I am disabling this topic so folks cannot reply (at least for now). We feel the topic is too hot right now and we want people to reflect. You opinions are valued, but this topic isn't about defending one thing or another. It's about trying create awareness that, yes, we know whats going on. Yes, we have an opinion as owners. Yes, we are doing something to mitigate some of the issues that have resulted. And yes, we frown upon those trying to force their opinions on another's RP choices. Let live.

Rags to riches is a journey that many characters in our sim venture on in a variety of ways. So many paths! Crime. Life insurance. Hard work. Actual talent. Inheritance. Some are just lucky enough to come from wealth and unlucky enough to be stuck in Hathian. This has NEVER been something classified by admins as "wrong" or "incorrect". In fact, technically Nadir Taov ICly has plenty of cash thrown around thanks to all you criminals. His wife thanks you for the last spa visit she had.

The point of this thread is to clarify a couple of things and to make players realize that they need to get over themselves and let others RP what they want. Don't agree? Don't like it? There is plenty of room in this sim to get away from it and plenty of ways for you characters to qualify the other person's fame. "Its just local fame", "They are spending more than they actually have", "I didn't see it, so its just rumor".... get the picture. Make what you see and hear work for your character.

It doesn't matter who is playing rich or famous. This is not about naming names, but rest assured it is more than you think. This is not to point out those on the cover of Rolling Stones, on billboard charts, TV shows or riding tigers (Yes, I know I just pointed it out, but I had to emphasize they on their own are NOT a problem. Stop complaining - leave them alone!). This is to cover those that are influenced by those kinds of stories and why, as a sim, we won't be advertising these types of stories anymore.

My tweet pictured above pretty much sums it up. The Crack Den theme is pretty special in my opinion. We have always been able to keep that run-down sort of town feel alive. We have upgraded a few things to reflect the city's growth. Made -some- things a little bit nicer, but in the end there is still graffiti everywhere, unfinished construction and garbage on the streets. Soon there will even be a homeless compound again. Too much fame or wealth advertised in our sim is bad for our sim, though. How is corruption to run rampant with reporters everywhere and someone famous in our town? Mass wealth means they pay others and those folk get wealthy. I have witnessed the chain reaction that has turned a group of characters into wealthy characters. Its a butterfly effect IC. It truly is not the stories themselves that are bad so it is our job, as admins, to take care of it - not our players. We will not tell anyone to change their character. We do not encourage them to change or leave because of judgement. Let it play out and be smart about the cars and stories you bring on sim. That's our only request. For those curious about what we will do, Read on.

The amount of business and faction proposals received lately that are funded by the rich has more than doubled. The amount of storylines seeking approval that surround either a celeb status or very rich characters has also increased. We have denied it all. Along with saying 'no' to new storylines -supported- by our sim we also will be:

1. Taking down and denying Billboards that advertise celebrities
2. Articles about IC celebs or the rich will have to be approved by me
3. Notices for events that we feel will advertise those types of storylines denied
4. An audit of housing on land. If you live in a huge house or mansion. Start looking for a new build
5. Car permit audit. If its an exotic car then it gots to go
6. Brainstorming on the best way to create a monetary system in our sims and limit the amount that are NPC rich (a VERY future project. 2015)
7. Those in leadership positions of any kind will be asked to take a step back with RPing certain things in sim so they don't continue to influence new players

Now it may seem we are "punishing" those who have RPed out these sort of themes. We are not. At least, we don't mean to. Most of you have done a great job growing your character's fame and coupling it with pitfalls. Seriously. But, these stories have started to influence others in the sim and new players. They ask us "Why can THEY do it, but not us". So we have to give the same treatment to everyone moving forward without taking away the colorful stories that have already been built.

As a final little tidbit I would like to say that this happens a lot - us needing to scale back support for certain themes that catch like fire. A couple years ago it was extreme violence. People in the crack den were complaining left and right about all the players that were "unrealistically" extreme even if that kind of sick behavior is rather... common in real life (unfortunately). TOO much of any one thing is bad for the sim. Too much family RP. Too much money. Too much violence. Too many heroes. In the end, it will balance out - we will make sure of it.

Now go play nice (Except not TOO nice 😛 ).