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prof1515 · 03-16-2006, 04:51 PM

I'm not one of Carrion Fields' staff nor do I play it (though, like the IRE games, I've tried it). And I myself find Matt's description of his games as deceitful. I also find Matt's tone toward other MUDs to be disrespectful and conceited and having tried his MUDs, he doesn't have any grounds to be conceited. I've played over 850 MUDs and while the IRE games probably end up ranked in the top 10% of them, that's only because the bar is so low. Compared to the best MUDs I've found, IRE's games aren't that impressive. But that's not the issue. The issue is the dishonest way in which they advertise their games (kudos to Lusternia for not advertising itself as "free to play" like the other three do) and the way in which Matt attacks anyone that he feels threatens his little business.

I was first drawn to read the forums when a Matt started his attack on other MUDs over "IP theft" using Shadows of Isildur as his example. While he claimed righteous motives, I suspected from the tone of his posts as well as his targets that he was more motivated by the fact that a new (and genuinely free) Tolkien-based MUD was doing quite well in the rankings at a time when interest in Tolkien was high due to the cinematic release of the LOTR films. This was something IRE games couldn't do: use a theme like LOTR because a commercial company, as opposed to a free game created out of love of the theme and the medium, IRE'd have to pay for the use of the name/theme. Matt knew lots of MUDs do it and never had a problem with it. But suddenly, IP theft became an issue for Matt and his attacks began. He felt both jealous and threatened, the latter of which he's displayed repeatedly since then toward anything he perceives as hurting his selfish attempts at manipulation of TMS.

All the while, he continues to pretend he's somehow a representative of the community and a "professional" while those he attacks are "hobbyists" and thus not equals or important. And when he fears that those who actually think about the MUD community above their own interests make suggestions for changes that he perceives might harm his own selfish interests, he lashes out at them as "hobbyists", "the minority", and threatens to use economic leverage against the site admins. He'll take his ball and go home if everyone can't play by his rules. And that's why I don't like him. He's a lying, selfish, conceited, no-talent ass.

And maybe he should take his ball and go home. So I'll make the offer right now. How much does IRE pay in advertising to this site per year? I'll match it if honesty in advertising is required (ie, Viagra MUDs have to be honest about what they are: pay-to-succeed) in the listings. If Matt throws a hissy-fit and pulls IRE's advertising dollars from TMS, it's no big loss for the site (and certainly not for the MUDding community) as they'll still get their money (even though my MUD won't be anywhere near ready for years). But maybe it's just time to call his bluff.

Take care,

Jason

03-16-2006, 04:51 PM	#16
prof1515 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 791	I'm not one of Carrion Fields' staff nor do I play it (though, like the IRE games, I've tried it). And I myself find Matt's description of his games as deceitful. I also find Matt's tone toward other MUDs to be disrespectful and conceited and having tried his MUDs, he doesn't have any grounds to be conceited. I've played over 850 MUDs and while the IRE games probably end up ranked in the top 10% of them, that's only because the bar is so low. Compared to the best MUDs I've found, IRE's games aren't that impressive. But that's not the issue. The issue is the dishonest way in which they advertise their games (kudos to Lusternia for not advertising itself as "free to play" like the other three do) and the way in which Matt attacks anyone that he feels threatens his little business. I was first drawn to read the forums when a Matt started his attack on other MUDs over "IP theft" using Shadows of Isildur as his example. While he claimed righteous motives, I suspected from the tone of his posts as well as his targets that he was more motivated by the fact that a new (and genuinely free) Tolkien-based MUD was doing quite well in the rankings at a time when interest in Tolkien was high due to the cinematic release of the LOTR films. This was something IRE games couldn't do: use a theme like LOTR because a commercial company, as opposed to a free game created out of love of the theme and the medium, IRE'd have to pay for the use of the name/theme. Matt knew lots of MUDs do it and never had a problem with it. But suddenly, IP theft became an issue for Matt and his attacks began. He felt both jealous and threatened, the latter of which he's displayed repeatedly since then toward anything he perceives as hurting his selfish attempts at manipulation of TMS. All the while, he continues to pretend he's somehow a representative of the community and a "professional" while those he attacks are "hobbyists" and thus not equals or important. And when he fears that those who actually think about the MUD community above their own interests make suggestions for changes that he perceives might harm his own selfish interests, he lashes out at them as "hobbyists", "the minority", and threatens to use economic leverage against the site admins. He'll take his ball and go home if everyone can't play by his rules. And that's why I don't like him. He's a lying, selfish, conceited, no-talent ass. And maybe he should take his ball and go home. So I'll make the offer right now. How much does IRE pay in advertising to this site per year? *I'll match it if honesty in advertising is required (ie, Viagra MUDs have to be honest about what they are: pay-to-succeed) in the listings.* If Matt throws a hissy-fit and pulls IRE's advertising dollars from TMS, it's no big loss for the site (and certainly not for the MUDding community) as they'll still get their money (even though my MUD won't be anywhere near ready for years). But maybe it's just time to call his bluff. Take care, Jason