We asked members in an anonymous survey in September 2010 to give their honest opinions of Shaman and to rate certain aspects of the game. On this page is every response;
none were witheld, so prospective members can see all the positive and negative points about the game.
If you are a member, you can still take the survey by clicking here.
Overall: 
Activity:
Owner:
Staff:
Other members/community:
Quality of posts:
Rules:
Contests/things to do:
Plotline:
Fun/enjoyment:
Writing improvement/development opportunities:
Help available:
"I was looking for an original rp, since it ad been a while I stumbled upon shaman and decided to go for it, been here ever since."
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"I loved the idea. I really do not enjoy faffy little fairies who tinker around making magical piles of dust to capture evil goblins...Basically, it's not like playing the stereotypical fairy - but more like a different race altogether, like a winged human which exists alongside them...Then there was the option of joining your character from any time period available. This is fantastic. I can't even tell you how much. It's incredibly muse-boostful to be guiding a modern-day fairy and an olden-type (lol) fairy through situations, which are incredibly unique and different. It gives you more option, and makes the game very interesting.
In all my years of roleplaying, I've never come across a game like this - original, virtually dramaless (Gia wasn't kidding when she said that - I have never seen a full scale argument, in fact, most of the arguments were started by myself over very stupid things....and hey, at least I can admit that). It's hateless - you are guaranteed to be loved simply because you're there. I've never ever encountered a nasty person there. Ever (and I've been playing for a very very long time).
It's just wonderful. It's like the best social networking site (minus the nasty factor) combined with an award-winning bestseller."
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"several of my rping friends joined, and mentioned it to me. i thought it would be fun to play fairies, since i usually play horses; i liked the challenge, since i find humanoid writing harder than equine.
plus gia is the sex ;]
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"Well, as soon as I discovered that Georgia had created Shaman, I knew that I had to join. XD So, I went and checked out the site and just fell in love with the concept. :) I've been playing ever since and I love it here."
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"To begin with, I joined Shaman because I was told to by Georgia, but I stayed because I loved the community and the plots. I have advanced so much in skill since I joined Shaman and people were always willing to help me."
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"- humanoid
- knew how much Gia rocks
- swish layout
- plot potential"
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"I'd been browsing for a humanoid rpg for a while, and i was friend's with the owner of Shaman, who suggested it to me. I read posts, checked out the newsletter, looked up upcoming plots and loved it. The i pootled over to the OOC, wanting to see how people here interacted. After coming from quite a hostile rpg, i was worried how they would accept a new comer. The previous rpg had cliques, and if you weren't in, you'd never be in. I saw some familiar faces and was over-joyed when i saw just how much of a family community it was, and is.
I joined one character, to ease myself in. A week after joining i joined another character. I was HOOKED, LINE AND SINKER! I've never looked back."
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"I was looking for an original rp, since it ad been a while I stumbled upon shaman and decided to go for it, been here ever since."
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"I was lingering around for a while and I never tried a fairy RPG so thus, i joined, i've loved it thus far."
"that this place is amazing, so many ways to earn points, always something going on, very original ideas and lots and lots of history to back it up."
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"There's amazing characters, players (who are extraordinary writers) and huge chances to improve. In fact, Shaman is the reason my writing has improved greatly - if I look back, now, on what I used to write, I think 'Oh God, did I really say that? *facepalm*' Aura and Mallos are completely amazing, and unlike so many other 'all-powerful' charactersm have their flaws and beliefs...they're incredibly well crafted tools to kickstart your muse.
I've never actually considered leaving this site. I know I have gone away for long periods of time - but it was the people, an the general amazingness which keeps me coming back...the layouts are consistently amazing, and although the current layout is a pain to make character layouts for (due to the fact it's a texture effect and has multiple shades instead of one), but it would look plain with a single colour. In fact, I love the effect it gives, and I'm more than happy to sacrfice some layouts for the amazingness of this site.
The mod squad. This is possibly one of the greatest creations known to Shaman, and I love each and every one of them. They're always happy to help clear up any misconceptions, and what's best? They're not snooty about it. There's no 'i'm your superior, gimme all your money >:}' They're all decent, lovely players and I'm honoured to play this game with them. I've seen many accounts on different games where the mods abuse their power - but I've never actually witnessed this here. In fact, even the admin doesn't abuse her power.
There's also awesome different things attached to the site, which isn't typical of most sites - in fact, in most, I find myself getting bored for lack of things to do. On Shaman, if you find yourself getting bored....there's a heck of a lot of stuff to do.
Then you can gather awards and win contests, and increase your brag-worthy menagarie. It does make you feel good about yourself when you place in a contest, or win an award.
Bad points. I have literally been sitting here for half an hour thinking, and can only come up with the fact that there is not a lot of people here - and sometimes posting is slow...Um. I'm not sure there is any more."
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"one of my favorite things about Shaman is the strong plot-driven backbone that still allows creativity and development, and allows everyone to join in. though my characters have, in the past, had large parts in sections of the plots, so i may see this differently to other people, i think that no member could say they felt left out at any point. the seven curses in particular enveloped everyone; people were asked to join in as much or as little as they liked, which helped the more timid to really get a grip on what Shaman is really about - community.
one thing i would like to see more of is a feeling of community amongst the characters. Shaman is a kingdom; i feel that perhaps the monarchy should do more - both ic and ooc - to generate that feeling. (i also think we should have knights in armor and stuff, but that might just be me ;D.) there are times when the characters will group together, but often many of them are just floating. unlike most rp sites with kingdoms, the Core often feels like nothing more than a government; i think it should be more like a home, for some at least.
a lot of the lands were used only as family homes; most had alliances with many others. there was no real feeling of tension between any of the inner territories. i think we should spice that up a bit ;]
otherwise, i think its perfection =D"
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"Shaman is amazing, you guys. It has a wonderful community and we're more like a huge family, haha. The plots are spectacular and I love the style of everybody's writing. :D"
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"Nobody 'isn't good enough' for Shaman. So many RPG's are elitist communities and won't let you join because of something. We don't need fully developed personalities, and thousand word long starter posts. I know people who have started with three-liners and ended up practically writing essays, simply because they had the encouragement of our staff and community. Shaman is an amazing place to be, and is what Role Playing should be about, fun, creativity and freedom."
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"- great plots
- pretty layouts
- great owner
- friendly players"
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"Shaman is the best thing that happened to me in the rpg world. This place is one big happy family. We're an rpg site, a family, and a great listener. I would strongly recommend joining, not just because of the wonderful people, talent and plots, but also because it's something different. I've seen quite a few "horse" versions of Shaman, but they're always over crowded, sporadic activity and often lack compassion. Not only does Shaman have brilliant writers in it's midsts, we also LOVE to help each other improve. And we all leap at the chance to RP with a new person.
You want critique, just ask.
You want a character building plot, just ask.
Need awesome html, just ask.
Need an mind boggling picture, just ask.
Need a shoulder to cry on, WE COME EQUIP WITH TOWELS!
Shaman is amazing, and i wouldn't be writing about it if it wasn't.
Hell, i wouldn't be here if it wasn't.
You join, and you won't regret it.
Honest.
xxx"
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"that this place is amazing, so many ways to earn points, always something going on, very original ideas and lots and lots of history to back it up."
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"LOVE ITTTT!!! LOVE THE STAFF, THE PEOPLE, THE CHARACTERS. end of story. :D"