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Jun-20-2007 12:56

***This is my opinion. Strictly my opinion.***


I've looked at the community, and anyone who's been here longer than 100 days is able to see that Sleuth activity has gone down the tubes. Dead. And what is to blame? The agencies.

Now, agencies aren't the root cause. Let's get that straight. But the way they have been operating is. The problems with agencies are (1) the quantity, (2) the purpose, (3) and the role they play.

Okay, first, the quantity of agencies. Not too long ago, there were about 20-30 agencies. All full at 12 persons each, coming to a total of roughly 240-360 people. That was a good amount. But now, we have almost 120 agencies. That's right. 600% of the amount we had about a year ago. Sure, some may argue that the community has grown, and it certainly has. But 600% growth? I don't think so.

Jun-22-2007 10:58

I have certainly read the irritation in the posts written to newbies, some of which I agree with and some of which is baffling, (why do people care if there is a thread about Nancy Drew?), all and all it certainly turned me off from posting because I didn't want to be scorned as well. It's almost as if there is one clique of people who have all the control while the rest of us stand milling about the edges and only a few of the shameless youth put themselves out there.

So now we have bored, irritated members who make new members feel like their not welcome in the community. So what do new people do? They form their own agencies and try and figure it out on their own. (I'm not saying that new people are treated like trash but until you've been here for a little while and persistently read posts it does seem like there is some hostility toward new people.)

I don't think agencies are the illness, they are just one of the symptoms. I don't think the community has gone to pot because all the new members are young, immature and having nothing of value to add. I think it's beacause the immature people have no problem jumping up and posting whatever they want, while the rest of us new people are just confused by the whole thing.

I'm not sure if I've been clear in this post. I do want to point out that I love this game, I love the ribald sense of humour many of you in the, “older generation,” have and am no longer feeling too shy to post on the site. I think there may be a transition going on that is making the tone of the game go haywire for awhile but I am hoping that the anchors of the community find some way of reinvigorating their interest in the game and that we new guys can freely allow our fervor to flow.

Jun-22-2007 11:03

Very good point about the treasure hunts Cordie!!!

Jun-22-2007 11:32

Laura I know what you mean with the post written at newbies, as we now see that because of a newbie posting a long time ago, and some others posting on it recelntly our beloved Fiddler has decided he had to leave the game! And I mean actually kill himself off!

So good point Laura!

Jun-22-2007 11:40

Alright, people... if two 'newbies' have actually dared to pitch in and express an opinion... how many more do you think are out there who feel the same and can't or won't bother to say anything. You wouldn't know it now, but when I started this game I was so shy the thought of actually posting put me into full panic mode. Luckily people weren't being so snippy when I signed on or I NEVER would have. ::sighs:: yeah, yeah... you don't have to read my long-winded diatribes and you'd miss me anyway ::grins::

Amiss and Laura, thank you for speaking up.

Jun-22-2007 12:07

*puts away leatherworking tools* Hides whip in desk drawer*

But, Crunch... what if your partner thinks you're saying 'pampermoose'? :D

Jun-22-2007 12:26

I will be bold enough to say this...

When I first started, I was one of the shy ones. Ok, maybe not completely shy because that's not me by nature, but shy. I had Fat Chuck and Kitten and all the rest of them staring down at me, the lonely newbie.


If nothing else, this post has helped to break the barrier for two newbies, one of whom PM'd me, referring to me as Mr Jojo. Mr Jojo? Woah, not allowed. That's Jojo to you! :D

Jun-22-2007 12:53

Im not one of the shy ones Jojo lol,

I would like to ask the question......... At what point does a 'newbie' become a person and earn some respect around here, to become a regular player in sleuth without a label.

Jun-22-2007 13:09

My personal opinion:

1) Subscribing is automatic respect from me. Helping out Sleuth like that is awesome

2) If you no longer ask questions like "ho is da murderar" in bar chat, you're pretty much set

3) If you have anything over 1000 exp, you obviously care about the game and have actually PLAYED the game, thus you have gained some respect

4) Anyone who can talk intelligently without being rude and obnoxious has my utmost respect

Jun-22-2007 13:29

I like being in a small agency. We don't even try to play treasure hunts because they do seem to be monopolized by the bigger agencies in every city. But it doesn't matter! There are other things that are more individualized, like the villian hunts, that really open up the game to everybody.

Jun-22-2007 13:40

Laura and Amiss,

I agree with your points about the boards, while they've always had the same people posting (myself included), I understand why others find them a little dull as they're all mostly "in jokes" or roleplay which not everyone is into. And you see the same old faces posting. :)
I also agree, a lot of posts can be quite hostile. I'm not the big good innocent in this, and for that I'm sorry.
I've had issues with Noobs in the past and been quite the bitch and unfriendly, however I'm saddened to see that people are too scared to post in case of scorn.

When I started, the boards, though much more diverse and friendly than it is now, it still seemed scary until like Laura, I decided what the heck. And I wish I could say that today it's the same, that everyone is welcome to post what they like however, it's becoming more and more clear that everyone isn't welcome to do this.
Again, not the big good innocent here, sorry.

I really hope that some members of the Sleuth community instead of bitching and saying, "It's not my fault people don't post" try understanding how a lot of people feel and how imtimidated they feel...
because it is a great community here and it is sad that people feel unwelcome.

Agencies: When an agency is absolutely slaughtered on the boards and it's members made to feel so bad they feel they have no choice but to retire, it's pretty damn clear why people don't want to play anymore or why there isn't healthy competiton anymore. It really isn't healthy when the number one agency disbands and many of it's players retire.

I do think jealously and hostility to new and/or successful players seems to be more rife these days, and I do really feel for any newbies.
Afterall, you're not forced to read a post called "Nancy Drew", if you don't want too. And when Newbies feel so unwelcome, why would they join an exsisting agency?

And of course, al the other reasons you wonderful people already mentioned :)