Honestly the biggest issue I have at this time and at any time, is the disconnect between the players of each select server.
I've seen people ask others on another server to join them, lets say a RoF player is invited to look at something on BB or a few people from BB are invited to AoD.
The matter is I've witnessed disgust and vile reactions to invites time and time again while this may only happen six out of ten times, that really saddens me. As a multiplayer game within a niche game style and type, the main draw first and foremost is the structure of the community and the players within it. With the current standing there feels like an indiscriminate wall between those who one could say 'Major' in one server and 'minor' in others.
This wall however large or small in individual circumstances, really for the progression and evolution of each server as a united whole stifles it. While the server hub might be simply to consolidate costs and ratio's by having virtual servers consuming less ram then multi layer server with simple redirects. I would like to believe in some shining light that the hub was created to form something of a congregation of the players to hopefully spur cross server performance.
The ideal would be to have a server list that would inspire anyone new and old to look at the concepts given and even should they not enjoy PvP, or not enjoy creative building and so on; inspiring these players to look beyond the raw concept and be willing to jump into these areas head first. The issue seems to be player arrogance and entitlement, which gives an oppressive feel to new players.
While server usage as a whole is another topic altogether. Another ideal is the lack of forums activity. There are roughly only 50-70 people who actively even care about, let alone post on the forums these days. Mostly for forum games or topics of controversy and high debate.
As well as another issue that I had intended to suggest: there are no portals/information/direct contact without the need for an account anywhere for the parents and guardians.
Now you might be asking "lee what the hell does that have to do with anything?' It has a lot to do with a lot. As a long standing community it really should be something already established, an portal on the main page with blocktopias web protection policies and information or a form to fill out and contact the community heads without the need for a forum account.
This is something as a community that mainly caters to 12-16 should have. As concern for children internet safety becomes more and more of a hot button topic. The information would be how bullying and harassment and such are taken, how age is represented and privacy of players is taken and so on.
Lastly, the feeling of the community leaders feel well, faceless. As a leader of a company when you view said companies website there is a full list of who they are, their presentable photo, what they do, their Skype, contact information and all those sparkly things depending on what they disclose. The least that can be seen or considered the norm is at least a name, photo, title and what they do. The feeling currently, which head adminship may pass hands, is that as a general player all I know is your usernames and some inkling of who you are based off behavior. I'm not saying show the real you, it could be a minecraft skin thing, at least something to set you apart from just another name and changing avatar. It's not simply your personality and charisma that should show leadership, but the ability to openly whole heartingly welcome everyone.
One can argue that blocktopia is nay a company, but rather a community. Though if really I have to track you down wherever and be arsed to ask your name and 'who you really are' then that's not really a 'community leader' but rather 'a guy in charge'. As the only ones at that point who feel 'community' are those that have personal friendship.
It may sound creepy and off-putting, but a community should feel like anyone and everyone who walks in is welcome to a hug, not only those that have been here weeks,months,years.
Now I'm not saying to give out a damn postal code and such. It's just at this point the only people who really know you are those that have had the time and perseverance to ask these things. Again, as the forefront of a community this dispersonalizes the whole experience when one walks in and really only can look at ranks, not the people, which the people are what the community is about, not the rank and culmination of 'what I have and you don't.'
Simply new people will and seemingly still do drop a load in their pants when they see a blue light blue red or sparkly name.
Only after being here have I and as well as I'm sure others can relate, have learned that blocktopia sets itself apart that those that lead are nothing to fear or dread, but rather people and friends alike. However this takes time, and honestly not everyone is going to take x amount of time learning the idiosyncrasies of the community.
Disclaimer: These statements and opinions are in no way attacking or bastardizing anyones effort work and time spent within the community nor are they a direct attack on anyone or group in particular.
