My Experience in Minerva

Since Second Life is based on the principle of buyer beware I feel like it is important for people to post their experiences when using goods or services so that others can make informed decisions. In that spirit, I would like to take a moment to recap my experience in Minerva.

I joined Minerva about a week ago. It is a bit tricky finding the newbie quest so be prepared to closely examine all the items at the telehub. Shortly before I joined the game had started a new quest where you would shoot a Kenny target for score. The one with the highest score after a week would win. Initially I did not pay attention to the quest and focused on learning the game.

Late on my second day I decided to join the quest as the quest as the challenge of starting over a day late appealed to me. I spent a significant amount of time grinding out Kenny kills. I stayed basically to myself as engaging in chatter would just slow me down and I knew I had a lot of ground to make up. Initially my understanding was that you had to have your backpack on anytime in the sim. Being new I did not have the lindens to buy a ton of armor and weapons and in fact would have to take time away from killing Kenny to go gather resources to sell to get money for arrows. I knew I had to be careful around the beholder area where there was a significant amount of Kenny targets to kill in order to stay alive. I noticed a couple of people shooting Kenny that either did not have a backpack on or had 0 life in their backpack. I however needed to keep alive so that I could gather resources for arrow money.

I spent a fair amount of my time the first couple of days gathering resources to pay for arrows. I got my bank account to the point that I could buy 10K of arrows. About that time I was confronted by a lady who informed me that she was going to kill me that night. This is a pvp game at least in certain areas so I just went on about my business. I left the safe area where that conversation took place and was immediately attacked by another high level player who killed me. The lady told the person next to her that is was ok this other person had killed me. I politely asked why they wanted to kill me and she told me I was too much competition. She then went on to explain that her boyfriend owned the only weapon maker in town and that she was also a business partner with the armor maker. They had the markets cornered and wanted to keep it that way.

Since I had made the money I needed and the others were hunting either without backpacks or with 0 life I did not bother to eat. Instead I started shooting with 0 life like the others. I must have really had them scared that I was going to catch and pass the person designated to win as they spent the rest of the days of the quest finding new and imaginative ways to grief me using several friends and/or alts to do so.

I was stopped a night or two later by one of them, a guild council leader, and was told I could not continue unless I ate and restored life. I protested and he told me that he was a powerful person and I better do as he wished or else. To which I responded or what? He told me he would take me to court. I told him go ahead and went on about my business. The next morning I was met by the game administrator, Mister Ambassador. We talked for a few minutes about what was going on. I explained to him that there was nothing in the quest rules requiring life and the others were hunting without life and at times without backpacks. He stated that the quest was designed for anybody to compete, even those who were not playing Minerva. He requested that I not wear my backpack while hunting Kenny. I told him that would be great.

A couple of hours later I was again approached by Mister Ambassador and he changed the rules again. Now I would have to wear the backpack and have life. I explained that this would effectively shut me out of the contest as I would be killed the moment I returned to life each time. His response was that he would protect me on that. Of course, as I predicted each time I regained life was instantly killed. No protection at all. I happened to meet a player who had some beer who volunteered to get me back to 100 health. We went of sim and returned my health. I went back into game and would either run or tp to safe areas anytime one of the players trying to shut me out of the game would approach. So they eventually got wise and using multiple players cornered me into a safe area where I would not be able to get to targets at all. Eventually they came into the area where one of them started off calling me a cheater. After a short conversation they left. Only when they did one of them left a little area where I could make a break for a different safe area so I did. Upon reaching that safe area was jumped and killed by the player who was calling me a cheater. The she openly bragged in group chat that she had done so in violation of the rules and that she did not care. The rules state plainly anyone who kills a player in the safe area will be banned from the game. Mister Ambassador told me that she was banned for 24 hours. ( talk about token punishment.) Which by the way this same player was back in less than 12. I eventually turned in my score card as it was and had a conversation with Mister Ambassador about all the griefing and rules changes during the event. He stated during that conversation that cheating is allowed in game and that he liked it that way as it made it more life like. With only being able to grind half the days of the quest I still almost won it and would have without a doubt without the griefing and multiple rule changes.

This is what I learned through my experiences. There is a conspiracy among the guild leaders and a few players to make sure that the person they want to win the quest wins it. Players will cheat and change the rules to prevent another from being competitive in order to make you pay extreme prices. This of course is my opinion but is backed by a mountain of evidence. I am not saying that you should not play the game. But since the standard is buyer beware you are now be aware of my experience so that you are not taken by surprise when it happens to you.

Can I get some cliff notes?

Here ya go.

Love the pic.... still laughing

LOL

Sounds very similar to a quest a couple of weeks ago when similar type thing happened. Seems like with certain people in that game that not only is cheating allowed but is encouraged. Unless of course you are not one of the chosen. It is pretty obvious you are not so watch out for the super secret closed door guild council meeting where they will convict you without your knowledge and threaten you for having integrity.

All sounds like a massive waste of time, to me.

-Ghoti

Is this about World of Warcraft?

Well if SL is allowed one why is Minerva not! I just kidding...

Closed guild meetings..LOL did you see the 20 odd people we got on Saturday night, the debates the arguments, the complaints the helpful and unhelpful advise.

Minerva is RPG. You come in, you play, sometimes someone will pick on you cause, they just don't like you, every time you walk out the city walks they attack you. Simple you die...

Dear Eve Online, I have just started and I can not destroy a Dregnought your game is rubbish!

The rules are developing and yes that is causing confusion, but having a backpack and eating is part of the rules... Again I'm putting my hands up, I should have scripted it so you could not fire it, tu tu MA, should have done better! But I'll learn, same with the other problem, one part of the rules said black, one said white. Which one is right, well both they are in the rules! So as a RPG we get together (through guild goverment) and say well which one was right, mmm neither it should be blue! and the rule is the published...

Were bring out a Justice force to make sure the rules are A) fresh and clear and B)followed... But I know what will happen... I can see it now, "they are picking on me".

I must admit in all my time in SL I have been a follower of Proks notes and thought he's right there is a FIC in Second life, and then I develop a RPG and figure it out... Some people work harder, play harder and want to win harder, and being in the game longer means they have more resources, better weapons and armour! (prok still think your on to something though! LOL)

Do I wish everyone would play by the rules, of course, can I stop people from not wearing a pack? Nope can I stop them from playing if they are dead, I should have... SIMPLE


Argument back will be, but you change the rules... I even spoke to Jorge, I was happy to let him play with zero life, then a guild member complained, I spoke to the guild leaders asked for a vote 3-1 he had to wear a pack and have life to play. So yes the rules changed, will it happen again, possibly if someone finds a flaw in the game! I offered to protect him, but he failed to reply, so I left (think by that time he was pissed enough) and understandably. By protection I mean follow him around and attack anyone who came near, not script protection or anything.

Closed guild meetings, all chat logs of meetings are in the group forums, remember this is the guy that changed his land to say MINERVA SUCKS! and the guild leaders decieded to leave it.

The other person in question was banned for 24 hours but was allowed back in for the guild meeting and left straight back after it.

no one is saying Minerva is perfect or not needing a lot of work on the rules and policing them rules, but do you want me to get all the players who have enjoyed it, have been sucked in and loving it to post? Cause there are ALOT more happy players than upset players, I wish everyone was happy, but what can a simple man do...

Finally let me say I accept both yours and others complaints and we will strive to make Minerva a better place for everyone! And thank you for the polite manner, Jorge, of voicing your complaints I accept them and wish to move on to make sure it don't happen again!



Mnerva

MA

Well as being a member of minerva sense the start of the game , i have to say i have greatly enjoyed my time there. I've met alot of great people there! As far as this task and the guild task there are things that can be learned from both. The game is still fairly new andthere are things that need to be worked out. i belive that mister does what he can to improve minerva daily, and contiunes to try to get people invest to care about the game that they play. Honestly things happen and people get mad for investing timeinto a quest which they don't win. But at the same time there are rules in minerva and they need to followed, by everyone not just who wants to follow.
Please do not let one persons view of this game stop you from coming and checking it out, as it is a great game and has alot of room to grow
Paine

I already posted my $20L over on the other thread.

Hmm, Jorge is my real name. Where the heck are you from, man?

this thread needs deletyting sad needs to post twice

The reason why is cause obviously the attack was meant to be his persepctive and he took time in writing it leaving those he accuses in defense mode and not given the same proper ammount of time to write down thier defense. There is a few things I'd also like to point out.

1) It was very nice of him to cut and paste from this thread to another. Which will make it all the more harder to defend as now defense of his post will need to be done on two fronts. I will therefore reply to both and cut and paste as well. To see the other thread look here. /165/7e/70249/1.html#post729684

2) This game is a game where you are a trader or a Pirate. This gentleman was a trader but sadly took no precautions to protect himself and by his comments had no intentions of doing so as he was "Only a trader".



He wanted to work easy and paid well.



Now to address his direct comments:



I and many friends have always found the newbie quest right away. Even when it was in a less convient and intuitive spot. Te few new people that did not find it and bothered to ask someone got poinetd and/or walked right to it. If they asked in teh group chat maybe even a TP to the location with a friendly "hello".



I want to stop here to point out a few things. He spent his days talking to noone. He was in a PvP game where he was hoping to earn a very valueable prize that currently sells for between 15-20K L$!!! Others have similiar items and obviously want to get the full set as right now there are 3 of these items. He is seen running around, talking to noone, making errors in judgement or politness, and personally never once returned a greeting. As he states this is a PvP environment and threats are common ground and specially so when souch a valued prize is at stake. I myself dumped out of the contest due to the competitive nature and just the length of time. I choose to do other things in Minerva time.

Now someone notices "Hey this guy is on all the time and we constantly are hearing the shouts every time he kills a Kenny. He might be a threat." So a player or two decide to give him a fair warning that they will do "what ever it takes" to win. Would this not be the same in any other contest the oly difference here is that there are less rules on how to win. As for the pack thing I have no idea that might have been a scripting overlook but this game is very much still developing and rules are still being fine tuned. This isn't WOW or EQ where a guy gets paid $500 a day to work on "Minerva issues". Infact the man running this game has yet to make a profit for even monthly teir as many attempt to support him by a variety of means.



I do not understand most of the history behind all of this but do understand the attack made. Him by TPing allowed him to get away without any damage being dealt to him. Effectivly making the "trader and pirate" scenario and offering of the game totally pointless. This is a problem that is being worked on by the creator but as everyone has experienced 1.7 has caused alot of problems and such. He has had to deviate from his plans to resolve these new problems. It's like the child that plays tag and taunts you but never leaves more then 6 inches between the safety object and his finger tip.

Also in a talk with him he informed me he was "just a trader" and never planned to fight so why would he need armor and weapons. The game by its title of "trader or pirate" would indicate I would need some form of attack and defense. That doesn't mean you arm yourself but, well look at history and see what ideas you come up with. Also I know one person actually denied a request to go after the person until an arrangement was made. Yes they were friend but this was business. Also if this man was going to buy weapons and armor and could afford 10K of arrows (a large feat in gold or Lindens) then why could he not afford the 5 L$ to at elast buy a newbie sword? Not once was he armed in such a manner that I ever saw.



The reason the "bragging" was done was to avoid this situation within the game world. The ban to said player was lifted after 12 hours due to the plantiff (yourself) announced they were leaving the game and handed in thier equipment. At no time before the plantiff handed in thier stated equipment was the offending player allowed back in. As for the rules again this is a developing game that is run by one man lsitening to the people and doing what he can while working with 1.7



*laughs* I wanted to win the contest. After I dropped out 24 hours in I cared less about who won and cared more about who gave me a deal. Extreme prices are hardly true. If you actually stop and try to make friends then people do thing sfor friends. I even know that one players has REDUCED his prices if you provide the material he needs to make the items. You pay for his time or you pay for your time to make the item. When I say reduced I think he sells his swords for...2000 L$ for top of the line and he offered them at...100 L$ if you provide the materials (correct me if I'm wrong a little fuzzy on pricing). It appaers yuo are mad cause you wanted to get the best thing in the game and wanted to pay nothing to anyone else. A "pure profit" business. Also I myself run a shop and while my prices are high I charge for the idea that many know my things are in stock. Most people sell 10 or 20 at a time...I sell 20+ and in one case 200+ a week of material.

There are two paths in this world. Work hard or work easy. You chose to work easy at the purest sense and were/are unwilling to compromise. Others were/are willing to met you half way but you didn't spend the time to look around instead you jumped in to a large contest and screamed when you "got screwed". Before today's post I am sure many including those that "griefed" you would have welcomed you in happily. It was a fierce contest and an expensive one for all. Now sadly I would be amazed if anyone bothered to say "hello" to you.

Sorry for the rant but I have serious dislikes for these types.

Things like what you experienced in Minerva are what happens when minors sneak into SL.

I just want to take a minute and clarify a couple of things. First the post ended up on duplicate threads because I initially posted it under SL Games. The post was removed by Jeska Linden with a message stating that the SL Games forums was for posts pertaining to games in SL. I did send her a quick note explaining that at the time I posted in that forum it seemed to be the most logical place to post and asked if there was a more appropriate forum to post in. I did not receive a response from Jeska and another player I talked with suggested the general forum. After posting in the general forum the original post was returned to SL games and thus two posts.

As for the rest, I intentionally left out names other than Mister Ambassador and only included his name because he openly holds himself out as the game administrator. So I included his name to prevent any confusion. I left the names out because the post is meant for informational purposes not as a personal attack. Some have come out and stated who they are on one or both of the threads and that is their right.

I have no interest in the success or lack of success of this game. I have posted my experiences to provide information to those who may want to try the game. I encourage others to post theirs as well, either good or bad. Some will choose to attack me in the forums instead.

For an informational post you leave out alot of information and actual facts that you yourself directly would know. You leave large gaps in your arguement by stating things you do not know as well. This is nothing more then an attempt at being a child whining that when they did not get thier way are trying to cry to the nearest adult that will hear it.

1) You stated to me in front of others you were a trader and no use for armor and weapons which means the "excessive pricing" you had no desire to engage in.

2) Other players that own these said items actually have alternative payment plans that are much lower and frakly cost very little. You just have to put in the foot work that would do to get the materials to make the armor. These prices were cleary o

3) The day said banned player was unbanned after 12 hours is true. After you gave in and quit. Kinda like having a restraining order on a dead body...makes no sense.

4) I had attempted to say Hi and open realtionships with you on more then one occasion and was met with nothing but a cold shoulder or you whizzing by before anything could be typed. How do you expect to make friends if you don't stop to smell the roses.

I came from a game that has peope like you. There they had a non-cosentuality agreement on the homepage before sign-up in like 52 point font stating what WOULD happen. None-the-less there would be posts in the forums protesting that Person A did horrible things to the player and made them do "mature" acts that caused thier avie to get preggie and they are pissed (Yes it was supported). Sad part is the Player A was an NPC and used a restircted name set.

I've said it before and i'll say it again.

PvP games bring out the best in everyone.

Actually that is the funny thing so far out of ...... 30 people that were whacked by PvP and one outside of a contest time. Only 5 have made a fuss over it and they all had the same personality. I mean heck in one contest mentioned by another poster there was a massive unsuspected PvP attack organized by *duh* the warrior guild. Everyone said thier profanities as they ran for the hills. Being chased by my unarmored and unarmed self...(well except for my piercings down there). People were ticked at first but when it was said and done people had a chuckle over it. Others put up a fight, ran, fought, ran, fought, died, bowed, "good fight".