Marcus Tedric
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Posted - 2006.02.24 09:55:00 -
[1]
Hmmmm.....one I've long thought of
I've played games in one form or another all my life (well, since could communicate anyway ).
I play for fun and the fun of playing. I also play by the rules; why, because that's what levels the playing field.
So, buying iskies off e-Bay is cheating. It's directly using RL money to affect the in-game play. And it is specifically banned in the 'rules'.
I also consider the Game-Time Card deal 'cheating' - when it is abused. I can understand why it is allowed - it allows a method for younger and/or less well off people to enjoy playing this magnificent game by enabling them to earn isk to pay for the GTCs that someone else has bought. Thus it's not overly dissimilar to co-operating Corps. The real point is that both parties added together only 'earn' the same total amount of isk. It is only when one person sells loads of GTCs to make lots of isk - that's no different to that above.
An identical system is that of my son and myself. We both play, but in fact I pay his account (essential via credit card and the need to be over 18). This is part of his pocket-money and his sister gets an equivalent shopping allowance
Now, the real rub for me comes with multiple characters on the same account (alts) and second-, third-, multi-accounts.
Underpining all my views is that there is an inherrent RP element - and one plays a character in-game - a single character. Just like in real life.
Thus, playing more characters - just because it's possible - is gaining an in-game advantage using what is a technological (RL-enabled) 'exploit'.
So, I don't do it; because, in my personal view and in a desire to 'play fair' I think it is a form of cheating.
Reasons why can be found in all the "remove alts" - "research alts/accounts cheating" threads I've seen.
However, CCP quite rightly want RL-money and the MMORPG game worlds have set peoples expectations as to alts and multi-accounts - so it's not against the EULA/rules.
But I wish they didn't exist for all the best reasons in the 'verse.
What's wrong is many aspects of human nature - the desire to win and dominate. Sadly people will do whatever they can to achieve that and, when they aren't sufficiently skilled at playing the game (as they probably aren't in RL) to get to that point, then they'll use whatever 'cheat' they can.
That to me is particularly sad as it is a game, a fantasy life - and you can be whatever you want to be - and not drag your RL into it at all......
M2CW
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