Non-Response Ettiquiette

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            Salararius wrote:

                Rill wrote:

The bottom line is, it's a game.  Worrying about whether someone has or hasn't replied to your mail seems to take some of the fun out of it.

             Yes, it is a game.  That is both obvious and insightful :)  Part of the game is an IGM (
             in-game mail) system.  Everyone playing the game has email, but the developers provided a redundant IGM system because it's 
             part of the game.  The developers also made the game fairly wide open so players have a lot of latitude determining what is "right" and what is "wrong".  According to the game created by the devs it is not wrong to siege and completely eliminate a new player.  Try doing that though...

             Reading through the H? manifesto of the history of Illy I see that some players feel a lot has gone into establishing "right" and "wrong".  Bravo for them, I think that is what helps to set up genuine conflict, creates the "flavor" of the game and makes the game interesting.  Real wars have indeed been fought over things as trivial as a lack of a response to a greeting.  My question goes to determining the extent of those boundaries with regard to the game.  Saying why worry about the rules for IGM because it's just a game is a lot like saying why worry about the rules for siege because it's just a game.  Both are part of the game.  I'd say a lot more has gone into creating the IGM mechanics than the siege mechanics if that says anything...  People who don't worry about the rules usually don't last long and games that don't last long aren't much fun. :(

             Having said all that.  There seems to be somewhat of a consensus that there are no rules for IGM and few boundaries.  Anything is acceptable and expectations are minimal.  It's "might makes right" (as defined by the "code of Illy") and that's an answer of sorts.

         I'm sorry... you seem bitter...

         Illy is played by real people and not all people in real life will respond to letters of any kind.

         Imagine buying a house, and then send letters to all the people in the neighbourhood, saying something along the lines of "Hi, I'm new here, wuzzup!?" How many replies would you get?

         BTW... would be interesting to do some research in that respect.

         You know those little notes people put up when someone hasn't cleaned the community/work kitchen? You know some of the replies written directly on those notes? That's what people are like... some of them.

         We play a game, yes. There is the possibility of sending messages, yes. Does that mean that we are all social and socially active while we play? No. We don't.

         It is polite to answer, but while we might just nod to the kid who calls out "Wuzzup!" in real life, we just simply ignore those messages here... not that I have gotten any.

         Then there is the accidental deleted mail, so if you don't get a reply, send it again... it might have gotten lost in the mail.

         About sitters responding... well, I usually don't read other people's mail, so if it is important, then the heading must, repeat MUST, give a clue to the importance of the letter, or I simply will not open it, or send a message about the player being away. After all... would you infor the thieves that you are away for a week, and your neighbour is watching the house? I hope not!

         I'm sorry if someone stepped on your toes and didn't reply to your letter... but that's life. As for the community... wel...l we make it into what we want... all of us... even you, and those who never interact with others.