The HMD Meme

[ponymeisters]

HOW'S MY DRIVING? Hello, Equestrians! Its time for a game-wide HMD! Here's how it works: Post your name, along with what character(s) you play. If you want, specify particular areas you would like feedback on! (It's okay to ask for just general feedback!) Indicate whether or not you're okay with anonymous feedback. (It's totally cool if you don't.) You can also post links to your character's personal HMD if you'd prefer comments there. Reply to other people telling them how you think they are doing. Be polite and objective! If someone says they're cool with anonymous crit, that is not an invitation to be unfriendly. No one likes a Diamond Tiara! If you have something negative to say about somebody else's playing, make your points politely and suggest ways to improve. To give an example: X - Unhelpful Diamond Tiara - "Jeez, Terri, can you learn to type? You've got about a billion typos in your posts!" O - Helpful Not Diamond Tiara - "Hi, Terri, I noticed you have a number of typos in your posts. Something you might want to do is give your posts that one last look-over before hitting submit. It would really help with readability!" ????? PROFIT You don't have to post your own characters to give other people feedback! You don't have to post your characters at all if you don't want to. It is 100% OPTIONAL. If you do post, we would encourage you to give feedback to at least one other person! Flattery is welcome just as much as concrit!

Comments

The Mods

[ponymeisters]

How are we doing? Any concerns? Comments?

Re: The Mods

[shyformerassistant]

Other than what has already been said in plurk (having things be too dark, the modplot being overwhelming, the need to advertize the darker nature of this game to get rid of any misconceptions.), you guys have been doing great. I like how you guys really listen to the players and willing to compromise on stuff.

Ash Blaze

[ponycure_dream]

Characters Played: Nozomi Yumehara (Mayfield AU), Derpy Hooves (SN), Tsukasa Kadoya (OU), Sasami Masaki Jurai (Mayfield AU), Q (OU)
Anonymous Replies?: Eh, sure. I need to build up thick skin anyway.

I DO know that 1) I'm once again falling back into the "Nozomi does everything" bit, but that's because it's a little hard to figure out things with the other four. Especially with Tsukasa and Q where I'm afraid of going from "snarky" to "being an out-and-out asshole".

Also, tagbacks.

Anything else?

[stormbroken]

I thought Tsukasa was supposed to be an out and out asshole anyway. At least, that's what my Karate Bugman friends insist at me. :V

That said, I think you're doing alright with Q - he feels like an AU Discord in a way, and I think that's the right way to tackle him. The two are very likeminded, and when they aren't, it will be openly obvious. Regardless, being a general trickster for him isn't too hard, as long as you keep in mind that he's not the type to hurt others with those tricks - though if others hurt themselves, well, that's not on him.

Riki

[magicalrealist]

Twilight "Maytwi" Sparkle | MLP: FiM (Mayfield CRAU) | magicalrealist
Dante | Devil May Cry | strawberryredgrave
Kreutzer | Gundemonium (Wonderful Worlds CRAU) | ponykreutzer
Princess Cadence | MLP: FiM (Route 29 CRAU) | loveisabattlefield
Madoka Kaname | Puella Magi Madoka Magica | bornofhope

Any and all feedback is welcome and appreciated!

[stormbroken]

Just so you know, I'm giving you that disapproving stare for apping a fifth character. I'm wondering if you're falling back into old habits of impulse apping and then not being able to keep up.

As usual, Dante and MayTwi are good and steady, though I'm noticing less Kreu and Cadence around - that might be entirely because of the last event, though, so I'm not sure if it's anything to worry about.

Nikil

[shyformerassistant]

Miles "Tails" Prower / Sonic the Hedgehog (Drama Drama Duck AU) / ponymechanic
Coco Pommel / My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic / shyformerassistant


I've been trying my best to not put Tails through too much bad things and I think I've finally gotten into the tagging groove with Coco. I have been told that I don't have Tails act like his age enough (he's 16, soon to be 17 in November), so I will try to fix that.

But other than that, feel free to give me any more crit for the both of them. Anon is fine with me.

Nikil

[like_a_dragon]

I can see your enthusiasm in how you play your characters, and that's a really great thing! I have greatly appreciated how you've taken the time to welcome me and interact with me over plurk.

As far as your playing is fine, but I sometimes feel a bit disconnected to Tails. I've given this matter some thought and the biggest reason that came to mind was the variety and difference of his icons. The range of emotional expressions he has is very similar -- I think in part because they draw from the same resource? For me, this creates a bit of sameness as talks from response to response with mostly the same pose and small differences in eye openness and mouth position. They're like "Tails emoticons." Language, as I am sure you are aware, is conveyed with the body as well as their words.

Coco, by contrast, has a lot more variety of mannerisms and positions. Compare this icon with most of Tails' -- she speaks more of how she is feeling in how she expresses herself. I think that were you to revamp your icons with more expressive ones, even if they weren't ponies, I think you'd see a noticeable difference in how he portrays and carries himself.

Usami

[strengthinkindness]

Fluttershy | MLP:FiM (Terminal Tokyo CRAU) | strengthinkindness

Any and all feedback is welcome and appreciated!

[stormbroken]

I've had one thing - other than the font issue I mentioned on Plurk - that's been bothering me that I haven't been sure how to approach. I understand the need for the Digimon partners, and why Fluttershy would, well, hide behind them, but it seems almost like you're focusing on playing them more than her. There's nothing wrong with having the background support, and you've actually started improving already since when I first noticed it, but it's definitely something to still work on.

Maddin

[fckingcazadors]

The Courier (Alex Buck) | Fallout: New Vegas | this here journal

i'm kinda uncertain and not very fast at tagging lately, but input is appreciated.

Scott

[foolish_seal]

Minato Arisato (CRAU)| Persona 3 FES || foolish_seal
Patchouli Knowledge (CRAU)| Touhou Project || weekwizard
Captain Celestia (CRAU+)| MLP || pirateponyprincess

Can't think of anything specific I need to work on other than my bad habit of dropping threads, so feel free to let me know anything I'm doing wrong, anon or not.

Dragon

[elementofloyalty]

Characters Played: Overlord Zetta, Rainbow Dash, Zecora, Dust, Morgan Knight
Anon away? Full speed anonhead.

[ponycure_dream]

I'm going to be quite honest concerning the recent plot and I'm not going to anon. I'd rather speak my mind in the open rather than hide behind anonymity.

I didn't like it. The Pale Pony fight at the end was nice, but honestly? The plot ran way too long and I am someone who hates with a passion the idea of Failure Is The Only Option, especially in the way it was presented. This is mostly because I've been burnt by plotrunners and mods in the past who feel that a plot can only work if their characters are the heroes and go to great lengths to keep other players out of it.

I know you want to portray Zetta as this super-awesome hamalicious villain with another hidden side and all, but I feel this plot, even if it was a ploy, took it too far.

Chin

[adandyinspace]

Arcee | Transformers: Prime | robotfightclub
Teddie | Persona 4 | kingofthetvworld
Dandy | Space Dandy | adandyinspace

Let me drive my van spaceship into your heart~

Re: Chin

[shyformerassistant]

For a while I was concerned that Teddie wasn't showing his more mature side and just being one-note, but he seems to be improving thanks to Kyouko. So I don't really have any real crit for the bear.

Other than more Arcee please, I don't have any other real crit for Dandy and Arcee.

Shaun/Kaitou

[forwantofapartycannon]

Ako Shirabe | Suite Precure | tsunpony
Gentarou Kisaragi | Kamen Rider Fourze | its_pony_rider_time
Pinkie Pie | MLP:FIM EQG | forwantofapartycannon
Lyra Heartstrings | MLP:FIM | humanesqueheartstrings
Princess Luna "Woona" | MLP:FIM IDW | blamemysister

Any crit is helpful. Tags are currently slow due to illness. Any feedback is welcomed.

Re: Shaun/Kaitou

[stormbroken]

So, uh, Kingdom Come came out of pretty much nowhere OOCly; one of the biggest reasons I'm not really taking part in it is because it was plotted in the denouement of another, longer plot and kind of got away from you pretty early on it seemed like.

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with it, but you might have more interest in plots if you plan them a little further in advance?

Awe

[mercuryangel]

Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Equestria | MLP:FiM/My Little Jamjar universe (SN) | marearcana
Mia | Golden Sun | mercuryangel

Hit me anon or not. You can tell me anything.

Awe

[like_a_dragon]

Tag more? :3c

At this point that is the most advice I can give you. I really like the stuff that's started between Chie and native Twi, and I really want to see what happens with them.

Which of course means more tagging ;D

Dassa

[neighfeni]

Characters played:
Nephenee (Rakuen AU) | Fire Emblem: Tellius Duology | neighfeni
Reimi Hanamori (Rakuen AU) | Pokemon X & Y | rafflesia_neighponi
Anon replies?: I'd rather not, sorry.

Reimi is still a sticking point for me, and I'd appreciate any suggestions on helping her voice out. Unlike Nephenee, her voice is hard to grab hold of sometimes, and for whatever reason now more than before.

I'm also aware I'm still having a bit of trouble with tagging speed and dropping stuff without meaning to, and part of it I think is I get run over by events. Trying to figure a way to get better there, so if there's any suggestions, I'll take them.

Other than that, if there's anything else I need to work on, please let me know. Tactfully, please. Alternatively, I'd like to now what I do alright so I know to keep doing those things.

Re: Dassa

[shyformerassistant]

I would say put Reimi through something bad to make her snap, but that doesn't work for all characters. I would also say give her powers and app in a third character to strengthen Reimi's voice, but I realize that doesn't work for everyone I'm not sure how it worked for me for Coco's voice and she's already gotten precure powers.

So if you can, try canon updating her. Otherwise I don't know what to tell you.


I don't know Neph's canon well enough to crit on her.

Paul

[kuukai]

Fluttershy (OU) || MLP:FIM || kind_to_all
Kyouko Sakura || Puella Magi Madoka Magica || kuukai

OTP icon because you're welcome

James

[caneattheseapples]

Applejack/Jappleack | Pony.MOV/Ask Jappleack | caneattheseapples
Pokey Minch | Earthbound/Mother 2 - Mayfield CR import | ceasetoexist
Lucifer | Shin Megami Tensei Franchise | firstofthefallen
Surprise | MLP: Rainbow Dash Presents | surpriserainbows

A few issues I'm concerned on

1. Presence. I worry recently that I may have had my characters too active/hogging attention
2. Staying in the game's tone. I worry I've occasionally gone too dark. If this is the case, please feel free to correct/inform me.
3. I'm super directionless with Surprise at the moment and I think it shows. She's a character I genuinely like but I'm not able to put as much into her as I'd like, especially in comparison to some of my others.

I am open to Anon-crit as well.

Re: James

[forwantofapartycannon]

1. There is nothing such as too active or hogging.
2. I think you've struck a good balance, and I think Woona needs to apologize and take JA out for the works later on.
3. Surprise I'd love to interact with as well, as soon as I get my mind back into the right place.

Goldude

[bustadecapinyoass]

Fluttershy/Fluttercruel | Pony POV | shy_kindness/cruel_kindness
Littlpip | Fallout: Equestria | mostcolorfulepithets
Mami Tomoe | Puella Magi Madoka Magica | bustadecapinyoass
Trixie Lulamoon | My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic | cape_and_wizard_hat

I'm concerned over my portrayal of Mami and Littlepip, so any tips to help me improve are ell-apprciated.

[ponycure_dream]

I do need to correct not having Derpy and Littlepip meet, but...!

From what I've seen, I liked how you portrayed Mami and I honestly hope that you pull Mami into someone brighter real soon. I've come to learn that characters who are pulled early are double-edged blades: on one hand, you have a lot of room to develop the characters, especially if you never liked how they were in their series. On the other hand, you miss out on some of the good developments. Mami's obviously one of those unique ones, though.

Sword

[stormbroken]

Flare Star | stormbroken
Luna (Night Market edition) | noxequus
Bon Bon the Bon Bon the Bon Bon | samplemygoods

Re: Sword

[shyformerassistant]

Bon party~!

Though seriously, other than concerns about the directions Flare and Luna might go (more Luna than Flare), I do like your Bon Bon (the character I mean. =/) so far. I know playing background/one-shot characters can be tricky, but I think you're doing good.

Chris

[caelum_ignis_draconigena]

Characters Played: Just this derp here. Skyfire (AU)
Anon?: As long as it's helpful... Go for it. :3

I'm kind of grasping at straws about what to do with Skyfire lately. Suggestions and ideas would be appreciated as much as crit or praise.

Re: Chris

[forwantofapartycannon]

I'd love to increase CR time with Pinkie and Skyfire considering they connected early on in the gametime. And As for doing things, I'd say try plotting out Skyfire's "day" more or less. What's his routine? What would be interesting to post about? Stuff like that.

Kasu

[callmeyork]

Player Name: Kasu
Character Name: Francis York Morgan

Yeah, yeah, I know, I've been tagging slow. Any feedback is appreciated, as well as advice on how to get my drive up, if anything.

Re: Kasu

[forwantofapartycannon]

I can probably give the advice I gave two others in that planning a flexible routine for York would probably result in a multitude of things that you could do, from the mundane to the extraordinary like trying to read coffee sometimes. It certainly helps me out when I plan my characters routines.

Blank

[thepoweroflove]

Marty McFly | Back to the Future | now thepoweroflove

I can at least say that I've made an attempt to do more stuff with Marty, right?

Re: Blank

[forwantofapartycannon]

You're doing excellently with Marty I think, and I think I made the right choice letting RNG pick you up for a major information dump for Kingdom Come. Marty responded superbly, and I hope to help bring out his more adventurous side.

[trustme]

Characters: The Doctor, Wally (Kid Flash/Wondrous Bolt), and Pippin
Anon replies? Sure!

Callie

[raging_she_demon]

Sunset Shimmer | MLP Equestria Girls | raging_she_demon
Donatello Hamato | TMNT 2012 | brain_behind_purple

Well free to give me any compliments/criticism that you see fit to give me!

Re: Callie

[shyformerassistant]

I was surprised you apped in another character so soon after apping in Donnie and was concerned, but so far I think they are both fine. I do like the way her post-first movie personality is being handled so far.

Kathryn

[bluesuit_hoofy]

Andrew Noble | bluesuit_hoofy
Papageno | der_vogelfanger

I'm open to general comments, but I'm particularly concerned about the fact that I don't feel like I've been keeping Andrew active enough in the game's plot. I don't expect things to revolve around him or anything like that, but I'm concerned that I'm letting him get sidelined too often for a character who ought to be all over this saving the day business. I'm just not really sure what to do with him a lot of the time, and I end up having him react instead of act. The Zetta event was an issue partly because of RL stuff going on, but it goes back a lot further than that.

Other concern is that I keep just not playing Papageno much at all, and I think it's because he lacks conflict. I've considered canon updating him to a point after meeting Papagena so he'll know what he's missing out on back home, but that might just make him mope indefinitely.

Re: Kathryn

[forwantofapartycannon]

With Andrew, hmm... getting him involved in the more day to day things would be nice, helping out or founding a shop for more tinkering, given more people advice if need be, sticking his head into things.

Also, I'd like to get more Papageno stuff since Woona will be hiding in shame and needs a talking to after Kingdom Come. And she needs to tell him that she was the lovely alicorn mare he went with on his date.

Argent

[like_a_dragon]

Chie Satonaka | like_a_dragon
Yg'baladoth | controledfreak
Anon commenting: No, please.

Okay, so, stuff!

I've been here for about two months and I've been having a great time. I know that my presence hasn't been as good as I would have liked in the past month. I really REALLY awful about not being here as much as I can.

As far as my characters, I'm not worried about Chie's characterization right now... but I have had the unfortunate luck of getting into the game at a time when major modplot happened. She has taken quite a hit as first getting started and having a lot of seriously heavy stuff hit. Has she been too abrasive in response to all this? Should I handwave and have her start being more cheery?

Yggy is weird because she is honestly one of the longest-lasting OCs I have ever attempted. She is also one of the oldest I have created and I am very glad that she seems to be getting a response here. I'm happy with where she is so far, but is she scaring people off?

Finally, I'm starting to run into my usual worry that I need to keep working hard if I want to build the momentum I started in the beginning. I worry that I need keep pushing myself to keep being interesting. On the other hand, I have a tendency to try too hard and expect too much of myself and my characters. I've been trying to strike a good balance, but maybe I'm freaking out too much?

Argent

[kuukai]

First thing: I would strongly recommend you not handwave a sudden shift in character unless there's a very good IC reason for it. Otherwise it'll grate on you.

Worry not about pushing yourself unless you actually start seeing a problem in your tagging rate. Which I definitely haven't, you've been very present. In a good way.

[discorderly]

Pinkie Pie | sailorlaughter
Harvey Finevoice | millionbitpipes
Pollo | soulofblue
Discord | discorderly

Anon is cool.

Miki

[needsteaplz]

Saori Nakagawa - original + CRAU - needsteaplz
Anon commenting: go ahead

Even though Saori is an OC, I'm still throwing myself in the HMD for things like my writing and what not. I do realize I'm not as active as I used to be and I'm trying to catch up on things. I do have a HMD on her account if you wish to use that instead.