Flame Warriors ~ View topic

Clueless Newb Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 52

I'm new here, but I've read most of the suggested warriors here but could not find anything the same as my idea, so I figured I would float it.

The Lobbyist:

In most forums, flame wars have little meaning outside the forums itself. Win or lose, life goes on outside the forums. However, there are a few forums out there where victory in the forums means possibly swaying the views of the forum administrators, and that can have consequences on fate outside the forums. Those who fight over this fate are known as Lobbyists.

Lobbyists only exist in forums where their arguements actually mean something, which almost always are online games where the developers have discussions with their player base. The difference between Lobbyist and Issues is Lobbyists can actually make a huge on what it is they are fighting for, as they have the attention of the powers that make those changes.

Lobbyists come from all walks of life, from the humble Clueless Newbie to a powerful Royal, from a Tiny Yapper to the Mighty Godzilla, Lobbyists come in all shapes and sizes. What is different is what they will band together fight for "counts". Lobbyists spend most of their time lobbying the powers that be to make changes that they want in their game, not unlike the political lobbies of the Real World. Lobbyists also fall upon the party lines that their respective positions in a game; for instance a Fighter player in a fantasy role playing game would likely lobby for the welfare of Fighters in that game's forum, while a Wizard player would more likely fight for the welfare of Wizards. Whether the two are allies or not depends on the issue, and the circumstances.

While some lobbying can be healthy for the balance of a game, lobbying itself often leads to some of the bloodiest Flame Wars on the Net where massive armies lead by competing God Fathers, Rebel Leaders, and Royals battle for supremecy to make their positions count. In this Flame War, winner takes all, losing is not an option.

Taking on an organized Lobby alone is considered suicide, as unlike a Swarm Lobbies tend to attract powerful warriors into their ranks. Many Trollers and Evil Clowns have been known to provoke epic flame wars between rival Lobbies, as Grenades are perticularly effective against massed Lobbyists. Fortunately, Lobbyists tend to be predictable as they will always stick up for their cause even to the bitter end.

Lurker Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 8

Nerf warriors !

...so true but perhaps a little too specific... Wink

This is very good. I think it should go in Art of Flame War as a formation.
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Clueless Newb Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 52

Well it is a little specific yes, but what with how vocal a Lobbyist is in the forums he shows up in, I thought it'd make a good entry Smile

Clueless Newb Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 52

Oh, and I'll work out something about this as a formation in the Art of War.
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Big Cat

Dark Lord of the Stealth Joined: 27 Dec 2004 Posts: 361

I think this might already be covered with Issues. The main distinction seems to be that Lobbyist has a real chance to make a difference. I'm not sure that's really a distinction, though.

--Alistair

Clueless Newb Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 52

Well I think its a big enough difference because Issues usually won't change anything, so even a truely motivated Issues doesn't make a difference. Its not as if the President of the United States spends his days sifting through forums looking for policy ideas.

Also in special interest forums like that, the results of Lobbyist's arguements can in fact actually make a major impact on everyone else in the forum. Oh, and I should add that often times these game discussion forums are implemented with Lobbyist in mind, since they are feed back and discussion forums. Therefore Lobbyists are more numerous, have the attention of the developers/powers-that-be, and can be far more powerful then Issues.

Edit: So it can be argued that Lobbyist is an Issues on steriods, who has a more greater issue to fight for on that perticular forum. Issues winning a debate about the War in Iraq won't change anything major in the real world, but Lobbyist winning a debate on say how powerful Fighters are verses Wizards can very well turn that game on its head on the next Game Balance Patch.
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Big Cat

Clueless Newb Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 52

I'd also like to add the more I think about this, the more I keep thinking I should add this as a Formation like irritus says. Lobbies are such a powerful force in special interest forums that they can't be ignored, but it all boils down to the fact that what they are fighting for actually counts. So Lobbyists only exist in under circumstances in certain forums, and encompass all walks of Warrior life when they do so.
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Big Cat

I don't think this could be Issues. That warrior has some (virtually always) social issue which s/he pushes onto anyone on any forum s/he goes to. Lobbyist only is actively pushing for changes in a product, and only on a forum where s/he has been invited to do so. In addition, the description pointed out Lobbyists can be any warrior-type, and tend to move in groups. Hence why I suggested a formation. I think this is an excellent suggestion, and distinct enough to add.
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