I REALLY enjoyed the USCM vs CLF round.

[ILOVEMYMOM]

And I am earnest when I say that it was 100x more fun both mechanically and roleplay wise than fighting aliens. I will justify my opinion:

The core essence of why it is better is because standard CM map is a light-RP scenario because more than half the server is engaged in a Team Deathmatch while the rest kinda.... don't have much to work with. The server is thrusted immediately into preparations for this TDM and no potent RP scenarios allow themselves to become apparent. There is nothing wrong with a Team Deathmatch, except for the fact that the Aliens have no RP potential with the humans. Obviously, right?

The difference between USCM vs CLF is that both sides can really exploit the RP elements of the conflict and allow their character to develop. Both are human factions and both have very real-world motives that we can OOC take influences from and apply it to our RP. Both are real human beings and they can talk to each other. You can't talk to Aliens. I know that sounds like an obvious simplistic argument, but really think about it.

I play a Doctor named Brady Morales. I'm quite new to CM and SS13 in general so I've been learning the ropes of medicine and surgery. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of players on the server. They were patient with my noviceness and I had plenty of RP with both the USCM staff and the CLF who took me hostage. I feel like if the CLF were aliens, then my RP enjoyment would have been significantly less.

Another thing is that when it was USCM vs CLF, there was a lot of time for people to stay on the ship and interact with each other. Like I said, the early game typically is preparations for the Team Deathmatch but that round was different. People could mingle. They could chill at the cafeteria or whatever. They had options. Obviously, some sort of story catalyst has to come into play, but that is exactly what happened when the CLF boarded the Almayer. The round followed perfect storytelling: Introduce characters, have them mingle, set up environment, introduce catalyst, conflict, climax and then finish.

Of course there is a place for Aliens; they can add so much to the game. But, in their current state and how they are implemented, their potential is stifled.

I am aware that this was an admin-run event with them orchestrating each event (brilliantly executed, I'd like to add). But maybe we can have a good discussion about the points I made.

Maybe there is a better way to implement the Alien roles? Do you guys feel like the server unintentionally focuses too much on the Alien vs Marine Deathmatch? How would you change things, if you had the power?

[Feweh]

A lot of the enjoyment from events like these is non organic. Its me pacing them, spawning and pushing the event in stages as I observe them.

Youd never have gameplay play out the way it did if it was all automatic like normal CM rounds.

[Steelpoint]

The only issue with the event are the few 'night vision' sources on offer.

The NV makes Snipers and Smartgunners extremely deadly, and later on during this round one or two CLF got access to the Scout Sniper Visors and thus were able to go around and attack the Marines with near impunity. Thus leading to some complaints about the CLF having night vision.

[ILOVEMYMOM]

A lot of the enjoyment from events like these is non organic. Its me pacing them, spawning and pushing the event in stages as I observe them.

Youd never have gameplay play out the way it did if it was all automatic like normal CM rounds.

Thanks for the event. It was the best showing of "DungeonMaster/GameMaster" skill and talent that I've ever witnessed. You should be commended.

[WinterClould]

I enjoyed that round quite a bit. I don't feel like events like these will ever be automated but with a member of staff that really knows what they want and how to coax the players into getting on with it I feel like this could happen a few times a month if the admins feel like bothering.

On another note, I wish Brady Morales the best of luck in learning how to be a better doctor. That surgery was painful what with how long it took (and never finishing on account of my head being blown off) but once I learned you were new to it all I right away understood and was totally okay with it all. The world needs better doctors and were only going to get them if people go easy on the guys still learning the ropes. Still salted a tiny bit in dead chat anyway. Good luck my dude, if anyone bitches about you being slow or making any mistakes just remove all their limbs. That'll teach'um.

[CrazyJazzyJ]

I had a lot of fun that round too playing as Hugo Eckart, my main marine character. Held the western portion of LZ1 with a mounted M56D for ages, blew through both ammo drums, mowed down at least a dozen CLF militia while taking fire from multiple snipers and small arms. I had fun losing too when I ran dry and died from the overwhelming waves, screaming for more ammo from command while succumbing to multiple gunshot wounds.

The event was a blast.

[Liptick]

It would be great if some of the events were announced with a few days knotice. I try to squeeze in a round a day at least, mainly because i want to get better, but it can be difficult what with work and people in my personal life. As a result i seem to miss all the events.

[Omicega]

The CLF round was really cool. Getting left behind by the Alamo going up the first time and having to hold LZ1 with just three marines only made it better - not to mention all the running around in the jungle trying to be sneaky.

[solidfury7]

A lot of sweat and hardwork goes in to these events, often the only real payout if the satisfaction of the players.

Thanks for making the effort to make our rounds special and interesting.

[Robotonic]

Moderating during events isn't half bad either, you get to see a lot of crazy shit go down or some of the baldest FF you can't imagine. This was certainly an interesting event to say the least, even if stunted by certain issues regarding skills and blocks of C4, requiring the intervention of naked, black-eyed and bald C4-wielding men.

Amount of disguising issues was surprisingly minimal compared to what I remember people doing back on the Sulaco days with Iron Bears.