YATS Article in the CQ

[Junius]

I'm back writing for the CQ at the minute and the RPG section nows comes into it's remit. I'm preparing an article for the next edition on YATS and am looking for people's views, what attracted them to the game and what keeps them playing. If any mods have a little background for the current edition, when it was rebooted, time period, etc. which they could share with me that'd be great. Thanks.

[M D]

Chaplain and his mad cap plans

[Tazgrent]

This is as close as I can get to being Roman without a time machine and a Latin textbook.

[Crozimodo]

YATS was recently rebooted late last year around late November, early December. The time period started at Hannibal's invasion upon Italy and we picked up following the battle of lake Trasimene. We attempt to tie the roleplay of members into the in game events but if this is ever lacking members are more than capable of filling the time with a bit of extra roleplay. Indeed, this aspect is what first drew me to YATS.

I first came aware of YATS in the summer of '08 when, whilst looking around at different Rome: Total War faction advice, I stumbled upon this forum. I was immediately interested by the elaborate roleplays that I saw from both new and experienced members, it was impressive to see how well new members were integrated into the game and the atmosphere was incredibly friendly. I'd had a strong love of ancient history since I was young and so it was fascinating just to watch the members effectively rewrite history. I toyed with the notion of joining and whilst doing that followed the interweaving, well written stories, all at this time I should really have been revising for my GCSE's whoops! Well eventually I got through the exams but had not yet joined and up until August I was basically a YATS stalker until I decided that there was nothing to do but jump in and see whether I took to it. The first thing I did was have a very angry, loud shout at an experienced member only to be crushed on the spot. Far from disheartened I was contacted by this member with ways on how to improve the way I put my points across as well as improve my general roleplay ability. It didn't take long before I stood in the Curia with the rest of them proposing motions and forging both alliances and enemies. The welcome I received was fantastic and I later had the privilege to enter a long running plot involving a notorious Tribune killer where I was his next target! The conclusion was something that I was really pleased with, I really felt that it was a fitting end to my character. Two of these encounters can be found here and here, as can be seen the plots allowed maximum participation from all and it's nice that they're stored for me to look back at in nostalgia.

I'd recommend YATS to anyone with a love of ancient history, I've learnt a lot here that and it's encouraged me to go beyond and read what perhaps I otherwise wouldn't. We've had many great players at YATS over the years many of which have moved on which is why we need new blood to keep it running. There have been times when it has looked like YATS is over for good but members love of it and others interest in it has caused it to rise from the dead more than once.

Anyone interested should come and have a browse and see if it's for them:

[Crozimodo]

How's that boss?