Some words from a discouraged gamer

[morgan73]

I'd like to say a few things about the state of the forum...

I'm well aware that eventually, this thread, like every other thread I've read, will be flamed, trolled, shoved off topic, and become just as ugly in the end.. But.. I'm going to say it anyway, as after this, I'd rather slam my hands in my car door repeatedly before subjecting myself to this again by posting any comments about anything, yet feel a need to at least comment on this before I wash my hands of this entire fiasco in general.

Somewhere along the line, it seems that a good many people have forgotten that just because someone has a different view point on any given situation than them, that does not make them any less of a person with valid points and opinions. A good number of threads here that I've read start with reasonable posts worded as well as the poster can, stating that they have a problem with X Y or Z.. One or two may post and agree, one or two may post they disagree.. sometimes reasonably/coherently/maturely, sometimes not - on both ends of the spectrum. Poor wording may be the cause on some, but definitely not all, and from the general tone (and repeated basic sentiments over and over in many different places) of many, it's purely intentional. Things escalate from there... name calling, intentional topic changes, more name calling, irrelevant 2 to 4 word posts, you name it..
It turns from what someone (at least sometimes) intended to be a civil conversation into a pre-school teacher's nightmare - the half-hour right before nap time.

Yes, I myself was goaded into at least a little, and I am honestly ashamed of myself because of that. I allowed a bad day in general coupled with an abrupt, undesired, unforseen -as in, if I had known this would ever happen in the future, I would have not chosen some of my skill routes- and unasked for "feature" to color my mood period for the day.

I applogise for my degeredation of character in a few of my previous posts right now.

I suppose what I am getting to is this: People will always disagree. How you choose to word that disagreement defines you as a person to everyone who happens to see/hear, no matter what venue you choose to display said disagreements. If someone doesn't like something that you do like, or vice versa.. LET them for christ's sake people. Just because I don't like something you do, that does not make me or you some heinous villian that must be absolutely stomped into the ground with all haste.

Turning even ONE persons stated dislikes/likes/opinions about anything - whether it be butter or jam on toast or who should be the next president - into a bickering, name calling, mud slinging, slam fest is not only counter productive, it reflects upon this entire community in general. And that reflection at this point in time is rather .. frightening.

Contstrucive posts are lost rather quickly because of this problem. That is a major issue, and creates even more work for those like Cerest. Opinions on issues, whether cheering them on, or pointing out a percieved problem, ARE indeed constructive, if they are kept on track. The ugliness does nothing but a disservice to everyone, not just those you disagree with.

Also, as a final side note.. The forum population - as in how many people read .. or even bother to *post*, does not reflect upon a game's population numbers, give a real # basis for any polls, broad covering opinions, etc. There is a rather large gaming population in general that actually only plays the game. Forums hold no interest for them, and in thier entire time playing any single game, they may never bother to come read what a small portion of thier fellow gamers have to say, or ever bother with posting a comment themselves. I was one for many years, and thanks to the generally disturbing reading in pretty much every game forum I've stopped by to read when bored (it's not just here that this has been a problem, but here *was* the first time I ever bothered to post anything), I will be one of those silent gamers yet again.

I'm sorry for taking up your valuable time to thrust my unwanted opinions on any of you, but I do hope that maybe at least one person reads this, and if not agrees.. at least understands.

[memiki]

I agree with your post to a degree morgan.

Some times a post is just a post that says I don't like it so I quit. They aren't doing it my way so I quit. It is to hard now I quit.

expressing your opinion is one thing but why not express it and say I hope they fix it soon. Or I will send a suggestion in. Instead of making fun of the devs or programmers or whoever. They can't be as stupid as some people try to make them out to be or the game would not be as beautiful as it is. Of course I realize there are some out there who think they can always do a better job than the ones who are doing it. Well good, you make a better game and I will gladly try it and give you my opinion.

I would not what their job believe me. It seems like they can't do anything right and fast enough. Like give them time to fix it. They tried and it didn't work out so they are trying to fix it.

ok, I will shut up now

_________________________________
Memiki-Matis
Serena-Tryker
Out of Cavern Guild

[vin99]

Also, as a final side note.. The forum population - as in how many people read .. or even bother to *post*, does not reflect upon a game's population numbers, give a real # basis for any polls, broad covering opinions, etc. There is a rather large gaming population in general that actually only plays the game. Forums hold no interest for them, and in thier entire time playing any single game, they may never bother to come read what a small portion of thier fellow gamers have to say, or ever bother with posting a comment themselves. I was one for many years, and thanks to the generally disturbing reading in pretty much every game forum I've stopped by to read when bored (it's not just here that this has been a problem, but here *was* the first time I ever bothered to post anything), I will be one of those silent gamers yet again.

i so agree with you on this. ingame peeps are so nice compared to the flamewars forums seem to get peeps into... anyway i see lots of peeps ingame that i never see on forums.. most of them are the die hards that game 10hours+ a day. why would they post on a forum when they can play allday i for one only post cos im at work

[pcheez]

*automated flame* (courtesy of the Trolls of Ryzom inc.)

[Lukati]

I thought at first that maybe maintaining a heavily moderated board to keep such inane babble off the threads could be widely accepted among this population.

Then I imagined how many people would be furious because "their voice isn't getting heard."

What you explain in your post Morgan is probably something we can all agree on. The task lies within putting this knowledge to good use. It would be quite amazing if we could bring ourselves to be able to discuss these issues without being at eachother's proverbial throats.

At the same time, I refuse to save my scorn from anyone who offers theirs first. I can only agree to be as polite as the person talking/debating/arguing/whatever with me.

I move for an unofficial agreement for anyone interested to agree to disagree with the highest amount of integrity and maturity.

Hmmm... now that I think of it... in my mind, anyone getting silenced by a moderator probably doesn't deserve to be heard in the first place

[brackish]

Very good post and public apology. It takes a great deal to admits ones wrong and an even greater effort to say so publicly.

I also agree that many do not visit this forum. I personally did not visit til i found it one day at work, and i continue to use it only because i am at work and not actually working. *contemplates installing Ryzom*

Morgan, although i do not know about your guilds affiliations, i hope we can work together in the future.

[trosky]

Thats the way forums are...

Look at various big forums related to mmorpgs in general, they are worst then here, a lot worst. Theres a big EQ2 vs WoW war going on...

The problems is that forums allows people to write anything they can think of without having to suffer from the consequence of their actions. Complete anonyma cant do any good. Of course some topic will be really good, with mature and rich subject but you will always have the bad side too.

The sad thing ive tested on various forums, is that if you start a relevant but long topic and a "flamers magnet" topic, most of the times the "flammers magnet" will stay on top longer then the good topic.

The flammers are often the most active members of a forum, its sad because this prove that flammers are actually shy and introvert. The flamming allow them to feel powerfull (complete illusion) and feel like they are listen to. Some flammers are also doing it for fun, just to get people mad.

It only take 1 flammers to have 10 or more followers, ether defending the flammers idea or proving him wrong. Thats what keeps them alive....

Most of us probably already answered to a flame, it just because when we see that kind of "all black" post about something we like, it affect us.

Anyway, if you look deeply youll always find some good post (this is one...). I wouldnt have anything to do at work if it wasnt for forums...