Gunnie, you are entitled to your opinion and I am entitled to mine and there's no need to result to insulting other people who have genuine complaints unless you are a troll or a company stooge. Even if you disagree, just tell why and be objective about it. Don't need to say we are whiners etc. Also, you can see a few other users including me and not just you have a low post count as well which means this is something we feel needs to be voice out and not a pissing contest.
Like you, I grew up where video games were expensive and there was no such thing as playing for free and honestly I don't believe in such a thing. Hence the reason why I pay to support even though it's not much.
If the company offers a good product service, then I will gladly pay up but if you offer substandard service/shoddy product. I will not pay a single cent and the company should be glad I am even bothering to provide critical feedback instead of raging blindly online or just quitting as I am willing to give them a chance because I like the previous products offered.
Like Tbucket wrote, if I go to dinner and ask for a steak and they bring me some goat testicles, I'm not just going to sit there, be quite and eat it. It's my money after all and I have a right to voice out. I highly doubt anyone even you will just keep quiet and eat goat testicles especially if the restaurant is not apologetic and charges you an arm and a leg. If you have that type of thinking in my restaurant.... well don't expect to last long in business especially if people are trying to be reasonable and tell you that you need to improve.
If I want to start my own 1 man combine, it's my right and I am well aware of the pros and cons of starting one. I also have the right to refuse to participate in any tournament if I deem it doesn't fit my playing style, I am not prepared, have time, not worth it, etc.
Are you saying that if Plarium will to enforce a rule where you have to participate in every single/combine tournaments otherwise you get banned from the game is alright? This is what is getting players upset as they are not giving the choice to refuse to participate.
I also have the right to ask for a level playing field in any game I play especially multiplayer. There are other combines around me who are more or less a one man show and are roughly on par with me so why can't the special selection algorithm pair me against them or at least against a more manageable number ? It's obvious that the selection system is seriously flawed and not being tested properly before being hastily implemented.
E.g. Imagine a random team online match where the server decides to pit you alone against 19 other players and worse they are all highly skilled and you are above average at best. Each time the server does the same thing and when you file a report/complaint to the company. The only reply is that there is nothing wrong with the system and they instead suggest don't play multiplayer, just play single campaign or against AI only.
Yes, I know there are people who will complain nonstop for the sake of it even if the company introduce an event/update that is beneficial/enjoyable for players. In this case however, the complaints are genuine and people want Plarium to know that forcing combines to fight against each other especially without taking into account their diplomatic status is a big no no and the very least offer us the option of refusing to participate.
What you are doing right now Gunnie is no better than the whiners who you complained of whining nonstop. Only you are the opposite in which you are blindly supporting the developers. By all means, support the company if you are fan but offer critical feedback instead of just blindly supporting them. If they make a good decision, praise them and vice versa. Just be objective and rational and don't insult others if you don't agree with them especially if they never pick a fight with you in the first place.
If you really have nothing constructive to say, then it's best to stay silent otherwise you are no better than the whiners who whine endlessly on the forums.
I already said my piece and I will stop here as I don't want it to become a feud.
Good day.