Ben;
I thought your message was excellent even though I fundamentally disagree
with exploiting bugs in the game system. To answer your question:
1. A bug would perhaps not be so bad if *everyone* knows about it; not
just that it exists but exactly how to take advantage of it.
I think most players would agree that a level playing field is best; it
makes the game fair. If you win a battle or a war, it is because you are
the better player(s), not because you took advantage of a bug which your
opponents didn't know about and couldn't prepare for or use themselves.
2. Some of these bugs fundamentally go against the spirit and rules of the
game.
If the rules wanted mages to have unlimited aura, or for any size of stack
to be able to move at riding speed, then it would have specifically said
so. We're not talking about small errors in the rules like SFW not costing
a noble point. We're talking about major deviations from the intended
rules; deviations which change the nature of the game and are obviously
defects.
The reality of the situation is that it takes time to get these bugs fixed.
It's also a reality that there is going to be *some* people who justify to
themselves to use these bugs to their advantage. This basically forces
everyone else to do the same or be at an unfair disadvantage.
To the players at large I would propose the following:
If you find a bug, not only report it to Rich but also publically post the
details via whatever channels are available (G2 list, Olympia Times, Bron's
list etc).
If you're not sure if something you've discovered is a feature or a bug,
then try emailing Rich or talking with other Olympia members who you trust.
I think it is in all of our best interests to try to do what's best for
the game. You can continue to keep taking advantage of bugs in the game
but the game is going to be a lot less fun when players start quitting due
to the unfair and frustrating game environment.
And Rich, if you're reading this, PLEASE fix that damn movement bug! :)
If you've read this far, I thank you.
Bern
---Bernie Gaider (bernie@codenet.net), http://users.codenet.net/bernie)