Subeta was created as a world of its own. It has characters who have back stories. It has lands where battles were fought. It has enemies and heroes. Why have we gotten so far away from our own story?

The Subetapedia is out-dated. It is missing a lot of new information. Recent site events and holidays have given new tidbits and tie-ins that have gone un-noted, and it's a damn shame.

This was once a huge part of the site. It's what got a lot of older users hooked. We knew the characters! We wanted to know more!

This could be a fantastic hook to get knew users to join and STAY. EVERYONE loves a good story. Who wouldn't continue to regular a site when they are excited to see why _____ hates _____ and what they are going to do about it.

My suggestion is simple. Let's get back to the story of Subeta. Let's make this our hook. Let's get more new users to stick around, and give old users what they want, by updating the Subetapedia and making sure all new users are introduced to basic Subeta lore upon their registration to the site.

Suggestions:

• Create a newbie quest that has a story-line. Introduce new players to the lore of Subeta. Let them know the story. This could easily be done by making the sign-up process a story and not "Click here. Do this. This is what this page is for." That is what guides are for. A story about what Subeta is will draw users in and make them want to stay.

-Tie in new events to old lore. For those of us who have been around a while, we WANT to know what happens next. Remind of of an old story and build on it. Let's see the story of Subeta progress. Yes, random events are fun and exciting. But what will keep us interested in Subeta for more than a week is the building of a back story to why we play this game in the first place.

-Revamp the Subetapedia. Make it more user-friendly. Update outdated information and keep it regularly updated. This part of the site is so important to Subeta in terms of creating what will be tomorrows long-time-users, yet it has been untouched for a long time.

I know all of this requires a lot of work. I know it may require hiring a writer. But think of this as a business opportunity. We all know Subeta is a special place. It needs a new hook. Something fresh, but not some random new feature. Let's make Subeta's hook the lore. Let's make this what stands out about this pet site. It used to be. I think this could be an incredible opportunity to hook new users and would be entirely worth the effort it would require.

These are all great suggestions, but I think the bigger question, is who's going to write all this stuff? I really think the site should hire a writer, or at least an artist who is responsible for writing part time.

I think the expense would be worth it. I think this could be the next big step for this website. I really feel this way.

Edit: It was said that while programmers are payed to fix what is broken (which, there is a lot to be fixed right now), artist cannot just sit by twiddling their thumbs. They have to be creating new content, because it's what they are paid to do. Why not this? Why not? The page art for the newbie quest would have to be made. That's somewhere to start. How about pictures to go with the Subetapedia?

Keith made it clear in the Keith Answers that he wants to address this, and said that maybe he and the rest of the staff would spend a few days working on it at some point. Continually asking Keith to hire new staff isn't a helpful suggestion. If there were funds for that, I'm sure it would have happened.

That being said, I fully support the Subetapedia being expanded upon and updated! I bet there would even be some users who would be willing to work a bit on it in exchange for site perks/CSC, who knows? :D

I couldn't agree more. I think good writing is necessary to increase the immersion factor and draw in new users (and get old users to keep coming back).

Not to potentially ruin anyone's income, but why not make the writing position similar to the battle admin ones, where the user is paid in CSC? It's clearly an area that could use some dedicated attention and the current creative team members are focused on their actual jobs and not able to give it the love I'm sure they would like to.

I'm the one that asked the question. He said that any suggestions should be made to this board, because staff does not know what we want unless we ask. I'm asking. Maybe if more people are behind this, it could prove to be a worth-while expense. now and not later. He said he, and so many other people, have so much information in their head that they would love to have on site. I'm suggesting that this could be a bigger thing for the site than maybe he thinks.

I... got that. I was merely saying that asking Keith to hire a new staff member every time we want something to be done isn't really helpful. The site has limited funds. Besides, how would hiring a random writer help? They would no nothing of Subeta or the lore, and it would take a long time to build their knowledge. I think your suggestion is great, I love the lore of Subeta as well! I just think we should try to find another way to get it done :D

that's kind of along the lines of what I was thinking - I bet there are current players would would be more than willing to do that!

I totally agree with your suggestions. I remember a time when you had to know the stories behind Subeta - back in the early days of the Trivias. Then there was an event where you had to answer questions and find info in Subetapedia, but I think that was the last time it was seriously updated. I really enjoyed the stories and would love to see them continue.

I'm aware the site has limited funds. That was made pretty obvious by the statement "we're doing 'okay" in regards to Subeta's financial status. Not to mention the installment of the Daily Support Goal bar.

I'm making this suggestion as something that could really boost the amount of new users who come to Subeta and stay for a long time. THOSE are the users who spend money here. Which is what Subeta needs right now. This could be something actually worth investing that precious money in because I think the opportunity to refresh Subeta's image and really re-strengthen its standing in the pet site world is worth taking a chance on. It may be just what the site needs.

Also I don't think it would really take all that long to build their knowledge. I'm sure there is someone who is probably already a member of the Subeta community, with writing skills, who could do this job and do it very well.

And with that being said I wouldn't be against other ways of getting this done (not hiring someone new or hiring someone from the community, either paying them in cash or in another way).

I think looking into any possible way of doing this would be worth it. :)

Yes! YES! I'm sure there would have to be like a whole bunch of ideas and starting points started before hiring a writer so you're not wasting too much time starting from scratch or something, but the fact that Subeta continues to hire artists on like an annual basis kind of upsets me, tbh. Especially when it's to help with creating new events that people might feel we need or enjoy, but really we (or more specifically I because I don't want to speak for anyone else) only participate in because I don't want to fall behind on collections and items and I don't want to have to spend hundreds of millions afterwards to get them if I miss the event (but that didn't stop me still needing to pay that much for the BotB items so I kind of suck)

I'm pretty much making this very personal and very bitter, but yes, a writer, I think, is honestly one of the best investments Subeta can make. I'm tired of looking at all the pretty stuff and Ooh!ing and Aah!ing at the same old art. I want a writer on staff who keeps me online through actual entertainment and informative value, not by making me do reptitive tasks in hope for a profit.

And I think a writer would be a great asset because so much of the site revolves around a feature that, innately, is meant to provide you with some sort of profit or gamble. With a further in depth story and a greater expansion on the lore and an actual encyclopedia sized Subetapedia people could enjoy the site who play on more of a casual level. And at the same time I think that is the problem because it would have to be such an extreme project and a consistent one, but would have to work with the knowledge that all of it wouldn't directly make any sort of profit for the site. However, I have always wondered (especially after the release of the scaling battle opponents in the CS) if there could possibly be little tiny miniplots whose access was granted by buying it through the cash shop. We have things like Omen Island that have exclusive features and require a one-time payment of sP, so I don't think the actual part of having to pay for it would be a problem.

But yeah, I agree with everything in the OP, but also agree with because honestly, I think before we think of what they should be writing, we need to be thinking of how to even get a writer employed by Subeta.

I identify with this so SO much. I feel this way about so many of the events in recent years. It's hard to create an event that isn't a bunch of repetitive tasks for older players. We are INVESTED in this site, both time and money wise. Without a storyline, we participate in events not for the fun of it but to "keep up". Getting back to the "story of Subeta" so to speak would feel less like keeping up and more like... enjoying Subeta.

I really agree with everyone so far in that a way to do this should really be worked out. If hiring someone outright is not an option at this time (though please please consider it), there have to be other routes to go to make this happen. Any route, I think, would be worth exploring and implementing.

edit:

I also want to touch on this a bit. I think that many new users are not looking for a site where they have to spend hours a day to enjoy/really get into. Also, some old users are tired of the grind. If we can get users who play just casually interested in the story, this would be something to keep them sticking around (as opposed to "collect all of these things! do all of the quests!). A lot of older users love the grind. Which is great! You are the ones who are going for those achievements and making the fiercest battle pets around. But there are also older users like me, who don't spend a ton of time on site anymore because we are kind of tired of the grind. I don't even really participate in huge events any more because it's not worth it to me. I check them out to see if there's a good story line and then I'm out, because usually it doesn't really tie into anything I'm familiar with or miss. I can't leave Subeta because I am connected to it, I've been here so long, but I no longer wish to do all of my quests every day. But I still want to come here and love Subeta. So what can I do? Anyway, I feel like having our story be more ingrained in new users (or old) who are looking for a more casual experience would help keep people sticking around, being more involved (in things other than the grind) and ultimately spending their cash here. Sorry for the ramble.

The site might not have any more money for payroll now, but that won't always be the case. Maybe the next time an artist leaves it should be looked at whether we need to hire another one. By my count the site has at least 10 artists right now, so I think a 10% reduction in art in exchange for more [well-]written content would be a more than fair tradeoff.

I agree with everything said, and I would pay for a CS mini-plot.

I would also pay for a CS mini-plot. I think a lot of users would. And users who wouldn't, once they are exposed to the story, may change their minds. A lot of people just have no idea that Subeta has a story.

I have been screaming and wanting Subetan lore so very much. What we currently have is subpar and just doesn't tie in enough, especially with the events. I am incredibly excited to see the interest and hopefully something comes from this!

I think the start of this project would be best to beginning with where the pet species come from and how the colours have developed.

That's a great idea for the newbie quest story! Above everything, Subeta is a pet site, so starting there seems perfect. So many pet colors have come from Subeta's characters' stories. It would tie in so fantastically and provide a great opportunity to simply link to (updated! with pictures!) Subetapedia pages on said characters.

I'm going to bed now but I hope this thread can keep on rolling and we can really go somewhere with this!

The issue with Subeta lore is that they keep trying to add new stuff via plots (like the addition of tempest), but they just never touch on any of the old stuff? I get that people want new things, but that doesn't necessarily have to be brand new characters. You can give old characters life via expanding on lore.

I, personally am thoroughly fascinated with Mori and Nori. I remember reading through the subetapedia article and having that moment of realisation when I figured out that the original girl's name, Mono Ri, was split to make Mo Ri and No Ri's names. And I know that Maleria played a part in her creation somehow but it was pretty vague. (Maleria basically impregnated a couple? ??)

Just little things like that I'd want to know more about. The older stuff. Dust it off, because things that were never fully expanded on can potentially be new again.

I'd be very cool if they could hire a couple writers and pay them with CSC to work on lore.

YESS OMG

thank you for making the thread I didn't have the nerve to.

It blows my mind that there is no (and hasn't really ever been, apparently) writer on staff. How can there be no stories to go with all the pretty pictures? It's hard to go along with alll of this and there is only the barest of explanations for anything. Who is the wizard? What does he do? What happened with all this old buildings (looking at you, SAI. no idea what happened there! Guessing its from an old plot, but.. would have to dig deep to figure it out.) I would certainly volunteer some proofreading/copy editing skills in exchange for some csc. I could even make outlines of staffer notes. I would never suggest subeta use funds it doesnt really have, and obviously no one should have to go. I am more than willing to put my money where my.mouth is wrt this site. I love it, I enjoy spending time here, and I would do whatever I could to help it succeed - and I know in my heart this is a project worth doing.. to bring new users and to keep the old ones.

How many more people would come and play if there were new stories, new ways to keep the magic of subeta alive? The art here is beautifully drawn, that has never been a problem. The tech stuff is being worked on, tenth anniversary is around the corner and the holiday season is coming up fast. What better time to start revisiting all the traditions and cultures of the world? There are so many talented people here.. you can't tell me this can't be done. It should be, it can be, and its a great time lore-wise. For example, I have no idea what Alegarten is all about. That's coming up, right? I'm not even sure. What's the point? Where is it even celebrated? How about Morostide? No idea. I've been here two years. This should be unacceptable.

I think a wonderful introduction quest for beginning players would be something akin to what we saw with the cruise. Doing little things on each continent, getting introduced to the key characters. My fun idea would be Luna leading the newblet around trying to help find the Weezard. At each quest spot, the newblet would find some misplaced Weezard item, ie his hat, or slippers. Something fun like that. Give players a chance to get use to the World of Subeta.

I also like the dynamic between Luna and the Wizard. She is obviously a pet species on site, and she's the Wizard's companion. It can help create a cohesive idea about us, the player, and our pets.

My biggest BIGGEST bother on Subeta is the lack of a FAQ. Directing people to the bloody Help forums is a copout in terms of assisting new players get situated. A little video or text that describes what each tab's purpose is, how to manage shops (how wonderful the GA system is because it does the autopricer), how to level a pet, and why. These things can easily tie into helpful threads on the forum but initially there needs to be some foundation for newblets to begin on.

Also, I would be very leery of a CS driven plot. After the lackluster experiences of CS enhanced events, I feel like this would be awful. Plus...I dunno, it bugs me ostracizing the population.