Griefing Definition -
A griefer is a player in a multiplayer video game who deliberately irritates and angers other players within the game, using aspects of the game in unintended ways.
Trolling Definition -
In Internet slang, a troll is a person who sows discord on the Internet by starting quarrels or upsetting people, by posting inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community (such as a newsgroup, forum, chat room, or blog) with the intent of provoking readers into an emotional response or of otherwise disrupting normal, on-topic discussion, often for the troll's amusement.
Hello there everyone and welcome, I am here to talk to you about players on the forum who are wrongly name shaming, complaining about and harassing other players because they think/have been trolled/griefed by them in game.
First of all I want to tell you guys what is and what is not trolling and/or griefing.
In-Game:
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Killing Players
This is a game mechanic, if you are killed 5 times by a player, that player is not griefing or trolling you. At the moment, it is a game mechanic and one that we all must respect. If you are being killed you have the option to either scuttle/run/fight them. If that doesn't work then you can always change server. -
Harassing and disrupting your own crews gameplay from releasing the anchor, crashing their boat, locking them in the brig for no reason, throwing your treasure overboard, discriminating your crewmates due to sexuality/gender/race.
This is 100% trolling,there is no problem about people asking for help on the forums about players doing any of these things, but remember, do not name and shame them. Report them and move on. -
Spawn Killing a Player at the Mermaid
This is a tricky topic because it is indeed a game mechanic, though it is not easy to kill someone before they respawn, I have indeed myself tried this in-game and 8 times out of 10 they respawn before you can even hit them. On the other hand, those players who respawn and try to board your ship and refuse to go to the mermaid end up as the ones being spawn killed constantly from my own knowledge. I would say at the moment it is a problem but is not griefing/trolling as it is apart of the game mechanics and a lot of the time, you end up spawn killing enemy pirates to protect your own ship from being boarded and your treasure stolen. -
Teaming with other ships to hunt other ships
This is not trolling/griefing this is a game mechanic, they have even said they encourage players to do this, to take down bigger ships. -
Competitive Banter
Saying things such as "Get Rekt" "Easy" "Noob" "Is this easy mode" and things along that line are fine, we all do it, though I would say don't say it to their faces. Though harassing someone due to Race/Gender/Voice/Sexuality is a simple No. This is not banter or words along those lines, that is harassment. Also don't use personal insults, try to still be friendly and respectful while playing the game. I myself don't use voice chat unless someone talks to me!
On-Forums:
- Name Shaming
I have seen many players accusing players or griefing them when infact, they haven't. If someone kills you in game and it upsets you, log off and take a break, relax and play when you have calmed down. But they are not in the wrong for killing you. It is a game mechanic, enemy pirates do not have to be friendly. But as soon as you go onto the Forum, complaining, ridiculing or harassing a player and use their name for hate. You are now the griefer/troll, you are the one trying to get someone bullied and harassed.
- Sharing your opinion and disagreeing with others.
Be respectful to those who you disagree with, but this is absolutely fine and you should try to combat others opinion, this helps us all learn from the community.
Be respectful guys, don't name shame and have fun.
