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Please, sit back down.
Is it wise to take sides is an issue so volatile as Bingo Luau badges?
That is what you did, you know. And in so doing, you just poured fuel on the fire of those who hate people who want to get their badges done quickly.
Then putting the note (in all Luau rooms, including sharing) about the “rules” of BINGO… Well, same thing. Now you’ve created sibling rivalry on top of the acrimony that already existed.
I expect more of you; I expect more of Pogo.
You’re pandering to the gaming “Puritans” and you’ve created even more discord than had already been.
Maybe Pogo should make some generic Luau game rooms, some blackout sharing game rooms, and some NON-sharing rooms (where sharing is not allowed). Then the Puritans could have the games the way they want, even while many thousands of players are trying to get their badge quickly because they have a life and don’t have all day (or possibly even the physical ability) to play games that require fine motor skills that many of your players no longer possess.
Sign me,
Sick of the Perfectionists
| Dear Sick of the Perfectionists, I will actually remain standing for this, as I am an advocate for manners, and by not taking a stand, I would figuratively be saying that it’s okay for players to bully and intimidate others who are playing the game by the rules. Ultimately, the issue is not about whether or not it’s okay to share. The issue is the extent to which some players will go to control the behavior of others in a room. Challenges are called “challenges” because on some level, there’s a challenge. Some are simple, some are hard, but if you’re only goal is to “get the badge” – manners and proper game play be damned – then perhaps you shouldn’t be earning them in the first place. You say I’m pandering to the gaming “Puritans”? I disagree. I’m simply saying that manners count. You’re in a public place, playing the same game with many other players. We provide “How to Play” instructions that explain the rules, and to expect that people who enter a non-sharing room bow down and abide by different set of rules is unreasonable. You can ask them, sure, but if they choose not to abide, then you need to let it go. I’ve heard from players who politely asked the room to “share” and found consensus. I’ve heard from some that have asked, and have found that there are a few folks who won’t share, but the rest of the room just dealt with it and didn’t give the bingo caller a hard time about it. You can have your requests, but if they don’t get fulfilled, you learn to deal with it and move on. Getting upset and causing others grief for playing the game according to the rules is controlling and manipulative, and totally ill-mannered. The bottom line is that there’s absolutely no excuse for the kind of badgering and name-calling that certain Pogo players engage in while playing this game. That’s just bad manners, plain and simple. |
Dear Ms. Netiquette,
If I may, I would like to offer perhaps one last word on the Bingo Luau challenge.
I laughed when I saw the challenge wording, because I knew for sure what was going to happen. It amazes me that so many people complain, try to run the room the way they think it should be run, and are so rude to people who are just playing the game the way it’s meant to be played.
It also amazes me that Pogo goes so far out of its way to accommodate so many different perspectives, including adding the Sharing Rooms to Bingo Luau, creating Everybody Wins Bingo, etc, and still people find a reason to whine and complain.
However, this time, I made a point of very politely suggesting to people that they try the Sharing Rooms if all they wanted was to get a bingo on their yellow cards every game. I was amazed at how many people were unaware of the Sharing Rooms, and were very thankful, quickly exited, and hopefully, happily got their badges in the manner they preferred. Meanwhile, the rest of us got to enjoy the competition and thrill of victory as we wished.
Perhaps the next time, a brief word explaining about the Sharing Rooms could direct people to the experience of their choice.
While it’s impossible to make everybody happy all of the time, I think Pogo does a great job! Thanks for all that you do to make a great gaming experience for so many.
Luau Lady
| Dear Luau Lady, Thank you so much for your letter. Indeed, yours will be the last word on this particular challenge. I do appreciate the many letters on this, but I think we’ve covered the issue pretty well at this point. I’d also like to thank you for reminding and encouraging players to find sharing rooms. It sounds like you may have prevents a few more flare-ups. For my part, I will pass your suggestion along to the person who manages the creation of badges. In the end, it’s just a game, and it’s merely a badge. It will not change the course of history, or cause the planet to explode. It’s simply another opportunity to practice excellent manners! |
Dear Ms. Netiquette,
I don’t know what is going on in the minds of some Pogo BOGGLE Bash players, but they have irked me and others.
Earlier in the week, there was a player doing really well and scoring very high. Some of the other players decided that since her score was so high, she must be a “bot” and said so. They told her to stop cheating and accused her of using programs. The accused player either muted them or just ignored them. The player finally left only for one of them to say “looks like you ran her off.” I chimed in with “no, you just ran off a really good player.”
Thursday night, I logged in to the game to see yet another player accusing another of cheating. The accused player had really high scores and was spelling words the everyday person doesn’t use. That isn’t unusual for word games. This time the accused player spoke up and said that he wasn’t cheating or using any programs. They continued with their accusations and the star player was gone. I sent the player that left a message encouraging him not to let others deter him from playing the game.
Friday night or early Saturday morning, I log in yet again to see the same stuff going on. I immediately asked for them to not to start this mess again. They continued with the “they are a bot” and “there are computer programs that will let you cheat” mess. Low scoring players are attacking other players because they have higher scores.
Silly me tried reasoning with them by saying “Do they use computer programs and bots in the National Scrabble Tournament.” They answered with a yes which I found highly ridiculous giving that the opponents are face to face and they have officials. They only proved their paranoia. After they persisted, I called them a bunch of jealous sore losers. I find that statement highly appropriate for them.
I wish I could say that it was the same 2 or 3 people harassing all of these individuals but it was all different groups of people.
Anyway, I just want to say that for those of us who score low, don’t attack other people because they do well. Not everyone has the same strengths. They score higher because they probably play much more or have a larger vocabulary than we do. They may beat you in BOGGLE Bash but you might be superior to them in another game.
Just to accuse players of cheating because you don’t know what the words they submitted mean or haven’t seen them before is utterly ridiculous.
Besides, BOGGLE Bash is a team game. You compete as a team to reach the goal. There isn’t a first place or second place. Why run off really good players that could help you achieve your goal and allow you to get your jackpot spin? Do you really want a bunch of people who only know 1 and 2 letter words on your team?
If you want to improve your score then perhaps you should invest in a dictionary. Expand your vocabulary. Play more word games instead of harassing other players.
Boggled By Blowhards
| Dear Boggled By Blowhards, It is unfortunate that many excellent players get accused for cheating when they’re just playing the game extremely well. Good for you for sticking up for them, although I’d advise against the name calling, as that rarely, if ever, leads to anything good. Unfortunately, there are ways to cheat at word games that are completely and totally undetectable, so I do have some sympathy for those folks who have had to deal with cheaters. However, unless one has proof beyond any doubt that someone is cheating, one should never accuse another of it. If you’re playing a game with someone, and you get the feeling he or she is cheating, it’s better to excuse yourself and find another room than to make an accusation which may be false. Thanks for your reminder. |
Have an etiquette question for Ms. Netiquette? Email msnetiquette@pogo.com
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