Glaistig

Ahem, my dear bunny, there is nothing that could be labelled "mean" or "hostile" in those bolded words; they never indicated that the subject [i]was[/i] stupid and lazy and patty hectic lei inept or whatnot. Not to mention it is of my very esteemable opinion that nearly everyone is stupid and lazy to some point, even yours truly, so even if someone rash [u]assumed[/u] my words [i]implied[/i] those things, there is no need to be hurt. Okay, well, maybe I indicated that our new player here was lazy, but the same argument put forth just a sentence ago applies yet. Neither should one be ashamed for paying someone more honor than he deserves, necessarily, and just because [i]I[/i] show that it makes me feel less pleasant doesn't mean my judgment has to be a standard, though I thank you very kindly for the flattering. Therefore, by being the one to indirectly categorize such persons who have dominant traits of laziness and stupidity or like concepts as something negative with your reactions, you are the one who is being mean and hostile. You must forgive some flaws, for all persons have their good points--and if not so, then you must strive to change them rather than condemn. Who's to say laziness and stupidity is always bad, in any case? In contrast, openly showing a lack of appreciation for my effort to welcome someone is rude to say at the least, and to be misunderstood because of [u]assumptions[/u] naturally upsets me. Yes, I did say he was unworthy and express my disgruntlement in reaction. If you want to call me mean for that, then do so. I regret being a little harsh to the misguided-and-incapable-of-correct-understanding now, but what's done is done. You may have your virtual cookie regardless of your failure, for I pity you and I feel guilt for my treatment of such pitiable creatures. *gives cookies* And awiiya-who-claims-to-be-of-the-inferior-gender, there is someone by the same name I think of as female in my head. Say hello, will you?

Dude, man. I'll give you a virtual cookie complete with the asterisks if you can point out what was hostile and mean in my hello. Look what I have to endure--I go out of my way to say hello when no one else does after several views, and this is what I get in return. You know what? I won't do it again, I promise. Don't appreciate Glai-greeting, well, you aren't worthy of it. You can be greeted by [i]awiiya[/i]; I'm sure she's like [i]totally[/i] better than me and you'd be missing out on [i]nothing[/i]. I shouldn't even be humoring you by replying. I shouldn't be attaching the pictures of all the archers in MD and listing their names because of your *cough*pathetic*cough* ineptitude. But, well, I can't help my graciousness, now can I? And yes, I purposely lied and said 9 archers when there are 10, just to fluster. [u][color="#ff0000"][url="http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll203/kompeito/DA.jpg"]1-6[/url][/color][/u] are levels of one creature, [u][color="#ff0000"][url="http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll203/kompeito/LA.jpg"]7-10[/url][/color][/u] are another. And, in case you're missing it, those underlined numbers are links to the larger pictures posted in Aqune's threads. If none of these is the archer you're looking for, your eyesight is screwed. That, or your memory. Or your brain. You could be hallucinating and indulging in fantasies about female archers in the artstyle of MD. [img]http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll203/kompeito/archers.jpg[/img] When did the option to attach images disappear? Do you know how long that took me to arrange them so that a player could not look at the image properties and find the link to the creature directory? I also suggest that directory be secured, as well as the link to attack a person, view rpc logs and who knows what else.

Request, if someone ever comes upon the message I sent to that MD-archive-site-blog-thing some time ago, please ignore it and you never saw any such thing. Delete it from all logs. I have really low points, and sometimes I wallow in MD depression so much my ability to process ideas takes a plunge and I do drastic things. I sorely regretted sending that message once I became sober a few hours later.

[quote name='Glaistig' post='21704' date='Dec 10 2008, 11:15 AM']Sho, I was like, yeah, I finished work yesterday and I was logging on and writing, "Yea, and for you I hath labored to deliver an early fulfillment of our covenant" but then I forgot what I wanted to write about in the first place. Sorry, probably the effect of several all-nighters in a row.. why did I even post in the first place? It shows that I was not in a sane condition, and yea, in retrospect, I had pulled an all-nighter that very day I posted. In any case, I was like, I must not disappoint my already-dejected subjects, I must write something absolutely magnificent, so I must spend some time to deliberate upon this subject. But I'm afraid dear Che will close this topic in no time at all considering the mutation the discussion underwent, what with Aqune-dst squabbling like two pitted siblings, so I must hurry and therefore you must deal with a hashed-up blather. Nonetheless, I imagine, very worthy in brilliance. So, anyway, I was thinking, alliances are very cool. They are like mini-factions that represent real ones in real life--but they aren't the only form in which players can form polarized groups, nor should it be mandatory that one join them. As in real life, there may be benefits but there are also fallbacks. So what discussion is there to be had about alliances? If people want to form alliances and be an official group, then there are alliances. True, our absolutist king may decide whether or not they deserve officialdom and endorse them with bonuses such as stats and certain powers, but it is all still alike to a society--that group can decide to be underground/unofficial as well. Perhaps Manu, our Holy Lord, is the sole arbitrator in deciding the requirements for an alliance and he may be wrong in judgment (as dst says), but I still think alliances are a very cool aspect of the game which just makes it simulate a real-life society even better. I have three minutes before the bell rings and that's nothing at all for me to write all I want. Chewwiiie, please let me edit in more later on before you close anything D: just think of all the people who want to hear my wise words.. don't deprive them! In the meanwhile, I must say, Aqune-dst argu was very endearing and I should be quite disappointed if it has already ended so soon, quite sad, continue if you will oh, bell rang, must go...[/quote] So anyway, I approve of alliances as a factor of MD as a society, but that doesn't really mean I encourage them either. I just don't think alliances as a single unit should be stifled; if one is bad in some way or the other and despotic King Manu still favors it, it can stagnate or be opposed by another alliance/unofficial group/single person. You can see this thought in the following ways I respond to dst's specific points: [color="#000080"]1)Being in an alliance is a privilege not a right. Alliance leaders should choose their members carefully (based on their own rules, needs, etc) and not permit anyone in. With the current number of members in the alliances (50 i believe) the leaders struggle to fill the places (since the number of active players is still small) . I have seen alliance with inactive members (the leader had to kick them out). This is not right! [/color] I think organizations can choose whatever members they like, even not carefully. If they struggle to fill the places and have inactive members, then that makes them weaker; maybe they will fall apart on their own or another alliance (ohhh, a terrorist alliance *_*) can demolish them. Otherwise, they still have the right to exist; maybe they will succeed. [color="#000080"]2)You all talk about role playing. Some of the "wannabes" (alliances I mean) have no purpose (as in no role) not to mention a story. This is if you want against your all praised role playing.[/color] Aww, dst, you're bitter about roleplaying as I am. n__n Anyway, why not let pointless organizations prosper? King Manu approved them; if you strongly disapprove of them, you might garner his approval for an anti-pointless alliance or oppose them some other way. If you don't strongly disapprove and just think they're pointless, you can just ignore them. Regardless, does this mean that potentially meaningful alliances should be denied existence? I don't get that logic. [color="#000080"]3)The rules for the alliances are not well defined. Think at this scenario: the DS have one of the best bonuses (if not the best in all the alliances/guilds). What if I bring a mp3 in it? That mp3 will be god among the other mp3s. Believe me: you don't want that.[/color] I get this one a little more than the others. But.. truthfully, do you think Manu will ever get to implementing alliance rules? Or any time soon? Do you think that alliances should therefore not exist if/until that happens? I don't think anything will happen in terms of that unless some fiasco arrives, personally, and even then, I don't know if anything would happen; maybe it should be up to the players to do something about it (besides disallow alliances in general). I wouldn't let this one stop me from creating another alliance if I wanted to. [color="#000080"]4)My own selfish use: having more alliances means more alliance members means less battles I can fight :p (ok..I am exaggerating here :) )[/color] Valid. I think, dst, maybe you just dislike alliances because most of the ones you see aren't very veritable in your eyes, but condemning them all? It's like hating on MD's whole community of people just because most of them roleplay in a manner you really, really can't stand.. :P Oh, and Aqune, if you quit, I need contact info.. :))? As a sidenote, Aqune is right; I quit because I disliked the community in general and therefore the society they created, which is kind of like quitting because of a single individual who has lotsa influence. I also mistrusted Manu's direction. But, personally, I'm very fond of dst, and I think it's entirely valid of him to have made personal retribution, even if he did use whatever special powers he gained from being a bug reporter--which I didn't perceive. Remember the occurrence with Ren taking action against a mp3 account because of personal conflict? That's pretty much the same as what dst did except Ren [i]did[/i] use his rpc powers, yet my efforts to change MD society by imposing some regulation on rpcs managed nothing. Validity isn't the same of liking, and in fact I feel like reprimanding him for being so testy and irrational (how mean, dst!), but what he did isn't much different than another player telling his friends to attack his enemy as often as possible or something like that. It's reasonable to quit/take a break in response to it, but I don't recommend leaving with a bad taste in your mouth. I'm fond of you, too, Aqune; maybe you two should try see if you can contemptuously like each other despite visible fault in the other. Both of you are very likeable for Glai.

Sho, I was like, yeah, I finished work yesterday and I was logging on and writing, "Yea, and for you I hath labored to deliver an early fulfillment of our covenant" but then I forgot what I wanted to write about in the first place. Sorry, probably the effect of several all-nighters in a row.. why did I even post in the first place? It shows that I was not in a sane condition, and yea, in retrospect, I had pulled an all-nighter that very day I posted. In any case, I was like, I must not disappoint my already-dejected subjects, I must write something absolutely magnificent, so I must spend some time to deliberate upon this subject. But I'm afraid dear Che will close this topic in no time at all considering the mutation the discussion underwent, what with Aqune-dst squabbling like two pitted siblings, so I must hurry and therefore you must deal with a hashed-up blather. Nonetheless, I imagine, very worthy in brilliance. So, anyway, I was thinking, alliances are very cool. They are like mini-factions that represent real ones in real life--but they aren't the only form in which players can form polarized groups, nor should it be mandatory that one join them. As in real life, there may be benefits but there are also fallbacks. So what discussion is there to be had about alliances? If people want to form alliances and be an official group, then there are alliances. True, our absolutist king may decide whether or not they deserve officialdom and endorse them with bonuses such as stats and certain powers, but it is all still alike to a society--that group can decide to be underground/unofficial as well. Perhaps Manu, our Holy Lord, is the sole arbitrator in deciding the requirements for an alliance and he may be wrong in judgment (as dst says), but I still think alliances are a very cool aspect of the game which just makes it simulate a real-life society even better. I have three minutes before the bell rings and that's nothing at all for me to write all I want. Chewwiiie, please let me edit in more later on before you close anything D: just think of all the people who want to hear my wise words.. don't deprive them! In the meanwhile, I must say, Aqune-dst argu was very endearing and I should be quite disappointed if it has already ended so soon, quite sad, continue if you will oh, bell rang, must go...

Aww. Poor new player has to be greeted by Glai out of pity since no actual player wants to say hi. Well, you must be honored anyway, I being myself. And that "female" archer is most definitely male, not just because he looks quite ugly as all males are but that's how he's addressed in the creature description. Unfortunately for you, I don't feel like telling you his name what with the undue honor you paid him by calling him female, so you can look at the Bestiary section of the forums to find out. I mean, there's only so many archers released in MD right now, so you'll only have to check 9 topics if you're stupid and unlucky, less if you're not. 8] 'Sides, you'd be putting Aqune's labor to good use instead of being lazy and having some older player tell you everything, now wouldn't you?

That's an interesting topic name, but well, yes, you've made Gla exceedingly happy. d-(n_n)-b You're always dependable, Che; my favorite of all the lame mods. Most people never receive my double-thumbs up emote w/ parenthetical enclosure, you know. Anyway, I was posting to notify everyone of the sorrowful news that I probably won't finish the aforementioned homework until at least Wednesday and probably later. I know how much we were all rejoicing to hear Gla's voice on the forums again, but school happens and it can't be helped. Wouldn't want everyone to hang in bewildered suspense in the next few days, so now you can all hang in [i]regular[/i] suspense until the promised post arrives. Until then, my dejected subjects!

I petition the divergent discussion to be spliced off as another topic in the Alliance forum because I want to contribute to it. After I do my homework, though. Come on, mods. You should have done this a long time ago anyway. >_>

I should log on more often so my adeptness counts. Many older veterans actually regard "the new age" with Aqune's POV, I think. I've heard from a few of them, and I count. Trouble is, they don't really try to change the MD social currents, but instead quit or become inactive (like me). It's a pity, I think. Aqune is probably one of the most dedicated players, compared to the rest of us. She's been a player for a long time; she witnessed most of those events. She's around the age of Chewett and STF; I can't remember any others who still play from that time. And most of you think IaB and Yami are vets. lol D:< Where's BigC?! Ah, I would have followed your burning trail, Aqune! There was a time after I "quit" that I swore I would eventually come back to wage a war on those who do nothing else but roleplay with asterisks-- But I figure, I don't have the time either. :'D Sorry. Ah, well. I doubt anyone else will pick this up, sadly, seeing as the majority of the players now are used to the current playing style and most true veterans are gone.

[quote name='GlorDamar' post='14197' date='Aug 20 2008, 08:08 PM']I thought I'd post a few that I'll be putting in the next batch of avatars. I suppose I should do this more [attachment=296:Cockatrice.jpg] [attachment=297:DarkCloak.jpg] I'm not happy with the face in this one, but oh well. [attachment=298:Edensword.jpg] [attachment=299:Queen.jpg] [attachment=300:Swordmaster.jpg][/quote] I should apologize for using art committed to MD for my homework project without permission. I'm sure they're copyrighted somewhere, but please don't sue me. You can see my brilliant work in return. You see, I was supposed to write about a character as one of Chaucer's pilgrims in [i]The Canterbury Tales[/i]. I discarded Glor's title of "Queen" and made her "Noblewoman". Hurrah. For you rpers, a fun role to play she would be, I say. Internal rhyme. [attachment=615:plagiari...ucerbury.pdf] I'm behind on some fanart.

I should stop reading topics . . . and replying . . . but since it seems interesting and so far lacking in response, I'll contribute my little part. It doesn't matter much if the person plays MD or not, now does it? Of course not, not when it's me! I agree with Shadowseeker and stormrunner; emotion may be another catergory but instinct isn't necessarily subconscious. It's percievable and thus conscious. You can choose not to act on instinct. However, it's similar to subconscious matter in that it doesn't involve rationale and yet still compels. The relationship between the two, according to Merriam Webster, is: behavior that is mediated by reactions below the conscious level. So it's conscious, but determined by unconscious stimuli. If I had to judge for myself, I act mostly on emotion. I wish I didn't, though; I think rationale, while not always correct, often leads to better situations. Emotion is temporary and volatile, and instinct does not always consider to the results you desire. As for unconscious reactions.. I don't think you act purely unconsciously a lot, unless you mean sleepwalking or idly scratching, etc. But I think actions/reactions are mostly based on the unconscious. You can say you use rationale, emotion and instinct, but each are heavily influenced by unconcious factors. So, while I wouldn't really say I act unconsciously, I would say that all my decisions in essence are derived from the unconscious part of me.

[quote name='dst' post='19592' date='Nov 8 2008, 12:14 AM']Ha! I was looking for this topic. I asked and for the moment is not possible. But in the future when the player will be able to customize his/her interface it might get implemented. @Kragel: Having 3 or 4 avis? Are you insane? There are so few avatars and sooo many players...why take take the other's chance of having one?[/quote] Mmkay, I will save the avatar until those changes happen. As for having several avatars, I don't really agree. Avatars represent players' identities; you wouldn't make two entirely different roles and act them out at different times, right? Therefore I think players should only be allowed to have one, and as dst said, there's such a limited amount of avatars it would be unfeasible. Until another time then, Glai

Yes, do so; it would be such a pity if my avatar became obsolete. :offtopic: darn it.. you're getting close to my post count...

Well, it turns out Inno no longer wants my avatar, but he suggested that I release it into the shop so others could have a chance at it. However, although I don't want to keep my avatar from use by someone, I don't want to take any currently in the shop (well, right now there's none, but later on, I mean) another wants either. So there should be a way of returning an avatar to the shop without taking another! No?

Okayokay, I know that I'm being hypocritical posting on these forums when I criticized MD so and said I would try to break off completely when I quit, but I wanted to see the response, and then I found more things to express... >_>; And justsoyouknow, it's Lu's fault, because she made me look at the forums so I could see that one objectivity thread... [quote name='Granos' post='17741' date='Oct 3 2008, 03:03 AM']It is getting rather disturbing the amount of people not getting help from the community as a whole but at the same time even since I just started playing there's been a massive influx of new players, and most of the "old guard" must be fed up of always helping with the same questions over and over again, as they have been around for quite some time and are not LHO for a reason.. There are many more areas in the world of magic duel with many other characters other than just those at Winds Sanctuary.[/quote] For the LHO part, you only become LHO if you express your wish to become one.. otherwise, it's assumed you don't want the extra responsibility. Besides that, Jonn searches for people who he sees actively helping people, not just answering questions when it comes by their way. Sososo, that's why even veteran players who have comprehensive knowledge of how MD works aren't LHO. But they have a good chance to become one if they try. Granos has a point here when he talks about there being many more characters than those at Winds Sanctuary, but nonetheless it remains that the majority of roleplayers roleplay in a similar manner. Similar enough for me, anyway, to categorize them as distasteful. Don't know about others, I'm a bit tough on roleplaying styles. I also want to add on to my response about the topic at hand that, like Vaul has pointed out, the heavy atmosphere mentioned probably scares new players a bit. Even the ones who eventually, after they decide to develop a role, contribute to that atmosphere by roleplaying in the same style.. after all, when roleplaying is emphasized so much by the game itself, it's pretty much a duty to make a role. But if you were a new player and you saw all these other players roleplaying in such a manner, you would likely find it a bit oppressive at first. When would you decide to leap in? Roleplaying interaction between players does seem pretty close. I would assume that unless you've been roleplaying for a while (in this style) it would be a bit tough. And it's worse for those who right off dislike it. The roleplaying style I condone doesn't create such a serious mood, as I've said before. I would also like to add that while I've been emphasizing asterisk-riddled style as the major form of roleplaying, I might be stretching it a tad bit.. I haven't been on MD for a while, except every so often to chat with old friends and see what's happening, so it's just an impression I have. In the meanwhile, I do know that many players don't adopt the new trend, and I know that many are also rpcs. But I'm not sure my vision is completely inaccurate, and I'm willing to bet even if it hasn't quite reached the level I've portrayed, it will soon enough. As I've said, it will attract players who do like roleplaying that way. I guess all in all it was pretty inevitable. I was happy about the roleplaying features when they were first implemented, but if I had thought of it, it was almost certain that they would bring in those [s]evil[/s] roleplayers with the asterisks. Damnation! Good luck, Vaul.

I couldn't resist looking at these forums again, nor posting in this topic. Sorry, sorry. I always have the need to express myself in a lengthy manner. Just take it as the input of an outsider who can give a different perspective. The turn of development to roleplaying and the manner in which players responded to this was one of the major reasons I quit (the others being a lack of time and little incentive to stay). Like Vaul, and other players/ex-players I know who share these feelings, I appreciate the innovative roleplaying features but feel the majority of the roleplayers that are pulled in by the new focus do not "roleplay" in a manner which enhances the game. This new playing style created a shift in the community and more or less alienated me. Nowadays, you are expected to roleplay in MD. Even if you have the right to not do so (but it's not like there's much else to do than roleplay at this point), there is pressure from the community. This pressure arises from expectation that you roleplay.. after all, MD is probably played by its mainstream players for roleplaying features more than any other aspect now. There is such a great emphasis put on roleplaying now that casual conversation is replaced by asterisks or double-colons in the chat, and if you wish to achieve a high status in the game, you are expected to interact with the main body of players by roleplaying. The atmosphere is, believe it or not, much heavier than before serious roleplaying became mainstream. It's not that I dislike roleplaying itself. I've played roleplaying games all my life, and I even participated in hardcore roleplaying forums during early exposure to the internet. The people who have seen my posts know that occasionally I roleplayed on these very forums randomly, whenever given the chance (no, I don't mean that crummy narrative I wrote). It's a wonderful creative outlet, more interactive than writing a story because you must respond to others' actions impromptu. In actuality, almost everyone roleplays every once in a while, whenever they respond to a prompt in conversation unnaturally in order to achieve a specific image. However! you feel much less enthusiastic when who you roleplay with frankly do not roleplay well (in a euphemism, do not match your roleplaying style). I'm sure many love the mainstream way (meaning, shallow characters and asterisks) of roleplaying, but those who disdain it are not likely to grow more attached to the game--and that's the tragic flaw of the roleplaying aspect of MD: either you lie within the majority and play happily, or you unhappily play with a community you don't fit in with. The majority power is huge. The momentum of the current trend will ensure that it progresses in the future as it attracts to the game those who like that trend. Also, the game supports the current trend by making nearly anyone who is serious in their roleplaying a PWR or RPC. Of course, because a large percent of roleplayers roleplay in a distasteful style (in the perspective of the minority), the majority of PWRS and RPCs also roleplay in a distateful style (disregarding rpcs of the "old age," in which the use of ingame roleplaying was rare). Sure, you can find a little clique of people like you, but that can only provide so much comfort. MD repulsed me in the same way I was repulsed by social networks like Myspace because of the main body associated to it. Wellwellwell, I suppose that doesn't really say much, so now let me go on to condemn the current style of roleplaying. Btw, I encourage this community to create a thread which debates merits and turn-offs of different roleplaying styles and roleplay itself. Here is where I reach the topic at hand: I am a very conservative roleplayer (probably many times I considered myself roleplaying, others didn't think I was making more than light conversation) and I do not believe you must do anything extreme to develop a good role. In fact, doing otherwise would be what I call distasteful. First things first, [b]no asterisks or double-colons or anything used to denote actions you want others to visualize by themselves[/b], except in light play. You cannot depend on explanations to characterize your role. You must communicate your personality through your words, or else the only thing you imprint in the mind of the other is third-person narration. Also, it ruins the atmosphere and credibility because you're demanding a person to work on your part, making them imagine rather than establishing things yourself. Honestly, if you're a good roleplayer, you don't need to magically make things happen with asterisks. Second, you and your character should be nearly the same. No, I don't mean your character should have the same personality, values and physical attributes. It should be like another persona that is part of you.. so you should feel free to chat about real life things at one moment and switch to the persona in the next. It's kind of hard to communicate. My major point here is that roleplaying shouldn't be an obligation or something you [i]create[/i], it should be natural. When it's like that, the atmosphere isn't heavy. You aren't making others roleplay along with you out of politeness--because they should feel like it's you they're talking to. I don't know if I'm getting my message here across or not.. maybe someone who's known and chatted with me when I've done this (which was often enough anyway) will be able to say it better. Also, don't roleplay all the time, because it's annoying. Err, what I mean is, roleplay all you want, but don't try to make yourself roleplay all the time. Oh, no third point. Anyway, the whole point being: you shouldn't have to participate in chat-roleplaying as it exists now to develop a good role--but most of the others don't feel like me (or they wouldn't be doing it >_>), thus I doubt you'll fare well if you don't follow them. See, I was on-topic.. lol. I guess my singular opinion is pretty useless then, huh? Okay then. Would it be bad for me to say that you might want to quit? ^^

I can see your view, about the development thing. I don't truly know whether or not it's justified, but then practically nothing is absolutely justified in life anyway. The result is the same: I'd have to wait a long time in MD to be able to do what I want, which is play with an intuitive PvP system--that is why I'm quitting at least for now. I don't enjoy the game itself.. I love chatting with the people in MD, but I feel guilt when I'm not actually playing the game for the game (when I'm supposed to be doing homework or other things). Interaction with the great people in the community isn't enough for me to stay.. I recognize that if things go well, the thing I'm looking for in MD could come within time, but as you and I said earlier, I'm not going to be the person who watches and participates in the growth this time around. If I do come back, it will be solely for the game rather than the development, evolution and nice feeling of community effort. People are diverse I'm sure a lot of other players feel incredulous reading what I'm saying because they see things differently. You are right about the law of quitting, though, for whatever reasons. It's something I've always mourned: watching friends leave a game, watching the game shut down on itself, and then, walking away myself, but it seems to inevitably happen. Most of the time I quit, it is because I feel the game does not hold enough importance over me when weighed with my obligations (to study, to work, to ensure my future, to take care of my family). What keeps me sticking around a multiplayer most is the people. Why else is it a multiplayer? Well, okay, so you can compete against something else than artificial intelligence, but my point is, I like the social aspect of games. But, just like in this instance, that alone can't tether me to the game. So, what is the game I stayed in most, and why? Well, this is really sad, but it's happy-grinder Maplestory. It was my first MMORPG, but the reason why I remained in it the longest (two years total?) was because I had the most time then, and because I did not recognize the importance of other things in my life. Neither did I play it for that duration of time because I thought it was the best game--I just wasn't exposed to other games. For a long time after I quit MS, I gamehopped. Each time I would feel guilt, end my addiction, but eventually begin another game. This continued, until I found MD. I really thought MD would be a nice small game to spend a little attention on each day, being a browser-based game, but that obviously changed. So really, I suppose, the way to keep players from quitting, if they're like me, is to make the game as important to them as the other things they value. I suppose it's possible. I'd say you'd have to have a great player community as well as a great game. For some players, MD is already that. It was for me until I realized the combat system doesn't look like it'll be fixed in a long time, and also, the game seems to be heading into a direction I don't like: roleplaying. I like the AL, I like Khalz' style, but I don't like it when rp gets into the chat (things like *batts her eyes furiously* and *chases x player around*). It makes me disconcerted, and thats the #2 way to annoy me. MD creates the community; the roleplayers roleplay because MD has become a roleplaying game more than a game of competition and PvP. Okay, I should probably stop now. I didn't want to post more as it would undermine my decision to cut off with MD, but I did want to reply to you, Manu. Again, this is mostly from Glaistig (you tyrannical beast), but a lot of this is shared with Lu as well. @ Bootes, answer: MD is about a year old if you're just talking about when it became public. In the announcement log, it says April the 14th is MD's birthday. I joined a few months after it was released to the public, although I don't remember how many months exactly. Actual development on the game, closed to public, started five years ago. -end LHO answering mode-

Even though I said I would leave MD, I still checked the forums to think about what Manu said--so I see this topic, and I would also like to say thanks before I quit. Manu is incredible, and so is MagicDuel. Whether or not I come back, I will always remember how much I loved MD. Even though the community was the greastest aspect which kept me here to now, the community is this community because of what MD is like. I know that this game has amazing potential to grow and progress: the concepts are truly innovative, and with how hard Manu works, it's easy to believe that the development eventually create a game that will live up to them. Although I can't say I like the constant implementation of different things for the cause of preventing "stagnation" and I don't like some aspects of the game and how Manu operates, I do agree with many of the other things Logan said. Manu is intelligent and very dedicated. Thanks for saying I want to grow tired of MD, just as I leave, btw.. n'___'n Hurtful and duly noted.

I do understand that some of these things may fall in place together eventually, so perhaps you are right when you say it is not necessary to fix the current "bugs." Even so, I still find it a bit hazardous, and, reading your post, I still couldn't figure out how this way--finishing everything you have in mind as quickly as possible--is better than doing each thing well before moving onto the next, with the exception of an instance in which you have to finish another thing to be able to continue working on the first. Is it that way with all of the areas? EDIT: I reread Manu's post a couple of times to think about it (yeah, I think about these sorts of things a long time after I respond), and I realized I missed the meaning in about the third sentence--I didn't get that he said things would change and thus certain bugs will be irrelevant in the future. But I still don't agree completely. There are bugs in things I doubt will change, like the spelling in the story. Also, I think what I said in the first paragraph still applies. Are the changes that will occur to combat and render fixing of current bugs unnecessary related to other things yet to be implemented, or could they be done now? But I do understand more, the reason for this sort of development. You hold the ultimate power--this is just what I see and think. It's also up to you to place a value on replying on certain topics in the forums. Personally, I wouldn't mind postponing the fixing of a bug mentioned if I could hear what you have to say about issues I'm concerned about. I know there would be others who would rather get that bug fixed and trust in your capability without having to hear what you have to say. Hopefully Magicduel will eventually get to its debugging and then be an awesome game (meaning, a game in which I can safely statwh*re without worrying about having to farm losses). For now, though, I (we) will take you up on your advice. I (Glaistig) don't contribute much anymore, and I know this community is wonderful enough to do without me. I'm the selfish sort of person who won't spend time and effort playing a buggy game even if it has potential when I can return later if that potential is realized. At least now I am--I have been practically staying here just because of the community, not the game, for a while (I like your analogy of a game with only chat and no combat). I'd like to say that I will come back when I won't have to farm losses anymore, but I think after a period of absence in my life, MD won't be so appealing. Who knows though--I'll be monitoring what happens for some time. In the meanwhile, good luck with the game. As for me (Lulu), maybe when MagicDuel is at that point Manu mentioned, when he has all that was in his mind done and can start working on perfecting them. I'm sure it has the potential to be very engaging. Right now, to be frank, the combat system and head contest aren't engaging enough for me anymore. Perhaps the quests would've gotten me, but they seem kind of out there, and I never have the time. So, until I have that time and until MD is all brushed up, I suppose, I'll be peacefully doing other things But MD really was fun for a while.

Yo! 8) Seems like MD is gathering a lot of hardcore roleplayers~

I want to be able to idle >_>; If I could idle safely without having to worry about newbies pming me and waiting for an answer when I have to go instead of logging off, I would be able to gather a lot more losses. I made a topic about this wish a while back: Idle status for LHO's recognized as offline. I thought it would be fairly easy to make it work. *complains*

n_____n I hear that same song (part of it) nearly everyday in Target commercials. It's funky, but it's not in my taste. I like the trumpets, though. Or are they trombones? I can't differentiate such things. I liked the music in the Paper Cabin Balcony (ty for the heads-up Sol). It was dramatic, like I was about to hop over the balcony fence and jump off into the water; suicide~ It's nice to hear that these won't last and we're just experimenting. I'm not altogether sure I think these songs fit the areas, and don't we need a license or something to use them ingame? I don't even see credits anywhere

Today is the day! I finally end my humble patience, kill my grace and rant. I find the development in MD sloppy. It seems like one concept/feature is implemented, and then there's a short period of time before the next thing. After a couple of releases an alpha stage ends and another starts, with celebration. I can see why that's appealing, because you perceive constant growth of a dynamic game. But is incessant movement from one area to another good growth? In my view, this type of game development introduces many novel quirks--but ends up in numerous bugs and bad presentation to deal with later, forsaking smooth gameplay with steady progression. I don't think the features in the game go under thorough debugging and perfection; Manu is always occupied with the next thing. There's the combat system mechanics, alliance combat, presentation of key information (and lack of certain information like about heat), clumsy help system, seemingly minor things like spelling.. Ask why any of these should be dealt with before the implementation of things like magic and roleplaying features or for an explanation of what's wrong with them, and I can explain my opinions. I have them written up and saved (I was going to post them in this topic, but they grew long collectively), so be openly curious. Perhaps listed like this, these problems do not seem big, but some of these features are integral to the game. I'm sure there are many other things pointed out by different players which would've been easy enough to fix or should be important enough to warrant time and effort put into change. All of the above were only a few examples I thought demonstrated my point. I know it may seem just like trivial touching-up, and I know we are prone to feeling that Manu's too busy to do these things, but doesn't it just make more sense to finish one thing before moving on to another? They're going to have to be done anyway. I just feel it would be more intelligent to change from current development to one that is more orderly and meticulous if a bit slower. Or at least for it to be discussed. One thing is, besides that they could be dealt with now rather than later, you don't have any idea of when the later time chosen for dealing with these problems is. Manu has suggested several times that MD is in a perpetual alpha because new things are always being introduced. If they continue to be introduced consecutively, will there ever be time for busy Manu to fix things? It's enough to make at least myself worry that I'm wasting my time hoping for action which may never come, thus this topic. If the development isn't going to change style, for a reason I'd like to know, I at least want to be able to see when the problems I'm concerned about will be dealt with. On the topic of communication.. I think there should be more feedback for feedback. The forums invite players to suggest new ideas and discuss current issues, but really the interaction is between the members only. New ideas and bugs get put on a list to be checked by Manu eventually, but I suspect it's a pretty low priority for him. I think it's understandable, especially when there are already so many plans in place and things to be taken care of, and the actual team for the game, as in the people who develop the game. . . is a one-man band x) Manu. However! I think feedback on criticism topics about the game and its mechanics is imperative. In such an egotistic community as ours which derives a sense of elitism because we believe MD to be near perfect in its concepts if not execution and to have great potential, anything which may seem slightly unfair or ponderous can greatly damage a player's dedication to the game. Unanswered questions suggest an inability to defend, and then lack of change will provoke a sensation of being disregarded, thus feelings of injustice and incredulity. If questions are answered or things are changed, those who questioned will feel pride.. and continue to contribute. I think the result would be well worth the effort and time taken to do it. Well, that's my supposition, anyway. I know at least I have considered quitting because of doubts in game concepts. The only thing which kept me from doing so was the same community spoken of.. I'm fond of everyone here: the MD team, my chums stormrunner and Deon Selco, the obsessive roleplayers, even Rensu, who knows best how to annoy me and does so shamelessly. If anything, this worthy community deserves to be assured. Does this sound like a good-bye? Maybe. I don't think even my cherished family here will be able to keep me from leaving if I learn that I can only despair at the thought of farming losses. As it is, I'm growing less and less active because of school and other priorities in my "real life." If the issues I spoke about aren't addressed, I'll likely grow despondent enough to "quit," although I'd check every so often to see how things are going. Well, at the moment, err, I guess you'll be seeing me trying to get people to respond to this, though, eh. . . Hey! :-P I know all these words are probably going to rub some of you prideful players the wrong way, but I believe these are serious issues to take in consideration. I've noticed this for some time, thought about it, thought about it more, ignored it, and then, well, here this topic is. x_x; That's all. Oh, and disclaimer. Lu shares these views as well, and you can pretty much take "I" as "Lulu and I" because we wrote this together. Yeah. That's right! B) Now let's discuss why "I" isn't "Glaistig and I". . . And another disclaimer: this isn't the only thing about MD that's having us feel qualms. Honestly, we think taking on personas is cool (Khalazdad is way cool, we say), but some of the "roleplaying" we've witnessed doesn't impress us so much. More bluntly, disconcerts us greatly. That isn't to say we dislike the ideas of RPCs and the player-involved adventure log. We think it's great, and we think it sucks that the quests seem to have fallen a little bit flat due to lack of organization and publicity. Though Lu would like to say that she would have liked it more if MD focused on the puzzles and game-implemented quests. Anyway! Back to the roleplaying thing: we think it would've been great if taken in a slightly different direction, but as it is now, it doesn't really suit us. Uh, but anyway, this is just pure preference by us, though, so we can't really say "Change this!" like we are about the other things discussed here :'). K, thankssomuch. This was all Lu, by the way, because she really wanted to talk about other things that bothered us, but it kind of came out in this weird manner. . . Okay, this topic kind of turned to ourselves, pretty lame. Oh well. Just take into consideration the first part and what we had to say. And be grateful, because Lu convinces Glai that the yellow emoticons are okay just this once. And finally, deepest apologies to any annoyance we might cause by posting this in such a long, windy, and thoroughly cluttered manner. It got even worse at the end, Lu.

Haha, Lu thought about making a topic like this, but when she checked the forums again she didn't see Jonn's (or anyone's) name on the birthday list. Well, kudos to you, Udgard. Happy birthday, O' Evil who dislikes checking the forums because of "all the spam." > I think, you know, we should also congratulate Thereef, buknoy and DiKra. Well, the only member I recognize is DiKra, but yeah, maybe the others will check too. So exclusive to cheer only Jonn. Cheers to Thereef, buknoy, DiKra and Jonn!

Haha You will find that you'll get to my level fairly quickly. I'm quite weak, one major point being I know little strategy. Stats and skills are nothing if you can't apply them.