Hi there, Firstly, like many sensible and mature players in this forum, I use the downvote feature for posts which I dislike or don't agree with. I would rather not invest either the time or effort in downvoting every issue you guys write, or in 'hating' this club - both statements about which are false. Let's take the example of your contest, which I downvoted because I thought it a bad idea. The idea itself requires players to earn a load of points in a battle in a very specific, time-consuming format, and I doubt you will receive any entries at all. In my view, it's not an effective way to attract players to this Writing Club. And the reward itself... "Winner gets an interview with our newspaper!", as well as being able to write a short piece for your club. If I'm honest, I'm not sure if that reward's so great. It might helped if you guys first established a reputation for yourselves as writing to improve and to entertain the community, before offering such a self-centred prize. Then, maybe, readers would be more inclined to enter that contest. The problem is, you guys don't seem to want to do that. Because copying both an idea from the official newspaper and the content of the article itself from the Internet is not a great way to be going about improving your writing skills or contributing to the community. And if you were that concerned about the feedback I was providing in the form of my downvotes, you could've just asked why I'd given them... instead of jumping to false conclusions, making things up and being downright insulting. Basically, it doesn't seem like you're acting as a very mature or professional group of players at the moment. I hope that changes, and that we'll see some high quality material from you guys in the future - but until then, I am perfectly entitled to express my opinion. I hope you'd agree. Good luck!

^Nice joke, except it's true... Copied from here: http://www.streetmachine.com.au/features/1502/gallery-the-true-story-of-invader-2001/ Excellently copy-and-pasted. You even added a few words of your own, which must have taken real writing skill. My hat goes off to you, sir!

In short, I wouldn't be posting here but @Fen-Harel is holding a gun to my ankles.

Developer for a Day. 499 words (not including the title). A developer is quite literally someone whose work involves expanding a project towards broader horizons; strengthening the foundations upon which it stands; improving and refining both its obvious and finer aspects. Being successful as part of a development team takes nerve, vision and skill. It's easy to criticise one who takes such a task upon himself... yet when placed in those shoes themselves, many would crumble under the pressure. As such, any response to this challenge would be by no means practically effective when thrown into a real-world scenario. It's a classic case of 'easier said than done'. "Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution." Knowledge alone is of little use. You may think yourself an 'expert' on the game and its various facets, but it's the application of retained knowledge that really counts. As a developer, there would be a number of different factors up for consideration. These include what I'd think of as the 'main areas', generalisations encompassing a vast array of issues: the game's mechanics, economy and community. Regarding the game's mechanics, subtleties are important. To give an example: whilst making the battle interface slimmer, sleeker and more intuitive may not serve much in terms of functionality, the importance of aesthetics is not to be underestimated. Content and image go hand in hand. And talking of intuitive, previously absent advice for new recruits has been integrated over time on a series of occasions - resulting in advice being strewn across the tutorial, the server chat and entered battles. Collecting these tips for presentation in a more coherent way may assist the game's most vulnerable players in finding their feet (or rather, their tracks). As for the game's economy, many players can be heard crying out about the significant inflation of prices and the sometimes disproportionate tinkering with battle funds that followed. Rather than desensitising players to special events by making them expect a constant stream of 50% Garage sales and double battle funds, providing more ways to earn crystals for themselves would surely be a step forward. Introduce achievements and challenges for the brave and the ambitious, or reward loyalty with compounding Daily Bonuses and special anniversary gifts. These small gestures would both give something back to the players and reduce the excessive squeeze on their pockets. Finally, the game's community is something we should take pride in. The forum has seen many a character make his or her own mark; collaborating and discussing, forging friendships and establishing close ties. This wonderful place, having brought players together from all over the world, should not be neglected. Unfortunately, only a low (albeit growing) proportion of players actually visit the forum, take part in tournaments or follow social media events. Directing players to join the active community, giving them more information about the activities they're missing out on and encouraging them to take part more often would help to strengthen vital community foundations.

Heh, well I gave it a go... Not quite as experienced an artist as I am a writer - I think the last time I so much as doodled anything was a few years ago - but it was a nice reason to procrastina... erm, I mean, a nice break from exam revision.

Hold on, that just isn't true... For example, staff members must show a certain level of maturity in their posts as representatives of the game, and that's hardly a requirement in the rules (although it'd be nice if it were xD). Or it's possible the above was meant in the sense that the posts of players who become staff would have been fine and 'non-controversial' anyway, in which case it's a little misleading in terms of what swede was asking about. To directly address swede's point, the matter is mandated as an unwritten rule. Staff members have an avatar on the forum and directly represent the game - often, players PMing staff members assume they are talking to a 'developer'. Therefore, the staff should act like representatives of the game. Of course, this doesn't mean lavishing praise onto everything and anything Tanki does - but it does mean holding back on floods of criticism you might be tempted to post as part of debate, if they can be taken the wrong way. Staff members are free to criticise the game, but it's not always the best idea to do so in places where players may think "Here's a representative of the game slagging off his/her own project...". So there's your honest answer; just felt I wanted to step in and clear that up. And it's not a bad thing in itself. As a staff member, I still contributed to controversial topics with my own, less-than-appreciative views at times; I just had to do so with more responsibility, and more awareness of the possibility that players might misconstrue the situation. That could be called a 'loss of freedom' in some ways, but with rights come responsibility, and as long as you appreciate that and think before you post you would be absolutely fine. It shouldn't put you off applying to join the staff. Hope that helped!

Can I ask you a question?

That's good to know, but what exactly have you published here? Just a list of links to topics created elsewhere in the appropriate manner... That just serves to further support the idea that this is just a publicity-seeking stunt. If those articles are good, they'll be noticed and appreciated with feedback from the community (as has happened). If you were to link them in your Reporter applications since they're now open, they'd be noticed and considered. However, what would also be noticed and considered now is that you guys apparently felt the need to have to create this topic mainly attract attention to pieces already published elsewhere on the forum. Doesn't do wonders for your perceived modesty. I understand that you probably wanted to create this as a fun group, but unfortunately for you, it rather seems that at least one of your number actually has other ulterior motives from the past. If you were to search the forum history, you'd stumble across previous 'unofficial newspapers' where certain people made posts challenging the official team for thinking they're 'so stuck up' and other similar comments. Again, doesn't do wonders for your perceived character integrity to be associated with such attempts, and such people. However, it's good you're at least aware enough to have considered possible repercussions now. I know your own intentions were probably good, but you should always be cautious about the implications of your actions, especially if you have a pending application. If you were to apply to a job as part of Team X, for example, would you then go out whilst you're waiting and announce "Here's our unofficial version of Team X! Come and check out what we have to offer; it's going to be exactly what those guys at Team X do, and we didn't ask them about it either!"? Whatever your intentions and regardless of when this group was actually made, that image is given; which is slightly unprofessional, wouldn't you think... It's good to hear you've been doing that already. As for contacting the Reporters, I did think your primary goal with this was to improve and collect feedback as writers - and surely that would hugely aid you in such a mission? They could certainly help you with that, as well as offering you advice or tips with your writing. As for 'starting your own newspaper', read what I pointed about above using the 'Team X' analogy. Of course you don't need permission to write. I never said you needed to contact the newspaper team for 'permission', so please don't put words into my mouth. Rather, I suggested it would be a good idea to do so to get their thoughts and opinions on your writing club before you started it, just to make sure no wrong impressions were inadvertently given when you did. It's a good idea to change your name , and I wish you the best of luck; but ultimately you and those other guys will have to deal with the consequences of the less-than-positive first impressions created here. P.S. Keep in mind that you guys do not reserve the right to create a load of related topics in this forum section, which should really be kept in one place. Again, another example of the 'wrong impression' being given - now a certain member of your group seems to be trying to get each individual article as much attention as possible, which is rather unnecessary. Coincidentally, his has happened before with the previous attempts of 'unofficial writing' groups.

As soon as I saw this, my first thought was "not again"... It seems like a nice idea, but the biggest problem is the actual purpose of (and the intentions behind) such a group. I can take a few quotes to explain what I mean: "...who like others felt the need of an organisation similar to the press" "...by posting guides, humour works, articles and organise contests that are fun and creative." Already, there's an issue - because I'm not entirely sure why there's a need for this organisation, which you go on to describe has exactly the same function as the Press itself. To me, it seems like it's a group of people who are unsure that they'll be successful in their Reporter applications. It's almost like a group created being called 'The Mini-Mods', who aspire to be like the moderators... Why don't you just have confidence in your ability to grab a spot in the official version, rather than retreating to something where you're conveniently guaranteed a spot? However, if you have a real interest in improving your work to the standard of the official team, then there's a number of more mature things you guys could consider doing. Try creating a Your Creativity topic to showcase your work and get yourself noticed - alternatively, actually get in touch with the Reporters before creating such a group. It's possible that they might be willing to help without the need for you to create a 'rival project' of some sort. And last time, that's exactly what it became - with quotes like "we'll beat the Reporters, they think they're so good" being spewed before that attempt was thankfully brought to an end. No wonder it'd be really nice if you thought twice before making a group called the "Unofficial Newspaper" without even contacting the official newspaper admins about the idea and hearing their thoughts first. You state you seek feedback, yet you haven't exactly done that when creating this project. And here's some examples of bluelight's response to my downvote of this topic on Skype: "Seriously!! Why did you dislike?! HH [13:49:51] *** Call from bluelight1209 *** [13:49:51] *** Call ended *** You reporters really got an issue with us making a team?" I think that just about sums up the misdirected passion surrounding this issue. Bluelight, sir, if you really want to improve as a writer, follow the advice I provided when you asked me and continue to read a variety of material. Or have a go at writing to genuinely try to improve and receive feedback; I haven't seen a new piece from you in months, as can be seen in Your Creativity topic. There is nothing constructive to be had from trying to draw attention to yourself and others as writers if you haven't actually written anything to showcase. As I said, why not just get in touch with the Reporters and try to arrange something with them? It might be interesting to see some sort of group made in conjunction with them, for example; but this project is dubious to say the least.

I actually discovered a website with another personality test and achieved exactly the same result (http://www.16personalities.com). Furthermore, the descriptions provided by that website for the personality I got as a result: http://www.16personalities.com/personality-types ...were spookily accurate. So yeah, if anyone wants to check out a detailed assessment of your result or conduct another personality test to see if you get the same result, click the above link. I found the personality analysis there very interesting ^_^

Interesting topic, took the test and I might as well post my result: ENTJ (1.8% in terms of how rare/common it is). And an interesting image based on the resultant personalities... heheheheh

No, you just misunderstood what he said. The total word count if you follow one path is 119 words, which does not include all the spoilers - a path includes the "Start here" spoiler (44 words), either spoiler 1 or 2 (30 words), and either spoiler 3, 4 or 5 (45 words). Although I guess you could argue that the words under all the spoilers should be included in the total word count like you seem to be suggesting; I took issue with the non-inclusion of the 'instructions' in the total word count. Either way, the entry is really above the given word limit, which is unfortunate as it's my favourite thus far.

Undeniably clever. However, I would like to point out that... ...when including the instructions contained within the paths, the total word count is 176 words - significantly above the upper limit. I'd argue that they're really a central part of the story you've created, and that you'd therefore have an unfair advantage if these parts aren't included in the total word count.

Multiple entries from different accounts are allowed?

I see them swarming the chosen spot, their crowd mentality predictable. I've been on the lookout ever since the warning first flashed across my visor in the days of times long past. A lowly Corporal, soon consumed by the inferno of the inevitable chaos which ensued. But now I know how to stake my claim to glory. Years of experience have taught me as much. The glimmering reward materialises above. Blood diamonds. Invaluable crystals encased in a shroud of gold. I offer up a silent prayer as I dig my tracks into the battle-worn asphalt, surging into the heart of the erupting struggle as I reach for the skies... A perpetual moment captured in the light of a solitary image. Timeless: my realised raison d'être.

I'm sorry, I don't talk to plagiarisers. Now please desist from spamming my PM about your alleged honesty, the hypocrisy is becoming repulsive.

*cough*coward*cough* :P

flae the spell-checker... I must be missing out on a lot :P

spammer

Not going to answer specifically for this reason. I guess it's not about who I would pick, it's about the final decision made by the judges as a whole, and I support that fact. However, to give a general impression, my own ratings tended to be more in-line with player consensus than those of my fellow judges - though that in itself is not necessarily a good or a bad thing. After all, no-one can claim to know for sure what the best entries definitely were - each of us is, in a way, as ignorant as each other when it comes to 'the truth' xD

Your points made about the winners are valid - there was a mistake in the first-placed entry, the second-placed entrant talked quite quickly at times, and the third-placed entrant failed to identify drop boxes. I gave different ratings on some entries compared with the other judges, they gave different ratings to me on other entries. There were also differing views in terms of consolation prize winners. However, I do think 1st and 2nd place were well-deserved - considering it's about weighing up the positives AND negatives of each entry, those two entrants did do a commendable job there, in my own opinion. Of course the judges will have different views in the end - every human being is different, fortunately ^_^ Well, that's up to them, then - though they aren't obliged to do so, I'm sure you could contact them and ask in a reasonable and respectful manner, they'd probably be happy to share their opinions on the more controversial entries like I have. Hope I've been able to help clear up some of the issues raised. I do understand the sentiments of many here, but the right way to deal with these views is through proper discussion and explanation, not through getting worked up or angry :P

No official categories, but factors such as eSports knowledge, tactical awareness, observations and analysis, effective live action commentary, apparent preparation, audio quality and tone (to a more minor extent), detailed content, and intros/outros were all taken into account. Unfortunately, there won't be any reversal on this. 1 judge (myself) disagreed with 3rd place (I justified why), the other 2 rated it highly (also justified), and it's the overall view which counts. Maybe it could be considered unfair, but it'd surely be even more unfair if only 1 person got to decide the fate of all the entries.

What I meant is that experience ITSELF shouldn't be taken into account, the effects of experience such as knowledge should. For example, if someone goes on a talent show, says he's sang for 20 years and has a mediocre voice, he shouldn't be rated more highly than someone who may never have sang in public before but has a very good voice. Of course, if the first singer's experience showed through great manipulation of the music, tonality etc. then his voice wouldn't be considered mediocre in the first place. Judge the entry and not the entrant. I agree with you on this one.

Well, you say EXPERIENCE should be considered, and then the rest of your post details why KNOWLEDGE about things such as eSports should be considered. I agreed with your observations myself and I've already said I didn't agree with my fellow judges on the 3rd place entry, but apparent KNOWLEDGE was taken into account when judging ALL entries. There is a difference between the two. What I am saying is that we do not care if an entrant says "I have done this for months before" - we do care about the quality of the entry itself, and the examples you've provided are certainly valid. That's actually a well-phrased and reasoned critical post, and I agree with all of the points made there apart from your confusion of experience and knowledge as the same factor. I meant experience in the way Arabiannoble meant it i.e. "I've done this sort of thing loads of times before, check out my channel, look at my amazing history"... And I'm sure we can agree that sort of experience should not be taken into account when judging in a fair and objective way.