So this is just a little discussion regarding yet another thing I've noticed about members of the Feral-heart community. It seems that the attitude toward various aspects of Feral Heart changes when you turn from talking to people who regularly lurk in or post in the forums versus those who are only on the game. Now before someone gripes, I KNOW that these things are not true for everyone. Don't throw a hissy fit if you don't like or don't fit what I've said below, these are JUST based on my observations of others. If you agree or disagree, feel free to post your own.
Forum Posters/Lurkers tend to....
1. Are more open to downloading maps and presets.
2. If willing to download maps and presets, are often MUCH more picky about which ones they download (often due to a limited amount of space)
3. Know to do slightly more complicated things with the map maker such as linking maps together to take up less space in Cape, retexure or utilize out-of-game meshes in object maker, as well as trouble-shoot their own problems with the game or knowing exactly who or where to ask for help, let alone how to ask for it. [As caps spamming and freaking out usually earns several posts of scolding for every few (or even one or none) post of help.]
4. MORE critical of cliches, lack-of-logic, character types, etc in RP, BUT often (but not always) LESS critical of a person's writing capabilities (in terms of spelling/grammar) and more willing to assist.
NON-Forum lurkers/posters, solely in-game players tend to....
1. Less willing to download maps and presets. I think part of it comes from the fear of getting a virus or having to have "mommy and daddy download something for me for the 20th time."
2. If they are willing to download maps and presets. They're usually not picky. They'll often take a description or none at all when told in-game about a map, rather than bothering to put in a link to see what the map or preset looks like. Often times, they just want the link.
3. Not know how to do more complex things with the map maker, preset maker, object maker etc. They eventually learn but sometimes have to be badgered before looking or asking on the forum for help OR they'll try to learn from another in-game user.
4. Tend to be less critical of logic flaws, character types, etc in RP. However, they may be more critical of a person's spelling/grammar or the way a person roleplays. (Unless its wolfspeak in which case those who post/lurk on the forum tend to attack wolfspeakers while some in-game-only users tend to embrace it or ignore it.)
Now out of all of these I think my biggest pet peeve tends to come from the users who don't EVER go on the forum. Now that said I have some friends who NEVER go on the forum but do not fit ANY of the criteria I listed above. Anyway, I think the quirk I find most annoying comes from the In-game-only users, # 2.
As for the younger players, you mean to tell me these supposedly more tech-savvy generation can't figure it out? Sometimes Ive tried to help these younger users and it is a painstakingly slow and confusing process. Honestly, since when was downloading and installing something on Feral Heart hard? Its easier than it was for Impressive Title and its a matter of downloading, copy and paste. I would think after seeing one's parents do it (and this is admitedly with the assumption parents either are allowing, not caring, or simply supervising the kid downloading it) several times over that they wouldn't EVENTUALLY learn? Thats how I learned how to install computer games from CD's. My dad did it for me for a while, then made me watch and then supervised from afar, and then had me do it for myself when I didn't need him anymore. For the older players, there are tutorials everywhere to learn how to download and install different user-made content for the game. It just takes a few minutes of hunting on the forum or Youtube, or even just asking someone where to find it!
Some folks I have noticed back out of groups or freak out when they find out that the group or pack or pride just got a new downloadable map to RP in. I find that kinda disappointing. Its not THAT difficult to learn how to do and its not going to overload your computer JUST because it didn't come with the game. There are little maps that don't take up as much as space as others. On top of that, if you get from a reliable source,and it won't virus your computer. I don't mean to sound snappy about it, I just don't understand why some cringe at the thought of downloading something past the main game which CANT be updated and yet get bored and want more maps and extra things added when they could just download user-made content themselves.
