That Kid Tyler wrote in another thread the following:
"I feel like any griefing action will immediately become the "uncool" thing to do, and as a result of the Glitch culture here the grief would be so limited that deliberately doing anything unhelpful or disrespectful just wouldn't be fun for anyone who has had any time at all to be immersed in the game. A sort of conditioning-type thing."
I started to write a response but realized it is something I've been wanting to bring up for awhile. I don't bring this up because I am a doomsayer or that I think everything good will be destroyed or that I am a advocate of the status quo/closed world. I am VERY excited for launch and to see how things will change. But they will change. I honestly hope TKT is right. I just seriously doubt it.
Three of the reasons people are so well behaved here are two things that will change when the game launches:
(1) The population is relatively small.
(2) Because the beta is closed/invite only, it is like a gift. Even if it is still free, it feels like it is something to be respected because being able to play is rare.
(3) The world is open for limited periods and, like 2, feels like it should be treasured.
(These are not the only reasons. I think there are many other reasons this game attracts pleasant but these are the one that will change at launch.)
Number (1) is just a a thing. The more people playing, the bigger chance one or more of them will be a jerk with spare time on their hands to be jerky.
Number (2) is an interesting one for me. The "I have been chosen and am honored" perceived value of an "invite" will go away and will be replaced by a completely open door.
The only thing that sometimes replaces that feeling is if there is a price at the door. But the game is free. When the only price of admission becomes an email account (also free and basically anonymous), some folks will value as nothing. There is a whole theory that there is a perfect price point for things that has very little to do with the value of the item or service: if you charge too much people feel ripped off BUT if you charge too little people feel like they are getting something of little value and appreciate it less. I am NOT advocating Tiny Speck charges a play fee. Just pointing out that some folks will treat the game (and those playing) poorly because they will see no value.
And number (3)... When opened 24/7 some folks will get bored and find other ways to entertain themselves. Some of these ways will be less fun than others for everyone else.
I would love to believe that social pressure would keep folks from griefing. But we all know the internet. The non-face-to-face nature of it allows some folks to toss empathy out the window. They don't FEEL that the other players are real people with real emotions. Or they sometimes forget. Or something. You can try to tell them. You can try to show them how much you care about this thing we call Glitch.
HOWEVER the thing about griefing (and trolling and the like) is that the more "uncool" it is, the more entertaining many find it. It is (usually) about getting a reaction. The larger the reaction, the happier they are. And if they feel the emotional reaction is out of proportion with the subject (in this case, "just a game... and a weird one at that"), the more they will relish it.
Griefers hate "rules." If a rule is not enforced by the program itself, they will break it. The more "player enforced" a "rule" (or "code of behavior" or "set the ethics") is, the more they will break it... just to see folks get upset. Some of the thinking goes like this: "Who the hell are you to tell me what to do? Are you part of the company? Who gave you the authority to tell me crap?" The more "bossy" a player is, the more a player say "this is the way it is done" and certainly the moment a player pulls out any sort of pseudo-cred ("This is how we do things. I should know. I was tester when it was alpha."), the more griefers will go after them.
This sort of reaction to rules extends to "official" rules too. If there is a loop hole they will find it. Even if there is a policy of against some action, if it is not enforced by the programming itself, they will break it. "If you didn't want me doing that, you should make it so that I can't." (And even if the programmers do, they will find anyway they can to break it.)
Tiny Speck can boot people... but unless they are asking for credit cards at the door, some griefers will come back. All it takes is a new email address. As long as they can make people mad, they'll be back.
Things that do make it less interesting to them:
1) Being ignored.
2) Being laughed off.
3) Being welcomed and accepted... even for their destructive actions.
Personally, I am a fan of 3... but it is the most work.
(There will also be people who post things in the forums just to get a reaction. Some will be just dumb. Some will probably be clever and just probable enough that people believe it. Some will be entertaining... if you realize it is a 'joke.')
I can almost GUARANTEE that with in a month of the open launch the following will happen:
- A group will get together and poison every single tree they can in the shortest time possible.
- Certain streets will become PACKED with animals of every sort.
- Because people have said it is "poor manners", certain folks will (1) purposely mind rocks only half way and (2) purposely find rocks other are mining at and mind them.
- bags lying on the street filled with piggy plop (which it not actually griefing... I could use a Pig Poop Bag).
- Notes with obscenities. And hate speech.
Why am I writing all this? Not entirely sure. I think I fear that the rapid change when it comes will sour the experience for many. I worry that some will get so angry and so upset... and that will just add flame to the fire. I know that the community will change. I expect folks will group up into clearer bunches. I am okay (and excite) about change.
Thank you.
(PS - Why have I given griefing and trolling so much thought? Well, I am an ex-troll. Never griefed. For some reason I drew a line between game experience and forums. I could tell you a 100 reasons why at the time it seemed okay and how the "tone" of my trolling was more playful/impish than hateful... but it was still trolling.)