The Fort 2

Back, and a reintro

Webzter — 2000-01-05T04:15:00Z

To say I have been absent would be an understatement. I apologize for not sticking my head into the ole fort a bit more often. I know all of my fans (yeah, the two of you with the foam fingers) are wondering where I've been. I will plan to have some new, scathing material up soon, I would like your help on this though...See, I can take any issue and turn it into a two page diatribe. However, I want to know what you all see as issues. So, drop me an email with a concern that is bugging you and I'll write something up if I feel it is affecting our community.

Oh, and about the name change...it's not one really. You see, a while ago I was fed up with the game, with the immature attitude that we all run into too often (and I won't say I haven't been immature myself) and with my lack of progress in skill. I basically quit everything. Along came Bundy offering me a change to update here at the fort. Not wanting to resurrect the name I had let die, but wanting to join Bundy in jousting at windmills, I came back as ben. However, I am back into playing the game now and hae dusted off the old nic, Webzter.

Anyway, you should see me updating more often here at the fort. Not all of my posts will be serious, that is one thing I've learned well, don't be too serious about anything, it keeps the frustration level down. Again, drop me an email at ben@planetfortress.com with anything you want to see addressed and we'll see what happens.

Hi folks, this has to be said!

Webzter — 1999-10-07T04:00:00Z

First off, I need to point out that Phatty is actually updating on a regular basis. You all need to visit him as this page is absolutely the best thing on the Internet. Check out Planut Phat Dragon. Ok, I know a lot of you old-timers already know about this bastion of wisdom, but some of our newer chaps may never have been there. Of course, you can't mention PhD's site in one breath without mentioning the Unofficial Phat Dragon Knews Page in the other.

If you actually read the PhD page then you would be in stitches right now. The server PhD mentioned when he called 911 is the Clan 30+ Old Soldiers Rest Home. I can tell you that playing against these guys with their rocket-powered wheelchairs and geritol-powered whit is quite an experience. It's no wonder that PhD was fearing for his life that night, he was probably against Midnight Sun on defense and the offensive might of Ailbe and Spaced Qut. The IP for Rest Home is currently 4.3.211.242. It seems GTE just recylced IP's so that one should be good for a while. It may be a little laggy, but it is the most moderated server I've played on. It seems to be the main haunt for us TPF'ers too, so you should expect some fun games.

Friends, Homers, Bundymen, lend me your beers

Webzter — 1999-10-03T15:20:00Z

Today I would like to talk about respawn camping. Ok, shush, stop the groaning, I'll try to make this interesting. Hey! Stop throwing those tomatoes. I mean it buddy, it's not like I'm forcing you to read this. Ok, thanks…=)

Just to lay some foundation for this article, I would like to pose the following to you. Respawn camping is lying in wait to kill newly spawned players. I think this definition is broad enough to validly include people that actually stay in the enemy respawns and those that lay a trap outside the respawns and await emerging players. Respawn campers live for the sole purpose of fragging the enemy at their most vulnerable time.

I'm not going to turn this into some whining bit on how respawn campers ruin my games. Frankly, they don't affect me at all. Not to say I am highly skilled, any player with his wits about him will be able to unseat and destroy the camper with no problems.

One could ask why the issue of respawn camping is constantly rehashed. Well, for one, I like making you all suffer through recycled arguments. Recycling is good for the environment after all. Why just today I cut down a tree so I could recycle it. Yes, yes, no need to thank me, I'm just looking out for our planet. I care too ya know. Anyway, the reason I want to address this topic is because we are here to talk about Honor, Sportsmanship, and Fairplay. Personally I think that respawn camping goes against all three of those tenets and I'm going to do my best to convince you all too. (Well you all if we happen to have some random reader stopped by, otherwise it's just you reading this Bundy)

My thought is that any halfway skilled player can effectively defeat a respawn camper. I do not wish to get into tactics in this discussion but trust me, you can do it. If it is possible for almost any player that's figured out how to change his name from ‘Player' to defeat a camper then the point of camping must be for the sole purpose of killing lesser skilled players.

Now, I may have a very twisted view on things, feel free to correct me on this but this doesn't seem very sporting at all to me. It is no more indicative of sportsmanship than fighting a man with both hands tied behind his back. One might as well go out driving and aim for the pedestrians, they're easier targets after all.

Of course, I may have this all wrong, maybe respawn campers only camp because they are bored. Yes, that must be it, why else would they do it. Oh, wait, if they are doing it because they are bored then the game must be so lopsided that they can afford to stick around the enemy base doing nothing helpful for their team. But hold on a second, if their opponent is so weak that they can do this then they are still not practicing Fairplay. Heck, I bet that if they switched teams they would have the fight of their life.

Regardless of the motivation for camping, I can not see the Honor in it. Yes, you may very well be at the top of the frag chart, but it's no different than cheating at poker, the win is hollow. I will say that there is one instance where I see it as valid to hang around the enemy respawn for even a fraction of a second. That is when you are escorting a flag runner into or out of the enemy base. But then, you aren't really camping, you're utilizing teamwork and providing rear guard cover for your runner.

Anyway, I see I'm rambling now…=) Bundy, I need more of that Geritol and cough syrup! I went through two cases today and I'm afraid I will keep rambling unless I get more! Well folks, this really is the end of the article, feedback, comments, daughters between the ages of 17 and 23, are all welcome.

Howdy all!

Webzter — 1999-10-01T09:05:00Z

Well, that was quite bold of Bundy to promise you wouldn't be disappointed by my work. I think the old man is suffering from CRS with regards to my work. =) I just wanted to put a post up to introduce myself. Now, half of you are probably mocking my ultra-cool nickname and the rest of you are wishing you had thought up such a cool one. I've been involved in the TFC community since about a month after it first came out, a new-blood I think Bundy called me. I've accidentally managed to pick up Bundy's gift for dragging two sentence answers out into several pages so expect some lengthy, and hopefully, enjoyable material shortly. My current plan, once that Geritol and cough syrup arrives and I can think more clearly, is to delve into some issues that are affecting the game of TFC. Of course, our stance, as always, will be from the viewpoint of Honor, Sportsmanship and Teamplay. Thanks, and I do hope you won't be disappoined!