Newsletter #2

[Nariis]

Notes FROM the Admin Team


*After being absent for an extended period, we are happy to announce that Mouse has returned to the Admin team. Mouse's main duty will be the upcoming SMR Photo Profiles.

*What is this photo profile? Many of you may have noticed this link in game, although it is currently not working. In the next update, this link will allow you to post a picture and a brief profile of yourself for others to view and comment on. As with the chat and the webboard, there will be rules to the profile area as well. These rules will be posted soon for all to read.

*Please note that no Admin will ever ask you for your password. If someone tries to say they are an admin and ask for your password, DO NOT give it to them and immediately report them to the admins.

*To better address comments and concerns about the game, the staff will be holding a Creator's Hour once a week in a special room on the chat. This room will be moderated, and all player questions will be PMed to a designated Admin for the other Admins to answer. Creator's Hour will be held every Sunday at 9pm server time, though due to the holidays, the next CH will be after the first of the year.

((Note added 2/12/03: CH is now every Sunday at midnight server time.))

Upcoming Games

Newbie Game 5 is scheduled to start January 5, 2003. This game will have a few minor additions to it, such as the photo profile.


Newbie Trader Hint #2: I'm Out of Newbie Turns, How Do I Log Out Safely

Once you use all of your initial 500 newbie turns, you only have two options with which to keep your trader safe while logged out of the game: Planets and Federal Protection.

Planets themselves are not that safe, especially at the beginning of a game. Even higher level planets later on in the game are not always safe havens, as a determined team can take down even the biggest planet. So, to be truly safe, Federal Protection beacons are a trader's best friend.

Now then, just because you are in a Fed zone does not mean you are automatically protected. The Federation will not protect any traders that have illegal goods on board their ship. So if you trade in slave, weapons, or narcotics, make sure your holds are empty of these items before logging off in Fed.

Another overlooked cause of death in Fed zones is your attack rating being higher than what your alignment will allow protection for. Here is a simple chart that outlines what your attack rating can be for each level of alignment:

If your alignment is +300 or higher, your attack rating can be 5/ in Fed Space.
If your alignment is between +150 to +299, your attack rating can be 4/.
If your alignment is between -149 to +149, your attack rating can be 3/.
If your alignment is between -150 to -299, your attack rating can be 2/.
If your alignment is -300 or lower, your attack rating can be 1/.

As you can tell, traders that have deputized are able to keep more weapons on board, while those traders that have joined the underground must sell off the majority of their weapons in ORDER to take advantage of Federal Protection. If you are in doubt as to whether or not you are protected, before logging out of the game, click on 'Trader' on the left side of your screen and CHECK your status. If you are protected, you will see a message letting you know that you are under Federal Protection. If not, double CHECK for illegal goods or too many weapons on your ship.


All of us here on the SMR Admin team wish you and your families a very happy and safe holiday season, and a very happy new year!

Would you like to see the game improve, and the lag decrease? Donate today to help buy a new server.

You can find us at http://www.smrealms.de/

Your Space Merchant Realms Team