These are all terms you see bandied around. I feel some of them should really be clarified for requesters and regular players alike.
Private (#post_private) / Unreleased (#post_unreleased) / "Rare" (#post_rare) / Beta (#post_beta) / Fake (#post_fake) / F*cking Stupid (#post_fuckingstupid) / "Need" (#post_need)
Reply with these links in request threads where these situations apply, especially unreleased/fake/fucking stupid. Saves everyone the trouble of explaining it again ;)
Private: You can't request these. It's impossible. See for you to request it you have to know about it. Therefore the character has been announced in some way shape or form. At this point the character is public. It may go on to become unreleased or never completed but it can never be truly private. If you wish to gain access to the sort of thing 99% of the community will never hear about you have to be an extremely trustworthy person. You also have to be useful. Wanting for the sake of wanting will not get you anything truly classed as "Private"
Liklihood of success: 1%
Recommended action: Don't bother
Unreleased: This is really quite simple. The author has announced it with the intention of releasing it. 1 of 2 things happens. He gets bored and cancels. Or the character just isn't good enough for him to want to release it. He may decide to give it to someone else to complete or even release it in bad condition at a later date. Or it could just be not done yet and you should wait a month or 2 to recieve it. No big deal it's a game remember
Liklihood of success: 10%
Recommended action: Don't hold your breath
"Rare": I hate this term, it's bollocks. There is no such thing as a truly "rare" creation. If there was there'd be about 10 in existence at any one time and you'd lose it if you sent it to someone else. I believe most of you are more referring to characters that have gone offline for one reason or another. Either the author has left, decided the character sucked or uploaded on a temp link which has since expired. If you wish to ask for these ask for it as if it's offline. You look less graspy and greedy that way.
Liklihood of success: 60%
Recommended action: Be polite and ask nicely. Someone is bound to have it
Beta: This is generally used to refer to things that will definitely go public and the author is nice enough to pass it around pretty generally for testing. You may have missed out on his offer but it shouldn't be a big deal as the character will get finished. In addition the one the author has is much more updated than the one you'd be getting
Liklihood of success: 10%-40%
Recommended action: Only ask if you plan on feedback to said author. Otherwise not worth it.
Fake: You're going to have to use your brain a bit here. Look at who's posting it and the comment's given before and after. These will generally be in the screenshot thread. Do NOT take them seriously. Comment on the picture if neccessary but don't try and get them.
Liklihood of success: 0%
Recommended action: Don't. It doesn't exist you're wasting time.
Last one which i didn't mention in title:
Fucking Stupid: This refers to creations that are for one reason or another down for an hour. Cos the author is updating his webpage and has notified you of this fact. Or you have a popup blocker on and don't get the option to dl it because the page uses popups.
Liklihood of success: Don't help these people
Recommended action: Allow said site to give you pop ups or wait 24 hours. It's not life or death.
New Addition
Need: You need it? So it's essential to your ability to go on living? I think not. You want it. You would like it. It would make you happy if someone would be kind enough to give it to you. You do not NEED it. Find a less graspy phrase like please could someone send me this, i'd like to have it.
Liklihood of success: No change to if you said want.
Recommended action: Don't exaggerate.
It'd be good if you actually took note of these. Talking about something private doesn't really make it more likely you'll recieve it.