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Open up NLM/KMB More
Bring on Idol Wars!

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Just an idea.

In Sindome, many players invest a lot of time and creativity into building artistic or performer-type characters, but the common message they receive is that it takes real-life years to make any noticeable impact. This creates the impression that there’s only room for one major star at a time.

Shouldn’t a corporation like NLM be actively scouting new talent, hosting auditions, or running things like idol showcases and talent awards? In a cyberpunk world driven by media sensation and corporate entertainment, it seems natural that there would be multiple opportunities for characters to compete, collaborate, or rise.

I’m not suggesting making fame easy, just more accessible. Instead of telling players “it’s on you to make it happen,” could we have more built-in avenues for discovery, like scheduled auditions, NLM-led events, or rotating spotlight programs? That would create more momentum, give performers goals to chase, and strengthen RP interactions across the game.

Maybe then we'd see less performers flame out and less talk of favoritism?

By QueenZombean at Oct 28, 2025, 9:25 PM | 1
This talent scouting stuff does happen. There's actually a whole job for it even, that players can do. Just players don't do it often, or know how to get into it, and if a player isn't doing it, a staff member would have to, which takes a lot of time from them.
By Raven at Oct 28, 2025, 9:31 PM | 0
These already happen. We've had auditions where the reward was a music video with NLM in very recent history, and NLM characters are already actively seeking out talent. KMB is also supposed to be part of it where performing at KMB is meant to get you your start.

I think a better idea is to have some form of Mix subsidiary for NLM which Mix artists/amateurs can belong to, and that subsidiary can seen like a sub-label/imprint aside from the main roster, but is still part of the pipeline towards NLM media personality roles itself. More of an A-list, B-list and C-list situation and a 'proving ground' of sorts. Like starting your rap career by uploading music on SoundCloud and gaining a following.

(Edited by Cowbell at 9:43 pm on 10/28/2025)

By Cowbell at Oct 28, 2025, 9:32 PM | 6
I kinda love that idea a lot Cowbell.
By QueenZombean at Oct 28, 2025, 9:37 PM | 1
I do understand that auditions and scouting do happen. The issue is that it's rare. It can be hard for new performer characters to know how to get started or stay motivated.

I am not asking for fame to be easy or trying to create extra work for staff. I am only suggesting that clearer or more frequent entry points would help players engage.

By QueenZombean at Oct 28, 2025, 9:43 PM | 0
Some positions in the game really do take years to get to, and there is no simple shortcut to them, superstar is I believe one of them? Of course being cutthroat in how you go about it can speed things up, may even be required to be given a chance but that's the nature of the theme. And it's a balance to the power a superstar role gets, it has extreme freedoms, privilege, influence and wealth, so to get that, lots of work will be required, and if there are no openings waiting for you, well, try to create an opening.

As far as I know the point of being a superstar is not to just be a performer, but to actually drive a lot of RP for a lot of people, hence why they are given all the resources.

By Froggy at Oct 29, 2025, 2:26 AM | 0
I think it makes sense for the upper echelon to be nigh-unobtainable.

Cowbell's idea of having a secondary label under NLM (or maybe even a competitor?) seems like a really good solution for this. Make it like a superstar incubator, get some people into that gameplay loop with a shorter timeline so that they can see what it feels like and decide if they want to push for the larger role.

EDIT: I'm not sure if this was added in an edit, but good point that it could be applied to pretty much any NLM personality role.

(Edited by ikunaut at 6:59 am on 10/29/2025)

By ikunaut at Oct 29, 2025, 6:55 AM | 1
But what exactly is that loop it offers? You can already host parties, and make money of it if you put the effort in to get people to sponsor the events. It's not a passive income, you have to work at it, but that's the point, as you've not made it yet.
By Froggy at Oct 29, 2025, 10:05 AM | 0
I agree that Superstar should stay rare and require long term effort. I am not asking for shortcuts or to make it easy. The concern is that the actual opportunities to even enter the pipeline are extremely limited. One audition in a year and a single talent competition are not enough to form habits or give newer performers something to aim for. If a player misses that one event, they are waiting months with no direction.

Regular or predictable events help create RP. When players know auditions or open calls happen on a schedule, they show up, prepare, and build stories around it. Right now performers are expected to create their own momentum, but without recurring entry points it feels like pushing uphill with no visible path.

If Superstar is intended to be a leadership role that drives RP for others, then what are the expectations once someone reaches that role? What happens if a Superstar rarely logs in or does not create RP? What does driving RP actually mean? Structure and accountability would keep that role active and meaningful, not just a title someone earns and then sits on.

I am not asking for more work for staff. I am suggesting clearer steps and clearer expectations. Recurring open calls or defined goals for leadership roles would keep people engaged on the journey and ensure that the reward at the top continues to generate RP for the game.

I'm a little biased on this but it's just a part of the game I'd love to see fleshed out.

By QueenZombean at Oct 29, 2025, 11:41 AM | 0
I dont know anything about this icly so forgive me if Im assuming incorrecrly,

But is there anything stopping you from hosting your own events? Requesting a puppet from managers of said club and organizing an event etc, maybe even asking for reimbursements/funding. Wether thats a characters performance or some kind of competition

If not, then I think steps should be taken to allow that to happen

By Mikael at Oct 29, 2025, 11:56 AM | 0
There's nothing stopping it but it doesn't lead anywhere. I mean, other than fun RP which is always worthwhile. I'm just tired of seeing musicians flame out or lose their spark. But that's on me.
By QueenZombean at Oct 29, 2025, 12:14 PM | 0
There's millions of musicians in Withmore. We can't expect every PC to skyrocket to super stardom.
By Eve at Oct 29, 2025, 12:18 PM | 0
If someone is holding large, successful concerts regularly thatd probably be how they get signed by huge corporations instead of just auditions/scouting. And I imagine the person who focuses on the former would be much more likely to get signed/reached out than someone who just waits for a special competition.

At the very least it would build lots of rep, and be a celebrity in your own right which has its own benefits

Thats how I think it should be anyways if it isnt already, since thats how alot of musicians become rockstars (corporations hire you for the following you already have)

By Mikael at Oct 29, 2025, 12:21 PM | 0
I kind of understand both perspectives here. There are roles that are super restricted ICly and OOCly; say, a Street Judge. There's a clear pipeline that's established ICly for those who want to pursue it: terra, corpsec, cadet judge into judge. I do agree that when it comes to media personality roles there's a lot more freedom: some were Mix stars, some were KMB performers, some were PAs and so on.

This isn't necessarily a bad thing IMO but I also understand that players can feel lost or not sure how to pursue the goals they want.

To expand upon the idea I had, the only caveat is that it does require a very strong PC at the head of it. My suggestion would be to have a talent/label manager for the Mix imprint bit where that PC would be practically like a greeter for new PCs who want to get into that kind of RP/scene. Mentor them, maybe have a limited budget in which they pay newbies to host events/concerts under the brand, sign them on to spread the influence of NLM in the Mix while still keeping it punk. This already happens plenty IRL when megacorporations decide to appeal to certain genres of music and create a sublabel focused on that.

And of course this person would be working with a Producer PC behind the scenes, who'd keep track of who's generating how much RP and then eventually it'd at least feel like a stepping stone towards NLM personality roles. The length doesn't matter but I do think it'd help with the lack of belonging/progress that PCs struggle with if they had a clear place to belong to.

The issue with this however is that it's completely PC dependent, staff cannot do this by themselves. It requires very dedicated players who want to do it and do so actively as a player GM.

(Edited by Cowbell at 12:27 pm on 10/29/2025)

(Edited by Cowbell at 12:30 pm on 10/29/2025)

By Cowbell at Oct 29, 2025, 12:27 PM | 2
I mean, this feels like wanting to perform, maybe host few events, and expecting that to result in becoming NLM superstar. Which I imagine is part of it, but so is blowing holes through many walls to get attention through not-so-peaceful means. In the end you gotta stand out somehow, and as you say for the suckers there is the once a year audition, if even that.

But your PC is not a sucker, your PC will get dirt on who they need to get dirt on, to blackmail them to get an intro with the casting agent to see you privately where you can finally take your shot and not take no for an answer.

Just a random example of how you can approach this problem. Don't wait for some system opportunities because in this town the system is geared against you and every other shmuck out there, so find a way to bend and break the system to your will. And yes, that means you will likely make enemies along the way, and it may also fail spectacularly, but hey, you want to be a intergalactic superstar, when you take a moonshot, the misses tend to be as spectacular.

By Froggy at Oct 29, 2025, 12:39 PM | 0
I do not disagree that characters should be bold, messy, and willing to take risks. Sindome thrives on conflict. I am not asking for a passive path where someone hosts a few events and instantly becomes a superstar.

What I am pushing back on is the idea that the only valid way forward is "break the system" or magically know who to blackmail. That is not structure, that is luck and meta knowledge. Telling players to guess at invisible mechanics is not the same as giving them a path.

Other leadership roles in the game have clear pipelines. Street Judge has terra, corpsec, cadet. Techs have apprenticeships. Gangers have tiers. Performers have… hope something happens. Maybe. If you are online at the right time.

Ambition should be mandatory.
Blind guessing should not.

I am not asking to make Superstar easy. I am asking for:

• predictable or recurring entry points
• defined expectations once someone reaches the role
• accountability if a Superstar stops driving RP

Superstar is supposed to drive RP for others. That is a leadership function. Leadership implies responsibility, not only privilege.

Players are not asking to be handed fame. We are asking for a path we can actually walk, not a locked door we are told to creatively kick until it opens.

By QueenZombean at Oct 29, 2025, 12:46 PM | 0
Superstars have PA at NLM to the superstar as obvious path.

For the non pa-ways, you can ask around, ideally around other people in the music, those paths are findable, I doubt they are predictible or recurring, but once you know which player or NPC to go after the rest is kinda up to you, no?

By Froggy at Oct 29, 2025, 12:48 PM | 0
Being a PA to a superstar is not a path. It's a role that leaves you running errands and hoping for interaction. And there is ONE PA and if the person who gets the job isn't performance inclined, it is one person doing the job and plugging it for someone else.
By QueenZombean at Oct 29, 2025, 12:50 PM | 0
Well, if the PA job you want is taken, get rid of that person.

I think I'll excuse myself from this topic further, and hope others can provide with better help than I was able to.

By Froggy at Oct 29, 2025, 12:51 PM | 2
Thank you for your input.

(Edited by QueenZombean at 12:56 pm on 10/29/2025)

By QueenZombean at Oct 29, 2025, 12:52 PM | 0
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