Rusty : DMA Q&A

[Wynna]

Rusty also has 100% of my support, for reasons of continuity and performance thus far, reasons ably stated by Indio and AL, the two driving forces of the NWN2 push.

The question of his relationships with Rotku and Mikayla seems to be drawing most of the negative focus, a focus I find rather disappointing in the way it has reared its head as a political issue during an election period, mostly because my respect for all three of the oft-mentioned putative foes is such that I can't even fathom how such vitriole has come about among intelligent people. One might as well ask what Mikayla and Rotku are doing to solve such relationship issues. The answer on all sides, I hope, would be the same: everything possible.

As Jayde points out, the perception of fault is as problematic as the reality, and the way that the perception of fault is being painted across Rusty so liberally seems to be a rather grungy political weapon. Rusty might well have dabbed a little mud at Jayde's ideas of balance and loot drops and how he can accommodate his history with same to the new wealth standards we've worked so hard to establish, but I'm glad to see that Rusty is more a gentleman than that. As a matter of fact, Rusty's demeanor through this whole ordeal has been nothing but gentlemanly and seems to, in itself, refute the claims that he is solely responsible for any schism.

[Mikayla]

The invitation to “problem solve” by Rusty is a good, political answer, but I fear it is disingenuous. Rusty maintains that Planetouched are a dead horse, and if not, then awaits an argument to be made in their favor to convince him that they should be allowed. But decisions and arguments have already been made – Rusty is just not personally convinced. For example, here is a thread from February 2007 in which both Alara and Fluff inform another ALFAn that tieflings and assimar will be available in ALFA NWN2:

http://www.alandfaraway.org/phpbbforum/ ... 627#414627

Note, at the time fluff said they were in, fluff was Lead Admin.

Rusty also seems to want folks to believe there has been no discussion, but of course, there has. In addition to the planetouched thread I recently bumped, which he casually dismisses, there are previous threads as well – planetouched make their way into the plethora of ECL discussions, and here is a thread from March in this year where in the participants discuss Genasi, their availability, and how to make them playable:

http://www.alandfaraway.org/phpbbforum/ ... 275#420275

So, from these threads we can see that 7-8 months ago the Lead Admin and the Player Admin agreed, along with others, that Planetouched Races would be included in ALFA for NWN2. So, the races were in, the only question was how to best implement them. Rusty participated in those threads, and raised no objections at that time, though he did poke fun at it by suggesting the formation of a treant player group.

Now, however, since Rusty became DMA, apparently he has unilaterally reversed ALFA’s position on Planetouched races. Without discussion with the rest of the Admin, Rusty takes the position that Planetouched races will not be allowed in ALFA unless an argument is made that convinces him. That is simply beyond his authority as DMA, and it shows enormous disrespect for the other Admin as well as the past Admin.

Something to note also: Arguments for the inclusion of Planetouched races have been made – Nyarlathoteps in the planetouched thread was the most recent as Nyar pointed out that in the FRCS planetouched are among the player-character races, and they are among the PC races for NWN2 – in short, they are canon as player-character races. And many people would like them in. Those are pretty compelling arguments, though I admit, Rusty does not find them so – that said, the fact that Rusty does not find the arguments compelling does not mean that the arguments have not been made.

This election is not all about Planetouched. It is not all about ECL. Or wealth. Or any other individual issue – but my concern with Rusty, and the concern voiced by Rotku when he wrote “on quite a few occasions it has seemed like you are completely unwilling to negotiate - it's been Rusty's way or the high way, so to speak”, is that very my-way-or-the-highway philosophy. The Planetouched debate is just an example of it - despite the past decisions of ALFA’s Admin, Rusty feels empowered to unilaterally reverse those decisions – and this worries me. Not just for Planetouched races, but for all the other issues out there.

So, my position is this: if Rusty is concerned about the amount of work that the inclusion of Planetouched races will create for the DMs, then I believe he should submit some evidence of that to the remaining Admin, or, barring actually evidence, a sound argument that convinces us to reverse ALFA’s position that Planetouched will be allowed in NWN2. I am perfectly willing to listen to reason and to debate – what I am not willing to do is roll over and let Rusty play the sole-gatekeeper for what makes it into ALFA or not.

Oh, and as to Wynna's comment about the level of vitriol - Rusty and I do not agree, that is clear, but I have to say, though we do not agree this thread seems to have confined itself to the issues (regardless of whether folks think those issues are relevant or not) and I have not seen any ad hominem attacks from either side. We may not like each other's positions and arguments, but I do not think we've crossed the line into the flame-war territory. If we have, well, then the bar has been lowered tremendously. Ciao.

EDIT: Let me raise one other point in answer to comments from Indio and AL. Indio - yes, I think you are right - the issue of who can get us to have LIVE NWN2 servers is more important than Planetouched races, or ECL, or magical items, or anything similar. I do believe how an Admin operates with respect to ALFA as a whole is important too though.

Having said that, let me point out that elections are for raising issues and making candidates answer to their constituency - often times we see candidates run who have no hope of winning just to raise an issue. I am not saying that is the case with Jayde by any means, but, I am saying that using an election to discuss issues, even if there is no real doubt about the winner of the election, is a traditional process. Its part of the political debate. My goal here is not to sink Rusty - not only do I believe that is beyond my ability, it also would not be good for ALFA - but I do wish to address the issue of how he operates. This election is a perfect forum for that discussion, and so here it is.

[Rotku]

Please remember this is a Questions and Answers thread. If you have any commentary about the elections, please take it else where.

[Lusipher]

The whole Indio, Wynna backing is funny. Most people dont care what Indio says but if Wynna says she backs someone folks are going to listen so kudos for your nice little ploy.

Damn guys....nothing changes around here. Last time I looked ALFA was a gaming community. We play a freaking game. This project is so caught up in ignorant policies and backstabbing that everyone forgets why your all here. To play a damn game. Please, get over all this superfical nonsense and stop driving even more people away.

Rusty hasnt done a bad job as DMA but hes a horses rear end to people when they dont agree with him. He needs to learn tact and how to be a better role model and peer. He hasnt done a bad job, but he needs to learn just because hes an Admin hes not God. Squat had this complex too.

Jayde is at least even kelter. He has had some skewered ideas on loot and such in the past. I would be interested in seeing how hes going to handle standards. Jayde has a decent relationship with the majority of most ALFAns. I think he would handle the job more tactfully than Rusty. I just hope Jayde if given the post will actually turn the DM core around. We have had the last god knows how many Dms say their going to have DM training and never have it happen. Global Dms/Plots were basically canned. Id like to see those things implemented and Im hoping someone will finally do what they promise to do in their political manta.

All the "endorsing" isnt called for. Let the Dms decide. If the DM core think Rusty is doing a good job they will re elect him. If not they will bring in new blood and Jayde will be on the clock. Stop the politics and bring back the sense of community.

[Mayhem]

All the "endorsing" isnt called for. Let the Dms decide. If the DM core think Rusty is doing a good job they will re elect him. If not they will bring in new blood and Jayde will be on the clock. Stop the politics and bring back the sense of community.

Somewhat hypocritical to suggest that those who say positive things about Rusty should shut up, whilst in the same post showing, by example, that anyone who wishes to say negative things should go right ahead.

/hates Rusty as a DM
//thinks he is an excellent DMA

[Thangorn]

lol.. been a while since I posted in or even read an election Q&A thread.. Good to see that some still have a flair for the dramatic.. Its important in a roleplaying community after all.

I have a question for teh candidates.
Can you see a possible solution for the current nwn2 builder attrition rate?
How do you take this into consideration for future planning for live alfa nwn2 servers?

Can I also just say I think you've done a damn fine job of supporting nwn2 builders so far Rusty.

[JaydeMoon]

We have had the last god knows how many Dms say their going to have DM training and never have it happen.

I would just like to point out that Rusty has not only started really kicked life into DM training, it is going strong and well.

[Rotku]

I love this. I ask people to keep this thread JUST to questions, and then the very next two posts contain not one single question for the DMA. I'm going to begin removing posts which are NOT questions for Rusty from here onwards. Don't say you haen't been warned