I'm going to go out on a limb here. Take this for what it's worth. Actually, this probably isn't going to go over so well.

Why are you always the one taking the blame?

Valg, I am sure you do more for this game than a lot of other folks do. You are responsible for a great many changes and upgrades. Some I consider good. Some I don't particularly care for. Your devotion to the game is admirable. How do I know this?

I know this because you repeatedly inform the playerbase of these things. It seems that for every thread that blames you for something, rightly or wrongly deserved, you post a list all of the things that you've worked on. "Blame me for this? Well, I've done this!" It's almost automatic. Why don't any of the other Immortals do this?

Maybe you think all the criticism is unfair. Maybe you realize it's a "damned if you do-damned if you don't" scenario when it comes to responding to posts. Maybe you feel the need to defend yourself from any attack or criticism and you do this by listing what you've done. Maybe you felt that you put a lot of effort into something, and want people to know it.

I can't speak for the rest of the playerbase, but what I see is a touch of arrogance. I think that there's a part of you that wants the playerbase to know who it was that did the affinities, or the inherents, or what have you.

I think you LIKE the "blame magnet" label. I think it gives you an easy way of promoting your accomplishments. Since you were Proud Blade on Dioxide's forums, I've felt that your posts have had that same arrogant tone. That same "CF should be played my way" attitude. That same "Holier Than Thou" attitude.

When you make a mistake, there's no apology. Recently, you've deleted at least two posts from the graveyard that violated no rule, and made no reasonable explanation for it. One, someone mentioned Graatch by name, saying "good character" and you deleted it, even though Graatch identified himself in the good-bye thread. Second, you deleted a post you claimed to be laced with profanity, yet none was present.

I am not claiming you're infallible; everyone makes mistakes. Everyone wants to be recognized for their hard work and effort. Showing a little humility, a little decency, and a little grace when faced with a mistake will go a long way in making the "Blame Valg" campaign disappear (if that's really what you want). You do a good job on the game. Keep it up. But stop reminding me.

This isn't coming from one of the delinquents who is a frequent visitor to the ROTD. This is coming from a veteran player who genuinely cares for the game and is troubled by the rift between staff and playerbase.

Nivek
Out for the Weekend