Multiversal Omnipedia:FAQ

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==What is the Multiversal Omnipedia?==
 
==What is the Multiversal Omnipedia?==
  
The Multiversal Omnipedia (MOA) is intended to be a complete catalog of all the people, places, items, events, and other things in all dramatic fiction. The emphasis, however, is on fantastic fiction (with events beyond normal human experience) instead of more realistic series. Unlike other sites such as [http://www.wikipedia.org Wikipedia], MOA does not approach its subjects as fictional; instead, it treats them with the same validity as real events.
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The Multiversal Omnipedia (MOA) is intended to be a complete catalog of all the people, places, items, events, and other things in all dramatic fiction. The emphasis, however, is on fantastic fiction (with events beyond normal human experience) instead of more realistic series. Unlike other sites such as [http://www.wikipedia.org Wikipedia], MOA does not approach its subjects as fictional. We use what they call an "in-universe" style, treating them as if they were real events.
  
 
==What fictional universes are included? Are any excluded?==
 
==What fictional universes are included? Are any excluded?==
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* "Rules" that change illogically and frequently for the purpose of one-time gags and jokes. This includes most Warner Bros. and Disney shorts, and most comedy films. "Dramadies" like [[:Category:Ghostbusters (Films)|Ghostbusters]] or [[:Category:Evil Dead|Evil Dead]] are usually fine.
 
* "Rules" that change illogically and frequently for the purpose of one-time gags and jokes. This includes most Warner Bros. and Disney shorts, and most comedy films. "Dramadies" like [[:Category:Ghostbusters (Films)|Ghostbusters]] or [[:Category:Evil Dead|Evil Dead]] are usually fine.
 
* A lack of any fantastic elements whatsoever. This means most prime-time dramas, most sitcoms, and most soap operas are excluded.
 
* A lack of any fantastic elements whatsoever. This means most prime-time dramas, most sitcoms, and most soap operas are excluded.
* Any company-unacknowledged fanmade elements, including fan fiction and personal role-playing game sessions.
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* Any fanmade elements not approved by the original creators of the fiction, including fan fiction and personal role-playing game sessions.
 
* Excessive use of "mature" content to the point that it's central to the regular plot (like erotica or hentai). MOA also forbids universes from works specifically designed to promote hate-mongering or ethnic/religious/societal intolerance of any kind.
 
* Excessive use of "mature" content to the point that it's central to the regular plot (like erotica or hentai). MOA also forbids universes from works specifically designed to promote hate-mongering or ethnic/religious/societal intolerance of any kind.
  
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Entries should adhere to a PG-13 rating. Mature topics (sex, graphic violence, rape) can be referred to, but not described in great detail. (Don't pretend it doesn't exist, just don't linger on it. Describe in one word or as few words as possible. Kids might- in fact, likely will- see this site, after all.)
 
Entries should adhere to a PG-13 rating. Mature topics (sex, graphic violence, rape) can be referred to, but not described in great detail. (Don't pretend it doesn't exist, just don't linger on it. Describe in one word or as few words as possible. Kids might- in fact, likely will- see this site, after all.)
  
The other guideline is that entries don't require extreme levels of detail. A major character or group doesn't need a play-by-play biography- just the broad highlights. With really, really major characters, broad summaries are the best (see [[Dracula]] or [[Superman]] for an idea). That said, if you feel up to writing something incredibly detailed, feel free- just don't feel obligated to do so.
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The other guideline is that entries don't necessarily require extreme levels of detail. A major character or group doesn't need a play-by-play biography- just the broad highlights. With really, really major characters, broad summaries are fine (see [[Dracula]] or [[Superman]] for an idea). That said, if you feel up to writing something incredibly detailed, feel free- just don't feel obligated to do so.
  
 
==Is fan material included?==
 
==Is fan material included?==
  
No. Although that wasn't the case in the [[Multiversal Omnipedia:About|past]] (see [http://www.dracandros.com/Jebgarg/Nidoking/moa/moa-app1.htm Appendix 1] of the original site for what was once part), it has been excluded since (mainly because there's so much of it!).  Unofficial works that have been endorsed by the official companies (such as some of the official D&D fan sites' material) may also be considered canon, and certain interesting fan speculations and theories may be noted in the entries they refer to. Later on, I might add a section for fan material, but not anytime soon. (See also [[FAQ#Can_I_include_speculation.3F_Or_non-canon_or_pseudo-canon_material.3F|Can I include speculation? Or non-canon or pseudo-canon material?]] below.)
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No. Although that wasn't the case in the [[Multiversal Omnipedia:About|past]] (see [http://www.dracandros.com/Jebgarg/Nidoking/moa/moa-app1.htm Appendix 1] of the original site for what was once part), it has been excluded since (mainly because there's so much of it!).  Unofficial works that have been endorsed by the official companies (such as some of the official D&D fan sites' material) may also be considered canon, and certain interesting fan speculations and theories may be noted in the entries they refer to. (See also [[FAQ#Can_I_include_speculation.3F_Or_non-canon_or_pseudo-canon_material.3F|Can I include speculation? Or non-canon or pseudo-canon material?]] below.)
  
 
==What if I find a mistake?==
 
==What if I find a mistake?==

Revision as of 22:18, 8 February 2007

Contents

What is the Multiversal Omnipedia?

The Multiversal Omnipedia (MOA) is intended to be a complete catalog of all the people, places, items, events, and other things in all dramatic fiction. The emphasis, however, is on fantastic fiction (with events beyond normal human experience) instead of more realistic series. Unlike other sites such as Wikipedia, MOA does not approach its subjects as fictional. We use what they call an "in-universe" style, treating them as if they were real events.

What fictional universes are included? Are any excluded?

Anything from a fictional universe may be included here, as long as it's not common knowledge. It can be characters, places, etc. Check out some of the categories for examples.

To be easily accepted, a universe for MOA must:

  • Have dramatic content.
  • Have some degree of fantastic or unusual elements that make the universe in question unlikely to be our logical, mundane real world. James Bond is about the most real it should get. This definitely includes anything in the genres of science fiction, fantasy or supernatural horror. Action and adventure fiction is also outlandish enough to qualify.
  • Preferably (but not definitely), it should have some degree of depth- that is, multiple stories or some universe background. It shouldn't be a one-shot unless it's a very well-constructed one-shot. (In other words, it's probably not worthwhile to write entries from, say, a single story in the latest issue of Weird Tales, unless that story is very deep or connected to a larger continuity.)
  • The universe should also adhere to a fairly consistent set of reasonable internal "rules" that change rarely if at all.
  • The universe must be original or a homage to something original. The original material must be publicly available in some form, and will be considered on its own merits by the standards above.

Mythologies, folklore, legends, religions and modern tales of the paranormal are automatically acceptable, provided they are from an entire society or held by multiple people. Those that factor strongly into fictional universes (such as the Greek gods) are particularly favored.

A universe for MOA should not have the following:

  • A lack of significant dramatic content. This includes most "edutainment" like Sesame Street.
  • "Rules" that change illogically and frequently for the purpose of one-time gags and jokes. This includes most Warner Bros. and Disney shorts, and most comedy films. "Dramadies" like Ghostbusters or Evil Dead are usually fine.
  • A lack of any fantastic elements whatsoever. This means most prime-time dramas, most sitcoms, and most soap operas are excluded.
  • Any fanmade elements not approved by the original creators of the fiction, including fan fiction and personal role-playing game sessions.
  • Excessive use of "mature" content to the point that it's central to the regular plot (like erotica or hentai). MOA also forbids universes from works specifically designed to promote hate-mongering or ethnic/religious/societal intolerance of any kind.

If any entry comes from a universe type that is disapproved-of, it'll probably be deleted, so don't waste your time making one.

Special Cases and Notes:

  • If a universe is serious but the characters are all silly, and it otherwise meets the criteria for an acceptable universe, it's usually okay (i.e. The Tick). Likewise, a silly universe with serious characters is also fine if it meets the usual standards (i.e. Cool World).
  • Just being animated and serious is not enough- there are plenty of animated series (particularly from Japan) that are completely realistic despite being animated.
  • Unofficial materials endorsed by the original creator (i.e. some of the Kargatane's Ravenloft material) are usually fine.
  • Due to their prominent place in popular culture, classic literary works that are completely serious and non-fantastic may be considered, particularly if anyone has linked them to a universe with fantastic elements (such as the Wold Newton Universe). The same holds for any universe with long-running literary characters (such as various Great Detectives). The universe must still match the other requirements to qualify, however.
  • If someone can make a compelling argument to the administrators or another administrator that their favorite universe is a deserving exception, it may be added anyway.

What standards should entries be held to?

Entries should adhere to a PG-13 rating. Mature topics (sex, graphic violence, rape) can be referred to, but not described in great detail. (Don't pretend it doesn't exist, just don't linger on it. Describe in one word or as few words as possible. Kids might- in fact, likely will- see this site, after all.)

The other guideline is that entries don't necessarily require extreme levels of detail. A major character or group doesn't need a play-by-play biography- just the broad highlights. With really, really major characters, broad summaries are fine (see Dracula or Superman for an idea). That said, if you feel up to writing something incredibly detailed, feel free- just don't feel obligated to do so.

Is fan material included?

No. Although that wasn't the case in the past (see Appendix 1 of the original site for what was once part), it has been excluded since (mainly because there's so much of it!). Unofficial works that have been endorsed by the official companies (such as some of the official D&D fan sites' material) may also be considered canon, and certain interesting fan speculations and theories may be noted in the entries they refer to. (See also Can I include speculation? Or non-canon or pseudo-canon material? below.)

What if I find a mistake?

For corrections, you can fix them yourself! Just click the edit tab and you can edit the text of any entry page. You don't even need to log in or create a user name (although, if you plan to contribute on a regular basis, it's a good idea!)

What if I find a good picture for an entry without one?

Just use the Upload file link in the Toolbox on the left side. It's a good idea to add some information about the picture when you do so, such as where it came from. Don't add a link to an external image- all images used at the site must be archived here.

What if a universe I like isn't covered here?

You can add it yourself as a category page, or put in a request. As a warning, if you add a universe of a type we exclude, it may be deleted- unless you can convince the administrators otherwise. (Please ask!)

I want to write an entry. How do I do that?

Just click the edit tab and you can tamper with anything you want! See the Help page for specifics on editing.

Can I copy works from other people's Web sites and post them as entries here?

See Multiversal Omnipedia:Copyrights.

I'd like to use something from the site; what do I do?

See Multiversal Omnipedia:Copyrights.

Should I worry about being spoiled?

MOA is spoiler-friendly, so if you don't want to risk learning something about a fictional character or thing, it's best to avoid the entry altogether. That doesn't necessarily mean every entry is spoiler-heavy- in fact, some are deliberately very inspecific- but it certainly means they can be.

Anyone can edit, so can I wipe pages that I don't like?

No. Even if there's something hideously wrong with the page in question, you should contact an administrator before doing so. If you do delete something without permission, odds are an administrator will restore it. So, in short, ask first.

Can I include speculation? Or non-canon or pseudo-canon material?

Yes, but only speculation, non-canon or pseudo-canon material about pre-existing entries (characters, historical events, etc.). If you add this, try to keep it brief, and make sure you designate it as such by putting it a "Comments" section (==Comments==). You should also include a justification for it- some sources that support your speculation, or the reasons that you came up with your speculations. However, posting anything entirely made up by you, with no basis in fact whatsoever, amounts to fan material, and will be removed.

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