First I'd like to say thank you to all those who have submitted content to the Pathfinder Database. The site has really grown and accumulated a lot of great new abilities and game options for fans.
Secondly, I've gotten many requests from content submitters who'd like more detailed feedback on their submissions. I do not want to replace the great feedback system on these messageboards, so I'd like to put in place a review system similar to the way the content is reviewed currently.
Using a 5 star system for different criteria based on what type of content it is, I think the authors will get the feedback they're looking for while still reserving in-depth comments (the kind I don't want to moderate) for the messageboards here.
I've done an example of this with one article, a feat that I have written. Spell Surge (Metamagic)
My idea right now is to only allow the registered users to review content by criteria, but reviewing content with the "overall" rating, the current system, will remain as it is now, anyone (registered or not) can review anything.
For feats, I had the following criteria in mind:
Balance refers to how powerful the feat is in relation to its requirements.
Utility refers to how useful the feat is over the life of a character's career.
Compatibility refers to how well the feat would fit into a variety of campaigns.
If you like this style of reviewing content, please let me know what criteria content submissions should be based on. For example, here's a quick list I just thought up now...
Races - Balance, Flavor, Compatibility
Classes - Balance, Abilities, Compatibility
Spells - Balance, Utility, Compatibility
Magic Items - Cost vs Power, Flavor, Uniqueness
I'd also like criteria for other sections of the site, such as: NPCs, Monsters, Encounters, Traps, etc
Thank you for your time and thanks for the feedback.
I think it's a good rating system. Go forth and implement it. :)
How about a section on a collaborative section for City states and towns or other interesting areas that could be added to the world of golarion without upsetting or going against what is "cannon" to this world?
How about not requiring it to be Golarian specific? Maybe just have an optional 'In Golarian' section? Not all of us run in Golarian.
Sounds like a wonderful idea - a good compromise between allowing comments and ratings-only, so long as the definition of the categories are spelled out clearly. I would review the categories a little better, though - for example, for magic items, "Flavor" and "Uniqueness" are a little too similar to warrant separate ratings.
For base classes, rating "Abilities" would fall under "Balance". Instead, I'd rate it based on what I think is important for base classes:
A) Is it unique enough to warrant a new base class? Base classes shouldn't step on each others' toes, and should all have a distinct purpose mechanically and flavor-wise.
B) Is it general enough to appeal to more than a very narrow range of people or character concepts? There should feasibly be a large number of characters in a campaign world with this class in order to warrant a base class. "Samurai" and "Swashbuckler" are positive examples, while "Shifter" would be a negative one. The ability to alter time and space seems more the domain of monsters and prestige classed characters than base class.
Unfortunately, I'm not sure how to reduce these criteria into single words... except maybe "Non-redundant" and "Applicable", but those don't really capture the scope of what I'm trying to say.
Basically, I want the rating system to promote the idea that custom content should open up new options instead of invalidate or override the game content that already exists.
I would do balance as a plus or minus system, to differentiate between too powerful and too weak.
How about a section on a collaborative section for City states and towns or other interesting areas that could be added to the world of golarion without upsetting or going against what is "cannon" to this world?
The Pathfinder Database is intended to be setting neutral. It's intended to expand the rules of the game without adding any setting-specific content. I'm not sure I would ever consider doing this because doing so would really be stepping into the domain of world creation, something I'd like to leave to the Pathfinder authors. I have nothing against custom campaign content, I'd just like to leave this area to individual DM/GMs.
Yeah, a "Too Weak" to "Too Powerful" system would be really great for balance - that provides a lot more feedback than a poor balance rating.
I like the system - should work well, but I agree that a small comments section added into that would make a good addition as well.
As much as you don't want to moderate a comments system, it seems there's enough demand for it that it's an inevitability. Even you unwittingly admitted a need for one - I remember you saying you had some thoughts on one of my submissions, and asked if I'd like to hear them.
My answer to that if you're going to offer your thoughts, give everyone else the opportunity to do so, as well!
Probably restrict it to registered users and a relatively small number of characters, but I think it'd be a worthwhile addition to the website.
Has something happened to the Pathfinder Database? I'm getting domain not found when I try to go to it.
Has something happened to the Pathfinder Database? I'm getting domain not found when I try to go to it.
Something has happened; it's not just you.
Hopefully it'll be back online soon enough.