Civil Protection: The State of Things [Bombings, JW, Antlion Arc]

[Pasta]

Hey folks, while I wish I said something sooner, this has been an issue that's been building up for a few weeks now. I need to blow off some steam and make some issues aware to the public who may not see the other side of the coin. The bombing of the Check Point in Triumph leads to quite an amazing story. Anger boiling over, tensions rising, it was enjoyable then, only to have another Check Point bombed within days of one another that lead to a Judgement Waiver.

That's where some of the issues start appearing.

Note; I will be speaking as a Civil Protection/Combine Player during this narrative complaint.

CP-3 Bombing
If this wasn't one of the coolest things to happen in recent memory, I don't know what is. It was so cool to have players push that kind of deal, and this is coming from someone who was CONSTANTLY manned at that Check Point. It was GREAT roleplay for me and all the other Civil Protection, so why am I complaining about it? Well. The radiation seemed a bit too much, just a bit. I get the goal of it was to try and prevent them from rebuilding it right away, as well as encourage player rebels to DO that. To allow the rebels a chance to make a push, nothing much came from it but it was still a change of pace. Kept us on our toes.

Because for some reason in the future, there was a Headcrab launcher(?) How was that even functional after all the radiation and the BOMB that blew up the checkpoint, not only that for the freezing materials used, it should have really shut down and broken most systems. Kinda strange and shocking to get a notification that the NEXUS was bombed by some checkpoint that was blown sky high.

Once again we rolled with it because hey, it was cool. Dumb and unrealistic? Sure. But still cool to see. (Note; We were almost off JW, less than 4 hours from changing until that thing hit.)

CP-1 Bombing
...The only real complaint I got was the restriction on us not being allowed to repair it. That was really dumb. We were putting efforts into trying to have it repaired with the CWU and Local Citizens. Only to get told no. I don't really like that narrative. Kinda a slap in the face where we weren't allowed to repair the small number of assets we had in control. It only pushed the idea of this strange Triumph = Slums narrative. It was decently early on too.

The Judgement Waiver
The Judgement Waiver was exciting! It was fun! ...For the first two days that it happened, Civil Protection was allowed to be harsh, allowed to be the scary force that the stories within the Half-Life 2 narrative speak about. The masked grunts and thugs follow the orders of a voice within their heads. Heeding all commands ensures "peace" and control of the very city!

This was after us having two of our strong checkpoints taken away from us! Oh man were we ready to fight back, to hit them where it hurt! Finally, a fun arc where two sides would clash into a combat that was going to be fun... Right?

But we were denied Slum Raids. We were denied attacks on Rebels quite often. We weren't allowed to punch back for whatever reason or another we were denied the things that could have made the oppression further for the common slummer and citizens alike. ...It just wasn't fair to them. I don't want to make someone's roleplay experience awful, having someone stand in the Ration Center because we're dealing with an armed conflict for HOURS? I'd of left the server, I wouldn't want to RP that.

And the Creative Team/Admins(?) saw fit to constantly build up defensive positions for the Slummers/Rebels which weren't even player made? ...Odd.

Fine, so we went forward with destroying it. Then we were also told to avoid going into this area because ...??? there wasn't really a clear reason per se, only that we got messages from the FLs (who I'm not blaming for this at all.) We would have to rarely check on this lost area that was once Triumph Street to allow the rebels to push further and further! ...Never happened.

That was annoying, to say the least. We couldn't even go into the SLUMS without something going wrong in an OOC manner. Constantly complaining was just so bad that I know for a fact, I didn't want to deal with it. So I just... didn't. I didn't encourage the harsh punishments that we were all expecting to be allowed because they weren't.

Truthfully the Judgement Waiver should have only lasted 2 days. Until we had constant firefights.

Again we were denied to push the Judgement Waiver to a higher tier for...? No reason was given. Actively it has felt that the Combine players at this point were punished for doing their job, in BEING oppressive. We couldn't. This was strange but I was willing to look past it because there was a new arc coming and everyone was really excited about it. Kept our chins up, and rolled with what we thought was going to end in the slog of RP for us.

...let's talk about that.

HP-1 Bombing
Are we sensing a theme yet? The narrative of bombings got really boring at this point, more so that it was a block of C4(?) to take down a defensive wall that the combine had made against Terrorist Acts AND Antlions. Yes, the situation was spoken about and handled, never sat right with me having it be so late with so few on.

The Antlion Arc
Let me also preface this by saying this:

I can't wait for this arc to end.

If I wanted to play a Combine vs Rebel S2K server, you know what? I would have joined that. If I wanted to join an Outlands Half-Life Server? I would have done that. I GET THE IDEA. It's just being handled very poorly right now, I have not a single doubt in my mind that the Rebel Players are having a blast, they SHOULD be. This arc feels like it was made for them.

I expected both sides to be clinging for dear life to fight against the hoards of Antlions! ...But we got Admins with Bug Bait that pushed an entire objective just because the Combine had secured their Hard Point again. We even spent hours the night before repairing it to have it ready for the swarm WE knew about. But we got crushed out by Admin Rebels and Antlions swarming not only an entire Squad of Civil Protection but some pretty high-armored OTA as well.

Alright, fine. It was for a narrative push. A bit insulting for Combine Players that they had to use Admin Characters and Bug Bait on day one.

What about the NLR Zone? We as Civil Protection cannot patrol it often, not even without Rank Leader Approval. What about the SHEER amount of equipment that the Rebels have? Don't you dare for a second tell me you guys aren't up-armored and ready to go. The current average rebel can take on a team of Civil Protection, for dirt-cheap ammo, for weapons that are easy to get.

There was an odd issue that a certain type of new spawn had a sharpened knife and 200 credits. (The sharpened knife that is.)

Why aren't the Antlions attacking the slums as often as they are attacking Victory? Recently I've been told because of balance but every single 'success' we do as Civil Protection/Combine doesn't have any meaningful effects on the "other" side.

Honestly, I'm ready to let Victory fall. I'm burnt out man. From the weeks of fighting to this?

I'm burnt out from all the chaos that's been sent our way, we're players too.

A great statement made by someone who I will leave unnamed that sums up a lot of how Civil Protection Feels right now:

"What do I feel like? I feel like a fucking NPC whose purpose is to die should the main character plot demand it."

 

[Fallizs]

get rid of VJ and use Willard antlions apart from main events that people are not obviously going to butcher all the Antlion bodies

 

[Kamilisha Haijulikani]

As the one who oversaw a lot of the things mentioned in the reply quoted- a lot of that was indeed handled by players and not CT. The barricades for slums was a quest given by BMDs, players handed in resources and as more resource flowed in, slums got upgraded slowly and surely and within a few days of the quest being out there, the new groundwork was built up and ready to go. Even now, players are taking on the initiative on the rebel side to reinforce the barricades and patch up the holes created during the arc thus far- none of which is under CT control but all player handled.

The Arc itself was given the choice by players. Beginning and throughout even til the end- all made for players to make decisions on where and how things should go based on their own actions. CT just places the objectives and points, it is up to players to act out on them and left on them to decide.

The only time CT got directly involved was the 3 Event Admins attacking the Hardpoint in the finale wave which finished it off after the player rebels did their part. After that, it was left alone and tbf, CPs could've taken out said Event rebels but pulled back abandoning the place for good.

Outside of that, all attacks, bombings, etc etc is all player made and led with the only thing CT doing is overseeing it to ensure players get the effect they would expect since that is how RP works and always need the GM to set the scene for your actions. Overall a good 90-95% of this Arc and prior has all been Player related activity and not some magic forced by a magical GM taking something out of their arse.

I generally hate it thus far how CT is being blamed for that which it is not responsible for- since they are leaving it to players and factions for the most part and watching while doing the stuff they need to like oversight and handling of the Antlion movements and spawns.

Right, but the inciting incident was premeditated, which, if you read my comment, was neither critical; nor did it attempt to insinuate that nothing thus far was player-led. Most of the arc thus far has been player-led. I was referring to the ongoing event as a deliberate, prearranged event executed by the Creative Team. To imply anything else is disingenuous and untrue; leading members of the event have confirmed so. There were no planned alternatives to the event or any alternative narrative that could've usurped the Antlion arc.

To paraphrase RedHotGinger, they (the creative team) had complete certainty that rebels would take the quest; there was no other option. The inciting expedition was planned in that it intended to bring about the Antlion Arc through a contrived, though cogent manner. You misinterpreted unwonted praise as criticism, which is just folly.

Contrary to this thread's consensus, I quite like the event... It's the only differing thing that I have seen in the better half of a year.

 

[Spitfire1]

As someone who started playing the server again just a few days before the Antlion Arc, I am enjoying it for the most part as a Slums/rebel player.
I wouldn't call it an event where rebels are curb-stomping their way through everything Combine-related. Their only progress is taking over Triumph with help from Antlions. And even with that being the case, scanners still make their way through the slums and as usual, they get destroyed by anyone who sees them. In the past few days, I have seen so many OTA sweeps where they just come in guns blazing just annihilating any rebel in their way. Where the hell are CPs? Sure, they'd most likely get their ass handed to them, but that would be much more enjoyable for both sides than having OTA appear whenever a new player flashes their crappy scrap weapon that some rebel gave them. And maybe consider doing S2RP so the fight doesn't last less than 5 minutes?

What I don't like however is that all antlions seem just to be focused on Victory Street, of course, it would be annoying for new players to constantly be under the threat of spawning in antlion-infested slums but at least the average player inside the slums can have some action that isn't an OTA rushing in with his XM1014.

 

[Astro]

As someone who started playing the server again just a few days before the Antlion Arc, I am enjoying it for the most part as a Slums/rebel player.
I wouldn't call it an event where rebels are curb-stomping their way through everything Combine-related. Their only progress is taking over Triumph with help from Antlions. And even with that being the case, scanners still make their way through the slums and as usual, they get destroyed by anyone who sees them. In the past few days, I have seen so many OTA sweeps where they just come in guns blazing just annihilating any rebel in their way. Where the hell are CPs? Sure, they'd most likely get their ass handed to them, but that would be much more enjoyable for both sides than having OTA appear whenever a new player flashes their crappy scrap weapon that some rebel gave them. And maybe consider doing S2RP so the fight doesn't last less than 5 minutes?

What I don't like however is that all antlions seem just to be focused on Victory Street, of course, it would be annoying for new players to constantly be under the threat of spawning in antlion-infested slums but at least the average player inside the slums can have some action that isn't an OTA rushing in with his XM1014.

Every OTA deployment into the slums has been because of a freed vortigaunt. Just an FYI.

 

[Rabid]

Well, i would argue it's an IC issue, cops should sort this out themselves. If cop leadership isn't doing anything, that's on them, it would be the same with rebel leadership, if they did this, it would be expected from rebels to sort it out themselves, without staff overriding the rebel leadership.

Rebels would never be in a position where they couldn't act, though.

You could make the decision to do something - with cops, there's a massive OOC element.

 

[Inspector Orlok]

Please stop using quests as proof rebel players are doing something, that's incorrect and very misleading. The only reason rebel players do the majority of the quests is because they have a fat chip reward at the end. I'm 90% certain that if the quest system didn't exist we wouldn't have what we do now, Triumph being lost and constant rebel attacks. Yes, we would still have it but a much more dialled down version. I've said this multiple times but if rebel players are only fighting the combine because of quests and chips then maybe they're doing it for the wrong reason.

It's fine to want scripts and chips but to say that it's all player initiative and that CT are in no way involved is just outright wrong. Even what I said before about fighting the combine for the wrong reason, that's fine, you don't need to fight the combine for any political reason or freedom, but don't act high and mighty like you're apart of the real half life resistance when in reality you're a mercenary, killing random civilians because they're loyalists.

3. ICly the reason why the slums are not getting attack is that the Wardens, have directed them to go around the slums, as that is where a majority of rebel territory is, so they are directing them away from that area. OCCly, slums are where the outcast background spawns, it would be unfair for a new player to be insta PKed cause an admin decided to spawn antlions, the same reason the train station does not have antlions, or any other spawn point.

I don't believe for a second the Wardens were smart enough as to direct the antlions away from the slum. They're wild animals how would the Wardens even do that to begin with, Pheropods? If that's the case why wouldn't they just use them to fight the combine directly instead of killing hundreds of innocent people. The event itself is cool and has shaken up the meta enough as to allow rebel players a fighting chance. But be honest, the reason as to why rebel players haven't been wiped out day two is mainly because of a narrative decision, not because they were actually smart enough.

Instead of this event being more Combine Vs Rebels, it's more Combine Vs Rebels + Creative Team. It's an unwinnable situation for combine players and that's the reason most people are burnout. I mean, why wouldn't the combine just send in a few synths and kill all rebels? All the Synths left the city. What about OTA, can't we just send in a few waves? They got NLR full refund, plus OTA restrictions. I'm not poking fun at rebels or the restrictions combine factions are getting. Rebel players having it easy is an understatement.

"start fragging your Rank Leaders or MCP and try your hand at leadership."

 

[Pasta]

Hi everyone, while I'm still on recovery from the THING(tm), I would like to take a moment to reply to what I can. I cannot and will not reply to everything that was stated here but I have seen some points/messages that I want to talk about for a moment. While by no means is this event perfect there seems to be a small improvement regarding the Civil Protection Faction.

Is it fun? I don't think so. A step forward is still a step forward all the same.

I suggest to start looking inward at your command units, because it ain't the writers or staff that's stopping you from acting on the server and we've given you every segment of opportunity to act. I've spoken for a handful of hours deep into the early morning to discover it. You have superior firepower, a larger force.

If you're complaining about not being able to "be oppressive" at the CPs - I'd recommend to simply

Normally, If this was any other type of game. Of roleplay. I'd agree. However, we all know that this isn't how it would go down. Fragging a Rank Leader and not being deemed rogue? Impossible. Killing a CAPTAIN? We don't even need to play with that idea. The MCP doesn't play a real role in the server at the moment other than being OOC advisor.

I understand where you are getting at and where you are coming from. It follows the concept of 'Be the change you want to see.' Trust me, I have been trying for quite some time. It is not uncommon to make jokes about the ghost RL's. Many while I am not blaming them at all, do not get on often. Kaffee is the most common RL, and Tengu as well, but even then. He almost died not too long ago from a poor roleplay situation. Can't kill them if they're never on.

To say I see the Captains more than the RL's isn't a joke. I constantly see Claptrap on his Captain... RL's? Nowhere to be found most of the time. This isn't a jab nor is it a knife twisting. It is just something I noticed upon my return to playing. I hope there is a change soon but I won't hold my breath for that. Too tired right now.

Nor do I think would the Civil Protection Program, would reward any of us for killing the High Command Units. I could be wrong, I will fully admit that but this isn't the main point here. We cannot forget the OOC politics it would dive into if we were going to kill off a Rank Leader or Captain. The punishment would have OTA likely shooting the entire force.

When you say superior firepower, I don't think you're talking about our weaponry. The OTA? Yeah, they do. But the best weapon we have right now isn't even anything available often. It is only recently that we have been allowed to have rifles. ...It's not really helped too much. Do I think the Combine is the superior force lore-wise? Yes. In Game? Not so much. We have Rebels with Scars, M4's, other high-powered rifles. I heard the other day an Officer with a FAMAS got 3 shotted by a Scar even though they were landing body shots. Perhaps a few more tweaks are required. I'm not quite sure. I think Neonity knows more about that than I? I could be getting my admins mixed up. It seems strange to me that the ragtag rebels scavenging for weapons, food, and ammo have military-grade weaponry far better than the standard Civil Protection Officer.

There is something that isn't connecting right to make this puzzle work. I cannot piece it together. I respect and see what you are saying, I just wanted to put my own thoughts down as well. Claptrap is doing an amazing job leading the Faction, it is not his fault that he has been misinformed on top of the lack luster High Command that is present at the moment.

CPs complaining about an IC issue, complaining to staff about it. All for the sake of being unable to PK rebels.

Not commenting on anything else

I feel like you didn't read my message, that's disappointing because I expected better from you.

I think if cops are being held back by inactive leadership and blatently getting the shit kicked out of them because of it (or being denied responses to attacks) you should, y'know, use your power as staff to override the RL's and let them respond.

Don't just sit back and go "aye, sort it yourself lads" when its actively fucking over one side.

Of course rebels aren't going to complain when they get the lion's share of everything right now.

While I agree, we cannot have the staff hold our hands either. We must meet in the middle to ensure the Faction and server as a whole is enjoyable for all. This isn't a new issue per se I just got fed up with it. This storyline really just highlighted some of the issues that the Civil Protection has had for some time. It's just being presented to everyone at the moment.

CPs are complaining about the event as they believe it’s mainly centered around rebels, and why shouldn’t it? rebels haven’t been focused on for months on end and their part in the story was null up until this point where they started getting their shit together.

I mean. Wasn't this supposed to be a Server Story Event? Focusing on one side more than the other is kinda upsetting. If the roles were reversed I'm certain there'd be more complaints than this thread I have up. I disagree with your statement and that's okay, I'm not trying to change everything in a day. Only that people can see not everyone is having fun here.

Instead of this event being more Combine Vs Rebels, it's more Combine Vs Rebels + Creative Team. It's an unwinnable situation for combine players and that's the reason most people are burnout. I mean, why wouldn't the combine just send in a few synths and kill all rebels? All the Synths left the city. What about OTA, can't we just send in a few waves? They got NLR full refund, plus OTA restrictions. I'm not poking fun at rebels or the restrictions combine factions are getting. Rebel players having it easy is an understatement.

I'll admit. This is the biggest glaring issue in my eyes. I don't need to add much more than to say I fully agree. Which sucks. I don't want to feel as if we're going against or having to climb a mountain with the Creative Team. It's not an amazing feeling.

Edit: Minor corrections within post.

 

[Vadim]

TL;DR?

 

[George]

TL;DR?

 

[The_Grass_Man]

Grab gun and shoot rebel ez, that's what I do

 

[toby]

i hate antlion arc because of the god damn CCA implementing more rules