Newb, noob, n00bz! Offensive or not? What is your perception?

[Cauthey]

So, after reading a bit of Stoolcannon's thread on preceived increasing veteran ego (http://forums.ddo.com/showpost.php?p=3343616&postcount=1), I've come to realize that I may have missed the boat on how to determine if someone is spewing arrogance at an unprepared or inexperienced player. More than anything, I utilize other context clues besides the word alone to determine if someone is being arrogant or offensive. I am posting here looking for fellow DDO players thoughts and input:

Do you use newb, noob, and n00b interchangably as I do?

Does someone calling you a newb offend you? What if they call you a noob, or any other alternative "leet" spelling? What if you are legitimately new, and ignorant of the game, and require a little extra coaching or patience?

Do you really differentiate between the spellings, with one spelling being more insulting or offensive than another (additional context of the word's use aside)? Which is most offensive? Which is least?

There are several in Stoolcannon's thread that suggest that "newb" = "new player," and is not necessarily offensive, and that "noob" = "lazy/stupid player unwilling to listen or follow directions." I had always presumed that the offensiveness and arrogance was in calling someone who was in fact NOT a new player a "newb."


You keep making a big point about "newbs" versus "noobs." Perhaps I'm too much of a "newb," but I didn't realize that the alternate spelling signified any kind difference. This is either your personal nomenclature, or the nomenclature used in the circles you run in. Or perhaps I don't run in large enough circles, and I am simply ignorant of the term.

Personally, I would classify new players to the game as newbs, noobs, n00bs, or noobz. People that do not listen and refuse to take instruction from those that are more informed are simply a$$clowns. :D

Discuss! :)

[FlyingTurtle]

It's always at least borderline offensive to bring attention to someone's lack of experience, whether it is true or not, using any term. I wouldn't recommend it.

[Cauthey]

Good point, Flying Turtle.

Gee, thanks for all of the wonderful discussion, everyone. :P :)

[stoolcannon]

The only person I ever call a noob is myself. I don't get offended easily but most people seem to so I try to be polite. Despite outward appearances since I'm often fighting the good fight for noobs on these forums I get along with literally almost everyone I play with in the game and rarely leave a quest without someone adding me to their friends list because I'm a good player, nice and I make lots of **** and fart jokes and who couldn't use at least 20 of those per quest ;)

So in short: Conceptually I agree with what people say about the difference between NEWB and NOOB but the problem is that although the person saying it understands the distinction the person being referenced probably doesn't and is going to take offense anyway. Therefore I just use the terms "new" and "jerk" (slightly more colorful version of the latter to be honest) and keep things simple.

[Delt]

Calling someone "new" (even though it's the equivilent of newbie) probably isn't. Doesn't mean the person being called new(bie) won't take offense, if the happen to disagree with the connotations.

Noob or noobie definitely is...lord knows every tell I send in pvp contains the word and it is solely intended to **** someone off :D

[Lleren]

I personally use New player instead of newbie. Noob is used instead of some filter breaking monstrosity. I do not use newb, n00b, etcetera.

Noobz is a weird little webcomic http://www.noobz-online.com/en/2010/07/21/98-tomorrow-is-another-day/

Noob is always considered an insult. Some folks call themselves noob, but hey at least they are prewarning us that they intend to grief everyone, have tantrums, and mess up quests/raids intentionally forever.


From the other thread, that I don't feel like retyping.

Its a long lived term.

I first ran into Newbie 25 years ago in the Society for Creative Anacronism as a positive description/warning that the person likely does not understand the cultural interactions within the SCA yet. About the same time I also ran into it in the SciFi/Fantasy convention circuit with the same meaning. I was told it had been around for years at that time.

Noob I first ran into in Everquest in the Kunark era, as the equivilent of moron who will not learn, other filter bypassing terms and such. So I think we're talking about a decade ago or so that the terms divurged again.

The base term that both devive from is at minimum Vietnam era, and most likely much older.


Druid vs Drood

to rhyme with booby or boob.

Implying that you still need to be breastfed the information, and that you are emotionally unstanble, aka a baby.

[Lorien_the_First_One]

for the last 3 or 4 years in this game the standard terminology has been "newbie" or "newb" = new player, not an insult.

Noob = idiot, definately an insult.

[BattleCircle]

I'm a N@@B :D

[Missing_Minds]

I'm a n99b.

[ballsz]

It's always at least borderline offensive to bring attention to someone's lack of experience, whether it is true or not, using any term. I wouldn't recommend it.

Totally agree, everyone was new at one point or another. +1 To you my friend.

[Thargnar]

Do you use newb, noob, and n00b interchangably as I do?
Negative, as a primary voice user I make no differentiation between noob homonyms since I can't be arsed to enunciate my Ws or slip into binary to pronounce the 00. When I say noob it is used in a statement prefacing one thing, 'Hey NOOB! SAY HELLO TO MY LITTLE FRIEND!' In which case by little friend I mean the noob after getting hit with my Shrinker and by say hello I mean you are about to be chased down by a furiously stomping Duke Nukem.

Does someone calling you a newb offend you?
If they pronounce the W, then no. It must mean I'm at an SCA event and not dressed for the occasion, look obviously confused and befuddled, or have been staring askance at somebodies home made haggis for the last 15 minutes.

What if they call you a noob, or any other alternative "leet" spelling?
Then they better precede or follow that statement by gibbing me with rocket spam or some lazily tossed pipe bombs, in which case I deserve it. Failing to use noob in conjunction with these conditions may rile me up enough to equip The Mighty Foot and proceed to get all future kills by bloody stomping.

What if you are legitimately new, and ignorant of the game, and require a little extra coaching or patience?
Then you are filling a valuable roll, one known as Fresh Meat. Suck it up noob.

Do you really differentiate between the spellings, with one spelling being more insulting or offensive than another (additional context of the word's use aside)?
Nope, already said I can't be arsed to pronounce the difference and typing is counterproductive to fragging.

Which is most offensive?
The noob which is pronounced: 'Donkey slurping camel humping incestuous son of a motherless goat.'

Which is least?
The noob which is pronounced: 'O Prince of Princes, your radiant luminescence outshines the sun and stars, may your illustrious loins bear abundant fruit that your greatness is passed into the generations.'



There are several in Stoolcannon's thread that suggest that "newb" = "new player," and is not necessarily offensive, and that "noob" = "lazy/stupid player unwilling to listen or follow directions." I had always presumed that the offensiveness and arrogance was in calling someone who was in fact NOT a new player a "newb."
Using newb, noob, or n00b, is just lazy. We have an abundance of adjectives in the english language, and if you can't find one apropos to the situation then resorting to noob in any of it's variations is simply unimaginative at best. I'm a personal fan of flaming arsebag of arsebaggery, Lord of The Dewsh, handitarded, whey-faced canker-blossom, etc. Being new is reason for none of those terms though, they just simply apply to some regardless of play experience and are unlikely to change no matter how long they play.



Discuss! :)

Discussed.

Addendum, some of the previous will make little sense to those who never experienced the glory of Duke3d in a network environment, (TEN or IPX-SPX with coax, booya!) in which case I say unto you, noob.

[BattleCircle]

I'm a n99b.

I thought that was your wife :D

That was a looooong time ago wasn't it

[Kominalito]

the word "noob" is used so improperly and out of context that its just an offensive epithet now.

eg?

i just ran chamber or some other house k run on hard solo (not a big feat) when i see an lfm for the same run. all level 7, 8, 9 (i'm 7). i join, they are in progress on normal. i tell them that i'll wait out till elite. they tell me to just enter now, and i decline. moments later they are running hard and ask me to join. a 6 man run all higher level than me on a run i solo'd easily on my own. i declined again, and apologised and said i would be running deleras or something. then i get a tell. (ps, they can open elite. they werent xp farming, i was. i did hard, and wanted elite)

-"idiot."

after a few exchanges, i get called noob. apparently the lfg leader has run with me before (obv not on my mains, only my new player). now am i noob for leaving a group to run a quest that i solo'd without a problem, or am i a noob for noobs sake? i dont know. someone tell me. either way, i have a fresh and new DO NO PUG name to watch out for. (incedentally i DO remember his/her player. and they suck. its no offense - we all sucked in the beginning, but pulling out the "noob" when you are level 8 incapable of playing the easiest of levels with a full group is ********)

[ballsz]

the word "noob" is used so improperly and out of context that its just an offensive epithet now.

I think what you are referring to is the over abundance of new players thinking they know everything about the game by lvl 7. They also think that if you don't follow their ideal play style that you must not know what you are doing.

These people get put on a list, and depending on circumstances they may get a chance to redeem themselves at a later date hoping that they have realized the error of their ways. I just normally wish them the best of luck on their endeavors and be on my marry way. Their is no point in disputing with them, they are right you know. ;)

Now these TR's running around that can't even navigate through the marketplace are a totally different story. I almost wish it was harder to TR a character. Seems like you should have to pass some sort of test or something. LOL

P.S. I'm a noob... I learn things everyday.

[Pallol_One-Eye]

Discussed.

Addendum, some of the previous will make little sense to those who never experienced the glory of Duke3d in a network environment, (TEN or IPX-SPX with coax, booya!) in which case I say unto you, noob.


Are you SERIOUS??? I actually just had my Director of Operations want to know why I was laughing so hard that I disturbed his meeting....

I have not laughed that hard in sooooo long, +1 for you as soon as I am able to.:D

[stoolcannon]

discussed.

Addendum, Some Of The Previous Will Make Little Sense To Those Who Never Experienced The Glory Of Duke3d In A Network Environment, (ten Or Ipx-spx With Coax, Booya!) In Which Case I Say Unto You, Noob.

+1

[Lleren]

IP.S. I'm a noob... I learn things everyday.

If you learn new things everyday then you cannot be a noob. =D

[katana_one]

It's always at least borderline offensive to bring attention to someone's lack of experience, whether it is true or not, using any term. I wouldn't recommend it.

Agreed.

Besides, how you define "newb" or "n00b" or whatever is all highly subjective.

For the record, I know that "n00b" is supposed to be offensive, and "newb" isn't supposed to be in most people's eyes, but I personally have always found "newb" to be a bit condescending.

I avoid using either term for that reason.

[Gremmlynn]

I generally stick to the term new player.

As for being called a noob, doesn't bother me at all as I see it as reflecting more on the one who uses the term than onto me. I mean really, anyone who takes video games seriously enough to use derogatory terms to describe how another plays isn't someone who's opinion matters to me anyway.

[Lleren]

I generally stick to the term new player.

As for being called a noob, doesn't bother me at all as I see it as reflecting more on the one who uses the term than onto me. I mean really, anyone who takes video games seriously enough to use derogatory terms to describe how another plays isn't someone who's opinion matters to me anyway.

It generally takes some seriously defective personality traits to be able to be identifiable as a noob while still a new player of any mmo. Of the sort that one would not let them near ones children...

Its much easier to identify the noobs who have been playing a year or more, most especially if they have been raiding/epicing for a good bit of that time. Those that have been playing for a few years tend to stand out.

Actual newness to the game tends to place doubt on whether soemone is actually a noob, or just a newer player in the Gamings/Raiding cultures I grew up in.

p.s. Grandma's card game was serious business. So was Grampa's. I'm a third generation elitist somethingorother. Minimum =D