I post the following with peace and mean no ill intentions, so read accordingly. This isn’t intended as an attack on anyone but rather share my own personal experience on why I’m leaving Anti-Ganking (AG) and for the consideration of others.
After becoming disillusioned with AG, not just because the content has become stale, but notably the attitude(s) of the AG player base and Gank ‘Victims’ that has led me to the decision to leave this player group and denounce previous association.
I’ve witnessed insults, vulgarity and derogatory comments but apparent (and IMO) that this is one direction i.e., AG or ‘Victim’ towards the Ganker. Maybe there are examples of abuse in the opposite direction, but I haven’t seen many instances that I can recollect. Few examples of my experience whilst an AG player:
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Received comments from Gank Victims, one even calling me pathetic for killing his Ganker on behalf of AG which was odd to say the least - maybe that individual is correct.
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Previously threatened to be hunted (in-game) by an AG player who used to be a fairly prominent figure because unbeknown to me I was doing something that evidently annoyed them. Don’t mind the threat but it was the sudden change in attitude which surprised me more than anything else - is this indicative of the player base in general?
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AG players that loot from wrecks when it was abundantly clear it was mine or someone else’s kill (this happens a lot) - I wont name names but these are usually the bottom feeders that sit off gate watching you get your kill with the bottom feeder sweeping in to collect the loot (and no offer to share). Ok maybe they don’t need to share, but being part of the AG collective, you’d imagine (rightly or wrongly) some code of conduct. I would’ve said keep it if asked, but it’s the principal. Maybe I expect too much and no honour among thieves.
So why carry on with AG? Apparent that AG provides a service free of charge to a player base who takes it for granted or remain completely oblivious. Gank ‘Victims’ are some of the games wealthiest players and will haul expensive goods or fit out extremely expensive ships. Let’s face it, if they couldn’t afford to lose it they wouldn’t take unnecessary risks. For the newer player come Victim, they earn a valuable lesson early in their eve career. Lose a cheap ship now, such as a Venture, before losing something extremely valuable at a later date. Often, these Victims are invited into a channel which will explain what happened and here’s what to do to avoid future losses.
For the players that lose their ship and become abusive. This loss is entirely avoidable. It is sheer laziness not to take mitigating actions to avoid becoming a target. All of the tools are there at your disposal, such as; intel channels, utilising alts, request assistance from corp or alliance members, scouting ahead, use your contacts list, watch local, keep aligned, watch d-scan, don’t use autopilot… the list goes on. So when you have been ganked that’s on you - don’t blame others for your own incompetence. As an aside, there’s never an excuse for abuse. It is still pixels last time I checked.
I’ll obviously remain cordial and respectful towards AG but for those that are on the fence; I recommend that you find content and a player base that will leave you fulfilled and appreciated.
For the Gankers I have interacted with in the past, I think it is these interactions that have swayed my opinion. Often with the GFs in local or offering up advice - sounds insignificant but for me made the difference.
It’s coming back to me now.
