Just kicking this up, as I've seen a few people who seem to have some commentary they'd like to make. This would be the correct place to do that.
Also, as it seems we've irked some people in role play we may find ourselves being shot at more than we normally are. If one of our members acts in a manner which isn't proper please drop a line here.
[05.05.2012 20:54:38] Me: OSI, hold it
[05.05.2012 20:54:44] Me: Do not enter cruise again
[05.05.2012 20:55:22] Me: Hold it
[05.05.2012 20:55:39] Me: Pay up me four millions!
[05.05.2012 20:56:12] Me: No?
[05.05.2012 20:59:41] Death: OSI-X was killed by Me (Missile/Torpedo)
This happened in Shikoku when I was pirating in my Barghest.
During all this interaction not a single word was spoken by OSI- member.
Before and after I made a demand, I watched him trying to enter into Cruise and drop CMs untill he was out of them and getting CDed for time span of 4 minutes or so.
It was amusing time after which I lost my patience and insta shot his BWT down.
I hope this is only single instance and not code of conduct to ignore pirates to such level.
Player in question can't recall the encounter you're referring to. I'm leaning towards this being a one off encounter. If proven otherwise, do drop a line here.
This is kind of an odd question and I am no doubt opening a can of worms.
Firstly: Moebus, Omicron, Redeclipse, etc etc. All the chaps in Phoenix - you're opinions are more than welcome. I know most of you and you're a decent bunch; even if our characters sometimes are at one another's throats. To the rest of the Omicroners who left Disco: Keep your opinions to yourselves.
Dane, this request is based of a comment you made in OSI chat. That is, you didn't feel OSI were Zoners. I'd like your's and others thoughts, opinions, and such on why you think that way. I'd also like you to describe what it is you think we should do to be more Zoner.
' Wrote:Dane, this request is based of a comment you made in OSI chat. That is, you didn't feel OSI were Zoners. I'd like your's and others thoughts, opinions, and such on why you think that way. I'd also like you to describe what it is you think we should do to be more Zoner.
In my opinion, your too concerned with how much the Houses like you. No other zoner ID'd faction so commits to blanket neutrality as the OSI do. The reason? Profit. In short, the OSI have gone from holding to (in my opinion) a zoner ideal, and chosen to be an all-sirius profit oriented trade faction. The buy product of this being a considerable disconnection with the rest of the zoner populace. The rest of us are out here on the fringe, exploring space, defending our freeports, while OSI is more concerned with their profit percentages.
In the past, the idea was, OSI was the lifeline of the far flung Freeport. At least, thats how it seemed to me. Bringing back needed sundries from civilization, to supply Freeports.
Now, its like OSI has set itself up to be IND mk2. If thats the case, and with OSI more active in house space, as well as the outer systems - seems to me OSI should really pursue their own role play, separate from that of the Zoner ID.
However, thats just my opinion. Interesting thing about zoners, is there always more opinions on what a zoner is, then there are actual zoners.
As for what OSI can do to be more Zoner - evaluate just what you want OSI to be. As a trade oriented lifeline for all zoners, freeports, etc, that would be one idea. Cultivating neutrality with houses for trade, not for the house benefit, or for your own at the expense of others, would be another - im not saying be a zoner charity, or become philanthropic - but your disconnection with the zoner populace comes from your single minded focus on your own profits, and your own neutrality, and complete disinterest for "being a part of the zoner team" (i know thats an old chestnut, and not often liked - but it has merit. As a zoner official faction, you do have a duty to your parent NPC faction. After all, by faction rights, your supposed to lead it.)
We're focused on ensuring the houses like us, because that is where the goods that Zoners survive on come from. We don't really like the houses, god knows Victor abhores Liberty; but the relations we have are a neccisary evil. Without the houses, Zoners would not survive.
I'm not sure where you're getting that OSI is very active the houses. Most of our activity right now revolves around Nichols and Gran Canaria. Before that, even with our HQ in Yukon most of us spent our time in the Omegas and Omicrons. Some of our time must be spent in the houses, trading goods for the goods other Zoners in the fringes need.
I don't feel we are disconnected with the Zoner populace. We supplied the majority of the Freeports for well over a year. Currently, a number of them are ran by our employees (15, 9, Corfu, and 5). We've never abandoned the role play of supplying the Freeports, we'v merely added onto it by working with the houses to further our agenda and to make access to the goods other Zoners need cheaper and easier for us to access. That is our entire line with Gallia - Zoners want stuff from there and we managed to wiggle our way into a position to get it for them.
As for being part of the Zoner team. I will admit we weren't all that caring for the indy Zoners in role play for a time. This is because they tend not to do much; if anything for Zoners themselves. They expect us do do all the work and they sit back and enjoy the benefits of our labors. I've made efforts to help indy Zoners or unofficials be more involved. We've supported the CoF even when it hurt our relations with the IMG. I made good efforts to invole Trog in what I can. We can't involve indy players if they don't let us know they are there. Nor are we going to do all the work for them.
I'd be interested in what has lead to you think we're more focused on profit and our relations with the houses than fulfilling our intended niche. I don't see it.
Edit: There will always be times when we choose not to support or aid another Zoner. This was the case with the Omicroners as we didn't feel they acted in the interest of the Zoner community or in our interest. We felt they were acting purely for themselves at the expense of every other Zoner. Hence why we abandoned them.
Its definitely an interesting debate. It falls more into line of what we each feel a zoner should be.
Myself, I find that zoner solidarity just doesn't exist. In a paradoxical way, its almost wrong for it to exist, but I don't think so. Zoners are bound by a similar ideal - were all out here on the ragged edge. The hows, whys, and agenda's may be as different as every grain of sand on a beach - but were bound by the fact were all zoners. I miss the days of unity - you bully one of us, and you deal with all of us. My experiences just trying to get FR5's taught me that each zoner official faction wants to go there own separate way. OSI and TAZ did not want to be yoked to the Omicroners, and even today, OSI freely trades with Gallia, a nation that wants to hang Doc Holiday from a rope. Very clear divisions exist between a group of people that should be unified. But, that gives up the real gem of being a zoner - the freedom to go your own way. Nay, the freedom itself.
In my view, OSI would not be willing to put their hand in the fire, if say...Gallia decided to put every TAZ to the sword, and then started doing it - as in, actual in game death. Your trade contracts and the months of hard diplomatic work would come first - It seems to me you'd watch it happen. I may be wrong, but thats just the idea I get.
In truth, TAZ may very well do the same. As I said before, there is no zoner solidarity - maybe a bit between indies, but certainly none between the officials.