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Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist moves into Lucasfilm's Habitat: Part 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/17/the-game-archaeologist-moves-into-lucasfilms-habitat-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/17/the-game-archaeologist-moves-into-lucasfilms-habitat-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/17/the-game-archaeologist-moves-into-lucasfilms-habitat-part-2/#commentsFiled under: Virtual worlds, The Game Archaeologist, Miscellaneous

Habitat

Last week on the exciting cosmic adventures of the Game Archaeologist, we uncovered the ancient civilization of Lucasfilm's Habitat, one of the early predecessors to graphical MMOs. While we talked about how it came to be and pondered just how much money we'd waste if game companies were still charging by the minute, we didn't have the time or space to cover the community and events that formed around this experimental project.

That day has come. Prepare your bladder for imminent release!

Giving a bunch of players tools to do every which thing in the game and turning them loose without strict regulation might seem like a recipe for an instant sewage pit of a game today, but our cultured, classy behaviors weren't quite trained into us in 1986. When players first set eyes on Habitat, they weren't thinking of min-maxing, kill-stealing, or raid progression; they were trying to make sense of a virtual world using the only frame of reference they had to date: their own lives. Out of a melting pot of ideas and objects came fascinating stories from one of the earliest MMO proto-ancestors of the modern era. Get your '80s on as we head back... to the future!

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist moves into Lucasfilm's Habitat: Part 2

The Game Archaeologist moves into Lucasfilm's Habitat: Part 2 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>call-of-dutycootiecootiesdivorcedungeon-of-deathfeaturedgm-eventsgriefersgriefinghabitatharry-potterin-game-divorcein-game-weddingjk-rowlinglive-eventlive-eventslucasartslucasfilmslucasfilms-habitatmarriagepvppvp-zonessysopssystem-operatorsthe-game-archaeologistultima-onlineuovirtual-worldvirtual-worldsweddingworld-of-warcraftTue, 17 Jan 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Why we grief - a therapy session]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/03/the-soapbox-why-we-grief-a-therapy-session/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/03/the-soapbox-why-we-grief-a-therapy-session/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/03/the-soapbox-why-we-grief-a-therapy-session/#commentsFiled under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Culture, MMO industry, Opinion, The Soapbox

Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

Welcome to the Massively Psychiatric Center for Gamers, Griefers, and Greater Internet F-wads (link NSFW). I'm Dr. Reahard, and while I'm most definitely an armchair psychologist, psychiatrist, and MMOlogist, pay no attention to any of that. I'm more than qualified to help you determine whether or not you're a bleep (sorry, a griefer). So please, have a seat, make yourself comfortable, and let's talk about you.

Tell me about yourself. Do you relish that feeling of power you get when messing with another human being? Is there a certain sense of being alive, a rush if you will, that only comes around when you bleep with another person? Does said bleeping happen exclusively in video games where your actions carry no perceivable repercussions?

Are you secretly frustrated with a banal and disturbingly meaningless white-collar existence? Does releasing your inner bleep in a (theoretically) anonymous online environment scratch the itches made manifest by a minivan, 2.3 kids, and the otherwise inescapable confines of suburbia?

Continue reading The Soapbox: Why we grief - a therapy session

The Soapbox: Why we grief - a therapy session originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 May 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brokenccpccp-gamescultureeveeve-onlinefeaturedgame-lifegoonsgoonswarmgriefergriefersgriefingopinionreal-lifesandboxsci-fisoapboxsoapbox-jef-reahardthe-mittanithe-soapboxyoure-doing-it-wrongTue, 03 May 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What's the worst you've ever been griefed?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/26/the-daily-grind-whats-the-worst-youve-ever-been-griefed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/26/the-daily-grind-whats-the-worst-youve-ever-been-griefed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/26/the-daily-grind-whats-the-worst-youve-ever-been-griefed/#commentsFiled under: Culture, Opinion, The Daily Grind, Miscellaneous

Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do when griefers come for you?

My grandmother warned me of a time when online hooligans would invade the sanctity of my gaming space and do anything they could to ruin my fun. Some feel that griefing is a legitimate type of play that gives them great satisfaction. I feel that griefers should be carefully rounded up, tagged, and shipped to a small desert island where they can smack each other over the head with coconuts and leave the rest of us in peace.

Just about everybody's been griefed in an MMO at one point or another, whether by an overly antagonistic camper, a con artist who swindled you out of in-game gold, or that node stealer who stalked you and swooped in to grab the ore that was rightfully yours while you tangled with a nearby tiger.

Today we want to hear your testimony of a time when another player actively tried to spoil your fun. What's the worst you've ever been griefed in an MMO?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

The Daily Grind: What's the worst you've ever been griefed? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>campercampersgriefgriefedgriefergriefersgriefingnode-stealingopinionpvptdgthe-daily-grindTue, 26 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Player identifies "huge security hole" in RIFT's authentication system, Trion seals it]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/19/player-identifies-huge-security-hole-in-rifts-authentication/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/19/player-identifies-huge-security-hole-in-rifts-authentication/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/19/player-identifies-huge-security-hole-in-rifts-authentication/#commentsFiled under: Fantasy, Game mechanics, Rumors, RIFT

Hacking and account hijacking have been severe issues for RIFT ever since launch, even though Trion Worlds anticipated the onslaught from the beginning. Yesterday we saw Trion implement the so-called Coin Lock patch to prevent hackers from selling other players' items in-game, which some see as a novel (partial) solution to the problem.

However, this may not be enough to stop the truly malicious invaders from getting into RIFT accounts. One player, identified as "ManWitDaPlan" on the forums, claims to have circumvented the account login completely, leaving a "huge security hole" for hackers to exploit:

"I have verified the authentication system can be bypassed by successfully logging into another account without needing its credentials. Worse, all it took was about thirty seconds of time once I got all of the details locked down. I did trigger Coin Lock, but I was fully able to access that handy delete-character button, so this exploit is a griefer's dream. I will not post details on how to do this (so don't ask), but I'm positive that I can reproduce this at will and likely on any account on the system."

Later in the thread, a Trion representative added: "We have some things in the works right now and have been passing on your feedback, concerns, and thoughts throughout the day (no matter how radical or unlikely). Sharing sensitive information about our actions (no matter how broad) naturally also informs those carrying out these attacks. This puts us in a tight spot with how much information we can provide, and the questions we can answer."

And it looks as though the problem may be fixed, as ManWitDaPlan posted late last night: "Got word back from Steve Chamberlin, the development lead for Rift. This hole is sealed."

Player identifies "huge security hole" in RIFT's authentication system, Trion seals it originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 Mar 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>account-exploitsaccount-securityauthenticationauthentication-systemcoin-lockcoin-lock-systemgriefershackhackedhackersmanwitdaplanriftrift-planes-of-telaratriontrion-worldsSat, 19 Mar 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Sandboxes and the cop-out of FFA PvP]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/04/the-soapbox-sandboxes-and-the-cop-out-of-ffa-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/04/the-soapbox-sandboxes-and-the-cop-out-of-ffa-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/04/the-soapbox-sandboxes-and-the-cop-out-of-ffa-pvp/#commentsFiled under: Game mechanics, PvP, Opinion, Star Wars Galaxies, Ultima Online, Roleplaying, The Soapbox, Miscellaneous

Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

Last week, our own Jef Reahard mounted the Massively Soapbox with an article titled Sandboxes and the fear of FFA PvP. In it, he argued that open PvP was a natural and necessary part of any solid sandbox MMO. He also made waves by suggesting that FFA PvP is crucial to the roleplaying experience and that roleplayers should really face their "fears" and give it a try.

I'm a sandbox gamer and a PvPer at heart. I played the early years of Ultima Online and lived the adrenaline rush of full and brutal PvP and thievery. Dark Age of Camelot's RvR sucked up another year of my life. Star Wars Galaxies remains my sandbox of choice, and I've braved a World of Warcraft PvP server since launch. I know this territory very well. I'll knock it, because I have more than tried it -- in several tasty flavors.

And even though I'm an unabashed Jef-fangirl, I think there are a few debatable issues with his article. Hit the jump for some good old-fashioned counterpoints!

Continue reading The Soapbox: Sandboxes and the cop-out of FFA PvP

The Soapbox: Sandboxes and the cop-out of FFA PvP originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anarchyBlizzardccpCCP-Gamesconsequencesdeath-mechanicea-mythiceveeve-onlinefeaturedffaffa-pvpgankergriefergriefersImmersionopen-pvpopen-world-pvpopinionpve-sandboxpvppvp-sandboxroleplayroleplayerRolePlayersRolePlayingRPSandboxsandbox-mmosandparksoapboxSOESony-Online-Entertainmentstar-wars-galaxiesswgthe-soapboxThemeParktrammelUltima-OnlineUOWorld-of-WarcraftwowTue, 04 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Behind the Mask: It feels so good to be bad]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/30/behind-the-mask-it-feels-so-good-to-be-bad/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/30/behind-the-mask-it-feels-so-good-to-be-bad/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/30/behind-the-mask-it-feels-so-good-to-be-bad/#commentsFiled under: Super-hero, Opinion, Roleplaying, Champions Online, Behind the Mask

Playing bad guys in an MMO is one of those features mostly unique to the superhero genre. In other games, there are factions and these factions are vaguely good or bad, but it's kind of rare to see players clamor about playing an evil faction as much as they do in superhero games.

One of the reasons behind the lack of true villain factions in most games is that the hero factions in other MMOs are a touch more grey than the good guy factions in a superhero game. In World of Warcraft, both the Alliance and the Horde have their faults; the Alliance are stuck-up bigots and the Horde are ruthless and somewhat bloodthirsty. In Aion, the light and dark factions tread equally on the thin blue line that separates good and evil (although it's somewhat less obvious as an Elyos).

One of my biggest grievances with getting into Champions Online was the lack of playable villain content at launch. I was unwilling to test drive City of Heroes at all until villains were playable, and over half of the characters I've made in Champions are bad guys. Even my non-villains aren't heroes (at least not in character).

I have a certain infatuation with being a bad guy.

Continue reading Behind the Mask: It feels so good to be bad

Behind the Mask: It feels so good to be bad originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bad-guysbehind-the-maskchampions-onlinecocrypticcryptic-champions-onlinecryptic-cocryptic-studiosethicsevil-campaignevil-charactersfeaturedgriefersgriefingneutral-evilooc-dramaroleplaying-ethicsroleplaying-villainsvillainsThu, 30 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Virtual Whirl: A brief history of Second Life, the middle years]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/03/the-virtual-whirl-a-brief-history-of-second-life-the-middle-ye/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/03/the-virtual-whirl-a-brief-history-of-second-life-the-middle-ye/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/03/the-virtual-whirl-a-brief-history-of-second-life-the-middle-ye/#commentsFiled under: Bugs, Business models, Culture, Economy, Opinion, Second Life, Legal, Virtual worlds, The Virtual Whirl

This week, we cover the second installment of our summarized history of Second Life and Linden Lab (or check out part one, if you missed it). From 2005, there's an impossible amount of material to cover, but there are some interesting stories lurking among it all.

Join us as we work our way through some of the interesting highlights from 2005, 2006 and 2007.

Continue reading The Virtual Whirl: A brief history of Second Life, the middle years

The Virtual Whirl: A brief history of Second Life, the middle years originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 03 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ailin-graefanshe-chungblack-septemberbrazilbugsbusiness-modelsbusiness-weekcultureeconomyFBIfeaturedgamblingginko-financialgomgriefersgriefinghistorylegallinden-dollarslinden-labmmo-industrynipplegateopinionquicktimesao-paulosecond-lifesllaterrorismthe-virtual-whirltrademarkuigeavirtual-worldsworld-stock-exchangeSat, 03 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Linden Lab versus the griefers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/05/linden-lab-versus-the-griefers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/05/linden-lab-versus-the-griefers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/05/linden-lab-versus-the-griefers/#commentsFiled under: Business models, Culture, Opinion, Second Life, Virtual worlds

Looking back over the rather long, rich and tumultuous history of Second Life, it seems that Linden Lab finally has their griefer problems more or less eliminated. That doesn't mean that they're gone, by any means. Griefing still happens every day, but it's now a problem for individual users and communities. The problems that Linden Lab itself had with griefers are, pretty much, over.

Back in the day (before free accounts) griefers were a big-time problem for the Lab. A small group of griefers could take down or impede significant quantities of the Second Life architecture, eliminating any semblance of service for thousands or tens of thousands of users. Those days are long past.

Continue reading Linden Lab versus the griefers

Linden Lab versus the griefers originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelsculturegriefersgriefingopinionsecond-lifevirtual-worldsFri, 05 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Escapist: A folk hero for the online age]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/08/the-escapist-a-folk-hero-for-the-online-age/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/08/the-escapist-a-folk-hero-for-the-online-age/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/08/the-escapist-a-folk-hero-for-the-online-age/#commentsFiled under: EVE Online, Game mechanics, Opinion, Ultima Online

Tom Endo over at The Escapist has written an interesting editorial in which he suggests the idea that we all need a villain as a vessel for people's frustration with authority such as Bonnie and Clyde or Robin Hood. In the case of MMOs, that anti-hero is the Griefer, who will push the game mechanics to and past their breaking point or intended use in order get ahead.

Second Life has had more than its fair share of griefers over the years, and it's true that in games such as Eve Online, the actions of the players have had a massive impact on the game. Some might say that with some games they have had more than the developer itself. Such is the case with the various self-styled bad-boy corporations and alliances throughout the years in that game, or the actions leading up to the Felluca/Trammel split in Ultima Online. But Endo puts forward the idea that players need these griefers and the stories that they create, despite the true nature of their actual actions.

Head on over to The Escapist to read the full article and see if you agree with his ideas.

The Escapist: A folk hero for the online age originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 May 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>escapisteve-onlinegriefergriefersgriefingtom-endoultima-onlineFri, 08 May 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Potential avenues for MMO companies to deal with griefers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/05/potential-avenues-for-mmo-companies-to-deal-with-griefers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/05/potential-avenues-for-mmo-companies-to-deal-with-griefers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/05/potential-avenues-for-mmo-companies-to-deal-with-griefers/#commentsFiled under: Game mechanics, MMO industry, Opinion

Ah, the MMO griefer. Most of us have encountered them, or been them, at some point. It can be frustrating to deal with but griefing in MMOs is enabled by the very nature of most online interaction -- anonymity -- and there's not much that can be done about that. Or is there? Much has been written on eliminating griefing before, and will continue to be written we're sure, but Allen Varney at The Escapist has a different take on handling griefers.

Varney writes, "The motive to block and frustrate griefers masks what might be a great opportunity. Can we distract would-be griefers? Can we make the game so unpleasant for them they leave voluntarily? Sure. But go further: Could we turn griefers, despite themselves, to productive ends?" His article "Wanted: Ganked or Alive" points out how the behavior of griefers is something that can be predicted and exploited.

Continue reading Potential avenues for MMO companies to deal with griefers

Potential avenues for MMO companies to deal with griefers originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 May 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanallen-varneyeve-onlinegame-mechanicsgriefgriefergriefersmmo-industryopinionthe-escapistTue, 05 May 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Digital Continuum: Is free-for-all PvP really for nobody?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/21/the-digital-continuum-is-free-for-all-pvp-really-for-nobody/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/21/the-digital-continuum-is-free-for-all-pvp-really-for-nobody/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/21/the-digital-continuum-is-free-for-all-pvp-really-for-nobody/#commentsFiled under: PvP, Opinion, The Digital Continuum

Many MMOs with the "hardcore" PvP mentality are often argued as an experience that isn't for everyone -- something for a very set niche. Or in other words, these games aren't for people who prefer a little structure and intelligently crafted incentive to participate.

Don't get me wrong, I love me some crunchy PvP snacks. What I don't have any affection for is a system that promotes players being douchetards. Sure, we're going to get them regardless, but encouraging the behavior is just not smart at all and it makes for a terrible experience.

Here's the problem: If these PvP-centric games aren't for "carebears", then who are they for? Griefers? Well when you design a game that only they want to play, then yes.

Continue reading The Digital Continuum: Is free-for-all PvP really for nobody?

The Digital Continuum: Is free-for-all PvP really for nobody? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 21 Feb 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpeve-onlinefeaturedfree-for-allgriefersgriefingjoystiqfeaturesopen-pvpopen-worldopinionpvpscott-jenningsthe-digital-continuumSat, 21 Feb 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DDO's Shroud exploit closes raid until patch]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/ddos-shroud-exploit-closes-raid-until-patch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/ddos-shroud-exploit-closes-raid-until-patch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/ddos-shroud-exploit-closes-raid-until-patch/#commentsFiled under: Fantasy, Dungeons and Dragons Online, Bugs

After "widespread griefing of players by other players using a game exploit," Turbine decided to finally take down the Shroud raid in Dungeon and Dragons Online to prevent further use of this exploit. This level 17 raid was introduced with Module 6 and through the bug, allowed a single cleric to deny other party members completion and the part 4 chests.

Although community reaction to the shutdown is mixed, as is expected, Turbine says the raid's issue will be fixed and the Shroud will be reopened on the next patch, which could come as early as next week.

DDO's Shroud exploit closes raid until patch originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bugddodungeons-and-dragons-onlineexploitgriefersshroud-raidthe-shroudturbineThu, 04 Dec 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Outlaws of EVE Online: Miz Cenuij Part 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/outlaws-of-eve-online-miz-cenuij-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/outlaws-of-eve-online-miz-cenuij-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/outlaws-of-eve-online-miz-cenuij-part-2/#commentsFiled under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Game mechanics, Opinion

How much time will you spend pulling together a confidence scam? And how integral is having a third party to facilitate what you do?

It depends upon how much I am enjoying that particular scam. If I am enjoying it then time is never really an issue. I've spent months on individual scams, developing relationships, spending time on voice comms or the phone, whatever was required at the time. Other scams were instant 5-minute wonders. The difference between what I do and what a real life scam artist does is that in real life they are governed by money, how much time is any particular scam worth investing in? In New Eden I am driven by enjoyment and thus the time spent on any particular scam is what I choose it to be.

Continue reading Outlaws of EVE Online: Miz Cenuij Part 2

Outlaws of EVE Online: Miz Cenuij Part 2 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>concon-artisteveeve-onlinegame-mechanicsgriefgriefersgriftermizmiz-cenuijnew-edenopinionscamscam-artistscammersci-fiWed, 12 Nov 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Griefing as a phenomenon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/06/griefing-as-a-phenomenon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/06/griefing-as-a-phenomenon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/06/griefing-as-a-phenomenon/#commentsFiled under: Culture, Opinion, Virtual worlds

As new studies and research continues to look into the online aspect of behavior known as griefing (or as cyber-bullying to the mainstream media), it all appears to reinforce the correlation between the online and offline aspects of this all-too-human behavior.

You see, griefing didn't start online. In a sense griefing is like one of many sexual kinks, in that it exists in the physical world -- it just wasn't until it went online that we really noticed that it was such a common thing.

Continue reading Griefing as a phenomenon

Griefing as a phenomenon originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 06 Oct 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>culturegriefergriefersgriefingopinionpaul-mcdermottvirtual-worldsMon, 06 Oct 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Toontown Online makes it harder for griefers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/06/toontown-online-makes-it-harder-for-griefers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/06/toontown-online-makes-it-harder-for-griefers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/06/toontown-online-makes-it-harder-for-griefers/#commentsFiled under: Culture, Opinion, Toontown Online, Browser, Kids

We were swimming in the apartment community pool this weekend and were unfortunate enough to be there when a kid was practicing his griefing skills. He was about 10 years old and was doing the standard stuff: throwing trash in the pool and blaming other kids, stealing the other kids' pool toys, and of course calling everyone "gay" when they left the pool and took their toys with them.

We see griefers of all ages in the MMOs we play and the kids games are no exception. We've discussed before how games like Toontown Online take steps to prevent griefing with canned chat phrases and passworded friend features. The worst thing a toon in Toontown can say to you is "You stink!" which is really not very hurtful. But it is rather bothersome when it is spammed at you until you are able to escape the griefer, say by going home and gardening. .

Continue reading Toontown Online makes it harder for griefers

Toontown Online makes it harder for griefers originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 06 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>childrendisneygrieferskidstoontown-onlineSun, 06 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Will griefers ever evolve?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/05/the-daily-grind-will-griefers-ever-evolve/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/05/the-daily-grind-will-griefers-ever-evolve/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/05/the-daily-grind-will-griefers-ever-evolve/#commentsFiled under: Culture, MMO industry, Opinion, The Daily Grind, Education, Kids

The MMO industry as we know it today hasn't been around very long, really. Still, we can see definite generational shifts, particularly between the current crop of foul-mouthed, immature children (of all ages) we might label 'griefers', and the older, more stable cadre of players who just want to enjoy their hobby in peace.

The generation of kids being raised on MMOs have the dubious honor of receiving input from both of these spheres. What will they become? Respect can be taught, but kids are mimetic; they'll copy behavior they find amusing. Is there a chance that griefers can grow out of their abusive tendencies and learn to behave? What will it take for that behavior to evolve?

The Daily Grind: Will griefers ever evolve? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 05 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>childrenevolutiongriefersmimeticmmo-industrytdgthe-daily-grindSat, 05 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Jerks, brats, and griefers can be curbed with good design]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/03/jerks-brats-and-griefers-can-be-curbed-with-good-design/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/03/jerks-brats-and-griefers-can-be-curbed-with-good-design/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/03/jerks-brats-and-griefers-can-be-curbed-with-good-design/#commentsFiled under: World of Warcraft, Business models, Culture, Game mechanics, Opinion, Academic

According to Bill Fulton, some of the most over-looked aspects of online game development today are design mechanisms to discourage players from acting like jerks. Rather than merely acquiescing to the reality that in any large game communities, there are just going to be a given number of dickwads, Fulton suggests that this accepted reality is nothing more than the result of faulty design. Developers can figure out ways to discourage or circumvent this kind of behavior, Fulton says, if they just put some thought into it.

Why does this even matter? According to Fulton, when immaturity and asshattery is allowed to rein supreme, it discourages large swaths of a potential player base from continuing to play, or even from signing up in the first place. Certain demographics, like women or older gamers who get enough childish antics from their kids, are especially resistant to this kind of behavior. If you look at a game like World of Warcraft, which is so eminently successful in these demographics, they've implemented a number of elements (like profanity filters, graveyard rez's, and reactive city guards) to keep the idiots at bay. When you're trying to emulate WoW's success, it's an feature set you'd be remiss not to include.

Jerks, brats, and griefers can be curbed with good design originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bill-fultonbratsgamasutragame-designgrieferswhinersworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 03 Apr 2008 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Digital Continuum: This year, PvPing is the new raiding]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/26/the-digital-continuum-this-year-pvping-is-the-new-raiding/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/26/the-digital-continuum-this-year-pvping-is-the-new-raiding/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/26/the-digital-continuum-this-year-pvping-is-the-new-raiding/#commentsFiled under: World of Warcraft, Age of Conan, Pirates of the Burning Sea, Game mechanics, Opinion, The Digital Continuum

Ever since World of Warcraft hit the scene back in late 2004, it has experienced enormous success that even its creators hadn't foreseen -- with an estimated 2.5 million active player-base in the United States, 5.5 in Asia and around 2 in Europe. I think we can all agree that World of Warcraft's position as king of the hill isn't going to change anytime soon, because change takes time with all things. There is, however, a change that's been coming to a slow boil. For the past three years players have been leveling up in WoW, but when they get to the end most players have only two choices. They can either choose to focus on battlegrounds/arena PvP or they can partake in endgame raiding of various instances.

These last few months I've been looking closely at the two hyped-up massively games 2008 has to offer; Age of Conan and Warhammer Online. It has become more and more apparent to me that this year is going to be the year of the PvP endgame focus. A lot of people have played or seen the raid game and found it to be something they had no interest in. Ideally, if a developer can make a PvP endgame experience that's easy to get into and fun for everyone involved they will have something different on their hands that could potentially grab tons of subscribers.

Continue reading The Digital Continuum: This year, PvPing is the new raiding

The Digital Continuum: This year, PvPing is the new raiding originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 26 Jan 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaocblizzardcall-of-duty-4featuredflying-labfuncomgriefersopen-world-pvppirates-of-the-burning-seapotbssoesony-online-entertainmentwarwarhammer-onlineSat, 26 Jan 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Peering inside - looking back at 2007 [UPDATED]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/peering-inside-looking-back-at-2007/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/peering-inside-looking-back-at-2007/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/peering-inside-looking-back-at-2007/#commentsFiled under: MMO industry, Opinion, Second Life, Peering Inside

It's been no less a tumultuous year for Second Life in 2007 this year than any previous year, frankly. There are a few standout items though.

This isn't the list that anyone else might make - We might completely skip over one of the things you see as standing out as a huge impact, based solely on that we don't actually think it was that big a deal in the scheme of things.

Continue reading Peering inside - looking back at 2007 [UPDATED]

Peering inside - looking back at 2007 [UPDATED] originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 Jan 2008 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-verificationageplaycory-ondrejkafeaturedgriefershavokhavok-4linden-labmarc-braggopen-sourceopinionpeering-insidephilip-lindenphilip-rosedalerobin-harperrobin-lindensecond-lifestatisticsvoicewindlightTue, 01 Jan 2008 10:15:00 EST