So we had a lot of guild drama this week. Huge interpersonal conflicts between important characters and officers. In the end, as the GL, I had to have some difficult discussions with people. There were hard feelings, heated tells exchanged, and a few /gquits. Our Kara team is in shambles, which only worsens the problem.
After the dust had settled I felt terrible. I haven’t signed on to my main since it happened. I think about it constantly. I am wracked with guilt for the feelings that I hurt.
But as I think it over, I realize that many people aren’t like that. Some of those who I spoke to obviously think of this as completely a game, with no connection to actual people. When they say things they don’t actually consider the feelings of the persons on the other side of the keyboard. To those players, its all “unreal” and if people get offended or upset at what they say and do then must be taking things too seriously.
I can’t relate to that. As Guild Leader, every /gquit hurts me and makes me question what I could have done to make that person’s play more enjoyable. Every complaint that I hear represents a flaw in my leadership. My guild members are my friends and I strive to make them feel at home in the guild.
This past week has made me more cynical. I feel like I should try to distance myself from my virtual life. I should try to harden myself and not be so attached. I should treat it more like a game and less like a “second life.”
Or should I?
