A separate thread to discuss antags (ft. how it relates to metacliquing)

[Emrsnn]

The one of Security NOT arresting an antagonist right away or executing them is that RP Security has to do BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT.
Alot of antags can give antagonistic hints or show they are an antag but security won't act on them because.. we would be preventing Antags from doing anything.

While I personally don't have an issue with security players pretending not to notice things, drawing out conversations that would lead to an arrest, etc., I do take issue with the difference in who receives that treatment. It's much easier for people to give leeway to people they know OOC, not even necessarily friends, but rather people that they know have more experience, would create a story they're personally interested in, wouldn't use their fun traitor toys to grief, etc. 

Though I do have a problem when IC best friends, lovers and such start defending someone's heavy crime and start saving them from security.

This made me remember another point that I really feel strongly about-
Not getting the desired outcome is not synonymous with breaking character. Sometimes a mean character can be nice. Sometimes a character that would never execute someone will give into pressure from the rest of crew. Sometimes a character believes their best friend is in the wrong. This is something I've personally struggled with the concept of in the past, playing a character that has strong opinions on just about everything. As I've been trying to find solutions to my bad habit I've come to realize that not only does not requiring a situation to end in favor of my character offer more possibilities for everyone else involved, but also it creates more possibilities for me to RP things that just don't happen much otherwise. (In example, feeling defeated, what point they say "alright, fine, you win.", making a mistake on impulse only to realize it later) Everyone wins when we occasionally let things go ""wrong"", especially when it benefits someone new, who could benefit from being a bit more in-control as they get comfortable with both game mechanics and the community.

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If I could only make one point, it would be the importance of giving the benefit of the doubt not IC, but OOC. I think there's a tendency in the culture of this game to be weary of anyone new. Any time SS13 gets any publicity we all cower in fear at the prospect of an influx of new people. (and while Goonstation has a reputation for being one of the more welcoming servers, that doesn't mean we can't always be searching for new ways to always do a bit better.)

Frankly, I believe we all benefit from not equating new- or even just unfamiliar-  player with shitter. This applies when reacting to antags, security, and any other role.