Before the patch I used alt f4 as a means of protest and I have continued to use alt f4 after the latest patch. I use alt f4 in protest of the failure to address the numerous multiplayer issues that have been present since Definitive Edition's release.
For 2 years, since the DE beta, I have been commenting about the design problems with the matchmaking system, elo and lobbies. I have suggested ideas of my own as well as being vocally supportive of others ideas that would also help address the problems. I have done so on the official forums, Reddit, aoezone and even sent an email directly to the studios involved. In every instance my communication has been polite and courteous. Not once have I or others that share my issues received any acknowledgment of the various problems from the development teams. So after months and months of waiting and seeing all kinds of other less impactful but significant changes being made while still no communication on the multiplayer issues, I started to altf4 in protest.
Are my actions selfish and do they inconvenience others, yes, but selfishness and inconvenience are qualities of almost every public protest. If I block traffic on a major road to protest something it is going to inconvenience and piss off a lot of people, but it is also one of the only ways to garner significant attention to a cause. The punishment in this last patch is akin to cracking down on the protesters without doing anything at all to acknowledge or address the cause of the behavior they are punishing. It does not work, especially online where the punishment can be avoided so easily. I have many copies of the game, family share accounts and a vpn service. I will not be dissuaded by punishment and I am sure others will not either.
Do I feel as though I am improving the human condition or changing the world through these actions, no, of course not, its just a video game. However, this game has been my hobby since 1999 so it is something that matters to me. I've bought this game in various forms over 20 times for myself and to gift it to others, I have hyped it at every opportunity I have had, and I would like to believe I have been a positive contributor to the community overall. Given this game has such meaning to me, I'm going to protest when it begins to decline in functionality from previous iterations, whether that be ratings manipulation on a massive scale or the inability to play one map only with fair teams.
I wish no ill will to those who advocate for punishment of my alt f4 actions. I understand and can sympathize with your frustration, even if I may find it somewhat misplaced. I also am not against punishment for abusing the multiplayer system. In fact, I believe punishment for abuse of the multiplayer system is crucial in a well functioning system. However, I do not believe this to be a well functioning system when a significant portion of the community's concerns and way of playing has not been acknowledged or addressed in any way for multiple years.
I remain optimistic about the future of this game and community and I appreciate all of the discussion and dialog that is taking place on this topic.
For 2 years, since the DE beta, I have been commenting about the design problems with the matchmaking system, elo and lobbies. I have suggested ideas of my own as well as being vocally supportive of others ideas that would also help address the problems. I have done so on the official forums, Reddit, aoezone and even sent an email directly to the studios involved. In every instance my communication has been polite and courteous. Not once have I or others that share my issues received any acknowledgment of the various problems from the development teams. So after months and months of waiting and seeing all kinds of other less impactful but significant changes being made while still no communication on the multiplayer issues, I started to altf4 in protest.
Are my actions selfish and do they inconvenience others, yes, but selfishness and inconvenience are qualities of almost every public protest. If I block traffic on a major road to protest something it is going to inconvenience and piss off a lot of people, but it is also one of the only ways to garner significant attention to a cause. The punishment in this last patch is akin to cracking down on the protesters without doing anything at all to acknowledge or address the cause of the behavior they are punishing. It does not work, especially online where the punishment can be avoided so easily. I have many copies of the game, family share accounts and a vpn service. I will not be dissuaded by punishment and I am sure others will not either.
Do I feel as though I am improving the human condition or changing the world through these actions, no, of course not, its just a video game. However, this game has been my hobby since 1999 so it is something that matters to me. I've bought this game in various forms over 20 times for myself and to gift it to others, I have hyped it at every opportunity I have had, and I would like to believe I have been a positive contributor to the community overall. Given this game has such meaning to me, I'm going to protest when it begins to decline in functionality from previous iterations, whether that be ratings manipulation on a massive scale or the inability to play one map only with fair teams.
I wish no ill will to those who advocate for punishment of my alt f4 actions. I understand and can sympathize with your frustration, even if I may find it somewhat misplaced. I also am not against punishment for abusing the multiplayer system. In fact, I believe punishment for abuse of the multiplayer system is crucial in a well functioning system. However, I do not believe this to be a well functioning system when a significant portion of the community's concerns and way of playing has not been acknowledged or addressed in any way for multiple years.
I remain optimistic about the future of this game and community and I appreciate all of the discussion and dialog that is taking place on this topic.