01-22-2011, 07:43 PM
Reposted from the old forum
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It's come to my attention that some players are confused about all the various ways that they can help contribute to the zone.
The best way for people to contribute is to bring new people in, and help them learn the game. At this point, this is a very difficult task because the vast majority of players in the zone are vets with years of experience. New players will die many many times often without a single kill -- what fun is that? This is why more luck-oriented zones, such as Trench Wars have been successful -- shots fired at random are sure to get some kills at least. New players need lots of assistance getting up to speed in Chaos.
There are many other ways to promote the zone without being on staff. If you want to advertise the zone -- advertise it! There's nothing stopping you. If you want to dup CDs and send them to people -- send them! If you want to go on various game forums and promote the game, give links where to download it, talk it up -- please! do it!!!
Rational and informed discussion of opinions and ideas is another way to contribute. I say 'informed' in that making suggestions that are impossible does not help, but absorbs people's time in trying to answer or steer the discussion in a meaningful direction. If you're interested in how the game works, that's great, but please, do some research!
At the same time, even with the craziest of ideas, there can sometimes be a small glimmer of something worthwhile. So please, continue to post questions and ideas -- and please be respectful. Vague comments or 'suggestions' such as 'bring more people into the zone' or 'make the zone more friendly for non-hunters' just aren't helpful. Suggestions need to get very specific in order to be implemented.
Another misconception people seem to have is that being on staff makes your opinion more important. That's simply not the case -- ask any staff member! I've gotten excellent input from pro players who rarely play in Chaos, but have good critical thinking skills and have applied them toward the zone. A large number of staff members over the years have had no good ideas for the zone -- but their relationship with the population is great, and so they're wonderful staff members, beloved by the community. You get on staff and rise in the ranks by having ideas and actions that prove to be good ones; by your relationship to the players in the zone -- are you respected as an honorable pilot and communicator in the zone? By your willingness to selflessly help.
The absolute best thing you can do is to start a squad and organize it to compete and give your squad members a fun environment to play in. One where they feel safe, and with friends. An environment where they don't have to worry about the rug being pulled out from underneath them suddenly and without warning. An environment where newbies can learn and get up to speed. For example, teach them to turret and drive them around -- at least that way they can get some kills -- and don't worry about dying yourself so much -- a newb is bound to close bomb the turret at times. All part of the fun in my book. This is a way you can actively help the zone.
To the league squads and those squads with all high quality vets -- your presence in Chaos is valued and needed more than ever! If you think there isn't enough competition in Chaos, then compete against other squads of high caliber -- challenge them! What I see is that the best players avoid each other and choose to kill weaker players; afraid to get a loss on their record in 'ez' Chaos. What I'd like to see is top quality squads swarming and trying to force the others to run from them! Stake out an area, and hold it! Try to take an area from another swarming squad. These are the hallmarks of the best squads -- you swarm, hold an area, _keep_ high bounties (no recycling), take control, make people run from you. Stand up to the Chaos and attacks from all sides.
There are many many ways to help the zone, and we need people to pull together now. The rebirth of CZL has been in the works for a couple of months now. We're looking at more events (I've wanted an events night for a long time [like since I stopped doing it in 2000]). If you are a part of any social network out there - facebook, tumblr, digg, etc. please do a little to get the word out about the game, and then help the person get up to speed -- notify the staff of the new player and that you're trying to help them. At times we can do things to assist that process...
See you in Chaos.
--hallu
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It's come to my attention that some players are confused about all the various ways that they can help contribute to the zone.
The best way for people to contribute is to bring new people in, and help them learn the game. At this point, this is a very difficult task because the vast majority of players in the zone are vets with years of experience. New players will die many many times often without a single kill -- what fun is that? This is why more luck-oriented zones, such as Trench Wars have been successful -- shots fired at random are sure to get some kills at least. New players need lots of assistance getting up to speed in Chaos.
There are many other ways to promote the zone without being on staff. If you want to advertise the zone -- advertise it! There's nothing stopping you. If you want to dup CDs and send them to people -- send them! If you want to go on various game forums and promote the game, give links where to download it, talk it up -- please! do it!!!
Rational and informed discussion of opinions and ideas is another way to contribute. I say 'informed' in that making suggestions that are impossible does not help, but absorbs people's time in trying to answer or steer the discussion in a meaningful direction. If you're interested in how the game works, that's great, but please, do some research!
At the same time, even with the craziest of ideas, there can sometimes be a small glimmer of something worthwhile. So please, continue to post questions and ideas -- and please be respectful. Vague comments or 'suggestions' such as 'bring more people into the zone' or 'make the zone more friendly for non-hunters' just aren't helpful. Suggestions need to get very specific in order to be implemented.
Another misconception people seem to have is that being on staff makes your opinion more important. That's simply not the case -- ask any staff member! I've gotten excellent input from pro players who rarely play in Chaos, but have good critical thinking skills and have applied them toward the zone. A large number of staff members over the years have had no good ideas for the zone -- but their relationship with the population is great, and so they're wonderful staff members, beloved by the community. You get on staff and rise in the ranks by having ideas and actions that prove to be good ones; by your relationship to the players in the zone -- are you respected as an honorable pilot and communicator in the zone? By your willingness to selflessly help.
The absolute best thing you can do is to start a squad and organize it to compete and give your squad members a fun environment to play in. One where they feel safe, and with friends. An environment where they don't have to worry about the rug being pulled out from underneath them suddenly and without warning. An environment where newbies can learn and get up to speed. For example, teach them to turret and drive them around -- at least that way they can get some kills -- and don't worry about dying yourself so much -- a newb is bound to close bomb the turret at times. All part of the fun in my book. This is a way you can actively help the zone.
To the league squads and those squads with all high quality vets -- your presence in Chaos is valued and needed more than ever! If you think there isn't enough competition in Chaos, then compete against other squads of high caliber -- challenge them! What I see is that the best players avoid each other and choose to kill weaker players; afraid to get a loss on their record in 'ez' Chaos. What I'd like to see is top quality squads swarming and trying to force the others to run from them! Stake out an area, and hold it! Try to take an area from another swarming squad. These are the hallmarks of the best squads -- you swarm, hold an area, _keep_ high bounties (no recycling), take control, make people run from you. Stand up to the Chaos and attacks from all sides.
There are many many ways to help the zone, and we need people to pull together now. The rebirth of CZL has been in the works for a couple of months now. We're looking at more events (I've wanted an events night for a long time [like since I stopped doing it in 2000]). If you are a part of any social network out there - facebook, tumblr, digg, etc. please do a little to get the word out about the game, and then help the person get up to speed -- notify the staff of the new player and that you're trying to help them. At times we can do things to assist that process...
See you in Chaos.
--hallu