Sunday, May 3rd, 2009
Issue: 124   Editor: Mikamon


Elite Guard Interviewed! OvermindEV2
In this issue of the Buzz, we caught up with almost the whole Elite Guard! Frankly, two Moderators and an Admin didn’t reply at all, which is why they are not in the article. However, if you’re interested in what the other Moderators and Admins said, please read on. As said earlier, we caught up with the whole Elite Guard, that means, the Admins; Sabin and 5litre, Senior Moderators, VooDooDoll, Sweetie and Andy and the Moderators, Riserva and Nyxxie.

To start with the Admins, we asked Sabin and 5litre, which feature was the most fun to work on. Sabin said, “The most fun I had was probably adding many of the new emoticons that we have. I had a blast with the creativity, plus also learning how to make my first-ever animations.” 5litre, on the other hand, said, “I actually haven't worked on any features, that is primarily Sabin and BSF's job. I'm more on the players side of Administration, looking after appeals and the staff and general game play.”

Besides their job, what feature do you like best? Most go for crimes and Organized
Crimes for the benefits, money and rank. However, Admins and Moderators don’t need either of them. 5litre replied with, “I like the new crimes, makes people play smarter by banking their money at risk of losing it if they don't. Sabin on the other hand told us, “I think I like Kill the best. There is still a little bit of work to be done to perfect it but
it is by far the most in-depth and strategic element of the game at the moment. I also really like Establishments and Crews, mainly because I have some plans in the works for them.”

To find out how the communication is between Admins and Moderators, we asked them all what they find of it. Sabin told us, “I can't comment much on what goes on behind the scenes. Our respective jobs are pretty distinct, but we communicate well and together help guide the community and the game to prosperity.” 5litre replied, “I think there is always room for improvement, it's not nearly at the level of communication I would like it to be at.”

On with the Moderators, starting of with the three Senior Moderators. We started with the questions, asking what they think of the updates that were made.For example, the kill system, forums and emoticons. Their favourite feature and the relationship between Moderators and Admins. Well as I said before, what update do you like best VooDooDoll? She told us, “Updates are always a good thing. From the smallest update to the more major updates. Gives people something to do and keeps things interesting!” Sweetie said, “It's always nice to see new updates and features in Bootleggers. I personally do like the updates added to Bootleggers.” Last but not least. Andy? Do you like the new updatings? He said, “I am generally always in favour of any updates, sometimes they need altering slightly but once people are used to them (which can take a bit of time) then they always improve the game.”

Your favourite feature, what is it? Andy told us, “The forums, without a community then BL wouldn't be as popular and as addictive as it is!” VooDooDoll on the other hand said, “I would have to say at the current moment it would be the crimes. Makes it a little easier for new players to be able to earn a decent bit of cash.” Sweetie made it pretty clear that she doesn’t have any specific feature what she likes best. She added, “I look forward to any new features and encourage all to bring their suggestions forward to the Help Desk.”
Last but not least, the relationship between Moderators and Admins, do you feel it positive? Sweetie said, “I think the relationship between the Mods and Admins keeps growing each day.” Andy added, “There is always plenty of communication between Moderators and the Administrators. As with any crew on BL or group of people in real life, there will be occasional disagreements and people won't get on all the time but for the most part the relationship works well.” To finish with VooDooDoll, she told us, “Nothing is perfect. I think for the most part things aren't bad. But no matter the situation there is always room for improvement.”

Part three and last part of the Elite Guard article is coming up for you!

We welcome Riserva and Nyxxie to the table! Unfortunately Rod and Raztaz are not in our presence. Anyway! Back to the interview! So Nyxxie, the updates. Do you like them? “Hell yeah” she said. She also added, “I think any update is a good thing for the game. No one, contrary to the complaints, wants an old stale game with the same mundane actions to get to the same mundane ranks. If the game updates a little bit at a time, the game as a whole will change for the better and become, in it's own way, a new game. Some updates take some getting used to, the forums were the hardest since we all use that the most, but I got used to it very fast, and everyone else will too if they just have an open mind about it. If you close your mind off to change, it'll be harder to get used to in the long run.” Riserva, do you like the new updated features? He told us, “I like the recent updates to Bootleggers, as I believe they will reward the players who really do work hard to get somewhere. Even the new Kill update, which is not so new anymore, but still, is more and more realistic as factors such as Police and crew members are included to make it a lot more unpredictable.” He added, “Means players have to plan their actions carefully instead of just rushing into it.”

The favourite feature, Riserva said, “My favorite feature... Hard one. From when I was the player, I would have to say Kill feature and Hitlist. They spice things up. Right now, I would have to say the Help Desk.” Nyxxie added, “My favourite feature in Bootleggers is the Hitlist. I love the anonymity of it all, if need be, and the power
it can possibly hold. I do wish points were allowed to be used as a means of bounty, but maybe in the future!”

Last but not least, what do you think about the relationship between Moderators and Admins? Riserva told us, “As far as the relationship goes, I would have to say it is pretty good. Both sides are willing to listen to one and other as work on issues that need to be attended.” While Nyxxie added, “I think the players assume the mods know more than they, the players and HDOs, do. This is untrue.
We are sometimes equally in the dark like the rest and that is frustrating at times. Because of this, I wish the COMMUNICATION was a bit more open and we were allowed to know a bit more about things to answer questions efficiently, than we do right now. Our relationship is fine, heck I'm dating one, but I think we all
get along fine. Maybe behind our backs we dislike one another, but that's expected. As long as we keep a positive and mature demeanour in the forums and public, which we all don't have a hard time doing.”

Wow! That was a long read, hopefully it was a clear read that you enjoyed. The Buzz would like to thank the Elite Guard for their time and I personally would like them again, for their time, motivation and dedication! Stay safe, As in Bootleggers and real-life!