The Players Corner Archive

Most GMs don't even bother with bringing in an NPC anymore, nor do they even want to attempt a story-line for all the whining about favoritism they'll get.

Those player-groups with a solid history of good consistant role-playing are all but ignored now, for fears of favoritism finger pointing.

GMs that DO brave the snide comments and bring in an NPC to make life interesting, are then ripped to shreads because, 'they seak out the same people to RP with'.

We Coven gals asked if a 'staff' member could come in as an Illistim Lorekeeper and speak about his home, Ta'Illistim, in Moonstone Abbey. (open to all to come, of course) The reply was, 'are you nuts?! I'd get canned for showing favoritism'.

Mentors are no longer allowed to act as NPCs because of 'favoritism'.

Merchants are accused of showing favoritism. Wonder why there are fewer and fewer of them? I sure as heck wouldn't want to volunteer my time and then be bashed by the whiners.

Role-play is tossed aside so that everyone can be treated 'equally'. But not everyone in GS IS equal, not in RP terms. There are those that do and those that don't. It's the players that want RP interaction that are going elsewhere.

reg

It does seem that every time there is a merchant or NPC that someone has to show up and make jabs at them, many times even killing the merchant in such cases.

Those who do this are ruining not only other people's fun that day, but are increasing the possibility that the merchant will refuse to come out next time.

But to say that GM's cannae use NPC anymore because of favoritism? I can understand why, but at the same time the degree of RP is degraded... hopefully not forever. Before I left recently, I had asked for some applications and information on being a GM. But with all the stupid things that a GM puts up with, I may have to reconsider.

I will say, though, that if I do become a GM, I will RP and take the favoritism beating. The only way to get past the problem is to force through it. Otherwise, I might be swallowed up with the rest of them and be scared to even talk to someone someday.

Caels Onae'Rae
AIM : Caels OnaeRae
MSN : Caels_Onaerae@hotmail.com
ICQ : 91446467 reg

I've just started reading this board and first want to point out what a great job is being done here of creating an atmosphere of open discussion. Kudos. Oh .. and David can have my babies. And .. here's a "P" for the rest of you.

Ok . . now that I've done my requisite sucking up to the Board Mods, the readership, and the CEO, on to the topic at hand.

GM Favoritism or accusations thereof. I can safely say that Siana got it pretty well right. There are tons of things that GM's would like to do but can't. I talked to several in person at SimuCon and the issue of favoritism comes up a lot.

It's too bad, too .. because I honestly don't think that it's as much GM's gravitating towards player as good RP'ers gravitating towards events. I I honestly get the feeling that most of the complaints are from people who are whining because "so-and-so got it and I didn't."

Not to say that there isn't some level of "favoritism" in the sense that .. if you were a GM and you had to choose between Player A, psycho-killer-dude .. and Player B RP-guy who's been an asset to your events, who would you pick?

Certainly there are cases where it looks like favoritism, like when Giantphang or Jay gets his 35th alteration .. on the other hand .. they're at *every* merchant. They've got 10 characters logged in. One would expect that the odds are, they'd end up in the middle of a lot of GM stuff.

Ah well ..

-PrestiusJon
"Putting the P in this board since today" reg

quote:

---

Originally posted by Siara:
Most GMs don't even bother with bringing in an NPC anymore, nor do they even want to attempt a story-line for all the whining about favoritism they'll get.

---

In regards to this statement, I reply:

Tough.

The trouble is, Simutronics continually tries to please all the people, all the time. It's not gonna happen. I just wish they would define what kind of game they intend to run and then, by God, run it.

This is supposed to be a roleplaying game. To say that GMs don't bother bringing in NPCs anymore because they are afraid suggests to me that the company needs to get a backbone and empower their GMs to operate underneath it so they don't have to be "afraid". It also suggests to me that the GMs themselves need to do what they think is best for a *roleplaying* game and provide some interaction and nevermind what anyone else says about it.

I'm absolutely certain that there is favortism in Gemstone. On the other hand, I'm guessing that it is not as bad as people make it out to be. Define your game, run it, and escort people to the door if they don't like what you decide, Simu. All customers have the same option. If we don't like what you decide, we can choose to leave as well.

I'm just so sick of the constant waffling and "fear" of the customers. The game is not even THAT entertaining anymore.

Pockets

reg

quote:

---

Originally posted by Siara:
I'm going to take an opposite stance than what is usually seen here and try to point out how the constant accusations of 'favoritism' have helped.. maybe 'ruin' is too strong a word.. but it's sure put a damper on role-play.

Most GMs don't even bother with bringing in an NPC anymore, nor do they even want to attempt a story-line for all the whining about favoritism they'll get.

Those player-groups with a solid history of good consistant role-playing are all but ignored now, for fears of favoritism finger pointing.

GMs that DO brave the snide comments and bring in an NPC to make life interesting, are then ripped to shreads because, 'they seak out the same people to RP with'.

We Coven gals asked if a 'staff' member could come in as an Illistim Lorekeeper and speak about his home, Ta'Illistim, in Moonstone Abbey. (open to all to come, of course) The reply was, 'are you nuts?! I'd get canned for showing favoritism'.

Mentors are no longer allowed to act as NPCs because of 'favoritism'.

Merchants are accused of showing favoritism. Wonder why there are fewer and fewer of them? I sure as heck wouldn't want to volunteer my time and then be bashed by the whiners.

Role-play is tossed aside so that everyone can be treated 'equally'. But not everyone in GS IS equal, not in RP terms. There are those that do and those that don't. It's the players that want RP interaction that are going elsewhere.

---

Siara...a very very very good topic. One that I'm glad someone is able to deliberate on. Thank you.

--------------------------------------------

My side:

GM Favoritism goes on...however the people that accuse all the time of it usually get it themselves? (Fair statement I hope)

You have to know that favoritism _does_ w/o a doubt go on. It's inevitable in a world such as this.

-Ex. Snuffletoe (Hypothetical Name) and you have been best friends since you were hunting cave gnomes together back in '96. You've known eachother for 4 1/2 years. He alludes to the fact that he is becoming a host. Now...disagree all you want...but the fact still remains you will try and remain very good friends with him, congratulate him, etc. etc. After that, the choice is completely up to you: a) ask him for help b) stay in contact with him even more for hope of getting 'hooked up' in a sense

Although both choices seem great...I don't think it happens quite as much as it used to. I find it the same as way as when our current President (a family friend) was elected. Do we call and congratulate him and the rest of his family? Or let it be? It was strange to do this...but I didn't call. I was told by family members not to for fear that the Bush's would believe that we were only friends with them b/c of the fact George W. was President. What happened? Even more respect was handed down from the Bush family (Sorry liberals...you probably hate that)

Back to the subject.

I _do_ think that every person has the ability to favor people in general. Do you favor your husband or your brother? Your wife or your sister? Your husband or your father? Your mother or your wife? (Extreme examples but still)

Now for a bad examples:

Celtic. Hmm...now I'll be willing to bet anyone on the board here that he shows extreme favoritism towards certain people.
(Nothing has been done in this situation)

Sagan. Became GM and well...I don't want to get too in depth about this situation, but...
anyone know how Rozak's 5x permablessed pure white glowing falchion became 7x overnight after permablesses were no longer becoming ET'd? Hmm...oh ya...they were best-friends.
(This was eventually caught on to)

Aldrek. Making items for fellow Hosts w/o removing points, etc. etc.
(This was eventually caught on to)

Luciana. Showing up in the rift to give Dartaghan free mana. Now...this is a sad case. John was quite possibly one of the kindest men to ever play Gemstone IMO. The guy would not hurt a flee if you met him IRL. Just a very very kind soul that was always around to help you out. Hell...everyone looked up to him that I know.
(Luciana was dealt with)

Character favoritism:
Chuckaar. (Yes Edge...reiterating your earlier post bud) He is allowed to swear in the open w/o fear of being locked out...has found more box founds in the rift than I've ever seen found.

Laranna. (old example, still works though) If anyone even comes close to ever knowing Laranna you know exactly that I do not need to make my point. The day that you see three merchants sitting at a Thrak Table with one non-GM character...that's usually an issue (PS. Laranna quite possibly is the worst case of GM Favoritism _ever_ in GS in my opinion)...oh...but she helped with the web-page I believe...since she ran MTV Online for quite a while.

Yes...there is favoritism Siara. However...I do feel that some of the people that claim this favoritism a) are either to mad that they aren't favored for their 15 minutes of fame that they usually get b) are just angry b/c they don't spend the time to get to certain functions in order to get good items, alters, etc. c) same as b...are jealous.

This moves into the jealousy story...which, quite frankly I don't want to get into.

You don't accusations of favoritism. Heh...turn into Malok, Drizzsdt, Suvar...when GM's tell you something can't be done...show them (You guys get all the respect from my corner, love'm ).

Thanks.

reg

quote:

---

Originally posted by Pockets:
In regards to this statement, I reply:

Tough.

The trouble is, Simutronics continually tries to please all the people, all the time. It's not gonna happen. I just wish they would define what kind of game they intend to run and then, by God, run it.

This is supposed to be a roleplaying game. To say that GMs don't bother bringing in NPCs anymore because they are afraid suggests to me that the company needs to get a backbone and empower their GMs to operate underneath it so they don't have to be "afraid". It also suggests to me that the GMs themselves need to do what they think is best for a *roleplaying* game and provide some interaction and nevermind what anyone else says about it.

I'm absolutely certain that there is favortism in Gemstone. On the other hand, I'm guessing that it is not as bad as people make it out to be. Define your game, run it, and escort people to the door if they don't like what you decide, Simu. All customers have the same option. If we don't like what you decide, we can choose to leave as well.

I'm just so sick of the constant waffling and "fear" of the customers. The game is not even THAT entertaining anymore.

Pockets

---

Pockets...run for GM...or Mod here...I'll stuff the ballot box.

Finally someone who actually looks at the aspect of this game for real.

It isn't entertaining anymore! Perfect statement.

No...there are a few options now.

1. Become a GOD. Roll for 5 weeks and get a 680. Get on Elfarren's Excel Spreadsheet and create a completely long-term character. Get access to a wizard, cleric, and an empath and hunt for 15 hours a day and get to level 100 w/in a year. Then go to the rift and just maul everything in sight using the same empath, cleric, and wizard. Then get to a certain level where no one will talk smack to you and your fame is so high that it doesn't matter how much you know about the Arkati...you're a god.

2. Become merchant god/hunting god. (One of my best buddies is an example, Neimanz) Make every single merchant and get alterations out the wazoo while still creating character after character and hunting them to an ungodly amount of time each day and eventually getting them to the rift so you can run the rift and have all the items.

3. Become involved in character sales. Create a character, get'm to level 20/25/30/35 then sell'm off.

4. Become involved in scripting character sales. Teach yourself ZMUD in an incredibly involved manner. Create a character, get'm to level 20/25/30/35 in 3 weeks, then sell'm off

5. Become involved in in-game merchanting. Only involve yourself with maybe the 5 merchants that run the game (Randeis, Ciston, Wadsworth, Ardwen, and Rozak [Who's merchanting has dropped as of recently...yet when he pulls out items people are amazed]).

6. Sell items for Ciston.

7. Sell items for RL cash.

Gosh...what a game.

GEMSTONE III "Where the dreams you can't have in real life are fulfilled..."

or

GEMSTONE III "Where you can profit off us as much as you want..."

reg

As far as NPCs and roleplaying events... I think the main reason you see a lot of the same players at these events is because they seek them out. There are a ton of people in this game who do NOT want to RP. Or they think it is fun to ruin RP events by being complete jerks (there is a difference between RPing an antagonist and being a jerk). So if any GMs are steering clear of these known trouble-makers in their events, I completely understand.

[This message has been edited by NoOneImportant (edited 08-15-2001).] reg

If I see a person break the law, I am duty bound by both my own morals and by the laws of my country to contact local law enforcement.

In this case, the persons involved are the local law, and there is little but make a stand on this in a public forum.

I can't prove that the vast majority of Gms and hosts are good and hard working peoplke with no sense of unfairness, I can only take it as a given.

What I DO know for a fact is what I've seen with my own eyes. Anything else is just infference and specualtion on my part.

I can only naively believe that David Whatley is adamant on the point of impartial and fair staff members. Staff members who weigh all facts and all information on a character before they ban them, etc.

Naivity is not neccessarily the evil that so many make it out to be. I've been loyal to this company for a LONG timew, through thick and thin, through situations that many of you would get downright angry about. I want this game to continue.

What I do not want is for blindness to creep in and people to just accept what is handed to them.

Have I cause to be angry over things that have been handled from up on high? Like Jim/Celtar, I have a number of horror stories that are just plain unacceptable treatment of both me and my character by persons who I call AWP (arses with power).

Like Jim/Celtar, I have been present at some of the best and brightest moments that the staff has ever produced. I still believe in the magic.

If you think that people who have warnings are people who cause trouble, well, folks, there are jerks that slip through the cracks and become Gms, and well, to be totally honest, Gms ARE human after all, and they can have bad days.

I myself have been warned for totally unwarranted reasons.

Lets just face it, favoritism and unfairness can be found everywhere, how we choose to react to the problem is up to us.

Take my words as you will,

-Morandas

reg

quote:

---

Originally posted by Morandas:
What I do not want is for blindness to creep in and people to just accept what is handed to them.

---

I have a reputation on these boards as being a Simu arse kisser. I know that.

I also realize that they are not perfect. I've seen situations handled in a way that I personally would have done differently. I've had assists where the GH wasn't exactly polite and the perfect example of a customer service representative.

I realize that there probably is a bit of favoritism going on. I don't believe that GMs are all handing out super cool items to all their player buddies, but I do believe it's possible that GMs are more lenient on people they know and tougher on people who are known trouble makers.

That said, I still have not heard of a lockout that I felt was unwarranted. Warnings, yes.. lockouts, no. A GM cannot just lock people out. They request the lockout which has to be approved by someone in a superior position (SGM? I don't know).

I also believe that someone who is constantly causing trouble deserves more GM eyes watching them, calling them on every wrong move. Someone who has a history of causing trouble, previous lockouts and several warnings is showing a pattern. Yes, people can change. But does it happen often? Doubtful.

What I see happening a lot here is people have gotten themselves in trouble with constant "bad" behavior. They write up a big long anti-Simu/GMs post and everyone else jumps on the bandwagon chanting "Simu sucks!" instead of looking at the situation like it is... ONE biased side of the story.

I think the saying is something like this: There are three sides to every story. Your side. My side. And the truth.

reg

"Siara puts the 'R' in Siara"

ppthththtt!

Glad to see you here! I've always enjoyed reading your views on things. reg

Heh, he said "arses with power". -snickers-

- N reg

quote:

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Originally posted by Siara:

"Siara puts the 'R' in Siara"

---

Heya .. SiaRa .. sorry bout that !

You know .. the more I think about the whole favoritism issue .. the more I realize .. I just really don't care. Rampant or not, it's really a non-issue for the most part.

It doesn't bother me when someone has better/more stuff. It doesn't effect my gameplay when someone may get better treatment on one issue or at some event.

Honestly. I get what I get .. and enjoy the game for what it is .. and just simply don't worry about it. I figure I'm the master of whatever destiny I've decided to make in the game ... and take responsibility for Prestius and his actions. I suppose I've come to realize that things aren't fair all the time, and not let what other's get impinge on my enjoyment.

If some GM wants to give Sages cool items for free .. so what? Does this lessen Prestius .. or my gameplay? Not really.

The only negative effect I see is the one that SiaRa started this thread with .. the fact that so many people cry favoritism when things don't go their way, that GM's feel inhibited about doing some stuff. This, I attribute to lack of backbone, more than anything else. Although this may seem a non-sequitor, the best thing that Simu ever did was get rid of the Suggestions, Whines, and Bitches msg board.

Just more random thoughts.

-Prestius

I put the "P" in that thing you have.

reg

My come-back answer to those that continually wail about 'so-and-so gots a better toy than I do' is always -- so what? I don't buy into the whole it hurts game integrity line. I don't see how one player having things another player doesn't have hurts game indegrity and/or another's game play.

You get out of GS what you put into it. If complaints and gripes about what other players do/get is what you spend your time doing, then that's all you'll get out of the game and spend most of your time complaining on a message board about how bad the game is. (My use of 'you' is collective and not aimed at anyone) reg

Like Jim/Celtar, I have been present at some of the best and brightest moments that the staff has ever produced. I still believe in the magic.

Morandas/Jerry<<

Yep the magic is still here, otherwise I and others wouldn't be here. My problem with SIMU is that they try to act like Favortism, abuse of GM abilites etc have not happened.

SIMU and STAFF Have a large problem admiting to error or guilt. This sort of thing really drives me crazy, its just the type of person I am. Honestly and such are important in my eyes.

SIMU often plays the high hand and doesn't really stop to think about how it shall be taken by the players at large. And when the players become outraged, SIMU by and large acts or truly is surprised by this.

The recent Fiasco that Melissa Calloway put the cap on in Platinum is a good example of such foolishness. Another would be the banning of players for selling items to Morandas/Jerry.

I ask you, how are the players to know that the coins were tainted? They can't, 40 million or even 100million silvers is not a large amount for many of us who are used to dealing in that price range for items.

Do I like these prices? hell now I think their flat out a good sign of how unbalanced the system is at this point, econemy and treasure wise.

I've personally not "Found" a good box item since the Boar skull in 1997. ;/ The items I've gotten have been through barter, friendships etc.

Anyhow back to the subject of GM abuse etc.
It appears to be much better than it was, but SIMU can't ignore that it ever happened. It did, and it was quite out of hand at times.

That said theirs alot of good staff on now and their quite creative, and I for one enjoy what they do.

Now if SIMU can work on their BB system so that they become more consistant in how they enforce policy.<stares off>.

Jim/Celtar Rambling on ..and on..and on.

p.s: Side note..have I enjoyed favortism over the past nine years? Yes..and at times it really was unbalanced. I say nine years because The end of September is the end of
my nineth year here and the start of number
ten. Damn times flys. reg

quote:

---

Originally posted by Celtar:
>>My problem with SIMU is that they try to act like Favortism, abuse of GM abilites etc have not happened.

SIMU and STAFF Have a large problem admiting to error or guilt. This sort of thing really drives me crazy, its just the type of person I am. Honestly and such are important in my eyes.

---

Really?

I've NEVER seen them come right out and deny that favoritism and mistakes don't exist.

I've actually seen them admit that mistakes happen and that they do their best to see that those things don't happen again.

No, I've never seen them actually come out and say "GM Soandso abused his powers so we fired him." But I have seen/heard them admit on several occasions that these things HAVE happened and that they HAVE been taken care of.

I've also seen them tell people REPEATEDLY to let them know if they have any proof (logs, etc) that a GM is abusing their power to send it in.

reg

But what if your problem is with senior staff? Who ya gonna go to?

Same old same old. If you're at work and one of your peers pisses you off, tell the boss. If your boss pisses you off, time to look for another job.

Roberta
reg

If you put 1000s of hours into something you love. You don't quit....PERIOD.

That is like saying because I love my son. He is not worth loving because he is in prison. Some type of crap like that.

ForYourInfo....My son is only 12. Not in Prison.

edge reg

Jim reg