One of the things I said in my post was "almost all holidays", so the notion that I meant every holiday wasn't even implied within my post.
Hence why I called it a caveat.
I never once specified which thread. I said threads, which is meant to be plural. There are several of these threads in place and in each one people complain. One, in fact, got removed, or is untracable. I remember posting in it.
Link it, or your argument is worthless.
Also, as I stated in my post, that educated guesses is based off of prerecorded facts. So watch as I poke a whole in your argument. In my definition, I never once insinuated it be from a source database. It's a definition of my own that is equal to the modern and correct definition. Did I need to quote from a source? Perhaps not, but lets use your example.
"a theory that explains an event or situation as the result of a
secret plan by usually powerful people or groups"
"a theory that explains an event or set of circumstances as the result of a
secret plot by usually powerful conspirators"
Okay, so the corelating factors in your definition is "secret __".
I know you love sources so lets use one:
Secret:
a) kept from knowledge or view
b) marked by the habit of discretion
c) working with hidden aims or methods
d) not acknowledged
e) conducted in secret
So by a prominent definition (Merriam Webster), the notion something is of a conspiracy theory is that is must be done in secret? Correct? No knowledge could be gained from it whatsoever? Correct?
I'll requite my earlier example... I apparently flipped two of the points, my bad.
Your assertion (theory) that the devs, namely Mesanna (powerful individual), decided to screw the majority of players out of receiving the painting (
secret plot) because it was complained about (event) is unsettling.
Since the devs didn't tell us what is/was going on re: bunny painting, their decision(s), if there even were any, are by definition, secret. At no point does the definition demand that a "conspiracy" not be "known" by "anyone," this is why it would be a "theory."
Theory:
- a supposition or a system of ideas intended to explain something, especially one based on general principles independent of the thing to be explained.
A conspiracy theory tends to be someone's belief, either devoid of actual supporting evidence, or with evidence of a spurious nature.
While the past indeed informs the present, you can't cite any precedent for what happened with the painting as none previously exists. Guesswork doesn't cut it.
Unless Mesanna choses to tell us one way or the other, its 100% assumption.
Let me explain, in points, of how my assertion is no where near a conspiracy theory.
- There are pre recorded references as to how the dev team distributes holiday items, when and if they give them.
- When a mass of people advocate for one solution, the dev teams, not always, but sometimes goes with that solution.
- Past history of Mesanna dealing with complainers in a form considerably like this. (Pirate Flag from Atlantic)
So yes, while I don't have exact proof, this
educated guess is built on recollection of certain scenarios in history.
Educated Guess:
a guess based on
knowledge and
experience, making it more likely to be correct
Key words: knowledge, experience
1) Knowledge - There is recorded scenarios of similar situations that have concluded.
2) Experience - The Pirate Flag. I was at the town hall when so many people were complaining about the item. They were harassing her. She said that the dev team had been extremely busy and that it will get done as soon as possible. A player kept being rude and obnoxious to the point that she said that we probably won't get it if that keeps up.
Subpoint to point 2:
- The Dev team didn't have to give the shard of Atlantic the Pirate Flag. It was a gift because of the revert. Reverts happen, in all games. So the fact that the Dev team put the flag on their list of things to do so that the players of Atlantic could get compensation is nice to begin with. It wasn't promised. It wasn't an obligation. It wasn't a have to thing. There are only four developers and the things they do take time. Whenever the do something, they have the players best interest at heart. Yes, maybe some think the painting is a bad art graphic, but to a lot of players, they absolutely love the painting.
I'm really trying not to laugh while reading your literary contortions.
The pirate flag, of which you clearly don't know the history, has nothing to do with this, and isn't a particularly similar situation. But I'll run with it...
After the Atlantic revert Mesanna
did promise the players something, and a jolly roger was suggested (as there was one in the art files that hadn't been distributed). Time went by without anything happening. When asked about it, Mesanna said that she wasn't happy with the art and was going to have a new one made. More time passed. The shard bound clickie flag appeared on Atlantic, appeasing most.
Again, this flawed example has absolutely nothing to do with the painting in any way, shape or form. Your straw man has been burned.
- It's attitudes like yours, the obnoxious and ungrateful ones. Holiday items aren't promised to us. It's not an obligation of the Dev team to bestow onto us. Yes, it makes a nice addition, but it isn't something that is a have to. Yes, other MMORPG's have it, but it isn't something that is priority. So instead of bit***ng about what you did get, be thankful because you got something. With only 4 developers, I am sure they are up to their necks with the publishes and such. Even Kyronix said that producing new art doesn't take away from their responsibilities. So be grateful instead of a lot of cry babies.
Holiday content, which has been presented to us in one form or another since '97, is indeed "promised." By your own assertions of historical precedent in fact! Christmas has
always brought items, and the one year that got messed that up we received them
twice.
The devs have an entire year to think up trinkets or simple rehues/renames for holiday items. It's not as if these dates are a surprise or that they don't know that there will be unhappiness if they let it slide. It's part of their job to keep up UO's traditions in this regard.
It's also part of their job to take player concerns and wishes into consideration when designing new content. If they don't actively try to please their subscribers, they tend to lose them.
And really, complaining about complaints? Welcome to Stratics.