Do you feel the love?

[ShaLeah]

It's actually policy to do it that way.  If it wasn't done that way it was a long time ago or it was an oversight.

Is it? I'll be sending in a request about this then to spare the masses.

[Nyr]

It's actually policy to do it that way.  If it wasn't done that way it was a long time ago or it was an oversight.

Is it? I'll be sending in a request about this then to spare the masses.

Since a very long time, yes.  As I said, if it wasn't done that way, it was a long time ago, or it was an oversight.

Generally, staff try to let players know when they've received a negative note, yes.  Sometimes we forget or are in a hurry.  Human and all that.  
If you're curious, feel free to request your account notes, but do keep in mind that we prefer that you don't request it more than 2 or 3x a year.
Ashyom

From this very thread:

4.) Add a negative account note and do nothing else.

This is more rare and typically does not happen.  If we're adding a negative note we are usually letting the player know.

A thread on the entirety of notes:
http://gdb.armageddon.org/index.php/topic,36715.0.html

So yes, that's the way it should be, though it doesn't always end up that way.

[DustMight]

I am, quiet frankly, terrified to request account notes, because that could seriously go wrong, and I'm not sure I want to read everything I might get in return... It's only been almost six months? It feels like a lot longer than that. Oh, that's my GDB account, I didn't sign up when I first started playing.

Staff don't make negative account notes before contacting you about the issue first.

That is bullshit and just really pissed me off so I'll stick with "That is bullshit".

I dunno.  The one time (never again!) that I requested notes every negative comment I read produced a reaction of "Oh, yeah.  That's true, I remember getting an email about that." 

The reason I dont' request any more is because I hate to be reminded of the cheap, sloppy play that I've engaged in years before.  I try to do better.  One day, even, maybe I'll ap another Templar!  =)

[HammerofJericho]

I've had awesome interactions and I've had shitty interactions whether in-game or through e-mail/requests. Imms are human and some can be plain old dicks while others are incredibly awesome and motivating. I say just play your game and you'll find who,  where, and what makes you happy in this game. Afterall I know plenty of players the imms probably think are dicks, maybe even me. Cheers. I still love all of you (even if you're a meanie head).

[Twilight]

I am, quiet frankly, terrified to request account notes, because that could seriously go wrong, and I'm not sure I want to read everything I might get in return... It's only been almost six months? It feels like a lot longer than that. Oh, that's my GDB account, I didn't sign up when I first started playing.

Staff don't make negative account notes before contacting you about the issue first.

That is bullshit and just really pissed me off so I'll stick with "That is bullshit".

I was heartened by Nyr's reply, then disheartened.  If ShaLeah is like me, the important distinction is "before".  That is, do staff talk to you about the incident beforehand, and based on that, make the note (which is how I interpreted the bold part as saying, and then Nyr agreeing to).  Or do they make the note then notify you about it (which seems to be what the quotes that Nyr provided refer to).

As a player, there is a huge difference.  There has been a few times when reading my notes (typically a year or more later) when I really wish there had been a discussion upfront, as it was obvious that something was observed then noted without context.  And then there were the ones that were dead on  

[RogueGunslinger]

Easily avoided by doing character reports. The way I've seen it unless it's a glaring issue, staff will put as much effort into discussing things with you as you will with them. If you don't care enough report and open that dialog with them, why blame them for doing the same?

I also think people take neutral advice/observations and treat it as hostile or offensive account notes. I know I have before.

[Twilight]

Because you don't know there is an issue to discuss in the first place?

That said, I wish I had been doing character reports years before I started, it probably could have avoided some (bad) things.  Process can create mindset though, so I was just pointing out what had been said was not necessarily the same as what was quoted to back up that it was already that way.

[ShaLeah]

Back on topic, I always feel the love from Nautious in every single report, even when he is bitchslapping me. He's an artist.

[HammerofJericho]

Back on topic, I always feel the love from Nautious in every single report, even when he is bitchslapping me. He's an artist.

I do have me a Natty-Ice crush.

[Eurynomos]

Account notes, especially PC specific information is by no means the be all end all. We have made mistakes, we will reverse notes. We will add account information about how a player has improved , especially with a poor, colorful past. Most notes we make with other Staff in mind, not the player themselves. This doesn't excuse making needlessly negative comments, and we have curbed this significantly even in the last year.

When I was a player, I was convinced Nessalin had a vendetta against me. I could swear every negative action taken against me by Staff was somehow his doing or influenced by his opinion of me. This view is ultimately narcissistic -- when I came upstairs, Nessalin had no such grudge. On Staff, we devote as much time as possible to catering to the player base. We want you guys to have fun. We have our opinions and that is natural. We want you to play to documentation. We are not out to get you. If you think notes on your account are undeserved and have prevented you from getting a role or something, let's talk about it. Otherwise, I would recommend not taking the narcissistic route.

[Asche]

Just wanted to clarify in case I was unclear. I'm not making characters just to accrue karma. I'm making characters who are far lower on my totem pole for what I'd like to try than, say, the earth mage I've been wanting to play for months, or the water mage I'm thinking about now. Actually, in regards to mages, those are the elements I'm most interested in playing. I've invested a fair amount of time studying the docs (possibly more than I've played, really) and I'd like to believe I have a fair understanding of 'Nak, at the very least. Hell, in the time I've played, I've helped gem a couple mages, helped execute an elf in the Gaj, I've done a little work for merchant Houses and I've been killed by players. I've also had my character suddenly killed by a wandering creature, like so many of the other players.

I'd like to think I'm ready to begin biting into Arm, rather than just tasting, but most of the responses to my requests for account notes and special apps have been met with "You just haven't played enough." Which is certainly true for some of them. But, while my characters don't live long, I die learning new things like everyone else. I'll be honest, it made me want to stop playing for a while when my last special app was denied. I just got burnt out, and honestly a little frustrated, because I had really connected to those characters for the short time they were around, but it seemed like no one really noticed them. Which, given the size of the playerbase and the time invested by the staff, is certainly a petty thing to complain about. But I was genuinely saddened when all my assassin got for her account notes were: "Doesn't follow the schedule for sparring." It implied someone had been watching me, and they were thoroughly non-plussed. I recognize its petty, but if I'm being honest, it made me tired of Arm for a good bit. I'm only just coming back, and having a blast, but I'm not sure what I need to do for a bit of trust or recognition of my attempts to contribute. Anyways, this is a long, rambling post, but the answer to "Do I feel the love?" is "I recognize a lot of love and effort goes into this game."

[BuNutzCola]

Back on topic, I always feel the love from Nautious in every single report, even when he is bitchslapping me. He's an artist.

This is true. No offense to any other imms, but Natious has >skill Report replying (Master). I always get a kick out of responses.

[3kanks]

Taijan is the best report answerer ever. If you're ever not sure what you want to do with yourself, go hang with Taijan. Taijan is awesome. Complete awesome.

[Harmless]

Staff opinion of players, karma, and all that all come down to human interactions, limited severely by a text based environment and interpretation of a very complex setting.

However, based on my experience over the past several years, there is nothing wrong with trying to gain karma by playing specific roles. I would consider special apping a magicker. I would look into leadership, especially if gained from the ground up. These are direct ways to demonstrate your knowledge of the setting, and are far more effectice than a passive approach.

[The7DeadlyVenomz]

Staff opinion of players, karma, and all that all come down to human interactions, limited severely by a text based environment and interpretation of a very complex setting.

However, based on my experience over the past several years, there is nothing wrong with trying to gain karma by playing specific roles. I would consider special apping a magicker. I would look into leadership, especially if gained from the ground up. These are direct ways to demonstrate your knowledge of the setting, and are far more effectice than a passive approach.

I fully endorse this.

[Asche]

Special apped a magicker about a day ago. Now its just a matter of nervous waiting. >> Time to refresh my request page every other hour!

[Lizzie]

Special apped a magicker about a day ago. Now its just a matter of nervous waiting. >> Time to refresh my request page every other hour!

Special apps can take a LONG time to get approved. Anywhere from a few days, to a few months. If you're wanting to play Arm, don't "not play" while you wait for your special app to be approved. If you are character-less presently, you *can* app a regular non-special character now, even if you have a special app in the queue. And if it gets approved, you can still play your current character as long as you'd like, and play that approved special app character at your convenience.

[Hicksville Hoochie]

Totally feeling the love. My current clan imm has been very helpful and supportive - and patient with my ridiculous questions. 

[Barzalene]

I've had such good experience with staff. Except that they keep leaving. I am almost positive this is not because of me though.

[Harmless]

Been feeling increased levels of love lately, and also have been mellowing out in general. And, as always, in learning about the incredible variety of roles that can be enjoyed here, I am discovering more things that I enjoy playing and also others I will do differently next time.

Currently, all I feel about the MUD and staff is fully positive. I am also really appreciating Nyr's wisdom in particular, though I am also a little scared by it...

[DxGrief]

Old new player returning here.  I have always felt that the staff and players were cool.  Problem children were dealt with promptly.    My last major player was during the Rebellion (how's that for aging).  Since then my playing has been sporadic but I have spurts of time to burn (thanks to the end of the year use it or lose it vacation time and other matters).  I feel comfortable devoting time to developing a character.  In that process, I am not seeking praise from the staff so much as opportunities to develop my character, good or bad.  The environment has been great for doing that and I see the staff in that role of which I am grateful.   Gone are the days of rampages of pk twinkish muls (yay!) that lurk hidden outside of gates to toss bolos at you #vent.  I'm trying to relearn the game in general and it's been an addicting, steep learning curve.  My standard: 'run like a tregil from EVERYTHING'^tm  that looks remotely dangerous works for me!  I apologize for any staff watching me wonder wth I am doing (reading help files, trying to figure out a syntax, trying to relearn the emote structure,  misspellings abound).

Back in my reckless youth, I saw playing a magic character as disposable character and played kind of fast and loose with them.  My appeal for them has since waned and I like my mundanes.  I might be ambitious and play a Southerner maybe...

[BleakOne]

Welcome back DxGrief. It's always nice to see new players join and veteran players return. 

[Scarecrow]

Character reports and longevity. I burned through over thirty characters, none of whom lasted more than 5-10 days played, before I cracked a monster long-lived PC and begin to grow from there. I've always felt very comfortable with the staff, (even when my PC was being a dick) and in one particular respect they -really- engaged with me and did some stuff I still rank as the best interactions I've ever had on a MUD.

[Doublepalli]

Do I feel the love? Yes and no. From other players, to the in-game world, it's amazing. I love it. Staff, its also a yes and no. Sometimes staff are awesome, sometimes you want to stick 'em with a knife, it's just how it goes. Also, when reading through account notes,
I often feel like slapping myself for past noobish actions, though even when you try, and do improve greatly, reading through account notes makes my morale feel completely crushed.

[Riev]

Do I feel the love? Yes and no. From other players, to the in-game world, it's amazing. I love it. Staff, its also a yes and no. Sometimes staff are awesome, sometimes you want to stick 'em with a knife, it's just how it goes. Also, when reading through account notes,
I often feel like slapping myself for past noobish actions, though even when you try, and do improve greatly, reading through account notes makes my morale feel completely crushed.

I -do- sometimes wish there was a limitation on how old your negative account notes could be. I'm saying like, after five years, if your notes have been neutral or good, maybe just remove the "nailed furniture to the ceilings of every tenement he lived in" because you obviously learned your lesson. Its not that I don't trust staff to take current and relatively current behavior into account, but DAMN is it demoralizing to see that a long time ago, someone who had the power to affect future applications didn't like you.

That said, while I've had less time to play lately, and I don't necessarily feel the "love", I do think things are taking a turn for the positive. It feels like staff are saying no to my mastercrafted argosy manned by flying kryl, so I can ride from Tuluk to Red Storm in under an hour.... but at least they're saying no poilitely!