EM's a better system possibly

[RazicGL]

hi guys, as you all know there are some em's who just give out crazy nice prizes at events, decorate the banks beautifully , and really seem to show a big interest in their position. then we have others who, well not so much. "and please dont call any em out by name on here, its kinda rude and will just mess up the whole point of this thread" they all try in their own ways, but some definitely do more. which brings me to my question. is there any way we could put em's on a 3 month rotation cycle? this would put an end to any one shard losing out on great events all the time, or having lack of interest from their em's. a 3 month time frame would be plenty of time for a story line to be run, or just a couple of thrash and bash events, or even a few competitions...how ever the em would choose to use his 3 month period. you also hear about favoritism allot "true or not, who knows?" a rotation may stop this also, because 3 or 6 events at the most isnt enough time to pick a group of favorites out on every shard........again not trying to cut anyone, just trying to find a way to make our uo community better for all its players.....but theres my ideas =)

Firstly, your a very pretty lady indeed!

secondly I think your idea has merit, I personally don't get to attend may events as I am english and play a US servr so the time zone means most events are in the early hours of the morning here. While this wouldn't solve the time zone issue I too believe there seems to be a big mix of ... styles, shall we say. The events that I have attended have generally been hack and slash type things and I had a good time while there. The only reason I went was to ejoy the event and get to fight a super tough monster... there were however players who seemed to know already what the mystery creature was... I questined it at the time and it seemed it was the Uber monster of choice for that Em. I still had fun though but I agree, with certain limitations I think rotation would abe a good thing.

 

[RazicGL]

hi guys, as you all know there are some em's who just give out crazy nice prizes at events, decorate the banks beautifully , and really seem to show a big interest in their position. then we have others who, well not so much. "and please dont call any em out by name on here, its kinda rude and will just mess up the whole point of this thread" they all try in their own ways, but some definitely do more. which brings me to my question. is there any way we could put em's on a 3 month rotation cycle? this would put an end to any one shard losing out on great events all the time, or having lack of interest from their em's. a 3 month time frame would be plenty of time for a story line to be run, or just a couple of thrash and bash events, or even a few competitions...how ever the em would choose to use his 3 month period. you also hear about favoritism allot "true or not, who knows?" a rotation may stop this also, because 3 or 6 events at the most isnt enough time to pick a group of favorites out on every shard........again not trying to cut anyone, just trying to find a way to make our uo community better for all its players.....but theres my ideas =)

Firstly, your a very pretty lady indeed!

secondly I think your idea has merit, I personally don't get to attend may events as I am english and play a US servr so the time zone means most events are in the early hours of the morning here. While this wouldn't solve the time zone issue I too believe there seems to be a big mix of ... styles, shall we say. The events that I have attended have generally been hack and slash type things and I had a good time while there. The only reason I went was to ejoy the event and get to fight a super tough monster... there were however players who seemed to know already what the mystery creature was... I questined it at the time and it seemed it was the Uber monster of choice for that Em. I still had fun though but I agree, with certain limitations I think rotation would abe a good thing.

 

[MalagAste]

Mesanna,

Did you not change the distribution of the vast majority of EM items from random corpse loot to pack drop and specifically state that the rewards would go to the people who damaged and healed the most (changing and breaking the loot system at the same time)? Your EM's for the most part are incredibly talented and dedicated people, but to make this statement is kind of silly. You created this environment where a single template (and a group of people who run that template) have an undeniably distinct advantage.

Mesanna this statement is 100% Correct. You ie the DEV's fixed it so that there is a group who consistently "Gets" Drops. They have tweaked their template and their gear to ensure that they do. All you need do is look at the rares forums and you will see that very consistently the same folk are getting drops. The "average" player who comes to enjoy the event will go away empty handed every time.

Once upon a time I could ensure that I would get a few drops because it was "Random" .... and in consistently just participating I could safely bet on getting the occasional drop.... but those days are Long gone.... now the rude, vulgar item grabbers always get the drops.... they know that they will ..... so they need not care about the event just when it is and where it is and be sure to hit the final boss and they are assured of getting one..... Why? Because the average player who attends the events can't compete..... most RPers who go to enjoy the event can't just "Change their set up" to suit the event. They are who they are... The average player who builds with what they can when they can because they don't have time or money to power game will not get a drop...

And if you attended the events regularly you'd see that the same group actually transfers or builds characters on other shards to get all their drops too... Because they can.... because YOU enabled them to.

Truth be told...

 

[Lady Storm]

MalagAste You and Me both!!!
We use to be able to axe that stuff like the water troughs... now...
I's love to be able to pick off the tons of hearlds and npc player bots that dot the land as well.. the hanging lanterns to gather this crap that blots the land. I have seen water tiles missing when fishing, dungeon tiles where there should be cobblestone... oh and you know they dotn belong so out of color and look tells you so.
I have seen what the EM's and Mesanna have done to some shards Brit bank roof... its pretty but other places are so stark and I know they dont have the time to spend to spruce up the joint. No two shards are alike, which is great and the Decor should reflect that..
Mesanna give me a bucket of paint, a broom and hammer and some tools to do the job!! I am willing to do it !!! oh and dont forget the moble trash can for the junk!
To cordinate with the Em's on content that should be left alone as for story line and such should be no problem... im all ears and got pen and paper to write it down..

 

[whiterabbit]

MalagAste You and Me both!!!
We use to be able to axe that stuff like the water troughs... now...
I's love to be able to pick off the tons of hearlds and npc player bots that dot the land as well.. the hanging lanterns to gather this crap that blots the land. I have seen water tiles missing when fishing, dungeon tiles where there should be cobblestone... oh and you know they dotn belong so out of color and look tells you so.
I have seen what the EM's and Mesanna have done to some shards Brit bank roof... its pretty but other places are so stark and I know they dont have the time to spend to spruce up the joint. No two shards are alike, which is great and the Decor should reflect that..
Mesanna give me a bucket of paint, a broom and hammer and some tools to do the job!! I am willing to do it !!! oh and dont forget the moble trash can for the junk!
To cordinate with the Em's on content that should be left alone as for story line and such should be no problem... im all ears and got pen and paper to write it down..

YOOS GOOS LADY STORM. BLOW A BIG CYCLONE AN CLEAN DIS JOINT UP.

 

[Promathia]

First off,

I know most people are mentioning the Panda's in this thread, I apologize for the actions some of them take. I love events, item or not, and I truly DO get upset when I see freinds/guildmates act the way they do towards an EM.

Secondly, with the new system, it is true you can build a template to optimize your chance of being a "top damager". While, yes this does often times edge out the casual players, I find this system much better than the "cheating" one used before. People using scripts to loot bags off corpses (The EM items were put in bags so people didnt miss it among loot), was pretty bad. This new system isn't perfect, but I definitely notice attempts to make things more fair for everyone. (remember, nerfing one template, just means another one will come out on top, it will pretty hard to TRUELY balance).

Third, I agree with everything Galen has said 100%. Imagine going to a GL event with different EM's? It would completely ruin the connection people have to them. Atlantic without Bennu? I would cry. The only reason other shards may SEEM to have better EM's is BECAUSE of the connections theyve made to the community + and the consistency.

Fourth, Chessy EMs are great! Whoever said Vladimere was good is out of their minds (He was let go for a reason). But Dudley and Dross have always consistently been great. (Yes Dudley DID have that misshap with green acres, but honestly not MUCH damage was done). Dudley knew his stuff, and thats probably why he moved on up to be a Dev. The Chessy EM's are 100% plot driven, they do their best to create some of the best decoration/enviroments to take players, and they try to craft tough puzzles + encounters.

Also as a collector I can say this, Chessy has some great items. So for anyone saying they never have drops, well you are very very wrong. Chessy does a good number of events per month, and they do a perfect blend of RP, Combat, and experimentation.


Finally, everyone has to remember, EMs are just people. People who each have their strengths, and their weaknesses. I KNOW EM's try their hardest to bring their stories to life, and try to make exciting and fun gameplay for people to enjoy. Some EM's dont work out, and it is due to MANY factors. The EM's who are actually guilty of some kind of shady dealings get dealt with FAST by Mesanna (EM Thomas Pyewacket anyone?).


/endrant

 

[Tina Small]

This thread and so many others like it that are critical of EA and how they are running UO reminds me very much of a saying that was quoted often when I used to work in the financial services industry for a company that was working very hard to earn the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award: "Perception is reality."

The reality of how things work in UO may be perfectly fine and dandy and fair to everyone. However, when a company starts to hear many complaints about some specific subject, even if they think things are set up perfectly, the smart thing for them to do is investigate and then address the issue head-on with their customers. If they do not want to lose customers and damage their reputation in the marketplace, they need to step up and try to change customers' perceptions so they come closer to reality.

 

[Lady Storm]

Promathia you dont know what your talking about with Vladimeir on Chessy... I was there and know the real story.
AS for BENNU.... he needs a swiff foot up his backside for the idiotic placements of past holliday event/gifting placements! He has ruined many players hollidays.
I do agree changing EM's is not a great way to build community togetherness. But... I think I got a great solution to this problem that even Mesanna might think twice about.

Idea:

Most of you have played WoW.... you know the system for rolling for a artie in the game when you do raids.... It's got a system of a dice cup of 1/100 number chance.
The highest roller gets that piece.
I would ask that Mesanna perhpas make a Stone that flags(2 hour max timer on flag) the player in the event at start to highlight their name for easy id, this way no cheating can happen as a stop gap to bringing a non-partisapating character to the end only.
Ok .... Lets say the EM has 20 set gifts and the croud is huge as word got out its a prize section... (i know its not to be known, but someone has loose lips and secrets get out)
Here is where it gets interesting.
Do the event story line..... normal fighting and so on....
At the end the EM opens a gate for the croud there only to a secluded room or zone where magic is void but a gate for leaving can be set up.. this so only those in attendance can get a chance at the gift/prizes. (mind you the EM waits for the last person of the fighting to enter and poofs the gate so no "extras" can pop in for a try. You know who you are guys)
Once all in the room the EM has all quite down so the rolls can start.
Players line up and take a click on the cup and get a number... the top highest # gets any ultra rare gift and so on down till the max number of gift(s) is given.
No wimpering over armor.. play style, character race... all have an even chance to get that gift(s).
Your ticket for a try is attending the event.

Would this settle the EM gift bitchin??

 

[GalenKnighthawke]

Would this settle the EM gift bitchin??

Nothing will settle it because it's mostly not based in reality, and the parts that are based on reality have little to do with the EMs.

It's like asking, "would fair PvP settle all the PvP pancakes."

Of course not. In both cases the pancakes itself, not the actual topic (which is mere coincidence), is the point.

-Galen's player

 

[GalenKnighthawke]

This thread and so many others like it that are critical of EA and how they are running UO reminds me very much of a saying that was quoted often when I used to work in the financial services industry for a company that was working very hard to earn the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award: "Perception is reality."

The reality of how things work in UO may be perfectly fine and dandy and fair to everyone. However, when a company starts to hear many complaints about some specific subject, even if they think things are set up perfectly, the smart thing for them to do is investigate and then address the issue head-on with their customers. If they do not want to lose customers and damage their reputation in the marketplace, they need to step up and try to change customers' perceptions so they come closer to reality.

That there is something wrong, in most senses, with the loot system itself is near-doubtless. However, you likely are talking about the EM program itself, and the problem there is that the pancakes itself is what makes the reality, rather than any real circumstances. It's not a reality created accidentally or organically from perceptions. It's a reality deliberately created, and in any case it's not a reality yet, by inaccurate description.

When nothing like this existed, its lack was bemoaned. When it is here, its presence was bemoaned.

At the end of the day nearly all the posts in this thread are about items, which isn't what the EM program actually is about.

-Galen's player

 

[Lady Storm]

Galen swapping EM's is not the answer but somethng has to help the fact that many are not happy with the way things are done.
I addressed the main bit most point out... and I have offered my services to help shards who's EM's are over taxed in the decoration part of the biz..... there is no need for payment for me it wouldbe a pleasure to do it just for the sake of it. When your citys look good you feel good... you spend more time. Drab and dreary places is known in the RL asa downer and causeing bordom and lack luster feelings for ones position.... this will be a boon.

 

[Promathia]

He has ruined many players hollidays.
I do agree changing EM's is not a great way to build community togetherness.

Laughable

What so you had to actually, oh I dunno, DO SOMETHING to get your free item? Jesus, it wasnt even that hard. EM Yoshi was supposed to be in charge of doing the event, he never did, Bennu was asked on short notice to set something up. He set up a simple oracle event to get your free holiday crack.

Im sure many people had ruined holidays, actually having to move themselves, instead of just logging on multiple characters over and over to click and get free stuff.

 

[GalenKnighthawke]

Let us go over some of the more-common complaints.

-Too few item drops.
We don't know what constraints are on them, and the items shouldn't be what the programs are about. I've repeatedly explained why you're stupid if you go to EM events solely for the items; basically it's that the odds are too much against you.

Sometimes there's a clicky item that everyone present gets.

This leads to a contradictory complaint.

-Too many item drops, they are not rare enough.
Total contradiction of the previous complaint.

-The item drop system itself is ****ed up.
Doubtlessly true. But it has nothing to do with the EMs, because it's as ****ed up in other situations as it is during the events.

-I can't make the events.
This one is a non-complaint; the events will not match everyone's schedule.

-Too much plot, more fighting!
This one, which I hear a lot on GL, is nonsensical, as the events are about the plot.

-Too much lag.
This is a product of there being a lot of people. You reasonably cannot ask an EM to make his or her events suck so bad so that few will attend them, thus helping with the lag. I guess one thing that could be done about this is to have better servers (of course, that means admitting that lag isn't specific to EM events, which it is not). They also could have more global events that are independent of the EMs, so that way someone can participate in a story without going to an EM event.

I'd be totally supportive of this.

-Too much griefing.
This is something we players do, not something the EMs do. Stop defending griefers, and it might help.

-Favoritism!
I've yet to see very many complaints of favoritism that sooner or later aren't mere conspiracy theory or are "i got no stuffs!" complaints or don't vanish when poked with reality.

I could go on and on, but you get the idea.

The complaints either are contradictory, or have nothing obviously to do with the EMs, or are more whining than actual complaints in any meaningful sense of that term.

-Galen's player

 

[Tina Small]

That there is something wrong, in most senses, with the loot system itself is near-doubtless. However, you likely are talking about the EM program itself, and the problem there is that the pancakes itself is what makes the reality, rather than any real circumstances.

For purposes of this thread, I was indeed only talking about the loot system itself. The reality may be that the programming is fine and everyone who goes has a fair shot at getting an item. But the perception, judging from the comments in this thread and one or two others that were started recently regarding loot from EM events, is that it isn't working properly.

I'm not going to engage in any discussion of the EM system itself, Galen.

 

[Dixie of Chesapeake]

you know what may be a good fix in terms of items, have Mesanna make 12 items, already named...she can then distribute those 12 items to the em's on each shard....those could be the items em's use as prizes. they could color them according the the shard, or leave them alone...if every em done 1 event a month with a prize this would cover the whole year, no shard would feel short sticked on the items because they would all be the same...much like the easter gooses were done. and if you wanted to collect different colors you could do events on other shards...the ems could chose to use the item in what ever month they saw fit...say like item 1 is a special named fishing pole. em2 might chose to use this item in the month of may with his event, while em3 might chose to use item 1 in the month of december...... what do you all think of that since your so strongly against rotation? and also there are city elections comming up...why not let the mayor of each city decorate their capital?

 

[Manticore]

I adapt whenever there are change. It's impossible to ask them to tailor to all our needs.

 

[WootSauce]

Mesanna this statement is 100% Correct. You ie the DEV's fixed it so that there is a group who consistently "Gets" Drops. They have tweaked their template and their gear to ensure that they do. All you need do is look at the rares forums and you will see that very consistently the same folk are getting drops. The "average" player who comes to enjoy the event will go away empty handed every time.

Once upon a time I could ensure that I would get a few drops because it was "Random" .... and in consistently just participating I could safely bet on getting the occasional drop.... but those days are Long gone.... now the rude, vulgar item grabbers always get the drops.... they know that they will ..... so they need not care about the event just when it is and where it is and be sure to hit the final boss and they are assured of getting one..... Why? Because the average player who attends the events can't compete..... most RPers who go to enjoy the event can't just "Change their set up" to suit the event. They are who they are... The average player who builds with what they can when they can because they don't have time or money to power game will not get a drop...

And if you attended the events regularly you'd see that the same group actually transfers or builds characters on other shards to get all their drops too... Because they can.... because YOU enabled them to.

Truth be told...

I just want to clarify - I don't think that Mesanna created this situation intentionally by any means. There were a series of these very same threads prior to the change that highlighted many of the same concerns. It just seems that the changes that were put into place to placate these concerns created issues with looting (even in non event scenarios) as well as created a new and pretty much singular class of template that is 90% going to get a pack drop item. Regardless of the complaints and accusations of unfairness previously, the new scenario makes the system much more apt to be "gamed". Unintended consequences and all that...

 

[MalagAste]

I just want to clarify - I don't think that Mesanna created this situation intentionally by any means. There were a series of these very same threads prior to the change that highlighted many of the same concerns. It just seems that the changes that were put into place to placate these concerns created issues with looting (even in non event scenarios) as well as created a new and pretty much singular class of template that is 90% going to get a pack drop item. Regardless of the complaints and accusations of unfairness previously, the new scenario makes the system much more apt to be "gamed". Unintended consequences and all that...

Well whether or not it was intentional that is the result. So it is basically like playing into their hand and yes it's geared to specific templates ...

 

[Promathia]

Easy fix IMO - use the same distribution method as now - Set a damage threshold on the bosses (so you cant just make a brand new character to get something) - and have the items go to 10-20 RANDOM attackers instead of the top damagers.

 

[MalagAste]

Easy fix IMO - use the same distribution method as now - Set a damage threshold on the bosses (so you cant just make a brand new character to get something) - and have the items go to 10-20 RANDOM attackers instead of the top damagers.

This is what I've said from the start.... it should be to RANDOM attackers....... anyone who was attacking..... NOT just the highest damagers/healers whatever...... but random. This way everyone has the opportunity to get a drop as long as they attend regularly... Not just the elitists.

 

[DJAd]

They could mix it up more than that MalagAste. If it's 20 item that drop they could do something like:

5x to top damagers
5x to top healers
5x to whoever died the most (killed by the boss)
5x to any random players who hit the boss.

 

[whiterabbit]

They could mix it up more than that MalagAste. If it's 20 item that drop they could do something like:

5x to top damagers
5x to top healers
5x to whoever died the most (killed by the boss)
5x to any random players who hit the boss.

no drops fer any one , vending machine only 1 item per account, timed. in a secert place wif no gating.
whys yoos no listens to mees?
king ozog

 

[MalagAste]

no drops fer any one , vending machine only 1 item per account, timed. in a secert place wif no gating.
whys yoos no listens to mees?
king ozog

What good is a timered item?

Or you mean timered vendor?

I've said before that it should be open to all who want it. Sick of catering to the "Rares" community. Greed has destroyed this game and it's economy.

 

[whiterabbit]

YERG DATS WOT MEES SAID

 

[Vessel the Humakti]

Firstly, your a very pretty lady indeed!

secondly I think your idea has merit, I personally don't get to attend may events as I am english and play a US servr so the time zone means most events are in the early hours of the morning here. While this wouldn't solve the time zone issue I too believe there seems to be a big mix of ... styles, shall we say. The events that I have attended have generally been hack and slash type things and I had a good time while there. The only reason I went was to ejoy the event and get to fight a super tough monster... there were however players who seemed to know already what the mystery creature was... I questined it at the time and it seemed it was the Uber monster of choice for that Em. I still had fun though but I agree, with certain limitations I think rotation would abe a good thing.

It looks good suggestion. But I don't welcome "3 month rotation cycle".
My main shards "Mizuho" doesn't have any Exclusive duty EMs, For the reason, we do not trouble in ”the gold rush" of EM rare.
In this reason, I don't welcome the EM's Provincial tour. Especially EM which distributes rare refuses carefully.

The Item which they may distribute there is only a, normal, warm, sweet, tasty muffins.

BTW, Each shard has own History and Custom, Rotation idea is good, but there is a possibility of assembling a scenario without EM understanding them.
I fear this point.

 

[Manticore]

Here is a completely crazy idea. Epic events whereby groups of 5-10 EMs show up on a pre-announced shard and together do a huge event and rotate through different shards. Since there are 20+ EMs they can be broken up into 2-3 large groups. Each week 1 shard will have the event. But since multiple EMs are involved the event could last longer with more story line fights etc... # of items dropped of course should increase dramatically to reflect the increased number of attendees.

One of my fondest events was the Yew invasion led by Jou'Nar way back when 10+ years ago and GMs or Seers actually played the boss monsters and multiple bosses at the finale along with their undead hordes. That event was so awesome. Trying to take down GM played bosses is something else. They run/hide/heal/kill etc...

Perhaps when they are forced to work in larger groups that certain EMs can actually do better quality events. Dart, spear, bow, toothpick throwing events are just not creative and should be left for the shard regular RP guilds to conduct. Same goes for the bird vs bird, dog vs dog, chicken vs chicken, and fish vs fish events that happens every month on certain shards, or just go out and fish for a month and show up at the weight-in last day of the month and get a plaque in the reward hall. I understand the EMs who took these positions done so for the pure love of this game and those I truly appreciate their time and sacrifice, i.e. Faine, Crysania, Malachi, Elizabeth, Sangria, Borbarad, Eira, Bennu, Augustus, and few others that you are all doing a great job and is one of the few reasons why i still play.

 

[Captn Norrington]

After reading all these posts, the one thing that stands out to me is that people complain a lot about different aspects of the game, which is to be expected from anything online nowadays, but many people seem to be missing the fact that this game has been around for 15 years and doesn't show any signs of going anywhere anytime soon. yes there are still some rough edges to be worked out, but mesanna, the devs, the EM's, and the GM's truly make this the best game that's ever been put on the market in my opinion, as well as being one of the first. Thank You for all your hard work mesanna, devs, EM's and GM's.

 

[Ashlynn_L]

I don't mean to take this thread off topic but Vessel just posted a picture of an Ultimate Muffin.

An Ultimate Muffin.

 

[Gospel]

Read the whole thread. All I see is Dixie trying to be productive and come up with ideas to improve the game, and know-it-alls like Galen putting her down as if he has the only opinion that matters (as usual). Here's a tip Galen; if you can't get to your point without typing a 3 paragraph turd pile, then you're wasting your time. I get bored after the first sentence of your over-inflated ego babble.

Dixie is hot. That makes her right. /thread

 

[GalenKnighthawke]

Read the whole thread. All I see is Dixie trying to be productive and come up with ideas to improve the game, and know-it-alls like Galen putting her down as if he has the only opinion that matters (as usual). Here's a tip Galen; if you can't get to your point without typing a 3 paragraph turd pile, then you're wasting your time. I get bored after the first sentence of your over-inflated ego babble.

Dixie is hot. That makes her right. /thread

I respond as appropriate; I cannot bring myself to apologize for what would appear to be your lack of attention span or basic English vocabulary.

As to the substance of the original proposal, I've already addressed that adequately.

-Galen's player

 

[Gospel]

I respond as appropriate; I cannot bring myself to apologize for what would appear to be your lack of attention span or basic English vocabulary.

As to the substance of the original proposal, I've already addressed that adequately.

-Galen's player

*yawn*

It has little to do with my attention span. Prolixity is a beginner mistake, attributed to your lack of education, not mine. I suppose you also prefer taking longer alternative routes while driving to prove to yourself or others than you're somehow a superior driver. Here's a tip for the future; burying poorly thought out arguments or opinions under layers of useless verbiage doesn't make it a better argument. It just makes it take longer to read, wasting the reader's time and adding insult to injury.

And while We're at it, why would you sign every post with your name? I think it's quite clear who is posting, and I doubt anyone here is mistakenly thinking your in-game avatar is speaking in your place. I wonder if you think it gives your post some sort of official seal of approval, of if you just enjoy seeing your name one more time. Either way, it only adds to the overall self-important tone of all your posts, an additional arrogant icing on the cake. No thanks.

As for your ridiculously bad arguments, I think I'll just choose my favorite. You claim anyone going to events for items is "stupid" because the "odds are against them."

Where to even begin with this... I suppose people who kill monsters hoping for good loot are also stupid. People who participate in the BOD system are stupid. People who do champion spawns are stupid. People who kill peerless bosses are stupid. I think many would disagree with you, especially the hundreds of players that attend events solely for items and do indeed receive them. Who's stupid, again?

 

[GalenKnighthawke]

*yawn*

It has little to do with my attention span. Prolixity is a beginner mistake, attributed to your lack of education, not mine. I suppose you also prefer taking longer alternative routes while driving to prove to yourself or others than you're somehow a superior driver. Here's a tip for the future; burying poorly thought out arguments or opinions under layers of useless verbiage doesn't make it a better argument. It just makes it take longer to read, wasting the reader's time and adding insult to injury.

Not sure really what you're talking about here.

I respond as appropriate, with appropriate words.

If you find reading my posts to be a waste of time, feel free to not read them. It's pretty clear that you don't really understand them anyway, not to any great degree.

And while We're at it, why would you sign every post with your name? I think it's quite clear who is posting, and I doubt anyone here is mistakenly thinking your in-game avatar is speaking in your place. I wonder if you think it gives your post some sort of official seal of approval, of if you just enjoy seeing your name one more time. Either way, it only adds to the overall self-important tone of all your posts, an additional arrogant icing on the cake. No thanks.

???

This is a curious side-issue to raise, having basically nothing to do with the arguments in the post. Well now that I think about it your post doesn't really have arguments. It has insults.

As for your ridiculously bad arguments, I think I'll just choose my favorite. You claim anyone going to events for items is "stupid" because the "odds are against them."

No. I said that anyone going to events solely for items is stupid, because the odds are against them. The word "solely" was omitted by you, perhaps I should bold it and put it in large font next time.

There's better, more-efficient ways to make money in this game than the forlorn hope of an EM event item.

Those going to events solely for the items are advised strongly to take another route. One which is more-efficient and more-likely to yield rewards. Right now, folks who come to events solely for items tend to disrupt them out of a pathetic sense of entitlement. Then they roll onto message boards and do much the same thing as they do in-game.

Indeed I have to assume that either they're stupid or that the disruption itself is what's important to them.

Or, I suppose, both.

Thank you for teaching me the word "prolixity," though I doubt I'll ever use it again.

Your last paragraph is an extension of the paragraph I quoted, and has even less substance, so I shall omit it.

-Galen's player

 

[Sapphirediablo]

Please with each other in PMs, I would rather we focus more on the main points of this thread than attacks people, or rebuttal.

Those last post had nothing to do with
1) How to improve the EM system (Way you feel will be of benefit)
2) If you think it should be a cycled program
3) Your own additions to what the OP has said.

 

[Gospel]

Not sure really what you're talking about here.

I respond as appropriate, with appropriate words.

If you find reading my posts to be a waste of time, feel free to not read them. It's pretty clear that you don't really understand them anyway, not to any great degree.



???

This is a curious side-issue to raise, having basically nothing to do with the arguments in the post. Well now that I think about it your post doesn't really have arguments. It has insults.



No. I said that anyone going to events solely for items is stupid, because the odds are against them. The word "solely" was omitted by you, perhaps I should bold it and put it in large font next time.

There's better, more-efficient ways to make money in this game than the forlorn hope of an EM event item.

Those going to events solely for the items are advised strongly to take another route. One which is more-efficient and more-likely to yield rewards. Right now, folks who come to events solely for items tend to disrupt them out of a pathetic sense of entitlement. Then they roll onto message boards and do much the same thing as they do in-game.

Indeed I have to assume that either they're stupid or that the disruption itself is what's important to them.

Or, I suppose, both.

Thank you for teaching me the word "prolixity," though I doubt I'll ever use it again.

Your last paragraph is an extension of the paragraph I quoted, and has even less substance, so I shall omit it.

-Galen's player

Amusing that you accuse me of not understanding your posts while openly admitting you don't understand mine. Other than that all I see in your post is you making excuses for not being able to formulate a response. Well done, how did I guess you'd crumble and run away with your tail between your legs once you could not bury your nonsense under layers of feigned intelligence. How predictable.

As to your ridiculous statement regarding "stupid" people; any person going to kill Medusa hoping to get a Slither is, by your logic, stupid. I think most people would disagree. There's nothing stupid about taking your chances to get something valuable. It's also pretty ridiculous of you lump together people who go to events solely for items, and those who grief and pancake about getting no drop. I don't know what shard you're playing or what reality you live in but on my shard nearly everyone I talk to goes to an event with the hope they will get something, and do not publicly complain when they do not. The sort of people you're describing are maybe 10% of our shard's regular event attendees, and are only capable of ruining people's fun if they allow them to do so. Either way though, they have every right to be at the event for any reason they want. To call them stupid for doing so is, ironically, a stupid thing to say.

 

[GalenKnighthawke]

Amusing that you accuse me of not understanding your posts while openly admitting you don't understand mine.

This is a lie.

There was one word I did not know, which I looked up.

Other than that all I see in your post is you making excuses for not being able to formulate a response. Well done, how did I guess you'd crumble and run away with your tail between your legs once you could not bury your nonsense under layers of feigned intelligence. How predictable.

I formulated a response, which was adequate.

As to your ridiculous statement regarding "stupid" people; any person going to kill Medusa hoping to get a Slither is, by your logic, stupid. I think most people would disagree. There's nothing stupid about taking your chances to get something valuable.

Again, I said someone was stupid if they attended EM events solely for the items. I stand by that statement. Killing Medusas hoping to get a Slither is not a comparable situation on any reasonable vector. EM items spawn, what, 1 out of every 3 events or so? And spawn in extremely limited quantities. And cannot be repeated.

Whereas Medusas can be chained, and while they won't spawn items every time they are likely to sooner or later.

And forget other reward-bearing spawns, such as Fel champ spawns or Corguls.

To go for an item is one thing. I also hope to get items, as I like to sell them and have money. But I'm not dumb enough to go solely for items as I recognize the great weight of the odds against me, and further recognize that there's better ways to make gold in this game.

It's also pretty ridiculous of you lump together people who go to events solely for items, and those who grief and pancake about getting no drop.

Based upon your posts and the posts of those whom you support with such....shall we say passion.....the lumping together seems more and more reasonable and less and less "ridiculous."

I don't know what shard you're playing or what reality you live in but on my shard nearly everyone I talk to goes to an event with the hope they will get something, and do not publicly complain when they do not. The sort of people you're describing are maybe 10% of our shard's regular event attendees, and are only capable of ruining people's fun if they allow them to do so. Either way though, they have every right to be at the event for any reason they want. To call them stupid for doing so is, ironically, a stupid thing to say.

Based upon your overly competitive posts the people you play with probably are your sample, even your world, but are unlikely to represent most players.

Oh, and I haven't run away from anything, though you appear to have a friend in this thread who wishes for me to.

-Galen's player

 

[GalenKnighthawke]

Please with each other in PMs, I would rather we focus more on the main points of this thread than attacks people, or rebuttal.

Those last post had nothing to do with
1) How to improve the EM system (Way you feel will be of benefit)
2) If you think it should be a cycled program
3) Your own additions to what the OP has said.

Funny, one accuses me of running away, the other criticizes me for not running away.

All I can tell the both of you is that I long-ago realized that it profited me not to unilaterally disarm here on Stratics. Taking the high road is just flat-out ineffective.

-Galen's player

 

[Sapphirediablo]

I meant no personal offense to any of the two participating in personal quarrels; rather that, I felt they should not be a part of this thread.
The OP/Thread Topic, is about EM Events: how they could be improved, and the current system. I feel that it should continue to stay on this focus...
I am sorry if my post seemed offensive to you, I was simply hoping we could keep to the point.


________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Trying to explain myself to strangers and keep things on track aside:

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned as an idea yet, however, a system where EMs say 4, cover 3 shards. (or some number accross a few shards)
This would allow for EMs to know the community.
They would still have interaction with players.
There would be a variety of events.
There would be room for Newbie EMs to join in with a group of more experienced EMs to get some training done.
EMs that want to give more rares than others will be shared across various shards, making rare drops more even across various shard events.

Downsides:

Still wouldn't have YOUR shard EM(s).
Inconsistency
Dragged out story lines.
Probably others.

 

[GalenKnighthawke]

I meant no personal offense to any of the two participating in personal quarrels; rather that, I felt they should not be a part of this thread.
The OP/Thread Topic, is about EM Events: how they could be improved, and the current system. I feel that it should continue to stay on this focus...
I am sorry if my post seemed offensive to you, I was simply hoping we could keep to the point.


________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Trying to explain myself to strangers and keep things on track aside:

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned as an idea yet, however, a system where EMs say 4, cover 3 shards. (or some number accross a few shards)
This would allow for EMs to know the community.
They would still have interaction with players.
There would be a variety of events.
There would be room for Newbie EMs to join in with a group of more experienced EMs to get some training done.
EMs that want to give more rares than others will be shared across various shards, making rare drops more even across various shard events.

Downsides:

Still wouldn't have YOUR shard EM(s).
Inconsistency
Dragged out story lines.
Probably others.

The myriad disadvantages of this system or a similar one have adequately been explained elsewhere in this thread.

Ultimately this thread devolves to items, and at the end of the day the odds are simply too much against one getting an item. None of the proposed changes alter that basic dynamic, and thus at the end of the day these changes merely serve to mess up everyone else while not assuring their proponents of phat lewts.

And, thus, everyone is unhappy.

-Galen's player

 

[cazador]

Who's unhappy? I'm still attending the events, still killing the MOBS, still having a shot at a drop, no more whining favoritism..seems logical

 

[Leeda]

hi guys, as you all know there are some em's who just give out crazy nice prizes at events, decorate the banks beautifully , and really seem to show a big interest in their position. then we have others who, well not so much. "and please dont call any em out by name on here, its kinda rude and will just mess up the whole point of this thread" they all try in their own ways, but some definitely do more. which brings me to my question. is there any way we could put em's on a 3 month rotation cycle? this would put an end to any one shard losing out on great events all the time, or having lack of interest from their em's. a 3 month time frame would be plenty of time for a story line to be run, or just a couple of thrash and bash events, or even a few competitions...how ever the em would choose to use his 3 month period. you also hear about favoritism allot "true or not, who knows?" a rotation may stop this also, because 3 or 6 events at the most isnt enough time to pick a group of favorites out on every shard........again not trying to cut anyone, just trying to find a way to make our uo community better for all its players.....but theres my ideas =)

 

[Goodmann]

Shard Bound Event items (can not xfer them off)!!!!!

 

[Gospel]

Funny, one accuses me of running away, the other criticizes me for not running away.

All I can tell the both of you is that I long-ago realized that it profited me not to unilaterally disarm here on Stratics. Taking the high road is just flat-out ineffective.

-Galen's player

I was getting bored of you until you brought out the conspiracy theory. Then I realize I'm probably dealing with a sociopath and it got kind of interesting again. Then I realized you have yet to put forth a single solid argument and seem to want nothing more than to defend your asinine statement about "stupid" people and I realize sociopath or not, you're about as mentally stimulating as a dead horse.

Rather than beating said dead horse, I'll just settle on you being another UHall loudmouth with little to no mind of his own.

Also, on the topic; I've been to maybe 10 events, received 3 items that sold for 40-80m each. I've killed roughly 85 Medusas and never received a Slither. I guess I might seem "stupid" to you, but I'll take a full bank account over your useless opinion any day.

 

[GalenKnighthawke]

Who's unhappy? I'm still attending the events, still killing the MOBS, still having a shot at a drop, no more whining favoritism..seems logical

Under the current system, with dedicated shard EMs, such is still the case.

The argument, as I made plain, is that if you change to a rotating system, many of the people who do not get drops now may well still not get drops, and then the shards such as Great Lakes which have good relationships with their EMs and benefit from consistency will no longer have those benefits, and no longer have those consistency.

Worst of both worlds.

Nothing will end accusations of favoritism because most of such accusations have little or no rational basis.

-Galen's player

 

[GalenKnighthawke]

I was getting bored of you until you brought out the conspiracy theory. Then I realize I'm probably dealing with a sociopath and it got kind of interesting again. Then I realized you have yet to put forth a single solid argument and seem to want nothing more than to defend your asinine statement about "stupid" people and I realize sociopath or not, you're about as mentally stimulating as a dead horse.

Rather than beating said dead horse, I'll just settle on you being another UHall loudmouth with little to no mind of his own.

Also, on the topic; I've been to maybe 10 events, received 3 items that sold for 40-80m each. I've killed roughly 85 Medusas and never received a Slither. I guess I might seem "stupid" to you, but I'll take a full bank account over your useless opinion any day.

I explained my logic plainly. You've beaten the odds; congratulations. I've beaten the odds on occasion too and received EM event items.

I've also killed less Medusas than you have, but have received one Slither.

By contrast I've never gotten a Tangle.

But the point, as I can only assume you likely know and deliberately are avoiding, is that Medusas and Naverys are content that's always there and the chance for a drop is always there.

I suggest you look up the definition of "sociopath." I also submit that the phrase "your friend" has not one drop of conspiracy in it, nor does it necessarily even suggest 2 people know each other, in this kind of context. The latter might be possible, but the former you're pretty much making up.

The problem in responding to you is that there's basically nothing of actual substance to address. You have insults that are of a seemingly random character, but nothing else. The way you keep responding to me, in light of how little you have to add, is creepy.

-Galen's player

 

[Viper09]

I meant no personal offense to any of the two participating in personal quarrels; rather that, I felt they should not be a part of this thread.
The OP/Thread Topic, is about EM Events: how they could be improved, and the current system. I feel that it should continue to stay on this focus...
I am sorry if my post seemed offensive to you, I was simply hoping we could keep to the point.


________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Trying to explain myself to strangers and keep things on track aside:

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned as an idea yet, however, a system where EMs say 4, cover 3 shards. (or some number accross a few shards)
This would allow for EMs to know the community.
They would still have interaction with players.
There would be a variety of events.
There would be room for Newbie EMs to join in with a group of more experienced EMs to get some training done.
EMs that want to give more rares than others will be shared across various shards, making rare drops more even across various shard events.

Downsides:

Still wouldn't have YOUR shard EM(s).
Inconsistency
Dragged out story lines.
Probably others.

In a probably hopeless attempt to shift back to the main topic:

I am personally against the idea of switching EMs. Different shards have different timezones, so the only way it would be possible would be to keep EMs in their own timezones. It would, as you also listed, lead to inconsistencies and take away from any on-going events that may have been constructed personally for the shard. However, it would certainly share the wealth of different ideas and experiences since different EMs have different ideas. While I would be against it though, I think it would be interesting to give it a try, if only for a little while.

 

[GalenKnighthawke]

Tonight's EM event on GL solidifies for me something I've long-felt and that's that there's precious little wrong with the events that isn't mostly-caused by my fellow players.

Specifically by the sense of exaggerated entitlement that comes from the people who come solely for the item. There's something about coming solely for the item that seems to lead to one thinking one is entitled to one, and acting accordingly. Spamming that the event is too slow, can we just get to the item, etc. You know the drill, you've all seen it, and some unfortunately have participated in it, then roll onto the boards to justify it. Oh and then there's complaining that too many dropped.

*shrugs*

Oh well.

-Galen's player

 

[callum_fitzhugh]

Tonight's EM event on GL solidifies for me something I've long-felt and that's that there's precious little wrong with the events that isn't mostly-caused by my fellow players.

Specifically by the sense of exaggerated entitlement that comes from the people who come solely for the item. There's something about coming solely for the item that seems to lead to one thinking one is entitled to one, and acting accordingly. Spamming that the event is too slow, can we just get to the item, etc. You know the drill, you've all seen it, and some unfortunately have participated in it, then roll onto the boards to justify it. Oh and then there's complaining that too many dropped.

*shrugs*

Oh well.

-Galen's player

In a nutshell.

Events arent written or run purely to give out items to players, They are to amuse, entertain and enlighten players. The players there for the items alone should shut up and wait patiently OR be zapped away. Simple as. Show the EMs some respect - if the program gets pulled the shinies will go away permanently. Think about it that way.

 

[Tina Small]

With the city elections coming up in another month and EMs being required to make the decision on who becomes governor of a town if no one is elected for a town through the normal process and also apparently acting as Blackthorn or his representative on the council, I have my doubts that now would be a very good time to rock the boat too much on which EMs are assigned to which shards. I think if people have concerns about their shard's EM, they need to contact Mesanna and let her know, either through e-mail or by using the feedback form on the uo.com website.