Appreciation

**Geoffrey S** · 10-16-2007, 23:39

EB 1.0 has been released. After many years and countless personal hours invested by a dedicated group of creators this epic mod is officially past its beta stage. The mod alters every aspect of RTW, ranging over hundreds of new units, thousands of lines of scripting, stunning new music and an unprecedented attempt at recreating classical languages. I don't think I've ever seen such a massive effort in modmaking, and though I wait patiently for the day I once more have a computer to actually play EB again I'm extremely impressed by what has been achieved. Earlier versions of EB have provided some of the best enjoyment I've had from computer games and 1.0 looks set to continue that.

Which makes it all the more surprising to me to see some of the reactions to the release of 1.0. EB has a large fanbase, that much has been made clear over the years. This fanbase has consistently been kept as informed as is reasonably possible, through individual posts by members to previews leading to superlatives from many fans. Yet when the mod is released it appears there is disappointment that certain aspects aren't exactly as expected. New Roman models, balancing of stats, necessity of a seperate EDU for custom battles; to be honest, I couldn't care less what the issues are exactly, and I'm sure in a number of cases there are issues waiting to be solved. What I can't fathom is the graceless and thankless way in which the EB team is being notified about such matters and the reactions. Demands for changes and frankly rude criticism is met by equally one-sided 'defense' from others, a number of topics on potentially worthwhile subjects devolving into irrelevancy within a day. At times, angry reactions from EB members fuel the fire, but I can honestly understand the bewilderment at the reaction their hard work has garnered from various members of the community.

I used to find this area of the .org a pleasnt place to follow the progress of my favourite mod and view extremely interesting posts and debates on many aspects of the classical world; now, I hesitate to click on new topics (often on old subjects dragged up yet again) as the appear or after seeing that particular people have posted. Why? What is so difficult about phrasing queries in a civil manner? How hard can it be to think about the relevancy of a comment before posting? I'm losing track of the amount of times I've had to bite my tongue and hold back from replying to certain posts, and I'll be the first to admit that I haven't always succeeded.

So think. Think how you'd feel reading your own posts as a member, and in particular think what a consistent lack of appreciation could mean for members of the mod. Voicing an opinion is fine, but please try to be polite about it.

/rant

Edit: I suppose I should make this clear. The majority of posts have been fine. This is aimed for the larger part at those that aren't, and at heated reactions to them. Both disrupt innocent subjects.

**Megalos** · 10-16-2007, 23:47

Here, here!

Very well worded, and more diplomatic than what I would have written.

Mega

**Bootsiuv** · 10-16-2007, 23:57

I agree, but answering the same question 8,000 times probably does get a little annoying. I know that isn't exactly the case here, but I'm still aware of the lack of tact that some fans* seem to display.

EB .8x has provided me with dozens of hours of enjoyment. Discovering this mod reopened a side of R:TW that I didn't think was even possible. I'll likely play EB1 even as I'm beta-testing EB2 (hehe, just kidding, or am I) :P

Anyways, I can see where your coming from, but I really don't blame the members for getting steamed after reading some of the comments some people make in this place...

It's like they think that using ALLCAPS or 30 exclamation points as they rant about the removal of this unit or that or the script malfunction here or there (if any exist at all) is going to garner a respectable response. Some people really have no clue....

A pity.

Bootsiuv

EDIT: *I always say members when I'm referring to fans. I forget that the team are the members in here, but often when I say it, I'm more thinking members of the .org. So I've edited my post to reflect what I meant in the first place. I hope there wasn't any confusion.

**Krusader** · 10-16-2007, 23:50

Thanks for the comments Geoffrey S.

I think you've hit the nail on the head there. We don't mind criticism or questions, but when people ask them in a manner that frankly says we owe it to them and are rude/condescending, we can't exactly smile and be polite.

**Spoofa** · 10-16-2007, 23:58

that sword/spear thread is pretty dumb, after the first 2 pages I just stopped reading it, since its mostly an argument between 3 people that goes nowhere.

**Zaknafien** · 10-17-2007, 00:01

I cant believe i spent 15 minutes writing a response on that thread. Its like aruguing with children. (maybe we are who knows). Thanks for your understanding guys. We're glad to have mature fans who know what they're talking about, or at least are eager to learn, as thats what EB is all about. Its just to be expected with the 1.0 release that alot of people come out of the woodwork and ask asinine questions.

**Spoofa** · 10-17-2007, 00:06

Yeah, EB has really been a great learning experience for me, since you cant really find many books on classical warfare in my school library

I even was suicidal enough to take AP world history this year and have to say im disappointed that we have just barely skipped over the Classical era in about two days! I thought since i was in an AP class we were really going to get into it and I was going to learn a lot but I guess not.

Oh well, my teacher does have several centuries of history to cover before the may final I suppose...

Anyway, EB has been one of the things that has fueled my interest in classical history in particular and continues to fuel it.

so a big Thanks to the EB team.

**Hooahguy** · 10-17-2007, 00:44

Originally Posted by Spoofa

Yeah, EB has really been a great learning experience for me, since you cant really find many books on classical warfare in my school library

I even was suicidal enough to take AP world history this year and have to say im disappointed that we have just barely skipped over the Classical era in about two days! I thought since i was in an AP class we were really going to get into it and I was going to learn a lot but I guess not.

Oh well, my teacher does have several centuries of history to cover before the may final I suppose...

Anyway, EB has been one of the things that has fueled my interest in classical history in particular and continues to fuel it.

so a big Thanks to the EB team.

agreed- i was looking forwards to the clasical period too, but lo and behold, just 2 weeks on it.

**Bootsiuv** · 10-17-2007, 00:08

This is very true....there has been a surge of threads in this forum in the past few days which have asked questions, most of the answers to which can likely be found in the documentation included on EB, the website, or this forum. People just hate to read....for some reason that I don't understand.

**Megalos** · 10-17-2007, 00:10

Originally Posted by Bootsiuv

This is very true....there has been a surge of threads in this forum in the past few days which have asked questions, most of the answers to which can likely be found in the documentation included on EB, the website, or this forum. People just hate to read....for some reason that I don't understand.

Ha ha, yes it is a little odd, as it takes far longer to type.

**Watchman** · 10-17-2007, 00:25

Originally Posted by Bootsiuv

This is very true....there has been a surge of threads in this forum in the past few days which have asked questions, most of the answers to which can likely be found in the documentation included on EB, the website, or this forum. People just hate to read....for some reason that I don't understand.

Eh, I work part-time in a museum. You wouldn't believe how thoroughly people can walk right by any and all useful information clearly displayed... and then come bug us about it.

The most recent record-setting example being this lady who handed over her coat in the cloakroom... over a sign laid on the desk which explained the meeting she was going to attend had the cloakroom elsewhere.

Trust me, customer-service jobs kinda make you lose faith in your fellow man.

That said, it's not like most of the recent askees meant anything bad with it - but I know well enough how irritiating it can be to have to answer the same questions over and over again, when the information could be found with very little effort. And *then* there's the occasional real annoyances...

How did it now go, illegitimi non carburandum - "don't let the bastards bury you", EB team. It's fine job you're doing.