PIE seem to be doing just fine with PY-RE's merc elements knocking about. In fact I'd argue they shine all the brighter when stood next to the tarnished morality PY-RE (not to mention many others) accepts as a cost to keep such elements on it's roster and maintain an effective presence.
I really don't know where the 'edgy' name calling came in as a default for dealing with PF/RP problems far more fundamental than individual choices and other game play activities. Pirate role players roleplay what they are interested in. The same way a DnD rogue player isn't neccessarily RPing a klepto-douche just to be 'edgy', but instead explore alternatives to lawful activity as a means for good or selfish (evil-implied) reasons.
TBH at this point 'pirate' is a misnomer for Blooders, Angels, Sansha, Serps and Guristas - they are effectively rogue states. In many cases they are almost the antithetical mirrors of their 'parent' faction. Guri are wild-child biker gang-esque saboteurs and more besides, retaining the fierce competition of the Caldari and a militaristic bent to keep their activities and technology sharp. They still have structure, direction and ferocity in the face of adversity - defining Caldari traits, but in an almost anarchistic strain.
The Angels and Sansha stand out, but even then they are a mixture of their 'proximity' factions: Ultra-hierarchical 'meritocratic' placement on Nation society (Flavours of Amarr and Caldari dark side, heavy on the 'slavery' hook), ad-hoc but brutal assertion of dominance in almost clan-like structures supported by a slave under class in the case of Angels (Flavours of Minmatar tribalism taken to an eat-the-weak extreme plus Amarr slavery as a heart-string tugging 'bad guys' vibe). (Ultra simplification here, I intend no disservice, just wish to make a point before everyone dies of old age reading this)
Suffice to say, my opinion is that 'pirate' roleplay is no less valid, nor more edgy, than 'loyalist' roleplay. Some loyalists 'edge it up' (to borrow a tired and oft ill-aimed phrase) all the time; I assume because they find the exploration of those precarious elements exciting, fun or it gets them desired attention. Haters gonna hate - it works and you and I might not like it, but what works survives. Tl;dr edgy has been co-opted to attack others so often it pretty much translates as 'i don't like this' rather than a legitimate complaint these days.
Asking people to leave a lucrative and free war declaration (with two whole enemy 'factions' to fight) to assuage a drought of 'loyalist' RP without evidence of that even being a cure is, to be direct, unfair. Our piratical comrades in RP have no alternative through which they may prosper while striking at their perceived enemies. I for one refuse to sleep on a bed of nails for the sake of exposition and the preservation of other's RP foibles: in all things the game client trumps narrative desires.
Many of those pirates, and I speak from experience of having myself worked with TS-F and talked with Milo about Anshar, have 'grown a pair and gone full pirate'. It is simply just not sustainable in the long term unless you have alternative sources of income, and such structures live as long as the interest of those willing to maintain them. In the interests of robustness in the face of 'patrons' leaving the game, being able to finance your piracy through the destruction of enemies and the baiting of fights (and claiming of territory if opposition doesn't amass to drive you out/give you that fight) is a godsend. It sustains you through the lowest common denominator - the loyal fleet member who desires only to F1 at the FC's behest or solo pvp and fight for fun. The income becomes a consequence of activity without the need for complex supporting structures. Liberation from patronage is important for a corp's survival - I'll always help my friends with industrial support when I am subbed, but I'd hate for my absence to spell the death of SRP or sustainable pvp for them.
To crystallize my position and response to a single thrust: Asking people to move on because you don't like their roleplay isn't going to solve anything. There aren't any more loyal roleplayers waiting in the wings but those vets who might return and newbros who will hook up with their chosen factions in time anyway. I think it does a disservice to many 'loyalist' corps such as PIE, I-RED, MOIRA and so forth to say they have been elbowed out by pirates (or independent capsuleers to include non-roleplayers); they continue to live, prosper and roleplay with impunity.
The simplest solution is unfortunately out of our hands: Give us pirate factional war and your wishes would become incredibly reasonable, and most likely acted on without the merest of urging. When CCP gives you a low sec territory war sandbox, chock full of sand but with only four colours of shovel, you're going to get some fans of the off-shades instead picking the next best thing, as much as you might hate those darn dirty lime-green shovel-lovers compared to your pure reds, yellow, blues and pastel greens.
Author
Topic: State of the Eve RP 2014 - 2015 (Read 44420 times)