Soldarius
Caldari
Northstar Cabal
R.A.G.E
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Posted - 2011.01.26 09:07:00 -
[1]
I think there are three important points that should be kept in mind.
One is that the Eve universe is separate from real life, to the extent that it is not designed to affect rl. Whether one chooses to let actions in eve affect rl is one's own choice.
Second point is that it is also one's own choice where to draw the line separating things eve related and rl. One example was the hacking of an account. In that case the account owner has paid rl money in exchange for rl services and access, which has been taken without permission. In every law-abiding society that is theft and illegal. Thus he has legal recourse to affect return of said stolen services and access under whatever local laws apply.
Third point is that actions taken completely in game are completely up to the player, including inaction. If you choose to play in a style that lends itself to being taken advantage of, immoral or otherwise, you are subject to the in-game laws and moral/ethical standards that have been put in place by the design team. Complaining that someone has taken an action that is within that code of conduct, regardless of whether you personally approve of said action, is like setting your wallet out on the ground, walking away, and then complaining that it isn't there when you come back. Within the game, the perpetrator of the theft has perfomred an action that is valid and within their rights. If you do not wish to be subjected to those kinds of actions, you should not be playing this game, or leaving your wallet unsecured.
Moral or immoral is a matter of the idividual agreeing to a given set of predefined standards of behavior, which usually involve punishment for objectionable behavior. In Eve, those standards are different than in rl. Trying to apply rl standards to Eve is an act of willful disregard for the truth, and active disbelief in reality.
I think the biggest arguments about morality crop up when people use rl interpersonal skills to get ahead in-game by what are considered in rl as immoral acts. Corp theft for example.
Another example happened to an NC fleet the other day. We were engaging in a POS shoot against some enemies and slowing pulling ahead of the opposition when the alliance TS server got hit with a Directed Denial of Service attack resulting in a complete shut-down. Basically, they nukes our comms using illegal out-of-game means. The FC ragequit and the fleet fell apart, not to return that evening.
Did it work? Yes. Was anybody hurt by it? No, unless you count butt-hurt. Was it illegal? Yup. It was also totally in the spirit of the Art of War, and I applaude the ingenious tactic. I even lol'd.
Now here's the real question: Was it immoral?
 Originally by: CCP Shadow
...I cannot guarantee (my) sobriety or decency.
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