Spy_Land FAQs
Suggestions for additions and modifications are encouraged. Please leave them in the comments below.
Everything You Never Knew You Wanted to Ask About Spy_Land
What is Spy_Land?
Spy_Land is an interactive competition inspired by communities like whedonland and jjverse. Members are sorted into teams and then participate in missions (i.e. games and challenges), such as writing fic, making graphics, and solving puzzles. Some of the missions involve skill, but most of them are participation and/or luck based, so everyone and anyone can join in the fun. Points are awarded at the end of each mission, and the team with the highest number of points at the end of the phase, wins.
The three Spy_Land teams are Team CIA, Team MI6, and Team KGB.
What shows and movies are included here?
Our definitive list is at the Included Fandoms Post. Any of the fandoms on that list are fair game for missions, unless the mission specifies otherwise. The list can be expanded, so if there’s a fandom you think should be included, please comment to that post for consideration.
The community is closed to new members. How do I join?
The community is merely closed to keep things organized. Anyone may join by going to the Application Post and filling it out to be assigned to a team. Once you've been assigned to a team, you'll receive invites for spy_land, atthesafehouse, and your team community.
Do I need to watch all of the included shows/movies to join?
Not at all! While it may be more fun to be into more than just one of them, it’s definitely not required.
Do I have to wait for the beginning of a phase to join?
Nope! Just jump in and apply for a team at any time.
I joined, now what?
After joining all three communities (spy_land, atthesafehouse, and your team community), take a moment to browse around and get the lay of the land. Your team's community may have introduction post so you can get to know your team. When you're ready to join in on missions and start earning points, you’ll find the Current Missions link located in the spy_land sidebar.
While not required, it is a good idea to track Spy_Land and/or your team community so you are notified via e-mail when a new post goes up.
What is expected of me?
You are encouraged to complete any and all missions you can -- every point matters! At the bare minimum, however, you should not miss seven missions in a row. After missing your seventh consecutive mission, you will receive a reminder and be placed in limbo. While in limbo, if you do not complete one of the next four missions, you will be cut from your team. You may return to the game if you wish, but you must reapply for a team.
I need to be gone for a while, but I don't want to leave the game. What do I do?
If you need to be absent from the game for an extended period of time, please use the http://community.livejournal.com/spy_land/558.htmlPage-a-Mod post to let me know in advance. You'll be placed on hiatus, which removes the participation requirement, and you'll remain on the same team when you return.
How do I complete a mission?
To complete a mission (unless otherwise directed in the Mission Post), leave a comment at the Mission Post with your entry. Comments are often screened, so you may not see any other entries.
How often are missions posted?
Missions are posted approximately every two days, and there are usually about 3-4 missions per week.
How long do I have to complete a mission?
Each mission will have it's own due date specified in the Mission Post. Most missions will be due one week after being posted, but more time may be allotted for more difficult missions. We will periodically have live missions as well, where your presence will be requested at a specific time to help your team complete the mission; most live challenges will come with advance warning, but very occasionally they will be dropped in without notice.
What are those images everyone is using with their mission entries?
Those are tag banners. Spy_Land tag banners must 300x150, must have your name (real or username) and team name, and must include a spy-related image. Using a tag banner with your completed mission earns you one bonus point. To get the point, your tag banner must be used the first time you post to complete a mission, not edited in later.
What is the spoiler policy for missions?
Completed missions cannot include pictures or information from new episodes until one month after they’ve aired in the US.
What do I do If I have a question about a particular mission?
For the first comment to every mission, I always leave a Questions thread. Ask any questions there and I will get back to you within 24 hours.
How do I get in touch with you if I have a general question, concern, problem, suggestion, or otherwise need your help?
If you have a general question, comment, or problem, please leave a comment at the Page-a-Mod post. Your comment will be screened in case the issue is sensitive. I will get back to you as soon as I can.
I am not the best writer / graphics person. Does that matter?
Not at all! While there is occasionally voting, participation is what's most important. It's the effort that counts above all, so jump right in! You'll find most people here are just "winging it", and half the fun is learning to do new or unfamiliar things. :)
Am I allowed to post at Spy_Land? How about my team's community?
The only person who may post at Spy_Land is me, (aka Anna, aka bananabelcher). Anyone can post at your team's community -- in fact, we encourage it! Challenge reminders, hints, team cheering, games, etc., go right ahead!
What is the purpose of my team’s community?
The team communities are locked to members only, so you can develop strategies and encourage each other to complete the missions and rack up points. They are often used for mission reminders and help/hints posts. They’re also a great place to just have fun with your fellow teammates; teams often have games and other activities to supplement the official Spy_Land missions.
What is atthesafehouse?
The Safe House is the social side of spy_land. All members of all teams have posting access there, so everyone can mingle, get to know each other, and have fun. Feel free to post questions, discussions, games, activities, etc. for your fellow spies.
What do I do if I have to leave the game?
If you have to leave the game for any reason, please head over to the Page-a-Mod Post and drop me a line. You are free to re-join again at any time -- just leave another comment at the Application Post.
* * *
Original FAQ by outoftime and likealight for jjverse.
Additional inspiration from disneyverse and twiland
Modifications for Spy_Land by bananabelcher.
Everything You Never Knew You Wanted to Ask About Spy_Land
What is Spy_Land?
Spy_Land is an interactive competition inspired by communities like whedonland and jjverse. Members are sorted into teams and then participate in missions (i.e. games and challenges), such as writing fic, making graphics, and solving puzzles. Some of the missions involve skill, but most of them are participation and/or luck based, so everyone and anyone can join in the fun. Points are awarded at the end of each mission, and the team with the highest number of points at the end of the phase, wins.
The three Spy_Land teams are Team CIA, Team MI6, and Team KGB.
What shows and movies are included here?
Our definitive list is at the Included Fandoms Post. Any of the fandoms on that list are fair game for missions, unless the mission specifies otherwise. The list can be expanded, so if there’s a fandom you think should be included, please comment to that post for consideration.
The community is closed to new members. How do I join?
The community is merely closed to keep things organized. Anyone may join by going to the Application Post and filling it out to be assigned to a team. Once you've been assigned to a team, you'll receive invites for spy_land, atthesafehouse, and your team community.
Do I need to watch all of the included shows/movies to join?
Not at all! While it may be more fun to be into more than just one of them, it’s definitely not required.
Do I have to wait for the beginning of a phase to join?
Nope! Just jump in and apply for a team at any time.
I joined, now what?
After joining all three communities (spy_land, atthesafehouse, and your team community), take a moment to browse around and get the lay of the land. Your team's community may have introduction post so you can get to know your team. When you're ready to join in on missions and start earning points, you’ll find the Current Missions link located in the spy_land sidebar.
While not required, it is a good idea to track Spy_Land and/or your team community so you are notified via e-mail when a new post goes up.
What is expected of me?
You are encouraged to complete any and all missions you can -- every point matters! At the bare minimum, however, you should not miss seven missions in a row. After missing your seventh consecutive mission, you will receive a reminder and be placed in limbo. While in limbo, if you do not complete one of the next four missions, you will be cut from your team. You may return to the game if you wish, but you must reapply for a team.
I need to be gone for a while, but I don't want to leave the game. What do I do?
If you need to be absent from the game for an extended period of time, please use the http://community.livejournal.com/spy_land/558.htmlPage-a-Mod post to let me know in advance. You'll be placed on hiatus, which removes the participation requirement, and you'll remain on the same team when you return.
How do I complete a mission?
To complete a mission (unless otherwise directed in the Mission Post), leave a comment at the Mission Post with your entry. Comments are often screened, so you may not see any other entries.
How often are missions posted?
Missions are posted approximately every two days, and there are usually about 3-4 missions per week.
How long do I have to complete a mission?
Each mission will have it's own due date specified in the Mission Post. Most missions will be due one week after being posted, but more time may be allotted for more difficult missions. We will periodically have live missions as well, where your presence will be requested at a specific time to help your team complete the mission; most live challenges will come with advance warning, but very occasionally they will be dropped in without notice.
What are those images everyone is using with their mission entries?
Those are tag banners. Spy_Land tag banners must 300x150, must have your name (real or username) and team name, and must include a spy-related image. Using a tag banner with your completed mission earns you one bonus point. To get the point, your tag banner must be used the first time you post to complete a mission, not edited in later.
What is the spoiler policy for missions?
Completed missions cannot include pictures or information from new episodes until one month after they’ve aired in the US.
What do I do If I have a question about a particular mission?
For the first comment to every mission, I always leave a Questions thread. Ask any questions there and I will get back to you within 24 hours.
How do I get in touch with you if I have a general question, concern, problem, suggestion, or otherwise need your help?
If you have a general question, comment, or problem, please leave a comment at the Page-a-Mod post. Your comment will be screened in case the issue is sensitive. I will get back to you as soon as I can.
I am not the best writer / graphics person. Does that matter?
Not at all! While there is occasionally voting, participation is what's most important. It's the effort that counts above all, so jump right in! You'll find most people here are just "winging it", and half the fun is learning to do new or unfamiliar things. :)
Am I allowed to post at Spy_Land? How about my team's community?
The only person who may post at Spy_Land is me, (aka Anna, aka bananabelcher). Anyone can post at your team's community -- in fact, we encourage it! Challenge reminders, hints, team cheering, games, etc., go right ahead!
What is the purpose of my team’s community?
The team communities are locked to members only, so you can develop strategies and encourage each other to complete the missions and rack up points. They are often used for mission reminders and help/hints posts. They’re also a great place to just have fun with your fellow teammates; teams often have games and other activities to supplement the official Spy_Land missions.
What is atthesafehouse?
The Safe House is the social side of spy_land. All members of all teams have posting access there, so everyone can mingle, get to know each other, and have fun. Feel free to post questions, discussions, games, activities, etc. for your fellow spies.
What do I do if I have to leave the game?
If you have to leave the game for any reason, please head over to the Page-a-Mod Post and drop me a line. You are free to re-join again at any time -- just leave another comment at the Application Post.
* * *
Original FAQ by outoftime and likealight for jjverse.
Additional inspiration from disneyverse and twiland
Modifications for Spy_Land by bananabelcher.