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Change new member rules for street gang factions


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  • Unofficial Factions may not spawn in characters with a special or high rank. All characters must start from the bottom upon creation.
    • The only exception here is the creation of the unofficial faction. As soon as the application is accepted, there will be no more spawning of higher-ranking characters.

 

I respectfully request IFM to reconsider this rule as it significantly limits the ability to realistically portray characters within street gang factions. Although this rule seems intended to maintain a level playing field, it inadvertently restricts the types of characters that can be created and the ways street gang factions can operate. I would like to highlight several reasons why this rule should be adapted to better suit the unique dynamics of street gang roleplay.

1. Street Gangs Lack Formal Hierarchies

Street gangs, particularly black street gangs, differ from other faction types like organized crime groups, which typically have rigid hierarchies. Street gangs are often more fluid, with unstructured and informal social dynamics. In these gangs, older members tend to serve as mentors or informal decision-makers, but their influence is not absolute. Young members frequently act independently, leading to a decentralized environment where hierarchy and status are highly flexible and based more on reputation than assigned ranks. This rule, which requires all new members to "start from the bottom," overlooks these distinct aspects of street gang culture, creating an unrealistic portrayal.

2. Gang Affiliations Typically Begin Early

In the real world, individuals typically join gangs due to established ties, such as growing up around the gang or having family connections. Therefore, when portraying characters who are older, it is essential for them to have some degree of existing affiliation or history with the gang. The current rule makes it nearly impossible to realistically introduce older characters into a street gang faction due to the fact that they are outlawed from RPing as affiliated from the get-go. This limitation perpetuates a narrow character pool, predominantly composed of unaffiliated young characters, and ultimately detracts from the diversity and realism of gang roleplay on the server.

3. Street Gang Affiliation Is Not a 'Special Rank'

It appears that this rule may misunderstand street gang dynamics, treating gang affiliation like a formal "rank." However, gang affiliation is more about reputation and loyalty than an assigned position. Being "affiliated" in a street gang should not be viewed as a high rank or special status by IFM, as affiliation is fluid and depends on relationships, history, and shared experiences rather than a rank-based structure.

4. Distinction Between Affiliation and Leadership Roles

While it is reasonable to restrict new members from assuming immediate leadership roles, affiliation is not synonymous with leadership. Allowing characters to join a street gang faction as affiliated members should not be equated to introducing a high-ranking or authoritative character. This rule should distinguish between individuals joining with basic affiliation and those joining in (OOC) leadership roles, as they serve very different functions within a gang.

Suggested Modification

To address these concerns, I propose adding a clause to the rule permitting unofficial street gang factions to induct characters as affiliated members rather than requiring all new members to start completely unconnected. This would enable more realistic character development, promoting a wider variety of character archetypes and enhancing the overall authenticity of the roleplay experience.

  • Upvote 12
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+1 I understand developing characters, but development while still holding a higher role can happen. There should be no problem with a player getting a certain role if they’re developing in the right manner. 

Edited by STICK N MOVE
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+1 never saw much of a real point in this rule. People come home from prison and return to their hood all the time. It also makes no sense that law enforcement rpers get to keep the same rank if they CK and decide to make a new character, yet if a street gang rper ck's his or her character, they can't make a new soldier character. I'll use myself as an example, I don't like playing (M) characters. So if I'm in a faction, CK my character, I'm practically forced to roleplay something I don't enjoy just because the rules dictate that that's how it should be, when I could very well roleplay a character coming home from prison / youth authority, as it happens in real life quite a lot.

Edited by Xantholic
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+1 I think more people would be open to trying out gang rp or playing in gangs, if they weren't always forced to start out as an (M). That's a good point above.

I don't think most people roleplay (M) characters properly or want to. It's probably for the best to let people spawn in as adult gang affiliated characters to have a more diverse range of characters in a faction and not to force people to RP something they can't or don't want to portray.

Edited by SpicyBandito
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