ATTN newbies: It's not personal

by **pancakemix** on Sat Oct 20, 2012 3:43 pm

Mafia is a game that can be downright dirty. That's because it's based around arguing, and arguing is about the nastiest thing two people can do to each other's faces. My point is made by Shopenhauer's 38 Strategems, specifically technique number 38:

A last trick is to become personal, insulting and rude as soon as you perceive that your opponent has the upper hand. In becoming personal you leave the subject altogether, and turn your attack on the person by remarks of an offensive and spiteful character. This is a very popular trick, because everyone is able to carry it into effect.

But the thing is, there are at least 37 options before that one and it's certainly not worth making enemies over a game to do so. That's why we try to keep our cool and not go down that path.

But here's what you can expect: your words are going to be torn apart and taken out of context. You are going to be called a liar.

You need to expect these things because that's what the bad guys do. It's what the good guys are looking for and going to accuse you of doing. It's on you to argue that your words are being twisted. It's on you to prove you are telling the truth.

On behalf of all members of this forum, I beseech you: Don't get discouraged and think we're insulting you. Because it isn't personal.

Regards,
pancakemix

by **jak111** on Sat Oct 20, 2012 5:28 pm

The best thing I could probably add to pancake's post is, it's a game. A mind game at that. People will tear your mind apart to find all your flaws in your posting and thought process. It happens to all of us and this is probably the most heated forum in all of Conquer Club when it comes down to getting in someone's face.

Do not view votes as people disliking you, but rather that either they do not think you're truthful or they find you are a threat (if they are scum). If scum is pressuring you, take it as a compliment because obviously they see you as an opponent they want out early on in the game.

No one here is perfect unless you're dealing with me 8-)

So if you're eliminated from a game, just join another and learn.

by **Iron Butterfly** on Sat Oct 20, 2012 11:59 pm

It takes a mind like Spock.

I like to think I can be cool and collected and most times I am but I have had my moments. My very first mafia game I was completely off the rails as i had no idea what I was doing, It felt I was the only Town in a sea of bad guys. I knew I was Town why didnt everyone else and why where they accusing me of being mafia? It was a Sully game and it wasn't until many games later I realized Sully makes crazy games to begin with. :lol:

by **jgordon1111** on Sun Oct 21, 2012 2:19 am

Perfectly said by 3 of the best. dont take it personal,if you do your going to miss out on some fun.

by **aage** on Sun Oct 21, 2012 5:26 am

aage wrote:
edocsil wrote:"It's never personal."

Might not be true, but if you always go in assuming that, a lot of crap can be avoided.

Meh. It's always personal. All meta arguments are based on personality and technically all non-cop-claim cases are meta (or wifom, which would be the same).

I stand by this. Calling someone scummy is usually because of an error they made, which usually comes down to "you suck" or "your playstyle sucks". By that I don't mean to say I'm an asshole. It just means that I love people making mistakes calling them out for it almost as much as I hate making mistakes myself.

I'll gladly admit that there's a difference between losing the game and purposefully flaming, though.

by **safariguy5** on Thu Oct 25, 2012 12:19 am

I will say that if you're clearly caught as scum and no amount of argument will save you, sometimes it's better to just accept the lynch and give the GG rather than trying to derail the wagon with some personal attacks. Keeps the integrity of the game and whatnot.

by **aage** on Thu Oct 25, 2012 9:15 am

safariguy5 wrote:I will say that if you're clearly caught as scum and no amount of argument will save you, sometimes it's better to just accept the lynch and give the GG rather than trying to derail the wagon with some personal attacks. Keeps the integrity of the game and whatnot.

I believe one of the guidelines for playing Mafia is to never, never, never quit. I agree though that flaming people because you're a poor sport... well, for one thing it means that you're a poor sport.

by **Iron Butterfly** on Thu Oct 25, 2012 1:42 pm

aage wrote:
safariguy5 wrote:I will say that if you're clearly caught as scum and no amount of argument will save you, sometimes it's better to just accept the lynch and give the GG rather than trying to derail the wagon with some personal attacks. Keeps the integrity of the game and whatnot.

I believe one of the guidelines for playing Mafia is to never, never, never quit. I agree though that flaming people because you're a poor sport... well, for one thing it means that you're a poor sport.

Ya gotta know when to hold them and know when to fold them.

The key to Safs statement "If you are clearly caught".

by **safariguy5** on Fri Oct 26, 2012 12:46 am

Iron Butterfly wrote:
aage wrote:
safariguy5 wrote:I will say that if you're clearly caught as scum and no amount of argument will save you, sometimes it's better to just accept the lynch and give the GG rather than trying to derail the wagon with some personal attacks. Keeps the integrity of the game and whatnot.

I believe one of the guidelines for playing Mafia is to never, never, never quit. I agree though that flaming people because you're a poor sport... well, for one thing it means that you're a poor sport.

Ya gotta know when to hold them and know when to fold them.

The key to Safs statement "If you are clearly caught".

Indeed. I mean, I could see someone resorting to some pretty personal nasty attacks as a way to potentially discredit the accuser/stall a deadline lynch, but I'd like to think that keeping things civil and taking the high road is generally the best policy. And I mean clearly caught. Like cop investigated you as guilty, someone counterclaimed you, and everything. Certainly, if you can plant reasonable doubt, then by all means. But if town has you as mafia or SKer dead to rights, I think it's best not to try and drag things into the muck.

by **edocsil** on Fri Oct 26, 2012 12:32 pm

safariguy5 wrote:
Iron Butterfly wrote:
aage wrote:
safariguy5 wrote:I will say that if you're clearly caught as scum and no amount of argument will save you, sometimes it's better to just accept the lynch and give the GG rather than trying to derail the wagon with some personal attacks. Keeps the integrity of the game and whatnot.

I believe one of the guidelines for playing Mafia is to never, never, never quit. I agree though that flaming people because you're a poor sport... well, for one thing it means that you're a poor sport.

Ya gotta know when to hold them and know when to fold them.

The key to Safs statement "If you are clearly caught".

Indeed. I mean, I could see someone resorting to some pretty personal nasty attacks as a way to potentially discredit the accuser/stall a deadline lynch, but I'd like to think that keeping things civil and taking the high road is generally the best policy. And I mean clearly caught. Like cop investigated you as guilty, someone counterclaimed you, and everything. Certainly, if you can plant reasonable doubt, then by all means. But if town has you as mafia or SKer dead to rights, I think it's best not to try and drag things into the muck.

unless its a RT! :lol:

But yeah, it can also be a useful meta to have if you are in a serious bind and need a bit of trust.

by **shieldgenerator7** on Fri Mar 01, 2013 10:29 pm

Agreed. It's just a game and it's not worth risking personal relationships over a game win.

by **aage** on Sat Mar 02, 2013 1:22 pm

Well, that's a shameless bump if I ever saw one.

by **rishaed** on Sat Mar 02, 2013 5:01 pm

Now if only he would sign up for some games

by **shieldgenerator7** on Sun Mar 03, 2013 12:30 am

Hello to you too,aage!

rishaed wrote:Now if only he would sign up for some games

Hello rishaed! I give you my welcome to the Mafia Forums, albeit belated. Welcome!

Sign up for a game? I'd love to, but at this current time there'd be no guarantee that I'd be able to finish a game. I'm just too busy with school and stuff. However, RTs are always an option

-SG7 (

)

by **aage** on Sun Mar 03, 2013 4:43 am

shieldgenerator7 wrote:Hello to you too,aage!

Hi to you too

Still, five months? What?

by **shieldgenerator7** on Sun Mar 03, 2013 11:06 pm

aage wrote:
shieldgenerator7 wrote:Hello to you too,aage!

Hi to you too
Still, five months? What?

I know.... it's been way too long. How's the forum been?

-SG7 (

)

by **rishaed** on Mon Mar 04, 2013 3:24 pm

Oh its been up and down. A few new ppl came in, but quite a few of the regulars have been busy so it pretty much evened out. However games are starting to stagnate so not all that good.

by **shieldgenerator7** on Tue Mar 05, 2013 12:02 am

I see.
I also see you're modding a game. Is this your first one?

by **rishaed** on Tue Mar 05, 2013 10:23 am

2nd right now the first one just finished.

by **shieldgenerator7** on Tue Mar 05, 2013 10:16 pm

Cool! So I can't tell from the OP (it needs completely updated with roles and stuff IMO), but did you make up any new roles in that game?

-SG7 (

)

by **rishaed** on Tue Mar 05, 2013 11:35 pm

Follow the Scenes link, it'll take you right to where the roles are.

by **shieldgenerator7** on Wed Mar 06, 2013 12:34 pm

rishaed wrote:Follow the Scenes link, it'll take you right to where the roles are.

not obvious :/ not instant upon looking at OP :/

but I followed the link, and I see you made up some roles. Cool! I like the explosive expert role, it seems to be an extension of an arsonist.
The magician's role makes sense, but it seems a bit overpowered, being able to avoid NKs and what not.
I don't really get the Airhead role and how it relates to randomly blocking day/ night actions.
Interesting creativity.

-SG7 (

)