Staff Advantage

[13th Infantry]

Today, while playing in HyperSpace, I got shot down buy a double-barrel shredder-like weapon that bounced on the walls. I was later informed that this weapon was a "pulse array" and was an actual HS item, but only staff could use it. In my zone I define the core of staff abuse as anything that would give you a tactical advantage over an ordinary player. This example fits that statement like a glove.

 

I can't speak for others, but I have always refused to play in a zone with abusive staff. I'd hate to have to abandon this one. Especially since all that needs to be done is to either restrict the staff or make the items available to the public.

 

I realize this may seem like a small incident, but I have never seen an example in which the problem didn't continue to get worse on its own. This shouldn't take much to stop since the problem clearly isn't that large yet, but as I said earlier, I'd hate to have to abandon this zone.

[Kilo]

Dr Brain believes that being on staff gives you the right to an advantage, in return for volunteering their time. I believe his words were "it's not fair that you guys need moderating, but you still do." As a long time staffer in another zone I have no problem with these sentiments, given that generally mods receive nothing but grief and stress just for doing thier jobs. The only thing required in return is that mods actually do their jobs.

 

Thus, it is not abuse, it is a compensation for putting up with your average SS player, who is generally stupid, lame, !@#$%^&*holish, and etc. And all this compensation is, is testing a new weapon that will eventually be available to everyone once it is balanced. So what? Would you rather an overpowered weapon be just sent out into public, which generally ends up pissing off everyone who faces against it, and then everyone who has it when its nerfed?

 

End rant.

[Deathboy-evil]

I'm too screwed over right now to actually give a long speech bout it. But I put in my votes.

 

Truth is, If your a mod, you usually need skill, a sense of humor, be well known, active, and a few other things. If you have skill, you don't need these weapons. But mod's that do have skill still tend to use it even still. I know their's been over 20 complaints bout it.. I know theirs Doc that said that stuff.. about mods ... compensating.. blah blah but the truth of the matter is ... if u want mods to keep it.. than tweak the item down so that we actually have a chance at killing those mods that have a lot of skill and that can use the item on multi.

[KoTD]

I'll agree with Dr that there should at least be a reward for putting up with us !@#$%^&*holes XD. But not a reward that makes it harder than it should be to kill someone. Mod or not, it should at least be a fair game. I honestly don't care too much since I'm able to kill staff with the special weapons anyways, with the exception of brickwrite, so whatever, just an opinion that the game should be fair, especially for the new players. I think having staff with uber weapons owning everything gives new players a bad first-thought about the zone: Just another zone where they don't stand a chance and thus a lot of new players tend to leave due to not being able to stand a chance. Just my opinion.

 

-KoTD

[Bomook]

If the guns are there just for testing, then I see absolutely nothing wrong with it. But if certain staffers intend to permanently use the cheap items, then yes, that's bad. I do agree with Kilo that *genuine* staffers receive nothing from their jobs besides grief and stress, but I do disagree that staffers should be allowed to permanently keep a stat advantage over other players (i.e. better weapons, prizing, etc.) I don't see how an advantage is the correct form of reward for staff, anyways. If a staff member loses interest in the job, he/she's still not going to adequately perform his/her job. Better items will keep him/her online longer, but that's about it.

 

"Rewards" such as self-granting, which have little consequence are better, since they allow staffers to reach the same ship, just faster. A better ship that has otherwise unattainable stats kills balance and is a different story, and depends on the cir!@#$%^&*stances.

[13th Infantry]

I would agree with Deathboy on this one. The staffers use these weapons all the time and the truth is that they aren't testing it anymore, they're abusing it. It can't take more than a couple hours to make a new weapon even enough to allow it to the public and considering some of the other things people can buy it won't seem lame in comparison.

 

If the staff wants a reward for doing their job then give them something that doesn't provide a tactical advantage over the other players. Remember that they wanted this job and if they don't want it any more than they shouldn't have it anymore. Bribing someone to be staff is not a good solution. Perks are good, but only to a certain extent.

[Deathboy-evil]

I'll agree with Dr that there should at least be a reward for putting up with us !@#$%^&*holes XD. But not a reward that makes it harder than it should be to kill someone. Mod or not, it should at least be a fair game. I honestly don't care too much since I'm able to kill staff with the special weapons anyways, with the exception of brickwrite, so whatever, just an opinion that the game should be fair, especially for the new players. I think having staff with uber weapons owning everything gives new players a bad first-thought about the zone: Just another zone where they don't stand a chance and thus a lot of new players tend to leave due to not being able to stand a chance. Just my opinion.

 

-KoTD

 

Well, considering I was a bit drunk last night and I couldn't read any of the long posts, (I tried) but I couldn't, I'd have to say my opinion is almost the exact same as KoTD's. Yes, we can kill the mods even if they use these, that's because were vets, we've been playing for a long time and have developed skills and strategies on how to take down any type of person using cheap/lame guns, bombs etc. But as KoTD said, I also based whatever I said on the perspective of a newcomer. It is unfair to them, and those who are becoming vets. (All though that might be a challenge for them its not) They just keep getting owned as where it is only a challenge for us.

 

If the guns are there just for testing, then I see absolutely nothing wrong with it. But if certain staffers intend to permanently use the cheap items, then yes, that's bad. I do agree with Kilo that *genuine* staffers receive nothing from their jobs besides grief and stress, but I do disagree that staffers should be allowed to permanently keep a stat advantage over other players (i.e. better weapons, prizing, etc.) I don't see how an advantage is the correct form of reward for staff, anyways. If a staff member loses interest in the job, he/she's still not going to adequately perform his/her job. Better items will keep him/her online longer, but that's about it.

 

"Rewards" such as self-granting, which have little consequence are better, since they allow staffers to reach the same ship, just faster. A better ship that has otherwise unattainable stats kills balance and is a different story, and depends on the cir!@#$%^&*stances.

 

Hmmm, Bomook, If it is testing guns, than the guns should be used in only testing situations. Not testing it on newbs in the arena. Ok, I know Doc has told us that the mods are allowed to use it. But it is very unfair to everyone in the arena. Especially for newcomers as KoTD has said. The whole speech bout a newcomer coming into the zone, finding these bullets being used on them. Thinking they have no chance whatsoever, thus, they leave. It all speaks for itself. Mods already have 1 ability to grant themselves money. This ability no one else has. They also have the ability to have fun with their powers, so, the whole speech about them having to volunteer for moderating the whole arena, doesn't really go into effect. If you want to let the mods keep the guns, atleast tweak it so that it's still a fair advantage to everyone.

[»D1st0rt]

I assume this is all in reference to the beam array gun I've been working on. This is not a "staff only" gun, its a "weapon maker only" gun. Even that is only until I get it to the point where it is balanced enough to be released to the public, which I fully intend to do. I seriously doubt it has had the devastating effect you all are exaggerating it to have since its just my warbird and I'm not even on that much. I have modified it multiple times as a result of of the playtesting, but unfortunately none of the changes can take effect until the server recycles which I am presently unable to do myself.

 

Basically the way I see it there are 3 options:

• I can use items I'm working on in live tests to get a bearing on what adjustments need to be made before they are released to the public
  
• I can just release items without testing them so everything gets totally screwed up out of balance
  
• If it's really so much of a problem, I'll just not make any new items for you guys and you can be stuck with just using what is already there
  

As far as actual abuse and not just the perceived "waaahhhh, ____ is abusing" please let me know and I'll look into it.

[13th Infantry]

Talk about an understatement. I'll also point out that I know I've seen at least 2 people using that weapon. As for the effect, you haven't tried to attack a base with that weapon defending it. It surely was not possible without the use of items like a brick or thors or at least several people. Thus one person can defend against a team while simply sitting in a corner and firing.

 

You also left out the single most obvious solution there is. Make an arena and test it in there. I'm sure you can get plenty of volunteers and then you could update without recycling the entire server.

[Dr Brain]

You also left out the single most obvious solution there is. Make an arena and test it in there. I'm sure you can get plenty of volunteers and then you could update without recycling the entire server.

 

Not possible. Items are global things made to be local to arenas. It's not currently possible to change items in the zone while the database module is loaded.

[Kilo]

Basically the way I see it there are 3 options:

• If it's really so much of a problem, I'll just not make any new items for you guys and you can be stuck with just using what is already there
  

Psst, we don't want this to happen. Simmer down, everyone.

[Deathboy-evil]

Basically the way I see it there are 3 options:

• If it's really so much of a problem, I'll just not make any new items for you guys and you can be stuck with just using what is already there
  

Psst, we don't want this to happen. Simmer down, everyone.

 

Agreed, I doubt any of us want that happening.

 

I assume this is all in reference to the beam array gun I've been working on. This is not a "staff only" gun, its a "weapon maker only" gun. Even that is only until I get it to the point where it is balanced enough to be released to the public, which I fully intend to do. I seriously doubt it has had the devastating effect you all are exaggerating it to have since its just my warbird and I'm not even on that much. I have modified it multiple times as a result of of the playtesting, but unfortunately none of the changes can take effect until the server recycles which I am presently unable to do myself.

 

Basically the way I see it there are 3 options:

• I can use items I'm working on in live tests to get a bearing on what adjustments need to be made before they are released to the public
  
• I can just release items without testing them so everything gets totally screwed up out of balance
  
• If it's really so much of a problem, I'll just not make any new items for you guys and you can be stuck with just using what is already there
  

As far as actual abuse and not just the perceived "waaahhhh, ____ is abusing" please let me know and I'll look into it.

 

D1st0rt, It's either your blind, (Which I know your not) or ur just not seeing what everyone else and myself have.. correction.. are.. seeing. About every mod use's that "beam array". I remember yesterday, I saw you join my freq using them.. I didn't say nothing bout it because doc said you guys were allowed to use it. But I saw this thread and I decided everyone's opinionated and well, this is just 1 way for the truth to come out. It's not only you who is using it. Every mod is using it. as for this, it shouldn't be that big of a deal. With every mod using it, IT IS.

[scarface.nl]

Ive got some abuse to tell you about.

 

How about the other day, Dr. Brain is on a flagging freq and he is basing. all fine and good, until we start getting inside the base and start to push his team back. Well, he decides to bring his auto turret or whatever it is and stick it inside the base preventing us from getting too far into the base. Thus, making all of that fighting and pushing we just did useless.

 

Why? Cause hes a lamer. This zone is run by a cheater, so what would you expect his moderators to do? Can't blame them, just taking after their boss.

[Dr Brain]

Every mod is using it.

 

Every mod meaning three of them?

[»D1st0rt]

I'm not talking about who has used it in the past before they were informed about it and told not to use it, who is using it currently besides myself?

[Deathboy-evil]

Every mod is using it.

 

Every mod meaning three of them?

 

I've seen every mod use it.

 

I'm not talking about who has used it in the past before they were informed about it and told not to use it, who is using it currently besides myself?

 

From what I recall, every mod was informed, but every mod i've seen play so far has used it. (Every mod being that each one use it, possibly even after they were informed).

 

I'm not exactly sure anymore bout it, but whatever, we've all clearly made our post. The last mod I saw play was D1st0rt, but he was on my freq. Supposibly he is the tester. Lol, Just as long as its not abused, I'm ok with it, and If I see someone (other than D1st0rt or Dr Brain) using it.. I'll post it or report it than.

[Bankotsu]

yes about a week ago i was flaging and miss meow was using the "mod gun" to kill other people. But later i saw hi-5 using them but he informed me he was not killing anyone with those bullets he just had them on the ship. I have no problem with that exept when i get killed from the bullets, which i have only been killed by miss meows "mod guns". I have informed it to online moderators already.

 

 

edited: sry i just read up above and i overheard that yall were testing sry if this post was a burden...

[Dr Brain]

I've seen every mod use it.

 

I've not seen Lanvalk, Quigybobo or Coenny use it yet.

[Deathboy-evil]

Hmm, I wonder why doc.. I was referring to every active mod.

 

Deathboy-e> ?find Quigybobo

Not online, last seen more than 10 days ago

Deathboy-e> ?find Coenny

Not online, last seen more than 10 days ago

Deathboy-e> ?find Lanvalk

Not online, last seen more than 10 days ago

[Dr Brain]

I said three. There are only three active mods.

[Bomook]

As D1st0rt said, this is a testing weapon. Balance testing in a separate arena is not a viable choice, as the weapon needs to be put into natural gameplay. It kind of sucks for the other team, but there's nothing wrong with testing weapons in flagging for one team: it's an independent variable. As a courtesy, though, the mod(s) with the weapon should switch to the losing team next, to balance things out.

 

The point is, it's not intended to be used as some lame reward for staffing, it's just a temporary balance test. Since it's temporary, I see no problem with it for the most part. Mods abusing the usage of this weapon should still be reprimanded accordingly by the smod/owner. The players are misinterpreting this weapon and overestimating the gravity of the situation. But also to the staff: keep in mind there is a tendency to listen to, side with, and defend each other more than the normal players, even if they may be right sometimes.

[Dr Brain]

As D1st0rt said, this is a testing weapon. Balance testing in a separate arena is not a viable choice, as the weapon needs to be put into natural gameplay. It kind of sucks for the other team, but there's nothing wrong with testing weapons in flagging for one team: it's an independent variable. As a courtesy, though, the mod(s) with the weapon should switch to the losing team next, to balance things out.

 

You're !@#$%^&*uming that the weapon will always be overpowered.

[Bomook]

As D1st0rt said, this is a testing weapon. Balance testing in a separate arena is not a viable choice, as the weapon needs to be put into natural gameplay. It kind of sucks for the other team, but there's nothing wrong with testing weapons in flagging for one team: it's an independent variable. As a courtesy, though, the mod(s) with the weapon should switch to the losing team next, to balance things out.

You're !@#$%^&*uming that the weapon will always be overpowered.

During the period that people will still complain about it, yes, which is why I said the players are misunderstanding the situation. When it is underpowered in testing, people won't complain, and when it is balanced and introduced into normal gameplay, no one will complain. But of course, you already know that.

 

I apologize if, when I said that "Mods abusing the usage of this weapon should still be reprimanded accordingly by the smod/owner" that I implied that anyone using the weapon is the same as abusing it. People testing or using the weapon are fine, but abusing, no: there is a difference. Just reminding you and D1 that you should still keep an eye open for abusers.

[Deathboy-evil]

Whocares now, It's undercontrol.. I know a lot of other people including myself are glad to see they haven't seen an "active" mod as Doc would say or the "three mods" use it after this thread. If we do see it happening... we can always report it or post it.

[Bankotsu]

cut down on the typing !@#$%^&* im to laysy to spell or read that stuff