Current definition of spam:
(Based on what I have read so far, here and other threads)
"Any attack I do not like that is bad when other people do it but ok when I some times do it because (paste hypocritical excuse here)."
This definition is not only a non definition but not going to help, and it is going to harm.
Because Mods/council/devs will consider this a public mandate to "fix spam!"
So they will pull out their scalpel or sledge hammer and remove what
THEY consider spam Which aint what
YOU consider spam thinking they are doing what the public asked for.
Then when their "solution" tanks the game they will not undo it because
that would require them to admit they were wrong.
I have been gaming since PONG. I can not count the number of good games that tank because the devs listen to the loud cries and gnashing of teeth from a small but loud minority that in no way represents the average silent player.
And when they give the special snowflakes what they think they want, players start leaving, and even the snowflakes leave the ghost town they created.
Why there is no working definition of spam:
Players are too stupid, lazy, or cowardly to appropriately label different actions with unique labels so we know exactly what they are talking about.
Much easier to cry mmMC SPAM! BOO WHOO! so every one will agree with you and express sympathy.
Way to solve this:
First logically define spam.
Second come up with other logical labels for other naughty game actions you do not like.
If it is a good label it will stick.
If others dislike the appropriately labeled action as much as you, then it might get addressed.
If not it wont, and your just being a crybaby and it will get ignored while you are possibly ridiculed for being weak sauce.
The etymology of spam:
Spam is a tasty canned square meat that goes great with rice and eggs. Just ask any Hawaiian.
But some find it quite disgusting so it has become synonymous with "YUCK in a can."
Then came the internet and email. Along with that came advertising email. Or
"unsolicited stuff you do not want that just clogs up your mail box" Or "SPAM."
Spam is:
"Any thing sent at you in mass with the sole purpose of clogging up your notifications and or locking you out of game in the hopes of causing you grief."
Usually as some response to some perceived slight or seeking a tactical edge.
But there are some people that are just &^%#s and they will spam you just cause they can.
There is your definition. NEEEEXT!
A post worth reading should either be entertaining or provide possible solutions. so.... Here are 5 realistic answers to spam that are less likely to wreck the game.
1.
Grepolis can work on making their code tighter and more capeable of recieving a lot of commands over a shorter period of time or add a system that prioritizes some actions over others to avoid lock up. Honestly constant improvement of this nature should be standard and not require the community to squawk.
2.
Grepolis can remove the alarm. It is a far newer feature than many attack parameters that have been here from day one if memory serves me correct.
(if some thing is not working right you remove the newer added features first)
3.
You as a player can plan your defense system to handle this sort of asault and always punch back twice as hard.
4.
You. If you do not like tactics a guild uses DO NOT JOIN THEM! Provide your skills and value to their competitor.
5.
You. As a guild can band together with other guilds that do not like this tactic and insure the offending guild does not attain the win.
Instead of joining them like cowards in order to avoid the pain of being on the receiving end of this tactic.
Those actions would remove the lock up function of spam and bring back sneak attacks so there are other options for the underdog to take cities from mega guilds.
While not eliminating spam, they would lessen its frequency and perhaps the special snow flakes would stop screaming like a 4 year old with a paper cut.
A few notes:
This is a war game.
People will do things you do not like. Yes there is a subjective situational specific limit of "going too far." But...
Some one spams you constantly for a few hours or even a day (if your not totaly locked up),
get over it.
Some one attacks you from 2 days away,
get over it.
Some one attacks you for 24 hours straight,
get over it.
Some one twice your size decides they want the city you built from scratch,
get over it.
Some one cats your city down to a nub,
get over it.
Some one golds the wall or troops you just smashed back up from 0 to max,
get over it.
Some one boobie traps the ghosts in your area,
get over it.
Some one smashes your city just to make it a BP or favor farm,
get over it.
You invade a guilds core and suddenly find their response a bit over the top......
you bought this response,
get over it.
If you can not handle the examples listed above, you have no business in a PVP game.
You need to go back to PVE where the computer has "nice guy" limits.
I recommend Farmville, where you can grow your nice crop of soy without us uncouth Vikings coming along and molesting it.
Their are plenty of "safe space games" out there with training wheels for you.
Stop trying to install "training wheels" on every game you come across.
Us non soy boys would like to test our metal against each other.
To the OP. I tried to remain within the perimeters you set for this thread, but several children either ignored your request altogether,
or found their "agenda" far more important than respecting your original intent.
They needed a nice Hockey check before the devs replaced the "attack" button with a "spam" button.