Griefer — Definition, examples, FAQs, and more

Griefer: a brief history

Griefing has been a part of online gaming culture since the early days of multiplayer games. It is seen across various genres, from sandbox games to massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs).

The motivations behind griefing can vary, but often involve a desire for attention, amusement at others’ expense, or a simple interest in disrupting the game.

How it's used today

Players use the term “griefer” to talk about disruptive behavior in many online games with social or roleplaying elements. It often comes up in discussions where players want to maintain a positive or fair environment during play.

You’ll hear this term used in places like:

multi-user dungeons (MUDs), MUSHes, play-by-post (PbP) games, MMORPGs, first-person shooters (FPS), multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBAs), chat RPGs, social media RPGs, player versus environment (PvE) games, player versus player (PvP) games, roleplay-intensive games (RPIs), and roleplay-enforced games (RPEs).

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Griefer examples

• In a text-based MUD, a griefer might repeatedly kill a newbie far below their level, or camp a spawn point so the player can never get moving.
• In a roleplay game, a griefer might god-mod other people’s characters or force unwanted outcomes, wrecking a scene other players spent time building.
• In play-by-post roleplay, a griefer might ignore the agreed plot, spam threads, or write for characters that are not theirs just to derail the shared story.
• In a building or survival game, a griefer might destroy other players’ creations or steal resources with no intention of playing the game as designed.
• In a team-based game, a griefer might intentionally hinder their own team by refusing to cooperate or actively disrupting strategies.

Myths and misconceptions

1. All griefers are young players or only exist in certain types of games. In reality, griefers can come from any age group and target a wide range of game genres, from sandbox games to first-person shooters (FPSs) to MMORPGs. Any multiplayer game can become home to griefers.
2. Griefing is a harmless part of gaming culture. While some view it as harmless trolling or playful antagonism, it can have serious effects on players’ enjoyment and mental health. If left unchecked, griefing can contribute to a toxic gaming community.
3. Griefers are just highly competitive players who want to win at all costs. However, the main goal of a griefer is usually to disrupt the experience for others, not to achieve victory or follow traditional competitive play.
4. Reporting griefers is pointless because nothing will be done. While it can sometimes feel discouraging, many game developers take reports of griefing seriously and may issue warnings, bans, or implement new systems to discourage disruptive behavior.
5. Griefers only disrupt strangers online and not their friends or regular group members. In fact, griefing can occur within any group dynamic, including among friends or established gaming communities, and can be especially damaging in close-knit groups.

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Griefer FAQs

What distinguishes a griefer from a competitive player?

A competitive player aims to win or excel within the established rules and spirit of the game. In contrast, a griefer derives pleasure specifically from causing distress to other players and disrupting the game experience, often without any interest in traditional gameplay objectives.

Can griefers be banned from games?

Yes, many online games have policies and reporting systems in place to deal with griefers. If a player is found to be intentionally ruining the experience for others, they can be warned, temporarily suspended, or permanently banned from the game.

How can players deal with griefers?

Players can deal with griefers by using in-game reporting tools to alert moderators or GMs to the abusive behavior. Avoiding engagement is also advisable, since griefers often seek attention or a reaction. Using mute or block features can stop them from continuing the harassment.

Is griefing considered a form of cyberbullying?

Yes, griefing can be considered a form of cyberbullying, especially when it involves targeted harassment, threats, or causing intentional distress to other players. Many online platforms take this behavior seriously and have reporting tools and measures in place to combat it.

What are other ways to describe a griefer?

Griefers can also be called trolls, pests, troublemakers, bad actors, or bad-faith players because they undermine the spirit of the game. However, harmless-sounding terms like “pest” and “troublemaker” do not always convey the level of abuse or damage that griefers can do to a game, its players, or its community.