Top Mud Sites Forum - View Single Post - Being nice to new players

Jazuela · 09-11-2003, 02:48 PM

I think that there are times when you can be "too" nice to a player. When the player is taking more of your time than you can afford to expend, on issues that involve only himself, or OOC situations between himself and another player, it's time to take a step back and tell the player - nicely - that you are sorry about his situation but there's nothing you can do, and remove yourself from that situation immediately.

Sometimes a new player will show up and complain about something they don't like, and suggest it be changed. Sometimes, that "something" exists because it works great, and the existing player base enjoys it. All you can do in that case is tell them exactly that, and then again, remove yourself from the situation immediately.

Essentially, the admin doesn't exist to babysit his players. Once in awhile he'll be needed to mediate, but it should be on the low end of his priorities. Serving the game as a whole is his #1 priority and if a single player detracts from it, then the single player needs to be stopped. Whether by a team of "underlings" or by a polite but firm "Not my problem" - depends on your brand of administration.

09-11-2003, 02:48 PM	#4
Jazuela Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: New England Posts: 849	I think that there are times when you can be "too" nice to a player. When the player is taking more of your time than you can afford to expend, on issues that involve only himself, or OOC situations between himself and another player, it's time to take a step back and tell the player - nicely - that you are sorry about his situation but there's nothing you can do, and remove yourself from that situation immediately. Sometimes a new player will show up and complain about something they don't like, and suggest it be changed. Sometimes, that "something" exists because it works great, and the existing player base enjoys it. All you can do in that case is tell them exactly that, and then again, remove yourself from the situation immediately. Essentially, the admin doesn't exist to babysit his players. Once in awhile he'll be needed to mediate, but it should be on the low end of his priorities. Serving the game as a whole is his #1 priority and if a single player detracts from it, then the single player needs to be stopped. Whether by a team of "underlings" or by a polite but firm "Not my problem" - depends on your brand of administration.