Sunday, May 10th, 2009
Issue: 125   Editor: Mikamon


Bootleggers Buzz Sound Off Mikamon

In this segment, you will be given a weekly topic to debate about. You will have the chance to post your opinions, comments, criticism and ideas on the Game Forum, when the proper official topic is made. The topic is made at a random time during the week to ensure that many players get to eventually voice their opinion!

Next week, 5-10 (depending on how many we get) random opinions will be placed on the Buzz along with a new debate question!

THIS WEEK'S DEBATE!
Are Bootleggers help sites useful, or should the Bootleggers F.A.Q be updated in such a way that the help site become unneeded? Do the help sites add an extra something for the players?



“Help sites are necessary. It allows for the admins/mods to continue on with programming and more important things than a massive update to the FAQ which would be needed at this point.

Several capable players have made their own sites dedicating to making BL easier and more fun to play for rookies and veterans alike. So of course they add something for the players.”
~Texan

“Help sites are made from a players point of view. Often times they contain more detailed information which I think in some cases it takes away from the experience especially when every last detail is handed to someone on a silver platter. They however can be helpful.

The FAQ is just that. Frequently Asked Questions. It may not cover everything.”
~VooDooDoll

“I don't think you could ever update the FAQ in such a way that help sites become redundant. FAQs are just that; frequently asked questions. If a new player just read the frequently asked questions, it wouldn't necessarily explain how to play the game. Help sites provide that extra that the FAQ can't. Also, help sites don't solely exist to tell players how to play the game, they can also include useful tools like parsers or, albeit inaccurate bullet calculators, which at least give a very rough idea of how many bullets to use... Things like that shouldn't really be added to the FAQ and as long as everyone has access to them, I don't see a problem with help sites at all. Any attempt to help players out will probably add something extra to a player.”
~SeanSolo

“Help sites are useful for a number of reasons. For one, it does fundamentally help totally new players to the game on how to rank and how to make money the best way, which is not mentioned in the FAQ. It also gives experienced players to Bootleggers something to give back to the game by sharing their knowledge.”
~ConquestI

“I believe there should be one help site that everyone can put their ideas which is then updated by a Moderator or Admin simply to keep the peace and have order on the site. If the FAQ was updated with all the information, what would be the put in playing the game. Everyone would play it how the FAQ told them too makeing it p**s easy, and boring.”
~MeSpicyD

“I think the FAQ lacks some major questions that players have. Help sites are for walkthrough and cheats (we don't call them cheats but they sort of are, facts the admin don't want us to know).

Help sites have one thing that the FAQ doesn't have... Tools, simple mathematical equations or short programming functions that don't really advance the game but players want. Honestly how many features have we seen now added to the game because of help site tools? Timers on crimes, counters on the news page, verify pictures on profiles, bootcast, dice game, and of course our lovely bootleggers photo album. Really help sites are just an indirect way of telling the Admin the feature we want at the moment.”
~A1TR0

“I believe help sites are useful, as long as they do not simply replicate information that can be used in the FAQ. The best help sites contain useful tools, functions like max bets, and other functions that you can't get on BL. The FAQ is a fairly good guide, and most everything else you want to know can be found out with a simple question on the Game Forum or Help Desk.”
~MrLarkin

“Clearly the BL FAQ needs to be updated and more comprehensive, and while I do think BL Help sites can be useful, BL could eliminate the need for that by creating a better FAQ section.”
~Schwagnah

“I think that not all BL sites are used but there are a few used by many players as the F.A.Q doesnt help anymore and needs to be updated and so people see that these sites are more useful and at these times they are for example Blhelp.com”
~Istiklize

“a good help site reveals things that BSF would never reveal in FAQ's such as how many oc's to rank and bullet calculators that may or may not work. So a help site definitely adds something extra to the players”
~KugFuFranda

“Help sites add a lot to player's knowledge, and can be a valuable resource for new players just starting to make their way. At the same time, many help sites drastically reduce the enjoyment of the game by explaining every little detail, leaving nothing left for players to experience, learn, or see for themselves. Much of the fun of the game is making your way through the game to achieve the highest levels; many help sites just turn new players into "dons in scum suits", which benefits no one.

Things like Bullet Calculators and OC charts are the things that detract from the game. Things like dice rollers, timers (assuming they're safe), and strategy information can be useful to some people.

I would agree with the sentiment that help sites have their value, but would be much better as community portals. Also, it wouldn't be a bad idea for BL to mimic some of the help site tools on its own. Maybe someday!”
~Sabin