- Strat, extra CD keys
- Flat foliage textures
- See-through walls
- Large pink projectiles and weapons
Only a very sad person would feel like a winner if they succeeded with any of the above.
“There is no victory in such things. I do not want to win our war like this... ...When I win, I wish it to be because I was right, my teachings true.”
- Kotor 2.
Admittedly, video games allow for 'noble' competition. It's one of their appeals, I think.
I used to heavily limit the sort of things I would use to win, in my first few years of cRPG. I never used full lateral movement regularly until last year, for instance, or much armor at all. I didn't really believe any win was a win unless I used a one handed weapon and no shield or squared off against someone like SaulCanner and later, Kaoklai.
Over time, I had less time to practice. My skills waned, and the average skill level rose, too, so I've started relying on mechanics that I once rejected.
It's
still true that playing to win alone is boring.
However, it's not in my interest to suggest that a win is cheapened by using something like a feint macro- purely because the player is trading adaptability for obscurity. It still presents a challenge that I can get enjoyment out of facing. One of the joys of Warband is figuring out what patterns your opponent is using and adapting your own style to counter it- something Leshma doesn't seem to enjoy doing.
Lag is annoying, yes, but you should still beat them more times than not.
In the end, though, this is about
recognition. Leshma perceives that certain players are being recognized as 'skilled' by using macros. He points out the current population, too, which is interesting because it highlights the reason this shouldn't be an issue. The population is small, the most skilled players are gone, and there isn't a lively duel tradition. There is no audience to demand this recognition from, really.
I'm going to guess and say that all you really want, Leshma, is some empathy.
So here it is:
yes, they're cheating.
Yes, it's shitty.
Thank Thor it's not as bad as ARMA II or, even worse, a standard MMO where balance is built around players using macros.