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Community Spotlight: silentknight509
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| Silentknight509 moongoogling the community. |
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We decided to recognize silentknight509 for a variety of reasons. Many of us met silentknight509 for the first time at PAX 2009, where he and many other players loitered around our booth, promoting the game to new players and cheering on the crowd on during the hourly cannon firing. Since then he's continued promoting the game through the Boarding Party.
Silentknight509 is also dedicated to helping new players whether through the forums or through participating in a weekly event on the Antigua server known as Salutation Sundays. At this event, Silentknight509 and other players offer free ships, items, and advice.
In the interview below silentknight509 gave us some insight into his experiences with Pirates of the Burning Sea.
What drew you to Pirates of the Burning Sea originally?
I originally played another Pirate themed MMORPG with a friend. We were left with a pretty defeated feeling after 3 days though, as we felt we had done everything the game offered. We had both seen Pirates of the Burning Sea on the shelf, and decided to give it a go.
The player driven economy and Port Battle system were very enticing. We both picked it up, and were hooked. To this day, I consider this one of the best decisions of my life. Just don't tell my wife.
What is your favorite aspect of Pirates of the Burning Sea now?
Now that I have played the game, my favorite aspect is the PvP (Player vs. Player). The other areas are in no way diminished, but the PvP is unparalleled. When you have two nations fighting over a port to flip, with each nation fielding three 6-person groups, and then some pirates roll down, there is no greater feeling in the game.
What is your favorite nation & career combination?
Well, I think the easiest for me to play is my Cutthroat. It is a super all around class that can be afforded the opportunity to sail any ship. My favorite however, would be the Privateer. I like their boats better than any other class, and it isn't too hard to get a fight somewhere. As far as nation goes, I like the underdog.
What sorts of contributions have you made to the game and the Pirates of the Burning Sea community?
In addition to being a member of the Boarding Party, my society runs Salutation Sundays on, well, Sundays. I try and attend every testbed event, so I can give my feedback. I make it my mission in life to fill out the survey after every patch, and low and behold some things I have suggested actually made it into the game. That is a good feeling.
Tell me about Salutation Sundays—how did they start, how long have you been doing them, what are they like, etc.
To be honest, it was not my idea to start with. While on vent one night, my society was brainstorming ideas to help new players, and Haven reminded me of "Welcome Wagon Wednesdays" on Rackham back in the day. We moved the day to Sunday, and carried on the torch on the Antigua server.
We have been doing them for a couple of months now. It is a great experience, especially since it carries over across nations and other Boarding Party members help when they can. We will sit on the docks in Marsh Harbor on Sundays, with warehouses and Levi's full of outfitting/deeds and hand them out to the new players we come across.
Some people don't understand we are giving it away, and some don't understand why. After a while, after we answer questions and help them get a basic econ line setup, it starts to make sense. I still get tells with questions from people who I helped two months ago at level 6, that are now level 50. That is the lasting impact I am looking for.
What's your favorite part of the Pirates of the Burning Sea community?
This is a tough, broad question. I always enjoy the testbed events, as the chance to give feedback is always appreciated. Along those lines, the Boarding Party I think is a key feature for me. Composed of that core group of constructive players, I feel they accomplish quite a bit. From helping out new players, to giving feedback on the game, they tend to stay on track and remain goal oriented. The fact that the Devs and GMs interact and give their feedback is just the icing on the cake.
In your opinion, what makes a good Pirates of the Burning Sea community member?
Criticism is natural. Constructive Criticism comes harder. I think a good community member is someone who is outspoken, but constructive. I would love to see the population increase on the servers, but that is not going to happen when the first thing people see is negativity. A wise man once told me we need to act as Shepherd's for the new players. I take that advice to heart.
Any advice you'd like to give someone who wants to get more involved in the Pirates of the Burning Sea community?
Read the forums, but try not to troll. There are 10,000 topics about "Pirates Gank - News at 11" that go 500 pages, but the one titled "Where can I capture a xebec" has very few replies. Try to make that impact, and help those new players. Cultivate that population and be the Shepherd.
What sort of advice can you give to a new player?
Do not be afraid. You will get sunk by a level 50 while you are level 20. That happens. Just get back in the water and keep going. With the introduction of Leaderboards and Statistics, I can say I am not in the top 75 Pirate PvP'ers. My losses are greater than my wins. I still love the fight though, and the game. I do not let losing interfere with my fun.
What's the best way for a player to find a society?
I got lucky. I yelled out in nation, and Haven Iomane answered me. My suggestion would be to read the forums, and find someone whose attitude and outlook match with yours. You can tell a lot about a person from their posts. You want to make sure you have the same social demeanor and game goal set as the people in your society.
What do you think is the biggest challenge that players face in Pirates of the Burning Sea?
The game does present a steep learning curve. Being an ever evolving MMO, there is no "Instruction Book" per say. The challenge is finding that core group of players that are willing to invest their time in helping you understand Sulfer from Saltpeter and other aspects of the game. When I started, Haven Iomane took me under his wing and my litany of questions. Today, we have the Boarding Party: a group of players across the servers who are willing to invest their time.
You've also met a number of FLS staff. What was that like; what happened?
That was a super experience at PAX. You guys fielded all my questions, and more. I learned quite a bit about the behind the scenes work that goes on, and why some things happen and some things don't. I gained perspective and Moongoggles. After that, to be honest, I do not remember much. Was there Karaoke, or did I just not quit singing?
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