[MUD-Dev] Re: WIRED: Kilers have more fun

[Marian Griffith]

On Wed 08 Jul, Jon A. Lambert wrote:

> On  2 Jul 98, Koster, Raph wrote:

> > > From:	Marian Griffith [SMTP:gryphon at iaehv.nl]

> > > In <URL:/archives/meow?group+local.muddev> on Mon 29 Jun, Koster, Raph wrote:

> > > > If you are coding a system whereby nobody can strike another person
> > > > *even in justifiable circumstances*, what sort of society have you made,
> > > > and what sort of ruler are you?

> > > Here we have a point worth of very serious discussion. And one where I
> > > very much have to disagree with you. I do not belief that there can be
> > > justifiable circumstances to strike at somebody else.  At least not in
> > > a game that attempts to provide a safe environment.

> > What about "keeping it safe"?

I can't imagine that I did not reply to this, so I guess this is snipped
for brevity ;)

> I'd argue that violence cannot and does not occur within any mud.

I am not sure I follow what you are aiming at here. Do you mean to say that
violence does not occur on muds? Or that it does regardless of how much you
try to prevent it?

> > > This is partly a problem because of the way power works in muds. The
> > > only power there is -is- that of the sword.

> > Not at all! As Dr Cat rightly points out, solutions such as ostracism
> > are very powerful. Of course, given the fluidity of identity, ostracism
> > is hard to implement. :(

> Identity can be made much less fluid, through email registration, 
> character registration, etc. BTW, I would think commercial providers 
> would have a stronger handle on identity via electronic payment 
> systems and/or client software registration.  Ostracism can be 
> implemented at the expense of anonymity.  

The question of course remains how effective it is against a determined
player,  but it will help in weeding out the idiots and bullies,  which
goes a long way into reducing the problem.

Marian
--
Yes - at last - You. I Choose you. Out of all the world,
out of all the seeking, I have found you, young sister of
my heart! You are mine and I am yours - and never again
will there be loneliness ...

Rolan Choosing Talia,
Arrows of the Queen, by Mercedes Lackey