Sunday, December 21st, 2008
Issue: 105   Editor: Mikamon


A Goodbye to Stryfe Mikamon
On Wednesday, BSF2000 and Sabin made the decision to remove Stryfe from the Elite Guard. The reason for this supposingly being the inactivity of the ex-moderator. The Buzz caught up with both Stryfe and Sabin in an attempt to find out the reasons of Stryfe's removal.

“I got an e-mail from BSF2000 stating that I was removed due to inactivity. Plain and simple,” Stryfe explained the Buzz. He added, “I guess I don't really feel bothered about getting removed because none of my old friends that actually gave me a reason to have fun and sign on still play. It used to be active and it began to seem like a chore since I didn't know anyone.”

Stryfe also commented on the position he had within the Elite Guard itself and gave some critique, “I had full access to the moderator control panel before they implemented the ranks in the EG,” he said. “Then, I get put on just normal moderator status with basic controls. I used to do extensive work and never gave anyone a reason to doubt my integrity or intelligence. Seems like just another Sabin power trip?”

Regarding the earlier mentioned power trip, Sabin told the Buzz, “The point is that the distinction of access levels was there since before Stryfe was ever Mod (or HDO even). How can it be another Sabin power trip when I wasn't the person who invented the system?” He added, “Stryfe fails to mention that he was brutally active at the time he had full tools and all of the time leading up to it including time as a very fine HDO. He suddenly went inactive without telling anyone. We grew tired of this, and he was fired for inactivity.”

In the past, Moderators have been re-added to the Elite Guard after they had carefully suggested they wouldn't mind being back in green again. The Buzz was curious if Stryfe would give something like that a try in the future. “Nah. Seems like they value not bringing it up and having them "choose" when you should be given tools,” he told us. “Either way, I think I'm out once I give all my money away. My buddies on the Regulators and old BL wife MaeCapone are gone. No reason to stay I guess.”

In addition to his earlier statement, Sabin gave us some more background information of Bootlegger's policy. It turns out that Bootleggers and the staff have a standing unwritten policy that once a person leaves the Elite Guard, regardless of whether they are fired or resign, they are not invited to return unless they have a legitimate RL excuse and make arrangements before leaving. The Administrator further explained how this applied to Stryfe, and why Stryfe didn't have the full access he had before he was fired. “The first time he left, he gave the excuse that he was at medical school and had to take a break. After much debate, we allowed him to return at the regular Moderator level same thing Shaggerty had to do when he was fired and later allowed to return,” Sabin said.

Stryfe strongly mentioned to the Buzz that he had become to like moderating the game less and less. “I definitely wouldn't join the EG again,” he said, speculating on his future steps. “It's too structured and all a hierarchy now. I enjoyed it when we were doing it for the players. Even dupechecking ruined it for me. It's just as simple as clicking a button instead of having to research into backgrounds and cross referencing IP's, etc. That latter part actually made moderating fun.”

The decision to fire Stryfe was met in different ways by the players themselves. Some approved it, as the Moderator had been inactive and the players felt that removing him was the right thing to do. However, there were also players who felt Stryfe shouldn't have been removed, seeing he was one of the few 'old school' players.

Again, Sabin provided the Buzz with information. “Think of your character, the mafiosi working his (or her, etc..) way up through the ranks, making a name for himself, and acquiring wealth and assets along the way,” he said. “The one that does crimes and runs around in the BL universe. Now, think of yourself. Yes, you! The player sitting at the keyboard. You don't smuggle cognac, and you probably don't steal cars for a hobby.” His point is simple. There are two different worlds. The world your character sees and the world you, the human player, sees. “Bear in mind that when we change some aspect of the game, make some decision or ruling, or cause a certain event to occur, we are doing it because it makes sense from a character perspective and for the preservation of Game Balance. Most importantly, the works of the Staff do not concern the players; because they exist in a different universe,” Sabin said. Adding, “Also, when it comes to Staff matters, it's not for the players to decide, for the very same reason, it's for the Staff to decide.”

Sabin also told the Buzz the reason for the removal of Stryfe. “Stryfe was removed from the Elite Guard upon agreement between myself and BSF2000,” he said. “His actions shortly thereafter confirm that the decision was a good one. We cannot discuss the exact reasons for the decision, as that is a matter internal to the Elite Guard.” He added, “In case he reads this article. Please bear in mind that you are still sworn to protect the privacy of all information you have acquired about the inner workings of Bootleggers, its Staff (including personal data, communications, forums, etc), its players, and its database. This requirement lasts indefinitely (it may be better to actively try to forget the information). Thank you.”

With Stryfe being no longer a Moderator, the Elite Guard is a green one down again. On behalf of the Buzz and Sabin “We wish Stryfe the best of luck in his future endeavors.”