[quote=@Lord Wraith] Will original characters be more heavily scrutinized than re-imagined canons? And how much say does a player have over one submitting an OC if they're borrowing from 'shared continuity'? If an original character is simply a blatant expy of an existing one, would a player be encouraged to simply reimagine the canon one? Sort of just trying to figure out if OCs take the same priority as reimagined canons or if canons are still the goal of the game. Edit: Also how much transparency are you looking for in terms of 'dibs' on villains or supporting cast members? [/quote] Great question! I've been thinking this over and I would say yes to your first question. This is very much still focused around re-imaginings of existing Marvel and DC characters and OC's are going to be observed a bit more closely to ensure they would feel at home within this universe. Characters who feel a lot more anime/power ranger/etc would likely be rejected on tone alone. If someone is applying using an original character the expectation from me would be that they would also have an original archnemesis, supporting cast, etc. This doesn't bar them from using established characters within their story, but I would probably have the same thoughts if someone made a version of Aquaman with a supporting cast including Aunt May and Alfred. Initially to your last question it was a 'definitely yes they would be encouraged to reimagine a canon one', but after writing my reply I think I have a bit of a different thought process regarding this. I would encourage anyone who wants to use an iconic powerset, backstory, etc of another character to just reimagine the character this would be an expy of. Currently your application is a great example of what I mean, a very different version of Clark with a different moniker and a different goal than what is usual. People can go even further than this if they'd like, a main goal of mine is to give as much player agency to shape the world as possible. However, in saying this I am reminded of just how many Spider-men there are in Marvel, not including the Spider-verse as well. I think if someone were to apply as Ben Reilly in a world where he didn't exist people would call him a blatant expy, but while similar he can express himself as a character in his own right. I think this issue would need to be taken on a case-by-case basis, especially with characters who feel like copies of current characters within the game, I don't feel it would be right to make a decision without involving the person with the character being copied in this instance. Primarily yes, I would encourage those making original characters to make these original and unrelated to any pre-existing characters, but if a strong case is made I could see exceptions. Canons are very much still the goal of the game and take priority insofar as the overall story and makeup of the game. However this does not mean preferential treatment or story beats will just be given to canon characters. In terms of dibs, as said previously arch-enemies are usually off limits unless this has been worked out between two players. In regards to other villains and supporting cast members I think there is a fine line to be walked here. If someone wanted to write for Jimmy Olsen I would expect them to contact whoever was playing Superman before they did, and if someone wanted to use a smaller Spider-man villain like Shocker I think it's only good etiquette to check with that player before writing them into a position where this character cannot be used or must be used in a certain way. Ideally the whole group could be informed so as not to trample on anyone elses story, but I think the problem that can arise here is revealing story beats before they've been written. Stories are much less fun if you know all the twists, and I'm conscious that revealing OOC that Black Panther is about to fight Bane before it happens take a lot of the punch out of this being revealed diegetically. This is something I would put to the group before we start on the IC, and I'm happy to go with what the majority rule on which they would prefer and go from there. I'm open to suggestions on any and all of what I've said here, and any other rulings people feel could be improved.