To my mind you expect too much. Possibly the only reason for the GMs behaviour really just is your making too many GM calls in the first week. Like give them ten answers and then tag them. The rest is standard stuff.

Once I was interested in dark and light and applied to settlers of ganareth. There were only thousand accounts to give so they were out after some minutes. No problem with that. But when the game went live I discovered that the lucky pioneers not only got free items like dragons but also started with level 30 chars right off! So you can be happy that the early joiners of tale in the desert still have to use their knowledge of earlier rounds and don't get the win button or have the presubscribers boots of fast walking. Fairness is the last thing to expect of these kind of games. In real life you have the same problems, if you make lots of money and you are big in the market everyone will be happy to lend you money but if you don't have money and need it then try to burrow some.

If they wish to run a private game then let them. But Gms and their cronies have seized control of the whole game and any attempt by PAYING CUSTOMERS to gain control of anything is met with personal attacks and insults both by players and the GMs. This game is completely controlled by a Clique of 20 or so players, including GMs, that are small, petty and vindictive and bash anyone who attempts to rise above a certain level of influence in the game. Anyone who thinks this is a nice, happy, friendly game where players co-operate to work on public projects is sadly mistaken. This game has the worst sort of PVP. It involved rumors, lies, back-stabbing, bashing, ass-kissing, betrayal and all the most vile of human traits used to gain social stature. If you don't want to get trapped in a quagmire of trailer park mind set I suggest you avoid this game.

Check out this thread to see examples of the GMs lying in the forums and the abuse they pile on anyone who tries to expose what I call The Clique that controls every aspect of the game.

http://atitd.net/forum/showthread.php?t=10806&page=1&pp=10

You have got to be kidding me...  you really think that there is a group of men in black running around with decoder rings and secrect hand shankes that are running the game?  I have played ATITD.  I started the game with a few friends and we had a great time, and ya know what?  We never ran into any problemes with any of the staff or other players.  Sure there are some people who know the game better than us.  Sure, there is a learning curve, but that never stop us from having a good time.  If we needed something we would do what we needed to get it.  Trade, bust hump to find/make it or what ever was needed.  The few times I made a gm call, I was helped by some very nice people.  The people I delt with, where always polite and helpfull.  I never thought for a moment that any of them was in cahoots, trying to corner the market with anything.

I hate to see a good game like this get bashed by anyone.

You know its ok to take off the aluminum hat bud.

A month has gone by since I wrote my first reply to this topic.  I have since subscribed to this very enjoyable game and am totally mystified by the original poster.  I have seen nothing but cooperation by the entire community.  Any attempt to monopolize anything in the game is met with derision.  This is the most cooperative game I have ever played.  There is very little incentive to compete with someone else, it doesn't get you anywhere.

I believe your intent is to slander the game, because of perceived slights that you have suffered.  The game would certainly be better off with you away from it.  You would almost certainly also be better off somewhere else.  This game offers a stark alternative to the other games on the market, and it would be a shame if people did not give it a chance because of one petulant, disgruntled user.

The game isn't for everyone.  No combat, no NPCs, somewhat of a sandbox approach that has been modified in this telling by the introduction of a controversial levelling system that makes it more accessible to new people.  I am having a blast.  I spent months looking for a new game to get lost in, and this has fit me better than games that are far more popular.  THere is an extensive free trial that gives a great intro to the game, and it is worth your time to find out if the game is for you.

Originally posted by spafon

If they wish to run a private game then let them. But Gms and their cronies have seized control of the whole game and any attempt by PAYING CUSTOMERS to gain control of anything is met with personal attacks and insults both by players and the GMs. This game is completely controlled by a Clique of 20 or so players, including GMs, that are small, petty and vindictive and bash anyone who attempts to rise above a certain level of influence in the game. Anyone who thinks this is a nice, happy, friendly game where players co-operate to work on public projects is sadly mistaken. This game has the worst sort of PVP. It involved rumors, lies, back-stabbing, bashing, ass-kissing, betrayal and all the most vile of human traits used to gain social stature. If you don't want to get trapped in a quagmire of trailer park mind set I suggest you avoid this game.

Check out this thread to see examples of the GMs lying in the forums and the abuse they pile on anyone who tries to expose what I call The Clique that controls every aspect of the game.

http://atitd.net/forum/showthread.php?t=10806&page=1&pp=10

Richter (Spafon) quit the game awhile ago, i think he might have been banned by a dp but not sure. YES there are  a group  of 20 or more players who have craploads of  connections but they aren 't "elite". I was only a mediocre player and was good friends with about half of them, the worst thing anyone did was pameow attempting to monopolize the clay pits for Raeli tiles and we did a calculated clinker bombardment of her land (causing massive pollution) as revenge. btw the reason we waited so long to ban you richter was whenever someone saw your rants we just laughed as we read them since noone takes you seriously, and noon should take sore losers like you seriously. I left the game due to a lack of funds but i never had problems with it.

p.s. the Dev gentry is an asshat though

-Setheri (my ATITD3 name)

I miss Richter :( He was seriously mentally unstable but if you humored him it was easy to get along with him.  I was one of the elites he ranted against, but I listened and tried to help him out (at least mediating) so he wasn't a giant pain to me, but instead amusing.  The above inanities that he posted were pretty sane in comparison to other rants he had against other players. He wouldn't follow anyone's rules and disrupted a lot of stuff and then cried foul when things didn't go his way and everyone started yelling at him.  He acted like a 12 year old child and I was pretty shocked (and saddened) when I found out that he was an older man (60? 65? or something).

Even funnier was the fact that ATITD's main dev actually listened to him, took him seriously, and let him make an ATITD comic (which was atrocious, but not as atrocious as his self published book of Cthulhu porn!) that was then posted on the official site and e-mail alerts were sent out, for a few issues in fact.   Did he stop crying about the elites then or at least recognize that it's pretty easy to become an elite (either hang around a long time, make some friends or, unfortunately, be loud and obnoxious enough that the addled head dev pays attention)? Nope.

What are you on about?

We are playing ATiTD IV now.

I know it's real old, but this dude has a point.

I'm playing another indie game that can't afford paid customer service, so the ranks are filled with long-time players... ones that tend to do favors for some while completely avoiding others. There is extreme elitism and cliquishness in games with a tiny following, and because of that, it becomes harder to find more players since this tight group is more content to seemingly keep others from filling major roles in the community. I think it's safe to say that the smaller the community, the more heinous. I've never had as many issues as I do with other players in mainstream games as much as I do in indie ones.

What am I on about....?  It's the same game, with the same engine, run by the same people. Don't pretend "ATiTD IV" is some grand innovation for this company.  (Or did you mean the OP? Richter has/had mental problems, nice guy, but seriously a lot of drugs over the years.)

After playing for a couple of years , I feel I can finally make a comment to the post by Spafon/Ritcher. For as strange as he might be to some , and he did cause a lot of trouble , he has some good points , Yes the GMs and developers do cheat to give an unfair advantage to their frineds .  The GMs and developers , are selected from the player base to work for free in the next telling.  This is one of the main problems. Teppy wants free help , its a small game and he cant afford outside help.  I am almost positve teppy is aware of what is going on with the GMs and devs , and chooses to look the other way. Teppy / Andrew Tepper is the one who created this game. Bright man , but doesnt seem to take too much of an interest in the people who pay money for his game , and will rarely respond to any emails or ever give them the time of day.  let me give a few examples of GM interferance , one person I know of , was a low level , and couldnt learn many of the techs without extensive time put into from learning from other players. The GM , took the person , via zap , no need to travel on foot , to all the universities , and gave the person the ability to learn all of the techs , no matter how low her level was. Another biggy in the game is test related , the clay spots , some of the GMs have the ability to change the terrian , add , trees , water , clay etc,  On more that one occasion that I have witnessed , clay spots were added to the ground , so thier friend could build a raeli oven. This is a major complaint of the non elite , since it puts them at an disadvatage for a test. and even for trading and wealth.  I should also metion that in this game the GMs will compete againest you in test , and in special events where special game items are given out. There is one GM that stands out TME. Him and his alt are always coming in on the top 3 for winning all of the events , When brought to Teppy's attention , he just seems to thing TME is a good player , and has nothing to do with his GM powers . GMs also have the power to remove things from your storage , one GM was recently removed because he was caught in the act . Was a major victory for the non-elite , one down , and more to go.  I havent even mentioned the developers yet , the ones who have access to game code , I have seem first hand them being approached by friends they have in the game , and immedialy implementing things into the game , that should have been done only through laws and the voting process. But in this game , it pays to have friends in high places. Forgot to mention the friend who moved from one region to another , if you choose to move in this game to another region , you have to tear down everything you built , you only get back a percentage of the materials it took to build , and carry it to another region to rebuild , depending on what you have , it can take days/weeks to move . Well friend had a GM friend ,who just poofed all of her things to another region for her , her compound stayed in tact , nothing to be torn down.  This is but a few of the stories I could tell about the abuse that goes on in this game. But unlike Safon , I sit back and remain quiet , and watch everything that goes on around me. 

In the end of the game , it ends every tale , the major objective is to build one monument of each of the seven diciplines , only one person can be chosen as the leader , and they need well over 100 other players to sign and approve it . You will notice that many of the past leaders are now GMs , who now help their friends to pass test , so they can lead the current tellings monuments . and the non- elite will sign in the end , some are clueless as to what is going on , If they really want to make thier voice heard , they need to try and take away test from these GM groups and NOT sign for the monuments in the end.  But yet they will glorify another player , who has been helped and moved along from GM help and interfeance.  And that is what this game is about , come join , they will let you pass a few test , and in the end , you can help them build a monument in their name and tell them how great they are.

Why am I there ? well , I will say I wont pass test and sign monuments. I do like to watch all of the social interaction and the drama queens , male and female , How people will bring their personal lives into this game . One recently informed just about everyone her spouse was watching porn on the internet , and how mad she was at him , he plays the game too , wonder if he knows how his rl wife disrespected him , and brought thier personal marriage life into the game. It amazes me how much some people are willing to share.  I usually sit back and play  try to guess their mental disorder.  But I do find others things to enjoy in the game , some very nice puzzles to figure out , You can tell some thought was put into this game and is a very good niche game.  But , unfortunatly , Teppy doesnt have the funds to hire outside help , and has to rely on players to help. I think he just chooses to look the other way  with the GM abuse.  If you an extremely competitive player , you might want to think twice about playing , or go into knowing that other players are going to be able to get help from GMs and devs that you wont have.

And they charge money for this game?

 Crazy guy: "This game has the worst sort of PVP. It involved rumors, lies, back-stabbing, bashing, ass-kissing, betrayal and all the most vile of human traits used to gain social stature."

Me: So it's like Eve?

Wall of Text Guy: " But in this game , it pays to have friends in high places."

Me: So it's like RL Ancient Egypt?

So far this sounds like an awesome PVP game...

Originally posted by sheum

After playing for a couple of years , I feel I can finally make a comment to the post by Spafon/Ritcher. For as strange as he might be to some , and he did cause a lot of trouble , he has some good points , Yes the GMs and developers do cheat to give an unfair advantage to their frineds .  The GMs and developers , are selected from the player base to work for free in the next telling.  This is one of the main problems. Teppy wants free help , its a small game and he cant afford outside help.  I am almost positve teppy is aware of what is going on with the GMs and devs , and chooses to look the other way. Teppy / Andrew Tepper is the one who created this game. Bright man , but doesnt seem to take too much of an interest in the people who pay money for his game , and will rarely respond to any emails or ever give them the time of day.  let me give a few examples of GM interferance , one person I know of , was a low level , and couldnt learn many of the techs without extensive time put into from learning from other players. The GM , took the person , via zap , no need to travel on foot , to all the universities , and gave the person the ability to learn all of the techs , no matter how low her level was. Another biggy in the game is test related , the clay spots , some of the GMs have the ability to change the terrian , add , trees , water , clay etc,  On more that one occasion that I have witnessed , clay spots were added to the ground , so thier friend could build a raeli oven. This is a major complaint of the non elite , since it puts them at an disadvatage for a test. and even for trading and wealth.  I should also metion that in this game the GMs will compete againest you in test , and in special events where special game items are given out. There is one GM that stands out TME. Him and his alt are always coming in on the top 3 for winning all of the events , When brought to Teppy's attention , he just seems to thing TME is a good player , and has nothing to do with his GM powers . GMs also have the power to remove things from your storage , one GM was recently removed because he was caught in the act . Was a major victory for the non-elite , one down , and more to go.  I havent even mentioned the developers yet , the ones who have access to game code , I have seem first hand them being approached by friends they have in the game , and immedialy implementing things into the game , that should have been done only through laws and the voting process. But in this game , it pays to have friends in high places. Forgot to mention the friend who moved from one region to another , if you choose to move in this game to another region , you have to tear down everything you built , you only get back a percentage of the materials it took to build , and carry it to another region to rebuild , depending on what you have , it can take days/weeks to move . Well friend had a GM friend ,who just poofed all of her things to another region for her , her compound stayed in tact , nothing to be torn down.  This is but a few of the stories I could tell about the abuse that goes on in this game. But unlike Safon , I sit back and remain quiet , and watch everything that goes on around me. 

In the end of the game , it ends every tale , the major objective is to build one monument of each of the seven diciplines , only one person can be chosen as the leader , and they need well over 100 other players to sign and approve it . You will notice that many of the past leaders are now GMs , who now help their friends to pass test , so they can lead the current tellings monuments . and the non- elite will sign in the end , some are clueless as to what is going on , If they really want to make thier voice heard , they need to try and take away test from these GM groups and NOT sign for the monuments in the end.  But yet they will glorify another player , who has been helped and moved along from GM help and interfeance.  And that is what this game is about , come join , they will let you pass a few test , and in the end , you can help them build a monument in their name and tell them how great they are.

Why am I there ? well , I will say I wont pass test and sign monuments. I do like to watch all of the social interaction and the drama queens , male and female , How people will bring their personal lives into this game . One recently informed just about everyone her spouse was watching porn on the internet , and how mad she was at him , he plays the game too , wonder if he knows how his rl wife disrespected him , and brought thier personal marriage life into the game. It amazes me how much some people are willing to share.  I usually sit back and play  try to guess their mental disorder.  But I do find others things to enjoy in the game , some very nice puzzles to figure out , You can tell some thought was put into this game and is a very good niche game.  But , unfortunatly , Teppy doesnt have the funds to hire outside help , and has to rely on players to help. I think he just chooses to look the other way  with the GM abuse.  If you an extremely competitive player , you might want to think twice about playing , or go into knowing that other players are going to be able to get help from GMs and devs that you wont have.

....Just WOW.... I had no idea. Cheating never is a good thing and there is never an excuse.

I cheat in single player games (like starting off with a few super powerful units in the Civ Games) but in a milti-player game there is never an excuse to cheat.

 Nice Necro Job -.-

Originally posted by Preponerance

 Nice Necro Job -.-

2 months is necroing a post?  I guess when they created the post about the new shard they necro'ed the whole ATITD forum?  I guess you should be mad at them...