Deadl0ck
Lord of the Rage
Right, it's time to sit down and have a chat. Or rather, for me to type for an hour so you can skim over it in five minutes.
This is going to be about an issue I've been noticing of late, and has been brought to my attention by some players as well today. As you all know, we have a lot of rules. A lot of these rules exist to make our servers managable, and playable. Those gameplay rules should be enforced fairly strictly and are pretty black and white.
However, we also have certain behavioural rules. No excessive swearing, no direct insults, no discussing politics or religion, those kinds of things.
Those rules are more guidelines, and should be handled with some care. Just using the word "God" shouldn't warrant a warning for religious discussion, the term "Excessive" is very much subject to interpretation, as are a lot of our other behavioural rules.
They are meant to help get the server back on track, or keep unruly players in line. They aren't meant to be used in an iron grasp to control chat. We're very much in favour of free speech and expression. Calling someone a twazzok or noob isn't the same as "YOU'RE A GIANT C*NTBAG AND YOUR MOM DROPPED YOU FACE FIRST ON A TABLE EDGE WHICH IS WHY YOUR FACE LOOKS LIKE AN *RSE YOU **CKWAGGLING **CKRAPIST" Similarly, just using a term of religion or politics in conversation, or as a joke isn't starting a discussion on it, and it's not something you need to worry about instantly, and start warning for. Saying shit a couple of times is fine. Saying it 15 times in an hour isn't.
So don't get your panties in a bunch. Remember, players are here to have fun. Joking around and arsing about is included in that. Hell, you're here to have fun. So relax, and ease up. Just keep an eye out for people who are trying to cause problems or start serious discussion about religion / politics/ ponies. We're not ruling with an iron grip people. Velvet gloves, not iron gauntlets. Ease up.
Note: Racism, advertising and homophobia are on the "Deal with strictly" list.
In short:
The game mechanics the server is what's important to keep intact and working. The second part of being an op is that you keep the server fun. Hammering down on behavioural rules all the time does not make the server fun.
Behavioural guidelines are there for when an issue arises. Not to pull them out whenever someone says a single thing that falls within those guidelines. You enforce them when someone is negatively impacting the mood of the server, is making the server less fun with their behaviour. That is all.
Enforce the spirit of the law, not the letter of the law please.
Thank you.
P.S. Perhaps Pick Yer Poison could turn this into a lovely little picture post, like he's done with awesome things in the past?
Serious responses only please. And before you ask a question, re-read the post two times to make sure it's not answered in there already.
**: That used to say Duck
This is going to be about an issue I've been noticing of late, and has been brought to my attention by some players as well today. As you all know, we have a lot of rules. A lot of these rules exist to make our servers managable, and playable. Those gameplay rules should be enforced fairly strictly and are pretty black and white.
However, we also have certain behavioural rules. No excessive swearing, no direct insults, no discussing politics or religion, those kinds of things.
Those rules are more guidelines, and should be handled with some care. Just using the word "God" shouldn't warrant a warning for religious discussion, the term "Excessive" is very much subject to interpretation, as are a lot of our other behavioural rules.
They are meant to help get the server back on track, or keep unruly players in line. They aren't meant to be used in an iron grasp to control chat. We're very much in favour of free speech and expression. Calling someone a twazzok or noob isn't the same as "YOU'RE A GIANT C*NTBAG AND YOUR MOM DROPPED YOU FACE FIRST ON A TABLE EDGE WHICH IS WHY YOUR FACE LOOKS LIKE AN *RSE YOU **CKWAGGLING **CKRAPIST" Similarly, just using a term of religion or politics in conversation, or as a joke isn't starting a discussion on it, and it's not something you need to worry about instantly, and start warning for. Saying shit a couple of times is fine. Saying it 15 times in an hour isn't.
So don't get your panties in a bunch. Remember, players are here to have fun. Joking around and arsing about is included in that. Hell, you're here to have fun. So relax, and ease up. Just keep an eye out for people who are trying to cause problems or start serious discussion about religion / politics
Note: Racism, advertising and homophobia are on the "Deal with strictly" list.
In short:
The game mechanics the server is what's important to keep intact and working. The second part of being an op is that you keep the server fun. Hammering down on behavioural rules all the time does not make the server fun.
Behavioural guidelines are there for when an issue arises. Not to pull them out whenever someone says a single thing that falls within those guidelines. You enforce them when someone is negatively impacting the mood of the server, is making the server less fun with their behaviour. That is all.
Enforce the spirit of the law, not the letter of the law please.
Thank you.
P.S. Perhaps Pick Yer Poison could turn this into a lovely little picture post, like he's done with awesome things in the past?
Serious responses only please. And before you ask a question, re-read the post two times to make sure it's not answered in there already.
**: That used to say Duck
Thanks.
