IC/OOC confusion: how to deal with it? (OOC)
Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 9:52 pm
Restored post: Myst/Uru-Style Story • IC/OOC confusion: how to deal with it? (OOC)
Hypergrid 11.2.2010 um 14:31 Dot
The purpose of this thread is to look at how we might resolve some of the difficulties that arise through a mixture of IC (in character) and OOC (out of character) styles of play -- a mix that often arises in Myst/Uru-style games.
Through looking at specific examples, and trying to understand the conflict and upset that might have arisen from different points of view, I'm hoping that together we might come up with ways of handling such difficulties in the future, both as individuals and as part of whatever groups we belong to.
I'll start the ball rolling. This is a vivid instance that happened among hood members, about the time Cate was suggesting putting adverts in the Cavern. This IC event was commonly interpreted in an OOC way as the game company needing extra funds. Both IC and OOC players have an OOC love for the company concerned, and would want to help if they could.
One very caring and kind individual, strongly OOC, was trying to find out more about the OOC background from a DRC person visiting the City. There were other strongly IC players wanting to discuss the developing story.
The result was a unpleasant shouting match. The OOC individual was extremely upset by being told repeatedly to shut up by the others, who were similarly upset/irritated no doubt by the persistence of OOC questions being asked.
Afterwards in the hood, we tried to comfort the person concerned, and to explain that the advert idea was a story, that it didn't mean that the game company was looking for extra revenue in RL. I'm not sure we got very far -- but we tried.
How should such incidents be handled (a) as they happen, (b) afterwards among friends?
===
By the way, in this section, should a similar situation arise where someone asks an OOC question in a mainly IC thread, the thread participants will be expected to respond helpfully in an OOC way, to clear up any possible confusion immediately. Respect for others is key.
Hypergrid 11.2.2010 um 14:31 Dot
The purpose of this thread is to look at how we might resolve some of the difficulties that arise through a mixture of IC (in character) and OOC (out of character) styles of play -- a mix that often arises in Myst/Uru-style games.
Through looking at specific examples, and trying to understand the conflict and upset that might have arisen from different points of view, I'm hoping that together we might come up with ways of handling such difficulties in the future, both as individuals and as part of whatever groups we belong to.
I'll start the ball rolling. This is a vivid instance that happened among hood members, about the time Cate was suggesting putting adverts in the Cavern. This IC event was commonly interpreted in an OOC way as the game company needing extra funds. Both IC and OOC players have an OOC love for the company concerned, and would want to help if they could.
One very caring and kind individual, strongly OOC, was trying to find out more about the OOC background from a DRC person visiting the City. There were other strongly IC players wanting to discuss the developing story.
The result was a unpleasant shouting match. The OOC individual was extremely upset by being told repeatedly to shut up by the others, who were similarly upset/irritated no doubt by the persistence of OOC questions being asked.
Afterwards in the hood, we tried to comfort the person concerned, and to explain that the advert idea was a story, that it didn't mean that the game company was looking for extra revenue in RL. I'm not sure we got very far -- but we tried.
How should such incidents be handled (a) as they happen, (b) afterwards among friends?
===
By the way, in this section, should a similar situation arise where someone asks an OOC question in a mainly IC thread, the thread participants will be expected to respond helpfully in an OOC way, to clear up any possible confusion immediately. Respect for others is key.