Information The voice of the people (General Feedback)

[yoursteamfriend.royce]

Hello everyone, I hope this finds you well.

Idyllic is our namesake, but it is also the creed by which we live. It's our goal to be the change we want to see in this niche hobby we all share. We wouldn't be anywhere without one another. Your voice matters!

We are open to hear anything anyone has to say about the current state of things, suggestions, appreciation, even negative feelings. I'm sure we can work things out if so! Out of respect all we ask is that any personal gripes be handled in DMs. Idyllic strives for everyone to feel welcome and heard, and to just simply have a good time! Sometimes we all forget how truly blessed we are to have people to share all of this with.

That being said I'll kick this off by expressing my upmost gratitude to all of you for your interest! If anyone has any fun ideas for things they'd like to do, any of you are more than welcome to reach out to your favorite admin of choice (id hope it's me but let's be fair, smarmy takes the prize)! We can talk it through. We all just want to make sure that everyone here feels involved and welcome. We're open to hear any suggestions involving anything here, from suggestions to these forums to the discord, to on server.
(Ps. @Mickee where is the pets channel in discord?! !!!! )

Script suggestions
Report bugs here

We're all ears!

 

[Deleted user 109]

 

[AbeBatJes]

Last event was quite enjoyable! Felt a little awkward getting situated at first, but quickly got my bearings. I'll be honest, I wasn't too sure if I myself was being too power gamey or not on my part; I try to stay within reasonable bounds. Nonetheless, you all were very accommodating. The music was also very great as well. Near the end, ngl, I felt like I was at a rave party lol. Still, great great!

 

[pants]

I loved coming back home from my big AFK today and just seeing so many people hanging out near the campfire, doing some kind of electrical work on the roof. Really made the place feel so ALIVE in this cozy, Red-Dead-Redemption-2-Campsite kind of way.

The event was pretty great other than me CONSTANTLY FUMBLING DICE ROLLS and bringing a bolt action to a fast headcrab fight.

Also the xenicide didn't work. That was kind of a shocker to me. And Fake!Demi did a Kipp-Kipp? Did the fungus eat a shock trooper...........

 

[Fours]

I loved the (Semi?)-finale of the event and the build up to it, with HORIZON and the Heart and this entire arc was AMAZING. While I never got to see the end of it, I bet it was fantastic for the others.

I'm excitedt to see how this goes! Thank you Mickee and the staff team <3

 

[Eorvek]

Okay so while I by no means want to come across as salty or anything , last night's event would've been great for me. However it had a huge glaring issue pop in at the end.

The Xenicide. While I'm not gonna throw a huge issue over something in a gmod game, it's the second time I've tried using Doctor Kong to genuinely do IC solutions to IC problems. Which each time it's done nothing. Last time it was doing SOMETHING (killing some xen shit, but not making a difference) at least, but this time? I'm gonna be honest the Kingpin huffing the fumes wasn't something that came across as cool or scary. It came across as OOCly rude and railroady. Like it was punishing me for coloring outside the lines, and it generally deflated my want to even play.

For context I have spent the entire time I was on lugging around that shit that was planned from the very getgo of this map, had to battle constant disconnects and really just feeling sidelined while the more action oriented characters got their time, and then the moment I'm able to stand up and do my thing? Xenicide not only does nothing, but it gets basically powergamed out of my hands and I'm forced back into the mold with everyone else. It wasn't fun, it wasn't cool, and it encouraged me to just disconnect.

 

[Mickee]

Okay so while I by no means want to come across as salty or anything , last night's event would've been great for me. However it had a huge glaring issue pop in at the end.

The Xenicide. While I'm not gonna throw a huge issue over something in a gmod game, it's the second time I've tried using Doctor Kong to genuinely do IC solutions to IC problems. Which each time it's done nothing. Last time it was doing SOMETHING (killing some xen shit, but not making a difference) at least, but this time? I'm gonna be honest the Kingpin huffing the fumes wasn't something that came across as cool or scary. It came across as OOCly rude and railroady. Like it was punishing me for coloring outside the lines, and it generally deflated my want to even play.

For context I have spent the entire time I was on lugging around that shit that was planned from the very getgo of this map, had to battle constant disconnects and really just feeling sidelined while the more action oriented characters got their time, and then the moment I'm able to stand up and do my thing? Xenicide not only does nothing, but it gets basically powergamed out of my hands and I'm forced back into the mold with everyone else. It wasn't fun, it wasn't cool, and it encouraged me to just disconnect.

I think this isn't to take a jab at you.

But to show that this thing is simply above that, ontop of me never actually signing off or planning 'Xenicide'...In our lore. It does not exist and I wish to play that out. I've seen alot of Taco N Banana CIC lore cross over into this and I am trying to alienate and remove it. We are not Taco N Banana, we do not follow their lore, and Xenicide simply does not work nor does it exist in this lore, especially against something I've been labeling as a literal god that can infiltrate your mind and reform the bodies of living beings (Examples being the EVERSOR, 181, and the bear).


CIC is not this almighty faction that focuses exclusively upon overgrowth and triumphs all in our lore. I have clarified numerous times that CIC does not exist and that it is instead the CMC, Combine Maintenance Corps. I wish you didn't have to find out this way but I would really prefer if these sort of things were brought up towards us prior so we can actually respond and adjust accordingly. If you have anymore questions that revolve around confusion with TnB's lore and ours I will happily answer any and all.


tldr; XENICIDE DOES NOT EXIST IN OUR LORE AND THE CIC(CMC) IS NOT AT ALL LIKE IT IS AT TNB.

 

[Eorvek]

I think this isn't to take a jab at you.

But to show that this thing is simply above that, ontop of me never actually signing off or planning 'Xenicide'...In our lore. It does not exist and I wish to play that out. I've seen alot of Taco N Banana CIC lore cross over into this and I am trying to alienate and remove it. We are not Taco N Banana, we do not follow their lore, and Xenicide simply does not work nor does it exist in this lore, especially against something I've been labeling as a literal god that can infiltrate your mind and reform the bodies of living beings (Examples being the EVERSOR, 181, and the bear).


CIC is not this almighty faction that focuses exclusively upon overgrowth and triumphs all in our lore. I have clarified numerous times that CIC does not exist and that it is instead the CMC, Combine Maintenance Corps. I wish you didn't have to find out this way but I would really prefer if these sort of things were brought up towards us prior so we can actually respond and adjust accordingly. If you have anymore questions that revolve around confusion with TnB's lore and ours I will happily answer any and all.


tldr; XENICIDE DOES NOT EXIST IN OUR LORE AND THE CIC(CMC) IS NOT AT ALL LIKE IT IS AT TNB.

Which is something I wish I was informed of this after the first time or informed before even trying this time. Again its pretty frustrating because that’s effort down the drain for an ooc reason I wasnt even aware of.

Like sure okay its not lore but that doesnt change the fact Im incredibly frustrated. Its not even the idea of xenicide not “existing “ if anything Im frustrated this lore wasnt even common knowledge and the fact I was forcibly sidelined for no reason then just aggravates me further

 

[pants]

I think this isn't to take a jab at you.

But to show that this thing is simply above that, ontop of me never actually signing off or planning 'Xenicide'...In our lore. It does not exist and I wish to play that out. I've seen alot of Taco N Banana CIC lore cross over into this and I am trying to alienate and remove it. We are not Taco N Banana, we do not follow their lore, and Xenicide simply does not work nor does it exist in this lore, especially against something I've been labeling as a literal god that can infiltrate your mind and reform the bodies of living beings (Examples being the EVERSOR, 181, and the bear).


CIC is not this almighty faction that focuses exclusively upon overgrowth and triumphs all in our lore. I have clarified numerous times that CIC does not exist and that it is instead the CMC, Combine Maintenance Corps. I wish you didn't have to find out this way but I would really prefer if these sort of things were brought up towards us prior so we can actually respond and adjust accordingly. If you have anymore questions that revolve around confusion with TnB's lore and ours I will happily answer any and all.


tldr; XENICIDE DOES NOT EXIST IN OUR LORE AND THE CIC(CMC) IS NOT AT ALL LIKE IT IS AT TNB.

more loreposts im begging. im a lore fiend

 

[AbeBatJes]

I think this isn't to take a jab at you.

But to show that this thing is simply above that, ontop of me never actually signing off or planning 'Xenicide'...In our lore. It does not exist and I wish to play that out. I've seen alot of Taco N Banana CIC lore cross over into this and I am trying to alienate and remove it. We are not Taco N Banana, we do not follow their lore, and Xenicide simply does not work nor does it exist in this lore, especially against something I've been labeling as a literal god that can infiltrate your mind and reform the bodies of living beings (Examples being the EVERSOR, 181, and the bear).


CIC is not this almighty faction that focuses exclusively upon overgrowth and triumphs all in our lore. I have clarified numerous times that CIC does not exist and that it is instead the CMC, Combine Maintenance Corps. I wish you didn't have to find out this way but I would really prefer if these sort of things were brought up towards us prior so we can actually respond and adjust accordingly. If you have anymore questions that revolve around confusion with TnB's lore and ours I will happily answer any and all.


tldr; XENICIDE DOES NOT EXIST IN OUR LORE AND THE CIC(CMC) IS NOT AT ALL LIKE IT IS AT TNB.

I believe the part that makes it get fuddled up is that (if I recall correctly), 181 was part of an infestation core, but don't quote me on that, as I'm not the character, and my memory is kinda craptastic lol. However to fully nullify any Xenicide is odd. I only say this not in conjunction to TnB, but rather the lore in Half Life itself (that being with Half Life: Alyx).. as it's apparent that a 'core' of citizens are tasked with dealing with certain xenian infestations. Now whether or not the foam they use actually just stops the infestation, or repels it is up for debate. However somehow somewhere, there are like-minded scientists or individuals that had to make this substance, to fight against the evergrowing xen life.

Now I'm not sure entirely all Eorvek's character stands in this; whether they were a scientist, part of a group that dealt with that etc, and what they've done on the server, is out of my hands of knowledge (as I've only very recently showed up ).

However, as stated above, that if Dr Kong is experienced in this field of work, and took the time to roleplay creating the stuff through complex means, that they should be rewarded in some capacity. Now even if it didn't outright KILL those powerful creatures, it would've been great to at least see it do something in some capacity; weaken it by not allowing it to do one thing, maybe make it slower etc.

And just as I see pants post, I do HIGHLY agree; there needs to be more lore to be added, just so everyone is in the same field. I suppose it's a lot of influence from being involved with Rad-X & Robert from Willard (technically knew them before Willard), because they seem to like adding in every bit of lore; it helps both staff and player to grab ahold of, instead of tryin' to come up with somethin' on the spot. <3

 

[Mickee]

Which is something I wish I was informed of this after the first time or informed before even trying this time. Again its pretty frustrating because that’s effort down the drain for an ooc reason I wasnt even aware of.

Like sure okay its not lore but that doesnt change the fact Im incredibly frustrated. Its not even the idea of xenicide not “existing “ if anything Im frustrated this lore wasnt even common knowledge and the fact I was forcibly sidelined for no reason then just aggravates me further

I completely understand and I am sorry that it happened. If u wanna get a full rundown of it I am more than happy to put together a general lore post for the CMC's position in our world.

 

[Mickee]

Oop this updated while I was typing...I'll start working on a post for y'all

 

[Zardoz]

Sorry to hear about how that all transpired for some people and I hope that next time around there is more clarity. I do not think anyone specifically was solely in the wrong here (I do not say this as a cop out either) but there were certain things that could have been explained a lot better before hand.

I do remember a similar situation I had with a character I played on ZRP who was a notorious thief then later became a 'trader' of sorts. My enjoyment on ZRP suffered when I tried to interact with certain roleplay encounters differently from the expected convention i.e. sneaking, lockpicking doors, using different entrances, stealing items, and generally straying from the preferred 'way of doing things' than what most players and event planners were used to. While I had a few highlights, my character both IC and OOC was treat as disruptive, useless and in many situations ended up getting ignored. It was really one of the biggest turns offs I had with railroading and it was definitely enough to swear me off from touching ZRP again.

While I think things are generally better now with HL2RP, I can definitely relate to that feeling of being dismissed. Railroading might be necessary (in rare instances imo) but staff should definitely try to clarify things better and reach out a lot sooner. Mistakes do happen and I still hold no hard feelings towards anyone from what happened back then, nor do I think anyone now harbors such grudges. The best thing really for these kinds of situations is to maybe entertain some player ideas in a novel way or provide another explanation such as an easy access guide to players on what can be done within the world.

Hell, I remember I once had my vehicle nuked off the map as I tried to roleplay driving back out through the tunnel during an event, but I kind of understood the intention behind it not being malicious but more so for pacing. Although telling players no at the last minute or not reaching out OOC before hand might not lead to others taking it so well.

On the topic of lore and worldbuilding:

For instance, it is generally accepted that there is a CWU (Civil Worker's Union) in most HL2RP servers despite not actually existing in the games but it is accepted as 'unofficial' cannon by most players standards. Cremators are another instance of otherwise unofficial lore being seen as part of HL2RP's lore even if a server makes no mention or acknowledgement of them. Then there is the whole argument about whether Combine soldiers are mindless unstoppable automatons (I think most people are aware they are not) but a sentence or two can stop a future debate like that in its tracks with a firm 'yes' or 'no', etc.

At this point it is just a simple case I think of a general lore/world overview thread as a basic quick primer. Probably a sentence or two, maybe a paragraph dedicated to the following would help:

1. Factions & organizations (CCA, CMC, RPF, OTF, HORIZON, CONSCRIPTS, etc)
2. Alien creatures, synths & machines (anomalies?)
3. Technology (weapons, medicine, AI, teleportation)
4. Newspapers, radio, & television
5. Employment & private ownership(?)
6. Famous figures
7. Events of Half-Life 1? (Do Gearbox's HL expansions also count towards our canon?)
8. Race X?

Some of the players I think were not even around since the start of the server (could be wrong) and even the ones who were at Worksite 14 did not have much access to information on the outside world. Something like this was bound to be inevitable and the lateness of the event with the added pressure to conclude it definitely led to some hasty actions. It is good to hear that some people did enjoy it though, I also had some fun here and there. Yet as someone who has been in Eorvek's position before with an unconventional character it can be immensely frustrating with such an experience that would definitely make me reconsider if my time was being valued.

 

[Smarmy]

I do remember a similar situation I had with a character I played on ZRP who was a notorious thief then later became a 'trader' of sorts. My enjoyment on ZRP suffered when I tried to interact with certain roleplay encounters differently from the expected convention i.e. sneaking, lockpicking doors, using different entrances, stealing items, and generally straying from the preferred 'way of doing things' than what most players and event planners were used to.

I'm embarrassed to say this, but it might've been me as I had 0 experience doing admin stuff. ZRP is a brutal setting for a trial by fire of events. I don't know why I did it due to how stressful it was, but people seemed to really love the "oh shit smarmy will let us go anywhere in the zombie city," so I stuck with it. I did it because I was overwhelmed, and worried people would think my events were shit if they didn't go 100% smoothly. I almost crashed out at a few points.

 

[Vecilea]

At this point it is just a simple case I think of a general lore/world overview thread as a basic quick primer. Probably a sentence or two, maybe a paragraph dedicated to the following would help:

1. Race X?

I will be releasing more as they become a larger part of the story. Just staff has agreed to keep them to background stuff on this map /mostly/ for the time being.

Promise! I'm also working on creating a Google My Maps with mickee with a fuck ton of lore.

 

[Zardoz]

I'm embarrassed to say this, but it might've been me as I had 0 experience doing admin stuff. ZRP is a brutal setting for a trial by fire of events. I don't know why I did it due to how stressful it was, but people seemed to really love the "oh shit smarmy will let us go anywhere in the zombie city," so I stuck with it. I did it because I was overwhelmed, and worried people would think my events were shit if they didn't go 100% smoothly. I almost crashed out at a few points.

Nothing to be embarrassed about, even putting the most experienced staff to run those kind of events can lead to burn outs as opposed to more open servers with optional story telling. Railroading in general is very demanding despite how simple it seems, it essentially makes servers extremely reliant on event chains to sustain interest and keeping the story moving along smoothly. It is a lot easier for both players and admins, if we embrace players making decisions with good faith even if awkward or would lead to missing out on planned set pieces. We can easily recycle or reincorporate cool scenarios we never got around in another way as well.

I will also say though that on ZRP the best moment I had was when my officer character convinced a few other survivors to sneak into the overrun Police Department and raid the armory for weapons + riot gear. That was genuinely cool and nobody really prompted us to do that, we were forging our own story in that moment. Definitely one of the highlights and MoF has also had those moments too. Overall I think you guys are doing a good job, although my views may not be reflective of those who enjoy the linear experiences more.

I will be releasing more as they become a larger part of the story. Just staff has agreed to keep them to background stuff on this map /mostly/ for the time being.

Promise! I'm also working on creating a Google My Maps with mickee with a fuck ton of lore.

Sounds cool. To be honest it does not even need to go into extreme detail. It's more so to say to those who are not sure or new players that 'yes, Race X does exist!' really.

 

[Mickee]

Currently typing up the thread. Will hopefully be up by tonight.

 

[Mickee]

Sorry to hear about how that all transpired for some people and I hope that next time around there is more clarity. I do not think anyone specifically was solely in the wrong here (I do not say this as a cop out either) but there were certain things that could have been explained a lot better before hand.

I do remember a similar situation I had with a character I played on ZRP who was a notorious thief then later became a 'trader' of sorts. My enjoyment on ZRP suffered when I tried to interact with certain roleplay encounters differently from the expected convention i.e. sneaking, lockpicking doors, using different entrances, stealing items, and generally straying from the preferred 'way of doing things' than what most players and event planners were used to. While I had a few highlights, my character both IC and OOC was treat as disruptive, useless and in many situations ended up getting ignored. It was really one of the biggest turns offs I had with railroading and it was definitely enough to swear me off from touching ZRP again.

While I think things are generally better now with HL2RP, I can definitely relate to that feeling of being dismissed. Railroading might be necessary (in rare instances imo) but staff should definitely try to clarify things better and reach out a lot sooner. Mistakes do happen and I still hold no hard feelings towards anyone from what happened back then, nor do I think anyone now harbors such grudges. The best thing really for these kinds of situations is to maybe entertain some player ideas in a novel way or provide another explanation such as an easy access guide to players on what can be done within the world.

Hell, I remember I once had my vehicle nuked off the map as I tried to roleplay driving back out through the tunnel during an event, but I kind of understood the intention behind it not being malicious but more so for pacing. Although telling players no at the last minute or not reaching out OOC before hand might not lead to others taking it so well.

On the topic of lore and worldbuilding:

For instance, it is generally accepted that there is a CWU (Civil Worker's Union) in most HL2RP servers despite not actually existing in the games but it is accepted as 'unofficial' cannon by most players standards. Cremators are another instance of otherwise unofficial lore being seen as part of HL2RP's lore even if a server makes no mention or acknowledgement of them. Then there is the whole argument about whether Combine soldiers are mindless unstoppable automatons (I think most people are aware they are not) but a sentence or two can stop a future debate like that in its tracks with a firm 'yes' or 'no', etc.

At this point it is just a simple case I think of a general lore/world overview thread as a basic quick primer. Probably a sentence or two, maybe a paragraph dedicated to the following would help:

1. Factions & organizations (CCA, CMC, RPF, OTF, HORIZON, CONSCRIPTS, etc)
2. Alien creatures, synths & machines (anomalies?)
3. Technology (weapons, medicine, AI, teleportation)
4. Newspapers, radio, & television
5. Employment & private ownership(?)
6. Famous figures
7. Events of Half-Life 1? (Do Gearbox's HL expansions also count towards our canon?)
8. Race X?

Some of the players I think were not even around since the start of the server (could be wrong) and even the ones who were at Worksite 14 did not have much access to information on the outside world. Something like this was bound to be inevitable and the lateness of the event with the added pressure to conclude it definitely led to some hasty actions. It is good to hear that some people did enjoy it though, I also had some fun here and there. Yet as someone who has been in Eorvek's position before with an unconventional character it can be immensely frustrating with such an experience that would definitely make me reconsider if my time was being valued.

https://idyllicnetworks.com/threads/lore-primer.268/

The start of one.

Basic but I'll expand it as time goes on...I don't wanna expend all of my motivation atm on it

 

[Zilly]

Haven't been playing here very long but I'd like to say that this is the most memorable and fun RP I've played since 2016-17. Everybody in the community is awesome and thank you to the admins, event team and owners for making such a fun and welcoming community

 

[Eorvek]

Alright so let me preface this post by stating I genuinely do care for where this server goes, and that I want to see it be much better. Alongside that I do not want this to be misinterpreted as me being "doomery" and basically putting a hitpiece out. Not the intent at all.

However, the state of things is not satisfactory. Which is putting it lightly. There are extensive issues when it comes to player agency, difficulty, and generally how people are able to interact and make their own stories.

---

Firstly, I'm going to get my own personal issues out of the way here first. Namely with sidelining and player agency. I have played Doctor Kong extensively for a bit to encourage people to bring stuff for science rp, Attempted to have Rotfront as a whole story thing , pitched the idea (and name) of HORIZON to smarmy, and have tried pitching other misc ideas. Now you may ask why I've done these things? It's because I care for the storyline I've invested a lotta hours into, and I stepped in and applied for GM. All so people have fun moreso than myself, it's rewarding to have peeps have fun simple as.

To break down things, each of these has been more or less interfered with in negative ways on multiple ocassions. Let's descend down the list. Starting with:

Doctor Kong. Originally I had very little issue with this character until later. When incidents like the Xenicide transpired. I found that being on Dr. Kong wasn't exactly rewarding, and I consistently felt the feeling of being sidelined.

Further issue I've had with trying to get drive on Kong, was the introduction of characters like Thekla for the same niche as Dr. Kong, with more qualifications, suddenly coming in to take the important Doctor position. While Thekla's introduction alone wasn't anything crazy, she's just a character, but it led to there being a situation of me being at a disadvantage because I wasn't an admin. With Thekla basically being in a position of conducting RP better than Dr. Kong.

Another incident of note being with Judge (he who shouldn't be named) bringing her a Hunter. A hunter I played originally just to spook everyone until being unexpectedly killed, and the players themselves specifically saying "give it to Dr. Kong." Nobody really had issue with it, and nothing was gained ICly from it besides some rp. I was messaged OOCly after to cease this, which is something I understand because it's a slippery slope. However, during the pripyat map. Brought to my knowledge was an admin using a shocktrooper in a similar way to how I used the Hunter, and then using their Doctor to research the corpse of said shocktrooper. While I don't exactly know specifics I do know there wasn't a major fuss over this. Which has led to me feeling a bit of a sour taste in my mouth.

This isn't meant to say "ADMIN CHARS BAD" or "I AM BEING PLOTTED AGAINST." However I wanna say it's been a level of me feeling sidelined. Whether or not that was intentional, and I don't believe it was, it's happened and I don't really feel drive to push further with trying to make rp.

Now, HORIZON. The antagonist faction against the rebels. I pitched the idea to smarmy back at the start of March this year of our lord 2025. Because I am, at my heart, a horrid combine player. I enjoy playing villains. I even expressed my interest to staff back when it was just RPF that I wanted my unit 49952 to be a bit of an antagonist against the rebs. Someone to hate. This didn't exactly pan out, sadly.

While I never went in expecting to be faction lead on Horizon, I expected to at the very least be empowered in going with that intended antagonist role. Considering I helped pitch the idea, and even helped choose the name of the group. My unit wasn't exactly empowered to pursue his antagonistic role, and I was kept at the lower levels of the organization. While I don't think rank matters, I think being empowered to pursue character goals DOES matter.

Another issue that arose with Horizon was I had to forcibly put the Rotfront thing on hiatus. When it was meant to be an antagonist group against them, because I intended to intertwine Monika and 49952 in their overall plot. I was told "no", and was more or lessed forced to negotiate away a whole storyline just to even have my horizon character.

Let me apologize if any of this comes across as rude, because as stated prior, it's not the intent. Running factions and stuff is by no means easy, I mean goodness I've done it too many times in the past and really it's a frustrating experience. Also like, would I have realistically made a difference in how Horizon panned out? I don't know, and I doubt I really would've had it be that much better. However the frustration stems from the fact I didn't get to really do anything, or contribute beyond like just sitting around in the bunker for 15 minutes because I got pinged.

---

Moving on from my personal experiences on this matter. Player agency is a huge issue that should be addressed. I'm noticing a lot of moments where combat has a lot of spongey enemies, and rounds end up getting shrugged off. This is actually quite understandable in some cases where you don't want people to progress too quickly, but the current rate at which this has been used is not exactly good.

I've noticed a good amount of griping from some peeps just because you'll have clearly laid out pathways that are meant to be path of least resistance so the event goes smoother type stuff. Which is fair! However then this very path will have downright tanky enemies that are just able to have total awareness and elite battlefield conduct 24/7. Nobody is expecting a walk in the park if its war, but there's definitely a better way to conduct things.

Speaking of.

---

Here's the part where I'm gonna mention ways to make things better. Obviously this isn't gonna be a fix all but it's recommendations to help better the server. Because again as I stated I genuinely do care for things, and I want things to be better. I'm not gonna be like some TnB user and just say a bunch of shit and not at least pitch in.

So! Recommendation one:
Work with peeps. I've noticed that while staff are told to help people with their stories, and help develop them, I don't exactly see much communication from either side. So, let's have something like more open-ness to people pitching ideas. Storyline recommendation threads for people to spitball some ideas, and generally communicate with staff. Let people pitch some event ideas easier via the auth boards. Just stuff to encourage more communication and storyline planning. It can go a long way and help people feel valued on their characters more.

Recommendation two:
Combat roleplay ettiquette needs to be really pushed. We shouldn't be relying on ballistics charts, lore on how strong the cyborgs are, or how much aura a character has. People should be able to go forward in combat with "oh man this'll be such a cool maneuver to pull off." not "how many fucking shots is this soldier gonna take". Less tanky enemies in conduct is definitely a huge thing to push for.

Recommendation three:
When fixing factions like Horizon, the Conscripts, the Combine. Reach out to the players. See what they wanna truly see in these factions. Ettiquete, vibe, etc. Obviously not every detail should be decided via feedback but it's a good way to start shaping things in a way people enjoy. Also, delegate the leadership to peeps in the playerbase. You got some trusted people who would be more than happy to pitch in and run events and run these antagonistic groups. It helps things be way more organic.

To close, I didn't want to write an essay length post on "SERVER SUCK HERE WHY". Which is why I tried my best to proofread this and try not to be mean. I hold a lot of frustration towards current issues, but I wanna turn that frustration into productivity. I wanna see us succeed and have fun. A better path IS possible.