| Lochdale: |
Well I am here with the Player of Gonfor, well know as a regular
commenter on ElvenRunes ("ER"). Gonfor, why comment on ER so much?
|
| Gonfor:
|
well, if someone takes the time to post a log for others to
read, I feel compelled to take at least a little time to respond and
let them know what I think. I do try to be constructive... and it
provides a nice break from the work I do on a day-to-day basis |
|
Do you think there is too much flaming on ER or is it simply a
result of numerous personalities? |
| Gonfor: |
I definitely feel there is too much flaming on ER... it's
troublesome to see the same people flame each other time after time
after time. |
|
Troublesome to whom? also, how does one stop it? Would you like
to see censorship on ER? |
| Gonfor: |
well, it's anti-productive to see the same people make
derogatory comments about the same group of people all the time.
Ccensorship probably would not solve the problem |
|
any suggestions then? |
| Gonfor: |
I do feel that it might be better for the ER community if
certain people who have proven themselves incapable of participating
in a civilized conversation lost the privlege of posting there. If
the same person time-after-time flames other people, maybe it's time
for banishment |
|
that is a very subjective issue. There are certain people I do
not like but that does not mean I should censor them. For example,
Devastator comments a lot and tends to annoy a lot of people, but is
that so bad that he should be bansited? |
| Gonfor: |
I disagree...I feel it's a community platform that is run by a
group of volunteers--if those volunteers feel someone is bringing
the community down, I feel they are entitled to making the decision
to exclude that person. After all, it'stheir time, money, and effort
that support the community--they should have a say in what goes on
there...hey, I'm getting a distinct feeling of deja vu here. |
|
Interesting, paranoia can save you sometimes. Moving on, how long
have you played MUME and how did you find it? |
| Gonfor: |
was it 99? or 98? |
|
How did you find MUME? |
| Gonfor: |
oh, er...1999. A guy I went to HS with and later roomed with in
college introduced me to the game. He said stop by and check it
out...I was interested in Tolkein. |
|
Were you always interested in Tolkien and have you played other
muds? |
| Gonfor: |
This is the only mud I've ever played--the Tolkien focus is what
drew me to this one...I've always had an interest in Tolkien. btw,
if my response seems a little delayed, bear with me... my daughter
is here and asking lots of question so... I'm doing 2
interviews. |
|
Do you think MUME sticks to Tolkien closely enough or has it
sort of lost the plot? |
| Gonfor: |
I think it has remained very true to Tolkien. it's hard to
recreate plot but I believe they've made a concerted effort to
recreate it here |
|
You are currently a builder on the mud, how has this changed
your perspective of the game? |
| Gonfor: |
I have a lot more respect for the people who have built the game
over the years. I know it seems like it's an easy task, in some
ways, it could be, however, building is taken very seriously here
you can't simply throw together a zone it requires lots of planning
and thought...it also requires lots of approval by other people
experienced in building. |
|
How difficult was it for you to find work on the MUD? I have
heard complaints that it is next to impossible to get good jobs? Is
it skill or politics that will land you the best project. |
| Gonfor: |
I found it easy to get work. I asked everyone for work... I mean
everyone and I wasn't picky over the work...I'd do anything to
help. |
|
So you got work via your persistence and accesability as
oppossed to skill or politics? |
| Gonfor: |
I proofed zones, corrected typos, wrote help files, wrote object
descriptions...anything to learn a little more about the game and to
try and give something back to the game (even though that sounds
corny). |
|
not at all, I consider my role on Elvenrunes as adding to the
game somewhat |
| Gonfor: |
well, I don't possess a lot of programming talent-- we're not
dealing with Axelesque skill here. I simply made myself available to
do the work and asked often for it. |
|
Gonfor, what is your favourite thing about this MUD? (Has
building replaced playing)? |
| Gonfor: |
Can I answer quickly about politics? then I'll get to the latter
question. I often spammed a certain ainur board with political
thoughts--interestingly, I often did work for people who were at the
exact opposite end of the political spectrum. I don't think my
political slant hurt me with any of them. My favourite thing about
the MUD is the people I've met over the years. |
|
I meant politics in the Shakespearean sense, of friendship and
alliances, not actually real life politcal beefs. |
| Gonfor: |
Laugh. I've always thought that politics (literally) often times
formed the basis for alliances and friendships here. It's hard to
separate them it seems. |
|
Interesting, why change existing zones? If they are in good
shape why change them for the sake of change? ABR is an excellent
example of this. |
| Gonfor: |
Well, I did some proofing on ABR once. Have you ever stopped to
read some of the desc there? It was atrocious...many rooms had the
same descriptions. The rooms often contained force emotions. |
|
Room descriptions are one thing but changing the entire format
of a zone seems whimsical and arbitrary, particularly a zone as
popular as ABR |
| Gonfor: |
For example, would an orc tremble at the sight of
darkness? |
|
I am not a builder, but is it not possible to correct the zone
within its current framework? |
| Gonfor: |
well, I've always felt the layout of a zone like ABR did not
even remotely mimmick what you'd see in real life. Too many areas
for the fast linked to simply spam down the slower linked players.
If they change it to a more wide-open format like the Vale, I'd be
perfectly happy. Of course, I'm in a distinct minority there...but
you asked why change it? Well, MUME is a constantly evolving game,
it can't evolve without change. |
|
That may well be true but there seems to be plenty of
areas/directions to grow in, change for the sake of change is not
growth, its simply meddlesome. |
| Gonfor: |
well, visions for the game change over time. The vision that
existed when ABR was first created may not fit with today's vision.
Therefore, it requires change. |
|
I don't give that argument much merit but let us move on, do you
playerkill much? |
| Gonfor: |
Well, I play a game that the management created--I enjoy that
game. Why not trust their future decisions? I didn't mind their past
ones. |
|
Chuckle, good answer my friend. How important, in your mind, is
link? |
| Gonfor: |
I rarely pk. In fact, lately I've played rarely. Link is
important to me but less so now that there exist more zones that are
open and require less dependence on link. It doesn't take an
uberlink to get away from an opponent in the Vale. |
|
So zones such as Vale are fairer with regard to the
slower-linked player. |
| Gonfor: |
In my opinion, yes...I think they decrease the importance of
link--after all, you can't get spammed down in a bottleneck if the
bottleneck doesn't exist. |
|
Time for some quick questions, are you ready? |
| Gonfor: |
Yes. |
|
Least favourite thing about MUME? |
| Gonfor: |
Phier |
|
You'll be first against the wall come the Republican
revolution..oh sorry, did I say that outloud? MUME in 5 years, where
is it? |
| Gonfor: |
Mume will still be around in 5 years...better, larger, and more
open zones with a player base as large as today |
|
Labs, should they be banned or at least limited to playing on
the same side? |
| Gonfor: |
Labs, should they be banned or at least limited to playing on
the same side? |
|
How long will you continue to MUME or is your goal to become
part of the management? |
| Gonfor: |
You asked if building was replacing playing earlier...I never
answered...I feel RL pressures are replacing playing. I'll continue
playing the game as long as it's fun for me...I have no greater
goals of advancing among the management as I don't have the spare
time I would need to become part of the management. It requires more
time than I'm willing to commit. I like playing the game and would
have to sacrifice playing entirely to push for advancement amoung
the ainur. I'm simply not willing to do that right now. |
|
You are a target for a fair share of flame on ER, does that
bother you at all? |
| Gonfor: |
Not at all. Most of the flamers don't know me. How can I be
bothered by the criticisms of people I don't even know? 'Harsh words
from people I know could hurt but those are rare....except maybe
political fights with Lochdale. |
|
I don't think of them as fights, rather as your education! Well
this has been an interesting interview. In fact, you are the first
interviewee who has not admitted to a crime during that interview!
Any parting words? |
| Gonfor: |
Sic Semper Tyrannus! |
| Lochdale: |
That will confuse Devastator to no end. Thank you for your time
Gonfor, it has been a
pleasure. |