Dialog with the Owners

[Conor_Bradford]

Long time no see, Glad you are back!

[Joey]

Need to talk all three together I wanna know the story with IV mp

Its just me and Brian left in the IVMP HQ.
Link for IVMP discord:
https://discord.gg/rZyjnUcR

[Aragorn]

Its just me and Brian left in the IVMP HQ.
Link for IVMP discord:
https://discord.gg/rZyjnUcR

Thanks )))

[Hevar.]

Welcome back!

[Huntsman]

Hello there, Aragorn,

Long time no see.

I'd like to ask if you are going to do anything about the current issue of activity and a near-fatal playerbase decrease in the community. At first, only SA-MP was affected by this, but I see that pretty much all of the servers are now seeing the same fate. Is anything going to be done about this? If so, how do you plan to revive the community?

In my personal overview, VC-MP is the best doing server out of all of them, with stable and consistent playerbase with an occasional influx of new players. It even has weekends with 30-40 players online on some occasions. I believe this is partly due to the competent leadership there which shielded the VC-MP community from the toxic attitude that was rampant in other parts of the community.

I'm hesitant to speak of SA-MP, as I haven't been there for a while, but from what I gathered and heard, they've been forced to move the playerbase to Fort Carson and surroundings due to the drastically decreased playerbase. It has a few remaining loyal to the bone players left, but it's not what it used to be at all.

Rage:MP saw tremendous success when it opened, with old players, veterans, and regulars joining it alike. However, it somehow became less and less active too.

And last of all, it's glad to see that at least one of the owners is finally back. To be frank, I believe that this neglect contributed a lot to what is going on now.

[Aragorn]

Hello there, Aragorn,

Hey Huntsman... Thanks for welcoming back... And for the short description of the situation with servers... Me and Gandalf are back and we already have a vision on what is going on and with issue of each server...
 I can tell you honestly, I will start work with GTA 5 MP because the good trend should be close to the new things and we have no possibility to spend all our time for all servers, so better we will concentrate on the newest server... We had a meeting with leader and scripter developer of RageMP and seems like things are not that bad from the technical part but I will soon arrive on server to check out its running options...
As for lack of players - things will be changed I am sure...
We have our vision, actually the original Argonath vision which already showed in past that is acceptable by many players so its working...

Besides it we will start to remind the veterans what is that vision about as I suppose that some of them forgot about it...

If server is facing the good opportunities for scripting expect in future nice rising up...
)))

[TheGreasyChopper]

I'm hesitant to speak of SA-MP, as I haven't been there for a while, but from what I gathered and heard, they've been forced to move the playerbase to Fort Carson and surroundings due to the drastically decreased playerbase. It has a few remaining loyal to the bone players left, but it's not what it used to be at all.

wRONg! In no way do I wish to cause discourse or confusion, but I'd like to clarify that no players were ever forced to move to Fort Carson. It was and still is entirely a player-lead project, which keeps those of us who are still interested in touch and a way for us to organize In Game. Whatever playerbase may be in VC:MP, the map itself is small enough to sustain a playable experience with 10-15 people online. Now transfer these 15 players online in the San Andreas map, without blips, with most of the players doing their own thing on their own...Toning down to a smaller town and focusing on a part of the map is actually a proper way to organize people to play together(which in the end is the point of multiplayer). No script changes were introduced to limit people from leaving.

Besides it we will start to remind the veterans what is that vision about as I suppose that some of them forgot about it...

If server is facing the good opportunities for scripting expect in future nice rising up...
)))

Thank you! Reminding people about the Vision and enforcing it once again will surely make Argonath a better community and help us (re)gain the playerbase with returning and new players.(SA:MPwise).

I do have a question - if certain server based rules and attitudes of certain administrators contradict the vision, will action be taken from your end?

Cheers!

[Kowalski.]

I think the Argonath Vision is a subject of debate - it's usually not regarded much in terms of roleplay.

To explain what I mean, I'll use an excerpt from the Argo Vision:

"Our community was created as free RP, based on imagination and creativity."

Sounds great, of course. However, this arises some question to the current desire of the Argonath community. If you observe the V:MP discord and the discussion that is happening there, you may notice a desire for harder roleplay rules and making the server into a more "hardcore" roleplay environment.

Why, you might ask?

Excerpt 2:

"We will not ever support it changing in to a jungle of rules that are impossible to understand, follow and adhere to. Our rules will remain the minimal needed to stop players who wish to disturb the fun in playing from doing so, not more and not less."

Based on this, speeding off in a supercar from a bank robbery and escaping via a main freeway just because the cops couldn't keep up has pissed off a lot of players, notably those on the law enforcement side. Yet this was acceptable prior to our discussion about hardening the roleplay rules.

I've nothing personal against the vision, and it's up to you guys in the end as the owners of this community - which is absolutely more than fair, but it's just been a major topic of discussion that I thought I'd drop here.

And yes @TheGreasyChopper I side with you on enforcing the core values and ideals of the community but a little discussion never hurts

[Aragorn]

I do have a question - if certain server based rules and attitudes of certain administrators contradict the vision, will action be taken from your end?

You are talking to Aragorn and that is what I was famous for - taking actions without looking at statuses...
But there is other question - what kind of actions?
Do not expect me just arriving and banning from admins or players those who are making problems to Argonath vision... First they will have a reminder and explanations... If they do not agree with that - yeah why should they moderate server on their own vision, right?
We have Gandalf, we have Aragorn... Everyone can chose which way they will go - soft or revision their own opinion or a brutal war... However war with me will just mean their end on this server... But I hope guys are enough already grown up to understand that the way we ran servers in a past - the best way for fun...
The same goes about rules... From what I saw in a small amount of time - again old vinyl - lets make rule on every fart - that is not an Argonath vision for sure...

[Aragorn]

I think the Argonath Vision is a subject of debate

No, it is not... Argonath vision itself will not be under discussion and that is what all veterans should understand here... There enough who are "Yes" and who are "No", finding the balanced server for both sides - wasting of time, it means either you agree with our policy or not... If not - it will lead to revolutions, demands, bullshit towards admins and developers... That will lead straight to owners taking actions... Tons of bullcrap all over the forums... we already passed that shit and know how it ends up...
So no... No any debates - is Argonath Vision correct or not... If someone does not like it - there are other servers where they can have their own fun...

Other thing about scripts... Of cos they will exist and yesterday visit the VMP server already showed that this server has tons possibilities for a huge cool script system just needs to put all puzzles together so that all will work in one system instead of separated small missions... We are not strict RP server, so we also would like give possibilities to "warriors" ))) But all will be without denying the main rules...

for example: What is the gang or mafia without decent scripted gang war, right? Or mafia "roofing" businesses... why not? Just needs to find solution for some crazy shootouts which are not disturbing the other regulars doing their Roleplay...
All such things can be settled in a correct way... Just needs time...

[Kowalski.]

I'm not saying that the Vision in that of itself should be disregarded, but the current discussions about a "hardcore" server are in contradiction to what you've said about Argonath not being a strict roleplay server.

The only parts I see as debatable are the roleplay rules with the current discussions happening on the V:MP Discord, which is also backed by Haldir as he mentioned earlier.

When it comes to GTA 5, we are currently understanding the requirements of the community, their vision for rules and what they’d like to see. This is being drafted by [TLC]Mac, Jcstodds, Bert, Legolas (Agent) and myself.

This includes hardcore elements being incorporated into the server, which is in contradiction to what you've said.

We are not strict RP server

As for the Argonath Vision in that of itself, I've no issues with it by any means, it's there to ensure a positive atmosphere.

[Kowalski.]

Freedom of enjoyment is what everyone should experience in their first touch with Argonath, It is what it should be sustained in time and some standards need to be adapted from the past. Surely time is needed to regain what we lost. I would like to see some reminders of what the Argonath vision was about, so the newest members of our community and the veterans can get the full idea of what we want to achieve.

Couldn't have said it better myself mate

[Chase]

I think the Argonath Vision is a subject of debate

No, it is not... Argonath vision itself will not be under discussion and that is what all veterans should understand here... There enough who are "Yes" and who are "No", finding the balanced server for both sides - wasting of time, it means either you agree with our policy or not... If not - it will lead to revolutions, demands, bullshit towards admins and developers... That will lead straight to owners taking actions... Tons of bullcrap all over the forums... we already passed that shit and know how it ends up...
So no... No any debates - is Argonath Vision correct or not... If someone does not like it - there are other servers where they can have their own fun...

While I can't speak on behalf of the developers, managers, division leaders, and community leaders, I certainly do not think they would appreciate you guys coming back after all these years and reverting their efforts to keep the community alive while you, Gandalf, and Sauron were gone. A lot of work has been put in to the rules and the scripts of all servers by many dedicated people, some of which have even put forth their own real money to improve things.

All I ask of you is to please be careful and considerate when changing or reverting anything, and don't go all scorched earth.

[Aragorn]

I'm not saying that the Vision in that of itself should be disregarded, but the current discussions about a "hardcore" server are in contradiction to what you've said about Argonath not being a strict roleplay server...

...As for the Argonath Vision in that of itself, I've no issues with it by any means, it's there to ensure a positive atmosphere.

To make it clear - the only discussions we will accept - its a gameplay/ideas possible script exploits and etc...
If there is a problem with rules and its running - it can be under discussion but in the way of (look = script exploits) and possible fixing it...
Those who want tons of script commands - we will check every on exploits as well and its positive affect on OUR game vision... I find it fair enough - if owner knows what he wants he can normal develop it, if owner will run after every opinion which is different for every player - will be a mess in community and on server...

[Aragorn]

Freedom of enjoyment is what everyone should experience in their first touch with Argonath, It is what it should be sustained in time and some standards need to be adapted from the past. Surely time is needed to regain what we lost. I would like to see some reminders of what the Argonath vision was about, so the newest members of our community and the veterans can get the full idea of what we want to achieve.

If new player will arrive on server and face at once with all restrictions which some players suggest - you will never have a success with server... Besides it we are standing for "more freedom - more fun" but the same time we are not denying the usage if scripts and are ready with the vision of a big organized script system for server