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Discussion: High Level LS and EventsFollow

#1 Sep 20 2005 at 6:56 AM Rating: Decent
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This is a sensentive topic (in some sense), and is sparked some recent changes of behaviors a few of my friends lately (some of them posts here regularly too).

High level event LS (HNM, Sky etc) may be fun, but it is also laced with drama, fights, and is extremely time consuming. Lately I find a few friends that are involved in such LSs changed quite a bit... They are much hard to talk to (i.e. they seemed "occupied" a lot more), some of them get angry and rants a lot -- like alleging so-so LS cheats, suck etc.

IMO I know it is fun to play the game content, but at the same time is important not to lose track of the society aspect of the game. A lot of such LSs get people worked up with all the competition etc. People become "greedy", and LS loyalty and friendship are put into test. KTO itself lost quite a few people over last few months to other Sky/HNM LSs, and certain members of KTO takes that very personal.

I myself does Sky to a certain limited extend, but really has not much time for that, and even has time I prefer to do other stuff. I hope I do not sound double-standard or hypocritic, but I mostly do sky just to help others out (yeah the only thing I ever got is a Zenith Crown). I love Dynamis in the sense it requires teamwork, and no competition in terms of over camped NMs (losing a lot of AF2 to a friend is not something I mind -- I like to see others look "shiny").

Edit: Fixed typo

Edited, Tue Sep 20 08:03:08 2005 by scchan
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Amanada (Cerberus-Retired) (aka MaiNoKen/Steven)
-- Thank you for the fun times in Vana'diel

Art for the sake of art itself is an idle sentence.
Art for the sake of truth, for the sake of what is
beautiful and good — that is the creed I seek.
- George Sand

A designer knows he has achieved perfection,
not when there is nothing left to add,
but when there is nothing left to take away.
- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
#2 Sep 20 2005 at 7:10 AM Rating: Default
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That's one reason I like Ion Storm. They (so far) don't get involved in all the bickering that I hear so much about in other HNMLSes. I think that's just a lot of crap that can be avoided and does nothing but hinder the game experience of many.

When it comes down to it, Ama, it's the individual that controls whether they change or not. You can be in an HNMLS and still be you.

We to (BladeSingers) have lost a large number of members to HNMLSes recently but we congratulate them for moving forward. It's not always easy, but it's them bettering themselves for the most part. A lot of them still help us out when needed and that works out well. We just keep bringing in more lower levels to try and enhance their gaming experience.
#3 Sep 20 2005 at 7:28 AM Rating: Decent
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I agree and disagree to certain extent that it is up to the person to change or not... I will use a well known Chinese saying...

"The person in the game is lot. The audience is clear"

In work or in game when get intense about it, one does not realize has changed. That is one motivation of the original post. My original post is to urge people rethink what people really want out from a game. Sometimes, there is no choice in work -- bad boss, competition with others -- for real life living neccesseities and luxeries. Game is a luxery that one does for fun outside of work -- does it has to degenerate to anger, drama, etc...? The first step toward that is up to the player, but afterwards it is up to a group of people.
____________________________
Amanada (Cerberus-Retired) (aka MaiNoKen/Steven)
-- Thank you for the fun times in Vana'diel

Art for the sake of art itself is an idle sentence.
Art for the sake of truth, for the sake of what is
beautiful and good — that is the creed I seek.
- George Sand

A designer knows he has achieved perfection,
not when there is nothing left to add,
but when there is nothing left to take away.
- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
#4 Sep 20 2005 at 9:16 AM Rating: Good
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I can honestly say I have seen more drama in the Praetorians then I have seen in IonStorm, I think that has alot to do with that fact that once people get comfortable with each other. The Praetorians have been around since nearly the start of the PS2 era and alot of the people are comfortable to speak thier minds, unfortunately, most are from the good ole USA and openly use their Freedom of Speech clause.
#5 Sep 20 2005 at 9:23 AM Rating: Decent
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In the end friends are the greatest "drop" you can ever have. I been there, 0 friends, etc - twice. That is a hole no one should wont to be in. It is painful to see your friends change and fade with little hope of seeing for themselves that they are changing and fading. Getting angry with them over this, is only going to eventually make them your adversary.

I have friends in HNMLS's, yea I worried about them changing and fading. They have not though.

Dahl what are you talking about? I have not noticed any drama in our LS in the past few weeks. The meeting we have, I didn't understand cause I was sitting thier like "cliques? what are these people talking about?" I'll ask about that at the site forum later.

Edited, Tue Sep 20 10:35:44 2005 by Zaleshea
#6 Sep 20 2005 at 9:39 AM Rating: Decent
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Drama is part of the game, but drama between close friends are usually resolved in good manner. But sometimes drama leads to LS splits etc.... and break up of game friendships... sometimes over a virtual item -- that is foolish.
____________________________
Amanada (Cerberus-Retired) (aka MaiNoKen/Steven)
-- Thank you for the fun times in Vana'diel

Art for the sake of art itself is an idle sentence.
Art for the sake of truth, for the sake of what is
beautiful and good — that is the creed I seek.
- George Sand

A designer knows he has achieved perfection,
not when there is nothing left to add,
but when there is nothing left to take away.
- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
#7 Sep 20 2005 at 9:53 AM Rating: Decent
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Like Leet said we have lost quite a few lately to HNMLS. It does bother us (me) sometimes... I mean, we put alot of work into this LS over the last year. And then, with out a word, people get offered to join X-HNMLS and drop off the face of the earth. Some stop by to help, some stop by just to show off their new gear.. but we hardly ever get a "thank you guys".

I'm also in IonStorm. I haven't had alot of time to spend with them since i've joined. BladeSingers keeps me pretty busy.. and being such good friends with the leader, you can understand why i get slapped for having another pearl on when we're out setting Vana'a'flame. Also with no Sky access i can really only join in the Dynamis runs (which i missed sunday due to my car being stuck somewhere). I like the guys/gals over there. They seem to be overall pretty cool and friendly. I hope i get more time to do events with them soon...
#8 Sep 20 2005 at 9:53 AM Rating: Default
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As shallow as this may sound, I look at it like this. If this "friend" feels that a virtual item is more valuable then a bond we have created, then they were never a friend and I errored in judgement.

It's frustrating and at times painful, but it's just how some people are. There is no point in continuing to frustrate yourself over someone that honestly didn't value your friendship as he/she showed. They will, sooner or later, realize what their choice has cost them.
#9 Sep 20 2005 at 10:05 AM Rating: Decent
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Quote:
Also with no Sky access i can really only join in the Dynamis runs


If someone needs help Sky access, I can help, just ask me in the game.

Quote:
As shallow as this may sound, I look at it like this. If this "friend" feels that a virtual item is more valuable then a bond we have created, then they were never a friend and I errored in judgement.

It's frustrating and at times painful, but it's just how some people are. There is no point in continuing to frustrate yourself over someone that honestly didn't value your friendship as he/she showed. They will, sooner or later, realize what their choice has cost them.


A lot of motiviation about joining a Sky and HNMLS is desired to obtain item and gil. Greed will certainly crawl in, and a lot of people sees Sky and HNM are short cuts to be umber and rich.

In HoE, nearly most people know each other in RL. And in Nihl (I am not an active Nihl member, but I know nearly everyone in there), most members know each other for extremely long time in the game. So that kind of contain loyalty changes and drama. And still, HoE and Nihl are not drama free.

I have logged over 250 days and 4 full sets of AF (but not 4 60+ level jobs o.O). Nowadays, I am just interested in helping, and exp pt with friends (you will hardly see me in exp pt nowadays if I do, I know a few people in the PT). I just want to talk and social and do stuff after work, and try to avoid anger and fights in the game. I could care less who get what item or who is umber rich (I am umber poor right now and is on loan ; ;).
____________________________
Amanada (Cerberus-Retired) (aka MaiNoKen/Steven)
-- Thank you for the fun times in Vana'diel

Art for the sake of art itself is an idle sentence.
Art for the sake of truth, for the sake of what is
beautiful and good — that is the creed I seek.
- George Sand

A designer knows he has achieved perfection,
not when there is nothing left to add,
but when there is nothing left to take away.
- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
#10 Sep 20 2005 at 10:19 AM Rating: Decent
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Some people join the end-game scene because they enjoy the drama (like myself).

As for in-game friends betraying you or your LS, that is BS. First, people you know only in a game are not true friends. You don't know about the actual person (unless you have had some type of out-of-game contact with them). You only know what they say in the game. You can't judge a person by what they do in the game since everyone enjoys the game for a different reason.

You may be upset and feel betrayed that a "friend" left your LS for another....so you start calling foul by playing the loyalty card. That is crap as well. A person leaves a LS to go somewhere else because that is where their enjoyment lies in a game. If your LS isn't doing what they want to do, then they aren't getting the enjoyment that they're paying $14/month to experience. There is no loyalty and friends in a game since this is just a game and everyone goes to where they can enjoy it.
#11 Sep 20 2005 at 10:35 AM Rating: Decent
The problem with the end game is its often very time consuming and not everyone is good at time management.

I know this is a generalisation but I bet a lot of people haven't deliberately abandoned friends/ linkshells etc but have just let the time get away from themselves.

#12 Sep 20 2005 at 10:37 AM Rating: Decent
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As for in-game friends betraying you or your LS, that is BS. First, people you know only in a game are not true friends. You don't know about the actual person (unless you have had some type of out-of-game contact with them). You only know what they say in the game. You can't judge a person by what they do in the game since everyone enjoys the game for a different reason.

You may be upset and feel betrayed that a "friend" left your LS for another....so you start calling foul by playing the loyalty card. That is crap as well. A person leaves a LS to go somewhere else because that is where their enjoyment lies in a game. If your LS isn't doing what they want to do, then they aren't getting the enjoyment that they're paying $14/month to experience. There is no loyalty and friends in a game since this is just a game and everyone goes to where they can enjoy it.


I think that is overly general, and may not apply to everyone -- including myself. Different interpret game enjoyment differently, and should be treated per individual basis. Yes, game friends are somewhat different with RL friends. IMO, as long as you know someone is a person, it should be treated as a person regardless of means of the connection is made.

I do not think "betrayal" was used in his thread yet -- it may have been implied in certain pretext. I myself do not mind people changing "loyalty" for fun, but a lot of change of "loyalty" are connected people ******** each other... That is what I meant.
____________________________
Amanada (Cerberus-Retired) (aka MaiNoKen/Steven)
-- Thank you for the fun times in Vana'diel

Art for the sake of art itself is an idle sentence.
Art for the sake of truth, for the sake of what is
beautiful and good — that is the creed I seek.
- George Sand

A designer knows he has achieved perfection,
not when there is nothing left to add,
but when there is nothing left to take away.
- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
#13 Sep 20 2005 at 10:44 AM Rating: Decent
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That is usually because when you join certain end-game LS's, they forbid their members to help with certain aspects of the game, or when you do want help, there is a LS event going on that requires attendance. Don't think someone is ******** you over because of their free will, typically it's because they're not allowed to (unless you're referencing someone not returning an item, spreading blatant lies, etc).

Edited, Tue Sep 20 11:56:56 2005 by eXrave
#14 Sep 20 2005 at 10:49 AM Rating: Decent
I've haven't heard of HNMLs not allowing their members to help with certain aspects of the game.

The only restrictions I've ever heard of (the only one Higher Power insisted on) was that you could not be a member of another HMNL linkshell at the same time which is a reasonable restriction.

I know if I joined a LS that tried to tell me I couldn't help friends with Zilart missions to try and stop others getting Sky or something I would tell them exactly where to stick it.
#15 Sep 20 2005 at 10:54 AM Rating: Decent
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I myself not "too" active in end game for a few reasons... One is noted in kubrell -- it is just way too time consuming. Instead spending hours hoping to a drop or a claim, more fun is found in helping people doing AF etc., Maat tests. The other is that I do not want to deal with HL drama. I just want to play the game with friends that's all. The last thing I want when I get home from work is to get angry and crap talk gossip about a game. I would rather be sociable, and care less how people treats another person.

I dislike 1-LS or you-are-with-me-not-with-them type rules. I am open to help anyone who are nice regardless of "faction." Having fun and helping in the game should not be selective per person due to their "faction". If selection are forced to be made because of fear of conflict, I would rather not participate in such events. May be I am just too naive... but who cares?
____________________________
Amanada (Cerberus-Retired) (aka MaiNoKen/Steven)
-- Thank you for the fun times in Vana'diel

Art for the sake of art itself is an idle sentence.
Art for the sake of truth, for the sake of what is
beautiful and good — that is the creed I seek.
- George Sand

A designer knows he has achieved perfection,
not when there is nothing left to add,
but when there is nothing left to take away.
- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
#16 Sep 20 2005 at 11:02 AM Rating: Decent
Things have changed very much in this area over the past few months. Ever since WW and Dynasty made their alliance over King HNM/Tiamat and Vrtra/Xarcabard, things have been very smooth. There is less drama and more coopereation and enjoyment from what I can see. There is still some competetion out there occasionally that can cause drama but it's never really been much of a problem. Most of the "drama" is hyped up and really doesn't exist to the degree to which most people dispay it. I used to be a drama ***** but I stopped because it just makes the game un fun for people. It makes sense for people to move on to HNM ls, its only the natural progression of the game. However there are only so many hnms ._.
#17 Sep 20 2005 at 11:49 AM Rating: Default
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Quote:
I used to be a drama ***** but I stopped because it just makes the game un fun for people


Congratulations Bani. Admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery! LoL! j/k

Yeah I've only really heard of HNMLS vs Gil Sellers lately instead of HNMLS vs HNMLS. That's reassuring to see progress.
#18 Sep 20 2005 at 12:34 PM Rating: Decent
I have nothing to add as I am not high lvl, only hitting 65 a couple of days ago.

I just wanted to say how wonderful it is reading a thread which contains nothing but positive, intellegent, and mature posts. Thoughtful discussion and healthy debate have become such a rarity on Alla boards lately this thread is noteworthy.

Keep up the good example.
#19 Sep 20 2005 at 12:54 PM Rating: Good
I wouldn't exactly call it "greed" for every instance of someone wanting something new. Some people, myself included, like to say that the game doesn't really start until you hit 75.

For most people that started in the beggining ( NA PC release ), the road up wasn't easy. We didn't have level 75NA to help with Limit Quests and AF, you were taking 10-18 level 50 people which made things that much harder. It was very time consuming, frustrating, and more drama laced than what anyone could say about the HNM scene. And this was over basic progression in the game.

Endgame brings a whole new set of challenges ( which yes are based on reward ); and while there are people who do act with greed for things and are shady, there are people that just want nice things which help give their LS an edge on the challenge at hand.


And interLS drama is kindof redundant pointing out seeing that all of humanity divides itself into groups and sections and then fiercely advertises loyalty for it. There is nothing wrong with this I don't think, I would want everyone in my LS feeling they are part of one big team, one bigger objective, than as one individual fending for themself.

And like Bani said more than half the time **** is talked it's not meant, it's just casual banter put into competitive language. Same as a Red Sox and Yankees fan going at in during a ballgame.

I think people read a little too much into things and make way too many false assumptions about people and LS in this game and just decide to run with it when they run their mouths and then you have the domino effect of the rumor mill.

And like Xrave said: Everyone is going to do what they feel is best for their hard earned dollar they spend on this game. There is no right or wrong in that aspect. Amanada likes to help people, I like to do endgame events. I'm sure as a base statement one could say Confucion is greedy and self-serving and Amanada is kind and selfless. But if you take joy in helping people then are you really any different from someone who takes joy in endgame events?

Not trying to strike you down Amanada just putting things into perspective. :)

Edited, Tue Sep 20 14:06:33 2005 by confucion
#20 Sep 20 2005 at 1:05 PM Rating: Decent
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I agree with what Confu says that people have their own preference what they like to do. An online game has a lot of parellel to real life because of the people who play it, and people pursue what individual goals. I tend to believe that while individuals pursue their interests, there is a place for everyone come out as a winner. I sound like communist sometimes when I say that, but I am willing to step a little back or give out a little service and time to make things happen.

Sometimes I wish people in RL and in game is more thankful when people do things for them. Helpers help out because they think it is fun. Help should not be taken as granted, and a "Thank you" encourages more such behavior. In my work place, I once get mad with my office mate when I was organizing university events and he told he did not come because he is graduating and is none of his business...

I think healthy WWF style crap talk drama is actually quite fun (haha Extacee), but a lot of drama is really blown out of scale. And as an outsider, all the rumour and ranting really masked out what the real thing is about, and creates a lot of confusion. A lot of people say just ignore it, and a lot of times I try to do that. But it is hard to completely ignore the wind of rumours when it is bombarded onto you every other day.
____________________________
Amanada (Cerberus-Retired) (aka MaiNoKen/Steven)
-- Thank you for the fun times in Vana'diel

Art for the sake of art itself is an idle sentence.
Art for the sake of truth, for the sake of what is
beautiful and good — that is the creed I seek.
- George Sand

A designer knows he has achieved perfection,
not when there is nothing left to add,
but when there is nothing left to take away.
- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
#21 Sep 20 2005 at 1:12 PM Rating: Decent
Quote:
KTO itself lost quite a few people over last few months to other Sky/HNM LSs, and certain members of KTO takes that very personal.


Just wanted to touch on this one real fast. I know I pretty much covered what I wanted to say in my previous post; but for those of you that feel you "lost" friends to endgame and another LS: You're really holding on to your ideal on what a friend should be to you. Saying someone is a greedy mfer for doing something without you, or apart from you isn't really a freind, is really a hypocritical statement.

Don't forget the good times because of the bad. If you really do love someone then you gotta let them go.

Edited, Tue Sep 20 14:18:27 2005 by confucion
#22 Sep 20 2005 at 1:12 PM Rating: Decent
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i agree with confucion. what you want from the game is your choice. just because you're in a hnmls and might be a lotta time busy with hnm stuff doesn't mean you're cold blooded... ^_^;

some people look into a hnmls for greed and items.. but there are also enjoy the content of end game (/slap the taru for repeating and havign pointless stuff to say..) i don't have anythign i want in sky anymore, yet i still go because i enjoy the way things are played. and like yday seeing suzaku finally kindly dropped Zenny's Abj made me happier than actually seeing my own item dropped lol.

this is like moving up in education... when you move into university, you hardly see friends at high school, you miss them, and most probably lose contact with most of them. but yet there's always a few you will talk to every so often.. of course they're not as close as be4, but you still appreciate their presence, no?

<--- again, talked random rubbish! \o/
#23 Sep 20 2005 at 1:20 PM Rating: Decent
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Don't forget the good times because of the bad. If you really do love someone then you gotta let them go.


I myself try to remain good relationship with everyone I know. Sometimes being a different LS really impends that in the sense, you do not see them often. That is like RL, as a professional student... I have moved from Boston to State College to Toronto and then to Washington DC, I see people come and go (I myself is one). Best thing to do is to wish them good luck and try to stay in touch.

Sometimes good to have loafty goals and then accept what you may get out from that goal. What I really dislike negative thinking, and think everything "sucks" to begin with. Like that, never there will be progress nor happiness. But personally, I think progress is over-rated, happiness is under-rated, but anyway that is my rant. I just want a happy life. Hehe.
____________________________
Amanada (Cerberus-Retired) (aka MaiNoKen/Steven)
-- Thank you for the fun times in Vana'diel

Art for the sake of art itself is an idle sentence.
Art for the sake of truth, for the sake of what is
beautiful and good — that is the creed I seek.
- George Sand

A designer knows he has achieved perfection,
not when there is nothing left to add,
but when there is nothing left to take away.
- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
#24 Sep 20 2005 at 2:59 PM Rating: Decent
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eXrave wrote:
Some people join the end-game scene because they enjoy the drama (like myself).

As for in-game friends betraying you or your LS, that is BS. First, people you know only in a game are not true friends. You don't know about the actual person (unless you have had some type of out-of-game contact with them). You only know what they say in the game. You can't judge a person by what they do in the game since everyone enjoys the game for a different reason.

You may be upset and feel betrayed that a "friend" left your LS for another....so you start calling foul by playing the loyalty card. That is crap as well. A person leaves a LS to go somewhere else because that is where their enjoyment lies in a game. If your LS isn't doing what they want to do, then they aren't getting the enjoyment that they're paying $14/month to experience. There is no loyalty and friends in a game since this is just a game and everyone goes to where they can enjoy it.


#1: There is no loyalty and friends in a game since this is just a game...

#2: People you know only in a game are not true friends..

Both of those are. . . just - no.

You don't know the actual person ? Accuratly speaking you don't know that persons habits. That's about all that's left that you don't know about a person..if the bond you formed with them in a game, or a forum is close enough to where they tell you things about themselves.

Fact: 80% of my friends are not in my city... have my email, have my number... Lets step away from the in game friend thing, and say you apply this logic to online in general. There, I see the flaw in this logic.

Treating them(those on your flist) as nothing more than..a 'person' is what breeds apathy and things like..cold hearted treatment. I.e. why care about this 'person's' feelings since..they are not even a 'real' friend by so and so's standards.




Edited, Tue Sep 20 16:05:01 2005 by Zaleshea
#25 Sep 20 2005 at 7:15 PM Rating: Good
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Endgame is more trouble than it's worth IMO, since it pretty much defeats the purpose of that message SE puts on before you play the game saying not to let your life suffer as a result of FFXI.

And I do agree with Amanada that people do change once they get into an endgame LS, ever since one of my friends recently joined one, he hasn't been the same and we don't even talk to each other anymore, greed is an easy friend killer in any game, and FFXI is a nice way to prove it.

If you want to join a HNMLS do it if you want, but just remember if you get booted, your true friends will still be there for you.

Edited, Tue Sep 20 20:31:13 2005 by Corrderio
#26 Sep 21 2005 at 1:05 AM Rating: Decent
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Quote:
we don't even talk to each other anymore,


The reason is that Sky and camping HNM take so much time, and you simply have no time to talk. As Confu said, I would rather do other stuff for fun, but others want love to play the game content.

There was a small drama in Sky Tuesday night between 2 (+1) LSs (there are readers in this forum know the 3 LSs I am refering to). Similar things are reason myself try to distant from such events. Although I agree Bani says high level drama has declined lately, but they still existed because people take things a little bit too personal.

I will not openly discuss my stance in the small drama as that just make it worse. In my opinion, the real world and Vana'Diel can be a lot of better place if people display equal respect to each other. Less me, more we. People together pursue common interests, and everyone can be a winner. There are a place and time for everyone.
____________________________
Amanada (Cerberus-Retired) (aka MaiNoKen/Steven)
-- Thank you for the fun times in Vana'diel

Art for the sake of art itself is an idle sentence.
Art for the sake of truth, for the sake of what is
beautiful and good — that is the creed I seek.
- George Sand

A designer knows he has achieved perfection,
not when there is nothing left to add,
but when there is nothing left to take away.
- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
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