RIP General

[ZombieKitteh]

Oh this brings me to another question staff. I made a topic suggestion before about adding new maps. My response was "We can't without Kovu."

(My topic: http://www.feral-heart.com/index.php?option=com_jfusion&Itemid=2&jfile=index.php&topic=33652.0&topicseen)

Why can you make such a drastic change like this without him but adding new content and maps isn't ok? Everyone best hold onto your bosoms and kiss your anus goodbye. The ship is sinking and will continue to do so until more things are changed.

[SoulRevenge]

It's not just about general being gone, it's just another sign of the staff not caring at all and trying to find ways around their jobs so they don't have to get off their asses and actually take action in game. Welp, can't wait for Aro'Kai to come out.

Despite the fact that what you said was over-all quite relevant to any other comments left, the last few words were a bit 'over board' in my perspective. I don't mean to be mini-modding, but despite the fact that the moderators and administrators have not quite been as communitive with us before, the way in which you kind of adressed this was. . 'ridiculous', if I must say so myself. It's not like they don't care anymore, it's that they don't want to talk to us. You also must remember that Razmirz made this choice, not the moderators. As stated in the first message- yes, the moderators and admins are lacking communication with us members, which is dearly unappreciated, but to go as far as to say that 'they don't care anymore' is a bit extreme. They simply don't talk, we don't know if they don't care.

Oh this brings me to another question staff. I made a topic suggestion before about adding new maps. My response was "We can't without Kovu."

(My topic: http://www.feral-heart.com/index.php?option=com_jfusion&Itemid=2&jfile=index.php&topic=33652.0&topicseen)

Why can you make such a drastic change like this without him but adding new content and maps isn't ok? Everyone best hold onto your bosoms and kiss your anus goodbye. The ship is sinking and will continue to do so until more things are changed.

I dunno how many times mods have mentioned that they don't have the source code, thus can not add new maps or anything. As for this drastic change and how it was done, I think they mentioned that they did it through the server. But, they really can't really add anything else like maps without Kov, because Kov has the source code which he won't give to the staff. Why he won't give it? I dunno, but he probably has intentions on future updates because he hasn't given it out. Even if he has 'abandoned' us for now, if he isn't a jerk, then he'd give us the source code if he's really leaving. Otherwise, I more or less one-hundred percent agree with you when it comes to the terms of this decision being 'stupid'.  Which it is, quite honestly; as I mentioned before, the so-called advantages are greatly outnumbered by the disadvantages.

[ZombieKitteh]

Oh this brings me to another question staff. I made a topic suggestion before about adding new maps. My response was "We can't without Kovu."

(My topic: http://www.feral-heart.com/index.php?option=com_jfusion&Itemid=2&jfile=index.php&topic=33652.0&topicseen)

Why can you make such a drastic change like this without him but adding new content and maps isn't ok? Everyone best hold onto your bosoms and kiss your anus goodbye. The ship is sinking and will continue to do so until more things are changed.

I dunno how many times mods have mentioned that they don't have the source code, thus can not add new maps or anything. As for this drastic change however, I've mentioned in another post of mine that I was more or less enraged by it, but I do believe that this was done through the server. But, they really can't without Kov, because Kov has the source code which he won't give. Why he won't give it? I dunno, but he probably has intentions on future updates because he hasn't given it out. Even if he has 'abandoned' us, if he isn't a jerk, then he'd give us the source code if he's really leaving. Otherwise, I more or less one-hundred percent agree with you when it comes to the terms of this decision being 'stupid'.  Which it is, quite honestly; the so-called advantages are greatly outnumbered by the disadvantages.

I'm not talking about major updates that require source code. I mean maps, items, etc. FH+ and other people mod the game client all the time. Why can't staff do it, make it official and have a patch for it? Sure it wont be alot, but perhaps it'd be a "Oh hey new content, awesome." They can't do much without Kovu, bu tthey can do somethings without him

[_-Phantomwolf-_]

.....I've already had my say, but I must add to it. I respect the fact that the mods want to play this game, and enjoy it for what it is, and I understand that everyone has a life outside of fh..but is that reason to just say 'oh, well, we're doing this without even considering the reaction of the community on a 'community' based game. Don't get upset about it.' Again, i lnow this wasnt the thinking or intention when gen was taken down, and that in the end a choice just needed to be made, but How can anyone honestly ask this of over a thousand people?...to just be open minded when they feel like they have zero say in a game that was supposed to be for them? I would have been disappointed to see gen, or anything to do with fh that people depended on go, but if the time had been taken as many have said to put up a poll, or even put up an announcement in game in mod text about it, I think we all would have been more understanding and accepting of this decision. I don't care if fh is just a chat anymore, and I don't care if the purpose was to make us 'socialize' taking away a key component to a CHAT based game isn't going to force us to make friends, it's going to make us move on. If I wanted to go socialize, I would, regardless if gen was there or not. All that's happened is a game wide uproar. I really do hope that all of these messages are taken into consideration when deciding whether or not general will come back to fh, because I think that if they are, general would be back. It is because the subject of fh being a community coming up so much that I do think the level headed replies will be taken into account. Hopefully in (short) time, we will have general back.

[SoulRevenge]

I'm not talking about major updates that require source code. I mean maps, items, etc. FH+ and other people mod the game client all the time. Why can't staff do it, make it official and have a patch for it? Sure it wont be alot, but perhaps it'd be a "Oh hey new content, awesome." They can't do much without Kovu, bu tthey can do somethings without him

Oh oh, the mentioning of FH+ and the updates they can perform. All's I can say about this being brought up is 'congrats, Zombie'- now you have me thinking a little. As for this, I can't say that anything that I type in here is true, nevertheless the right facts, but for all I know, FeralHeart+ could be ran on an entirely different source code. I am not 'game-master', however I do believe that even minor things added such as maps, items, and what-not require this code. If not? Then perhaps the moderators are holding back a little, but once more I can not be sure of this because everything that has gone on has not been presented infront of me, thus I can not make a fully accurate deduction. However, like I mentioned before, FeralHeart+ could be ran using an entirely different source code, or Simba might have that 'same source code', yet will not willingly give it up. Quite frankly, I don't know. I imagine I'm making a bit of a fool out of myself from typing this, but that's somewhat expected when you look at me.
   Nevertheless, you do make a good point. But, as far as I know, without the source-code in the moderator's hands, it might be entirely impossible for the game to update. The FH+ update might even be impossible in the future, but once more; I just can not be sure. Let's simply title this as a 'great question in which I can not answer with a correctly and assure you that I am, indeed, correct, but the staff could possibly answer'.

[_-Phantomwolf-_]

lag, double post.

[Wolfish Grin]

I can see why some people may have felt the need to get rid of General: trolls, spammers, inappropriate conversations and the like certainly were a bit of a problem. But you know what? That's why the mods are there. To keep unruly players in check with that all-commanding red text and sparingly given words of warning when the occasion required it. I can't help but wonder if this was partly a way to avoid hard work, pretty much the only in-game work that was ever necessary. Also, reporting was definitely an option if no mods stepped in, which I've gladly done on more occasions than I can count. The trolls, spammers, and inappropriate conversations haven't gone away, not at all. Only now they're in less public chats where they can't always be seen by the right people and shut down. To me, that seems like creating a problem rather than solving it.

In terms of advertising: it's just...it can't be done properly. General gave RP leaders a place to state some info about their group, and invite in anyone who chose to read the chat. But with Local ads and movies, advertising has become a primitive and somewhat clumsy activity, a rather painful one to watch and even worse to try and participate in. About a week ago I created a group, whipped up a nice little map and got everything set up. I was so excited to go and grab some members and make some new friends, when suddenly this happened. The character I use to lead the group is one of my current favourites so I often go on him anyway, but it just ends up saddening me when every now and then I think "Oh, I should advertise for some members!- oh wait...I can't. Goodbye group".
The kind of long, descriptive ads that once graced General seem useless and out of place in Local. You spend all that time typing out a concise, informative ad and then it only gets seen by seven people. Movies are worse by far however, with their extremely limited text space and tendency not to work for so many players.

Life on FH now: whenever I log on, I feel like I've entered a ghost town or some quarantined city with no means of communication to the outside world. There's this giant, oppressive emptiness that just takes all the life from the game. Yeah, so it forces people to go and look for each other, but why was that necessary? What was wrong with sitting comfortably in a nice spot and participating in a good old bit of General chat? I, like many others on here, was one of those people who didn't enjoy the crowded spots where all you could see was nametag after nametag. I loved nothing better than finding a quiet spot to watch the sky or spectate a random RP while I had a good time on General. Now that's gone, because apparently there was something wrong with staying in one spot that you enjoyed.

And most importantly, about the execution of this change: I didn't hear a peep about this until I wandered confusedly into the forum, and found this topic after an eerily quiet day in Fluorite. There was no little notice on the login screen, no "monthly update" forum topic as it has been mentioned by other people here, no warning whatsoever. I wouldn't be half as frustrated as I am if you had told us what was happening before it happened. Heck, would it be so hard to put up a poll and ask us our opinions before you go wrenching out such an important part of the game? Lots of people have said it before, and I'm going to back them up. This game has really lost its sense of community in the recent past, and this didn't help that one bit. You say that other people's opinions were asked, but who? Were they players who loved General and used it every day, or were they mods who looked at the green chat and saw nothing but a mild inconvenience to be swept under the carpet? I really don't understand what possible reason you could have come up with to justify ripping away one of the best parts of the game. Now advertising is awkward as hell to say the least, and I feel completely alienated from everyone in-game as no doubt others do too.

I suggest that either General should be brought back immediately, or a poll should be placed somewhere very obvious on the forum for every player to give their view and the situation be taken from there.

I believe Ax here has said it the best; I agree with almost everything she has said here.

I would like to add, however, that General is almost like a person to some of us. Many of us would personify ol' Gen Gen, and he became a part of us. A part of our community. I'm really saddened and disappointed by this whole... mess. I can't even call it and 'update' because it's not. An update would be a patch- something that would require us going back to the FH website and downloading that latest version of it for changed content that was required to continue playing the game. Does anyone remember that? Those little messages that appeared in the update/patch box on the login screen? Yeah, I gave up with that a long time ago. Because I know that that requires changing the coding and editing the actual game- not just pressing some almighty button that gets rid of something in the game. So I can't even call this an 'update'. More like a 'downgrade' if anything.

Anyways, what I was trying to say before was that for some of us in FH, General is not just a chat. He was a dear friend of ours that was always there for us if we needed someone to talk to. He could always keep us company, provide us with laughs and entertainment, and help us make new friends. Why would getting rid of him bring the community together? Why would wrenching out a large part of Feral Heart's past, and our legacy, make the place a little bit better?

I remember, seems like a long time ago, when there were people who we called Generalists. Because they wouldn't do too much but sit around and have a good time in general. Even us- simple commoners of FH- would know them. Because they'd be there out in general, chatting away and enjoying themselves. I could name off some of them right now, because there was a point in FH history where they left us. Calico... Bononos 8D... Cheetos... now it's been a long time since I've seen any of them. Since I've talked to them. Since I've even thought about them. But I'll always remember them. You know why? Because one day I was feeling like crap. I was just having a terrible day when I logged into FH, and just wanted to escape the world for a little bit. And I remember, sitting alone in the Plains, and the generalists were chatting, just talking about who knows what. Random stuff. And I watched the chat scroll by, and the little jokes and remarks made here and there, and they made me smile. I remember that I braved to say something in general, and just like that I was in the random conversation and laughing right along with them. Their outgoing attitude and willingness to talk, and be open to anyone made my day just that much better. And when I said I had to go and logged off, I felt content. Because those generalists- and everyone else that had been participating in general that day- had helped remind me that there were always good things in the world. There was always laughs and good times, and just a little bit of courage and a whole lot of friendliness could get you there.

And that's why I really don't want to see my dear friend Gen Gen go. Because he's not just a chat for trolls and spammers, he's someone who means a lot to the people of FH. Because not only do RPers need them (and that's a huge part that I haven't covered, but a lot of other people have), but so do us commoners of FH. Now call me old school, call me stubborn, call me anything you wish- but in all my FH days I've already had plenty of my dear online friends come and go. Seen them die off because whatever reason. So please, I'm asking you that you reconsider this choice, and don't let our dear friend General die as well.


<3, Wolfy.

P.S. *And I'm not bashing on anyone here. I will not disrespect the staff, but I just please ask that they reconsider this decision. If we are a community based game, then we should be working together to come to a solution, or if not resolve it, then work to find the best compromise. How can we ever be a community if only one side does something, or if we come at each other's throats? And I think all of us are at least a little guilty of that. All I would like to see is that this decision be reconsidered where both sides are involved equally... Thank you.

[CloudFeesh]

Yet again you tiptoe around things and aren't honest in a way that expresses what your wanting to say and what you are saying comes off as completely irrelevant or not what is being asked . Its always two different things.

You've defended the decision against why the chat was taken away-- people have listened to that and understood it to an extent. There are the users still who want it back and still feel bothered by it. You can't help but to expect these responses.

Whether or not the communication issue is going to be addressed is yet to be seen. Because that still seems to sit in the back of your minds as is. A lot of collected opinions that say the same thing does some time mean something.

It should also be thrown out there that most of these users are NOT trying to attack you-- they care about this game just as much as you do otherwise they wouldn't even bother voicing their opinions.

Personally I could care one or two ways about the general chat being gone-- but the lack of communication, the avoidance of these issues, and the way you guys handle things are per usual leave some to be desired.

And your reaction to this will be the one about how the staff are working with a stagnant game? For this very reason you guys are held to a more higher pedestal. I know your frustrated with the "give, give" mindset but you have to realize if you plan on making decisions that are going to impact such a large portion of what the game is based around that people are going to question and look to you for answers more than ever-- and on more than just why it is taken away.

The way its phrased makes me believe that myself and many others are missing something here that is being held away from us. In this case-- why isn't communication being so stressed now? The community events that used to be held? Like the movie nights? Or the stuff i threw out as examples in my other post. These are ones that keep a community together. Your involvement whether you like to accept it or not is what a lot of people rely on without the game creator.

I think it should also be stated by myself that I dont think Feral Heart has a bad community. Just one that needs improvements much like any other. And part of fixing that and making it better is having the gonads to accept criticism with a grain of rice instead of brushing it off just because your ego or your set ways say so. Maybe even if it goes against what the system says, trying new things with this can only do better and if does bad can be reverted to what it was.

But maybe these general thing isn't the only thing that needs to be considered, and maybe the users arent the only ones who need to learn to adapt to some change.

[DancerOfTheDark]

I rather enjoyed General, as it was some sort of help to find perfect, and actually LITERATE roleplays. As this is a change, and I'm willing to be up for this test, I really prefer General to be back. Maybe there could be another additional chat added to Feral Heart? Like one for advertisements, and General could just to be like it normally is.? I know it's kind of a stupid point, but, General is another way of socialing with others. It is how I met most of my friends.

Movieclips just do not cut it for advertisements, in my opinion. The chatbox is limited with a lot less characters, and it's simply not the same. Even though it can turn into spam and random trolling, it's another thing to do when you're bored, and not in the mood to roleplay-- you can just chat with people you've never met with before, and possibly become friends. As I said prior, that is how I met most of them. Some was roleplaying advertisements, some was just random subjects in General. Plus, people are starting to spam with the movie clips, worse than it ever was now, and I haven't seen much MOD activity.

Local for advertisements is a choice, yes, but it doesn't grab as much attention as General would, since everyone located in the map is able to read it. Most people at Stonebridge are already in a group it originally came for, and are just laying around, waiting to go to their roleplay spot.

As I brought up earlier in this post, maybe another chat section could be made ONLY for Roleplaying advertisements. Whatever your decision is, I'll be there to support the staff, even though I'm not popular with the forums. I have always came to Feral Heart for roleplays.

Another note I will add before closing this up, literate roleplays were already hard to find in the first place. Now, it's even harder to find the right roleplay. Almost all of the roleplays I have joined that were used for movie clips turned out to be the complete opposite of literate, and it's been getting on my nerves a lot recently.

Cheers,
Dj

[SterolHeart]

No... just no. ;-;