My experince 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 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 off 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 aware of my experience so that you are not taken buy surprise when it happens to you.

Yeowch. I can't really say much about the experience itself, since I haven't really engaged in play in Minerva (I've been there, but not played). However, I kind of gathered that the entire reason to PLAY these games is to have FUN... it sounds as if these people did their absolute best to ensure that that did not happen for you. If this behavior did indeed occur, then I suggest that the Lindens open up another teen grid, because it sounds like some more people need to be relocated there (and I say ANOTHER teen grid, because I wouldn't want the poor teens to have to deal with people like these).

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

As for people running around with sero life...and i know you mean me!

I was told to stop and i didnt even know i was dead at first then everytime i died i had beer to fill me back up!

And for killing you repeatedly! Yupe me again and at this point i was happy to. And its funny that granted it was said no pack needed, but guess what you bought and used a pack whigh makes you a Minerva player and subject to the rules.

You stated you were playing Minerva not just killing Kennys so you collected and sold items in ganme but when it came time that some one said you needed to follow same rules we have to follow you rip on people.

And i do not approve the fact you got killed in safe zone and you know it but you like to say "The Decided Winner." If you sat and asked instead of screaming "They are all against me!" You would come to understand no body really wanted me to win and anyone who didnt want me to didnt care!




So in short Minerva is fun and a great game! If you sat and played you make close to 400-600L an hrs but we all play and get along..

But there are times when some people who think they are gaming gods andd come in and think they can fudge the rules and people need to see it not all MA we all need to work to improve the game.....

Jorge - while there is truth to your tale there is a large amount of untruths also. I can see how you would not like to be attacked and felt ganged up on. However, you act like everyone has a ton of skill and armour. In fact I would estimate only about 20% of players have any armour and the great majority are still at 1 skill point.

As for others playing with 0 life on their packs - I would love to hear who that was. Minerva is a pretty small place and it all gets around and the only person spotted with 0 life was you. As a guild leader I hear all the complaints and the only one I heard about was you. I know J also said if you see others with 0 life to call us or take a picture but as far as I know nothing came of that at all and you never gave names. I have seen the chat logs from you and J and he did not speak to you in the manner in which you are accusing. In fact you were the one that was accusatory and threatening.

As for K being predetermined to win - I would beg to differ. The people you accuse of accosting you include the only weapon maker and it was a given K was going to get the weapon maker. They did not really want that to happen. As I have an armour maker I would also like to point out that it's not the only one - K has the other so now he's got quite a good position for himself. And he's worked hard for it and deserves it. As for prices - they are as high as they are because of the time and price to collect the supplies. For a $1500L pc of armour I pay $820L in supplies by buying directly from players on the trading floor (plus another $150L in the trading ball rentals) and then spend all the time putting them through the makers. If you look at the prices you save a significant amount of money if you bring the completed supplies - about 2/3 of the price actually.

As for the rules - the Minerva rules have always been you have to have a pack on while on the sim. And you can do nothing but fish with 0 life. Just because you can game the system doesn't mean it's within the rules. While the quest tasks did not actually say you had to have a pack and life points, the game rules do and the quest is part of the game.

Guild leaders are not in cahoots - as a matter of fact there are disagreements between some of us. But we work together and put those aside. We answer directly to our guilds and work to make the game better for everyone. Minerva actually takes working together to get ahead and those of us that are ahead have learned how we can work together to all accomplish things. We work against each other also for our own goals. But in doing that you need to keep in mind when you start burning bridges and start alienating yourself it's very difficult to do anything.

As for the rest, I cannot comment because I do not know. But, I would like to ask you to consider one thing - If you had won a maker this weekend, after the way you won it and the way you acted to several people do you think you would have been able to make a good business for yourself? Reputation has a good deal to do with business and bad first impressions take a lot of work to overcome.

I am speechless - jorge Carnot - ummm if you want to play a real game - try WoW, EQ, EQII, Guild Wars.

If you want to play games here - watch for the Game developers events - there are some really creative people creating fun and fair games.

Do not let Minerva ruin your SL experience. Minerva is just one small drop in this huge experiment. There are lots of other places to visit and things to check out.

Try the Fishing contest Go Fish

wow so what r the titles and who is the publisher of your other fiction novals u r so great at makeing things up did u even read the rulle book look on the site ect if u ghad u would have seen if u want to learn to play the game and achieve anything u need to complete the newb quest kiull kenny was for players who had finished the quest and wanted to become a merchent and eiser way i have only been playing minerva a few weeks have been learning alot i didnt even bother to kill kenny im learning to be a tradesman i colect goods and sell them to those that need them thats basicly one the main areas of makeing gold in this game u need gold to make thing buy the equipment ect u should sit down and read the rules and stuff pay attention and keep up the fictional writeing for other things purhaps u play for another rpg game and u r just a griefer??? seems so to me most what u said was crock of crap made up point black anyone who actuly reads the minerv hand book ect will knwo this take the time and actuly learn the game iv had no probs and every one including members of other giulds r always willing to help me learn cuase i listen to what they say and learn from it i dont challenge everything like a 2 yr old if any one needs to be on the teen grid it may b u if u dont like minerva cuase u r one them peopel that think u got to be number one without earning it then find another game this ones not met for u

Easiest way to get life...

Hmm what strikes me is that other than Jorge's original, well written impression about this game, all the other posts are totally unreadable pieces of diatribe, and these are supposed to be the games' creators and guild leaders?

Time for some age checks and another place to find entertainment IMHO...

*X*

ya so sorry im not in running for the book writing awards im not a leader im just a new player trying to learnrn the game

I started Minerva a week ago too. Unlike Jorge, I actually played the game.

I started out where everyone does, I bought myself a backpack and a newbie sword. Then I grabbed a notecard about the game and spent some time reading the rules and about how to play. I tried to get a newbie quest ball (It wasnt hard to find at all, it's right next to the notecard about Minerva) but for some reason Jilly Bean likes to be difficult and couldnt grab one. So I ran around the island for the evening, and finally settled on some fishing. The next day I saw Mister Ambassador on and told him about my problems with the quest ball, he immediately remedied the problem for me and I was off on the newbie quest!

After the newbie quest I proceeded to do what I imagine most people do, began making minerva gold and Linden to further advance in Minerva. Along the way I met nothing but helpful people. Everywhere I turned, if I had a question it was answered. I've never met so many people who were willing to be so generous with their time.

I had asked about the Kenny quest and quickly decided that wasnt the thing for me to be doing so soon. Why? Well first of all, being a game where PvP is allowed I could imagine that people might kill me to slow my progress. And, what would I have done with a weapon maker anyways? I didnt and dont have the resources to make weapons or the means to buy them yet. I'm not saying that no one should hop right in and try to win challenges like that, but you need to think of consequences that may arise from doing so. It's obvious that not everyone has a weapon maker from the very first time you visit Minerva, so it stands to reason that more experienced players are going to be trying to win it.

I have yet to be attacked by another player on Minerva. Now this isnt to say that I wont log on today and be attacked as soon as I leave a safe area. But hey, I spent my first week making friends in Minerva rather than enemies like Jorge did, so I'm not too worried about it.

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. /108/24/70261/1.html

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.

Don't forget guys, Minerva is a game within a game, dont let the bigwigs get ya down. Just keep trying and doing your best, even when say no, get back up and stab in the back...and twist, Twist, TWIST!! No matter what happens just try yaz best always ^_^ let the admin take care of the ones causing most trouble. Also there is no sence in following the footsteps of another who's wrong set your own path and do what you do. Always keep urself healthy no matter what and if pirates come around, just take off your backpack till they leave, and if dont. Leave sim for a little till they gone. No sence in getting ganked!

PYPO!


if it we're for your good ideas and funny as hell gestures... you would be banned! LOL Just kidding! LOL

jorge Carnot please contact me ingame

As for the attacks I am truely annoyed that some will stoop that low to win a contest.
If anyone catch ppl doing this please do not be afraid to click my online indicator if green at the shield shop.
I am on a hunt for Minerva Greifers as of now.

Have fun in the drama pool. So far every PvP attack done has been "griefer" labelled only to have the accussers leave the game.

Well true attacks are greifing by any name.
But then agine Attacks dont always mean greifing like thouse of self defence in order to be able to play dew to some jerks who cant play the game and have to prevent others from playing. See what I mean?

Fight or Flight

I agree fight or flight.

I was "paid" (Yes I was I turned down the initial request)

I see no difference between contest time or not.

The "flight" method used while not "illegal" does prevent a advertised culture of the game (Pirates) from particpating in thier trade. By the time he choose the right flight method I was fed up personally. Had he done it right away..maybe I would have camped for a bit but I would have left alot sooner as well.

Remember the last time the guy that got this whined in the chat group. I stopped that from happening so jorge just came here to do it.

Remember to, pirating is allowed in game, only place your safe from it is in town! If you are ganked in town, then let the head honcho know, or stop whinning, cuz there's a lack of piracy if you ask me in the first place! We need time honned character who might want to do it more often to create challenges for all those peoples who earn items too fast If you consider it griefing then sorry mac, but only way i can see it in any sense like that is personally stalking an singling out a single person to grief upon, if there attacking all, then thats no grief attempt

Pypo in essence that is what I was doing. Problem is the guy kept TPing out to avoid it.

I've tried it twice now (outside of the group event with the warriors) and both times the players TPed out to avoid attack. So basicly I guess TPing out is allowed since I was the banned one (Not saying I didn't deserve it) until MA fixes that bug (yes there is a bug you are not suppossed to TP aawy scot free) there will be no points to pirates.

Ok I may have been a little harsh on my explaneing so let me break it down for you.
I personaly don't condone Teleporting and dont use it myself in Minerva.
For this reson I had not given the shield I had set out to make the other day.
I also dont condone higher players attacking the noobs wich was why I was going to give the shield.

And yes the TPing away is a bug but not one we can fix unless we want many other bugs to come up.
The only solution would be to block inner sim teleports sumhow wich may be possable I think
I rember sum places I couldent tp to on main grid becouse I was too close.
If this has changed I have no idea how to fix it.

I also dont condone players usen 0 health to play contests

See this is why I dident reply becouse this argument could go on forever.
Also Im not intrested in ppl tryin to convert my opinion I will thou listen to both sides and come to my own opinion about what I would do.

If you ever felt that is what I was trying to do during any of the talks we had then I apologize. As harsh as this will sound I could give a rats arse about how others view me SO LONG AS CORRECT INFO IS RELEASED! If someone is going to hate me at least it should be for the right reasons.

hmm i never played mirvena. but as those prices. be ify to try . hate to spend that much then turns out not fun. but great you made games to have fun on

Jessica actually it might cost L$ at first but I've made back my investment 10 fold already. weekly me and my girls make 2800 L$ a week. We do nothing but harvest which is the basic format in Minerva. The people are nice as well so long as you are also. Infact the game designer the first day sat there and talked to me and helped me...not to mention took bug information live!