The rules of regular computer games are defined in code. If the game lets you do it, you can do it; if it doesn't, you can't. Want your RPG party members to fireball one another? Go ahead. Want to drive the wrong way round a racing circuit? If it lets you, sure, why not?
The rules of virtual worlds are also defined in code, but there are other rules beyond this that can't be coded: no profanity, no hate speech, no commodification, no [whatever]. These rules are defined in the EULA.
Because EULA rules aren't "part of the game", some players feel free to disregard them. The typical response to a violation is, "Hey, the program let me do it. If you didn't want me to do it, you should have coded it out".
Alternatively...
Let's take this "the only rules are those in code" argument further, and drop all EULA references to in-world activities. If the virtual world lets you do it, you really can do it. Swear your head off if you like - the code lets you, so it's OK. Spam players with URLs to Nazi web sites, macro to your heart's content... If the only rules are those in code, what's to stop you?
Here's what.
The designers specify that the code contain special commands that only certain character classes can use. Let's call these character classes "admins", and make them only available to people on the payroll. The commands are like very powerful spells; let's call the most powerful of them FOD ("finger of death"). If an admin FODs a character, that character is permanently dead and all their kit is garbage collected.
So now you call some player a cucking funt, and FOD! You're evaporated. "But the code let me do it!" you wail. "Yes", replies the all-seeing admin, "and the same code let me FOD you."
What would RL law have to say about that?
Richard
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