Generic Tech Guidelines

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GENERITECH GUIDELINES

Generic Tech (or Generitech, for style) is a catch all term for all tech items that do not need to go through the normal submission and approval process that most tech submissions require. With the latest revamp of the Tech Rules we have significantly expanded the definition of what qualifies as Generitech, and to help members determine whether or not their particular tech item falls into this category we have assembled this short guide. Broadly speaking, Generitech items will fall into one of several broad categories:

  • Re-Skins: This is perhaps the simplest and easiest to identify category of Generitech. This is a weapon, armor, or ship that is functionally identical or completely inferior to an approved piece of tech, but you have a different image or different lore write up you want to use. This is for people who want to use a more personalized aesthetic for their character without going through the hassle of getting something new approved. Just remember that the tech item has to be functionally identitical to the item it's based on- so, for example, say you want to use the super-mango-Jedi-assault-armor that Member X got approved last week, but you have a particular picture of the armor that matches your characters clan colors, and you want to write about how it's important because it belonged to his dead fathers cousins friend. That is a re-skin. What you cannot do is take the super-mango-Jedi-assault-armor, attach flamethrowers to both feet and make it impervious to lightsabers. Why? Because that's not functionally identical to the submission it's based on. Please provide a link to the item you are reskinning for easy comparison.

  • Non-Banned Canon Items: This category is a little bit broader, and is usually a catch all for things that exist in Star Wars lore but that don't have (and probably don't need) a proper write up to be approved. This could be things like cool flashlights, a good set of handheld macrobinoculars, the newest model of datapad, a fancy belt, or your favorite weather poncho. It should not include things like super weapons and high tech assassin droids, even if they're technically canon. As a rule of thumb, this sort of generitech should not have a significant impact on the RP or in conflict with other players. Instead, it should be limited to things that add flavor and variety, and flesh out the RP world.

  • Generic Weapons and Armor: This is the new category of Generitech that we've developed. You maybe have noticed new lines in the armor and weapons rules sections about being able to post Generitech using the rules as strict guidelines. Refer to the rules page for the full text. Basically this means that for weapons, you can make whatever you want as long as it strictly adheres to the range, ammo capacity, and damage catagories listed in the rules and doesn't have any special functions, attachments, or effects. For armor, as long as you stick to the standard coverage and protection ratings, and only use functions from a pre-approved list, you can write up a profile, post it here in Generitech, and start using it immediately. For the time being, due to their complexity, starships, vehicles, and droids do not have this exemption and will all need normal tech submissions for anything new- although you could always "re-skin" approved models to your hearts desire.



Those are the approved categories of Generitech. Please keep in mind that whatever category you decide to use, you still need to abide by all of the standard tech rules (including proper templates). Now that you understand those it's important to talk about what Generitech is not, and then about some general guidelines for using this section, do's and don'ts, how you can get the most mileage out of it, and what can happen if you're caught abusing this privilege. First and foremost, and this cannot be stressed enough-

GENERITECH IS NOT A WORK-AROUND FOR AVOIDING THE TECH TEAM

Don't do it. You will be caught. Not only will the Tech Team and other staff be poking around in here on the regular, but the SWRP community is very good at self-policing. Perpetrators will be keel hauled... not really. But we will ban you from the Generitech boards if you can't follow the rules. If you're seriously in doubt over whether or not your tech qualifies as generic, it's probably not, and you're better off posting it in Unapproved Tech for Tech Team review. We don't mind moving submissions from Unapproved to Generitech, but if we have to move something out of Generitech, chances are it's going away and not coming back. There's a reason for all that! When Generitech was first introduced there was a lot of confusion which led to rampant abuse of the system. We went from simple, junky, generic reskinned blasters to full on replicas of Halo's Gravity Hammer, killer remote controlled tooth floss (not kidding), and high tech Mandalorian SuperCommando armor with everything short of built in cupholders, all masquerading as "Generic". Never again. Just because it's not all being reviewed doesn't mean it still doesn't have to follow certain rules, and it still needs to fit in with the "Spirit" of Star wars and in the setting. Hopefully the above guides are clear enough to limit that confusion, so we don't have a repeat of the problem.



All that said, now you know what to do and what not to do here. The best use of this board is for adding flavor to your RPs. Yeah, you could just say "Luke bought a new datapad", or you can write "Luke bought the new Space-Apple Datapad X, which he had to wait up all night in line for and cost him 900 credits". Some people really like stuff like that, and this is a good place to write up a blurb for the Space-Apple Datapad X, if you feel so inclined. If you find yourself coming in here looking to gain an advantage though, you're coming at it all wrong- that's what the Approved and Unapproved Tech Boards are for. I'm sure this is going to quickly fill up with all sorts of neat and unusual designs and bits of lore, and I encourage people to make use of it- poke around and see what other people are doing. Generitech is fun. There's a lot of charm in junky old blasters.

 
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