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Thank you for being so polite and considerable, it makes this very easy to reply to.
I don't often interact with the community anymore, I feel I've grown rather distant to it. But I still hang around here, watching and seeing how everyone is and how the community is doing.
I also joined in 2012, and I can definitely remember the FeralHeart you described, the FeralHeart I was drawn to and consumed by. The FeralHeart that gave me a place to belong, a place full of lively, funny, friendly users with beautiful and unique characters. Where roleplay was still fresh and new and exciting, and the maps full to the brim with people in every nook and cranny. Back when it was difficult to secure a spot for your roleplay, or when it was easy to bump into people and make friends, be it through friendly banter and shenanigans, or through an amazing roleplay.
And I agree, FH isn't like that anymore. You described it beautifully, in that it has lost it's colour. The community has worn down, people have become bland or awkward. There are many amazing people still around, still funny and lively people, but the colour has gone.
I can't really say much on the staff. I feel I may have been something of a friend with some of them once? I see them doing their job really. And while I agree freedom of speech is good, I can see why they lock these posts. To stop negativity, to remove clutter. I can't say I agree or disagree, I see both of these points equally valid.
I do like the staff. They are friendly and polite people, who try their best to explain situations to agrivated users, and to do their job while keeping everyone happy. And that's hard. They can't keep everyone happy, and that's a shame. It's difficult for them , they have to distance themselves really, because if they get too involved it will be difficult, painful even to do their job. And it's sad, but they are still the amazing users I knew and loved.
I don't really have much more to say on the matter, but you do describe your thoughts perfectly, I can definitely see what you are saying.
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I completely understand you.
The game has changed a lot in the past years. I didnt join Feralheart when it was out, but I did play it when it had a lot of people, such as 2012. I do miss the roleplays that happened. I know lots of people miss the old maps, but the only thing to do is to get use to the new surroundings. I still love this game, but it does feel a little dead now, like I don't know about some people, but it almost feels like no one really talks anymore. Like I'm the new maps I don't see a lot of socializing, except In groups, but otherwise love the new maps, and think they are beautiful and creative.
As for the staff, I think they are great people. I don't think they are ignoring people. It can get really stressful for them if many people ask for the same thing repeatedly. They want to help everyone and their needs, but it requires more patience, and they are real people, so they do have lives and can get busy.
But other than that I agree with your opinion.
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I quite do agree.
When I joined back then, Bonfire used to be my favorite spot. People had chars with splashes of color and personality. I would watch movie clips people made, and I didn't ever spot the word "Literate" once. Because I ain't that literate.
Now, chars are dull and noone accepts unique, bright chars anymore. They all seem the same color now: grey, grey-brown, or white, or black. I don't feel family anymore now that FH is more mature. It seems like FH has turned around. Movie clips harbor "Literate" and groups have names I don't get.
The part about the staff, it is quite difficult to talk to them. They work very hard to make everyone happy for this game. It can be daunting to speak with them, since they have such power and they would seem mean since they harbour that strength. But they aren't daunting, they are friendly. They thought the update would bring new life to the game. I don't think the update is bad or anything, just some people dislike the update, some people like it. I'm in between. Some mods have a soft side, some seem ignoring. They actually all have a soft side. No-one would ask any member to be a mod if they are all ignoring. This community is kind. And, as Arctic said, some people just need to let the "Glory Days" of FH go. They don't have that much power to bring it back. Just be happy that FH didn't actually break when it got hacked, so we actually still have the game. The staff are nice, and they will only lock threads like that because they would see the topic their way.
Overall, your description is crystal clear.
And I am not trying to hate or anything. I'm not that type of fluff.
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i may not truly understand what's happening, cause i'm just too stupid and naive to realize these things, but i mostly see where you're coming from with this.
though i only joined about a year ago, i know how active feralheart used to be back when. which is why i was so interested in it in the first place.
i've seen all the dull and colorless characters, and it upsets me that there are so many. my characters, for example, have plenty color (well maybe not faraji but she's a bombay cat). and it makes me happy to see other brightly colored characters around. but i've noticed that compared to when i first joined there aren't that many colored creatures out there. though i personally don't know the struggles of illiterates, it makes me angry to see other people complaining about their level of literacy.
as for the staff, to me they seemed like regular people. again, cause i'm stupid and naive. but every time i saw a thread get locked because someone mentioned banning or something else, it did make me upset. cause i didn't understand why. at first i thought "huh, maybe it's really a bad thing to talk about banning", but now i've matured a little bit more and i realized it doesn't make sense (this was actually more recently; i only joined the forums a few months ago).
i just don't understand why we can't all get along, and why the staff must lock threads about how someone was banned. i used to see staff as good people who protect others, but as i matured more into this community, i realize, now, that the staff here aren't too "yay".
or maybe i still don't get it, cause i'm just too much of a naive idiot. oh well.
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as for the staff, to me they seemed like regular people. again, cause i'm stupid and naive. but every time i saw a thread get locked because someone mentioned banning or something else, it did make me upset. cause i didn't understand why. at first i thought "huh, maybe it's really a bad thing to talk about banning", but now i've matured a little bit more and i realized it doesn't make sense (this was actually more recently; i only joined the forums a few months ago).
i just don't understand why we can't all get along, and why the staff must lock threads about how someone was banned. i used to see staff as good people who protect others, but as i matured more into this community, i realize, now, that the staff here aren't too "yay".
Well actually, with the banning, it does make some sense. If people decide that they can come onto the forums and complain about bans all they want, it's not just negative behavior, but the undermining of good and just rules. Sending a PM to a moderator is what they should do, instead of making a fuss about it publicly on the forums.
Besides, we shouldn't be discussing bans, so I'll leave that be.
Apart from that, you're not naive, it is hard to get a good feel for FH when you haven't been here long, there are things you don't realise until you've been here a while. So don't worry.
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I joined FH back in 2012, and I always found it, as you said, so full of color and life. You could walk up to anyone and become quick friends and the staff were incredibly easy to talk to and get along with, I myself befriended a number of them and I'm still friends with them to this day.
However, I posted a thread recently about how I felt detached from the community and how it was a "me" problem. I mentioned how I myself had lost my color and spirit in the game and I thought it really was just me. But analyzing what you among others have said, I now realize it's not just me. The community is all the same people day in and day out, doing the same thing talking to the same select few. I find it hard nowadays to spark up conversation with people.
As for staff, I feel intimidated by some of them, which I shouldn't. Mind you, there are some that are very friendly, talkative, and inviting, but there are others who I feel may bite my head off! Haha!
I could be going about that the entirely wrong way, I'm not close with any of them and it may just be their personality! Some of them may just be a little timid or prefer to keep to themselves, and that's okay! I just wish I felt comfortable talking to them without any of them thinking I want to befriend them just because they're staff. I'm a friendly person, the staff are always online, therefore it's someone whom I can often converse with. I know it's not their job to befriend the community as they're people just as you and I are, but maybe if they showed their soft and squishy side a little more often, more people would realize they're just people. Moderator, Global Moderator, Administrator, they're just titles. They imply authority, yes, but they're just people.
Don't get me wrong, I love nearly everything that the staff do, they're professional and calm and do their best to keep the community unified and having a good time. I suppose I just personally view them more as a 'boss' sort of status haha
I see where you're coming from 100% and I often wish I could go back in time and relive FeralHeart's golden days, but as that's not entirely possible, I'll just have to live with what we've got. I think that after registration opens back up, we'll get a hoard of new members. New members are new faces and that means a huge splash of brand new color to the community. I suppose I really just can't wait~
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i don't mind them locking a few threads but seems like lots get locked just because they didn't want someone posting on it in 4 years time. If someone does revive an old topic i find it funny or fun. (Hope registration does open soon, haven't had enough new people in a while.)
As for talking to people, i find you can if you try, most are pretty desperate for someone to talk to. Some might take ages to reply as they have to type everything out in a translator & then translate their reply back again.
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Honestly, I wish more people would post more threads like this in such a calm and orderly way. Kudos all around for ye.
I very much agree with many of your points, remarkably about the game's loss of color, as you put it. I was scarcely active in game as of when I rejoined the forum after my first hiatus (which was late 2015/early 2016 around there). It just got redundant. Sittin' around, waitin' for a friendly face; and either they too became inactive, or I was just too shy to approach them. The hackin' situation took it to another level. With the server bein' down so long, as well as the addition of the new login system, many people, whether young or not-involved with the community, were simply led to the false belief that a. their game was broken, or b. the game had at long last shut down. In the "recovery" months, and pretty much everythin' up until the update, the game seemed on its death bed. Nearly all the maps were empty, or without public discussion or "joinable" conversation. I was on the verge of lettin' go of the game entirely before the update.
Personally speakin', I love the update. Yes, it may not seem "traditional," or similar to the usual Feralheart feel, but it wasn't a bad thing in my opinion. However, despite the massive spike in popularity, many people were still unhappy, and even loyal members who stuck through the hackin' situation and the dyin' community were driven to leave.
Even now, I feel the game is slowin' down again. Not nearly as badly as it had before, but still, I can feel it comin' on soon.
Anyways, onto the topic of staff. Before I say anythin' else, I personally am more than contented with the Feralheart staff. I may not agree with every decision, but they are all pleasant people, and I admire their constant involvement with the community.
Now, that bein' said, I do, however, agree that they can be dauntin' to approach or speak to. Although I have considered many staff members, new n' old, pleasant acquaintances, and in a few cases, even friends. Although this may just be my social anxiety and agoraphobia speakin', I'm honestly have a respectful fear of a few. I do not dislike them at all. Couldn't be further from the truth. But I can't help but feel wary when speakin' to them. I suppose it could just be my mind bein' all paranoid about the "never meet yer heroes" expression.
They hold a great power that is both respectable, and enforcable. I look up to and admire them all for that. Especially keepin' calm in some nasty situations.
Although, I do see the reasons for lockin' or deletin' or bannin' certain topics/users. Anarchy is all fun n' games until someone loses an eye. That's what they're tryin' to prevent, I believe. It's not easy to be likable and fun, as they have no doubt achieved, yet keep order without endin' discussions n' the like. I will admit, there have been a small handful of threads in the past few years, that perhaps shouldn't have been locked (at least in my opinion) at the point of discussion they were at, but I will respect their choices, as I look up to them.
So, in my conclusion, I think I'll stay more neutral on this topic. I agree n' disagree with ye in many ways. I wish I would be able to type my perspective on all of the points, but this post is long enough already, so I'll end it here.
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As a lot of people already mentioned, I really like how respectful you're being with this thread. If only more people were like that.
I was never around for FeralHeart's "Glory Days" when there were way over a thousand players on at any given time. I joined back in 2014, but there were still quite a few players always roaming around (600-800) and it was quite fun watching everyone. I took a break about a month before the hacking and didn't decided to come back until January of this year. I didn't know about the hacking, and, like a lot of people probably thought, I thought my game was broken. But I searched until I had my answers and finally got back into it. It just takes people a little time to search for answers and they could get back in. But I understand not everyone is going to do that.
As for the staff, at first, they were all rather daunting to me. But I decided to get over my slight wariness of the staff and I've found out they are wonderful, friendly people. They just want what is best for this game, and they thought the update would do the trick. It may not have done it now, and a lot of people are still upset about loosing the old maps. But once registration starts opening again and new faces show up, it may just be the thing we need. New people that come on, see how beautiful the maps are, and stick around. Basically new blood for the game. I think that is just what FeralHeart needs. In my opinion, this is just a low for FeralHeart. I honestly believe that someday, it will spring back and be just as lively as before.
And as for the topic, I'm pretty sure I know which one you are talking about, and a part of me understands how you feel about your friend just simply posting a thread stating her opinion and then a staff just coming and locking it up. But it's not about the staff not valuing their opinion. It's simply the fact that old FeralHeart needs to be let go. It's not coming back. I know that sharing memories about it is ok, they don't want you to just forget about it and not remember. But the fact of the matter is, sometimes when posting threads like that, there may be a few salty people that take advantage of that thread and use it to stir up trouble. Dosen't mean it would have happened, but staff want to keep this forums as clean as possible and avoid any conflicts. Better safe than sorry, no?
Try to be more understanding toward our staff friend. They worked very hard on this update. They take time out of their lives to do anything they can to keep this game running and safe. They truly care about each and every one of us, even if it doesn't seem like it.
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I completely agree with you on this one.
All people do on FeralHeart is argue, pick a fight, or make fun of others.
But so is the world around us, reality.
Both are actually very upsetting.
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Alrighty then
I'm going to skip the part about how FeralHeart was back in the day; we can all agree it was quite different to what it is now for various reasons.
As for the bit about staff...I can only speak for myself. If the others wish to chip in here, they will do so.
It kind of hurts a bit to see people say that they feel intimidated by us or feel that they can't approach us. That's not something I want people to feeling about me - or us - especially when everything we do here is to help people and keep the community a friendly place for people to be in. I apologise if I personally have ever come across that way - it's not my intent.
As you're all aware we are real people, with personalities and human needs. I believe we staff members are all decent people, but some of us are more outgoing than others. I myself am quite introverted and can be withdrawn - I too feel a bit shy about striking up a conversation with someone. Did you know that one time it took me 20 minutes to get up the courage to ask to join a roleplay? Don't mistake my shyness or tiredness for being aloof, arrogant or up my own backside. That goes without saying for the other staff too.
In regards to locking threads and discussions...ya know, there isn't a rule book given to us to tell us how to do our job. Everything we do requires a lot of thought and experience, which we gain over time, about how to handle a situation and the ways to go about dealing with it. We use our best judgment. And as we our only human, we're not going to be perfect, we will sometimes make mistakes. But at the end of the day, we do what we do with the community in mind. To my knowledge, none of the current staff members have ever used their staff privileges for the wrong reasons, be it personal gain or whatever.
There are a lot of you, and while we try to do what we think is in the best interests for the majority, we won't please everyone. That's just not possible. There will always be people that get upset. And honestly, feedback is good. If you think any of us are at fault, I'd encourage you to address it in a calm and polite manner.
Speaking of being calm and polite, thanks for writing this in a way that doesn't sound like an adolescent rage. It's much appreciated.
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After reading through this post and the things that other's have said, I've come to form a thesis here that the issue isn't really with the game itself or with its staff, but rather it's with what seems to be something I can no better described than the current "public opinion".
Opinion is a very powerful thing. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. And for those of you who think opinion is fact, then some clarification has to be made. Opinion is a basis of belief formed on observations of the current status or condition of something. Humans observe the same thing in many different ways. The problem is, whether the game is "not as colorful" or "dead" or if the staff are "not too friendly", etc. It's all subjunctive. This means that no matter what the issue or thing at debate is, everyone is going to see it or think of it how they want to.
It is impossible to please every single person. So parading around preaching this idea that the "old" Feral Heart was the best Feral Heart for everyone is completely false. The majority might have believed this was true, but there were plenty who did not hold the same opinion. In fact, it's almost ironic, (and I think I've mentioned this in a previous thread) that there were so many people crusading for change in this game, and as soon as it comes they fall to hypocrisy. Here's the verdict: Just because you and a few collectives think it is best does not mean it is 1) the best for everyone or 2)best for the game. Don't misunderstand what I'm trying to prove here. I'm not bashing anyone who misses the old Feral Heart. I miss it too. But you cannot satisfy every single person.
Yes, I will agree that not only has the game physically changed with the update, but it also has changed in mood. Again, whether this change is good or bad is all formed off of public or popular opinion. It too is subjunctive. But the thing is, we as humans find something that we, collectively, really like, and seem to bend that out of proportion.
For example, I have seen many of you posting above concerning the literacy of role-plays in the past and today. The current opinion seems to be that "literate and mature" Role-plays are the only ones around nowadays. If you were quite pervasive in your role-plays in the past as well, you would have remembered that there were a lot of literate and mature role-plays around. Red Ravage was quite a literate and mature role-play, and if I recall, at the time that was a very large and popular local pack. There was also a large mix of semi-literate role-plays back then too. As there is now as well.
Things such as literacy, decline in role-plays, and colorful characters have nothing to do with the current state of the game or with how the staff run it. The real reason is because things like these fluctuate with time. And it only takes one person to notice there is perhaps a flux of literate role-plays to say "Hey this is the only type of role-play around". This message spreads and others adopt this opinion and focus in on it, forgetting about the tons of other semi-literate role-plays out there. It may seem like this is the only type of role-play around because this is only what attention is focused on currently.
Regarding the comments about the staff; they are people just like everyone else on this game. They are humans and not miracle workers. They too make mistakes. It is unfair to them to bash their work when they are doing the best they can. The staff are not paid for what they do. They took on this job voluntarily because they love and care for this game. They were asked to become staff by other capable people. The staff do what they need to do to keep this game fun, safe, and up and running.
Sure, they may not talk to you in game or recognize every single player, but this does not mean that they are not friendly. I have meet and talked to a lot of staff members, and I've even gotten the opportunity to become friends with some of them. From my experiences, they are no different from other players. Sure they have a lot more authority, but this does not put them on a pedestal. In fact, they are humble. Not once have I heard a staff brag about their position or put another down. They're not out for glory like some may think. This facade is put up by again, the "popular opinion" or "popular belief". If malice through their actions were their intent, then they wouldn't be staff, simply put.
I hope this made at least a little sense to some people. I apologize if anyone took offense to any of my words, I obviously did not mean them to offend but rather to educate and share my personal beliefs.
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I can agree with a few of the points you've got here, and have a few comments for the others.
I've been around since 2012 as well, and you're right when you say the game has changed, in views of different players' behavior type. Yes, there may not be as many people talking around the game that there used to be, but there's a few things you have to remember.
It's nearing the end of 2016 now. Someone who was 12 years old in 2012 is now 16. It may or may not seem like much of an age difference, but behavior-wise, it's a fairly large gap. I used to know quite a few people that, in the 'glory days', would run up to anyone with a cool character they saw, and start up a conversation. The older we get, the less we tend to just run up to any one person in a map to talk about cupcakes and whatnot.
So the userbase from the old days is growing up. Not only does that mean we're all maturing, but also getting busier and busier. Not to mention, lots of people have been busy with school or prepping for school the past month or so, which is bound to take up time usually spent FHing with more important things. Thus, less people online.
Even take me for example. Over the summer I tried to be super active, help out where I could, attend parties, etc etc. Now? School has me busy enough that I rarely post once a month.
But when the game updated, we had a record breaking amount of users online (which was fun!). So the update did amp up activity a bit, which was much needed.
Onto the staffers, though.
For my first three years on the game, the staff intimidated and scared me. Then a year or two ago, I joined a roleplay called Unchained, whose leader absolutely adored the staff. The group would draw things for them sometimes, write ridiculously hilarious stories about some of the characters, and so on. I finally worked up the courage to talk to a few of the staff members.
And they were so much fun once I got to know them a bit more. I ended up wanting to be good friends with them.
(Literally just ask Sura about some kpop recommendations and you'll have hours of conversation lmao)
One thing to remember is that not all people prefer to be super outgoing in the way they type, in all caps and purposeful misspells. That doesn't mean they're some type of emotionless robot. A lot of people stay in a serious attitude when they don't know you very well, but once you get closer, they warm up to you and can turn out to be the funniest or craziest person you've ever met.
With the whole, "locking topics" ordeal, there's other things to keep in mind.
Almost all locked topics negatively regarding the update ended up going down a hostile path. Even if it wasn't the author's intention, and they were trying to have a reasonable conversation, other users came in and threw down much more nasty words.
It's less about shutting out negative feedback, and more about shutting out the harsh, unnecessarily hostile comments thrown around, I believe.
As you said, the staff should be treated as people. They are not perfect gods who never make mistakes.
Just like the game, everyone has room for improvement.
It certainly did make it easy to respond with your polite way of going about things. Really helped prove your point, and it's much nicer to see a good, polite, well built argument then a flaring one.
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This seems partially about the update, so I suppose I'll have something to say here.
First of all, I think we all may be missing a little bit of perspective here.
Big cat and wolf indie game. Basically a glorified chat room. Couple of extras, but for core gameplay, mostly that's it.
The forum has... we'll say ~100 registered visitors per day?
With a community this small, it's hard for me to really get involved in "big" issues, since they just seem so blown out of proportion.
The staff aren't people with past experience at managing a community. Currently, all of the active ones were legitimately just members of the community who demonstrated x, y, and z, and then conga-rats, you get to help watch the kiddies. They're going to make mistakes. And yes, it is absolutely 100% a good idea to catch them on that and say, "Hey, I don't think this is right!" But passive-aggressive little digs like, "Go ahead, ban me and prove my point," really get under my skin, and I'm sure they get under theirs. That's just my experience from managing other communities.
The update was a community update, and while it was a staff decision, they were not the only contributors. Other members, myself included, wanted to provide the core game with more content, since it has been the same for YEARS now. Any other successful MMO doesn't just remain the same forever. World of Warcraft, Guild Wars 2, you name it. They all receive updates and expansions. Sometimes parts of the core game change. That's just how things move along and stay up-to-date. The FeralHeart of 2011/2012 is long gone, we all know that, so desperately clinging to all the crap from that time is just a waste. A waste of everyone's time. Why hold back when you can move forward and create something new and exciting?
I recall a specific time when a map in Guild Wars 2 was completely redone. Lions Arch. It was a hub map, a map that you had to go through if you wanted to get anywhere else very quickly. I didn't much like the new design, and preferred the old. But the thing is, it doesn't really matter. It's not my decision, and I'm not going to die because it was changed. It was a tolerable change beyond my control.
However, that is a larger scale game. The benefit of a smaller community is that it is easier for your voice to be heard, yes? And I hear people on this.
I don't necessarily understand the attachment to the old maps, since most were just a heightmap scaled to 10000x10000 with a cluster of 4 objects here and there (not exactly riveting and exciting design), but I can relate to the idea. But when you have people threatening to "hack," "take down," or otherwise violate the terms to which they agreed upon when joining this community, there's a problem. You just cannot always have what you want, and a large part of the community has been hugely immature in going about trying to get their way. Thankfully, you are not being so, which I can, and will commend you for. (+Floof)
I feel as though this is where the subject became touchy. There was already so much negativity and threats surrounding this single decision; there's just a breaking point. A point where everyone's had enough. People don't check when they make a thread, so seeing thread after thread of the same "I disagree you're all wrong and you suck give me what I want." ...Yeah, I can see why someone would lock those. I would.
If the community would have pursued a much less... ostentatious approach, perhaps organised a poll/vote, or otherwise promoted their idea as a positive change, maybe things would not have turned out this way. And there's still a chance to do this. Integration of the old maps would not be a terrible chore, I think the opposition lies in the sort of "style clash" that would result.
You may not know or care, but we spent YEARS on that update. Granted, we weren't working our butts off every hour for that whole time, but that's just the point. Staff, member, everyone in this community is here voluntarily, and we work as a collective mind to make this a better, more enjoyable place for us all, in our free time.
I just refuse to believe that anyone (save a few bad apples here and there) truly has such malicious intent as others would have you believe. We're all here because we want to be, not because we have to be.
Anyway, that's my two cents. Take it or leave it, two cents is two cents, but it won't buy you much nowadays, yeah?
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TL;DR: You're not wrong, but there's so much more to it than that.
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I would like to put in that my detachment from the game, community, and staff has nothing to do with the game, community or staff. It is a problem of myself, and I would like to wonder if that is the case for others.
I love this game. I love this community, and I look up to the staff. Like I have mentioned before, this game gave me a place to belong, and that's not something I take lightly. While I have not been in touch with this community much recently, it still holds a dear place in my heart. I feel like this could be what others may be experiencing. They still hold onto the intense connection with the game they love, but they have become... Used to it all. There isn't much excitement left, wonder or liveliness. But they still grasp onto this memory of 'the old days'.
And I do. I hold onto those memories because they are important to me. But that doesn't mean I want that back. This community needed an update. It has helped much more than it has hurt. We need change, everything needs change, the game was just going to become bland and boring otherwise.
I think the staff are brilliant people, like I said. They are doing a tough job, they are handling difficult situations and making the best decisions they can with their judgments. When I said that I didn't talk to them, it has nothing to do with how they are projected to me. I would happily, have happily, chatted and joked with them. It is me that is making the distance, and I would wonder if it is the same for others?
But of course, I can't really talk much about it, I doubt I know much.
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I strongly second ye, Kiaz. I just feel myself being detached.
This part is my own divergence, but on a similar claim. I do not believe or view the staff themselves as dauntin' figures, but rather the act of socializin' with them or even other members with greater seniority that holds a feelin' of intimidation in my mind.
I'm not goin' to repeat myself about how I believe they are still wonderful people too much, but, I DO feel like some decisions weren't so necessary yet. I agree with Arctic in that, sadly, some people have to get all toxic and immature over a discussion, and even if a thread is harmless in its current state; it may be locked due to speculation of drama. This is certainly a safe decision, but I feel as if certain topics should have more of a warnin' (many staff interventions do come with a warnin' first, I am aware of that), or just an indication that the topic may be gettin' risky and will be monitored and locked if conflict does ensue. This is just my idea of an ideal scenario, however. I greatly appreciate how the staff have the hold that they do over trouble in the community, as well as all the work put into revivin' the game, despite public distaste. I truly do. I don't think any other group of people could achieve such a feat given the restrictions and limited materials. Nothin's perfect, however. I understand that all too well from personal experience and common sense alike. I suppose I'm just a tad biased as some old favorite discussions or games were locked due to unnecessary conflict.
But hey, that's what happens in a dominantly youth-driven community.
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Daaanag dude, there is some deep talk going down on this thread o.o
Jeez lol
But I guess I'll give my shout out too.
First off, I love the update, even though the old maps were near and dear to my heart, I have screenshots so they will never be forgotten <3 I think the major thing I am not a huge fan of is the lack of different environments. And although I do love how smoothly each map runs together, it was kinda neat having a snowy area and sky area. :) but that's what custom maps are for right?
As for the lack of members and activity and such, I do think it has dropped. Who knows the reason for it. Whether it be from the login, update, or what have you, I know the cluster of randoms we had in the game has dropped if not wiped out. I know I don't go in game a ton anymore just cause it kinda feels like a chore ya know? Like the login thing? And I get that's cause of hacking and such so I'm not too bothered by it, I still got the forums to keep me happy. But the game has lost it's flare and color since all of the random neons are gone lol
And the staff...well..even though I try to PM them and talk to them...I too feel intimidated by them ;~; I feel like a mortal talking to like Zeus or something so I'm always like avoiding stepping on glass to trigger them. And I do love them all and I know they're doing what's best for the community but it does get a little scary lol SO MUCH POWER. And lets face it, we're kinda like a bunch of toddlers looking for a new toy but when one is given to us it's not the RIGHT kinda toy, ya know what I'm sayin? And then the mods and admins and all are the frustrated parents who just wanna do right by us but feel like giving up sometimes. I dunno though. I'm not a mod lol so I could be wrong on all that.
Honestly I think it is just hard for us old timers who are used to simpler days. We're gonna be telling all these newbies the whole, "BACK IN MY DAY...". But times do change and we're maybe just not fully prepared for it. The new kids will see this and figure it out and be used to it like it never was any different ya know? We're just a bunch of old toddlers.
Yep that about sums up my opinion lol.
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I completely understand where you're coming from here. I joined early 2014, so I've been here a solid two years or so, nearly three. I watched as the amount of people at Stone Bridge dwindled down form at least 10 groups being there at once to maybe 5 or 6 on a good day, wondering where it all went. It seemed that the only time I heard chatter was when a famous group, such as Creatures of Yugure, was recruiting, mostly because the majority people know who Enoki is, and at times I've even wondered if she was staff. I'd like to think that people were leaving FH then because of the majority of the original community having grown out of this and gone onto real life, and that is most likely the case.
But, after a bit more thought, I think that it's simply a case of nothing new happening in the community. We have grown into a black-and-white, carbon-copy after carbon-copy community. Everyone wants to be nice. Everyone wants to be realistic with their characters, and everyone wants to be literate and serious. I remember just messing around and asking a Warrior cat why they tore their ear off their deputy, and the entire Clan blocked me instead of giving me an equally light hearted response. I have a few characters that are out of the norm. One of my personal favourites at the moment is Maneno, who is more well-known as simply "The Mute." Perhaps you've seen me for the few seconds I've popped onto The Grounds with him, perhaps you haven't. Doesn't really matter in the end. He's, well, mute, and he also has black antlers. The black antlers play into his backstory, so I could not remove them in any case to join a lion roleplay. I had found one before, perhaps you've heard of Enhanced, but it was shut down rather quickly due to inactivity. I have yet to find a place for him, as everyone is just another lion pride or wolf pack or Clan. That's it. I have seen Creatures of Yugure recruiting every now and then, but I often see it as too large of a group, and I find it a bit intimidating to approach. So many people, and I'd never learn their names, as I'm a person who prefers small, one-on-one roleplay and a group that turns into a close-knit family over a huge community that I'm kind of shoe-horned into, somehow. (Then why am I on FH forums? Because I want to stay in contact with a community I've practically left!)
I've said it in a previous post of mine, announcing my hiatus, that the community is becoming bland. It's not exciting. The only place where people seem to like and accept the originality of some of our dearest babies(also known as characters) is the forum. When we take them in-game, we're sometimes left with no choice but to sit and wait for hours upon hours to find that one group who will accept you. And, in my experience, you barely get a week with them before it goes inactive, or you just don't click with the people and leave.
Onto the part about the staff. . .
Yes, they are terrifying. I myself find it difficult to report things when I see them because, well, messaging a staff member? It feels nerve-racking. They hold so much power, and knowing that what you just sent could get someone banned is quite scary. I remember, when I was a bit newer and not as intelligent, I had posted something to dA and got a note from Red saying that what I had done was against FH rules and to take it down. Being the very smol child that I was two years ago, I did it, terrified of getting my ban lengthened. (A week without FH back then was like a week without food. Living H-E double hockey stick!)
But just saying, "Ban me and prove my point," is going to offend the staff. They are pretty much glorified Members of the Season, though that rank is a bit more permanent. They just want the best for this community, just as we all do, and so by locking threads that seem to either be going nowhere or have something in them that is against the rules is perfectly okay. Your friend's thread was likely locked for a very good reason, and if they are unsure why, should look to see if the mod who locked it posted why before doing so, as most do. If not, they can contact a staff member directly. Ranting for them won't solve their problem. Perhaps the staff had just done-goofed, and locked the wrong thread by mistake. Just because they are staff, doesn't mean they aren't capable of making mistakes.
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I am sorry for bumping this again. Well I joined in 2016, a bit before the new update arrived. I loved to go to places. I never really saw much other than the main maps.. I love the new updates because of Zama Grotto.. It made me start a Aquatic Pack.
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The new maps are immersive and a massive improvement to the role-play experience which is the only thing you can do in the game, however yes, the staff seem to always be disconnected with the players have the rules attached to them like another limb, and they will not be swayed from them, there is a clear lack of humanity from my experience, and one thing I really appreciated about Rak$ha was that she always knew how to have fun and enjoy her job and connect with the players. Never have I seen another staff member like this since CloudFish on Last Moon. It's depressing, and nothing can or will be done.
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Everyone is terrified of the mods, and their member of the season and preset contest, the lack of wanting to participate proves that. They do not interact much in the community, and when they do it's often not taken as positive from what I've heard and seen for myself. You can't have a positive relationship with someone who shoots down people even if there is a sliver of a chance they don't deserve it, the rules rule over them.