Post by Ray on Jul 28, 2017 20:04:19 GMT
Welcome to Forest Acres
Town Bulletin Vol 6, Issue 1
I am filled with so much excitement to finally unveil what we've been working on for months! (like literally bouncing off my chair) It started off as an idea, a test to see if things would work in a new layout and eventually we just kept going, coming up with tons of new ideas and features as we went.
For you social media butterflies, you've probably seen the new banner already but for those who haven't, we have our own professionally commissioned banner just for us by an amazing artist Massimo Di Leo (be sure to check out his artstation).
*I should make a quick note to get it out the way but the new layout is optimised for desktop viewing. We have the default pro boards mobile version, but if you try and view the desktop version on your mobile it will be a bit buggy!*
*I should make a quick note to get it out the way but the new layout is optimised for desktop viewing. We have the default pro boards mobile version, but if you try and view the desktop version on your mobile it will be a bit buggy!*
So many things have changed, I will do my best to explain them all fully but if you have any questions feel free to ask! So welcome to Forest Acres & let's get started!
New Layout - New Menu
I figured the best place to start was the new menu! It might be a bit daunting at first so here's a few guide lines to get you going:
The centralised navigation bar at the top will follow you no matter where you are on the page (no more scrolling yay!). All sections have been categorised into drop downs. You can locate site info/event updates, jump to your inbox and profile quickly and more!
The icons at the top will also light up whenever you have notifications/messages and the 3 lines at the top right display some useful forum pages. In particular bookmarks is a new section where you can hotlink your favourite threads!
I'll let you explore a bit on your own.
Your Inventory
This is your own personalised inventory and contains sections for your forum money, items and more:
Bell transfers will show you any forum bell transfer other members have sent you (the pop up notification still exists).
The Bank ABD will display your personal bank, you can deposit and withdraw money and even get interest!
The Shop contains all the new account upgrades you can purchase for your account specifically.
ACNL: Database is a huge database will all items from animal crossing new leaf. You can locate information quickly such as furniture sets, clothes, sort by theme and more!
Guides & Tips will show you a list of all guides for new leaf created in our guides section. If you're looking for quick help, check here!
Shop Upgrades
The Sapling Shop has now been fully refurbished! You will find upgrades that can be applied to your account such as ordinances and personal icons. There isn't a whole lot right now but we will be adding more in the near future! For an in depth explanation of all the shop upgrades see here.
Revamped Money System
So, overtime the bank's interest ran away a little bit with a few members. We had to adjust the interest amounts people received from posting and bought the totals down to a more reasonable and manageable system. Everyone's money has been edited over the past few weeks to cater to this new system and everyone's money has been adjusted proportionally so don't worry about losing money!
For a description of the new earning amounts click here.
Roleplaying - with bugs & fish collectibles
This is by far the BIGGEST update we've ever had besides skin changes. For those who don't know, our roleplaying section is run by our wonderful moderator Mimi (go jump on her). We've recently added a new events system which will make roleplaying all the more exciting.
When you post in the roleplaying board, there is a chance of finding a bug or fish. These bugs/fish can be collected and displayed on your profile for everyone to amaze at! An event looks like this:
What's more, is all fish and bugs will appear at the same time of year they do in the game new leaf and there are over 150 creatures to collect! No more updating the shop periodically, this happens automatically! Say you're posting in the winter, you might find a stringfish!
Your personal museum
In relation to the roleplaying section, you can display the bugs and fish you find on your profile. You all have your own personal museum which will show on your profile and can even earn tons of badges for finding alot of creatures. To donate a creature you've found, click deposit on your profile summary page. Happy roleplaying!
In relation to the roleplaying section, you can display the bugs and fish you find on your profile. You all have your own personal museum which will show on your profile and can even earn tons of badges for finding alot of creatures. To donate a creature you've found, click deposit on your profile summary page. Happy roleplaying!
Unlockable Profile Badges
This is one of my favourite new features. You can now earn badges which will be displayed on your profile for all to see! The requirements of these badges vary, from saving up forum bells, making friends, purchasing shop upgrades, collecting fish/bugs from the new roleplaying section and more!
We have added some badges to your profiles already which you will see on your new profile!
Wifi Rating System
We have a new wifi rating system you can use to positively and negatively rate other players who you play animal crossing online with. You should now see a new wifi rating in your mini profile and profile. In order to give or take rating from someone you can do so by clicking the buttons in their mini profile:
You can also see a full list of previous history in your profile's wifi rating tab. We are working on a notification system for this but at the moment you'll have to check your profile for updates. Be sure to work hard for a good rating as you can earn profile badges from this!
Profile Cover Images
Mini profile backdrops might be gone, but now we have profile cover images! Kind of like Facebook's cover photos, you can now customise your profile with a unique banner for visitors to see. To change your image, go to profile drop down -> edit settings and locate the 'Profile Cover Image' field and paste your image url here.
Profile Comments
You can now write profile comments on each other's profile pages! You get a number notification in the nav bar when you have a new notification. We recommend you delete older messages you no longer require so they don't clutter up your wall! It is displayed under your status in your profile summary tab:
Social Media Pages
If you haven't seen them already, we now have a twitter and tumblr page amongst our facebook page! Here's a list of all our social media pages:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thesaplingforums
Twitter: @saplingforums - twitter.com/SaplingForums
There is a new discord widget in the navigation bar at the top. It displays which members are online at all times without even having to open the app! [ also congrats to who was online when taking the screenshot lol ][/span][/div]
Following & Friends Feature
Just a brief shout out. We've bought back the following feature of proboards where you can follow other members to see what they're up to, what they've been posting and more. When two people follow each other, you become friends. Be sure to make lots of friends as there's new friends badges to earn!
Forum Suggestions
We have a thread where we love to hear from you all the new ideas you have or changes that could make the sapling even greater! We appreciate the support immensely. If you'd like to suggest something, check out our forum suggestions thread here.
This month, with the new forum unveil, we do want your ideas for what some of the badges should be for! If you head on over to our badges page, you'll see that we haven't decided what all badge awards should do.
Members of the Month
That's right, MEMBERS! This month in honour of the new badge system and skin, we've gone back and awarded those people the Samaritan badges for either being super helpful in the past, posting alot, suggesting new forum ideas and for helping me out in times of crisis.
A big shout out to Aurelia, Dilpyckle and Mimi the Great. Aurelia for keeping me sane throughout the whole process and being a joy to be around. A thank you to Mimi for keeping me in line with my wacky ideas, at times she would have to rein me in, less I start chucking any old thing on the boards and finally Dilpyckle for giving me direction and suggestions on our discord chat! Be sure to leave a nice congratulations comments on their walls!
Conclusion
In one month, we will be shutting the sapling down so enjoy it whilst it lasts...................JUST KIDDING. LOL We are NEVER going down ever, and we strive to be the best animal crossing forum you've ever SEEN. I sincerely hope you all love the new layout and look forward to seeing you all flourish and develop over the years to come. Have fun and see you around!
:-*