It’s a Game

I stopped playing Major Command 2-3 years ago after a few years of daily activity cause I was frustrated. Lots’ of games, lots of wars, lots of battles and I couldn’t get past Lieutenant… or even hold that very long. And MEDALS… forget medals. I had the Participation Awards for playing a lot and winning not so much, but that’s about it. And I can’t blame anyone but myself. I think I was always impatient and took risks… or occasionally the senility (I’m 70) or the marijuana (helps offset being 70) would kick in and I would just do something REALLY stupid. But that was usually aided by the impatience. It’s like I wanted the game to get done quicker to get to the exciting conclusion (me winning) and in most cases it did. Of course, it got done quicker for me than the other players, and so the problem… and hence the frustration. The motto on my page is “Damn, I lost another stripe!”.

What I figured out during my self-imposed exile and age induced retrospection is that there was a bigger problem… my ego. The fact I couldn’t get up there in rank and medals with the good & great. (I’d mention names, but you all know who you think I mean.) It looked like I wasn’t as good as “the others” and appearance is important to a fragile ego. So, I took my ball and went home.

Now however I have come back because I realized there is another very important factor, besides the fierce competition, that I missed. That was hanging out with friends with a like interest. Chatting with zonie or stu or another member of the Old Folks clan… or chatting in game with someone you meet maybe over a treaty offer, who may live in another part of the world… it’s really pretty cool. I’ve played other War & World Domination games on the internet where you are anonymous… no teams, no chatting… but there is also no sense of community.

Recently I have come to see the value and importance… and necessity of community.

I was around back in the day (I’m and old man remember… old men talk like that). Where was I… back in the day the site used to be… malfunctioning… a lot. People still played… and had fun… and bellyached and complained, and listed bugs… and argued about who was winning when the game crashed. I was there when the New Sheriff arrived and all that started to change. The guy put up what money he could, and started projects for fixes and for more improvements and to try to increase revenue.   And things got better. WAY better…

I’m not sure (old) but I don’t think he raised the prices either…

But the smartest thing he did was to enlist the community in helping. I remember a lot of players donating money at one time, and other tournaments and things… and the fans of the game coming through. It would have been inspiring… if I had realized what was going on at the time. I just wanted the thing to work and be around awhile. But the point is that we are a community. A bunch of people who like to play Major Command.

I encourage you to remember that when you are playing. Don’t fall into the trap I did and forget what the true purpose of being here is… to have some fun. When things don’t go your way in a game… when the drop is screwed or the dice are crappy or heaven forbid, your plans were thwarted… or maybe you just got outplayed… it’s not a tragedy. But it can be frustrating.

I get frustrated in games still, but it is usually at myself, for making the wrong move or missing the right move when it came up. But I don’t get mad at other players for winning or taking me out. It’s what they are supposed to try to do. It’s the game.

So now…if you run into me in a game I’ll likely be chatting and cracking wise (I am a wise old man after all) and if I lose I won’t get mad or call you names… except for my friends. I might hang around the game after I am out to make comments and to watch. I find that often I can learn a lot observing the players who stay in the game longer than me… see their strategy and tactics. Maybe even ask them questions if they are chatters. Asking questions is how you learn.

If you are new to the game, I encourage you to watch and listen and ask questions. Read the tips and tricks and strategies in the Wiki. They were written by GOOD players. There are strategy and playing tips in the forum… as well as a lot of interesting, ongoing, conversations.  We have a pretty good community of intelligent people here.

I also encourage you to upgrade if you have a grunt account, for a couple of reasons. The first is that four games will play very slowly, and you will likely lose interest. Maybe try some 4 person games while you learn to use the buttons and tools. Also, with four 4 person games you might get a turn everyday. But playing in more games, on more maps, with more players is how you will learn the most. It doesn’t cost that much, and the money goes to a good cause… keeping MajCom alive and well for all of us, the community.

In closing let me say I am not a paid spokesperson for the game… just a fan.  I have a lot of friends here and want the place to be around for awhile. (at least as long as me) I also like to meet new folks and make more friends so find me in a game and say hi if you’re of a mind, and I’ll say hi back. And then try to destroy your forces of course. It’s the game.