The undertone to the gameplay in a MMOG is a backdrop of social interaction. Understanding the motivations of other players is important no matter which game you choose to play. Some players want to prove their skills. Others enjoy the ability to explore worlds and involve themselves with a worldwide plot inhabited by real people. Many players simply enjoy talking to other people.

Regrettably, a visible few players enter a MMOG because they enjoy the ability to control, frustrate, or hurt the other players of the game through their characters. The Player Killing of the early days (1997-98) of Ultima Online has gone down in MMOG history as one extreme. Fortunately, the game now features a very free implementation of Player vs. Player combat and stronger NPC city guards to stop excessive player carnage.

Of course, even Non-Player Characters (NPCs) have a social context. These computer-driven constructs always provide a service to other real players. Some games allow players to destroy vendor and guard NPCs, affecting the experience of other players.

For example, high-level characters often attack the guards of Qeynos in EverQuest to take out frustrations. They are also a respectable challenge, because the average Qeynos guard is probably around level 55. Slaying these guards can expose new characters to danger, however, as they provide protection for adventurers in the newbie zones.

Despite the fact that most people you’ll meet in-game are pleasant, friendly, and helpful, there are occasional bad eggs. Some people have trouble separating their behavior in a single-player game from their behavior in a MMOG. The lack of context in free-form chat makes translating behavior from a single-player environment more difficult. “Ha ha, you suck” could be either a friendly jibe or a bold insult.

Beyond that, no major commercial MMOGs have a minimum age requirement, so immaturity can sometimes be a factor in awkwardly social situations. Teenagers and children let loose in a virtual environment may be tasting true freedom for the first time. Some quickly leave the bounds of polite society just because they can. Of course, this isn’t always a function of physical age. Some people are old enough to know perfectly well that their actions affect other people. Online anonymity can be a powerful draw for individuals who can’t express their darker emotions in real life. These people are commonly referred to as griefers.

Kill stealing , or KSing, is a common grief tactic. Some games have trouble doling out credit for killing a monster appropriately, and KSers use that to their advantage. By attacking the monster after you’ve already weakened it, they can take equipment and experience that should have rightly gone to you.

EverQuest has experienced serious problems with this since launch time. The Zone of Blackburrow, as a very popular low-level zone, has often had multiple parties jump on named monsters. The system now rewards the character or group that did 75% or more of the damage.

Final Fantasy XI takes another approach. A character who attacks a monster has a claim on it. No other player can even target a claimed monster unless the original combatant cries for help with a specific command.

Some people honestly don’t know that KSing is a bad habit, so keep your temper. Just state that you’d appreciate if they didn’t do that, and go about your business. Chances are that it won’t happen again. If it happens on a persistent basis, you’re likely being griefed. Report such harassment to a customer service representative.

Some people take issue with swearing and crude language in their games. Many players are casual with crass language, so be prepared for that eventuality. Some games have profanity filters to help you ameliorate uncomfortable chatter. A few players will take it to an inappropriate level and begin harassing specific individuals. Almost every MMOG allows players the ability to ignore other people, usually through the /ignore command. If another player begins to treat you poorly and does not respond to repeated requests to desist, use your ignore list to make your chat channels blissfully quiet.

If you ever feel threatened or harassed, remain calm. After all, there’s nothing people can do to you physically outside the reach of the game. Ask the offending person to leave politely and try to get on with what you’re doing. Ignoring the person will help. Nine times out of ten, if you stop giving him the attention he craves, the bully will move on.

If the harassment persists, don’t hesitate to call in a Game Master, an in-game customer service representative. These people are paid to assist players in tense social situations and with technical problems. The support staff in Mythic’s Dark Age of Camelot are well-known for their short turnaround times and quality of attention. SOE’s Star Wars Galaxies, on the other hand, has had issues since launch with customer service representatives answering petitions in a timely fashion. Regardless of their speed, GMs take harassment very seriously.

Explain the situation calmly and try to remain unemotional about the experience. If a player is harassing you, chances are he’s done it before or will do it again. Asking a GM for help will reduce your stress and the stress of those around you. Don’t let one bad experience ruin your opinion of your fellow players.

Courtesy is the watchword of multiplayer gaming. Simple common courtesy is the easiest way to ensure that you’ll have fun playing a MMOG. Most players understand this. Curiously, I have met few people in real life as courteous as players I’ve met in-game.

Many new players are afraid of appearing ignorant in front of other people, especially in a culture that labels players with less experience as “newbies,” or, less pleasantly, “newb,” “noob,” or “n00b.” You may find this attitude disrespectful, but don’t feel ashamed of your lack of experience. All of your fellow players went through a similar period of learning. Similarly, treat even newer players with respect, as they’ll go through the same experiences you did.

Simply treat others respectfully. Even though the social environment is different from real life, the rules are based on everyday interactions. This congenial attitude should extend to both questions and combat. If you need help, ask one of your fellow players, though try to avoid asking questions out loud in public channels.

Many games support a mentoring or guide system that allows players to flag themselves as willing to answer questions. Final Fantasy XI’s mentoring system is very mature. New characters begin the game with a red question mark by their name. This indicator remains in place until the player has played approximately 15 hours or has reached level 5. During this time period, everyone else in the game knows that the character may need help adjusting to the game or the genre, or may just need some advice. In addition to this system, players can join a mentoring on-call system. This system supports new players during their earliest time in the game (statistically the most likely time a player will quit) and gives experienced players the opportunity to give back to the community and show off a little.

Look out for these people if you have a simple question that needs answering. If someone helps you out of a tight spot or heals you, be sure to thank her. Similarly, if you think you can help someone out in combat without getting both of you killed, give it a shot. It’s a good idea to ask if the other player would like assistance, though; some players hate the thought of needing help.

Someone fighting several monsters at once or a monster of much greater strength may need assistance. If you can, examine the player’s hit points and statistics, and make your decision.

The most common way for players to interact is through grouping ( [Hack #33] ). Grouping with other players is usually the most efficient method of gaining experience, and it’s almost always more fun, too. Don’t be put off, though, if some people turn you down. Playing by yourself sometimes is a nice break.

Be aware that some players don’t make a goal of socializing. They tend to view the gameworld as an extension of the single-player games they’ve played alone. They may not feel at all weird about randomly and unexpectedly inviting other players with no explanation, so be prepared for these phantom invites. Accept or deny the request based on the limited information you have about the other player.

When dealing with other people and their goals, find out what they want to accomplish. It’s less awkward just to turn down a request than to leave it suddenly later. If you accept, there will likely be a looting mechanism available for “pick up” groups of this sort, so you shouldn’t have too much to worry about. Be friendly; hopefully, other players will begin to view you as more than just another bunch of pixels on a screen.

Beyond simple social graces, you’ll also have to consider the material concerns of game equipment, money, and loot. The biggest thing to remember is that it’s just loot in a game. Losing a piece of equipment is not the end of the world.

Of course, if you’re playing with others, make sure to agree on a fair division of loot before setting out. Groups move through monsters much more quickly than an individual. The increased rewards make it even more important that everyone receives a proportional amount of treasure.

Some groups roll dice for highly valued equipment. Others cast lots, and some use old-fashioned sweet talking. If you come across a piece of equipment that is appropriate for your class, make an argument without whining. The odds are good that your companions also want class-appropriate items, so use this opportunity to find something you can use. If all else fails, you can always offer to buy a piece of equipment from the other player. This may net you a significant discount from buying it at auction or through a more formal sale.

Player trading is the mainstay of most MMOG economies. If you’re selling small, common, and inexpensive items, you’re better off trading with NPC vendors. Larger, more powerful, and rare items usually earn more profit when sold to other players. The means by which you sell items varies between games. Some offer large marketplaces or in-game auction systems. Others allow you to hire NPC vendors.

Whatever your method of selling, be courteous when going about your sale. Many players dislike having sales shoved into their faces, so avoid spamming a common chat channel. Also, be aware of the accepted costs of your goods before you set a price. A high price won’t net you any sales, while a low one will give you a poor return on your investment of time and energy. Well-established games often have several web sites that offer common costs for even the rarest objects. Otherwise, ask around for several opinions on how much an item is worth. Chances are you’ll find someone who has bought or sold the item before and can give you a fair estimate of its value.

This guide has attempted to be a bridge between the new player tutorial and your first steps as a new player in a wider world. I’ve tried to lay out some basic information on becoming an active and participatory new player. The skills you learn and the friends you meet through actual play, though, are what will keep you playing for years to come.