I thought quite a bit about responding to all this because, quite frankly, it has me rather heated. I’ve voiced my words before and had people (much the same that are complaining of ‘abuse’ from staff) rant at me that I’m being overly aggressive simply because I didn’t agree. That hypocrisy has kept me from adding fuel to the fire, but, right now. I’m very disappointed and I’m not the type to just let people bully anyone, including Staff. So, here goes. Read this, don’t read it. Agree with it, don’t agree with it. Like I’m often want to say, opinions are like assholes, we all have one and they sometimes do nothing but leak shit.
I would have piped up on this in earlier, but I work and couldn’t get to the computer to voice my thoughts in detail. But, here goes -
Firstly, I have played SD for a while. I’m by no means a veteran but I would like to think I’ve got a healthy understanding of the theme. Much of this through trial and error and probably a few irritations on staff’s part (my apologies for that :) ) I am playing my second-ever character for SD which is one that is ‘out of my comfort zone’ as far as styles go. My first character has been killed, murdered, mugged, had all their belongings stolen (more than once), et cetera, et cetera ad naseaum. And, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Because it was all THEMED. My character was cheated on, hoodwinked, set up, plotted against and even tried her own hands at plotting. And, while I as the Player didn’t always enjoy it at the moment, I knew I would once I got over the initial shock because – guess what – it was all THEMED. Immersion RP, drama, conflict.
I have had staff assistance with my current character and - without giving out IC information - had staff actually dedicate RP time to 'train' my character on things that I've never done before. And, I thank all of you that have done this (you know who you are)
This is a dystopian, ‘have and have nots’ game, as Euclid said. Its driven by conflict, meant to be ‘harsh’ and catapults us all into an alternate reality that is separate from the world of RL.
I have read through most of the posts here and please forgive me if I repeat things already said. If I do, it’s simply to reinforce my agreement with their comments. And, Staff needs to know that there are players that support them.
A few short things from the website: “Sindome…explicitly support playing a role and defining your character day by day.” “As your character explores the city…(they will) be thrust into conflict of the ongoing class struggle between the corporation suits who have everything and the street scum who craves everything.”
Every player here should understand the stylized THEME of SD.
I have been witness to most of the ‘complaints’ that have been tossed around. Usually either on OOC-Chat or here on the BgBB. Its pretty much unavoidable. And, quite frankly, its distracting and frustrating and setting a poor example to anyone viewing this game for the first time.
There are a select few that are making this game un-fun. Not the GMs in my view who are puppetting, creating RP, resolving WHINEY/UNNESSESARY/INVALID complaints, monitoring OOC chat to ensure no one is offended or offensive, doing code, creating equipment/designs/new areas, training PC on IC jobs/equipments/mechanics, training new GM staff, et cetera.
But, as a player, I see some players that do nothing but work really hard to create the wrong kind of conflict – OOC Conflict. If that energy was only redirected into the game…
I’ve seen such comments as ‘I come to SD to play with my friends’, ‘to enjoy some fun and non-stress related RP’ and ‘I don’t want to have to do conflict RP’.
WTH?! Did none of those people read the game theme? This isn’t a dating site. Its not a chatroom with RP on the side and it’s not a fluffy bunny world. It’s a game that is based at its very core on CONFLICT.
Does that mean that every day needs to be a struggle? No. Of course not. But this game is not about winning, riding off into the sunset or any of those sorts of ideals. It’s about waking up and realizing your dreams were the happy place and the ‘real world of SD’ is just there to eat you alive. Its inevitable. Your character’s life is purely, simply and inexplicably the in-between of those two slowly colliding realities.
And, every time certain players state they are unhappy with the game mechanics, theme, RP, GMs, whatever…and are told ‘if you are unhappy – don’t play’, they get all upset and state they feel ‘threatened’ or ‘bullied’ into submission.
Jesus Christ on a stick – really?! Passive-aggressive much?
If you don’t like brussel sprouts – do you stop eating it? Or do you rant at your veggies, crying and lamenting to the cook how cruel they are to you for making you suffer through eating them? If you don’t like a game or don’t feel comfortable playing a game or don’t like the rules of a game – don’t play it. It’s not a threat or bullying…its common fucking sense.
Stop trying to change the game others enjoy simply because you feel it’s ‘wrong’ or doesn't fit what you want to play. This game has been around for 18+ years. I think it’ll be here for quite a few more with or without those players that feel they are victims because their self-aggrandizing views are not being given their proper due and they are not being treated ‘respectfully’.
As many have heard but it obviously needs to be reiterated – It’s not a one-player game.
Cerberus – I have found you to be succinct and to the point. As it should be. I am an adult and shouldn’t need coddling. We are all adults and should not need coddling. I agree with what’s been said above in other posts. You’re very active. And, you deal with a lot which makes you the target for much of the nastiness that’s being lobbed about here. I personally have seen the dedication you have done at the detriment of your own personal enjoyment to bring ENJOYMENT to the masses of this game. I applaud you and I am seriously pissed at those that have made you feel like you want to leave. It’s a shame that people can be so damned childish. I don’t blame you for feeling like walking given the behavior you've had to deal with but I truly hope you don’t. The game would suffer from your absence. The same goes for other STAFF that I’ve interacted with in the past. Linekin, Slither, Jinx. All of you deserve our respect and I applaud you for what you do for a game that is obviously filled a few ingrates. Please don’t judge us all by that standard.