6 replies to this topic

[PingPong]

Let’s face it, our online community is falling apart. Every time, someone gets blamed and we think the fighting’s over, but then it breaks out again a few months later. I understand that I, like most forum users here, am not blameless in this. I also understand that this will be very controversial. However, telling us all off has not worked so this is the only option which I hope with lead to a permanent resolution.

As far as I see it, the forums can be divided into a few “sects”. These are not concrete, many users will fit into more than one. It have only done this for the purposes of this thread, I’m not trying to divide users here, just foster understanding:

Players: People who only play the game. They are of little consequence to this thread.

Veterans: Been here a long time, very experienced.

Regulars: Been here a while and quite active.

Newbies: Just recently joined the site.

Spambots: Enough said, usually in Russian.

These are vital to the points which I am going to make. Once again, I have only divided these for the purposes of understanding. Before I start, names will not be named. Please do not name names. It will only start more arguements. Here are the problems:

1.) Play Styles

Some of us spam, some of us play peoperly, some of us do both. Rather than arguing about which is best, state the pros and cons of your play style when it is necessary to do so. How about we don’t have massive rows about spammers being too unrealistic, realistic players being too sensitive, and you-know-who breaking the server.

2.) Grouping

a.) The “Sects”

Members of the different sects spend a lot of their time socialising with members of their own sect. This could be a non-issue, except for a few members of each sect, and sometimes the whole sect, who have massive arguements with others about behaviour.
Veterans might complain that newbies are spamming, or being annoying and rude. As veterans, it is your role, as long-standing members, to explain to them that what they are doing is wrong, politely and calmly. Please don’t get angry.
Some veterans also often look down on regulars as less important, as they haven’t been here as long. Rather than cutting them out, try welcoming them and helping them to also grow as members.
Regulars, the same applies to you as to veterans, with regards to newbies, why don’t you try helping them, rather than getting annoyed.
Newbies, please remember to respect the experience and seniority of the veterans and, to some extent, the regulars. They have known the game for longer. Cooperate calmly, rather than arguing about who is right. Also, please do not complain about the breaking of rules which are not broken, try to do some research first.

b.) The Alliances

The alliances are great communities of different members, both in and out of the game. However, there is a lot of rivalry and lack of cooperation between alliances, many of whom consider themselves to be of a higher callibre than others, often based on membership.
Instead of this, why don’t we try joint games, cooperation, and friendly competition between all alliances?

3.) Troublemakers

a.) Trolls

There is a great difference between an established member being trolled by someone who they know well and a newbie being trolled badly by another member, which could scare them away, something which the majority of us do not want to do. Please be mindful when trolling, it will improve relationships between all of us.
There has also been some trolling by some members of certain sects on members of certain other sects. Can we not, please?

b.) Children

Children are not always the most mature and sensible people. Instead of arguing, maybe we should try explaining to them, giving them suggestions or a mentor, or simply ignoring them until they grow up?

Once again, I understand that I am not blameless in this. I have trolled where I shouldn’t have and lost my temper countless times. However, we all need to work to get on better with each other or this community which we are all a part of will implode when the mods have had enough.

Though this thread may be seen as controversial, I would like to ask you to civilly post your thoughts below on how we can save our community. Please do not start a flame war, as has happened so many times before. If someone does, I would completely agree with the thread being locked.

[FearofFlying]

I am retired and have been playing computer games in one way or another since before the internet existed, which also means I have participated in forums just as long...and while I was actually quite surprised initially on how few people actually use this site, after experiencing the community first hand it is obvious why people leave and never return- the level of hostility here is well above normal.

 

It is so bad I have honestly considered what it would take to develop another airline game... the powers that be here have no desire to continue improving the platform or to moderate it's members, but since I have been wanting to play a RTS of an airline or railroad sim for 20+ years... it's a serious bummer on what to do about it.

 

Chances are I will just leave and not come back one day, like the majority of people who have played this game. So much potential.... after 8 years of a free game, your user base should be 100,000 + easy...

[PingPong]

I am retired and have been playing computer games in one way or another since before the internet existed, which also means I have participated in forums just as long...and while I was actually quite surprised initially on how few people actually use this site, after experiencing the community first hand it is obvious why people leave and never return- the level of hostility here is well above normal.
 
It is so bad I have honestly considered what it would take to develop another airline game... the powers that be here have no desire to continue improving the platform or to moderate it's members, but since I have been wanting to play a RTS of an airline or railroad sim for 20+ years... it's a serious bummer on what to do about it.
 
Chances are I will just leave and not come back one day, like the majority of people who have played this game. So much potential.... after 8 years of a free game, your user base should be 100,000 + easy...

I agree with this. 50% of the issue is a lack of development, the other 50% is the toxic community atmosphere sometimes. Many of us are willing to chip in for a good developer but it has never happened.

[Maestro69]

Though i posted in relation to this thread, because i believe some generalisations have been made by the OP that i think are clearly in the box thinking.

 

 

1.) Play Styles

Some of us spam, some of us play peoperly, some of us do both. Rather than arguing about which is best, state the pros and cons of your play style when it is necessary to do so. How about we don’t have massive rows about spammers being too unrealistic, realistic players being too sensitive, and you-know-who breaking the server.

 

I personally havent seen an avalanche of criticism on the forums over the playstyle over the last few months. Yes, there is a few players who have discover and continual use a certain gameplay technique to make ultra unrealistic airlines which just spam. People have either 1) wanted the developer to take action and look at the code 2) look at ways to compete 3) just enjoy the game without the presence.

 

 

2.) Grouping

a.) The “Sects”

 

As a veteran (going by your terminology), I look at the forums and find, more often than not, that is the players who have only joined in the last 18-24 months causing more issues and confrontation with other members. There is no need, for anyone, to make smartass remarks, useless posts and post pictures to antagonise other members of these forums, no matter who you are.

 

 

b.) The Alliances

I joined an alliance in 2005 called the World Airline Alliance and im currently the owner/leader of it. It was not made back then nor is now, an alliance to be friendly. Its there to compete, just like AE is a competition to see who is the best armchair CEO in a virtual world. Sure, people may take alliances a bit too far, with trying to do each other with nicer logos and liveries, but its never hurt anyone.

 

 

3.) Troublemakers

 

Now, to me, troublemakers is anyone who doesnt bothered follow some simple rules, like common sense, replying to the topic on hand, understanding that certain jokes or comments can be taken different by various people because this is a website that attracts people from all over the world, not just North America and Europe.

 

This is not about imposing any constant standard or political correctness. It is more about people´s attitude and respect towards others, no matter if this is the internet or not.  People need to understand that this is a living place, that people made not understand certain comments because english is not there first language or simply, they are new and unaware that perhaps there great idea to improve the gameplay has been brought up and discussed to death 2,5 or 10 years ago.

 

Nothing more to add...

[PingPong]

Maestro, I agree with almost all of what you have said here. All I have to say here is that your comments on alliances and your opinion on their role is an example of good competition. I was more thinking about when they are taken too far, when certain members publically talk down certain alliances. National, for example, is shunned by many more well-known users. Whilst this is ok to have as an opinion, as no one should be telling you what your opinion is, publically declaring that alliance to be pointless and/or trolling it and its members has been a constant underlying issue for a while, now.

 

With regards to your comments on point 3, I was not suggesting a constant standard, but more, as you say, using common sense and respecting others. There are some trolls (we all know who) who have been purposely not doing this to start arguements. That is all I was saying.

[PingPong]

Am I a troll?

I asked replies not to talk about individuals or groups of individuals.

[NNR]

You're also forgetting that there are certain veterans who take great joy out of ripping the piss out of the newer users. I'm sure you know yourself who I'm talking about, PingPong, since we both have great first hand experience with them.