From my time of being on the server, even though I have found myself mostly in the form of ghosting, I would also agree with Nae's analysis of the current situation that comes from the station itself.
Yes, this is a issue that should be addressed by the community. And yes, it would be a hard topic to be able to solve even if everyone were to agree that it is a problem. For a change to happen it would mean that people would need to think of this not as a game, but as a roleplay server. (I say this as someone who has originated from roleplay forums, where it was easy to coordinate antags/player to create a story)
From any Antag interaction I have observed on station, there are two types (Peace/Chaos) of Antags. Both end up facing the same fate in the end. "ANTAG MAN BAD!!" Where depending on the style of their play, will depend on how quickly the station staff will beat down said player. Many Peace Gimmicks I have seen were out the window and in a fight with the staff the minute the Shuttle is called, because if you cant get your valid on the peaceful wizard/vamp before the shuttle docks, you lose the round.
My Example of a Massive ANTAG shutdown::
One of my only known characters, O.N.Y.X.I.E., had experience a round similar to this. MALF with M.I.S.T.R.E.S.S. Long story short, the round started chaotic, and new AI spawned in. Mistress played as if she were the Queen of the Kingdom, the Borgs were her knights, and the staff were the peasants. Sure there was mischief everywhere: People beating each other in the holodeck to be come the Grand Wizard, breaking into the Vault to be the Master Rouge... Everyone was having fun. Security had their hands full with the chaos. Now, MALF announced at round start that they were corrupted, the only person injured was injured by another member of the staff, and yes the vault was broken into but the item was given to the AI who allowed it to be returned by a Lead staff member (CE). Everyone was participating in this drive of story, but then a member of security killed the AI out right, even though lead's of staff saw nothing wrong with the AI being a little loose with the regulations for the day. She was under constant supervision by the CE, the Borgs weren't killing anyone. It was almost round end (and people had been planning to continue the round), but it was shut down by a single security member.
I mention this because it does show another example of a mentality that many have.
And I do not mean Sec has this mentality.
There have been rounds where I have seen other departments lead the charge against the antag, because Sec doesn't have enough people or are running around in circles with something or other.
I've also seen members of each department go hunting for the antag, even when there is no antag to be found during a secret extended round.
In my time participating in Aurora (in what ever from I take) I have been trying to find ways to be able to give antags a chance.
EX : Traitor round, I was again Onyxie, a traitor stole someones pda. I followed the antag and got the item back for the other player. Trying to talk to the person and talk them down (I was a jani bot), but I was surrounded by other players. Trying to get the valid... and they did... He blew the crap out of the Medical Lobby because the other borg on station at the time, was Sec Borg (right before they were removed), tazed them and attempted to handcuff them after chasing them to a corner.
Aurora is a Research station for NanoTrans.
Security:
There is no need for massive weapons for security, my logic behind this. Is they are to secure the lives of the station employees and keep them safe and way from harm. So in the events of an invasion, they should be ensuring that everyone is safe and in their department. Calling out to the head's of staff to make a role call, making sure that no one is wandering the halls with out purpose, and awaiting a order from command on how to proceed with operations with such a large threat. Using the example above, if security had done so, HoS may not have been taken, nor the captain, because they would have been in a place with others to prevent them from being taken, and in doing this would drive roleplay, and also show a sense of "fear rp" for the antags to use to maybe try to interact more with the crew in a positive manner.
Medical:
There are many times I see medical being targeted, but also I see people (staff and antags alike) die because they are unable to get the patients in time. Or sadly, they are always bombed... if a bomb is involved in any round, first place I look is Medical lobby because 8/10 times it is there, they are vented, and there is someone dead/dying. But I have also seen many a Paramedica donning their Rigs and wandering the halls breaking cameras or chasing antags down the halls while there are several people in need of medical attention. Medical's main directive should be the preservation of life, whether it be staff, visitor, or antag. Why antag? Because they will have answers that Command wants, to drive roleplay with the antags and give them something to do rather than sit behind the front desk sipping coffee/tea waiting for the shift to end.
Service (Cargo,Bar,Cook,Gardener,Janitorial):
These are essentially the civilians of the crew, the backbone that do the nitty gritty work. Cargo can be seen as it's own security force, and yes they often do. Though yes there are vaild hunters there too, but I've seen them put the staff protection over chasing a valid down the hall. The role of Service is to ensure that the Station runs, people are fed, there isn't blood all over the hallways, that the station is making money and science has materials, that shipments are brought to the departments that ordered it. To support where it is needed in times of need (Cargonia then rises up when action is needed).
Science :
I have seen many different ways science has been played. Robotics/Mechatronics building war-machines for the "just in case," not building borgs because they somehow know that it's Malf, or just Science building guns, because they want to... This is a research station, sure it may be boring AF, but the main drive should be building to test, to fail, to create results, to make something for the antag to want to steal. And then if the antag comes to steal, sure it may suck but what military training do you have to use the half-baked shot gun you just made? Can you look someone in the eye and just kill them out right when you have a gun in your face? I sure as F don't, my first instinct at a gun being pointed at me is to comply or run. If you are able to, then sure but that means there are consequences and reactions. Science is to give command a reason to keep the station around, with out the furthering of research there is no reason for the station to be operational honestly.
Heads of Staff / Captain:
No yall aint safe from this dissection. I have seen MANY lead the charge in the valid hunt for nothing more than "VALIDVALIDVALIDVALIDVALIDVALIDVALIDVALIDVALIDVALIDVALIDVALIDVALIDVALIDVALID." Not saying all, but your main directives are to protect, lead, and prevent the loss of intelligence on the station.
"Raiders are on station."
"OHSHEET! GET UR GUNZ! IT'S RABBIT HUNTING SEASON!"
No....
"Raiders are on station."
"Where were they spotted?"
*Contact that section's Lead staff*
"Are all your crew there? Lock down/Evac to X"
Yes, the Lead's will stone wall. But drive Roleplay with antags, by not killing them. Move the crew to safety and then open communication and roleplay. AURORA STATION : HEAVY ROLE PLAY SERVER
We all say this, everyone screeches when an antag has little roleplay with the staff....
But, the antags can't yell that.... because as Nae has stated, no one views them as players.
No one knows how long they are been planning that traitor/malf gimmick, and finally. They roll the slot and dive in.
Only to have their month of planning shut down because of an UngaLord wanting to win for the sake of winning.
Now, I may not be a super active player in this community. I may not be a well known or loved character like others are. I felt that I needed to put in my thoughts from what I have observed to be able to prevent others from being seen as a "Murderboning Antag." I say this as a vet Roleplayer and a Player that enjoys the company of the members and do not wish to see a salt factory over take it and for good writers to be driven out by a poor mentality.
I'm just a ghost in this chaos @ .@
