Issue #18: Welcome to the 18th issue of the Conquer Club Newsletter!
Well it's been a big 2 weeks in the community since our last issue, with 8 New TeamCC members, as well as some exciting Foundry News in this weeks issue.
We are seeking staff for a few positions in this weeks issue, so if you're interested in contributing to this publication then see the "Seeking Staff" section of the Newsletter for more information.
We also have the long awaited "Interview with t-o-m", more questions are answered in "Ask a Mod" and a brand new edition of "A Newt's Tale" all in this weeks issue.
We hope you enjoy this issue!
samuelc812 -
News Director Title: Tournament Reporter Job Description: A tournament regular who has been involved in either organising or playing in a tournament. Who doesn't restate what the Tournament Newsletter already covers, but rather provides a different experience. Perhaps by spotlighting a tournament and doing a profile on a particularly well run tournament. As well as reporting on any new features and/or announcements that come from the tournament forum. The overall aim of the Tournament Reporter is to better inform the community at large in order to encourge member involvment in the tournament society.
Title: Co-Directors Job Description: As the newsletter grows, so does the need for directors. These people will be responsible for running the newsletter with the current News Director, which will include a rotating roster for publishing each issue of the newsletter. Organising competitions and generally helping with the process of the newsletter, they may also be responsible for conducting interviews. So if you like being part of a team and have good leadership skills, then this is the position for you. Bear in mind that applicants for this position will be carefully picked, more so than other positions. Depending on the applicants 1 or 2 director's will be brought onboard. The overall aim of the Co-Directors is to share the duties of the director and help to take the newsletter to the next level.
If interested in any of the above positions, please fill out the simple form below and send it via PM to
samuelc812 .
Username: Position Interested In: What qualifies you for the position:
show: Ask a Mod
This section helps you the member gain a little more understanding about Team CC and parts of the site that you may be unclear with. Note: The views expressed in the article are solely those of the writer and do not necessarily express the views of the other moderators or administrators. Robinette wrote: I'm curious about how you handle operations being remote web based as we are... Is most of the info between you all done as PM's? Or do you all have an occasional group discussion using skype? As mods, are you privee to a fair amount of inside info? or is it kinda the same as it is for us out here on the outside...
There are many ways that Team members contact each other. A lot of official business is conducted via PMs or forum posts, but a lot of discussions take place in IM (usually Skype or MSN). IM is great for training, and is also good for getting to know each other and getting quick feedback on posts/threads. It's also frequently used to hash out comments and proposals before posting them for more general feedback. There are the occasional official team meetings as well as unofficial IM group chats. It depends what inside info you are referring to. We are aware of much of the discussions involving things like general moderation and upcoming Foundry and Tournament Updates. But it's up to lack as to what he shares with us before posting a site update. Sometimes he share, but sometimes he doesn't. I will answer more questions next issue. If you would like to submit a question, please post them in the Ask A Mod thread. ~Night Strike
show: Foundry News
Hello Conquerors! Here again to read what happens in the foundry and also for this issue, we have many good news News World Cities Announcement At long last, a substitute for Classic Art that has to do with the world! sully800 , longtime CC member and beloved mod, has worked to create World Cities, a new map of the world's cities (who woulda thunk it?) with the same exact gameplay as our beloved Classic. The continents have been switched around and it looks like a physical map of the world, but in its essence it is the same as the map that was rid of Oct. 14, 2008.Pearl Harbor Adjustment After over a year of complaints about unfair drops in games, cairnswk is altering his great map by taking one required plane off for each +1. There has been some controversy as to whether or not it is a good change (the other side argues that the map was already good for team and large man games and needn't be changed for one game type).Mapping Development Summary To see the full sized preview of the following maps just click on the title of the map, to visit the map development thread Main Foundry Final Forge Antarctica by e_i_pi This new conquest map has been through a vacation, a month without comments, and everything in between, but has finally reached the Final Forge, garnering all stamps sans the XML.WWII: Poland by samuelc812 Set in 1939, when Poland was invaded by Germany, the first map from samuelc812 is just waiting for the xml stamp for the next final step.England by MrBenn This map may have gone through the most … conversation about gameplay than any other, due largely in part to the infamous Merciless Wong and his grudge against MrB.Feudal Epic by gimil & the.killing.44 After seemingly a forever of updates and XML, I've (killing) offered to and completed the XML to get this show on the road. XML stamp should come within the week.Gulfe du St.Laurent by Unit_2 This has been long in the making, and has had many stalls in the it's development. This map is not out of the woods yet.Das Schloß by cairnswk After some gameplay problems and a few other things that were holding this map up, it's now in the final forge and is almost ready to make it's way into Live Play once again.Beta & Quenched [Beta] [Quenched]
show: Interview with t-o-m
Q: Hi there t-o-m A: Hey Q: Do you honestly feel that your ban was deserved? A: The simple answer would be 'yes'. Q: So your interest say's you like cross dressing? Well what is your favorite dress? A: Wedding dresses. Sistah, puh-lease! Q: If your forum ban was removed, do you think you would join right back in with the CC community, posting around the forums and maybe making a map or two? Or have you found a new place to spend your time? A: The forums don't interest me much anymore, and the the website as a whole is decreasing in appeal to me. I probably wouldn't post much... but I have been toying around with a few maps - I don't want to let a good idea go to waste! This is one that I've been playing around with lately but haven't had time to fully expand the idea. If you want me to fill you in on the map concept just drop me a line. If you're interested: http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/3310/testoh.gif You won't be able to see completely what I'm doing by that, but you might get a tiny gist. Hardly any of the troops/forces are in at this time and the troops that are in are not in position - they're just there for aesthetics. On top of this, the gameplay explanations are not fully in yet either. Q: I was wondering if your clan "guests" is interested in being in the Clan League. And why the dashes between the letters of your name? A: Definitely. Drop me a PM and we can surely set up a few clan games... and the dashes? That's a mystery. Maybe it's an acronym... Q: If you were allowed to keep making maps, what would be some that you would want to do? A: See above. Q: If you had the authority to decide when, and how the rules of CC were enforced, do you think you would side more often with the letter, or the spirit? A: This is obviously a conditional question. In my opinion, the mods create more problems for themselves than they solve for the community as a whole, due to the way that they enforce certain rules. On other forums that I post on, the moderators are actually involved in the community and take interest - they're well liked - but here it seems to be run differently; I think this is one of the biggest issues on the website. Certain mods seem to make the rules up as they go along, and the admins have helped them do this by making the "Common Sense" rule. As we all know, this rule was put in place purely so the mods could manipulate it in difficult situations to their advantage, whereas if a member used it in this way, well, we all know how that'd turn out. I don't mean for this answer to be full of negativity; but I cannot find much else to say in a more positive light. Q: What is your favorite pizza topping? A: Blood, sweat, and tears. From a small child. Q: Are you sorry for your action that caused your ban? Do you think that they were wrong? A: I think this question confuses my harmless internet actions with real life morals. This depends on what each person's definition of the word "wrong" is and I personally don't think my 'action(s)' would constitute as this. Q: Would you apologize if it meant a chance to participate in the CC community in the future? A: Possibly. However, do you really believe that this would make any difference? Q: If you could kick any of the 4 admins in the nuts hard enough to knock their nuts into the back of their throats, whom would it be? A: Hyasri! Q: And to add to this, in what order? A: I think I'd start with Hyasri - then move on to Hyasri, followed by Hyasri. Q: Do you feel a sense of camaraderie with fellow ban-recipients? If so, is this sub-culture the better half of CCs wider community in your opinion? A: We share a common interest which can sometimes be fun... personally, if I got along with the other 'ban-recipients' then your second question's answer would be a full-on yes. I don't know many of the other banned members personally - it's quite hard communicating, as you can imagine - however from what I've seen, they seem like a bunch of fun guys (and gals). Q: Now that the guidelines have changed and perma-bans have been reduced to 6 month bans, do you feel your case should be reviewed? A: Given that ConquerClub's management have made it clear through their actions that they wish to be viewed in a professional light, I would say yes. However, in my opinion - I'm indifferent. My wider opinion on this, though, is that... ConquerClub have previously on occasion, including one or two occasions directed at me, enforced rules which weren't actually in the guidelines - only to be included within the guidelines a few days later. If they want to enforce rules that are not yet official, they should be prepared to do the exact parallel in other circumstances. It's only fair. Q: How do you feel about andy stating it would take far too much time to look back at the cases of the less than 12 members that have received perma-bans from the forums for their posting? A: Hey! Cut Andy some slack! He has a lot to deal with, what with Lack churning out those site-updates to frequently! In all seriousness, I don't want to put Andy on the spot. It could easily be done, but if this was applied to my case - I don't really care. Posting doesn't interest me. Q: Do you feel that members who have made significant contributions to the community deserve different consideration when it comes to punishment than those who have not made their presence known as much? If so, what would the difference be and how would active members be distinguished from passive users? A: No, but I do think it should be considered. To be frank, I'm a little ticked off with the management in general (not the people). They know what I've done for them... Which is a lot more than any of you will know about... And their treatment and attitude towards me just gets a little tedious. I feel like I'm putting all the work into the foreplay for their pleasure only, and they just finish up within the first 30 seconds - leaving me dissatisfied. Psh! Q: What do you do now with all your free time (besides the pile of awsome thing)? A: All of my free time? I don't know what you mean. I've been banned for a year now... not much difference from yesterday. Just one less tab to close on Safari. Q: Are you optimistic about AoW? A: Fo' shizzle. Q: Do you feel, as many of us do, that since these are completely unrelated forms of communication that those who are forum banned should have access to PM & wall communications? A: I've lost all care really. I still get daily PMs which can get annoying when you can't read them. There are a few good members who I can still keep in contact with who just type in a speed game number/password in the subject title or something, and I get an eMail including this so I can see. But shh, don't tell the admins! Q: Does being banned from your wall and PM's negatively effect your gaming experience or hinder your ability to win more games? If so. How? A: Sort of. I've learned to live with it. I have 490 new PMs now and 140 new Wall comments - I stopped caring after PM #10. Q: Do you wish we could foe mods? A: Definitely. There are a plethora of moderators who, quite frankly, are clueless to the game and others who just post continuous jargon. Q: Which mod would you love to feed a banana? A: As expected, Andy. I heard he's into that kind of stuff. If I had to pick another - it would be claps. She's by far the best moderator here. Q: Please answer "yes" or "no" only: Would you like a chicken nugget(or soy faux-nugget, if you are vegan or vegetarian), why or why not? A: That's two questions. Here, lemme help you.Please answer "yes" or "no" only: Would you like a chicken nugget(or soy faux-nugget, if you are vegan or vegetarian)? Q: Yes please. A: Why or why not? Q: I'm working on becoming obese. Q: On subject, does xruan use PoA? Haven't talked to that fool in a while. If yes, tell us about how she is doing and/or any magical relationship you two have developed A: Yeah, she does. She's inactive though - unfortunately! It'd be great to talk to her again but I've lost her AIM (or rather, forgotten mine) and I don't think she checks her eMails any more - unless she's ignoring me! Q: "2009-09-22 07:58:23 - lanyards was kicked out for violating the rules" How do you feel about people that violate the first rule of CC being allowed to buy back in, despite their having a negative impact on the site and it's members? How do you feel about someone like yourself who posted where only 3 percent of CC'ers ever visit, being treated as if your transgressions are far worse than convicted multis that are let out of purgatory for $25? Would you pay $25 to be let back in the forums and to have access to your PMs, etc, again? A: Well, it's obviously quite selfish of the management to let people who, as you clearly state, violate the first rule of the website pay to become a member again, whereas they have the "can't be bothered" attitude on the subject of reviewing bans. I don't care about the forums any more, and PMs would be mostly worthless now - about 75% of the people who I used to talk to have left the site.I think the management needs to review their rule enforcement. Other websites, that are popular, are nowhere near as stern with their members. The management makes up excuses saying that things would take up too much time, would lead to abuse, would do this, do that, but if they don't give people the responsibility not to do a certain thing, then how could you even comprehend that?As I've said, other forums use less moderation to retain the peace. But I don't think that's CC's issue. The issue is that they try to enforce ridiculous amounts of rules, and abuse them in any way possible. I'm sure that if they were more relaxed and lenient, they'd have a substantial amount less issues. Another issue they have to deal with his the trigger happy mods. I don't need to expand on that.I'd love to know what Andy and the other mods actually do for the site on a day-to-day basis. Given that they have no time to do something good and requested by the community, and the fact that we don't see them do much else than ban people, it'd be extremely interesting to see what else they endeavour.P.S. Not that I do or do not support banned members receiving PMs, I still think that each argument should be supported fairly. I saw this post of lackattack's link here where he blatantly lies saying that it's not possible. I don't think it's fair of lackattack, the person who we should respect the most on the website, to fob us off on such a cheap lie. They made changes to how people are 'banned' on the forum and lackattack knows jolly well that it is possible; they shouldn't be telling fibs, even if they're struggling to think of reasons to support their views.I don't mean for this to reflect on my opinion of lack; however it needed to be said (given that it's now locked and no one can reply). Q: Thanks for your time t-o-m A: No problem. Although, I'm sorry I've come off as negative as I have. I've given up hope for CC... I've been thrown around by the management too many times to care any more. You know, KA didn't even apologise for revoking my premium, kicking all of my games, banning me from chat and the website as a whole. The only "sorry" I got was almost a month later from Lack - while telling me that he'd restored the premium I'd already bought. The only reason I was able to keep playing and actually be active on the website as soon as that was down to the generosity of fellow CCer, Artimis, who gifted me premium. Come into Live Chat and talk to me there - at least there you won't hear me moan
show: A Newts Tale
Look At My Baby! Gentlereader, if you will, look at the picture. This is The Elf’s first win at CC. I’ve printed it out, framed it and hung it on my wall. I have a set of wallet sized copies that I hand out to family and friends. When I meet strangers in the airport or at the coffee shop I show them my pride and joy. They are amazed. As well they should be. I’ve even named it. I call it JIM. For no good reason that I can think of. JIM and I go everywhere together. Best Friends For Life. Or… not. It’s a game. An online game. Sign up. Play hard. Try your crazy stratagem. Learn lots. Enjoy. Going postal really serves nothing. Really. (Although I have my moments... like the notation of "bully" on a recent rating... and a tad "rude"... and yeah... I guess I was! ) I remember a couple of things from this game. I think I was more amazed than the other players when I won. If I remember correctly Mr. Aggressive with the Armies of the Lord Our God decided to go right instead of up at me. He hit the assault cube wall. You know the one. It is the one where you just bang and bang and bang your head and then rinse and repeat, and your armies die. Mr. Strategy and Experience with the Defenders of the Known Universe struck back. He reclaimed his turf. It was bloody. It was awful. It was fantastic. Then came The Elf. The Elf had the rainbow. With it came a pot of gold worth 35 troops. Somehow I won. I don’t think I should have. It was circumstantial. It was good cubes and a couple of other players not looking my direction. But it was sweet. Even though I didn’t deserve it. And such is the way of CC. The two quality players in that game I’m sure were fuming. I would have been. But they just said “gg” and then a quick “nice dice” and off we went to the next battle. That too is the way of CC. There is always another battle… unless you go postal too often I guess.Oh My Divine-like Being Where Am I?!?! Okay. This is turning into a “good sport there pal” article this issue. So be it. It was around this same time I started to check out other map and game types. I found the Speed Game tab and I wandered into the wilderness. I would often find a game in play on a map I didn’t know and just watch it unfold for a bit to see if I could pick anything up. I was doing this while I was on the phone tracking down some info for an article. This is when I stepped through the looking glass Alice. I clicked on a game to watch. The door opened. I read the game chat:Dudelookslikealady : good luck there Elfish_Lad What? Say again? What? I can only assume that I clicked “Join Game” rather than “Enter Game” and had thrown my n00b-self into the fire. There were 40,000 territories with little question marks on them. There were 82 divided by 14 multiplied by 3.71 (carry the 2) bonus options. I had wandered into Age of Realms 1. In a Speed Game. Ever have moments when time stops? Your heart is racing out of your chest? Where you shoot coffee out of your nose in wonder? This was one of those times. I couldn’t even find my little troop bases right away. Later, I actually felt bad for the Dude I beat in this game. I had a serious case of Epic-Uber-Beginners Luck. I just stacked and marched. I decided not to turtle and marched toward the bigger looking shield thingies. I am oblivious to the fact that the Dude is stalking me with 35 troops, trying to find my port and end this mess. Hell. I didn’t even know there were ports! I’m just stacking and marching and somehow collecting bonuses that I’m trying to read the description of on the side of the screen in under 30 seconds between turns. Dude shows up behind me. I push Dude back three times… while I keep stacking and marching and collecting mystery bonuses. When I finally dismantled his only marching army we had a brief conversation and he laughed when I told him what had happened in my stupidity. And then he told me how to cross the ocean. And find his little base of 3 guys. Twice. Because I didn’t get it the first time. Because there was no blood going to my brain. It was all in my chest. Protecting my vital organs. Because I was panicking. Even though I had won. So Dude? Thanks. Thanks for not giving me the old “I hate all nubs on this site” speech and just rolling with it. Cause that is part of CC too! Kill or be killed in the pit brothers and sisters. E.
Stay Tuned for the next issue of the Conquer Club Newsletter for an interview with
InsomniaRed . Post any questions you may have for
InsomniaRed here -->
Interview with InsomniaRed Submitting Your Own Articles If you have a story you think the Conquer Club Community would find interesting, you can submit your articles to
samuelc812 or
gimil . If the CC News Team enjoy it than you may just see your article published in the Newsletter!
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Subscibe Here! Conquer Club News Team samuelc812 -
News Director gimil -
Advisor Night Strike -
Ask a Mod thenobodies80 -
Foundry Reporter the.killing.44 -
Foundry Reporter jpcloet -
Clan Reporter Wolffystyle -
What the Howl? elfish_lad -
A Newt's Tale gimil /
WidowMakers -
Graphics