Posted by Uncle Bob on October 19, 2000 at 14:15:09:
In Reply to: A few random comments posted by Nepenthe(IMM) on October 19, 2000 at 12:24:44:
I'm nowhere near elite, I don't claim to even be close. I've played on and off for a couple of years, and I feel that I am just now getting to the point where I can survive, and am able to recognize some bits of the game and mechanics that might have eluded me before. I consider myself mediocre, at best. However, from a 'mediocre' player's point of view, I've noticed several type of people. 1. Clueless, but are so silly it doesn't matter, are just passing through. Either they roll up a name like "blowme" (like the other night), or stay long enough to rank a bit, and say things like 'kewl' and 'cu later', and really don't care or want to care about the game itself. I sometimes hear all this imm conspiracy stuff, and wonder if indeed only imms or those on the 'in' will be elite. Then I ignore that, as 1. I enjoy playing, regardless. 2. As smart as some of these imms seem to be, I would be amazed if they got their kicks the way some people claim. It's kind of like UFOs. It might happen, but as long as I've been around, I've seen no evidence of it. Isn't that sort of like playing chess with yourself? Seems pointless to me, but I suppose it happens. But from the sheer amount of work that goes into the areas, I just can't believe this is done simply so an imm can deck out himself or a friend. So in my estimation, a problem with cf is the #5s, and the imm conspiracy. #5s don't help much with this conspiracy, because they in fact lend to its credibility. Solution? I dunno. CF is truly a kickass game, and it's the only pc game I play, mud, store bought, or otherwise. There are indeed thiings that frustrate me, but not enough to dissuade me. I suppose if there was one thing I could suggest would somehow make the game more open. If the cool items are consistently harder and harder to find, only this remote group of #5s will be involved...further distancing them from the 'average' player, and further alienating and frustrating the average player in regards to the cooler aspects of CF. If nothing else, I take comfort in the fact that all QuickEMart employees are trained in the deadly arts. Buenos Nachos. I hear about these elite players, but rarely interact with them, and thus I suspect many others don't as well. People complaining about lack of elite players (like themselves) perhaps should look more inward, rather than blaming the game or this sudden rush of sunken-IQ mental patients who've overrun the game. It's one thing to be elite...it's another thing to turn that into making CF, as a whole, a cool place, rather than one's place to take out their frustrations. In any case, I'll continue plodding along in my own little world.
2. Clueless to the mud, but are interested, and make an effort. These are the people who may well get frustrated at the lack of 'help' and hit the road, or will slug it through. I would be in this group, were it not for a couple of genuinely cool people who helped me, in game, over the years.
3. Mediocre people like myself. We have no ICQ or IRQ friends, we read the board out of sheer boredom, and simply enjoy playing, exploring, some occassional fighting, but in general, enjoy CF, it's areas, and a bit of imm interaction now and again(though this is far rarer than it used to be, and to me is the best part of the game.)
4. Somewhat elite players who know the areas, are probably on the 'elite' path, but will tolerate less skilled people. Will help everyone from #1 to mediocres, and will try to help them without being patronizing or spoonfeeding. I don't know hardly anyone like that, unfortunately, but they do exist. Imbrogno's dark healer 'Shyn' something falls into this category. People like this, with a blend of good rp, game knowledge, and willingness to help others understand more of Thera are vital to CF. This is what makes the game fun.
5. Elites who just don't give a rat's ass, and have some ulterior motive for playing that I'll never figure out. I definitely have a few names in mind, but won't say them...but essentially these are the people who are decked out, who can normally pk pretty easy and have a sort of 'legend' surrounding them, but if you try to get advice from them, will either ignore you or barely tolerate you if you're not in their clique. I had a hell of a time, in MASTERS, of all places, getting information from a few 'elites'. And I'm not talking 'secret' information. These are the ones who are agonizing to rank with, because they know everyplace in Thera, and god forbid if they suggest a place to go and you don't know it, or you screw up any other way, for you'll hear what an idiot you are (these people like to roll their eyes a lot.), but will offer nothing to actually help you learn. These boys and girls don't play well with others.