"This is a reflection upon thse rules they keep talking about. I do feel slighted by it, being that it seems to be the exact opposite of what they interpret. Even Valve has the same rule.

Just a name drop would just trigger "ADVERTISEMENT!!!" when it's misunderstood as simply something to discuss on a comparative basis. It doesn't say we couldn't talk about competition. It doesn't say how we can't talk about some features we used to like that we would have loved to see grow in the game. It's not even close to saying it should restrict our free speech about appreciating a concept seen even in places unrelated to their niche establishment. It quite simply says you are NOT restricted from mentioning them. Only actual advertisement merits as a prohibited activity, which frankly never happens that often.

Yet, here we are, as I see far too often, they seem afraid; that the only way to silence people is to ban them, or lock threads down, and defame people of breaking a rule that doesn't exist. It's scary, to think there's not a way to have a voice to bring attention to the fact and point out, it is NOT what it says. It's not even what Valve says either (I would give credit to the helpful fellas who recognized and tried to correct that wrong as best they could, if I could remember their names at the moment). It's frigtening to think that in the larger scope of things, there appears to be an unwritten rule - the exact opposite of the written rule - which creates a catch-22 here propagating overmoderation. It's an insane paradox, one with no recourse.

What is there to discuss then, other than trying to see the better side of things, still salty and counting all the times we've cursed some mismatch, a topic frequently explored yet hasn't arrived to its conclusion? For the uninitiated, I sympathize what they may soon find out the hard way. Many of the older members have long since fished in better waters, which I envy. While I may wait, but perhaps never know if they will see the error of their ways, I may just take up on that offer on different shores.

I don't know if I should still care for whatever sanity could be salvaged, if there is any worth saving. But I can try to remind them. It's the very least I can do. There was no such rule that we cannot mention "competition". That is unfounded."