Topic

Mining Etiquette.

I know a lot of others may feel differently but I wanted to start a discussion about this. I can't stand when someone comes and starts mining a rock that I'm still working on. Yes, we should share, but what about having the option not to? The rocks regenerate so it's not like people can't come back or find a other rock.

What I propose is, once a user has started mining a rock, if someone else tries to mine it, having a little bubble pop up for the original user asking if they'd like to share. Yes or no. Also, if a person wants to stop mining in the "middle" of a rock, they can have the option of "abandoning" it via a menu. Then it would be open to be mined by someone else. There should also be a timer that automatically makes a user abandon a rock, in case he or she is AFK in the middle of mining. Maybe 5 minutes?

What do you all think?

Posted 19 months ago by Cerulean Subscriber! | Permalink

Replies

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  • I'm not a big fan of "forced" etiquette. Yes, it is annoying but it is far far far from game breaking.

    There are two things that some folks fine annoying: People who mine while you are and people who don't fully mine a rock. The simplest way to "fix" these (and I am NOT saying this should happen because I like it the way it is) would be to make it so the you can ONLY mine all 50 out of a rock. That's it you mine and are locked in for the duration.
    Posted 19 months ago by Lord Bacon-o Subscriber! | Permalink
  • ya, that idea is weak.  if you want a private mine upgrade your house
    Posted 19 months ago by IxÆoN Subscriber! | Permalink
  • You can do that?
    Posted 19 months ago by Cerulean Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I used to get annoyed when people mined the rock I was working on, but as the game gets more crowded it gets harder to find a rock to yourself. Especially if you also exclude the rocks someone is standing next to (maybe they're in between mining).

    These days, I really don't mind at all. I'd been moving in that direction, but what cemented it was the other day, a lower-level player and I accidentally started mining the same rock at the same time. The other player apologized and gave me the rock they'd gotten. I felt bad!

    Anyway, I think if there's lots of un-used rocks in an area, it's probably more polite to mine your own. But if it's crowded, by all means share!
    Posted 19 months ago by duien Subscriber! | Permalink
  • you can't upgrade your house to have a private mine yet, but it is on the devs list as far as i know
    Posted 19 months ago by IxÆoN Subscriber! | Permalink
  • While I certainly understand your impulse to enforce sharing, it would complicate mining unnecessarily. If rocks didn't regenerate, I would see this as an issue, but as you've said, either person can wait around a little or find a new rock.
    Posted 19 months ago by Cygnoir Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Cerulean, was that question addressed to me? If so, no, you can't. But that is basically what you are asking for.
    Posted 19 months ago by Lord Bacon-o Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Pretty against this, to be honest. I don't see why mining a rock should be an exclusive activity, even if it's a bit of a pain. And personally, I don't even think it's much of an inconvenience. Or am I missing something?
    Posted 19 months ago by wurzel Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Oh, I'd be more than happy to share, if people would ask. But it feels that as it is people are forced to share. What really bothers me is that people 20 levels higher will come by a rock I've been shipping away at and, due to their advanced skill, will mine the rock away before I can even do much with it. It pisses me off that so many of the higher level players treat the lower-level players like garbage as if they're innately better than the other players (when, by their actions, they're actually demonstrating the opposite).
    Posted 19 months ago by Cerulean Subscriber! | Permalink
  • No, I was asking if you can upgrade your house to include a mine. I looked through all of the real estate and saw no such thing.

    EDIT: Yes, I saw the answer to the question.
    Posted 19 months ago by Cerulean Subscriber! | Permalink
  • as you increase your level you too will be able to mine like crazy.  I'm pretty sure there are enough rocks to go around...  If it really bothers you why don't you just speak up when somebody jumps on your rock? Or you could move on to the next one...
    Posted 19 months ago by IxÆoN Subscriber! | Permalink
  • My other question, as suggested by my original discussion topic title, is: what is standard mining etiquette? Should I leave a rock alone if I see someone mining it or should I feel free to mine it without feeling I am being rude? Haha.
    Posted 19 months ago by Cerulean Subscriber! | Permalink
  • By the time I'm done "speaking up" the person's already mined the rock, lol.
    Posted 19 months ago by Cerulean Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I fully agree it is jerky. If someone is AFK or even just standing there doing nothing, I will mine (because  have no idea how long they've been there or what they are doing). But if I see them working I won't touch it.

    I am shocked to hear that you are being treated poorly by higher level players. That is far from what I've seen and if it is happening it angers me. That is a much bigger issue and would love to see how we could address that (without resorting to forcing it through game systems).
    Posted 19 months ago by Lord Bacon-o Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Only some. I've met other higher level players that have been extremely kind. But I seem to have met at least 2 that weren't so friendly, haha
    Posted 19 months ago by Cerulean Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Oh good. Well, not "good" but glad it is only a couple.... because when the game launches it's gonna gonna get worse....
    Posted 19 months ago by Lord Bacon-o Subscriber! | Permalink
  • My personal etiquette for mining is to leave rocks that other people are working on alone.

    It kinda bothers me when someone randomly starts mining one I've been working on, but I think that's mostly residue from how mining works in other games. I'm getting to where it doesn't bother me as much, though. I figure, the more people mining, the faster they'll reappear. And there tend to be lots of rocks around anyway.
    Posted 19 months ago by Little Miss Giggles Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I believe the problem with high level players might be earthshakers... once you take them you enter a zone of frenzy where you MUST mine anything in reach. Especially since the effects last only about 3 minutes and they are expensive.
    Posted 19 months ago by Yaya Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I, as a rule, don't mine rocks other people have already started mining. However, those who do really have no immediate way of knowing that the other person is at a much lower level and therefore will out-mine them. So I don't think it's the higher-leveled players sniping the rock on purpose.

    I think the only real problem we have with mining at present is that apparently someone told a bunch of new players that the rock only regenerates if you leave some of it behind, causing whole series of streets to be littered with 3/4ths mined rocks. So if you see a newer player, let them know that the rock only regenerates if they mine it completely. What they do with that information is, of course, up to them, but correct information is essential.
    Posted 19 months ago by karibean Subscriber! | Permalink
  • The only thing I'd like to see is some kind of hidden lock so that, if I start mining a rock, I have a guarantee of at least getting something out of it.
    Posted 19 months ago by Taral Subscriber! | Permalink
  • you do have a guarantee when you start mining.  when the little progress bar goes away ore goes into your inventory.  after that is done, if there is still rock left, then mine it once again... a guaranteed amount of ore will go into your inventory (again).  when it's gone move your little feet over to the next rock and repeat

    i'm sorry i guess i'm just crusty today.  I'll come back to the forums when i'm feeling better...
    Posted 19 months ago by IxÆoN Subscriber! | Permalink
  • It's not always guaranteed. If it's down to the last couple of chunks to mine and you start mining it first, if someone mines it faster and the ore is gone, then you don't get anything. It doesn't even stop you from finishing the progress once the ore is gone (maybe that would be good to add to it).
    Posted 19 months ago by Little Miss Giggles Subscriber! | Permalink
  • wow i didn't realize that you could actually compete for the last chunk or ore.  that's the same behavior as patches right?  two people can dig but only one gets the dirt?
    Posted 19 months ago by IxÆoN Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I'm sorry if this bothers you, but it has been discussed on other forum threads too and there is not a single good answer. It was my understanding that your mining action will complete, what I'm trying to say is once you start to mine even if another player starts after you, your mining will continue and complete. Then, if there is rock left you can click or drag your pick to mine again and again until the rock is depleted.

    Unless I am desparate to mine a particular type of rock I usually try not to mine if someone else has already started, but as someone else stated as the world gets more crowded that may not be the case. I don't think the game will change to allow a player to block out others from mining a rock, but you may want to submit that as an idea.
    Posted 19 months ago by Gizmospooky Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Yesterday I had a player begin to mine the rock I was mining, so I moved onto another rock--the player abandoned the first rock and followed me. I left again, they did the same thing. I didn't think fast enough to block the player, but I gave them the slip and found plenty of rocks elsewhere. It was annoying, but easy to shrug off because of the plentitude of rocks. (I don't understand how some people think.)

    My concern is when the game opens and there are so many more players in one area.
    The last game I played (the late lamented Faunasphere) had a problem with overcrowding so that goals became difficult to achieve, tempers flared and I'm sure that they lost players over it. The devs there created more instances of the same areas so that the maximum of players in any one instance was limited. 

    I'm curious about what the devs here are planning to avoid overcrowding, or to deal with it if overcrowding becomes an issue.
    Posted 19 months ago by ElleD Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Maybe, as the world gets more crowded, to ensure everyone has a fair chance at mining, the rocks can regenerate faster? From what I've seen, they regenerate every 15 minutes. I'm not certain but I doubt that, when the game opens up fully, the rate of growth of AMOUNT of rocks available to mine in the game will remain proportionate to the amount of players. Maybe, to balance this out, eventually they can regenerate every 10 minutes or so? Or even 5 if we end up with a bajillion players and many fewer rocks per player than we have now.
    Posted 19 months ago by Cerulean Subscriber! | Permalink
  • well, to be sure, the devs have been adding a lot more rock laden streets as we complete projects.  this is a good thing. 

    this topic has come up before.  i don't see the problem with two people mining the same rock.  i'm fine with someone mining a rock i'm mining, but that doesn't happen often.  i don't get the issue - the rocks are renewable.  I kinda get it when it comes to newbies and advanced glitchers mining the same rock, since the more advanced player will get more rock.

    i also still see a shit ton of rock only half mined or so.  the rock cannot regenerate until it's been mined to the ground. so, please mine it to the ground, whether flying solo or double.  ;-)
    Posted 19 months ago by zeeberk Subscriber! | Permalink
  • When I first started, it didn't occur to me that you could mine a rock more than once per game day (since you can't for many other things), so I starting hacking away at rocks that other people were also mining.  Some people got annoyed, and I was really baffled.  Once I got the mining quest, I figured it out.

    Now that I know what the deal is, I still don't think it's a problem to mine the same rock.  It's a public rock!
    Posted 19 months ago by larky lion Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I don't like other miners taking the rock i am mining. The funny part is the couple times it occurred the person mining my rock didn't like me mining their rock when I returned the favor!
    Posted 19 months ago by Gruff McGruff Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I'm also one who is annoyed when someone starts hacking away at a rock I'm already working on. It raises my hackles, when there are lots of other rocks around for them.(and I am talking about that situation, not rock scarcity). But I understand that lots of times its someone new, who doesn't understand, and in their minds they're just "sharing". It becomes rude, when the player knows perfectly well that it annoys some people. So why do it?
    One thing to consider, and this especially concerns lower level players, is the jewels you get from mining. If you mine a rock someone else started, you take those jewels away from them. Not very nice. I'm not in favor of making rules, or complicating mining, I just think people should make the effort to be more considerate. And yes, (sigh) I know not everyone will be. We just have to live with that.
    Posted 19 months ago by Phoebe Springback Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Phoebe, I'm pretty sure that the jewels situation is different from how you state.

    Increasing your mining skills makes *you* more likely to get a jewel, so the possibility of getting a jewel must be calculated *each time you mine*. Jewels therefore cannot be intrinsic to the rock, they're not embedded and waiting for a player to mine, so they can't be taken away from you by another player.
    Posted 19 months ago by Spong Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Why peeps don't like incomplete rocks or people jumping on their rocks is that, then, they won't get a complete 50. What I don't get is the need to be so OCD about it.
    Posted 19 months ago by KitkatCat Subscriber! | Permalink
  • That's not true. I just don't like hunting for a sparkly rock forever and then finding one and then having someone come and try to take some of it, as well. It doesn't have to be a full 50 or round number. But I'd like to get as much out of the rock (once I've found it) as possible.
    Posted 19 months ago by Cerulean Subscriber! | Permalink
  • No need to be so tense about this.  There is plenty of everything and all things regenerate.  Sure, I do get a little ticked if I am mining a rock or harvesting a tree and someone comes along and does it with me but, I do think that is a selfish and a bit silly way to think so I shrug off the "My, Me, Mine" attitude and either share or move on.   You can't do everything in an hour or a day or even a week or month.  There is plenty to do.  Find something else to do.
    Posted 19 months ago by Brib Annie Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Speaking for myself, I think it's damn rude to mine a rock that someone else is working on, you reduce the other persons chance of receiving a gem and anyway, it's just bloody annoying and usually results in me getting angry and swearing at the screen (say anything?...why of course I don't say anything!). I think anyone doing this should be struck down by a bolt of lightning from the gods..or maybe we should all be issued with self-defence tasers to defend ourselves against these rocky thieves!
    Posted 19 months ago by Morticia Addams Subscriber! | Permalink
  • LOL, Morticia!  Maybe it would be better to just have a message pop up and say "This Rock Is Taken, Find Another" along with a temporary block to keep a second person from mining.
    Posted 19 months ago by Brib Annie Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I think new players do not know that they are steeling. So do not be angry but explane it to them.
    Posted 19 months ago by Sanne Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I considered that but every time it's happened to me the other user has been well past level 10 with Mining III or IV.
    Posted 19 months ago by Cerulean Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I for one don't think that shared mining is an issue. In fact I think it's presumptuous to make the assertion that just because you got there first that the whole rock is yours. It's an infinitely renewable public resource. I've had 2, 3, and 4 people mining a rock at once (goes real quick!). Guess what, no big deal, once the rock was gone, moved to the next! Rinse and Repeat.

    I would also add that shared mining is one of the few times in the game where you can chat with someone (even briefly). Most of the time people are flying by doing their thing. Why not strike up a conversation and get to know another player? Why not at least say hi? I've done it and it's fantastic!

    Lastly, I find it interesting that (in this thread and others like it in the past) there are players that comment about how they don't want to share the rock they are mining but are often the same players that are very into the community aspect of the game and usually very anti-competitive. 

    It's just an interesting observation to me that mining (one of the best ways to earn currants in the game) is what brings the competitiveness out. Not making a judgement here folks, so please don't go off on me, just an observation. :)
    Posted 19 months ago by en Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Harvesting a tree is a bit different,everyone gets the harvest,i'm not sure about mining,do you both get bits of the rock,or whoever is quickest?.I certainly will not mine a rock if someone is mining,but that's just me,but have had it happen to me,but then again i think it was because sparkly rocks were in short supply,but now the new mines are opening,seems to be a lot more sparkly.It still doesn't bother me though,i move on,they obviously need it more than me..;)
    Posted 19 months ago by Joos Subscriber! | Permalink
  • En, just make sure the other person isn't doing a quest where they have to mine a certain amount of rocks down to nothing in a given time frame. You can completely screw that up for someone if you start mining a rock they're already working on.
    Posted 19 months ago by Cefeida Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Cefeida, I definitely am aware of that. Happened to me when I did those quests. It was easy enough to try the quest again and complete it. No real harm done in attempting to complete a quest once, twice, or even three times. If anything, you are going to end up with more ore and gems! :)

    For me, the quest argument just doesn't have enough weight.

    The only real solution if this continues to be a problem (although I tend to think it will work itself out when there are so many rocks it will seem silly to argue about it one way or the other), is for the devs to make the rock "busy" while it's in use. But there are downsides to that as well.
    Posted 19 months ago by en Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I don't mine a rock someone else is mining, but I don't mind if someone joins me to mine a rock I'm mining. I have met some new friends by sharing. I think people will always be divided on this issue, some will mind and some won't.  
    Posted 19 months ago by tweetypie Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I don't join another person on a rock unless I ask if they mind if I share and they don't mind. I figure...if they're new, it gives them a subtle pointer at game etiquette. If they're a longtime player, they usually appreciate being asked. If someone jumps onto a rock I'm mining I often just move along to another one. Or sometimes I will just say, "You may want to ask to share next time." But then again, I often just let them mine with me. Depends how I feel. I've made new friends just by talking about mining etiquette honestly. Sort of fun:)
    Posted 19 months ago by RM Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @En: you are ABSOLUTELY right.  I love as I read through this how many familiar names I've seen of people who talk about helping lower levels, and not stealing, etc etc.  Yet mining the same rock is SUCH a big deal?  

    Nothing should be done to complicate mining.  It's part of the game: everything is available to everyone.  The only thing that belongs to anyone is what they carry in their bags and in their homes.  Everything else is available to the public to do whatever they want with it.  

    The other day someone started mining a rock I was working on, but stopped themselves and moved to find a different rock.  That person was trying to be considerate, but I messaged them and told them I don't own this rock, they can mine it too.  I have mined off other people's rocks too, because I have no problem with anyone doing it to me.  In fact, it wasn't until this post that I realized people actually care about this.  Nobody owns a rock, just because you are currently mining it does not make it your property.  

    I don't think that there needs to be any rules or etiquette involved in mining.  If its a public item, everyone needs to realize everyone else has just as much right to it as you do.  The only way I think this problem could be resolved is to allow people to have a rock at their house, so only they can use it.  Sorry for the repetitiveness, I am just sooooooo shocked that people get so upset about others mining their rock.  Unless it has your name on it, it's fair game to any other player.
    Posted 19 months ago by Laurali Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Moods dictate our play on any given day. I'm an irrational and unpredictable player at any given time. When I know my moods are up the wall, I become anti-social and distance myself, so not to offend anyone. So the shock value is no consequence to somebody who doesn't have the same feelings. Some will get it, some won't.
    Posted 19 months ago by tweetypie Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I don't really have a problem with someone else mining the same rock that I am, I guess. If I prefer to work solo, I can always find another rock. The only thing that bothered me the other day is when a player joined me at one rock and when I moved on to another, that player left his rock and followed me and then did the same thing one more time. I didn't think about the block function at the time (and really only want to use that in the most extreme situations), but it did feel a little creepy and aggressive (:
    Posted 19 months ago by ElleD Subscriber! | Permalink
  • +1 Laurali. Well said (since you summed up my POV)
    Posted 19 months ago by Mac Rapalicious Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I don't understand why people act like I'm making a "big deal" about it. I just had a question about peoples' points of view and wanted to know if other people thought this was annoying, in addition to what the general etiquette for mining is, as is (while there are no hard-set mining enforcements). It seems as if people that disagree with my original point are the ones making a bigger deal out of this than it needs to be.
    Posted 19 months ago by Cerulean Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @en, it's not always as easy as it was for you. Mining takes a lot of energy- you can get pooped doing that quest, and then you have to refuel before you start over, which means food, which means currants, and if you have to do it over and over because people don't feel like they have any reason to ask...

    Not cool.

    Well, it's part of the game, I guess. However, for me, knowing that mining another person's rock can seriously mess up a timed quest is enough to make me ask first. Or rather, that I just go mine elsewhere, since it's easier than talking to people.

    It kind of feels like trying to wash your hands at the same time as someone else in a public washroom. They don't have exclusive rights to the sink and tap, but you still can't both rinse at the same time, and it's kinda awkward.
    Posted 19 months ago by Cefeida Subscriber! | Permalink
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