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| Sunday, March 6th, 2011 |
| Issue: 71 |
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Editor: TheAldarionArmy |
| Behind The Name- Staff Edition |
PoisonedTomato |
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As explained in the introduction, every member of staff was messaged with the questions. Their responses will be split into three categories according to their positions- HDOs, Moderators and Administrators.
Administrators
Name: BSF2000
The Buzz received no response from this member of staff.
Moderators
Name: Riserva aka Boby
What is your real name and age?
Matic
Where do you live?
Slovenia
How long have you played Bootleggers?
Since October 2004
Why did you start playing Bootleggers?
A friend invited me.
How did you come up with your current username?
It was pretty random. Looked around my room and it was the first word I saw that I liked!
How do you feel about the current state of the game?
It honestly saddens me to see that some of the players are committed to destroying the very essence of Bootleggers, its community. While we, the Staff, are doing our best, there are specific people who only wish to troll the Forums and in my personal opinion, it is not the lack of updates that is killing the game, but the constant abuse new and already existing players get as soon as they sign up. If players would actually play the game, and took matters into their own hands after they were killed, we wouldn't have these problems today. If you get killed, you should kill back instead of complaining about getting killed. It's a mafia game, it's the whole point of the game.
Are there any features or improvements you would like to see?
There are some updates which I would love to see of course. Firstly I would love to see Bootlegging be a little friendlier to new users. The second thing I would love to see updated are the missions. We have had these missions almost since the start and I think it is time for something new and exciting.
What do you think about the call for some players for a reset? Do you think this would be a good idea?
A reset wouldn't provide a solution to the problem of a few people dominating the game. If the users are not given something which will actually make them play and build up, then the next round will be the same as this current one. A few people will dedicate their time to killing everyone and the rest will sit back and take it. The first thing that players need to realize is that it is a mafia game and that there is a chance they get killed and will most likely have to kill back. And a reset cannot provide this realization for the players. But maybe something else can,... 
How long ago did you become a member of staff?
I became a Moderator on the 3rd of Match, 2009 and I was an HDO for about a year and a half, maybe two years prior.
What is the most fun thing you have done since becoming staff?
Honestly, catching cheaters and reading their somewhat amusing excuses.
What is the worst thing about your job?
That we cannot really fully tell our part of the story. Players make things up of why they got banned, what happened here, what happened there, etc. and there is not a whole lot we can do about it. But we realize that the first day we start with our Moderator position, so you kinda see it coming. Usually I just look the other way and continue with my duties.
Do you like the Buzz? Any ideas for it or constructive criticisms?
I actually rather enjoy reading the weekly issue of the Buzz. You guys are doing a great job, and I wish you will continue! Maybe you guys can give a few more giveaways?
Name: Mika
What is your real name and age?
Coen, 21
Where do you live?
The Netherlands
How long have you played Bootleggers?
Good question, I never really keep track. Let me see... I would say about six years, might be even longer.
Why did you start playing Bootleggers?
A couple of classmates signed up, and so I did too.
How did you come up with your current username?
Mika is a character I created for a story I was writing several years back. I liked the name and decided to use it for Bootleggers after I was killed. After that I kind of stuck with it.
How do you feel about the current state of the game?
It has been better, but seeing what is going on behind the scenes I have good hopes that it will improve over time. Players will just need... patience, which is hard, I know.
Are there any features or improvements you would like to see?
Small changes could be altering the prices of weapons and protection, whereas larger changes I would love are an overhaul of the crew system and new missions.
What do you think about the call for some players for a reset? Do you think this would be a good idea?
Not at this point. Right now, players state that they dislike the game as it is now, all a reset will do is put everything and everyone back at square one, it will not effectively change the game. In order for a reset to be successful there will need to be altered or new features first so that players actually have something they want to come back to.
How long ago did you become a member of staff?
I became an HDO on March 3, 2009, so by the time players read this I will have been a member of the staff a little over two years.
What is the most fun thing you have done since becoming staff?
If I told you that I would be fired. Seriously!
What is the worst thing about your job?
Having Riserva as my neighbor in the users online list.
Do you like the Buzz? Any ideas for it or constructive criticisms?
I think the Buzz team is doing a great job considering how busy everyone is in real life. With the game in its current condition it can be hard to make a fun and exciting Buzz week after week, but it is being done to the best of everyone's abilities and that I can only respect.
Name: Sweetie
The Buzz received no response from this member of staff (surprisingly).
Name: KamikazeDavid aka David
The Buzz received no response from this member of staff (equally surprisingly).
HDOs
Name: LewLew aka Lew
What is your real name and age?
Lewis Greyson, 19
Where do you live?
Lincoln University, UK
How long have you played Bootleggers?
Since 29/09/2004
Why did you start playing Bootleggers?
Was the latest game to play whilst in school, surprisingly over 50 odd of us never got banned on the schools IP.
How did you come up with your current username?
My names Lewis, all my names are something Lew 
How do you feel about the current state of the game?
Personally, updates and a reset are needed in my opinion.
Are there any features or improvements you would like to see?
More action against scripts, harder kill system, more advantages to crews.
What do you think about the call for some players for a reset? Do you think this would be a good idea?
I see no other way to get people interested again, but this will not succeed without a major overhaul of many features.
How long ago did you become a member of staff?
HDO since 29/06/2010
What is the most fun thing you have done since becoming staff?
Testing new features, sharing the knowledge.
What is the worst thing about your job?
Constantly killed for being Yellow.
Do you like the Buzz? Any ideas for it or constructive criticisms?
Yes, well unfortunately for the Buzz I'm a writer.
Name: xpV aka CustomStyle
What is your real name and age?
Alex, 25 years old
Where do you live?
Puerto Rico
How long have you played Bootleggers?
Around 4-5 years ago with breaks in between.
Why did you start playing Bootleggers?
Friend showed it to me, Freakmaster if anyone remembers him
How did you come up with your current username?
No idea, just three random letters
How do you feel about the current state of the game?
I feel the community is asking for a change. The game right now feels stale as people seem to have lost the will to keep on playing.
Are there any features or improvements you would like to see?
There are quite a few, including establishments, booze runs, kill system and others which I have already suggested.
What do you think about the call for some players for a reset? Do you think this would be a good idea?
As someone said very accurately in the forums, it would cure a symptom, not the disease.
How long ago did you become a member of staff?
Since July, 2010
What is the most fun thing you have done since becoming staff?
Trying the new crimes system and basically being able to get to know more people
What is the worst thing about your job?
People thinking we are here to help with money lol
Do you like the Buzz? Any ideas for it or constructive criticisms?
I like it, its a very unappreciate job sometimes so props to everyone. Constructive? Well, try to get both sides of the story whenever possible or just let them know WHY you couldnt get both sides
Name: azero aka Altrozero aka IT
What is your real name and age?
Tim - 21
Where do you live?
Sunderland, UK, Europe
How long have you played Bootleggers?
5ish years+
Why did you start playing Bootleggers?
To kill my friends
How did you come up with your current username?
"a[ltro]zero" or I am "a zero"
How do you feel about the current state of the game?
Suicidal and giddy
Are there any features or improvements you would like to see?
Yep, tons, hundreds... well a lot. Hopefully one day... one day...
What do you think about the call for some players for a reset? Do you think this would be a good idea?
Yep, I think it's needed, but a few things need to be sorted out first and they won't happen over night. They will happen I hope, but it will take time.
How long ago did you become a member of staff?
8-9 months ago I think.
What is the most fun thing you have done since becoming staff?
I'm not allowed to speak about it, nor would I want to... it was both exhilarating and mentally scaring.
What is the worst thing about your job?
I'm not allowed to speak about it, nor would I want to... it was both exhilarating and mentally scaring.
Do you like the Buzz? Any ideas for it or constructive criticisms?
Love it! It's probably one of the most consistent parts of the game at the moment.
Name: PowerlessAutocrat aka Sky
What is your real name and age?
James, 20
Where do you live?
England, land of the stoicly depressed.
How long have you played Bootleggers?
Since either 2003 or 2004
Why did you start playing Bootleggers?
Peer pressure mostly, I was in school at the time and many of my classmates were playing, so I started too. Now, seven or eight years later, I'm the only one left...
How did you come up with your current username?
This one came from a period of political thinking, considering all manner of governing. Given the recent events in North Africa I figured this was the perfect time to be an autocrat.
How do you feel about the current state of the game?
We're hardly in the glory days anymore but there's still a chance of revival if enough effort is put in by all parties involved. See issue 64 "Interview with Sky!" for full details.
Are there any features or improvements you would like to see?
Many, many, so many. Crews, Establishments, Kills, Auto Burglary, Hospital, well all of them really. Specifically? I don't get in to specifics. The aliens know what you're thinking when you get in to specifics.
What do you think about the call for some players for a reset? Do you think this would be a good idea?
Resets generally occur after a huge update, and a huge update is what's needed. A reset would only be a good idea once bugs are fixed and new features released, or once new features are ready to be released, at least.
How long ago did you become a member of staff?
Not that long ago, November 19th last year I think.
What is the most fun thing you have done since becoming staff?
Dying. So much dying. Just as I get settled I wake up dead. Don't get me wrong, dying's annoying, but I rejoice in having a new name to exhaust. Other than that, it's all no fun.
What is the worst thing about your job?
Dying... also I have to limit how intolerable I am in the Game Forums, the requirement to be professional is killing me.
Do you like the Buzz? Any ideas for it or constructive criticisms?
You should rename it to "Bootleggers Against Aldarion" and publish propaganda in my favour.
Name: AldarionSpottedYeti aka Aldarion
What is your real name and age?
Martin, 21 years of age
Where do you live?
In the Netherlands!
How long have you played Bootleggers?
Too long, lol. Since 2004.
Why did you start playing Bootleggers?
I got the link from Mika, so he is to blame for all of it!
How did you come up with your current username?
The other day, I was having a nice walk in the Himalayas, when all of a sudden I heard a noise. I quickly hid behind a rock and you know what!? I became the first person ever to spot the abominable snowman on a snow scooter. I also think Yeti is cool.
How do you feel about the current state of the game?
Not that good. I predicted this over a year ago, and a bit of it a shame it all appeared true. I still think Bootleggers could recover, but things need to change, a lot. Time is running out.
Are there any features or improvements you would like to see?
I think a proper balance (economy wise) should have priority over any feature that is in the game. I think several things are completely messed up (such as weapon prices, establishments, etc). I think that imbalance is partly the reason why so many people didn't enjoy the game as much as they used to. Compared to last round, it simply got a lot worse.
What do you think about the call for some players for a reset? Do you think this would be a good idea?
Absolutely. Some groups got an advantage they shouldn't have if things were played fair. Also, since the illegal kills rule was introduced, things should be a lot better if the game was reset.
How long ago did you become a member of staff?
8 days ago, lol
What is the most fun thing you have done since becoming staff?
It's all just great fun (except that Sky is on course to beat me to boss. The high rollers forum is just brilliant.
What is the worst thing about your job?
Being laughed at as soon as I die.
Do you like the Buzz? Any ideas for it or constructive criticisms?
I read it every week. Perhaps a random question at the end of Behind the name would be fun!
Note--At the request of Aldarion (the Boss), from next week onwards all the Behind The Name questions will now end with a random question. If you have any ideas for a random question then bootmail them to Poison (PoisonedTomato) or submit them as a contest entry to the Buzz and if your suggestion is used you might even win a prize!
Examples of random questions can be found in this old edition of Behind The Name:
http://www.bootleggers.us/buzz/index.php?issue=65&view=914
Thanks!
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