Netnow66

For any people blocking griefers, I apologize for not posting this sooner. I discovered this early last week. PSN only allows you to block 50 people. Well, me any way. I contacted Sony thru chat and by phone to verify this. If you've added over 50, you can verify this by trying to add a person and then checking your list of Blocked Players under Friends. I thought I've been adding people for awhile now--but they really weren't being added. I've suggested to Sony that with about 95M PS4 owners, they've got to figure there are more than 50 griefers online out here. I was told in both cases that this would be brought up as a PSN player suggestion at the next meeting. Still hoping for separate PvE and PvP servers for Red Dead Redemption Online.

I play sparingly for now, basically only using the quick roam missions to get my fix (accessing them from pressing left on the D pad). The game is kind of a waste for me right now with all the griefing going on. I'm not investing too much into it in case I don't care for the final product. It will make it easier to walk away if I feel I have to. My ultimate would simply be PvE servers once the game officially starts but that might be a reach. Leave the current PvEvP servers they have now because, if you read comments from some here, they are either happy or content dealing with the game as is or with what I consider very minor changes (changing dot color is pointless to me but that seems to be enough for some here). But, going by what I've seen from Rockstar so far, I'm afraid we'll just have to settle for anti griefing methods and hope they really have some teeth. We have to remember it's still a beta...at least that's what I tell myself every time I get headshot or lassoed when spawning in and out of quick roam missions.

When I logged in early this morning, it was the same crap show it's always been in terms of griefing. Rockstar has implemented nothing to fix issues in the area of griefing as of yet, so you might want to hold out a bit longer. I also hate PvP so I basically log in just to do the quick roam missions. Even doing that, I'm liable to get plugged by some griefer while going from mission to mission. As a PvEer, the game is still a mess in that area.

Once on that "Kerosene" mission, while most of us were riding along getting the story outline/narrative from the NPC, one player took off on his own and I didn't know why. He went straight for the train and killed all the Pinkertons. I guess while we went to grab the train to take to the location, he had already gone ahead and killed most of the NPCs at the station. When we pulled into the station on the train (we met very little resistance at all), we got the message to loot the industrialists, so he had gotten that far. By the time we actually got off the train, he had already looted them. I'm not even sure if he got on the train with us when we pulled off. I've learned my lesson now. I hang back to see if anyone goes straight to the train and follow them if they do. It's fine for those of us who have played the game since the beginning and have played out the whole story but it kind of ruins it for new players because they miss out on part of the action and story--and the XP, I'm guessing. I wish this mission was more like "Kill Them All..." where a player can ride ahead but all players are pulled together when the action starts. I only replay the "Kerosene...," "Kill Them All..." and "Kill Them Each and Every One" missions now anyway because I don't really care for the others. A note to some players--you can press a button on your controller to skip most cut scenes. Once you've enjoyed the cutscene for a story 10 or 15 times, please be merciful and press it. Don't get me wrong, even I found Mrs. LeClerk's retribution funny the first 20 or so times but now even that's a little boring.

I totally agree. The lobbies as is are "anything goes." People who enjoy the game as is could just continue to play in those. The "lobby where you cannot kill another player or their horse or cause any griefing but you can fight AI cowboys or gangs, or fish and hunt, do missions together or just mess around, either on your own or with like minded players" would be the new lobbies. Just as a switch is clicked and players can't shoot one another while playing on teams in some of the quick roam segments, all Rockstar would have to do is click that switch and make a server where every player is on the "same team." It seems simple enough to me. But we'll be tied into whatever Rockstar chooses to do with us in terms of their future updates and when they finally institute them.

I very rarely go to stores for ammo. I press left on the D pad to go to Free Roam. I select Story Mission On Call. When I get put into the lobby before the story mission starts, one of the options is Purchases. If you select that, you should be able to buy your ammo. I just usually select buy all as opposed to selecting individual items. I then back out of that option and if I like that mission, I stay. If not, I just back out and either try again for a mission I want or just go back out to free roam. I typically avoid going into towns to see grocers or gunsmiths because of griefers so this is my way of keeping my ammo topped off.

More information on how to block someone follows also... Well, not wanting to leave anything to chance, I called US Sony myself 1-800-345-7669. I hadn't done it before because I figured I'd have a long wait time. Surprisingly, I did not. The person I spoke with said that once I block a person, we would no longer be able to see or communicate with one another. I then specifically mentioned Red Dead 2 Online lobbies and told her of the problems that some of us are having with griefers. I then specifically asked if I block someone, would that prevent us from being in the same game lobby. She said yes without missing a beat. That's the best thing I've heard about this situation so far, even counting information from Rockstar. About blocking--well, I have done it this way. Because I don't want to stop my gameplay once I get going, I take down the name of whomever has griefed me (you know, it appears in that picture after someone murders you). At the end of last night's session, where I only played quick roam missions, I had four names of players that had popped me when I was standing there, spawning in and out as I went from mission to mission. I had also gathered names of griefers from a few friends that I trust, so I was looking at a list of about 30 people. I had to be at a computer for a time this morning, so logged into my Playstation account on one of the browser windows. Across the top menu on-screen is the word Friends. Select that and it takes you to a search bar. I typed the person's name in. His info popped up. I selected it. There are a few options there but there is also a little box under their name with three periods/dots in it. I selected the box. The option to Block the person is there. Of course, with all of the people playing the game, this is only a small step. But, for me, it's more than what Rockstar is doing at this point and I feel a little better knowing it shouldn't be the same griefer killing me in multiple sessions. I'm still hoping for separate PvE and PvEvP servers.

Three of us tried different ways of contacting Sony regarding the blocking issue, posting, chatting and emailing. The direct quote that one of us got while doing an online chat was interesting. "We totally understand your situation and we are sorry to know that you are getting issues with those players, and you won't be on the same lobby if you block the player and you will avoid them and enjoy the game in a better way, sounds good?" The rest of the chat log rambled a little so I'm still not 100% sure. But I'll take it for what it's worth. Reporting is a step up from blocking but this Sony rep seemed to think that just blocking might keep us from the same lobby as griefers/bullies. I only wish there was some log of every griefer that has popped me so far (is there one online?) but I guess I'll just start today and ask my friends for names of those they've come across. This isn't much because there are a ton of people playing online but I'll feel a little better knowing that these clowns will only get a one shot attack on me (if it really works).

Your post has given me a lot to think about. Typically, while I wait for the game to come out of beta or for better anti griefing methods to be implemented, I only log in occasionally using the quick mission feature to play my favorites and call it a day. But I think I may log in and keep your blocking methods, especially the proactive blocks, to see if my online play is more fun. I will also contact Sony to see if I can get more information on how they are handling this game. Thanks again for giving my other options to investigate.

Microsoft went out of their way this generation to construct special controllers for disabled gamers. So, along with the older generation (as you put it), there are gamers with various challenges playing this game. Getting good isn't one of the challenges I necessarily thought I'd have to face in this game. This game is rich with so much to do other than just blow one another away--especially when we spawn in or are lazily enjoying a fishing session. I'm hoping that Rockstar at some point acknowledges they have a wide user base playing this game and accommodates that whole base with PvE servers or something similar to them.

As we've seen from the latest update and even forthcoming content, Rockstar doesn't seem to put anti griefing at the forefront of their priorities, at least not in the beta. The upcoming changes mentioned don't seem to be what I was hoping for but there's no real way to know if their implementation will really affect griefing until they are actually implemented. At this point, I'm kind of hoping some other devs or company have been paying attention and pull a Fortnite move--but then allow PvE in their game. If the PSN block works, that might be one way to address part of the issue in Red Dead 2 online. A few lists of known griefers to add to block lists might not be much but it would be more than what Rockstar is offering at this point. Can anyone else verify if this works?

Going by the update notes from today, it looks as if Rockstar isn't taking griefing seriously and not really going to address it, in the beta any way. My advice? Keep checking for updates to be released and hope Rockstar finally sees the PvE light--but find other games you want to play until that happens. I curbed my enthusiasm for this game once I realized griefing wasn't as egregious to Rockstar as it is to some of us players.

But now I'm wondering if by killing these approaching characters, you then activate some bounty on yourself because my first instinct will be to shoot first and not ask any questions. And I hate PvP. Today's change (Gun Rush) doesn't really do anything for me and the upcoming proposed changes seem a little too light for me, but it's a beta so I'll continue to wait and see. But, I sure am glad that there are other games, current and upcoming, to keep me occupied while Red Dead fleshes itself out.

There is a thread on this forum board asking why people like to grief or something similar to that. As soon as the topic appeared, I avoided it because I felt that I knew the kind of responses that would be there. Early New Year's Day I was recovering from New Year's Eve and I mistakenly clicked into that thread thinking that I was clicking into another. After reading some of the responses, I realized (finally) that I was in the wrong thread. And some of the responses I read were exactly what I thought they would be. The option to bully others is a draw for some players. I honestly feel that some PvPers don't want their pool of victims to be diminished.

(Please don't be offended for my singling your comment out. I mean no offense and am only trying to get a point across. I've seen many of your posts and view you as one of the more reasonable posters here.) But this is the reason I feel we should have separate servers. What one person considers griefing, another does not because I do consider it griefing. And judging by comments from many posters here, there is always going to be a disagreement on the issue as to what is griefing, how much griefing is too much, or if any should be allowed (my vote on that is no). Of course, we are all at the mercy of Rockstar when it comes to this but, from my standpoint, separate servers/private lobbies = problem solved.

I happened into one only once so far. I played about 16 hours straight. The most fun I've had playing the game. Playing game grief free was the absolute best.

I've only spent gold Rockstar gave to me. I wouldn't invest my own money into a game that I might not continue to play because I find it kind of broken now (the griefing). Personally, I don't see Rockstar wanting to refund anything, which is why I figure it won't get rolled back. Time will tell.

I sort of figured once the gold bar store opened that things were kind of locked in and that there would probably not be a reset. Probably. And thanks, Euphoric77, for the info that Rockstar keeps up with a twitter account. I guess I'll check there also for updates. I check the Rockstar newsfeed page and this forum board a few times a day. As you said, "eagerly anticipating" about covers it.

Two thoughts on this--I'm sure that some would actually start another character just to grief with. That kind of can't be avoided but I'm willing to accept that. The other thought is that griefers don't just kill once. So if someone grief killed, let's say, three times, that would mean they'd lose 30 levels. They'd also lose the ability to use/or have certain weapons, clothing, etc., that there demoted level doesn't support. I think that would be enough of a deterrent to stop the majority of griefing. As some have said, the nature of the game is the "Wild West" and some want to be outlaws. I get that. Along with "getting that" is the reality that the punishment doesn't fit the crime in this game. I'd be satisfied knowing that whomever headshot me when I spawned in or as I fished would be punished accordingly. Losing 10 levels per grief kill, along with the ability to use leveled weapons and clothing (and maybe even having to repurchase them) seems about appropriate to me. Yes, you can be an outlaw/murderer/griefer. But there will be a price to pay. If you're willing to lose what I mentioned previously per every grief killing, then, yes, maybe you actually are the big, bad outlaw you think you are. Now go and level back up so you can use that/repurchase that weapon, piece of clothing, etc., that you no longer have access to, tough guy.

The thing that scares me about a bounty system is this: are you advocating other players going after the griefer for a reward? Can you imagine the rush or bragging rights this guy might get if he is attacked by 20 people and manages to kill 19 before the 20th takes him down? This sounds sort of like what some of them are actually looking for. It sounds exactly like what these guys are doing already. I say make any punishment less dramatic and less what these guys are doing already. I'm still advocating that after every nonconsensual killing/murder, the next time the griefer logs in, he gets a message from Rockstar saying that because of his griefing, he has lost 5 to 10 levels, along with the ability to use items that his new level no longer supports. Losing levels seems to have more consequences than anything in this game, even cash and gold. Whatever you decide, everyone please send your suggestions to Rockstar in their feedback. Regardless of whether or not we can agree on what should be done to griefers, we do all agree that they are a problem and that some of us need help dealing with these online bullies. I'm not one that believes that fighting back solves the problem, it just shows the griefer that he can drag you down to his level. https://www.rockstargames.com/reddeadredemption2/online/feedback

It's a personal thing, but I still don't see how anyone can remotely compare story mode to online. The simplest illustration of that for me is, how much does your online character physically look like the story character? There are thousands of other examples, but that to me is the simplest. You are right though about not quitting the game. At least give Rockstar a chance to implement their anti griefing measures. But I'm not going to "get better" just to fight off someone I'd probably never associate with in game or in real life. My opinion, but griefers are inherently bullies and not worth my time. When I want to shoot it out, I go into those quick matches. That's what they're there for, in my opinion. I'm weary of hearing the "but it's the Wild West" arguments which would only make sense to me if players would have to suffer severe consequences as those in the Wild West did (a "hanging judge" was no joke). Mutual combat was one thing back then but murder was quite another. In this game, the in game punishments do not fit the in game crimes. Until they do, the griefing won't stop. But I still say hang in there until Rockstar decides what it's going to do for us. And before I forget, someone here posted the feedback site awhile ago. I use it frequently, posting two suggestions this morning (one having to do with PvE servers the other with losing levels for killing players how do not consent to combat). Please, please, use the feedback forum. Let Rockstar know if you're not satisfied with the game as is. It's a little broken as far as I'm concerned. https://www.rockstargames.com/reddeadredemption2/online/feedback

Bottom line for me is this--I'm against any kind of or degree of griefing. Some here seem to feel that varying degrees of it are acceptable. Options are usually great and Rockstar is going to do whatever it wants. We'll have to deal with that but my belief is that the game will lose more players if griefing is allowed (depending on the degree, of course). Conversely, I'm not sure if the game would actually lose players if griefing wasn't allowed.

I've gone over this thread and some others and come to the realization that some (such as myself) don't want any griefing at all. Some others here are willing to accept varying degrees of it. That doesn't make them griefers, just griefer adjacent, I guess. And Free Roam does have dangers. I've been attacked by bears, cougars, wolves and marauding gang NPCs. And none of them were human players. That's good enough for me. Why does Free Roam have to have bushwhacking, spawnkilling human players? Also, most players don't use or have mics, right? That certainly gives even more reason for griefers to grief because I don't see a lot of deescalation under those circumstances.

That's why I said innocent players. If groups or players want to engage in mutual combat, so be it. If I'm spawning in, fishing, etc., and haven't given permission or accepted an invite for combat, I don't want to be bothered. If you bother me without consent, you need to be penalized harshly so you won't do it again. Mutual combat makes sense to me. Not spawnkilling or while I'm fishing.

Incentives and consequences. I'd be satisfied knowing that the person who headshot innocent players lost half his cash and 10 levels for each infraction (also affecting his ability to use items and abilities if he's not the appropriate level). That would be an indication that Rockstar is taking griefing seriously and I bet it would cease then.