Repeated Attacks

As mentioned in previous postings,orderly gameplay can`t rely on the whims of each player to decide which of the posted rules, or guidelines, to use or to personally interpret when to apply a rule, or guideline. The section clearly titled "House Rules" begins with the following:

IN GAME GUIDELINES


Why do we have guidelines ?

Guidelines are to ensure a friendly and happy environment for all players. Please follow the rules of the game which apply to all aspects of the game (including game play, conversing with other players, and all other activities) to allow the most enjoyable experience for all of those involved.

This seems fairly clear and beyond question that the guidelines, or rules, listed after this opening must be followed by all players in all aspects of the game. Otherwise, what is the point of even having a "House Rules" section? It might as well be said that real world traffic regulations are only customary etiquette that can be ignored by drivers, who might choose to use the opposite of the road to drive. When no traffic cops are present and with little other traffic a driver can safely and easily drive on the other side of the road without fear of citation. However, this illegal driving is still against the laws and rules of the road.

It is the same with the posted House Rules. They are required to be used by each and every player to best insure a friendly and orderly playing of the game. Blatantly violating any of the rules, or guidelines, will lead to disorder and players getting hurt feelings. Personally saying a guideline intended to be followed by all players at all times isn`t a rule and can be ignored is merely a misguided justification to wrongly allowed a player to violating of the rules. Just because some guideline has no specific punishment for violating it, or many players might regularly violate it, is poor grounds to dismiss following the guideline, or rule. Follow all of the House Rules Section to insure a behaved game

From the private messages received on this subject and the public replies here, it seems that many have missed the point of my questions and statements. My main complaint is that some players see the rules as trivial to playing the game and feel anything is fair as long as they don`t get caught. It mattered little that I was attacked thrice in a row by the same player. What upset me the most was that he, his federation leader and many that reply think that it is okay to break a posted rule, if not all the posted rules.

Repeated attacks is posted under the House Rules and must be followed if any of the rules are to be followed. The constant barrage that the repeated attack rule, ethics and any rule listed is only a guideline is based on faulty logic and this trvializing the rules is mere personal justification by players that either are ignorant of the posted rules or ignore them or choose to only use some, if any, of the rules.

All games require rules to be followed. Ignoring just one rule leads to chaos in the game and usually results in one or players being unfairly victimized. Victimized players aren`t having fun and to encourage the attitude that rules are mere guidelines or just good manners only results in less fun experienced by the players. It is the players that follow the rules that end up hurt the most, especially when they are called foolish or not-smart by other less rule-observing players. And, new players that read the House Rules will likely believe what is printed there and observe all the rules. So, are new players and those that choose to observe all the posted rules to be taken advantage of because they choose to honor the game and try to encourage all to have fun? To say only some rules need to be followed leads to the most experienced players deciding amongst themselves just what rules they can get away with breaking and using these violations at the expense of others.

This trivialization of the rules is what saddens most.

A mildly rude private message sent over this matter prompts me to reply further. First, if any other player wishes to berate me over my view that all posted game rules should be followed by each player than make your own opinions public. In addition, explaining that this is a wargame and everyhting is fair is an empty argument. As a game there are rules that must be followed by all players. Again, ethics in gameplay requires players observe the rules at all times or chaos will occur.

Reading the House Rules in their entirety shows that every rule/guideline is importatnt and all should be seriuosly considered by every player. Players that justify violation of anything posted in the House Rules encourage disorder and unruly behavior. Marginalization of the House Rules does a disservice to all players and hinders recruitment of new players. If the veterans feel the rules are only suggestions and new players follow the posted rules, believing what is said there, than it is the new players that end up unfairly victimized by the veterans. This might be fun for veterans, but what recourse, except quitting, do novice players have when even the game guides say it is a wargame and everything is fair. Also, some of the thread replies suggest that the rules are merely guidelines for using good manners. Do new players feel better when politely victimized by veterans, who choose which of the House Rules to apply in their attacks?

Surprisingly no other player supported using of all the posted House Rules. The overwheling sentiment seems to be that any immediate gain is fair, as long as it doesn`t get the player banned. So, unethical behavior is condoned and encouraged, because it isn`t a banning offense. In fact several listed rules aren`t enforced by a banning threat. Thus, a shortsighted lust for immediate gain trivializes all the rules and prevents many new players from enjoying the game and they won`t continue playing for long.

Personal ethics are the whole basis for obeying the rules. It is ethical to follow rules and to interact in an orderly manner with others. No ethics leads only to social disorder. Using good ethics prevents the excuse I only did what others did. Ethical gameplay makes it fun for all. Merely suggesting ethics be used or saying it is good manners will quickly lead to players taking shortcuts and doing dishonorable and impolite game actions.

Again, being polite is include in the same Ethics section. If as some say ethics are only a suggestion then being polite is only a suggestion, making rudeness a completely biased impression and nullifying any sound judgment by the game staff when punishing players merely considered to be too rude for their own personal liking. So, just suggesting ethics means that punishing rude players becomes a wanton and arbitrary act of retribution by the game staff.

Ethics guard against personal biases being the only guide for decision making. Without strong adherence to using good ethics each person decides on their own internal basis what is wrong for them and what they are willing to do that is good. No ethics means that each person does whatever they care to do a any moment, which might be contrary or extremely hurtful to the interests of others.Suggesting ethics is the same as merely suggesting rules to follow.

Violating any rule means little because first you have to get overtly caught doing it and then the punishment is meted out by someone who likely feels the same about ethics and rules. leading to a mere slap on the wrist. Thus, letting each player to decide what House Rules to follow and what each means leads to all rules being trivialized, with chaos in the game. All listed House Rules are there for serious consideration.

Personally: I seek only that all rules be followed by each player, without need for punishment.
Note: Endless win streaks can never be for the next battle is unknown, leading to a possible defeat

It is seemingly obvious from the replies to this message that many seem to be overlooking the fact that this rule(yes it is a rule-if you bother to look) is located with all the other rules in the House Rules section. If you say ethics aren`t rules that need to be followed than the first listed House Rule to follow all the game rules is being broken. Thus, why should players bother following any of the listed rules and players can just engage in any activity they feel like at the moment?

Yes, I know it is a wargame. But, as in any game rules are necessary to provide order and discipline. By throwing out ethics the whole rules structure falls and chaos becomes the norm. Again, being polite at all times is listed along with no repeated attacks as an ethics rule. Thus, making ethics irrelavent means that being polite in the game can be considered unnecessary. The House Rules I believe are listed to be followed by everyone and all the listed rules should be adhered to. It is ridiculous to me that any player, especially a game staffer, should promote the view that any of the listed House Rules should not be followed by the players. If players are only going to avoid engaging in the 7 listed items the House Rules list that might get them banned, then every single listed rule in the House Rules is unnecessarily posted. This attitude that any House Rule can be ignored fosters unethical behavior by players to engage in any activity, even those that will get them banned when caught. Either all the listed House Rules should be seriously followed or none should considered important. Each rule should be for all players and all players should follow each of the rules.

All I required was acknowledgement that the House Rules should be followed. No redress was required, or asked, for my part. However, most players from the offender to even game admins seem to think any of the House Rules, and specificly the Two-Attack Rule, are unnecessary and silly to follow. So sad it is.

If posted guidelines aren`t to be considered as important as rules, why bother to posted them? Also, if unethical play is to be tolerated, then why should any rules be followed? Ethics are the basis for following the rules and for any player, let alone a game guide or game admin, to say that players can violate ethics is to condone unruly and unfair gameplay.

Along with the ethics rule for limiting attacks to only two consecutive attacks is the rule to always be polite. So, based on this answer politeness isn`t a rule and rude, impolite players can act with impunity, having little fear of punishment. Either players play with all posted rules and guidelines or anarchy and chaos will become the norm. Again, if it is officially posted as something not to do why should any player/staffer condone, encourage or engage in an activity that is clearly unethical?