Is there a general etiquette for calling out backstabbers...

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431 days, 21 hours, 37 minutes ago

robobob

Is there a general etiquette for calling out backstabbers...

Is there a general etiquette for calling out backstabbers in future games? If someone backstabs me in a game and I meet them in a later game, is it unreasonable to inform everyone of their behaviour?

431 days, 21 hours, 3 minutes ago

sunny

RE: Is there a general etiquette for calling out backstabbers...

Good question.

From my point of view. What happens in one game stays in that game. I don't take over my grudge to another game even so I might see the player again.

I make a difference between "unfair" behavior and "illegitimate". Backstabbing is unwanted and illegitmate but not "unfair". Even so I also don't like it, it is an allowed behavior and part of the game. Of course if somebody is asking me about my personal experience with another player I would tell him it was negative as he backstabbed me.

While "unfair" behavior like insulting or second accounts are really something that should be pointed out to others.

430 days, 23 hours, 19 minutes ago

RE: Is there a general etiquette for calling out backstabbers...

@Robobob: The problem of course is maybe your backstabber will tell the others you're the backstabber!

If the Sector the backstabbing occurred in is a Finished Sector, you should provide the proof for everyone to decide for themselves.

However... I wouldn't say it is worth the time and effort.
_ _ _

Following is just some pointless rambling;

I've been backstabbed once... my ally didn't have time to play anymore and wanted to quit Planets.Nu ... instead of quitting, he spent a dozen Turns colluding with my opponent before setting Full Alliance with him on the exact Turn they had enough planets to start the Countdown to Diplomatic Victory. At least you have the possibility of enjoying some revenge! And he really did quit, I check to see if he is active to this story.

I'be been accused of backstabbing once... however is wasn't that I did something I shouldn't, it was I didn't want to do what I didn't agree that I had agreed to. Specifically... vassalage... but not transferable vassalage... not a vassal you then 'pimp out' in other words.

So be open minded.... sometimes it is just a misunderstanding. A common conflict I've seen is one player thinking the agreement has no ending, the other thinking it can be ended at any time or after a specific goal reached.

430 days, 23 hours, 14 minutes ago

RE: Is there a general etiquette for calling out backstabbers...

I have no special rules about this. If I got backstabbed or disappointed by a player,I might tell the people in my next game if it helps me diplomatically.

Your actions matter for your account, not your current game. :)

430 days, 23 hours, 7 minutes ago

veryverylongname

RE: Is there a general etiquette for calling out backstabbers...

I would do it after this player had formed an alliance with another player. This help disrupt their alliance. His ally has to move extra force to the back to prevent any backstabs. Calling backstabber is to win the game, not to save another competitor.

430 days, 17 hours, 39 minutes ago

RE: Is there a general etiquette for calling out backstabbers...

we cant sit an have a steak an beer together an openly discuss our games unless you travel to a gathering. Wish we could.
It is a game which is truly international at its heart. An different nations have different ideas about such things . An different peoples within the nations have different ideas about what is an what isnt acceptable.
Someone who types an spells like I do can tell you real quick that as good as tech is translation programs are very limited, especially when it comes to bad spelling, spellin, an local slang like yall

An now after a few yrs of usage , you can see some age differances in the way backstabbing might be viewed.
Most backstabbing occurs from misunderstanding in or mistranslation of aggreements , from person to person on some agreements . Could be a small insignificant point about an agreement that some might feel the other backstabed, but still a broken agreement
I think the worst form comes in pre game secret teams that come in with the intent of playing together an winning an backstabbing all others to achieve such, but thats me an I dont expect others to abide by my standards of such things
be forgiving of others, an then when a multicounter playing 2 slots , or a secret team comes in , you can easily form a big team an givem an ass whoopin even with their advantage

430 days, 17 hours, 34 minutes ago

RE: Is there a general etiquette for calling out backstabbers...

one nasty trick ive seen on agreement is this you make a simple statement like aok dont go north of this planet but its already done , agreement made an that 1 planet undiscussed so there is a treaty that is broke from start but one party intended that issue an uses it later

430 days, 17 hours, 18 minutes ago

RE: Is there a general etiquette for calling out backstabbers...

a border that doesnt have trade an or some form of joint ops, will sooner or later be a hot border

430 days, 16 hours, 35 minutes ago

joseve

RE: Is there a general etiquette for calling out backstabbers...

my personal opinion is that everyone is playing to give themselves the best shot at #1. Including me. I feel if your in the position where it is advantageous for the win, you should at least consider it, not saying to backstab every game, just do what you need to do to win the sector and don't hold a gruge against them, it might have been their only shot at winning

430 days, 16 hours, 5 minutes ago

RE: Is there a general etiquette for calling out backstabbers...

@Joseve, I thoroughly disagree.

But my opinion on backstabbing isn't actually relevant to the opening post. Letting the players know that one of their fellow players takes the position that "you do what you need to win the sector" including backstabbing an ally is completely fair. At least as fair as the backstab was. I can't see an argument that says backstabbing is okay but telling others that you're a backstabber is not.

430 days, 15 hours, 43 minutes ago

emork the lizard king

RE: Is there a general etiquette for calling out backstabbers...

There is no general etiquette. Everyone can handle it as he wants. I and the vast majority of the players I know regard it as an important meta game characteristic of a player if you can trust his word or not – often referred to as “reputation”. Most of the players care to have a good reputation and therefore they hardly ever break treaties. Why? In the end cooperation of people who can trust each other is superior to cooperation of people who can’t. It’s more efficient and it’s more fun. Don’t get me wrong: backstabbing is an absolutely legal mean in the game of Planets. Everyone is allowed to use it but also has to accept the consequences.

Many will appreciate a public warning if someone uses to break treaties. Just be careful to only report clear and severe cases.
* If someone takes one border planet that you thought is belonging to you this is probably a misunderstanding and not breaking a treaty.
* If someone you don’t have any treaty with gives you wrong information this is no backstabbing.
* If your Crystal ally drops save passage without announcement and collects your ships for the win then in my opinion you have all the right to blame him in the forum or in your profile. Of course not the man, just the player.

430 days, 15 hours, 41 minutes ago

chanain

RE: Is there a general etiquette for calling out backstabbers...

@Sunny

"I don't take over my grudge to another game even so I might see the player again."

If we're just talking about a war, that's fine. Just because you're my enemy in one game doesn't mean you need to be my enemy in all games.

But if we're talking about treaty-breaking...If I make a treaty with you in one game, and you deliberately violate its terms, then I simply can't make such a treaty with you in the future. Fool me once, and all that. In a broader sense, there's a lot of value in knowing how somebody deals with their treaty partners and allies. (To the point that I'm likely to look at your past games to see how/if you honour such deals.)

To be clear, I'm not talking about terminating treaties on notice. This is a war game, and not every treaty or alliance needs to, should, or can last the entire game. It may *feel* like a backstab when my longtime ally decides that he's going to terminate our alliance and go to war with me instead, but if he's at least up front about it, and doesn't exploit the relationship to set up a surprise attack, then in later games I'm going to be perfectly willing to deal with that person again.

As to the question, I don't know if there's a particular etiquette, but I'd lean away from general announcements, and toward private exploitation. If I have proof that you can't be trusted, then maybe I just message your ally who is coming to your aid against me or my allies, and give him a reason to keep a bunch of carriers at home.

430 days, 15 hours, 11 minutes ago

sunny

RE: Is there a general etiquette for calling out backstabbers...

@Chanain

The reason why I prefer to go the "softer" way is that I used to play Command&Conquer Tiberium Alliances for several years. In this game you need to do a lot of negotiation, discussion, diplomatic communication, etc.

Unfortunately "backstabbing" is very common in this game and has an impact not only for yourself but for your whole alliance (up to 50 players form one alliance and can be allied or at war with several other alliances; so several thousand players play in one game - conflict potential is very high).

Bing backstabbed in C&C causes strong feelings for many players as their chance is taken to win. Especially as C&C is a "pay-to-win" game and several players spend lots of money in this game to play at top level. So they actually face a financial loss if they get backstabbed and no longer can finish the game as expected.

In most cases this grudge was taken over by almost all the players of the alliance that was backstabbed when a new game has opened and caused lots of negative feelings and bad communication (including insults) in this new game.

Most people just have the problem to let go and say to themselves "it's just a bloody game". maybe because of the money, maybe because you don't play only for yourself but in one team - one alliance.

These are just some of the reasons I stopped playing C&C. I don't want to keep these negative feelings and don't want to bring them into a new game.

It's not about being at war. Why should I have bad feelings just because I'm at war with him in one game? Chess is also a wargame and I have no need to punch somebody in the face (virtual or physical) just because he beat me in chess. I consider my loss as experience on mistakes made and to improve myself.

So if somebody plays in line with the rules things are fine and it is up to me to talk to him during or after the game to clear things up why he backstabbed me. Also it is up to me if I ever will join forces with him again. So no real harm was done, no money was lost, just new experiences were gained.

But if somebody really crosses the line and using insults or tries to cheat in the game then this really needs to be communicated to the public.