From our view in BBB, as an alliance who joined on the rim for some good fighting, and not for the end game gymnastics--it has indeed been great fun. BBB players didn't clear a single temple for bp and fought valiantly all server, even through the toughest parts of daily spam driving many away. To those players, I say THANK YOU for helping us experience the true joy of teamwork and an honest fight, just for the purity of the game. THANK YOU for staying when it was just spam and became a struggle to find ways to have fun. What started as a handful of players on the rim-- not a premade-- turned into a really incredible time with great people.
To speak directly to the undercurrent going around:
(For the rest of the server's knowledge, BBB and DV had a NAP before BBB and MC started sharing temples.) For those in DV who are disappointed that BBB didn't act as a silent partner for you in the end game, or who say we betrayed friendships, there's a side to that diplo that you've not heard, or not been willing to listen to. Those who are truly our friends have seen past that and not assumed the worst, and some even asked about it to gain clarity. To the others, I guess we can just both be disappointed in each other. Real friendships show themselves in times of misunderstanding and disagreement. So if anger fuels you forward, grab onto it. If joy of competition fuels you, thank us for it.
From the very start we were clear we wanted the server to be fun, which to us means there are actual fights. We did not intend to play the end game, but as it evolved and players committed more energy, many enduring daily spam, things shifted. And alliance decisions were made with the best intent toward all involved.
With almost 100 players across DV's three alliances, and with DV's additional other silent partners who've surfaced in live feeds... if BBB had helped DV gain the Poseidon temple, and assisted DV in the end game, it would have been a very stupid server indeed. We're idealists, and we like to hope that the desire to win doesn't supersede the desire to earn it in a way that feels like a real accomplishment. That's something our friends in DV have always claimed they stand for, and we are holding them to it. I can say with full honesty that the people I'm playing alongside are in it for the joy of competition. Not to have a typical MRA victory or to buy the end game-- but for the joy of really trying something. To enjoy the journey.
Many people have put hours and hours into fighting or developing strategy. DV has expertly emphasized the PvE part of the game, capitalizing on temple BP, founding strategically, and making very calculated moves all server. Triad and Outsiders have developed their own 150 player powerhouse with a different strategy. MC fought a respectable fight all server, sandwiched between DV and Triad. (The downside of that is that their positioning stifled the same easy growth for MC that the rest of us fell into.) Each team has earned its place in the end game in their own way. With BBB included, MC has about 65 players-- the smallest of the top three alliances by a good margin. I've never played on the same team with many of them, and I'm grateful for the experience. So often, rumors fly about how people play the game-- and what I've seen these past few weeks has been incredible focus, commitment, and energy, in the face of difficult odds. Regardless of the outcome, it has most definitely been enjoyable.
Respect to all the teams, including those not mentioned above, for keeping things fun and active, especially with a new shiny server around the corner. Good luck to everyone!