[MUD-Dev] Retention without Addiction?

[Ted L. Chen]

Eric Hu wrote:

> What I want to say is, how many players did really use this
> function "Bouncer"? How many players said "Thanks Gods! It is so
> useful!! It save my job, my health, and my familiy!!" Have you
> heard that?

> A couple of MUDs had the command "alarm", too. You could set a
> alarm to remind what you shall do when the time is up, for
> example, logoff. Is it useful? yes, and no.  If a player know how
> to control himself, it is a nice function. Sadly, those who
> 'addicted', do not.

> We ,the MUD administrators, could write 1000 columns code and
> another 100 commands to help players to control himself. If they
> don't want, all we did is fruitless.

> We could make the tools, but players will decide he buy it or not.

Are you saying then, by extension, that AA meetings are fruitless
because they're all voluntary?  Or any of the many self-help and
support groups out there?  Not all people with addictions lack the
minimum of pre-cog self control to say, "I shouldn't be doing this,"
before any strong temptation is presented.  And the 'bouncer'
functions just provides that little voice that reminds them "are you
sure you still want to be doing this?"  I think this covers a lot of
people.

Of course, you'll get the odd few who will set the timer, and then
blame you for their own ignoring of it.  I don't think anything can
be done on this end about their 'addiction' since they're in denile
of their own responsibility.  In RL, we don't expect anything short
of an intervention by friends and family to put a stop to that type
of behavior, why would we expect intervention by strangers in a
MMOG?

I did leave out the part in the casino pamphlet where they mentions
"The casino accepts no responsibility in the event that you fail to
comply with the ban which you voluntarily requested."

That's enough for the casino to be covered legally and I'd say
morally as well.  There's no need for any elaborate 1000 rules or
100 different pamphlets to help addicted gamblers.  In fact, I
believe it's better just to have ONE simple rule.  They've provided
a clear, simple out for you if you choose to take it.  There's no
way you can perform a mental contortion (something addicts do
wonderfully) and turn it into: "well, I meant kick me out only on
Tuesdays... today's Wednesday."


TLC


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