I entered FOLDED, a game pitched as a large scale social experiment and art project hosted by @Bandors, with excitement and curiosity. A minimalist concept: check in once per day or be eliminated. Sounds simple, fair, and like a fun endurance challenge, right?
Well, that illusion did not last long.
One player, @retr0id, has been exploiting the system using scripts to check in automatically, bypassing the very premise of human endurance and commitment the game supposedly tests. That alone bends the spirit of the game. But it gets worse.
As a protest, I made my password public, a form of self sabotage and social experiment in itself to test the communities ethics. In response, @retr0id took control of my account, logging in and out every 30 seconds to sabotage my ability to check in. I had to set up a defense system just to stop getting kicked off my own session, ridiculous for something that is supposedly about routine and patience.
I reported this harassment to the host. The response?
Shenanigans are valid and encouraged
So automated check ins and harassment via account hijacking are valid. But here is the kicker: voicing protest in the comments was considered unacceptable. For speaking out, I was blocked by the host. I can still play, technically, but I cannot comment or communicate, silenced without recourse.
To make matters worse, I had thousands of mana on the line, with bonus prizes promised for finishing 10th, 5th, 3rd, and of course for winning. Entry alone cost 2000 mana, a substantial fee by Manifold standards. When I asked @Bandors to reset my password and even offered 50 mana for the trouble, I was told it was too hard to change. A simple password reset in a game about endurance, too hard.
FOLDED has devolved from a game of patience into a tech savvy popularity contest where
Coding trumps commitment
Harassment is brushed off as shenanigans
And dissent gets you shadowbanned
If this is performance art, then the message is clear
Cheat smart. Stay quiet. Do not challenge power.
If this is a psychological experiment, then congratulations, you have recreated 1984. The winner will not be the most disciplined, but the one most willing to manipulate the system unchecked.
If that is the art you want to create, fine
But do not pretend it is still a game.
"bonus prizes promised for finishing 10th, 5th, 3rd, and of course for winning"
Off-topic, but where was this stated?
"You have the technical knowledge to run a login loop."
That's a very low bar (and no, I'm not doing it)
"In response, @retr0id took control of my account, logging in and out every 30 seconds to sabotage my ability to check in."
First of all, if this allegation were true, it would be entirely within the rules of the game.
But what is your proof?
You voluntarily made your game password public, it could've been anyone, even someone not otherwise participating in FOLDED.
"In response, @retr0id took control of my account, logging in and out every 30 seconds to sabotage my ability to check in."
First of all, if this allegation were true, it would be entirely within the rules of the game.
But what is your proof?
You voluntarily made your game password public, it could have been anyone, even someone not otherwise participating in FOLDED.ai generated lol đ at least put some effort in your reply
Yes, I made my password public as an intentional protest. I wanted to see what kind of people would exploit that situation, who would act with integrity and who would not. Most people, thankfully, did nothing. You, however, immediately took advantage and began spamming logins every 30 seconds, locking me out of my own session.
Also you are saying that even if this is true, it is fine because it is within the rules? That says everything.
You keep asking for proof, but you are clearly the only one with a motive. You get at least 1000 mana if I get knocked out. You are still in the competition. You have the technical knowledge to run a login loop. And this started exactly when I made my password public, something only someone already playing would care to monitor or weaponize.
What outsider, who is not even in FOLDED, would go out of their way to harass a random player for no benefit?
The fact that you deflect to rules instead of denying it outright is telling. The fact that you say it could have been anyone, when almost nobody else acted and only you stood to gain from it, makes it clear.
You want to frame it like I gave up control so it is fair game. But here is the reality:
Most people see public information and still choose to respect boundaries. You chose to exploit them.
And the game allows that, apparently. Which just proves my original point
FOLDED rewards those who code, not those who endure.
I did answer your question, you asked for proof. I provided your motive, timing, and benefit. The behavior began soon after I shared my password, and you are the only participant with both the means (hacking) and incentive (profit) to act.
If you did not do it, you are free to deny it clearly. So far, you have only justified the action, not denied it.