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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsServer Maintenance Party: Battle for Eastern Plaguelands live stream
by Robin Torres 
Aug 17th 2010 at 11:00PM
Welcome to the Server Maintenance Party: Battle for Eastern Plaguelands! We are done with the gathering, let the PvP begin! Or at least the running around and standing in towers -- we'll at least get that done. Will the Alliance show up and attack? I don't know!
Join us in game (here are the details) or watch the stream on our Justin.tv channel. I'm narrating as usual. Whether this turns out to be an enormous battle or a funky dance party, it's going to be fun.
For the Horde!
Please join us on Zangarmarsh (US-PvE-H) in <It came from the Blog>. Guild ranks of "Blog Lurker" or above can invite, so /whisper Robiness or any online member. You are all welcome as long as you play by our simple rules -- basically, don't be a funsucker! Visit the guild FAQ for more details. Filed under: Events, It Came from the Blog
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 4)
Paciphae Aug 19th 2010 1:17PM
There were NO SUCH DIRECTIONS.
Robin Torres Aug 19th 2010 1:22PM
There are over 200 witnesses that say otherwise. I'm sorry that you missed them, causing all of this distress for you.
Robin Torres Aug 19th 2010 1:34PM
http://www.justin.tv/wowdotcom/b/268551054
Listen to the first minute.
Again, I'm sorry you missed the instructions, causing you so much disappointment and causing all this drama.
Wizard0666 Aug 19th 2010 5:46PM
To begin with, I was there the whole time, and I did not see any directions show up in guild chat either. However, the chat was so loaded, and moving so fast, I concede that I, and others, could have POSSIBLY not have seen it. I know that I can not have been the only person to have not seen these supposed directions, considering how badly the group at Lights Hope fragmented, once the action finally started. Given the described condition of the Guild Chat, if the suppposed directions were missed, that in no way absolves the 'Guild Leader', from the responsibility of reaffirming the then location/destination of the main body. I did notice quite a few people asking where the main body was, and not getting any assistance from the so-called Guild 'Leader', or the leaders so-called 'assistants' for that matter. I did see the 'leader' finally take time to say that the tower order is not being done in the normal order, but in the order that was said in the stream. Amazing, that there was time for such a snide remark, but not enough time to merely say where the main body was, so that the many who were trying to find them could have did so. But then I have been present at several of these events, and have seen this same type of 'leadership' being displayed. Upon seeing that there were quite a number of people trying to find the main body, how difficult would it have been to have simply said the name, or location of the tower? This is what a True Leader would have did with a group, instead of taking the time to give a smart*** reply. If there was time to do the one, there sure was time to have did the other. Actually, it would have taken less time to have said the tower location.
The general thought processes of the 'Leader' is further indicated, by the comment;
"I do not expect everyone to have a good time at these events, but with a few hundred people attending, I hope that 90% do. That's still an A, right?"
You "DO NOT EXPECT everyone to have a good time"? That is NOT the attitude of someone who is a good leader. Perhaps its even an indication of self doubt in the ability to conduct a successful event. If even 10% do not have a good time because of obvious leadership incompetence, it is not acceptable. The incompetence in this case, comes from the fact that 100% could have had a good time, if the 'leader' would have simply said the name of the tower where the main body was at the time, and told the main body to hold where they were until the rest caught up. THAT would have been the response of someone with leadership qualities. And then to try and recoup the failure, with the flagrant attemp to get people to condone the fail actions by agreeing that.........."That's still an A, right? " Well, NO, in this case that's not still an A.
"I wish I could make everyone happy though. And I will keep trying. :)"
Quite simple really...be attentive to the people who have took time to be part of an event. If there is an individual, or there are multiple individuals in trouble, give them adequate assistance. If you 'don't have time', then make sure you have assistants who are competent, and will act in your stead accordingly. The fact that this simple tenet of leadership has evaded you, speaks LOADS.
As I stated at the beginning, this is not the first of these events that I have taken part in, and it is not the first time I have seen weak, or non-existant leadership skills. It is not the first time I have seen a large amount of people asking for assistance, and not getting any. It is merely the first time that I have decided to say anything about it. I know that there will be those who totally agree with my position in this matter, but will not speak up for fear of being ostracized. I also know that the kneepad/chapstick brigade will come swooping in to feed the overblown ego of their 'Leader', by blasting me. I also suspect that this post will be pulled because it speaks unbearable truth, injurious to a egocentric personality. I am not bothered by these last two potential occurances, because at least I got a chance to speak what most others will merely think.
Perhaps it would be better to stick to blogging, and leave the leadership of major events to those who are really qualified to lead, or until what time much better leadership skills are developed.
Robin Torres Aug 19th 2010 5:44PM
Wizard, are you also Paciphae?
I completely disagree that I should harm the fun of 300+ people by stopping everything to help the handful of people who did not pay attention.
So we have a fundamental difference of opinion.
Question, though. Have you watched the first minute of the stream yet?
Wizard0666 Aug 19th 2010 9:09PM
How foolish. Somehow I am not surprised at this response. I am sure you would like it if I were, but I have to say that no, I am not paciphae. You might check back to any past communications by that person, and see if they are similar to mine in form, and you might even check the IP addresses. But I also notice, you completely evade everything written, and that is okay, it is in keeping with my past observances. I expect no differently from someone who can do no wrong....within their own personal world.
Whether, or not directions were given BEFORE the event started (and I did concede that it was possible, and that they were missed due to the volume and speed of the chat), really becomes a moot point, in face of the fact there were no further location/destination confirmations, and that there was no attempt to regroup the particular campaign. Both actions of which, a good leader would have initiated. Those basic tenets of leadership are missing in this event, as they have been missing in past ones. I suspect that you were too busy playing yourself to be bothered.
Where were the 'assistants', who should have taken up the slack of leadership, and assisted those in need? Who should have brought to your attention that there was a problem, if you missed that fact. Too busy playing to be bothered perhaps?
Round and round, back and forth, what a silly game. I should know that you can not accept any culpability, even when the points are laid out in an obvious, and irrefutable manner. Such is the state of the egocentric personality. Sigh.
Believe what you will, for that is what you must do. I have no doubt there will be a large enough 'cheering section' to allow personal justification. However, it will in no way change the facts pertaining to this situation.
ahsat Aug 20th 2010 9:47AM
Wow. This disintegrated into some viscous spewing. To turn a simple misunderstanding into a hateful attack is just sad.
The facts pertaining to this situation:
1) Leadership Robin stated we were going to go in quest order IN GUILD CHAT before switching to stream.
2) Assistants When we started out people who were either late to arrive or were not paying attention when instructions were given asked where we were going and at least four people stated IN GUILD CHAT which tower we were going to first. Missing it the first time is understandable. Missing the flow after that is on those not paying attention.
Excuse me for yelling but THIS IS A GAME! If you don't like a person, don't play with them. If you don't like a guild, leave it. There is no need to stress and stomp. And there is definitely no need for the nastiness I have seen displayed in this thread.
Hollow Leviathan Aug 24th 2010 5:18AM
Robin, thanks for continuing to help run ICFTB and sponsoring and leading events in spite of funsuckers who seem intent that you feel bad.
It's possible you could mute the lowest rank in Guild chat during 300+ attendance events so that you/helpers can be heard more easily?
Robin Torres Aug 24th 2010 10:23AM
That is such a simple solution, I feel silly not having thought of it. Brilliant! It also means people joining just to spam won't be able to in guildchat.
Thanks!
Paciphae Aug 18th 2010 12:33AM
As I said, I just know she won't hold herself responsible. :/ "Sorry" is word too far below her.
Jack Draven Aug 18th 2010 12:44AM
Who are you to judge her and make such ludicrous comments? She's not your mom. She's not responsible for making sure that you pay attention. As she said there are hundreds of people at these functions, and she cannot feasibly be held responsible for ensuring that every person is being pampered and having their hands held. Put on your big girl panties and take some responsibility for yourself instead of trying to shove it off on to other people.
Paciphae Aug 18th 2010 1:21AM
My posts are being continually deleted here. Nowhere was it said that instructions would be in the stream ONLY until AFTER they'd been given. As a result, the group broke up into several sub groups and some of us didn't have much fun.
Robin said it wasn't my fault I didn't see the directions, and my responses are thus:
1) There were no such directions. You said "Go where I said in the stream" -
after it had been said.
2) "Most" I suspect "go along to get along"
3) Two of my comments here have been deleted. One was that I was looking
forward to this all day and that I didn't expect Robin to hold her self responsible,
the other was confirming that after the fact. :/
And now add number 4) Why does one dissatisfied customer bother her enough to keep deleted my posts???
Alex Ziebart Aug 18th 2010 1:32AM
Let's chill this discussion for the evening. Nobody in this situation intended any insult or anything of the sort. We understand that you're upset but unfortunately there are no 'redo' buttons.
Running these events can be extremely stressful and it's easy to get wrung out during them. Hopefully next time will go better for everyone involved.
Paciphae Aug 18th 2010 1:53AM
the constant deletes and the lack of culpability are what upset me.
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=26560865866&postId=265582656355&sid=1#0
Paciphae Aug 18th 2010 1:54AM
Alex, I vote you run the next one. :)
Catacomb Kid Aug 18th 2010 5:33AM
Paciphae, for what it's worth I think you're in the right. I understand if Robin is wrung out from the event, but I still think it's unpleasant to delete a comment-er's comments. Well within The Blog's (/Robin's) rights, but unpleasant, nonetheless.
I also understand how frustrated I'm sure it makes you, but I think you're best off letting this one go, you know--pick your battles, as they say.
Robin Torres Aug 18th 2010 9:45AM
Since this comment is being left, I have reinstated the not quite as repetitive original comments. I only deleted them when they started turning to personal attacks.
I gave instructions in all caps in guildchat before the stream. I was concerned about Alliance spies at the time. I gave no instructions in the stream, nor in guildchat until after the second tower because of that. After I determined that we actually needed the Alliance help, I started giving instructions in both places.
It seems this misunderstanding began because you missed the initial instructions and then thought I was giving them on the stream. That was not the case. Please see Samutz's post below for one of the many witnesses to the initial instructions.
Sorry this became such a drama bomb. You seem like a nice person who does not normally make personal attacks in public forums.
Heather Aug 20th 2010 4:04PM
You know, I missed the directions (it happens, there was a lot of yelling in general and guild chat was moving very quickly) and YOU Paciphae are a big reason I didn't scroll up to look for them, because you started using caps in guild chat that Robin never gave instructions and didn't announce she was giving instructions through the stream until the event. But I whispered a blog lord and was quickly given instructions, and then I gave instructions in guild and general chat (I couldn't watch the stream so I didn't know Robin wanted us keeping it quiet >.
pixiepixie21 Aug 20th 2010 4:09PM
Oops, comment got cut off. Anyways, if you had stopped complaining and being mad, you would have easily been able to find where to go, lots of people were saying it. I'm sorry you didn't have a good time, but let's be honest, you were deadset on having a bad time the second you decided you didn't like how Robin was running the event.
Zommit Aug 18th 2010 1:43AM
I was tauren dk number 37