A Stern Letter to the Devs...
By
Ashcraft,
Posted on: 2010-08-26 07:51 in CoH and CoV General Discussions
You had me almost until the end. Bravo my good sir, bravo.
Friends are just enemies that haven't betrayed you yet.
I love your threads.
Where to now?
Check out all my guides and fiction pieces on my blog.
The MFing Warshade | The Last Rule of Tanking | The Got Dam Mastermind
Everything Dark Armor | The Softcap
don'T attempt to read tHis mEssaGe, And believe Me, it is not a codE.
Why don't you just start over on a different server instead of deleting everything every few issues? You could keep the characters on the old servers as mementos.
I don't get the idea of a "tournament" either but I suppose I must have missed something.
Winner of Players' Choice Best Villainous Arc 2010: Fear and Loathing on Striga; ID #350522
I must know the details of this tournament...
Quote:
Sarcasm, my dear boy!|
Originally Posted by FredrikSvanberg
Why don't you just start over on a different server instead of deleting everything every few issues? You could keep the characters on the old servers as mementos.
I don't get the idea of a "tournament" either but I suppose I must have missed something. |
*smokes a bubble pipe*
I used to keep track of my levels here.
But I got to 50.
Quote:
the first rule of the tournament is you do not talk about tournament. |
Originally Posted by Marcian Tobay
I must know the details of this tournament...
|
the second deals mostly with allowable confectioneries you can bring for post fight buffets, there are some food allergies to consider, please be courteous.
When I saw who the author was, I knew this letter would deliver. I was not disappointed.
Well done.
/golfclap
XD
Quote:
It's part of Steelclaw's psychosis. Just laugh and slowly back away before you get sucked in |
Originally Posted by FredrikSvanberg
I don't get the idea of a "tournament" either but I suppose I must have missed something.
|
Goodbye, I guess.
@Lord_Nightblade in Champions/Star Trek Online
nightblade7295@gmail.com if you want to stay in touch
Quote:
As I understand it, by the slightly twisted ruleset Mr. Steelclaw plays by, he's already playing on ALL the US servers, in a rotation, and only allows himself to create an additional character on a server when the stars align, the oceans fall and blood rains from the sky over Alaska. Or somesuch.|
Originally Posted by FredrikSvanberg
Why don't you just start over on a different server instead of deleting everything every few issues? You could keep the characters on the old servers as mementos.
|
Read his back posts for a outline of his tournament system. Then avoid eye contact and back away slowly.
Warning:
The above post may contain Cynicism, sarcasm and/or pessimism. If you object to the quantities contained, then tough.
I saw "Stern letter" and prepared to put on my Je_Saist Hat of Unfounded Belligerence, then saw "Steelclaw" and realized wacky irreverence laid within.
Good show old bean!
The Story of a Petless MM with a dream
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Deus_Otiosus
This entire post should receive some kind of award for being both hysterical and fantastic.
Well done. |
Quote:
You asked for it... |
Originally Posted by Marcian Tobay
I must know the details of this tournament...
|
Current Tournament Rules (the SEVERELY Abridged version):
* Each Server shall contain within it a single "team" of competitors all geared towards either a hero or villain alignment.
* Each team shall start with only two members... a team Captain and a Traderbot. The Captain shall actually play the game while the Traderbot is there solely for the purpose of playing the market and bankrolling the team.
* A new member shall be created to join the team when the last joining member of that team reaches 40th level.
* No Training, Dual or Single Origin IOs shall ever be slotted; Invention Origin ONLY.
* No Set Enhancements are allowed to be slotted prior to the character reaching 27th level. No Set enhancement lower than level 30 shall be slotted.
* Prior to creating the character in-game a spreadsheet shall be made plotting the exact Power and Slot allocation from 1st to 50th level. This plan shall be adhered to rigidly.
* A Reputation score shall be maintained for the character. This score is based on a mathematical equation using Badges earned (each badge has a different Rep value all kept on a separate spreadsheet), Number of Successful Missions run, Influence earned (earned inf only, that made via the market or sale of loot does not count), penalties for times defeated, and how long the character has been around. Also there is a bonus to Reputation based on how high a level the character got to before they had their first ever defeat.
* A Power score shall also be maintained for the character. Power = Temp powers/accolades/set powers + badge power values (spreadsheeted) + Level + slotted enhancements in powers + reward merits earned/spent + penalty for defeats. There is a bonus applied to power according to what the character's current difficulty settings are.
* A Teamwork score is kept based on prestige earned for the SG/VG by that character, enhancements they donated to the team storage racks, team missions they have done successfully, badges also grant a teamwork score, also there is a penalty for defeats occurring while on a team. The teamwork score is a percentage bonus applied to Reputation and Power when applying those values to the Team Rep and Power for that particular server.
* These scores (and others) are recorded at every level gain. Every 5th level they are exported to a separate spreadsheet so all characters progress can be measured against one another to see who was doing better at that point in the tournament.
Like I said, this is an extremely abridged version of my rules. I also have rules governing 50th level characters, when they can go rogue and switch sides. I have rules regarding my traderbots and how they level. I have rules about whose turn it is and what "bonus rolls" they get during their turn.
This is my tournament. This is my curse.
Heh. I love it tho'...
My mind wanders so often you've probably seen its picture on milk cartons. - Me... the first person version of the third person Steelclaw
Quote:
You sir, have added not just a new dimension to the game, but several new dimensions. Some that scientists are still trying to identify in the LHC.
|
Originally Posted by Steelclaw
You asked for it...
Current Tournament Rules (the SEVERELY Abridged version): * Each Server shall contain within it a single "team" of competitors all geared towards either a hero or villain alignment. * Each team shall start with only two members... a team Captain and a Traderbot. The Captain shall actually play the game while the Traderbot is there solely for the purpose of playing the market and bankrolling the team. * A new member shall be created to join the team when the last joining member of that team reaches 40th level. * No Training, Dual or Single Origin IOs shall ever be slotted; Invention Origin ONLY. * No Set Enhancements are allowed to be slotted prior to the character reaching 27th level. No Set enhancement lower than level 30 shall be slotted. * Prior to creating the character in-game a spreadsheet shall be made plotting the exact Power and Slot allocation from 1st to 50th level. This plan shall be adhered to rigidly. * A Reputation score shall be maintained for the character. This score is based on a mathematical equation using Badges earned (each badge has a different Rep value all kept on a separate spreadsheet), Number of Successful Missions run, Influence earned (earned inf only, that made via the market or sale of loot does not count), penalties for times defeated, and how long the character has been around. Also there is a bonus to Reputation based on how high a level the character got to before they had their first ever defeat. * A Power score shall also be maintained for the character. Power = Temp powers/accolades/set powers + badge power values (spreadsheeted) + Level + slotted enhancements in powers + reward merits earned/spent + penalty for defeats. There is a bonus applied to power according to what the character's current difficulty settings are. * A Teamwork score is kept based on prestige earned for the SG/VG by that character, enhancements they donated to the team storage racks, team missions they have done successfully, badges also grant a teamwork score, also there is a penalty for defeats occurring while on a team. The teamwork score is a percentage bonus applied to Reputation and Power when applying those values to the Team Rep and Power for that particular server. * These scores (and others) are recorded at every level gain. Every 5th level they are exported to a separate spreadsheet so all characters progress can be measured against one another to see who was doing better at that point in the tournament. Like I said, this is an extremely abridged version of my rules. I also have rules governing 50th level characters, when they can go rogue and switch sides. I have rules regarding my traderbots and how they level. I have rules about whose turn it is and what "bonus rolls" they get during their turn. This is my tournament. This is my curse. Heh. I love it tho'... |
The Story of a Petless MM with a dream
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Deus_Otiosus
This entire post should receive some kind of award for being both hysterical and fantastic.
Well done. |
Quote:
gotta say this about steelclaw, the man FINDS his fun.
|
Originally Posted by Steelclaw
You asked for it...
Current Tournament Rules (the SEVERELY Abridged version): * Each Server shall contain within it a single "team" of competitors all geared towards either a hero or villain alignment. * Each team shall start with only two members... a team Captain and a Traderbot. The Captain shall actually play the game while the Traderbot is there solely for the purpose of playing the market and bankrolling the team. * A new member shall be created to join the team when the last joining member of that team reaches 40th level. * No Training, Dual or Single Origin IOs shall ever be slotted; Invention Origin ONLY. * No Set Enhancements are allowed to be slotted prior to the character reaching 27th level. No Set enhancement lower than level 30 shall be slotted. * Prior to creating the character in-game a spreadsheet shall be made plotting the exact Power and Slot allocation from 1st to 50th level. This plan shall be adhered to rigidly. * A Reputation score shall be maintained for the character. This score is based on a mathematical equation using Badges earned (each badge has a different Rep value all kept on a separate spreadsheet), Number of Successful Missions run, Influence earned (earned inf only, that made via the market or sale of loot does not count), penalties for times defeated, and how long the character has been around. Also there is a bonus to Reputation based on how high a level the character got to before they had their first ever defeat. * A Power score shall also be maintained for the character. Power = Temp powers/accolades/set powers + badge power values (spreadsheeted) + Level + slotted enhancements in powers + reward merits earned/spent + penalty for defeats. There is a bonus applied to power according to what the character's current difficulty settings are. * A Teamwork score is kept based on prestige earned for the SG/VG by that character, enhancements they donated to the team storage racks, team missions they have done successfully, badges also grant a teamwork score, also there is a penalty for defeats occurring while on a team. The teamwork score is a percentage bonus applied to Reputation and Power when applying those values to the Team Rep and Power for that particular server. * These scores (and others) are recorded at every level gain. Every 5th level they are exported to a separate spreadsheet so all characters progress can be measured against one another to see who was doing better at that point in the tournament. Like I said, this is an extremely abridged version of my rules. I also have rules governing 50th level characters, when they can go rogue and switch sides. I have rules regarding my traderbots and how they level. I have rules about whose turn it is and what "bonus rolls" they get during their turn. This is my tournament. This is my curse. Heh. I love it tho'... |
Quote:
Ok. But why?
|
Originally Posted by Steelclaw
You asked for it...
Current Tournament Rules (the SEVERELY Abridged version): [snip] This is my tournament. This is my curse. Heh. I love it tho'... |
Winner of Players' Choice Best Villainous Arc 2010: Fear and Loathing on Striga; ID #350522
Quote:
You must not have read many of Steelclaw's other posts. |
Originally Posted by FredrikSvanberg
Ok. But why?
|
He's well known for being remarkably funny. Most of the things he posts are *not serious in any way*. So.... it's a joke son. Mostly. I'm sure he finds ways to amuse himself that others would have head-explody. but that's why we love him.
Please read my FEAR/Portal/HalfLife Fan Fiction!
Repurposed
Quote:
seems to be no deeper reason than he enjoys it. I'd never do it, but it still looks more fun than pvp.
|
Originally Posted by FredrikSvanberg
Ok. But why?
|
Quote:
I can see some of it. I must only be a little crazy.
|
Originally Posted by FredrikSvanberg
Ok. But why?
|
total kick to the gut
This is like having Ra's Al Ghul show up at your birthday party.
Quote:
Badass, Steelclaw. I should show this list to someone I know who's a heavy achievement player, see if this style of play would ignite his old interest.|
Originally Posted by Steelclaw
You asked for it...
Current Tournament Rules (the SEVERELY Abridged version): * Each Server shall contain within it a single "team" of competitors all geared towards either a hero or villain alignment. * Each team shall start with only two members... a team Captain and a Traderbot. The Captain shall actually play the game while the Traderbot is there solely for the purpose of playing the market and bankrolling the team. * A new member shall be created to join the team when the last joining member of that team reaches 40th level. * No Training, Dual or Single Origin IOs shall ever be slotted; Invention Origin ONLY. * No Set Enhancements are allowed to be slotted prior to the character reaching 27th level. No Set enhancement lower than level 30 shall be slotted. * Prior to creating the character in-game a spreadsheet shall be made plotting the exact Power and Slot allocation from 1st to 50th level. This plan shall be adhered to rigidly. * A Reputation score shall be maintained for the character. This score is based on a mathematical equation using Badges earned (each badge has a different Rep value all kept on a separate spreadsheet), Number of Successful Missions run, Influence earned (earned inf only, that made via the market or sale of loot does not count), penalties for times defeated, and how long the character has been around. Also there is a bonus to Reputation based on how high a level the character got to before they had their first ever defeat. * A Power score shall also be maintained for the character. Power = Temp powers/accolades/set powers + badge power values (spreadsheeted) + Level + slotted enhancements in powers + reward merits earned/spent + penalty for defeats. There is a bonus applied to power according to what the character's current difficulty settings are. * A Teamwork score is kept based on prestige earned for the SG/VG by that character, enhancements they donated to the team storage racks, team missions they have done successfully, badges also grant a teamwork score, also there is a penalty for defeats occurring while on a team. The teamwork score is a percentage bonus applied to Reputation and Power when applying those values to the Team Rep and Power for that particular server. * These scores (and others) are recorded at every level gain. Every 5th level they are exported to a separate spreadsheet so all characters progress can be measured against one another to see who was doing better at that point in the tournament. Like I said, this is an extremely abridged version of my rules. I also have rules governing 50th level characters, when they can go rogue and switch sides. I have rules regarding my traderbots and how they level. I have rules about whose turn it is and what "bonus rolls" they get during their turn. This is my tournament. This is my curse. Heh. I love it tho'... |
This is seriously HAADO MODO stuff...
Click here to find all the All Things Art Threads!
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Samuel_Tow
City of Heroes is a game about freedom of expression and variety of experiences far more so than it is about representing any one theme, topic or genre.
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If I would quit my job, leave my family and sell my house I can see myself getting into that tournament.
One question though. Do you do your calculations on a computer or, as a hardcore tournament director would, on pen and paper?
I'd love to see your desktop, either the real or computer one.
//Jack
The Kickers base.
Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others.
-Groucho Marx
Quote:
That is awesome. |
Originally Posted by Steelclaw
You asked for it...
|
I can never play that way, but kudos to you for doing it.
Quote:
Well... I don't have to work.. set up financially rather well... so that's one reason I can devote so much time to it all..|
Originally Posted by Jack Power
If I would quit my job, leave my family and sell my house I can see myself getting into that tournament.
One question though. Do you do your calculations on a computer or, as a hardcore tournament director would, on pen and paper? I'd love to see your desktop, either the real or computer one. //Jack |
I set up all my tournament data on spreadsheets, so all the calculations are done for me as soon as I type in the stats. One blank character sheet is over 8.6 megs in size. To tell you how obsessive... er... how detailed the sheets are... If I go to my Powers page and put Accuracy in slot 1 beside Brawl... my Invention sheet will automatically detect that I entered a power in that slot but no indication that I have an enhancement yet (basically I've reserved the slot for that enhancement) it will discover that it is an Accuracy enhancement... it will check my current level to see that I'm 10th level... it will then figure out that I need 1 boresight and 1 luck charm to make that enhancement and add those items to my "shopping list"... all without me having to do more than type in Accuracy.
All the other sheets are similarly automated.
My computer desktop is relatively bare... I usually only have one game I play at any given time... but i REALLY play that one.
My mind wanders so often you've probably seen its picture on milk cartons. - Me... the first person version of the third person Steelclaw
Poor Steelclaw. Your game within the game keeps getting ruined by those who make the game that the game within the game is played within.
What did I just say?
A Guide to Champion Drama
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Ashcraft been published.
Quote:
I'm reading these thinking "ok... ok... thats reasonable... ok... wait, I thought everyone did that!" then it hit me: THERE ARE NO RULES GOVERNING/SCORING THE USE OF INSPIRATIONS.|
Originally Posted by Steelclaw
You asked for it...
Current Tournament Rules (the SEVERELY Abridged version): * Each Server shall contain within it a single "team" of competitors all geared towards either a hero or villain alignment. * Each team shall start with only two members... a team Captain and a Traderbot. The Captain shall actually play the game while the Traderbot is there solely for the purpose of playing the market and bankrolling the team. * A new member shall be created to join the team when the last joining member of that team reaches 40th level. * No Training, Dual or Single Origin IOs shall ever be slotted; Invention Origin ONLY. * No Set Enhancements are allowed to be slotted prior to the character reaching 27th level. No Set enhancement lower than level 30 shall be slotted. * Prior to creating the character in-game a spreadsheet shall be made plotting the exact Power and Slot allocation from 1st to 50th level. This plan shall be adhered to rigidly. * A Reputation score shall be maintained for the character. This score is based on a mathematical equation using Badges earned (each badge has a different Rep value all kept on a separate spreadsheet), Number of Successful Missions run, Influence earned (earned inf only, that made via the market or sale of loot does not count), penalties for times defeated, and how long the character has been around. Also there is a bonus to Reputation based on how high a level the character got to before they had their first ever defeat. * A Power score shall also be maintained for the character. Power = Temp powers/accolades/set powers + badge power values (spreadsheeted) + Level + slotted enhancements in powers + reward merits earned/spent + penalty for defeats. There is a bonus applied to power according to what the character's current difficulty settings are. * A Teamwork score is kept based on prestige earned for the SG/VG by that character, enhancements they donated to the team storage racks, team missions they have done successfully, badges also grant a teamwork score, also there is a penalty for defeats occurring while on a team. The teamwork score is a percentage bonus applied to Reputation and Power when applying those values to the Team Rep and Power for that particular server. * These scores (and others) are recorded at every level gain. Every 5th level they are exported to a separate spreadsheet so all characters progress can be measured against one another to see who was doing better at that point in the tournament. Like I said, this is an extremely abridged version of my rules. I also have rules governing 50th level characters, when they can go rogue and switch sides. I have rules regarding my traderbots and how they level. I have rules about whose turn it is and what "bonus rolls" they get during their turn. This is my tournament. This is my curse. Heh. I love it tho'... |
... and I thought you were hardcore.
Quote:
Xzbit? Is that you?
|
Originally Posted by Ashcraft
Poor Steelclaw. Your game within the game keeps getting ruined by those who make the game that the game within the game is played within.
What did I just say? |
Dear Devs...
No, wait a second... that's not right...
ATTENTION DEVS:
I know what you're up to and I, for one, do NOT appreciate it.
I first joined the game around Issue 10: Invasion and fell in love with it almost instantaneously. I looked around at all the heroes, villains and Rikti bombs dropping from the sky and you had me hook, line and sinker. I immediately started creating spreadsheets and getting my tournament rules established. My characters were shaky and definitely reeking of that newb-car smell but it was all so much FUN!
I have to admit I missed your first attempt. Issue 11: A Stitch in Time introduced Flashback missions and Ouroboros; fantastic additions to be sure, but as I was new to the game and didn't have a 30 yet much less a 50, I was mostly unaffected. Still, I should have seen the warning signs... I should have realized THEN your nefarious intentions towards me. When Issue 12: Midnight Hour arrived with its mid-range content and the Midnighter Club I had a few suspicions.... but gave you the benefit of the doubt. How could have known? I thought.
Then came lucky Issue 13: Power and Responsibility... and this time you weren't being subtle anymore. This time you were going for blood. It wasn't the new power customization... it wasn't the new powersets... no... it was the Reward Merits. My older characters didn't have them... my newer ones would... it was unfair to the older players in the tournament... it made my scoring system unbalanced...
It made my tournament obsolete.
I deleted all my characters and started over again.
I suppose I should be glad that you people actually gave me two issues of cushion before you assaulted me, but I suspect you were just making sure the noose was firmly around my neck before pulling the first lever.
The insult came when you immediately followed up with Issue 14: Architect. Architect TIckets?! AE Missions?! New Badges?! Well... at least all my characters were pretty new from the last deletion... I wouldn't miss them TOO much... would I?
I deleted all my characters and started over again.
Issues 15, 16 and 17 went by pretty quietly and I felt a growing sense of dread... you were planning something... something big... I just knew it.
I can imagine the conversation in your offices:
Sycophant: "Sir! We just got in a disturbing report!"
Darth Dev: "What is it, peon?"
Sycophant: "Sir, one of Steelclaw's characters just reached 37th level!"
Darth Dev: "What?! Why wasn't I told of this earlier?!"
Sycophant: "I'm sorry, Dread Lord! We didn't know it had gotten that bad..."
Darth Dev (one force-choke later): "Clean this up! And call my advisors... we must force that fool to restart his tournament!"
And so you announced Going Rogue.
And that was the really, really torturous aspect of your sadism towards me. You announced Going Rogue nearly a WHOLE YEAR in advance of its release. You deliberately let me KNOW I would have to restart... let me STEW in the fact that every moment I played the game was essentially useless because at some definite but unknown point in the future I'd be deleting all my characters and starting over again...
You cruel, heartless ********.
And so... here we are... I've started over again... killed all my characters and reincarnated them in their new images. Spent countless hours re-creating and updating spreadsheets... enslaved by love to this *****ble game.
You do it on purpose. You Devs. You hold out these sparkling gifts and improvements to the game with a gentle smile that barely hides the gloating, malicious glee like fires of madness in your liar's eyes. Any normal person would rest on their laurels, let laziness prevail and allow status quo to reign supreme. Most others would let me FINISH at least ONE ****** tournament before introducing another new and wonderful addition to the game.
But no... I get stuck with a Development Team who think the game should be "upwardly mobile." I get a game whose Devs have a freaking work ethic.
So, I'll keep playing... What choice do I have? I'm an addict and an addict needs his fix. I know you'll get me again. I know you'll look at my account and see what level my characters are and rush out the next beautiful change. I just know it.
Issue 19: Incarnates.
...
....
.....
Oh, *** **** you.
With Love,
Steelclaw
My mind wanders so often you've probably seen its picture on milk cartons. - Me... the first person version of the third person Steelclaw