Welcome to the newly resurrected MailBag! Due to time constraints and other issues, we had dropped the MailBag. Now that things have smoothed out some in the scheme of things, we will once again be posting mail on a more or less, weekly basis.

A few weeks ago, I had mentioned that this would come about as a result of what we were hearing from those less than enthused about what PlanetFortress has been doing, and how we have evolved. I made a request for opinions on what it was we were doing wrong. The result being that very few readers wrote in with comments to that effect. The majority of mail received was in support of us. A few did bring up some items that we can address. And a few mentioned things we either have no control over, or do not agree with as being a problem.

At any rate, I have decided not to respond in the MailBag to those items, and would just as soon let the calming effects of time smooth things over, rather than dredge up things we can do nothing about. Love us or hate us, we do what we can, under the conditions we find ourselves in. There is simply nothing to be gained in staging a public debate and defending ourselves.

I will try to respond personally to some of the mail we received on this. And you can of course contact me anytime if I can be of any help in explaining something or give further info on things that may be bothering you about PF. We are here because of you readers, but also for ourselves. We want to enjoy what we are doing, and provide a service at the same time. Thanks to all those who have written in with suggestions and comments. On with the MailBag!!

The Hal

I am a bit confused. I always thought that Radium TF was updated by a number of people instead of just one. Well since my reasoning has been proven wrong I would like to make a suggestion.

I think that there should be a "stand in" for Radium. Since he hasn't the time to update, maybe someone could take his place for a short time and be his "second in command" to help him with his duties. For further help, people that have taken part in a play test could also send in a brief review of each map played.

Although this has/is already been put into practice maybe it can be simplified. Such as a form customized to each of the maps featured and a grading scale (e.g. 1-10). This will make reviewing of maps quicker and will be more gaming community friendly, since some people think that certain sites are screwy ass kissers, quite frankly I find them fine.

Besides I am the biggest ass kisser you'll ever meet!

That's all I have to say,
Ta Ta for now.

Blue Flames Special Quote™:

STAY FROSTY!

(Editors note: That would have to be taken up with Radium. By the way, there's nothing wrong with being confused, it promotes creative thinking and creates hours of endless enjoyment. And if you are confused long enough, pretty soon you will forget what it was that confused you in the first place. Read a fortune cookie if you really want to be confused...)

Ironic that when I type "Planet Fortress" into GameSpyder, it comes up like #6. Oh well. It's better than when it used to come up like #25.

(Editors note: This was in response an article at PF that mentioned that we were #3 I believe. I have no idea what is up with that. Maybe they thought if they told us we were #3, we would be more apt to post the news. Maybe we are really #60 and the zero didn't show up for some reason. It is probably some sort of plot. Yes, I'm sure it is...)

To whom it may concern: After reading the latest preview of TF2 on www.gamespot.com I came to the startling realization that there is a HUGE downside to TF2. How am I going to play at work and use the voice-com at the same time??? This voice-com thing is going to blow my cover as a diligent, hardworking employee. I really would appreciate it if Valve would take into account the working population before developing ground-breaking, ultra-cool games, this is very insensitive and I am very angry.

Life is good when you have such cool problems!

(Editors note: A valid point I'm sure many hard and diligent workers are concerned with. This could be the downfall of us all! Guess you will have to look for a job where you have your own sound proof office, or one with the Pentagon so when you are caught shouting, "Enemy coming in through the front entrance, kill him now!!!", no one will think it too unusual...)