The Goodbye Thread (Scourge League)

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Sarno wrote:

I’ve repeatedly seen this phenomenon and I really am curious. Is it out of habit? Are they struggling to accept the game just isn’t for them anymore? Have they not realised they don’t enjoy it, and haven’t for a long time? What inexorably leads them back on a near daily basis?

I'm not attributing any of the following to the 'OP' specifically or even indirectly, but in regards to a broader sense. Trends on forums generally mimic symptoms or behavioral patterns that individuals are experiencing in the 'real world' so to speak. It tends to coagulate in intensity when emotions run high and someone is given a platform to 'speak freely' with a certain degree of anonymity, expressing thoughts they otherwise wouldn't express if that anonymity didn't exist to shield them from consequences or humiliation for their 'unusual' or 'frowned upon' actions or behaviors.

I would be hypocritical if I didn't point out that I myself have left several short yet 'snarky' comments on 'GGG News' threads (which were related to community polls) when I felt the 'Sharknado' cyclone mtx community poll was rigged by a popular streamer. Yet conversely, I also gave praise to 'GGG' when they followed through with releasing the 'Currency' cyclone mtx to rectify that particular issue that I had. So I see myself as 'fair-minded' in that respect. However, others don't necessarily have to agree with my opinions on that (or any other) particular subject (especially in relation to poll rigging).

Another reoccurring theme you'll often see is people who fail to 'follow through' on their own repeated declarations. Some real world examples are of people who will say: 'I'm going to quit smoking', only to be back at it again in a few weeks time. When asked why they gave up on their goal so fast, usually (when they're being honest) they'll tell you a convoluted story in a roundabout way about having had a 'lack of willpower', or that subconsciously they never really had any intention of following through with their plans, or even that the stress of various 'happenings in their life' got to them (understandable). This type of conundrum (which is often a coping mechanism) can be applied to video games as well. Generally in the form of a 'sunk cost fallacy' or outright denial. People will say they 'hate' or are 'quitting' (x) game, only to be 'back at it again' the very next day; often playing for several hours at a time. Willpower and 'genuine' convictions are two things which are rather flexible and whimsical, and not to be taken seriously in today's world in relation to most individuals (unless you know them personally and that their level of integrity is sound). Quite a large number of people lack the discipline required to make those particular 'character qualities' work as intended.

When I boycotted 'Blizzard' seven years ago (yes, seven), I said I was not going to give their company another penny until I felt that they were treating their customers and 'longtime fans' with the respect they deserved. For the entirety of those seven years, I've never given them a single penny as promised, and that also applies to 'Acti/Bizzard' as well since they fall under the same umbrella. I voted with my wallet, as the saying goes.

Going back to your question in regards to this 'phenomenon', there could be several reasons. Yet I'll say it once more verbatim: "I'm not attributing any of the following to the 'OP' specifically or even indirectly, but in regards to a broader sense." Irrationality perhaps, or petty vindictiveness? A lack of impulse control? Looking for camaraderie through perceived consensus? A feeling or sense of being 'wronged' by a company or game, and thus lashing out at the root cause of their anger? Venting frustration? Seeking attention, or exercising any minute avenue of control available to them in an attempt to corral others into mirroring their point of view? A mistaken belief in the power of their own persuasion in relation to others? Outright trolling? All of the above?

Honestly, no one knows except for those who post it themselves. However, observers can make educated guesses or reasonably speculate based on patterns or attitudes witnessed 'over time' in relation to the posters themselves.

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Sarno wrote:

You can count on one hand the number of positive things they’ve said.

I always wonder… why? When it’s inescapably obvious they don’t care for the game in question, why do they frequent its forum? I’ve found games I wasn’t into, or used to enjoy but lost interest in. I didn’t write a goodbye post (much less several), I didn’t visit the game’s forum several times a week, I didn’t keep track of what the developers were up to. I left. I went elsewhere.

I’ve repeatedly seen this phenomenon and I really am curious.

When people feel positively about the game, they are playing / buying supporter packs.

When they arent, but are not yet done with the game, they complain.

So why dont they just quit, you ask?

Well, as an example, say for several leagues you enjoy the game at a 9/10 level. Then, somewhat randomly/arbitrarily, they announce changes. Now you enjoy the game, but more at a 5.5/10 level.

The next best game is maybe 4/10.

So you still play the game, its the best on the market, but you've experienced the game in a vastly superior state (for your tastes obviously).

Maybe explain why exactly you think people should refrain from complaining? Why is the point there, what is gained from silence?


Personally, when I feel constructive, I help players in the Gameplay Help Section.

When I wanted to compliment GGG, I buy something from them.

When I am annoyed that they make changes that reduce their own playerbase (numerically shown) and lower my enjoyment, why should I heap praises on them?

Ive never 'threatened' to quit, it comes across as silly even if you are serious (and you probably are not). But its not necessarily childish. "I used to enjoy this more, I would like to again, if it is maintained in this direction, I will not be able to keep playing. That would be a shame." That's not unreasonable feedback to provide a company, no?

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Sarno wrote:

I’ve repeatedly seen this phenomenon and I really am curious. Is it out of habit? Are they struggling to accept the game just isn’t for them anymore? Have they not realised they don’t enjoy it, and haven’t for a long time? What inexorably leads them back on a near daily basis?

This video clip might provide some insight into why people keep coming back.

https://youtu.be/3EuW_-6HY78

Substitute ping-pong for POE.


ping-pong is not the Macarena it takes
00:07
patience she is like the fine
00:11
well aged prostitute it takes years her
00:15
tricks
00:20
she is cruel laughs at you when you are
00:24
naked but you keep coming back for more
00:29
and more why because she is the only
00:33
prostitute I can afford

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trixxar wrote:

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Sarno wrote:

You can count on one hand the number of positive things they’ve said.

You quoted this, so I assume that you've read it.

Does it describe you?

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trixxar wrote:

Maybe explain why exactly you think people should refrain from complaining? Why is the point there, what is gained from silence?

What part of my post justifies this question?

Look at my post history. Do you see the very next post I wrote after the one you are responding to? It was this. A complaint, directed at GGG. I'm not going back weeks, months, or years to find myself criticising them. It happened within minutes of the very post you're twisting and distorting into a call for silence, for people to refrain from complaining. How dare you.

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trixxar wrote:

When I am annoyed that they make changes that reduce their own playerbase (numerically shown) and lower my enjoyment, why should I heap praises on them?

Nothing I wrote warrants such a question.

You replied to my post, but you didn't respond to what I said.

All I know is the “Goodbye Thread” for expedition was something like 20 pages deep at this point in the league.

is it windy on standard or do you only play forums

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sbowen223 wrote:

All I know is the “Goodbye Thread” for expedition was something like 20 pages deep at this point in the league.

And those pages are filled with people that quit that somehow managed to get challenges in Scourge. Perhaps their accounts were hacked. That's the only plausible explanation since they quit.

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Sarno wrote:

Nothing I wrote warrants such a question.

You replied to my post, but you didn't respond to what I said.

Hmm, then I misunderstood you.

I took you to say, "why do people complain/threaten to quit, instead of just leaving, why do they seem to be stuck in a toxic relationship with the game and not quitting?"

I was trying to say, they are not ready to quit, they are frustrated and this place is the outlet.

Since I misunderstood you, can you help me understand what you meant?

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Sarno wrote:

Usually if I get into a game much at all I’ll check out it’s forum.

Every time I do, I see some of Those™. You know the type, you’ve seen them yourself. They’ve posted hundreds of times. You can count on one hand the number of positive things they’ve said. They’re convinced there’s a silent majority which feels exactly how they do.

I always wonder… why? When it’s inescapably obvious they don’t care for the game in question, why do they frequent its forum? I’ve found games I wasn’t into, or used to enjoy but lost interest in. I didn’t write a goodbye post (much less several), I didn’t visit the game’s forum several times a week, I didn’t keep track of what the developers were up to. I left. I went elsewhere.

I’ve repeatedly seen this phenomenon and I really am curious. Is it out of habit? Are they struggling to accept the game just isn’t for them anymore? Have they not realised they don’t enjoy it, and haven’t for a long time? What inexorably leads them back on a near daily basis?

Some Path of Exile players believe it’s a trait uniquely found in this community, but that isn’t true. It plays out on games’ forums all over the web. I’ve never seen it on forums unrelated to gaming, but I suppose I can’t say authoritatively that it doesn’t occur in other types of community, too.

It's really simple, people used to love the game and the love faded. They come back for basic reasons a) have their love return, which is unlikely to happen. or b) to validate their leaving c) try to get others to feel how they feel (which really could just be another form of validation). I'm sure there are other outlier reasons not covered, but I would wager that covers most of it.

Doesn't seem that complicated of a phenomenon.

ah sh*t , here we go again

dead league indeed , nothing to save , except our time !