[Discuss] Battlemaster is a tyranny

[Justin Pope]

Regarding the subject line, we've always acknowledged that BM is a
tyranny, though one with open borders. If we don't like how Tom runs
it, we don't protest until it changes, we don't picket and strike, or
the tyrant gets upset and our lives are miserable. You have to pack
your bags and move out. My favorite line is: If you don't like it,
write your own game.

Regarding the original ruling being discussed, there's a piece of code
that prevents you from doing certain things to a new player. Fines are
one of them. You shouldn't threaten someone with something the game
specifically prohibits you from doing. I'm going to make up a line,
since I don't have the exact quote, but who thinks this would be okay:
"I'd fine you, but you're too new, so you'll get a fine the first
little mistake you make after that protection is gone." ?

Mickey, it sounds like you had a complaint filed against you for
arguing against the Titan/Tom ruling within the game, which the game
itself warns you not to do. I've played alongside you many times over
the years, but I'd have filed it myself if I had been in that realm. I
figure they simply pasted the wrong message into the box.

And regardless, it's not like your game is over when you get an
account lock. It lasts for a few days, and then you're back to normal.
I've had my access to the game cut off for longer than that when my
cable internet went out.

> a lot of experienced players have stopped because of these actions.

A lot of experienced players leave all the time. I remember a bunch
who left when Tom tightened the "large realm" penalties. Some left
when the current food economy system was put in. I recall people who
left when judges and bankers were implemented.

Others just get tired and burned out. We can put up with certain
amounts of idiocity (in my case, people powergaming, cheating,
violating the social contract), until suddenly we can't, and it's time
to move on.

I've been at that point several times, never because of Tom, but
because of players I can't handle. My current plans are to let my last
two characters find their destiny, and not create any more new ones.
After all, I need to get back to programming my own web game, so I can
be the God and make all the rules. ;)

-Justin