Wow, my work unblocked NG's forums!

I don't know who goes thru stuff and blocks it sometimes, then unblocks it, but they SUCK AT THEIR JOB! I mean, really big time SUCK.

Anyway, hello again, everyone. I've been in Portland, Maine and the internet is HORRIBLE there. I tried watching flash movies and a simple 1MB movie takes up to several MINUTES to load. Bleh!

I had to entertain myself in other ways so I dragged my 360 up with me. I must say, Fable 2 is excellent fun.

I did get a little B/P done, but my high standards of not voting 2 on pure crap that'll pass anyway kept me from getting much. I'm almost the next level, though. Less than 10 days left on that.

At 11/17/08 05:09 PM, Phantom wrote:

At 11/17/08 04:49 PM, Ismael92 wrote: Also, it will be difficult to get to Supreme Commander, but I hope you can do it... I will get there after a long time... If I ever get there...

Speak not with hesitation, young one. your way in the Barracks has just begun. I realize you enter this world when it is already corrupt and hard to mend, but remember the many who did not give up on newgrounds, the few who made a name for themselves from it.

And of course, remember every person who doesn't feel massive amounts of shame and of wasted time, when he looks at his internet stats.

Thanks master... I suppose...

At 11/17/08 06:13 PM, phantomlassuk wrote: Well I'm thrilled to have gotten to Sergent ,love the 3 lines on my new badge. After waiting for so many months its a huge achievement for me. Seeing it in my profile is grand nothing of course compared, to Supreme Commander ,but when the next roster comes round i will be moving on up the list at last. Now so eager to see what Grand Theft Auto 4, the control pad is weird. ts cool looking ,but odd feeling when i very quickly used it.

I don't know why, but I never liked that badge at all. I feel there are too many lines in a small badge and there's no room for them.

Also, there are so many lines in this there, that they are actually smaller than in the previous badge. Anyway, I've just noticed this...

Oh, and congrats :D

While we are on the subject of B/P I have noticed that blams have been much easier to come by lately. A couple of days I have gotten 70 or so B/P with just 5 more saves than I did blams. I know that if I would 5 all of the spam submissions that are submitted I'd have about 30 more B/P points a day, but it's nice to know that there are still some people who 0 the unfunny and unoriginal spam out there.

So Phantom has a problem, surprise surprise, with the new submissions that I have been posting. So I've decided to explain why these submissions are being posted from me and why they are the way they are. ZekeySpaceyLizard says all sprite animations are crap and all sprite animators are lazy bastards who don't want to do real animation. Whether you agree with him or not there are many sprite animations on this site that take more work, effort, and time than any of his movies, no matter how good some of his movies are. Since he flamed my own friend pigeonmaster88, a very good sprite animator, about this subject we have decided to poke some fun at him with my Zekey Loves Sprites movies. From the people who understand this have loved the flashes even if they haven't reviewed. All of them have favorites from people who I both know and have no clue who they are. One even passed with a 3.0 and up because the people understood the purpose and the concept of the movies, which is sometimes more important then the movies themselves. Anyway, like I said, they are just poking fun at Zekey with Ironic humor. They will be done in 2 more episodes after the one that I submitted today so don't worry about anymore of them after this.

At 11/19/08 08:43 AM, Corky52 wrote: So Phantom has a problem, surprise surprise, with the new submissions that I have been posting.

Phantom isn't the only one, I have a problem with them as well, they just look very pointless, nothing happens in them. No matter how much back story you give it, it doesn't seem to be entertaining. It's no diffrent from half the other crap with music and some slight animation.

I know, I've submitted some crap before but I'm going to admit that it is crap and pointless. If you put some effort into it, it would be better. I was tempted to write a review just to raise my review count but I didn't think it was worth it, you know that it's bad, why tell you.

ZekeySpaceyLizard says all sprite animations are crap and all sprite animators are lazy bastards who don't want to do real animation.

Those who don't draw their own sprites, yes because it's not hard to move sprites around when you have a sprite sheet ready, I've done it before and it's much easier than drawing and animating everything.

Whether you agree with him or not there are many sprite animations on this site that take more work, effort, and time than any of his movies, no matter how good some of his movies are.

No, a lot of Zekeys decent work is far better than any sprite flash on this site, there are so many animations that are better than the sprite animations. Okay some sprite animations are amusing but would be better drawn.

One even passed with a 3.0 and up because the people understood the purpose and the concept of the movies, which is sometimes more important then the movies themselves.

I find this quite sad, really, someone who puts a lot of effort into their flash, their first say and only manages to scape pass, yet you're canvas with a few sprites on and some music gets between 2-3 in score. Are you proud of that?

Anyway, like I said, they are just poking fun at Zekey with Ironic humor.

I have a feeling he doesn't really care.

Even if Zekey doesn't care I've received PM's from many sprite artist who have thought it was rather funny. That's the audience that I wanted to reach. I don't care what you think about them as long as the people who it pertains to finds it funny and like the submissions. Those are the people who I wanted to entertain. Not people who thinks everything has to be serious work. I'm not mass voting them or anything either so if you don't like them then vote 0 on them. It's as simple as that. I don't even vote on them myself because I don't think it's fair. What I don't get is if these submissions are really making you guys hurt so much then you need to set your priorities of what is important in your life and what isn't. A flash submissions, which several people find funny and obviously more people do than don't, that you happen not to like is really making your life so bad that you complain about it?

At 11/19/08 12:13 PM, Corky52 wrote: I don't care what you think about them

I find this quite hard to believe, sorry but all I am doing is stating my opinion about them, I'm not insulting you or anyone else, if I am then sorry. But you see the need to insult my opinion or suggest that my opinion is somehow wrong.

Not people who thinks everything has to be serious work.

Yes because if you look at my favourites, the only flash their are serious ones!! I will admit that I do like some spam flash, they amuse me. All I am saying is I don't like your 'series' because it doesn't seem entertaining, to me.

What I don't get is if these submissions are really making you guys hurt so much then you need to set your priorities of what is important in your life and what isn't.

This can be said about your responce, why are negative opinions making you feel bad? Maybe you need to set your priorities, I am fine, I've said I don't like your sprite flash and I've said why, that's all I have to say, it's my personal opinion. Your flash and how many you make means nothing to my life, it's not been keeping me awake at night because I don't care if you make 10, 20, 50, 200 etc I still won't like them unless I find them entertaining.

A flash submissions, which several people find funny and obviously more people do than don't

Well no, this is maybe only partly true, I submitted something that was just text and music and it passed with a score of 2+, I'm sure most people protected it because I have flash submissions so they thought it wouldn't be blammed. Which it should have been, so yeah, though maybe some people do like it, that's there opinion.

that you happen not to like is really making your life so bad that you complain about it?

I have as much right to hold a negative opinion as John Doe has to hold a positive opinion. If I did like it and expressed that, you wouldn't be saying it's affecting my life and insulting my opinion, you'd be happy most likly.

Tell me, why do negative opinions mean so much to you? Why do you have to attack someones opinion just because they don't like something?

At 11/19/08 12:42 PM, Little-Rena wrote:

Tell me, why do negative opinions mean so much to you? Why do you have to attack someones opinion just because they don't like something?

The comments that I mentioned were towards Phantom. If you like it then I don't care what you think. Well read the response that I wrote to the first negative review on my first episode. I said it's ok if they didn't like it and they are entitled to their own opinion. Now Phantom told me to stop making them. He didn't say I think you should stop making them, I would rather you not make them, etc.. He didn't express his opinion he gave me a command to stop submitting them. Those comments were towards him.

Like I said I don't care if you like them or not. I only care if the people who think they are funny like them. I didn't say I wanted you to like them, but only to realize that there is people that do like it and I'm making it for them. To entertain them, which it does. Whatever you feel about them I just rather not be told to stop just because you didn't like them.

At 11/19/08 01:18 PM, Corky52 wrote: Those comments were towards him.

But you used those comments as a reply to my post, which seemed to suggest that you directed them towards me.

Whatever you feel about them I just rather not be told to stop just because you didn't like them.

I've not once told anyone to stop making a series of flash and I wasn't going to start here, I don't care if you want to submit those sorts of flash, I will vote how I please and hold my own opinion. No matter how much I hate a flash, I'm not going to tell the author to stop making it.

Although I can see why Phantom may tell you to stop, since the EGB is suppost to protect the portal and not fill it with more junk than is already there. That's not to say I agree or disagree with that, I'm just saying I can see the reasoning behind it.

Jesus Corky, make a giant rant why don't you...

YES, for the love of god, I disagree with some of your submissions, this latest one too because you claim to be going for a what appears to be a "joke" and spite to show zekey that sprite can be very popular.

I myself grew up on Sprite games but your submissions aren't passing because every single viewer likes it. It's passing because people see just by links from your submissions by the bottom, that you have a lot of other submissions and they think: "Oh well, this can't be too bad, right? the guy has made a lot of flash"

Also, despite common belief, I am not a god. My telling you to "cut it out" was was a suggestion; no playing matter, but not a command.

Please stop being such a sissy (again, suggestion). Accept the fact not all people like your attempts at flash, and that with this current "series" they are no more than pathetic, not entertaining and below any true NG par.

As an animator I'd just like to say this:

I've never felt that using the portal to gain attention and poke fun at people THRU SPAM was a good idea. I just feel it's childish.

I do get it, though. He said something that offended you and you are trying to make a point, but I just feel you're going about it the wrong way by spamming the portal with, let's face it, utter crap.

At 11/19/08 03:00 PM, Phantom wrote: Jesus Corky, make a giant rant why don't you...

Lol It's small compared to some of the ones that you have made right?

Also, despite common belief, I am not a god.

You being the only one to believe it doesn't make it a common belief. ;)

My telling you to "cut it out" was was a suggestion; no playing matter, but not a command.

Please stop being such a sissy (again, suggestion).

Oh there goes the internet badass in you again. Don't worry you know who else acts the same exact way and tries to be a internet badass? This GOTH kid.

Accept the fact not all people like your attempts at flash, and that with this current "series" they are no more than pathetic, not entertaining and below any true NG par.

That was the same exact point that I was trying to make to you. I didn't want or care if you guys liked them. I just wanted to make the point that just because you told me to stop them that I wasn't going to stop making them since other people do disagree with you guys. 10 more people have favorited me as an author from this series so I'm telling you that yes some people do like it and because they do I'm going to make it for them not you.

At 11/19/08 07:02 PM, RSQViper wrote: As an animator I'd just like to say this:

I'm not an animator. I have no clue how to make a real flash.

I've never felt that using the portal to gain attention and poke fun at people THRU SPAM was a good idea. I just feel it's childish.

Or you are ignorant to the fact that some people find the humor in it?

I do get it, though. He said something that offended you and you are trying to make a point, but I just feel you're going about it the wrong way by spamming the portal with, let's face it, utter crap.

No he didn't offend me. I'm not an animator, (since you guys don't really consider these more than spam than I don't consider myself an animator) but he did offend about 100 other sprite artists the day he said that. So I made a small joke series. Waaa get over it guys. Does it matter if it's utter crap or not? Sometimes it's the concept behind the flash and the meaning behind the flash instead of the actual content. It's something an adult mind should be able to comprehend.

Don't worry though, I have 1 more episode and then I'm finished. I've decided to make it non spam by adding several episodes into one and by adding a lot of actual animation to it instead of just animated sprites, which move in one place.

We are in agreement here.

Thanks Ismael92, the three badges are quite impressive to me but maybe not as cool as say the higher badges. Well I'm not sure about what ZeckeySpaceyLizard said, but I think I remember him posting somewhere about sprites not being very good. Anyone got a link? I could not find any information on his profile.

Now this passed do you think its stolen? I think so only submission and its from Trouble here

• 

  by <deleted>

  Under Judgment

  (Everyone)

From here.

http://www.trouble.co.uk/games/clas sicgames.html

.

At 11/19/08 07:19 PM, Corky52 wrote: Oh there goes the internet badass in you again. Don't worry you know who else acts the same exact way and tries to be a internet badass? This GOTH kid.

And insulting him makes you no diffrent to the way you are trying to portry him, now you are just making yourself look bad by insulting someone, the more you do it, the less people will think of you here I believe.

I'm not an animator. I have no clue how to make a real flash.

Maybe you should practice, just a tip, I mean you don't have to if you don't want but maybe you would get something more out of it.

Sometimes it's the concept behind the flash and the meaning behind the flash instead of the actual content. It's something an adult mind should be able to comprehend.

No, sure if the flash had some effort put into it, I could see the concept playing a part but when you have to read a description and watch a loop of sprites, there's not really any concept to speak of, some people might see why you did it but to most people, it probably means nothing.

Eitherway, I think this whole 'argument' should come to an end because it's obvious the more negative things people say here, the more you are going to try to make them look stupid and try to put across that they really care about events on the internet like it bothers their everyday life, but to me, you are just starting to sound like you care a lot about this 'series' and are unwilling to accept negative comments made.

If you just accepted them then it wouldn't get this far, I think if you expected this club to see them how you and a few others see them, then you are possibly in the wrong club for this. But I can't speak for everyone here, still I really think you should drop it, this 'adult' mind you talk of should tell you to just end it, it's going nowhere.

At 11/19/08 10:37 PM, phantomlassuk wrote: Now this passed do you think its stolen? I think so only submission and its from Trouble here
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/47 0068
From here.http://www.trouble.co.uk/games/clas sicgames.html.

It could be, there is little or no suggestion on the submitters profile that they are the one who made it, the username doesn't seem like that of a sponsor either. Looks like they stuck ads at the front of the flash, the quality of the flash doesn't look too bad in comparison though so doesn't look decompiled.

Hard to say for me, it doesn't look blatently obvious that it has been stolen other than lack of user information.

At 11/20/08 03:22 AM, Little-Rena wrote:

I'm not an animator. I have no clue how to make a real flash.

Maybe you should practice, just a tip, I mean you don't have to if you don't want but maybe you would get something more out of it.

Maybe that's what I'm doing now? I learned the action script to some of that stuff and the simple stuff all in one day. Who cares if I submit them or not? I'm getting better though. Rather slowly, but like you said it takes time. Anyway, I told you to stop bitching about it. I haven't submitted the last one because I've been trying to make it into a real animation. Or did you miss the entire part of my post?

Sometimes it's the concept behind the flash and the meaning behind the flash instead of the actual content. It's something an adult mind should be able to comprehend.

No, sure if the flash had some effort put into it, I could see the concept playing a part but when you have to read a description and watch a loop of sprites, there's not really any concept to speak of, some people might see why you did it but to most people, it probably means nothing.

Read above. I already said several times now that I'm working on the last one and trying to make it good. That was the plan all along. Make several sprite flashes and then the finally good, or what is good to me is still terrible to most people, but far from a spam submission also. I can explain the strategy better after it's submitted.

Eitherway, I think this whole 'argument' should come to an end

And guess what? It would have if you could have ended it.

If you just accepted them then it wouldn't get this far, I think if you expected this club to see them how you and a few others see them, then you are possibly in the wrong club for this. But I can't speak for everyone here, still I really think you should drop it, this 'adult' mind you talk of should tell you to just end it, it's going nowhere.

Dude drop it. I have.

At 11/19/08 10:37 PM, phantomlassuk wrote: Now this passed do you think its stolen? I think so only submission and its from Trouble here
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/47 0068
From here.http://www.trouble.co.uk/games/clas sicgames.html.

I really don't know. Just the fact that the account has signed up so recently it's hard to tell, but that doesn't mean someone who owned a gaming site didn't find out about newgrounds and decided to see his games/flashes here too. I have a hard time finding things that are stolen unless they are already on newgrounds.

Well talk about surprises Tom Fulp himself sent me a Pm not lying here this his reply I'm doing some follow-up to be sure. "The game runs MochiAds so the creator probably WOULD submit it to NG, even if it was sponsored by Trouble.co.uk... I just gotta figure out if alexprogramming is really the programmer. :)

I cant give you a link but this is amazing okay I know its not much of a big deal ,but this made my day. So he has read all my PM? I sent him. Corky52 this is a rely about the link to the game I thought may be stolen but on close inspection may not be sorry, wanted to say what a nice guy he is.

At 11/19/08 07:19 PM, Corky52 wrote:

At 11/19/08 03:00 PM, Phantom wrote: Accept the fact not all people like your attempts at flash, and that with this current "series" they are no more than pathetic, not entertaining and below any true NG par.

That was the same exact point that I was trying to make to you. I didn't want or care if you guys liked them. I just wanted to make the point that just because you told me to stop them that I wasn't going to stop making them since other people do disagree with you guys. 10 more people have favorited me as an author from this series so I'm telling you that yes some people do like it and because they do I'm going to make it for them not you.

you don't make flash because a few ppl like them, you don't make flashes because you like to do them... you make flash just for the +1 stat... and because the portal is in so full of crap right now, you are able to pass your, whatever that shit is, because it can't be called a flash

At 11/20/08 09:46 AM, phantomlassuk wrote: Well talk about surprises Tom Fulp himself sent me a Pm not lying here this his reply I'm doing some follow-up to be sure. "The game runs MochiAds so the creator probably WOULD submit it to NG, even if it was sponsored by Trouble.co.uk... I just gotta figure out if alexprogramming is really the programmer. :)

I see. Well good luck and trying to figure out if he was the one that programmed it or not. Also, I have had Tom respond to almost every one of my PM's within a small amount of time. He's really good with that and he is the guy that you want to go to if you have a question about something.

I cant give you a link but this is amazing okay I know its not much of a big deal ,but this made my day. So he has read all my PM? I sent him. Corky52 this is a rely about the link to the game I thought may be stolen but on close inspection may not be sorry, wanted to say what a nice guy he is.

Ha, yeah the first time Tom responded to one of my PM's I was the same way. I never thought that he would respond and within such a fast time period. I think it was an hour later or something. I asked him about the ads that you put into flashes and movies.

Also, didn't we drop the subject about my flashes? Isn't that the whole point of several people saying drop it?

This club isn't accomplishing what I thought it was going to accomplish when I first joined. At first, I thought it would be a honor to join a club with members like you in it, but slowly I realized that there wasn't anything to be proud about being a member of a club which has users who dislike me. That's why I'm leaving the EGB. Good luck in the future.

At 11/20/08 01:42 PM, sonofkirk wrote: This club isn't accomplishing what I thought it was going to accomplish when I first joined. At first, I thought it would be a honor to join a club with members like you in it, but slowly I realized that there wasn't anything to be proud about being a member of a club which has users who dislike me. That's why I'm leaving the EGB. Good luck in the future.

I couldn't agree with sonofkirk anymore. He has hit it right on the nose. This club isn't something that I want to be a part of either for almost the same exact reasons. I also will leave along with sonofkirk.

At 11/20/08 01:42 PM, sonofkirk wrote: This club isn't accomplishing what I thought it was going to accomplish when I first joined. At first, I thought it would be a honor to join a club with members like you in it, but slowly I realized that there wasn't anything to be proud about being a member of a club which has users who dislike me. That's why I'm leaving the EGB. Good luck in the future.

Yeah, because a club that has done nothing but warmly accept you and being a part of the conversation, being congratulated and congratulating others for 20 pages and 2 months without a bad word said about you is a HUGE sign of people disliking you?

At 11/20/08 01:46 PM, Corky52 wrote: I couldn't agree with sonofkirk anymore. He has hit it right on the nose. This club isn't something that I want to be a part of either for almost the same exact reasons. I also will leave along with sonofkirk.

You're a slimeball, you used your audio friend to weasel out of this club, and I say good riddance. I personally will feel nothing but relief to know that the clubs I work in, you won't be.

If you feel an overwhelming urge to argue about this, do the world a favor and send me a simple PM.

At 11/20/08 02:25 PM, Phantom wrote:

At 11/20/08 01:46 PM, Corky52 wrote: I couldn't agree with sonofkirk anymore. He has hit it right on the nose. This club isn't something that I want to be a part of either for almost the same exact reasons. I also will leave along with sonofkirk.

You're a slimeball, you used your audio friend to weasel out of this club, and I say good riddance. I personally will feel nothing but relief to know that the clubs I work in, you won't be.
If you feel an overwhelming urge to argue about this, do the world a favor and send me a simple PM.

Woah, What happened here? There can be a way that we can solve this little argument that is happening here. I may have been inactive in recent times, but it seems things have gotten out of hand. Corkey don't think you should leave this club as you are one of it's best members in my opinion.

What's happening? Seriously, it's like every time I come around, there's more drama, more accusations of a "different club", and people quitting. Like life, this club is what you make of it and I may have been inactive for awhile, but I'd like to think this club still stands for it was created for... to protect the portal. I mean when I joined, I started to vote fairly and not for stats and I'd like to think everyone who has joined this club has also done so. As we approach 1000 pages it seems now, more than ever, everyone here needs a reminder of that. If you don't like the way things are here, then quit, but don't create drama because your mad, just resign and go on your way and try to keep the values this club stands for. Don't get it wrong, we're to serve the portal, not whatever you'd like to think. We can make a difference, we just have to work together. As cliche as it is, it's also true (which is why it's cliche), but I have to get ready for work, so I'm off.
\\\Salutes

Well... I'm kinda new here, and I haven't talked too much to you (sonofkirk and Corky52) in this place. I like both of you, but if you feel like leaving, it's your decision, and if you think it's the right one, then I have no problem.

Have a nice day/night/whatever :)

Whatever. People come and go all the time around here, and most for bullshit reasons. But even though they are bullshit reasons, they believe them, and nothing we can say will stop them from leaving. It's like being in a relationship; if one person isn't happy in the relationship, then they shouldn't be a part of it. If Corky and Kirk are unhappy around here, leave. Go some where where you'll be happier.

I don't know about you guys, but I'm seeing a common denominator in why people are leaving this club.

When the last wave left, we had issues that cleared up quickly. This was because the person who had been, for one reason or another, responsible for the users making their decisions to leave, was banned.

This has got to stop. If you're turning this into a popularity contest, Phantom, you've already lost, because the members who left outnumber the ones who will readily side with you. Drop the negative persona and lighten the fuck up. We're here to have fun, aren't we?

At 11/21/08 08:52 AM, Coop83 wrote: I don't know about you guys, but I'm seeing a common denominator in why people are leaving this club.

You've known me longer than that Coop, or so I hope. I have a sense for people that despite being good B/Pers, still aren't good people and really wouldn't handle the club runs anyhow.

Yes, so they don't like me either, but who cares, what I remember, as I'm sure you do as well, is some 900+ pages ago when EagleRock and a few others, all wanted to make the portal a little better. Since then tens and hundreds of thousands of points have been mind, and I'd like to think that while new problems do rise, we help clear up old ones.

Members too. I really have more respect for you than I do for a lot of others, which is why I'm not afraid to address you with this like an adult. I hope you don't pin those members leaving on me alone, but you also the negativity they bore with them which some didn't see until they were gone.

On the other hand, I had my share in things and I do have a knack for ticking people off. With that said, some people need to be taken with both their good and their bad.

Just checked in been reading the post sorry that both Corky52 and sonofkirk, have decided to leave. But that's the way it goes a real shame to lose members, but if your not happy no point staying here i guess. Well want to do more in the way of b/ping but have slipped somewhat, because of the silly console which i now have sold. I did not like it i thought it sucked but that's only my opinion shame i could not get on with it hated the design and the game was no fun. Off topic that but i had not brought it up till now anyway salutes.

Alright then. That's it. I'm disbanding the Barracks.

No wait, actually I'm not, because I think problems have more solutions than "suck it up" and "run away".

Firstly, to the people leaving. If you've been made to feel unwelcome here, why in the Christ haven't you told me before now (and I assume it's long-time discomfort, as leaving because of one day of being 'picked on' is kind of wussy)? Through the wonders of the private message system, I'm only a few keystrokes away. While I mostly lurk, I still respond to PM's and I still run the administrative functions of the Barracks. If you have or had a problem, informing me about it before running off might have been a swell idea. I've reprimanded people for being dicks before, both new people and long-time members---a simple PM would have either got your problem people to fly right or kicked out if they were irredeemably prickish. Fact is, y'all are jumping the gun, but if you want to go, fine. Send Coop83 a PM regarding your resignation. If y'all want to actually discuss the problems you've been happening, though, the PM button is right above my post.

Secondly, this is not a situation where Phantom is the bad guy. I know it's easy to try and make him the villain, but fact is, he's trying NOT to start shit in the thread. If he's criticizing you over PM, or non-abusively criticizing your flash through reviews, then guess what? That's what he's supposed to do---keeping the thread clean by taking his personal disagreements to the correct areas of discussion. If a situation arises where you want an outside opinion, again, PM me and I'll handle anything that needs to be handled. But please keep the bitching outside of the Barracks.

Thirdly, the Flash quality conundrum.

Defining spam has been a problem the Barracks has had since day one, and we haven't solved it yet. Everyone has different opinions of what's good and what isn't, and there's no one definition of quality that everyone can fall behind. I cannot dictate any "official Barracks policy of quality".

...or can I?

I can't tell people what to vote or review, and I don't want to. However, when it comes to MAKING flash---something far more optional and public than ones votes---I do believe that, as Commander of the Elite Guard Barracks, I have the right to examine member submissions and, if necessary, call a conference on a member's actions.

In the EGB, voting how you want on flashes is a constitutional right. As long as you're voting based on your personal definition of quality (as opposed to point-guessing), I don't care what anyone likes or dislikes. But making flash is NOT a constitutional right here, it's a privilege, both on the site as a whole and this club in particular. We can't force anyone to stop making flash, or delete their flash, or change their style of making flash (though, if any member submits something stolen/malicious, I'll be the first to report it)...but we CAN set some basic guidelines. Anyone who can't meet those most basic of guidelines is free to leave...or, if continuing to make such work, may be asked to leave. A line must be drawn.

As mentioned previously, I am a former spam group member and still produce the occasional controversial flash. Indeed, I am acquainted with the line. For an example of what "the line" is, I'll put myself up on trial.

• 

  Slash's Clock Day!

  by SlashFirestorm

  Slash fights evil on his journey to Newgrounds for Clock Day!

  Movie

  7,786 Views

  (Ages 17+)

This is a flash that some on Newgrounds might consider to be shit. The graphics consist of hand-drawn abominations forged (almost without exception) out of the line tool. The sound is composed of Speakonia, crude 'voice acting', and Naruto music. The story involves a guy going to the airport and fighting an old terrorist in order to get to the Clock Day festival, and ends with the protagonist getting a cavity search. And yet, not only do I not consider this flash to be pointless, but I'm PROUD of the little mutant. Why?

I spent TIME on it.

There are flash artists who can animate far better than I ever will. There are people who are far more familiar with how Flash works than I. Hell, I can't even keep BUTTON ACTIONSCRIPT memorized. To people with even a smidge of natural talent, Slash's Clock Day is a piece of trash. But I spent weeks trying to put it together. I killed my voice doing Grandma Jihad's rasping ranting. I took a week trying to animate a fight scene (with tweens, oh god) before realizing my suckitude and settling with a much funnier "insert epic clash between good and evil here" message on a black screen. It was only during the course of production that I discovered static text and gradients. One could say that my flash lacks skill (one SHOULD say that, in fact), but no one could truthfully say it lacks effort. Despite the fact that I've improved since then (somewhat), Slash's Clock Day is still my favorite flash.

Let's look at a different flash now.

• 

  SlashClassic4: Monsters!

  by SlashFirestorm

  THIS IS THE SECRET MISSING EPISODE OF AH! REAL MONSTERS!

  Movie

  3,632 Views

  (Ages 17+)

If you aren't familiar with a Secret Episode, it involves a subject ranting about their incredible sexual escapades...in Speakonia. An ancient Barney Bunch art, derived from the works of Strawberry Clock and Pube Muppet. This flash is simply a static image and Speakonia. Now, did I put effort into it? Yeah...into the script, making it funny...but that's it. Production took about thirty minutes, fifteen of which were writing the script...and ten of which were loading flash. This is the absolute minimum allowed in the Barracks, and should not be encouraged. My more recent Secret Episodes involve lots of tweening, with the images fucking each other or bouncing around or whatnot, so they're not as bland and require more time and effort and thus a bit less pointless.

Honestly, the only reason I didn't delete it and my other no-animation flashes is because the dialogue is humorous. The funny is the only redeeming factor.

Now, while I've tried to avoid no-effort flashes, I occasionally get co-authored with them.

• 

  by <deleted>

  Under Judgment

  (Everyone)

My co-author contribution was merely mentioning the first one to Afro, which made him decide to make a sequel (another discussion for another day). The flash is abysmal. There is no effort, no weeks of work, no humor (the joke, if there ever was one, died with the first in the "series"), nothing. Two blobs of color. That's it. If Afro was still around, I'd ask to be un-authored (I'd un-buddy him completely, but that would un-link the collabs that I AM happy with).

Now, Corky52, how much effort did Zekey Loves Sprites 6 have?

Background image. Sprites. Copypasta'ed music loop.

There is no effort in this. None at all. A oneshot joke with no funny punchline and (for some unholy reason) five previous installments and more coming? No, I'm sorry, I'll agree with Phantom and Rena and the others that there is nothing salvageable in this. A Secret Episode has humor and tweening, at least. What you've made only belongs on Clock Day...and even then, I'd still vote zero on it.

There's nothing rulebreaking about that flash and the others, but it sets a bad image for the Barracks to have a member make such effortless garbage. We can't stop you from making it, but we can stop you from making it while being an EGB member. As you've resigned (before I could even address your first PM, perhaps wait more than one day next time), it seems you've come to the same conclusion.

The line is thus: if a flash has no impact beyond "look, it's a flash!", it should not be made by Barracks members. If there's no effort, no animation (sprites standing there is NOT animation), no humor, nothing clever or witty or inventive, we don't want it coming from here (or anywhere).

Other examples would include fake loading screens, one-frame flashes with sound (a non-humor Secret Episode, which is simply "nothing"), and static-image screamers.

I just deleted one of my flashes, as it was nothing more than one of my fanfics being read by Speakonia; nothing redeemable. Nothing stopping others from doing the same, or at least ceasing continuing to make them.

Running out of characters, switching to second post.

At 11/21/08 08:52 AM, Coop83 wrote: This has got to stop. If you're turning this into a popularity contest, Phantom, you've already lost, because the members who left outnumber the ones who will readily side with you. Drop the negative persona and lighten the fuck up. We're here to have fun, aren't we?

I agree, there is no need for any of this. I may not have been here as long as alot of you guys, but this is just not right what is going on here. I have to agree on one thing with the two that left here, both of them felt hated here and sometimes so do i. A few select members i will not name treat me like i am nothing here. Phantom i have nothing against you at all, but you do need to lighten up some you sometimes make people feal not welcome. Coop as of now it feals you are holding the clup together at this tough time here you need to keep this up as of you were not here it would be Bedlem.

I have nothing more to say here, i hope things will change and this will pass quickly. As of now i will still be with this club until i say otherwise. On a last note i would like to say good bye to Corky and sonofkirk i don't know about the others, but i will miss both of you and good luck with your future endeavors.

(second post)

So, my decision on this matter.

As of 21 November 2008, all EGB members are granted amnesty from previous no-effort flashes (as long as they're not rulebreaking; stolen or malicious flash submission is an instant discharge). Any new flashes like Spot the Difference or Corky's sprite shit will NOT be acceptable.

If a member makes a questionable flash, simply PM me about it (a good idea for any questionable situation) and I'll take a look. If I think it's too no-effort (and I'd say I'm pretty goddamn lenient on this, so don't bitch about me being strict), I'll ask the other Barracks members what they think. If they also agree, then the submitter will be asked to either remove/improve the flash (I deleted one of my old no-effort flashes, I don't think I'm being unreasonable) or reconsider their affiliation with the Barracks.

If they continue to make them regardless, the decision may be made for them.

There aren't many old-school spam converts in the EGB anymore (I'm the only one still quasi-active that I'm aware of, in fact), so honestly, this shouldn't be a problem.

Continuing that honesty, Corky52, it's good that you resigned, as staying would likely have led to a re-evaluation of your membership that was not likely to have ended well. As you know, your admission into the EGB was always contentious, and the final decision to allow you in was mine. I overruled the concerns of some of long-time EGB members and friends and decided to give you a chance, hoping that your spam phase was just that, a phase. Unfortunately, due to continued spamming and a bad attitude both here and in PM, it appears that my decision to be lenient was not the correct one. Hopefully the newer and stricter guidelines for recruitment will prevent this happening again in the future.

If there are any other problems, speak them up now. I won't have another five-page argument spree and watch more members leave needlessly (and others get banned).