[bf1942] Issues regarding "ranked servers"

[Shockwave]

On Mon, 2005-06-06 at 03:21 +1200, Michael Davies wrote:
> I think there's going to be a lot more ranked "official" servers than you
> guys are expecting. Recently it was announced that 3 major Aussie GPS's
> will be providing between 300-400 player slots on ranked servers and I
> know of a similar deal being done in NZ. In America I know of a BIG
> network of the ranked servers run by EA themselves through a centralized
> site and a large group of admins. Worldwide deals have already been done
> and sealed with large GSP's to provide servers.
> 
> While the smaller servers hosting outfits and clans will miss ranked
> action on their servers there will be no shortage of 'official' servers
> worldwide.
> 
> Michael Davies.
> NZBattlefield.com

While that is certainly a good thing to hear, the fact remains that a
significant portion of the community will not be able to use the servers
they already have for ranked play.  That includes my clan.  Besides,
what happens when it comes down to competitive gaming?  Are all the
league and ladder clan matches now going to be required to be played on
ranked servers?  What does that mean for all those "special weapons"
that can only be unlocked on ranked servers?  Am I supposed to throw
away the co-located server deal I have had for 6 years and rent a box
from one of EA's "approved" GSP's instead?  That's right gaming
community.  Shell out the cash for the game and don't forget to pony up
over $100 extra every month for a brand new "EA approved" server if you
ever want to have your team practice with any of those shiny new
weapons.  What a farce!  By the way, does anyone seriously think that EA
is going to do a better job of administrating their servers than any one
of us could with our own servers?  I think not and I wager I'm not the
only one who feels this way.  If anyone needs proof, simply look at
their abysmal track record.  This whole issue is completely ridiculous!

There is absolutely no reason why weapons and other facets of the game
currently restricted to ranked servers cannot be made to be available on
unranked servers if EA really wanted to do it.  There are plenty of
alternatives that will not only protect the veracity of player stats and
the ranking system itself but also give the community the flexibility it
needs to play the game without having to dump more money into EA's
corporate coffers.  Instead EA continues to be myopic and self-centered,
spurning the very community that continues to line their pockets so
faithfully.  The bottom line must be pretty large to make them this
cavalier about how they treat their customer base.

I am extremely disappointed with EA and their unfair handling of this
and other important issues.  It's pathetic that the only thing standing
in the way of us getting what is fair is EA's disdain for the spirit of
gaming and those of us who steal time away from work and our families to
play their games.  They know exactly what they are doing and yet they
just don't seem to care.  Shame on them.


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