As long as it's not impossible to resist them, it's an interesting dynamic. Koster's goal is to provide an accurate simulation of a mythological world, complete with lasting consequences and random outcomes. He shares the belief of some of Ultima's fanatic devotees that the ability to execute another player makes the game vital, exciting, and more like real life. As it turned out, a virtual society doesn't give you enough tools. But one tool the designers did introduce was the Reputation System, which color codes characters who commit crimes.
Players start out blue, but if they attack another citizen they become gray.
Anyone who kills five times is branded red. Players have taken matters into their own hands by forming in-game consumer protection agencies to guard against fraud. Of course, criminals are never far behind. Last fall, the Ultima Online Players Association Bank was forced to post warning notices about a scammer who heisted more than a million gold pieces. Cumulatively, they're smarter than you.