Algorithm: Black - Feedback

All of the above... plus, this is the most phun I've had since I started mxo over 2 1/2 years ago.  Hats off to the A:B Team!  I'm totally astounded and surprised be everything so far!  Keep it up!

And for the rest of you who may be reading this, and have not gotten involved yet....... DO!  You won't regret it. 

/phormalcurtsey

This has been the best time I've had in MxO since that period in its history when I was still blissfully unaware SOE had bought the rights to it.  It's like I'm right back in the Matrix Universe I fell in love with.  Except, like, better. *grins*

Criticism...

Characters:  (this does not apply to anyone specific) be cautious to have something of a prepared background for your character.  Even if it is a "minor" character, it is still important.

Acting:  Try to find a balance between somewhat inanimate and cheesily overdramatic.  And for the record, I haven't seen anyone be overdramatic yet.  Just add a kick of "Oomph!"

Understand...I am still -very- impressed by the movies, and everything really, but this is a feedback thread. :p

Dear, Algorithm: Black Team

Thank you

-Jack

The interaction on external chat programs was cool I enjoyed that.

The general idea was a little meh...peace is never going to be achieved until it happens in the main story(and even then some would argue that it wouldn't happen, if the war ended).

The use of external sites and such like is great though, it wouldn't suprise me if we saw this become a trend.

Just seems like there are those who seems to close the blinds on their involvement while acting obliviously positive towards the event. Not naming anyone, it's a good tactic.

A negative review?

Well, the fact that there are people who were willing to give the people from this PE disclosed information is sort of disturbing. To promote that on the internet is sort of riskae, and it's not something I'd want this AB to be doing to me. Even the out of game interactions is a little over the line. Sure, they're probably people you know just under a different alias trying to improve the gameplay in our little game.

The idea of Algorithm Black is a little over-used. It seems they are starting to become sort of intertwined with Scanline, which is something I really would advise against. If this is strictly a player event, then in the LESIG/LE world they do not exist. They will not be recognized as part of the storyline just as 700-year-old lesbian vampires are easily thrown aside by the Matrix-storyline bible that Rarebit holds so dear.

It's obvious that although the event is criticized in some ways, everyone here can agree that at least the fact that this team is trying to liven up the community again is definitely something for the better good.

The many "RP" conversations with the AB members listed in the thread can sometimes make it confusing when you try and grasp what the gist of the situation is. Sometimes there are players in the thread that just start making their own RP stories that relate to AB in an obscure way, while there are others completely OOC in the thread. It's sort of an up-down road and you're trying to just pick out the pieces that matter and cut the poppycock along the way. Also, poppycock in my opinion is a really bad replacement for the manure of a bull.

So, in review.

Giving out personal information = Bad.

Assuming an Alias while although you may know the person and then contacting them outside of the game = Bad.

Attempting to give the community something to do = Good.

Trying to solve the puzzle through various bits and pieces of information while weeding out the useless things = So-So. Some of the stories are interesting, others just simply are not.

Also, I was a little disappointed when Halloween kicked through and Algorithm Black, 10-31-07 didn't have anything big go through (or at least that I noticed), but just a sign of declaring that they are "Active". Although I may be alone in this, I'm not exactly a fan of lengthened trails of clues that ultimately lead to frusterations in some cases. So the fact that they've teased us with names off a list and some garbled messaging isn't that appealing to me. I've never been one to actively pursue puzzles, probably because some of them are simply fruitless. Fortunately, you have people who are just simply adept at this sort of thing. I'm not a "fan" of this event, but I'm not saying I'm pro to get rid of it. If people are content and happy with it, then I'm in the minority. Minorities just ignore it unless it becomes their problem, but it isn't my problem. Minorities just offer their feedback here or there, while the ignorant people just simply ignore the thread. Conceivable enough, yes?

So have fun.

Just seems like there are those who seems to close the blinds on their involvement while acting obliviously positive towards the event. Not naming anyone, it's a good tactic.

A negative review?

Well, the fact that there are people who were willing to give the people from this PE disclosed information is sort of disturbing. To promote that on the internet is sort of riskae, and it's not something I'd want this AB to be doing to me. Even the out of game interactions is a little over the line. Sure, they're probably people you know just under a different alias trying to improve the gameplay in our little game.

The idea of Algorithm Black is a little over-used. It seems they are starting to become sort of intertwined with Scanline, which is something I really would advise against. If this is strictly a player event, then in the LESIG/LE world they do not exist. They will not be recognized as part of the storyline just as 700-year-old lesbian vampires are easily thrown aside by the Matrix-storyline bible that Rarebit holds so dear.

It's obvious that although the event is criticized in some ways, everyone here can agree that at least the fact that this team is trying to liven up the community again is definitely something for the better good.

The many "RP" conversations with the AB members listed in the thread can sometimes make it confusing when you try and grasp what the gist of the situation is. Sometimes there are players in the thread that just start making their own RP stories that relate to AB in an obscure way, while there are others completely OOC in the thread. It's sort of an up-down road and you're trying to just pick out the pieces that matter and cut the poppycock along the way. Also, poppycock in my opinion is a really bad replacement for the manure of a bull.

So, in review.

Giving out personal information = Bad.

Assuming an Alias while although you may know the person and then contacting them outside of the game = Bad.

Attempting to give the community something to do = Good.

Trying to solve the puzzle through various bits and pieces of information while weeding out the useless things = So-So. Some of the stories are interesting, others just simply are not.

Also, I was a little disappointed when Halloween kicked through and Algorithm Black, 10-31-07 didn't have anything big go through (or at least that I noticed), but just a sign of declaring that they are "Active". Although I may be alone in this, I'm not exactly a fan of lengthened trails of clues that ultimately lead to frusterations in some cases. So the fact that they've teased us with names off a list and some garbled messaging isn't that appealing to me. I've never been one to actively pursue puzzles, probably because some of them are simply fruitless. Fortunately, you have people who are just simply adept at this sort of thing. I'm not a "fan" of this event, but I'm not saying I'm pro to get rid of it. If people are content and happy with it, then I'm in the minority. Minorities just ignore it unless it becomes their problem, but it isn't my problem. Minorities just offer their feedback here or there, while the ignorant people just simply ignore the thread. Conceivable enough, yes?

So have fun.

Because LESIG events are so much better and well-conceived?  Lollerskates.

You would know, amirite?

I never said Algorithm: Black is bad, just certain parts of it I don't agree with. It's good, people like it. Don't get rid of it. Some of the things they do are questionable, but there really isn't that much of a majority against it. You even said yourself you think it's one of the best player events since the beginning and that's fine.

Algorithm: Black is arguably the best player event this game has ever seen, in my opinion.  It never ceases to amaze me what a few people who love this game and the Matrix this much can do.

~V

naes177 wrote:

Because LESIG events are so much better and well-conceived?  Lollerskates.

You would know, amirite?

I never said Algorithm: Black is bad, just certain parts of it I don't agree with. It's good, people like it. Don't get rid of it. Some of the things they do are questionable, but there really isn't that much of a majority against it. You even said yourself you think it's one of the best player events since the beginning and that's fine.

Well, the fact that there are people who were willing to give the people from this PE disclosed information is sort of disturbing. To promote that on the internet is sort of riskae, and it's not something I'd want this AB to be doing to me. Even the out of game interactions is a little over the line. Sure, they're probably people you know just under a different alias trying to improve the gameplay in our little game.

Ballak wrote:

The idea of Algorithm Black is a little over-used. It seems they are starting to become sort of intertwined with Scanline, which is something I really would advise against. If this is strictly a player event, then in the LESIG/LE world they do not exist. They will not be recognized as part of the storyline just as 700-year-old lesbian vampires are easily thrown aside by the Matrix-storyline bible that Rarebit holds so dear.

Not entirely true. Some player stories do in fact get recognized by LESIG and Rarebit himself, it's just that they're rare. Now, from the information that I have seen, Algorithm: Black didn't mention Scanline until the Sentinel came out around the start date. Scanline was mentioning The Algorithm a bit before that. So if Scanline has mentioned The Algorithm, then I'd say that qualifies as being recognized, wouldn't you?

Ballak wrote:

Trying to solve the puzzle through various bits and pieces of information while weeding out the useless things = So-So. Some of the stories are interesting, others just simply are not.

Part of the fun of non-linear gaming is trying to figure out what is useful and what isn't while following up on several leads. The technique is called a red herring.

naes177 wrote:

Because LESIG events are so much better and well-conceived?  Lollerskates.

You would know, amirite?

I never said Algorithm: Black is bad, just certain parts of it I don't agree with. It's good, people like it. Don't get rid of it. Some of the things they do are questionable, but there really isn't that much of a majority against it. You even said yourself you think it's one of the best player events since the beginning and that's fine.

Ballak wrote:

naes177 wrote:

Because LESIG events are so much better and well-conceived?  Lollerskates.

You would know, amirite?

I never said Algorithm: Black is bad, just certain parts of it I don't agree with. It's good, people like it. Don't get rid of it. Some of the things they do are questionable, but there really isn't that much of a majority against it. You even said yourself you think it's one of the best player events since the beginning and that's fine.

I would know, and yeah it is, by far.

Criticism is always nice and I've offered mine, but it just sounds like you are pissy because you can't/don't want to solve puzzles. Ok, fine, continue about your business.

I'm not that very good at puzzles. I was just pointing out that it doesn't make it easier when everyone's got their own little bit to add to the puzzle when it really isn't necessary which is annoying, but I guess sometimes there really isn't anything to solve and you're just doing it for your own enjoyment. That aside though, I guess I was wishing for more of a Joker-type event where everyone was more or less OOC (IC ingame) trying to solve the puzzle. As for the LESIG/PE relationship, I really don't see that big of a difference between this and the Joker events; long, interactive puzzles that grasps most of the community's attention. Just because it was LESIG instead of PE doesn't change the theme. You also have to realize Algorithm Black was sort of at the "meh" popularity level for a lot of people until they just started naming out people and giving out garbled/mysterious soundbits and pictures. When people get attention, they get involved, so that boosted them up. They have Raijinn supporting it, so more and more just keep getting on the bandwagon. What's wrong with that? Nothing. This event is a great idea, it's just I question some of their motives.

I'm sorry if I made you feel that I hate the event because of my own disability.

-Zippy: Well, I guess for me there's a fine line between Real Life and this game. I don't really want people from MxO giving me phone calls or whatever. MxO is almost like a second identity for me, just something I do when I'm bored and I usually have a lot of time to be bored. You enjoyed it, that's your opinion. It could possibly be paranoia, but I'm rather cautious when handing out information to anonymous people, even if they're part of this knit-pick community.

Archangel wrote:

Ballak wrote:

The idea of Algorithm Black is a little over-used. It seems they are starting to become sort of intertwined with Scanline, which is something I really would advise against. If this is strictly a player event, then in the LESIG/LE world they do not exist. They will not be recognized as part of the storyline just as 700-year-old lesbian vampires are easily thrown aside by the Matrix-storyline bible that Rarebit holds so dear.

Not entirely true. Some player stories do in fact get recognized by LESIG and Rarebit himself, it's just that they're rare. Now, from the information that I have seen, Algorithm: Black didn't mention Scanline until the Sentinel came out around the start date. Scanline was mentioning The Algorithm a bit before that. So if Scanline has mentioned The Algorithm, then I'd say that qualifies as being recognized, wouldn't you?

Ballak wrote:

Trying to solve the puzzle through various bits and pieces of information while weeding out the useless things = So-So. Some of the stories are interesting, others just simply are not.

Part of the fun of non-linear gaming is trying to figure out what is useful and what isn't while following up on several leads. The technique is called a red herring.

For the first thing, technically, or at least according to Rarebit, anything made by the player isn't considered part of the matrix universe, like how every player is an operative. No, you may think your an exile/vampire/program/agent, but you're really not. Technical-RP-wise, we're all from the fields after the Truce was broken, shipped to Zion where we did our first missions there. So really, every Algorithm operative you see has gone through that same process, etc. etc. I'm sure they'd be recognized as an organization or faction, but they will never have an effect on the storyline. If so, this blatantly isn't a player event. So this whole, A:B trying to renew the peace thing is obviously not going to happen unless the peace is renewed by some other means. If they try to take credit for it, then that would be distasteful.

The red herring, although as you're explaining it to me is obviously a technique that I would not discourage A:B from doing, it's actually the players doing it. And even then it really isn't the Red Herring part, but it's having to read through conversations with the player's character and their operator or who ever.

Which, I apologize again if I made it sound like that was A:B's fault, because that's out of their control. I meant it in more of a general over-view of the event so far. It's out of their hands, so why should I blame them?

Foxxdie wrote:

Ballak wrote:

naes177 wrote:

Because LESIG events are so much better and well-conceived?  Lollerskates.

You would know, amirite?

I never said Algorithm: Black is bad, just certain parts of it I don't agree with. It's good, people like it. Don't get rid of it. Some of the things they do are questionable, but there really isn't that much of a majority against it. You even said yourself you think it's one of the best player events since the beginning and that's fine.

I would know, and yeah it is, by far.

Criticism is always nice and I've offered mine, but it just sounds like you are pissy because you can't/don't want to solve puzzles. Ok, fine, continue about your business.

I'm not that very good at puzzles. I was just pointing out that it doesn't make it easier when everyone's got their own little bit to add to the puzzle when it really isn't necessary which is annoying, but I guess sometimes there really isn't anything to solve and you're just doing it for your own enjoyment. That aside though, I guess I was wishing for more of a Joker-type event where everyone was more or less OOC (IC ingame) trying to solve the puzzle. As for the LESIG/PE relationship, I really don't see that big of a difference between this and the Joker events; long, interactive puzzles that grasps most of the community's attention. Just because it was LESIG instead of PE doesn't change the theme. You also have to realize Algorithm Black was sort of at the "meh" popularity level for a lot of people until they just started naming out people and giving out garbled/mysterious soundbits and pictures. When people get attention, they get involved, so that boosted them up. They have Raijinn supporting it, so more and more just keep getting on the bandwagon. What's wrong with that? Nothing. This event is a great idea, it's just I question some of their motives.

I'm sorry if I made you feel that I hate the event because of my own disability.

-Zippy: Well, I guess for me there's a fine line between Real Life and this game. I don't really want people from MxO giving me phone calls or whatever. MxO is almost like a second identity for me, just something I do when I'm bored and I usually have a lot of time to be bored. You enjoyed it, that's your opinion. It could possibly be paranoia, but I'm rather cautious when handing out information to anonymous people, even if they're part of this knit-pick community.

Ballak wrote:

Foxxdie wrote:

Ballak wrote:

naes177 wrote:

Because LESIG events are so much better and well-conceived?  Lollerskates.

You would know, amirite?

I never said Algorithm: Black is bad, just certain parts of it I don't agree with. It's good, people like it. Don't get rid of it. Some of the things they do are questionable, but there really isn't that much of a majority against it. You even said yourself you think it's one of the best player events since the beginning and that's fine.

I would know, and yeah it is, by far.

Criticism is always nice and I've offered mine, but it just sounds like you are pissy because you can't/don't want to solve puzzles. Ok, fine, continue about your business.

I'm not that very good at puzzles. I was just pointing out that it doesn't make it easier when everyone's got their own little bit to add to the puzzle when it really isn't necessary which is annoying, but I guess sometimes there really isn't anything to solve and you're just doing it for your own enjoyment. That aside though, I guess I was wishing for more of a Joker-type event where everyone was more or less OOC (IC ingame) trying to solve the puzzle. As for the LESIG/PE relationship, I really don't see that big of a difference between this and the Joker events; long, interactive puzzles that grasps most of the community's attention. Just because it was LESIG instead of PE doesn't change the theme. You also have to realize Algorithm Black was sort of at the "meh" popularity level for a lot of people until they just started naming out people and giving out garbled/mysterious soundbits and pictures. When people get attention, they get involved, so that boosted them up. They have Raijinn supporting it, so more and more just keep getting on the bandwagon. What's wrong with that? Nothing. This event is a great idea, it's just I question some of their motives.

I'm sorry if I made you feel that I hate the event because of my own disability.

-Zippy: Well, I guess for me there's a fine line between Real Life and this game. I don't really want people from MxO giving me phone calls or whatever. MxO is almost like a second identity for me, just something I do when I'm bored and I usually have a lot of time to be bored. You enjoyed it, that's your opinion. It could possibly be paranoia, but I'm rather cautious when handing out information to anonymous people, even if they're part of this knit-pick community.

So you're basically saying you didn't think it was a good event because you couldn't figure things out and/or didn't enjoy what you did manage to figure out?

Concise criticisms.

~V

No, I'm saying it'd be easier to solve the *CENSORED* thing if I didn't have to go through everyone's RP *CENSORED* that doesn't appeal to me in the first place.

But it's not like I have any control over that, right? So yeah, it's annoying. I also added to my previous post that enlightened more to that, but unfortunately you can't quote things twice without having to opening up a new window etc. IE for the lose.

I guess we are not entitled to an opinion though, Vanil. Or at least, if it's not a positive one.

Yes you both bring up good points, and I admit my arguement/complaint is sort of bsed in some things as it was most scornfully pointed out by some of the posters here. I appreciate you not criticizing me on my opinion. The only thing I wish to say is that for them to contact you in real life, although you willingly give up the information, is just a little, I don't know, strange. It's for the event, of course, but you don't know who you gave those numbers to, and what about after the event? It's not like the information will be obsolete.

Meow

Disclaimer

All data other than screenname, password, and email is voluntary. If you do provide us with the optional data, it will be used for event purposes only. Your information will not be distributed to any third parties. Access to this data is restricted to event organizers only. For security reasons, the data is stored in a separate system, and will be deleted when the event is over.

Thank you for your support.

-The Algorithm: Black Team.

I think it's great that a group of people are willing to invest time and come up with something like this for MxO.

On a side note I'm upset that my sig was changed... that darn Algorithm *shifty*

I just want everyone to know that this whole thing has been a sham; an elaborate plan for these "people" to recruit you to their side for the real purpose of getting rid of ManBearPig.

You have all been fooled by the AlGore-ithm.

You'll never get me! /shakefist

I just want everyone to know that this whole thing has been a sham; an elaborate plan for these "people" to recruit you to their side for the real purpose of getting rid of ManBearPig.

You have all been fooled by the AlGore-ithm.

You'll never get me! /shakefist

Vesuveus wrote:

I just want everyone to know that this whole thing has been a sham; an elaborate plan for these "people" to recruit you to their side for the real purpose of getting rid of ManBearPig.

You have all been fooled by the AlGore-ithm.

You'll never get me! /shakefist

Hahaha I loled. " width="15" height="15" />

A:B seemed to make a lot of players happy, so that's good! The acting was good, and the puzzles were plentiful and good (I, of course, enjoyed 'hacking' the Medical Officer's network). The story was kind of weak, or maybe I just feel that way because I lost focus on it. And I'm not real crazy about getting into the realm of ARG's and real life phone calls, etc. Also, using LE characters in more than the most cursory way is a big turn-off for me. Mentioning them during the course of the story is fine, actually speaking for them and making them active participants is not. Because I know it's not true, and therefore it breaks the fourth wall for me.

I really couldn't get into it though, because it was just too time intensive. There was so much to follow up on, so many different threads to follow. Picture a few strings leading into a snarled ball of string that you can't see around to know if there are any other strings leading out, and you'll get a mental image of how I viewed this event.

And because of this, I think a lot of player collaboration was lost. Too many people lost focus quickly and you were left with the few intensely interested parties who had managed to piece everything together from the beginning. There were still a lot of people there at the "end", but I think there could have been a lot more of us. 

For those who had time, it seemed to be great. But for those of us who didn't have as much time, not so great. . .

Hope this helps.

Medical Officer? Who's that? That's new to me.

But also, I personally find any event to be hard to follow if you're not in it from the start. You should have seen MxO in the early days. Everyone loved the glory days, but things were a bit hard to follow back then if you didn't jack in every day. (maybe you were around then, I don't know)

A:B seemed to make a lot of players happy, so that's good! The acting was good, and the puzzles were plentiful and good (I, of course, enjoyed 'hacking' the Medical Officer's network). The story was kind of weak, or maybe I just feel that way because I lost focus on it. And I'm not real crazy about getting into the realm of ARG's and real life phone calls, etc. Also, using LE characters in more than the most cursory way is a big turn-off for me. Mentioning them during the course of the story is fine, actually speaking for them and making them active participants is not. Because I know it's not true, and therefore it breaks the fourth wall for me.

I really couldn't get into it though, because it was just too time intensive. There was so much to follow up on, so many different threads to follow. Picture a few strings leading into a snarled ball of string that you can't see around to know if there are any other strings leading out, and you'll get a mental image of how I viewed this event.

And because of this, I think a lot of player collaboration was lost. Too many people lost focus quickly and you were left with the few intensely interested parties who had managed to piece everything together from the beginning. There were still a lot of people there at the "end", but I think there could have been a lot more of us. 

For those who had time, it seemed to be great. But for those of us who didn't have as much time, not so great. . .

Hope this helps. " width="15" height="15" />

Dang... so much 'past tense' in your post. lol  It's just getting started, and getting more and more interesting all the time.  We were told this goes through the end of November, so there's lots more to come I'm sure.

There's still time for many to get involved.  Or even re-involved! You don't 'have' to participate in every angle.  But even just helping to solve a puzzle or two, or getting a hint/clue/info phor the rest of us... so you can contribute even a little, CAN be very beneficial. 

I like how you can be as involved or uninvolved as you want to in this event, and still be a part of it.   Especially, now that we have a recap of what's happened already.  No reason to read through hundreds of posts anymore.  That was a great step A:B team.  Phantastic job.

/phormalcurtsey

Phluff

...uhh... that's why I put the word 'end' in quotes. While 10/31/07 may have been some sort of culmination of the story, it seemed to me (and a few others I spoke to about it) to be a bit anti-climactic.

And I thought this was a feedback thread? Just giving you my feedback, for what it's worth.

p.s. Sorry, I got the Medical Officer thing from this thread. If it turns out it had nothing to do with A:B, then just dismiss it.

...uhh... that's why I put the word 'end' in quotes. While 10/31/07 may have been some sort of culmination of the story, it seemed to me (and a few others I spoke to about it) to be a bit anti-climactic.

And I thought this was a feedback thread? Just giving you my feedback, for what it's worth.

p.s. Sorry, I got the Medical Officer thing from this thread. If it turns out it had nothing to do with A:B, then just dismiss it.

Shi+Xin+Feng wrote:

...uhh... that's why I put the word 'end' in quotes. While 10/31/07 may have been some sort of culmination of the story, it seemed to me (and a few others I spoke to about it) to be a bit anti-climactic.

And I thought this was a feedback thread? Just giving you my feedback, for what it's worth.

p.s. Sorry, I got the Medical Officer thing from this thread. If it turns out it had nothing to do with A:B, then just dismiss it.

Yeah...  lol.  Event started on 10/31.  Ends at the end of November.

Yeah? Okay, fine. Guess I've no idea what I'm talking about then and I gave a review of the wrong events. In that case, take everything I said and apply it to all the hype that occured prior to 10/31/07.

Good luck with that, and hope people enjoy it!

 (I, of course, enjoyed 'hacking' the Medical Officer's network). 

Well what can I say other than that I took a break and when I came back I'd missed something interesting for once.  That would be my luck, though I may have come along far to late to get involved this time around, if anything like this happens in the future I'll be sure not to miss it.

I think the Algorithm Black Team have done a fantastic job. The puzzles might for some be to complex and the story to complicated. But the story and the "thrill" you are getting is almost like "The Assassin event" style.

Exellent work!!!

It pwns most of what LESIG has ever done imo...(but i still <3 my mxo) keep it goin ..keep the mysteries alive...its the fear of the known that is scary, it is the unknown i find curiously interesting...

\m/><\m/

NO Swearing.