DOUBLE STANDARD!

[Possum]

This is just unfair, there's no other word for it.

A few months ago, I took a look at the Horse and Musket demo, was disappointed and confused by the graphics, and posted in the H and M forum, expressing my confusion and disappointment. I explained and addressed my concerns in a lucid and logical fashion, although my criticisms were somewhat harsh. As I recall, I said that the graphics in H and M looked like "something some drunk puked up on the sidewalk outside the homeless shelter". Harsh, yes, but based on actual fact, not some vague claim of promises that we all know were never made.

Harshness aside, my post contained no profanity and no personal attacks of any kind, it was purely a criticism of the product itself.

I was ripped to pieces by the other posters there, and subjected to personal attacks and insults. I posted one light-hearted response, devoid of any reciprocal nastiness at all.

My response was deleted, the thread was closed, and I received letters of reprimand from two different Shrapnel games staffers, each of which was at least as harsh as my original post. In short, it was made clear that I and my opinions were not welcome in that forum.

Now Kagetora comes along and Posts vitriolic attacks on you, Aaron, Shrapnel, SE4 and all its fans, and anyone else who dares to disagree with him. All of this based not on any real-world problem, but on vague claims of alleged promises. You let this guy go on and on for nearly a dozen Posts. Then you go all polite and conciliatory, and even give him a free game.

Why the double standard, Richard? The cynical might suspect it was because he was also embarassing you in the forums of a gaming magazine, so you bought him off to shut him up.

I tell you in all honesty and sincerity, I have nothing but respect and admiration for you, Aaron, Mike Cooney, and all the other folks that are involved with Shrapnel games. But I think there is a real inequity here. I'm not looking for a freebie, and I wouldn't accept one if it were offered. I'm looking for some explanation of why I was treated so much more harshly for a far lesser degree of offense.

Respectfully but unhappily,

Chris Joiner AKA Possum