RA2: the community in review.

[Stagfish]

They all come under the term "Spinner" though dont they?

[JoeBlo]

I thought it was quite a good idea actually

Thanks, you were one of the 10(?) people :P

Doesnt matter now, the IRL approach was dropped from Backlash (its DSL 3's yard anyway) and it focuses more on the "Extreme" image..

Best be on topic now, we are sidetracking from S32's original point..

[Vertigo]

They all come under the term "Spinner" though dont they?

IIRC the classes were HS, VS, SS, SnS and Drum

[Stagfish]

And that posts adds to the conversation how exactly?

[JoeBlo]

It adds more then that one ^

He just told you exactly what class' I used in the class separation of the Backlash: First Blood demo..

[wakkydude]

Do you know what I want to say? This game's community is one of the worst I've actually seen for a game. While the modders do good work, the actual community is elitist, and prevents free choice. I've picked this up from all the lurking around not only the forums but some of the fan's websites, and building tips. From first hand experience I've had lots of trouble settling in as a newbie, and I'm sure any other new people that even look at this community will be driven away. It is powered purely by nostalgia.


If you didn't like what you just read, please ignore it.


I've been waiting to say this for a long time now.

[smashysmashy]

Thanks, you were one of the 10(?) people :P

It would have been 11 if I saw the thread...

[Urjak]

Do you know what I want to say? This game's community is one of the worst I've actually seen for a game. While the modders do good work, the actual community is elitist, and prevents free choice. I've picked this up from all the lurking around not only the forums but some of the fan's websites, and building tips. From first hand experience I've had lots of trouble settling in as a newbie, and I'm sure any other new people that even look at this community will be driven away. It is powered purely by nostalgia.


If you didn't like what you just read, please ignore it.


I've been waiting to say this for a long time now.

This deserves a reply. What is so bad about our community?You claim there is no free choice and that the community is elitist. I don't really understand what you mean. You can build whatever you want, it's just that showcasing really bad bots (unless the look really cool) is generally not liked by the community because it makes it seem like they have no desire to improve, thus it seems like a waste of time for them to have a showcase. You also claim that this community will scare off any newcomers. This is clearly false, as the community has seen a recent increase in members.

[smashysmashy]

Do you know what I want to say? This game's community is one of the worst I've actually seen for a game. While the modders do good work, the actual community is elitist, and prevents free choice. I've picked this up from all the lurking around not only the forums but some of the fan's websites, and building tips. From first hand experience I've had lots of trouble settling in as a newbie, and I'm sure any other new people that even look at this community will be driven away. It is powered purely by nostalgia.


If you didn't like what you just read, please ignore it.


I've been waiting to say this for a long time now.

This deserves a reply. What is so bad about our community?You claim there is no free choice and that the community is elitist. I don't really understand what you mean. You can build whatever you want, it's just that showcasing really bad bots (unless the look really cool) is generally not liked by the community because it makes it seem like they have no desire to improve, thus it seems like a waste of time for them to have a showcase. You also claim that this community will scare off any newcomers. This is clearly false, as the community has seen a recent increase in members.

...like me. I think most of the guys here in GTM are good guys and will be happy to help you out (Craaig, JoeBlo etc.). However there are a small minority who see this forum as an opportunity to mess around, complain, and be an absolute n00b about everything. Settling in here I found many willing to give me advice on how to improve my robots and help me settle in.

Eltist? You really have to be kidding....

[Naryar]

Do you know what I want to say? This game's community is one of the worst I've actually seen for a game. While the modders do good work, the actual community is elitist, and prevents free choice. I've picked this up from all the lurking around not only the forums but some of the fan's websites, and building tips. From first hand experience I've had lots of trouble settling in as a newbie, and I'm sure any other new people that even look at this community will be driven away. It is powered purely by nostalgia.


If you didn't like what you just read, please ignore it.


I've been waiting to say this for a long time now.

You are absolutely free to post whatever you want in your showcase, and you are even free to edit your showcase as you wish. How does that prevent free choice ?

All what we are doing is giving advice to showcasers who can't build efficiently, and they are free to accept it or not. However, if you go all contradictory and complain about advice in your showcase, sure people are going to whack you.

Actually from what I have seen you spammed your own showcase with derogative comments because inf did what he does usually, and you have overreacted because he considered your bots subpar, and that's what they are compared to the average stock builder. Judging from this, I have many reasons to call you a drama queen.

Will complaining ever help ? No. Also, Urjak has two good points as well.

And Smashy, yes we are elitist. The better builders/modders/contributors have more influence and respect that some random newbie, and I see this as totally normal.

[smashysmashy]

Do you know what I want to say? This game's community is one of the worst I've actually seen for a game. While the modders do good work, the actual community is elitist, and prevents free choice. I've picked this up from all the lurking around not only the forums but some of the fan's websites, and building tips. From first hand experience I've had lots of trouble settling in as a newbie, and I'm sure any other new people that even look at this community will be driven away. It is powered purely by nostalgia.


If you didn't like what you just read, please ignore it.


I've been waiting to say this for a long time now.

You are absolutely free to post whatever you want in your showcase, and you are even free to edit your showcase as you wish. How does that prevent free choice ?

All what we are doing is giving advice to showcasers who can't build efficiently, and they are free to accept it or not. However, if you go all contradictory and complain about advice in your showcase, sure people are going to whack you.

Actually from what I have seen you spammed your own showcase with derogative comments because inf did what he does usually, and you have overreacted because he considered your bots subpar, and that's what they are compared to the average stock builder. Judging from this, I have many reasons to call you a drama queen.

Will complaining ever help ? No. Also, Urjak has two good points as well.

And Smashy, yes we are elitist. The better builders/modders/contributors have more influence and respect that some random newbie, and I see this as totally normal.

Meh, fair enough.

[Sparkey98]

Do you know what I want to say? This game's community is one of the worst I've actually seen for a game. While the modders do good work, the actual community is elitist, and prevents free choice. I've picked this up from all the lurking around not only the forums but some of the fan's websites, and building tips. From first hand experience I've had lots of trouble settling in as a newbie, and I'm sure any other new people that even look at this community will be driven away. It is powered purely by nostalgia.


If you didn't like what you just read, please ignore it.


I've been waiting to say this for a long time now.

tl;dr stop comparing every bad robot to one of his.

[cephalopod]

...are good guys and will be happy to help you out (Craaig, JoeBlo etc.).

N'awh, thanks :3


In a way I know what he means, it is a very daunting community to enter into, as it's obviously so competitive, however once you've broken through that barrier, most people are generally alright (':

[123savethewhales]

Let's just ban optimization completely, by calling it "against the spirit of realism".  Then tournament results would be pointless because bots were never build to compete.  I don't have problem with IRL or art bots, but let's not kid ourselves by claiming that the outcome means anything.  If it does then half the entries will be shell spinners.

The only conversation left in showcase will be how nice the bot looks and what an awesome skin job that is.  Which is why I stay in junkyard nowadays.

Also, this game cannot imitate realistic functions no matter how much house rules you put in, because the physics engine will not allow it.  Whichever bot type that works best with this game's mechanics will still dominate.

Here's a quote from Naryar which I find relevant to this topic.

If we had a CLEAR definition of "IRL building" it would be SO MUCH EASIER to say what is IRL... for me IRL is "realistic, and could work in real life".

Oh and I am entering BoF for fun, yes, but my definition of "fun" in robotic combat is... *inhales deeply*

Crush the chassis of your enemies while laughing maniacally ! Rejoice at other people posting awed comments at how Bad Ass your bots are ! Climb on top of a pile of defeated opponents and rise your weapons towards the sky to look awesome ! Inspire sheer unbridled TERROR in your enemies by beating their bots senseless ! Make special taunting py's so your bot spams the ingame chat with trash talk ! This is robotic combat, damnit, and it's essense is FAST PACED, BRUTAL CONFLICT, as well as survival of the fittest ! Components flying everywhere ! SPARKS FOR THE SPARK GOD !

[System32]

let's not kid ourselves by claiming that the outcome means anything.  If it does then half the entries will be shell spinners.

Half the entries to IRL tourneys are already shell spinners.

[Somebody]

If we have tournaments, people want to win. If people want to win, they push the rules.

[That Robot is a Spy!]

This is the only community where I don't see the best builders as MLG dimwits.

[RpJk]

I think this community is probably one of the most unique I've seen.
Why? Here is why.

1. The game is mostly about creativity and combat-efficiency which is two things that are rarely put together.

2. Such a wide variety of interests people have on these forums who come from different parts of the World From the USA to places like Australasia.

3. This is personally one of the most dedicated forums in the World who's people will be probably still play this in 10 years.

4. Wide Variety of AI packs.

5. Some of you people are awesome and bulid some Top Class and unique Robots in Both Stock and DSL in the (Oddly) World.

6. This IS the World stage for Robot Arena 2 now.

7. Small number of people here when compared to EA forums for example which equals == Less hassle

8. I feel like I can talk about Robot Combat easily here instead of people in real life saying `Its dead. like something that is not dead or childish like football.

So that is why.

[That Robot is a Spy!]

I meant Major League Gamers.

[Jack Daniels]

2. Such a wide variety of interests people have on these forums who come from different parts of the World From the USA to places like Australasia.

We have a member named PwnBlo.  He's australasian.


Edit:  XD  sorry... couldn't resist.  I do like the points you make about the community though!