Especially in PvP-based MMORPGs, the so-called griefers or gankers enjoy constantly attacking other players to ruin their fun. We managed to speak with one such griefer.
The ganker does not want to be recognized, which is why he appears here under the pseudonym GuyIncognito. He explained to MeinMMO author Andreas Bertits what attracts him to attack other players, ruin their fun, and why it has become something of an addiction for him.
A griefer wants to ruin the fun for others. The word “grief” translates to “sorrow.” A griefer is therefore someone who wants to cause sorrow to others.
Gankers are the players who repeatedly attack others, mainly weaker teammates, and thus do not give them any peace.
MeinMMO: Tell us how you became a griefer.
GuyIncognito: It started in 2009 in World of Warcraft. I got ganked myself back then in Stranglethorn Vale. I just wanted to complete a quest when suddenly a player showed up and wiped me out. And not just once… I was frustrated and fascinated at the same time. Because as much as I enjoyed WoW back then, something was missing, and I could never quite say what it was.
I wanted to pay back the ganker and let my frustration out on other players. I did exactly the same thing as the guy did to me. I simply ambushed other players. And suddenly, I found exactly what had been missing in the game. I started to really enjoy it.
And at some point, I was only having real fun in an MMO if I could annoy others. One could say I became addicted.
MeinMMO: Why don’t you want to reveal your real name or player name?
GuyIncognito: If I told you my character name – which is always the same in every game, by the way – I would probably not have a nice online life in the future. They would probably hunt me down.
And my real name… let’s just say this: My activities don’t stop even with my real-life friends, and they better not know.
MeinMMO: What is it that attracts you to attack other players?
GuyIncognito: It’s not just about attacking other players. It’s about waiting for them. They need to feel safe, and it’s precisely at that moment, when they expect it the least, that I strike.
It has to hurt. It can’t just be a lost fight. I could also get that in a fair PvP duel. I want to destroy the other player. He must suffer a heavy loss. He must lose something. Ideally, important items, like is the case in some MMORPGs – or better yet, I must be able to loot his entire body in a full-loot game. If that’s not possible, then he must at least be so frustrated that he wants to stop playing for a while.
MeinMMO: And what exactly does that give you?
GuyIncognito: It’s a fantastic feeling! It may sound mean, but I only feel good in an online game when others cry – so to speak. Then, I feel strong and good.
MeinMMO: Do you prefer to attack veterans or newbies?
GuyIncognito: It’s most fun with newbies. They don’t even know what’s happening.
Especially cool is playing the mentor first. You butter them up, promise to help them, explain everything, and then suddenly – bam – you strike. This way, you also destroy their trust, and they will think twice about playing with a stronger player again. It’s just funny.
MeinMMO: Isn’t that a bit like taking candy from a child and enjoying it?
GuyIncognito: Maybe, a bit. The difference is that I do it in a game and not in real life. In “real life,” I am a really nice guy. Too nice, actually. And honestly, being nice doesn’t get you very far. You have to be cheeky to get somewhere or, for example, to impress pretty women. In real life, though, I’m not like that. I hold back and even help old ladies cross the street, so basically – you understand what I mean, right?
And in the game, it’s completely different. There, I’m the bad guy. I earn my respect by doing really mean things. That’s a kind of compensation for me.
MeinMMO: Does anonymity help you get away with it?
GuyIncognito: Absolutely. If I had to reveal my real name, I would probably be an innocent lamb. But since no one knows or sees me, I can do what I want. I can insult other players, provoke them, and simply keep attacking them until they totally give up out of frustration. I only do that anonymously.
MeinMMO: Do you only play in this “mean” way? Or are you sometimes the “good” guy?
GuyIncognito: In an online game, I am never the good guy. I never follow a story, but focus right on PvP and ganking. That’s why I usually only play sandbox games where I don’t have to do any PvE to experience some story.
I am the bad boy, that’s just how it is. That’s the most fun for me.
MeinMMO: Do you understand it when others are annoyed by griefers and demand more measures to prevent such behavior in games?
GuyIncognito: I absolutely understand that. I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes. I’ve also been a victim and know how it feels. But as long as games allow ganking, there will always be players who exploit it and have fun with it.
And as for measures against ganking: Even if such things were to come, I would just switch games.
MeinMMO: In which games are you active?
GuyIncognito: I play several MMOs. Elite Dangerous is a lot of fun for me right now, and there are many ways to ruin other people’s fun. From time to time, I am also in Albion Online. But my great love is Black Desert Online.
I’m really looking forward to Ashes of Creation. Since it sounds like gankers could have a lot of fun as well, and it looks really great.
MeinMMO: Thanks for the conversation.
Have you ever been ganked in an MMO? Tell us about it in the comments.
