Hey! I’m a long time subscriber. I loved all the exceptional stories so far, and the Season format is really rewarding. I was wondering though whether Failbetter might consider asking the fans, via poll or an Inquisitive Urchin card, what sort of content the fandom might like to see in future seasons? The options could range from the more abstract (i.e. a season of Powers, Shadows, Pains, etc.) to specifics (the suburbs of London, the Masters’ Summer Homes, secterian battles within the Neathy Church, etc.). Would this be possible? Would other fans/subscribers want to have their input requested like this?
I also think it’s best to trust in the writers. The stories they want to tell are going to be the most interesting to play.
A voting system might also skew in favor of what sounds most epic and exotic, shutting out some interesting stories. If people had to vote between “tracking down a missing governess” or “uncovering a sinister cosmic plan of the Masters”, stories like The Frequently Deceased might not get made.
Last year’s Mayoral election produced an exceptional story and for next year’s election Failbetter has asked for player suggestions. So maybe we already have a limited voting system. The winner of next year’s election will get various festival appearances and an exceptional story which, if not about them, will at least will heavily feature them. I think this is as far as elections should go.
Another problem with a more general voting system is it would really spoil things. We’d know what we were getting well in advance.
edited by Anne Auclair on 12/24/2016