers when they return to grab more stuff. (Nice try, kids.)

Yes, organisers can simply hand out food and goodies rather than dropping stuff, but it's so much nicer when it feels as though something special is going on—when the street is decked out with food, drinks, and goodies.

To minimise the potential for indiscriminate purchase of permits, make it a semi-costly thing (50K or 100K for a set time limit, for example), require that the applicant fill out a little application, explaining the location, length, and purpose of the party, and establish a maximum time limit as to how long a party can last.

I’d love to know what you think of this idea. What are the potential holes or flaws? Are there ways this concept could be improved?

Thanks for your time, guys!

Posted 10 months ago by Voluptua Sneezelips Subscriber! | Permalink

Replies

  • I like the idea of being able to organize block parties, so some in-game support would be great.

    How about also allowing you to decorate adjoining street signs to that street with balloons indicating a party was in progress and indicating on the region map which streets have active block parties as well?
    Posted 10 months ago by Janitch Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Mulling this one, especially as it applies to tool vendor locations.  There are only two of them in-game, and I've had some irritating experiences when people decided to flood the street with party activities for several hours.  Imaginative things were happening, but it impeded access for those who were amused for only the first hour or so.  Other locations that have caused non-partiers to be irritated included the candy exchange parties on a subway street. 

    So, I'd be interested in a sliding scale for the time limit:  A housing block party (which would mostly impede the 11 other players who lived on that block) might be allowed to last longer than a street party that blocked a whole residential neighborhood, which might go longer than one that blocked a subway stop, which might go longer than one that blocked a unique vendor (like Helga, or a Tool vendor).  
    Posted 10 months ago by WindBorn Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Love the idea.
    Posted 10 months ago by Thursday Soleil Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Be hard to implement exaclty right but could be fun. I'd hate to see it be simply a matter of money though. Maybe have it cost credits instead (small amount), or perhaps have a limit to how often a specific glitch can access a permit as well as how often a specific street can have a party held there.
    Posted 10 months ago by Moehr Ossum Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Awesome idea! I would love to see this implemented. I do agree with Moehr Ossum, though: it shouldn't be a matter of currants. Let this be open to everyone.
    Posted 10 months ago by Fernstream Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I'm down with this... and with anything that gives more uses for skills, especially BAs.
    Posted 10 months ago by Djabriil Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I love this idea. Most people here are wonderful and will give everything they have to help rebuild after someone hoovers a party, which I saw myself yesterday (Thanks to the Sandbox coalition that came to help with the v-day party yesterday - you guys were amazing). So it is really sad to see the one or two that ruin it for the others. 
    Posted 10 months ago by Kristen Marie Subscriber! | Permalink
  • What if someone donates to the party? Does that take away from their pickups?
    Posted 10 months ago by AwesomeCardinal2000 Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I really like this idea.  I would be happy even if it limited people to picking up 10 objects in 10 real life minutes, or 5 minutes, even! 
    Posted 10 months ago by Scarlett Bearsdale Subscriber! | Permalink
  • It is probably easier to code that the permit holder can designate items as decorations which nobody (except the permit holder) can pick up for the duration.  That also avoids some other issues of possible misuse.
      The problem, of course, is that this has very limited value (as described) after the group locations become reality, and it has no chance at all of getting done before that.

      Then again, it could be something used in concert with group locations to allow all and sundry to "visit" the location during a specified time period and group members (or a subset based on group role) can all place decorations and add/remove freely, but "visitors" can only pick up a limited number of items (and nothing designated a "decoration").
      Once the permit expires it acts like a party space for the "visitors" and they're all kicked out.  Group members then have the "fun" task of cleaning up and preparing for the next shindig.
    Posted 10 months ago by Zanthis Subscriber! | Permalink