POF Contest Cheating.

[The Skirata Clan]

I understand the whole we are pirates thing, but cheating on something that is supposed to be fun is just silly. The contests that The POF Staff puts together are not that challenging that no one will ever guess, find, or solve them.

I think it was a bit to harsh to close the contest and to cancel all future contests on POF. But I do see the point of doing that. However, the actions taken affect all and not just the few who committed the offense. Please don't punish all of POF.

To those that did the cheating. I don't know who you are, but you do. Thanks!

I also am of the opinion that cheating is wrong. But cheating on a contest that gives nothing to being top 3, or even top 10, Is just stepping over the lines beyond dumbness. In this particular contest there couldn't be any losers. But now We All Lost!

[Captain Del]

Good ole' Skirata brings up a VERY good point. Every time I catch pirates cheating in-game, I get the same old excuse. "But we're pirates, we're supposed to cheat." Yeah, but you don't have to ruin it for everybody else. TepCat SAID to be ON YOUR HONOR to not cheat. And last time I checked, real pirates stand by their words

I see the Staff's reasoning behind shutting down the events, and I'm siding with them on this. We all know that this kind of stuff has happened in the past, and the Staff was MORE than generous of not reprimanding not just the cheaters, but ALL of us. If you want people to learn a lesson, the best way to teach them is the hard way.

To those who did cheat: I'm not angry, I'm disappointed. I know that EVERY pirate on here knows how to control themselves, that EVERY pirate on here knows how to behave. But it doesn't matter if you know how to do it, if you dont know when to do it.

To the POF Staff: I appreciate everything that you do for this site. You don't HAVE to give us contests to keep us entertained, you choose to. You have the same point as to when I did the Captain Clause event. I told pirates not to cheat, but sure enough, some cheated. That made me really mad, but compared to me, your all saints to how you manage to keep yourselves patient. I'm sorry that some pirates stepped beyond what they were supposed to do. Just remember, a small portion doesn't represent the majority

[Aaron McEagle]

Does this mean there will be no more events EVER on POF or just THIS event?

[Cannonfury]

What is this about? who cheated? and what did they cheat on?

[The Skirata Clan]

Read The January Contest page 2.

[Captain Del]

Originally Posted by Maria Cannonfury

1. What is this about? 2. who cheated? 3. and what did they cheat on?

***added numbers to respond to the quote easier***

1. Appearently a few pirates were caught cheating by sharing information with each other for the "January Guess the Picture" Contest here on POF.

2. Unknown to me, and all POF members.

3. The January Guess the Picture Contest.

Does this mean there will be no more events EVER on POF or just THIS event?

Seeing as how TepCat said ALL future events were cancelled, that mostly like means this contest, and the ones they had planned for the near future.

P.S. Following TSC's link pretty much says it all. Too bad he didn't post sooner >_>

[Rattlebones]

Isn't it terrible when someone else's actions ruins your fun or enjoyment... You know, like when you're watching a great movie and the person right in front of you answers their cell phone and starts having a conversation in a loud tone? Or maybe when some person flattens your tires just before you were going to head somewhere you really wanted to go. Or maybe when you study really really hard for a test and do really well, but some other people stole the answer key and get them all right and ruin the curve.

Cheating can be seen as "performing some act that falls outside the normal methods of play or competition with an expectation or hope that it will convey an unusual competitive advantage within the game or sport". We consider it bad for one’s virtue if one learns to cheat in a game environment since learning to cheat in a game might well affect the player’s view on cheating in general.

Cheaters never consider their impact on others. Cheaters are inherently selfish. In this case, they did not realize that some of the people who's enjoyment they were ruining are the people who put together and run the contents. We actually enjoy watching people solve the puzzles and knowing folks are cheating ruins our fun.

So we've taken our ball and gone home for now... Enjoy your time of unchallenged virtue.

[JM Ohara]

Exactly, the mods do a lot for us. What's wrong with expecting people to play fair? I say, good for the mods!

[Cannonfury]

Who cheated though?? and how?

[combatlizzy]

Cheating on a POF contest? Give me a break!!! As usual a few ruin it for many. Sorry Mods, you try your best & then things like this happen. It is a crying shame & inexcusable that ppl feel they have to cheat in event such as this....

[djr_8fan]

One of the things that made this forum so great was all the events the mods put together for all the members and them to enjoy. I was looking forward to another great year. The Mod Hunt is by far my favorite event and now thanks to the cheaters we're not gonna have it. And on a personal note, this was the first time I figured out the picture for the contest right off. IT WASNT THAT HARD! And for goodness sake, Tep was gonna increase the size of the pic each week, so all you had to do was check back and look at the bigger picture!

To the mods: I'm sorry about this. I hope that the other events that do not involve clues can return. Keep up the great work guys!!

[JM Ohara]

Sigh, good point, I'm never gonna get to do a mod hunt now. I missed the last due to computer issues. So all you who cheated, thanks a lot. Ruin a lot of peoples fun for a simple little virtual contest?

[jason davy]

The "prize" for the contest was an award icon the size of a dime. Yes, it is incredibly silly to cheat to get it. But it is equally silly to cancel all contests because someone cheated. People on both sides have taken the contest too seriously in my opinion.

[djr_8fan]

Im sure the mods thought about this but im gonna suggest it anyway.
Cheaters should be banned from contests or POF membership be demoted or be banned from POF.
(Whining voice) Its so not fair!

[thomas seawalker]

if betleth is around I would like him to consider a May Meqba on this issue