Really really close friends: to what extent is it fair-play?

[Dolph Shtoss]

Hi,

I do not post this in the "cheater" sub-forum, because there is objectively no evidence to present. But I'd like to read some opinions about the case.

What do you think of 2 players sharing 90-95% of their games (mostly unranked) and ending up fighting one another only 10% of the time?
Active alliances (units supporting one another) is not systematic, but peace between the 2, even as neighbours, seems to be the rule. Related or not, they regularly end up in the final draw.

I played myself once with them (again, nothing obvious to report about) and recently refrained from joining a game they were playing in.

Am I paranoid? Is that none of my business? Would you play with such a tandem?

Thanks

[Malarky]

I'd report it to a mod through PM, to be honest, because it's worth looking at for me.

There are a number of possible rules being broken. Are they working as a team? Possibly. It doesn't matter whether this is in ranked or unranked games because, even in an unranked game, players deserve to not be cheated. Are they communicating in the game? Out of game communication is something which may be hiding the fact that they are playing with a prearranged agreement. Are they negotiating alliances? If they are actually coming to agreements over alliances and this can be seen by the messages in a game, then that's fine... although there are limits that it sounds like they are pushing over just how regularly players align themselves with each other.

To be honest, it looks like you've done a fair bit of research Certainly more than a lot of players complete. It doesn't mean they are metagaming but it could well be that there's evidence somewhere that they are - or could be - and that it's hidden by out-of-game communication.

[TiberiusG58]

Cheating is rampant on the site. Unrate all the games, and this will prevent all the children from benefiting from cheating. Without ranking, there still will be those whose need to win overcomes ethical concerns (what a joke to talk ethics about those who cheat on a board game!)

[dib]

Its not fair play - we all know that but what can you do?

Snog Marry Avoid? You choose the latter.

I am interested in the motivation for cheating.

Clearly there are site rules on this site and they differ between communities.

In general meta gaming is regarded as a form of cheating - however in the face to face community there is a form of meta gaming that takes place. The communities are small - you are going to meet the same people more than once...

In a tournament if a player stabs you in Game 1 - how do you play in the semi final if you meet again

In terms of your complaint I think if the stats are as you say there is a case to answer.

But in reality who really is going to look into it? If they are separate people what are you going to do...

If players are using discord/whatsapp to regularly communicate then if they then play a game together play dip - where are the boundaries... how are you going to stop it?

If its monopoly and the banker helps themselves to two hundred extra who wins and who loses?

[Pootleflump]

Snog Marry Avoid? You choose the latter.

LOL

[Chairpusher]

I have played in games where the trust level in Spring 02 is that massive you have to question whether the Players know each other. Or in another where two Players were shown to have cheated one of them was attacking. I was deemed not to have suffered from this, in reality I was working with the other Player and as a result the one playing Russia seemed to out guess me every time. Players should be thrown out for good.

[Pootleflump]

I am interested in the motivation for cheating.

Mostly it comes down to how much you need other people's perceptions of you (as a winner) to validate your own self worth.

And whether that need outweighs your moral conscience.

Combined with the perceived risk and perceived consequences of being caught.

You can almost always trace it back to early childhood experiences and what you had to do to get the attention of your parents.

[Malarky]

Cheating is rampant on the site. Unrate all the games, and this will prevent all the children from benefiting from cheating. Without ranking, there still will be those whose need to win overcomes ethical concerns (what a joke to talk ethics about those who cheat on a board game!)

Rubbish. Cheating isn't rampant on the site at all. Seeing cheating when you lose is.