[tripsis]

Time for a new release of the: >>>Tip.It Times!<<<

EDITORIAL PANEL DISCUSSION THREAD:
This thread is for discussing and debating the week's articles. If you would like to comment on the overall structure or direction of the Editorial Panel, please use the discussion topic in the Website Discussion forum.

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Read these rules before posting in this thread

Cowman_133, on 18 November 2010 - 12:20 AM, said:

Rampant flame wars have taken control of virtually every week's times discussion topics. The following guidelines must be followed when posting on this topic. Posts that ignore these guidelines will be removed.

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This policy is effective as of now, November 17, 2010. Any posts prior to the creation of this policy may or may not be removed according to the new guidelines.

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Enjoy the articles!

[J35u5_M4]

To Josh; welcome back to the light side

[Newb]

Josh, great article! A very enjoyable read. My PM's always on if you need a friend.

[stonewall337]

The first article was interesting, and I rather enjoyed it. Well done!

My thoughts, I quit RS when I was almost 20. Age had nothing to do with it. Playing Rs is no more or less an indication of maturity then playing an other game, rather its how you manage gaming in relation to everything else in life which is a mark of maturity.

WoW actually has a similar issue, although the thing is in WoW, a lot of the player base is getting older, meaning that they don't have as much time, or set time, (Time they can schedule every week to PvP, raid, etc) as they used to. Its a problem any MMO would have to answer, how to keep the older, limited player base interested, while training up the newer generation through content that is hard enough to actually enable them to do content later on. Its a balancing act.

To Josh: I think that it is as much as testament to the "end game" of RS (There is none, everything relies around levels) as anything that botting for levels was so common. Considering the only real bragging rights, besides "skill" in PVP, or MHing, or amount of money had was in levels, the incentive to bot is and was huge. That's a game design philosophy flaw on Jagex's fault IMO. Its also why I quit RS, in part, no end game. But yes, when I played RS, I played for the personal drive, making and setting goals. That's always what keeps me interested in a game. When that dies, I quit.

[darthaddict]

First article was very good. The botting article was also good and showed an interesting viewpoint that is sadly not heard much, a regretting botter. Hey Josh welcome back to playing rs for real, and if u need a friend to talk to, just pm me, Addict Kevan.

[Spydr_Queen]

This is for the Former Botter article: Josh, your article was wonderful! It moved me deeply and I am glad to see a former botter come clean and see the error of his ways. Welcome back to the good side of Runescape! Thank you so much for your article!

[Dudecrush8]

Thanks you very much for the article Josh! Welcome back to RS!

[Doctor Who]

The support from everyone is actually really cool. I more expected people to come with the pitchforks. If anyone has any questions or anything lemme know.

Stonewall, i know alot of the people who used paid bots used them to gain prestige. Money, skills, the bots were a means to an end. I think it is more a testament to the fact that there are few ways to level some skills, if you dont enjoy the base skills like mining, wcing etc. then you really have an issue. Conversely if you dont like leveling up combat via training than your really shit outta luck. So it often starts as a means to an end and gets outta hand.

[pal2002]

Hello Josh,

Like you have realized, botters like you really have diminished how I came to view all of my hard earned achievements and eventually leading me to quit the game after almost 10 years of playing. I personally removed friend after friend from my list after realizing that they were bots. I even had the pleasure of talking to auto talkers running on long time friends.

I never thought I would ever forgive a botter for ruining this game I loved (and mind you, it is still in quite the ruinous state and will probably never recover) - but if I'm ever forgive a botter, it might as well start with you. Because at least you realized how much botting was hurting others instead of just helping you. And because you give a damn at least. Who I can't stand are botters who have took the 'never give up' attitude to the wrong cause, and somehow justified their behavior as a righteous cause. However greedy and corrupt the new corporate jagex have become, cheating and belittling other's work is never justified.

While I don't actively play anymore, I do hope you and other recovering botters find some joy in this game again as it once brought me. And ffs...it is not just a leveling or money contest.

[Lokie]

I loved the guest article the best because of the unique viewpoint and amount of detail put into it. I was too preoccupied looking at that one to pay attention too. Josh (or "The Doctor" if you want that), I feel the need to add you if it helps you re-integrate into this game more easily.

Well done on this week.

[Bluud]

Great article, enjoyed it heaps. It did make me think while I'm still playing too, I came to realise that the main reason is friends, without RuneScape I would never have met these people and wouldn't have possibly life long friendships if you keep in touch with them, so people who say playing RuneScape is mature just because they don't play anymore or haven't tried it possibly might not have these friendships.

[Cow]

Wow. Very moving guest article, Josh, in addition to the other two.

[stonewall337]

Meh I think people would enjoy the grind in RS more if voice coms were more common. I'm logged into vent/mumble almost 100% of the time I am at my computer, if not playing WoW shooting the shit.

[Alaz]

I Don't Want to Grow Up

Great article. This can definitely apply to me, as I am basically in the same position as the author. I really only play the game anymore to interact with some friends and the clan that I'm in. Beyond that, I can see how I'm sort of just stuck in my habits over the past 8+ years.

Clusterfluttered Economy

A great perspective on the economy - and I would never have known anything about the rares like that. Lots of good information. It's reassuring to know that new players will at least have a much better shot at making money so that they will be able to reach those that have played for years. Heck, I don't even know how to make 100k+ in an hour off the top of my head, so good luck to them!

RuneScape From a Former Botter

Very good article. I wish the best to Josh, and because he has the name Doctor Who I am sure he's epic for that reason only (I kid ). But really, best of luck. I'm not one to hold grudges, and I cane relate to the reasons one might turn to in order to bot in the first place. I cannot agree with them, of course, but I can understand them. The way he presents the "negatives" of botting is also fantastic. It is a side to botting and macroing that people just don't share with others.

[jrhairychest]

Clusterfluttered Economy was a good, positive article. It's nice to see the EP get back to writing such articles again .Nice one Sees .

RuneScape From a Former Botter - I am astounded by such honesty. Such a refreshing point of view. The best article I've read on the Times. Need I say more?

[Vann]

Hi my name is Vann. I am a former botter. Almost 3 months "Sober".

2001-2006: Legit
2006-2010: Legit with breaks to play private servers
2011: Dice host for money with botting on the side for non-buyables
2012: Legit and on the road to happiness

Same issue as Josh but I have gained a new interest in the game as I begin on the road to Max cape. Good luck Josh. If you want any help getting re-accustomed to things send me a PM on here and I'll add you (friends list is private).

Great articles overall this week! Always loved reading these.

Peace,
Vann

[Erewhon2]

Good articles in general this week.
For the first article i feel I should say that I am a mature player (40's) and have been playing for about 5+ years. Some people find it very hard to understand why I enjoy it so much, but there is actually a fairly large adult community out there
With regard to the last article, I have to say the botter gone straight really moved me, it seemed to be directly from the heart and honest. Well done Josh for coming back to a fun game.

[GregorDGrim]

Erewhon2, on 13 February 2012 - 11:43 PM, said:

Good articles in general this week.
For the first article i feel I should say that I am a mature player (40's) and have been playing for about 5+ years. Some people find it very hard to understand why I enjoy it so much, but there is actually a fairly large adult community out there
With regard to the last article, I have to say the botter gone straight really moved me, it seemed to be directly from the heart and honest. Well done Josh for coming back to a fun game.

Other than the fact that I've been playing for less than a year, this could have been my post exactly. I don't think age plays that large of a part in how mature someone acts in Runescape. There are extremely immature 20-somethings who play, just as there are 15 year olds who represent themselves very well in the game.

[Alaz]

I've been told quite a few times that they're surprised I'm as young as I am! So definitely: age is not all that important, it's how the person carries him or herself regardless of their demographics.

[Skwydd]

Re: I don't want to grow up

I finally registered on Tip It so I could respond to Hamtaro and Erewhon2. Having only discovered RS in November of 2008 when Skwydd Jr. was not yet a year old and I was 50, I just want to say that I also don't ever want to grow up. My current total level is 1779, still a noob, still learning and gleaning from Tip It, and already having forgotten more than I know now. Skwydd Jr. is three and a half now and still sits on my lap as I play RS so if I don't repond to your PM it may just be because it is too hard to type with one hand.

-Skwydd