On spam

from Sins Forums

I was instigated to write this because of the reaction I sometimes get upon using the word "spam" (see typical reaction here: https://forums.sinsofasolarempire.com/344963/page/1/#2122614).  The word "spam" can be used in many ways of course (junk email, junk food, etc), but let us examine how it is used in computer games, particularly this one.

The most common, most used meaning, which can be either noun or verb but connotes the same thing, is a derogatory meaning or "put down" term which means to build nothing but one type of unit.  "Carrier spam" would be the noun usage, and "he spammed carriers" would be the verb usage.

However, there is another usage, which means to build a particular type of unit in a "series" or "run."  I use the term in this particular way quite frequently.  For instance, when playing vasari, my typical pattern would be to drop a mil lab and run off a series of assailants.  If I'm not mistaken, you can usually get around 7 or 8 assailants out (assuming you have a few scouts out as well) before having to "fleet up" to the next level.  So, I usually do an initial "assailant spam."  This is different than the meaning above, because I won't build assailants EXCLUSIVELY, rather I will build them in a series, i.e. run off about 10, then depending on the circumstances start building something else (for instance, if I see carriers coming, start up a flak spam).

There are in fact even more gaming usages.  "He spammed malice" would mean that he used a special ability over and over again.  "Man, did he spam trade ports!" means that you just made it to the guy's back worlds and saw tons of trade ports.

I do not care to debate whether spamming of anything is good or bad at this juncture (if you want to believe one way or the other, that's your business); however, I would say to the "anti-spammers" out there to please not cast such a jaundiced eye towards meaning #2 (building a unit type in a "series" or "run").  I mean, surely it should not be considered verbotten to build units in a series?  Otherwise, you could never build the same unit twice in a row.  You couldn't even run off a few scouts in the open, because that would be "spamming" and thus would be verbotten!

5,925 views 4 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top

Do agree on this forum. The use of spam gets spammed by anti-spammers a lot. Admittedly the the original spam, the packaged meat, was created by a french chef, saw it on the history channel on the history of spam, so I will let you think what you want on that note. But to say spam like its a bad word all the time is a bit annoying.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Mmmmm, fry me up some of that Spam, de-lish!

 

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Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top

However, there is another usage, which means to build a particular type of unit in a "series" or "run." I use the term in this particular way quite frequently. For instance, when playing vasari, my typical pattern would be to drop a mil lab and run off a series of assailants
End of quote

In this case, the "correct terminology" would be mass. You mass assailiants early game. Massing units is totally different to spamming them. Massed HCs refers to a whole group of them together etc.

People should realise the difference.

Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top

In this context "spam" is not well defined.  Some people do consider it a run of units that make the bulk of your army, others define it as exclusively building on unit type.  I tend to avoid the term because it causes more confusion than it's worth.