Umm, have to bring up the new "look"

[Jason2]

Ok, I thought about this for a long time... I don't like the big bullet up above the bulletin Boards.

In a time when gun violence is rampant and stories fill our daily papers, I wrestle with this look.

I realize this is a "war" gaming forum and that the bullet is representative of that... and, of course, I know that MM/Shrapnel Games is made up of dedicated people (who make the best games ever)... but it still bothers me.

It bothers me that my children will see me logged into a forum with a huge bullet. It bothers me that it seems to emphasize the worst aspects of why we come here rather than the best...

Please don't flame me ... I am truly concerned and open to hearing your opinions - I just wanted to share mine.

Thanx,

Jason2

[Q]

I understand your feelings.

[Richard]

While I do understand your feelings I don't think that a bullet being shown in a forum such as this is in anyway destructive or in promotion of gun related violence.

Unlike twitch games that sometimes glamourize violence all of our wargames are ones that require thought and are realistic. Instead of spraying someone with shells like certain FPS games, our biggest hit 101 actually has a person go down realistically if they are shot by a weopon. In think this sort of things promotes reality to folks and shows them how truly dangerous guns can be in the hands of someone who wishes to do them harm.

But to get back to your point I do understand the concern but I don't think it is a big concern, especially with the types of games we make and the audience they cater to.

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Sarge is coming...

Richard Arnesen
Director of Covert Ops
Shrapnel Games
http://www.shrapnelgames.com

[CaptSpoogy]

I agree with Jason about Shrapnel's new look. I personally don't like the bullet either.

Perhaps Shrapnel games can design a new header that resembles something like the "Top Secret" stamp - I think that would be a good look for the forum.

[CaptSpoogy]

I agree with Jason about Shrapnel's new look. I personally don't like the bullet either.

Perhaps Shrapnel games can design a new header that resembles something like the "Top Secret" stamp - I think that would be a good look for the forum.

Otherwise keep up the great work Shrapnel!

[Master Belisarius]

I can understand the Jason argument, but... has someone noted that in SE4, usually you need to kill millions of people to have success?

[DirectorTsaarx]

We're not killing "people" in SE4, we're killing aliens! Well, OK, I'm being sarcastic; yes, it's a little unnerving that the best way to win the game is to commit mass genocide of multiple sentient races. Even the "peaceful" game options usually involve killing off the more radical empires.

I usually justify the whole thing by waiting until the AI declares war on me, and even then I frequently wait until one of my planets has been attacked before I start whuppin' 'em. Makes me feel a little better about glassing those colonies. My motto is "Retaliate and escalate". It used to be "Retaliate first", but that was a little cold-blooded and quite anti-social .

My only problem with the bullet is that it doesn't have much place on the SE4 forum. Oughta be something a little more futuristic-looking. But then the other game Boards here would want _their_ own icons, and that would require even _more_ work on Shrapnel's part...

[ColdSteel]

I think everyone that frequents this site has some real intelligence and can tell the difference between abstracted computer violence (quite cathathic, actually) and the real kind. Most of those few in our society who cannot tell the difference exhibit these problems and symptoms from an early age.

While I do think it is commendable to have such scruples, I also think they are a bit misplaced here in this case. After all, this is in reality a wargame and this site sells wargames. In fact I like and enjoy playing wargames.

I think we all have to exhibit some balance and common sense in our lives or next we'll have to stop saying things like "it's number one with a bullet". Being PC can just go too far.

I also believe that healthy, sane humans can view pictures of bullets on a website and not have it directly affect them or the way they live their lives in terms of being violent. I'd consider a person extremely abnormal if they said it did.
JMHO.

[This message has been edited by ColdSteel (edited 02 April 2001).]

[This message has been edited by ColdSteel (edited 02 April 2001).]

[Nitram Draw]

I understand your concerns. I don't like it when my little girl askes why I keep blowing things up but it could be worse, they could have put a jagged piece of metal up there

[This message has been edited by Nitram Draw (edited 02 April 2001).]

[Tim Brooks]

OK Guys:

Let's see what everyone thinks. Look at our announcemnts (should be at the top of this page entitled: The New Forum Look and The Bullet).

Read and vote!

Best regards,

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Tim Brooks
Shrapnel Games