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Category: GIC

Game Improvement Commision

What is the GIC?

The GIC, or Game Improvement Commission is the body responsible for improvements and progress in the game.

History of the GIC

In June 2004, the BlogShares Math Team was chartered, tasked with "controlling the workings of the game by changing the code and expanding the player rules." Unfortunately, the Math Team never came together in a productive sense, and excepting the solo work performed by Alan Dean in game functionality and Idea math, never lived up to its potential. The legislative functions returned to the Administration, and eventually, the Math Team was quietly disbanded in the Fall of 2005.

The Game Improvement Commission (GIC) does more than just take the place of the Math Team. Algorithms are only one aspect of many responsibilities. The GIC is also proactive in enhancing BlogShares competition by researching, analyzing, and reporting on aspects of the game economy, as well as creating and administering new competitions and contests. The efforts made by this group are to improve the game and its community, and to ensure that both remain fun and enjoyable for the players.

Major Events in GIC History

• Formed February 2006 after Ideas Math Summit
• Mod-a-thon reduces moderation queue from 20,000 blogs to 14,000 in 24 hours, April 2006
• New Ideas Math implemented, August 2006
• New Server!, November 2007
• New Shares Math, January 2008
• New Features Galore, January 2008

GIC Charter

The GIC is hereby formally created, by the will of the Board of Directors (BoD) and BlogShares Administrators (Admin), to be defined by the following mandate:

• Tasks
  • Game Math
    • Any aspect of the economics of BlogShares including but not limited to: prices, production, limitations, algorithms, and at times, source code. Members are to consider new math and adjustments to what exists, and debate and offer proposals as needed. Included in this is monitoring and adjustment of Help documentation and the development of tutorials as needed or requested.
  • Analytical
    • Research, analyze, extrapolate, and report data concerning any and all aspects of BlogShares, including but not limited to: economic modeling; profit/loss data; strategic comparisons; community demographics. Members will work with Admin as necessary to query the database.
  • Competition and Contests
    • Develop, coordinate, administer, judge, and market games and contests within the BlogShares community. Fostering player connections and interaction is a primary focus. A monthly blogging contest is the required minimum for competitions. Additional possibilities include:
      • Scavenger hunts
      • Survivor/reality show adaptations
      • Finding goods/services for raffles
      • Find a way to bring back actual performance competitions
      • Organize charitable Drives such as mars' Q
      • Blogathons, whether for charity or not

• Communication
  • Forums
    • A non-public forum board is set aside for internal discussions. Primary documented contact between members and with admin should take place within. The former 'Math Board' has been rechristened 'Game Improvement' for public discussions and announcements. IRC communication can supersede the forums if and when warranted, but documentation of any relevant details should be posted in the forum for posterity as needed.
  • Blogs
    • GIC members are encouraged to use personal blogs as a secondary means of communicating, so long as all primary communication takes place in the forum. A GIC group blog would also be an asset to the team's projects.

• Group Composition
  • Filling the Commission
    • Initial GIC members will be selected by Admin and/or the BoD. In filling vacant seats or adding additional members, Admin and/or BoD may use any means required, including public open calls and private selection.
  • Length of Term
    • No set period of commitment is officially required, however, a minimum three-month commitment to serve on the commission is what is expected. Members will serve as long as the relationship is satisfactory to all parties. Lack of participation is grounds for removal, though significant warning will be given prior to removal for low participation.
  • Qualifications
    • All GIC members with more than one child shall own a minivan.
  • Chairperson
    • Responsibilities
      • The Chairperson is to serve as both conduit between the GIC and Admin, and administrator of the GIC membership. The Chairperson is expected to organize and develop the team to complete tasks as warranted, and to facilitate all aspects of the GIC's mission.
    • Selection
      • GIC Members will hold an initial internal vote to select a GIC Chairperson. The vote will be anonymous via a poll in the internal forum board created by an admin. A simple majority will determine the winner. If there is a tie, Admin will vote in the decision. Further ties will be broken as determined by Admin.
    • Length of Term
      • The Chairperson shall be selected for a three-month term, at the end of which, a new vote shall be taken to determine GIC Chairperson. There are no term-limits.
    • Recall Election
      • Upon the decision of a three-fifths majority, a recall election can be made at any time to replace the current Chairperson. The recall election must first meet the approval and sanction of Admin.

• Addendum
  • Nothing in this charter nullifies or in any way exempts the GIC or its members from the existing BlogShares Rules. Specifically, all activities remain under the terms found in the Rules Appendix. Admin and/or BoD can and will take any necessary actions to preserve the integrity of the game and its resources.

Current GIC

These are the current GIC members:

• Ken Adams (Chairman)
• beachtiglet
• EagleHawk
• J.T. Sage
• T$

Past Members

• Passer
• Bruce Wayne
• tengrrl
• Louie14
• Nick
• SpaceLord
• The Architect (aka [PC] AdamF)

Related Links

Roles

GIC News on the Blogshares Blog

New Features Log