Over the past few days, there has been a lot of drama about GM Max circulating around the forums. Many people dislike him. Some think he's stupid, others say he abuses his powers, some even theorize he paid for his position. I used to be one of those people. Even before I came to be a moderator, I had it out for Max. I took every opportunity to make him look stupid, or find fault in him. The idea that this guy could possibly be representing Zylon Gaming just drove me crazy. While he may have had a decent image in the public eye, it was the in-game whispers, Skype chats, and PMs that really showed me his personality, and well, I didn't like it.

It really escalated when he was promoted to GM. Now not only was I frustrated because I didn't like him, but boy was I ever jealous. Other people started noticing things about him too. He was given more power, more commands, and some of his mistakes were becoming public. It's now gotten to the point of 10 page hate threads.

I am posting this thread because I want it to stop. You certainly have the right to your own opinion, and the right to post it as long as you follow the rules, but Max does not deserve the treatment he has gotten the last few days. He has been staff for a year guys, a whole year. And while he may have been inactive for a large portion of it, its an entire year that he has been trying his best to help out Zylon Gaming. While he may make some mistakes or come off as a bad guy, he is sacrificing time from his day to help out this game. Every hacker he reports, every player he mutes, every second he takes to help out this game is coming out of his free time, voluntarily.

One thing you need to keep in mind is that even when he messes up, makes himself look stupid, hurts your feelings, or does something insanely cringe worthy - he is still helping the game. Its not like he has done some unforgiveable thing that's making people quit left and right. Some of the complaints I saw yesterday were things like 'you muted me unfairly' or 'you kicked my room when I was afk'. Is this really a big deal guys? So what if he power abused a little, or his judgment was wrong a few times. He is still helping the game as best he can, and he deserves respect for that. All staff members do.

When you see him mess up, or do something stupid, remember he is trying to help. He is trying his best. And in the face of all the criticism he has gotten, he has taken it in stride and is going to continue to service this game as well as he can for as long as he can. Your complaints aren't going to change that. Have some respect for the guy. A lot of people seem to think that having Max as a staff member is hurting this game. You think that demoting him would somehow help things, and that you are fighting to 'help the game'. Well I got news for you, next time you go to complain about a staff member to 'help the game', go report a rulebreaker instead. Go help some players instead. Go take time out of your day and help the game by doing what Max does every day. That's how you can help the game. If you are too lazy or are unwilling to do that, then you are in no position to criticize the job Max has done.

So while I may not always get along with Max, I am smart enough to at least have respect for what he does. I am not holding his mistakes against him. I am thanking him for the time he has taken to try and help Zylon Gaming. I am making this post in the hope that others who may not get along with him will start to look at the big picture here like I am. Give the Max hate a rest, and if you want to help this game, quit throwing rocks. Go out and help. Make a difference. Who knows, you might find yourself becoming a staff member yourself one day. Then you will be in a position to judge Max and the job he had done. Until then, please stop the flaming, the hating, and the ungrateful bickering about GM Max. Because its not helping anything.