Sundren NWVault Review

[Gevaudan]

Okay I was going to hold off on this longer and "keep it a secret" until I'd seen enough of the server but frankly ... I've seen enough, it's top notch.

The "Secret" I speak of is that I am an Official Neverwinter Vault Reviewer. I take my free time and review NWN (1 and 2) modules and servers in order to give a well thought out review. The process usually goes something like this:

1. PW or Module submits request for review
2. Reviewer selects the module/PW
3. Reviewer plays module/PW to learn everything they can
4. Reviewer writes up a review
5. Entire Review team does a peer review for typos, fairness, quality control etc etc.
6. Review it posted on NWVault.

Now the reason for this post is I am aware that Sundren has not submitted a request for Review and I did not come here in an official capacity I came here simply to find a good server to play on. One which I plan on staying at believe you me, I'm not going anywhere this place is great. However, I am making a personal suggestion to the Staff here that you guys discuss the possibility of submitting your PW for review.

If you decide to do so I will "call dibs" as it were on the Review so I will be the one reviewing it. I would of course suggest you wait to submit your review until the *string of swears being censored* D-link router issue is dealt with (can you tell I "love" *sarcasm* D-link too?). Once that business it out of the way however i would love to Review this PW in an official capacity.

While the Review process is extensive ... and kind of "nitpicky" at times I can say with relative certainty that your Server will score very well in the various categories. Because of this I can also say that this will be a big benefit for you as it will become a source of free, active, and persistent advertising on NWVault. Our review pages are frequented alot and many players check the review pages and visit the PWs or download the single play mods that score the highest before they bother trying any others.

Obviously it is a big decision so I will leave it up to the staff to discuss amongst themselves. While I'm sure this post could have been a PM to the staff I made it public so the other players could offer their opinios to the Staff on whether they believe it is a good idea or not. Ultimately this could help the staff make their decision.

Gevaudan - NWVault Reviewer / Badge Designer

[Saulus]

I have known about vault reviews for PWs for some time, however Sundren is a beta and there are numerous features, and regions that have not been developed in the mod yet. I wouldn't feel right having the work reviewed when there are things I still have plans to improve upon and may be scored negatively.

Having said that I don't know exactly when the beta will end and it could be a year before I'm even close to feeling ready to be reviewed. I used to use nwvault for voting for Sundren and other things, but after banned users decided to start writing crap about Sundren on every thing I tried to submit I gave up entirely. Of course I spoke to Maximus about this several times but freedom of speech is different there than it is here. On my website I tolerate 0 bullshit or flaming from users, on nwvault anyone can say that they want, even if it's completely untrue and degrading.

[Gevaudan]

Ah okay that is completely understandable ... I didn't notice any "Beta" notifications anywhere so I wasn't aware. which is just as well because one of the Review rules is we can't review Betas so you don't have to worry about it.

I will say however that the second you consider yourself out of beta and "Gone Gold" I strongly suggest you submit for Review and I would be happy to Review the server for you. By then I'll have so many screenshots and have experienced so much that the Review will probably be the easiest one I've written

So no rush heh

Edit PS. We had issues with the NWVault "freedom of speech" as well. We would find a crappy server or mod that would score really low and everyone would get upset that we rated it low even though it made the hall of fame on votes (for example). The fact is the voting system for NWvault is much different then our Review Criteria ... nothing gets a 10 in our review criteria unless it is so awesome that there is NOTHING (and I mean nothing) out there like it. The NWVault "voters" throw around 10s like their tossing bread crumbs to the birds. I've seen people vote a 10 and say "I haven't played here but I applaud your effort in making a PW so here is a 10 for you" ... not really the way voting was meant to work I imagine :P

It's actually one of the reasons why our Reviews are held up so high people know we don't give away "freebies" we make sure a Pw or mod deserves every point it gets (or doesn't get :P)

[Saulus]

The message may get lost but whenever you join the server it says "Welcome to the Sundren Open Beta". We've been in beta since October of 06'.

[Gevaudan]

Yep definitely got lost ... didn't see that at all :P

[Peridan]

*starts to hum "Secret Agent Man"*

That kind of warms a little fire in my heart that this server would score high. Not because I did anything, mind you, but simply because I play on it.

Then again, I rue the day that this becomes a massive community where I have never heard of half the players on.

[Phantom Lamb]

That's actually quite typical of polls in general. As a technical trainer, my scoring average on survey results is about 9.7 out of 10. If your average drops below 9.3, it's frowned upon. If the poll participant likes you, an 8 is a "bad score." Otherwise, it's 9's and 10's. Strange approach, but I see it more often than not.

[Gevaudan]

*starts to hum "Secret Agent Man"*

That kind of warms a little fire in my heart that this server would score high. Not because I did anything, mind you, but simply because I play on it.

Then again, I rue the day that this becomes a massive community where I have never heard of half the players on.

Well I assure you it's not idle praise. the fact that it is in Beta and would STILL score higher than many PWs i've reviewed/played on really speaks to the dedication of the staff.

[Gevaudan]

That's actually quite typical of polls in general. As a technical trainer, my scoring average on survey results is about 9.7 out of 10. If your average drops below 9.3, it's frowned upon. If the poll participant likes you, an 8 is a "bad score." Otherwise, it's 9's and 10's. Strange approach, but I see it more often than not.

I hear ya, an 8 in Review terms is considered to be top notch ... a 9 is like absolute best ... a 10 is so high is basically means your not going to beat this no matter how hard you try. Most well thought out modules gets 7s and 8s. You usually don't see 10s unless it's like ... well in single player terms ... Adam Miller quality mods.

This is why so many people have been starting to ignore the voting system of NWVault and paying more attention to the Reviews heh. The activity on our Reviews (we have invisible hit counters *snicker*) have increased more and more each month.

[Gabryal]

After years and years of playing NWN1 and 2, Gevaudan, I'll give my review of Sundren. I haven't found many PW that are out of beta that can compare with it, so I can see where you were confused. Though since I've been kicking it around the vault for all those it makes me feel happy that you came here and enjoy the server so much. In the mean time I'd suggest staying with us and enjoying our world, since imho there is simply nothing else like it.

[Gevaudan]

oh don't worry As I mentioned above i'm not going anywhere

My original motive for coming here were 100% unofficial I came here simply to see if I would enjoy playing here because no other server I have joined or reviewed has been good enough for my to stay. It was only after I discovered the greatness that is Sundren that I began to think in an official capacity.

So to reiterate ... I'm not going anywhere See you folks in game.

[ticladesign]

Hi Gev. =) Long time no see.

[Gevaudan]

Hey Ticla, nice to to a familiar face. Long time indeed. New here? Reminds you alot of Myseria doesn't it?

(PS thats a good thing for those that don't know Myseria )

[Saulus]

Hey Ticla, nice to to a familiar face. Long time indeed. New here? Reminds you alot of Myseria doesn't it?

(PS thats a good thing for those that don't know Myseria )

I certainly hope it doesn't remind you of something else, I have no aspirations to immitate.

[Gevaudan]

Heh no no, nothing like that. Just "Nostalgia" from an old NWN1 server that we played on. Similar "goals" and "attention to detail" that sundren holds.

About the only "similar" thing was that Myseria was also a "newly created region added into the Forgotten Realms".