Playing games

One of my hobbies, or at least for the last 7 years, has been online gaming. I heard of a new game and found a group of like minded individuals that I hoped, I could join and play for the time I thought I would try out this hobby. The game was PlanetSide a rather unique game in that it was a fast paced shooting game but it had a persistant "world" and so earned the lable MMO (MMOFPS). Even to date it stands with a very small group of games that offered what it did. PlanetSide ( which is a Sony Online game) is soon to be shutting down to one last world server, and is offering old crusties some free time to woo us back or at least have one last hurrah. Its been very enjoyable so far. PlanetSide; was one of the first truely "mega-games" that our online group threw the entire weight of the group into. We were extremely successful, and the times there have been stated by many to be the best times they ever had in gaming .. even though it was nearly 7 years ago. One of the reasons that we were so succesful and what really made the game worth while was the very REAL commraderie. Our group (by the way its Sturmgrenadier: www.sghq.com) was compose of people from all walks of life, but those that really made us shine seem to be the military and former military among us. They shaped our game play, they shpaed our realationships both to each other and to other players within the game.

Recently, at our monthly mens breakfast (yes at church) we had an amazing speaker. His name was Bill Buckley (not sure of the spelling) a former coach at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (2007 national champs). In his presentation he laid out a covenant that the team had with each other. But as he went over the presentation, I realized there here was the nuts and bolts of what we had as group of folks playing a game on the internet. While he drew parallesl to sports, he said that the same points could be used in any realtionship... parent-child, teacher-student, wife- and husband, and follower to God.

First he differentiated between a contract and a covenant: a contract is derived to protect each party- it is self centered and is bound by law. A covenant is a promise of committment, a realtionship centered devise based on concern for each other and the group as a whole. It is enforced by honor and loyalty.

1) I accept the absolute authority of my leaders. Ah yes, PS created a strange dynamic, SG leaders my might not be running the game operations - they therefore were subject to those that otherwise were their underlings. This rule created a dynamic that made following easy, and operations smooth.

2) I will work to build a culture of honor. SG has always stated that negative attitudes and forum trashing were not tolerated. Its actually one of the harder rules to follow.

3) I will be a roll player. Its hard when playing a game, to not jump out and be special. PS as a game made that a deadly mistake. Other players marvled at our ability to stay focused and function as a team.

4) I will grow strong as a leader through character and competence. It was amazing to see new players move up through the ranks and even take over the highest positions in SG's team. Yet that allowed the game to stay fresh and allow new players with vigor to continue the traditions of those that left or simply grew tired of directing opertaions.

5) I will grow in my abilty to overcome offense. I commit to bring all critism, insult, correction, and unfair treatment to the light by refusing to allow these things to cause resentment or bitterness. Through the SG charter, there was always a way to feel that you could at least take a problem to someone that would listen to your concern, and hopefully correct the situation. It still required the person to "buck -up" and understand the overall scope of the situation: its just a game.

6) I will be tough. I will not tolerate whinning or weakness in myself or my team-mates. Flying off the handel in PS was not tolerated. Since it took an overt action to vocalize ones frustration, such actions were not tolerated. Be mad in your house, but don't make us suffer your tantrum in comms( communications).

7) I will be passionate. I will play with enthusiasm. Sure PS was "just a game" but the emotions, the passion to win, and to do so decisively was contagious. How could you not all but snap-to when orders came down to "drop drop drop".

8) I will look forward to our rewards. Our greatest satisfaction was a complete domination of the game. We did so early on. And later we remained one of the few groups of players that still played to "move the map".

9) I will finish. PlanetSide, had a rather short heyday. But as a popular second game for many SG, it has lasted way beyond the lifes of all other FPS games. I played PS for 4 years straight as my primary game. I don't reget any time I spent there.

PlaneSide as a game had, and still has, many problems; but it created one thing, that I have yet to see replicated in any game: The game allowed players to form in to groups by the sheer might of their own covenant. I miss that bond more than the game itself.

HUA SGPS

Pine