T'was a time of strife and peril in the land of Forium. In truth, that could be said for any point in time within the land's vast and storied history, though the masses are quick to forget as much.
In the days of old, which many fondly remember (and a few accurately remember as actually not being much different) Gazillion, the Lords and Ladies of the land, spent many a sleepless night focusing their time and effort, toiling away to provide the people with riches in the form of new heroes, and reviews for the heroes of old. They churned away tirelessly in the Mines of Delve-elopment. But the people were not satisfied. They cried out, "Where is our new content my Lords!? Why give us these fair heroes if there is no new content to play them in!?"
Gazillion, from atop their thrones above Mount Forium, heard their pleas... and they would not go unanswered...
These past two months the fruits of their new labors were laid bare. Gazillion did not release any new heroes, nor review the old. No, instead they released a bounty of two events. And a new permanent terminal, with another on the way. So lo and behold, the content appeared as if by magic. And was the crowd elated? Some, perhaps, but the cries continued; "Where are our reviews m'Lords!? There's all this new content o' lords of Gazillion, but I cannot play it as my favorite hero is not but rubbish! You have given us such bounty in the form of reviews in the past, how can we now survive without!?"
But the tales of woe did not end there. Of course, there was the content itself.
People called out, "But this is too easy Gazillion! How can I enjoy smashing mine enemies when they are so feeble!? I require a battle fit for my Blade!" But of course, Gazillion had released such difficult content in the past. The reaction was in many was the same, "But this is too hard Gazillion! How can I enjoy this content when I am being smashed by enemies who are so strong!?" And sometimes, on very special (yet surprisingly common) occasions one could hear both sides shouting their battle cries at the same time, over the same exact content.
And what of the rewards? When new content is released, if the rewards are not great enough the people will shout, "Why would I play this good sirs? There is no bounty to be had here that is worth having! I want challenge, but I also want to be equally compensated for overcoming it! To the victor should go the spoils! I will not play that which does not reward!" But then, when Gazillion takes great pains to provide great rewards, the masses who cannot attain it will plea, "But where is ours m'Lords and Ladies? We are so weak as to not find ourselves able to complete this frightening new content! How can we ever hope to overcome it's trials without the same mythic rewards it offers?" The Lords of Gazillion, thinking themselves wise, have tried many ways to deal with this ephemeral problem. They have eroded the challenged, but that was met with disdain by those who craved it. They have allowed for those of firm resolve to forge these fabled items themselves through battling the slavering beast known only as "The Grind," but some balked that their precious rewards should be handed to any of the plebeians whom they deemed unworthy, not capable of tackling the same tribulations they had to attain those same rewards.
And worse, the coveted items were a problem themselves! Those seeking challenge and reward would struggle for their new spoils, but then with the added power of these new wares they would again find themselves without adequate challenge. These brooding heroes could wander the land far and wide and ne'er find an enemy worthy of their new weapons! And they would cry out, "Gazillion! Why have you forsaken us!? We asked for challenge and you gave it! We asked for rewards and they were provided! But now, with those same rewards our challenge has been spoiled! Where are our new challenges now!? Where are the new dragons worthy of our great might (coughFinFangFoomRaidcough) !?"
There was no peace in the land. There could be none. The Lords and Ladies of Gazillion could not appease the denizens of their realm, as there was nothing that would appease more than but a few at a time, and doing so would anger others. They could provide content, and people would cry for heroes! They could provide heroes, and people would cry for new quests! They could provide challenge, and people would be humbled and cry for succor! They could ease the difficulties their charges faced, and the people would cry for their mettle to be tested! There were no answers to be had. No actions that could be taken. No alms that could be given.
There was unrest in the land, as there had always been, and as there would always be.
And thus I ask of the greatest of the Gazillion Lords, @Ryolnir... when you read the forums, do you find yourself feeling like Sisyphus yet?
;)
(yes, I was bored)