Hey all, sorry I’ve not been around all week, but here’s something that I hope will make up a bit for it. In the year and a half I’ve been here I’ve only every made two suggestions, and rarely post my opinions on anything unless I think it’s something major, but for this post I’m going to just go suggestion by suggestion, excluding maps, and share any thoughts I might have on them. I might also add my own ideas and thoughts here for the public viewing and criticisms. I’d like to say I’ll try and keep this short, but doubt that will happen, so instead I’ll just use a heck of a lot of spoilers to save some space.
Maps in general
Warning: Spoiler!We had the Hogwarts map for months now just sitting in the server files, but it was never added for the reason that it was not a TTT map, which is a similar issue we’ve had with a number of other maps. So therefore, all map requests that are not maps with TTT_mapname titles can pretty much be assumed as getting instantly denied, even if accepted in the meetings. Unless I push really hard for it, the time needed to add weapon spawns around the map doesn’t seem to be valuable enough, and we already accept plenty of other maps as well.
As for the other maps on the suggestions, I’ve taken a look through, some look good, some seem too small, others too big, there’s going to be positives and negatives for everything. Concerning the amount of maps we have, Becky’s request of a sort of map tracker that tells how often a map is played between meetings was accepted, but unfortunately not yet implemented. Once that can be figured out, as agreed upon, we will never have more than 40 maps in the rotation, with the least played maps being switched out with any new voted in maps to always keep things somewhat fresh.
Shotgun reduced damage range
Warning: Spoiler! While this is already an impossible to code suggestion as stated, I don’t see this as being fair. Yes shotguns are already considered overpowered by most players, and they do have the capability for single shot headshots, but a single shot anywhere up close with reduced damage across range does not seem to be the fix to the current issue. If anything, we can re-discuss the damage preferences for it.
Custom jihad sounds
Warning: Spoiler! Whether it be Derpy on his harmonica or any other sound, I know we used to have the “Leroy” sound effect with our old jihad, and it has been reset to the default with the update. The question I would have here is if we wanted to 1. Change the default sound to a new sound everyone can agree on or 2. Have a buyable jihad sound, which is just one more client side addition we will be able to offer to all of our guests. This will of course lead to possibilities of people not enjoying the selections, requesting new sounds, and, my biggest fear but a definite reality we need to face, jihads becoming the favorite T weapon for players to use.
Cat launchers
Warning: Spoiler! While cat and dog crossbows won with a narrow margin during the meeting after much debate, shortly after that meeting came a poll about the level of customization that people wanted. While a few of you are arguing that we’re way past slight customization, I’m just offering up the reason that it was removed from the list of “stuff we still need to add”. I’m not sure at what point “cat crossbow” turned into “cat launcher” but I’m assuming that it’s the same concept in mind, but now with some added features to it. While this may be funny to see I would still say no to it for the same reason I said no to pocket sand. A smoke grenade is fair since both parties get blinded, but having a T weapon that blinds just the one player is overpowered. If the launcher was to not be used as a T weapon, but just a thing to shoot cats randomly, then the same complaints that we had from the melon and turtle launchers could arise. Players lagging out, proppushing, item spam, and more.
Prop Disguiser
Warning: Spoiler! This in itself is extremely overpowered, which I think people have already covered with reasons as to why. I believe that if you want to be a prop, you’ve joined the wrong gamemode, for there is already another set of servers for Prophunt. Our players come to shoot at each other, not random props moving around they hope might be a T. Plus with the ability to possess objects, this could lead to innocents wasting ammo on dead players just waiting for the round to be over, which gives the Ts even more of an unfair advantage.
Pointshop limits
Warning: Spoiler! I already recommended the limits on both maps and pointshop items, with solid numbers of what to have. However the issue I’ve found is that every time something is added and I bring up the idea of removing something someone dislikes it saying “no I use that, you can’t get rid of it” or, “will I be reimbursed for my loss of points?”. There’s always going to be issues with removing pointshop items in terms of reimbursing players, but it seemed a total loss of points with the new pointshop implementation only really bothered 1 in 5 players. To me that’s a big percentage in itself but this is simply the same concept of the maps, switching out the least used skins for new preferred ones. I personally hope that with the implementation of my year old accepted suggestion of the in game voting system we’ll be able to have server polls on what people would like to see stay and what they don’t mind seeing go.
Buying a T weapon noise rule
Warning: Spoiler! For the same reason that if a T can be heard earning points while talking on their mic, this rule could never be enforced, and therefore should not be implemented. Yes some people figured out that they can stand next to someone and hear them buy a T weapon, but what else would you expect them to do if not shoot/call out that player? If I know for a fact someone is a T, I won’t let them walk away from the situation unharmed to kill my fellow innocents, they need to be dealt with. While it is an unfair advantage, I think that the best possible solution to this is editing some files up to remove the sound of purchasing weapons.
Grappling Hook/Gliding Wings
Warning: Spoiler! I’m going to group these two together for they are kind of in the same category in my opinion; one is just for getting to high places the other is falling from them. The old jetpack allowed players to get to where they should not be, and to fall gracefully from extreme heights without taking damage. These were both considered to be overpowered aspects and therefore after countless complaints the jetpack was removed and replaced with a lesser version of it. These two though not the same as our old jetpack I believe would come with the same problems, and would receive the same sort of complaints as we used to deal with.
Moondeagle
Warning: Spoiler! I will admit this was one of my favorite maps. But it’s also a map created by a player who upon the creation of his new community took 50% of FPs population along with him. I have told a number of people in the past that Fakerz would not let us use his map. Even though, as Slyther pointed out, he can’t legally stop us from using his map, I just don’t see the appeal in promoting the use of something that, although fun at the time, was made by a guy who’s to blame for half our population never returning (for they still play on his server) has a room with the player’s name who was the cause of the events that split the community, and has sex toys. Yes things can be edited with his permission, but I’d rather not have to say the creator that in order to boost our server rankings this map is needed, but we have to edit out some stuff to remain child friendly and remove bad memories. It was a great map, but I just don’t think it’d be a good idea to have it back based on the history we have with its creator.
Randomized TTT weapon stats
Warning: Spoiler! While there are a few players who constantly always use the same weapons on the same maps and it gets repetitive, I think that this addition would lead to more frustration than admiration. Players go for the guns they want and are good at using, and if they’re unable to get the gun first, they’ll adapt but not be as happy because their gameplay is affected negatively. Leaving the weapon’s damage and recoil up to chance leaves a player even less ability to do well with the gun they choose to use, which I believe, would lead to even less enjoyment.
Jukebox changes
Warning: Spoiler! I almost just deleted this two days after I added it for how many complaints I’ve gotten from it. I had only one player thank me for adding it, and I don’t know of anyone who thanked EMP for setting it up, before I mentioned no one was appreciative of it. Yes there was another jukebox option that would have just been you pressed a button and youtube would have opened up for you, but I wanted the old one back as a sort of ease of access use for players. It should not have hindered gameplay in any way other than a slight addition to FDL, and was all client side so if a player did not like it, then they didn’t need to use it. Obviously not everyone’s going to like the song choices because we’re all individuals with different tastes and preferences. I tried to get songs across many genres where everyone could like at least one, while keeping in mind the age friendly environment we try to provide for. I’m still tempted to remove this entirely for the drama being caused by it. Your suggestions for how it can be changed are welcome but really this was just meant to be an ease of access type of thing for players to enjoy, not some crazy in depth menu with a bunch of variations and what not. Further discussion on this will come in a section later.
Better communication
Warning: Spoiler! While this has been brought up plenty of times by staff and server guests alike, this post will be in reply to Natsuki’s comment. As has already been stated, what happened was wrong and we are sorry that it happened. However, the situation in which it happened was a unique one in which you were unbanned from a permanent ban with reasons that are not unbannable at all. Xeratous saw it that you just had a bad day and were not serious with the threats, and decided that the ban was long enough from all the other rules you broke as well. I did not immediately recognize who you were upon the unban due to the fact that your gamename was different from the name you were banned under, but your sarcastic tone, abrasive behavior, and causing rdm led me to wonder who you were, and upon closer inspection after leaving the server I saw who you were, and not knowing who unbanned you assumed it was a mistake you were unbanned in the first place and requested that you get rebanned until I had the full explanation of why you were unbanned. Everyone knows what happened after that of course, and since then all the parties involved have been talked to. I am sorry for the inconveniences that it may have caused to your gaming enjoyment.
Punishments based on likeability
Warning: Spoiler! For this to even be a suggestions scares me, but what’s worse is that I’ve actually seen this to be true in some cases, but the door swings both ways, in the sense that just as people give harsher punishments to those they dislike, they seem to be more forgiving to those they are friends with. I agree here that likability should have nothing to do with the punishment process, and if you feel that this post was targeted at you, think about why you became staff in the first place for the people you like and have to punish, and further, think about the enjoyable gaming experience Friendly Players tries to offer to ALL players, even those you’re not particularly fans of.
Trolling Guidelines
Warning: Spoiler! This is clearly going to be something that we need to discuss in the meeting, and some people have already posted some thoughts about it here, but I just need to bring up the fact that we are all human, and therefore are all unique with different levels of tolerance, patience, understanding, and principals. There will always be different viewpoints on any poor behaviors a player emits not already clearly detailed in the rules, and it will always be at admin digression what to do, but to try and come up with a standard set of guidelines for general trolling would be to ask each member of the staff team to be near robot quality in determining how to handle trolling situations the same way as the rest. Difficult? Yes. Possible?
HUD talk
Warning: Spoiler! This suggestion has been going on for a few pages now and stirred up some debates. I guess I can publicly say what I said to EMP when he brought up the idea, and apologies to Bigdaddy in advance if this comes across as rude at all. I don’t think we need to add in new custom HUDs for players, we already offer them a lot of other choices and something as simple as this does not seem needed. As to which EMP replied with, yes but it wont affect FDL time at all, and would be client side only, and ZARP has it and they’re doing well. While I have learned from business that you should follow through on good ideas used that are good for other companies (or in this case servers), you should first try to set yourself apart from the competition. I personally have no issues with the custom HUD concept at all, but I already have a few other big changes in the mix that I think would really help out our server and game rank in the long run. If this suggestion does end up getting accepted then I’d like to say thank you Bigdaddy for letting us use it, for if it will lead to more enjoyment for our server guests as it does yours, I couldn’t ask for more.
I may have missed a few things but that’s pretty much all my thoughts on the suggestions up to this point, and I won’t be adding to this post for anything new posted after this haha.
Below now are some thoughts I’ve jotted down for discussion, some of which is currently in the works, others still waitlisted, and some just random small things. You can read them or you don’t have to up to you, but if you do and feel the need to leave feedback, please do.
Tournament System
Warning: Spoiler! This thing is Becky’s brainchild, but she passed it off to me after realizing her low rank would hinder much of it. Essentially what this could become is a monthly tournament fixture, either TTT round/skill based or spanning into different games, in which anyone could compete in whatever the tournament is, leading to earning rewards. For the time being the only two rewards that I could come up with would be 10k, 5k, and 2k pointshop points for the top three winners, and for the first place player the choice of a song they like to be added to the jukebox for the month. Clearly as this idea becomes more and more developed other prizes can be made up.
Achievement System
Warning: Spoiler! This thing is pretty much just Pony’s Loyalty Program now backed with a new fire. There’s already plenty of posts on this, even a test website and explanatory video. I’ve been told it’s possible to make, and it will be part of the massive menu idea I’ve put into implementation.
Betting System
Warning: Spoiler! Okay so I had a talk with EMP and Chute about this, and the temporary betting systems we had up but removed after seeing its not what was preferred is my fault. I don’t gamble much and completely ignored the fact that betting and wagering were two different things, and what I wanted to see implemented and had accepted was more a wagering system. Essentially what this is, within the same menu as the achievement system and in game suggestion system would be a tab that was for making wagers with players you were dead with DURING a round. We all make bets on who will win when it’s just down to a few players, this system can now hold us accountable to those bets. Basically, within the menu, you can select any currently dead player (while you are dead as well) to make a wager with on which team will win. You then type in a point amount (not exceeding what their total point count is) and then it’s up to them to accept your offer. If they do then the winner gets the desired amount of points from the other players FP dollar total.
Minigames
Warning: Spoiler! These things always seem to be a huge hit when I host them, and I really would like to make it that we maybe have an official monthly minigames night, in which we can lock down the server for an hour or two and take a break from TTT to enjoy some random fun with friends and all guests who wish to join it. Boarder patrol, sharks and minnows, knife fights, pistol duels, potragyst battles, trivia, and more. I even brought up the possibility of hosting Swiftor off youtube since a few of these games are his and he just recently bought gmod. I know that this kind of seems like I’m bringing JB concepts to TTT but on average the nights I do this retain players better than just normal nights of TTT, so just an idea.
Spray Issues
Warning: Spoiler! As I’ve been joking lately I have told everyone I’m going to get Becky to get a handful of pictures in which you can all choose what’s appropriate and what’s not, but now it’s seeming to become bigger and bigger a deal, with even server guests now voicing their displeasure. Rule 12 still exists, and yes there are those who have varying opinions on what’s good or not. I’d say to keep guests happy for now, try not to go past a PG rating until the next meeting at least, either through enforcing or your own selection of sprays. If you have questions on a spray or certain type, please get into contact with Becky about it for now.
Attitude Changes
Warning: Spoiler! Be ready for the talk…
Map Tracker
Warning: Spoiler! This thing was accepted and in the works that I know of, essentially though it’ll tell us what maps are played the most, so that therefore whenever we get new maps the least played maps can be removed. I stated this past meeting that we’d remove the bottom five maps off the list replacing it with new ones, but I don’t know how well that will work so for now I say we pick a finite amount of maps we can have then implement the tracking system and decide on how to use it from there.
Undercover Command
Warning: Spoiler! We had this for a while in the past but it was apparently abused. Seeing as how the abusive members are no longer a part of our staff team, I would like to know your thoughts on brining this back. It seems that a majority of TTT servers filled with randoms are servers that have very few if any staff on them. When you look at our server, there’s sometimes more staff online than players, and almost always a barrage of FP tags. Having talked with Jochs we’ve already agreed that the FP tag can be optional to all staff admin and below in order to have it seem like we’re just randoms playing on a server, but now the idea arises that we remove the amount of visible staff online to appear less threatening. I’ll admit I’d feel overwhelmed going onto a server with all members, and if I Joined a server even less welcome if there’s a lot of staff. Bringing back this command would give staff members the ability to disable their staff icons in order to be “undercover” since really, I would hope, we only ever need one or two active staff at a time. Now I can see the immediate argument here that is, if certain players hide the fact that they are staff, it means the won’t do their job which 1. Makes them less able to perform the role well from less practice, 2. Gets to enjoy the benefits of staff while not having to do their job. Both of these are issues, but it’s just a thought I had which I’d like to know what others thing of.
Advertising
Warning: Spoiler! Silent brought up this idea which I kinda shut down as too much work especially if we didn’t have servers up to date with promised additions, but it’s always something to think about.
Competitions
Warning: Spoiler! Different from tournaments, we have the tab on the forum so why not use it. Monthly held competitions with winners perhaps getting a $10 steam game or something. Costume contests, video contests, drawing, creativity, you name it, let’s get it going again.
Financial transfers
Warning: Spoiler! Obviously not with real money, but Becky brought up the idea of inter-server monetary transactions so that money earned on RP could be used on JB, money earned on TTT could be converted to Minecraft dollars, and so on. This of course would come with some planning for as to what the conventions should be since on some servers making millions is easier than on others, but I like the idea because it would then lead to members from all servers increasing interaction by being able to play on other FP servers while still earning a form of money to be transferred back to cash on the server they normally play on.
Unban Discussion
Warning: Spoiler! As I’ve seen on a few RP unban requests, and pressed by Becky to get an answer for, the current standing is that typically ONLY the banning admin can unban a player who’s made an unban request. This does lead to the issue of biased decision making, while at the same offering that the banning staff member has the most knowledge of the ban and therefore should be the one to make the decision. I could only come up with two other possibilities to changing this, if it was even up for debate to be changed. First, the issue could be handled similar to that of community unbans, where all the higher ups come together share the pros and cons then leave it to a vote. This seems like a bit of overkill though for a simple ban dispute which then would come the option of a server owner having the final call on it, which to me seems like that gives the owners a bit too much power. I think how we do it now is fine, but there is a strong argument for it being flawed and biased which I just can’t seem to find a rebuttal for.
Diamond VIP
Warning: Spoiler! This is almost a sore subject at this point, having promised DVIP members so much over the past few months but never following through on it. Currently there’s a list of what’s promised to DVIP members on the forums, but that list is very out of date. Currently that I know of we offer DVIP members colored names and auras. Past that I’m not really sure what else they get. Mastersowrd, fists, caledscratch, unique pointshop items, longer chat times, and more have all been promised but to my knowledge nothing has happened. If there’s anything you know of that DVIP still needs let me know, or if you have anything extra they deserve do list it here. These are people who have donated money past the cost of the game, gotta show them some love.
Menu considerations
Warning: Spoiler! As has been pointed out, we have a heck of a lot of menus arriving. With my mega menu in the works, that’s just one more thing to have to worry about having a place. Not being a coder I’m not sure how easy it is to mix up menus and what not, but if it could be possible to free up the f6 button by moving rapsheets into one of the other current admin tabs that would be useful since only about 15 out of the countless players we have actually need it. Further, it was stated that people don’t like using chat commands and shouldn’t be forced to remember them, but they need to learn all the key bindings in the same way so I don’t see the difference much. I personally don’t mind still having to type in !menu, and I’ve seen lots of mac users have issues accessing the pointshop so if a !shop command were possible for them that’d be cool. Just some thoughts.
Customization Issues
Warning: Spoiler! This seems to be an ongoing debate. I made a poll about it in the past and it was pretty much agreed upon that we’d have slight customization, nothing too crazy. I’ll admit going back in time looking at my notes over the past 7 meetings ignoring maps I’ve said yes to only 3 suggestions….in ten months. Yet there’s plenty of stuff added, yet then complains about too much stuff added. At this point just taking stuff out will upset people I’m sure, but if from now on we limit what we add, focusing efforts on some of the big picture ideas I have in mind, that might give us a chance to calm down our ever growing list of “stuff we still need to add”. I personally enjoy the different skins cus it mixes things up, but I remember a time when very few if any people had any, and there didn’t seem to be much of a difference. To me it would seem that the level of customization doesn’t matter much. I’ve had players who say they come here for the vanilla feel, others who say they like the customization we have, but the general consensus I’m learning is that people just want a fair gaming experience on TTT. Therefore, I’ll most likely continue to say no to almost every suggestion that I think alters the game too much and unbalances the fairness, and I’ll definitely need to have a think about everything we currently have added to see if any changes are needed, along with some of the big picture ideas I have in mind.
Doubt anyone read all of this, hope the spoilers kept it nice and clean. Hope to play with you all again soon. Happy gaming.
--->Pony
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