VRchat- a lost Utopia.

----Before the Fall-----------------------

I have spent over 1,300 hours in VRchat. In a Utopian world.

Day in, day out, I would argue to anyone that would listen, that the True Metaverse exists already, and it's a utopia named VRchat. That it is not just a game, but an open platform, where you and your friends can play, or make, anything.

Endless creativity, in worlds, avatars, and client modifications.

You can be WHAT YOU WANT, you can do WHAT YOU WANT, WHERE YOU WANT! You have never felt as free. Want to fly, do it, want to become a giant suddenly? Done! Want to spew smiley faces from a ghostbuster quantum pack, while music blasts... yep, sure. No matter how serious, or how random, you have* the freedom to do it!

----The Fall-----------------------

*had the freedom to do it.

Unfortunately, the developers of this utopia, this universe built entirely around what the Community does-have decided to show they know only disdain for their playerbase.

They have in recent days (07.25.2022), VRchat has pushed forward with an update, that disables almost all client modifications, reducing the user's ability to alter the way they play the game greatly.
They have stripped the ability for disabled players to alter the game to make it playable for them, disabled modifications that made the game run on lower end hardware, and of course, removed a plethora of massively helpful QOL modifications. 

Including those that so often gave one that feeling of freedom. That you were truly in the future- able to summon a mirror at will, fly through the air, or teleport to friends in an instant. Your freedom, has now been reduced, and the game will now run worse.
Why run worse? Because many mods as mentioned above, improved performance! From simple things like hiding avatars at a distance, to supersampling.

----Why Fall?-----------------------

But why did they do this at all? Why? We don't know. We have been told that it was to prevent malicious modding, and attacks. To help reduce the amount of complaints they receive about stolen accounts, or people grieving others. They claim modified clients "even ones that aren’t malicious – are a burden for creators." That any frustration caused by modified clients causing issues with their creations, "ultimately has a chilling effect on VRChat creators, hurting their enthusiasm and preventing them from building awesome things. "

As a creator- it does suck to not know if an issue is innate with the game, or caused by a mod. What hurts far more though, is knowing an issue exists in the base game, and not being able to fix it- knowing the devs, as they have proven over years, will not release an update to improve or fix said issue in any sort of vaguely timely manner. Luckily, a modder will-- or would have.

Instead of hiring said modders, or buying out their code- instead, they now will ban them. Even ban people making tools for any Unity game, that could be used to mod VRchat.

This of course, also ignores the FACT, that Mod makers are creators too. They have added so much to this game- and, in return, they have been vilified by the developers they tried to help.

----An Insult------------------

The first insult, is that in the past, when they first mentioned removing mods, they backed down- then claimed they would work with mod developers.
Unfortunately, by their own words, all they did was garner “feedback and insights that they had from their unique position.” In short- or, again in their own words, “Much like the feedback you provide via our Feedback boards, much of that conversation fed into our production process.”
Aka, they used it to help decide what they may work on next- not actually work to integrate anything someone else made, nor buy said mods for integration.

It should also be noted, that they have done this, all the while telling those that find fault with this, to voice their opinions… not on the actual update mind you- but on what features should be added next.
From their announcement of this update: 

“I rely on a feature that I only get through modifications. What should I do?”
“While we can’t promise any particular feature is going to be added into VRChat, we’d suggest actively using our Feedback board. This helps us decide what features to work on, and what things our users really want. ”

There is more to this response of course, speaking of how difficult it is to add features, and how aware they are that people really want some of these things.

Unfortunately, in the end, it basically can be translated as:
User: “Hey, I need this feature to be able to actually play?”
VRchat: “Yeah, whine about it.”

Let us also not forget, the overall dismissive manner in which they have communicated with the community, and often ignored most feedback on the Feedback board.

Follow that up, with the fact that this update was scheduled to release within 24 hours of it being announced. A shockingly small time to process, and attempt to comment on such a massive change. Clearly intended to prevent any chance for the community to comment or complain.

----Community Response------------------

Rage.

Given how much many people depend on, and love Mods- given how the game is based entirely around freedom of creativity, and expression- the backlash was immediate. For many, it started out fairly civilized, a push to organize, and make our voices heard. Tens of thousands signed a request to reverse this mod ban, and not push forward with the launch of EAC.

This was done not only on their Feedback Board, but on Twitter, Facebook, and Discord. Even VR Youtubers, V-Tubers, and some News Outlets began to cover the community's disagreement with the developers.

As the devs refused to respond to this, and given the short timeframe until this was scheduled to go into effect, people were understandably rather passionate. At times likely too passionate- When faced with such an apparently uncaring, and disconnected developer--- who doesn’t appear to understand the kind of game they ended up with…. I cannot blame people for being passionate- but threats of violence are still a shameful, and unacceptable thing.
But- the passion people feel, that I feel, is surely understandable given what is being lost.

----Developer Response------------------

Unfortunately, with over 20,000 votes for them not to move forward, and who knows how many other forms of communication urging them to back down from this odd choice. They doubled down.

When asked if they had expected this much of a pushback- they answered in the affirmative… and a nice big Smiley Face. . .
They knew, this was going to be bad, and went ahead anyway. In fact they said they had been preparing this update for over a month.

(07.26.2022) They announced that they have heard our feedback, but instead of listening, would use it, once again, to change what they worked on next. Let me remind you, these are notoriously slowly working Devs. Something that isn’t really a problem, when the community basically makes the game… which will not be a bigger problem, now that the community is being prevented from working on the game.

What did they say about what people actually wanted?
“we are going to be releasing this update, and we do not have plans or intent to revert or roll it back”
A no- even after a huge swath of their community voiced strong disagreement, they make it clear, they will move forward. They don’t care.

*They don’t care.*

----Real Reasons?------------------

We know, given they claimed this update was because “We’ve been listening to you cry out for a solution to being harassed, griefed, and constantly crashed,” --- then promptly ignored our “cry out” for them to stop this update, that they are not doing this for their user base. This cannot be denied.

So, it makes you wonder, if they are not doing this for the “security” of the community, and to help the people playing their game- why are they doing this?

Unfortunately, at this point, we don’t know, and can only speculate… 

“Why are they doing this?”

Well, on July 1st, 2021, Forbes reported VRchat received 80 million in funding, to help create a “Digital Economy.” Such a thing obviously won’t work as well, if people are modding their client, and in doing so, maybe leaving other exploits for manipulating or ignoring your false economy.

Maybe now, just over a year later, they finally had all the pieces in place to begin making this push. To begin removing mods- to maybe fully crack down on NSFW content, even though they have a tagging system for such things when they are being uploaded?
Maybe shortly begin cracking down on how easily, and freely people upload and share content?

----In Conclusion------------------

I’m angry, but more than that, I’m heartbroken.
VRchat set me free, more than any amount of alcohol, or convention hopping could have. It gave one endless freedom- and allowed me, and so many others to explore the worlds of our dreams.

Unfortunately, even if I was willing to play the game without mods- this experience, more than anything, has proven that we can’t trust the devs. They have proven they don’t care. That even if the community makes a utopian paradise, with a developer reaping the rewards of it- at any moment, for no known reason, they may burn it all to the ground. Probably for greed, maybe for spite, or maybe just because they don’t understand the beauty that exists in the game they created.

Thank you for your time, maybe I’ll see you in ChilloutVR.

 About Star Citizen's 10/10/2020 Anniversary Vanduul Helmet Event.
This was sent to CIG, hence the ending.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Recently, an item was added to the game, a Vanduul mask, aka, an item that calls out to the purely PvE faction of the game. You would expect to be able to earn this item purely via PvE, unfortunately, it is the exact opposite.

This on it's own is rather upsetting, but the fact that Star Citizen has been sold as a PvE game, from the Kickstarter onwards, with minimal PvP, and ways to avoid it, show this to be an utter betrayal of the game's core design. To provide proof of this, I shall now quote aspects from the Kickstarter page- 

---- https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cig/star-citizen ----

() What is Star Citizen "A rich universe focused on epic space adventure, trading and dogfighting in first person." - Please note the "and dogfighting" implying this wasn't the main focus. It also speaks nothing about PvP in this, given that dogfighting can be done between players & NPCs.

() "Single Player – Offline or Online(Drop in / Drop out co-op play)" - while this was never the promise for the PU, and in many respects only applies to SQ42, it still shows an idea. That the gameplay would be built more around Co-op play, rather than anything involving fighting other players.

() "Mod-able multiplayer (hosted by YOU)" as opposed to "Persistent Universe (hosted by US)" - while this has clearly been phased out- the idea that you could avoid PvP by having your own server, understandably morphed into trust in game systems to allow you to avoid such unwanted conflict. I'll go into why this morph happened later, as this was not a thought pattern change made without developer prompting.

() "Fully dynamic economy driven by player actions" This has been brought up by people to say that Piracy & PvP would be the driving forces behind this- yet the next line makes it clear, that this isn't even the main idea. "If too many people fly iron ore to the smelting plants of New Pittsburgh, steel prices will drop. Buy low… sell high… you hope."

It clearly speaks to the amounts moved, and prices set, not those that would interfere using violence as the main way to alter the economy.

() "play the multiplayer space combat Alpha" aka, a separate environment dedicated to senseless violence against one another. This is the only time Player vs Player is really implied as a serious form of gameplay. This idea eventually became Arena Commander of course- but this sentence is followed by "then 20-22 months in they will get to play the Star Citizen Beta, adventuring around the huge open galaxy," which could indicate the same gameplay would be carried forward into this open galaxy- but given it mentions adventuring, not combat, it's a reasonable to assume that the gameplay mentioned elsewhere on the page, would take precedent.

() "outside earth’s infrastructure and protection. The downside? No military or local police to protect you from an opportunistic pirate!" This could indicate Player vs Player action- yet again, the game only speaks about direct conflict between players once, in a dogfighting module. Piracy can, and does exist in game, devoid of player control. So those that would use this text to say it validates forced PvP - are blatantly incorrect. 

() "It’s about the gameplay and your interactions with others" This section contains the strongest argument against mine- "For example, it’s a perfectly valid choice not to be a Citizen and operate outside the protection of Earth." Implying it's acceptable to attack NPCs & Players alike for piracy- which yes, it is. Though it is quickly followed by "We think there will be people that gravitate to crime or helping enforce the law or defending the galaxy from the alien raiders or just accumulating as much money as possible. " Please note when it discusses Alien raiders- a completely AI driven group. In short, this enforces the comments made previously, and puts the entire paragraph into a more co-operative light. As in, you work with people to comfit piracy, you work with people to defend the law, not necessarily you work against any player or party who is taking part in this. One would even expect, that should it have had a more PvP focus, it would have discussed competitive organizations, not merely working with existing game factions.

---- Moving on from the KickStarter ----

https://youtu.be/QvmeGoQFLlg

A direct video, which I think summarizes what we were all expecting. This is what I referenced earlier, when I said a change in thought wasn't unprompted.

() The PvP slider was brought up multiple times over years- engraining it into the psyche, and making it extremely clear, that this game would not be PvP focused. In fact, in the video linked, it is directly discusses the idea, that you could have piracy, without PvP, adding strength to my previous arguments about the base of this game being PvE, with CoOperative play. 

() While this slider has phased out, it was to be replaced with an automated system, that would detect how much PvP you actually engage in, and attempt to match you with like minded individuals. Unfortunately, this system cannot be implemented yet, as server meshing is needed- but the idea still stands.

() This is unequivocal proof, particularly in this video, that one is to be able to enjoy this game, while largely avoiding PvP. In other videos, it's been stated fully lawless areas would have more PvP interaction- but not guaranteed actions. In the current game, I again reiterate that we are missing the server meshing needed to funnel purely PvP players away from those that do not wish to take part in it.

-----------------

With this in mind, all events should focus on the base ideas of the game, which most gameplay is focused towards, PvE & Co-op. This recent event, not only disregards those that do not wish to take part in PvP to get items, it forces it upon them, by making their deaths beneficial to those that want to PvP. This is a direct betrayal of the original ideas, that the game would be PvE focused. No reward should ever be locked entirely behind PvP lest it is something directly to be taken from a player- or group, such as a rare ship(Bengal Carrier), station, or homestead. (Which these will still need heavy balancing to insure griefing & rampant PvP do not become commonplace, in particular for homesteads.)

The current event, has unfortunately taken actions some players already make, senseless killing, and griefing for no other reason, than to make others feel grief- and legitimized it. Now mining is even more dangerous, as these one time griefers have a reason to shoot you down. Obviously this isn't intended gameplay, as if it was supposed to be, we would already have NPCs that would attack - which we don't have, and again, as stated above, the game is PvE focused. 

While the event as a whole is a betrayal of Star Citizen's core game design, it's added sin, is that it has empowered these griefers to be even worse, and turned the community extremely toxic over night. Those that offer free rides, ships, or assistance, have all but vanished, leaving only "get gud" & "carebear" attacks to be hurled through chat. This is not the game I backed, it's not the game that was promised, and it's excessively toxic. 

Please, roll back this challenge, and put in something that stands true to this game's design. Once we have server meshing, an event like this still should never exist- but something that compromises, where NPC kills count as less- but still count.

Even then, should another event like this show up, the reward should also match the hostile- not just PvP, for a PvE callout item.

I do see the logic behind "Vanduul Fighter, vs Gladius" being "Human vs Alien," & the mask of course being a better way to say Human vs Alien, without having AI- but this again, ignores the core foundation of this game, and forces everyone into PvP. If one was to have this- it should have been an "invading force of Vanduul" that upon defeat, are revealed as being humans masquerading as aliens, with stolen ships. Hence, the mask. If PvP was to be worked into it at all, an optional mission, that would give you the mask more easily, would be to join the invaders for a set of missions, that are more likely to pull players- but again, even this goes against the core of the game. Ideally, any mission put forth that makes getting the mask easier than simply defending against the invaders, would involve attacking authority(UEE) facilities, not players.

TL:DR - A PvP only event, particularly in the PU & not in Arena Commander, is a betrayal of the core design of this game. This cannot stand. This cannot be the way this game continues.

Please, undo this nightmarish event which forces everyone into PvP, and rebalance it so that those that do not wish to partake in this senseless violence, don't have to do so to get a reward, that specifically calls out the PvE hostile faction.

The Hypocrisy, of the "Pro-Life"

Ok mother funker, I'm not in the mood for your short sighted, un-educated, anti-intellectual bullshit.
What is a spirit? Energy, where does it exist? The brain. 

Can a human survive without a heart, lungs, kidneys, spleen? Yes, long as a machine, or a replacement can be found, but this cannot be said when a brain is destroyed. Therefore the Spirit, if it exists, which I believe it does, sits in the brain.

What can we assume the spirit is then? Energy, and it manifests in brainwaves. At what point can we detect brain waves? At 5-7 weeks.
Therefore it is logical that any abortion that takes place prior to 5 weeks, could be considered not taking a human life, if we are to assume taking a human life involves the removal of a human soul from this mortal plain.

To say abortion is "killing a life" would be to blatantly argue, that the cessation of any life, including cell life, is "killing a life" - which I highly doubt anyone would agree, that the statement "killing a life" when used in abortion, is talking about the simple loss of cellular activity.
If that was the case, then the same people would be calling out in terror every time someone harvested vegetables.

So, we are now assuming that "it's killing a life" refers to the destruction of the human form, and more-over, considering most who use the term are religious, the destruction of a human vessel, containing a human soul.
Yet, as I mentioned earlier, a human soul, if it does exist, in absolutely all likelihood, is represented in the human brain, by brainwaves- which are not detected till 5-7 weeks. Meaning prior to that point, you are not likely "killing a life" but simply stopping cellular development, and preventing a vessel from developing.

Could I be wrong, might the soul actually be dedicated to a form, created, or sent from heaven prior to this point, might the machines be wrong, and simply be too week to detect whatever activity exists to tell us a soul is present?? YES! **YES!**
But given the information we have at present, it's illogical to simply assume that a soul is formed, sent, or received at conception. If that was the case, any time a woman had her period shortly after sex, after a sperm had already impregnated an egg, her body would be killing a life, her body would be acting in sin. Same goes for miscarriages. 

So, do I support abortion? Prior to 5 weeks, begrudgingly, and barely; but even then, I'm furious that people don't take responsibility, don't see to it that their tubes are tied, a condom is used, that they have self-control, or don't fight to have access to birth control.
I find it infuriating, that a blind answer of "it's killing a life" is so often applied to all types of abortion, when it's such a short-sighted answer.

---------------------

Furthermore, even though I put "it's killing a life" in quotes, showing I have disdain for the saying, it doesn't mean I have an anti-life position! As I have clarified, I have great repulsion to blind dogma, but also great sorrow for those that decide abortion is the way for them, even if it is before 5 weeks.

Continued- I do defend my original, implied argument, that someone can dare claim to be pro-life, yet support weapons sales, can support war mongering.
So often these groups that claim to be pro-life scream and shout about there being too many immigrants, too many leeches, too many poor, too many draining our resources.
Yet their only answer to these solutions is hate, is to deport, is to ignore, is to blame the downtrodden. That, THAT, is anti-life, that is to hate the life that exists.
Sure, I definitely agree that abortion after 5 weeks probably is "killing a life," and before, it is definitely snuffing out potential, which is shameful- but the sadistic dogma that has taken hold in the USA, is that War is good, violence is acceptable, and killing is something not to be ashamed of- unless it's an unborn child.

Where has our compassion gone? Did we never have any? Do we really not care about those suffering abroad? Do we really not care about those who will find hardship when waters rise? Do we really not care for those who don't have access to clean waters, and find their children dying at a young age, or themselves crippled by a disease that could have been avoided?
Our country, has lost it's compassion. To call for an end to abortions, even those that lack logic, while being alright with leaders shouting for war, shouting to bomb our enemies into oblivion, civilians and nearby allies included, while shunning those lives that flee from such areas- that is hypocritical to no end, that is the devil's way.

So turn a blind eye to all life except a small group you have been programmed by corrupt men & women to care about- turn a blind eye to logic, to reasoning, and to life, and pay attention to the one little light you are told you are supposed to care about- but know, deep down inside, you are the devil's puppet.
He let's you care about one good thing, but only because he knows he can blind you with it's light, to the point, where the other lights, will never be noticed, when they get snuffed out.

Fuck this Pro-gun nonsense.

You wouldn't need a gun to protect yourself, if our society wasn't so thoroughly flushed with violence, if everyone wasn't able to just get a gun, like it's a human right. Never mind access to the Internet, why should you have access to something that will help you better yourself? Never mind clean air and water, why should people expect to be free from disease causing pathogens, to a healthy life? Never mind being able to live in peace, you should have to look over your shoulder constantly, you should live like our ancestors, terrified something, or someone is going to kill you at any moment! Or we could be reasonable, and try not to live like cavemen.

In response to the "Guns don't kill people, 2nd amendment rights, mental health, and It's a government conspiracy to take our guns!"

In response to the "Guns don't kill people, 2nd amendment rights, mental health, and It's a government conspiracy to take our guns!" arguments. I have this, rambling irritated nonsense to say-

You're right! The issue isn't with guns, it's with people! But guns are used to commit these crimes, to commit mass shootings, to remove human lives. There is nothing wrong, with reasonable restrictions on gun sales, with real background checks, with preventing the deranged from getting weapons.
What? You agree?
Well, why do you keep supporting GOP members, why do you keep supporting men like Trump, who claim to want to take action- but never do! They claim to want to stop these things, but never do anything about it, and never make any suggestions, except for empty platitudes, in an attempt to distract from the issues.

If you really believe mental illness is the issue, then why haven't you passed a Single Payer healthcare bill, that at the very least, insures free access to mental healthcare? Started a campaign to get people to seek help if they are feeling violent, if they find themselves in a downward spiral.
Do something, other than simply claiming guns are not the problem, sick people are, without actually taking action!
If you are not going to take action, then stop pretending to care, go back to your golf course, enjoy your NRA money, and enjoy listening to the bodycout rise higher & higher.

The Hospital Visit

A man sat slumped against the wall, head in his hands.
He spoke quietly, more to himself, than anyone nearby- "I was a good man, wasn't I? I was a good man!"

Next to him, in the hall, a nurse stood, glowing pure white eyes. Skin white, unnaturally so, with darker lines breaking it up, showing where the pieces of artificial skin joined together. Inside it's head, a mechanical mind, whirring away. A copy of a great nurse from long ago, altered to be what they would considered, "the perfect nurse."
It spoke - "You ARE a good man."

The man looked up quickly from his hands, tears clearly on his face, a face of sorrow, mixed with worry, and fear - "But WAS I a good man," he then pointed to the door behind him, hand slightly shaking - "Was I a good man" he said, voice starting to break.

- 10 minutes earlier -

The man walked into the hospital room, machines gently beeping, and an old man, in his late 80s or 90s lay in the bed, eyes closed. His face one of forced peace, with a gentle smile, and relaxed brow, that frequently was disturbed by some internal discomfort. The visitor approached the bed, and knelt down beside him.
The old man's eyes popped open suddenly, and he looked at the visitor.

Old Man: "It worked?"
He asked, in a calm voice

Visitor: "It worked."
Said the visitor, equally as calm, and somber

Old Man: "The OCD?"
He questioned, with slightly greater energy

Visitor: "Reduced by 90%"
As he formed a gentle smile

Old Man: "& the eyes?"
Now with some excitement in his voice- but with his own eyes clearly out of focus, unable to focus directly at the visitor.

Visitor: "Got them, their working right now"
The visitor said, still calmly smiling, with his black eyes, with white, slightly teal tinted irises, glowing"

Old Man: "It all went to plan?"

Visitor: "Everything seems to be in order, I feel-" there was a pause "Like, myself"

They both laughed quietly, but the man quickly started coughing, and became silent.

Old Man: "Pray for me."
The old man said, eyes closed, clearly in increased discomfort.

The visitor lowered his head, closed his eyes, clasped his hands together, and resting his thumbs against the bridge of his nose, began to pray.
Visitor: "Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those, who trespassed against us- and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, now"

There was a long pause.

Visitor: "and at the hour, of *our* death."

There was a different, gentle beep, from the machines, the old man had passed. No one would try to resuscitate him, to restart his breathing, this was his wish.

The visitor looked upwards, and closed his eyes. "God, please forgive me for my sins. I know I have not lived a perfect life, but please, forgive me." a pause "Please accepted me into heaven, please HAVE accepted me into heaven!"
As he thought the last part, of this personal plee to God, he began to cry, turned from the bed and left the room.

As he slumped down against the wall outside, a priest quickly approached.
The priest, having reached the door, looked over at a the nurse quickly approaching, before looking down on man against the wall. The priests face showed some simblance of sorrow, but also, of contempt.

As the priest vanished into the hospital room, clearly late for the Old Man's last rights, the visitor thought.
"The priest should have been there- no one should die alone."

With the EPA being picked at, and more environment un-friendly policies drifting forward, I feel, this must be said.

YES! Destroy our Earth! YES! 
Leave nothing for the ourselves in old age, nothing for our children, and absolutely nothing for theirs! YES!
Burn it all, watch as the skies turn grey with pollution again, and our children suffocate in their cribs! YES!
Rejoice, Rejoice, for we are now truly God's of our earth, and we chose to destroy it, we chose to burn the Garden of Eden, instead of care for it!
We shall cover our mouths, eyes, and ears, as our ancestors once covered their bodies! For these are the things we shall see as unacceptable!
Rejoice, for the age of enlightenment has ended, and the age of Joy has begun!
We shall revel in our suffering! For it is what we knowingly bring, and no one would ever bring forth that, which they do not want, so rejoice!
Rejoice in the end, of all things!