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Author Topic: Infiltration as RP  (Read 26712 times)

scagga

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Re: Infiltration as RP
« Reply #105 on: 29 May 2011, 05:55 »

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How is it unfair? Anyone can do it. It's a level playing field for everyone involved. Choosing not to do it is a self-imposed handicap, and no different from choosing not to use ECM or whatever else 'because it's cheap'.


I think you are missing the point, Mizhara.

We aren't talking about what people can do.  If everything everyone could do was good form and fair we wouldn't be having this discussion.  This isn't about Eve bushido or any other meme label you'd like to issue here.  It is starting to question whether you understand the difference between IC and OOC actions and how to separate them.  It's not a question of being 'cheap', it's about using OOC actions to achieve IC objectives. 

Creating an alt and using him/her to infiltrate to achieve the objectives of your main is metagaming (usage of OOC knowledge) and is not an ingame tool for RP.  It is part of EvE, not RP.  If you want to RP, metagaming is poor form because it is not part of RP.

Furthermore, stating 'everyone does it/can do it' has no weight in an argument about principles.

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You're just RPing another character who has a similar ideology and likes the idea of hurting a certain entity.

When infiltration or collusion between your characters is involved it becomes metagaming and poor form.  Otherwise there is no issue.

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There's nothing 'controlling' the game. The character is no less or no more of a threat against the corp/alliance in question just because it's an alt. Hell, alts are harder to get into a corp, and you're under far greater scrutiny and risk of being caught due to the interactions with the main and how the timezones, behaviour patterns and quirks of the player is the same as your main and so on. That the alt is achieving the main's objective is no different from hiring someone else to do it, but it allows you to have the challenge, the RP and so on.


All this is missing the point. You're talking OOC EvE game mechanics rather than RP.

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I don't see it being bad form. I see it as playing the game.

Playing EvE, not RP.
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Mizhara

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Re: Infiltration as RP
« Reply #106 on: 29 May 2011, 06:04 »

I'm bowing out of this discussion as it's starting to get tiresome and even offensive to constantly get "but your definition is wrong" and "Your argument is invalid because I say so". I think I've stated my position quite clearly on the matter:

 I see nothing 'bad form' about using alts to achieve goals desirable to the main, as long as the alt in question is a clearly separate character with it's own identity. It's as much RP as anything else in Eve, and just as good RP for that matter. I don't see any harm done to the community through infiltration either, as RPers really need to grasp that they're playing the exact same game as everyone else in Eve, and thus have to take the exact same precautions as anyone else against infiltration. If an RP entity dies as a result of infiltration, it's little more than survival of the fittest. The components of the entity, the players and characters, will have learned valuable lessons to bring with them to new and better entities.

It's not OoC as long as it's in-game, as far as I'm concerned. All actions performed by my characters are IC and based on IC motivations. There is no difference between in-game actions and RP as far as I'm concerned. If I hit undock, I'm RPing it. If I'm locking up and shooting a target, it's being done IC. If my character applies to a corporation after winking at my main and saying "Sure, I'll take them down for ya." it's an IC action for IC purposes, with IC ramifications and consequences. In fact, everything outside of specifically designated OoC channels is something I consider to be an IC action and I need an IC justification to do it.

When I play Eve... I am RPing. The entire game is IC and most of the out of game tools (Voice Comms, Killboards, Forums) are also things that can/will be used IC unless prefaced with "This is an OoC communication area!".

Now, I'll let Scagga get back to going 'urdoinitrong' and 'your RP is low quality' with fancier words.
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Lyn Farel

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Re: Infiltration as RP
« Reply #107 on: 29 May 2011, 06:47 »

I think that you are purposedly eluding the real points adressed in both of our arguments.

In my case it does harm the RP community (not the whole eve community) because of what I stated above. It is not about taking precautions over ingame petty mechanics, hell I am taking them, and hell my own corp has nothing of value to steal anyway. It is about relationships. It will happen in any infiltration with a OOC side (99,99....9999% of the cases, has any RPer already infiltrated a fully immersionnist 100% IC corp ?). In terms of the Eve community, I don't much care. In our RP community, more the OOC side is involved in the infiltration, more the ensuing OOC dramas will be heavy and damageful. Whatever we can think of it (bad form, good form, whatever), there will be harm done to the community if their members can't stand each other because of said infiltrations.

In Scagga's case, which I fully support, It is indeed not OOC as long as its in game. But using an alt controled by yourself, the same entity that controls another character, is bad form because it puts the same brain with the same OOC knowledge behind both characters. In some utopia, maybe someone can make both characters behave differently with their full independant personnalities, but firstly it is purely utopic for the simple reason that you always knows what both characters think and this is definitly not the same thing than playing with a character owned by someone else (leading you to unconsciously at best taking in account what both characters know), and secondly anyway, almost nobody even cares of trying to do so or will always try to find reasons for both characters to get along very well and fullfill the infiltration goal.
« Last Edit: 29 May 2011, 06:50 by Lyn Farel »
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Kaleigh Doyle

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Re: Infiltration as RP
« Reply #108 on: 29 May 2011, 10:01 »

You gotta face the fact that 'poor form' or not, OOC drama or not, the fact it's allowed in game means you have to remedy the matter somehow in-character if you're maintaining the divide. Chastising an alt for being a 'bad roleplayer' might make you feel better, and you may not think it's right, but it HAPPENED and it has to be given a response. I'm not sure what kind of effect you're going for in declaring alt spying/thievery is metagaming either; you make the assumption that the alt doesn't have any motivations because you declared that alts made for 'ooc' reasons don't have any. I don't think it works that way. You don't get to decide which alts are roleplaying and which ones are NOT.

Just my two cents there. Also, I hate you for making me agree with Miz :P
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Casiella

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Re: Infiltration as RP
« Reply #109 on: 29 May 2011, 10:13 »

So Scagga, sounds like your position on the OP is: "yes, but it's bad RP." Is that fair?
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scagga

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Re: Infiltration as RP
« Reply #110 on: 29 May 2011, 11:16 »

You gotta face the fact that 'poor form' or not, OOC drama or not, the fact it's allowed in game means you have to remedy the matter somehow in-character if you're maintaining the divide. Chastising an alt for being a 'bad roleplayer' might make you feel better, and you may not think it's right, but it HAPPENED and it has to be given a response. I'm not sure what kind of effect you're going for in declaring alt spying/thievery is metagaming either; you make the assumption that the alt doesn't have any motivations because you declared that alts made for 'ooc' reasons don't have any. I don't think it works that way. You don't get to decide which alts are roleplaying and which ones are NOT.

Just my two cents there. Also, I hate you for making me agree with Miz :P

Kayleigh, there are a few matters to raise here.

1. As you may have seen in my posts, Kayleigh, there is plenty of evidence that I 'face the fact' that the action in question is 'allowed'.  I have also given examples of other activities that are allowed yet that one would by convention consider poor form.

2. What I find is that you are moving on the 'what should we do about it' part of a debate.  I think it is premature for that, as we do not yet have full appreciation of the subject matter and there is ongoing hearty debate between those whose views are opposed on the matter.

3.  I have put in bold the areas of your post where you are misrepresenting my views.  I have not done any of those things and would challenge you to provide evidence (quotation and explanation if it is a matter or interpretation) if you believe it to be so.
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scagga

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Re: Infiltration as RP
« Reply #111 on: 29 May 2011, 11:21 »

So Scagga, sounds like your position on the OP is: "yes, but it's bad RP." Is that fair?

With respect (I think this expression has caught on to some  ;)), I would rather put it in another way.

I think a brief way to put it is that IC infiltration is very much a legitimate option in good RP.  OOC infiltration, where an alt is used to help achieve the goals of a main is metagaming and not compatible with good RP.

Further to Kayleigh's comments - the remedy in my view is not to have meaningful roleplaying relations with people who have incompatible ways of playing the game, if an acceptable compromise cannot be negotiated.  Yes, yes, I know I said it was premature to talk about 'what to do about it'. 
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Kaleigh Doyle

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Re: Infiltration as RP
« Reply #112 on: 29 May 2011, 11:51 »

Kaleigh, there are a few matters to raise here.

1. As you may have seen in my posts, Kaleigh, there is plenty of evidence that I 'face the fact' that the action in question is 'allowed'.  I have also given examples of other activities that are allowed yet that one would by convention consider poor form.

2. What I find is that you are moving on the 'what should we do about it' part of a debate.  I think it is premature for that, as we do not yet have full appreciation of the subject matter and there is ongoing hearty debate between those whose views are opposed on the matter.

3.  I have put in bold the areas of your post where you are misrepresenting my views.  I have not done any of those things and would challenge you to provide evidence (quotation and explanation if it is a matter or interpretation) if you believe it to be so.
I highlighted the areas in bold the areas were you misspelled my name here, and for your assistance, I have corrected it for you.

Thank you for your reply scagga, and allow me to reply in kind by providing evidence (in quotation and explanation format) as the basis of my assertion:

Quote from: Kaleigh
Chastising an alt for being a 'bad roleplayer' might make you feel better, and you may not think it's right, but it HAPPENED and it has to be given a response.

Quote from: scagga
When infiltration or collusion between your characters is involved it becomes metagaming and poor form.  Otherwise there is no issue.

Quote from: scagga
Creating an alt and using him/her to infiltrate to achieve the objectives of your main is metagaming (usage of OOC knowledge) and is not an ingame tool for RP.  It is part of EvE, not RP.  If you want to RP, metagaming is poor form because it is not part of RP.


There are many other posts similar to this. To chastise, in the context to which I am using the word, is as a 'severe criticism'. You are dictating, through your opinion, that such methods are not within the boundaries of 'good form'. If this isn't a criticism, I don't know what is...

Quote from: Kaleigh
I'm not sure what kind of effect you're going for in declaring alt spying/thievery is metagaming either; you make the assumption that the alt doesn't have any motivations because you declared that alts made for 'ooc' reasons don't have any.

Quote from: scagga
Creating an alt and using him/her to infiltrate to achieve the objectives of your main is metagaming (usage of OOC knowledge) and is not an ingame tool for RP.  It is part of EvE, not RP.  If you want to RP, metagaming is poor form because it is not part of RP.


Quote from: scagga
When infiltration or collusion between your characters is involved it becomes metagaming and poor form.  Otherwise there is no issue.

Again, the quotes above clearly indicate that any collusion between ones own characters, in your words, becomes metagaming and poor form. The other half of my statement was in response to those who feel alts are not, as you say, good form because they have no character motivation to infiltrate a corporation that your 'main' character may also want. I was merely stating that such assumptions are circumstantial at best since they are not aware of said alts' motivations.

Quote from: Kaleigh
I don't think it works that way. You don't get to decide which alts are roleplaying and which ones are NOT.

Again, this wasn't directed towards you, however, I would say that poor form is an implication, or discouragement of said behavior on the basis that it does not fit into your perspective of what proper roleplay is, and in meaning is almost synonymous.


------------------------

As for why I've moved on to the 'what we do about it' part of the debate, the reason is rather obvious to me but may not be to others. Stating whether an action is RP or not is irrelevant on the basis that (i even bolded this part) no one can declare an act or behavior an action roleplay or not except the individual making the action. Declaring an activity as roleplay/OOC does not negate the action occurred, and if the infiltrator decides to make it part of their roleplay, your options are limited to 'accepting the action happened in character' or simply ignoring/denying the event ever happened. This may become difficult when other individuals outside of those who accepted your interpretation (assuming you ignore it) approach you about the subject and you're forced to hand-wave it.

So unless the basis of your debate is academic in purpose, and not intended to reach a practical outcome, I fail to see what the purpose is in trying to reach a consensus on the subject.
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scagga

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Re: Infiltration as RP
« Reply #113 on: 29 May 2011, 12:25 »

An excellent post, kaleigh.  I shall give it a worthy reply this evening.

Edit: I regret that by means of exhaustion I shall require to delay my reply
« Last Edit: 29 May 2011, 16:22 by scagga »
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Inara Subaka

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Re: Infiltration as RP
« Reply #114 on: 29 May 2011, 14:32 »

Kaleigh summed things up better than I apparently was. I'm going to continue to use alts/hire people/and pay people already inside, to do stuff like this because I see absolutely no 'bad form' to the RP from any perspective.

As has been said, if they are separate RP entities, it doesn't really matter whether they are separate players.

Following Miz's example... ta.
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Lyn Farel

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Re: Infiltration as RP
« Reply #115 on: 29 May 2011, 16:47 »

What a mess...

It depends of the case ofc, but I don't think I will change my mind enough either not to ignore/blacklist people doing so if I personally have to deal with it.
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Vieve

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Re: Infiltration as RP
« Reply #116 on: 29 May 2011, 17:59 »

...and people think I'm crazy for never wanting any of my characters to have access to corporate assets.  Wow.

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Casiella

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Re: Infiltration as RP
« Reply #117 on: 29 May 2011, 21:05 »

I will, however, note that things like this go pretty far past any reasonable line, well into Scagga's "bad form" territory.
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scagga

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Re: Infiltration as RP
« Reply #118 on: 30 May 2011, 01:22 »

*Cracks fingers* A fresh day, with a fresh mind to construct a worthy reply.

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I highlighted the areas in bold the areas were you misspelled my name here, and for your assistance, I have corrected it for you.

An unintended oversight on my part, Kaleigh.  My apologies.

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There are many other posts similar to this. To chastise, in the context to which I am using the word, is as a 'severe criticism'. You are dictating, through your opinion, that such methods are not within the boundaries of 'good form'. If this isn't a criticism, I don't know what is...

're: Chastise and objective argumentation'

Kaleigh, with the definitions that are available, the usage of 'Chastise' is an inappropriate hyperbole. 

Such a label, if accepted, is a broad-brush mis-painting of the tone of my posts.  Mislabelling is a common forum tactic but I am not going to even suggest that you are consciously doing so.  However, you know as well as I that if I do not correct this mislabel, it is a premise that can be used to further attack my positions.

Even 'criticism' is an inappropriate word, because of the way you are using it.  There are many senses of the word 'criticism' and some would put my posts in a good light.  The way you use it implies that you view my words as 'negative criticism'. (a relevant wiki link for your perusal and enjoyment).

I am not negatively criticising people; telling them that they or their practises are faulty or that they are lesser people for engaging in them, or that others should not engage in them.  I am not trying to spread disapproval of their views and  I am not calling them invalid. In my view there is no 'wrong' or 'right' way to play EvE.  If that was what I was saying I would be closer to accepting your words. 

If you want to use the term 'criticism', in a debate of such import, it is important to use it in its correct meaning.  The correct usage is to imply 'logical' criticism or 'constructive' criticism.

Through this discussion, using the conventions of what RP is, one can objectively assess methods of playing EvE and see how they correlate with what is good and bad RP form.  It isn't my opinion, it is an objective assessment based on the definition of what things are.  I don't care if someone thinks a square is a triangle.  The fact is that a triangle is a triangle and your (generic 'you') opinion and hurt feelings by me politely pointing that out do not change that. 

An analogy.  It is like a discussion of ship fits, i.e. which are best for what purpose.  It is fair to comment that a ship armed solely with mining lasers (tech II!) is probably not a good damage dealer to other ships.  That isn't criticism, is it?  It is a statement of fact.  It would be criticism in the sense that you are using it if I said that the person who suggested such an idea was mentally deficient for coming up with it.

If we are to have a good quality debate it is important that we agree on the definitions of words, otherwise there lies the risk of people bandying them about with different understandings of their meaning, which is not conducive towards an outcome that is mutually understood.

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Again, the quotes above clearly indicate that any collusion between ones own characters, in your words, becomes metagaming and poor form. The other half of my statement was in response to those who feel alts are not, as you say, good form because they have no character motivation to infiltrate a corporation that your 'main' character may also want. I was merely stating that such assumptions are circumstantial at best since they are not aware of said alts' motivations.

Your evidence is selective.  I have substantiated the conclusions that I have produced in this thread, which you are quoting in isolation.  I have given theoretical, logical and example-based evidence to support them.  I have not seen my evidence refuted with any counter-evidence, including in your post here.

If you wish to suggest that my conclusions are 'assumptions' you need to address the evidence supporting them first, if we are having a debate rather than an argument.   

The irony is that you have made an assumption in the same sentence that you stated that I was making assumptions, emboldened for your reference.

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Again, this wasn't directed towards you, however, I would say that poor form is an implication, or discouragement of said behavior on the basis that it does not fit into your perspective of what proper roleplay is, and in meaning is almost synonymous.

On the concept of good and bad form in RP

If RP can be praised for its values it can be recognised for the absence of them.  That is not a question of perspective, it is a question of fact. 

The problem I see is that the 'all-pleasers'/'conflict-avoiders' philosophy you and many others appear to espouse.  The reason many hold this view is possibly a result of the apocalyptic forum wars of our predecessors.  It suggests the view that RP can be looked at as art, like an art gallery owner who will accept someone's filthily unmade bed as art. 

This is a hypocritical view, because we do, in our minds, have the ability to say 'well that was great RP'.  Bullshit my friend.  If you can say something is good/great, then there has to be bad, even relatively.  That is logic.  To oversimplify, there is bad art in the world and this is reflected in how much it can be sold for.

With the platform for the polite society as provided by Backstage, we can do away with this necessary evil and honestly discuss the issues related to RP without the artificial chains and fetters imposed upon debate on such topics because of the failings of other people. 

Even if this debate doesn't change any minds, that is immaterial in my view.  My aim in this thread is the search for truth.  I have already learned a lot from this debate and the reason I bother to post is because I care about the subject matter and can see much more opportunity for broadening my perspective. 

Furthermore there is the possibility that someone might refute my arguments, which will lead me to reconsider my position.

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...no one can declare an act or behavior an action roleplay or not except the individual making the action.

Where does this assumption come from?  In a roleplaying game if you break through the IC walls you can be considered ejected from the IC game and your actions can be negated.   The fact that you 'can' do that immediately invalidates your statement.  Please elucidate further if you meant something more abstract.

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Declaring an activity as roleplay/OOC does not negate the action occurred, and if the infiltrator decides to make it part of their roleplay, your options are limited to 'accepting the action happened in character' or simply ignoring/denying the event ever happened. This may become difficult when other individuals outside of those who accepted your interpretation (assuming you ignore it) approach you about the subject and you're forced to hand-wave it.

There's nothing wrong with 'hand-waving' OOC actions.  I view it as a necessary evil to preserve enjoyment of the IC game and integrity of the IC actions that have taken place.  e.g. don't expect me to give you a meaningfully considered IC response if you approach me about people advertising isk for $$$ in Jita. It looks like your own 'judgements' on what good and bad form in RP is are coming out my dear, which is making this very amusing.

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So unless the basis of your debate is academic in purpose, and not intended to reach a practical outcome, I fail to see what the purpose is in trying to reach a consensus on the subject.

The purpose of the debate in my view is the search for truth.  I put my own views under the spotlight at least as much as my fellow debater.  A consensus is not a necessary outcome, definitely not a necessary outcome if it requires us to disregard certain truths in order to achieve it.  I don't care about what other people think if I know through thorough analysis of the facts that they are wrong.
« Last Edit: 30 May 2011, 01:25 by scagga »
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scagga

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Re: Infiltration as RP
« Reply #119 on: 30 May 2011, 01:34 »

Kaleigh summed things up better than I apparently was. I'm going to continue to use alts/hire people/and pay people already inside, to do stuff like this because I see absolutely no 'bad form' to the RP from any perspective.

As has been said, if they are separate RP entities, it doesn't really matter whether they are separate players.

Following Miz's example... ta.

A disappointing choice.  I had provided you with a well-considered response.  I'm not trying to bury you in words.  By reading my posts you can see that I am making points and they are relevantly directed to you in this debate.

It is unfortunate that your reply is to simply restate your conclusions without addressing the arguments against them, then hand over the torch to Kaleigh.

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