Moral Game Participation

Is there such a thing as morality in a game? It’s just a game, after all. However, based on the rules of a game, if someone does something -against- the rules, then they are cheating. And if you are caught cheating then you are regarded as immoral. So, what happens if the cheating was a result of a need? Are you committing an immoral act then? But, then, it is just a game. Who are you hurting, really?

As you know, I play FFXI: Online. This game is very addicting and quite fun. However, being that half the players (perhaps more or less) are on PCs, there are third party programs available allowing players to “cheat” in the game. Most specifically, bots. Also, there are characters created with the sole purpose of amassing large amounts of the game’s money, or gil, for sell on the internet for -real- money. Often, there is a combination of the two (in the form of Fishing Bots). So what are the moral implications of buying gil/items online with real money and/or operating a bot in the game? This is probably one of the most heated debates relating to FFXI. A good example of one such debate can be found on the Allakhazam.com forums.

It is fact that the operation of a bot on the game is illegal (as stated by the Terms of Service and EULA for the game), however, there is (apparently) nothing expressly illegal concerning the purchase of anything, relating to the game, from an outside, third-party source, ie: website (of which has clearly used a bot to generate their product). By purchasing gil online, you are supporting illegal habits and methods prevalent in the game, and therefore (in my opinion) are considered immoral. Should a criminal rob a bank and then give you a cut of the money, you are no more innocent of the crime than the robber himself. Especially if you knew of how it came to be in his possession in the first place.

Legality aside, the motive for purchasing gil is the more egregious offense. By purchasing gil, you are circumventing the purpose of the game - that being the experience of playing the game. Your play is rewarded by the items and gil that is dropped in the game. Your play gives you the experience needed to be an affective, and contributing, member of the society that exists in the game. If you have gained your level/equipment/money via means outside of the games purpose, you can -NOT- be an affective player. You are a hinderance on the other players of the game. So despite the gil sellers performing illegal actions, it is actually the gil buyers (by their support and lack of play) who are performing the immoral behavior. They are saying that gil farming is ok, which in turn says that my poor gaming experience, as a result of gil farming, is not an issue.

FFXI is there, as a game, for your enjoyment and as a means of entertainment. If you forgo all the processes, by purchasing stuff online, then there is no reason for you to be playing the game. To those people I say, “Please delete your character and make room on the server for those who can and are actually trying to play the game.”

In happier news: SPeCks 3.3