Alternative History
Alternative History

Wow, nice idea! I've jumped in with a 1927 article, but I don't know exactly how long articles are supposed to be, etc. - Mister Sheen 18:11, July 6, 2010 (UTC)

It does not matter how long it is; just make sure that it is original, interesting, and leads to another "divergence point," from which you can add some ideas.

And thanks for the compliment! I just hope this will catch on and be the next "Map Game" like craze!

Tbguy1992; Proud creator of French Trafalgar, British Waterloo 02:16, July 7, 2010 (UTC)

A question regarding uniformity, or lack thereof[]

Well TB, you've really outdone yourself; this community is vast with new articles being made every day! Thanks for the formal invitation, without it I wouldn't have jumped on the bandwagon until it had become a ruling force on the wiki (Similar to late 1983: Doomsday), and then all the good spots probably been taken up (also similar to 83:DD)

But down to business; I think we should have a uniform system of "Previous" links, that is, all of them should be on the top of the page, or all on the bottom. Now, I'm not trying to micro-manage your masterpiece, but it could only improve from increased uniformity. Just say the word, and *BAM* your althist is ~15% more awesome, thanks to yours truly. What do you think?

Thanks, Jarzon, but three things: first, please sign your name on the post using four tildes ( {{{Tbguy1992 05:22, July 20, 2010 (UTC)}}}), so I know who it is without too many difficulties. It will make it easier for me to talk to you sooner.
 Second, I had already thought of it, and the rules on the main page clearly state that a previous link is required. I know I didn't post where, but baby steps. We can always go back and improve it later.
 And third, how would you like to become my "lieutenant" with CYOAH? Basically, just help me with editing it, and trying to keep it realistic. This is my thanks for your already numerous edits on CYOAH. Add it to your homepage if you want, and I'll add it to the Main page.
 Again, thanks for your interest, and I hope you will stick with me until, indeed, CYOAH rules the Wikia! Tbguy1992 05:22, July 20, 2010 (UTC)

I would be honored to be your lieutenant, Tbguy!


Jazon Naparleon 15:35, July 20, 2010 (UTC)Jazon Naparleon

Great Idea[]

I just wanted to say that this has to be one of the most innovative TLs I have ever seen on this wiki. Kudos to all the editors who work on this TL. Mitro 21:05, August 4, 2010 (UTC)

According to my calculations. . .[]

. . . By week's end, I'll have wrapped up any and all loose ends throughout the first PoD, and can finally proceed to the second. I would like to thank EE personally, for going above and beyond the call of duty (Tee hee, duty!) for without him, I never would have been able to do what has done/am going to do with that list of his. I'd also like to thank the members of the community who made a page on CYOAH, regardless of whether or not it was up to snuff. (Sorry if I really upset you, Mumby, I'm sure it wasn't your fault!) Then there's Azecreth, for picking up after some of my mistakes, TB guy for welcoming me, Southwriter, for being an intelligent and persuasive individual who is also a Christian ( But then this is not the forum for such debate. . .) Red vs Blue for not only creating the rad timeline of "Superpowers" and nominating CYOAH for being a featured article, but also for having an awesome name ("Is it a countdown timer?" "No Tucker, it's a count-up timer; it counts from one, to explode!") Pfffff who else is on this list. . . Mitro, for being surprisingly responsible with his admin powers (At one point in time, I was this close to being an admin for some forum somewhere, and before my adminship was even confirmed, I was thinking up evil deeds, like banning all the other mods and reigning supreme (MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA!) but I digress.)

Sorry for that huge wall of text, TL;DR, my plans are nearly complete, thanks to everyone, evil laugh, rambling, rambling, rambling. . .


LT.FGN, Second-In-Command CYOAH, Evil Genius, Jazon Naparleon 02:02, August 6, 2010 (UTC)

"You know what would be ironic?" "What Caboose?" "If we were made of iron". Sorry just had to throw that in. Thank you, Jason, I'm honored to be a part of this =D ...no matter how scary Jazon's evil plotting is... Red VS Blue 02:46, August 6, 2010 (UTC)

Oh no! What have I released upon the world?????
 No, just joking. I would like to thank you all for agreeing to help me make CYOAH as good as it is now, and, hopefully soon, we will be able to expand and make this the truly dominant TL of Alternate History! (Oh jeez... Jaz is starting to rub off on me...)
Anyway, again good job, and keep up the good work!
Tbguy1992 03:36, August 6, 2010 (UTC)

Sorry[]

Sorry guys but I had to remove your nomination for featured status because the 2 weeks limit was up. Personally I thought this TL deserved the recognition, but it looks like the support was just not there. No despair though, take some time, keep working on the TL and you can try again sometime later. Mitro 15:53, August 19, 2010 (UTC)

Signing?[]

Why are you supposed to sign your articles? Generally, signatures are for keeping track of what each person posted in a discussion or for voting. I don't think signing an article you created is necessary, it just adds clutter. —Preceding signed comment added by TimeMaster (talkcontribs) 13:33, August 30, 2010 (UTC)

It was decided to get people to sign their articles so that A) we can keep track of who makes what, and B) we make sure people are following the rules. This was decided so that we could more easily reduce the number of people who vandalize and make unacceptable contributions to CYOAH. We want to make sure that CYOAH is as plausible as possible, and not descend into the ridiculousness of some Map Games, as people, when anonymous, can make up whatever they want in the game, but with their other TL's, they can be serious and more realistic. For CYOAH, I wanted to have a mixture of the Map Games and an ordinary Timeline, so that anybody can edit it, but it still seems like an actual Alternate History. -Preceding response to the question provided by Tbguy1992 15:34, August 30, 2010 (UTC)
Two responses. A) So then look at the history of the page for who made what. B) So then look at the history to see who broke the rules. I understand your goals but you can click history and see everything without needing to save two seconds by signing. Please consider removing signatures. —Preceding signed comment added by TimeMaster (talkcontribs) 16:18, August 30, 2010 (UTC)
To be honest, I don't think either Jazon Naparleon, Azecreth, or myself, the "leaders" of CYOAH have the time to go into the history, find out who did what and etc. etc. It is much easier for all of us involved if everyone signs their post.
 And, anyway, if you made a post, wouldn't you want the world to know you came up with the idea? All to often the majority of the open and collaborative TL's in the AltHistory Wikia are done anonymously, and only a handful of people who follow the TL or the Recent Contributions know who did what to add to the story. I say that, if people want to work here, they should be proud of their work, and sign it. Have you seen a painting or a book without the name of the creator added somewhere on it? Works of art are created by an artist or a writer and released to the world because they are proud of it, and so willingly put their name on it, even if its a nickname, pen name, or a ghostwriter. That is another reason for the signatures: each article is the creation and work by ONE editor, so they should feel good about doing something.
 I know some people may not like it, but, unless I get any more complaints to remove it, and the majority agree with eliminating them, then they are staying. And thank you for your interest in CYOAH, because, without editors like yourself, this project would have gotten nowhere in the first place. Tbguy1992 05:59, August 31, 2010 (UTC)
Sorry for the late response, lol, but do you see any signatures at more than a few other alternate history pages? Oh, btw, just click the history button in your tools bar to get to a history page. Only takes a second. Besides, you can also see who else edited it, who vandalized the page, etc. And what if more than one person contributes, and they are not coordinated? Then the signatures may only be clutter because some will add their sig to the top and others to the bottom.
No, I wouldn't want everyone to know I made the idea. What if other people do most of the work? What if people edit anonymously? The internet is not about saying that you made this. Books and works of art are different, because they are completely original and full, unlike CYOAH which is a giant collaboration. Okay, I'm done ranting. If you are still active, great job on this project. It just needs lots of minor fixes. —Preceding signed comment added by TimeMaster (talkcontribs) 20:29, April 20, 2011 (UTC)
P.S. You are the creator of French Trafalgar, British Waterloo? That is one of my favorite artists, a great job. —Preceding signed comment added by TimeMaster (talkcontribs) 20:30, April 20, 2011 (UTC)

A Radical Idea (not really)[]

OK, in the interest of having something actually done, I recommend that we focus all our energies on finishing 1 PoD, say Hitler Dies: 1927 (CYOAH)? That way we will have a PoD that is a finished product there. Once we are done then we can move on to another PoD. I just think that if we focus on 1 PoD then it will be most beneficial in the long run for the CYOAH idea. Azecreth 00:02, October 4, 2010 (UTC)

I agree. That was one of the big things that prevented us from becoming a Featured AH, so I say that if we can get one done, then possibly all of the Hitler Dies POD's done, then we may be able to consider submitting this to a Featured AltHist again.
 But remember: the idea behind this is that it is never fully done. People can add onto them later which will keep this open and fluid, but once a path hits the present day, then it is done because we are not going to go into Future History with this. Tbguy1992 02:13, October 4, 2010 (UTC)
I realize that, but at some point, we are going to run out of choices to make. Obviously there will be more points the farther you go back but eventually, someone's creativity is going to reach the bottom of their well, and it will end.
 I don't think that we should force EVERYONE to do this, but I think the admins should do it (admins being TB, me, and Jaz). In the interest of eventually getting onto the Napoleon PoD. Azecreth 17:29, October 4, 2010 (UTC)

An idea[]

I've been reading all these CYOAH stories and I was wondering if I could add one myself. What I was thinking about is creating a timeline in which the reader is sent back in time to aid or destroy a historical nation (Imperial China, Roman Empire, Nazi-Germany, ...), a lá Foresight War. Of course, everything will be portrayed realistically (military balance, colonial speed, economy, national decisions...) and make the world react properly to the changes in history. I know it's a bit ASB, but feel free to let me know what you think. --XterrorX 20:33, February 16, 2011 (UTC)

Well... The idea does have merit, I will say. I would have preferred that we at least try to get more of the Hitler Dies timelines completed, but maybe we can try this, and drum up more support.
 The only thing I would like to remind you is that this is a community timeline, so anybody can add to it: it won't be yours alone. However, I like the idea, so I say go ahead with it. Just remember to follow the guidelines, and everything should work out!
 And, one final thing: I encourage you to look at the other timelines we have going and add your own ideas to it because we can always use new help! Tbguy1992 21:53, February 16, 2011 (UTC)
Cool, thanks for the quick reply. I think Hindsight History (CYOAH) might be a nice title for these series. And then something like Hindsight History: Roman Empire or Hindsight History: Qing Empire as a divider. The names need to be specific of course, since Japan can mean either Imperial Japan (1868 - 1947) or the present-day nation. Anyway, I'll think of something and upload it as soon as I'm satisfied with the concept. And I'll give the existing timelines a closer look. :) --XterrorX 23:11, February 16, 2011 (UTC)
This idea of making the platform of your choice is awesome!Alexanders 01:27, March 31, 2011 (UTC)

Napoleon CYOAH[]

I recently made a CYOAH for Prussia's Choice. Why has it been deleted? RandomWriterGuy 05:10, December 9, 2011 (UTC)

Not done right at all, done without permission, and entirely ignoring how it works. Lordganon 07:09, December 9, 2011 (UTC)

Idea[]

I've got an idea for one of these. (a Civil War one) how do I make one? also, do we edit ones that other people have made? Wegscuba 20:36, May 3, 2012 (UTC)

I think we should finish the PoDs we have before we start adding new ones. And yes, All the Hitler Dies, the Napoleon ones, and those weird things can be added to with pages. Azecreth 14:08, May 4, 2012 (UTC)

My Idea[]

I got an idea for a choose your own alternate history. So could I add my idea to COYAH? Scotty Gaither (talk) 00:18, October 1, 2016 (UTC)Scotty GaitherScotty Gaither (talk) 00:18, October 1, 2016 (UTC)

Filling in some choices[]

Some of the links in the CYOAH scenarios are broken and lead to pages that don't exist. Can I fill some of them in, or do I need to do something before I can? Username5243 (talk) 21:25, October 30, 2016 (UTC)

Rules[]

Should the rules section be placed first? Thank you for your opinion. Firestarthegodcat (talk) 06:23, September 14, 2020 (UTC)