The sandbox approach to GMing

[Tradesonred]

(Redoing this thread since other flamefest was locked and i think this subject deserves its own thread and should be discussed, especially the ninja looting part)

I think a good rule of thumb on designing server rules and GM intervention would be this:

GM intervention should be the last resort where pvp matters stand. And when they do intervene, they should have clear, logical and explainable reasons why they needed to intervene and be ready to defend their cases in the forums.
The sandbox should be on top of the list of how to handle things as a GM. If a player wants to fuck another player over, then let other players deal with it, as long as 3rd party cheating wasnt involved.

Dont wanna get bound by hostiles? Dont group with randoms.

Theres a reason why eve online lasted so long, its because of the sandbox.
There is not a whole lot of sandbox to EQ, but the little there is, i think should be preserved and encouraged.

Thats why i disliked Amelinda's approach to her events, when she thinks of an event so rigid she has to temp ban someone because he zoned in her event.

There are repercussions to your actions in a game like EQ where it takes so long to level up your character. It makes the game more interesting to have crooks and white knights. By trying to overbear with stuff like making ninja looting illegal, it makes the game more boring.

The GMs should find something better to do with their time then giving themselves tasks to do that restrict what the players cant and can do arbitrarilly.

Thats why i liked the 2001 halloween event so much. Because it was a sandboxy event. Just put a bunch of event mobs in the world and let the players collaborate/tear each other to pieces over them.
The GMs didnt have to lift a finger for those events, i think thats the sort of things GMs should be thinking of and investing time in, and talking to Rogean about it.
I remember an event where we had to listen to a GM for riddles and shit, and then try to find what they meant in EQ.
An event like this would be cool, like a riddle for clues that leads to a special mob spawned somewhere. Say in a place where we dont usually see alot of, like runnyeye.

I think this is a much better way to spend GM time then policing if joewizard ninja looted a band of intelligence off that level35 ogre boss in Western Karana.