I’m going to make two posts after this one.
The first will be about in-game “romantic” relationships.
The second, will be somewhat related, concerning how such relationships might lead to stalking and harassing.
About In-Game Relationships, Stalking, Harassing, and Other Such Drama
Wed, 01/23/2013 - 04:57
Fri, 02/01/2013 - 16:42
#2
Stalking and Harassing
Let’s begin with a few things that are prohibited by Spiral Knight’s Terms of Service:
10. "stalk" or otherwise harass another; or
11. collect or store personal data about another member without the express permission of such member.
12. reveal personal data about another member--including but not limited to personally identifiable information about the member, administrative role of the member within a game, and information about game characters associated with the member--without the express permission of such member.
You can see how my previous “boyfriend” routinely violates #11 and now he has further violated # 12 with me.
But he is not the only one. There was a player named ********** who was Guild Master of a guild called ***** ** ***** who was posing as a female in real life and using that gender identification to persuade and even pay players to join his guild all in an attempt to become the best Lockdown guild in the game. He was rather famous for his foul tirades when he lost.
Eventually, people found out he was really a man in real life. Now, there are many players who have an in-game character that is not their real life gender, and for the most part, nobody really cares. After all, it is a role-playing game. However, because this GM of that guild was so despised, when people found out he was intentionally deceiving people for personal gain, they ridiculed him right out of the game.
Almost.
He transferred most of his gear to a new character named after some Starcraft connection and re-entered the game. He began wooing me to become his in-game girlfriend. I don’t think I was the first or last to reject his clumsy advances, but he went from infatuated admirer to obsessed stalker. He now routinely makes up new character names that play off of mine to send me in-game harassing love letters and comments. I send an in-game complaint for each one and put the new character on ignore. Yet, SK allows him to continue to harass me and other female players in this way.
You should be very careful about putting things like Spiral Knights on your face book page or posting art or other Spiral Knights related things in other websites. Players like the one I mentioned about will find you, and the results can be quite scary and stressful. I urge you to be very careful about such privacy issues.
Wed, 01/23/2013 - 06:09
#5
A game should stay a game.
A game should stay a game.
Wed, 01/23/2013 - 06:16
#6
Wed, 01/23/2013 - 06:25
#7
O_O
Damn Mawa, you get around....
@Flowchart Link to funnyjunk? Blasphemy!
Wed, 01/23/2013 - 06:26
#8
Wed, 01/23/2013 - 06:28
#9
Your point being?
You haven't
Your point being?
You haven't actually made a clear point to discuss, you only shared your experience.
Wed, 01/23/2013 - 06:34
#10
Her point.
Her point was advice about keeping and giving personal information to others on Spiral Knights.
Wed, 01/23/2013 - 06:39
#11
Y U NO POST PICTURES?
Wed, 01/23/2013 - 07:29
#12
The same happened to me.
Many of my in-game friends were people i met on Fb who and later befriended in the game which turned out normal.So i think i was lucky to have friends with the non-stalker gene.
Wed, 01/23/2013 - 07:46
#13
free hugs!
Oh yes Mawa I know how you feel since I am dealing with a bunch of stalkers as well (prolly twice as much as you) but.. I kinda enjoy trolling/laughing at them etc.
Most of them just seek attention thus there's no point to interact with such creepy individuals (unless you want to waste your precious time or troll). Just use /ignore and /clear or hilarously long away message (everyday I thank OOO for these awesome options).
Being involved in drama like this might make you look pathetic - especially here on forums (ohh we have such a loving community!)
Just my humble opinion XD
PS: Also I got married while being afk in Haven.. don't ask for details.
Wed, 01/23/2013 - 07:49
#14
Laylla why you no answer my calls?
Laylla I called you yesterday, why you no answer your phone? I saw you walking around the kitchen. By the way nice couch, I have one just like it but its black. Did you get the flowers at work? When did you get married? I never got invited... please call me. XOXOXO
Wed, 01/23/2013 - 08:10
#15
Lesson of the day
Dont end up like Manti Te'o.
Wed, 01/23/2013 - 08:37
#16
Rawr Rawr Rawr
@Spicegirls --- You used a Manti Te'o reference I LOVE YOU......No not that type of love keep your clothes on! Anyways the whole picture thing made me think about Manti Te'o.
@Overall --- Just sounds like a bunch of e-drama. If you do wish to report your "x-boyfriend" we do have a report button in-game and a very sexy link on the forums http://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/1413 , but I am pretty sure it is rather easy to throw some blame on you as well.
@Point-of-this-topic --- So we can all dislike these super secret players Washingmachine is talking about.
Wed, 01/23/2013 - 08:43
#17
Meow
You should listen to Nj, he's a leading expert in abusive relationships in SK.
Wed, 01/23/2013 - 08:45
#18
@pooky
Nj will not drown in mud!! He's to sexy to get his clothes dirty
Wed, 01/23/2013 - 08:52
#19
There was this nice story about a couple who met playing Halo.
there now happily married,
Wed, 01/23/2013 - 08:52
#20
I have a personal mantra.
If I do not want the information I am about to share with x placed all over the net in the event that x becomes an enemy, do not tell x said information.
I have met several people who, after seeing a screenshot of a game I play or learning of an IGN, very easily find out where I frequent. I have nothing against that, but the fact that its possible is reason to be cautious with what you do under what name.
Wed, 01/23/2013 - 09:14
#21
The End
The End.
And they did not live happily ever after!
Wed, 01/23/2013 - 11:43
#22
We have genders in this game?
Well solids. This thread and real experiences with people doing stuff. Great.
Wed, 01/23/2013 - 13:00
#23
I had a person link me to my facebook once while on steam. Which prompt me to call him a creep since I never gave him my facebook link and its not posted anywhere on steam. People do some rather oddball things. I remember an ex guildmate(not giving names since that person isn't even in the same guild anymore) that could somehow find peoples real life info either himself or with help from another person. There is no business for people to be doing such things to everyday players. It doesn't matter if the person is a male or female in most cases. I guess it would matter if the only reason you put up with someone was because they claimed to be either or and really were not.
This is an online game. People lie about their genders.. whether its males saying they are females because they want attention or females saying they are males so people leave them alone. There is no business for people to act like such a stalker and hunt down players real life info if they do not wish to share it. (Yet sadly these players do exist even in this child skill level game called Spiral Knights.)
Wed, 01/23/2013 - 14:03
#24
@Heavy-Dragon This is part of
@Heavy-Dragon This is part of the reason why I have used different account names for different services, under certain circumstances.
@Zaderules The way that you made that statement is hilarious. Surprisingly, what you said is actually true in some respects. When we don't know the gender of someone, we will often refer to them as a 'he'.
Wed, 01/23/2013 - 15:06
#25
Stuffs
Hope this doesn't happen to me when I meet that female shovel
Thu, 01/24/2013 - 10:03
#27
lol...
Thu, 01/24/2013 - 10:29
#28
Really.. The other day some guy post in suggestion
That wanted a "marry system in SK"..
WTF !!!!
This kind of kids REALLY need to get a life.
Weirdos....
"Hello I am Feller.. Here's a picture of me... As you can see... I look like Brad Pitt.. But this is really me"
Thu, 01/24/2013 - 10:43
#29
Hey ladies ;)
My name is Marz-Ashbringer, le ex Kitty-Softpaws. I'm 5'11, a college student, I wear slim straight jeans (look like skinnies but aren't as tight), I like BMX stuff, I have a nice "tight little arse and have "le goods", I like to listen to trance, EDM, dubstep, and w/e crazy bass music that gives me eargasms like trap and DnB, and I am totally 100% single and lookin'! and I am legal of age!
Those skinny jean girl fetishers?
Thu, 01/24/2013 - 10:47
#30
If you really want to date go to www.eHarmony.com or something >.>
Thu, 01/24/2013 - 10:51
#31
Nah who am i kidding, SK
Nah who am i kidding, SK players aren't really my taste. They'd love their crowns and characters more than their partners.
Thu, 01/24/2013 - 11:04
#32
what
what
Thu, 01/24/2013 - 11:22
#33
I wish people would stalk me and cause a dramatic rage. It sounds like a tremendous amount of fun to be honest. And relationships. Naw, I wouldn't have one of those, I'd want to go dancing with whomever found me to be "good enough". I think that's how it works, but then do I look like I have relationships? Or stalkers? Non.
And here is a completely unrelated youtube video, because I've been noticing people people post those and want in on the fun. But it will be hard to click on, because I think thats what I'm supposed to do-----------------------> .
Or maybe I'm supposed to post something like-
...
with some sort of goofy picture vaguely pertaining to the topic in the '...'? I mean, that is what General Chat is-
"Post goofy internet pictures regarding the topic describing Spiral Knights" certainly not "DISCUSS Spiral Knights" or anything of that sort.
Thu, 01/24/2013 - 11:19
#34
Troll them.
Just troll them.
Thu, 01/24/2013 - 11:24
#35
(0_o)
There is seerusly something wrong with the people here.
Thu, 01/24/2013 - 11:36
#36
^What a lovely entirely subjective statement you've got there...
Thu, 01/24/2013 - 11:52
#37
Oh btw my post wasn't defending the OP.. if you do lead someone on then you deserve what you get. My post was just for general since there are people that do try to find the real life info of players just because they can.
But yeaaaaaah... you get what you deserve if you lead someone on a wild goose chase. Don't share personal info with other people online unless they are a good friend or you really are trying to get together. You never know, share the info with the wrong person and then you may have yourself a stalker. Oh and if you do get together in real life from being friends in a video game then good for you. Playing games is just another hobby. You can meet someone playing games, you can meet someone at the roller staking ring, etc. You just take more risk doing it on video games because other people can just easily lie to you.
tl;dr
Don't lead people on.
If you do meet someone... make sure you both are mature enough to handle it.
Thu, 01/24/2013 - 13:55
#38
Stalking and harassment are
Stalking and harassment are violations of the Terms of Service, regardless of whether others think the other party has "led someone on" or "deserves it" or "asked for it."
No one deserves to be stalked or harassed. If someone does this to any of you (and it can happen to anyone), please report it to the GMs. Thanks.
Thu, 01/24/2013 - 14:06
#39
O_O
What happens if a snipe keep stalking me?
Thu, 01/24/2013 - 14:14
#40
HARASSMENT
Njthug stalks me. HARASSMENT!
Thu, 01/24/2013 - 15:28
#41
You can stalk me any day of the week. I can't just guarantee you will like what you see if you look through my window. I'd also have to wonder how you found a ladder big enough to reach my window.
On a serious note. I'm not siding with any side because I really don't know whats up. Though some people often throw the word stalking out for the wrong things which reminds me of a past event a friend had. Or maybe its legit stalking? I'm sure someone knows.. because I don't and I want to see more drama because I rarely watch TV these days :V
Thu, 01/24/2013 - 15:51
#42
People who haven't actually
People who haven't actually been stalked sure don't understand how terrible it is to happen to you. You no longer feel safe even in your own home - which is the place you are supposed to feel the safest. It's not really a joking matter and it's a pretty serious issue. :c
Thu, 01/24/2013 - 16:32
#43
Now I'm scared...Me and my
Now I'm scared...Me and my guildies were talking and then we got off track and I showed them my....Nvm
Thu, 01/24/2013 - 16:50
#44
I got a warning because of my post...
And I was just translating what Mewashingmycar was saying....
Sounds.. legit..
GO GM GO !!!
Thu, 01/24/2013 - 17:09
#45
Hi , im Xairathan , im leave
Hi , im Xairathan , im leave SK
http://i.imgur.com/aVsVTiE.gif
Thu, 01/24/2013 - 17:40
#46
aww mawa :(
Sadly these things happen quite often. Actually we had such an issue with two people in our guild that almost destroyed Unity. I got dragged into the middle of it as well. After watching the show catfish really opened my eyes as how prevalent this problem is.
* THE Manti Te’o reference made me absolute die of laughter
Thu, 01/24/2013 - 22:42
#47
--
"No one deserves to be stalked or harassed."
Wed, 01/30/2013 - 13:45
#48
rofl!
Darkcub, you almost made me choke on my lollies, that was so funny XD
Wed, 01/30/2013 - 13:51
#49
Errswhine, it looks like you
Errswhine, it looks like you barely even read the passage. :U
She didn't "impersonate", she just didn't feel comfortable sharing her own picture with someone that she knew could find her identity just from an image.
That fact alone sort of invalidates most of your response.
Wed, 01/30/2013 - 14:45
#50
@Errs
To be fair, I (and many others) wouldn't know where to start with any sort of research on the whole thing. If Mawashimono was lying and you know the truth, tell us the truth; if Mawashimono was telling the truth, don't lie. But don't yell at us for not knowing what went on in a guild most of us are not in and a portion of us have heard very little about.
Anyway, folks should know not to give out their personal information on an online game. As far as Facebook goes, one good rule of thumb is to never friend anyone you don't know IRL. Ever.
After nearly a year in the game, I found a player whom I playing and chatting with. Since my character is female and his is male, we became a kind of “couple”; however, due to some major differences between us in real life, the relationship was always in-game only. Other players who enter into similar relationship may extend their romantic link through Skype or actual in-person contact. I have even have a female friend here in Japan who met and married her husband through an on line game, so it can certainly happen.
I became involved with a younger person who is quite an adept stalker and has found out the real life identities of quite a few of the players in Spiral Knights. I felt this was a creepy kind of invasion of privacy and it even scared me a little. Since I am a professional teacher in my late 20s, I told him very clearly we could never be a real life couple. Furthermore, due to his stalking habit, I would never reveal my real life identity to him since nothing good could ever come of it.
Still he shared pictures of himself with me and often asked me for pictures of myself. Knowing his ability to find people through pictures like that, I shared some photos from a fashion blog of a woman with similar half Japanese, half white American appearance. Of course, he found out her true life identity in a matter of days, as I knew he would, but he seemed to enjoy the pictures, so we I continued to share some with him.
He enjoyed playing Lockdown, but I disliked it quite a bit, and never played it. He wanted to join a guild famous for its Lockdown obsession, and even though I knew it would not be enjoyable for me, I wanted to be with him, and so I joined the guild with him.
It was a big mistake. The whole ePeen-fixated guild culture was a terrible fit for me. Since most of the members spent nearly all their time playing Lockdown or doing Prestige missions (another way to show off how great they are, I guess) to amuse myself, I also began sharing the photos I had shown him in a fashion blog in the guild forums. I was even pretending the woman was me and he played along with it.
I eventually could no longer stomach the (imo) arrogance and mean-spirited nature of the guild and left it and my “boyfriend’ and even intended to leave the game entirely. I deleted all the pictures I had posted and contacted the woman whose photos I had been using to explain what had happened. She was very understanding and felt no harm had been done.
I encouraged my friend to stay in the guild if that was what he wanted, but he decided to leave it to. We eventually started a guild of our own that would not be an elitist guild like the one we had been in and many others, but rather a guild where players could meet and help one another as they grew in the game. My friend decided, however, rather abruptly that he did not like being a Guild Master. This left me in a very difficult situation since I had been counting on his help and sharing the cost of the guild with me. Since he was leaving I asked him to turn over Administrative Control of the website to me. I was gracious about his departure and even allowed him to keep an alt in the guild.
Then he sent me a very whiny, critical letter of both me and the guild. He promptly returned the elitist guild we had left, which I assume was his preference all along. He also lied to me about giving me control of the website, and even banned me from it in petty spite. And now he is apparently using it to spread false information about me. And of course, he never continued to support the guild as he promised he would do.
I’m so glad I was wise enough to set and maintain the boundaries on our relationship early on. Who knows what he’d be doing if he knew who I really was.