The Olympic Spirit (Please read)
Jun 6, 2012 14:30:43 GMT
Post by Mayhem on Jun 6, 2012 14:30:43 GMT
The Olympic Spirit
(a message from Mayhem)
(logo by Repheat)
(a message from Mayhem)
(logo by Repheat)
This will be the third LOTR Olympics event I have organised. I think I can say that over the years the Olympics has become the biggest even in Conquest. That is thanks to all of the help I have received, and to all of you for competing and playing so well. I have given a lot of time to this game, and for all of its flaws I love it. It is the best game I have ever played. But as a game it lives and dies by its players. And that is why we are trying to bring as many people as possible together for one last tournament.
I try my hardest to ensure that the Olympics is the one tournament that attracts all of the very best players. I pride myself on that. For this reason, I am asking for as many people as possible to enter. And not only to enter, but to enter and play well, and with honour. If you have used these servers to which I and others (especially Ronjons, Onde, Redbaron) have given so much time and or money, my one wish in return is that you enter this last tournament. To enter out of respect for the game, the people that play it, and the organisation that such a thing requires. To enter for your friends. There is no charge for using these servers; there is just my request. When I decided to organise this last event, I was quite sure it would only go ahead if a certain number of criteria were met. I wrote to certain people and was given a positive response about my plans. In particular it is Angelus and Istari (especially Angelus) that are responsible for motivating me to do this.
Many people will be returning to the game during this time. There will be lots of different motivations for doing so. Some will enter with a realistic chance of tournament victory; others will be legends and former greats returning for fun, or for one last run; others will be hopefuls entering their first event. There will be 2010 gold medalists entering alongside players who first picked up the game two weeks ago. There will be upsets and surprises, great victories and great memories. There should also be great fun.
I realise this is particularly hard on the top players. Perhaps they are targets that other people would like to hunt, to “make their name”, so to speak. If this is so, I would ask those top players to remember when they were new to the game, and how badly they wanted to fight the top players at that time. Losing is not such a big deal. Nobody can be the best all the time. Don't ever let your game tag become bigger than you are. Rise above it. If you are out of practise and return mostly for fun and then lose, well: where is the shame in that? There is no shame in losing at the Olympics on any level. In fact I gain such respect for people who enter and lose after fighting hard. And if you want to talk about drama and feeling in a videogame: if a champion returns, fights hard and loses, then who can't feel that? That is the story and drama of the Olympics. So my sincere hope is that if you would not normally enter such a tournament, you make an exception this one time; if you have reservations about entering a certain class, you find the courage to this one time; if you are haven't played the game in some time and have moved on, you return for this one time.
So here, finally, are my wishes for these Olympics: That people set aside their fear, and their reputations and enter for the joy of playing. Don't give in to fear. Be brave and honourable and play hard, and for fun. Yes, this is a videogame but the pressure people have told me they feel before big matches in the final stages is real. It's competetive if you want it to be; it's for fun if you don't. Either is fine: just play from the heart.
This is the real Olympic pledge. This is something every competitor recites before taking part. It's a completely different environment, of course, but I think it is applicable to this tournament and this videogame
"In the name of all competitors, I promise that we shall take part in these
Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by the rules that govern them, in the
true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sport and the honour of our teams."
Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by the rules that govern them, in the
true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sport and the honour of our teams."
This is the 3rd and final LOTR Olympics. If some of you think this message is too sincere or serious, perhaps you are right. I don't take the game very seriously but I do care about things I choose to invest my time in and I'm not afraid to care about this game and its players. So one more time, let's fight well, with honour, respect and fun!
