Addressing the community on the recent gun rebalance

Addressing the issue of responses

After the weapons rebalance updates has been brought to the attention of the community, there has no doubt been a rise in some disturbing, and perhaps blatant, rule violations or unpleasant responses coming from the disgruntled players.

It is definitely not wrong for players to be objecting to the change, because everyone is entitled to their viewpoints and have the rights to express them so long as it is in compliance to the regulations.

However, scrolling through some of the recent threads, one would no doubt have seen closed, or controversial threads being started. Some of these threads have had –and probably continues to have- ill-intentioned agendas that range from spreading hatred to verbal assaults to public calls to oust the relevant administrators. This is an unhealthy practice making the forums increasingly toxic and unsafe for the freedom of expression of thoughts and ideas.

This needs to stop. The community cannot afford to have such responses that serve to degrade or insult, regardless of how controversial the issue may be – or how extreme players disagree with the change. Constructive feedback and suggestions are what the community require the most, and yet are severely lacking on the forums.

What kind of mentality does the community run on? And do we want a platform to influence decisions to operate like that? Why in the first place do we tolerate such destructive responses - or rather, reactions?

Perhaps some may argue that the forums moderators will uphold their duty of keeping the forums safe by enforcing the rules. Or because of such a thought that actually caused players to take the forum’s state for granted and perhaps become complacent and indifferent to these responses. There are times when these guardians are offline and they cannot enforce these rules round the clock, or as soon as ill-intentioned responses start exerting their impacts or garnering support or gaining negative influence.

The community needs to reflect and rethink how they respond to these. Why aren’t we reminding these offenders of their wrongdoings? Why aren’t they discouraged or perhaps reported immediately for it?

In fact, some have even decided to follow suit or encourage such actions, thinking that it is totally in their rights to do so. This is purely a mentality that causes players to follow blindly and probably wrongfully – to the detriment of the community’s state or function as a platform to voice opinions.

The forum is an avenue for players to influence decisions, not to rant, not to take their negative emotions out on, and neither is it for players to spread negativity. Players need to differentiate between a constructive feedback and a meaningless rant. They may appear similar in that both are responses on a particular issue – that in this case is about the weapons stats changes – but the register and possibly the tone they take on are apparently different. The same goes to its intentions.

Players may have had strong emotions that are challenging to control, and although it is their right to express their views, it is never ethical for them to take their emotions out on anyone.

Some players have used the reason that those who disagree with them are attempting to please the staff members in hope to obtain benefits such as getting a job offer. This is not the way arguments are supposed to work out, and it is a sign that those who made such accusations lack reason in their arguments; they have been outtalked. In fact, such accusations ought to be considered as verbal assaults because it has undoubtedly disrespected the right of players to freely express their opinions.

The weapons rebalance topic is undeniably a controversial one that has sparked heated arguments and debate – and has obviously been a divisive one in the community. But such a division should be not allowed continue splitting the community into dangerous levels that bring with it extreme, unpleasant and possibly offensive consequences. By asking themselves a few questions, players can guide themselves on the correct path to consensus-making in every topic of discussion. And these questions are simple : What is my take on this issue and what are my issues with it? What do I suggest to then? Is what I am writing in compliance with the rules?

It is that simple. I am certain the latest hated thread or offensive post is not the first nor is it going to be the last, but with the community’s cooperation, such responses can be greatly reduced. This community can do it and should seek a closure on the issue of the weapon rebalance.

-LYK

To find out why the players are responding like that on the weapons rebalance, visit:https://lykspersonalblog.wordpress.c...lysis-article/

To find out what holds for the future after the rebalance, visit: https://lykspersonalblog.wordpress.c...alance-in-era/

To find out on the question of nerfing ot buffing, visit: https://lykspersonalblog.files.wordp...rf-of-buff.pdf

I will summarise very simply the intention behind the gun rebalance and offer some suggestions.

1. The gun stats have been changed such that players will require more skills to kill. This is a shift toward a fairer gameplay environment that is based more on competencies rather than cashing.

2.Players will take time to adapt to the changes and develop the skills and because of this transition, players feel that they have suffered a loss after the change. Some skills require a longer time to develop depending on how drastic the weapons have been modified as well as how fast the players pick up the skills. As such, it gives players the false impression that their weapons have been devaluated.

3. Players are making unnecessary comparisons between a gun that costs lesser with another that is of a higher price. Note that such comparisons are based subjectively and are thus inaccurate in valuating the weapons. Doing so will only induce in players the feeling of loss - which is not needed at all.

4. The killing potential of weapons are not changed. A gun can still get the same kills as another depending on the skill levels of the players.

5. Don't focus on the weapons, focus on the skills. It is how the person the uses the weapon that maximises the weapon's potential , not the other way round. Don't believe, buy a 200k minigun and leave it in your inventory without using it for a month. See if your kills increase as much as if you were to use a starter gun. I bet you'll see the reason why.


A plane can have the best features and functions, but if its not going to fly, its not a plane. And lastly, give yourself and the weapons some time before making comments about the change - if you haven't use it, how would you know?

I look forward to a more positive and constructive response on this issue, because it is what the community needs.