I know I'm relatively new here but I kinda wanted to say a few things as well as express some thoughts on what is being discussed.
I will start out by just pointing out that this is not anything personal or an attack on your suggestion, it's my thoughts on what is said and how its said. And oh boy can I ramble xD
You say that the rule itself is hurtful to the community, however all I've seen it it has created a sense of order, stability and teamwork. I myself is one of those who are for the rule, I cannot stand people who have no respect for other players on the server.
If the rule wasn't there or no one really cared it will end up with everyone flocking to the rocket, just rushing up in the face of the opponent for a trick blast in their faces, this isn't just speculations but something I've experienced in my, somewhat limited, time here on panda.tf Dodgeball servers.
When playing with someone who steals it really throws of any kind of competitive and strategic gameplay and it just ends up being "who can get to the rocket first". Whenever I am trying to concentrate on the game and someone steals my rocket twice in a row, I don't know if i should expect the rocket to be stolen or if it will go straight in my face at around 140mph, while the stealers are out of any danger from said rocket. I personally do NOT like being someone elses meatshield.
The problem is we lack in admins either way, so when an admin is called for a person stealing and does not arrive, players that are upset about the stealing whether it affects them directly or not.
I'd like to mention that I too feel that the amount of online admins around the clock is not always sufficient, but that doesn't mean that the rules should not apply. This is also why I have every intention of applying myself as soon as I reach minimum requirements, I really want to help keep the peace and order that I've come to love about this server.
Going by the "drug" example above its kinda the same that just because police isn't around doesn't mean that stealing from shops and people is allowed.
If a majority of players think it's okay to steal why then isn't it apparent that the rule should be removed. Why have a rule if a majority of the players already disagree with it and you lack in admins to properly enforce it. Shouldn't our players be the number one concern of the server. Because what is a server with out it's players. It is harming the players who are loyal to our server even without agreeing to this redundant rule. I believe that Panda TX is a good server but I think that this rule is keeping it from being the best.
With a decent amount of experience staffing a community server, albeit it was another game the point still stands, the community doesn't always know what it wants. To elaborate on that: The majority is also the amount of players that join as a one off or just joins a few times and then forgets about the server, most of those joins and gets mad cause they them self have no respect for the rules as well as doesn't even care to learn the rules.
I've seen first hand how this "what the majority wants" can drag a server into the dust and completely ruin everything, this brings me back to the first point, the majority doesn't care to stick around regardless of the rules or not, but the community, the regulars, those who frequently play, they stick around cause they like the server as is, its those players who stay, its those players who keeps the server running. By making big changes like this you run the risk of losing the majority of the community on that server in favor of the one offs... and one offs doesn't keep the server running.
To call me a guest in your house is ignorant. I am a member of this community, this isn't a piece of property for you to dictate is arrogant.
The real irony here is: to deny this fact is in itself ignorant. This IS a piece of property, belonging to Kevin (Not entirely sure if there is more owners/founders at this moment).
And if you will not give us representation on this matter then why do you even have a forum for free speach.
To use the "no free speech" argument against those who doesn't share or approve of your opinions is in my own opinion despicable (excuse my language). This exactly is what free speech is: you vending your opinion and us vending our opinion so that we can all discuss our opinions and possibly either each a better understanding and possibly each an agreement or an acceptance of the subject matter.
This is the Panda Community and I am a member, as are many members who are being neglected because of this rule. This rule isn't protecting our community members it is only leading to strife.
As stated earlier, this DOES protect the community.. Those who stayed because of the unique rules and gameplay that, as you stated, isn't common anywhere else. The only one it hurts is those who cannot accept that this is how things is done here and how the rules is.
This isn't a rule that should be imposed by outsiders it should be something that can define us as our own independent community, that we are the Panda server without the silly no steal rule, we are the best server for the most players, and by changing this rule we're also the server who cares enough about it's community members that we will change rules that hurt out members instead of being stubborn totalitarian dictators, this isn't a house i'm a guest in it is a family and we should be treated with due respect to our own needs.
At this point you've clearly reached desperation, using claims such as dictators, totalitarians and stubborn, simply just to get your way. These claims have no place in this discussion as they serve nothing other than just throwing around with bad words and sparking a fight.
This isn't about being stubborn and afraid of changes, its about preserving what is and keeping everything stable and enjoyable.
Changes like these can have large consequences than you might not see at first.
Some consequences that can happen(I would like to note that I've seen these consequences first hand):
At first it seems small, you listen to the community and the majority that you refer to, since they are yelling loudest at the time. A simple rule is changed, soon those who frequently visit the server and have made it their "home" is now placed in an infamilier place, what they loved is changed and you start to lose those, since this is a tight community where people know each other, a lot of those leaving will cause a domino effect. If a persons friends have left the server, they too will most likely leave. You are now left with an unstable community where most of the regulars have left. In the meantime others will get wind of these changes and see that the rules are soft and can be changed by just yelling loud enough, so they too will start "suggesting" changes. Eventually, when repeating this process, you are left with a disaster. If actions is not taken early enough in this downwards, self destructive, process, the entire server might fall due to the ones that actually donated regularly are now gone and what we are left with is, is that the one offs rule the place, they come, they play, and they leave never to return. No more money is coming in to support the servers, which will eventually have to be closed.
This is the doomsday domino effect that "simple" changes have without very careful considerations and planning. Most of the time its simply just better in the long run not to disturb the peace.[/QUOTE]