asch

State of the Union Address

Tactical Gamer has grown by leaps and bounds over the past few years. Throughout this period we have experienced our ups and downs. We've received and read a lot of questions and comments about our growth, direction, benefits, and issues. We wanted to try and address some of these questions and concerns community-wide and open up the communication channels throughout the community. So let us start with our first State of the Union Address.

As some of you are aware, Tactical Gamer has surpassed the 20,000 registered user mark We are also approaching the 750,000 posts mark. It is great to see the growth and activity of our community. With this growth we have had the opportunity to reach out to a more diverse group of players. This has changed the dynamic of Tactical Gamer but it has not changed our focus. Recently we've had questions asked about what the niche of Tactical Gamer is. Some folks have even mentioned that they do not fit within a perceived niche. We'd like to help clarify this.

Tactical Gamer's niche is mature, teamwork oriented gaming with a focus on the objectives.

Many of you will question where "realism" fits into this niche. When Tactical Gamer was much smaller in size and supported fewer game servers, we traditionaly hosted games like Ghost Recon, America's Army, and Operation Frontlines. These games themselves contained more features focused on realism. This inherently led to folks believe that Tactical Gamer was only about "realism". This is not the case. While we do want to promote "realism", we want to promote it in games where it applies.

This belief that Tactical Gamer was only about realism often led to questions about our support for game titles that definitely did not fall into this realm. We'd like to direct you back to the earlier statement of what our niche is. Mature, teamwork oriented gaming with a focus on the objectives. A while back we put together the Tactical Gamer primer to try and address this but there is still some confusion over the matter. We've adopted the term "simulation" so let me explain this further.

Simulation does not equate only to realism.

When we refer to simulation, we speak of playing the game within the confines of the world the game creates. Simulation in a game like Armed Assault relies heavily on the realism aspect. When we refer to a game like World of Warcraft, we're speaking of a world where elves and wizards and other fantasy elements exist. In both cases the players should immerse themselves in the world created by the game. In both cases our niche is still mature, teamwork oriented gaming with a focus on the objectives.

The two games mentioned above offer two opposite ends of the spectrum. We have quite a few games that fall somewhere in between. These games include BF2, CoD4, Frontlines, etc. All of these games will cater to the mature, teamwork oriented gamers with a focus on the objectives. Some of these servers will incorporate game modifications that cater to those who enjoy a more realistic approach to gaming while others will retain an emphasis on the vanilla settings. And in some cases we will be able to support multiple servers that cater to both.

There will be differences of opinion and preferences and that is perfectly ok. What we do expect out of our players is that they handle these differences in a mature and respectful manner. It is not wrong to differ in opinion but it is wrong to belittle each other for differing opinions. There should be a mutual understanding of these different preferences instead of a chasm between the varying groups of players.

To facilitate this we are working to get all of our administrators on the same page. A round-table has been created for our administrators to participate in and discuss issues like this that are seen throughout Tactical Gamer. These administrators can then work with their players. This should help make the transition from one game to another and from one preference to another. We ask that the players discuss perceived issues and provide feedback to these administrative teams. We have recently created "Contact an Admin" sub-forums for most games to make this communication easier and more efficient. Utilize these communication channels and speak with your administrators.

With this growth and the wide range of personalities we do understand that there are going to be issues. Issues with servers, with players, with administrators, and decisions. We can't guarantee that everything is going to be perfect right out of the gate. We can't guarantee that everything is going to be perfect down the road. What we can do is promise that we will listen to the feedback of our players and attempt to learn from the past. This means that we need the feedback from our players. There are a multitude of communication channels for our players to reach out. These include the "Contact an Admin" forums, teamspeak, PMs, emails, instant messenger, and so forth. Each individual should be able to be reached through one of these channels.

Tactical Gamer has adopted a certain level of organizational structure to make this communication more efficient. When dealing with game specific issues or player issues within a specific game, a player may contact the game's administrators. The "Contact an Admin" sub-forums are a great way to do this. If there are issues with the game administrators the next contact point is the game officer. For issues with game officers or issues that are outside of a specific game, a player may contact the Tactical Gamer administration. We do want to open these communication channels with the community.

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Little asch



Don't be a Help Vampire!

Atomic Dog

Hooray for TacticalGamer and Hooray for the players who keep this community thriving!

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Dirtboy

It's good to see this community grow the way it has been. I remember when I joined several years ago, we still had the baby-poop green scheme for the website. And to see new people joining everyday is a proud feeling to see.

Well done everyone!

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|TG-6th|Dirtboy

BigGaayAl

It is good to see a return to the question of what TG is. No doubt this will need to be done regularly as TG evolves. 20.000 registrations is a huge number. I hope TG never becomes a gaming community like all the others. The TG primer is like the contitution of the community, and it is one of the rare communities that has one. Other communities have rules, but not a guiding principle or goal as such.

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If a cluttered desk is the sign of a cluttered mind, what is the significance of a clean desk?
Laurence J. Peter (1919 - 1988)

Magnum50

OK...so all the replies ain't all kissy kissy... lol


It is a good speech and a good position TG has taken, but it doesn't change the fact that our bigger membership number has brought in more, "what can TG do for me", instead of "what can I contribute to this group".


Don't get me wrong, I love what TG is, and what they stand for... and even with what I call the new "breed" of gamers here, TG is still alot better then most other groups out there... but I am going to point out a few things that have really pissed me off lately, so it can be addressed, ignored, or deleted.


1. To me Tactical Gamer has become more Action Gamer then Tactical Gamer... hey, if thats what the majority wants then I'm fine with that, just don't like it... the BF (tactical action) game type servers seem to be the popular ones, while it's almost impossible to pull people into a more tactical game like America's Army, SWAT, GRAW, or ArmA (which has made a surprise turn around in the last month, but still nothing like the action games.)

Point: All the new membership is here for the tactical action, but few are here for the old school tactical action.


2. Community involvement, now I'm not just talking about the work I've done and shared, I'm talking about anyone who's contributed information, screens, videos, AAR's, reviews, previews... etc etc to this community... That information takes alot of work and dedication from members of this community... but yet I always notice no replies, or thanks, or comments...and if so only one or two comments, while pictures or screens of off the wall stuff like death bunnies or whatever gets tons of views and more replies... Just look at the topics in the sandbox, crap like that get pages of replies, but a preview or a review, or a article gets maybe one or two replies.
Not that I think that anything and everything someone shares here shouldn't be ran into a spot light or hailed to the chief, but words of appreciation should be noted, it tells the contributor that the work is appreciated and even if a negative comment, how to improve.
IE: The Call of Duty review, after that review thats when I decided to leave the content group... the biggest game of the year, and besides 2 comments, I had to ask what people thought of it, what should of been included, and how to make my reviews better... and then also, a review of the biggest game of the year, and it sits in a forum, why was it never approved for the front page?

Point: This community is more about what TG can do for them, instead of being apart of the community as a whole.


3. In house groups, IMO have ruined most games or servers here for regular members. Ya they will deny this, of course they want to defend there group. But I have seen it over and over, earlier with the BF2 crowd, and now with the ArmA and CoD4 crowd... they get together and work and play together, leaving anyone without there tag out... not all the time, just most of the time that I've connected and checked out a server or two... it's all about there group and there game, anyone not in the group is an outcast and left to be rear guard, or not included at all. I could understand in house squads for online competitions but I disagree with them being part of the TG online play. Either your TG or your not. But this won't change, or won't even be identified as a problem, why? Because 80% (guessing) of the admins and game officers belong to a in house group.

Point: In house squads should be for outside completions, representing TG, not there own group within the TG servers.


4. Same game admins... Exactly how many games can you effectively admin? I mean, even if you gamed every night, how are you admining game servers when your a game admin for 3,4, sometimes 5 games... you can't, not effectively...and if you did you would probably go insane and quit eventually... but yet the same handful of members seem to be appointed to game/server admins for every game. And then quite a few of these server admins are out of control with the power, I've never been banned or kicked from a game server, because I play the game when i connect to a server, but these holier then tho server admins have attacked, locked or deleted post in the forum bringing up legit complaints and problems, then hide behind there position as not to have to answer or address the situation. It's pathetic... locking or deleting threads should be a last resort, thats what forums are for to discuss and addresses problems and situations, but yet they want no unhappiness, or decent to be shown in the forums, making sure everything LOOKS Rosie.
And why would anyone be allowed to admin more then 2 game servers? I mean, you said it yourself, there is a crap load of members here, enough members for a group of 5 to admin one game server, that way the can concentrate and admin the server they love and work for. but then they got to remember that the game admins work for the interest of the supporting membership, the server should be ran in the interest of TG as a whole, NOT for there own group of friends or in house squad.

Point: Some of TG's game admins, and even some of these "Tactical Officers", think they run everything the way they want to without taking into consideration the good of the whole group, or the supporting members. The game officer or admin that says... "I don't care what the majority wants, I run the server my way" (actual statement by an admin), has got it all wrong... sure if the majority of the people want the server ran a certain way and it sticks to the guidelines of TG then that should be the direction, even if you don't like it, otherwise quit the position.


Conclusion: Like I said, I have loved being a member of TG for a number of years now, when I first joined it was truly a great experience with hardcore players willing to be apart of a community that practiced tactics and teamwork. A group that worked together to play the game like it was designed, and with the objective in mind... today, IMO, it seems to be what will being a member of TG do for me, why can't I have the server my way, why can't just my in-house group play, what does my membership fee get me, why should I waste my time and contribute screenshots, videos, or AAR's. I don't have time to read or comment on things in the community forum, unless it's the sandbox then, I'll make time for that.

Tactical Gamer, still a better place then most others, but not the tactical powerhouse it was years ago, it's now the premiere actionhouse web group.

Good luck folks, thats the direction TG wants to go...then more power to you, as for me, I think the action gamer isn't for me anymore, time to move on...was a blast while it lasted. And I'll still be around, just not as dedicated as i was before to this group, it's servers etc etc.... (not meant to sound like a "take your toys and leave", but a heartfelt thank you and good night.

OK, I ranted enough, got to go to the gym, got my blood pressure up again. lol

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Magnum
www.simhq.com

Catman1975

I always start browsing the forums through New Posts, now I'm on the forums quite a bit, but the shear number of posts in any given 1 hour time frame numbers in the hundreds usually, for people who may log on once a night or every other day, that's a lot of posts to look through. With this many posts it's going to be hard for anyone to look through everything. I agree that a lot of people are wanting to know what TG can do for them, but I think that's from the Supporting Members and not the community as a whole and why shouldn't we ask what is being done for us, we pay to keep the community going, as long as it's not all you do, I don't see that as a problem. I agree though it's rough spending hours editing video for an AAR or a recap of a scrimm and only getting a handful of responses. I think most members look at it as information, something that was shared and don't want to post a seeming meaningless Thank You post. I also think unless you solicit feedback from your audience you're not going to get any, the community assumes that you are happy with your AAR or review and just posted it for their review and don't want to come off as an a$$hat criticizing your hard work if you didn't ask for it. I very often use the Rep system to post little thank yous instead of making a Thank you post, that I see as purely increasing my post count.

I see your point and to an extent I agree, but I originally joined TG to have access to the 2142 server, later on an IHS formed that I was invited to join. We spend time in our private forums getting to know each other very well and cracking up and knowing how each other works. Why wouldn't I want an entire squad of friends that I know intimately to play with. If we had a forum outside of TG and only played on the servers, we would still all squad up together and play and have fun. Now I obviously haven't had the same experience as you have had on the games, but I've never been excluded from any TG squad even before I became a supporting member and (originally) wore the TG-21st tags.

Yesterday I would have 100% agreed with this, but I was talking with an admin yesterday that I had considered throwing my hat in the ring to be a FFOW admin, but I wasn't able to game a lot and while I am in the forums constantly I am not always able to be in game where I thought the admins should be. He said he originally thought the same thing, but when you're in game you kind of get lost in what you're doing and are just playing the game, but when your browsing the forums, handling issues, and admining the game through the console, you're really taking on more of an admin position in them game. Now I don't know how the other games work, but with 2142 you can monitor everything without having to be in game. So this could work out for a person admining several games, through the forums and game consoles, etc.

Well I can't give you rep right now Magnum, but I did like your post. I can't say this without sounding like an a$$, but aren't you leaving for the same reason that you are scorning the rest of us for? TG doesn't do what you think it should so you are leaving.

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sc1ence

TG players need to have a deep understanding of the content of the original post to continue fostering the growth and success of TG. I am not surprising anyone by saying that this has been a thorny issue for quite some time. A good deal of undesirable conflict arose during the launch of a few recent games as a direct result of people not really understanding clearly what TG is all about. Some seem to wish for a return to the good old days when TG seemed focused on realism while others thought TG was just about teamwork, immersion in the game world be damned. The post by asch really clears things up. Thanks. Hopefully this post comes just in time to make the launch of FFoW a drama free process.


@ mag

1. Most of the newer peeps to TG are here for the tactical action. The same is true across the internet. hardcore tactical shooters are no where near as popular as action shooters with some tactical elements. I like that TG has this hardcore tactical element. It is not something I often prefer, but it is nice as a change of pace. Even if hardcore tactical shooters are in the minority here at TG, there is no reason you can not be a strong minority.

2. I have not seen a change in the number of people willing to foster the growth of the community. I would expect this number to grow as a function of our player base. But it has been pretty stagnant over the past year.

3. The topic of IHS and their place at TG I think is a great one worthy of discussion in another thread. I see both sides of this issue and it is one that I have thought deeply about.

4.I think multi admins can be quite helpful. Trustworthy people are good for any game.They may be less active as admins, but when they act, it is beneficial to the community. no harm in admining for the games you play if you can help each of them.

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__3rd SFD__

Exploding_Silver

kissy kissy

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Atomic Dog

This isn't the fault of TG. Games like AA, SWAT, GRAW and ArmA will always be niche games. Popularity will always wax and wane. The playerbase in those game will either remain entirely dedicated for years or move on to something else once the crowd has moved on. Games like BFx will always remain wildly popular because they're simple, fast and you can generally get on the servers at any time and get a game in.


I've noticed that TacticalGamer News has been highlighting an "AAR of the Week" nearly every week. Though I'd like to see an "AAR of the Week" come from each title TG carries that has an AAR posted that week. When I post AARs or reviews, I don't expect thanks. I do it to share the knowledge and pass on the info. If nobody takes notice, I still often review my own AARs for insight from time to time.


I can only speak for ArmA since I'm the leader of the only IHS who ever does any private practice on ArmA and so I must assume it's the 4th you're talking about...

We do this one night a week. One night. It isn't all the time by any stretch of the imagination. And currently we're trying to pull more IHS's into our ArmA nights in an attempt to promote interest of the game. Also, we do this on a private server. The public server is still running. Anybody is free to play there during this time.

I don't think IHS's have ruined TG or the games here. In fact, in the leadership forums we discuss what IHS's can do for TG to help promote growth in the community and how we can bring players closer to the TG philosophy through our respective IHS's.


If you don't have access to the Admin Roundtable, then you're not privvy to the discussions being held to bring adminning throughout TG to a level of consistency within the framework of TG for the betterment of TG. Though I have to disagree with much of your statement. I can't think of anyone who's actively adminning more than 3 games. Most only admin 1 maybe 2. This is a common misconception because you cannot possibly witness what happens behind the scenes when it comes to adminning at this community. Is it grueling work? Certainly is. Is it thankless? Yup. Do we do it because we love TG and want it to be a better place? Damn right we do. God knows I don't get paid to do this.


Conclusion and Point: There's going to be players who are here for the games and what TG can do for them. Then there are going to be those who love TG and want to know what they can do to help it grow and thrive. Both of those people are welcomed here so long as they come in the spirit of Teamwork, Maturity, Respect. Admins aren't conspirators trying to build their own gaming empires. IHS's aren't out to isolate themselves from the community. Your assumptions are purely that and lack perspective into what actually is being done behind the scenes in regards to all your concerns.

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Echo4Hotel

I am new to TG and won't be shy. I have enjoyed it so far and it is due in large part to the people here. I have mainly played on the CoD4 servers and not once have I ever felt like I was not welcome. I did not become a supporting member for the first couple of weeks and that never made me feel like an outsider. The guys on those servers have been a blast to play with and seem like a great group. Some are members of IH squads and act no different IMO. Most all of them try to uphold the server rules by interpreting the spirit of that rule and not by calling people out by the letter of the rule.

While playing BF2PR it felt a little more cliquish, but I assume that is because the game is more established. I never felt unwelcome at all, in-fact just the opposite. A couple of guys went out of their way to invite me to their squads when they were leading because they knew that I was a new guy.

I am not discounting the above posters complaints because I am old enough to know that in any community this size you are going to have varying opinions. I just wanted to share my experiences as a new community member.

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Death Before Dishonor

Beatnik

It's precisely this attitude amongst "old skoolers" like yourself that's alienated otherwise outstanding teamplayers from TG.

Perhaps if you entered a server without a prejudice against a number in a tag you and others would have a better experience. Because the IHS members are among the most committed team players on the servers, and in my experience have NEVER put the squad above the team.

Also, "their" is the possessive you're looking for. "There" is a location.

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Magnum50

oh don't get me wrong... I understand it's not just the group of people, but the direction of games in general... and thou it sounds like i'm doing nothing but bitchin, it's mearly an attempt at bringing problems I've seen develop to the light... but of course some of you take it as an attack, why...because you don't agree or support my view or opinion...instead of trying to shift blame, why don't you explain how or why I am wrong.

Actually my point, Welcome to TG... glad you like what you've found here...it is a great place, but your the majority now...looking for the action games here at TG, and again thats fine... but thats the majority of the game play now.

I didn't think I was scorning anyone...funny how if someone don't agree they take it as an attack or something, lol... I'm not an action gamer, I'm a tactical gamer... thats what I mean by leaving, just not playing the games that are popular here, not like "quitting", take my toys and go home. I'm still here posting and reading.

what attitude? because I disagree with a few things... I have an attitude, lol.... thats pathetic.... you don't know me at all...

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Magnum
www.simhq.com

Beatnik

No "you" don't have an attitude. It's the attitude that IHS's "ruined most games or servers here for regular members" that's certainly not specific to you, but to a lot of "old skoolers" like yourself, that I was referring to. It's an attitude of prejudice (literally pre-judging) against people, making these wild assertions of less teamplay or lower quality teamplay on the server when I can say with 100% confidence that that is not the case.

IHS members have the highest levels of teamwork on all the TG servers. Period. That's, after all, the point of the squads. Any appearance of teamwork suffering due to an IHS presence on the server is all in your head.

I make no claim to knowing you. I'm just replying with residual indignation to yet another groundless attack on IHSs by someone who's obviously not played with them very much at all.

And no need to act like you just "disagreed" with a couple things and are now being attacked. If you're going to make such broad, sweeping assertions against people like myself, at least man it up and don't play the "I'm just disagreeing with a few things" card when your criticism is answered by someone who you just criticized.

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Catman1975

I highly respect you Magnum and scorning probably wasn't the correct word I was looking for, but I think you understood the meaning of my post.

I am truly glad that you aren't giving up and leaving TG, I had grossly misinterpreted what you had posted. I also thought there were a great number of "tactical" gamers with TG that were very active. I've tried to go the "tactical" route and I don't have the patience for it, but I know if I ever went that route, TG would be the only place I would attempt it.

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Echo4Hotel

Not trying to stir the pot or frustrate you, but I have to say that I think this is an inaccurate assumption on your part. You assume that all of us who are new to the community are only looking for action games. I would say that is not true. The whole reason I grabbed BF2 out of the bargain bin was because of how much more tactical you can be in PR (never even played vanilla). Would I like to see more tactics used in CoD4 yes, and I think it will evolve as larger maps and different mods are released. Right now it is the same rush over and over, but we have a good time killing each other and shooting the crud with one another.

By you making general sweeping judgments on people you can alienate them more than embrace them. I know that is not your intention, just want to hold that mirror up and encourage/challenge you to look at your own assumptions and paradigms to see where you might be contributing to the change in the atmosphere.

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Death Before Dishonor