Dear Redemption Online Community

[Sean]

Dear Redemption Online Community,

I decided to stop playing Redemption competitively around November of last year.  I proceeded to sell my entire collection except for some Lost Souls so I could play some Booster Draft the few times a year I am able to make a tournament.  As a result of my decision to stop playing I also stopped checking most of the sections of this message board.  Over the past couple of weeks I started to check the boards a little bit more because I was using it as a study break as well as a form of procrastination.

I write to you because I am taken aback at the discussions that are posted on the boards.  I left the game because of my displeasure with the current state of the game but I still like to think I'm a part of this community.  Being less involved for several months and then returning to read more of the message board has given me a new perspective on what we, the Redemption Online Community, post on the Cactus Game Design Message Boards.

I have noticed that we treat the play testers, the PTB, horribly.  In the past I have been one of the first people to criticize new cards for being OP or for rulings being poorly made but now I feel that I owe the play testers an apology.  I know that they make decisions that we may not agree with but they are the people who have the power within the Redemption world.  I believe that we should share our opinions about rulings and errata as much as we can but I think we have gone too far.  We paint the PTB as evil dictators when they are doing everything possible to make Redemption an enjoyable game.  I am sad that we treat our brothers this way.  You know what's even worse?  Every time, the play testers take what we say with practically no retaliation.  They have shown humility, meekness, and honor while being faced with a barrage of immaturity. 

I would like to remind everyone that Rob and the play testers have always tried to give us the best possible game experience.  Every ruling is made so that the game will work better.  Their purpose is not to take away originality or punish creativity.  Their purpose is to provide a product that fosters fellowship.  Their purpose is not to spoil months of deck preparation.  Their purpose if to make the game balanced.  I believer we, the Redemption Online Community, have lost sight of these facts.

I would like to apologize for my past actions when they have overstepped the lines of civility.  I have resolved to treat the PTB like I should have treated them from the beginning.

Love and Blessings,
Sean Wenzel

[Mr.Hiatus]

I completely agree. I think the big dogs take too much heat. They are not getting paid for so much of their time yet they have to deal with sometimes, immature, unthought, and heated responses with no apology. I have bashed Schaef in the past, mostly through PM, but that was just once . Not all responses are hasty, poorly thought, and do not come from an immature crowd, but either way they have to take their time to deal with all of this. After all these guys are creating great product, and providing all of us with a hobby that is still around and kicking.

[TheKarazyvicePresidentRR]

I agree as well, and hopefully any PTB that see me making "harsh" remarks know I am kidding.

[The Schaef]

I agree as well, and hopefully any PTB that see me making "harsh" remarks know I am kidding.

ban

[BubbleBoy]

... they are doing everything possible to make Redemption an enjoyable game.

Well, now that's debatable...

I guess I have been a little harsh on Bryon in particular over the last couple of rulings, but I hope I made (and make) it clear that I mean no disrespect by criticizing the actions that the playtesters are taking. They provide us an invaluable service, and it's true we probably don't appreciate it as much as we should most of the time.

P.S. Sean, we hope you come back! I'll be good, I promise! We love you, Sean!