Solaria has city waypoints!

Here is the official announcement from Game Update 17.6 (even though a tad late).

City Waypoint Registry

• The mayor can upload waypoint to the city waypoint registry from the waypoint's radial menu.
• Citizens can download waypoint from the city waypoint registry into the datapad.
• Launch the city waypoint registry window using the "City Waypoints..." button in the waypoint window, or with /cityWaypoints.
• The city waypoint registry can hold 25 waypoints. 

There are at least three current waypoints in the current city registry.   If you have vendors in your city or a public house you want to show off, contact me in game with the waypoint attached, and I'll see what I can do about adding it to the city registry.  The spots may even end up on this blog.

On that note, anyone who is interested in living in Solaria (or even parking nearby) can contact me through in-game mail to discuss possibilities.  We are also open to people wanting a city to hold an event.  Remember, the Harvest Festival is coming up soon.

How to improve player cities?

This came about from a post in the city/housing section

Millbarge wrote:

So - it's been a year or so since the changes to Player Cities went live...
...How are the Mayors doing?

I made a lengthy reply to incorporate my own feelings as well as the citizens who ask me about aspects of player cities and Solaria.  Please make submit your own ideas or observations in the thread. 

Feel free to comment there or here on any of my remarks.
http://forums.station.sony.com/swg/posts/list.m?start=15&topic_id=1090928

Hit the jump to read my ideas/proposals

Incentive Reworkings

It has been really tough keeping up with all the stuff I tried keeping in place for Solaria's online community.  I am not doing away with it, but making some modifications to the process.

The contests have been tough to keep up with weekly due to the schedules of citizens as well as some who don't always have a way to check in here as often as they wish.  To help remedy this, I want to bring back the randomly chosen [via the choosing command] citizen.  This time, the citizen will have two weeks (or until the end of the month) to claim the prize for being chosen.  Hopefully this is more fair.

As for citizen of the month, I plan to select a new one very soon.  I know the name is "of the month" but I haven't thought of an alternative title.  The citizen statue and concept I still have plans to keep rotating.  The plan is for a month 'cool down' and then the next (which makes me due for the next selection.

I still plan for the monthly participation award; selected as mentioned in the past.  It's a great incentive to keep people checking in on the blog...and it encourages first-time visitors to make returning trips.

Please comment on this post to give your opinion.  I read and reply to all comments on the blog.

Expanding the community

The recently-ended polls have taught me a couple things.  Citizens want more activities (roleplay/events).  They also want city meetings.

Citizen opinion:
1.)  85%  want Solaria to actively encourage roleplaying.
2.)  84%  want options for a city meeting.
3.)  Most citizens don't want imperial sister cities.

 Here is my proposal (feedback encouraged):

Combining the first two, I'm planning for a day (still thinking Mondays) each week to hold a city gathering.  It can be for citizens AND 'outlanders' to get together and have fun; and doubling as a city meeting via the channel for citizens only.

In addition, I can advertise it in the city message as well as spread the word to other mayors also.  This can also open the opportunity for a different host each gathering and keep up the atmosphere.

Solaria also has an opportunity to carve in a niche all its own.  So many want to roleplay or learn the art, but are shy or afraid to try.  It's what gave me the revelation to make Solaria a 'helper rp' city.  What would that mean?  People can test their rp chops, get constructive advice on styles (even bios), or roleplay without ridicule...which brings me to another item I want to bring up...



Solaria, Rori should be a 'clean' rp city.
I don't know if this has been brought up anywhere, but every roleplay city I have seen pop up has been based in something secretive, illegal, imperial, or illicit.  Ever since Eisley's "scum and villainy" diatribe, I have seen overbearing policing or smuggling/slaving dens.  If you want something more stepped up; smuggly; sithy; slavie... my advice is to travel to the city of Darkside Realms, Rori.

Why am I bringing this city up?  Because not only is it just southwest of Solaria, it's also a great city doing it right in the 'dark' way.  If it's imperial or illegal, you can find it in Darkside Realm.  It was formerly Dying Slowly (a take on an iconic SW city) which has been a more prominent haven since former militia member Zeranna has become its current mayor.

In fact, I have been working with Zeranna to make Solaria's citizens welcome in their metropolis despite their imperial flagging.  Since I want people to 'keep it clean' in Solaria, Darkside Realm is the place to soil up those hands.  Just don't cause any trouble there since their security is some of the toughest out there.

This doesn't mean I decided on it being an official sister city, but it is a definite affiliation so long as Zeranna deems Solaria as being in worthy status.  None of this is in stone yet, so all input will be taken into consideration.  There is always an angle I haven't thought of, so this is why I turn to the community for input.

Town Hall Meetings? (concept)

( UPDATE: I will be available in Solaria from 8pm-midnight EST in Dracino's cantina- unless needed elsewhere in the city, and via /city chat. It is a good time to reacquaint yourself with the mayor as well as voice suggestions/complaints regarding Solaria.  Citizens and guests are welcome all the same.  Participation points may be accrued, and at least one never-proposed idea will make light from the mayor. )

With the inclusion of city chat, I wanted to make sure it was being used to its best capacity. This is the first time aside from city mail where citizens can network and be in better communication with one another.

It made me wonder what could be done to include this in the setup of Solaria itself. So I was thinking about city hall types of meetings. Not so much with formality but more like having a beverage and discussing various topics.

A hot cup of caf? 

Or Java with Jivaro?

 Blue Milk with the mayor?

Enough of that silliniess...but you get the idea.  I have a poll asking how often you might like this concept.  The best part is it can be done through city chat so you can listen in without making the journey to the city.

Feedback appreciated, so give your thoughts.

Sister Cities Solved?

I have been deliberating with mayors across the galaxy to come up with the most exciting yet least intensive way to have official sister city setups.  Sister cities are to be friendly ways to recognize the good efforts of others.

This is the concept so far:

Have any sort of decoration in your city which proclaims Solaria as your sister city, and I will either name a garden or an item of decor.  In addition-

I'll have a post about it on the Solaria blog, a pic of your city as well as where the decor can be found in both cities.  I can even print a small story about the city and its mayor.  Keep in mind Solaria is aligned rebel, but anyone is allowed in the city hassle free so long as they aren't hassling anyone else.  If your city is called Rebel Gankatorium, Talus (just an example) it may not be the best fit.

Still working out details here, so there may be more to it on my end.  PLEASE submit your own ideas also.  I am open to all suggestions.  Especially if it should be rebel only or a little flexibility to truly unique imperial cities also.  This would be equal recognition...and maybe a way to spread diplomacy across the galaxy.