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This is a perfect example of what I have noted for some time--that the whole "hacking" thing is a topic of much sensitivity within the Uru community. I have always found that conflicts are best resolved when both sides understand the position of the other side. So to be helpful, here's a brief summary of both sides based on comments I have heard and seen people make:
Gray Hats and their supporters: Uru has felt "dead" for a very long time now because nothing new was happening. The Gray Hats are people who, I believe, have a genuine love for the game and don't want to see it stagnate. Cyan has, for whatever reason, been very slow in open-sourcing the game as they have promised that they would. As a result, people are getting very antsy and want something new. Gray Hats view their hacks as largely unharmful. Their supporters (who, as far as I can tell, are a much bigger group than their detractors) are loving the "illusions" they create. Many people who have not played the game in a very long time are returning to it now because the hacks have made it more interesting for them.
Opposition to the Gray Hats: IMHO, most of the opposition stems from negative reaction to the Birthday Hacks. Many explorers felt that the display of illusions on Rand's birthday broke the setting and atmosphere. Furthermore, it was fairly clear to many people that this had not been sanctioned by Cyan, which meant that someone was taking it into their own hands to manipulate Cyan's property. Some who feel a strong loyalty to Cyan were very outspoken against this. Finally, there is a general opinion that anyone who hacks a public game to create widely visible illusions is a glutton for attention (and there is probably at least a little truth to this opinion), and as a result many people resented what appeared to be a rather immature attempt to garner attention. Although the opposition is in the minority, numbers-wise, they have been very outspoken in their opinions. Now, Cyan has provided the Hood of Illusions and the Fun House. This feels like a slap in the face to anyone who defended Cyan from the hackers by speaking out against them. Furthermore, Uru has always been a community with a philosophy that encourages equality, but with events that have encouraged the rise of various elite groups. As a result it is perfectly natural to feel resentment when any group seems to be getting special favor. It is undoubtedly especially galling for some to see a group of people they believe should be punished be rewarded instead.
I am, of course, not the ultimate authority on what both sides are saying. I'm trying to summarize what I've heard people say, usually in less polite language than what I've used here. Truthfully, both sides have made some mistakes and both sides need to make some concessions. The Gray Hats need to recognize that although the Birthday Hacks received wide popularity, they were unauthorized, they broke the atmosphere and the game for many people, and were perhaps therefore a bit ill-conceived. The opposition needs to recognize that the Gray Hats are not a malicious group, that the majority of Uru players do seem to support the new changes, that specialty groups will arise in any large community and that the Hats are not receiving any real "special treatment" here--just a couple of places to display their illusions where it won't affect those who don't want to participate.
As a final note--before anyone makes any assumptions, I am not a Gray Hat, nor am I in the opposing party. I'm just an explorer who likes peace in the Uru community.
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MOULa KI#237576
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