"The futuristic world of the game is a richly detailed tapestry of global corporations, anarchist cults, and dying nations.

"IT'S FREE!

"You can play Chron X for free! Log in to the Chron X server, chat, find opponents, and play games as much as you like, for no cost! If you want to join the global ranking system, trade cards with others, and buy booster packs, you can register for as little as $9.95..."

Aha! Sounds like fun and an easy way to get to know a new group of gamers. Thanks, Sony.

So now I had a context for dealing with the Monkeys in the Core group. A lot of what they say on their Web site, and in the newsletter, plays on all the possible puns for being a group of monkeys, as you might expect. It wasn't too groan-inducing, I felt. And at the outset, the Core Monkeys let you know that by becoming a member you accept a certain code of conduct. Here's a snippet from that:

"Rule #2: Do not treat any player badly, regardless of their affiliation (or lack of affiliation) with any faction. Remember: you represent the Core Monkeys. The manner in which you conduct yourself reflects on the faction and directly affects not only your reputation, but also of the faction's.
"Rule #3: Do not speak badly about members or leaders of other factions either. As stated in Rule 2, you represent the Core Monkeys.
"Rule #4: When an argument occurs, don't be rash and abrasive, be cool. Do you want people to see you as a hothead or a cool guy?"

Don't worry, there are only six rules. Number one is you agree not trick or take unfair advantage of new players. I liked that.

My visit to the Core Monkeys turned out to be a two-fer: I learned about a neat online game and met a group of nice folks. Tech Mailings Guy feels good when just one nice thing happens during his average day, so this was better luck than I deserve. Check it out.