RuneScape Forum Archive | Fansite Support Changes

Mod Infinity

Jagex Moderator Forum Profile Posts by user

Fansite Support Changes

Hi all,

Since joining Jagex I've always been on the look out for ways to improve the fansite support initiative, and today we're announcing some big changes to the way we support fansites going forward.

We'll make a public announcement in the Community Home forum soon, but we thought we'd let you all know before we make it live!

We've been looking into the tier system for some time now, and feel it doesn't quite set the right tone or expectations, so we're retiring the Bronze, Silver, Gold & Platinum tiers in place for a much more streamlined two tier system; Official Jagex Approved Fansite & Recognized Fansite .

An Official Jagex Approved Fansite will need to be...

- Large, with a busy, active community
- Pro-Jagex with the fansite staff being ambassadors for the game
- Regularly creating community events and activities
- Promoting a good attitude towards fansites in general, other fansites, the community & game
- Trusted & safe, no breach of copyright/IP laws and works hard to protect user data & privacy

In return, Jagex can offer, depending on resource, time & its ultimate discretion...

- Newspost, forum & social media promotion
- Prizes and rewards for competitions & an 'Official Jagex Fansite' badge
- Exclusive JMod interviews & event attendance
- 'Special Rewards', e.g RuneFest tickets, Jagex HQ tours, etc

A Recognized Fansite will need to...

- Focus on RuneScape related content
- Have a level of basic security and is inherently risk free to visitors
- Contain a functional website with up to date content
- Have the owners/administrators focus on promoting positive behaviour throughout the game & fansite world
- Offer their support to Jagex where possible

In return, Jagex can offer, depending on resource, time & its ultimate discretion...

- Ad-hoc mentions in the Community Chronicle & Social Media
- Access to the fansite support forum
- 'Other support' depending on circumstance

I will soon audit all fansites and list them into the appropriate category, and reach out to specific administrators to make them aware of the changes.

Mods Jane, Slayer & Matthe have all been involved in these changes and we all feel it is the right move forward.

Thanks,
Mod Infinity
Fansite Curator

Mod Infinity
Senior Player Support Manager

11-Aug-2014 13:21:16 - Last edited on 11-Aug-2014 16:39:36 by Mod Infinity

May

2008

Ryan M

Posts: 3,095 Adamant Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

These changes are more than just a breath of fresh air. Thank you all.

The one thing that catches my eye is this:
Mod Infinity said :
- Pro-Jagex with the fansite staff being ambassadors for the game
Is this role similar to that of a Player Moderator? It sounds similar in a vague description. However, outside of being in this forum, who would know whom was part of the program? It would all be in good faith, but just wondering how this part of the program will be maintained.

I like these changes. In all articles we maintain a neutral point of view in the attempt to eliminate as much bias so that we don't come off as for or against a given party.

Thanks,

Ryan M

RuneScape Wiki (Unofficial)

11-Aug-2014 15:31:16

Matonym

Posts: 572 Steel Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Interesting update, looking forward to see this in place...

What about
language fansites
, are we going to able to get the status of Official Jagex Approved Fansite now?.

Also, I am curious about our specific case. Personally I do represent 3 language fansites... will each of them get a different status or are they going to be considered as one package? The staff team is shared. Combined together we possess 1000 guides and tutorials.
Head of Czecho-Slovak Community

Czecho-Slovak Forces and RskoCz - language fansites
Find me on Twitter , Reddit and Twitch as
@CSF_RS

11-Aug-2014 15:51:18

Mod Matthe

Jagex Moderator Forum Profile Posts by user

We would look to place language fansites in the Recognised category until such a point as we can support them properly. Without the language capabilities we cannot guarantee the content of the site and therefore would struggle to look at Approved status on an ongoing basis.

11-Aug-2014 17:02:22

Mar

2020

Reddit

Posts: 193 Iron Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Awesome news especially with the changes to fansite tiers.

Looking forward to hearing more

11-Aug-2014 17:26:21

Matonym

Posts: 572 Steel Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

I feel a bit disappointed.

How is this a step forward after all the time we (speaking for all of the language fansites) have been waiting for a change? Everything remains for us the same as it is today...

What has changed from the situation 2 years ago, when it was possible to support language fansites? One of our fansites was officially supported then, and the founder was even flown to Jagex HQ, as an appreciation of his work.

Why is it so hard to co-operate with language fansites? I doubt there is any J-Mod proof-reading all of the Unofficial RS Wiki articles. If you have any particular question about content on fansite you can just contact administrator and ask him for a clarification and/or a translation. I would gladly assist in developing a process/system for revision of content of foreign fansites. And I am absolutely positive all of the language fansite representatives would agree to join such a system.

Sticking to the reason of lacking language proficiency, as we've already heard before, means there will never be a serious support for language fansites. Is there no will at all to make it work?
Head of Czecho-Slovak Community

Czecho-Slovak Forces and RskoCz - language fansites
Find me on Twitter , Reddit and Twitch as
@CSF_RS

11-Aug-2014 17:45:37 - Last edited on 11-Aug-2014 17:47:11 by Matonym

Mar

2023

DieHunted

Posts: 6,747 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

This is really interesting yet all I can think about is how my Fansite would be affect with these changes and how I can grow from it. I don't know if a lot of people know how hard it is to build a fansite and really manage all the staff and try gaining more people to your site which is one of the biggest struggles for me as a fansite owner. I know it might seem like jealously but its far from it.

I can agree that a system like this would work, yet I still can only think how hard it would be for my fansite to grow because of a system like this. I also feel those who are in vote for something like this should know how hard it is to build a fansite if you don't have a lot of close friends to help you and really dedicate the time to build a new fansite.

I will truly be upfront and honest with the struggles of my fansite CrusadersScape/ScapeCentral and honestly it is on a road to sicking and becoming a dead fansite. We have had a few spikes here and there but currently there is no strong staff presents on the site and those who I have as a rep kinda on that boat as well and it is all because its a new fansite. A lot of stuff has to be develop and its really hard to find our focus and it forces me to do less work on the site because I have to focus on building a team.

One of my goals for this year was to be apart of RuneFest and really use that unique time to find more people who might not know about our site and reading the support system " An Official Jagex Approved Fansite " would be given RuneFest tickets. Although I kind of don't know where my fansite lies but to be honest I know it would not be seen as a Official Jagex Approved Fansite due to not having a " Large, with a busy, active community " as well as " Regularly creating community events and activities " which is hard to do if you do not have active staff or people willing to devote the time to spend on a Fansite.

~DieHunted

DieHunted

11-Aug-2014 19:18:24 - Last edited on 11-Aug-2014 19:19:18 by DieHunted

Mar

2023

DieHunted

Posts: 6,747 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Now there is another thing that I am not sure of which makes a Jagex Approved Fansite " Pro-Jagex with the fansite staff being ambassadors for the game ", everyone can have their opinions when it comes to a game and being Pro-Jagex would mean all your opinions will have to agree with what Jagex says and if you don't agree just means your against Jagex. Which is not always the case for some people. Sometimes everyone has their views on things especial if they only can see what if given to them such as updates which would not be something that is good for the game.

If you wish for a Community that is fully Pro-Jagex and fansites to be in agreeance with everything would mean that no one can not be who they are or express how they feel about things which means this very forums would be post saying "Yes I agree with that, it is amazing!!!" with no feedback and no questions. That is something I can not do just to stay a " Official Jagex Supported Fansite " and honest I know my words might not mean nothing or even me being active or not active wouldn't change much but I just feel that some things in this support system is not right... But I can agree that is better than having a Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum tiers.

There is also another thing " fansite staff being ambassadors for the game "... I don't know what this means but from what I seen on other Fansites (naming no names) but does this means staff of a Fansite would have to be a PMod in order to be seen as a Official Jagex Approved fansite? Because that would be kinda odd to do since everyone can not be apart of the PMod team and if a fansite wishes to set it goals to become a Jagex Approved Fansite would mean they need to set a goal to be a PMod as well.

Now I have read this thread many times and really admire the views in this thread which is Player Moderators - Discussion .

~DieHunted

DieHunted

11-Aug-2014 19:19:30 - Last edited on 11-Aug-2014 19:36:54 by DieHunted

Mar

2023

DieHunted

Posts: 6,747 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Although I might be wrong that " fansite staff being ambassadors for the game " mean that you have to be a PMod since Jagex views PMods as Amabassadors of the game, this would get people to join Official Jagex Approved Fansites with a chance and a desire to be a Player Moderator which means "Recognized Fansite" would be pointless.

Now why would I say something like that is because people would have no reason to join a Fansite that does not help with there goal. Again I will be completely honest if you made a post saying "These fansites would give you the chance to be a Player Moderator" you would see a lot of people joining those fansites and being apart of them. Although thinking like this is kinda wrong but yet it is kinda right, but yet people would see a desire in that fansite and would dedicate a lot to it if they have a chance to be a PMod.

As a owner of a Fansite I know I would not like that kind of desire because once they reach their goal they would just leave the site.

But I will get off that subject because its something that has been discussed many years yet it brings up a lot of questions as to how does someone become a PMod with out putting on a fake image which make them fit a role of a PMod.

Either way I know this support system would make it hard for my fansite to grow and be recognized as a Official Approved Jagex Fansite which is something that makes having a fansite more worth it. Showing the Community that you are a fansite for them.

But I know the fansite I wish to create would be far more better if I was apart of Jagex as a Employee, since I can in some way help make a new direction for how Fansites should be supported with a Game Developer.

Because I don't think "text shows enough passion within them then words of mouth, facial expression and body language. Which is something that shows more passion and more care to how you feel about the Community and the Game.

~DieHunted

DieHunted

11-Aug-2014 19:35:03 - Last edited on 11-Aug-2014 20:03:39 by DieHunted

Mar

2023

DieHunted

Posts: 6,747 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

I know I am not going to give up on my fansite, no matter how much real life affects me from updating it and building up staff for it to help fill in the gaps. But I know how much this Support system would bring towards my fansite and the emotional road and stress it would be to really make what ScapeCentral.com is all about which is a future career for my self. Maybe one day I will have a chance to express face to face with Jagex as to what ScapeCentral.com future is and why I wish to create a fansite like that.

But either way I hope there can be some exceptions when it comes to Jagex Official Approved fansites...

~DieHunted

DieHunted

11-Aug-2014 20:04:01 - Last edited on 11-Aug-2014 20:11:10 by DieHunted

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