Yanno, I find myself seeing merit in both sides here.
I've always been on the side of those who believe that newer players and the playing styles they bring to the game are not something that should be griefed for being what they are. Its (the Melee Arena, I assume that's what people here at AH mean by MA) rather like an open forum, people who meet requirements for entry then have as much right as anyone to play as they wish (within the TOS of course).
But, OTOH, communities that develop around this kind of game develop cultures. Its also IMO perfectly valid for veterans of those communities to exert pressure on the noobs to respect traditions within those cultures - even to the extent of some good-natured hazing about it.
I used to fight with both sides of this same argument at Air Warrior.
I alienated myself with some long-timers there when I refused to accept their claims that they deserved to "have it their way" because of their tenure in and past contributions to that community. I regret that alienation, but I wouldn't go back and change my attitude at all. Communities grow, new members IMO deserve the same respect as older ones.
I also used to engage in some not-so-subtle hazing of noobies there, regarding some of the same traditions I fought with others about in terms of their demands their wishes be enforced, however. Plus, I used my bully pulpit there to encourage new players to play the game in ways that were traditional.
For instance, when I was responsible for a one-year experiment Kesmai ran (a free-of-charge "New Players" arena, designed to attract new players and retain them at a higher rate than normal by giving them specific aid in learning the basics) I and my staff all taught things like "points are for dweebs" "the arena is just a place to practice for scenarios" and "don't whine or run, learn to fight". We worked with the AWTC to move new players into their classes ASAP, where A2A was the main subject. We taught that the game was a fighter pilots' game, and encouraged all new players to explore that.
I can understand folks beating each other up over these issues. As I said, I've done my share of that exact same thing.
I just don't understand WTF slinging squad names around has a place in the discussion. Squads are an in-game thing, individuals in the boards are individuals (well, unless its some hokey "General Maxissimo Blah-blah" talking for his squad of 1 or 2 idiots, but that's another discussion
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I have no problem saying The Damned are a bunch of steenking Bish (or whatever, who cares) and that the BKs are a bunch of h@XX0r (R33p$, but that's in-game banter and entirely appropriate.
I do think that even though Ren has a lot to say here that's valid, he's been out of line in the way he's conveyed it.
I also say that the folks slagging him because he's a trainer are way out of line, too. Anyone who devotes personal time to help other players learn the game deserves that to be respected, no matter what else they say or do. (Ask me about a guy named KenJr if ya wanna open a real can-O-werms
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I'd appreciate it if both sides here would stand down and STFU about it, whoever said its getting tiresome was right.
culero
