Masterwork, Goldie. You workin' on a PhD dissertation in anything? You ought to. :D

This eve, I erroneously clicked the change mission button on a massive mission near completion. I sought means to correct my error; I found none. Were some techno-wizard who can see the track of my play and error to view and amend, I would definitely do my happy dance. Meanwhile this prompted a thought, a suggestion. How about a two step process? #1. "Change." #2 "Are you certain you wish to do this?" Within seconds of my error, I knew it, but there seems no way to amend. Two steps might've amended this. A courtesy to Tankers is always appreciated. Thank you. MadDof21

Delayed Gratification and Fiscal Self-discipline For those inclined to read lobby chat occasionally or regularly, it’s common to see the covetous laments of players on their way up. Fill the blank with whatever you wish: crystals, specific equipment, micro upgrades and like that, it’s often the same. “I want/need _____.” Firstly there’s a world of difference between want and need. Wants are unneeded but coveted. I want my own Huey UH-1M and the cash to maintain it. I want a Bugatti Veryon, so I can challenge the mega-wealthy duffus, Simon Cowell, to a race. I think I’d crisp his smarmy butt. I want obscene wealth in real life and real money, because every one knows money buys happiness. Har! However regarding needs, I, we, everyone, needs air to breath and live. Same thing with clean water, food and hygiene. In Tanki we want a full garage M4’d to the max, gazillions of crystals and infinite supplies. We need a basic tank, turret and skills under construction. Secondly, whining about wants and needs in chats is utterly pointless unless one’s empathetic momma is listening, takes pity on her covetous, needy urchin and springs for the cash to buy. How best to go about getting those wants and/or needs? It’s simple, beyond simplicity. Play the game honorably and aggressively. Learn as we go. Observe “better” players, and align with some of those as “friends” to have the assistance of competent, able comrades. Observe the rules of the games to avoid bans and censures and strive to become the sort of player we tend to want to friend. It haunts all decisions. That Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you’d have them do to you” is eternal truth. So, to the point of my title, there exists the I want it now. No! I want it yesterday ethos. This provokes Tankers to spend as though the crystals were burning a hole in one’s pocket, but judicious management of one’s wealth provides far better outcomes. The trouble is, we must resist the immediacy of buy it now, RIGHT NOW! Delayed gratification or deferred gratification, is the ability to resist the temptation for an immediate reward and wait for a later reward. Generally, delayed gratification is associated with resisting a smaller but more immediate reward in order to receive a larger or more enduring reward later. The trouble for many is that this demands self-discipline and the ability to see the better reward if one waits. Waits for what? Well, sales which Tanki offers generously for one. Discounts from 25%, 50% and even 90% show with relative regularity. That’s where one gets far more bang for the buck. But, reiterating, one has to endure waiting for those golden opportunities. Crystals don’t come easily, especially at lower ranks. It takes time and experience to learn what rigs (Tanks, turrets and skins) serve one’s playing style best, and it certainly takes time, patience and persistence to build a garage with multiple options for varied maps and battle types. Some think it’s an overnight thing as some high school or college graduates think they ought to have the stuff and lifestyle of their parents right out of school. Neither is the case. It took years and discipline for our parents to attain what they own. It’ll take time to fill a garage, and it’ll take far longer if we fail to save, discipline and time our purchases and consider carefully which items to buy that will best fit our preferred playing style. Mistakes will be made. Slow and steady might make those mistakes fewer and at lesser cost. Steady play increases wealth. Disciplined shopping and spending makes the greatest value of that wealth. Here’s a telling experiment that’s been done multiple ways. Google variants if you’re interested and care to. The conclusions are the same. The indicator is that delayed gratification is a maturity issue. The sooner that’s understood, learned and applied the happier a citizen and/or a Tanker will be. Don’t make that piggy bank squeal. Let it grunt under a hefty, growing burden of expanding wealth so when the deals come, you can get much more bang for your buck. Play on, good hunting and blessings. http://www.livescience.com/15821-cookie-test-control.html

The Pansy Factor, Drugs and Quitters As with any opinion, stance or position assured disagreement comes. I expect and encourage it. Further, I expect and encourage supporters to raise their voices. Tanki monitors and censures name calling as well as cursing. Good on ‘em! I wish there was more of it. A couple phrases that seem to escape censure suggest these synonyms substitute for far more insulting and/or vulgar calls. Noob in its infinite spelling variations and pansy are these. So, I’ll elect pansy to serve here. Pansies reveal in many ways dependent upon who’s writing and their perceptions. I find certain behaviors to show blue ribbon pansy status, one of which actually goes against Tanki preference. Read on to discern which one qualifies. Some issues own cultural implications. For example, I’ve noted many Russian players expressing great indignation if a battle joins with unbalanced sides. That amuses me for two primary reasons. Having actually engaged in real life and death combat, I know beyond doubt that numbers in one’s favor offer great advantage, advantage meriting favor and covetous. The objection rises from some. "Yes, but it’s just a game!” Indeed it is. A COMBAT game in which parameters model actual combat with slight exceptions. As a gunship pilot, I never captured a flag. I certainly engaged in “death matches” daily, and control points existed night and day when flying or sleeping. The goal? Beat the enemy to their knees till the idea and cost of continuing the fight demanded too much cost to proceed. I also note that the notion of fair play while acting as a reason to delay the start of the festivities does NOT carry equivalent weight as the match progresses. When the sides come to lopsided advantage/disadvantage, I very rarely see any manner of “king’s x,” a slang expression calling for a hold to competition. I’ve seen it, but very rarely. In sum, my notion of exploiting numbers advantage comes to fruition eventually, and the games often end with very lopsided numbers. Related to this, regular displays of what I hold as indications of poor character surface. I’ll leave the multing issue lie for now, but that’s one which merits attention and acid derision. It’s deplorable. Equally contemptible, quitters, deserters and materialists raise the righteous ire of honorable Tankers. Mostly self-explanatory, comments remain in order. Quitters are the most repugnant “teammates” one can encounter. These Tankers lay on with grand enthusiasm, warring with zeal and dedication . . . till the opposing team caps. As astounding as it is, and regardless of the team and/or flag counts, one’s team can instantly reduce by sometimes even half! Can yuh believe it!?! I presume few ever heard the immortal words of Winston Churchill in Britain’s most dire times while enduring the onslaught of nazi Germany’s blitzkrieg. “Never, never, never give up.” It leaves me astonished and amazed that so many have so little grist and courage to fight till the end. Quitters, even worse than slackers, desperately need character adjustment. Of course there’s another reason for quitters. Materialists, profiteers, will play, only, if the promise of profit is strong. If any hint of failing to win surfaces, they saddle up and ride. Why stay if they won’t line their wallets/purses? Well, several reasons exist. If some of your team honor the warrior ethos, they’ll fight TO THE END! This shows a character worthy of admiration and fraternity. These are Tankers worthy of friending. Then the ol’ saw, “Finish what you started,” applies, at least according to my father and grandfather. Enjoying a fight with teammates implies some responsibility to those teammates, a responsibility honorable persons uphold. In the Internet world, observing persons with genuine character and integrity sees too rare. It’s safe. Despite the wishes of the “Desperate Dater Wannabes” who show in chat, the likelihood of ever meeting fellow gamers in face time is slim and none, and Slim just rode outta town. Exceptions exist, of course, like friends who joined with friends, but, mainly, Tankers won’t meet, so who gives a rip what others think? Persons with character and integrity, that’s who. A cost will come in reputation, and that can follow in surprising ways, but that’s for another rant. These represent my perceptions worth, only, what you paid to read ‘em. Don’t be shy about providing yours, but be polite to each other. Who knows? You might get used to it. Har! Blessings.

Two concepts genuinely waste time despite their common popularity. Matters of taste and those of judgement are always the purviews of the individual. If i think something is pretty, I can't prove it. It happens in sports constantly. He was out! He was safe! He was out! There the only opinion that bears any weight is that of the umpire or official. But, have fun. Pointlessness remains a big part of many person's thinking. :D

Tanki Chat Considerations Anytime lobby chat or game chat occurs, certainty promises criticism. Questions and comments both merit some thought and consideration they, too often, do not get. Some queries plainly relate to violation of rules. To know this, it’s useful to read the Rules. Some do; many don’t. One of the clearest clues of chat to ignore comes in the form of “Who wants . . .?” Often these will be solicitations for coveted crystals, some insane amount like nine kazillion. Of first note is that Tanki offers NO method to exchange, share or gift crystals. None! The hope of those who toss that line in the lake is that they’ll catch a fish ignorant or greedy enough to share their password, hence enabling access to the account. Do it, and the account is gone . . ., or worse. I know this is hard. Greed presses heavy on those with no or little experience, but you’ll lose all your experience and gain nothing except the opportunity to whine and howl that you were “hacked” when in truth you simply gave away the proverbial farm. Some relatively harmless questions surface that still waste time and space and hold no merit. “Who’s the MOD?” What difference does it make? Who the MOD is matters not one whit. That the MOD is present and doing his/her job is what counts, and honorable Tankers ought to appreciate their efforts. Same applies to “Who banned me?” Better to not earn bans, eh? Appreciate that the Mod’s present and working. S/he’s striving to make the Tanki environment function well. Their identity is immaterial and certainly not worth inquiry. Asking others what to buy is nearly as pointless. Given, gaining opinions from more experienced Tankers can benefit newer Tankers, but expecting someone to choose for you is silly. When asked, I paste this. “You've watched play. You've seen various rigs at work. Don't waste time asking someone to think or decide for you. It's YOUR decision dependent upon your style of play, and nobody knows that better than you. Man up! Think for yourself.” My main point is that allowing another to choose for you will go quite sour if you find the purchase apart from your favored style of play. Then you may be inclined to place blame in the wrong place on another rather than upon self where it belongs. Choose for yourself; own your choices. Any advice that comes from another knows far less to nothing about your style than you. For example, I tend to be a charger. I relish movement playing CTF mostly. I want to get to the flag or assist a Mate in doing that. The sniping style leaves me wholly disinterested though I know some do exceptionally well with that. Sitting in selected cover waiting for a good shot leaves me cold, respects to Carlos Hathcock, Simo Häyhä, Lyudmila Pavlichenko and their ilk. If I advised a sniper, my advice would fail. I opt for speed, close range effectiveness and armor. A sniper likely more favors a rolling condominium like the Mammoth or Titan with stout armor and distance equalizer like Shaft or Rail that reaches out, way out, and touches someone. Get my drift? Choose for yourself, and own your choices. Of insult and profanity, much may be said. A concept born of the cyber age resides in the illusion that being distant, separated by half a world and communicating through monitors means little or no consequences for what one says. This assumption errs. Firstly, Tanki staff can find their way to offenders. It’s debatable that they choose harshly enough in the cases of some “chronics,” regular offenders. That’s Tanki’s choice, but offending Tankers ought to know they can. More critically, to those who take their play time and the game somewhat seriously, your reputation is built upon your conduct. Tanki tracks what they call “karma.” Tankers track others in their memories. Tankers who curse, profane, flood, harass and do any number of objectionable chat faux pas garner attention as must be a part of their intent. If staff observe those remarks that violate rules, bans, can and will be issued. For some bans are immaterial. They aren’t here to play, compete and interact positively. Their “fun” is acting like the last three letters of class as often as they can. These are either grossly immature children or emotionally impaired persons of any age. To serve their uninterrupted delinquency, they create multiple accounts enabling the dodge of bans till Tanki staff decide enough is too much. But consequences exist in community, and the block feature or potential hefty ban-hammer from staff aren’t the only solutions for honorable Tankers who don’t care to read such scat. Those consequences promise no assistance from irritated Tankers fed up by such chat nonsense. If scofflaws ever take gameplay seriously, they will have lost the potential of enjoying help from higher ranks in deciphering the nuances of Tanki and tactics learned in veteran play. A better course beckons. Be what you’d wish to encounter. Make chat relevant to the game. Rise to the high standards of the timeless Golden Rule.” “Do unto others as you’d have then do unto you.” Pretty solid plan, that. If wishing to socialize, by all means do so, but resist the “cyber temptation” to insult, offend, solicit crystals, exchanges of which can’t be done anyway, account trades or shares, pleas for assists known as boosting, and, one of my personal peeves, “dates.” Seriously!?! One expects a deep, hand-holding, lip pressing with an allegedly appealing other half the world away? One solicits “dating” another whom s/he’d never meet? And, of course, “She’s hot.” That really entices me. I fantasize about fat, sweaty “lovers” half the world away. Har! Tanki’s community is vastly diverse. Given it could be classified by some as a kid’s world. Then I wonder at the age of some with whom I’ve played and conversed to include a brain surgeon from the Ukraine, a nuclear engineer from Sweden, a commercial pilot from Great Britain and on. I’m pretty certain these folks are older than kidlets. At least I hope so if they’re flying my ride, tuning a reactor near me or muddling about within my sacred cranium! If we deport ourselves with grace and respect, we might savor conversations with ones we’d never meet otherwise. For a long while a personal standard for me has been to make friends with people smarter than me. I favor learning what I don’t know about Tanki and life. That’s tricky if I hang with those who can’t even understand or regard Tanki rules or common courtesies. Respect tendered brings respect in return.

Very sorry news this though understandable. You have been a very positive presence here. God bless; happy trails.

A reminder for one of the penultimate critics in the game since you, apparently, missed it in my article. Blocking provides a true gift from Tanki. I block ALL profaners, beggars, cheaters, #rules scofflaws and unmannerly twerps. When I do, it's permanent. Why? I don't care to see those persons' drivel. It's each Tanker's option and privilege, and it makes for far more pleasant gaming. You earned the block long ago, and, from your posts in the Forum, you keep earning it.

Looks good to me. Semyon's reasoning is sound. Many need to request what cheese they want with their whines. :P

Talking in matches is akin to lurking, not participating. Talk in the lobby chat; compete in the maps.

The really fine thing about this update isn't the variety of changes applied, though I like them very much. They really great thing is the responsiveness of Staff and Devs to the body of Tankers! Fine job, all. Keep listening; Tankers, keep communicating. Salute!

The Ethics of Camping and “Boxing.” Ethics really bores many, particularly younger folk and/or those who don’t really know what ethics mean. The lexicographers give us this. “ethics |ˈeTHiks| pl.noun 1 [ usu. treated as pl. ] moral principles that govern a person's or group's behavior: Judeo-Christian ethics. • the moral correctness of specified conduct: the ethics of euthanasia. 2 [ usu. treated as sing. ] the branch of knowledge that deals with moral principles.” However, every single Tanker, every individual, gets their knickers in a wad when they perceive ethical wrongs that assail them or compromise their life moments. The consideration and understanding of ethics is for thinkers as opposed to feelers. You know the difference. Feelers are emoters, persons who love the notions of feeling something is right or wrong. Thinkers are those who assess the world and any parts of it with which they’re engaged with reason, contemplation, thought and critical judgement predicated upon the workings of one’s mind rather than the emotions of one’s “heart.” That said, it’s worthwhile to note that the vast majority of complaints, whining and rants in chat or the Forum relate to ethics. Folks dislike being skinned, cheated and shined to apply some English vernacular. In matches, any ethical tanker loathes “mults.” For the uninitiated, mults are tanks placed in opposing teams to diminish the effectiveness and battle capacity of an opposing team. They’re easily spotted in matches by their inactivity and affirmed by their kill count. Their kill count shows nearly no kills and abundant deaths. Yet they diminish a teams’ capacity to function with balance and effectiveness. One aspect of ethical nastiness comes in the form of campers and boxers. While mults frustrate and madden honorable Tankers, they are the least of those aggravators. They’re the signatures of cheaters, plainly and clearly. The real miscreants reveal in campers and boxers. They can shade their treachery by seeming to compete till a keener eye views their behaviors. Let’s define those for the sake of this discussion for any who might find those confusing. Campers are those Tankers, often of lower ranks but not exclusively so, who behave like mults. They tend to favor picking spots by their perceived safety or security, their crystal drop spots, the hope to keep their ratios slght and numerous other reasons logical, only, to those who decline team support. Like mults, they contribute little to nothing to the team’s efforts. In fact when they select certain spots they actually impede the progress of the team. Not only do they fail to attempt flag capping, establishing and holding control points or hunting opponents dependent upon CTF, Control Points or Death matches, they interfere with efforts of teammate Tankers to do so, and they do little to nothing in support of team efforts and match wins. Deplorable? You bet! Boxers, on the other hand, appear to be active, but closer scrutiny reveals that their activity is in pursuit of dropped crystal boxes over and above doing anything to support the team effort. This ignores team goals to win matches, and it’s immensely self-serving. What’s more, they rarely gain as many crystals as they could from their share of a team win. They can be observed in crystal rich drop zones driving themselves dizzy turning circles in hopes of snagging crystal boxes one by one and, in fact, interfering with the paths of warriors competing for team wins. Rather than engaging opponents, they turn, churn and burn for crystals above all else interfering with other’s movements, and, worse, they substantially diminish a team’s chance for a match win. The motives for such strategy are clear, even simple. Greed. Ironically greed is ill served. Were these miscreants to work for team victories, their reward would generally be greater, sometimes much greater, than what they earn by boxing. Surely they’d gain the respect of their teammates rather than justly earning their contempt. It’s appropriate to note current changes within the game regarding these issues. Administration and Developers took note of feedback in the Forum. Temporarily and experimentally, they’ve pulled crystal drops from the games and added equivalency to the battle fund. This should please the warriors while frustrating boxers, even campers. It means anyone who wants to earn crystals in matches needs to actually compete to earn them. Every Tanker needs to support their teams in the battles. Radical concept, huh? This means a sea change in game tactics setting them as they actually should be. It makes the team goal clear to all, and it results in actual team play opposed to the self-centered, toddle about boxers doing literally nothing for a team win. It’s appropriate to note this is a test, and whether or not it becomes a permanent change will be decided in the future. Additionally it also clarifies the reality that Tanki staff, in fact, do pay attention to the community’s feedback and preferences. As an editorial aside I truly hope it becomes permanent. Playing on a team with ether campers and/or boxers is maddening. Mults are bad enough. When we join teams, team support ought to be a standard expectation. This change moves us nearer that. I sincerely hope it renders this article moot. None can control the actions of others. So it is. So it has always been, but we can control ourselves. Competing honorably, vigorously and ethically ought to be a standard, but so, too, ought all humans be ethical and honorable. That fact is clearly not the case, but it remains that we can be so. Good hunting and blessings!

The Virtue of Friends and Friending and the Block. Tanki offers multiple options for comradeship. Clans and Teams provide two of the most organized options availing Tankers to camaraderies within their chosen organizations and options for sanctioned competitions which can be rewarding upon several levels. Clans and Teams can win competitions that bring Tanki wealth: crystals, special equipment and status. There’s more, of course. Working together in Teams and Clans enables the same sort of fluid play as any team in any sport can attain. We can organize our outfits methodically for varied battles. We can plot tactics applying defenses and offenses. We can arrange equipment to provide the best of team efforts. Of course options are essentially endless. Any sports fan admires the fluid, methodical team play observable in their favored sports when a team demonstrates the workings of the proverbial well oiled machine: football (Either kind, American or World), basketball, baseball and many more. And, of course, we can watch Cybersport events live or archived to see the best of Tanki teams and clans do the same. All that said, there remain many who don’t care to team or clan. I’m one. I’ve done both, and my reasons for declining aren’t germane to the intent here. But there is an option of merit. Tanki enabled building friend lists some while back. There are no obligations for friending except that of being being a friend defined differently by some. Yet, even with this simple advantage, some don’t get it. Friends ought to be known, acquainted, met. Now many of us live a world apart, so how does meeting occur? In matches and chat of course. It’s a simple thing to ascertain. One watches another’s style of play, his or her chat and what of a soul, nature and character leaks through all that. Like what you see? Play a few matches with him or her. Then send a request. If they’re the sort with whom you’d enjoy fraternizing and teaming odds are fair to good you, too, were noticed by him or her. Wait for a decision. Rejection? Consider a PM (Private message) via Forum, and state your case. Want to be a friend? Press the issue, and clarify why you’ll be a good one. Do not flood another with incessant requests to friend, particularly if there’s great separation between your ranks. In Tanki, friends compete together. If your ranks are well apart, that can’t happen till the lesser rank gains some ground. Then it may not be agreeable yet, but it’s more likely than less likely. Friending isn't a quantity contest for the intelligent, judicious Tanker. It's an ally list for Tankers who share respect, learn with and from each other and find trustworthy. Random requests waste the time of the requester and the recipient. On a personal note since I receive far too many friend requests, I may, rarely, accept someone with whom I’ve not played or played little. If I see that person enter against me and my team without starting a match that way, it’s simple to remove them from the friend list. I expect “friends” to behave like friends. I’m willing to begin a match in opposition by consent, but if a “friend” enters against me in a match in progress, that’ll end a friendship. Let’s be clear. That’s not friendly. Then there’s the block feature. I use it liberally. Here’s a bit of logic. Blocking provides a true gift from Tanki. I block all profaners, beggars, cheaters, rules scofflaws and unmannerly twerps. When I do, it's permanent. Why? I don't care to see those persons' drivel. It's each Tanker's option and privilege, and it makes for far more pleasant gaming by my lights. Many Tankers, particularly those classed as newbies, seem bent on earning blocks. It must amuse. However, it’s fair to consider what’s lost when blocked. I have a generous nature. Honorable Tankers struggling to gain in the game often solicit help from we more experienced Tankers, those of higher ranks or longer tenure. Some ranked players don’t give a rip about helping; they mightn’t even respond. I and many of my Mates are willing to help Tankers on their way up. But, and it’s a big but, a two axe handle wide butt, if your careless, rude, thuggish, profane, poor deportment earned you a block from a more experienced Tanker who would otherwise happily give you a hand, your plea will never been seen let alone answered. So, curse, mult, insult, flood, violate rules and on, but think just a little, and count what you lose. Or, make good friends, enjoy the camaraderie of Mates and assure that your future efforts will earn you due respect and camaraderie, helping you rather than earning you derision and shunning. Play hard; play fairly. Blessings.

Actually it was a fat-fingered type, ax, but thank you. It's amended. :)

“PeekaBoom!” Round the corners, from behind the walls, The armor rolls and rarely stalls. Each speaks in an unique voice. The final shout is PeekaBoom! Flashing atop the wicked, quick midgets, Their dazzling speed driving enemies into fidgets. The hot licks they carry add loads of sizzle When the hot breathed Firebird speaks PeekaSizzle. The chassis’ size? Doesn’t matter. There’s no hiss, bang, chatter or sizzle. Intense Freeze stops time as moving parts seize. You’re stuck in the grip. PeekaFreeze! Any tanks can carry the kit. First aid and an electric hit Make the venerable Isi the real deal. Get close enough? Then die or heal. PeekaIsida. Constant chatter of endless fire, These two barrels raise opponent's ire Of any tanker hoping to steer or aim. Dive for cover, or suffer the shame. PeekaTwins! Fireballs fly with rapid succession, No corner’s safe from aimed aggression. Bouncing off the walls, even 'round the corners to strike, This nasty bank shot pool shark raises a serious fright. PeekaRicochet! From the haze, it should emerge, But the random critical might inflict a purge. When it does, the pulse ******s, It’s no cigar, but it hits hard! PeekaSmoky! From the Greek god called Thor, All can hear and fear its authoritative roar. From distant reaches comes its shattering heft. It leaves its targets wholly bereft. PeekaThunder! Distance measures all but this. The ingenuity and technology Assure, no matter how distant, it’ll hit. Improbable to foresight, it will sting. PeekaRail! Then it comes from the distance, through the woods. Distance matters not a whit for this to deliver the goods. It’s sound shakes the earth, and its strike is the worst. Vulnerable? Yes, but awe inspiring, it’s the PeekaShaft, The resounding PeekaBoom! Boom! BOOM!

Of Ethics and Tactics In Tanki as in life, there are ethics, or there should be. Ethics: “Moral principles that govern a person's or group's behavior.” And/or “The branch of knowledge that deals with moral principles.” Certain that some will call, “rant!” particularly one with over 5700 Forum posts to my 265, I’ll opine anyway. Har! In lobby and game chat both, it’s common to see complaints and wailing regarding what some should or ought to do. From where come the should and ought? Religion provides the genesis of most, but we’ll not visit those various faiths and their rules or suggestions. Often the complaints sent squealing toward the heavens is, “It’s not fair!” Of course fair’s definition varies based upon who’s ox gets gored or who’s doing the goring. If one covets fair in life, the likely promise predicts a life of disappointment. Still, if one wishes to offer themselves as a model of fair play, a paragon of virtue, some options exist. None can control anyone other than themselves. So! What can you do if you’re one who favors “fair” play? Tactical choices offer a flower garden ripe for plucking. Tanki’s a war game, a theater of aggression, but, like the early combat aviators in World War One, it can be a deadly theater for gracious, mannerly, even courteous killers. I’ve noted, particularly with Russian Tankers, a proclivity to insist on no combat till teams are equally manned. That can get silly to the extreme when play suspends for each imbalance brought forth by one or more Tanker departures. It can make the match unbearable waiting for play. Some think it a high-minded ideal, but it fails to serve one tactical exploit any commander or combatant relishes. Outnumbering enemies or opponents makes for a combat dream. This is the weakest of fair play advocacy. Exploiting an enemy's weaknesses is good, tactical expression. Another common practice occurs, most shamefully when a team is beaten or, even, scourged. You know. Everyones seen it; many’ve suffered it. A team is destined to win clearly, often soundly. Yet, for the final flag, their flag runner nestles in some hideaway to extend the misery and frustration of the certain-to-lose team. This for a meager, few points, nearly no crystals nor any fair reason other than to shame and frustrate an already defeated opponent. Perhaps that serves in real combat, but, as many parrot, this is a game at its core. There’s no “fair” reason for this. Finish it! Not finishing is akin to ripping the wings from an insect and tormenting it to death. Uncool, classless and clearly unfair. One tactical strength belongs in the forefront of every Tanker’s tactical mind. Support and assist team members at every opportunity. One worthy example shows when a teammate snags a flag, and the scrum gathers round that teammate en route to the flag. Blockers and shooting defenders own merit, but wingmen, trailing tanks, offer greater promise to capture the flag and increase the team’s score. Here the Isida drivers are critical, but so, too, are any other Tankers who can keep pace. If the flag runner gets popped, teammates at the ready can recover the flag to carry it on for a cap. Smart and fair. Often we’ll see a Mammoth or a Titan defending the flag stanchion. They sit and sit waiting for any onslaught. They rarely enjoy a cap, and they don’t get in on the action much till the opponent’s tsunami surges. Long periods of attentive boredom make way for seconds of sheer terror. Want to extend a pinch of fairness? When the pressure from the opposition allows, that is when it’s not breath-down-your-neck nearness, drop an occasional flag for the tubby to score. Enhance self-esteem. (Chuckle) One notion merits an “SOP” designation. (Standard Operating Procedure) As we scurry through the maelstrom of open combat, its common to pass near a Mate engaged in a one-on-one with one of our Mates engaging an opponent. Fair play? Then don’t blow by on your own path to glory. Rather, slow to assist your Mate. Every time a teammate pops, we lose his/her participation for a short time as spawning occurs. Better to help our Mates survive, get a kill on the opponents and extend the honorable notion that we don’t leave anyone on the field without doing what we can to keep our Mates actively in the fight. Regarding in match communication and, of course, rules as well as fair play, note that no points or crystals are earned by insult, vulgarity, profanity or sharing news of the day. These are merely distractions and the prattling of immature Tankers with a loser’s mind set. The chatter not related to the match distracts and costs the team a chatty Tanker’s support and participation. Better to chat it up in the lobby where no cost is lost than to allegedly join a team, then discuss philosophy, garage inventories or whatever. No matter how adept one is at keyboarding, this takes attention and participation away from the job at hand. Victory! It’s unfair to one's team. Compete! One thing I’ve noted with appreciation for fairness and grace is the increasing occasions of players, win or lose, stating something to the nature of “Good game. Thanks all.” It’s admirable to see that the reality of sportsmanship shows in this clear manner. Many exit immediately as the match ends, so those many miss these statements. It might be worth your time to linger, catch the class and add your own. Be encouraged to comment as you see fit. What’s fair? What’s not? Mostly, what can any Tanker do to make it better? Don’t let we Press types preach to the choir. You’re the choir; sing your own tunes. Blessings.

Many of you let your lack of character and integrity shine demanding to show it. Gangham acted morally and ethically. Only cheats and scurves will object. Hmmm. Come to think of it, that'd be a majority, yuh think? Good move, Gangham. (Seriously goofy nick, but good move.) :D

Really? "Legend?" In a net game?!? Were mine or anyone's life so pathetically defined, it'd be . . ., well, pathetic. It's a game. Enjoy it, but don't form your self-esteem by it. It will NOT ever form a worthy bullet on anyone's resume.' :D

Golden Rule or Leaden Fool response. I’ll strive for brevity or my version of that. I don’t engage in Press work for debate. We write what we write, run it by colleagues and, if deemed worthy by the Press staff, we publish. Thirteen comments show. All but three are from Tankers I blocked. I’ll leave it to readers to speculate who’s who. My articles address manners and conduct. Any five minutes in chat reveals the need for that discourse. When signing in to Tanki, a set of Rules are noted. It’s to every player to read those, and, by signing in Tanki, each makes a contract to abide by them. “Little kids” aren’t inherently bad, and it's those whom the Rules are largely intended to insulate, protect. Why should they have to learn profanity in a game pledge to protect them and all from it? Immature, profane, rude, stupid persons aren’t either. They just behave badly, and they violate their contract to play by Tanki’s rules. I don’t block to “punish.” I block to increase my own peace, since I find rules scofflaws objectionable. My privilege; my choice. Seeing Tanki flood, “This player is on your black [block] list. The message is hidden.” while annoying in itself , annoys far less than the drivel of those who violate chat rules. Of respect, that’s laughable. I block those who deport themselves disrespectfully and apart from those rules. My pleasure in chat is reserved for the Tankers who abide by the rules and deport themselves with grace, manners and respect. This paste, “Welcome to my block list. You are vanished. Buh-bye.” as I said merely advises that I blocked. My ulterior motive is to alert Mods to the transgression. Mods have much to do, and it’s easy for them to miss occasionally. This is as much as I care to clarify or, if you prefer, debate. I won’t answer further comments, since I was pretty clear on my thoughts in the article. However I ardently encourage others to have their say whether it be to lambaste me, my thoughts or whatever floats your boat. Dialogue is good, even if it reveals the inabilities of some to read and understand what was written. Blessings.

Golden Rule or Leaden Fool? There’s the game. There’s ranking, earning crystals, purchasing and upgrading equipment, micro-upgrading, clanning and more. And, there’s chat. Chat in the server lobbies, chat in the game and chat, after a fashion, in private messages via the Forum. Chat exists with conditions called rules. Accidental violators get severe surprises though rarely so. Usually they experience a little patty-whack on their nasty, li’l hands. Chronics spend more time violating rules, making mults (Additional accounts for the newer Tankers) so they may violate more while other of their accounts do their ban time. Then there exist those special Tankers who blend a rare cocktail of stupidity, ignorance, contempt, wit (Or what they believe to be wit.) and petulant incorrigibility. Their “corrections” are a tad more severe. Perhaps it’s genetic. So let us postulate, consider, the business of communication and play with unmet persons. A notable quote unable to be attributed is, “Manners are the lubricant that keep the "society machine" running smoothly and make interactions between strangers tolerable. Take them away and, like any unlubricated engine, the machine will self-destruct.” Manners enable interaction among strangers and friends alike to provide a touch of grace in exchanges between those. “Please” and “thank you” are mere scratches on the scratch of the surface of that shine which replaces crudity and thuggishness with a touch of grace. Even these can be prostituted. This can be seen any time some beggar comes to chat pleading for freebies, crystals, boosting solicitations, account trade solicitations or whatever the pleader covets. Applying childlike tactics learned from constantly haranguing parents, the add feigned courtesy, cloying begging and tireless, relentless nagging in hopes of wearing down any random, potential benefactor, they rarely tire or cease. Instead, they keep on and on, repeating “please” in the presumed certainty that will endear whomever they nag enough to relent to their begging. Usually, it won’t, but it disrupts chat every bit as much as flooding. Profanity in any guise marks rude crudity. Oh, I know some fools think it demonstrates manliness, toughness and focused aggression. It doesn’t. It reveals the genuine cowardliness that accompanies those feeling secure in the distant separation provided by the Internet, the distance apart for players or communicators and the “protection” from identity by the use of nicknames, “nicks.” A critical failure in that thinking overlooks the fact that Tankers who play with any regularity and success have sharp memories. They’ll remember. Tanki through Moderators and Administrators tracks violator records specifically. They like to label those one’s “karma.” Players track by memory, and good players don’t forget. They recall more than profanity. They recall attempts to scam, deceive, play traitorously and assorted unmannerly conduct. Such miscreants can attempt dodging their responsibility for nastiness. Creating “mults,” multiple accounts that enable dodging bans, deceiving tankers and generally shining others provide one way. However consider this. If one nurtures “mults,” they divide their attention essentially assuring they’ll not build any genuinely worthy accounts. Using myself as an example, it’s taken substantial play time for me to make MadDog21 into a substantial Generalissimo account. I know some have more than one such well developed account, but can you imagine the time that demands? If one “has a life,” tending more than one account to worthwhile development and strength suggests doing little more than playing Tanki. I enjoy Tanki as much as anyone, but, realistically, I couldn’t or wouldn’t invest that amount of time. Another option for the dodgers is available, but you’d best have a fat bank to accomplish it. One can pay for a nickname change. The cost to change a nick is 100,000 crystals. It matters not what your bank account looks like. That’s a hefty chunk o’ change. Peruse the garage. Take note of what can be purchased for that amount. Why would anyone care to spend that to change a nick? One reason might be that one’s nick carries with it an abysmal reputation, lousy karma. Although such a payment would not remove one's karma, a nick change might provide a dodge from a shameful reputation. That won’t matter one whit if one’s conduct continues unchanged. Perhaps a Tanker started with a nick they didn’t think over well at all. Then a change won’t be so much a dodge as it would be a correction. That suggests another consideration. Think. Think as you register an account. Choose a nick with which you can live, one that, if you excel, you can carry with a degree of pride and self-respect. Manners in game play offer another consideration. There manners entwine with tactics, too. I smile when I see a competent flag runner drop a flag to capture in front of a Mate keeping watch with an MU’d fat Mammy and Freeze. There’s an example of mannerly deportment. Many exist. A Tanker backing off a needed pickup for a Mate on the attack is another. I might sit here generating many examples. I invite you who read this and comment to add some that you see and appreciate. Again, the point is demonstrated courtesy and parity opposed to self-centered aggrandizement. It’s the manifestation of the ol’ saw, “There’s no “I” in team. Teams that show that tend to succeed gloriously . . ., and profitably! So! Consider The Golden Rule. For those unaware, it is essentially this. “Treat others as you wish to be treated.” More archaically, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” As is the case with much profound wisdom, stating it is simple in it’s clarity and conciseness. Actually doing it is another matter, especially when we are, essentially, strangers a world apart. Rhetorically, why should we be mannerly, kind, respectful to someone we’ll never meet. In face time, it’s wise. After all there exist some capable, rough persons who just might move one’s nose from center face to ear left. This would surely bleed and hurt, but scoundrels and sluggards can rest easy in cyberspace. After all, it don’ matter how hard someone can bring it. They CAN’T bring it through a monitor. We do have words. We even have curses, profanities and swearing despite the inability of many to correctly spell ‘em. That can bring the pain. “I’ll hurt ‘em wit’ words!” Well, yes, you may if they’re so weak in experience and self-esteem that they’ll let your words outrank their own self-esteem. If you do that regularly, make lots of mults, for you’ll be banned more than not. Moderators are sharp eyed, relentless and competent, God bless ‘em. But for the wise, the Rule apply. What we give, we receive in general. Extend respect, courtesy, politeness and these will return. Extend the dark side, and that will return to you. Face it. If one receives frequent punishment, correction if you prefer, that one consistently proves their immaturity and incorrigibility. Some appear to make a game of testing tolerances of the game Mods, Admin and fellow Tankers. There are no crystal rewards, rank gains or added equipment for any of that. But! If it floats your boat, have a nice cruise. Just don’t whine and rail about what comes your way because of your insolence, lack of character and unmannerliness. You’ll grow what you sow.. Many love to rant, rail and rage about Mods. Foolish. Rules are clearly stated. Mods enforce those. If bans and censure bother you, don’t offend. Consider, however, what an individual can do. I may be known as the king of blockers. Anyone can block. I use a pasted phrase to accomplish two things. It alerts whomever I block that I have done that, so, hopefully, they’ll not spam the chat addressing me further. It also alerts any Moderator present of the foul essentially lending a hand to Moderators to clean the commode. Anyone caring to help the game improve its civility can and should do likewise. Blocking provides a true gift from Tanki. I block ALL profaners, beggars, cheaters, rules scofflaws and unmannerly twerps. When I do, it's permanent. Why? I don't care to see those persons' drivel. It's each Tanker's option and privilege, and it makes for far more pleasant gaming. The how to can be found here. http://en.tankiforum.com/index.php?showtopic=121640 Some folks can’t stand blocking. They want to see it all. It’s cool. We have choices. For me, I don’t care to see the drivel of those afore mentioned. Others apparently find pleasure in jousting verbally with whomever plagues them or the chat. I find that a complete waste of time, and I contend that gives the twerps exactly what they seek. Will debating with them change them? No. Will it waste your time and energy? Yes. Also, one’s mind is a sacred place. It’s wise not to allow in those who don’t understand or respect that sacred place. Once blocked, you’ll see “This player is on your black (Should read block.) list. The message is hidden” when they write. That’s unfortunate, since one who blocks generally knows they blocked. It seems Tanki decided to flood chat with that alert, but it, at least, keeps one from having to read the flotsam and jetsam some offer. The main point remains, Tanki, bless their li’l, pea pickin’ hearts, provided a way to apply control by individual players who wish to control what’s seen. I’m one who’s grateful. In sum, karma offered a suitable descriptor. We Tankers can control our own mouths in type, and we can control what’s seen in our chat windows. Clearly, as Tanki continues and Developers modify their little bag of tricks, they’re honoring the Tankers with options to bend Tanki chat to one’s will. This generous gesture of respect for individual player preferences merits praise. I praise and apply it. You may do as your Golden Rule motivates you. Good hunting!

Parental permission isn't required. "0 hours?!?" Of course not.

In the beginning there was Tanki. And it was good. In the laudable pursuit of growth there came a rebalance. It was shiny and dandy, but it reamed the garages built through hard labor and thrift. It was less good. As replenishment dawned for Tankers, new economics shown, and they were burdensome. To restock one's garage as it was prior to RB demanded ranking and/or much more cost. It was bad. Sporadically "nerfing" of certain items came. This diminished the power and effectiveness of already purchased garage items with no recompense for what was previously spent. Think of buying a Maserati, taking it to the dealership and having a factory upgrade of a VW flat four, air cooled engine inserted. These instances occurred sporadically but with plaguing repetition. Then came the heralded micro-uprgrades. We thought we'd purchased the best at M3 levels. Of a sudden, MU's were necessary to fully optimize our "top rated garage" items. Now, on a constantly escalating scale, to optimize items requires exponentially increasing expenditures from 9 to 25 or more times. Clearly Tanki pursues profit. Nothing wrong with that, but, when it seems to be the sole priority, then it's followed by a move like this that limits the buyers, spenders if you will, the use of their purchases, it baffles one's mind. It seems to me that customer service is low on the priority scale. If 70% of opining Russian players oppose this, it should drop out of hand. From what I've read on the English side, the numbers are similar. Tanki is like it's mother country. Majorities do not rule. However, on the world market, the market on which an MMORPG game relies, the economical and/or political standards of a country or culture must stand a distant second to the demands of a worldwide business model. If not, persons 'round the world will vote with their dollars, time and feet. I recommend careful thought on the part of the Tanki overlords prior to doing this one. Much is at risk.

Hours are flexible. Minors have been Mods. It may have changed. Ask either of the ModAdmin. You do need Skype.

Avimin, thanks much for expanding and modernizing my scribe. I haven't moderated for some time, hence my information, while accurate in the time perspective of my service, lacked some of what you so articulately provided. I'm appreciative of you taking time to elaborate. Further, I appreciate and support you leaning hard to the helper perspective. Good, honorable players covet a clean, pleasurable gaming experience, articulate, courteous chat and camaraderie which can and does build between like-minded leisure seekers. I celebrate that you and your comrades do the detailed, conscientious work you do. Thanks again for expanding and, hopefully, encouraging all to enjoy the experience whilst assuring others won't diminish the enjoyment of fellow Tankers.

So, You Wanna Be a Mod, Eh? When taking a break from the furious combat, core to the construct of Tanki, one might loiter in the lounges to engage in some sparkling repartee. There one may find mates, compatriots, folks from around the world and, of course, “them.” Them are the work of the Moderators, the game cops as it were, and those, running afoul of the rules, will encounter the Mod Squad, them. In chat it’s common to see “I wanna be a Mod.” Sure about that? Moderators (Mods hereafter) own substantial responsibility and conditional authority. I speak from experience having done the job. Mods hold the charge of maintaining order and rules, compliance in the chats and matches. Look at the membership count for Tanki account. Given that multiple accounts exist, there are millions nonetheless. Go to the Forum, and note the number of Mods. Then do a little ratio figuring, and realize, also, that the game never sleeps. Players from around the world play as the game churns on 24 hours a day 365 days per year. That small count of Moderators can, by no means, be everywhere all the time. It ain’t possible, simply put. However, dedicated Mods can bounce between servers to keep an active presence throughout the game. Mods can observe matches without entering, allowing them greater latitude to sting the stinkers who play foul, cheat or try and soil the chat exchanges. During candidacy, Mod Candidates, like Consultants, are restricted to giving five minute bans, and more recently, hour bans. Of course they’re closely associated with full Mods, and there they can alert Mods of the need for more severe bans. You’ll know these are coming when you see “(reported)” as a tag on the information line of the ban. Mods also use that tag to advise that the ban is going to Administrators for consideration of more or most severe sanction. When you see that, you may rest assured that the ban-hammer will fall justly. When curious as to what brings the hammer down, all one needs to do is visit the Forum, the Rules section, specifically. All reasons for bans show there. By the way, every single player who enters and plays the game gave consent by actual fact or implication, to follow the rules of Tanki when signing in. That’s each and every one of us. Now, some will plead ignorance. “Wah. I didn’t know that was against the rules. Wah, wah, wah.” Well, fellow turret turners, you know in school, on the highways and everywhere order is expected and/or enforced, “Ignorance is no excuse.” Good advice is read those rules. If one doesn’t understand one or several, ask more seasoned Tankers, or, even better, ask a Mod. Explanations will come. The Forum also defines and explains. For any lazybones reading, I’ll sneak you a handy, li’l tip. Apply “The Golden Rule,” and nearly every rule’s covered. You know that rule, right? “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Cures lots of issues. Moderators may or may not identify themselves or announce their presence in servers. Some Tankers may feel frustrated when trying to converse with Mods when it’s apparent that they’re present. Understand, fellow Tankers, the Mods are working. Conversational entanglements can get quite involved if enjoined by the Mod. Among other reasons, that may be primary for their reticence, nothing is more pointless than a child’s debate over principle. “Did not. Did too!” Did not!” Mods are not in the game to socialize, at least not when they’re working. As previously noted, Mods are in the game to maintain order and enforce rules for those who scoff at those rules by their words and/or conduct. In fact, were the rules respected and followed by all Tankers, the game and chat would be far more enjoyable for all. Tanki is a community of players, Tankers. Functional communities support and nurture all members. Dysfunctional communities don’t. I spent some time working in bars and nightclubs as a D.J and as a bouncer. I can tell with certainty that I didn’t stay long at places that failed to understand the nature of community and rules. In public, those rules might be called manners. As club staff we monitored the patrons as well as serving them and providing them entertainment. When some knuckle dragger(s) started to bully, intrude and intimidate, we fell on them like a wall. They either became agreeable and polite, or they became vanished. Rest assured, the majority of folks do not go out for a night of entertainment only to encounter some Cro-Magnon thug(s) to spoil their fun and ease. Healthy persons seeking relaxation do not seek confrontation. Only thugs, bullies and drama queens seek that. People stop coming to such establishments that permit thugs to roam. It’s the same in Tanki. Most Tankers come to Tanki to interact with persons from around the world, compete and climb the rank ladder to Generalissimo. They don’t come to be cursed, bullied, embarrassed or cheated. Enter: the noble moderator. S/he comes to assure as much as possible that all may enjoy what Tanki offers. And, you can help! I may be known as the blockmeister. When I moderated, I wasn’t allowed to block users from what I saw of the chat lobby. Can’t moderate what can’t be observed. Now, serving my intolerance for fools and their ilk, I use the block command prodigiously. I do not suffer fools gladly, and the block command enables me to vanish any player who is simply not worth one’s attention. Seek peace. Make it your own. When I do it shows like this. “Welcome to my block list. You are vanished. Buh-bye.” There’s reason behind my repetition of that stock phrase. Remember the lopsided ratio of Mods to Tankers? Well, if we’re to be responsible community members, it stands to reason that we help each other. When observing rules scofflaws, cursers, bullies and assorted ne’er do wells, I let any mods know what they may have missed. When we help Mods, we help our community. Okay. Let’s call the previous remarks editorializing. Now to the nitty gritty. Some of us think we’d like to be a Mod. We fancy ourselves as the cavalry captain leading his charges over the hill and into the fray to rout the nasties, save the good guys and, perhaps, get the fair damsel or, for parity’s sake, the square jawed fellow. Visiting the Forum will allow any to peruse the requirements, get an application and find to whom the application may be submitted. BUT! Are you Mod material? Let’s consider that. 1. Do you have a work ethic? Moderating is work. When doing it, you’re not permitted to play. You may not be blending work time and play. There are lots of servers, and they need constant scrutiny, surveillance and enforcement. There are hours demanded. If you can’t or won’t work enough, you will be dismissed. Enough is defined by Administrators. 2. Are you mature? Seriously, now, are you actually mature? Can you exercise objective conduct? Can you avoid biases, prejudices and dislike for Tankers you might’ve met and found dislikeable? 3. Can you work devoid of outside influences aside from Administrative direction? If you’ve a mate who begs you to ban someone for what they saw, thought or perceived, can you ignore that unless you directly observed it yourself? Additionally, if you’ve a pal whom you observe violating rules, can you, will you, fairly enforce the rules at his/her expense? 4. Are you literate and language competent? Can you properly perceive slang, abbreviations and inferences that intend to offend, insult, defame, shame, exploit, mislead and on? 5. Are you fair minded? Mods have access to Tanker records. They can assess if a Tanker is a chronic violator meriting greater sanction, or if a Tanker is ignorant as a newbie might be, thus more in need of help, correction and simple warning? 6. Are you fastidious regarding record keeping? Certain bans, more hefty ones, require reporting and record keeping so a Tanker’s “karma,” his/her record, informs other Mods as to how severe the sanctions might be for repeated violations. Also, Administrators need records of chronics to determine if game expulsion is merited. Yes! These do occur. So do “fines,” removal of rank, garage items and/or crystals. Tankers who chronically violate rules, chronics, do rise to penalties that really hurt. Moderators’ records assist Administrators in determining when such harsh penalties are called for. Community Tankers will never need to fret and stew over these. Such penalties don’t befall Community Tankers. 7. Is there compensation? Yes. That will be worked out as your do the job and if you do the job well. You won’t get rich, but you will be fairly paid in crystals. Believe me, you WILL earn it. Tanki is a community of players from around the globe. Moderators are those who are charged with the chores described herein. Tanki always needs good, responsible, committed staff to help the project continue growing and improving. So, do you have the right stuff? If so, remember talk is cheap. Deeds, not words. If you could do the job, step up, and prove it. Community members will appreciate it. Scoundrels will howl. They always do. :D