[GUIDE] How to enjoy LotC

[Papa Liam 960]

 

 

       I wanted to have a brief discussion about the player’s relationship with LotC as a server, and about how some of us prioritize certain aspects of our lives. A lot of folks in this community take their character’s affairs very seriously, to the point where we allow the roleplay we partake in to cause us legitimate, emotional and mental anguish, to the point where we forget that we’re playing a videogame – and I’ve noticed that this particularly impacts our younger players, which to me, is extremely concerning.

       Most of you know me as the Sanoist guy, the GA guy, the Illatian mafia guy, the railroad baron guy, or the Parliament guy. I started playing on LotC the summer between 8th grade and my freshman year in highschool, around the time we switched over to Vailor. I was fifteen, and the reason LotC appealed to me is because I sort of fit your stereotypical description of the anti-social kid in the back of the class who wore gray hoodies year-round. I had a few people who were fluctuating friends, but I don’t think I really had any sort of normal highschool friend group. I was the kid that ate lunch in the stairwell, or in a teacher’s office, if I could find it. My weight was always something that I was heavily concerned with, I was a pretty chubby kid. I was pretty obsessed with listening to podcasts and drawing, even though I wasn’t that good at it, but that didn’t matter, it gave me some way to express myself creatively. Still, I didn’t have much interest in any traditional social activities, like sports or after-school clubs. I was pretty cynical, I thought that I was above the “jocks” and “popular kids,” even though all I really wanted to do was be in their friend groups. That’s why LotC has such a strong appeal to me, it gave me the chance to interact with others free of judgement, and additionally, it was an outlet to express myself. I was a kid with a lot to say, and with nobody to talk to, LotC seemingly had a lot to offer. And it did, over the last five years, I’ve had a lot of fun and met some pretty great players who I’ve formed close friendships with. Those people are fantastic human beings who helped me to get through highschool.

       However, at a lot of points during my time on the server, I found myself frustrated, upset, and angry at the happenings of my character and our group, anytime something went wrong either in-game or OOC’ly. It would ruin my day, and when I got home, my top priority wouldn’t be homework, it would be the server and how I could remedy whatever way in which I was wronged. It got to the point where I almost had to repeat my freshman year, if it hadn’t been for a very generous teacher who gave me an extra credit opportunity that I didn’t at all deserve. That caused some serious, unnecessary stress on top of what was already a pretty bleak highschool experience. Fortunately, my last year and a half of highschool, I was able to simultaneously play LotC while getting my grades into the 80’s and 90’s. I was accepted to some local colleges, and some were pretty reputable for their government/poli sci/economics programs that I was applying for, but I was also accepted to a certain school in Quebec that I didn’t seriously consider at first.

       On a whim, I decided to go to school over the border, and I cannot express how much of a good decision that was for me. At first, my reason for going abroad was because it was cheaper than any in-state school I was accepted to, and I was disappointed because I couldn’t afford one of the other schools I had been accepted to, but I soon realized that this was the best school for me. Back in September, I stopped playing LotC, cold turkey, because I was so preoccupied by my classes and the parties I was going to. At first, I was pretty disappointed that I couldn’t continue roleplaying, but realized that I didn’t miss it. I made a massive group of friends from so many different walks of life, coming from countries I’d barely even heard of, with varying interests and incredible stories to tell. That’s why, for a solid ~6 months or so, I hardly logged onto the server at all – and I didn’t miss it one bit.

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

(peep the tat, oren)

 

       This is what I did during those six months at school. I made incredible friends who’d take a bullet for me, and I’d take a few bullets for them. I have a solid GPA, and I’m applying for my department’s honors program this year. I have an internship lined up for the near future (which I was supposed to be doing right now, thanks ‘rona), and I’ll be an orientation leader for the incoming freshmen next semester, which was an incredible experience for me as a freshman. I lost a lot of weight, and I’m no longer camera shy.

 

       The reason I’ve made this thread is because, as I return to LotC looking for something to do amidst this quarantine, I found myself getting frustrated all over again, and I have to remind myself that it’s not something worth getting huffy over, and I think a lot of people in this community need that reminder, too, seeing as a lot of folks in this community take their groups pretty seriously – and that’s okay! It’s good that you have a project that you’re working on, and if you’re having fun doing it, then continue to do so. But you have to remember, this isn’t something worth getting stressed over.

       I think that I’ve recently realized that the reason I played so much as a kid is because that was a substitute for my absent social life, and the reason I got incredibly stressed out is because LotC was, in a way, my top life priority. If something went downhill on the server, it felt like your life was falling apart, because that’s all you really had going for you at the time. That’s because there’s a lot of addictive elements to the server, and that’s something we have to be readily aware of.

 

       So here’s my short guide on how to enjoy LotC in a healthy manner; if you’re doing something that stresses you out, or you’re playing with a group that’s seemingly toxic, then leave for a different group, or start your own project. Do something else. The minute that you’re obsessing over in-game affairs and it takes a toll on your emotional health, you’re no longer having fun, and the purpose of the server is defeated. Does this mean you have to stop playing LotC? No, not necessarily, it just means that you need to prioritize fun over all else when you do play. It’s not worth it if you’re getting all huffy and puffy over a game. Additionally, I don’t know which gray hoodie wearing, back of the class sitting, anti-social kid who eats on the stairwell needs to hear this, but you’re gonna turn out fine. Go outside this summer, and try to talk to some of your peers with interests similar to your own (so long as you practice social distancing). I promise, if you give the jocks and the “cool kids” a chance, most of them are actually pretty nice people. Don’t be elitist, you’re not above everybody else just because you don’t play sports and don’t party and don’t post on social media. Take the time to meet others, most folks aren’t two-dimensional, and actually have a lot to offer. And if they don’t give you the time of day right away, keep trying, you’ll find a group of people who appreciate you. I know right now it seems like you might be invisible, but put yourself out there and you’ll see just how fast life can turn around. You will be fine.

 

This isn’t necessarily a leaving post, I assume that I’ll be hanging around LotC for the summer whilst we’re stuck in quarantine, but by that same token, I assume I’ll also be taking another semi-hiatus once the next semester rolls around.

 

You’re all very great and amazing people, and I just wanted to remind you all to take a breather.

 

(And if you’re one of those individuals graduating highschool and have the option to go somewhere abroad or out-of-state, do it. Go on an adventure, I promise it’ll be a great experience.)

[Hanrahan 2884]

should make this the front page of the server

[TH3GHOSTWAFFL3 489]

I feel like a lot of people need to see this post. It’s fairly excellent.

 

[frill 2276]

41 minutes ago, Papa Liam said:

And if they don’t give you the time of day right away, keep trying, you’ll find a group of people who appreciate you. I know right now it seems like you might be invisible, but put yourself out there and you’ll see just how fast life can turn around.

 

it could be anywhere. there isn’t a group on the server that i don’t like hanging out with, ic and ooc shenanigans aside.

[Thatpyrodude 2008]

Excellent post Liam, think this is something everyone needs to remember. At the end of the day this is all a game, and all your accomplishments here don’t mean anything in the real world. Don’t make sacrifices to your real life to improve your mineman life.

[argonian 12836]

 I sort of fit your stereotypical description of the anti-social kid in the back of the class who wore gray hoodies year-round. I had a few people who were fluctuating friends, but I don’t think I really had any sort of normal highschool friend group. I was the kid that ate lunch in the stairwell, or in a teacher’s office, if I could find it.

 

This is fake news btw. Liam was getting blowjobs behind the school theatre curtains while you were still learning to walk.

[Shuggie_ 252]

:l

[Archipelego 2093]

good ****

[Ibn Khaldun 7728]

You just quoted Nappy Roots who went to the same Middle School as I did. You a real one.

[Gladuos 857]

I feel you, bro. The same thing happened to me the last year and a half. I'm only back cause of the rona. A good post. God bless.

 

Also, I know you for that weedy high elf kid from the Caliphate. ;J

[Papa Liam 960]

3 minutes ago, Gladuos said:

I feel you, bro. The same thing happened to me the last year and a half. I'm only back cause of the rona. A good post. God bless.

 

Also, I know you for that weedy high elf kid from the Caliphate. ;J

 

OG caliphate gang, brother 🤙

[Lojo613 1420]

This guy has it right. I had almost the exact same experience. I quit LOTC cold turkey the same way half way through highschool due to how addictive it was and how much it was emotionally draining me. I quit after reading a post titled Operation KABOOM. That was 5 years ago, and at first it was hard, and I missed it from time to time, but eventually I realized that it was actually holding me back at the time from moving on with my life and making friends. I only came back recently due to rona quarantine and chatting up some old friends I met on the server. As an adult, I have a mature enough mindset to not let this game take over my life and understand that the whole point of it is just to kill time, and have fun. If at any point anyone reading this thread has told themselves “No, I can’t, I need to play LOTC”, then you have made a mistake. LOTC should never impede your life. Understand that everything we do on the server goes away, the pixel power does not matter, only the experiences you have and the people you meet. This game is addictive because it is a second life which we are all acting out., and with **** like Nexus back in the day it truly was a time sink. To the kiddies reading this, be careful, use this post like I used Operation KABOOM and fix your life if its broke right now, there is no shame is quitting. The server will most likely be here when you get back. I left for 5 years, and came back. It was still here, and so were my friends. 

 

Also ECON gang

Edited May 27, 2020 by Lojo613

[Nozgoth 2897]

dude I appreciate this post

[Harri 4813]

even this is too complicated and long to read

 

most important thing: this is game u play for fun – if u arent having fun, dont play

 

doesnt matter what nation relation u are, staff position or whatever other political dogshit youre trying to handle, just get off the server if it isnt fun at any point

[ibraheemc2000 2565]

Great post and i agree full heartedly.

 

Remember its ok to alao takw a few day break from lotc as well, play a diff game or something thag isnt lotc. Try not to discuss it, its ok to play with friends from lotc just try to enjoy yourself!