Associate
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Strange request: sabotaging World of Warcraft?
- Thread starter Johnny Girth
- Start date
Difficult to say without knowing exactly what the situation is with this person. The OP hasnt really been all that clear about it... for instance, what about if this guy is the father of the friends family, and he is spending all his time playing WoW and thats why he hasnt got a job. Meanwhile bills are building up, the kids arent getting any attention from the father, the wife has no idea how she will be able to afford next months mortgage payment.
Is it still ok in that situation to "just let the guy do something that he enjoys doing rather than meddling in his life" ?
All a matter of perspective and knowing precisely what the situation the OP is talking about.
I'm not sure this is the right way to go about it - if I had a problem with a particular game I really enjoyed playing, I'd try and solve the problem. I'd know that it should be running better and would take steps to rectify the issue.
As an example, if the game just seemed to be running slower than it should, I might try reinstalling windows. I'd check my hardware was performing up to par using benchmarks tools etc.
If my internet connection was causing the problem I'd diagnose it, check router settings, connect from a different workstation, reconnect to ISP, raise support calls etc.
If it was a problem with missing game files I'd check my disk integrity and maybe install onto a different HD. If the problem persisted I'd search online to see if any others had similar problems. I'd do virus scans and suchlike. I'd then maybe start getting suspicious as to why files were disappearing and check if anyone else had been logging on to the PC.
You've got to remember that PC geeks by and large have a very logical mindset when it comes to technology, if they are having trouble with some software that used to run fine, they don't just give up on it, they will attempt to diagnose the issue and systematically run through all the possibilities.
As an example, if the game just seemed to be running slower than it should, I might try reinstalling windows. I'd check my hardware was performing up to par using benchmarks tools etc.
If my internet connection was causing the problem I'd diagnose it, check router settings, connect from a different workstation, reconnect to ISP, raise support calls etc.
If it was a problem with missing game files I'd check my disk integrity and maybe install onto a different HD. If the problem persisted I'd search online to see if any others had similar problems. I'd do virus scans and suchlike. I'd then maybe start getting suspicious as to why files were disappearing and check if anyone else had been logging on to the PC.
You've got to remember that PC geeks by and large have a very logical mindset when it comes to technology, if they are having trouble with some software that used to run fine, they don't just give up on it, they will attempt to diagnose the issue and systematically run through all the possibilities.
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Associate
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I'm pretty sure it would be fair to say that the large proportion of WoW players are fairly unaware of the technicalities of a computer system.
Caporegime
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talk to the friend, and his family, like a responsible person. Don't be mean, don't tell him he can't play, don't attack him saying the game is a waste of his life, don't insist he stops playing.
Make him aware he has to pay his way and get a job, if he's unable to do so, get him to a doctors. If its a real problem and he's depressed, help him get help. Treating wow as an addiction is beyond retarded, either people play to the point that they don't work mostly because they don't want to go out, help with the underlying reason not the support they use to stop feeling so bad.
Screwing with the game will likely cause him to get worse.
Why are people so incapable of rational thought these days.
TO Fox and anyone else, life is retarded, and everything you do ceases to matter when you die. You can save a billion people, or play a game all your life, sit in a cubicle doing a ridiculously pointless paper pushing job your whole life, it doesn't matter, it all means nothing. If he's enjoying playing, its better than spending time in your life not enjoying it.
Either way, if he has a real problem getting out and getting a job, help with THAT. If you assume, or even remotely think he could be depressed and unwilling to face people, then do you think cutting off maybe his only social contact is a good idea, or will force him into a deeper depression?
If he's just not going out because the family support him and he's lazy, its fairly easy, stop paying for his internet and subsription, let him run out of money, get a job and pay for the net/game himself.
Make him aware he has to pay his way and get a job, if he's unable to do so, get him to a doctors. If its a real problem and he's depressed, help him get help. Treating wow as an addiction is beyond retarded, either people play to the point that they don't work mostly because they don't want to go out, help with the underlying reason not the support they use to stop feeling so bad.
Screwing with the game will likely cause him to get worse.
Why are people so incapable of rational thought these days.
TO Fox and anyone else, life is retarded, and everything you do ceases to matter when you die. You can save a billion people, or play a game all your life, sit in a cubicle doing a ridiculously pointless paper pushing job your whole life, it doesn't matter, it all means nothing. If he's enjoying playing, its better than spending time in your life not enjoying it.
Either way, if he has a real problem getting out and getting a job, help with THAT. If you assume, or even remotely think he could be depressed and unwilling to face people, then do you think cutting off maybe his only social contact is a good idea, or will force him into a deeper depression?
If he's just not going out because the family support him and he's lazy, its fairly easy, stop paying for his internet and subsription, let him run out of money, get a job and pay for the net/game himself.
What a downright bizarre thing to say!
Not a spiritual person then DM
Just a word regarding the not paying for internet , and also some peoples suggestions about affecting the PC as a whole. I personally dont recommend doing that, the internet has a wide variety of uses beyond gaming, most notably in this case as an aid to getting a job. So I wouldnt recommend cutting off their internet (their game subscription sure, but not the whole internet). Likewise if they decide to go with some kind of tampering, then I suggest it being game specific rather than something which would affect the PCs ability to function on a wider basis.
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Surely you could say this about any game?
Caporegime
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Not a spiritual person then DM
Not even close, it really irritates me when people constantly say there is something so much better to do and stop wasting your time. My mum always used to complain I watched too much football, but then what should I be doing. people generally interpret what THEY enjoy as worthwhile, everything they don't like doing is a complete waste and they just have to tell people that.
If you speak to people on an MMO, you're still speaking to them, same conversations you can have with anyone else, if you enjoy it more, all power to you. Frankly I go through periods of playing Lotro, and then being burned out/completely bored by them, but who the hell does it effect but me. Currently I'd prefer to play wow for a few hours than have the same damn conversation about the drunk weekend that just happened, because by and large its the same crap every weekend and the same conversation about the weekend following it. I'll then go through the polar opposite a month later and prefer going out.
The fact is if this guy is just happy playing the game, theres no problem, if he's lazy, getting rid of the internet isn't a bad idea, generally people who go from not working at all, to needing a job will be starting off with temp work, or some job in a store on a till, its still best to go in and ask for jobs at those places and get an application and will help get him out the house and moving.
if he's actually depressed, really any level is bad and you shouldn't just cut off the only thing he enjoys, its truly woeful advice. If he is ill in any way, physical or mental, get him help, and help him get HIMSELF out of his current situation. Don't force change on him unless you're prepared to make him even more depressed and the consequences that can bring.
Sabotaging his computer, not only does it sound stupid, childish and so stupendously easy I can't imagine needing to go on a forum to ask how, its a ridiculously bad idea for trying to "fix" his situation. When did everyone just get so, stupid?
Soldato
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This is exacly what id do TBH.
Well in this case, that is precisely the problem. We simply dont have enough details. Is the person in question an adult? Is it a teenager? Are they the head of the family and not working is meaning bills cant be paid? Is he neglecting his wife and kids? Is he depressed with life and seeking solace within the game by not facing up to his RL issues? Is it down to just being lazy? Is it a guy who isnt happy in his marriage and family and is playing the game to get away from the fact that he has kids/wife? Is it a lonely teenager who has trouble with face to face scenarios and so uses the game as a social tool?
We simply dont have any of the facts in this particular instance other than someone wanting to stop someone else playing a game as much so that they go out and get a job. Even the OP hasnt been back to comment on the replies or give more details, so for all we know it could just be some guy who wants to mess up his mates PC for a laugh and wants to get some ideas on how to do it
Yes I have heard of the computer misuse act, in fact applying that particular act and charging people with breaching it is part of my daily job at work, and in this particular case it wouldnt apply. I could explain legally why it wouldnt apply but as you are also familiar with the act I'm sure you already know why
delete, break the cd and dont pay the subscription. if the boy loves WoW so much, pay for it yourself, sad xxxx. it should be oh so simple. If the boy is all grown up, ask for rent, to help pay the internet + electricity costs. no rent, no internet, no room. oh and the lack of internet might just make the culprit get off his arse and discover that there are plenty of things to do outside...sex drugs rock n roll for a start!
Associate
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Tell him he is a n00b
Why don't you explain it then. If it's his computer and you go in and amend or delete files surely that counts as unauthorised access?
Run a torrent program sharing linux whenever he is in have it running with no upload restrictions to completely saturate the upload limits and ruin his game.
Haven't got a clue how old he is but if he has the money to pay for his account I hope he's paying for his rent.
To be honest he wont give up until he admits it's a problem.
His situation at present it's better than a job as he gets to play a game he loves all day.
Is it possible whoever pays the isp bill to restrict his access totally by removing the modem during the day.
Haven't got a clue how old he is but if he has the money to pay for his account I hope he's paying for his rent.
To be honest he wont give up until he admits it's a problem.
His situation at present it's better than a job as he gets to play a game he loves all day.
Is it possible whoever pays the isp bill to restrict his access totally by removing the modem during the day.
Best way to tackle this is to tell him straight that this is becoming a problem, With someone to support you preferably. Then tell him he can only carry on playing if he gives you his account access so you can setup the parental controls on it which will allow you to specify when he is allowed to play the game for each day, To change protect these controls you can set a password to keep him out.
Had a similar issue with my much younger sister, This worked a charm, She actually quit a few months later
Had a similar issue with my much younger sister, This worked a charm, She actually quit a few months later