This is not about E16.
In the next few weeks, we're going to be doing a full site update. This includes upgrading the forums, redoing the main site entirely, and switching to a new domain. This has been in the works for some time, and while I'm excited to finally get these changes nailed down, they do not come without their share of kicked-up dust.
The biggest difference between the new and old forums is going to be the complete removal of the $R system.
That kind of sucks, but unfortunately there isn't a way around it. Our currency system is part of a third party mod which is completely incompatible with new forum versions. This is also the main reason that we haven't upgraded yet, but as it is now this forum software is nearly three years outdated and its age is starting to show.
A lot around here revolves around the $R system, so let's talk about how we're going to handle some of those things after the upgrade:
Member titles can be changed freely
Display names can be changed freely, every so often
The Sprite Shop will be entirely removed. It hasn't been updated in years anyway.
Showdown Sprites can be changed on request for voiced users, every so often
Showdown Rooms will be made on application and staff approval with a certain number of active users
Instead of being bought, Ace Membership will be gated by account age and a new feature called EXP (it's exactly what you think).
EXP will be earned by contributing positively to the site, including earning reputation, helping others in need, and helping to keep others in line.
EXP can also be lost when you receive warning points.
It may also be worth mentioning that this EXP system will be available to users who primarily use the server only (unlike our current post count requirement, which has been removed), making it practical for them to get ace/voice too.
Given the recent unintentional loss of Showdown Rooms and Sprites, we have started taking strides to move towards this policy somewhat in advance. So, those things may be available again soon in their post-update forms even before the full update.
One of the major benefits to this move will be the complete integration of the main site into the forum system. Currently the forum and site pages are actually two entirely different softwares that are just trying very hard (with decent success) to look like each other. With this update, we'll be able to move all of the site content into the forum system itself,making everything more consistent and easier to maintain (...also i've wanted these features since i was like 12 tbh no joke).
It will also mark our official transition from a Pokemon community to a full-fledged gaming one-- though make no mistake, we'll always strongly have our roots in Pokemon and our own game.
Some other changes you might notice to the forum after the upgrade include:
The friend system has been replaced with a twitter-esque follow system
Topics can now be made in Q&A format, including a Best Answer selected by the asker.
Cover photos on your profiles
More responsive to mobile/tablet users
Lots of other cool stuff that frankly I have yet to even find...
The other major drawback to this move will be the temporary downtime during the maintenance and development. I expect this to happen within the next couple of weeks. The site and forums will be unavailable, possibly for up to a week while we get everything switched over. No gaming servers (Showdown, Minecraft, tba..) should be affected during that time. The timing might be awkward with the beta going on and Sun and Moon coming out soon, but I hope everyone will bear with it and join us in the Showdown or Discord chats in the meantime.
This version of the site and the theme have been around since 2010, so I think it's finally time to retire them. But even though that which we know is being laid to rest, take comfort in knowing that it'll always be Reborn.
^~^