Name of Board: Revolution Academy
Link to Board: CLICK!
Short description of Board:

Alternate Universe X-Men RPG, set in the present day. No more Professor X; the school it run by none other than Laura Kinney. After the Cure and a deadly virus killing tons of innocent mutants. The government is closing on the the mutant population and the victims can only take so much.

Analysis Notes: Personally, how does the board seem at first impression? Does it look like it would attract members?
Link to profile on the Board: Mich. (character name is Eeva Muotiala)

Appearance and Organization: I like the look of the site, with the classy, faded visuals. It has a very ethereal appearance, which should add a good deal to your RPing experience. The graphics work well with the overall theme as well.

I'm not a big fan of the way you have your text set up though. The smallish text is quite difficult to read, and this is only compounded by shoving it all together into one ungainly mess. I've seen this done before, and i think it's an aesthetic choice that hinders things. Something like that would scare off a member such as myself, and i think it's drawing away from what the RP should be about: the RP.

Your organization, on the other hand, makes a good deal of sense. I liked how you embedded important topics as numbers. It's a classy way of doing things, if a bit harder to find than most. It didn't take a giant leap of logic or anything though, so I think it works out well enough.

Informational Topics: The topics were definitely well organized, and it was fairly easy for me to find everything. I like not having to stress to find what i need to start my character, and that was definitely the case here. Everything was definitely laid out as well.

However, the tone, wording, and set up don't work for me, and I really think some editing needs to be done overall, beyond what is just my personal opinion. I've mentioned previously that I'm not a fan of the text form you use, and your entire history is laid out like that. it's one giant text blob, and that's quite hard to digest. most people aren't going to want to slog through all that, though it will be a way of insuring that most of your posters are advanced.

Now, addressing that tone and wording. You actually used the word "b****ing" in your rules. Really? that sends a horrible message to anyone reading the rules. You come across as a very "my way or the highway" forum. One where the admin rules with an iron fist, and if you step out of line, you shall be smashed to pieces. the fact that you also seem to place yourselves as these all-powerful entities doesn't help matters. i realize that you want to run a tight ship, and that you want to maintain quality, but the way you're doing it will scare off potential members and comes off as abrasive and power-hungry.

What I would recommend is lightening the tone of the rules. Definitely take out the bits where you outright insult your members (i.e. the b****ing comment). Word things in such a matter that it comes off as more of a velvet glove than an iron fist. I've heard the terms "Umbridge" and "Lovegood" used regarding rules, with the former being this totalitarian method. Yours is the best example of the former that i have encountered. If you want people to join, you need to lighten up on things. This strictness isn't going to work well in a land where people go to have fun.

Board Strengths: Well set up world with a solid plot. Follows the reestablished canon in a faithful, well adjusted way. Certainly defines how things are going to run on the board. Everything is easy to find, and quite well organized. Also great how they include staff bios. Definitely a plus.

Board Weaknesses: Tiny font gets hard to read in places. It seems like the forum/staff has chosen aesthetics over content/ease in several places. The rules are horribly strict and confining. The admins come off as belligerent dictators.

Staff: it is quite clear who the staff is and it's quite easy to figure things out. the directory provided made it simple for me to find out not only some names, but also some background information on the staff involves. Nice to include some conversation information as well. In some ways, they seem polite, but the rules and some of the information seems to indicate otherwise.

General: you're a highly advanced, semi-canon based, x-men Rp. You've got a solid world and a pretty forum, but the emphasis on aesthetics distracts in some places. Iron clad rules and a harsh tone from admins makes me feel quite unwelcome, definitely wanting to find a different forum. You will provide an advanced X-men experience, but I'd worry about those rules scaring off potential members.

Thanks! I really appreciate what you said, especially about the rules. It's personally been my fear about driving members away (in regards to our rules). I've been pushing for simplicity, but these were all based on the first established rules (four years ago) and then has been added on ever since.

I don't know about lessening the rules in quantity, but I can definitely see an overhaul in re-wording them. We have a wide range in personalities as far as staff members, but I think we'd be able to work things out.

Thank you for the review! Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated. =D

Appearance and Organization: You're obviously seasoned at creating boards because your board looks hot! I almost wanted to join it at first just because of its sexiness. I want to lick it haha.

The only thing I would change is the small text size in your info forums.


Informational Topics: Here is where your downfall begins. The length of your plot is ridiculous. I didn't read it because it looks intimidating and I don't know if I have the attention span to do it. That is a huge - in my book when joining a site. When writing a plot. you want a generalized idea. Think of the plot as a news update. It should be one paragraph max. The rules are a bit better because of the big bold titles. However, there is alot of information in them when the rules should be pretty generalized. People know not to be rascist on a board, they know not to spam or god mode or flame. Why is there a paragraph of explanations on there? Treat your oncoming members like they've actually rped on a board before, because the level in which you require your applicants to perform just to get accepted, is very high. 5+ paragraphs of history. To me, everything is to much and while your site looks good, it would take a focused mind to want to join.

Board Strengths:
+Look and Orginization
+The Coding aspect

Board Weaknesses:
-To much information on un needed topics
-To much to read initially
-Huge app that would take a long time to finish.
-Not appealing to every type of member so you will have a small member base

Staff: As I review boards, I will pose as a member wanting to join the site. So I don't cloud up your member forums, I will post something in the shoutbox. It was unanswered even though Eeva Muotiala was online.

General: It takes a focused mind to join your site due to all of the required reading. It can be intimidating for most players.

Awesome! Thank you so much for your review. I do apologize for the non-instant reply in the cbox, though there was a reply from our other admin, Claire, a little while later. Eeva Muotiala is my account, and there are times when I use my cell phone to get online, but can't really use the cbox. But, it's not a major issue, because normally we are much more diligent about welcoming members.

Our plot is long for the simple reason that we're an AU RPG and have been around for over four years. It's a compilation of all our history, for the member's benefit. I will consider, however, to create an 'in a nutshell' version.

Cleaning up the informational topics I can see, and is ironically something I'm working through right at this moment. Additionally, we're in the process of approving a new set of rules, so all that will be dealt with in time.

Anyway, thank you so much for your review! I'm glad that my personal forte (the graphics) looks good and whatnot. All the feedback if very much appreciated. =D


EDIT: We've re-done our rules and kinda split our plot into two sections. I'm working on the font. Anyone else have a suggestion? =D

Appearance and Organization: My first impression when looking at your board is just how beautiful it is. The colors are, in my opinion, unique and calming. I’m a fan of light colored boards, since dark ones can be difficult to see on some screens. When I first saw the buttons at the top with the roman numerals on them, I was confused, but upon scrolling onto them I could easily figure out what they are. My only comment about them is that in order to use them easily a guest would have to scroll over each and every one to find the one that they’re looking for. An accepted member would have to memorize them. This could be fairly frustrating after awhile.

As a person getting my first glance at the board, I always appreciate a label somewhere that tells me exactly what you’re looking for; which you have. Not only does it instantly tell me what I should start brainstorming for a male character, but you’re open to both canons and originals. I like knowing exactly what an Admin wants right when I step into the joint.

As with any site, I really enjoy having the sub-forums laid out in front of me. It tells me exactly what’s where and provides the great ability of fast travel. I love that! You also have little drop down boxes that allow me to fast travel as well, but the first one requires you to be a member to actually use them. I’m very wary of that. Personally, I dislike having to sign up for a forum when I can’t even see whether I want to be a member or not before hand. It’s an immediate turn off, and personally, you would have already lost me had I originally wanted to join.

However, upon further investigation I found a second drop box that had the plot, rules, character information, canon list, etc. all splayed out for me; and I didn’t have to sign up. I’m confused on why you have these two drop downs and one is protected while the other is out for everyone; and I definitely suggest that you rethink it. If a guest is just there being a tourist and seeing they want to join they may see the first drop down and leave.

One last thing, take a look at your guest settings. From what I can tell, guests can only see certain graphics. If you really want to wow us; you need to make sure we can see them as well.

Informational Topics: Now for the meat… I read you plot and it’s a mouthful. If feels like whoever wrote it just kept on writing and fluffing and writing and fluffing. I understand that you’re trying to get as much information at once in there, but it feels like too much. I think you should seriously think about going in there and simplifying it. Of course, the story shouldn’t change – I’m not suggesting that at all – but I would definitely consider making the wordage a little less… well wordy. It’s daunting and, in my opinion, drawn out.

You rules are well labeled and straight forward, though maybe a little much by requiring us to ‘sign a contract.’ I suppose I understand your reasoning for this. It guarantees that members have read the rules. I would, personally, trust them to take the initiative and do it themselves, but like I said, I also understand your reasoning.
I browsed everything else from canon characters to your application form and what-not and found everything in order. No complaints and it all seems fairly well put together, not too wordy, and easy to understand.

Board Strengths: I think one of the greatest strengths of this board is it’s organization. It’s well put together, for the moment part, and easy to navigate. I think the board is beautiful and the graphics, when I actually went clicking on them since most of the posted ones weren’t viewable to guests, were very pretty.

Board Weaknesses: I think the greatest weakness was the wordiness of a few of your informational posts. When I first get into a board I want to be introduced to it, not reading the entire encyclopedia. It seems that some abilities are turned off for guests, like viewing graphics and a few of your members only areas, which is deterring

Staff: I thought they were easy to find and the page containing their information was definitely informational, but again guests couldn’t see the graphics in the page.

General: I thought the site was pretty and showed definite potential. The admins have gone a long way to make the site a pleasant place to RP. There are definite signs of wordiness, which might be frustrating to people who want a quick glance. – But what I can tell, with the required word count and glanced at posts, that’s what this site is looking for.

Awesome! Thanks so much for the review.

Firstly, I've gone through the drop-down menu, and actually found one of the links was incorrect. So, I'm glad to get that one fixed. As far as some graphics not being displayed, it's a personal preference that guests don't have access to our graphics. We try to protect our members work. I personally am just a strong advocate against graphic theft. I do appreciate the concern, however, and will make sure to keep the opinion you express in mind when going over my forum.

And I would agree on the storyline - it's another project I'm going to work on, one that's more simple, as well as pairing it with the long version.

It seems that I've gained quite a bit, and improved a lot as well. Thank you so much for all the reviews, they are greatly appreciated! =D I guess this is it for the thread here.

I do have a request, though - that this thread actually be deleted by a staff member. I've made a copy of the reviews for my benefit. Thanks in advance, and thanks once more to those who put their time and effort into their reviews! =D