[MUD-Dev] Re: Affordances and social method (Was: Re: Wi

[Todd Lair]

On Thu, 9 Jul 1998 15:09:08 -0500, Michael.Willey at abnamro.com wrote:

>There is undoubtably a difference between in-game conflict and
>out-of-game conflict, even if the two can use the same tools to
>manifest.  Taunts, threats, heated exchanges or even player-vs-
>player combat can be a valuable part of an enjoyable experience,
>or it can be used as a tool for harrasment.  Ultimately, every
>problem player's actions boil down to harrasment of one form or
>another, since that's the maximum extent of the abusive contact
>possible in this medium.  If we look at the problem from that
>angle, instead of trying to define the behavior as robbery, rape
>or murder, then our solutions will change as well.

A squelch command?  A player could squelch another, so that any text produced by the 
irritant would not be received by the squelcher.  Also, the squelchie could not perform any 
acts on the squelcher.  One of the drawbacks probably would be that it certainly would 
make dieing from PK's obsolete.  Although, with friendly PK, or duels, this might be viewed 
as chickening out.  Thus the standing player wins by forfeit.

  [ Boffo's screen]
  > say Hey cutie pie, wanna go for a ride?

  You ask, "Hey cutie pie, wanna go for ride?" 
  >

   [ Buffy's screen ]
   > squelch Boffo

   Boffo no longer exists in your world.
   >

   [ Boffo's screen ]
   > grope Buffy

   Buffy is currently ignoring you.  Find someone else to grope.

Todd