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


Telling It Like It Is UltimateDestiny
Okay, so welcome to my weekly column. This is a new thing and hopefully it will serve its purpose of inspiring me to write properly once more.
This is meant to be about all things Bootleggers-related and may remind you of a similar publication from Franchise, earlier on this reset, called Franny Being Franny. I do not wish this article to be a replacement of this but a slightly detailed weekly analysis of Bootleggers. Of course, if you don't like me personally, think I'm a complete idiot or just don't want to read something as substantially long, then by all means, return to the front page, or just simply log out. Anyone who happens to like this, I have a long list of topics that will be covered in future weeks and they may be disclosed later on.

Okay, so back to the whole purpose here, Bootleggers. What do you really think of the current State of the Game? Please bootmail me with your opinions, it'll help me reflect and debate on this for the following week. Personally, I like it. Many think and pine for a Reset but as I keep saying, inflation is under control and a Reset is clearly not needed. If you were there at around 5th October, 2006, then you would realise that the condition of the game was so much worse and the Game needed sorting. However, everything is under control. This may be the point where you go, "Aww, he has to say that, otherwise why would it be published?" The answer to this is that actually, it's my personal opinion and I will not succumb to pressure to become yet another hater. This brings me nicely on to the haters of this Game. I say it time and time again on the forums when such a topic is posted, but here it is for those who have had the misfortune to miss it. If you do not like the Game, either submit suggestions for change and explain why you think this change would make Bootleggers better. If you don't have a suggestion, just log out. If indeed you do think the Game is awful, then don't spend time here complaining, that certainly won't make the Game better.

Next topic that is on the agenda this week is Nation/State Dons. Now I know this is a hotly contested debate. There has been many a topic about how they are ruining the Game, how a Nation Don can stop another rank's spree in 5 minutes flat. I understand that to some extent it limits the damage to what some can do in the Game, but at the end of the day, they have managed to remain under the radar when sprees have been completed to get to this point in the first place. With a recently crowned 28th Nation Don, I remain of the belief they should be able to prevent things from happening if they manage to get to a place where only a few have got before. Are you seriously telling me that if you had an experience with those perks, you still wouldn't want the chance to have them again? I don't believe you. Bigpapav2 was the last Nation Don to die earlier this week which brought up another debate that has been circulating since at least the death of littlemisssunshine, back on 13th August of this year. This is of course, having progressed so far with ranking, why would a Nation Don not want to do a spree and go out in style? My personal opinion is that it's not a matter of having to do a spree before dying but more a case of the Don using their position well. Of course this is very subjective. Using their position well can be eliminating enemies for a Crew, comitting a spree or even gaining resources through hitlist kills. I believe the user should get to decide how they use their rank, not be hated for what they choose to do. I won't disclose what I was to do if I was Nation Don because, as some may know, I would like to reach that rank one day and think I will. In which case, you will see what happens. Of course it differs between circumstances. If you're in a Crew, it will definitely affect what your course of action is. It could be the case that the Don in question is stocking up for a spree when his/her reign comes to an abrupt end in which case no one would know that they were planning to use their rank, but still criticise them for doing nothing. Some of the previous Nation Dons such as the aforementioned ones have been criticised for what they have or have not done in their gold suits. Until you reach that position, you are in no position to tell others what to do.

On a final note, I will briefly speak about certain events this week since both general issues and events will be discussed each week. As I take a look back this week, a hell of a lot has happened, let's be honest. This includes an HDO resigning, a return to HDOship for another, a Moderator being relieved of Elite Guard duties and using his powers one last time with some less that desirable consequences, a Crew wipe or two, Nation Dons being killed and crowned, the list just goes on and on. Now, at the best of times, Spacie can be a bit of a noob, we all know that, but I'm genuinely saddened that he has left the Help Desk and would like to see a petition for his return, even if it is against his will. Maybe I'll sort something out like that for next week. If nothing else about this you look forward to, you'll maybe have that. Rather fittingly Sylv returned, making up for the one who left. I'm pleased at her return and from the look at the forums after it was realised, so were most of the Bootleggers public. If you happen to be sitting here disagreeing with every word I'm saying, which I'm sure some will, then send me a message and complain, tell me that I'm talking out of my rear end and bombard me with your feelings about what I've said. I'll of course take note, probably not change my style to suit you, but reflect of what you've got to say, mention it in next week's issue. If after that, you still don't like the situation, then send a damn freelance article in, telling me how I'm completely wrong. I'd love to hear some lovely feedback.

For now, I'm looking at notepad and have realised that I've written a little essay so I'll bring this first in a hopefully long line of rants to a close. If you have managed to read right till the end then I salute you. God knows how you've done it but if so, congratulations. Basically, voice your opinions to me please, so I know where I stand with the public, whether you agree/disagree with my comments. Until then, I bid you adieu.

~ LW