mikmyk
Posts: 792
Joined: 3/22/2005
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Vincenzo Beretta
quote:
ORIGINAL: Major SNAFU
What I can say, is that this community to which I have returned, feels very much (regardless of where I am posting) like a bar that I have just walked into just a few seconds before a fight breaks out and I fell like I have to choose a side *right now*.
Major,
I understand your feeling, but the Harpoon community is actually made by those who enjoy the game; enjoy making DBs, scenarios and videos for it; enjoy playing MP together with fellow gamers; and are always happy to share their knowledge with fellow gamers, both newcomers and "old-hands", around the game many issues (because there is no usefulness in denying them). There is no need to "choose sides": like in any other community, each one can perfectly decide by himself with whom he is most comfortable. 
Having said that, it is true that sometimes those who enjoy Harpoon see some disturbing happenings, and this thread is a microcosm of many of them.
It started with your request for help about an issue of the game - something perfectly normal. It soon turned in what I like to call "The Dolorous Procession".
The pattern is, I think, visible to anyone. Someone comes here and insults me (on the tune that I sold my brain, or similar ones). After a while I'm explained that I'm not actually the one being insulted, but another one, who is insulted via me, by proxy. At the end there is a sad goodbye (don't worry, it is never a goodbye...) usually accompanied by more sadness for "a wasted brain" (that's mine).
After a while someone else comes here and insults me ((on the tune that I sold my brain, or similar ones,sometimes insulting in the process innocent bystanders too); After a while I'm explained that I'm not actually the one being insulted, but another one, who is insulted via me, by...
I think you got the gist.
The tones are of sad tiredness. The promises that "this is the last time, goodbye" never fulfilled. The Dolorous Procession continues, like grey waves marching in their endless ranks to smash against the patience of the afflicted. Every then and now they do seem to affirm to have won... something. Not that this matters: not even the perception of "being the winner of something" stops the Dolorous Procession (or makes a "goodbye forever" a real "goodbye forever", as you can see in this very thread).
In the middle of all of this I get the stray insult about being "obsessed"
Meanwhile the community, the one I spoke to you at the beginning, thrives and continues to support the game.
[Some of the petitioners, BTW, are right now working on a direct competitor of Harpoon, as you can easily discover. As I said both here and elsewhere, I find deeply unprofessional to molest those supporting your competing game on that game's official forum. This is my opinion on the matter.]
Many of the insults are directed to specific individuals. They are seldom, if ever, directly confronted. The reason given is "It is futile" (read: "They won't think the way we want!") Fine. But one would think that adult people just accept that not everybody sees things the same way, and that, to some, a minute spent helping a fellow gamer is a minute better spent than petitioning "causes". For some reason this never happens, and the result is that other (rightfully annoyed) bystanders are molested instead - like in a... dunno, "campaign of enlightenment" or something against a perceived... again, dunno... Evil Empire or something.
From here your - correct - feeling that you are asked to "choose sides". Of course the idea that someone enjoying a game should do this is delusional, your free will being the only arbiter
Having said that, I feel that a bit of more "reality-checking" about this alleged "Evil Empire" is in order - since, as you will find out if you hang around enough, very little presented as "fact" during the Dolorous Procession weeks is actually based on any facts at all.
- The PlayersDB Library installation file has always been willing to include and accommodate other databases along with their scenarios. Everyone is welcomed.
- Sites such as HarPlonkHQ, SubSim, SimHQ, GameSquad, ScenShare, FilesOfScenShare, and CombatSim host the PlayersDB and have always been willing to host other various databases and scenarios without any pre-conditions. You will find that other sites feel the need to dictate who is allowed to post files. It is their privilege, but this doesn't make a policy better that another.
- Other sites dedicate entire pages to rants and defamation towards the PlayersDB and its authors, yet no reciprocal pages exist to criticize their own customized databases.
- the Evil Empire has been able to provide assistance to any who request it (professional and amateur, alike) without ever resortng to restraint or restriction of others from provision of the same.
In short, the Evil Empire has never needed to curtail or interfere in the activities of others whilst in the pursuit of its own; nor has ever uttered "Do it OUR way or else".
Who knows, maybe it is the value we give to freedom and freedom of thinking that attracts the unwelcome attentions of "fundamentalists". It happens: after all, games attempt to model the real world 
Anyway, I hope not to have bored you. The length of this specific Dolorous Procession has been unusual, but it was not the first one, and, I sadly fear, it will not the last one. I feel obliged to warn you about this, so you can make an informed decision about this recurring event.
Cheers, and good gaming with your gaming pals! It is all that really matters! And remember: if you have a problem we are always here!
[A note to those wondering: "He says that all of this is a waste of electrons, and then he writes a paper??" Well, is not a waste of electrons for me: I'm an Italian who often works in foreign countries, and this is a way as good as another to hone my English skills. Like every dark cloud, the Dolorous Procession, too, has a silver lining - the only one, sadly.]
While you were writing this I played a few games. I don't remember what database, mod or whatever I was using. I don't think I really cared. Its not important to me because its not why I play games.
There is no Dolorous Procession. Your manifesto's are getting stranger as time goes on.
What exactly is wrong with you? I see a lot of passion but its mostly directed at playing games with the community rather than the game itself. This is what JSF is getting at. Not one scenario, db or anything else constructive. Just a whole lot of posts...that have the word I and me in it and what you think people do to you.
Its honestly strange.
Anyways....you're not getting anymore time of mine this weekend.
Linked! 
< Message edited by mikmyk -- 3/10/2012 7:50:55 PM >
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HUE newbie questions - 
Just to give you some more input. 
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