Getting along in both ic and ooc

This page was imported from a forum post dated January 31, 2014 in the category Chatterbox by Dylan Locke. Its content is likely to be out of date!

This post had 8 replies.

Fri, 01/31/2014 - 14:16

Let's face it, we have all at one point in our lives wanted to reach through the internet and punch the person on the other side. This is the forum post to help us avoid that.

No matter what species people play at the end of the day the player behind the screen is still human. As such it is understandable that we don't always see eye to eye, or even get along for that matter.

Don't worry this ins't one of those long 'state of the muck and everything that is wrong with it' type posts. This is just a thread to discuss ways we have found to keep things civil while out of character.

Because of the nature of the internet though there are times that all of use run into those people who explode into a frenzy at the drop of a hat, maybe we ARE one of those people and wish to get along with others. And yes, I have been here only a few short months but I have noticed some rifts between players. This however is NOT the place to dig up old issues and problems, which would NOT be conductive to a thread about burying the virtual hatchet...and no you may not bury it into someones head.

I'll start us off with some things I have found that helps keep chat rooms from descending into bloody rage fueled chaos.

Learn to pause.

One of the most important parts of music is not just the notes, but the pauses. That break in the music that keeps it from being one continuous noise.

The worst thing one can do is to simply react to a situation. If you stop and pause it gives you time to think about what you are about to say. Nothing is more embarrassing than over reacting to a problem or insult that was intended to be a joke or simple comment.

Behold the power of the Smiley

The most important word you can learn as a role player is 'lol'. Emoticons such as :) >:) :3 >:3 and others are also use full in conveying a sense of light humor and mirth, as if you are say to the other players 'what i just said should be taking as a joke and not serious at all. Please don't bury that hatchet in my head.'

The reason 'lol' is important is because text naturally comes across as an aggressive form of communication. Example:

   "Dylan you are an idiot"

now compare that too:

   "Lol Dylan you are an idiot ^^"

See? this person just insulted my intelligence and I am ok with that because i can tell that he is joking. :)

You don't get paid to play this...ever

Just as the head line says, you don't get paid to play this game. After all that is all this is, a game. You gain nothing from actually playing except entertainment. I'll let you all decide for yourselves why this info is important.

STAY OFF THE FORUMS!

When angry of course. Because we all so LOVE it when people point out our personal flaws for EVERYONE to see. Raging on the forums against so and so for that thing he did and why everything in the muck is falling to pieces because of THAT ONE GUY has a fraction of the power of pulling a player off to the side and engaging on a conversation about what you both would like to see in the muck.

Accept correction, and be kind when giving it out.

No one likes finding out they are doing something stupid. Especially me. The first role play i did completely derailed a story line. People died, and volcanoes swallowed the earth. Maybe not but that's what the embarrassment felt like. I was given two choices, either get angry stomp my feet and hide my head under a pillow or just nod my head, say "ok thanks!' and get better.

When being on the GIVING end of correcting a problem remember that you can only hammer a nail in so far and that honey is sweeter than vinegar. I find that it helps to first compliment others on what they do RIGHT before showing them what they do WRONG.

  "Wow player one, that was a really good post. You went in some gorgeous detail about how you eviscerated my alt Bandit and turned him into a rug during that fight scene. Please though next time ask permission before you kill an alt ok? Smiley :)"

These two can also be applied to real life as well...

I could go on but I think I am about to hit the boundary where people start skimming down the wall of text to avoid actually reading it (yeah, i don't do THAT at ALL ^^).

You might also notice that all of these things were from the a first person point of view. There is a reason for that. :)

So forum goers what about you? What are some ways you keep yourself from verbally thrashing your fellow role players or bringing peace to a room when others start to behave that way?

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