[games_access] Question eSport and cheating

[hinn at illinois.edu]

in game design, it's called "rubberbanding." if a player gets too far ahead, the game "snaps" the characters back so that they are closer together. usually this is done more with the game AI when a player is playing a 'bot but it's done (or has the capacity to) in multiplayer games with humans (see next sentence).

then there is just setting the difficulty level for each player individually, decided by the gamers themselves. i termed this "social rubberbanding" in an article about 5 years ago.

basically unless it's a player versus a 'bot, most games rubberband in multiplayer games when the players themselves have agreed that one person needs help because they are new to the game or any other of a variety of reasons. so the player that is an expert makes their setting harder and the other makes theirs easier -- works the same way if someone needs assistance due to a disability. this is almost always negotiated live in face-to-face situations (console gaming, non-online). so if both parties (or more if it's a 4 player game, for instance) agree then no one is using the "cheat" (different difficulty levels) for ill gain. 

of course there are always some who will choose to cheat to play a joke on their friend but that's another issue...that's just people who are playing with each other.

michelle

---- Original message ----
>Date: Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:56:53 +0200
>From: Sandra Uhling <sandra_uhling at web.de>  
>Subject: [games_access] Question eSport and cheating  
>To: games_access at igda.org
>
>Hi,
>
>I have a question about eSport and cheating.
>
>For some people cheating brings them on the same level like the other gamer.
>They need this "cheat". With this cheat it is much fair.
>
>
>My problem is: how can it be defined who should be allowed a certain cheat?
>Is it not too difficult to find out what should be allowed and what not for a certain person?
>
>Or are there some disability where it is clear that they should be allowed to use a certain cheat?
>= how to find the right balance?
>
>
>I am sorry, it is very difficult to describe. I hope you can understand it.
>
>
>Background why I write:
>Turtle Entertainment organise some Leagues. And they have know a tool that will help a gamer 
>to organise everything. I think this can be a possibility to allow some cheats and to control
>what cheat is used. An admin could configure everything on the profile of the gamer.
>
>But this topic is too difficult for me. Is there someone who has enough knowledge with this topic?
>Is there interest to add such functionality? Would it be too much administration work?
>
>Maybe I can connect with the person who is developing this Tool.
>
>Best regards,
>Sandra
>
>
>
>
>________________________________________________________________
>Neu: WEB.DE Doppel-FLAT mit Internet-Flatrate + Telefon-Flatrate
>für nur 19,99 Euro/mtl.!* http://produkte.web.de/go/02/
>
>_______________________________________________
>games_access mailing list
>games_access at igda.org
>http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/games_access
.......................................
these are mediocre times and people are 
losing hope. it's hard for many people 
to believe that there are extraordinary 
things inside themselves, as well as 
others. i hope you can keep an open 
mind.
 -- "unbreakable"
.......................................