@Chief Breaker -
Hi, Chief Breaker. Yes, I am reading all of this. And I do understand that players are upset because of the increased mod activity on the server. However, if, as you say, players are being “taunted” or modded for “harmless discussions,” then I need to please see examples of that. And I haven’t yet. I very much do want to hear both sides.
In the meantime, though, I would respectfully request that Mad Otter not be likened to a Fascist Nazi regime who is running “a concentration camp,” as I have most recently learned, among a great many other comments along those lines. I'd like for players on US2 to be able to enjoy the game in a comfortable environment without being slammed with R-rated and X-rated talk on a regular basis in world chat. Which is a far cry from “Auschwitz,” I’d say.
Thanks.
Hi, Chief Breaker. Yes, I am reading all of this. And I do understand that players are upset because of the increased mod activity on the server. However, if, as you say, players are being “taunted” or modded for “harmless discussions,” then I need to please see examples of that. And I haven’t yet. I very much do want to hear both sides.
In the meantime, though, I would respectfully request that Mad Otter not be likened to a Fascist Nazi regime who is running “a concentration camp,” as I have most recently learned, among a great many other comments along those lines. I'd like for players on US2 to be able to enjoy the game in a comfortable environment without being slammed with R-rated and X-rated talk on a regular basis in world chat. Which is a far cry from “Auschwitz,” I’d say.
Thanks.
Perlio
Servant of Mallok
I see that my request for clarification was not addressed. Can you explain how "Holy Frick" is R or X-Rated? Honestly, the rules are so ambiguous. We need clearly defined rules. Not "look at the TOS'". Please make a list of rules for in-game that players and moderators can abide by. Right now, it just seems like it is up to Moderator's discretion which varies among people. Also, the bullet point of "Other"...Come on. I honestly thought you had forgot to finish the sentence.
It truly seems like the issue at heart is that no one knows what is and is not allowed. To me, saying damn, hell, wtf, and frick are all family friendly. You may think different. We need examples. We need clearly defined rules.
Your forum post was not what I was referring to, @Perlio by R- rated and X-rated chat. (That pertains to several months worth of inappropriate conversations which having been taking place on the server.)
To answer your question about acronyms: Those acronyms are fine, so long as it’s in moderation. But when players deliberately spam into chat countless WTF’S and STFU, and telling people they are ‘dumb AF’ every few minutes, then that is not okay.
To answer your question about acronyms: Those acronyms are fine, so long as it’s in moderation. But when players deliberately spam into chat countless WTF’S and STFU, and telling people they are ‘dumb AF’ every few minutes, then that is not okay.
Perlio
Servant of Mallok
This is where the problem lies. We have multiple people, including myself, who were told we are not allowed to use them. This is why we need specific guidelines. Specific rules and regulations can at least make sure we are all on the same page.
If you feel 'the other side of the story' has not been lighted enough, or you feel a mod is 'power tripping', please submit a CS ticket.I did?About my issue with "Other?" I understand if English is not your first language if you can't understand my point. I understand your eagerness to defend the new rules for US2, though.
Anyway no point to discuss this any further with a wall. You don't even know what's happening.
Finally, I know ultimately what I say here is most probably for naught but thanks anyway if you are reading this @Sarah Otter. I'm just here to voice out my disagreement with some of your rules and my observation of power tripping some of your mods do. In this past week alone the mods have taken liberties in warning players for even the most benign of words, harmless discussions, and one of them even taunts a player to react (this player is always an easy target for bullying and will strongly react against this particular mod). There is another side to these stories too.
In the mean time we will proceed to sternly watch US2 with the OP rules in mind as long as that proves necessary.
dustbunny
Squirrel
Platform
- iOS
- PC
While it is never easy for the Otters to decide they have to set more strict rules for chat in game, some people do decide that they have every right to chat as they wish and every one else be damned if they don't like it. If it is funny or important to the chatter, then it should be funny or important to everyone else. I will also say, anytime new rules/restrictions are put into place, you will see the pendulum effect occur. The reins will tight maybe a bit more than necessary to get things under control and will loosen up as time goes on and chat gets better.
It seems, mods are liked and doing a good job as long as what the mod does fits into what a player feels and thinks they should be allowed to do.
And mods are hated and felt to be abusing their power as soon as what they do does not fit into what a player feels or thinks should be acceptable.
Mods are players just like you. Mods are people just like you. Mods do the best job they can while trying to keep the peace. Sometimes you will agree with what they do, and sometimes you won't. Either way, it is never easy being a mod while trying to keep the peace.
It seems, mods are liked and doing a good job as long as what the mod does fits into what a player feels and thinks they should be allowed to do.
And mods are hated and felt to be abusing their power as soon as what they do does not fit into what a player feels or thinks should be acceptable.
Mods are players just like you. Mods are people just like you. Mods do the best job they can while trying to keep the peace. Sometimes you will agree with what they do, and sometimes you won't. Either way, it is never easy being a mod while trying to keep the peace.
Kilgharrah
Adventurer
Characters
Kilgharrah, Gwayne, Sylvaena, GeraltOfArdent
Platform
- iOS
I couldn't agree more with all of this. I also support Perlio and others expressing concerns about the consistency of ToS interpretations between different mods, but it's maddening to see a vocal minority of players come at the mods as if they are bad-faith actors. It seems like the distrustful political climate in the US might be seeping into the game a little bit, and that's really sad. At the least, I can confirm that the number of players I talk to on US2 who support what the mods (and devs) are trying to do easily outnumber that vocal minority. I have the utmost trust in the devs and rest of the customer support team to take our concerns submitted through CS tickets seriously.
Zaphyra
Master Villager
Characters
Retired
Platform
- Android
- PC
It might be helpful to have a list of words and acronyms that are NOT allowed in world chat... just to be sure that both mods and players are on the same page. 
It should be common sense, but we have such a diverse player base... with people of different ages, languages and cultures... that a list might be helpful.
It should be common sense, but we have such a diverse player base... with people of different ages, languages and cultures... that a list might be helpful.
Perlio
Servant of Mallok
It might be helpful to have a list of words and acronyms that are NOT allowed in world chat... just to be sure that both mods and players are on the same page.
It should be common sense, but we have such a diverse player base... with people of different ages, languages and cultures... that a list might be helpful.
Nah, I asked for specifics. Sarah said she already addressed it...so...I wouldn't hold my breath.
Kilgharrah
Adventurer
Characters
Kilgharrah, Gwayne, Sylvaena, GeraltOfArdent
Platform
- iOS
I agree, these things are not as universally evident as Sarah might be thinking. It won't change the fact that a lot is necessarily left up to the judgment of the mods, though, because a lot of what's unacceptable is context-dependent. For a broader view though, do these confusions arise much if at all on US3, or is US2 just getting especially twisted up about this? So far, things are so peaceful and happy when I play on 3 that I can't tell... hahaIt might be helpful to have a list of words and acronyms that are NOT allowed in world chat... just to be sure that both mods and players are on the same page.
It should be common sense, but we have such a diverse player base... with people of different ages, languages and cultures... that a list might be helpful.
Halleebell
Squirrel
Characters
Hallee/Freyra
Platform
- iOS
- PC
It’s not forever guys. The other server went through this and yes we didn’t agree with everything but it really did help over all. A lot of us adapted to it. Instead of LMAO it was LMBO. Wtf turned into wth. Trivia was called to the city or some other zone to be played. They really don’t put servers on “probation” unless it’s getting out of hand and when the other server dealt with this it was pretty bad. Just follow the rules and mod activity will simmer down and yes when you are default it does cause some extra headaches. But if they nip it in the butt now you’ll have a better friendlier and more relaxing game environment then if they just let the server run wild.
Perlio
Servant of Mallok
Which is completely asinine in my opinion. The game requires users to be 13+. We should be able to say LMAO, as Sarah said we can...however, the moderators appear to have gone rogue and don't let us use those acronyms...
Correct. Why? Because right now I simply do not have time to make a list of every single acronym ever invented, and go through and write a rule for each and every one. Perhaps on a Sunday, I will. But not today. Sorry.
Halleebell
Squirrel
Characters
Hallee/Freyra
Platform
- iOS
- PC
All I know is that when it’s over used it becomes a problem. Saying lmbo isn’t going to kill anyone. And yea 13+ but I do know family’s that play together and most parents won’t even let their children use that language period. So I can understand why the devs might not want it over used. If they are trying to maintain and family friendly environment. Also like I stated once your guys probation period so to speak is over things might lighten up a bit and the mods won’t be telling everyone to stop using it. I know when we were on this it was really strict but once things simmered down and it seemed like the server lvled out things weren’t taken so seriously. And now for the most part the only problems we have is with people trolling.
Perlio
Servant of Mallok
So US2 is on probation? The rules and terms are the rules and terms. Why would something not be allowed today but be allowed in a few weeks once things "calm down"? That is completely hypocritical. I am done. I have made my opinions and thoughts clear.
Halleebell
Squirrel
Characters
Hallee/Freyra
Platform
- iOS
- PC
I said it’s like probation.
lighten up. Your server is being watched because multiple players are going against tos daily. Players are most likely complaining about conversation topics and mods are being called all the time. Again my server went through this. So I can understand the annoyance but I also saw what happened after. Once they realized bad topics weren’t happening people weren’t being attacked daily they lightened up on us. Yet our server was much healthier after that. It’s not really hypocritical. It’s getting the server in line so it’s following tos. Having a lmao here and there isn’t the end of the world. But when WC is covered with them i personally can see why they wouldn’t want that.
Perlio
Servant of Mallok
So I just learned that another US2 has been warned for saying pirate booty. I know I said I was done, but that is more ridiculous than anything else in this thread. I have timestamps where the developers have cursed during livestreams for the game. But we cannot say we are going after the pirate booty because some perverted users take it as meaning something it isn't. Like I could understand not allowing the acronyms and all of that, I didn't agree with it, but I understood it. I do not understand warning a user for saying pirate booty.
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When we say TOS in regards to in-game chat it's this:
"6.7 Furthermore, the User is obligated to comply with all statutory provisions upon all uses of the Game. In particular, they are prohibited from disseminating any content of any type and form that is defamatory, pornographic, obscene, racially or ethnically offensive, sexist, libelous, or any other reference that is contrary to the law, along with content that is likely to violate the rights of any third party."
I once told a person who asked about words not to use, "If you would not say the words in front of or call your Mother, your Grandmother or your priest, don't use them here."
And as Sarah said, using the letters WTF or AF usually won't get our attention unless 1) it is aimed AT another player. or 2) is being used a lot or repeatedly. Since STFU is usually telling others what to do it will usually draw a warning. Or saying someone is shadyAF or anything that is aimed AT someone will result in a warning. The problem comes in when someone/anyone starts using these letters over and over and others see it get by, then some (especially young players) will start using them way too much.
Another other thing I'd like to let you all in on is, we watch so much chat and talk to so many people over the course of a month, we usually can't recall off the top of our heads who got warned for what. So if you did or do get a warning from a mod, take it as a friendly reminder because that's just what it is, a friendly reminder.
The other thing you do not know is when situations get to this point it is usually because Customer Support has received complaints. No one else sees them, they are anonymous, but most contain screenshots as US2 mod PD has been suggesting for ages.
Please know that we mods do the best we can, and we try to keep the game fun for all, even the lurkers who don't want to see some of the chat. So please understand that a lot goes on behind the scenes you do not see. We do not like to holler at people in purple, but sometimes we have to. And sometimes purple comes out just to convey messages we've been asked to do.
But if you have questions do ask. We'll talk to you.
"6.7 Furthermore, the User is obligated to comply with all statutory provisions upon all uses of the Game. In particular, they are prohibited from disseminating any content of any type and form that is defamatory, pornographic, obscene, racially or ethnically offensive, sexist, libelous, or any other reference that is contrary to the law, along with content that is likely to violate the rights of any third party."
I once told a person who asked about words not to use, "If you would not say the words in front of or call your Mother, your Grandmother or your priest, don't use them here."
And as Sarah said, using the letters WTF or AF usually won't get our attention unless 1) it is aimed AT another player. or 2) is being used a lot or repeatedly. Since STFU is usually telling others what to do it will usually draw a warning. Or saying someone is shadyAF or anything that is aimed AT someone will result in a warning. The problem comes in when someone/anyone starts using these letters over and over and others see it get by, then some (especially young players) will start using them way too much.
Yes, it can be and if a lot is going on the mods have to sometimes do twelve things at once, so sometimes someone jumping in with a WTF at the wrong time might also get them a warning. It becomes a hard call, and sometimes yes we make honest mistakes, but our primary job is to keep the server a family friendly place to play. A slip isn't going to get anyone banned, so even if a mod whispers a warning, just take it as such. But yes, we regularly copy and paste our exchanges with players to Customer Support, so they know what we are doing. And as has been said, if you do not agree with a moderation, open a ticket with Customer Support and state your case.
Another other thing I'd like to let you all in on is, we watch so much chat and talk to so many people over the course of a month, we usually can't recall off the top of our heads who got warned for what. So if you did or do get a warning from a mod, take it as a friendly reminder because that's just what it is, a friendly reminder.
The other thing you do not know is when situations get to this point it is usually because Customer Support has received complaints. No one else sees them, they are anonymous, but most contain screenshots as US2 mod PD has been suggesting for ages.
Please know that we mods do the best we can, and we try to keep the game fun for all, even the lurkers who don't want to see some of the chat. So please understand that a lot goes on behind the scenes you do not see. We do not like to holler at people in purple, but sometimes we have to. And sometimes purple comes out just to convey messages we've been asked to do.
But if you have questions do ask. We'll talk to you.
