Time to vent.

There are numerous online games that purport to be roleplaying games.    I’ve yet to play one that qualifies as a role playing game.  Many of them provide a social experience.   Interaction with other players of the game does not, and should not, ever equate to “Role Playing” unless you are actually playing a character.  Should you find yourself in that situation, go to the local game shop and find yourself a face to face game.   I love the socializing on online games.  I meet a lot of new people and new friends.

I joined one of the freebie “MMORPG” games back on my birthday in ’08.  I’m still playing today but the quality is fading day by day.  And no, I don’t role play with them.  I exchange strategies.   Role playing and strategy are far different.

Of late, the game has lagged to the point of being unplayable.   I built and enjoy playing in a guild with many good people so I normally give the game admins a break.    However, its to the point where most, not a few, of my guild cannot get online.  Not even to play for the equivalent of “free”.   Let alone for those who have bought in and upgraded their characters, myself included.

The response has been varied over the last couple of years.  Normally when there was a server problem, they would state so and reward people online with a bonus.   Now, however, the answer is that the problem is local and not with them.   Strange, I have guild  members in several countries and none can connect.   Even more odd, is that I am technically savy and know the hosting services they use.  Its up, the game is down.   Hmm.    Don’t lie.   We know better.

When you are understaffed, admit it.  What logic can lead you telling us you are going to make changes you cannot possibly accomplish?  Shifting staff to make it appear better won’t work for long.    Moreover, its so stupid to be palpable.   How long do you think it will take someone who has been playing the game for a couple of years to figure out your new staffer has never played the game?  Not long.  You are a moron.

How about game mechanics?   You’ve stated over and over there are issues.   Fix them.   Quit asking  us how to adjust them.  You jacked them up, you have the data, get on it.   Yes, I want input.    I’d love to help adjust the game to be “more fair”.   I don’t have the data.   If I had screwed it up this bad, I’d just make adjustments and let people whine.      I’d inform them I’d done so but in the end if the game is borked, so be it.   We all screw up.   Make the adjustment and go on.   Its something every GM does every session to some extent.

Never blame your players.   If you screw a game up, that’s the way it is.  Fix it.  Move one.   This particular game would like us to believe the entire world is screwed up and they are not.   None of us believe it.   Several of us can provide evidence that the failures are fully on them.   I had a lot of respect for them when they admited failure.  They lost that.

Honestly, I just want to scream at someone.  Then I want to help them fix it.  Sadly, that is not possible.   I love the game but they are pushing me out the door.

We all screw things up.   Probably each and every session.   Sometimes they are small, sometimes they are major.     I’m man enough to look my players in the face and say I jacked that up.  How hard is that?  Its a game.

When I forget the columns are glowing green…. I can admit that.

Up to 1d6-1 Related posts:

1. Games: Why we play.
2. Post #200 – Difficult Questions
3. History of a game that Rocked!
4. The ol’ Bait and Switch
5. I end poorly

Tags: advice