eyrei said:
I'm guessing none of you actually read our reasons for making that decision...
I did, and understand them to some extent. Some. It has killed a great deal of my interest in DG5. At the least, it has pushed me into a much more passive role. I have minimal desire to particpate in the ruleset discussions. Once was quite enough - I see the same problems developing again, with no effort to fix them. After getting raked over the coals by people who couldn't be bothered to help create the ruleset, I'm going sit this one out.
We've played the same game, in the same format, with very few differences. At one point, the emphasis was supposed to be on the personal interaction between us. DG4 saw some of the harshest criticism directed at people with minimal attempts at education. Demands were made. Orders issued.
The respect for all citizens was no longer there. The desire for a "perfect game" ruled all. I actually preferred to focus on the "legal" parts of the game because the discussions were friendlier than many in-game discussions. Pulling information about various departments was worse than pulling teeth.
Too many people, and I freely admit I was one of them, and still am to some extent, posted only negative comments about various aspects of the game and the structure. People were interested only in bashing, not in fixing.
I was looking at Conquests as providing a dramatic change for the community. In addition to new cultures and new options, there WERE people that did not have access to the game. I thought this would force several things to happen.
First, some actual feedback and game information appear in the forums. I firmly believe that a leader, provided someone helps them by posting screenshots as needed, can be an effective leader, even without access to the game. At a minimum, it should not be required for a citizen to open the save to materially participate in discussions. I hoped the desire to include everyone, including those without access to Conquests, would spur our elected officials to do what I tried in DG4, post significant game information, updated regularly, in the forums.
Second, bring more of a discussion/learning environment back to the game. We've hashed/rehashed/whipped the same issues over and over and over. Conquests brought the opportunity for new avenues and new strategies. Some are more familiar with them - here's their chance to convey that knowledge back to their fellow citizens.
Finally, I was less than pleased with the heavy-handed manner in which this was carried out. I would have been more than satisfied to see a discussion thread, opened by one of the moderators, on this very point. Put in the first post the direction you are currently leaning, and see what happens. Perhaps you would have been convinced otherwise, perhaps not.
This game is supposed to be about what we, the members of CFC, prefer. If most of us prefer to play with Conquests, why should we not be allowed to?
Thanks,
-- Ravensfire