I am trying to place myself and be part of the forum in and out of the game. I am finding it more and more difficult now as the time, mods, and rules pass by. I started during 4.84 about a month before the new mods had begun rushing in. I had a blast! I had dug up the disk from cleaning out a foot locker and within two days of digging in the net and downloading I was immersed in a fun interacting environment. That soon came crashing down though after 4.84. I was being informed I needed to be enrolled in a faction for a particular ship or your an indie so you are a outsider, have you not read the forums yet, do you know of the rules yet, do you not know your RP yet, shame on you. As a trader and new comer it was a rude wake up call.
The environment is less than friendly to new comers, now. So many pitfalls, for newbies to make mistakes and the repercussions are so high. I make it a point to explain all that needs to be for a new comer (when I come across one) and where and what to do to avoid and what the player can do and not do. (I spend 30 to 45 minutes in typing in PM to do this) I don't want the new player to get the wakeup call that I did.
I believe Discovery is losing its flavor. New comers need to be relished and the old maintained. A balance between the two is important. Its an apparent, with the things that are going on, new players are less desirable and the environment is structured for the experienced players. The lack of middle ground is slipping.
Another particular thorn is the admins and behaviors said and unsaid are effecting the environment, players, and Freelancer.
The admins, capabilities in lack of in communication, the ability to be neutral, fair minded and good judgment is grossly appalling. Not to mention when you do make a mistake, the hammer comes down like a Battleship to a Light Fighter.
My own personal experiences with admins have concluded less than admiration. I had purchased a cruiser at the Northfolk shipyard and a Liberty Navy ID, a player had told me that I was incorrect and I needed a proper ID, I went to the forums to ask for help and where I could find the proper id. I had a few responses to direct me towards the proper solution (partial information and not the total picture). Within 5 minutes of posting I had received a Sanction Tab and a Sanction Warning within my Hold and all else items removed; without any explanation on how to solve or to any guidance to fix the situation in the pm or forum pm. This is not an example on how admins should deal with the problems. No information about recruit ids or about proper ways of purchasing; just bam here you go. (This is my first hand experience with an admin.) My second experience with an admin, was in front of Planet Manhattan and without provocation or notice, killed (simultaneously) 10 plus players including myself (gull trader) within a instant.
The individual players are more forgiving and at least discuss the mistake. From reading the posts and interacting with other players, come to find the red IFF tag to be true: "Hostile". To be honest, I have come to dislike the admins in general and for what you represent. Your perception and reputation has brought you to this level. I have been an OSC liner, a Junker salvager, a LNS LABC, a Hacker Battleship, a Freelancer smuggler, and an Independent Miner. The constant is, in no matter what role I play and or who I interact with the complaints are the same. The admins this or the admins that. Did you hear what they did this time or that. I am sensing a fear and distrust portrayed from players toward the interaction of admins and the decisions they make. In addition, the complaints to the rules and regulations being implemented now into the Freelancer Game. Descriptions such as: Harsher, less-forgiving, and too extreme. Lets also talk on the Admins accountability, I see none. No checks and balances in placed to maintain a happy enjoyable environment. . Admins your actions directly affect players opinion and attitude towards the game. It is just that simple!
Now with weapon restrictions, ship restrictions, faction restrictions, rule restrictions, communication restrictions, and whether I am in or out of oorp or ooc in game or on forum, its nearly maddening now, I worry more about what the rules are and how I deal and interact with others and visa versa. It has gotten to the point with me that I am loosing drastic interest in the game in its entirety.
As I progress in this game, I am finding it more restrictive, my roles for characters is more limited, my environment is becoming less applicable and enjoyable. I have even stopped talking about Freelancer all together to friends and associates, who would be interested in such a forum of interaction, knowing on what is happening. They have asked my about it, and I just tell them not to bother and we discuss other forum gaming sites from there.
I know what some of the responses might be to this are; If you dont like it, go somewhere else.,
well, thats the point then....
