Radical idea?

[zim5354]

This may sound outlandish but if you actually sit down and think, it will begin to make more sense. Era is, has and always be corrupt if something drastic is not done, I believe everyone can agree on that. The reason for the corruption is because "oldbies" become staff members, they then give the best items (guns, money, businesses etc) to their fellow "oldbie" friends. These staff (usually in a few months but occasionally longer) get fired/quit/idle until their RC is removed, then another "oldbie" replaces them and the cycle begins again.

There is a chance to break the reoccurring chain, Deophite is not native to Era, and as far as I know has very little ties to the server and its "oldbie" population (I could be wrong here and if I am correct me). so if anyone has a chance of doing it I believe he could. The only way I see of rooting out all corruption would simply be to fire all the staff members with RC rights, then rehire the most qualified members of the community to fill their position. This not only would rid Era of inactive and under qualified staff, but replace them with the most qualified members of the community who actually care about the server and not just the "perks" that come with a staff tag and RC.

I see a lot of flames coming my way mostly from the inactive/under qualified staff and their friends who fear they might lose their privileged positions if this happens. But if you think about it no one has anything to lose and the server and community can only gain from this idea, and here is the reason. If the current staff member is really as good as they believe they are they will retain their job by being the best out of all the applicants. If not they will be replaced by a more qualified individual which will produce better work for the players to enjoy.

I know not every staff member would be removed (like Angel etc) but to my knowledge Angel never did anything corrupt either (once again correct me if I'm wrong). Also staff members who don't have an RC should be exempt as they really cannot do anything corrupt anyway and replacing them would take valuable time that could better be spent reforming the server and restoring it to its former self.

[salesman]

Icarus tried this but he ended up rehiring the same people again...believe it or not, the people who currently have jobs usually are the most qualified.

Corruption, bias, etc will always exist, to some extent, no matter who is in charge.

[Tigairius]

This is sort of what we have been trying to do. We've been trying to collect more staff from outside of Era who want to work for Era, and then bring them into Era. It seems to be working out quite well other than a few remaining 'oldbie' staff members.

[salesman]

I don't know if I'd trust a staff team full of people from "outside of Era"

[Tigairius]

Originally Posted by salesman

I don't know if I'd trust a staff team full of people from "outside of Era"

In all honesty, I have been around Era RC for a long time, and I can say that I don't think I would trust a staff team from Era. At least not a staff team made up entirely of Eranians.

[salesman]

Originally Posted by Tigairius

In all honesty, I have been around Era RC for a long time, and I can say that I don't think I would trust a staff team from Era. At least not a staff team made up entirely of Eranians.

I'm more referring to trusting them with developing the server than whether or not they'll be corrupt...I guess "trust" wasn't the right word to use.

Originally Posted by Rufus

What you need are developers that don't have any interest in playing the server and don't play as a player would, yet knows what makes for good change to the server. I don't think your idea is too "radical" just not entirely possible.

It can be hard to keep developers who don't play the server interested in developing though.

Originally Posted by Frankie

or just stop giving staff more power than they need to do their jobs..

SO true...it usually pisses people off when you take away rights they don't need too, so it's a good way to find out who's there for "power" and who's actually there to help.

[Rufus]

Originally Posted by salesman

It can be hard to keep developers who don't play the server interested in developing though.

Aye, I can imagine with the environment Graal has with the staff being made up entirely of players. I guess that is one of the biggest faults Graal has, because it is unclear what most people's intentions really are when they apply for positions. You have some people who just enjoy developing content with no intentions of becoming a player and others who use staff jobs as a position of power. I think developers that don't get involved in player politics (yet take into consideration how the players feel about content) are the best kind of staff you can have and this is how most other games function.

[Rufus]

What you need are developers that don't have any interest in playing the server and don't play as a player would, yet knows what makes for good change to the server. I don't think your idea is too "radical" just not entirely possible.

[BlueMelon]

era has history of "people" that cause rollbacks :[
No one can be trusted.

[Frankie]

or just stop giving staff more power than they need to do their jobs..

[James]

So does Era need a manager to make sure the staff are playing nicely?

[zim5354]

Originally Posted by James

So does Era need a manager to make sure the staff are playing nicely?

Era needs a manager to insure the staff team is not corrupt and continues to work, not use their RC and idle for hours (sometimes days) only to log on and "mysteriously" find some unreleased weapon give it to few of their friends, which those friends then sell off for ridiculously large amounts of $, those select few then spend enormous amounts of money and destroy the economy.

Originally Posted by Frankie

or just stop giving staff more power than they need to do their jobs..

No manager has ever managed to do that, the corrupt always find a way to justify more power. When they are granted it they do nothing but spawn items/money or use their staff position to weasel themselves into other positions of power, or put those that they like (who will listen to them) in those positions.

Don't get me wrong I am not judging Deophite as he hasn't been around long enough yet to judge, he could have some master plan in the works. But unless a drastic change occurs I fear the cycle will continue and Era will deteriorate until there is nothing left.

[Shotoo2]

I'd say this thread is directed at me, but I haven't actually "played" Era in years and don't talk to anyone who actually still plays it.

[James]

Originally Posted by zim5354

Era needs a manager to insure the staff team is not corrupt and continues to work, not use their RC and idle for hours (sometimes days) only to log on and "mysteriously" find some unreleased weapon give it to few of their friends, which those friends then sell off for ridiculously large amounts of $, those select few then spend enormous amounts of money and destroy the economy.

I'd be willing to oversee Era, but I don't want to make a fuss about it. I've managed servers in the past (Graal2001). If you guys really need someone reliable that's had experience and doesn't have any sort of "status" on Era -- I'm your man. I can also make graphics, woohoo.

[TheSpude_P2P]

I doubt the current Era staff team even know how to fix Era's problems. They probably don't even know how bad Era is right now.

[DazJenova]

Originally Posted by TheSpude_P2P

I doubt the current Era staff team even know how to fix Era's problems. They probably don't even know how bad Era is right now.

How did you work that out? we acually have quite a strong team now that tig/deo are in charge. Also Angel returning is a big + aswell as Chris who is i must say an awesome scripter. We know what problems lie on era and that's why we are creating "Improved era" to get rid of all the problems that currently lie on era. We're making era more player based so the more ideas players give the better we can discuss them and work on them. So far it's going good on Era Dev.

Also Squirt and Deo are acually doing a fantastic job, i see squirt on taking people's stuff (Example: DH) had a tool he didn't need so squirt took it away, squirt's always on managing his GP's and is very mature. I've known him since graal2001 and he's sound as hell and by far is the most qualified for GP Admin. On the other hand Deo is also by far the most qualified for manager because he is "outside" of era population which is a good thing, he makes sure everyones in line doing what they should do and even helping try fix the ecomony "which i don't think can be done with it being so screwed up" but still puts in the effort on trying to fix that huge problem. I've also known Deophite for a very long time "oldbie sparres as myself" but that doesen't mean that i get special treatment or anyone else. I've got limited rights to help GC with Gang/Biz levels/scripts and also am working on a project myself with the help of a gfxer who's working on Era Dev also now that Era News was complete. Don't assume nothings being done because alot is being done you just can't see it because you're not on RC.

[TheSpude_P2P]

James you are the one!

[LordSquirt]

Wait, by this thread you make it sound like that every single staff member spawns items then give the items to their friends. However, I don't know anyone out of the CURRENT staff team whose even doing this. Only limited people even have rights to set attributes.

[cbk1994]

Originally Posted by LordSquirt

Only limited people even have rights to set attributes.

Anyone with rights to even a level script could easily spawn items on Era as it is.

[TheSpude_P2P]

But Squirt...staff members have already hired friends and other staff without using applications. That's corruption/unfair.

[LordSquirt]

Originally Posted by TheSpude_P2P

But Squirt...staff members have already friends and other staff without using applications. That's corruption/unfair.

Who hired someone without using an application? I know Gabriel used an application to hire his FAQ's. Also, Zoo currently has an application out showing he's hiring. I at the moment am not hiring anyone since I see that the GPs are active. I don't think any of the Developers are being hired just because there friends with someone as well.

[Frankie]

Originally Posted by LordSquirt

Who hired someone without using an application? I know Gabriel used an application to hire his FAQ's. Also, Zoo currently has an application out showing he's hiring. I at the moment am not hiring anyone since I see that the GPs are active. I don't think any of the Developers are being hired just because there friends with someone as well.

I don't think they're talking about FAQ/ET.

weren't you yourself hired as GP chief because you're pals with Deo? that's what I've heard..

[TheSpude_P2P]

Originally Posted by Frankie

I don't think they're talking about FAQ/ET.

weren't you yourself hired as GP chief because you're pals with Deo? that's what I've heard..

See Frankie knows... : ]

[TheSpude_P2P]

Deo hired you through friendship, although you are doing a decent job. I believe you also hired Angel without an application and most likely a few others. DON'T LIE TO ME.

[LordSquirt]

Originally Posted by TheSpude_P2P

Deo hired you through friendship, although you are doing a decent job. I believe you also hired Angel without an application and most likely a few others. DON'T LIE TO ME.

I hired Cloyd and Angel without an application. However, I hired Cloyd because I had an open spot since Deophite moved to Admin. I did not hire him out of a whim though. His application was one of the best in my opinion and I hired him because of that reason. I didn't know who he was prior then hiring him, so the argument that I hired him since I'm friends with him is flawed. I hired Angel because I removed Blaze, BlueSamurai, and Cloyd and I also did not know who Angel when she first asked to be hired as GP.

Originally Posted by Frankie

I don't think they're talking about FAQ/ET.

weren't you yourself hired as GP chief because you're pals with Deo? that's what I've heard..

I was actually hired off an application if you didn't know. I was hired along with GC, Slag, Yocas, Arushen. I knew Deophite, but that doesn't mean I actually talked to him before I was hired. I've been playing Graal for a while now. It would be hard for me not to know another 'sparrer' with some skill. Also, whenever someone tells me "OMG YOU WERE ONLY HIRED BECAUSE YOU'RE FRIENDS WITH DEOPHITE!!!!" I send them my application, and they actually find out that my application was pretty good.

[TheSpude_P2P]

Even if you DID send in an APP Squirt I wouldn't be suprised if your app sucked. I know you were hired through friendship and that is why you are currently GP Chief through Deo. And I'll take a wild guess that Angel said "I R OLDBIE GIMME GP" and you said OKAY! I don't really care if Cloyd is GP as long as he sent in an application. Although you confuse me telling me you said he had one of the best Apps? yet you claim you hired him without one at the start. I'd also like to add that Deo probably didn't look at your APP. Oh and Deo He probably logged on UN one day and said "Yo I'm GP Chief of Era...want a position? just send in an app dawg". to you.

[LordSquirt]

Originally Posted by TheSpude_P2P

Even if you DID send in an APP Squirt I wouldn't be suprised if your app sucked. I know you were hired through friendship and that is why you are currently GP Chief through Deo. And I'll take a wild guess that Angel said "I R OLDBIE GIMME GP" and you said OKAY! I don't really care if Cloyd is GP as long as he sent in an application. Although you confuse me telling me you said he had one of the best Apps? yet you claim you hired him without one at the start.

When I got GPC I didn't write, or make an application. However, during the time when Masa, Gab, Amsel, BlueSamurai, and Zeus were hired Cloyd applied and I thought his application was one of the top 3. However, if you want to see my application I don't really care and if you see me on i'll send it to you though as I don't really care.

[TheSpude_P2P]

I wouldn't be surprised if Cloyd's app was one of the best. But again I really don't care. I guess I'll stop wasting my time because the truth doesn't seem to help. Oh, and Houdini gave Deo Era basically as a gift rofl. "Well here you go Deo you can have Era since you didn't make PWA...better luck next time!" get it? Corruption just goes around. Complete bs. Then again I'm sure Houdini really didn't care at that point as he was quitting which is why that decision should not count at all.

[Tigairius]

Originally Posted by TheSpude_P2P

I wouldn't be surprised if Cloyd's app was one of the best. But again I really don't care. I guess I'll stop wasting my time because the truth doesn't seem to help. Oh, and Houdini gave Deo Era basically as a gift rofl. "Well here you go Deo you can have Era since you didn't make PWA...better luck next time!" get it? Corruption just goes around. Complete bs. Then again I'm sure Houdini really didn't care at that point as he was quitting which is why that decision should not count at all.

Perhaps you should get the story straight before you begin twisting words around to impress the community.

Deophite was given manager because he is and was the most capable person on the Era team. He has helped root out corruption amongst staff, promote a cleaner community & economy, and has supported many new features aimed at improving Era.

What exactly makes Deophite a bad manager other than the negativity of the Era community? Nothing.

Deophite is a good manager, and he has worked very hard on Era to make it better. I have 100 percent complete faith in him that he will continue to do so as well.

[Frankie]

Originally Posted by Tigairius

& economy

what the hell has Deo done to help the economy?

[TheSpude_P2P]

Originally Posted by Tigairius

Perhaps you should get the story straight before you begin twisting words around to impress the community.

Deophite was given manager because he is and was the most capable person on the Era team. He has helped root out corruption amongst staff, promote a cleaner community & economy, and has supported many new features aimed at improving Era.

What exactly makes Deophite a bad manager other than the negativity of the Era community? Nothing.

Deophite is a good manager, and he has worked very hard on Era to make it better. I have 100 percent complete faith in him that he will continue to do so as well.

Perhaps you should get the story straight before you begin twisting words around to impress the community Tig.

[deathbarrier99]

Originally Posted by Tigairius

promote a cleaner community & economy
supported many new features aimed at improving Era.

And the new features include? And the promotion of a cleaner community are seen in?

If i'm missing undercover super secret updates please inform me.

[TheSpude_P2P]

Um, no Tig. He doesn't manage the server at all. The admins do as they wish without asking Deo. And I would love to hear how he has helped the economy, all I've seen as pointless additions to Era that are not actual fixes. Corruption in staff still exists Tig. Sorry big boy! It's funny when I ask Tig why things are released he says things like "It was wasn't me...it was this person!" same goes with Deo.

[TheSpude_P2P]

It worries me that Tig the PWA doesn't know this at all.

[salesman]

I don't see a problem with hiring developers without an application...applications are usually a popularity contest and should be left for simple positions like GP, FAQ, ET, etc. If you know someone's good at what they do, hire them...especially if you know you can trust them.


If you've got talent and a decent history, chances are you will get hired. If not, that sucks...but hiring shouldn't be based on "fairness"

[Tigairius]

Originally Posted by TheSpude_P2P

Um, no Tig. He doesn't manage the server at all. The admins do as they wish without asking Deo. And I would love to hear how he has helped the economy, all I've seen as pointless additions to Era that are not actual fixes. Corruption in staff still exists Tig. Sorry big boy! It's funny when I ask Tig why things are released he says things like "It was wasn't me...it was this person!" same goes with Deo.

And how would you know Deophite doesn't manage? Are you on RC to witness? Do you even have any rapport with Deophite other than what players tell you?
Deophite and Squirt have been working on removing money from the economy using several methods. For example, the auctions.

It is not Deophite's or my responsibility to develop, only to manage the developers, which is what we do.

[Frankie]

I appreciate Deophite's effort and willingness to fix Era's economy. The only problem is that what he's doing isn't going to work at all. There was a big thread regarding the auctions and I've made it quite clear that using the auction house to try and remove money from the economy will do more harm rather than good.

It doesn't look too good right now. If he's using ineffective methods right now, who knows what will be done in the future. Nobody wants to listen to me or admit that I'm right when it comes to pointing out flaws in Era's economy. I guess I'm not respected enough to be listened to. Although I don't really care how respected I am, it's Era's loss if nobody wants to listen to me.

Deophite being outside of Era's population only partially makes him a good manager. He has good control over the structure of the staff team and what they do but he's extremely inexperienced with Era.

[Shotoo2]

Someone blow up the bridge again.

[CharlieM]

Originally Posted by Shotoo2

Someone blow up the bridge again.

This, and put all the special shops down there also.

[zim5354]

Originally Posted by Frankie

It doesn't look too good right now. If he's using ineffective methods right now, who knows what will be done in the future. Nobody wants to listen to me or admit that I'm right when it comes to pointing out flaws in Era's economy. I guess I'm not respected enough to be listened to. Although I don't really care how respected I am, it's Era's loss if nobody wants to listen to me.

Its not that no one is listening to you, the problem is those that are listening to you cant do anything. None of the players that were active in your time doubt your experience, but the current administration is unwilling to listen to experenced players who both know how Era works and what is wrong with it.

Originally Posted by DazJenova

We know what problems lie on era and that's why we are creating "Improved era" to get rid of all the problems that currently lie on era.

This right here shows you have no idea what is wrong with Era and are incapable of fixing it. Every time a "new" Era was released it failed, if it did not fail it died in construction. Ningnong destroyed the server, Jenn's version failed, Rick failed, Snake tried to revive it and for some time it was working before it tanked. Remember all the managers after Chrisz, remember all the promises of a "New Era" and remember all the times it failed. You have to notice a trend.

Originally Posted by DazJenova

Also Squirt and Deo are acually doing a fantastic job, i see squirt on taking people's stuff (Example: DH) had a tool he didn't need so squirt took it away

That's not a fantastic job, that's an average job. Exactly what Squirt should be doing nothing more, nothing less. The real question would be how did DH get the tool and was his ability to receive such items removed?

Originally Posted by Frankie

he makes sure everyones in line doing what they should do and even helping try fix the ecomony "which i don't think can be done with it being so screwed up" but still puts in the effort on trying to fix that huge problem.

So you admit his actions are futile, yet you still try to defend them? The only thing that can fix Era's economy is a reset and better moderation (and removal of some staff) to ensure it doesn't get destroyed again.