The Players Corner Archive

Recently some of you witnessed me take a issue to heart with NOI. Many of you got to see me in a mood or temperment I very rarely get into. I will not apologize to NOI or to anyone for that matter for my indulgence in the emotion of anger and the feeling that I have somehow been cheated.

Many of you read my posts saying that I was locked out for a period of time and that I was unwiling to discuss the situation more then what I had presented to you in little tidbits. Before your read on further I would ask that you keep an open mind, and hear what it is I am saying or suggesting. Infact this thread is more of an informative thread then it is a discussion thread and hardy requires a response from anyone. If you choose to respond please bear in mind that 99% of the simu staff mentioned are not "at fault". They are just following company proceedures, which is what I am arguing against.

Back in January my wife and I took in my brother who had just been released from prison. He was sent there for drinking and driving for the fourth or fifth time, and he also had an assault charge. We decided to take him in while he cleaned up and found a job and a place to say. As many of you know I am willing to bend over backwards for people I care about, and that goes double for family and close friends.

Well months went by and nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary, so my wife and I decided to take a vacation this summer and leave my brother in charge of the house while we were gone. The trip was great, we went to the Wisconsin Dells for a week.

Upon returning home my brother seemed agitated and worried, so I took him out to dinner and asked him what was going on. He proceeded to tell me that he had used a hacking technique to get passed Windows security and he had been playing Gemstone while my wife and myself were either sleeping or away at work. My computer room/server room is in our basement where he slept, so I was not aware that he was even accessing anything. I was stupid and he used the SGE to access the game. I was even more stupid as to set the password the same for all my accounts. He said it didn't take long for him to get back to playing. He would play constantly he said, gaining lots of silver and experience without our knowledge.

I was shocked to hear this, and as you can imagine I was instantly worried. I knew what was coming next, and so when he told me that he had gotten two of my characters which reside on two different accounts put into the "cell". I almost reached across the table and stabbed him with my fork.

I returned home that evening worried about what he had done. No matter what I could do, after I yelled at him and kicked him out of my home, he would not tell me what he had done. So I waited to get a letter from Lockout telling me what happened. I guess my brother was thrown into the cell on June 15th, which is a Weds and I returned home thursday morning.

I made a phone call to Simu's billing department demanding to speak to someone about my situation. I was outraged that I would have to write them an e-mail. As anyone here can atest to reading what someone writes you interpret that in your own way. I knew they wouldn't believe my story. I spoke the the billing rep for about an hour and told him my position, and that if it had been a problem with an actuall person I would have been able to show the pictures and proof of where I was. However Simu is not able to accept these things as proof, as everything has to be done in e-mail. They calmed me down and did a superb job with that, to which my deepest thanks goes out to them.

A full day went by and yet nothing from Lockout, untill my wife's account gets locked out. I make another call to billing again outraged that they couldn't have been more delicate in the manner in which they "sucked" my wife's character from the game. It was very rude and obnoxious to her and she was highly upset by this. At this moment I began begging Simu for help. I told them I would get on a plane that afternoon and fly to St. Louis to clear this matter up. They of course declined.

I made one other phone call to Simu attempting to register a formal complaint because a full day had gone by, my wife's account locked in the cell and no word yet from Lockout. Again the billing rep I spoke to did a marvelous job of convincing me of Simu's proceedure. Again my compliments.

Finally I get a letter from Lockout on the 19th responding to a letter my brother apparently wrote to them in an attempt to get my accounts reactivated. However his limited letter did not provide Simu with enough information to have them write back.

Below is the letter I wrote to Lockout in response to their request. I have only edited account names and character names to keep them unknown. If you do know my characters please do not "out" them.
===================================
GM Daecir,

Recently two of my accounts were locked out of Gemstone III. I recieved an e-mail from you today requesting more information before you could proceed further.

First off I will tell you I did not write that letter to you. I know who did however.

The accounts in question are my accounts B********* and T******. The credit card numbers are ****-****

In January my brother fell on some hard times and my wife and I invited him into our home to live untill he could get back on his feet. Last week my wife and I went on vacation to Wisconsin Dells for a week. Upon returning my brother explained to us that since late January he had been using our computers to play gemstone while we were away at work and while we were sleeping. He had gained access to both my wife's and my accounts via the save password option that the SGE provides. He gained access to our computers by using some hacking technique he found out about while he was in prison two years ago. He explained to us that he had gotten the characters B***** and A******** in trouble, but he has not yet told us what he did. I logged in at once to find that ineed those characters were in the cell. At this time I have no information as to what happened. I was waiting to recieve an e-mail from you on the matter, but up untill today nothing showed up.

We have a very unfortunate problem on our hands. Today while my wife was playing her account was sent to the cell as well. I assume this is because her and I use the same credit card to pay for gemstone. I called into the billing department today and spoke with someone about this. He said that because of the credit card factor I was the owner. I am writing you to tell you that the account S********* is not my account. It is my wifes. Since she was able to play up untill today I would like to know why she is getting locked out. As far as I can tell she did nothing to warrant a lockout. Then again I do not know the situation 100% because my brother was the one breaking the rules.

I would like to request that her account be re-instated as soon as possible, under new billing information if need be.

As for the other two accounts I understand your policy and understand that they have to be locked out. I don't know how long they are being locked out for or what for, but I understand that it has to happen. I just don't want to see my wife punished and have her account stained simply because we are married.

I would also request that you factor into your decision that my brother was the one who was playing, not me. If you look at my account records there have only been minor infractions if any. I have had an active account with Simutronics for several years. To confirm check account P*********. Answer to the security question is Fine thank you, or good thank you. I canceled this account just a year or so ago because I wanted a new character.

I understand that policy was broken and for that I am very sorry. I wished my brother was a little more considerate of things he does, but this has taught me a lesson.

If you think that I am just going to pop over and play my wife's character your wrong. I only play my characters and hell if I tried to play her I would ruin her character, not to mention take a frying pan or some similar object to the head.

I am willing to assist you in anyway possible and I want to give you 100% cooperation.

I can't get across to you how deeply this has hurt both my wife and myself. My brother stabbed me in the back after taking him in, and I fear that my characters may never be coming back. I have thrown him out of my house and now my wife's character has to be tarnished with a lockout. I don't think that it is fair that she get punished for actions of my brother. I don't think it is fair that I have to get punished for his actions, however I also understand that somebody has to step up and be responsible. Something I have been doing for him all his life, and I guess I have to do it still.


Sincerely,

Chris Peterson
==============
At this point I felt I had given lockout as much information as I could, but it would be up to them. I then left for work and responded to a couple e-mails to Lockout when he sent them back. I was unpleased with his responses, and the lack of information he gave me. I told him my grievences, and that I did not do well in e-mail. I explained to him I thought that with all the years of service I had given Simu they could afford a total of 3 hours talking to me, especially since I was paying for long distance.

I lost the e-mails in between the one above and the next in a computer crash, but where we pick this up is Lockout getting back to me.
=================
I am more than willing to review the merit of each of your accounts'
appeals. However, I will not do so until you have sent me a letter of
appeal now that the suspension has been fully processed AND forty-eight
hours have passed since the last time you have called our billing
department about your suspension. Our billing department is not set up to
handle this kind of complaint and you are tying up resources meant for our
customers with billing concerns.

You have been repeatedly told you must deal with lockout via email to the
address lockout@simutronics.com. Any complaints you have about the
treatment you have received or decisions made by this department you are
welcome to direct via email to my supervisor at custserv@simutronics.com.

Respectfully,

GM Daecir
Simutronics Lockout
=================
I forgot to include this in my last e-mail.

My first question is will I be pro-rated for this month due to the fact I
was only able to access my accounts through the 15th.

My second question is why was the account S********* locked out before the
remaining accounts, but still granted the ability to post messages?

THirdly. I wuld feel better if someone, anyone would please contact me. That
is your option of course.

Please call me at 651-334-4207

I apologize for not using the appropriate channels. I just am very
frustrated and your phone center did a great job at eazing my concerns.

Sincerely,

Chris Peterson
==============================
The subscription fee is not refundable nor is it prorated if violations of
our policies result in the account(s) being suspended. As accounts are
linked to each other they may be suspended immediately or it may take a few
days depending on when I am able to fully research the requested suspension
and link all of the related accounts. I am afraid calling you is simply
not an option. Due to the costs associated with long distance phone calls
as well as the requirement that I have complete records of all of my
correspondence with regards to a suspended account it was determined that
email was the only suitable medium for this office.

I am opting to permit the accounts S*********, B********, and M********* to
access the game during your accounts' suspensions. If there are any
violations of our POLICY, TAC or TOS on those accounts during the
suspension, I will be left no option but to suspended them all and restart
the sixty days of the suspension from that date.

Respectfully,

GM Daecir
Simutronics Lockout
===================
I felt that his lecture like attitude towards me was in no way positive customer service. It was now the 20th and the lockout and just become official. I was glad he saw the truth in my statements and concured those accounts which are my wife's not be hindered.

I also felt that his lecture about not abusing the rules in his last e-mail to me were uncalled for as he knew I was in a highly emotional state and he had the nerve to accuse me of even attempting to break the rules.

Now we come to present day. I don't play GS for the entire 60 days. August 15th roles around and I send this letter to Lockout. It was late and night it was exactly midnight central time, and I waited untill 12:01 to send the e-mail attempting to make a small joke and showing them how eager I was to get back playing the game I have loved for so long.
===============
Since it is officialy the 25th here. I am writing this letter to Lockout
regarding the accounts T****** and B**********. They were locked out on the
15th of June for 60 days. Which would now be the 15th of August. This is my
official request to please be let back into the game. I have read and fully
understand all of your policy and as stated before understand why they were
locked out.

Sincerely,

Chris Peterson
====================
You may request a review for reentry to the gaming environment after August
20th by following the instructions in the original notification. You must
write to this address, after that date, stating that you have read,
understand and will comply with our gaming policies in the future.

Sincerely,

GM Daecir
Simutronics Lockout
===================
That was the response I got from him. He again insults me by saying I have to say I agree to their policy. Yet he knows that I already do because I said so in my letter to him. So I fire back a quick short and sweet note reminding him of when I originally was thrown into the cell attaching the first e-mail I sent to him.
===================
This is the original letter I wrote to you saying I was locked out. As you can see the date is June 15th. I was locked out for 60 days. As far as I can see that would be yesterday because July had 31 days. I opted to wait untill today to write you the letter.

Sincerely,

Chris Peterson
===============
As stated in the original notification letter, the suspension will last at least 60 days, this ensures you are not billed during the period for which your account is suspended. The period of the suspension starts from the date the lockout request is processed and notification is sent to the email address on record for the account. The date stated is the correct date.

Respectfully,

GM Daecir
Simutronics Lockout
===================
Basically he is telling me that even though you haven't been allowed to play the game in over 60 days, and because this wasn't made crystal clear to me when the first letter was sent, I know have to wait alteast another week before being allowed back into the game. At this point I have had enough. I was sick of the lecturing type posts. I was sick of the "we can't do this" attitude. I was sick of knowing what is good customer service and what is bad. I worked for Best Buy as a sales rep and we would do almost anything to keep customers who had extreame cases willing to come back to our stores. But no, not with Simu. Right then and there I realized I was getting the wrong end of the stick again. From my brother to this. What did I do? I popped. This is the other me for all who care.
====================
This honestly makes so sense what so ever. I have been unable to access my account and play the game from June 15th. Because I was in the cell. I have not been able to play the game since then as well otherwise any accounts I played would be locked out and the suspension started over.

So in effect I have been locked out for 62 days now, and the soonest I can request access back into the game would be the 20th, which means that I will be locked out for a minimum of 66 days. Pending your investigation into me coming back. So you say "lock out for 60 days". What you mean is "we will let you back in if we feel like it".

I thought this could be handled in a much better fasion. If I want to be treated this way I can go somewhere else. Just get my accounts back open so I can get rid of my stuff and cancel my accounts.

I know it doesn't mean anything to you that I will be closing my accounts, because you don't care about the customers. You just care that you get paid, so I am glad you have taken the small amount of time you have to treat me in this fashion, because you have lost a customer, and I will no longer drop your name to friends of mine who enjoy playing RPG type games.

What is 5 days going to change anyway? >From your actions in letting some of the accounts stay active you showed you believed atleast some part of my story, and that you were willing to put forth some type of effort in my situation. If you believed my story then you know that this behavior I was already sorry for when I "asked" you to lock me out. Remember I didn't write in saying I didn't do it. Why do you feel you must pound me into the ground further? Is it to show that if you mess up in our game we will show you who is boss? Thats what it feels like to me. 5 days isn't going to change the way I act in your game, it isn't going to make me think longer and harder about what happened. All it is doing is making have a much more negative outlook about your company and how it handles its self.

I hope you are happy you have gotten rid of a "trouble maker" from one of your products. I bet you will get a nice Christmas bonus.

Sincerely,

Chris Peterson
http://forum.gsplayers.com
Owner and Operator

At this point its over. I am through. David and Andraste have spoken to me at length about this issue. I am willing to discuss it further, but I am fully prepared to sell off all my items and get out now. I am willing to take my 130$ a month and give it to some other worthy cause such as fuel for a homeless mans barrel fire.

The state of the Player's Corner? Its up in the air. For the first time in my life I regret spending my time in the world of Gemstone. The only thing that hurts me more is that I met my wife in this game.

Please don't get worried yet. Don't send me letters saying Don't shut it down! This place called the Player's Corner was begining to mold into a dream I had. I place where everyone involved could come and post and have an open mind to all issues. It was to break down barriers, and bring back some of the magic for people who claim its gone from the lands. It was to pull a community of people who have this magic together and to make it a fun and enoyable time. I can see now that this has failed, and that no matter how strong the will of the people on both sides is. There is always a place where something can strike and kill it.

Buckwheet

[This message has been edited by Buckwheet (edited 08-17-2001).] reg

Take it with a grain of salt.

And yes, if you think this is immature please spare me the comments. This is the best way to describe what I am feeling.
=============

looks like i’m gonna do everything myself
maybe i could use some help but hell,
you want something done right you gotta do it yourself
maybe life is up and down
but my life’s been (what?) till now
i crawled up your butt somehow
and that’s when things got turned around
i used to be alive
now i feel pathetic
and now i get it
what’s done is done
you just leave it alone
and don’t regret it
but sometimes, some things
turn into dumb things
and that’s when you put your foot down.
why did i have to go and meet somebody like you (like you)
why did you have to go and hurt somebody like me (like me)
how could you do somebody like that? (like that)
hope you know that i’m never coming back (never coming back)
looks like i’m gonna do everything myself (everything myself)
maybe i could use some help but hell,
if you want something done right
you just do it yourself (got it?)
maybe life is up and down
but my life’s been (what?) till now (got it)
i crawled up your butt somehow (got it)
and that’s when shit got turned around (got it)
i used to be alive i’m so pathetic
but now i get it
what’s done is done
i know you just leave it alone
and don’t regret it
but sometimes some things
turn into dumb things
and that’s when you put your foot down.
why did i have to meet somebody like you?
why did you have to hurt somebody like me?
how could you do somebody like that?
hope you know that i’m never comin’ back
why did i have to meet somebody like you?
why did you have to hurt somebody like me?
how could you do somebody like that?
hope you know that i’m never comin’ back
depending on you is done
giving to you is done
no more eating no sleeping no living
it’s all just more giving to you and i’m done
depending on you is done
giving to you is done
no more reaching no sleeping no living
it’s all just forgiving to you and i’m done
the hiding from you is done
the lying on you is done
no more eating no more sleeping no living
it’s all just more giving to you and i’m done
why did i have to meet somebody like you?
why did you have to hurt somebody like me?
how could you do somebody like that?
i hope you know that i’m never coming back
why did i have to meet somebody like you?
why did you have to hurt somebody like me?
how could you do somebody like that?
i hope you know that i’m never coming back
why? why? why?

-Boiler:Limp Bizkit

Buckwheet

[This message has been edited by Buckwheet (edited 08-17-2001).] reg

I'm not trying to kick you while your down. It's not your fault, hell the same thing happened to me. I got my sisters account banned, and she wouldn't talk to me for days. That's the way this game effects people. It's created so people have to put countless hours into it. I think that David made it this way for a reason. It's like bad relationships, people feel that since they put tons of time into the relationship, they don't want to let it go. It's like that with Gemstone. I wish I had the balls that you have, and could leave. In gemstone I have 3013386 experience. If I estimated an exp gain rate of 1k, that means I spent 3013 hours into this game. That's 125 Days. It sickens me. 125 FULL DAYS. I can think of a million things that I could have done that is 100 times better then sitting on my ass playing this damn game wasting my time. I could have went for walks, chilled with my friends, spent more time with my girlfriend, spent more time on my school work, done a shit load of more things.

But like everyone else, I was sucked into this void called Gemstone. Sure, you start playing and you think it's not a big deal. Your excited, you see people older then you with all this cool stuff and you want to be like them. You still have that enthusiasm. Then after awhile, it starts going away. This happened to me when I was about 50. When you start the game, everything is new. You don't know about all the crap the GM's pull. Your excited when you see invasions and hear about people hunting all this high level stuff. The ironic part about that is when you’re finally old enough to take part in these things, it's no longer fun. I see an invasion, ok fine I go in kill some stuff, might get killed. <Yawn> Same thing as the last invasion. And the one before that and the one before that. I was highly anticipating hunting fire mages. Well I finally get there.. and I noticed that the thrill is gone. I don't really care about it. But why is it that we can't just quit whenever we want to? Because we put so much time into this damn text based worthless game. When you learn about how badly the simtronics staff treats people, and you lose the enthusiasm you once had.

Why does the Simu staff treat people so poorly? Because they can. They have all the power. They decide if you can play or not. Hell, if they wanted to, they could ban you for the hell of it and say ''oops, was an accident'' and there isn't anything you can do about it. And don’t think this wouldn’t ever happen... I’ve seen it happen personally. Most people don't have the balls to stand up to simu, because they don't want their character or characters that they spent so much time on to get banned.

Seriously, sit back and think about it. I did. Buckwheets post made me think. I thought about my day. I could have called my friend tom, or Bryan, or went over to my best friend Sam's house and did something and had fun and been happy. But instead I sat my ass down in my chair and wasted my whole day doing the same crap that I did the past 3 years. Kill creatures, get experience, raise another level, big deal.

Buckwheet, I'm happy for you. And I'm happy for Scintillion. And I'm happy for anyone who has the balls to leave. I've seen the effects this game has on people. I've seen the effects it has had on me. It's an addiction. It's an escape from reality. And it's not really worth it. You spend so much worthless pointless time that you could be spent doing stuff so much more productive. I've seen many people try to leave... they start deeding themselves.. but they can't do it. They can't see a character they spent over 1000 hours on just go away. It's like spending a year painting a picture, then setting it on fire. That's really hard to do.

So what is my point? I don't really have one. The reason for my post is more to remind people of what they are doing. And to remind me of what I’m doing. That we are wasting our lives playing a game that all you do is stare at words for hours on end. Wouldn’t you all want to go outside and make friends and go boating or fishing or play some sports or learn something or spend more time with your friends and family, rather then sitting down here ignoring everyone wasting your time? I know I would. And the thing that pisses me off is I know that I'll be playing again tomorrow. And if not tomorrow, the day after. I want to leave.. and I will.. but I just can't bring myself to do it just yet. I hope that some day me.. and everyone else that wastes all their time.. will leave and be free of this void in our lives.

Again, Buckwheet. Congratulations. Enjoy the rest of your life.

Player of Icedraggon/Drakedragon reg

Canceled my Plat. One account. Getting ready to cancel my second account next week and only have one left.

But who cares about Revenues.

edge reg

quote:

---

Your brother was in dire need of help, was trying to straighten out his life, and just because he got a game you play temporarily canceled, you threw him out of your house.

---

I'm sorry, i just have to respond to this.

You act as though Buck was wrong to throw him out of his house. All Buck did was try to help this guy out, give him a place to stay, help him get his life back on track. How does this guy repay him? By breaking his trust, the person who is trying to help him.

I don't care if he caught him stealing cookies from the cookie jar, the point is he is betraying the one person trying to help him. If he readily betrays family who is trying to help him, what does that say about him "just trying to straighten his life out" ?

Buck had every right to kick him out. Besides, what he did is pretty serious anyway. He gained access to bucks computer without his premission. Bucks lucky all he did was play a computer game. Imagine what you have cached on your computer? Passwords to email, banking, credit cards? Even if he just had bucks email address, he can use that to get a bunch of other passwords. And lets remember, as his brother was hacking into bucks system while he slept, the players corner server was sitting right by his side.

If buck didnt catch him with this, what would be next? Joyriding in his car while he's away? Getting it in a wreck while drunk again? God forbid, killing someone with bucks car...

maybe thats a slippery slope fallacy, but i wouldnt bank on it.

'lood
reg

I severely hope it doesn't ever happen, Buck is a great member of the GS community, but if it does, as always, the world does go on...

'lood
besides , can't be hoggin my future neverwinter server bandwidth... reg

I don't feel that I "wasted" time in Gemstone. I regret playing for the simple reason that it has caused me a lot of grief.

Kelood, you mentioned a joyride little do you know how close to the truth you are. Folks, he didn't just hack into my computer and play a game. He also did other things while we were away, but the one that carried the most impact was of course hacking into my computer and tainting something I do as a hobby. I don't just sit around playing all day I do do other things, one of the main ones is this message board.

Do you want to know something? I think lots of people here who are "cheering" me for leaving have it backwards. They should be upset that someone so dedicated to this game can get hurt enough that they want to leave. They should be upset that this could be them someday.

So you can moan and groan, however there are a few things Simutronics can do to make me trust them again.

I have forwarded my post on to Melissa incase she doesn't read these boards. I will have to see what transpires.

Do I think I am addicted to this game? I don't think so. What makes me want to come back so bad? Well when I know I can sit down and play whenever I want I don't sit there and play all day. However when the ability to play is taken away, there are those moments in my day where I really wish I could play for just the next 30-45 minutes. So stack all those 30-45 minutes up during the 60 day lockout and you get a little bit of anticipation.

I am not saying everyone should quit. I think people should enjoy playing. This is not me standing on a soap box calling David the devil and calling Simu a bunch of morons. In fact I almost feel bad for yelling at lockout. Almost.

All I wanted was to come back and being enjoying my time and put this behind me.

Buckwheet reg

I know you really didn't ask for replies on this -- part of therapy is 'letting it all out', so I understand your need to vent.

One of the reasons that I'm such a supporter of the Staff and Simu in general (no, that doesn't mean they are perfect) is that I was basically in the same type of business for many years and see 'customers' from their perspective.

What I'm asking you to do is take a deep breath and try to see why Simu MUST stick to their guns. Think of it as a teacher would. How many times has that teacher heard, 'the dog ate my homework'?. So many times, that it's now a joke. What happens to the student that got a new puppy and the lil monster really DID rip to shreds that paper - due tomorrow. (I've had that happen.. never get into showing dogs WHILE trying to finish college!)

This ties in with the other post of why Simu doesn't wipe a 'warning history' clean simply because the character changes hands. Simu has no way of proving WHO is sitting behind that computer. You, the customer have no way of proving that it WASN'T YOU sitting behind that computer.

It's the old 'dog ate my homework' thing. What happens when those real, true lockout trouble makers say - 'but it wasn't me, I was hacked!' only lessens the cases of the real situations - like yours - and forces Simu to turn a deaf ear to it.

I'm sorry to say, but you only have those players that swap passwords and play each other's characters and then scream 'hacked!' to thank for your situation and Simu's very hard-nosed policy against letting them back in the game.

They've (Simu) heard it a million times. Yes, it's very hard not to take their 'cold' attitude towards it personally, but you've got to keep in mind.. it's not personally aimed at you. I know, that's easier to say than do. At this point, it really does seem that Simu is giving you PERSONALLY the cold shoulder. They honestly aren't. The only thing Simu can do, is to point out their policy -- this one in particular seems to be very black and white out of necessity. It doesn't mean they are taking you for an idiot. What it does mean that, by no fault of YOURS, this 'hacking' case is probably the 100th one they've heard that day.

Step back a bit, hon, and take a few deep breaths.

Uh huh, here comes the mother part of Siara that hates to see anyone in pain. reg

However I would like to add this to the discussion. The actions of your character (even though he was controlled at the time by your brother) were most likely witnessed by many other players in the land. These action(s) were clearly to the extent that those viewing it would most likely expect the character to be locked out. As such, any stance from Simutronics (other than full disciplinary action) may have been viewed as favoritism by those players, sealing your characters fate. This policy decision is obviously hard on you, because you did nothing wrong, but the account had to be locked out due to the actions of the character (not the soul). As I said, a no win situation, for all involved.

Now comes the question of continued support of a Simutronics product. I would think the true question here is whether you can enjoy yourself any longer while visiting Elanthia. The situation in and of itself, in my opinion, is an aberration which will never occur again, as such should be forgotten (however, I know it is hard to forget once we feel wronged). If the answer is “No, I will never be able to enjoy myself in the lands”, then I would agree that your time playing Gemstone has most likely come to an end. If the answer is “Yes”, then I would highly recommend not canceling your account, merely take a break to let your hurt feelings sooth, then continue on with your character knowing this type situation will never occur again. Either way, I would hope you wait until emotion has been removed from the equation, before answering this question.

These are just my thoughts, and I hope you understand that this post is in no way meant to diminish your anger or your hurt feelings, because to be honest, I am sure I would feel the exact same way, were I in your position.
reg

I think that your dream has become a reality. This is a community, and it is growing everyday. It is where it is today because of your dream and your leadership. It was your dream that people could come to this community and feel safe about posting what was on their mind. This has happened. Even the GS staff feel safe enough to come here and post. This is the main reason why I came to these boards. I have posted on the official boards, and felt shut down. I have posted on other unofficial boards, but it just did not feel right. It feels right here.

I have a very close and dear friend who was locked out of Gemstones for the sale of her house and its one of a kind altered wall hanging. She is not really knowledgeable about game mechanics, and didn't know it could have been a bug when the house sale resulted in a large amount of coins. I posted on the official boards, and got nowhere. I wrote to Simutronics, and got no replies until I was hounding them day and night. And still, no results.

As a sign of protest, I have not played the game and refuse to play it until all of this is cleared up. It is my belief that I pay to play Gemstones as a form of entertainment. If a company is doing things that I believe are wrong, and if I don't like the way that they are treating their customers, and I continue to send them money, I am in effect saying that I approve of the way that they are doing things, and my money is telling them that I wans to be kicked to the curb or to be treated badly. I am a firm believer it talking with my wallet.

I am almost certain that after her problems with Simutronics is cleared up that I will simply go into the game and get rid of my stuff, and close out my accounts. I realize that I will only be one voice in the night, but if there are enough voices, Simutronics will be forced to hear, or go away in the night from lack of customers.

My friend has asked of me, "If you are going to close your account, why did you become a moderator on this board." My thoughts are that I have played Gemstones for a number of years now. I have the knowledge I know the history. I have an understanding of how the game is played. Being a moderator is more liken to being a host to the guest that visit this board. My job is to be an ambassador to people who visit us. If I don't know the answer, it is my job to try to find someone who can help. It is my job to make our guest feel welcomed and to make them feel like they will want to return. I think that we have great ambassadors here, and it is one reason why people are leaving the other boards and coming to this one. The tone of a board is set at the top.

Buckwheet, I see in you a great leader on these boards. I see your ideas and they all seem to point to the idea that you want to develop a community here. Look at your ideas - like the one about interviewing and getting to know GM's. You would think that Gemstones would be out there promoting that idea. But I don't see that on their boards. And it is in the interest of their business to do so.

Buckwheet, I wish you all the best in whatever you decide to do. I hope that you will continue to lead this board, and I am fully confident that even if you decided not to play Gemstones anymore, and are not active in the game, you will still be able to lead this board just as you have been doing. I firmly believe that you don't need to play to game in order to be effective on the boards.

I believe that I can speak for everyone here that we all also believe in your dream as it is also one of our dreams. If we did not, we would not be here.

Sorry for the long speech folks. You know how us cookie bakers are.

Gandmor reg

I have a brother like yours. I know what that's like. I've paid many prices for trying to help him through the years. What you've told us here brings those hard times back, and the tears that went with them. I also know how difficult it was for you to bare your soul in this way. Cathartic? Yes. Easy? No.

I've been reading these boards for several weeks now...admittedly, with one eyebrow raised. ;-) I've been amazed how far you've come toward making this the forum it should be; a forum where issues of merit may be discussed in an open, sometimes controversial way. From where you began, you've come a long way, baby!

I'll not advise you. That's not my place. I'll not criticize you. That's CERTAINLY not my place. I can empathize, but beyond that, I can say or do nothing to change your mind.

I can only hope that you'll give your emotions time to defuse, and your heart time to heal, before making a decision with regard to your future in Elanthia. You're wounded, sugar. Pain is not a good adjunct to decision making.

Whatever you decide to do, I wish you love and laughter, happiness and health, and a strong wind at your back.

Ryshan's albatross

reg

Icedraggon, thank you for writing the posts that I would have wrote. You think exactly the way I do. I quit last January feeling ever way you did. I found myself addicted and would wake up in the morning at 6 just so I could get 4 hours in before school and work. I would only sleep maybe 5 hours at the most just because I needed to play. Once my character got older and I felt like I was just wasting time I decided to just let it go. I started realizing all the things I could do instead of sitting in front of my computer wasting my life away. I just turned 20 on August 4th, and in a sense was kind of depressed. A football coach of mine died on the same day of my birthday and he was only 45. Looking and thinking about it more, have of my life could be over. Who knows you could drop anyday. He was one of the most healthiest people I knew. Yet I look at my life, I smoke out of a pipe which I have become addicted to, and I use to be an alcoholic. I use to drink all day and play Gemstones in the mean time. Not to mention smoking marijuana all in there does not help the situation I have put myself in. In other words Gemstones, drinking, and smoking were all very horrible addictions I have for several years now and I am glad that two thirds of them I am through. Those years that have been wasted doing these things I will never get back and also have affected my future in a sense. It seems like I have done nothing but just waste my life doing absolutely all the negative things I could do. And now I regret it so much. I guess in a sense thats why I read alot now a days quite a bit because I feel at least by doing that I might be able to make myself a tad bit more intelligent and maybe someday I will make myself worth something to someone else before I die.

Do not feel sorry for me at all. I have chosen my paths and maybe these thoughts will help someone else choose theirs.

Also Buckwheet, I appreciate what you have done here and I do enjoy it. Your descision on whatever you do. I would not slam you in anyway about anything you would do. What you have done I am quite satisfied with it.

Lord Deprav
"F*** it Dude, lets go bowling." Walter reg

*sighs* Everything has been said, and I shall not add my opinion. Buckwheet, Chris, if ever you need to talk I am here, you know how to reach me.

*groans* this has been such a depressing week.

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

Your post was rather depressing to me, since I myself will have to shortly be requesting re-admittance into the game.

For some reason it seems to me that you have to make your request while shaving and balancing on a beach ball in a pit of lions.

I wonder what I'll have to do when my lockout ends.

By the good grace of the Gms I was allowed to come back, after having been chosen to be permanently banned from the product. I was told that this mostly had to do with my apology to all involved.

I've not yet spoken of what happened to such an extent that people know more than the basics.

I'll be glad to let you all know what happened, I'm not above telling how I did the dumbest thing in my GemStone life.

-Morandas reg

As you can see above I personally have issues with the Simutronics form of customer service. However I have come here to report on a event which I find a monumental event even if it is only a small victory for myself. I view this as a small victory for other players as well.

As you know from my previous post I was unhappy and fully prepared to quit my hobby of playing Gemstone. I was almost ready to throw in the towel on these boards because I was so disgusted. I slept on it over night on the recomendation of someone who I can now say I am glad to be friends with. She knows who she is.

I woke up this morning and my mood had not changed one bit. I sat down and my keyboard to write a letter to the one person I thought I would never hear from again. That my e-mail would disappear into the void and nothing that could be done to help me would even be considered.

I couldn't fathom the words that I would write to Simu-Melissa so I wrote a small note saying I will let my post on my message board speak for its self. I attached the post and asked her to get back to me.

Her response started out in the typical fasion and imediatley I knew she was stone walling, however as I read on I nearly cursed myself for being so quick to judge.

This set of wording included in her e-mail back to me shocked me.
=====================
As you can see, there are very good reasons for our procedures and policies. You can also imagine that everyone who finds themselves in a lockout situation would like to be an exception to our rule. However, to make an exception would not be fair to our other customers. Our intention is to be as fair as possible to all of our customers. I do not believe that making an exception for you at this time would be fair.

We will be happy to review our procedures in order to potentially modify them for the future. However, by the time those issues are resolved, your lockout term (which ends this Monday) will be over.

I hope this helps to answer some of your questions and concerns.

Sincerely,

Melissa Callaway
Producer, GemStone III
======================
She responded saying she looked into it, decided there would be no expception and didn't dance or skirt around the issue. I got a straight answer. I was shocked and amazed. She even said she would "review their policy's". I almost stopped breathing. Had my situation caused them to actually review their customer service on some level?

I wrote back to her as fast as I could trying to clarify what it was that was happening. The second line in her e-mail to me caght my attention, and I nearly jumped for joy I was so elated that I, yes me a single customer, had made an impact on the way Simutronics deals with customers.
=====================
>> What I am complaining about was the fact that it was not made clear to me I would be locked out for more then 60 days. <<

The notification did say AT LEAST 60 days. However, I will ask the lockout department to further clarify that in future notification emails. You are correct that this should be explicitly detailed in order to avoid confusion.
===================
There you go folks. I got what I wanted. They acknowledged that there was indeed a problem and they are willing to take the steps to fix it.

Then I read her next statement while I almost jumped for joy again, I felt bad because she was now apologizing to me. Melissa I am sorry you had to be the one, however I don't think you had any idea how much weight your words meant to me.
===========
>> All I wanted was to be treated in a non-lecture like manner, not talked down to. Not treated like a child. <<

I did not get this same feeling from the emails you sent me. However, I can not debate the emotional reactions which you had to the lockout departments emails. No one should feel that they are treated poorly. I am very sorry you were made to feel that way.
==============

Thats it folks. Simutronics got my letters they read that all I wanted was some recognition that I was very unhappy and they stepped up to the plate and nailed the home run.

What does this mean for the Player's Corner? It can only mean continued improvement of Customer to Simu relations and that we can only move forward from here on out. My faith has been nearly fully restored in how they treat people, and I am glad they did what they did. I can't speak for everyone, but Simu didn't leave me hanging out to dry.

If you agree or not, this is what transpired today, and for that I am grateful. I look forward to being able to play Gemstone again next week.

I want to send a public message to the people who helped me out. I would like to send my deepest thanks to Andraste, David, and Melissa for doing what they did to help me. I would also like to thank everyone here at the Player's Corner. For those of you who sent me letters I had tears ready to fall because of the kind and magnificent words you had about me. Manodith you brought those back through IM's as did Siara and other who posted. I don't know most of you personally, but I am glad I can call you a friend.

I am going to leave this thread up because I think it is important to hear my story and that people can see that Siara and NOI are and have provided information regarding Simu that we shouldn't just turn a blind eye to.

Enough of this rambling. I am elated.

Buckwheet reg

and also

Hey David or any other high up simu staff reading this I just wanted to say that 90% of people would say your service was better if you provided a phone # to call to speak with someone about more then just billing such as lockouts etc. E mail is a very impersonal thing which is the idea you guys have. You want them to be cold and uncaring this is wrong. Some sort of # you could call would make more of a differance then I think anything else in the whole world. If you could reply and say why you guys never did this or if you could ever do it I would be very thankful its been a question on my mind for years.

Mano

[This message has been edited by Manodith (edited 08-18-2001).] reg

I personally found those letters from feedback to be a little terse. I probably would have had the same reaction as you had I been in that situation.

I'm very glad that Melissa looked in to it for you. Though I hear people say horrible things about her at times, I think she is working her hardest to make this game better and improve the customer service.

NOI

[This message has been edited by NoOneImportant (edited 08-18-2001).] reg

I think the reason she answered so fast and at all. Is mainly due to David and Andraste.

Sorry for the lack of faith. But it's been gone for many years now.

edge reg

An'... an'.. I'm even gonna ignore the 'old lady' comment! reg

Andraste is a GM, not someone who has a lot of power over Melissa and the on-site GMs who handle lockouts. And David was out of town for the past week. reg

I, for one, was impressed with Melissa's thoughtful response. I'm so glad the result of her effort is as it is.

Ryshan's albatross

Ryshan's albatross reg

quote:

---

Originally posted by edge:
Canceled my Plat.

edge

---

Yay!
reg

edge reg

Also just want to appologize is my post offended everyone. I am kinda of a depressed person and I think getting some of those feelings out kind of helped my situation. Plus I wanted two individuals to read it and think about some things. Unfortuanately I do not think it helped in anyway, shape or form which does sadden me.

Also just would like to say "Hi Nindy's Mom".

Former Skarrs Delives. reg

I'll just let them answer for themselves then.

reg

-- David reg

I think that Buckwheet's case is a good example of someone who is trying to work within the guidelines set up by Simutronics, and yet gets nailed by flaws therein.

Taking a moment to add specifics to that form letter, and citing exactly what is wrong, what is needed to rectify the situation and dates would help immensely.

As with others who have posted that they had posts pulled and were sent form letters stating read policy, without citing examples, only leads to confusion and alienation rather than helping people to see what exactly it was they did wrong and how they can change their behavor.

I agree that having a phone number to be able to call and speak with someone about such issues can only help. When I have a problem, I don't want emails which take time and are open to interpretation of the written word. I'd rather be able to speak to someone and know exactly what was done and how it can be fixed.

Better customer relations means your customers will stick around. Word of mouth is an effective advertising tool which cannot be underestimated.

Aerienne reg

-- David
reg

Rysh reg

Why after many requests for a #, have you denied it? I mean. Billing isn't toll free. So you are out of pocket nothing to talk and hear out the whole more defined reason for what happened. Screw the records. This is only a game. Which WE, the players have made part of our life.

You are the OWNER. Make it a better place for all. I love Gemstone. But the faith is almost all gone.

edge

reg

I commend Buckwheet for keeping his head and not letting his disappointment get the better of him and work against him.

See you 'round the neighborhood, Bucky!

--A. reg

Clear communication has always been a problem for your company, and this dates back to 1992 when I joined up. Hell to be quite blunt, I used to prefer to read Kesmai's bb's at the time because they were more forth coming in speaking to customers and sharing information in general.

In the long run Kesmai/Kelton Flynn etc let most of us down, and we turned to SIMU fully instead of part time. That said its always been an iffy thing dealing with staff in a customer service aspect.

I can share a few emails from your bb monitors for example where I flat out ask what part of a post I was doing was disruptive and or flamelike? Let me know so I can remove that aspect.

The responses I got if any were "Read the email..One thing I've never fallen short of David, is comprehension. I can read and understand what I am reading quite well.

I'd re-read these emails and they were canned replies that basically were cut and pastes of a standard form reply.

And if I questioned this I again was told that it was in the email. Vague? You bet and damn well frustrating. How did I get banned from your bbs? I finally had enough when the bb monitors wouldn't answer my questions in email or posts and grew frivalous and posted as quickly as they pulled the posts. At first changing the way the posts were being
made and after awhile just doing silly posts.

I fully expected to get banned, and honestly nolonger cared. SIMU's staff wouldn't come clear, dodged my question and or pulled the posts. And wouldn't explain why they pulled the posts that were clearly stated questions. My opinion to be quite blunt was the "The hell with SIMU" Their inconstant and couldn't pour a clear cup of water to save their life.

Do I still have fun with your game? Yes. Do I enjoy how staff incorporates policy on the bbs and in the game? Over all no.

I even started posting on my second account which flat out is "Celtar" by name til they banned that as well. Though I was amused by the tone of the email I got from your GM incharge of banning, he alluded that I was being sneaky. Nope I was right out there with the account name as Celtar. <chuckle>

Posting is a privledge David? I don't agree its how you as a company can get feedback from your customers. I call it an ability and one that I nolonger have nor do I care if I ever get it back. I won't beg GM Daecir or what ever that Banning GM's name is for this ability back. You in the end lose out, not I. You lose the feed back of a player of nine years of your product.

Clearing up how to invoke policy, speak to your customers and listen to your customers would help your customer base.

Jim/Celtar reg

quote:

---

Originally posted by Celtar:
David I think that you indeed might want to stop and take a closer look at various aspects of how Customer service is handled by your Staff.

Clearing up how to invoke policy, speak to your customers and listen to your customers would help your customer base.

Jim/Celtar

---

I agree with most of what Celtar said in his last post in this thread. There have been so many times in the last 6 months, the last two months especially, that I've spent the time writing out responses, suggestions and offering of ideas only to click cancel instead of send. Just in the last 24 hours I've written 3 responses to this thread alone only to say to myself, 'what the heck, no one at the company really cares to hear what I have to say' and have canceled the post. I feel that discussion with the company called Simutronics has been systematically discouraged and the customers are left with a take it or leave it situation. Many are fed up, not taking it and are leaving.

In an effort to deflect the accusations of favoritism, Simutronics has turned to a mechanized, strictly macrotized and formatted communication with their customers. It has backfired and does not foster an exchange of information and ideas. Someone correctly said the game masters have become baby-sitters. I have been saying on the boards for many years that the game masters and board monitors need to stop being cops and become more like coaches. The 'guilty until proven innocent' cop mentality is driving people away.

I miss the old game where game masters were the catalysts for enriched roleplaying of storyline experiences rather then cops monitoring the game for rule breakers. Today's form of roleplay enrichment is limited to merchanting superficial costuming to cover up the lack of character development.

It's difficult to place all the blame at the feet of Simutronics and the game masters. We, the players play a big role in the change of atmosphere in today's game. Standards of conduct and policies have fallen to the lowest common denominator rather then the high expectations we once had. We players have contributed to the disappearance of the dynamic roleplaying game we once had and have turned it into yet another static off-the-shelf CD type game that you play until you win then abandon. It's a different type of customer that is being attracted/retained to this game these days. Players exploit rather then experience what the game has to offer. We've made it nearly impossible for the game masters to be anything but cops. Is this what we want?

I'd love to see a task force of players, game masters and in-house Simutronics staff develop some standards of expectations and conduct for players, game masters and Simutronics. Maybe this experience of Buckwheet's can be the catalyst that leads to discussion of such on these boards and spawns such a task force. We all need to explore rather then defend if we want this game to survive.

~Sayrena
reg

I might have to look into this.

Buckwheet reg

edge

ps Celtar. I myself have not even bothered to try and get my BB privy back. Daecir is to anal for me. reg

Aye Edge, I won't beg Daecir for my ability to post back. At the end of September he can restor it if he so chooses, but I will not beg. I don't feel its a prevledge that he and SIMU do. I feel its an ability for getting feedback from the players.

I've watched the bbs change alot in the last
nine years and I've yet to say that I like what I see in that regard. ;/

Jim reg

I'm thrilled that it worked out for you. We're a stronger community because you're a part of it. I'm sorry about your brother. I'm sure it's a constant heartache dealing with a situation like that, and I'm grateful that it's a burden I don't have to bear. I'm not sure I'd be strong enough to do it as gracefully as you seem to have done.

Regarding the whole customer service issue - I can't imagine what a nightmare it would be to administer an 800 number assist line for game issues.

Let me speak from my own history. My first few years here were NOT all sweetness and light. I was extremely unhappy in my personal life and had a tendency to carry it into GS. My assists and consultations (yes, there's more than one warning in my long and varied career, Virginia) were probably quite unpleasant for the staff.

I'd like to think that I'm a good example that people can change...or grow up...or get over it, whatever their personal IT is. I think phone intervention is probably a very bad idea, because I've done the rants, I've had friends who have done the rants, and who needs to deal with that over the phone? Gets expensive.

On the other hand, it seems as if there should be a better way to deal with the entire discipline/lockout sitation than form e-mails. How you get there without it resembling game psychotherapy, I'm not sure.

Ylena
(sees this issue from both perspectives, and it's tough on both sides) reg

I don't know where I said that serious roleplay means that a GM run character must be involved.

Some of the best roleplay I've ever been involved in was 100% player run, much of it through the Coven a few years back.

It's out there. You just have to get involved with people who want to RP.

-NOI reg

Though even if the house was only women, who cares?! There's lots of other houses to choose from, why does it get your shorts in a bunch some might only allow in a certain kind of person? I wish more houses were allowed to have more narrow restrictions. I think the house system would be better off.

But it's like Siara was saying, Simu just tries to pander to everyone, the lowest common denominator. Then you have all these things that don't work, are screwed up or don't make sense just because ya gotta let everyone in. Not everyone deserves to be in.

I never understood why other guys get so pissed off about women only groups in the game anyway. Lots of those characters are played by men, so it's not like they keep out players who are guys. And nothing's stopping guys from making their own groups too. But instead of making groups a lot of the guys just seem to like to bitch and complain about the women's groups. I think it's more people like to bitch about stuff than they really give a crap.

Snook

BTW, this is my online handle. I saw there was some dude in the game the other day named Snook. That's not me.

[This message has been edited by Buckwheet (edited 08-21-2001).] reg

Here goes again.

Perhaps “GM Abuse” is not necessarily the correct anomaly for some of these situations.

I recall the time when a GM would get irritated at a player and they would have a sudden swarm of nasty critters coming at them. Now, that definitely makes you think twice, but it does NOT alienate the player. (i.e. dark orcs, I’m sure a lot of you remember things before the web, that happened in there when GM’s were annoyed.)

The recent trend is NOT to role play the situation as a GM, it is NOT to speak to the player reasonably, it is NOT to explain what may or may not be compromised, it is simply to remove the player from the game and NOT to speak to the player at all. Removing - being a couple of days to several months or permanently.

I noticed this several years ago when a player decided to let loose an unfocused maelstrom in the dropping point to spectral miners. Several people were killed, and I among others were injured when we dropped. The players (including myself) made a big uproar. The person was immediately yanked to the lounge. I thought this very appropriate. But……they left him there for days and days and days and days. That is NOT appropriate. I felt absolutely horrible about even being IN the situation after that…and I was one of the victims.

Perhaps punishments should consist of half your deeds, or half your in-game finances. Wouldn’t that be a better deterrent? Instead of losing customers? Of course, Gemstone will not consider this because…. <insert your reason here.>

It boils down to this. You have three types of customers:

1) The ones that are curious and will take a look around, but probably will not stay for an extended period.
2) The ones that will most likely stay and pay for extended amounts of time, but don’t involve themselves that much and will leave if things get disappointing.
3) The die-hards..no matter what you do, you can’t get rid of them. (Rather like the Energizer Bunny.)

Out of these three sets of customers, the middle one is your most likely source of revenue. I, of course, have no clue to which clientele Gemstone is catering towards, but it doesn’t seem to be landing in the middle ground.

I have seen many people leave the lands over the last several years. I was one of the people that tried to encourage people to come back in those days. I truly thought it was a phase and that it would end soon. It sadly did not.

I no longer play, nor does my husband. I will answer the most obvious questions that I see brought up frequently.

Why are you posting here if you don’t play anymore?

‘It’s quite an evil thing, I really enjoy seeing players treated the way I was, so that I can say - I told you so.’

If you are still posting here does that mean you are still addicted?

‘I used to be addicted..if that is the word for it..either my husband or I would yell ‘MERCHANT’ and off the kids went to the grandparents for the weekend. I do have an attachment to my characters that I had, but that fondness is scarred by the unpleasant experiences with the staff.’

If you were given a free account and could have all your characters back, would you play again?

‘Unconditionally, NO!’

So why are you posting on these boards?

‘I feel that Buckwheet has developed something here that is very good. There is no censorship in area of opinions. I would have said this a long time ago during things that happened in the game, but we all know about the friendly GS board monitors. I have a lot of animosity (yep, I admit it) towards things that are just plain WRONG in the game.’

Obviously you must be one of those ‘bad’ people that needed to be removed and were hurting the game, how many warnings did you have on your account?

‘Let’s see (counts on fingers)….uhhhmm…one. Arguing with a GM who was giving me scrolling sends…two and a half years ago, January of 99 to be exact.’

That can’t be all you’ve done, something must be wrong with you, what would that be?

‘I don’t take things. I just don’t take them. Particularly if I’m paying for them. Simple enough.’

I’ve heard lots of rumors about all the people that have said Simutronics did something to them, but what is your proof?

‘The proof is I quit. My husband quit. Our friends quit. I have lots of Simutronics e-mail, etc. But it really doesn’t make a difference does it? No matter what proof you have, it always comes down to your word against their word and who will believe who.’

Enough said.

Iciss

P.S. Oh, by the way, you know those pesky little hackers that players seem to have recently. Some of you good guys check out where those IP addresses are registering from and also check out what kind of system they are using…it will lessen the suspect list down severely if you look. Amazing what you might find, also.

reg

The COVEN is for women only. Moonstone Abbey is open to both genders.

And if you're so hell bent on making an all-male group/house ... GO FOR IT. reg

If you have specific GM complaints or rants to make please find or create a suitable topic.

Any further off topic posts will be removed or moved.

Buckwheet reg

I warned everyone to stay on topic. These posts have nothing to do with me or my situation or the fact Simu decided to shed some light on my situation.

Manodith we need to talk.

Siara please keep in mind that under the TOS of this board it is at the discretion of the admins to decide what is and what is not going to be allowed. At this time I see no reason to allow a post poking fun at your group only to allow said group to come back and inflame the situation.

If this hurts your feelings I am sorry.

Whats done is done, just leave it alone.

Buckwheet

PS. I would love if your sisters/members would post here. I think they have valuable information to add to this community. reg

It doesn't hurt my feelings at all. Your boards after all. He only proves my points in all the posts I make here countering what has been posted by your MODERATORS.

When accusations are made, by one of your board moderators, you had better be prepaired to hear from those so accused.

That you have pulled and editied my posts and those of my Coven sisters, well.. there goes my thoughts of these boards not having a slight lean to them. reg

As for these boards having a slight lean?

I think that had I been here sooner the post would have been pulled and no responses allowed to be given. I agree with you though that his post was not one I want to see on my boards. Your responses however were going to make a bad situation worse. It was nothing against you or your sisters. It was done to protect the credibility of the boards.

You may have recalled the Titaniia incident. After someone posted accusations about her several people came here and posted in her defense. They flooded the boards at first with great intelligent posts. However this caused more and more people to come here and respond it eventually degradded in to a mud flinging contest and I had to remove the entire thread. I don't think you or your coven sisters would start this, I think someone else who has bad opinions about you would and then it would just go on and on.

Now, if you feel there were any injustices in my call by all means drop me a note.

Buckwheet reg

The topic is: Buckwheet comes clean.

My response - I hope he used a deodorant soap.

Have a freaking wunnerful day.
reg

quote:

---

Originally posted by Buckwheet:
Please note that I pulled Manodith's first post as well. I will be talking to him in private because he did start this whole situation.

As for these boards having a slight lean?

I think that had I been here sooner the post would have been pulled and no responses allowed to be given. I agree with you though that his post was not one I want to see on my boards. Your responses however were going to make a bad situation worse. It was nothing against you or your sisters. It was done to protect the credibility of the boards.

You may have recalled the Titaniia incident. After someone posted accusations about her several people came here and posted in her defense. They flooded the boards at first with great intelligent posts. However this caused more and more people to come here and respond it eventually degradded in to a mud flinging contest and I had to remove the entire thread. I don't think you or your coven sisters would start this, I think someone else who has bad opinions about you would and then it would just go on and on.

Now, if you feel there were any injustices in my call by all means drop me a note.

Buckwheet

---

Just a side note Buckwheet...

Your boards are wonderful...more and more people are coming here everyday.

The thing everyone here needs to face is the fact that not everyone is here to make you feel good about yourself. You can't expect everyone to listen to your comment as the bottom line. It just doesn't work that way.

And that goes for the other side of the argument as well. The people making rash comments about other people need to give it up. Not everyone is as strong-willed (there's a better word, but it involves some editing) as you are.

.

Another note. Buckwheet...wonderful boards...I'm trying to change my verbal attack mode and just try and make some intelligent posts. As I'm not allowed to read the moderator boards, have the moderators of each board been looked into, etc.? Manodith running the Gemstone Concerns folder really scares me deeply. I notice Dantrotic's gone. It's just strange...some people put in no effort. Then you have 'lood, Kranar, and yourself editing, checking the boards all the time.

Sorry if that's an attack...but it's not meant to be.

For once Siara, I'm on your side. A moderator pulling posts, making attacks on correspondents and representatives is not acceptable. GM's pulling players posts for no reason and making attacks on players is not acceptable (it hasn't really happened when i see it)

Stop tyranny...

Increase openness...

Thanks. reg

Siara, I think that Buckwheet was just trying to keep the thread on topic. I suggest you start a thread "Women Only", or something relating to The Covern, and discuss the issue of restricted houses there. I'm sure you and your sisters would be welcome to post there as long as the comments and responses stay half-way civil.

Oh, and just to try to stay on topic....I hope things are working out for you, Buckwheet!

Summer

------------------
"No Shame In My Game" reg

Unfortunately what happens when posts are pulled, as in this case, those that missed the 'first' post are then trying to fill in the blanks.

This wasn't a simple matter of me, or and other Coven member, trying to begin a 'Coven' Thread.

This was the case of a Moderator of these boards, not just stating his 'objections' to a particular group of players, but doing so in what has become the normal fashion -- false, inaccurate, slanderous and even vulgar statements.

I applaud your effort here, Buckwheet and I too have toned down my biting remarks in an attempt to have those of us from opposite sides of the fence, at least 'try' to share our opinions. I will say tho, your boards here are only as good as the MODERATORS that are supposed to control the atmosphere and tone of the posts. Right now, you've got a problem with a couple of your moderators.

Had this come from another 'just a poster', the statements made would have been bad enough. This was from a MODERATOR.

You want these boards to have integrity? Start with having MODERATORS that aren't going to -- piss off -- roughly 125 players of this game.

I fully expect to see this post either pulled or edited. reg

I think we've earned it. reg

I pulled the post because he was a mod.

I pulled the post because it was a flame war waiting to errupt.

I pulled the post because they way it was worded has no place on my boards.

I pulled the post because I felt it was slanderous towards the coven and its members.

Notice in all these statement...I said I I I I I I I....It was ME.

All Manodith did was post his feelings in a manner a mod shouldn't do. He is/was human last I checked so he will be talked to and I will deal with that.

But lets just let it go people. Mandoith made a mistake. If I had left up the posts it had a good chance to degrade into a flame fest, and people would be upset.

I took them down and people are upset. So Siara please, tell me what you would have done, because to be honest this board is only as good as it posters, including mods who post.

I still am failing to see why removing a post that upset you and other members created such a big uproar.

Buckwheet reg

quote:

---

Originally posted by kelood:
and i fully expect each and every poster to give us a little more credit than that.

I think we've earned it.

---

Yes...we give you all an enormous amount of credit 'lood. As I posted in another folder exactly how much I've appreciated everything you all have done for me.

However...that was just an observation about Manodith. Why choose a Mod that is never around to begin with? A Mod that has been guilty of so many different strange things that the list goes on and on and on.

It's a question. Not a statement. If you all have your reasons...I greatly accept them. Please don't turn my words around and say that I don't give you all credit. reg

quote:

---

Originally posted by Siara:

I fully expect to see this post either pulled or edited.

---

This was what i was replying too.

I figured since i used the same begining words (I fully expect...) that no quoting was neccesary.

'lood
figured wrong...
reg

It can't. Wow this blows my mind. Sticking up for characters that don't exist in a totally ficticious organization.

Oh Siara since I am too lazy to make multiple posts now. I said if the person who is using this name GS3Aura is sending you email from a hotmail account then I wouldn't believe it. Anyone can make up a name and send email. I repeat. I did not ever send email to you nor know what reason why I would. I don't even know your email. I made up this name because it sounded like Gemstone 3 for short and Aura is representative of magic. Pretty common stuff here.

And that goes to anyone else who says I have sent them email. Wrong answer.
reg

quote:

---

Originally posted by kelood:

This was what i was replying too.

I figured since i used the same begining words (I fully expect...) that no quoting was neccesary.

'lood
figured wrong...

---

Apologies 'lood. Had no idea (lil' tired here)

reg

Be it a lil tired from lack of sleep, or maybe a little upset from a bad couple of days, we're all human.

Whether it be misreading a post or posting something that we might regret later, no big deal...

'lood

reg

Sounds like you're getting a small taste of what it's like to be a GM.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't. reg

edge reg

quote:

---

Originally posted by edge:
Nothing like a GM. Think about that statement again.

edge

---

Mind explaining that for us clueless types out here? reg

GMs have to make certain decisions. Usually they get blasted no matter WHAT they do. So, that sounds kinda like the feedback Buckwheet is getting now.

I never once said it was EXACTLY like being a GM. I said he's getting a small taste of what it's like.

Care to explain your comment now edge?
reg

Simutronics would hae pulled the posts gave all warnings and banned you from their boards. He didn't.

If you can't figure out that Buckwheat is nothing like a Simutronics employee... Then you have a problem. He is nothing like a GM or he would not have these boards in the first place. He would not try and explain and be civil to everyone.

God, I can see that. Why can't you?

edge reg

Asmodea Drey'Haus reg

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

You can say somebody is like something, without them BEING something.

Humans are like whales in that they breathe oxygen. Is that implying that humans are whales? No.

'lood
simma down now!
i said simma down now!

reg

Hmm..
reg

I think being a GM would be awesome!

As they say... when there is nothing left in the game for you to do, be a GM and someday I hope to do that myself.

- Lord Kranar, human Archwizard reg

Now they are posting on the boards. I will not attach my lips to their arses like some have done.

Hell, we got NOI. Did you even make that up yourself or did David help you? He did teach you how to drive his NSX right?

We can try and make a bridge between the players and staff. But I am very leary in trusting people that have shown no trust in the past. I am suppose to forget years of crap in a month? I think not.

Buckwheat can admit he is wrong. No GM except one has admitted publicly they was wrong or made a mistake. God. It's nice to have them here. But I am not going to trust them for a long time unless I start smoking crack.

How many times you have to get bent?

When you lose my trust. It's hard to gain it back.

edge

reg

The whole damned if you do, damned if you don't thing.

reg

I am of course making the assumption that your whole purpose of making a post is to get your point across to others.

I think nearly all have said that anything involving humans will by nature have favoritism to some degree no matter how small, but to go to the outlandish length of saying that Simu purposefully hires only people of low character is simply absurd and counterproductive.
reg

quote:

---

Originally posted by edge:
Do I have any reason to trust a GM or a Simutronics employee? When you tell them the truth about something. They use it against you. We all know honesty and any type of morals are not traits they want for their employees.

edge

---

And we all know that the players are absolute models of virtue, honesty and trustworthiness. Because I'm sure that nobody has ever:

AFK scripted for experience, silvers or other gain, and said they just didn't feel like responding.

Used other characters they control to harass or PvP someone.

Lied to a GM in order to get experience, silvers or items.

Exploited a bug.

Purposely attempted to disrupt what roleplay environment does exist.

Attacked others just because they can, and the other person annoyed them.

Toed the line of policy, then whined to everyone else when Eviltronics slapped their fingers for it.

One other little thing to consider. If a GM publicly and officially says 'I was wrong', they might have just made a legal statement. All the lawyers on this board can decide amongst themselves how much fault that admits. Do you really think they're going to open themselves up to that when people have already talked about wanting to sue?

BTW edge, what's with your vendetta against NOI? reg

I had some items missing a long time ago. They asked if I let anyone else us the accounts. I was truthful. I said yes. They said they will not help since I share my account. Now because I was TRUTHFUL it will be held against me for the whole time I am in Gemstone. So when I have had other problems, they would say you shared your account in the past and we will not help you.

Most people in gemstone do share accounts. For rescues or spellups.

This is not about whether this is right or wrong.

As for NOI. I can't say without letting everyone know who she is....which someone asked me not to say.

I mean really now. Why should I trust them? I know I am blacklisted. Should I now start sucking up? Will not happen.... I will treat them with the respect they have shown me...

If this bothers you...I am sorry. I will not lie about the way I feel.

edge

reg

quote:

---

Originally posted by edge:
When I said if you tell the truth. This is what I meant....

I had some items missing a long time ago. They asked if I let anyone else us the accounts. I was truthful. I said yes. They said they will not help since I share my account. Now because I was TRUTHFUL it will be held against me for the whole time I am in Gemstone. So when I have had other problems, they would say you shared your account in the past and we will not help you.

---

Well as you can see by Buckwheet's post, letting someone else use your account is not a good idea (though Buckwheet didn't know his was being used). The reasoning is, they can't verify who's been using it to do what, and therefore can't take your side. Unfortunately, it's your own fault.

quote:

---

Most people in gemstone do share accounts. For rescues or spellups.

---

reg

Believe it at my prime I had over 130 accounts 129 of which were not mine.

I used to be almost proud that I could go up to some random stranger, lie to them about something like helping them get exp or something, and then impress them with a little light show and then id get their passwords.

It was so easy I didn't even bother tring anymore and I became so imfamous as a multi accounter who could (if I wanted to) get so much exp in such a short time people started to come up to me and almost beg for me to play them.

In the end it all ended very badly but it was a chapter in the game which I found very amusing while it lasted it showed me how powerful a tool greed is. reg

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

That's pretty much an exaggeration...as most of your statements are Manodith.

reg

But thats not even the issue, i think he said he had that many accounts availible to him, not that he played 120 accounts simultaneously.

'lood reg

quote:

---

Originally posted by JustLilOlMe
129 accounts? Heh. You must have at least 4056k SDRAM memory on your computer (there isn't any this big).
That's pretty much an exaggeration...as most of your statements are Manodith.

---

Uh I dunno who you are but It's quite false and rude to say most of my statements are exaggerations.

Kelood was quite right I had access to over 130 accounts that does not mean I played them all at once.

I think the most I ever even bothered to open at once was around 15 and I have 256 MB ram in my computer.

reg

I just find it hard to believe that people were begging for you to gain experience when I know that Scintillion got you at least 10 levels (might be a bit high) of experience just through using Manodith to heal him.

reg

People often came up to me and asked me to play them respected people such as Fisdan the real old Fisdan.

He was such a great RPer and very respected but of course people who are great RPers never multi account.

[This message has been edited by Manodith (edited 08-25-2001).] reg

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

My way of hunting was so different then others. I would hunt till I was full of boxes till the rift. Now it's till mana runs out which if I am lucky, I have filled my mind.

Everyone wants something different in the lands. Just face the facts.

I always though the lands was about friendships. Trust. Having fun. That is why I shared my PW with my friends.

Now we are way off topic. This is about Buckwheat. I will stop myself here and close this thread.

My first thread closing.

edge
reg