@Painted Crystal
I understand what you say. Very clear. You not here long enough, so let me break it down a bit for you. Lets see if you can figure out at which stage we are right now.
1. New game announcement
Everyone is happy and friendly. We cheer and patiently await the arrival of the "next big thing". By that time, only our core members hang round, as previous version of the game is quite old and only the true fans remain. Most cheeses where either banned or got bored. Peaceful times.
2. New Game arrives
Mixed reviews, but usually positive as the "novelty" of the game will likely outshine all the immediately visible shortcomings. Things are still friendly around the forums and the newly started tour. Players say "gg" after the match and avoid complaining about stuff, they actually try to learn to play and become better.
3. Novelty wears off
Forums take the turn for the worse. Now that the game's appeal starting to wear off on some, on most, they explode one by one on the forum, making threads about different things they feel are over powered or lame or cheese. Most threads WILL get personal and eventually get locked. Then players turn onto hosts, they are the evil ones for some reason.
4. Everything can be countered!
The mentality of these times and players are that there is no agreement on what is cheese and what is not. Constant arguing on the board, about all and everything. Some players leave cause they get bored of the game, some leave out of frustration, some retire only to come back days later and retire next week. There is a group of players that found a niche in the game and trying to protect it by all means, preaching Everything can be countered! mentality. They are not wrong, but they are still just "driving through", this is a pit stop for them and eventually, they will leave.
5. SIM tour comes
In the midst of all the frustration, complaining, retiring, fighting.....the SIM tour quietly being announced. Players that have stopped playing on the regular tour return to give it shot, to see if this will work and if this will be fun. SIM tour is not for everyone, the restriction will put off a lot of players, but, it will attract the top players. The kind of top players that are veterans here, or the newcomers with the right state of mind.
6. SIM tour helping Regular tour
Within weeks of SIM tour running, things become very clear on what is cheese and what is not. There is once again an understanding on the forums and community. There are no more questions or posts about what is cheese and what is not. Things are clear again, the last revisions of rules (if needed) are done on the regular tour, these will be the last ones, no questions any more. By this time the game is played enough to clearly identify the needed rules. Nothing else can be done to enhance experience (not counting illegal substance)
7. Hopefully about 1 year of "Golden Age"
Best time to be a member! Most players who were passing by are gone. Most cheesers and cheaters are banned. There are tours for everyone's taste. Forums are peaceful again and players are actually talking about Tennis, you know, the actual sport. If you are here and playing at this time - you are a part of core ITST member base.
Back to 1. Its a cycle that is happening with every game and will repeat itself.
