mikestrauss
Squire
Recently, I have noticed that a number of the old timer tend to continue to refer to the game as NERO, rather than Alliance. As an old timer myself, I understand the sentiment involved in this. I even share a good deal of that sentiment. Still, for myself, I have come to embrace the name Alliance. There are a few reasons and I think they are worth mentioning.
First, NERO stands for New England Roleplaying Organization. I think we have gone to a lot of work, as an organization, to make this game national. In the past, I have heard west coast chapters feel somewhat slighted by east coast centric concerns. The New England part of the name is an artifact that holds us back, rather than helps us move ahead.
Second, I have paid close attention to which old timers have embraced the name Alliance. And, from what I have seen, the ones that have come to embrace the name are people that, over the years, I have come to have great respect for. This doesn't mean I don't have respect for the people who don't embrace the new name. In fact, I respect many of them, too. It is just that a certain special few, who have earned my greatest respect over the years, happen to be the people who are embracing the new name. That means a lot, and I think it is worth honoring that respect with my own actions.
Third, and most important, is the fact that I played NERO back in the old days. Back then, NERO was a giant among larps and an amazing game. I look at NERO now, and I see what Joe Valenti has done to the game I once loved, and I feel sick. I do not want to be associated with the bastard child of the game I loved that is masquerading as the real thing. I want to be associated with Alliance. It is the game that makes NERO once was and it is the game that make me feel the wonder of the old days.
There isn't a particularly good reason I posted this. I just sorta felt it needed to be said. This message is in no way meant to be an indictment of those who still embrace the name NERO. As I said early in my post, I understand the sentiment, and I even feel it myself. I just wanted to express a new sentiment for the new name. I have felt that many seem to view the new name with mixed feelings, and I felt that an expression of good feelings towards the name might be worthwhile.
My rambling for today is complete.
-MS
First, NERO stands for New England Roleplaying Organization. I think we have gone to a lot of work, as an organization, to make this game national. In the past, I have heard west coast chapters feel somewhat slighted by east coast centric concerns. The New England part of the name is an artifact that holds us back, rather than helps us move ahead.
Second, I have paid close attention to which old timers have embraced the name Alliance. And, from what I have seen, the ones that have come to embrace the name are people that, over the years, I have come to have great respect for. This doesn't mean I don't have respect for the people who don't embrace the new name. In fact, I respect many of them, too. It is just that a certain special few, who have earned my greatest respect over the years, happen to be the people who are embracing the new name. That means a lot, and I think it is worth honoring that respect with my own actions.
Third, and most important, is the fact that I played NERO back in the old days. Back then, NERO was a giant among larps and an amazing game. I look at NERO now, and I see what Joe Valenti has done to the game I once loved, and I feel sick. I do not want to be associated with the bastard child of the game I loved that is masquerading as the real thing. I want to be associated with Alliance. It is the game that makes NERO once was and it is the game that make me feel the wonder of the old days.
There isn't a particularly good reason I posted this. I just sorta felt it needed to be said. This message is in no way meant to be an indictment of those who still embrace the name NERO. As I said early in my post, I understand the sentiment, and I even feel it myself. I just wanted to express a new sentiment for the new name. I have felt that many seem to view the new name with mixed feelings, and I felt that an expression of good feelings towards the name might be worthwhile.
My rambling for today is complete.
-MS