Not sure how to begin this little essay, and I'm not sure if it will lead to any discussion, but here it goes. Also, alot of text, I know, but do understand that english is not my first language. And my grammar and puctuation sucks
For about 13 years ago I came across a game called Diablo. It was developed by a company called Blizzard Entertaiment(you may, or may not have heard of them) and at the time, it was one of the few online games with top-notch graphics that you could play online without paying a fee(*ehum*).
But soon your local sociopath gamer started to lurk out on battle.net and it quickly turned into facist sausagefest of enormous proprotions. But no, that's not what this is about, it's about those who are trying to be helpful(or kill you), but at the same time try to look cool. Try with a capital T.
This story does not take place in Diablo. A couple of days ago, a game called Borderlands was released. I bought it, then I quickly installed the game on my Xbox and quckly plugged in my network cable(oldschool br0!) and launched myself into the game(to be fair, I already got a level 20 on my offline profile). 'Cool, now other could join my adventure, just like back in the good old days!' I thought. WRONG!
It took less than 10 minutes(passed the tutorial by this time) and the first DIC came into the game. For those of you who don't know what a DIC is, let me explain.
A DIC is a person, with a vast knowledge of the game or atleast have played it for relative long time, who have good gear and for some utterly pointless reason, joins a game a lower level character has created to either "help" or grief said person. Back in the time of Diablo and Diablo 2, these persons would either 1.) Slaughter everything or 2.) Turn hostile and kill you.
Borderlands is no exception, and DICs run amok even here. To duel someone, you just need to hit someone with your melee ability, and to engage duel, you hit said person back. What happens is that you mind your own business, and out of the blue someone with a huge level gap(20 levels in this case) jumps infront of you as you try to melee a mob. If the game mechanics allows it, you are now shot to bits by a DIC. Another game I joined up. A level 26 DIC joined in with a rocket launcher - shouting 'BOOOM! HEADSHOT!' 'Look, awesome!' and made the Arid Badlands look like Swiss cheese.
I started to wonder, whats the point?
I promtly asked 'Why are you here, arn't there people around your level?' - Of course, I got no response whatsoever, but in Diablo, people often told me that they were "helping people".
It's my firm belief that "helping people" does not mean "paving the way" or "playing the game for them". However this breed of people seem not to grasp that this game is a Co-op game, and not a measuring tape for her ego(or epeen, as it is called these days).
It's been over 10 years, and people do this, still? Why? Human nature? I would say this is something unique for online games and Diablo-esq games especially. Most games are player vs. player, or caged instances where such behaviour can't be displayed. But I still wonder why it happens, and what drives these people.
Anyway, I hope it shed some light on DICs and the nature those would-be saints of Co-op gaming, banes of anything FUN, and perhaps, the DIC in you had an eyeopener.
Also, feel free to tell us about your DIC encounters! (I know, I know).
Shoot!
For about 13 years ago I came across a game called Diablo. It was developed by a company called Blizzard Entertaiment(you may, or may not have heard of them) and at the time, it was one of the few online games with top-notch graphics that you could play online without paying a fee(*ehum*).
But soon your local sociopath gamer started to lurk out on battle.net and it quickly turned into facist sausagefest of enormous proprotions. But no, that's not what this is about, it's about those who are trying to be helpful(or kill you), but at the same time try to look cool. Try with a capital T.
This story does not take place in Diablo. A couple of days ago, a game called Borderlands was released. I bought it, then I quickly installed the game on my Xbox and quckly plugged in my network cable(oldschool br0!) and launched myself into the game(to be fair, I already got a level 20 on my offline profile). 'Cool, now other could join my adventure, just like back in the good old days!' I thought. WRONG!
It took less than 10 minutes(passed the tutorial by this time) and the first DIC came into the game. For those of you who don't know what a DIC is, let me explain.
A DIC is a person, with a vast knowledge of the game or atleast have played it for relative long time, who have good gear and for some utterly pointless reason, joins a game a lower level character has created to either "help" or grief said person. Back in the time of Diablo and Diablo 2, these persons would either 1.) Slaughter everything or 2.) Turn hostile and kill you.
Borderlands is no exception, and DICs run amok even here. To duel someone, you just need to hit someone with your melee ability, and to engage duel, you hit said person back. What happens is that you mind your own business, and out of the blue someone with a huge level gap(20 levels in this case) jumps infront of you as you try to melee a mob. If the game mechanics allows it, you are now shot to bits by a DIC. Another game I joined up. A level 26 DIC joined in with a rocket launcher - shouting 'BOOOM! HEADSHOT!' 'Look, awesome!' and made the Arid Badlands look like Swiss cheese.
I started to wonder, whats the point?
I promtly asked 'Why are you here, arn't there people around your level?' - Of course, I got no response whatsoever, but in Diablo, people often told me that they were "helping people".
It's my firm belief that "helping people" does not mean "paving the way" or "playing the game for them". However this breed of people seem not to grasp that this game is a Co-op game, and not a measuring tape for her ego(or epeen, as it is called these days).
It's been over 10 years, and people do this, still? Why? Human nature? I would say this is something unique for online games and Diablo-esq games especially. Most games are player vs. player, or caged instances where such behaviour can't be displayed. But I still wonder why it happens, and what drives these people.
Anyway, I hope it shed some light on DICs and the nature those would-be saints of Co-op gaming, banes of anything FUN, and perhaps, the DIC in you had an eyeopener.
Also, feel free to tell us about your DIC encounters! (I know, I know).
Shoot!
