Tutorial #1 - Where do I go from here?

You’ve just seen the introductory SIM from the trainer, and now you may be a little confused as to what you’re supposed to do. This tutorial will teach you about what all the “signage” in a SIM is, and how to respond.

First, think of SIMming like a mystery book. Each of us writes a chapter and then passes it on. By the time we take another turn (the next time we sign on) the book may be right where we hoped or it may be completely different from what we envisioned.

There are two ways you can take part in this collective story. The first is when someone has asked you to do something. For example, your commanding officer could ask you: "How many bad guys down there, Ensign?" Upon receiving a question like this, you would make up any answer that seems appropriate at the time.

The other way to participate is to create your own action. This is when the fun begins. For example, you could be on an away team surveying a planet. You could invent a problem, perhaps some kind of disaster, an approaching enemy, a fascinating discovery, or anything else that seems like it will work well. Now, you just add it to the plot! Our plots devellop by the invention of our SIMmers, not by some grand design by someone unseen.

So what are all those symbols the trainer used? That’s called the “script format” for SIMming. It has its roots in theater, and is an action-oriented way of writing. We prefer it when SIMs are sent, so you’ll do best if you learn it as soon as possible. Here’s a simple guide:

A SIM always begins with the characters location in parenthesis. This allows the readers to set the background and create a frame of reference for the scene. By encasing this information in two parenthesis, you’re showing that this is an Out Of Character (OOC) designation. This just means that it’s not something your character would see – they’d already know they where they were, of course.

e.g.- ((Bridge)) or ((Sickbay))

Actions are always contained between double colons.

e.g.- ::Shaun Marlin shook his head in disbelief, and turned to leave his quarters.::

Internal dialogue (thought) is contained between oO and Oo. These are simply upper, and lower case letter O.

e.g.- oO I wish he would stop that. Oo

Telepathic communication is put between << and >>

e.g.- << Azarro, Where are you? >>

Speech can be represented in several ways, but is usually preceeded by the speakers name, in UPPERCASE letters.

e.g.- MARLIN: “All hands, brace for impact!”

Communication via personal communication badges is represented by =/\= ( = / \ = ) and is again preceeded by the speakers name. The symbols are the equal sign, forward slash, back slash, and then another equal sign.

e.g.- MARLIN: =/\= Marlin to the bridge. =/\=