However if you have a problem that is better answered in a private setting, please PM your GM, first, and if they can't resolve it, one of the site admins.  Any issues about other members or GMs should be sent to Admelior or China.  It is very important that we keep the drama in the games and out of the site.

How to Play at NextGen RPG   
Step by step process on how to play games at NextGen RPG.

1. The GM will create the opening move and you will see it on the front page.
2. Click into the game move to read it;
3. When you are ready to edit it, click on the edit tab near the top, it's situated next to the view tab. (You have to have privileges to the game or you will NOT see the edit tab.)
4. Find the spot in the game file where you would like to make your additions.
5. Use the text editor for any formatting as you add in your new content.  (If you don't like the editor you can turn it off, below the text entry box.)
6. Click Preview to make sure it's how you want it, and when it is, click Submit.

How do I find a Game?
If you're looking for a game, you should check out our Casting Area in the Forum.  This is where a GM makes their casting call to fill their game rosters.  If you don't see anyone looking for a player, feel free to give a shout in the Characters for Hire thread, so that we know you're looking.

What kind of Player Commitment are you looking for?
Please be considerate when you apply for a game.  Ask yourself if you have the time and energy required to add it to your line-up of life.  We're always understanding of real life commitments, and real life always comes first!  ...but we do ask that players that make a commitment to a game, do their best to meet the expectations that the GMs set and do their best to keep communication channels open when real life makes participating difficult or impossible.

What kind of GM Commitment are you looking for?
We ask that our GMs make a commitment to their game before making a call for characters.  Text based games have a notorious reputation for starting and never getting off of the ground, or faltering shortly after they do.  This of course will happen sometimes, and we understand this.  We just ask that serious thought and effort be put into the decision before running here.  If a GM gains a reputation for not being able meet the expectations that they set for their players, then we would have to kindly decline their request to run another game at NextGen RPG, until they can convince us that they have the time and energy to make that commitment.

Finding and Following My Games

How do I locate my games?
The best way to find your game initially and read up on game details and game moves, is by going to the main campaign page for your game.  You can locate your game's home page by looking in Campaigns, located in the Content Directory on the left hand navigation column.  Once you are inside of your Campaign's home, the GMs will have links to their galleries, forums and game guidebooks.  In addition, all old moves will be archived and a list will be available from this page that will allow you to read through them.

How do I know when new content is posted to my games?
When a game move is created or updated, you will see it listed in your New & Updated Game Move block in the left hand navigation column.  Simply click on this link when you have a chance to read it and it will take you to the game file for you to read the new content.  After a link is visited, it disappears from the New & Updated Game Move block, and the link will not reappear until it is edited again.

In addition to the official game moves, many of the games will have opportunities for side fiction pieces that tie into the overall game.  A lot of GMs will encourage their players to post these into their player blog.  There is another block, located on the left hand Navigation Column, calle New & Updated Blogs.  This section will list all new blogs that have appeared since the last time you logged on.  Once the link is clicked on, it will disappear from the block.

Is there a way to subscribe to new content so that I get an email notification?
Yes.  We have Subscriptions that will allow you to subscribe to your games, blogs or authors that you would like to follow.  Go to your Control Panel, Click on your Subscriptions Tab, and Select which items you would like to send you email notifications when they're updated.  I will warn you that they can sometimes be prolific, so be ready to tweak them until you're happy with the number of email notifications that you are receiving.

How do I find a blog or game move, if it isn't in my New & Updated Content Blocks?
There are a few different ways to do this, the easiest of which is to use the drop down boxes at the top of the home page.  This will allow you to search by content type (Game move, gallery, blog, etc.), Game/Story or by Author.  It will list the items in order of the most recent to the oldest.

Other ways to find your item of interest include

• Doing a search, located on the top left of NextGen RPG's home page
• Clicking on Campaigns in the Content Directory, and finding it in the campaign's home page directory
• Clicking on Blogs in the Content Directory, it will list all blogs from most recent to oldest
• Clicking on Recent Content in the Content Directory, this lists all content contributions from newest to oldest

1. Locate the game move, and click into the file.
2. Select the Edit tab at the top of the document, located next to the view tab.
3. IF you do not see an edit tab you are either not logged in, or do not have privileges to that game.
4. Find the place in the document that you would like to reply, and insert your text.  (Feel free to add anyplace in the game file, as long as it does NOT contradict or interrupt the flow of what comes later in the existing game move.)
5. Use the text editor to add any special formatting.  If you dislike the WYSIWYG editor, you can click it off below the text entry box.
6. Preview your move and then click Submit, once you're happy with it.
7. Files lock behind a user once they click edit, and will be released when they submit their changes.  This prevents multiple people from editing the document at the same time.  If a file you need is locked, please check in later after you see your move updated.

How to use Forums?
The forums are not used for playing the games at NextGen RPG.  The forum is a community tool to allow our members to keep in touch and get to know each other better.  In addition, each Game will have it's own forum to discuss the out of character aspects of their game, make story request, and deal with any comments or game related critiques that they may encounter.

How do I post stories not associated with a game move?
Most GMs will prefer that Game Fiction written for their game, but that does not coincide directly with their current game thread, be posted in the players blog.  The blog piece will then be front paged so that everyone can see it, until it is bumped off the front page by new content.  The piece will also be assigned to your game move, so that when someone is reading the game story, from beginning to end - in chapter/book format, they will be able to read your fiction piece as it falls into the overall time line. 

Where do I share pictures?
Each game is assigned a game gallery, with any subcategories that the GM requests.  Common categories include; Cast, NPCs, Villains, Maps & Misc.  When you have a bodycast or picture that you would like to share, you will upload it into the proper gallery.  If the picture is only related to one story, and not important to the over all game, you can upload it directly into the game file, if you prefer.  This way it will be available to anyone reading that game piece, but will otherwise not remain to clutter the game galleries.

What are Game or Story Guidebooks & Wikis?
For every game, there is information that needs to be made available to the players.  Things like, how to create your characters, information about the game system and world, character profiles, and any other little thing that the GM may feel is important.  Our Guidebooks and Wikis, are our effort to give the GMs a place to post this information.  They can use the WYSIWYG editor to jaz them up however they wish, and we will make them available on our site.  These are optional resources, and if a GM prefers to host something off-site, that's fine, and we'll add links in it's place.

Where do we handle OoC game information?
OoC conversation usually happens in the game's forum or in the comment section of the game move.  GMs may assign specific rules for their games, so check with them if you need additional guidance.

Where do character sheets go?
Some GMs will post character sheets and some will not.  It's up to the GM whether to put them on the forum or game's guide book.  However, feel free to put a copy of your character sheet in your Notes, that way you can access it any time you need to, no matter who's computer you're using.

How to Create Content & Assign them to my Games

How do I post a Blog Entry?

1. Locate the Create Content link, in the left hand Navigation Column, under My Tools
2. Click on Blog Entry & this will open your blog entry screen
3. Required:  Title of your fiction piece
4. Click on the Story drop down box and select the game that the piece is for.
5. Unless your piece is adult in nature, you do not need to mess with Rating.
6. Optional: Characters, NPCs & Villains.  Allows you to enter names of important characters in your piece.  It will autoselect if it's already in the database, if it isn't it will auto create.  Check with your GM to see if they have a preference as to whether you fill this out.
7. Author is an optional but recommended field.  Try to be consistent with the name that you'd like to use across all of your games. 
8. Body - This is where you write or paste your piece into your blog. Feel free to use the text editor for special formatting.  IF you are pasting from Word, please use the Pasting from Word button on the text editor, it will help strip some of the unnecessary code from the document
9. Book Outline - This is where you assign your fiction piece to the correct game.  See the next question.
10. Click Preview to ensure your post is how you want it.
11. Click Save

How to Assign my Blog Entries to my games?

1. When you are in your blog piece, select Book Outline
   
2. Click on Book, and select the game that your story is associated with
   
3. Click on Parent Item, and select the catagory AND/OR the order chronologically where your piece should fall.

How do I add content to a game move?

1. The GM will create the opening move and you will see it on the front page.
2. Click into the game move to read it;
3. When you are ready to edit it, click on the edit tab near the top, it's situated next to the view tab. (You have to have privileges to the game or you will NOT see the edit tab.)
4. Find the spot in the game file where you would like to make your additions.
5. Use the text editor for any formatting as you add in your new content.  (If you don't like the editor you can turn it off, below the text entry box.)
6. Click Preview to make sure it's how you want it, and when it is, click Submit.

Can I turn off the WYSIWYG Editor?
Yes.  You can click it off under the text editor box in any move.  If you wish to turn it off permanently, follow these directions.

1. Go to your Control Panel located under My Tools
2. Click on the Edit Tab in your Control Panel
3. Select the triangle next to Rich Text Editor
4. Select the Default State drop down box, and select Disable

I'm trying to edit my game move and it says that the file is locked.  What does that mean?
Each time someone enters a game file it is automatically locked behind them.  This happens to keep two people from trying to edit the game move at the same time.  The lock will release when either an hour has passed or when the game file is updated and submitted.  Please check back in when you see the move updated.

How do I take Notes?
Sometimes during game play, it becomes useful to have a place to make notes to yourself.  Things that you want to keep private, whether it's secrets that you've uncovered during game play, or lines that you want to use, or things that you don't want to forget, etc.  This is a place for you to create notes that will only be seen by you.  Some other uses might include, posting character sheets or stats, spell lists, power lists, catch phrases, verbiage of arcane spells (so that you don't have to get the Latin translation or equivalent each time), and clues.

1. Locate the Create Content link, in the left hand Navigation Column, under My Tools
2. Click on Notes & this will open your note entry screen
3. Add your title in the title section.
4. Add your note in the note section
5. Click Save
6. To access Notes later, select My Notes under My Tools in the left hand navigation column.

Rules - Keep the drama in the games and out of the site.

What are the rules for the games?
We're not big on rules or restrictions here.  Most rules will be implemented on a game level by the GM.  Each game will have a forum with a thread that will outline your GM's expectations, expect it to vary from game to game, and do your best to abide by them.  GM's game = GM's rules, if you disagree with them, find a way to make a graceful exit, and we'll work to help you find another game that's more suited to your style. 

How often do we need to post to play?
Each GM is in charge of setting up the player expectations for their game.  As a player, we ask that you know what those requirements are and do your best to live up to them.  As someone that has played in this medium for over a year, a good suggestion is checking into the site (active games and forums) 3-4 times a week, and making yourself available to update the game move if you have a tag.

Is Adult content allowed?
Any content that is adult in nature needs to include the 'Adult' rating when it is submitted.  This is located in a drop down box labeled 'Rating'.  Adult access is granted upon joining the site after verifying birth date, if you want this access removed, send a note to an admin and they can remove this feature from your account.  Unless you have this permission all adult rated content will be completely invisible to you on the site.

How to GM at NextGen RPG   
Get more specifics on starting and running a game

NextGen RPG isn't about controlling your games, your worlds, your ideas or your players, but we do have expectations.  So please make sure that you have a firm commitment to meet these expectations before moving forward with running a game at NextGen RPG.

What are the expectations that you have for the GMs and Storytellers on your site?
This medium is notorious for games starting, and then either never getting off of the ground, or the person that started it disappearing shortly after it starts.  This of course can not be eliminated, real life happens, and we all bow to real life priorities.  With that said, however, we ask that potential GMs take a serious moment before creating their games, and spend just as much time thinking about whether they are committed to running a game, as they do about what kind of game they want to run.

We can help you recruit players, we can help you find the resources and tools that you need, we can help with a lot of things, but we can not get you excited enough about the game to keep you committed.  That's your job, and it's the only thing that we ask you to commit to before running a game.  Games can end, we expect games to end, it's even necessary for games to end, we just ask that you handle this with respect to your players.  Keep up active communication from beginning to end, and if you do that, when you want to run again, our doors will be open!

How to start a Game?
Once you're certain that you have the time and energy to run a game, take a bit to decide what kind of game you want to run.  The best advice I can offer you is to run something that you're excited about, you lead your cast of players, and you will fuel their enthusiasm, so pick something that excites you!  If you're a little nervous that nobody will like your idea, you can test it in the Forum's Staging area, however, I'm a firm believer in - Build It and They WILL Come.  Enthusiasm, from my experience, is contagious.  When you're ready send a PM or email to China, and include the following information.

1. What's the Name of your game?
2. A blurb for your game, a short synopsis of some sort that gives me some insight about it.
3. What system will you be using to run it, or if it will be free form.
4. What tools do you need that we don't have on the site to help you run it better?
5. A sample of your casting call, if you have one prepared.
6. Will this be a full fledged campaign, or a short one off story.
7. If this will be associated with another campaign, like in the same universe, let me know so that I can start brainstorming about ways to make it easy for all GMs involved to keep track of the campaigns in your shared world.
8. Lastly, let us know what we can do to help you get your game off the ground. 

What happens next?
Consider your game approved unless you hear otherwise, I suppose there are always exceptions, but I'm failing to think of any off the top of my head.  Once the admins have finished setting up the following items, they will let you know and you can make your casting call.

1. Admin will create your Book Page
2. Admin will create your Forum
3. Admin will create your Galleries
4. Admin will give you GM level permissions to your game
5. Admin will give you permission to the GMs Lair in the Forum
6. Admin will get with you about placing your casting call on appropriate game forums to help with recruitment.

Are all games in the same world?
Nope.  However, we have no objections to GMs choosing to run in the same world, but independent games are also very welcome.  Collaborating on a joint endeavor can be more complex, but we're willing to open a higher level forum to help you with your efforts.  ...and we're willing to help put whatever tools we can into place to help your players stay in tuned with your world level efforts through our tools like Subscriptions.  Once we know individual needs we can help you on a more personal level with that.

What genres can I run?
Whatever you want.

What systems can I run?
Whatever you want, or you can use our site for collaborative fiction or free form role playing.

Maximum Players?
Be aware of your own limitations, and try to stay within them.  We have no site rules regarding managing your games.  You're the GM, that's your job.

Special Criteria?
I don't know?  You tell us.  If you feel like you have a special concern or need, let us know from the start so that we can figure out how to accommodate you.

Is Adult Content Allowed?
We have a privacy rating system in place, that allows adult content to be invisible to site visitors and to members that are not of mature viewing age.  Whether or not you decide to allow adult content in your game, is your decision, however we do require any adult content, to be marked appropriately in the rating.  We require this on a file basis, so only the game moves or files with Adult ratings would be marked as such, the rest of the files will be available to all of NextGen RPG's community and visitors.

Where do I run my games?
One of the most common questions that newcomers have is, where do you play your games?  They wonder if the pages here are just compilations of Forum Posts (from pbp) or compilations of emails (from pbem).  The key to this medium of game play, is that we do all of our story telling on line, on this site, using shared documents.  A GM creates a page in our editor, and then the players log into the game file and make their additions.  We treat it as a living breathing compile.  ANY document that you click on in this site was created the same way, and has the ability for multiple authors to edit it, IF they have the correct permissions.
How do I run my games?

How to Create a Game Site/Guidebook/Wiki for my game?
Our current solution to making a Game Site/Guidebook, is by using our WYSIWYG editor.  You select Guide Page under Create Content, and create your home page and navigation menu, very much like the FAQ.  And as you create your additional pages, you link them in.  We're happy to provide assistance with this when you are ready.  We are also still actively working to get our media wiki solution up and running.  If you already have a game site, you can add a link directly from your campaign's main book page.

This does not include all of the FAQ yet, for the other sections, please visit the links at the top of the page.