Hi,
there are many ways to describe what a bot is, just like "I have a car" can describe very different situations, or “i am an adult” etc...
In this case, the term "bot" is applied to hosting an (arguably) abandoned yet uber awesome sc2 arcade game, relentlessly.
Of course there is the "being there day in day out" part, that obviously points to the methodology provided by our treasured automated systems that we commonly refer to as "bots”.
However, the more one "dwells" on the situation or (dare I say it) "dig" into it, the more complex and legion are the things that come out of it.
You get called a bot ingame. Surprised, you dwell into defining what people seem to mean, or really mean when stapling that label unto you. And the more you rationalise it all, the more you synthesis/work on it, whatever you do.. it all points to "being a bot" and the whole can of nuts and bolts splashes out into your face. Weird. Insightful. Stuff of legends.
So.. (tldr again) I host (create/join lobbies) day / nite for photon cycles .. an sc2 arcade game.
I showcase just how awesome it is.. just by keeping this lobby as “open” as i can.
From in the lobby till the end, trying/hoping joiners have had a good time.
Needless to say i pass the host. Notably it is
a statement
a mechanic to gauge people’s internet tech/social demeanours
a mechanic to gauge people
a mechanic to gauge people’s interest in pc
and weirdly it turns out to be a fun lobby game (yes wait still < play)
Needless to say i know which versions, which changes, which camera evolution.. and as an educated peon bide my time.. my time? for what?
Ingame, i try to play “games of throws” or “lay off drones”
and
my only objective is for any one of the players in to want and actually rejoin the next game i will "open" once the current one is done.
Relentless like a machine making a product available (again) day in day out. Unable to stream it (which might help, who knows) i suffer the bad mouths , the clueless, i fight blizzard not helping (kicking me out or desynching my lobby creation cycle (forcing log out log back in etc) .. the joiner quitters .. you name it and in 6 years of pc i have encountered it.
You stop cyclically, thinking that it was all a mistake. You post blogs about it (kappa). You stream/advertise the game.. again, whatever i could think of, whatever i could try .. whatever enthusiasm/energy i could muster, but still very few people see the game i see.. the game i want to play ...
I never stated that pc was the best rts thinking it was the best for everyone (indeed not even rts is for everyone),
i did it because it is the best at being the synthesis of what rts is on top of being
accessible,
skill ceiling free
and with very low complexity or beginner skill required
(anyone can understand how the game is played:
putting a wall in your opponent's face (through strategy and micro skill)).
i will not go ranting here about this particular issue (that pc is the best game, certainly best game to have come out of the arcade),
it is a retro type of game that succeeds in making unit/weapon/map/gameplay all be as “pure” as you can possibly make it (within the real time live multiplayer genre) (putting graphics aside).. simply because i have done it many times before.
Suffice is to say that while this was a potent fuel for years and still somewhat survives.. this is not what keeps me in now.
The game of throws has always been easy even though it did not come easy to me at first (righteousness nests always somewhere),
the gameplay exudes chance like or seemingly luck based exploits that even if only attempted (and sometimes failed) are enough to entice or ignite other new player’s attention ..
furthermore the lag and delay (having killed the game somewhat..)
.. the suspense on whether i let them win or is not really something i fuel or even tap into too much.
Being called a cheater takes some getting used to, but i know i don’t so why bother with it in the end?
The skill requirement to show one’s throat for so long on so many different people that come unto pc’s lobby to cycle about and try to make them attack so they can learn the fun part of the game in itself is bot like. So many first level designers out there will agree that the first minute you play a “new” game is it! Past that point it is your “cup of tea” or it isn’t!
i call that the “lay off drones” game.
pc has had new players since it came out with beta and that never stops, the reservoir of incoming skill sets / behaviors / knowledge / potential is there unhindered by the specific gameplay / mood this game enforces upon them.
i obs really like a perv and act with what i think is warranted/advisable.
Wishing for something else to happen isn’t really appropriate a statement at this point, since even the uploader/caretaker of the mod is “playing” at changing it .. ever for the worst it seems.
Is this not the only true measure of botnes? The real quintessential unit of measure, relentlessness in its programming?
At this point, all good players have left,
interested people have seemed to abandon this endeavor they seemed to love, this including the author (most assuredly making it for phones)
blizzard makes me log in log out every time i try to make a lobby after playing a game..
i am nowhere different than 3 years ago…
The question is not
"am i becoming a bot (is that a good or bad thing /etc)"
nor should it be
"is a bot all you are" and "what is the sweet spot measure of botness required/wished for (for everyone/me specifically)"
the question is: if i am a bot now, what's next?
+ Show Spoiler +
to be continued
User was temp banned for this post.