Post by rockman on Nov 30, 2013 13:10:17 GMT
Firstly I want to say that no, this is not something personal, as someone intimated to me at one point when I raised the issue in a smaller forum, it is simply something I have observed, nothing more. Hence I expect replies to be of an empirical, and non personal nature.
In my time on Hg I have noticed that some people, only a handful really, have multiple accounts on HG. Now, seeing as HG is designed to encourage groups, I have found this to be an odd circumstance, as being able to go online with two, or even three off your own toons, controlled by just one person, removes the need to rely on others. However, isn't that what a group is, relying on others? This seems anathema to the intention of the server itself, and goes against the implied intent of the game, to play in a group.
Now, if you are not someone who asks these kinds of questions, or does the reasoning to reach this point, you might say "So what, how is this harmful in any way to the server, or to the game play of others?" A good question, and one that should be addressed. Is it harmful, or not? Let me explore this.
Firstly, is it good to be able to have people come into a group game with the ability to create their own groups, that do not need anyone but them? I will say that I think not. For starters, if you can create your own group, you don't need to avail yourself of others. If you don't need to avail yourself of others, there will actually be "less" people available to play in groups, as more and more people pursue their own selfish ends. This will also lead to any "help" coming from such people becoming akin to an act of charity, where they are helping you, and you are not in any way helping them.
Secondly, if you are able to create your own groups, with two, or even 3 of your own toons, doesn't this mean that you have just gained a much larger voice in what runs are being done, and who will do them? This to me seems a no brainer, and is obviously true. Just as controlling 2 or 3 votes where only 5 or 6 people are available to vote gives you a lot more control over what will happen, the same of course applies here. One man, 2 or three votes? No brainer. The only question is, is this a good thing, or a bad one?
The response will vary depending on who you ask. Some will say that it is good, as they will claim that they use their extra toons to help people new to the game, (people rather negatively referred to as "newbies") and will say that the issue of extra accounts has nothing to do with power or control. This may or may not be true, however there is a reason why one man has one vote, and we don't give them two or 3. We don't do this because if we did, one man would have too much sway. When you are speaking of a small group, that one man having two or 3 votes would have even more of a say. Is that a good idea?
Thirdly, is it good to have players who do not "need" the help of other players? This again would seem a no brainer to me, or to any rational, thinking human being, when speaking of an environment that is focused on group play. Is it wise to have players who, unlike the majority, do "not" need the help of others? Does this not instantly place such a person instantly above others. Of course it does, the question is, is it a good thing that it does this? I would have to opine that it is not.
Fourthly, control. Let us be honest, people enjoy being in control of things. Humans can be petty, cruel, and rather capricious. They are like this online even more so, as they are more or less anonymous. Taking this into account, is it wise to allow people to use 2, even three different characters, controlled by one person?
I have tried to see the good in allowing people to control so many characters at one time, allowing some people two or even three votes, whilst the majority gets only one; however I fail to see it. Some will argue that there are not enough players, and that they "needed" to create more toons, and have the ability to play them all at once, as there was no one else online to join their group. However when looking closer this does not contribute in any way to group play, and in fact takes away from it. Yes you have a larger party, but controlled by just one or 2 people. People who now do not need to enlist the aid of other "real" people and their "single" toons to help them. This in no way contributes to overall game play, let alone "group" game play.
There is also a lot of room for abuse within such a system. When 1 or 2 people out of 6 or 7 have 2 or even 3 votes to everyone elses one, they have all the power. Now of course those who have this power will say "Oh no, we don't care about power," our that having those extra votes has nothing to do with power. This may or may not be the case when speaking of personal intention, but the power is still there, as is the ability to abuse is, regardless of protestations to the contrary, or personal intent. That being the case, with the possibility to take power already had and abuse it, is it a good idea that people have this power in the first place?
I play the game myself, I enjoy playing it, most of the time. That said I cannot help but see people who, from my point of view abuse their extra voting power. Of course this is a personal observation, and can be disregarded as such.
However, what cannot be disregarded is that a small number of people have more votes then the rest of us. They don't need us, the single toon player, yet since they have multiple toons, and we only have one, we do need them. As they also have more toons online at any given time, we now need them even more so, as they have 2 or 3 toons, compared to someone else who has just one. More toons and more votes, and more toons and they are more needed because they have the more toons, and can bring them to bear, this is a fact, and can do nothing but add to, not take away from this single personal influence. The person with just one toon, well it seems to me that that person would be beholden to the good graces of the person who has many. This is not really an observation, it is fact, and is proven out by simple common sense. If you have small group, say 6 people, and one of those people has "thrice" the voting power as everyone else, it isn't hard to figure out who is in charge, and has the most influence. This is not a question of opinion, as this is simple common sense, and fact. The question that is one of opinion, is this. Is this a good thing, or bad thing?
I suppose it depends on who has that extra voting power, and your point of view. However, with the potential for abuse being so great, why would you want such people to have that kind of influence? Abused or no, the potential is too great to allow such, at least that is my thinking.
As for the argument that multiple toon playing ability is needed, otherwise there would not be enough players, that is hogwash. You would simply have less people pursuing their own selfish ends, and more people participating as a group, as they would have no choice in the matter.
When you take into account all the power one can get from having a few extra votes in an arena that is supposed to be an individual one, with one man having one vote, the potential for abuse becomes obvious. Having the ability to vote in and out who you like, don't like, decide who does what, as well as the when, where, and the massive influence that goes along with such power, is it a good idea to allow someone meant to have just one vote to instead have two, or even three votes, when the majority has one? I think not, and history has proven out the fact that this is a very bad idea.
No, from an empirical stand point,and one of simple logic, and simply looking at the good and the bad, it is a very bad idea. Such a thing only benefits the person who has the extra votes, and in no way contributes to group play. In fact, as you can see it actually detracts from it, as more and more single players are now able to pursue their own ends, and are no longer beholden to others. This creates a clear imbalance, as they no longer need "anyone's" help, but everyone else still needs them. If you do not see the danger inherent in this type of situation, then you are just kidding yourself.
Is allowing people to use multiple toons a good idea, or a bad one?
That most run happen "because" someone with multiple toons is the one starting them does not prove that having multiple accounts and toons is a good thing. This simply shows that those who have multiple account, and the ability to play multiple characters at the same time are able to do hold more sway and control more of what happens "because" they have multiple toon playing ability. This merely proves my point, it does not discount it.
The truth is such should not be allowed, and most of the people who responded to this thread are friends of those people who use multiple toons, or those who use multiple toons themselves, a more biased group you could not find. Those people benefit the most from such activity. They also get to pick and choose who is in, and who it out, when it comes to end game activities, which yield the most xp, and loot. If you have the most money, and property, you make the rules, simple. You decide who goes on what runs, and you hold vast sway over those who do not have your advantages. You can argue until the cows come home that this activity is really a good thing, but that doesn't change these facts, it merely inserts someones "opinion" that it is still a good thing. This opinion is heavily biased, and ignores these facts, but hey, when you have all the sway, influence, and power, you can ignore the facts, and get away with it. Hell, you can convince everyone who wants to continue benefiting from your good fortune of just about anything, so long as you keep the cheap loot and gold flowing.
This game is pretty corrupt from a lay mans point of view. Those who have the ability to play multiple toons have all the wealth, and access to the best loot, and they decide who gets the chance to gain access to "some" of that loot. If you are their buddy, you score, if not, you are excluded. Such can happen in an environment where everyone is "equal" and has equal say of course, but it is far more likely to happen when you have an environment of inequality, where a small group of people have more power, wealth, and influence then everyone else.
Most people don't even think about these facts though, they simply go on, play the game, cow tow, and put up with a lot of crap from people who, because of many years of sycophant adoration and boot licking, have a massive superiority complex, and feel they can treat people however they like. They derisively refer to new players as "newbies", talk down to anyone who has not established themselves as a "toadie" and don't consider you anything more than a "newbie" unless you have been there for years. If you refuse to bow down and lick the boots of these folks, accept their abuse, being talked down to, or object in in any way, then you will be ostracized. Again, this can happen where there is an equal playing field, where people with equal say and influence hold sway, but it is far more likely to happen where you have a few well to do self entitled people, who feel they are above anyone who does not give them what in their mind is the proper respect and adoration.
These same people at first attempt to curry player with new players, giving them free loot and other goodies. They can of course afford to be generous, as they have all the loot, gold, and the ability to get limitless amounts of such, as they can solo most any run. This gets them the adoration and favor they want. Where does this leave the single player who doesn't have the money, or loot to do this? It leaves him out in the cold, and he either has to accept the superior, and condescending attitudes of this small little ruling group, or be cast out.
From what I have seen most people accept the snide, arrogant, posturing and bullying attitudes of these long time players that choose to corner the market on favor and influence. I suppose they don't have any in real life, so they feel a greater need for it, and must get it somewhere. Regardless, it makes playing the game for those who have a modicum of self respect, who refuse to be treated like dirt, well it makes the game very difficult for them.
Most of these people are not even aware of how they act, their behavior seems pathological to me, out of their control, and awareness. It is a real shame, and not something I have experience on other games. However this one suffers from another sickness, one of a slowly dwindling group of players. When you have so few people playing, those who can field multiple toons at once gain greatly in influence and control. This is a fact, and people can go ahead and argue that this is not happening, but they would be lying. Of course it is, can't be helped, human nature. Give people the ability to do wrong or act out without consequence, and some will. That is reality. That is why the games owners who run it should in my opinion, not allow multiple toons to be played from one account. Of course that will not happen, but people should be more aware of the consequences of allowing people to corner the market on all the wealth and property, it isn't wise to allow such.
As you will see from my last post, the whole gaggle of multi boxing, multi toon players rushed in to invalidate and deride my thread, and of course there were no dissenting voices. No, they moved too quickly for that, and no one would dare speak out, now that the ruling group have posted all over my thread. That all they did was post personal opinion and illogical noodling nonsense makes no difference. When you have "bought" the adoration of your followers, and convinced them you are kind and beneficent because you throw them your scraps, who is going to speak out against them? There is also no small amount of fear of losing access to those scraps. No, no one is going to speak out, except for me, and believe me, it has cost me in terms of game play. It is sad that others don't have courage as well to speak out, but fear of losing those easy scraps, and access to the best, most profitable runs, is just too much for most people. However I am sure of one thing. Besides these mooks who have replied to damn my post, and its contents, I have no doubt that there are many players out there who share some of my thoughts and feelings, but don't want to draw the wrath of those who rule by speaking out against them. Do not worry folks, I understand, and can't really blame you for being afraid to speak up.
Such people as those who have cornered the market in this gamne do not contribute to group play, they curtail it. Once curtailed, sure they "seem" to contribute, but only within an environment that they themselves created, and it is one that benefits them the most. Sure there is trickle down, but it is nothing like it could be it everyone was only allowed one voice, and one character. Trust me on this.
Such truths have played out in society, and it is no different in this little macro society created here, in this game, than it is in the real world. The only difference is that some thugs want you to believe otherwise, and they will do just about anything they can to make sure you see things their way, not mine. Sadly they have all the money, and property, and all I have is the truth, so I really can't sway most of you. Only those who see truth for what it is, and recognize their lies for what they, and care about such things will listen to me.
To those of you who do listen, I say this. Boycott running with these people who have the most, and control everything. If you see them, and they call a run, don't go. Organize yourselves, and form your own runs, without these people that have been playing this game for 10 years, and make it impossible for new players to come and gain the same type of wealth and influence that they have. Trust me when I tell you they have cornered the market on the best game play that is to be had on this game, and only if you establish yourself as a good and loyal "toadie" will you get access to it. Trust me on this fact. If you have no problem with that, fine, but if you do, boycott them. Refuse to run with them. If you see two toons online with the same account, asking for others to join them, refuse. Even if you see only one, and you know this person to be one of those who takes advantage of the situation, and that you know has too much influence and control over how things are, refuse to run with them. You know of whom I spea, we all know who they are, even if the majority fear to say. I don't need to spell things out and give you names, you know who they are.
Some people replied that they get no more loot then anyone else, but that is a lie, and not even the biggest issue. For you see they control all the best runs, and who gets access to them. Who is it that is always calling hell runs? Super long time players who have an abundance of hellstones, the best loot, the best toons, and the influence to get one or two other of their ruling buddies to join them. Some of them can even make some of these runs alone. It is those people that hold the most sway, and many of them are also Dungeon Masters. As I said, these people run the game, but only because "you" the single toon player, let them.
Boycott these people, please! They are a detractor from enjoyable, fair game play, and they add nothing whatsoever, only taking away from the enjoyment of the majority, of which they are not members.
I am serious when I say boycott them. You will enjoy the game more, and be talked down to and treated as an inferior less. That to me is more than worth any loss of access to this run, or that piece of loot. Is your self respect worth the same to you? I do hope so. Boycott them, and take care.
In my time on Hg I have noticed that some people, only a handful really, have multiple accounts on HG. Now, seeing as HG is designed to encourage groups, I have found this to be an odd circumstance, as being able to go online with two, or even three off your own toons, controlled by just one person, removes the need to rely on others. However, isn't that what a group is, relying on others? This seems anathema to the intention of the server itself, and goes against the implied intent of the game, to play in a group.
Now, if you are not someone who asks these kinds of questions, or does the reasoning to reach this point, you might say "So what, how is this harmful in any way to the server, or to the game play of others?" A good question, and one that should be addressed. Is it harmful, or not? Let me explore this.
Firstly, is it good to be able to have people come into a group game with the ability to create their own groups, that do not need anyone but them? I will say that I think not. For starters, if you can create your own group, you don't need to avail yourself of others. If you don't need to avail yourself of others, there will actually be "less" people available to play in groups, as more and more people pursue their own selfish ends. This will also lead to any "help" coming from such people becoming akin to an act of charity, where they are helping you, and you are not in any way helping them.
Secondly, if you are able to create your own groups, with two, or even 3 of your own toons, doesn't this mean that you have just gained a much larger voice in what runs are being done, and who will do them? This to me seems a no brainer, and is obviously true. Just as controlling 2 or 3 votes where only 5 or 6 people are available to vote gives you a lot more control over what will happen, the same of course applies here. One man, 2 or three votes? No brainer. The only question is, is this a good thing, or a bad one?
The response will vary depending on who you ask. Some will say that it is good, as they will claim that they use their extra toons to help people new to the game, (people rather negatively referred to as "newbies") and will say that the issue of extra accounts has nothing to do with power or control. This may or may not be true, however there is a reason why one man has one vote, and we don't give them two or 3. We don't do this because if we did, one man would have too much sway. When you are speaking of a small group, that one man having two or 3 votes would have even more of a say. Is that a good idea?
Thirdly, is it good to have players who do not "need" the help of other players? This again would seem a no brainer to me, or to any rational, thinking human being, when speaking of an environment that is focused on group play. Is it wise to have players who, unlike the majority, do "not" need the help of others? Does this not instantly place such a person instantly above others. Of course it does, the question is, is it a good thing that it does this? I would have to opine that it is not.
Fourthly, control. Let us be honest, people enjoy being in control of things. Humans can be petty, cruel, and rather capricious. They are like this online even more so, as they are more or less anonymous. Taking this into account, is it wise to allow people to use 2, even three different characters, controlled by one person?
I have tried to see the good in allowing people to control so many characters at one time, allowing some people two or even three votes, whilst the majority gets only one; however I fail to see it. Some will argue that there are not enough players, and that they "needed" to create more toons, and have the ability to play them all at once, as there was no one else online to join their group. However when looking closer this does not contribute in any way to group play, and in fact takes away from it. Yes you have a larger party, but controlled by just one or 2 people. People who now do not need to enlist the aid of other "real" people and their "single" toons to help them. This in no way contributes to overall game play, let alone "group" game play.
There is also a lot of room for abuse within such a system. When 1 or 2 people out of 6 or 7 have 2 or even 3 votes to everyone elses one, they have all the power. Now of course those who have this power will say "Oh no, we don't care about power," our that having those extra votes has nothing to do with power. This may or may not be the case when speaking of personal intention, but the power is still there, as is the ability to abuse is, regardless of protestations to the contrary, or personal intent. That being the case, with the possibility to take power already had and abuse it, is it a good idea that people have this power in the first place?
I play the game myself, I enjoy playing it, most of the time. That said I cannot help but see people who, from my point of view abuse their extra voting power. Of course this is a personal observation, and can be disregarded as such.
However, what cannot be disregarded is that a small number of people have more votes then the rest of us. They don't need us, the single toon player, yet since they have multiple toons, and we only have one, we do need them. As they also have more toons online at any given time, we now need them even more so, as they have 2 or 3 toons, compared to someone else who has just one. More toons and more votes, and more toons and they are more needed because they have the more toons, and can bring them to bear, this is a fact, and can do nothing but add to, not take away from this single personal influence. The person with just one toon, well it seems to me that that person would be beholden to the good graces of the person who has many. This is not really an observation, it is fact, and is proven out by simple common sense. If you have small group, say 6 people, and one of those people has "thrice" the voting power as everyone else, it isn't hard to figure out who is in charge, and has the most influence. This is not a question of opinion, as this is simple common sense, and fact. The question that is one of opinion, is this. Is this a good thing, or bad thing?
I suppose it depends on who has that extra voting power, and your point of view. However, with the potential for abuse being so great, why would you want such people to have that kind of influence? Abused or no, the potential is too great to allow such, at least that is my thinking.
As for the argument that multiple toon playing ability is needed, otherwise there would not be enough players, that is hogwash. You would simply have less people pursuing their own selfish ends, and more people participating as a group, as they would have no choice in the matter.
When you take into account all the power one can get from having a few extra votes in an arena that is supposed to be an individual one, with one man having one vote, the potential for abuse becomes obvious. Having the ability to vote in and out who you like, don't like, decide who does what, as well as the when, where, and the massive influence that goes along with such power, is it a good idea to allow someone meant to have just one vote to instead have two, or even three votes, when the majority has one? I think not, and history has proven out the fact that this is a very bad idea.
No, from an empirical stand point,and one of simple logic, and simply looking at the good and the bad, it is a very bad idea. Such a thing only benefits the person who has the extra votes, and in no way contributes to group play. In fact, as you can see it actually detracts from it, as more and more single players are now able to pursue their own ends, and are no longer beholden to others. This creates a clear imbalance, as they no longer need "anyone's" help, but everyone else still needs them. If you do not see the danger inherent in this type of situation, then you are just kidding yourself.
Is allowing people to use multiple toons a good idea, or a bad one?
That most run happen "because" someone with multiple toons is the one starting them does not prove that having multiple accounts and toons is a good thing. This simply shows that those who have multiple account, and the ability to play multiple characters at the same time are able to do hold more sway and control more of what happens "because" they have multiple toon playing ability. This merely proves my point, it does not discount it.
The truth is such should not be allowed, and most of the people who responded to this thread are friends of those people who use multiple toons, or those who use multiple toons themselves, a more biased group you could not find. Those people benefit the most from such activity. They also get to pick and choose who is in, and who it out, when it comes to end game activities, which yield the most xp, and loot. If you have the most money, and property, you make the rules, simple. You decide who goes on what runs, and you hold vast sway over those who do not have your advantages. You can argue until the cows come home that this activity is really a good thing, but that doesn't change these facts, it merely inserts someones "opinion" that it is still a good thing. This opinion is heavily biased, and ignores these facts, but hey, when you have all the sway, influence, and power, you can ignore the facts, and get away with it. Hell, you can convince everyone who wants to continue benefiting from your good fortune of just about anything, so long as you keep the cheap loot and gold flowing.
This game is pretty corrupt from a lay mans point of view. Those who have the ability to play multiple toons have all the wealth, and access to the best loot, and they decide who gets the chance to gain access to "some" of that loot. If you are their buddy, you score, if not, you are excluded. Such can happen in an environment where everyone is "equal" and has equal say of course, but it is far more likely to happen when you have an environment of inequality, where a small group of people have more power, wealth, and influence then everyone else.
Most people don't even think about these facts though, they simply go on, play the game, cow tow, and put up with a lot of crap from people who, because of many years of sycophant adoration and boot licking, have a massive superiority complex, and feel they can treat people however they like. They derisively refer to new players as "newbies", talk down to anyone who has not established themselves as a "toadie" and don't consider you anything more than a "newbie" unless you have been there for years. If you refuse to bow down and lick the boots of these folks, accept their abuse, being talked down to, or object in in any way, then you will be ostracized. Again, this can happen where there is an equal playing field, where people with equal say and influence hold sway, but it is far more likely to happen where you have a few well to do self entitled people, who feel they are above anyone who does not give them what in their mind is the proper respect and adoration.
These same people at first attempt to curry player with new players, giving them free loot and other goodies. They can of course afford to be generous, as they have all the loot, gold, and the ability to get limitless amounts of such, as they can solo most any run. This gets them the adoration and favor they want. Where does this leave the single player who doesn't have the money, or loot to do this? It leaves him out in the cold, and he either has to accept the superior, and condescending attitudes of this small little ruling group, or be cast out.
From what I have seen most people accept the snide, arrogant, posturing and bullying attitudes of these long time players that choose to corner the market on favor and influence. I suppose they don't have any in real life, so they feel a greater need for it, and must get it somewhere. Regardless, it makes playing the game for those who have a modicum of self respect, who refuse to be treated like dirt, well it makes the game very difficult for them.
Most of these people are not even aware of how they act, their behavior seems pathological to me, out of their control, and awareness. It is a real shame, and not something I have experience on other games. However this one suffers from another sickness, one of a slowly dwindling group of players. When you have so few people playing, those who can field multiple toons at once gain greatly in influence and control. This is a fact, and people can go ahead and argue that this is not happening, but they would be lying. Of course it is, can't be helped, human nature. Give people the ability to do wrong or act out without consequence, and some will. That is reality. That is why the games owners who run it should in my opinion, not allow multiple toons to be played from one account. Of course that will not happen, but people should be more aware of the consequences of allowing people to corner the market on all the wealth and property, it isn't wise to allow such.
As you will see from my last post, the whole gaggle of multi boxing, multi toon players rushed in to invalidate and deride my thread, and of course there were no dissenting voices. No, they moved too quickly for that, and no one would dare speak out, now that the ruling group have posted all over my thread. That all they did was post personal opinion and illogical noodling nonsense makes no difference. When you have "bought" the adoration of your followers, and convinced them you are kind and beneficent because you throw them your scraps, who is going to speak out against them? There is also no small amount of fear of losing access to those scraps. No, no one is going to speak out, except for me, and believe me, it has cost me in terms of game play. It is sad that others don't have courage as well to speak out, but fear of losing those easy scraps, and access to the best, most profitable runs, is just too much for most people. However I am sure of one thing. Besides these mooks who have replied to damn my post, and its contents, I have no doubt that there are many players out there who share some of my thoughts and feelings, but don't want to draw the wrath of those who rule by speaking out against them. Do not worry folks, I understand, and can't really blame you for being afraid to speak up.
Such people as those who have cornered the market in this gamne do not contribute to group play, they curtail it. Once curtailed, sure they "seem" to contribute, but only within an environment that they themselves created, and it is one that benefits them the most. Sure there is trickle down, but it is nothing like it could be it everyone was only allowed one voice, and one character. Trust me on this.
Such truths have played out in society, and it is no different in this little macro society created here, in this game, than it is in the real world. The only difference is that some thugs want you to believe otherwise, and they will do just about anything they can to make sure you see things their way, not mine. Sadly they have all the money, and property, and all I have is the truth, so I really can't sway most of you. Only those who see truth for what it is, and recognize their lies for what they, and care about such things will listen to me.
To those of you who do listen, I say this. Boycott running with these people who have the most, and control everything. If you see them, and they call a run, don't go. Organize yourselves, and form your own runs, without these people that have been playing this game for 10 years, and make it impossible for new players to come and gain the same type of wealth and influence that they have. Trust me when I tell you they have cornered the market on the best game play that is to be had on this game, and only if you establish yourself as a good and loyal "toadie" will you get access to it. Trust me on this fact. If you have no problem with that, fine, but if you do, boycott them. Refuse to run with them. If you see two toons online with the same account, asking for others to join them, refuse. Even if you see only one, and you know this person to be one of those who takes advantage of the situation, and that you know has too much influence and control over how things are, refuse to run with them. You know of whom I spea, we all know who they are, even if the majority fear to say. I don't need to spell things out and give you names, you know who they are.
Some people replied that they get no more loot then anyone else, but that is a lie, and not even the biggest issue. For you see they control all the best runs, and who gets access to them. Who is it that is always calling hell runs? Super long time players who have an abundance of hellstones, the best loot, the best toons, and the influence to get one or two other of their ruling buddies to join them. Some of them can even make some of these runs alone. It is those people that hold the most sway, and many of them are also Dungeon Masters. As I said, these people run the game, but only because "you" the single toon player, let them.
Boycott these people, please! They are a detractor from enjoyable, fair game play, and they add nothing whatsoever, only taking away from the enjoyment of the majority, of which they are not members.
I am serious when I say boycott them. You will enjoy the game more, and be talked down to and treated as an inferior less. That to me is more than worth any loss of access to this run, or that piece of loot. Is your self respect worth the same to you? I do hope so. Boycott them, and take care.
