Email to Walrus

[Tbone]

Hey Walrus


     This is Tbone. I know you guys are real busy with things lately, but I was

wondering if you could tell me how to get in touch with the head of the CSR

department. I would like to discuss a few issues regarding some

miscommunication that I think is occuring between the CSRs and the community,

specifically the Furious Angels. Just in case you can help, I'll tell you a

little about what has been going on.

     The condensed version is that we originally found that exploit of cycling

missions in a specific area to get them to spawn in the same building. I

immediately reported it as a potential exploit and received a reply that it was

NOT an exploit and that we were free to do that. A day or so later a few of my

guys were rounded up in an area and told publically that they had been caught

exploiting. Most of my members received a warning through the petition system,

and we have been flagged as exploiters ever since. Recently one of my members

was temp banned for cancelling a mission to get a different type, and two more

were temp banned for using "Invisibility" in a mission area (I'm lost on that

one).

     There are a few concerns. The first is that we seem to have been labelled

as exploiters by the petition system despite the fact that we were told it was

ok the day before. I talked to a CSR and was told that they were aware that we

had reported it and been told it was ok and that we were not flagged in any

way. However, my guys got their temp ban because they had apparently already

been caught using an exploit.

     The second is that my guys were told that they were exploiting in public

in front of OTHER players. Because of this, our reputation has been tarnished

by the whole community. The forums are filled with threads talking about how FA

was caught exploiting. Despite being reported, these threads have not been

locked. I was told they did not break the guidelines, even though ones, such as

the one titled "Congradulations Furious Angels", congratulated us on being

exploiters. The whole thread continued to blatently flame us. I have a quote

from you, Walrus, from the Beta boards on this issue:

"Making negative posts about specific players or factions is a form of

harassment and is also considered flamebaiting--both of which are prohibited on

these boards.

If you have an issue with a player either work it out with that player, ignore

that player, or report the player via the customer care system if their

behavior constitutes a violation of the Guidelines for Player Conduct or Terms

of Use. Do not voice accusations about specific players or groups on these

forums."

     The problem is that we were made to be something that we aren't by the MxO

Staff. It was the Staff's fault for prematurely telling us it was OK and then

punishing my members BEFORE I received a reply saying that minds had been

changed on the matter. We're catching a lot of flak for it, and we basically

feel like we've been fed to the wolves for trying to help. If we wanted to

exploit, we would have never reported it.

     The final issue is regarding apparently "new exploits". I played Beta

since August and never heard that Invisibility/Disguise was not allowed in

mission areas. Furthermore, it was never brought out that it was a bug that the

ability did not stop when you interacted with something, such as a door. If

that is a bug, why is it not fixed? If it is an exploit, why not tell the

community? Receiving a ban for using an Infiltrator ability during an

Infiltrator mission is just ridiculous. It seems FA is no longer given the

benefit of the doubt and the CSRs seem to have the impression that we are

purposely trying to exploit the system. This impression was caused by the

original misunderstanding.

    Here's the deal. My guys are now too paranoid to play the game. Half of

them are playing Counter-strike at the moment because they're afraid of being banned from

just running the missions. Several of them have commented that if things

continue to be run like this, they will consider leaving. These are guys who

have been playing hardcore since day one of Beta. Let's face it - the mission

system is flawed. The whole system should probably be redesigned, but it IS the

game. That's all we are allowed to do besides killing mobs. I would really like

to be able to speak to a representative about all these issues. We are MORE than

willing to take you step-by-step with how we do missions, tell you what we

think is wrong with it, and answer ANY questions you may have. We also need

someone to talk with us about the recent events with the CSRs and the

exploitations. The situation seems to keep getting worse, and I would really

like to be able to clear the whole thing up.

     The truth of the matter is that we are now paying customers. We no longer

are Beta testers who are priveledged enough to be able to play the game. Despite not having an obligation, we still want to help improve the game and report the bugs and give feedback. It feels like we were punished for doing so and then ignored. I'm sorry that this email turned out to be so long. I just feel I should be protective of my faction and would also like to help improve community relations. I look forward to hearing back from you.


-Tbone
Furious Angels

[Broin]

Well said... Can't see anything I would change

[Anonymous]

aye very well said, lets hope some thing comes of this.

[Kosila]

Good email.

The world has a way of benefitting those who are moral (and those who are perfectly immoral, which I doubt the CSR team is). I think things will eventually turn our way. We are, after all, the Furious Angels.

[Anonymous]

yah this sounds great, hopefully walrus will let us get in touch with csr staff, at least the ones that arnt ignorant.

[Anonymous]

Or at least those threads will finally be locked up...

[Anonymous]

Beautifully written, Tbone.  I wouldn't change a word.

[Anonymous]

I agree with everyone above. Well done !

[Anonymous]

So...no response yet?

[Anonymous]

Well said, now let us hope it will be well recieved. I look forward to putting this all behind us.

[Tbone]

Nothing...bleh...

[Anonymous]

*applauds* I think you really blew them out of the water, T.
Bravo.

[Anonymous]

Tbone, you got skillz.  REPLY DEVS!!

[Anonymous]

I hope this gets cleared up.  I'm gearing up to go in game in a few days, I'm sorry I havn't been active latley but real life calls is a burden of duty eh? Anyway, yes I do especially hope this gets cleared up.  

I don#t want spamed every second saying "you expl0iting n00bs or wahtever.  It does tarnish the reputation.

[Anonymous]

Great Email, well written. Hopefully something good comes from it soon.