Re: PBEM Cheating, how to deal with it?

From: kkent@gulf.uvic.ca (Kevin Kent)

Date: Fri, 15 Mar 1996 00:00:00 +0000

> I would like to start a discussion on how to deal with cheating in PBEM
> games. I have a specific problem in mind, but I would like to keep this
> discussion general in nature.
> Here is my problem in broad language: I am currently hosting a list of PBEM
> players, and it has been brought to my attention that a specific player is
> cheating. I'd just like to pose some questions, throw out some ideas, and
> get some feedback.
>
> If a player is proven to have actually cheated in a game, what action
> should one take?

I would talk to him/her, and tell them that 1) they've been caught
cheating, and 2) if it happens again, they'll be expulsed from the game.
If it was an honest mistake by the person, or the first time, then that
person will probably stay straight. If not, boot them. It's hard to do if
it's a friend, but it's the best way.I was playing a game with 2 friends,
and two of us noticed that the third guy always won, against all odds. We
watched him for a while, tried to inplement rules to work around the
problem, but to no avail. We finally had to close the game due to "time
constraints", then the honest friend and I started a new game on our own.

> Should active measures be taken to prevent this player from cheating again?

Booting them is about the most active thing you can do. There's no need to
tell the other players, unless they're the ones who bring it to your
attention. If you're forced to boot the player, make up some excuse and
let the game continue.

> What sort of resposibilty does this place upon a list administartor like
> myself (and of course possible abuse of that power).

Just be aware that this sort of thing happens, and be ready to act to
prevent it. The abuse of power comes from the Active Crusade Against
Cheating, where threats are made, players examined contantly, etc. This
not only abuses the admin's power, but kills the interest in the game.

> Would any public action bring down a flood of "well as long as your at it,
> I know such and such cheats all the time"?

It might. That's why being discrete is the best policy. If you do get
responses like this, then just tell the accusers that if they bring you
proof, you will act on it. That should shut them up.

> If I was to assemble and post a list of "persona non grata", would that be
> an abuse of my power, not to mention fruitless?

There's no harm in making it up for yourself, but I wouldn't distribute
it. It's  not a waste of time or energy if it keeps dishonest and/or
disruptive players out of your games.

> Should there be some kind of three strikes and your out rule, giving people
> a chance to reform their ways?

You could do that if you wanted, but I'd give them only one warning. If
they continue, they're gone. As long as you are prepared to immediately
enforce your decision (ie immediately booting the offending player), the
problems should be minimized.

Hope this helps!

Kevin.
--
Kevin Kent (kkent@csc.uvic.ca)
Student, CSc/B, University of Victoria, Canada

References

PBEM Cheating, how to deal with it?
Jim Flanagan <flanag19@eos.net>
Thu, 14 Mar 1996 00:00:00 +0000

Referenced By

PBEM Cheating, how to deal with it?
Jim Flanagan <flanag19@eos.net>
Thu, 14 Mar 1996 00:00:00 +0000