All The Awesome

bk1234

I've been a member of this community since the game was 2 weeks old. I've seen a lot...

The first days and weeks where no one really knew what was going on and we were all learning how to play a game that had Story Mode and Quick Battle that didn't do anything...

Before coalition play when they started introducing PW and awesome cards for QB and we would grind until our eyes fell out of our heads. 

The first PVPs...

The beginning of coalition play, and events which brought this game to a new level. 

Organized peaceful demonstrations to bring about change when it needed to be done. 

Class wars. So much us vs. them. 

Friendships formed -- real, awesome bonds -- right here on this forum. 

A mass exodus. 

Another mass exodus. 

A lot of really patient people coming together for 6 months to keep the game fun and make it interesting while we endured the long wait for new content. 

And then a really disappointing set. 

And now -- a really interesting set -- with some questionable decisions for the health of the player-base attached. 

But with this new change, I'm seeing something amazing. I'm seeing top 10 players speaking up for players of all levels, I'm seeing people agree on things they never would have agreed on a year ago -- and so much trying to understand other viewpoints -- and in the months we waited for new content, we learned a lot about each other, and this game and the potential it has. 

So, as the second to longest running player on this forum (that I know of --  @madwren has me beat by a couple of days) -- I just want to say thank you -- for listening, for agreeing to disagree in a respectable manner -- for thinking about the whole game instead of just your game. For awesome and interesting posts, games, feedback, etc. 

This community is a home of sorts to many of us -- and we are working together with an amazing new development team who wants our feedback, who listens -- how cool is that?

No matter where we make our homes off of this forum, we share this community -- and seeing how far it's come and the journey we've taken together is pretty amazing. 

It really is an honor to share this game and this community with thousands of smart, engaged, opinionated men and women every week. 

NinjaE

Well said.

FindingHeart8

@bken1234

what's all this mooshy gooshy stuff you speakin' of here?  You're about to give us all a case of the feels

Lars

The top 10 used to only speak in their self interest? Did that really used to happen?! Tis good to see that change, then

losdamianos

Lars said:

The top 10 used to only speak in their self interest? Did that really used to happen?! Tis good to see that change, then

good old TOP 10 drama/poaching

Sarahschmara

Actually, the “toxic elite” have been advocating for all player levels since I joined the community over a year ago. I’m not sure what she’s referring to?

FindingHeart8

Sarahschmara said:

Actually, the “toxic elite” have been advocating for all player levels since I joined the community over a year ago. I’m not sure what she’s referring to?

my overall impression of the top-tier players has been positive as well.  However, I can't verify the ethical compass of every high-level player, and it is human to be susceptible to the power of status.

I'll trust that bken1234 knows more about the beginning-times of this game than I do.  I'd wager (while there is a lot of great ones out there) that the likelihood of every elite player being kind and welcoming players at all times is not very likely.

madwren

FindingHeart8 said:

Sarahschmara said:

Actually, the “toxic elite” have been advocating for all player levels since I joined the community over a year ago. I’m not sure what she’s referring to?

my overall impression of the top-tier players has been positive as well.  However, I can't verify the ethical compass of every high-level player, and it is human to be susceptible to the power of status.

I'll trust that bken1234 knows more about the beginning-times of this game than I do.  I'd wager (while there is a lot of great ones out there) that the likelihood of every elite player being kind and welcoming players at all times is not very likely.

I can attest that many players in top coalitions, including many members of the "elite" coalitions, have been advocating for all levels of players for months. Honestly, that's one thing the more well-known forum names have agreed on, despite personal disagreements--even while we reap the benefits of inequitable systems, we've worked very hard to change them and advocate against our own self-interest.

That's one thing I've truly enjoyed about this community--finding others who feel the same way about "casual" players. Let's keep in mind, though, that just as there are some "elite" players that may not have the best interest of others at heart, there are also "casual" players that may not have the best interest of others at heart.  That is, as you allude, human nature. I have always warned against people trying to set the groups against each other, or making assumptions about ulterior motives or goals. That solves nothing.

I agree, though, with what Bken's saying overall. I took a break for several weeks from the forums because of the negativity--not just from others, but from me--and have been pleased that, over the last few weeks since my return, I have seen a gentler, more constructive tone overall. It is noticeable.

Sirchombli

As a top 10 player that started playing at an odd time (slightly before soi came out) and started playing seriously at an odd time (around aer), I can definitely vouch that the top players are a mixed bag of primarily awesome people . I know how the new players feel because of how tough things were for me when I tiered up to plat waaaaaaay too early. There is a bit of a divide, though. I don't really like the us and them. I think it's not as much of a thing as it was back when I wanted to kick everybody that played pigliviarich. I enjoy helping new players. I enjoy helping old players. This game is fun because of the differences. I'm not always the most empathetic. That's mostly because I prefer to just go with the flow and not sweat the small things . I build weird decks because of the amount of time I spent with a janky collection. Without the advice of the players in tiers above me, I'd still be a scrub whining about how the game cheats. This is a great community, even if I am often the voice of dissent.