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* Blocking another player's way so they cannot move or get out of a particular area, or access an in-game resource (such as a [[non-player character]])
* Blocking another player's way so they cannot move or get out of a particular area, or access an in-game resource (such as a [[non-player character]])
* Luring many monsters or one big one to chase the griefer and then rushing to where they want to unleash them. The line of monsters in pursuit looks like a train, and hence this is sometimes called "training".
* Luring many monsters or one big one to chase the griefer and then rushing to where they want to unleash them. The line of monsters in pursuit looks like a train, and hence this is sometimes called "training".
* Destroying people's creations and/or flooding the location on a server is also known as griefing, mainly done in [[Minecraft]] or ''[[Terraria]]''. There are many types of this sort as well, which includes many of the above (Such as annoying, [[out-of-character]] [[role-play]], training, and stealing.)
* Destroying people's creations and/or flooding the location on a server is also known as griefing, mainly done in [[Minecraft]] or ''[[Terraria]]''. There are many types of this sort as well, which includes many of the above (Such as annoying, [[out-of-character]] [[role-play]], training, and stealing.) This was first widely, and tactically done by [http://www.youtube.com/stormthepark StormThePark].


The term is sometimes applied more generally<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://books.google.com/?id=6r-pcB5WL8wC&pg=PA9&dq=best+technology+writing+2009+Julian+Dibbell&cd=1#v=onepage&q=|first=Julian|last=Dibbell|editor1-first=Steven|editor1-last=Johnson|chapter=Mutilated Furries, Flying Phalluses: Put the Blame on Griefers, the Sociopaths of the Virtual World|title=The Best Technology Writing 2009|year=2009|publisher=University of Michigan Press|location=Grand Rapids, Michigan|isbn=9780300154108|accessdate=10 February 2010|pages=9–19}}</ref> to mean a person who uses the internet to cause distress to others as a prank,<ref>Nick Douglas, [http://gawker.com/231320/internets-most-wanted-a-rogues-gallery Internet's Most Wanted: A Rogue's Gallery], Jan 25 2007,</ref><ref>[http://techdirt.com/articles/20090418/1728344551.shtml Craigslist Griefer Ordered To Pay Up Over Both Copyright And Privacy Violations] (accessed April 26, 2009)</ref> 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.<ref>Kevin Poulsen, March 28, 2008, [http://www.wired.com/politics/security/news/2008/03/epilepsy "Hackers Assault Epilepsy Patients via Computer"], ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]].''</ref><ref>[[Cory Doctorow]], March 31, 2008, [http://www.boingboing.net/2008/03/31/griefers-deface-epil.html "Griefers deface epilepsy message-board with seizure-inducing animations"], ''[[Boing Boing]].''</ref><ref>See also [[:wikt:lulz|"lulz"]], for griefer slang referring to enjoyment at others' expense.</ref>
The term is sometimes applied more generally<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://books.google.com/?id=6r-pcB5WL8wC&pg=PA9&dq=best+technology+writing+2009+Julian+Dibbell&cd=1#v=onepage&q=|first=Julian|last=Dibbell|editor1-first=Steven|editor1-last=Johnson|chapter=Mutilated Furries, Flying Phalluses: Put the Blame on Griefers, the Sociopaths of the Virtual World|title=The Best Technology Writing 2009|year=2009|publisher=University of Michigan Press|location=Grand Rapids, Michigan|isbn=9780300154108|accessdate=10 February 2010|pages=9–19}}</ref> to mean a person who uses the internet to cause distress to others as a prank,<ref>Nick Douglas, [http://gawker.com/231320/internets-most-wanted-a-rogues-gallery Internet's Most Wanted: A Rogue's Gallery], Jan 25 2007,</ref><ref>[http://techdirt.com/articles/20090418/1728344551.shtml Craigslist Griefer Ordered To Pay Up Over Both Copyright And Privacy Violations] (accessed April 26, 2009)</ref> 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.<ref>Kevin Poulsen, March 28, 2008, [http://www.wired.com/politics/security/news/2008/03/epilepsy "Hackers Assault Epilepsy Patients via Computer"], ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]].''</ref><ref>[[Cory Doctorow]], March 31, 2008, [http://www.boingboing.net/2008/03/31/griefers-deface-epil.html "Griefers deface epilepsy message-board with seizure-inducing animations"], ''[[Boing Boing]].''</ref><ref>See also [[:wikt:lulz|"lulz"]], for griefer slang referring to enjoyment at others' expense.</ref>

Revision as of 08:56, 20 July 2011

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

A griefer is a player in a multiplayer video game that deliberately 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. 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]

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

  • Player killing in games that do not have separate areas, or an option, to keep those who want this type of gameplay from attacking those who do not.[3] This does not include games that are designed with constant player combat in mind.
  • 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 randomly destroying other player's creations in Minecraft or Terraria)
  • 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, or access an in-game resource (such as a non-player character)
  • Luring many monsters or one big one to chase the griefer and then rushing to where they want to unleash them. The line of monsters in pursuit looks like a train, and hence this is sometimes called "training".
  • Destroying people's creations and/or flooding the location on a server is also known as griefing, mainly done in Minecraft or Terraria. There are many types of this sort as well, which includes many of the above (Such as annoying, out-of-character role-play, training, and stealing.) This was first widely, and tactically done by StormThePark.

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][9]

Combating griefers

Many subscription-based games actively oppose griefers, since they drive away business.[10] It is common for developers to release server-side upgrades and patches to annul griefing methods. 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]

Blizzard Entertainment has enacted software components and rules for its forums to combat griefing.[11] To prevent non-consensual attacks between players, some games such as Ultima Online have created separate servers for those who wish to be able to attack anyone at anytime, and for those who do not.

When Everquest was released, Sony included a PvP-switch where people could fight each other only if they had enabled that option. This was done in order to prevent the player-killing that was driving people away from Ultima Online, which at that time had no protection on any of its servers.[12] They later switched the few players who wanted this feature to their own server.

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. ^ http://www.warcry.com/articles/view/editorials/jonathansteinhauer/2535-Steinhauers-Opinion-The-PvP-Debate
  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. ^ See also "lulz", for griefer slang referring to enjoyment at others' expense.
  10. ^ Pham, Alex. (September 2, 2002) Los Angeles Times Online Bullies Give Grief to Gamers. Section: Main News; Page 1.
  11. ^ "Official forum changes, real life names to be displayed".
  12. ^ http://www.gamespy.com/articles/492/492325p1.html
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