MechScape Post #14 - 06 June 2009, Editorial: The Community of MechScape Rating Options

[mike470]

Issue #14 - 06 June 2009

The Community of MechScape
Written By Pipinowns

Part 1: Runescape Indubitably, My Chat With The Scaper Community, And So On.

*Note, many of these conversations have been paraphrased to "get to the point", including bits where I told the user who I was, and why I was asking them a bunch of questions, ect.*

Lumbridge:

Runescape, indubitably. A community whose majority ironically agrees that the majority of the community sucks. I remember the days when it was a community of teenagers who'd threaten to kill themselves if you didn't return their black long sword that you scammed from them using the old Alt+F4 trick. Unfortunately, things haven't changed much. The community is now a bunch of teenagers who threaten to kill themselves if you go up to them and tell them you're Pipinowns from MSW (you may know me from my various posts, most of which carry little value, if any at all), and you're doing an interview about the Runescape community. Or am I judging them too harshly?


Anonymous:

My first interviewee, must remain anonymous, due to the fact I never told him who I was or why I was talking to him. I simply came up to him, and asked him questions. In truth, I would of easily just put up his name and level anyways, but I forgot to write it down, so I can't.

This user, if I had to guess, was around twelve to fourteen years old. If I had to reduce him to a stereotype, I'd say he's an average, bored, preppy, person who plays Runescape simply because he's bored. From my past scaping, I recall many users like this. While these users provide the cultural benefit of actually saying something, unlike most users, that's all they really bring to the table. They just walk around, messaging their short term girlfriend, and wasting their life away playing a game they don't really like. Which is funny, because I'm doing exactly the same thing.

Pip: Have you ever heard of Mechscape?

Anon: IDK

Pip: What's up?

Anon: The sky...maybe...

Pip: How's life?

Anon: Boring!!! U?

Pip: It's all good. I have a question for you, on a scale 1 - 10 where do you rate Runescape?

Anon: 3.

Pip: Why are you playing it if it's a 3?

Anon: To talk to people.

Pip: Why aren't they here?

Anon: It's my GF in real life. I'm PMing her.

(We continue to discuss pointless matters , until I must move on to the next user.)

Deadeye28 (lvl 42):

This next interviewee, is essentially the coolest guy I've interviewed on my journey. All in all, he's not really that cool, which makes the Runescape community look rather, may I say, unfortunate. He was straightforward, and nice. He got a bit suspicious that I might of been trying to buy his account, but got over it after I assured him I wasn't.

Pip: On a scale of 1-10 where would you rate Runescape?

Deadeye: 8

Pip: Why an 8? Why not a 10?

Deadeye: Could have more detail and could be easier to get to places.

Pip: Alright. Another question, how much time do you spend of Runescape daily?

(The user constantly avoids answering the question, and acts like they're too embarrassed to answer honestly.)

Pip: Ok, specifically, how long where you on yesterday?

Deadeye: Around four or five hours.

50nova50 (lvl 26):

This next guy makes up the majority of my interviewee's. He sucked. Most of my conversations where one sided, in which I eventually gave up talking to people who refused to respond to me. Fortunately, this guy at least told me he didn't want to talk to me.

Pip: Hey, Can I talk to you a bit?

Nova: No.

Pip: Errrm, why not?

Nova: I don't know you.

Pip: You don't know anyone else in the game either, do you just never talk?

Nova: Ya.

VARROCK:



Don Ginn (78):

I suppose this is the best time to admit I lied to you. THIS user is in fact the coolest one I interviewed, although I'm still a bit skeptic on saying this, as if I was level 3, he probably would of been a total prick. This is the user you see in Varrock square, wearing members items, and flirting with random girls. This guy is essentially doing what he wished he could do in real life, but simply can't, because his social skills have not evolved to the level that his Runescape account has. Strangely, these people make up the coolest dudes in Runescape, and while they do a good job of being cool, they really aren't all that nice, as they often carry a rebellious and bitter tone about them.

Pip: On a scale of 1 - 10 where do you rate Runescape?

Don: The updated have bumped it up to an 8

Pip: What updates?

Don: The GE and health bar.

(We discuss exactly why he likes these updates)

Pip: On an average day, how many hours do you play?

Don: Umm...4?

Pip: How long have you been playing?

Don: Off and on, about three years. Almost 4.

Pip: What do you do when you're on?

Don: I enjoy dancing, chatting, training my skills, and long walks on the beach.

Darkadam600 (lvl 50):

This guy, from what I've seen of him, is essentially the mid-level Runescape fanboy. He loves the game, but the dramatic irony makes it difficult not to laugh at his enthusiasm. His fate is to become a high level, and simply get bored of the game. He could easily become a nice straightforward user, or a poser who uses Runescape to pretend to be somebody they're not, or a mixture of both. In the end, I'd honestly like to interview him again a year from now, and see what the 100/10 has evolved to.

Pip: On a scale of 1-10 where do you rate Runescape?

Dark: 100

Pip: How many hours do you play a day?

Dark: BRB

(He doesn't log back on.)

Jloveu1 (lvl 4) and Joe Sandefur (lvl 12):

The noobs of Runescape. They were giving away personal (probably false) information about each other. Jlove was telling about how she was a 15 year old country girl, and suggested they should walk around Runescape while they talked, as I came up to them.

Pip: On a scale of 1-10, where do you rate Runescape?

Love: 8

Joe: 10

Pip: How long have you been playing Runescape?

Joe: not long

Love: one year

Pip: How many hour do you play on an average day?

Joe: 6 hours

(They then walk away from me, and walk into a new life of love, hormones, and so on.)

Falador:

In Falador, I encountered two average players (Tuyu15, level 43 and Shaduck, level 49.) Tuyu gave the game an 8, and said he didn't like the constant updates, while Shaduck gave the game a 10. Both users claim to play an average 4-6 hours a day. These are simply average players, that in essence make the backbone of the Runescape community. Quite basically, these people aren't exactly the most intelligent people when it comes to how the internet works, but they aren't little pricks either.

I continued happily walking through Runescape, until I came upon Dulcemaria37.


Dulcemaria37 (lvl 71):

Dulce is the typical prick of Runescape. An ego heavy member, who will simply be a jerk to you, for absolutely no reason besides their own entertainment. Kind of like me.

Pip: On a scale of 1-10, what do you rate Runescape?

Dulce: 2

Pip: Why?

Dulce: Cause I wanna.

Pip: Why do you play a game, if you don't like it?

Dulce: Cause I wanna.

(Having yet to tell while I'm asking the question, and who I am, I tell her then repeat the question)

Dulce: ....

Dulce: Because of people like you, who are annoying.

(User walks away.)

In closing, the interviews weren't to see what Runescape members thought of the game, but to simply break down the basic stereotypes of average scapers. Although, if I was trying to figure out the average rating of the community by current Runescape nonmembers, it would be around an 8/10. Which is much higher than any ex-Runescape member would rate it, including me.

Part 2: Of Mech's and Men.

I'm sure most readers are face-palming at this article so far, as it has little to nothing to do with Mechscape, and the fact the powers that be demand that the topic must relate to Mechscape (which is honestly pretty difficult, as we know little to nothing about Mechscape), means that this editorial fails almost as badly as this run-on sentence. Well, don't worry, as part two is devoted to attempting to make this article relevant to Mechscape, and its community.

Essentially, the Mechscape community is a series of users who have played Runescape at some point, and for the most part, enjoyed it. A series of users who constantly play Runescape and love it, or who quit Runescape and sort of like it/hate it, or (and in my opinion, these users make up the majority) who play Runescape off and on, as they begin evolving into full time quitters.

On paper, the idea to make a community like this seems rather ridiculous. Yet, in execution, it works, because this is basically the community of every Runescape forum. Everyone joins because they like Runescape, but many grow out of it, and stay for the community. I know when I first joined MSW, I fucking loved Runescape more than the stars on the American flag (although, I suppose that isn't saying much, but you get the point.), but now I couldn't really care less, yet I still post here, because I fucking love the members here (Ed5 and Dizzy come to mind ).

So, the question here would be how does a community that is about a broad subject get along when all the users have very different views on it? Well, the question IS the answer. Essentially every (successful) forum community is about a broad subject(s), and all the users have different views, yet manage to get along. Obviously their are plently of disagreements here and there, so it goes, but that's just another part of communities.

I think you'll come to the same conclusion, about the fact we have different opinions, after reading what our community has to say about Runescape:

the runescape community used to be awesome like back in 05 but like the day "the update" happened in 07 the community just became emo and dead.

The community is great, the friendships are strong, the fun is still fun, and my carpal tunnel still hurts, lol.

I think the RS community is 85% immature ass holes and brats, and 15% good, resourceful people. That's my opinion.

30-50% Have prosophobia

Or they are just kids, that's why i quit.

I love the RuneScape community.

80% are 10 Year Old Kids swearing at people older than them.
Because they have no life.

I think it's the worse community of any MMO.Full of 12 years immature kids.

10 year old whingers who complain when Jagex make the grass a tiny bit greener. It's true. No matter what happens, stupid idiots complain.

Runescape is almost completely devoid of any activity that benefits 2 or more players at the same time, and the cons for sharing outweigh the rewards. Runescape is NOT a Co-Op game.

As a community, the RuneScape in-game community SUCKS. If it was rated it would be rated the lowest on the web for kindness, friendliness and general togetherness. Part of this is to do with the strict rules on behalf of Jagex, one part is on behalf of all the 10 to 13 year old players, and the other part is simply how demonized rule breakers are. My first day back to RuneScape I was called "spoiled brat." What did I do to deserve this? I said "Ah it's good to be back in P2P after so many months!"

Everyone on RuneScape is moving to their own beat now. It's against the rules to help your friends or talk intimately to your friends.

In short, the RuneScape Community, through my eyes in general, is fairly easy to get along with. When you break out of the ordinary routine, people may seem new and may not treat you as you are used to at first, but everyone is easily adaptable.

While our community obviously has a majority that really don't care much for Runescape's community, we still have others with very different opinions.

In the end, I think if I had to summarize our communities view on Runescape in one sentence, it would be:

"I hope Mechscape is better."

Part 3: Forumscape.

Let's turn the eyes of judgment (whatever those are...) on ourselves for a second. Who are we? What are we doing here? Why are we reading Pipin's below average editorial? Most importantly, how do we compare to the Runescape community?

Well, we've all played Runescape at some point, and as I said earlier, we most likely really enjoyed it for awhile. Which really means we are the same as the Runescape community, we've simply evolved past those days. We are now sharing knowledge, with many other people across the world, and learning new things about the internet, and about life. Our community is much more advanced than the Runescape one, and therefore we are too. We are Runescape Mark II, a community that talks not because they want to buy a Dragon Long for 80k, but because we want to talk.

In the end, at one point, I'm sure we've all been that stuck up teenager wearing member items in Varrock square, or that annoying noob begging for money, or the narcissistic prick who makes fun of anyone who's a lower level, or the forum poster, finishing up their editorial, and pressing "Post New Topic."


MechScape and Community News


Reminder About Community Quilt
A reminder to all members to go ahead and make a quilt for the MechScape World Quilt Project. (Read More)

Previous Issues:
MechScape Post #13: Codename MechScape
MechScape Post #12: The Importance of Music to MechScape as a Game
MechScape Post #11: How MechScape Will Appeal to an Older Demographic
MechScape Post #10: "Dynamic" Combat in MechScape
MechScape Post #9: Freeplay in MechScape
MechScape Post #8: The Future of MechScape World
MechScape Post #7: Situational Awareness: How the Concept Applies to MechScape
MechScape Post #6: Removing the Need To RWT
MechScape Post #5: The Hype Surrounding the Release Date of MechScape
MechScape Post #4: Gerhard's Influence on MechScape and Jagex
MechScape Post #3: A Great MechScape Flood?
MechScape Post #2: The MechScape Environment and Concepts
MechScape Post #1: MechScape Clan Leadership

Footnotes
Contributors: Ed5, Ren (Content Research Team); mike470, Pipinowns (Writing & Editing Team).
Disclaimer: The views expressed by members of staff do not necessarily represent the view of MechScape World.

[ThePluto2]

Interesting read, keep up the good work. ^_^

[Stan]

The RuneScape Community is awesome if you know them. Idk why people say things like that, but I love it <3 MsW can learn from that lol :p

Anyway's nicely written :D.

[Dizzy]

Has some humor, brings up a good point, and it's built from the words of the people. Great editorial, Pipin!

[Max]

This is the most original and best read I've had yet. Pipin has done it again! Keep up the work Pipin!

[Releasesomeinfo]

Wrong date on article next to issue #, I almost skipped it.
I liked the part with the player interviews and commentary/analysis.

This post has been edited by Releasesomeinfo: Jun 6 2009, 10:01 PM

[Rick Astley]

Awesome editorial, infact i think it's one of the best ones yet

[SuperStevee]

Most of the average low levels arn't that bad, usually just kind of stupid, but I don't mind them. Then it seems the rich and the high leveled seem like pricks with big egos. Sometimes I think it's their way of covering up for their insecurities.

I don't know though that's just the way it is for me. I usually play FunOrb now, the community is alot better.

[WiiRoxedem]

That's why I love the members community, the only people who talk 95% of the time know what they're saying and aren't complete assholes.

[Ed5]

Wrong date on article next to issue #, I almost skipped it.
I liked the part with the player interviews and commentary/analysis.

Nice eye, and thanks for telling us. *fixed*

[Nova]

Lol, he interviewed me.

[Lord John]

The interviews made it a very interesting read. Of course like you stated, if you were level 3, every response would probably be some sort of flame. I noticed you interviewed no one above lvel 70. I would've loved to see the responses of high levels as majority that I have talked to only play to go to clan events.

I definately agree: I hope MechScape is better. I really hope they try to create a semi-united community. I don't play other MMO's but games such as WoW look like their community is actually fun to be part of. Perhaps it's because they fork out $20 a month, but either way, they have open forums for all users which allow you to have sigs, avatars, the works where the jagex forums deny you any right except that to post. Besides, it seems that in other MMO's people are willing to help you instead of calling you a noob.

EDIT: I agree with the quote from Poultry. The Jagex rules definately don't help maintaining a nice community. I mean, being unable to tell and IRL friend, "Hey, I'll phone you tonight if you want to go to a movie" or even being unable to mention fansites or MSN addresses is a joke. If you talk to your friends about IRl stuff, chances are you'll get muted or something because you said something offensive or some junk (although it could easily be a joke between you and your friend.)

This post has been edited by Lord John: Jun 7 2009, 02:33 AM

[Pipinowns]

The interviews made it a very interesting read. Of course like you stated, if you were level 3, every response would probably be some sort of flame. I noticed you interviewed no one above lvel 70. I would've loved to see the responses of high levels as majority that I have talked to only play to go to clan events.

I tried to talk to several high levels, but none of them would talk to me.

[bonziiznob]

Interesting article. Can I ask how many people you surveyed and the time you surveyed at. Was is during the week or weekend, and was it during the peak time a majority of children would be in school, or would they have been out at that time (EST, CENTRAL)?

[Pipinowns]

Interesting article. Can I ask how many people you surveyed and the time you surveyed at. Was is during the week or weekend, and was it during the peak time a majority of children would be in school, or would they have been out at that time (EST, CENTRAL)?

It was during the week, but it was in June, so most kids would be on summer vacation...

Although, the time was around 12:00am - 5:00pm, central.

[bonziiznob]

Summer Vacation in Canada doesn't start until the last week of June for Public Schools, in a week for Highschool, at least in most of Ontario. Perhaps some of the persons were older than expected, but still, it's a good article.

[Lord John]

I tried to talk to several high levels, but none of them would talk to me.

That kind of relates to their view as everyone lower than them as annoying. When I trained on my main (123 combat) I used the policy "Don't talk unless someones asks you something directly" just so I could avoid all the childish discussion of majority of the RS players.

[Shock]

Great read, it was interesting and new.

I'm hoping the MechScape community will be more mature and friendly. That's one of the main reasons MechScape appeals to me, they're aiming it towards an older demographic.

[PoultryChamp]

EDIT: I agree with the quote from Poultry. The Jagex rules definately don't help maintaining a nice community. I mean, being unable to tell and IRL friend, "Hey, I'll phone you tonight if you want to go to a movie" or even being unable to mention fansites or MSN addresses is a joke. If you talk to your friends about IRl stuff, chances are you'll get muted or something because you said something offensive or some junk (although it could easily be a joke between you and your friend.)

THANK YOU. Thank you for agreeing with me. Jagex means well with their rules, but they take it too far. Obviously giving out your phone number, address or full name is a big NO-NO, and asking for someone's phone number, address or full name is a NO-NO. These rules take it as far as asking their age or first name. Ohnoes, some 55 year old guy is going to rape Sam based on his first name and the fact he's 14! Because there possibly can't be other 14-year-old Sams out there...

[bonziiznob]

EDIT: I agree with the quote from Poultry. The Jagex rules definately don't help maintaining a nice community. I mean, being unable to tell and IRL friend, "Hey, I'll phone you tonight if you want to go to a movie" or even being unable to mention fansites or MSN addresses is a joke. If you talk to your friends about IRl stuff, chances are you'll get muted or something because you said something offensive or some junk (although it could easily be a joke between you and your friend.)

THANK YOU. Thank you for agreeing with me. Jagex means well with their rules, but they take it too far. Obviously giving out your phone number, address or full name is a big NO-NO, and asking for someone's phone number, address or full name is a NO-NO. These rules take it as far as asking their age or first name. Ohnoes, some 55 year old guy is going to rape Sam based on his first name and the fact he's 14! Because there possibly can't be other 14-year-old Sams out there...

LOL! (Not Spam)