I orginally posted this thread on the BF2 forums back in 2005. Battlefield 2 had just launched and I'd been seeing some disturbing things happening with the HUGE influx of new people that the game was bringing to TG. Things that had me worried.

I had been a newcomer to TG at that point, but realized that I had basically come home when I found this place. Its ideals, beliefs and style of play were things that I had been looking for for a loooooong time. As I look back on it now, it still amazes me how special this place is and how awesome a collection of people it has attracted.

Some of you may read this and think I was drinking to much of the TG kool aid when I wrote it, and that's fine. To each their own and I respect that opinion. But if that's all you take away from it, then maybe this really isn't the place for you. If you're only here because you ping great to our servers and/or you like the competition then no worries, you're more than welcome. Just remember to follow the house rules and have fun.

However, if you're like me and so many others that have come to appreciate this place, then maybe...just maybe you've found that place you've been looking for. Where an amazing group of people believe in the same things that you do. Team. Honor. Respect. Words that are sadly, far to absent when it comes to on-line gaming.

To be clear, you don't have to wear the |TG| tags to be a part of Tactical Gamer. There are MANY members that don't use them and represent this place with distinction. So while my post used the Tags as a reference, at its heart, its about buying into a belief and representing this place the way it deserves, Tags or no.

For all that have read this post already, I hope you forgive me for re-posting it here. This is in no way a replacement for official policy which can be read here: http://www.tacticalgamer.com/faq.php...earing_tg_tags

This is all my personal opinion and any issues with it should be directed at me alone. I just felt it was relevent considering some of the early bumps we've had with TF2 and the amount of interest the game has drawn. For everyone that commented and added their own opinions to the original, you have my utmost appreciation. It has truely been my honor.

http://www.tacticalgamer.com/battlef...amer-tags.html


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 servers with a |TG| in their name and I've never seen most of them post. Not that that's a requirement or anything, but it has given me some pause.

So I wanted to express my feelings about what it all means.....To me anyway.


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 our servers 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 goals 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 its servers go. These people that give up their personal time 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 some serious expectations. When people join a squad or server with TG people on it, they do so with the expecation of some GREAT teamplay. As well as playing with a fun group of guys and gals 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?