Nemesis

Before I start I want to say that this may get a little long. And everything I'm stating is my own opinion. If any Admins here feel that I'm out of line in what I'm saying or totally off base, please feel free to point it out to me. I've just seen a TON of new people on the server with a |TG| in their name and I've never seen most of them post. So I wanted to express my feelings about what it all means.....To me anyway. (Hell, I'm considered a New guy as well.)


I'm wondering how many of you know what goes into putting those |TG| tags on in addition to your Callsign? Or even just playing on the Servers for that matter? Most times, wearing Tags signifies that you've joined, or been accepted to, a Clan/Guild/Team. However, that's not really the case here. Yes, you've joined a group, but most of the rigors of a Competitive Clan don't apply here.

There's no initiation, or vote or application. There isn't a test of skill or a "Trial Period". And there's no specific set of Leaders that bestow the Tags to you after you've "earned" them. Hell, most anyone can put them on to be honest.

So, I can see how that may lead you to think that wearing the |TG| tags is easy. However, you couldn't be more wrong. Yes, putting them on is easy, but the price of wearing them and/or playing on the server the Tactical Gamer way does take a solid commitment.

And that commitment is all based on Honor and a willingness to adapt to a belief.

But before I get into that I have to wonder WHY you want to wear the Tags?

To some, it may be the certain "Status Symbol" they are looking for. Like a "Hey, look at me, I'm in |TG|! I'm da MAN!" In a sense, that view is valid, but it totally disregards everything else that is involved. Because with that "status" comes a great responsibility.

When you decide put that Tag on and/or play here you become a part of, hopefully, something better. Something closer to a family. Here it's no longer all about YOU, but about US. And your actions, good and bad, reflect on everyone that call's Tactical Gamer a home. Those actions include your conduct off the servers as well as on.

See, these Tags don't give you anything. They aren't a key to getting on the server whenever you want. They don't protect you from getting kicked. And they certainly don't make you a better person/player. Yes, there's a certain respect that people will have when they see the |TG| in your name, but it's up to you to live up to that respect. Because it was built on the backs of a lot of other players that have been here doing this for a long time.

They've built a place where the Team comes first. Where people try to play the right way. Where it's about acheiving the Goal of the Team over being the Lord of the Stats. And what's amazing about all this is that once people get a taste of it, they find that they like it. They like it a lot.

Complete strangers with nothing more in common than a server and a specific style of play find that they like it enough that they want to protect it as well as promote it. And in this on-line world that we play in, that is indeed something special.

Ok, this is where I get to the "Honor" part. Many people seem to think that all there is to playing an FPS game is how much Skill you have. They feel that skill covers up everything else and that's all it takes to make a "name" for themselves. Well skill is important but, IMO, attitude makes or breaks you. Skill can be learned, and honed. Honor, well either you have that or you don't. Especially with regards to honoring your commitment to your squad and your team.

I've seen many a great player with no Honor or with that ME first mentality, and personally, I'll take an honorable no skill newbie over a skilled jackass any day of the week. Least with that newbie, the hard part is already done.

Think about it.

Last thing, Always respect the time and effort that the Admin's put into making Tactical Gamer and it's servers go. The people that put in the time and effort to make this place what it is deserve your respect. Have a problem with something? Then voice it in a civil manner and speak how you would like to be spoken to. Yes there are going to be some bugs and glitches but that's the price you pay for having people that are constantly trying to make things better for YOU, the gamers that play here.

Just something to remember next time things get screwy serverside and some frustration sets in.

Think you can do better? Well then go run your own servers. Because, always remember, there would be NO servers/forums etc. for you to bitch about without their sacrifices.

So before you throw on that Tag or just decide to play here, remember what comes with it. It doesn't do anything more than shine a light on you. And add expectations. That when people join a squad with TG people in it they do so with the expecation of some GREAT teamplay. And of playing with a fun group of guys who believe in that style with all their hearts. Now if you can't or won't hold up your end of that, then it reflects on ALL of us that believe in this place and what it stands for. And you'd probably be better off playing someplace else.

Changes the perspective a bit doesn't it?

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Tempus

Very well said, Nemesis. Thank you for taking the time to write that.

As far as myself as a player on the server, the tag means I want to be on that guy's squad. He knows what we're about, he's read our SOPs and rules, and he's a team player.

As far as myself as an admin on the server, the tag means I will be less likely to kick you to make room for a reserved slot holder. I scan through 64 names and try to identify players who are not TG members and reserved slot holders. If I don't recognize your name, you'l a candidate for kicking.

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-- Suits are what you wear when doing things you shouldn’t want to do anyway.

FROM THE TACTICAL GAMER PRIMER.
3) Support game play in a near-simulation environment. Where the focus of play would not be solely on doing what it takes to win, but doing so utilizing real-world combat strategy and tactics rather than leveraging exploits provided to players by the design of the game engine.

DigitalAssassin

Nice job Nemesis!

I think everyone who has jumped on the TG bandwagon since BF2 appeared (me included) needs to be required to read this!

It's the attutide of those who founded TG that has won it the well-deserved respect it has. We are the lucky recepients of a 'for the team, not for me' attitude that started long ago complemented by a game that really allows that attitude to shine.

I have never in my gaming experience felt the sense of strong commitment toward a community that I've found in TG. I have never been one to feel like I need to 'pay to play' and the reality is, especially with the second 64-player server going live, I didn't really need to become a supporting member. I could get most all of the benefits of TG without ever being pressured to contribute a dime.

BUT, when I look at the other 99% of servers out there I see the exact opposite of what I see here at TG and I want to do everything I can to make sure this 'diamond in the rough' is going strong for a long time.

There are others out there that play our style, they just haven't found us yet. Let's keep the beacon burning, it's just a matter of time before they see the light.

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asch

Nice write-up Nemesis. Thanks!

http://www.tacticalgamer.com/showthread.php?t=55411

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"Support game play in a near-simulation environment. Where the focus of play would not be solely on doing what it takes to win, but doing so utilizing real-world combat strategy and tactics rather than leveraging exploits provided to players by the design of the game engine, regardless of the level of advantage, if any, it gives over the opposing team." -- Tactical Gamer Primer

Wyzcrak

Please put that in TacticalWiki. If it's imperfect, it'll get edited by Apophis or some other deity, but at least get it in there.

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Nemesis

Thanks guys. Just needed to get that off my chest.

I wanted to expand my feeling off of that original post Asch. I've just seen some people wearing the Tags and not really living up to what they are supposed to stand for. So I felt the need to rant a bit I guess.

FPS games are known for their "l33t d00d's" and general jackasses. So it was amazing to me to follow a link here and find out that this style of play is indeed alive and well.

However, with how much we want to get the word out to other people that feel the same way, we also have to realize that we're going to attract some people that may not "get it". People tend to look for populated servers with low ping and very rarely check to see what, if anything, that server is all about.

Hell, I've had numerous people ask me how to get into TG. In which case I tell them we aren't a clan and point them here. Now some people that I've seen and played with that have on the Tag's don't always seem like a "TG style" player. I realize that first impressions aren't always correct.....hell even I've had some distracted playing times or in general bad days, but it does make you wonder if some people are playing here without really understanding or caring what the server's playstyle is all about.

And are they putting on the Tags in an effort to make a name and/or try and avoid getting kicked when the admin's clear room and that's it? That worry's me a bit even though I have full confidence that things will get cleaned up as we go along.

To me, the SOP is very clear as was your post on the Tags, however I just wanted to add my voice to it as well without jumping into your "official" thread regarding the issue.

I hope you guys don't mind.

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asch

I like to think of these folks as the uneducated who have chosen the path of the dark-side.

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"Support game play in a near-simulation environment. Where the focus of play would not be solely on doing what it takes to win, but doing so utilizing real-world combat strategy and tactics rather than leveraging exploits provided to players by the design of the game engine, regardless of the level of advantage, if any, it gives over the opposing team." -- Tactical Gamer Primer

Mateo

Nemesis, that's a damn fine post. You've taken the time to put into words something I've felt for a long time.

I've used the words "representative" or "ambassador" to describe what is expected of those who take up the |TG| tag-it's a conscious decision to uphold a certain style of play, no matter where you go.

Make sure this gets into the wiki as Wyz suggests, and if an admin can sticky this, that would be great!

4est

I don't think it's quite a bandwagon. Many of us probably never knew this community existed before getting on BF2 and serching for a server. Once we saw the light (muzzle flash?), we knew this was the the type of community we wanted. That being said, YES, TG is much more than a tag.

Speaking of the tag, how do i get the damn thing to show in my BF2 name without creating a new user?

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Tempus

That is the only way, 4est. Create a new profile.. Sad, but true.

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-- Suits are what you wear when doing things you shouldn’t want to do anyway.

FROM THE TACTICAL GAMER PRIMER.
3) Support game play in a near-simulation environment. Where the focus of play would not be solely on doing what it takes to win, but doing so utilizing real-world combat strategy and tactics rather than leveraging exploits provided to players by the design of the game engine.

TG_Rizzo

Well said, Nemesis and I completely agree. Wearing the TG tag is a privelage, not a right. FOr me personally, it's a way to show support for TG and, hopefully, to be able to lead others by my example of good conduct, fair play, teamwork, etc. etc..

Bottom line is: if you're gonna WEAR it, then you need to LIVE it.

4est

Bleh, that sux Oh well, I only have stats from a couple days of play and only play on the TG servers now. I really enjoy the stats, not a end-all-be-all goal to enlarge my e-penis, but as something to review at a nights end. I can see what classes and weapons I have been neglecting and can work on those.

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Nemesis

Thanks for all the words guys. It's much appreciated.

4est, you don't have to wear the Tag's to show your support and belief in the TG style of play. Hell, I'd think that just posting here and playing the right way on the Servers is enough.

Smoking Tarpan and Wyzcrak are two people that are TG to the core but don't wear the Tag. Yet no one could question that they play the game the right way, tags or not. I know there are PLENTY of others out there that are the same but those 2 guys stand out the most to me. So, as has been said, it's not a requirement in the least.

My words were more directed at the people that do choose wear them yet might not get what goes with it.

As Rizzo said;

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BigTony

I think Rizzo shot |TG| into my ass while I was sneaking around last night....does that count as a tag?

Cur

Well said Nemesis! Bravo Zulu to you.

<-- still feels too much like the "fng" to wear TG