weilandsmith wrote:massing is fine. raiding, attacking, stealing planets. fine. but when you say that you did this because you are educating people? i am attacking you because i am educating you? that's insulting.
There's a reason they have that saying:
"You never know what you have until it's gone."
A message generally tends to be dismissed and people do not take serious notice and require a defining wake-up call before they take something onboard. I hate to use worldly examples for an abstract war game but it is everywhere. People are usually lax and have a habit of ignoring all the warning signs and act only after something has happened rather then costly pre-emptive preventative measures.
If people lose a lot, they are made aware of just how significant the collateral they have. They learn something and were in fact educated and while a harsh education, it was an education none the less. People learn from their mistakes and there's no finer teacher then Mr Pain.
Loss is a very powerful catalyst for change. Loss tests us, puts us under duress and strain and through this adversity we show how strong we really are. I personally am thankful for the trials I’ve had to go through both in game and in life as it has made me the person I am today.
For some, it is a wakeup call for a change of tactics and methods in allocation of resources from perishable sources to non perishable sources. To judge the validility of their current gameplan and weigh up the costs for each action before commiting to it.
For others, it is a wakeup call for the drawbacks for making the numbers an emotional investment. It allows them to regain control of the game and for it to return as an outlet rather then a sanctuary they never want to leave and have become trapped in.
For others still it wakes them up to the fact that this is an abstract game. That wars do happen, that there are dangers out there and bad people and that they should never let their guard down. It puts the danger and the thrill back into the game and reminds them and all those who bore withness that the galaxy is a very unforgiving place.
For others still it evokes a change, directly letting them taste war and showing them things that they never had the courage to do for fear of loss. With that ice broken they may find revenge and an agressive playstyle more to their liking.
For others still it is a warning of what could happen to them. To make people whisper There but the grace of god go I. It allows them to see power and inspire them to rise to such heights, to be able to weild such divine justice casually and sets a milestone for them to reach.
For others still it is seen as an outrage and a catalyst to force people to band together. To work harder and form their own groups and coalitions and powers to combat such evil while defining themselves as the good guys.
Then there are those who cannot get over losing imaginary resources in which case I suggest a calculator with the +1 function as a safer substitute. The world isn't fair and its best you learn sooner rather then later.
'nuff said.
