New Players & Territorialism after the "Move"

I'm seeing a disturbing trend in Illyriad these days as a consequence of the ability to move.  Attacks are up on new players because they either have the misfortune of being placed in the wrong territory (areas claimed by alliances) or they've moved unknowingly into an alliance area.    As a consequence, some alliances have taken the stance that anyone in their area needs to move or they will be eliminated.     It doesn't matter if the new player is peaceful, it doesn't matter that they are defenseless.  

Case in point, one of my new members messaged me that he was receiving threats from an alliance.  He had been given an ultimatum to move or be attacked.   For the record, he did plan to move but was not sure of the location.    Before I could get the details, I received this message:

 

Sent By:               Nige Received By:      Starry Sent:     26OCT10 16:22 Subject:               Goodwill Greetings from the Mal motshans. We send respect and good will wishes to you and your alliance. We desire nothing more than peace with you and all honourable players. We believe it is honourable to claim our own territory as defined by the world map. We claim all land in Mal Motsha as our own. We will not trespass outside our land. We believe this is an honourable stance. If you have members of your alliance that refuse to leave Mal Motsha they will be treated as hostile invaders. We do not seek war with you. I hope this clarifies our position and our desire for our own homeland is respected. Impqwerty must leave. Respect and goodwill.

 

Before I could respond to the message, our new member (pop 134) was under attack by AVa64 (score:  3336919).  

 

There is no honor in bullying new players, there is no goodwill when an alliance attacks before they receive a reply from the alliance leader.     Expecting my members to move is ridiculous and arrogant.   These are new players (or staff that helps new players), we have always been and will continue to be a peaceful training alliance.

 

My point is that there is a growing trend of intolerance toward any new player who has the misfortune of being in an alliance area.    Frankly, claiming an entire province is ridiculous in my mind but there are those arrogant to think they can get away with it.   Instead of being tolerant toward new players why are they are driven from this game?    It's nothing short of being a bully and a short-sighted one at that.   We've all been in games that stagnated due to the lack of new players.   The Devs are working hard to keep this game fresh and challenging, new players will guarantee the continuation of this game.   It does not mean exclusivity to existing players; driving new players out of this game will only shorten its lifespan.

I’m asking the players of Illyriad to be tolerant of new players, you might just find new member to your alliance or an ally down the road.     New players are not a threat to your alliance and while I know you may have to adjust your moving plans, there is plenty of space for all of us to play this game.   

One note and question to Nige:   You are in an area loaded with new players, while many may not be active, does this mean you are going to siege every new player in that region?   Inquiring minds want to do know......

i can claim all newbies near me? u know i wouldnt kill em right away..... XD jk nah new people should be tolerated they cant help where they start so yea live and let live?

Your clan mate is not the only one to have received these dishonourable attacks, one of my clan mates was stuck being constantly attacked and unable to move to us because of the 0 pop blocking bug.

Attacking all low level players just because of a general location in a province is just going to drive players away from the game and frankly is not "an honourable stance" in any way shape or form for any sane or reasonable person. New players are already stressed from not being able to farm inactive players any more and from being increased targets themselves because inactives don't supply resources any more so as an active newbie they get robbed.

Having said that however that new players are appearing adjacent to existing players is going to lead to problems. As many players are planning sovereign terrains and its totally unfair on the newbies to spawn so close as it is quite reasonable then for an established player to insist the newly spawned one moves away, there really should be no spawning closer than 3 terrains to an active player, preferably 5.

Perhaps, as mobility increases, there can be parts of the map (like Middle Kingdom) that are actually designated as newbie-protected territories.  Then all new players could be seeded there with the option to move when ready.

Perhaps there would be benefits in extending New Player Protection out a bit.