Roleplay/Partyfinder Discrepancies & Policy Enforcement by GM's

[Wayback]

The only argument against certain RP venues I see people citing are cluase 3.3 in the User Agreement. Having worked a bunch of customer service, I think this is either a misinterpretation or misunderstanding of what the clause actually refers to.

Clause 3.3 refers to profanity and offensive comments, which are prohibited. Offensive comments are things that would reasonably cause offence -- things like racism or harassment of various forms, comments or chats made with the intention of harming and upsetting fellow players.

Suggesting that roleplay scenarios in isolation where context is clear fall into these categories is a weak argument. Clause 3.3 is there to protect players during day to day game sessions, not to crack down on illicit roleplay speakeasys.

[Shofie]

I think Fellowships could be improved upon, potentially--they're pretty meh in their current state, and players don't seem fond of using it.

I think potentially adding a Roleplaying section to the PF might help.

I do think quite a few RP venues have gotten incredibly spammy lately, and that needs to stop--honestly, the other day I saw one RP venue advertising the exact same event repeatedly nine times in PF. Word for word, copy and pasted by nine separate people. I could see someone getting annoyed or frustrated over that level of spam, if nothing else.

[Eoko]

I come from a pretty odd place. I am a role player, but almost completely not in game. I am pretty egotistical in my RPing as I have done it for 17 years, and I have high standards. Sub-par RP would annoy me fast, hence I don't RP on FFXIV 95% of the time. Not because all RPers are bad, but because I don't want to risk it. And if I do, it's just super casual in character talking/reacting. That being said, I go to FFXIV clubs/bars/parties/events with my FC. A bunch of us will be in Discord and talking. And we'll be commenting on people's glams, or characters, or teasing each other if someone gets a tell. My FC also has a monthly club event. We don't have any courtesans. We have a bartender. We have a Twitch DJ. I think most of the venues we go to are 18+, not because of a desire to ERP, but because we are bloody adults and like the idea of being in spaces where it should be all other adults.

If you don't like ERP, don't do it. ERP should be a private and consensual thing. People should not be engaging in that without consent. But that is not what this issue is about. Frankly, this GM is wrong in what he is targeting, and the solutions he is giving. The Party Finder is designed to get people together to do specific things. And how is grouping up to RP in an MMORPG not content? They give us housing, and glam, and emotes to express ourselves within the world. They give us RP tags to flag that we are RPing and/or in character. That is content.

Also, is it just me, or is the idea of being banned for using the Party Finder to have a Party kinda ridiculous? Overall, I would love to just see a RP tab in general. Not only cause it would be giant slap in the face to this GM, but it would further organize the tool.

And more agreement with everyone who mentioned the Beehive. I mean, sure, Queen isn't advertising in the PF... but... now I really want him to. Okay, here's the canon. Queen is the one that will introduce the RP tab to Party Finder with his own advertisement of the Beehive. This should also definitely involve "Swarms" where "FATE-like" events happen at the Beehive. This will include a change up in music, and additional choreographed performances. Eventually, they will add an "amateur's hour" Swarm with a cheeky and groan inducing pun for a name, and during this Swarm you will have to use the new /Beg emote, acquired from a set of Beehive quests, on an attendant. A random player will be selected from the "beggers" to be "glamoured" into the trademark attire for the show and be locked into the performance.

Don't take the RP out of the PF. Shove the RP into the game even harder. Make it content. -rubs hands together-

[AlterlaLeichteschild]

Got an e-mail from SE after sending up a letter:
Hello and thank you for your GM call.

We sincerely appreciate your desire to share your concerns regarding a Game Master's conduct, and we apologize for any inconvenience this has caused you. Based on the provided information, we will be reviewing the behavior of the Game Master in question, and we will be taking the necessary actions to correct and resolve any mistakes that were made on their behalf, in addition to taking the necessary steps to prevent any future mistakes from happening.

In regards to your inquiry about the Party Finder function policy, comments are allowed to be posted as long as they do not contain or promote any material that is in violation of the FINAL FANTASY XIV User Agreement. For further details regarding the FINAL FANTASY XIV User Agreement, as well as a list of Prohibited Activities, we recommend consulting the SQUARE ENIX Support Site at:

https://support.na.square-enix.com/rule.php?id=5382

We take these concerns very seriously, so we appreciate you contacting us about this matter. Should you have any further concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will be glad to assist.

Thank you for your patience, and best wishes to you.
FINAL FANTASY XIV Game Master Team

I also got a response, its word for word the same I think they know there is an issue and I hope we get a more solid answer.

[Sevrin_Blaine]

I just want to know who got offended by the lonely fisher wanting a friend to go fishing with.

[Provoke]

Omg I need to RP.

[TheGrimace]

yo what the hell

They're banning RP in party finder now, but do absolutely nothing about the people clearly selling runs for real money? what

how does this make sense

[TheGrimace]

for the sake of protecting my account I would like to mention that I have absolutely no evidence that "people are clearly selling runs," and I am absolutely sure that linking to a discord to "discuss terms" is absolutely above board, as above board as when 45 was asking Ukraine for a favor

nothing sketchy here, please ignore me!

[Eurrion]

This is absolutely despicable. nowhere in the game does it forbid the use of the PF for activities not directly related to running content, and it has been done this way for years on years.
But beyond that, this is emblematic of an issue with the policing/GM action in this game - it's very inconsistent, leading to a proverbial walk on eggshells during interactions with anyone you've not spent extensive time with, as you simply cannot know what could potentially get you actioned.

More than just this one GM, the entire structure of enforcement needs to be looked to.

[shayneko]

So i have gone over the TOS and User agreement and then.. THEN I sent it to a friend of mine who is a lawyer or working to be one. There is no clear cut indication that the PFs can not be used for Venues.
And if they are going to stop allowing RP services and venues... all you guys that sell food and drink items well this will include you cause what do you think we do at RP venues? We food and drinks.. mostly. Other services are available but almost 90% is sold are food/Drinks and items.

So I would like that GM to point out to me exactly where it is in the ToS