Temporal Destinies Forums

I'm new to the game, and am still kind of considered an outsider (though maybe not so much due to building the website, I'm not sure). At least from my point-of-view I'm still kind of an outsider. But I think this provides me with a bit of a unique perspective on the negativity of the "new" MindForce that was implemented.

First of all I want to say that, as a newcomer, their changes actually do make sense. To me. At least some of them do. I wasn't on much today for two reasons: 1) I had other stuff to do and spent most of the day with family, and 2) I had to get away from all of the negativity from this morning. I had to get away from the computer, away from the game for a few hours so I could clearly think for myself what I think about the changes.

I wasn't here for the earlier "original" implementation of MindForce. When Ben explained it to me, it sounded cool -- with the exception of the 87 PED TP chip and the 36 PED implant/implanter. They still do sound cool, even. Fun though it may be, it is expensive. And I've heard gripes about the new system. The Synthetic Mind Essence, the Light Mind Essence, and the regular Mind Essence. To me it does sound logical. I know many (if not all) of you will probably disagree with me. Yes, it would seem logical to use a single type of Mind Essence to power every single MindForce item. Just like it would make sense to use the same type of ammo between groups of weapons. For example: all the laser pistols use light weapon cells, all the laser rifles use medium weapon cells, etc. But what I see that MindArk has done here is make groups of MindForce items: weapon chips that use synthetic mind essence, teleport chips that use mind essence. I mean, what's the difference? The difference is that now you don't have to wonder about how much you'd have to pay to get Synthetic Mind Essence. Where the market was completely unstable before, you'll never have to worry about what the market's doing for weapons grade Mind Essence. I see it as a way for MindArk to keep Mind Essence affordable while re-implementing everything they've had in the past. And since TP chips still use the original Mind Essence, it's going to remain affordable.

If you don't want to buy, or can't buy Synthetic Mind Essence, then don't. As a few of us discussed in Vent last night, the game is supposed to be fun. If you're feeling forced to "sell out" in order to buy the Synthetic Mind Essence, don't. I'm not. I have other weapons. I find other ways to have fun. It's a game. It's nothing to get frustrated over.

Here's what I see happening: It's getting to the point that it doesn't matter what MindArk does, no one is going to be happy. If that's the case, what's the point of sticking around? If MindArk can't please anyone what's the point? Why should I play if all I'm going to hear is "MindArk is screwing us here", "MindArk is screwing us there", "MindArk screwed up the game and are costing us more and more" -- after a while I stop paying attention because I'm having FUN and I don't care about the costs. I don't care about decay. I don't care if I can't buy ammo because prices are high. I don't play to make money. I don't deposit, either. It may come eventually... But I doubt it. I don't play to skill up. That happens as I play. I don't play to use MindForce. If I get an implant and some synthetic ME, then by all means I'll go ahead and use it. I play to associate with friends. Period.

Is a game so all-consuming that just because you can't afford to buy "ammo" that you feel like the company is screwing you over? Is the game so central to your life that you go through withdrawal? Is it so important that you'll leave the game over a little ammo? If so, then leave.

Let me make one thing absolutely clear: If I leave the game it'll be because I'm sick and tired of everyone being so dog-gone negative all the time. And because of that, the game has ceased to be fun.

Anyway, that's my two cents' worth.

Well said. A very well thought out statement and one with which I agree. Of course, if I didn't agree I probably wouldn't compliment you.

As far as the addictiveness of the game, though, the longer you're in it the harder it is to leave. It all depends upon you're attitude toward gaming in general, I suspect. And, it may be a function of the amount of outside life you have. I believe it takes less effort to fire up the old computer and log on for a few hours of sweating/mining/hunting/crafting (name your poison) than it does to actually get out and do something with your real world friends. That being said, I have met several people through the society that I would truly miss if I were to leave the game. Friends, or at least close acquaintances, are where you find them.

Negativity accompanies every vu. Things change. People gripe. People get over it and move on. Its the great circle of life, real or virtual. Hang in there.

After reading this I have decided that I really hate you both ! But this is purely because you are correct and I am feeling lectured and most likely, deservedly so. Damn I hate to admit that !

Rick you have just gained a few more points in my book as have you Morgan. This thread has bought a smile to my face, realising how childish and petty I have tended to be. However I do not think this realization will change my future attitude and I hope you forgive me for this in advance.

Rick you have made a very good case on behalf of MA/FPC and it makes a lot of sense.\\
Sadly, by nature we do become set in our ways and change is something we do not like. It tends to upset the balance of the way things that we are used to are.

On the whole, I do like what they are doing with mind force to a large degree. I guess my biggest issue is what is going to happen to the original ME Market as I have relied on it heavily in the past and would like to do so in the future. Only time and patience will tell on this issue.

Finally, I do look forward to the day that you have been around long enough to stand beside us and gripe as much as we do. Perhaps this will aid me in my desire to increase the price of Garcan Lube, as I am very tired of being bent over by MA/FPC and being dry shafted every time they bring out a new patch.(LOL Joke Joyce !)

Overall very well put and has given me a perspective that makes me feel stupid for not considering in the first place.

Thank you !

I suppose you all understand now that I only log into game when I can actually depo and pay for my fun. I am a miner and that aint cheap. Having mined at a terrible loss, I also feel I have a right to bitch at times about draconian MA/FPC and its like I pay them for this bitching rights.

PLEASE UNDERSTAND WHERE I COME FROM. In a previous Virtual Calypso life, I became terribly addicted to the game and used to live the game neurotically. After all the changes over a year and a half and being gone for that long has helped me greatly in a rehabilatory way. It wasnt easy to go "cold turkey" but I survived. For me bitching is contagious, when someone starts, I cant help but start also untill dave or someone PM me and say quit it:)

The right attatude helps tho. Considder all moneys deposited as lost forever and pay/play only for fun , not for profit. soon as you obsess about peds and pecs, the funfactor goes right out the window. This is the attatude I try, with diffuculty, to hold onto when I play.

I look forward to that, too. And my purpose wasn't to make anyone feel stupid, I just had to stop and look at the whole thing in a whole new "untainted" perspective and then see if I could help others do the same. I'm glad it helped. With a couple of people feeling really stressed (from real life and from game play), in Ventrilo wasn't really the best time. No, I couldn't even get a word in. I wrote it here so those that wanted to read it could and those didn't want to didn't have to.

But thanks for the comments!

I'm with Sakuba, too, although it doesn't take a new vu to get me tweaked. In the context of the game, I almost daily raise my eyes to the sky, shake my fist, and curse Lootius for the luck he has chosen to lay upon me (or deny, depending on how you choose to look at it). Intellectually, you have to remember its only a game and if it gets too much you step back and take a breath. Other times you just but a bunch of ammo and take out your frustrations on the nearest convenient small mob.

This thread has been so good to read thus far that it has had me quietly chuckling to myself every time I have had a read of it.

Doh! The realization that it is, after all, just a game and we do tend to take things too seriously from time to time. It can take a thread like this to make one step back and collect ones attitude before diving in for the next round.