TG-3rd and Community. AKA "Why We Lock Squads"

[Arithea]

Originally Posted by austforbeer

I don't mean to be rude but honestly, if you think the best way to practice against real teams is to play on Pub servers I honestly have to question your experience playing professionally.

Crux isn't saying here that we never scrim other teams, simply that we don't get the majority of our practice in that way. Apparently, it's working (check about halfway down the page for the latest news on the BFCL finals). We've run into some really great strategies on the main TG server that have given us ideas and plenty of insight into our playstyle as a group.

[GlobalWarmin]

Originally Posted by Zoopy_T

Crux: "Ok ladies, todays l33tness comp training exercise will be on the TG server. We will be practicing shooting fish in a barrel."

Hehe. That is about how it goes. Strategies work so much better against unorganized and less skilled players

But, really, people who are all worried about a locked squad of supporting members, especially supporting members who are an IHS, should probably rethink their priorities. No one invites strangers on a trip with them and their friends because there is still room in the car for more people.

[Smachin007]

Originally Posted by GlobalWarmin

No one invites strangers on a trip with them and their friends because there is still room in the car for more people.

I love the analogy global.

[Zoopy_T]

Originally Posted by GlobalWarmin

But, really, people who are all worried about a locked squad of supporting members, especially supporting members who are an IHS, should probably rethink their priorities. No one invites strangers on a trip with them and their friends because there is still room in the car for more people.

I think a more fitting analogy would be that the squad of friends is a group at an office and a pubby is a new employee.

Now when the employees are going out for lunch (i.e: forming a squad) they can either give an open invitation to the New Employee to join them, ask the New Employee directly, or they can leave without asking the New Employee.

Taking the latter option can cause said Employee to feel unappreciated and isolated, which may cause him to quit his job (or if were American, bring a gun to work and cause the squad to disband).

[MDFubar]

The post isn't about locking squads, but the perception some get from the 3rd. I personally think that the the 3rd is a top-notch group of people and they have all earned the respect they recieve. The respect that they do not recieve.....well they probably don't need it from those people anyway.
I have never been snubbed or treated badly in any way, shape, or form by any member of this IHS.
The drilling and constant practice is a must to stay competitive and it show in thier teamwork and play style.
Now as for the playing in our server thing, you take a squad of 5 or 6 and you try to accoplish specific goals against a team of 24(which in a competition would probably only be 5 or 6) and it makes you work better. More people from more directions. Yeah, there are more on thier team too, bubt unless you have ever competed in real tourneys...you just don't know.
I ahve competed for about 8 years on and off, thier level of respect for everyone and thier level of play in awesome. Whomelse offered to spend quality one-on-one time with someone to help them better themselves with no compensation in any way. Another words, they gained nothgin from it...they helped the community.

This was a great post Crux!

[Crux]

Originally Posted by Zoopy_T

I think a more fitting analogy would be that the squad of friends is a group at an office and a pubby is a new employee.

Now when the employees are going out for lunch (i.e: forming a squad) they can either give an open invitation to the New Employee to join them, ask the New Employee directly, or they can leave without asking the New Employee.

Taking the latter option can cause said Employee to feel unappreciated and isolated, which may cause him to quit his job (or if were American, bring a gun to work and cause the squad to disband).

If this the analogy we're using, then I'd say it is more as follows:

The squad is a department at work. Sometimes they ask the nice folks from the department across the hall to lunch. Sometimes they do working lunches and don't.

[Augustus Gloop]

Also, keep in mind that we only occasionally lock squads. I spend a lot of time SLing people I've never seen on the server before, and I've had many of you in my TEAMWORK squad, and been a part of many of the squads you've led.

[Lyramion]

You guys made me hungry

[Azura]

Thanks a lot Crux for making this post!

Though I haven't been able to get on the server the past few weeks, during the day when I get home from work the first thing I do is run a few Learn TG squads. You may find me locking those in the beginning, trying to invite players from previous rounds who seemed to be having a blast and a great time learning this awesome way of playing. As much as I love the 3rd, the TG community as a whole comes first, I enjoy searching all over the place finding battlefield fixes, running a Tech Support (which has been rather successful!) all day when I'm around! Remember the love

[Wineo]

The guys in the 3rd are the best. Perhaps that's why we all want them on/in our squads. I play the TG server almost exclusively these days because I like the teamwork and the fact that the game is played the way it's supposed to be (although I did get kicked a couple weeks ago improperly - I was legit in the base and if I was wrong I'd love an explaination - no worries).

Here's the thing - we all want to play in squads with OTHER TG MEMBERS becase we, frankly, are the only people playing the game who get it. I've noticed that most people in TG wait for a TG squad to form up and then join it. The locks are a real bummer.

Do what you like, this was a good discussion, but whenever posible; let's keep those squads unlocked.

[jazy2]

Locking the squad = your right!
Practicing together = your right!
Any of you as my SL = my wish!

Do what you gotta do. I will wait for my turn, as should others who wish to play with you lot. Correct me if I am wrong but we are talking about TGU instructors here, forum admins and wiki tactical guide writers! Nobody else gives more back to the community than you lot = FACT.

Don't let the haters get you down. You lot do run unlocked squads when you can, you train others when you can and I commend one and all for their efforts and say to you this.....

KEEP IT UP!! I salute you all!

[Augustus Gloop]

Originally Posted by Wineo

(although I did get kicked a couple weeks ago improperly - I was legit in the base and if I was wrong I'd love an explaination - no worries).

Speaking as an admin, we're human, our admin tools are less than we'd like, and we make mistakes all the time. I'd be glad to discuss the kick with you if you like, just drop me a line in the Contact a 2142 Admin forum.

[sgt fetterman]

arrrrr! {eyes crux's admin's hat laying unattened on the side table, wonders how much shiney gold it will fetch}

[FYAH29]

Well said Crux and understood. As a member of "another" IHS who competes in BFCL I'll chime in and say that the 3rd (and the 9th) have always been open to practice and scrim with the goal of improving both squads. Generally we're the ones who "reap" the benefits of practice and scrims more than they do, but that's never stopped them from making the offer or accepting our request. I've now competed fully in the last two BFCL seasons, and as challenging as the Conquest server is, playing in 8v8 or 5v5 infantry only against other like minded squads requires a higher level of overall play. I welcome the challenge of having the 3rd on the other side. It gives me and my squad something to work for. Keep practicing, lock occasionally if you need to, and continue to bring the pain.

[DunNa]

I am not loved D:

I got kicked from a 3rd squad once and I was alittle "well thats lame" at the time since it wasn't to get a friend or someone else in. Though to be honest I say just do whatever you feel is best. If you step on afew peoples toes cause they can't hear your sexy voice in voip, I think there toes needed stepping on.