Ping Pirates!

Sharing of passwords by EBB exasperates Admins

2010-05-21T02:33:00.006+08:00

Apparently EBB has been too trusting with his password and once again exasperated the devs >.<

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=18063885304&topic=49185

I mean... if you really really need to share a password for whatever reason, at least change it after you are done with sharing.... Let's hope that this admins will not be too affected by this erm "stunt" of EBB.

Image credit: http://www.motivatedphotos.com/?id=727

Show off of the day

2008-11-18T11:25:00.002+08:00

An el toro on the 2nd try at archwhale quest :)

Quests rumours

2008-11-12T15:38:00.003+08:00

It has been rumoured that new missions are available at Corxas and Aeros....

In other news, bombing of friends is now automated. And one can also see who are the bombing targets:

Sios post weekly news

2008-11-12T15:32:00.001+08:00

Quest log

Blog for BS news from devs: http://battlestationsnews.blogspot.com/

RSS/Atom for BS news blog: http://battlestationsnews.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

Raid friends is now a quest under "Set Sail"

Sios weekly news....

2008-11-11T16:47:00.003+08:00

D.I.Y. CM promotion and demotion

Clan power to be up 5x

The Sios Government is affiliated with Dragoons?

2008-11-11T16:30:00.007+08:00

A quick peek at the profile of the Sios Prime Minister reveals that TY is a Dragoons CM. Accessing http://apps.facebook.com/battlestations/profile.php?id=Pirate%20Lord also mysteriously reveal "no such user".. The corrupt investigations branch will release a report after a full investigation has been conducted. :p

Fort superweapon updates

2008-10-18T11:12:00.003+08:00

Prices:

BIGASS CANNON - 7500 wp

Tesla Coil - 3500 WP

Mine Curtain - 1500 WP

Damage:

BIGASS CANNON - 40,000 - 50,000 damage per round

Tesla Coil - 20,000 - 25,000 damage per round

Mine Curtain - Fort attackers lose 10% of their current HP before meeting the regular fort cannons.

Special:

BIGASS CANNON - Big Cannon needs to be reloaded with gold.

Tesla Coil - Tesla cannon damage scales according to #defenders.

Mine Curtain -NA

FAQ:

1. Does it mean we have to reload the BAC each time after it fires? No

2. How much is each reload for the BAC? 50K

3. Does the damage of TC scale up when the no. of defenders increase or down? Increase

4. When do we have to reload the BAC? Auto

5. Would the Tesla damage of 20-25k be with 1 or X defenders? Undecided

6. Tesla/Big replace basic cannons, right and mine curtain complements the basic cannons? Correct

8. Any reload required on Tesla? No

9. Are the cannons limited to tier S? No

10. Will the new fort design appear this weekend as well? Yes but not in the clan hall page only in combat

11. If yes on 5, when and how would you like our clan tags? Soon, PNG format with transparency

Additional points:

If you build a new super weapon, you don't get a refund for the old one.

The special weapon attributes won't be working yet so the big cannon doesn't have limited ammo and the damage of the tesla coil doesn't scale according to # defenders yet.

More disucssion here. Please note that this summary covers only till post #86.

Quickie Technological update

2008-10-18T01:30:00.003+08:00

We have some technological updates from the Sios R&D Labs:

Fong Pei is serious business

2008-10-17T20:56:00.002+08:00

While Sios citizens may have already seen the Baton of Justice in action, it appears that somes Sios criminals are hardly cowed by its awesomeness.

Chief Inspector Fong has thus published a poster showing the fatality of the Baton. Be warned, the strike of the Baton is merciless. Fong Pei is serious! Ouch!

You have been warned!

The Baton of Justice makes its debut!

2008-10-16T18:11:00.003+08:00

After numerous days of shadowing the Sios Chief Inspector, we now have an exclusive! The legendary Baton of Justice unleashing its wrath upon obstructors of justice. Tremble in your boot cheaters! And ouch that hurts!

3 lanes for fort attack

2008-10-16T17:40:00.005+08:00

After centuries of war by the various clans, the Sios Government has decided to set some rules of engagement that will be followed by all the clans. This is to ensure minimum collateral damage to the civilian population.

3 lanes to attack the fort, each lane having a level range

Front

Side

Rear

Defenders are automatically assigned to their highest lane for their level.

Superweapons take 30 secs to reposition by CMs.

Mines cover all lanes and don't need to be repositioned.

Defenders get a 25% damage reduction but cannot attack. Defender xp may get boosted

Rumours has it that various CMs are threatening to go on strike as they are now in charge of moving the uber heavy bad ass cannons. Question of the day: How many CMs does it take to move a supercannon?

More discussion here.

Influx of immigrants to Sios

2008-10-14T17:48:00.003+08:00

The Sios Government has released statistics that Sios is becoming ever more crowded. Currently, there are 60,000 active airship captains jostling for airspace. While no license is required to operate an airship, the Government is worried that the new Sios Citizens may not be acquainted with the airway code and culture of Sios.

Therefore, to ease the social integration of these new citizens, the Government has appointed a taskforce to compile important FAQs. Please do your part as a Sios Citizen and assist the taskforce.

More information here.

The fundamental reason behind the success of Battle Stations

2008-10-14T11:26:00.004+08:00

Recently mypaper reported some reasons for Battle Stations's success. They obviously forgot one fundamental reason...

<3 xkcd.

Fong Pei Files X-2

2008-10-13T23:16:00.006+08:00

After taking up office on the 1st day, Inspector Fong is not taking any slack and is hot on the heels of a new case! The suspect is GChow, a lvl 97 explorer, who comes under investigation for illegal scripting, due to 6 consecutive fort attacks in 3 seconds!

More updates and discussion here.

Updates:

Gabriel Chow confesses (#36)

Ex-CM of EVA expresses regret over GChow's cheating

Sios Police Department opens!

2008-10-13T11:52:00.007+08:00

President of Sios, Pain Sama has just appointed Fong Pei as Chief Inspector and given him authority to police the game:

Since the forums are a big part of BS, starting today, we will be giving the S.P.D. (Sios Police Department) the authority to police the forums as well as well as the game.

Extending the jurisdiction of the S.P.D. will allow it to deal with cases such as false accusations against innocent players by multis who used other multis to frame them.

Overstepping "the line" (personal attacks, false accusations, whining too much) in the forums may result in swift police action.

Inspector Fong Pei will be promoted to Chief Inspector and will be in charge of all S.P.D. operations. Police ships will also be refitted with the new "Baton of Justice" upgrade (among other upgrades).

It does seems like a pretty tough job for just one man! Many good citizens have rushed forward to apply for a position. Some hopeful citizens also hoped that there will be a policewoman to assist Fong Pei <3

More discussion here.

Market intervention by Sios Central Bank

2008-10-10T15:32:00.003+08:00

There have been underground rumours that the Sios Government will do market intervention. It is widely believed that the target will be the resource auctions. Meanwhile, Sios citizens rejoice over the expected dip in resource prices. More discussion here.

Is Fong Pei really back??

2008-10-10T15:18:00.005+08:00

Check your attack screen carefully, for you never know if the policeman of Sios is on the prowl again. It seems that rumours of Fong Pei sightings have been confirmed. And once again, Fong Pei ravaages everything in his path especially with his Fong Chaduns. Click on his profile to keep tab on his latest location. More discussion here.

FOXSG(EMOS CM)'s 1st recruitment thread.

2008-10-10T15:06:00.004+08:00

The latest in the wave of clan recruitment threads, we have plenty of chatter about Tier Ass and plenty of humping action even as I am writing this.

From the opening post of FOXSG:

We aspire to be 1 of the best, and this will be a great opportunity for any players who wish to have a shot in glory.

Join us via various simple step:

1) add me as friends, please include your reasons as well when adding me. For example, "adding friends to join Clan EMOS."

2) Reply the recruitment PM that i will send u in response. And if you are recruited, you will be given further instructions in joining the clan.

War changes

2008-10-10T14:41:00.004+08:00

Feel the evil aura around the bad ass fort? :o

More attack lanes for fort attack, new Tier Ass, super weapons,.... more details and discussion here.

Battle Stations makes MyPaper's headlines

2008-10-09T18:24:00.010+08:00

Battle Stations on Singapore MyPaper's headline - Upload a Document to Scribd

Original article from my paper <<我报>> Singapore's first free chinese newspaper,

The following is the Chinese to English translation.

Page 1:

3 university students founded a gaming software company that did not take off, and nearly collapsed. Fortunately, the social networking site, Facebook, provided a lifeline at the most critical moment.

The company, Tyler Projects, started anew and designed the massively multiplayer online game (MMOG) “Battle Stations” and launched it on Facebook. The revenue generated saved the company and enabled them to continue their dreams.

Battle Stations is a type of social game, and is the first Facebook MMOG launched by Singapore developers. It is currently the most popular Singapore Facebook MMOG.

Battle Stations generated a monthly revenue of US $30, 000.

Figures show that Battle Stations has 15, 000 daily active users (DAU). In other words, Battle Stations has an earning potential of US $2/mth/DAU.

According to experts, social gaming have an earning potential of up to US $1.20/mth/DAU.

Having higher earning potential than other social games, Battle Stations' popularity is apparent.

If the 55,000 monthly active users is used as an indicator, Battle Stations can earn US$0.58 from each player on average.

According to one of the company's partners, Leonard Lin (27 years old), some social games and web applications can only earn US $0.01 from each active user.

What criteria is needed for a social game to become popular and profitable? Will social gaming development be a potential source of revenue for game developers in Singapore? Today's “Headline News” will take you through the world of social gaming.

Page 2 (Section on Tyler Projects only):

Local video game start-up companies find it hard to attract investors. Because of this, Tyler Projects had to find more sources of revenue.

Leonard Lin recalled the situation 2 years ago, “We were full of ambition, and wanted to create a “Final Fantasy” like computer game. When the game was finished, there were over 3 million unique downloads for the trial version. But only 1500 copies of the full version were sold.”

After analysing and going through gamer's feedback, Leonard and his partners realised that the games they create need to have earning potential, such as through advertising revenue and sale of virtual goods. “We couldn't spent one year designing a product that can't earn revenue.”

60% of Battle Stations' revenue comes from virtual goods, 20% comes from in game cost per action advertising (eg inviting players to fill up surveys, buying discounted items, etc), remaining 20% come from conventional advertising.

Ultimately, a social game needs to increase its player base in order to be profitable. “The game needs to be easy to pick up, yet must have enough depth and scope, as well as many small gaming sections, in order not to lose the gamer,” said Leonard.

“Some very popular social games and applications are over simplistic, causing their popularity to be transient, leaving little chance for earning revenue.”

The game must also limit the the expenditure of the player. Usually, virtual goods sold by fighting genre games give an advantage to the player. If the purchase of such virtual goods is not limited, players with greater spending power will quickly gain invincibility in the game, and lose the desire to play further. Gamers who are unable to afford the virtual goods may feel injustice and thus quit the game.

Tyler Projects will chose a two prong approach to further develop its business. Besides building public opinion by rolling out social games that have depth and scope, simple social games will also be rolled out to attract more users, in order to attract investors to invest in the company. The company, in collaboration with Scrawl Studios, plans to rolled out a beta version of “5 Kingdoms” at the end of October.

A new world

2008-09-24T00:26:00.001+08:00

Fed up with the ravages of war and plundering of war that has plagued Sios?

The Sios research council has recently come into contact with a parallel dimension. After an intense battle, our esteemed leader TY has negotiated peace with the leaders in the parallel dimension. Henceforth, our dimension will be known as Sios-FB, while the other will be known as Sios-FR.

Sios-FR seems much more peaceful than Sios-FB, and seems like a paradise for retirement. For those who wish to apply for a visa to Sios-FR, please refer to http://www.new.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=18063885304&topic=17181 for application details.

Fong Pei is back?!

2008-09-22T16:45:00.001+08:00

Huh?! And he seems hot on a new case!

http://www.new.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=18063885304&topic=17132

Technology breakthrough!

2008-09-16T23:29:00.008+08:00

Big ass cannon

Telsa Coil upgrade

The Sios Technology Center has broken new ground in the development of new arsenal of mass destruction. While the stats of these new weapons and parts have yet to be released, they are expected to be released very soon.

Super fortress

The foretold arms race has also spurred the development of super forts and fort super weapons by individual clans. It is believed that clans with more war experience will be able to produce more powerful fort upgrades due to greater testing during wars.

In other news, worry about rammers turning the tide of clan wars and preying on helpless airships have yet again sparked off another discussion on the woes of non rammers. Underground rumours has it that the Sios Council may soon implement Electronic Airway Pricing (EAP) similar to Singapore's Electronic Road Pricing (ERP). But it remains to be seen if this move will appease non rammers and penalise rammers sufficiently.

Ping Pie crisis?

2008-08-07T12:41:00.000+08:00

Rumours has it that Ping clan has ran into problems in acquiring the latest weapons as the rival clans have curtailed market supplies due to its hot selling Ping Pie. It seems that the Ping clan has been unwilling to share the recipe for the sumptuous Gourmet Ping Pie that it produces.

Rival clans have tried ways and means to get hold of the secret receipe but to no avail. Fort raids, infiltration, spying, bribery, death threats have all failed to yield any clue about the secret receipe. In a show of brinksmanship, rival clans have not only boycotted Ping Pie stalls, but also forcfully forbid the armoury stalls at each port from selling any weaponary to Ping.

"The turth is, there is no secret ingredient," says Adrian, Ping CM. "The Ping Pie is tastes good as we have made an effort to use the best ingredients."

"Though the curtail of market supplies has affected us, we are inclined to believe that this childish act of trade sanctions is only transient, and that the consumer will be unable to resist our alluring Ping Pies," beamed Chloe, Ping Head Baker.

However, the sudden withdrawal of demand have lead to a bloat of Ping Pies left on the shelves. As a result, some Pingsters have decided to put the excess pies to good use instead of just throwing them away. See replay below for more details:

Ahoy! Ping Pierates!

Scandal at the Border

2008-08-06T10:48:00.000+08:00

It was found yesterday that Border Guards across Sios have been deserting their posts once a month to have a party night in Alanna’s Love shack located on the outskirts of the Grand Imperial City. Thus leaving their toll systems on standby and at a setting of 5 AP to cross instead of the usual 15 AP.

One of our reporters attempted to interview a toll guard while he was being *entertained* by one of mistress Alanna’s *barmaids* “The government makes a killing off that travel scam” he responded. “The AP tariff is a joke! I mean come on……. Its *supposed* to keep the smuggling down, but with the new smuggling engines there’s no point! They just get around the checkpoints and the normal captains are forced to pick up the tariffs, this is our way of getting a break while giving them one” he smiled to our reporter, who then witnessed the guard captain beating the toll man for talking to the press, when they were supposed to be on duty.

It appears this has become a unit tradition for over 3 months now, travelling to the love shack and spending some spare cash on the good beer and willing women (or men as rumours claim). On every second weekend, these not so hard working men and women take a not so well earned break in this VERY well known establishment. Lowering the tariff charges to 5 AP to give the other captains around Sios an almost free trip to the Love shack to celebrate as a working community.

Bartender of the Love Shack, Alanna Chie, has also noted an increased business trend. "Business has definitely soared during the second week of every month and though the girls are all working overtime, the extra generous tips more than make up for it."

"The guards are very discplined and well behaved. So there isn't any cause for concern. In fact, their presence keeps the thugs and ruffians away :)" said Noris, Assistant Bartender.

This trend looks set to continue as the Sios Government seems to have its hands full on lowering the crime rate. Combatting identity theft, money laundering through auctions, daylight robbery and variouss other scams seems to be the top priorities at the moment.

Reported by Captain Liam

PS. So please stop asking when the travel fair is coming!!!!

Fort watching 101

2008-08-06T00:03:00.000+08:00

How to keep awake during fort watching when there are no other female clannies around:

(12:04:58 SGT) ***nic senses a rise in testosterone lvls in the chat
(12:05:24 SGT) zu: wukakaakkakka
(12:05:31 SGT) zu: jus to keep awake
(12:05:58 SGT) zu: wat u guys tink of this debra?....
(12:06:07 SGT) zu: debraaaaaaa
(12:06:15 SGT) nic: nt my type
(12:06:27 SGT) zu: hehehe
(12:06:41 SGT) zu: nice clev though...
(12:06:42 SGT) zu: ahakss
(12:06:47 SGT) zu: wats ur type nic
(12:06:49 SGT) zu: baby
(12:07:05 SGT) add: cutesey type gals?
(12:07:36 SGT) zu: big eyes sweet virgin look girls?
(12:07:57 SGT) nic: i go for feeling
(12:08:08 SGT) add: wah lau must get so physical
(12:08:27 SGT) nic: eh?
(12:08:35 SGT) zu: darn...nic...u like to feel her up..darn...i didnt know
(12:08:42 SGT) add: tsk tsk
(12:08:44 SGT) nic: zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
(12:09:06 SGT) zu: i tot ur better than tt dude
(12:09:34 SGT) nic: hmmm welllll
(12:10:02 SGT) nic: basically when i look at a gal... i can predict what she looks like in 5o yrs
(12:10:04 SGT) zu: hehehe
(12:10:05 SGT) Voxy: errr
(12:10:09 SGT) nic: *50
(12:10:12 SGT) Voxy: she looks very mature
(12:10:18 SGT) dinny: who?
(12:10:22 SGT) Voxy: Debra
(12:10:28 SGT) add: no la, with nip+ tuck + botex
(12:10:29 SGT) zu: wow.......u shld marry her in 50 yrs time den
(12:10:30 SGT) add: hard to say
(12:10:43 SGT) zu: i tink she wear a bit of push up thingie
(12:10:53 SGT) dinny: zul... 50yrs is a LOOOOOOOONG time lehh
(12:10:55 SGT) nic: i mean... looks fade so well... emotions are more impt for me
(12:10:56 SGT) zu: poor girl....need to show soomething...
(12:11:12 SGT) nic: ie... looks is secondary for me
(12:11:17 SGT) zu: dennis...well nic wanted e girl 50 yrs later...
(12:11:24 SGT) dinny: Nic... i think wads most impt... chemistry :P
(12:11:36 SGT) nic: haha ok... i menat chemistry
(12:11:39 SGT) zu: for a moment i tot nic said he love secondary schoo girls....craddle snatcher!
(12:11:42 SGT) zu: ehjehehehe
(12:11:43 SGT) dinny: cannot click, means no tok le
(12:11:44 SGT) dinny: hahaha
(12:12:37 SGT) zu: nic...i agree...chemistry is impt...so whose e last girl u dated eh?
(12:12:44 SGT) dinny: hwah... contracts sure are boring to read
(12:13:16 SGT) nic: zul zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
(12:13:24 SGT) dinny: zul???
(12:13:26 SGT) nic: let me have some privacy pls
(12:13:29 SGT) zu: yeapss dennis
(12:13:30 SGT) zu: hehehe
(12:13:32 SGT) dinny: hahaha
(12:13:34 SGT) zu: no prob man
(12:13:48 SGT) dinny: no i mean... zul? the last gal nic dated was zul???
(12:13:49 SGT) nic: anyway nt as if u wld noe her if i said who she was
(12:13:50 SGT) dinny: hahahaha
(12:13:51 SGT) zu: wat contracts r u readin eh dennis
(12:14:03 SGT) dinny: old existing contracts
(12:14:11 SGT) zu: oh my god...u did dated me nic..i was so touched u dated cute me
(12:14:16 SGT) dinny: but if i tell u, id have to kill u :P
(12:14:19 SGT) ***zu wave daintily at nic
(12:14:29 SGT) nic: zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
(12:15:01 SGT) add: if alanna was here... you die
(12:15:07 SGT) ***zu sits in his chair..chokin by dennis_work's jedi powers
(12:15:08 SGT) nic: huh?
(12:15:09 SGT) dinny: come on la... im sure she's used to it
(12:15:12 SGT) nic: y?
(12:15:13 SGT) add: she will probably tekkan you
(12:15:16 SGT) add: rofl
(12:15:20 SGT) dinny: wif nic n betty in here hahhaa
(12:15:24 SGT) nic: tekan who?
(12:15:30 SGT) add: you la
(12:15:33 SGT) nic: lol bobbies in vietnam
(12:15:35 SGT) nic: y me?
(12:15:39 SGT) nic: y tekan me?
(12:15:47 SGT) add: cos you go by "feeling"
(12:15:52 SGT) zu: hahahaa

Lamentations of a new level-85-cannoner

2008-08-02T00:05:00.000+08:00

From the editor: This article is two weeks old, but nevertheless still relevant *I hope*

Oh yes, all along I had thought leveling is good news, as it would clearly mean you’re inching towards new ships, new weapons n parts… In short, new power!

And yes I know that although my ship the SinDragoon ain’t some powerful shit, it should at least be able to take out NPCs easily, NO SWEAT!!!

Alas, I was wrong…

And how wrong I was when I clicked ‘Explore’, gleefully having bought my new n shiny Blade Sail… “Time to PWN some ass!” I said…

It’s now official… I HATE THE NEMESIS REAPER!!!

Blardy hell!! My impressive arsenal of 6 Yamato Prototypes can’t take down that prick (pun intended) in 2 volleys, leaving only up to 1000hp, and having to suffer 2 retals (total damage = 15000), before finally taking it down with 1 last cannon??????

Why am I so suay??? If I had put A BIT more into gunnery, I could have taken it down in 2 volleys cleanly… If I had one Hammer of War… JUST ONE… ok waid a min, LL WHRS MY HAMMER OF WAR???

Ok it’s time for me to switch out of whining mode… and smell the roses *ahem* gunpowder…

Sigh, things are JUST gonna get tougher…

Signing off in tears,
Dennis

The 1v1 scrolls

2008-07-31T12:39:00.000+08:00

It was juz another clan war that Captain Nicola took part in, unfortunately, her Battle Royale was out of energy and out of HP. Biting the dust once again, she dragged her feet across the the damp soil of the Corxas jungle, while waiting for the ship's solar crystals to recharge themselves under the dim light of the tropical rainforest.

All of a sudden, her foot got caught she fell flat on her face, kissing dirt. Obviously annoyed, she took out her glistening hunting knife, expecting to cut away vines that entagled her foot. As she turned her head, a glint caught her eye. Nicola used her hands to uncover the dirt, and realised that it was a small metal chest with a lock

Using a high rock, Nicola broke open the chest and saw some parchments. Upon reading them, she realised that she had stumbled upon the lost 1v1 scrolls.

So far the unwritten rules known though the land, the famed 1V1 scrolls are laid out to protect the two clans who wish to participate, the unwritten rules are read as such.

: The clans involved will inform the entire community as to their intentions of killing each other in the forum
: Any extra clan that is still active, shall honour the sanctity of the event, and simply watch and be entertained, till as time that the event is complete.:, section two. Once the battle is done, the rules of 1V1 are revoked, for the 1V1 is complete.
:Clans involved have to inform the CMs of the other clans in the tier such an event and have their acknowledgement, either via PM or forum
:Any other special arrangments pre or post 1V1 are not considered part of a 1V! and CMs should @@communicate directly to ensure no misunderstanding occours

If the surviving clan wishes to engage the bystanding clan in another 1V1 immediately after the first has been completed, clans involved must inform the masters of the bystanding clan directly; before the first war begins to take place.

War quotes*
Private “sir, the enemy tank has lost a track! Shall we continue?”
Officer “no son, we’ll take our smoke break while they repair it.”

Private “sir, the enemy fort’s gate is open!!! It appears they have broken a hinge!!”
Officer “So? We’ll wait till they fix that hinge…. Or else we’ll have to do it when we capture it, and I aign’t no darn mechanic.”

Private “I see an enemy with his back to me, I’m taking the shot”
Officer “LIKE HELL YOU ARE! GIMME THAT WEAPON, why would you think of doing that?!?!?!? I mean… it’s just not nice.”

Private “sir, the enemy is in the bathroom! Should we capture him by surprise?”
Officer “hell no! I don’t want him to crap himself! Whether he’s on the toilet or not! It’s just not nice”

Nicola realised that the scrolls could end the bickering among clans that existed eons ago. She quickly rushed back to her airship and prepared to set sail for the Sios Council Elders, for the scrolls could be the key to setting things right after so many years of chaos and strife.

Edit: Written by Captain Liam

The return of the scarlet witch

2008-07-13T15:22:00.000+08:00

It seemed like another quiet night in the Jade Archipelago. Only the occasional barking of dogs at the Jade harbour broke the still of silence.

Captain Nicola was struggling to keep awake at her sentry post. She wished that she could doze off to lala land, especially since the earlier day's battles had take their toll on her body. Her droppy eyelids began to close despite her futile efforts to stay awake. And she started dreaming.

She saw herself drifting across the beautiful night sky, with the cool wind blowing in her hair. The starlight lit up a stage from nowhere and she began to dance on the stage. Suddenly she felt black shadows creeping closer and closer to the stage. She tried to scream, but no sound came out. And then she began to fall through the darkness.

Nicola jolted awake. She saw silhouettes against the horizon, appearing larger by the second. She thought that her eyes were playing tricks on her again.. But a blinding flash of light and the unmistakable roar of a yamato cannon was convincing enough that the Ping fort was under seige! Nicola quickly blew the alarm horn as loud as she could. Airships come to life and the nightsky was brightly light with battle flames. War cries and screams filled the air as captains try to tear each other's guts out.

Suddenly, an ominous rumble was heard. No one paid any attention. But the rumble got gradually louder. Both sides stopped fighting when they realised that the noise was not coming from either side. The rumble grew louder and louder, like an growl of a rousing carnivore. A bright glint of light had now appeared and seconds later, it became visible enough for nicola to discern it as an airship shaped like a fort.

Nicola peered through her telecope and peered at the captain at the airship's steering wheel. She gasped. Captain Anne was back!

The Sios Bank opens!

2008-07-10T21:46:00.000+08:00

Earlier today it was announced that a new way to stop overflow of ship energy has been found, and it comes in the form of a…. bank account?

The Sios fuel commission has been harassed by President of Sios, LL, to clean up their act and stop wasting the lifeblood of their armies, known as *AP*.

Mutated bunny??! Or is it Big Buck Bunny...

Due to inactive captains, and matters of human nature, ships have been overflowing their AP’s and leaking them into the countryside, causing massive environmental problems, including the mutation of local animals and critters, which have somehow learned to fly and have been attacking wayward airships that have strayed out of city limits for a little personal *exploring*.

They Sios bank awkwardly, will not be accepting deposits directly. They will only be allowed to credit AP’s to an account through an outside donator, after the captain has bribed the donator with information.

This way of running the bank, seems only to promote gas theft, and several donators of large amounts (one being generous enough to donate 500 AP’s worth of fuel to the co-operating captains) was duped the other day, by captains who signed the offer, got their fuels, then shot the clerks and ran away laughing. The Sios police force have rounded up all the criminals and put those who had used the stolen fuel into debt.

This bank may be the turning point in stopping fuel robbery, but it is doing nothing to stop the environmental damage, many ancient turtles are starting to get upset, and becoming more violent in their protests.

For more information pls refer to http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=18063885304&topic=14318

News brought to you by Captain Liam of Ping

Why Did The Chicken Cross The Road?

2008-07-10T21:24:00.000+08:00

I found these jokes in my email. The original Sios version is here : http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=18063885304&topic=13777&start=90&hash=432ae03f0d29709a2f53bfda8d7c3f74

But maybe some answers from some famous people.

BARACK OBAMA:
The chicken crossed the road because it was time for a CHANGE! The chicken
wanted CHANGE!

JOHN MC CAIN:
My friends, that chicken crossed the road because he recognized the need
to engage in cooperation and dialogue with all the chickens on the other
side of the road.

HILLARY CLINTON:
When I was First Lady, I personally helped that little chicken to cross
the road. This experience makes me uniquely qualified to ensure -- right
from Day One! -- that every chicken in this country gets the chance it
deserves to cross the road. But then, this really isn't about me.......

DR. PHIL:
The problem we have here is that this chicken won't realize that he must
first deal with the problem on 'THIS' side of the road before it goes
after the problem on the 'OTHER SIDE' of the road. What we need to do is
help him realize how stupid he's acting by not taking on his 'CURRENT'
problems before adding 'NEW' problems.

OPRAH:
Well, I understand that the chicken is having problems, which is why he
wants to cross this road so bad. So instead of having the chicken learn
from his mistakes and take falls, which is a part of life, I'm going to
give this chicken a car so that he can just drive across the road and not
live his life like the rest of the chickens.

GEORGE W. BUSH:
We don't really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to
know if the chicken is on our side of the road, or not. The chicken is
either against us, or for us. There is no middle ground here.

JOHN KERRY:
Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it!
It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the chicken's
intentions. I am not for it now, and will remain against it.

NANCY GRACE:
That chicken crossed the road because he's GUILTY! You can see it in his
eyes and the way he walks.

PAT BUCHANAN:
To steal the job of a decent, hardworking American.

MARTHA STEWART:
No one called me to warn me which way that chicken was going. I had a
standing order at the Farmer's Market to sell my eggs when the price
dropped to a certain level. No little bird gave me any insider
information.

DR SEUSS:
Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the
chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I've not been told.

ERNEST HEMINGWAY:
To die in the rain. Alone.

GRANDPA:
In my day we didn't ask why the chicken crossed the road. Somebody told us
the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough.

ARISTOTLE:
It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.

JOHN LENNON:
Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing roads together, in peace.

BILL GATES:
I have just released eChicken2007, which will not only cross roads, but
will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your check book.
Internet Explorer is an integral part of the Chicken. This new platform is
much more stable and will never cra...#@&&^(C% .......... reboot.

ALBERT EINSTEIN:
Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the
chicken?

BILL CLINTON:
I did not cross the road with THAT chicken. What is your definition of
chicken?

ALGORE:
I invented the chicken!

COLONEL SANDERS:
Did I miss one?

DICK CHENEY:
Where's my gun?

AL SHARPTON:
Why are all the chickens white? We need some black chickens!

And now, the local version (for Singapore & Malaysia):

LEE KUAN YEW (Former Prime Minister Singapore):
We have installed crossing lights at all traffic junctions. All chickens
should be able to cross safely to the other side.

LEE HSIEN LOONG (Current Prime Minister Singapore):
Gantry points have been set up. All chickens wanting to cross the road
are advised to top up their cash cards first.

ABDULLAH BADAWI (Current Prime Minister Malaysia):
We have to be fair to all chickens. Some want to cross over the road, some
do not. ........ Zzzzzz .......zzzzzz ....... Now what were we talking
about? Ah yes, chickens. We will form a Royal Commission to decide
whether it is right for them to cross the road.

MAHATHIR (Former Prime Minister Malaysia):
Now even the non-bumi chickens want to cross the road? How can they
disrespect and disregard the bumi chickens? We must be allowed to cross over first. It is our right!

ANWAR (Opposition party leader Malaysia):
We have enough chickens waiting to cross over in September.

SAMY VELU (Former Minister of Works Malaysia):
After we have erected the toll booths, all chickens are free to cross the
road.

And now for the Sios Version!!!

LL : The chicken cross the road because it was a clone(multi) and didn't want to get frozen

Rawr Clan : The chicken cross the road because it was too chicken to res vs us

Tier B Clan : The chicken cross the road because it didnt want to go to Tier B

Fong Pei : The chicken cross the road so that it could go DOING DOING DOING

Jon Lai : The chicken cross the road because it cannot take flaming

Marina : I talked to the chicken to give me a script, but the chicken didn't want to, so I reported it to LL and the chicken cross the road to escape LL

Elron : What the F**K is this Chicken?

Frank : I had 75 chickens, LL asked 2 to cross the road so there is 73 on my side of the road

And now for the Special Ping version

Arzhou : We don't know if the chicken will cross the road. It could get lost while crossing the road, or it may not want to cross.

Chloe : A fat cow occupy this whole side of the road, so there is no space for the chicken hence it crossed the road

Dennis : What chicken? ***BuRP!!!!***

Lu Feng : The chicken crossed the road because there was a rooster on the other side!!!

Liam : I told the chicken to cross the road so it crossed the road

Pingster willing to run naked in crowded shopping belt

2008-07-01T00:49:00.000+08:00

Title: Pingster willing to run naked in crowded shopping belt

In a recent clan war, the Ping fort was still left standing after battle, something which had hardly happened for a long time. Intrigued by the possibility of the clan still floating, a conversation in the chatroom went as follows:

23:50 L IF WE R STILL UP 2MR THIS TIME.. DO U FOLKS WANT A 1V1 WIF PIRATES Xd
23:50 h haha.. funny
23:50 h how can we stay float for 24 hrs?
23:54 j ?
23:54 j IF
23:55 j IF its still up
23:55 j i'll run around orchard naked
23:56 cw will you post a picture on the bs forum to prove it
23:56 L http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=13669&post=215690&uid=18063885304#post215690
23:56 L ok i think the chance of us staying afloat i quite high nw
23:57 L We love u j
23:57 cw we needed him to say he would post the picture before making a topic
23:58 L i can alwaz post a screenshot of wat he wrote :D
23:58 j LOL
23:58 L go on j
23:59 L post in the forum
23:59 j we shall seeeeeeeee
23:59 L saying wat u juz said
23:59 j mai !
23:59 j lol
23:59 j i lazy to login
23:59 L chicken
23:59 j pok pok keh
23:59 L no balls
23:59 j lol
23:59 j i go sleep
23:59 j damn tied
23:59 j my new car
23:59 j COMING !!!!
23:59 j COUNTDOWN !!!!
0:00 L excuses
0:00 j really mah
0:00 j 1 more mth from today
0:01 L j has no balls
0:01 j la la la
0:01 L no balls to repeat wat he said
0:01 j lol
0:05 c O.o
0:05 cw I think I may leave you guys to talk about j's ball less bag and go to bed.

For international citizens who are unacquainted with Singaporean slang, this particular clan member whom we shall name as J to protect his identity as a minor, seemed extremely confident that the fort will sink. So confident was he that he was willing to run along Singapore's busiest shopping belt, Orchard Road, naked, if the fort was still left standing after 24 hrs.

The Ping news team interviewed several members of the Ping leadership on their views

CM Adrian Zhou expressed extreme displeasure at such undermining of the clan spirit.

"This is outrageous! Such unbecoming behavior amounts to treason! I have a good mind to detain him under the Internal Security Act" he said.

Captain Debbie Ang was most upset at the possibility of seeing J naked.

"Oh I am so shy! Think of all the kids and ladies if he really loses the bet. It will be so awkward and embarrassing, " she blushes and covers her face.

Thankfully for the citizens of Sios, BANE clan decided that such an atrocity would be extremely damaging to the youth of Sios. They attacked the Ping fort 3 hrs to the end of countdown.

"As much as we were busy harvesting plasma rocks to strengthen our clan, we had to do the right thing to safeguard the youth of Sios," said Captain Adrian Hew of Bane.

Captain J could not be reached for comment at press time.

Interview with the creator of MS BS 2008

2008-03-25T23:08:00.001+08:00

Ping Reporter: What do you call a captain that gets 80 ore, 10 plasma rock, and 1 uber-crest of death? I am sure you all know what I am talking about here…..you don’t? Okay, for those that live underground expecting radiation fallout, I am talking about the winner of Miss Battlestations! 2008.

Ping Reporter: We have the audacious personality behind this wonderful contest, Keith Parker! Keith, welcome, brief us about this sexist contest.

Keith: Sexist?!?!? I thought the players of that poorly developed application, Pimp, were on that square? Ah well…. Okay, the contest goes like this…

Ping Reporter: Wait! Before you start jabbering on about something, resident-flamer (>.<) Jon Lai says this was his idea, is that true? Keith: Who’s Jon Lai again? Oh yea, well, he did say something about it before hand on a separate thread where I confronted LL on the idea. I had honestly never viewed that particular thread, until he started complaining. I looked and was surprised at the fact that he had mentioned something about it, but didn’t take it any further than make a comment. Amazing coincidence, actually. ;-) Ping Reporter: Okay onward with the explaining!

Keith: K, the contest consists of four rounds. The first round is simple questions that anyone who has been on here for some time should know about. Only six contestants are carried on from this round to the second round, and all ties will result in a tie breaker *short* round. The second round is just a acid filled version of the last one, with questions that range from the obscene to the out-of-date. Four ppl will make it out of here alive to come to round 3. In round three, the questions are on more of a moral and ethical basis. These will be judged by all judges on a score of 1-10. The two that are approved as the best for BS will move on to round four. This is where the community votes as a whole as to who they want as Miss BS 2008.

Ping Reporter: Well, that was quite confusing.

Ping Reporter: Who will be judging the contest besides you?

Keith: Well, we have Stephanie Nguyen, Jeremy Hing, Alanna Chie, Jonathan Parich, YauFai Chia, and of course LL is in here too. Ping Reporter: Hmmm, developer backing sounds pretty legit. Question? How are you going to stop things such as cheating, scalping, multis, etc? Keith: Well, we have LL at the helm of this ship, and I hope he can steer us in the right direction as far as this issue is concerned. We have measures in place to stop people from cheating to make a winner. Ping Reporter: Sounds a little cryptic…

Keith: Well, can’t divulge too much now can I? We might have all the deleted CHAOS members coming out of the woodworks to wreck it.

Ping Reporter: Hmmm, CHAOS? Okay…. I might be interested in joining after hearing about the prizes, what’s up for grabs again?

Keith: Well, The prizes are staged, so that everyone(every girl, sorry Jon, you can’t enter and no, not Nicky either!) who enters wins something for the picture of the Miss BS sign. I’ll run through the official listing:Winner: Custom made one-of-a-kind crest will be powerfulLadies who make it past these rounds win this:1st round: 20 ores2nd round: 60 ores3rd round: 4 plasma rocks4th round: 6 plasma rocks

Keith: Also, everyone who is entered officially into the contest gets a plasma right off the bat. People that aren’t even associated with the contest can get in on the action. Clans are encouraged to support the contest, if you can get half of your clan to join, your clan fortress gets a 5 million gold donation to it. Also, if individuals join both the Miss BS group and the fan page they receive a free 100AP. There are also more things to come for those that participate as the audience so stay tuned!

Ping Reporter: There you have it! And remember you heard it from Ping Pirates! One more question, spit or swallow?

Credits goes to Keith Parker of Ping for this wonderful article!!!

Clan Wars : Exp Boom or Lag Fest? (Preview)

2008-03-23T23:03:00.000+08:00

This is the start of a few Analysis and Reviews of the Battle Stations games on facebook, besides the usual 10 questions interviews. It wont discuss about spit or swallow, but more "real" issues facing the Battle Stations community. Like all discussions, there is no right or wrong, only a good analysis and bad analysis, hence Ping does not proclaim this is the right view, it is up to the reader to agree or disagree.

Clan Wars for some time has been an exp source for various active war players. To those who doesn't know about clan wars, the basics goes like this: Every clan has a fort, to take part in a clan war, you have to be a member of a clan. The fort strength is dependant on donations from clan members, the more donations, the stronger the fort. The fort can also be defended by members of their clan. Like ships, a fort can also be sunk, when a fort is sunk the clan is unable to attack other forts, and it will take 48 hours (except for special events) to salvage the fort which is done for free. When the fort is damaged, there is also an option to repair the fort. If a clan sucessfully sinks other clans fort, their clan gets war points. The more war points a clan has, the higher their clan is ranked against other clans. However clans can only attack other forts they are at war with, and of course their fort must be up.

However clan wars while said to be fun, also has their short comings. It has been repeatedly criticised as unfair and buggy. One such bug is the declaration of war feature, if a clan declares war, you cannot attack back unless you declare war back.

Clan Wars used to give so much exp, that the exp gains is as follow : Clan Wars ---> PvP ---> Explore --->>>>> Trading (for traders). However recently Clan Wars exp has been nerfed, and NPCs (from exploring) exp has been buffed. Some of the actions the community has taken are to petition to remove the nerfs.

Our resident Ping Reporter has spoken to different players of different clans of different nature to see how the nerf has affected them and their clans. The clans are :

HCZD : HCZD is a small clan with most of their members current at NS. It is a clan made more for members of the Hwa Chong Institution of Singapore. They seldom resurrect in clan wars due to their service to our nation.

ELITES : Elites is also a relatively small clan with some solid members with 3 Kingdoms nicknames. It is also relatively new and was made together with the Legends clan.

CREED : The former Temasek Hegemon clan, CREED was 1 of the first few clans to be made. Its history could be made into a great story, and at 1 point of time, overtook EVA to become the top clan in warpoints, and has undergone several leadership changes.

EVA : EVA was a clan founded by former Gamblers. For quite a while, they lived under the shadow of Gambler, but has since proven that without JC and his merryman, they are still a force to be reckon with.

Ping : No I didnt interview myself! Ping is the reporter clan of BS!!!

Other clans : Some who I have asked has not replied to at the point of this post.

Disclaimer : The players spoken to are not representing the views of their own clan but as a player. They were asked from different clans hence may produce different answers depending on factors such as size of clan, activeness of clan, and war strength of clan. As their views may be controversal and may not agree with their clan masters or the general community, identities will be protected and hence they will be refered to as XXX member, XXX being their clan.

The following questions were asked :

1) Why did you join your clan over other clans?
This question was asked to find out what made this clan special and stand out as per compared to other clans.

2) Clan Wars : Exp or WP?
These are the 2 main material benefits of clan wars. The question was to see what made players more attracted to clan wars.

3) Which is more important to you? Clanship, Good Fort/Ships, or having LOADS and LOADS of members?
These are probably 3 attributes that most clans strive for, recruitment, quality members, and having fun while doing so.

4) Excluding your clan for obvious reasons, which clan is the best clan and why?
This clan was made to see how a member rates qualities in other clans.

5) Recently LL nerfed the exp of clan wars. In your opinion was it a good or a bad change and why?
Obviously DUH thats what the whole post is about.

A Pirate Passes Away

2008-02-25T23:08:00.001+08:00

BREAKING NEWS!

“Imperial Authorities have discovered the location of the Pirate’s Covent Admiralty! Ping is reporting live as Imperial Warships surround the Clan Master wing of the Admiralty. The atmosphere is tense... surrender demands are being issued right now, but it seems unlikely they will be accepted.

We have not yet heard how the Empire has discovered this bay, but rumours are flying that a traitor exposed the location during promotion ceremonies. Wait... something’s happening now! Shots are flying, a bright flash has just shot through the roof of the Admiralty, it looks like the blast of a prototype cannon!

And there’s a ship! A ship has just crashed through the roof of the Admiralty, followed by another, and another! It looks like the Covent Admirals are fleeing! The Imperial Warships are firing and in pursuit, but their new stats haven’t yet been processed, and they don’t have the nav to catch up!

No, we're seeing that’s not true, one of the Covent ships has caught fire! Black smoke is belching and it’s going into a downward spiral! We’re being told it’s Kiss of the Covent! Kiss of the Covent is going down, and I think yes, yes, the Clan Master named Patrician was onboard... oh god! Kiss of the Covent has exploded... I repeat, exploded! No one could have survived that explosion! Oh, if only Patrician had invested more in craft, he might have survived to fight another day...

Pingsters are sad to annouce the departure of a great player, a well known forumer, and of course a good writer, who has departed from Battle Stations. Dimitri, you will be sorely miss by your clan and all other players who has sunk you for exp before, including the FAT COW.

Transcript: SSU interview with SPEEDY

2008-02-16T00:29:00.000+08:00

Speedy		hi ppl
Speedy		happy new years btw
SSU1		likewise. ;)
SSU3		Happy new year...
SSU3		can i ask a qn...just plainly out of curiosity....
Speedy		ok?
SSU3		wat happened?
SSU3		hahahaha
SSU1		way to go with the obvious SSU3. lol.
Speedy		regarding what? heh
Speedy		so much stuff happened
SSU1		specifics.. SSU3?
SSU1		okay. i'll go ask. "deleveling from lvl 73-65" ?
SSU1		did LL give any notice?
SSU1		or did u wake up one morning and go.. hey. im' a 65 again?
Speedy		pretty much the wake up one..
SSU1		did u question his motive?
SSU2		why didn't you jus quit after getting reset? I wouldn't have the haert to try it again.
Speedy		actually take the time back to when yuri got disappeared
Speedy		LL asked me if i we both want to take a delevel (by 1 level) to restore yuri
Speedy		i basically said no, because we were interclan pvping
Speedy		then we got into some disagreement and he kept on thinking yuri is my multi
Speedy		when he discovered he wrongly put yuri out for 3 days, he decides to delevel me by 8 lvls
Speedy		i was okay with that, since at one pt I said to him, you're the law so you can do whatever u want
Speedy		so one day i just woke up with -8 lvls
Speedy		i was okay with that, since I wasn't even playing for xp heh
Speedy		and we haven't talked since
SSU2		you and LL haven't?
Speedy		yeah pming
SSU2		I see.... so after you got reset..... why start over?
Speedy		just to take a crack back at him
Speedy		:D
SSU2		it took sooooo long to get where you were
SSU2		at LL?
Speedy		yup
SSU2		how are you gonna Revenge on LL :)
Speedy		5th amendment
Speedy		:D
SSU2		hhehe
SSU1		no comment?
SSU1		okay next questions. lol.
SSU2		5th amendment does'nt apply to non-Us Citizens
SSU2		but ill accept that
Speedy		but im us citizen
SSU2		fine... take the 5th :)
SSU2		do you think you could destro BS internally
SSU2		if so... i jus ask for notice of 1 week...so i can sell all my stuff
SSU2		:)
Speedy		lol
SSU2		oh yeah... of course
Speedy		im not that evil
Speedy		:D
Speedy		just sit back and enjoy some popcorn
SSU2		do you think you have done things that are Evil?
SSU2		hehe
SSU2		in the game i mean
Speedy		5th amendment
Speedy		LOL
SSU1		she wants to be the lvl 10 pirate ship that sinks clan EVA and CREED. :-#
Speedy		i'll need to work on that.. but it could be a possibility
SSU2		ouuu
SSU2		im excited
SSU2		do we hate EVA and CREED?
Speedy		i dun hate anybody
SSU1		well we need to take them down for warpoints. ;)
Speedy		i am just playing the game

Speedy		i hate waiting
SSU2		i see
Speedy		it gets mighty boring up top
Speedy		can't pvp, clan wars every 48 hrs and CMs no shows
SSU2		howdid you use your APs...while you were not clan waring?
Speedy		i explore some and fed some to others
SSU2		i see
Speedy		can't really feed at lvl 73 tho
SSU2		would you have done anything differently than you did?
Speedy		i dunno.. whatever i do wouldn't make much difference
Speedy		99% of my xp comes from forts anyways and i hardly use all my ap on sinking forts
Speedy		8 ap = 120k for me
Speedy		go figure
SSU2		wow
SSU2		go figure is right
SSU2		i meant...would you have done anything differently.... in terms of what led you to get deleveled
SSU1		yeah. we were debaiting on weither u could kill our fortress in less than 6 hits
Speedy		i'd do whatever entertains me rather than climbing the ladder
SSU3		back...

Speedy		so, what are my orders?
Speedy		haha
SSU5		we work in collective chaos
SSU5		not orders
SSU4		You'll be sinking the next fortress for us.
Speedy		yay
Speedy		sink creed with a lvl 10 ship
Speedy		:D

Speedy		so if u were admin for a day, what would u do?
SSU5		give the option of colour for ships
SSU1		i'm being pro-active. letting our smaller clansmen 'graze' on the carcass we leave of a dying fortress. ;)
SSU6		lol color for ships
SSU6		gonna make yours pink SSU5?
SSU3		i tink the game has become too complicated....
Speedy		i dun think admin has power to change ship designs
Speedy		haha
SSU5		lol
SSU1		bigger ships are the lions that take down the elephant. smaller clansmen are the vultures and scavengers that pick off the scraps. ;)
SSU5		build up a strong team
Speedy		technically for BS, you don't need a strong team
Speedy		just one giant godzilla
Speedy		is all it takes
Speedy		lol
SSU5		but that's no fun!

SSU6		i love attacking ppl with huge xp and low speed
SSU6		i mean hp*
Speedy		heh
Speedy		you luv sushi then
Speedy		46khp before he got reset
SSU6		lol
SSU3		sigh..
Speedy		2 immo 2 pistons too
SSU3		i need to go visiting..
Speedy		k.. u have fun!

SSU1		we need to conquer a city in Sios and claim it as our own 'bar'. like those other clans.
SSU5		I've always wanted my own bar
Speedy		i'd claim the resource auction
SSU6		pshh
SSU1		haha.
SSU6		as if they actually claim them

Speedy		btw, can anybody tell me why scripting is so bad?
SSU6		depends on the script
SSU4		It gives you an advantage over others.
Speedy		sounds like LL is endorsing ppl to train monkey to monitor your ship
SSU6		if its anything to make it easier for you when attacking/defending and such i think its a bit unfair for everyone
SSU4		Yeah. I got my monkey cheap...
Speedy		then spending more time on a game would make it unfair to everyone else too
SSU6		if everyone got the same script then its understandable
SSU5		monkey?
SSU5		I'm very confused
SSU4		grease monkey.
SSU6		hires SSU5
SSU5		Lol
SSU4		:)
Speedy		i was actually referring to the animal
Speedy		Heh
SSU4		Yeah, I know.
SSU4		But, grease monkey is cheaper than a real one.
SSU4		Just that it isn't allowed.
SSU4		Is using pets to play allowed?
Speedy		therefore its more rewarding to stare at the screen all day? heh
SSU4		(for those in the dark, grease monkey is one the favored scripting tools.)
SSU5		thank you
Speedy		Heh
SSU5		the light is now on
Speedy		i hardly use scripts, i just write them heh
SSU4		But, there are better tools than grease monkey.
SSU4		You "used to" write them. :)
Speedy		actually LL is challenging me to beat his new system
SSU6		not a good idea
SSU6		what is his new system anyways?
Speedy		his captcha thing he mentioned
SSU6		Hmm
SSU4		Ha. Good luck.
Speedy		i'd have to see how secure it is
Speedy		:D
SSU4		We can't have any members attempting to cheat.
Speedy		Im not saying i'm gonna cheat
SSU5		better no
SSU5		not
Speedy		i dunno if i'll still be around when the new system kicks in
SSU1		or you let us all feed on u when you're a lvl 20 and we're back at lvl 1 windriders.
SSU4		:):)
Speedy		Lol
SSU1		not sticking around for the fireworks to blow off.. is there something ur not telling us?
SSU4		(Checking whether I'm in a windrider yet...)
Speedy		im having a great time on my windrider
Speedy		what are you talking about?
Speedy		:D
SSU4		Yeah, probably it is pretty carefree back at in the lower levels.
SSU4		Compared to the 70s.
SSU4		I might just reset myself. :)
Speedy		its much more relaxing down here
SSU6		lol i remembered everyone hating you back then
SSU1		pump in all your gold to the SSU before u do that tho. ;)
Speedy		you should.. lvl 10 a whole different world then what I used to be in
Speedy		well do SSU1
SSU1		and i mean. sell all your stuff. and THEN reset.
SSU4		I had a whale of a time with 5" and 8" guns and some nav.
SSU6		kids this days
Speedy		*will*
Speedy		Lol
SSU4		That would be a lot of cash.
Speedy		actually its the same old 10 or so ppl hating me in the forums.. they just keep bumping the threads heh
SSU4		I have 2m without selling anything.
SSU1		oops. That was for SSU4 if he resets. :S Speedy u do what u like in our clan.. (just don't break any rules. ;))

SSU6		i want a cookie
Speedy		[Draws a cookie with one chocolate chip]
SSU6		ok
SSU6		looks like a boob
SSU4		:)
SSU1		one chip? arn't u stingy
Speedy		Wooops
SSU4		Only to you.
SSU6		sure SSU4
Speedy		chocolate is bad for your health
Speedy		just eat the cookie
Speedy		:D
SSU4		I thought it was a mid-drift.
SSU4		With a belly button.
SSU6		looks like a deformed boob to me
Speedy		heres a molded one then
Speedy		[Draws a better cookie.]
SSU6		lol
SSU6		ok...
SSU6		who want the molded cookie?

SSU1		so what's the verdict on her?
SSU6		shes ok to me
SSU4		Muh.
SSU4		We can certainly deal with her.
SSU5		seems nice?
SSU4		Yeah, it's not like she'll be pressuring us to do things we're unsure of.
SSU4		Somehow you expect (ex-) level 70s to start telling you what to do.
SSU1		yeah she made it clear to me in my early talks with her. she's pretty cool with how we run. she's not out to change our clan into a super 'hardcore' group. and vice versa
SSU5		that's cool - responsible gaming and all...
SSU1		she seems pretty cool. but yeah.
SSU1		she may bounce around to another clan eventually.. i asked about "WTF" (waking the Fallen) she's tight lipped about it as well..
SSU1		she mentioned she's still doing the 'forums' for that group.
SSU5		she's just looking for temporary lodgings then
SSU4		It would be cool to have her sink a fortress.

10 Questions with Christopher Hueston of Dragoons

2008-02-13T18:45:00.000+08:00

Alright for our next Victim....errr I mean interviewee, we have Christopher of Dragoons! He was kind enough to step up to the plate for some 10 questions fun fun fun! ~Arzhou

1) Brief description of yourself, be creative

Well, hi I'm Christopher Hueston. I'm from Canada. I love video games. I have a pilot’s liscence and I enjoy flying. I'm a mechanic and I also enjoy fixing, modifying and driving cars. I despise Microsoft and refuse to buy their products. If you ask my regular clan members they’ll tell you that I also hate snow. Regularily during chat I am leaving to go shovel the driveway. I guess that I like to think that I am an honourable person who tries to allow everyone to enjoy the game even if it leads to personal sacrifices.

2) How in the world did you come up with the name for Dragoons, its really a mouth full.

Well it began when the devs indicated they were going to make a clan system. We were part of the initial four clans to be created (Gambler (now EVA), Temasek (now CREED) FEAT and us, sorry I am omitting MW as a clan). The devs had big ambitions back then and there were a lot of things that were lost during the creation of the clan system (not that I blame them, they started with MANY ideas). Temasek started with a role-playing style of clan message and I was influenced heavily by it. I wanted something military oriented, so I created a back-story (which is still on our main clan page as a description) and then needed to make a name. The phoenix is one of my favorite mythical creatures, so I chose it as the name for the parent corporation which funded our military unit. I am Canadian so I gravitated towards the Royal Canadian Dragoons and chose my favorite number thirteen as the unit number. Thus the Phoenix Corporation 13th Dragoons were born.

3) In 1 word tell me your clan leadership style

Hmm… let’s go with something that has caused some controversy in the past:
Chivalrous

4) How do you think Dragoons stands up to the other clans in Battlestations

We really have a different approach to the game. I created the group with the intention of being honourable and sticking to fair play. Even before the devs put in incentives we were not sinking the less capable clans. I remember you and I had a converstion after a war about how we did not attack you until it was just Ping and the Dragoons left. So, the Dragoons have never been obsessed with clan points and sometimes our ranking suffers for it. However my members and I believe that we need to make an effort to allow everyone to play the game so we stick to our ideals. We also want to be a source of info for newer players so we take lower levels and mold them into players. Some might consider that an excuse, so to break it down, I think that we have a tough time with CREED and EVA and match up well with Kusanagi and VENGEANCE. Why do so many clans use capitals in their tags? Does it make them feel better about themselves?

5) What is your best pickup line at the bar or club?

I don’t use pickup lines but I’ll give you my favorite line from my roommate: “My doctor says I have an ear fetish… and you have nice tits.” He was promptly kicked in the balls by the girl.

6) Using Porter's 5 forces model, how would you apply it to Dragoons?

Wow, I am a mechanic, I was accepted to several universities for engineering, but changed my mind, so let’s just say that I am not into the whole marketing thing.
However I am reasonably intelligent and after some reading this is what I have come up with. I think it most applies to our membership. The “threat of substitute products” most closely represents clans with similar ideals. The Dragoons have a very distinct identity and I think that a player who shares the same ideals really doesn’t have an alternative to the Dragoons. If they want a Chivalrous and Honourable clan ideal, at least as far as it pertains to fairplay, or the player wants a good environment to learn in, then the Dragoons are the clan to go to.
“Threat of entry of new competitors”. As in the business world we cannot stop other clans from popping up. At one point I complained that there were too many clans, but I now believe that we just need to stick to our guns and keep our identity and we will get the right kind of people and continue to prosper.
“Intensity of rivalry” obviously is the great clan wars. We stack up well against most clans. Our clan points are not at the top but we are in good shape. As long as my members can still score clan points, yet play fair we will be competitive in the clan system.
We look to a certain type of person for the Dragoons so the “bargaining power of customers” is both high and low. On one hand we have a set of ideals that are set in stone and will not change but we still need to look at what people want. Our existing “customers” or members have a great say in clan decisions and I try my best to make sure that high and low level members can have fun.
Finally comes the “bargaining power of suppliers”. The great game Battle Stations supplies all of our members so there is only one supplier. The in game clan system revolves around war. So the Dragoons war to stay competitive and to please the large portion of our member base who join clans so that they can participate in the war system.
I’m sorry for the length of that answer but if you ask a complicated question you get a complicated answer.

*Arzhou - I love to ask indepth question and see how typical management tools are used in a gamer's settings*

7) Which is your favorite superbowl ad from Superbowl 42 (the most current)?

WHAT!!! There was a Superbowl? Seriously though, I watched the Superbowl with little interest. I expected the Patriots to win, so way to go Giants. In the end I didn’t watch the ads this year. I was too busy, probably playing BS and running the clan. Lol.

8) Do you prefer to be on TOP or BELOW? WHY?

I prefer the bottom. I’m kinda lazy and it gives the greatest view of the girl. I’m a visual kind of guy so the view is of paramount importance. I can’t have her doing all the work all the time so I’ll do the deed either way.

9) Would you rather SPIT or SWALLOW?

Swallowing is just easier. No leaving the room to spit in the sink or toilet. When I am finished I just want to swallow it down and have a nap. Plus it doesn’t taste that bad anyway. So there you go, bring on the gay jokes. Some people really need to be able to take a joke.

*Note to self - ask Chris about how it tastes like*

10) What would the theme song for your clan be?

I really like Hell March from Command and Conquer: Red Alert but it doesn’t exactly fit the Dragoons. Star Wars: Imperial March, lol, I should create an album. I’ll take some liberty here:
Hell March: C&C RA
Imperial March: Star Wars
Keep Hope Alive: Chrystal Method
Push the Tempo: Fat Boy Slim
Mindfields: Prodigy
Ready Steady Go: Paul Oakenfold
Calm Before the Storm: Darude
Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger: Daft Funk
Hand in Hand: Dune
Posse: Scooter
Prepare: Neo Cortex
Hymn To Red October - Basil Poledouris (I love Russian Music)

But to finally get to the point:
Mission Fuga is by Angels origional by JS Bach
It’s the theme song from Area 88. Area 88 is a great anime and the comraderie between the military base members is similar to our own. All the members of the Dragoons have come to me from all over the world. I do not have a single friend from before Battle Stations in the clan but I would consider my members my friends now.

Thanks to Adrian Zhou and the Ping Pirates for honouring me with this interview. Thanks to the TYLER Team for such a great game. Thanks to all my members and my clan masters for making the Dragoons what they are today.

10 Questions with Martin Llyod of EVA

2008-02-13T02:06:00.000+08:00

Next in line after Elron.... we have from EVA Martin! (Sorry Chris, martin did reply 1 hour earlier then you did, so his interview gets posted first) - Reporter Arzhou

1) Brief description of yourself, do it like you would trying to pick up some chick at the pub.
"I earn £700k per year, drive an Aston Martin and own a small island off the coast of Sri Lanka... saaay, you don't sweat much for a fat lass, do you?" (You asked... if you want some proper info, ask properly so i can bore you to an early grave).

2) Why the name Slippery Octopus for your ship name?
It just came out some hidden niche in the back of my mind (part of some bizarre rugby commentary... don't ask) and seemed to fit (I went for a high speed build to begin with)... Also The Black Pearl was a bit too obvious... If you want a more imaginative answer you will have to give me 7 days to think of an exciting lie for you.

3) In one word, describe your clan leadership style
Bollocks.

4) In his book, Thomas Friedman talked about the World Being Flat. Discuss
The world is flat. What's to discuss?

5) If your life were a song, which song would it be?
A tricky one this, as I'm trying to answer impulsively. A Day In The Life by the Beatles is as close as I'm going to get right now. Partly because it's one of those songs that has a change of pace and a touch of scizophrenia (like we all have), and partly because it is lyrically strong too... it seems to resonate.

6) Who is your favourite girl from "THE GALLERY"?
Jeremy Hing. This question is better than your replacement one, so I'm sticking with it.

*Martin insisted I leave the second line in. I thought that discussing Microsoft's Failed bid on Yahoo would have been a more engaging question though*

7) Which is your favourite design from this year's Victoria's Secret Fashion show?
Have no idea. I'm hoping it involves lingerie. In fact, knowing you as I do Ping Perv, it HAS to involve either lingerie or sexual deviancy. I won't wear it if it isn't silk, though.... can't stand the chafing.

8) Do you prefer RAMMING from BEHIND? or taking a FRONTAL Assault with CANNONS loaded?
Who wrote these questions? I thought Benny Hill was dead?! Are they the only 2 types??? Surely, ladies and gentlemen, variety is what it's all about? What about the bandit from above, coming out of the sun? I think we should ask LL to provide the graphics for that.

9) Famous question 9: Would your rather SPIT or SWALLOW
Spitting would be such a waste of good protein under normal circumstances, but makes an excellent supplement to pancake mixes. Elron provided the recipe... you should try it. Mmmmm *takes another bite.* So spit first, then you can always swallow later when you're a bit peckish.

10) Who would you want to sink your ship and WHY
Frank. Just for a bloody change. It. Would. Be. Nice. To. Be. Sunk. By. Frank. (grrrr)

10 Questions with ELRON!

2008-02-06T22:32:00.000+08:00

I had the pleasure (eerrr not exactly :p) of asking Elron of Vengeance 10 questions. Its a game I will be playing with various clan-masters. Its a chance for them to show the BS world a different side of them! ~Arzhou

1) Basic details of yourself (name, likes, dislikes, where ya from)
Elron Gomes. I like games, cartoons (who doesnt?? XD), food, sleeping, football...and so on (this questions are personal :D). I dislike.......hmmm i have many but theni would be considered abit racist..... i dont like smokers...i hate kusanagi (:D), i hate waiting ....and i hate Loy (inside joke lol). Ok....im originally from india but my gradparents are portugeese....so im half portugeese , half indian :( but i like to think of myself pure indian....but i live in the UAE, in the middle east..... yeah thats about it i guess...

*AND METAL!!!!* - Elron sent another PM about this :p

2) Why the name Vengeance, are you out for Vengeance? Or does Vengeance burns your heart?
VENGEANCE, its ALL CAPS !!!! Ok, VENGEANCE.....when i started out like most ppl (all noobs) we all hate getting sunk and think we are so geat we shouldnt be sunk at all....so i made this group as a retal group for such sinkngs.....funny how it all turned out wrong and became more like an auction house where buddies help each other out and where we all meet and chat and discuss strategies and what not....

3) Why name your ship "Dark Prodigy"?
hmmmm, well im sixteen and already in universty....lol, my friends used to call me the child pordigy at 14-15 and now chil really doesnt apply now so i changed it to the dark prodigy coz its gives a more sinsiter meaning....

If you read on the Project soul forum by ambition in life u would get what dark means hehehe, just a recap :

My major is Chem engineering, sp... I plan to join Al Queda after graduation and soon inflitrate the Indian government and be prime minister and then launch India's nuclear weapons at Phillipines, China and Pakistan and other countries that piss me off especially CANADA!!! :D

4) Briefly describe your clan leadership style
Clan leadership??? ME??? LOL, i never follow scheduled wars, only now and then add tit he fact that i make random salvags and ask those online to help out :),so far 6 salvages like that have been made and 4 have been won XD
So i would describe it as very spontaneous and random, u never know what to expect and thats the fun part.

5) Where do you think Vengeance ranks amongst BS clans? Why?
I think as of now, we belong at no.4, its very obvious that TH, eva and chaos are way above us right now. I would like ti think us as no.3 but that cant happen unles we get better.

6) Any advice for up and coming clan leaders? (I will not allow 1 word answers)
Yes....F*** OFF!!!!, already there are 3 pages and that PISSES ME OFF!!! No more new lans, they will be just prey to older clans!!

7) If for example, you got sunk by my ship, who would you rather be stuck on a deserted island with? Fong Pei, Sandra aka Speedy or a random explorer whiner.
hmmmm, Fong i one retarded black poser....so NO WAY and Sandra.....again NO WAY, but then again everyone pisses me off.
Oh wait.... I NEVER GET SUNK :D

8) In brief terms, explain the quantum theory of Physics and how it applies to Battlestations
.......wtf ????

9) You prefer to Spit or Swallow?
Spiting is a disgusting habit....i dont really get the question but i'd rather swallow.

10) Opinions on JingWei's usages of hot girls for his display pic even though he is male, that goes for justifier and jeremy too.
......again....... ,,,,......,........,......

. i find it disturbing.....only 2 ppl on these boards, jing and jeremy.but Justifer is a REAL girl .

There you have it. Next up.... probably someone from dragoons? Chris you in for this? :)

Q&A with CHAOS

2008-01-31T14:15:00.000+08:00

Reporter: Arzhou

After the events of last weeks inquisition, I was able to catch up with Dominic Tee of CHAOS to ask a few questions about what happened and give CHAOS some air time after so much "Fong Pei"
1) How was CHAOS formed?

CHAOS started back when my brother and his group of friends started a soccer team among friends during high school. Me being younger used to hang out with them every now and then ultimately started playing soccer with them. We still do play soccer occasionally but we normally stick to 5 a side futsal now days...When all of us started joining Facebook, Chaos was formed as a group for keeping our soccer activities. When we needed members to form a clan for Battlestations, CHAOS was an obvious choice.

2) Why and how did Speedy Joined?

Well Speedy joined us by just..... applying. Her application took about 3 days to decide. It was our longest decision ever. It's not easy just taking in the top player in BS and expect everything to go smooth. After deciding that we would take her in, we expected the worst from the BS community. Little did we know that it turned out much much worst than we have ever imagined. She turned out to be a good addition to our side. She helped us start our own database and also our own chat. Of course she is one pillar of defense lol. She is a pretty quiet person though. Unlike limo....

3) Why do you think there was so much accusation about CHAOS cheating and abusing multies.

I really don't know where this one came from. Most of the top CHAOS members were pushing up the rankings fast even before the clan was formed. For most of you who can remember, we used to name our ship names with CHAOS at the end of it. When we came a clan, people started to notice us. Gamblers retired at that time, and with all the top 10 Gamblers gone, CHAOS members were in the top 10. People started noticing us but no accusations were thrown... yet.

How the accusations came that CHAOS was a clan filled with multis was beyond me. We were hovering around 17-20 members during the Christmas period and to be honest, we were happy with that amount. Then LL came knocking and asked us to get to 50 members or else! So in desperate measures we started recruiting. Anyone decent that applied we took in. Whether we took another members multi is unknown, cause to be honest its hard to tell who's a multi and who's not no matter how hard you look at a persons profile. Of course we had certain guidelines to follow in terms of applications. But we did find a few "weird" applications which we turned down.

Shouldn't it be easier to spot a multi in 60 member clan? or spot the multi hiding behind hundreds? I'm not accusing other clans but multi hunting should be focused on the bigger clans. Not the smaller ones.

4) Give me your side of the story about Yuri's case

Ahhh... the Yuri story. Well most of you would already by now.... Yuri has been re-instated. As you also might have noticed Speedy was de-level a whopping 8 levels. All i can say is that we fought by Yuri to get him back and thankfully LL allowed Yuri to come back. I never thought Speedy would be deleved 8 levels. But my guess for that is helps BS as a whole. Although i doubt some people will look at it that way. Anyway ill respect Yuri and Speedy's privacy... For those who really want to know what happened... Just ask them yourself... I doubt they'll bite

5) Select 1 Fong Pei File and give me your response.

I actually think that the whole Fong series is pretty funny. Ill hit his first ever case! Dominic Tee and Yuri Yarkov are multis (Since i am mentioned in there)

His case was that I had 2 Yuri Yarkov names on my friends list, and one of them only had me as a friend.(This is true!) Well i have cleared this up on the forums. Remember the "Bump this thread 5000 times and get a weekend event" from LL. Well Yuri took things a bit too seriously and bumped it till facebook got banned. We were talking on IM and he was freaking out that he lost his whole facebook profile. I got in touch with LL on his behalf and tried to work something out. Yuri then created another facebook account with the exact same name and mailed LL to try to get his BS account attached to his new Facebook account. After sometime when his original facebook account was restored, he continued on. As far as i know he never touched the 2nd Yuri Yarkov account again.

I cant really recall the rest of his files... only this one since my name was actually mentioned. But props to Fong Pei for his research, he really have all the time in the world to browse all our profiles one by one. I don't even browse through my own friends profile... well some of my friends. But since we are talking about CHAOS and Fong pei, i would like to ask Fong Pei a question... I would like to ask him what's his fascination about CHAOS? Why is he looking closely on us and not the rest? Posting as a multi and accusing people of being a multi is just plain stupid. Sorry to say that :p

The Aftermath of the Inquisition

2008-01-31T02:14:00.001+08:00

After the smoke has cleared....... Our reporter Arzhou was able do take some time off to do a body count of the casualties of Leonard's Great Inquisition aka Wrath of Pain-sama:

20000 level 1s were deleted for simply being dead accounts
200 + accounts, many of which were in the top rankings for level and wealth were reseted for the following reasons:

Multi Abuse
Too many multies
Invite abuse
Scripting
Feeding

Most notable was Russel Dave who tried to flood the ore market with over 1500+++ ores with his numerous multies. All Multies were reseted and the main account was fined heavily. Others also include the "Tann brothers".

An important lesson to learn is never name your captain or ship after characters in the Japanese Manga, Naruto. All traces of accounts related to Naruto were wiped off the face of Sios by the "6 faces of Pain", Leonard's ultimate skill. *Kidding.... the person who was reseted had all his facebook accounts named after Naruto characters, clearly a sign of multi, you are free to name your captain or ship after anyone or anything*