TEN COMMANDMENTS OF MULTIPLAY
By Daniel Quick
January 2nd, 1999
note: This is The Column, a part of Apolyton where mainly Markos and Dan write whatever
we want :). Well, not just the two of us. The Column is open to everyone. If you feel like writing submit your article to
civ2@gamestats.com
The Digital Age is bringing us exponentially closer to achieving a "small, small world after all". The Internet Explosion of 1995-96 was categorically similar to the rush to settle the Wild West more than a century ago. In the latter, things eventually began to calm down when civilization waltzed into town. As far as the information superhighway is concerned, 1998 was another growth year (and what an understatement that is). One of the marvels to witness blossom is multiplayer gaming. Since its infancy in late 1996, it has continously changed the way we think of gameplay. Now instead of getting your buddies together one Friday evening, huddling around a lowly terminal, you can can bootup your computer, logon and have the opportunity to play against millions of other cyberdots from all over the world whom you will (more than likely) never meet face-to-face. As exciting as this is (especially when you first start out), there must be a set of rules to abide by if the game is to remain fair and orderly. Why then do some little buggers insist on leaving their manners beside their monitor when they signon? When was the global vote that excused common courtesy from the virtual playground? Was I not on the list? Ah-ha, I didn't think so.
COMMANDMENT 1: "Thou Shall Not Cheat."
Self explanatory (i.e. cheat codes, programming modifications etc).
COMMANDMENT 2: "Thou Shall Not Abruptly Terminate Unfinished Events."
Ok, I'll elaborate on this one. Don't you hate it when you take the time, energy (and perhaps money if you're paying prime-time for your phone connection) to setup a multiplayer game over the Net, for example, and just as you get into it one or more of your opponents drop out of the game? What gives? Sour grapes do not sit well with me. Sure, I can take the cussing, jeering, and other unmentionable jestures that can be thrown my way. But it is an absolute insult to rudely, non-excusingly leave an unfinished game of Civ, or whatever it happens to be.
There are notable exceptions to this, of course, which fall under the "uncontrollable circumstances" category: loss of Internet connection, PC crash, stupid-stinkin'-relative-who-picks-up-a-receiver-at-the-other-end-of-the-house, and the most aggrevating factor of them all: power dip/outage.
COMMANDMENT 3: "Thou Shall Be Truthful To One's Gaming Abilities".
Let's parallel this one with golf: if you're a 10 handicap and sign-up for a tournmanent listing a 25 [handicap], you're what's referred to as a sandbagger. So, if you pass off as a beginner but have been hailed as the gaming king in your dormatory, be prepared to get snubbed. True, strokes of luck do happen, but don't think for a second you're going to fool me into believing that one can complete a 'real' Civ game in 30 seconds. Feel free to indulge yourself in the reverse, but be prepared to be laughed off the stage (not that this is appropriate, of course, but just standard human nature).
COMMANDMENT 4: "Thou Shall Not Make Appointments That One Cannot Reasonably Keep".
This borderlines in part with #2, but a little more to the point: when you commit yourself to participating in a fragging tournament at 7PM on a Saturday evening (good grief, don't you have a life? ;)), you make damned sure you show up or at least not have a reasonable excuse handy.
COMMANDMENT 5: "Thou Shall Not Discuss, Divulge In Or Support Rule Modifications Once GamePlay Has Commenced".
If you're pressed for time and wish to modify the standard rules from the get-go, by all means invest in a "meeting of the minds" (yes, this is a valid legal term). When the rules are ready for approval, there must be unanimous support for them. I can remember playing a game of Monopoly with some friends once. We loved to change the rules, usually to benefit ourselves. But when passing GO! meant $1000 in the bank in the beginning, that is the way it remained until the bitter end.
COMMANDMENT 6: "Thou Shall Not Be A Sore Loser/Winner".
Just like before every meal, save grace when you have lost a match: after all, it is only a game. If you're not, no one will want to play against you after a while. The same can be said for winning: don't gloat too much. Popous asses will not be tolerated unless under scrict inforcement and last time I looked, choosing one's gaming partners was not dicated. If you do let your head inflate beyond tolerable levels, again, no one will want to play against you after a while.
COMMANDMENT 7: "Thou Shall Take Not Constantly Limit Opponent Chocies".
Everyone wants to take a shot at the hotshots, and of course we love the potshots against the victorious-nots. Remember that you are not the only anxious gamer out there and to be considerate when arranging games. In other words, learn to get along with other players and perhaps those with whom you've not played against/with before. You never know, you might make a new friend!
COMMANDMENT 8: "Thou Shall Not Maliciously, Intentionally Put Down Others".
In the heat of the moment, we sometimes say or do things we regret later. No use in fooling ourselves, for we're not perfect. We must not purposely put down others, regardless of their relation to us in the game (enemies, allies etc.). This is only a game, after all, and is not worth destroying friendships and/or relationships over.
COMMANDMENT 9: "Thou Shall Not Engage In Matters Best Left For Later".
Look man, when I want to play a game of Civ, I do not want to spend half the time discussing how many times you've watched Titanic or what stocks you think I should invest in. Business and pleasure should not mix (too volatile), so let's keep it that way... unless you like playing with fire, of course.
COMMANDMENT 10: "Thou Shall Have Fun".
After all, this should be the reason for playing multiplayer in the first place. :-)
The opinions expressed on this page doesnt necessarily express Apolyton CS or GameStats.
It is just the personal opinions of the writer.
