Dazed and Confused

Online gaming sux0rs! The trouble with online gaming is that the game mechanics rely on the gamers being mature adults and wanting a good gaming experience out of it. The truth is, the online gaming world is populated largely by insecure over-confident and over-explicit teenagers. For someone who takes his gaming very seriously, I enjoy being immersed in a world where fantasy becomes reality. It's the ultimate escapism and it really does give a higher buzz than most other toxic substances. However, the best buzz, is often found when playing alongside "real people", in these fantasy worlds. Mainly because their actions are not dictated by a particular algorithm or routine. The most unfortunate thing is that along with "real people" come the disruptive/corrupt element of society and online gaming seems to afford them anonymity and the courage to be complete assholes! They will actively ruin a particular games mechanics - if they think it boosts their ego - or if they can brag about it online to other players. They will hinder and spoil any game in progress, and actively try to scupper other players for the sadistic pleasure gained.

Most of the disruptive gamers tend to be adolescent schoolboys. Where games cross continental boundaries - racism oftens plays a big part in the disruption. These teenagers should be stopped! Maybe the only way to do so is to apply a pay-per-play system so that you have to have enough money to play - to invest time and effort reaping the rewards from a game? I dunno?

Phantasy Star Online has been scuppered with Gameshark cheaters, dupers and theives. Other games such as Tribes and Diablo/Diablo II are plagued with scriptkiddies, character hackers and just plain childish behaviour!

What can we do about this?

Online gaming is where the ultimate thrill is at - it is also where most of the socially inadequate toss-pots hang out.

I want to achieve the "Nirvana" that can be online gaming, I wish there was some way to filter out the spoilers, cheaters and hacks and just allow in the serious, polite, and non-cheating adults.

Perhaps, the only way is to establish an online community of people you can trust and then set up each game you play as password protected. What a sad reflection on the gaming community. But, I suppose gaming IS associated with adolescence and therefore the majority of gamers are maybe not mature enough to handle online communication. I hope to see more online games with closed mechanisms to keep the disruptive rabble out. Long live the password protected game!