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Playing online requires a certain amount of common sense. Playing online can be as serious as playing a game in real life for some people; it is always best to just be mellow around everyone and keep all the hate to a rivalry level. It makes the game more enjoyable and it means that nothing serious is going to spur from a healthy rivalry relationship. If playing a action game online or on a connected network like Call of Duty on XBox Live, it is not wise to leave a member behind. Leaving a team member behind keeps the team from going on. Clearing a stage without all of the players will eventually get aggravating if it automatically doesn't. If the game is like Halo on XBox live, then the chances of leaving someone behind lessens with each checkpoint. In such cases, it is irrevelant as to where everyone is as long as everyone is within the same area or close to the end goal. It is also rude to start flaming, or putting down, other online members. People only get mad and there could be a verbal fight that could distract from the game. If a style is unconventional to you, keep it to yourself. Either mute yourself so you can mumble some comment or don't type it but bringing the controversial opinion straight to the other user is stupid, right? Of course it is; however, it is hard to get an agitated user to realize that. While the teams moving on to do something productive, whether it's leveling up or finishing off a kill, there could be two guys (or more if you are lucky) arguing over something completely irrelevant. If it's a text-type conversation, which is an IRC server, then it's annoying to see text scrolling at the bottom of the screen as you focus on a target. Leave the trash for when you are off the server; it saves your time and prevents others from jumping in. Many users will be most grateful if the argument moves to another server; hopefully, the server will be an empty, less used or user-created. Multiplayer action games can be taken to a new extreme if there is an issue of god-modding, which is when one player obtains an obscene amount of power outside in an unconventional way. Godmodding can ruin any server; godmodding and strategic planning are two different things, and only one will get people up in arms. It works better when everyone can play the game, but just be better than others by skill than by continuous cheating. If the online game being played is a type-text conversation, keep the stupid to yourself. The "ROTFLOL" speak can go somewhere else. Unless the shorthand is code for whoever you decided to band with, keep it to yourself. It doesn't reflect well on the player. The gist of it all is to keep trash talking to a minimum because even if you know what you're saying and you're handling the situation fine to a point, people are unpredictable; nothing is assured, so be careful. Keep other players in mind; if it is a team game, keep your team's aspects in mind. Be a lone wolf later; godmodding is a no-no and it's also a surefire way to get kicked off or banned from a server. Take all options to heart and make sure that if your talent is below the other players, you don't tempt Fate. The gaming world is dog eat dog and just because the game is fictional, the problems are just as real.

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