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Griefer

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For a Wikipedia essay on the topic, see Wikipedia:Griefing.

A griefer is a player in a multiplayer video game that purposely irritates and harasses other players.

History

The term was applied to online, multiplayer computer games by at least the year 2000 as illustrated by postings to the rec.games.computer.ultima.online USENET group.[1]

Overview

A griefer is a player who does things in a game to deliberately cause annoyance ("grief" in the sense of "giving someone grief") for the griefer's own enjoyment (or "lulz"). Such a player is a particular nuisance in online gaming communities, since griefers often cannot be deterred by penalties related to in-game goals.[2]

Due to its popularity amongst some users, instances of griefing have increased. Websites such as "griefermadness" have formed online communities where visitors can view griefing videos and images.[3]

Exact griefing methods differ from game to game. Common methods include:

  • Intentional friendly fire or deliberately performing actions detrimental to team members' game performance
  • Using third-party hack programs
  • Any methods of reversing another player's progress (such as "unbuilding" in Minecraft)
  • Falsely accusing others of griefing behavior
  • Written and/or verbal insults
  • Exploitation of unintended game mechanics
  • Stealing other players' items and/or experience (when done for the purpose of harassment, not self-gain)
  • Spamming
  • Spawn camping
  • Twinking
  • Acting out-of-character in a role-play setting
  • Saying or doing something just to irritate, upset, or otherwise harass someone
  • Creating multiple subscription accounts
  • Purposely not assisting the team (e.g. "feeding" (deliberately helping the other team by getting "killed"), wasting key game elements)
  • Collusion with the opposition, referred to as "ghosting"
  • Repeatedly trying to steal another player's kills so that their time is wasted
  • Blocking another player's way so they cannot move or get out of a particular area
  • Luring many monsters or one big one to chase the griefer and then rushing to where he wants to unleash them. The line of monsters in pursuit looks like a train, and hence this is sometimes called "training".

The term is sometimes applied more generally[4] to mean a person who uses the internet to cause distress to others as a prank,[5][6] or to intentionally inflict harm, as when it was used to describe an incident in March 2008, when malicious users posted seizure-inducing animations on epilepsy forums.[7][8]

Combating griefers

Many subscription-based games actively oppose griefers, since they drive away business.[9] It is common for developers to release server-side upgrades and patches to annul griefing methods. Other companies, such as Blizzard Entertainment, have resorted to mass bannings in order to bring griefers to heel.[citation needed] Many online games employ gamemasters that reprimand offenders. Others have opted for a crowdsourcing approach, where players can report griefing. Malicious players are then red-flagged, and are then dealt with at a gamemaster's discretion. As many as 25% of customer support calls to companies operating online games deal specifically with griefing.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ Google Groups: August 14, 2000 rec.games.computer.ultima.online
  2. ^ a b Martin Davies (Thursday June 15, 2006). "Gamers don't want any more grief". The Guardian. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. ^ Griefer Madness Community Blog
  4. ^ Dibbell, Julian (2009). "Mutilated Furries, Flying Phalluses: Put the Blame on Griefers, the Sociopaths of the Virtual World". In Johnson, Steven (ed.). The Best Technology Writing 2009. Grand Rapids, Michigan: University of Michigan Press. pp. 9–19. ISBN 9780300154108. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
  5. ^ Nick Douglas, Internet's Most Wanted: A Rogue's Gallery, Jan 25 2007,
  6. ^ Craigslist Griefer Ordered To Pay Up Over Both Copyright And Privacy Violations (accessed April 26, 2009)
  7. ^ Kevin Poulsen, March 28, 2008, "Hackers Assault Epilepsy Patients via Computer", Wired.
  8. ^ Cory Doctorow, March 31, 2008, "Griefers deface epilepsy message-board with seizure-inducing animations", Boing Boing.
  9. ^ Pham, Alex. (September 2, 2002) Los Angeles Times Online Bullies Give Grief to Gamers. Section: Main News; Page 1.
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