Topic

Mining Etiquette (again)

I would like to re-open the discussion on mining etiquette.

I am a relative newbie and I was confused about the glitches who swoop quickly through the mines, "helping" others finish off rocks. At first I thought it was nice to see so many helpers. But then I noticed that, unlike other miners, the "helpers" tended to be surly, never chatting, trading, or giving kindness. Also, the helpers hate it if you trail them and attempt to "help" them!  I have concluded that "helping" like this is actually an act of rudeness.

I read through the old closed discussions and it seems that most people feel the same way.

I understand that any system to prevent "helping" would be cumbersome.

My question is: Why is this behavior still called "helping"? I feel like calling it that and having the system report mining progress as though it were a good thing just gives jerks permission to act like jerks.

There are a lot of cool things about Glitch but what makes this game really unique is that it does not encourage or reward people for preying on each other. Except in the case of "helping" someone mine.

It is sad to see the fast, high level "helpers" clean out an area before the others can even finish one rock.

I realize that, especially with the new house stuff coming out and all, there are a lot of more pressing concerns to be addressed now. I just hope that the "helping" feature could be renamed to something more accurate before re-launch.

I also hope that you will take my comments as I intend them, as questions and suggestions, not as criticism and that you will correct me if I am mistaken. Thank you.

Posted 9 months ago by Miss Bobbit Subscriber! | Permalink

Replies

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  • @Saucelah  I understand that many of us are in a hurry and trying to squeeze participation here in during lunch hour or breaks from work.

    However, skimming through posts (even with the best intentions) just leads to misunderstandings. Skimming through posts looking for something to take offense at is, of course, a sure path to aggravation.

    If you take time to actually read my post you will see that I was clearly referring to people fishing in an open area, not a crowded area.

    And the inability to pick up on social cues, not respecting personal space, not noticing other people taking offense and inappropriate bluntness in conversation are all common indications that a person might have Aspergers. If you see something that you don't understand, like the difference between autistic and the autism spectrum, you might consider asking about it or looking it up before you make an issue of it.

    . . .

    Anyway, back to the mining etiquette issue...

    I think part of the reason this is an interesting issue is that it touches on what it is about Glitch that sets it apart from other mmorpgs and makes it so special. 

    I read somewhere that someone did a survey of Glitch players and found that somewhere around 70% of them were female! Most online games and especially most mmorpgs are overwhelmingly male. Those online games that do appeal to women tend to be much more decorating or collecting-oriented than gameplay-oriented. I think that there are a lot of reasons that Glitch is so popular with women but one that jumps out is that Glitch gameplay is not just non-violent, but actually oriented toward friendship and sharing.

    Every game has a culture or a philosophy. In many  mmorpgs it consists mostly of killing and stealing, a reflection of the masculine aggressive "fight or flight" response.  But I think that Glitch's unique culture depends more on what is sometimes called the feminine version of "fight or flight" which is the "tend and befriend" response. You can read about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tend_and_befriend

    We might consider, in this context of Glitch's more feminine culture of "tend and befriend," that pushing "help" on slower, weaker players who may not wished to be helped might be out of place.
    Posted 9 months ago by Miss Bobbit Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Splendora - I disagree with your statement that "lower-skill...miner comes out ahead mining collaboratively rather than mining solo in most cases" for the simple reason that if he or she mines a rock solo, he/she is guaranteed to get at least 50 chunks, but if "helped" he/she will definitely get less than 50 chunks. Perhaps significantly less. I also think one should be cautious using the term "better off" when speaking about others. It is rather subjective.

    Saucelah - the difference is while you expect no one to "care" about your preference, you have also stated that you will impose your preference on anyone and everyone no matter what they want or how it makes them feel. I believe you have commented in the past about how this is a "social" game and if people don't want to play socially, perhaps they should find something else to play. (If I'm thinking of someone else, my apologies.) Well, part of playing socially is getting along with other players and trying to make sure everyone has a chance to play they way they wish, not just you. That's the way society works.
    Posted 9 months ago by Audaria Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Miss Bobbit: yeah there was a somewhat derogatory topic a while ago about how feminine Glitch is... Watch your back :P

    -this post is meant to help, not hurt/threaten/insult-
    Posted 9 months ago by Piratice Subscriber! | Permalink
  • How is going about my business and playing how I want imposing anything on anyone?  I'm simply playing the way I want to play -- it's not my play style that demands asking others to conform to my expectations.  In fact, once your play style can only exist via making demands on others, you've gone beyond play style and moved into expectations.  If others do not conform to your expectations, you cannot force them to.  Trying to force them to is much more rude than simply moving along, modifying your behavior to conform to reality rather than demanding others conform to your expectations.  That's part of living in a society too.  

    Indeed, I think everyone should be allowed to play the way they wish, but I do not think anyone should be able to tell others how to play.  I feel that is what is happening here.  

    And it's been repeatedly ignored that not everyone accepts that this is rude.  Some actually find the opposite rude.  Just between myself and you, every possible behavior has now been identified as potentially rude.  By this logic, no one can ever mine anywhere at all without polling every Glitch in the region.  

    But my mining etiquette is simple.  Mine however you will.  I will mine however I will.  I will not tell you how or where to mine.  I will not get upset if your mining interferes with the way I want to mine.  Go about your business, and I'll go about mine, and neither of us has the right to pretend that our feelings are universal or the only acceptable feelings and then impose them on others.  

    It would probably make your time in game more enjoyable.  

    But I'm beginning to see where the dislike for coop mining comes from, and I don't mean offense when I say I find it shortsighted.  The solo-only miners keep talking about yield per rock -- but that perspective means nothing to me.  I only think about yield over time.  And it is simple enough.  In a room with six normal sized rocks, two Glitchen with Mining IV arrive.  No matter if they go to the same rock or different rocks, they will swing the pick the same number of times.  Therefore, in either scenario, clearing the street will take the same amount of time.  But in the shared rock scenario, both players will get more in the same period of time.  

    Similarly, I have Mining I, and you have Mining IV.  We enter a street with six rocks, and you go to a different rock than me.  You will clear the room before I get a chance to clear a rock, and I will get no bonus and have to search longer and farther for the next rock.  I will get less rock over time.  

    Co op wins whenever you look beyond a single rock and focus on a given unit of time.  
    Posted 9 months ago by Red Sauce Subscriber! | Permalink
  • What amuses me even more is that nothing can come of this thread.  Everyone here can agree that if someone is wearing black we'll leave them solo, but it wouldn't matter, as a good majority of the community, including many incredibly active, involved players in my own circle, do not read the forums ever.  

    Players can choose to assume intentions or motivations and perceive other players going about their business as rude, or they can just let it go.  I would let it go.  
    Posted 9 months ago by Red Sauce Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Audria, I agree that "better off" is subjective. That's why I used the phrase "comes out ahead," qualified by the phrase "in most cases," to describe mining collaboratively vs. mining solo.

    If a player mines just one rock and stops mining when that one rock is exhausted, then it is true that they will get more chunks if they mine that one and only one rock solo. However, it seems to me that most people come to a mining area expecting to mine more than one rock. The limiting factors usually are time and/or energy.  So, if your goal is to get more vs. less rock, I think it helps to understand how mining collaboratively vs. mining solo will effect the total number of chunks you get over a given period of time or for a given amount of energy.

    Up above another poster quoted something stoot barfield said back when the "help mine" system was introduced, in response to a question which I'll also give below:

    Q: "So should we try to help mine, when possible?"
    A: "we'll see what happens: it will always work out better for both players, but some people are extremely ... possessive. And so they might be mad anyway :)"
    Posted 9 months ago by Splendora Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I am a little less of a newbie now, but I am still pretty confused about all this.

    I don't understand this:

    "Similarly, I have Mining I, and you have Mining IV.  We enter a street with six rocks, and you go to a different rock than me.  You will clear the room before I get a chance to clear a rock, and I will get no bonus and have to search longer and farther for the next rock.  I will get less rock over time.  "

    First of all, in the open rooms the strong miners do not wait for the weak miners.  And obviously, because the strong miner does not wait for the weak miner, the strong miners are going to clear the room anyway. But if the strong miners leave the weak miners alone, the weak miners will at least get one full rock.

    Second, it is usually not just one strong miner. It is often true that many strong miners will sweep through a room in the time it takes the weak miners to mine their rock, so the room will wind up being cleared anyway.

    The point is that in open rooms when it is busy, the strong miners will inevitably quickly clear out the room so the only question is whether the weak miners will be allowed to mine their one little rock in peace or will they be forced to share it with the stronger. That's the math.

    Also, I don't understand why people are getting so angry that other people express opinions on this. Wouldn't it be odd if people spent hours and hours playing Glitch and had no opinion of how it should be? Isn't Glitch kind of all about imagining a new world? Why wouldn't we want to discuss it? And isn't this discussion process part of being in beta?

    Even weirder is that people are sneering that our discussion is pointless and amusing because we cannot enforce our opinions. So you are saying that only the powerful are entitled to express an opinion?  Only people who have the power to make the rules should be allowed to speak about the rules?

    I think discussions about Glitch are real interesting and add a lot of value to the game. It is also interesting to get to know the personalities of the other players. I really enjoy the forum and even if TS never visited it and never considered what we wrote, I think most of us would still find the discussions valuable and fun.
    Posted 9 months ago by Smashin Grab Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I think stoot was being somewhat narrow minded by implying that the only reason someone might want to mine solo is that they are "extremely possessive." That kind of statement only furthers the bad feelings in the mines, and as the leader here, he should do better.

    I'm pretty sure you also used the phrase "better off" but, whatever. I won't quibble with you over the terms you used.

    And yes, time and energy may be the limiting factors and it is still true that if I mine 1 or 5 rocks by myself, I will always get more chunks than if I mine 1 or 5 rocks collaboratively.

    Saucelah - so I guess I was correct about you telling people who don't want to play socially to find another game - You said " I'm simply playing the way I want to play -- it's not my play style that demands asking others to conform to my expectations." But that's where you're wrong. When you help anyone who gets in your way, whether or not they want the help, every time, no matter what (as you've said very clearly you have done, and will continue to do forever) you ARE imposing your style of play on others. I am at least willing to compromise. I never say anything, for example, when someone "helps" me in the Drop or on the floating island in Cebarkul. But the way you play, I have no choice, anywhere, at any time, but to join you or "go away." Whether or not you want to admit it, that is YOU imposing your preferences on ME. And saying that you "won't get upset if {my} mining interferes with the way {you} want to mine," is ludicrous because the way you play does not ALLOW me to interfere with the way you want to mine.

    I agree with Miss Bobbit. You are approaching this as anyone would approach anything in a typical, PvP mmorpg. You have taken an "I'm going to do this my way and if you don't like it, tough" stance, whereas even a small amount of courtesy, respect and compromise would make it a more pleasant experience for everyone. But, you are right. The mechanics of the game are set up such that you are perfectly able to bulldoze over anyone, and you are not required to be polite or even nice.

    It's too bad, because I really thought this was a game about kindness.
    Posted 9 months ago by Audaria Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Bravo Smashin Grab for your well articulated argument about our right to discuss and express our opinions!
    Posted 9 months ago by Audaria Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Glitches with Mining IV once were glitches with Mining I *shrug* At one time they too were pounding away at a rock forever while a higher level was faster. Don't like being slow? Then level up.

    If I'm alone in the mine then I'm mining alone.
    If there are others there then I'm sharing a rock.
    And I share some Random Kindness.
    The mines are full of rock and they regenerate. If I miss one rock there will be another!
    I don't enjoy "system mining" so I stay away from the locked door mining areas that tend toward that thinking.
    I drink Earthshakers and I am a happy miner.
    Posted 9 months ago by Ooola Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I do have Mining IV, and I still prefer mining alone.
    Posted 9 months ago by Audaria Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Saucelah, of course something can come of this thread.  I've realised that I'm not alone in preferring to mine alone : ) : )  Also if the black t-shirt thing starts better some are aware.  Every little helps.  Even a little change is still change. 

    I found your use of the word 'interfering' telling too.  You claim you'd not be upset if someone interfered with the way you mine?  The word itself has negative connotations (to create a hinderance) and I'm pretty sure anyone would get somewhat p*****d if another play interferred with what they were trying to do in game.  Even worse another player purposely interfering after being asked politely not to, because..'I will play however I will'.  That sounds like a **** you to all the players you encounter in game.

    I apologise to everyone else here for the bump too...I've been reading this thread for a while now and got a little tired of some of the comments I was reading.
    Posted 9 months ago by ~Arabesque~ Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Smashin: fine. Have an opinion. But don't go trying to force other players to play your way. That is what these kinds of topics are doing. There have been dozens of them and none of them have ever been discussed in a calm way. Everyone gets butthurt over something. There's nothing wrong with the game so TS won't interfere. It's people attitudes that are the problem.
    Posted 9 months ago by Piratice Subscriber! | Permalink
  • The very fact that there have been "dozens" of these threads is evidence that it is no small number of players who are unhappy.  Perhaps TS won't interfere, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try to make the game better.  And maybe, just maybe, TS will come up with a solution that appeals to everyone.  I do believe the vision for this game includes peace and harmony.  It is not PvP for a reason.
    Posted 9 months ago by Shallawalla Subscriber! | Permalink
  • The solution that TS came up with was to provide bonuses to each player when they mined cooperatively.

    Etiquette is simply a set of social rules that a group of people agree to.  If you aren't part of that group, the rules don't apply to you.  People who want to mine solo are at a disadvantage based on how the game is designed.  It was changed to make it more desirable to mine cooperatively.  

    Trying to create "mining etiquette"  doesn't change the basic fact that mining solo is a less advantageous game strategy for those who are trying to maximize the number of chunks they get in a given time period.   Etiquette only applies to those who agree to play in a disadvantageous style.
    Posted 9 months ago by WindBorn Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Forget etiquette, how about some common courtesy? Maybe people who mine solo are in the minority, maybe they're not. Regardless, there are a large number of players who prefer to mine solo and would just appreciate a small amount of courtesy in what is called a "friendly" game. Maybe discussing it here won't change the way everyone plays, but it may open some people's eyes to the fact that not everyone wants to be helped. And those people may then occasionally make a different choice, which may lead to a more pleasant experience for some players. There will always be players like Saucelah who think that as long as something is not against the rules, it is ok. There will also always be players who think that even if they are allowed to do something, if doing it adversely affects someone else's enjoyment of the game, they will choose not to do it.
    Posted 9 months ago by Audaria Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Yeah they're unhappy because not everyone is playing their way, not because there's something wrong.
    Posted 9 months ago by Piratice Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Smashin Grab - Suppose there is one high-skill ("strong") miner and one low-skill ("weak") miner. If the high-skill miner joins the low-skill miner on a rock, they can both move on to the next rock when they finish. After they finish that, they move on to the next rock. Since the high-skill miner is likely to be familiar with rock locations, the low-skill miner can follow and minimize time spent looking for rocks. On average, the low-skill miner will get in as many swings (and maybe more) for a given amount of time or a given amount of energy -- and the low-skill miner will get some extra chunks from the "help mine" mechanic.

    When the mines are crowded so that there are likely to be multiple players on every mining street, it's difficult to find any desirable rocks that are not being mined by someone. Since the low-skill miner is less likely to be the first one to find a newly-spawned rock, they benefit from being able to use "help mine."   However, that also means it's unlikely that a low-skill miner will be left to mine a rock alone should they happen to get there first.

    A group of high-skill miners working together is a different matter.  Such a group could clear a street quickly and a low-skill miner would not be able to keep up and follow them from rock to rock unless the group as a whole waits for them each time. I don't work in groups of this kind nor have I seen such a group more than a few times in the open mining areas, so I don't know how such groups typically behave.

    Audria - I used "better off" in posing a question. I then used "comes out ahead" in the statement following hoping to convey that "better off" and "comes out ahead" are not the same thing, since "comes out ahead" refers to an objective measurement rather than a subjective state.

    It is true that you will get more chunks if you mine 5 rocks alone rather than mining them collaboratively. It also will take you twice as long.  So if there are 10 rocks available, you and I could mine them collaboratively in the same time it would take you to mine 5 rocks solo, and you would end up with more chunks.  Since you and I are both Mining IV, it takes us the same amount of time to finish a rock. If there are multiple rocks, we can mine them together or we can agree that the first person to claim a rock gets to mine it solo. Mining together lets us each end up with a bit more and also seems less competitive to me.
    Posted 9 months ago by Splendora Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I am aware that there is a supposed etiquette around mining but don't know what the rules are and am uninterested in learning nor observing them.  I have no problem with people helping me to mine a rock and don't actually recollect anyone ever complaining about me helping them to mine one either.  It has never occurred to me that I should do anything special to thank someone who's mined a rock with me as we've both already benefited simply by sharing.  

    I find Zog's resource directory is useful when looking for local instances of a specific rock: http://zoggish.appspot.com/find-sparkly-rock-for-mining/.  The Glitch Resource Database (by Linnaea & Boom and Bust) is handy for pin-pointing locations that are currently rich in a specific rock: http://glitch.alwaysdata.net/resource.php?resource=Sparkly 

    There doesn't seem to be a shortage of the stuff.
    Posted 9 months ago by martian-b Subscriber! | Permalink
  • "common courtesy" is also a set of social rules that only applies to the group that agrees to them.  There are no behaviors that are universally rude or polite.  So you're still asking for people to play by a set of voluntary rules that gives them less output  per minute and to not use game mechanics that are there to be used by all players.  

    Fortunately, it looks like solo miners will eventually be able to place rocks in their own homes and control access that way.  Until then, playing by the rules is not rude, except to people who want everyone else not to use all the game mechanics.  
    Posted 9 months ago by WindBorn Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Piratice   Forcing? There was forcing? Darn, I missed it again. People on this thread keep mentioning forcing but I never seem to be around to see it happen.

    Please, next time there is forcing IM me right away. I want to watch.

    All I ever see around here is people talking about their opinions; I never get invited to the forcing.

    @Splendora From what I have seen in my limited experience, the strong miners typically move on long before the weak miners finish and then, being much less familiar with the rock locations, the weak miners never really catch up. Most of the "helping benefits the weak" scenarios presented here assume that solitary miners are able to and are willing to move through the mines as quickly as helpers.

    I am still at mining III and I think people who are at mining IV forget how the rhythm of slow mining can be very soothing and even trance inducing. I think some solitary miners are actually sort of blissing out on the hypnotic repetition and doing it as much for the stress relief as for the rock. In that case, the last thing they want is to be interrupted, even if it may mean more rock.

    Anyway, I guess what is most striking to me about this thread is that you have a group of people whose only request is to be left undisturbed for a brief moment and yet some people have a huge problem with that. Especially since the request seems to come mainly from the lower level players, and the game is set up to encourage kindness, it just seems so peculiar.
    Posted 9 months ago by Smashin Grab Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Smashin Grab

    The OP is talking about being in the mines but wanting not to have anyone else mine their rock.  The mines are streets with a high density of mining resources, where maximizing output is easiest. 

    For those who are mining for stress relief, selecting a crowded mining area and then asking other people not to use the mine for maximum resources is unusual to say the least.  If  you want non-stressful mining, there are an amazing number of streets outside the mines that contain multiple rocks and very little traffic.  You can mine for hours without any other miners coming by.  
    Posted 9 months ago by WindBorn Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Smashin Grab - When I was at the Mining I skill level, I was able to follow higher-skill miners and found it to my advantage -- so my experience differs from yours. People do have differing experiences, and that influences their perceptions and preferences.

    I acknowledge that there are reasons, including hypnotic bliss, for wanting to mine solo. However, there also are built-in incentives for mining collaboratively. So the question is whether it's realistic to expect players to know when another player is "blissing out on the hypnotic repetition," or to know whether another player wants to be asked, or even to know whether another player is a low-skill vs. a high-skill miner.

    When I first started playing Glich, I did ask before joining other players in mining. Most gave a welcoming assent. Some gave no response at all. Not once did I have a player tell me they would prefer to mine alone. Some players, in addition to welcoming me to join them, went on to explain that rocks were intended to be a shared resource, and that having to respond to my question would add overhead or disrupt the play of others in some cases. Having discovered that I am not good at switching from the play window to the chat window or at typing quickly, I have become one of those players who does not like being asked if I mind having another person mine a rock that I consider to be a shared resource.

    Some people don't like it if you join them in mining a rock. Some people expect it. Some people welcome it. Some people want to be asked first. Some people don't want to be asked. How is a player supposed to know which of these applies for another random player they encounter in a mining area?
    Posted 9 months ago by Splendora Subscriber! | Permalink
  • From Dictionary.com: cour·te·sy   /ˈkɜrtəsi or, for 5, ˈkɜrtsi/ Show Spelled [kur-tuh-see or, for 5, kurt-see] Show IPA noun, plural -sies, adjective
    noun
    1. excellence of manners or social conduct; polite behavior.
    2. a courteous, respectful, or considerate act or expression.
    3. indulgence, consent, or acquiescence: a “colonel” by courtesy rather than by right.
    4. favor, help, or generosity: The costumes for the play were by courtesy of the local department store.
    5. a curtsy.

    There is nothing in there about it ONLY applying to a group that AGREES to the rules. It is about showing respect for other people. By your definition, the parents that took their toddler to to a high end, classy restaurant and allowed him to scream at the top of his lungs and run around taking food from people's plates and dumping drinks on everyone would not be rude because they do not "agree" to the rules. That doesn't mean that the behavior is not, in fact, rude! Your "definition" is laughable.
    Posted 9 months ago by Audaria Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Yeah I agree.  When you enter a street I'm already on, already mining, you should have to ask me before you can mine another rock, just in case I've decided to equate your refusal to take advantage of the game mechanics and work with me to a toddler running around a restaurant creating havok.  It's only courtesy.  

    You can dismiss me as a jerk who thinks "as long as it's not against the rules, it's ok" -- but that's far from the truth and is only your impression because we find exact opposite behaviors rude.  The big difference here is I do not consider my subjective opinion about game mechanics to be universal and demand others conform to it.  
    Posted 9 months ago by Red Sauce Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Splendi - As I have said, I understand the mechanics. And while it is true that if we mined 10 rocks collaboratively I would receive a FEW more chunks, it would not be enough to be worth the hassle of having to coordinate finding and mining 10 rocks with you. Not to mention the fact that I don't go to the mines to find a mining partner, nor do I want to trail around with someone else.

    Besides that, we are talking about the situation of one person mining a rock and another coming up and choosing either to "help" the person mine that rock or mine the identical rock nearby. That is 2 rocks, not 10. If we mine them together and somehow each have equal numbers of first hits we might get 5 extra chunks. Whoopee. I know that, for some players, absolutely maximizing every second and every keystroke is the whole point of playing this game. Fine for them. It is not a priority to me and it is not how I choose to play.

    As I said, I compromise. (I have no choice, actually, but I would anyway.) I don't go in AB or NN but I do go in the mines. While there may be other less populated areas that have some rocks available, the density is, in fact, rather low and if I'm going to mine, I want to mine. Not to mention the fact that I have as much right to be there as anyone. I do try to stick to the less traveled areas. I do not think it is asking too much to want a little consideration from others. IF I was the only person saying this, I would believe that it was just me and I would figure out something else to do, either in this game or another. But, the fact that MANY people are saying the same thing tells me, and it should tell everyone, that this is not just an isolated issue. Most of the people speaking up have been playing the game for awhile and understand the mechanics. The fact that you (collective you) don't see it as a problem and constantly revert back to the mechanics argument is an indication that you are unwilling to accept that some aspect of this game is not working for others and that it goes beyond game mechanics.
    Posted 9 months ago by Audaria Subscriber! | Permalink
  • But you do demand others to "conform" to it. You said yourself that you will ALWAYS help the person who is "in your circuit" mine, even if they move to the next rock and even if it means that you are following them. You give them no choice but to conform to your style of play or leave. When have I said anything so demanding?
    Posted 9 months ago by Audaria Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I think part of the problem is that some of us have laggy connections or slower computers.  I've had the experience of mining where I start on a rock, then someone joins me, then the rock is gone before I can click on it again.  I get damn near nothing.

    I don't know what to do about that regarding politeness or rudeness.  I just try to see what other people are doing, and work around them.  If it looks like someone is trying to empty a room systematically in a group, I move on.  If someone joins me and takes most of my rock, I teleport to somewhere else.  If I want to get the benefits of group mining, I stay and smile!  This seems to work pretty well, with only a little bit of frustration on my part (and hardly any on anybody else's).

    And, increasing my mining skill has helped a bit, but not enough to compensation for processor speeds.
    Posted 9 months ago by Carl Projectorinski Subscriber! | Permalink
  • " I absolutely hate mining with other people. If someone comes to mine a rock I'm mining I drop a quick "I hate you" and switch to another street. "

    I was on the other end of this once.  I honestly had no idea that some people didn't like it when others try to mine with them, especially since the quests are set up to make you think that mining together is a Good Thing.

    Mostly, I wished that the person had said something other than "I hate you".  I felt bad, I wasn't given an opportunity to apologize, and I sincerely didn't realize that this mining thing was an issue.
    Posted 9 months ago by Miss Portinari Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Miss Portinari: If the other player feels so strongly against sharing the rock that they would rather move to another street, that's their prerogative but to insult you first is, in my opinion, rude and uncalled for.  

    Rocks are communal resources and no-glitchen has a greater claim over one than another glitchen.  The game would be tortuous if we had to go around seeking permission before we did anything.
    Posted 9 months ago by martian-b Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Help me. Leave me alone. Ask. Don't ask.
    Instead of rules, I think this is the best mining etiquette:
    Be nice.
    That can apply to everyone, can't it? We can't agree on rules because everyone has a different preference, but just being nice seems a good rule. Help if you want. Or not. If someone asks you to not help, don't. And respond politely. If you don't want help, ask politely. If you want help, ask politely. If you feel you need to ask permission, go ahead- but it shouldn't be neccessary, I don't think. Rocks are public resources, aren't they?
    Posted 9 months ago by Fernstream Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Other people are going to want to mine the rocks you are mining. Period.

    If you can't deal with that, maybe MMOs aren't for you.
    Posted 9 months ago by E D D I E Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I really hate blanket statements like your Sys Rq.  Different people play the game differently. Just because they don't like one thing, it doesn't mean MMOs in general are not for them.

    I love MMOs. I like trading, chatting, crafting, etc. But I also like mining alone. How is this game (or MMOs) not for me?
    Posted 9 months ago by EzBreezy Subscriber! | Permalink
  • OMG all these posts are way too long.... so anyway there's plenty of nodes to go around so quit QQing if someone enters a map and starts to mine a node. And if you see someone mining a node bugger off and leave it alone. If you want help then ask. Nuff said!
    Posted 9 months ago by Redneck Woman Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Liking mining alone is fine.  Expecting other people to be able to tell before having direct interaction with you that you like mining alone is a recipe for disappointment.  There are ways to act (times and places to mine) that make a mining-alone type of experience more likely, and in a time and place with plentiful undepleted rocks I think it's only courteous to honor requests not to mine with a particular person.  It's kind of like liking to drink alone: you're more likely to be successful in it if you pick a less crowded/social bar, and if someone doesn't leave you alone when you tell them to they're an ass, but somebody sitting down next to you or saying "Hi" isn't automatically rude because that's not what you wanted.

    Disclaimer: not a big miner myself, either alone or in groups.
    Posted 9 months ago by Fnibbit Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I prefer to mine alone there I said it out loud.   If no one is there I mine as fast as my little glitch arms will go.  When another glitch comes along and begins to mine I walk away rather then protest there using that rock.  Some people will say lets mine together and I will tell them I like to mine alone. 
    For the most part people are kind and they do there mining the way it makes them happy.
    Now what isn't fine is when some one says will this is AB or NN we all mine the same rock here.  To that I reply That is wonderful look you and your friends can go mine all 10 of those rocks right there I wont stop you. All I would like to do is mine this 1 rock that is not being used by your group. (if there are less then 4 rocks I do NOT try to mine alone, I will chill till there are more) 
     I just find it hard to believe they feel the need to stand over me splank me make mad faces and insult me until i am forced to leave the room or log out. I know there are other streets with these rocks on them but they also have animals trees and foot traffic.  I do not find mining these streets fun its the same reason I don't find group mining fun I end up feeding animals petting animals and Messaging other people. 
    Posted 9 months ago by satarell Subscriber! | Permalink
  • If you like to play ALL alone this might be the wrong game for you?
    ( Please its not meaned to hurt just to a suggestion that might or not be true and only he or she who reads can fill in them selves )

    I also play solo but i enjoy i can share with others .
    Some people are nice some are not a true reflection of real life :)
    All thats in the world is there to share , a big fat wink to the real world....

    I found that some people ingame are " paranoid " that if you chat they feel like you trying to flirt ,kinda weird but i guess some people have issues within, i feel sad for them its a reflecting of there well being in real life .

    If you get ignored when trying to chat when mining you could stop chatting to anyone when mining.So you might meet some people that gave up ;)

    Also what people forget is that we are World Wide not USA only.
    (like me,my English is far from perfect but i guess/hope its good enough to communicate )

    Some might be shy ?
    Some might be sad ?
    Some might be focused?
    Some might be a loosy typer (like me it takes ages lol when iam done the stone is gone )
    Some might be ..................? (fill the gap)

    Even most world problems come from a thinking error , thinking that you know what other thinks.Make up stories and mostly and sadly negative ones :(

    Freedom comes from within
    Peace to all Mother Earths friends :)
    Posted 9 months ago by Great Brain Robbery Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I'm with Fernstream. That would be my number one rule (probably for most things, actually). And it's simple and easy to remember. Be nice. If someone does it differently than you do, be polite if you prefer to do it differently. Don't assume they do it the same, and don't presume that the difference is bad. I think this applies both to individuals and to groups. As a group, or as individuals, don't bully. Don't gang up on people. And just because you got there first or are new doesn't mean you have special rights to a shared resource. If people are creepy, that's what blocking and reporting are for (whining is not nice). I know, I said it bluntly. 
    Posted 9 months ago by Axa Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Why do people who like to mine alone go to places where they know people specifically go there to mine in a group? (Rhetorical question.. I don't think I'll ever get an answer I understand.)
    Posted 9 months ago by diaveborn ♥ Subscriber! | Permalink
  • That's actually a good question. Because I prefer to take my time and mine alone, I have a cool series of streets that have a bunch of rocks on them. I found it through exploration and saved one in my TP list.  Even if you have to go out of your way to find a nice, out of the way spot, it's worth it. Mining is one of the main things I do while playing and I've never been disappointed with the amount of ore that I get and I rarely have another Glitch help me with the rocks.
    Posted 9 months ago by EzBreezy Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Yes. I stay away from group mining areas. I don't mind mining alone or if someone joins in when I am mining but am too laggy to participate in the group mining stuff. Also, I like just wandering and mining as I go, not driven to get as much as I can.

    Some good points made in this thread, perhaps we can all learn from it and be more accepting of others' styles of play. I can dream :D
    Posted 9 months ago by Miss Parsley Subscriber! | Permalink
  • People who use Earthshakers for energy want to be able to mine whatever rock is nearby, whether or not some other glitchen are mining it. People who like to mine alone want to keep their current rock for a private preserve. There is no way that our limited supply of public rock resource can always and everywhere satisfy all of our glitchen.

    I have no problem with a suggestion that glitchen of type A should take courteous thought for the wishes of type B glitchen, but I fail to see moral high ground in demanding that A always defer to B. Surely it would be equally courteous if B would always defer to A. 
    Posted 9 months ago by Dotcom Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I am one that tends to enjoy solo mining. However in saying that I am in no way against others coming along and helping. I am not rude, however I am not a chatty person either. When I am out mining I am just moving from rock to rock. I don't feel that it is expected we party, chat and give out things while mining. You like that sort of mining then go to AJ or NevaNeva really.
    Posted 9 months ago by Casombra Amberrose Subscriber! | Permalink
  •    Co-op mining single mining the only reason anyone is debating what way is right or fare or where it should happen is this is a way to make currents.
        Really you are all being obtuse and think your way makes you the most money so everyone should mine the way you see as best.   

        Some people have fast computers others have slow, there are people at lvl 10 some lvl 60, there are those rocking the Pick others the Fancy Pick, point is everyone is different.

                                            Man dont try to put laws or rules on it 

                                                                     Dude 
                                                     Let Glitches Be Glitches

      ...... now back to counting chickens 
    Posted 9 months ago by The Hippie Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Hippie - you live up to your name - I dig it! :)
    Posted 9 months ago by Hen vla Ham Subscriber! | Permalink
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