Mafia Games....
- Thread starter Rbishop
- Start date
For the sake of clarity on the "Don't Be Stupid" game. I'd say odds would highly favor a mod-kill if anyone actually posts "I'm in"..... because that belongs in the sign up thread, not the game thread.
I'd like to start a discussion about players using alias names. I'll share my views on this now and ask others to comment, as well.
In light of recent games, I still feel alias names are a positive thing for several reasons: They add a little interest and variety to less thematic games which otherwise might be seem like the same old thing all over again. They allow veteran players to experiment and try new approaches to a game. They allow less experienced players to play without the added scrutiny beginners often feel they receive from more experienced players. They force us to evaluate an anonymous player based on what they actually do in a game without bringing in that player's normal style, known strategies, past history, and reputation into this. They also encourage long-time inactive players to return to active play again without that being made into such a big deal. (There are, however, some drawbacks to this that I think needs to stop. But I'll get to those in a bit.)
Long ago, it was customary for alias players to automatically reveal who they are as soon as the game ended. That was actually fun too because players could talk about who they *thought* the alias was during the game. But somehow along the way, we've stopped disclosing real identities for some reason after the game is over. I'm not sure when that happened exactly or why it became so important, but the usual convention has changed. I guess we started doing that as a courtesy out of some sense that it would be "nice" for us to respect an alias player's privacy by allowing them to remain anonymous forever.
I believe this has been taken too far now and we should either return to full disclosure at game's end or just not allow aliases anymore.
Just my opinion, but.......... Playing anonymously through the use of an alias does not make it okay for some person to vent their hostility toward other players or target an individual player out of spite or vindictiveness. It's also not an acceptable avenue for someone to act like a mafia game troll while a game is in progress to then just disappear into a fog of protective anonymity and never be held accountable for their behavior. This isn't just being funny, trying something different, or adding interest to a game. It is taking unfair advantage of something fun and useful. It's also taking advantage of a courtesy everyone else has extended to fellow players by supporting the use of alias names as an individual option.
Not only does an alias player acting up this way detract from the balance of a game, it shows a high lack of respect and consideration to the one modding that game, and it takes the fun out of this for other players, as well.
For the practice of allowing using alias names to continue without disclosure, we also run the risk of other creating other discomforting issues. When there is no confirmation who an alias was, it increases the chance that misunderstandings or hard feelings between different players might be aggravated unintentionally who were not even involved in that game. Never finding out an alias' true identity in the end creates a possibility that someone (or several someones) might believe that alias was someone who didn't even play.
Sadly, it is a fact that certain players have developed a bad reputation among the crowd of regular players that is based on the attitude and actions they demonstrated in previous games. If a player like this still wishes to play future games in hopes of somehow redeeming themself, that needs to be done under their real name.... not an alias. This gives other players an option to decide for themself whether they wish to join that game or skip it instead. That only seems most fair to all concerned, from my point of view.
In light of recent games, I still feel alias names are a positive thing for several reasons: They add a little interest and variety to less thematic games which otherwise might be seem like the same old thing all over again. They allow veteran players to experiment and try new approaches to a game. They allow less experienced players to play without the added scrutiny beginners often feel they receive from more experienced players. They force us to evaluate an anonymous player based on what they actually do in a game without bringing in that player's normal style, known strategies, past history, and reputation into this. They also encourage long-time inactive players to return to active play again without that being made into such a big deal. (There are, however, some drawbacks to this that I think needs to stop. But I'll get to those in a bit.)
Long ago, it was customary for alias players to automatically reveal who they are as soon as the game ended. That was actually fun too because players could talk about who they *thought* the alias was during the game. But somehow along the way, we've stopped disclosing real identities for some reason after the game is over. I'm not sure when that happened exactly or why it became so important, but the usual convention has changed. I guess we started doing that as a courtesy out of some sense that it would be "nice" for us to respect an alias player's privacy by allowing them to remain anonymous forever.
I believe this has been taken too far now and we should either return to full disclosure at game's end or just not allow aliases anymore.
Just my opinion, but.......... Playing anonymously through the use of an alias does not make it okay for some person to vent their hostility toward other players or target an individual player out of spite or vindictiveness. It's also not an acceptable avenue for someone to act like a mafia game troll while a game is in progress to then just disappear into a fog of protective anonymity and never be held accountable for their behavior. This isn't just being funny, trying something different, or adding interest to a game. It is taking unfair advantage of something fun and useful. It's also taking advantage of a courtesy everyone else has extended to fellow players by supporting the use of alias names as an individual option.
Not only does an alias player acting up this way detract from the balance of a game, it shows a high lack of respect and consideration to the one modding that game, and it takes the fun out of this for other players, as well.
For the practice of allowing using alias names to continue without disclosure, we also run the risk of other creating other discomforting issues. When there is no confirmation who an alias was, it increases the chance that misunderstandings or hard feelings between different players might be aggravated unintentionally who were not even involved in that game. Never finding out an alias' true identity in the end creates a possibility that someone (or several someones) might believe that alias was someone who didn't even play.
Sadly, it is a fact that certain players have developed a bad reputation among the crowd of regular players that is based on the attitude and actions they demonstrated in previous games. If a player like this still wishes to play future games in hopes of somehow redeeming themself, that needs to be done under their real name.... not an alias. This gives other players an option to decide for themself whether they wish to join that game or skip it instead. That only seems most fair to all concerned, from my point of view.
LOL Dawg. Actually, no. I'm not going to mod-kill anyone in the sign up thread either.
Questions about whether anyone should or should not play that game will be handled tactfully by private messaging, if that's even necessary at all.... which I doubt it will be.
Questions about whether anyone should or should not play that game will be handled tactfully by private messaging, if that's even necessary at all.... which I doubt it will be.
:y220e:
I agree, aliases shouldn't be a tool to be passive aggressive and immature. For the most part, everyone who plays here acts respectfully, but it sucks when a bad egg takes advantage and tries to ruin a game for others.
I also agree with Kashta, players should be revealed at the end of an alias game.
I' going to avoid dawgs post altogether, don't wanna get mod killed twice....
I' going to avoid dawgs post altogether, don't wanna get mod killed twice....
Has there been a problem with an alias?
Personally, I think it is more fun when it is revealed also....BUT I also think each person should have a choice there are some people who use to play but stopped and they were loads of fun, the only way they join anymore is if they can remain completely unknown and I respect that. I do also agree no one rather alias or not should be allowed to treat others badly and since the mod would know who the alias is (provided they don't pull a stupid like I did) that could be a "condition" to using a alias....if you do not play accordingly you will be revealed.
I think it should be up to each Mod as to if the players with aliases will be revealed at the end, and it should be announced in the sign up how it will be set up so those who still wish to play can decide what they want to do knowing they will/will not be revealed by the Mod in the end. I do think (which is something I didn't but should of done) a UD should be revealed no matter what.
As far as how things were done long ago...well quite honestly the game is nothing like it was long ago. Which also has it's good and bad qualities about it. The game will never be what it was long ago, that isn't saying it's all together bad, but it's hard to compare how things were done then and how they are done now since the whole set up (aside from the good trying to get the bad and the bad trying to get the good) is completely different.
Personally, I think it is more fun when it is revealed also....BUT I also think each person should have a choice there are some people who use to play but stopped and they were loads of fun, the only way they join anymore is if they can remain completely unknown and I respect that. I do also agree no one rather alias or not should be allowed to treat others badly and since the mod would know who the alias is (provided they don't pull a stupid like I did) that could be a "condition" to using a alias....if you do not play accordingly you will be revealed.
I think it should be up to each Mod as to if the players with aliases will be revealed at the end, and it should be announced in the sign up how it will be set up so those who still wish to play can decide what they want to do knowing they will/will not be revealed by the Mod in the end. I do think (which is something I didn't but should of done) a UD should be revealed no matter what.
As far as how things were done long ago...well quite honestly the game is nothing like it was long ago. Which also has it's good and bad qualities about it. The game will never be what it was long ago, that isn't saying it's all together bad, but it's hard to compare how things were done then and how they are done now since the whole set up (aside from the good trying to get the bad and the bad trying to get the good) is completely different.
I think the Mod should know the alias players real names. I know some in the past have not. If a player wants to remain anonymous that is their business. If an anonymous player UDs or otherwise causes problems during the game I think the Mod should reveal their identity. Sort of a "Mod-kill" type punishment so the aliases are not abused. JMHO
If it is automatic that the names are revealed at the end some will still not sign up. It also takes away this aspect of the alias...
Which Kash pointed out.
If it is automatic that the names are revealed at the end some will still not sign up. It also takes away this aspect of the alias...
Which Kash pointed out.
