May 16th 2010, 9:47:24
The way I see it there are two reasons for suiciding, firstly, just for fun and general boredom with a more conventional state of play (such as warring or netgaining along clan guidelines), which is why I did it (and while I'm on the subject, it was totally LaF's fault that I hit them I'm perfectly aware of PDM's anti-suiciding stance which is why I made sure noone in the clan knew about it. LaF was my target because I thought their fat, poorly defended countries deserved to be hit for not bothering to defend properly, as well as their [leadership's] having a history of generally being wankers. I also thought it would be funny seeing what a big deal they made of it when they routinely find new players and farm them until they realise it's pointless for them to continue trying to play - which it totally was lol!), and suiciding as a reaction to being screwed over by the target alliance.
Mehul designed this game as an attacking game. Even on the front page of Pang's earthempires, it states:
"Build your country to destroy your opponents in war, or strive to finish the round with the highest networth you can."
So what about the players who want to build their countries for the purpose of destroying their opponents in war?
Sure, the vast majority of players will choose to play in a clan, and play along clan guidelines. Many because they enjoy working together and being directed and trained, but also because it's necessary for their own protection. Obviously this means the majority of these players would be anti-suiciding, as anti-suiciding measures would offer an extra layer of protection to their countries.
However (and after some thought, contrary to the opionion I gave in another thread) it's wrong to make game-altering decisions that cater only to the interests of these players. Especially when the person proposing the changes plays in a clan full of people who all value the non-fighting side of the game above warfare, and who, due to their playstyles and policies probably generate more resentment amongst opposing players than any other clan.
Back to the two types of suiciders, I believe that as much as you may dislike it, both kinds deserve a place in this game.
Regarding people who suicide for fun or because of boredom: in a game based upon the ability to interact through warfare as well as trade and diplomacy, it's wrong to remove the warfare aspect for countries who are considered rogues, and leave it in place for countries who conform to conventional rules regarding attacking other clans. Fair enough if someone attacks a clan from within one tag, the clan that houses them can decide they no longer deserve to be affiliated with the tag, but the conventional playstyle should not be enforced by altering the very mechanics of the game, let people play as they choose!
The second type of suicider is the kind who gets repeatedly raped by larger countries, and naturally, develops a spiteful attitude towards the countries who, day after day, ruin any chance it has at developing. These countries, while many may simply choose to stop playing, have the option of using the warfare component of the game to get their own back on the countries that attack them in the first place. Altering the game mechanics so that larger countries can continue to farm small countries, but small countries - who are being targeted because they're in no position to grow enough to grab their land back - are unable to retaliate in any form, is SO obviously the wrong thing to do.
It's ridiculous to be perfectly cool with being directed to sacrifice your country to politically motivated warfare, but when a person is genuinely aggrieved (please note I'm NOT referring to myself here) by the actions of other players, to turn around and condemn their act of warfare for not being sanctioned by any clan's hierarchy - this is a fighting game, NO country deserved full immunity from attack simply because they're in a clan that likes to netgain and have "worked hard for two months". Every player knows they CAN be attacked, and it's their responsibility to see that their defense is adequate, and if it's breached, to simply get on and deal with it like every other country subject to attack.