5 Unspoken Online Gaming Rules
The online gaming industry is comprised of dozens of different companies and an even wider array of games. Despite this variety, most thoughtful players follow similar rules of gaming across the board, including the five we outlined here:
- Help each other out
All Wizard101 players know the frustration of running out of health as they are about to win a battle, or being unable to find a fourth Wizard to step on the sigil of a particularly tricky dungeon. The specifics of other gamers’ struggles may be different, but the general idea is the same: Everyone needs a hand from time to time. With this in mind, many people jump in to help when they see a fellow gamer in trouble—do you? - Don’t steal from people
Would you ever rush up behind someone during an Easter egg hunt and steal an egg from right under his or her nose? Hopefully, the answer is “No”! Snagging a reagent from another player is the virtual equivalent of being an egg thief, so think twice next time you’re tempted to do it. Remember, what goes around comes around!
- Give and take
Questing tends to be much easier with a little help from your friends, but there’s a difference between accepting assistance and taking advantage of the good nature of others. After someone helps you defeat a tough boss or track down all the reagents you need for your next big crafting project, ask if there’s any way you can return the favor, rather than jumping straight into your next quest without so much as a “Thank you.” There are no online gaming rules that say other players HAVE to lend you a hand (although it’s definitely a nice thing to do), so don’t take assistance for granted. - Once is enough
It’s cool to ask someone a question or request help once in a while, but don’t go overboard. If you don’t receive a response or the answer you get isn’t the one you wanted, you shouldn’t take that as your cue to bug the other person until you get a favorable reply—that’s just annoying! - Manners still exist in the virtual world
The “online” aspect of online gaming can make it easy to forget your manners, even if you always say “please” and “thank you” in real life. Although players are separated by screens, miles and sometimes even entire oceans, that’s no excuse not to be polite.
Do you agree with our five unspoken online gaming rules? What rules do you follow when playing games online?
KingsIsle Blog 
Yes, they are all good.. except #2, not that i don’t agree with it, it just has been my experience from playing with my husband, in the same house, that on my screen i’m at the reagent before him and on his he’s at it long before me so he gets it first, sometimes its not really the intention of someone to “steal” from someone else, they just may be there on their screen before someone else. 🙂
I agree with you, however, I would like to add, (and I think it falls under number five) that you should always ask to join someone else’s battle rather than just jump in. There have been many times I have been so close to defeating an enemy and dangerously low on my health points and then someone jumps in and I die.
I agree with that. When it comes to a live online game, a little lag here and there may mean the difference between running slower than the game and running the exact speed. Rule number 2 is true, but to a certain extent. If you don’t know you’re doing it, I wouldn’t feel guilty… Once someone gets annoyed, I would feel either bad or laugh at their reaction. It depends on the person.
Good point – I’ve had this same issue at times when playing with my son.
I agree with most of everything but sometimes I also say that it depends on the person because I am nice to everyone all of the time but if I get mad at someone and I fight back (which by the way I normally don’t) then u know that they were really mean.
I agree with all, the manners and helping one big time. I am always a little mad when people don’t thank you. Though the big problem is the asking for help. I am a helpful person, either on my max Balance or Storm. I never say no which may be the root to my problem, only because I know how it feels to be stuck on something for a good amount of time.
I fully agree with the being polite rules. Impatience sometimes gets the better of some players , but nevertheless, being polite, helping out, is much more rewarding . what goes around – comes around .
6. It is considerate to ASK prior to just jumping into a street battle. Unless you are aware it has just started. You don’t know how the Wizard already has the deck set, or if they are just about to do a kill shot with little health left. And please, if you ‘trip’ into a fight, make sure the Wizard there is ok BEFORE you flee.
I agree will everyone of these.In a dungeon when someone makes a mistake,someone gets all mad,remember,we’re all there to kill the boss,so don’t get all up tight if smeone uses your trap.
Great rules to follow. I wouldn’t be where I am today without help. Joe Cocker summed it up: ” I get by with a little help from my friends”. and sometimes soon to be friends.
Yes I agree with u
If a game allows you to jump to another player, be sure your arrival will be welcome by asking BEFORE jumping.
i think most of these are right but someone should anser you because you won’t know if they are on or not there are some people who forgot to get the thing off and are walking in circules
I agree 110℅