The following scenario is loosely based on a true story. Most of it, however, is fictitious.
Many multiplayer online games allow players to join "guilds" or "clans", groups of players that band together to accomplish in-game goals. In fact, in many games, joining a guild is required in order to advance. Guild membership either unlocks new content, or simply allows players to accomplish quests or missions that would be impossible without help from clanmates.
I myself am a member of a clan in an online game. Three weeks ago, a new mage joined our clan. He appears to be a competent player. However, he does not log into the game very often. In fact, we have seen him only three times in the past two weeks, and in two of those times, he was not online long enough to join the rest of us in hunting. He has informed us that this is due to him having a large amount of homework and thus not having much time for online games.
One other clan member, our only assassin in the clan, has suggested that the new mage leave the clan to make space for someone else who could be more active. He pointed out that the whole point of being in a clan is to be able to play with clanmates instead of playing alone, so someone who doesn't have time to join the rest of us would not suffer from being clanless. He also pointed out that, since the new mage is barely active, we have one less potential party member whenever the rest of the clan decides to do anything together. Replacing the new mage would benefit the rest of us.
The mage replied, somewhat rudely, that it was hardly his fault that his teachers enjoyed piling homework on their students, and said that it was unfair to punish him for putting homework before play. The mage wanted to remain in the clan because we had plenty of active and experienced members, so he would have no trouble joining a party whenever he could find enough time to play seriously.
The assassin accused the newbie of being selfish for expecting us to put up with having an inactive member, just so he could have an easier time in the game. The newbie replied saying it was equally selfish to punish someone for not being able to spend all day online. The argument ended there, as the newbie had to go offline.
The assassin has asked our clan leader to remove the newbie from the clan, but our leader has so far refused to make a decision, claiming that he was "not in the mood to deal with [impolite synonym for faeces] right now".
Most of us in the clan are students too and can't help but feel sorry for any comrade who gets swamped by homework, but having one extra party member would be very useful in our frequent monster hunts and clan wars. It is certainly true that the clan would benefit from replacing the newbie, but should we do so? After all, as the newbie pointed out, his lack of free time is hardly his fault.
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I have no experience in such games, so I have no idea whether my suggestion is feasible. In any case, here is what I have to offer...
ReplyDeleteYou guys could ask the newbie to leave the clan temporarily since he is unable to commit well. You should also list out clearly the reasons why you would like him to leave the clan (so that you are able to find a more available member, so that his presence (or lack of) does not hinder the clan etc.) so that he feels like at least you guys gave this issue serious thought and are not just trying to chase him away. Also, offer to accept him back into your clan once his workload clears up.
The tone, when you deliver this message, should be polite and welcoming so that the newbie does not feel ostracized and will not, in turn, react rudely. He will then continue to have a good impression of your clan.
In the end, if he does return to your clan, you do not lose out as you will then have gained a competent and committed player in the long run.
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ReplyDeleteThe ultimate goal when playing games is to have fun.
ReplyDeleteIf the lazy newbie were not removed, the whole team would not have fun.
By having a more competent member in the clan, your clan would enjoy more benefits as a whole.
Only players who have sufficient time and equivalent skills with others in the clan should be allowed to join and remain in the clan because then the whole clan could enjoy the fun and fairness of playing games. This should be the golden rule to decide who could stay and who would have to leave the clan.
Based on the golden rule, it makes sense that the newbie should leave or being asked to leave the clan. In the short term, the newbie could be angry because he felt left behind and feared losing potential benefits from being a member of a strong clan. However, being left alone, eventually he will learn to be a strong and independent player.
Moreover, I think some players in your clan could feel angry at the inability to deal with non-contributing players. They might just leave for other clans which have more devoted players. Eventually, your clan could end up with poor players, who hardly go online.
To resolve an interpersonal conflict situation, it is very important to understand the feelings of those affected. You could try to explain to the newbie about the frustration of other players in the clan, not because of the newbie’s lack of time and contribution but because of the team’s desire to build a stronger team to achieve bigger missions. They understand his difficulty and do not judge him. You should try not to hurt his feelings and maybe politely invite him to join the clan when he becomes more active.
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ReplyDeleteThis is a very well articulated scenario, Joshua, with a highly detailed description and impeccable language use. The only thing I'm not confident about is the way you have phrased the dilemma in your question.In essence you've asked this: should we expel the newbie or not? This is basically a yes/no issue, and as far as responses go, arguments could fall on both sides.
ReplyDeleteMight not it be better to ask how your clan could create a situation that is win-win for everyone involved?
Hello Joshua!
ReplyDeleteAlthough gaming is not my forte, your post have illustrated very clearly that interpersonal conflicts can occur everywhere, even in the online gaming scene.
I'd like to point out an obvious flaw of online communication that can seem oblivious to most of us. Without face to face communication, online communication lacks the sense of genuinity, facial/body language and worst of all, it is deficient in "emotional management".
Compared to a face-to-face confrontation, how many of us have found it so much easier to express negative emotions via non-contact communication modes such as SMS or online chat? In fact, it is so easy that sometimes, the worst of us can, without restraint, can appear through the handy QWERTY keyboard. Such actions can worsen a situation and prolong the unhappiness of all parties involved.
And thus, if the conflict does fail to resolve via the comfortable zone of World Wide Web, why not take the "fight" to the real world instead? I don't know if gaming clan members actually meet up in person, but it's just my two cents' worth. (:
For all you know, meeting up would help enhance the understanding between the two conflicting groups. If that's the case, it would indeed be a win-win situation for both parties involved.