I've been through a few new MMO releases. I've played FFXI as my first ever MMO, followed by WoW, then Warhammer, Aion, LOTRO, Rift, FFXIV, Champions Online, and finally SWTOR. I've enjoyed the majority of them. Because FFXI was my first ever MMO, I devoted the most enjoyment and time into it. It was an amazing experience and it felt like an absolutely epic adventure. I felt attached to the other players, to my own character, the camaraderie of needing other people felt amazing. I heard a lot of hype over WoW, so I figured "What the hey." I loved it as well. I had wished there would be features I've grown so accustomed to in FFXI in WoW. But despite the differences that took quite a while to adapt to, I liked it. In fact, I've immensely enjoyed every game I've played. Why didn't I stick around? I hated playing alone.
Yet there were the "trolls." They were evil players who would complain and rant and whine over the issues, whether they were glaring issues that needed to be fixed or silly issues that needed no fixing at all. They were always being pit against the "fanboys." They were the vigilant defenders of the game defending the fact that the game would be improved, that it would get better and that the issues being complained about were unnecessary and needed no fixing or showed blind optimism.
On both sides, you had the good guys and the bad guys. You had the "trolls" who were constructive and thoughtful and stated the issues that needed to be fixed upon or improved but they were bashed by the "fanboys" for being "trolls." You also had the real trolls, the ones who were nonconstructive, typed in all caps, dot shocked the Shaman forums into oblivion, all the while calling the other side "fanboys" as if it was the "foshizzle my nizzle" of the internet. Then you had the White Knights, who assured people the game would get better and things took time. They enjoyed the game, vocalized their enjoyment of the game, and would be sticking around. Yet, they got bashed for being "fanboys" by the "trolls."
Time and time again, I've seen this on every new game's forum I visit, especially on FFXIV and RIFT. It just feels especially bad here on SWTOR. Forums have become a battlefield between trolls and fanboys, and anyone caught in between is labeled as one or the other no matter what they say. Like the game? "FANBOY! FANBOY! REGGIE IS A FANBOY! HAHA! GAME WILL FAIL! TAG YOU'RE IT!" Dislike the game? "TROLL! DO NOT FEED! KILL IT WITH FIRE! QUICKLY NOW! GET THE STICK AND BEAT THE DEAD HORSE!" Forums now just feel like wading through a lake full of piranhas. I don't understand what the necessity is with labeling people a fanboy just because they enjoy the game and assure others it will improve or a troll because they voice concerns they feel must be rectified quickly and efficiently. Whenever I see that word, I just end up assuming those are the same immature people who throw the word "n00b" around and think they're hot ****.
It'll never stop though. I'll probably get rated down to 1 stars. There wasn't even a point to this, I just wanted to express my own frustration with the cesspool these forums are becoming. I can't really find constructive posts or information with the overwhelming negativity by BOTH sides throwing both words around like a whore at a frat party.
TL;DR: I enjoy the game and I really want it to succeed. So does my roommate who plays with me on a regular basis. We level together. We agreed that if the MoP Beta fails to entertain us, we'd make SWTOR our new MMO. However, our enthusiasm for the game's success and what we feel is an overwhelming amount of content will make us fanboys for a subpar game. Yet we also have our frustrations with the game. No Hi-Res textures, Jedi robes making butts HUGE, lack of macros or addon support (mousover macros, Threat Bar/Notification on Aggro Gain or Loss), Spell Alerts (Combat Support Cell at 30 stacks), replacing that 2nd bar under player's nameplate with your resource (Focus, Force, Energy, Ammo), etc. But this just makes me a troll. What about people who feel the same way we do? What the heck are we? Fantrolls?
I guess it's time for the real trolls to rip apart my post. Have at it. Sorry it didn't really have a point. Regardless, thanks for reading. I hope you all have a great weekend.