How-to Draft

How to be Polite in an Online Game

With the announcement of the upcoming release of Guild Wars 2, it seems prudent to remind gamers that being polite online is something to be taken for granted. With the veil of online anonymity, many gamers feel they can say and do what they want. This handy how-to guide will teach you to play a Massively Multiplayer Online game and be polite, for either newbies just beginning to join the game, or veterans with all max-level characters.

Let’s assume you have just joined the game and are looking for a group of people to adventure with. Instead of spamming “Looking for Group,” (commonly abbreviated “LFG”), say it once every so often, rather than once a second. Include your class and what you want to do, such as the name of the quest, or that you just want to go and kill things for experience.

Conversely, if you are a veteran who is in a group looking for (GLF or GLF more), if someone wants to join and you don’t need them, explain to them why, especially if they are lower levels. It may be something that you take for granted that they don’t know, such as the dragon easily kills his character class.

You, the newbie, can’t find a group, so you decide the best way to earn money is to beg for it from more experienced players. This, of course, is wrong. The vets have spent their time making their money, so should you. Go and kill low-level enemies. It’s surprising how the money will quickly add up, even if each kill is only 10 gold or less. Vets should remind new players of this, and that all the time wasted begging could be out adventuring, gaining money. The same goes for weapons – go and earn them. It only makes you out to be an annoying player that no one wants to group with if you ask for handouts.

Higher-level players also tend to have a problem with arrogance. They believe that because they are now good at the game, they have the right to ridicule those who have just started. They must remember that they, too, were once new to the game had no idea what they were doing. One player calling another player “newb” out of spite only shows his immaturity.

For both new and old players, remember what you say affects others’ feelings, just as in real life. You may not be able to see the other person, and they may not know who you are, but that does not give you the right to berate, talk down, or make fun of other players. Anger one too many people, or anger the right people, and you may find your account permanently banned from the game. In games where players pay per month, this is not something you want. In the same vein, keep the swearing to a minimum. There may be filters for language, but that does not mean every other word is four letters. People with filters off may not mind swearing, but they do not want to see it all the time.

Finally, if your game has guilds or clans, be sure to act in a mature way to other members. Follow the rules of the group, and don’t whine about trivial things. Everyone laments the nerf that makes their character half as useful, but not that you didn’t get the weapon drop.

Follow these simple rules of MMO conduct, and you will make yourself and others better, more respectful players that others will want to group with.

Ok, not the end.

Aaaand I'm back for another class that requires a blog. Wheee!

More to come, very soon.

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