crankyuser

Griefing in Second Life

Interesting theory from the CEO of Second Life -- one of the alternative MMOs -- about how griefing only comes about when players get frustrated that there isn't enough to do, and when tormenting other players is the most fun thing you can do.

Via the Alphaville Herald

Philip Linden: You can look at an online world, and ask how much freedom it gives you as a user. Sort of like the rat-in-a-cage analogy... How big is the cage? What is there to do? So when you look at historical online worlds... something like everquest, or even TSO... it seems quite obvious that in them you are far more restricted than in your waking life. There is a LOT less you can do there than in reality.
Urizenus Sklar: true
Philip Linden: So I believe this is a simple test for how basic and abusive and frustrated people will become in these worlds. The answer to the question "how much can I do?" tells us "how mean you will be."
Urizenus Sklar: you mean the less you can do the meaner you will be?
Philip Linden: YES