Sunday, February 24th, 2008
Issue: 62   Editor: Nyxxinator


The Bootleggers Times... Regulated? Nyxxinator
It seems the Buzz has gotten word that it's non-government regulated rival newspaper, The Bootleggers Times, is not all it's cracked up to be. Promising "an independently controlled Buzz alternative. By players; for players," The Bootleggers Times' is a glorified gossip magazine with a Newspaper-esque mask.

Their main goal was, from the beginning, to create a non-regulated "newspaper" where anyone can write anything about anything. We've seen this right clearly exercised by their most notorious anonymous article writer, MrX, who has for the past couple of issues, stated his blunt opinion as fact, and at the same time, bashed players and staff alike.

"The Bootleggers Times plans on publishing all articles, including ones that go against us," is the editor's claims on their website. So far, we have seen staff bashing by a Ban on Sight player, and staff bashing via an Anonymous writer.

Where is the line drawn however? Is there any form of line when it comes to this drama-driven "newspaper?" Many guess no, as stopping the drama is stopping what this "newspaper" has going for them-- the ONLY thing that makes this "newspaper" different for the Buzz.

After three weeks of issues, the majority of articles are based on opinion, drama and staff/player bashing. I have taken each issue and went through it article for article. Out of all three issues, six were drama-driven and three were articles I would have published in the Buzz myself. Take away the drama and the Bootleggers Times doesn't seem like it has much going for them.

I know the Bootleggers Times started out when the creator, MikeY, a Revelation member, submitted a freelance article after the Drew (a former HDO), Sabin, Tracy (a former HDO) and Shaggerty ordeal had come to it's ripe peak and, to be honest, was long settled. The article, although very nicely written and clear, was not something I was willing to publish. This act on my part, began the birth of The Bootleggers Times.

The Buzz welcomes other forms of media-release with opened arms and was excited to see what they can provide that is different from what The Buzz can and from what I have seen three weeks after it's birth, is drama.

I have repeated this "drama" word often in this article, and rightfully so. A drama-driven game deserves a drama-driven "newspaper," but there is lines to be drawn, right MikeY?

Of course! After two to three controversial articles by their anonymous writer, MrX, other players decided to join in on the fun. But by that time, it was too late. Say what?

CowSoSo, formally known as TuCow, was ready to have his own controversial article to be published but was stopped by the hands of its creator, MikeY1408TheAchmad. "MrX is done with. He won't be posting like this anymore," was MikeY's reply to an article CowSoSo wanted to send in for next week's issue. "I can't run anonymous articles anymore, I am killing that," continued MikeY, now scrapping the one reason why drama-filled articles were published to begin with.
Anonymously sending articles was MrX's heaven-send. With anonymity no longer hiding his bootleggers account, will we see future articles from this writer? Sources above state, "No."

"Its mighty convenient how they chose to disband MrX at this particular point in time," claimed CowSoSo when he came to the Buzz about his problem. And convenient it is! After MrX was allowed to post multiple articles bashing staff and hurting feelings-- his reign is finally over... AFTER the feelings were hurt and the opinions were stated.

MikeY promises a "rumor" section to be added for future issues, but with this new section and the restriction on anonymous articles set in place, will The Bootleggers Times' be as popular as it was three issues prior and will there even be future issues? Using drama-driven articles is a sure-fire way to gain readers but with anonymity no longer a choice, will players hide their true feelings in fear of what their views and opinions will do to their credibility, reputation and current account's status?

If that is the case, maybe scrapping The Bootleggers Times' goldmine of an idea of anonymous, drama-filled articles, may not do so well for them. I guess only time will tell how successful this "newspaper" becomes. Good luck, with lack of drama-driven articles, you'll need it.