RP shout ads are obstructive to chat and gameplay

[Merrigan]

It's sad that adults can't just behave in any enviornment other then IRL with the idea that the law is gonna come down on them hard for being weird around kids. [...]

Yes, but... Apart from lamenting the unfortunate fact that anonymity gives wings to a few unsavory individuals, it's hard to do anything here. I agree with you in principle, but I'm still waiting for ideas. Apart from what I said above, two other things bother me a little:

- Most people, I'm convinced, don't know that they're talking to children. There's a huge difference between someone who approaches you and proposes sexual activity on the assumption that you're 20+, and someone who approaches you because they know you're underage. I don't see any way of differentiating between the two, unless you completely ban this type of content as a prcaution....
- ... And this brings me to my second point: I'm not sure that a straight ban would be "better". As things stand, the ERP is visible. Which personally isn't too much to my taste, but so be it. Banning this type of activity won't make it disappear, it will just make ERP enthusiasts invisible. They'll move to secondary platforms, where FF moderation won't be able to do anything (discord), using FF as a transitional place to go and find the audience they're interested in. We're falling back on the good old debate between prohibition and legalization of prostitution (I'm going off-topic here to explain my point of view, I'm obviously not saying that child prostitution should be legalized. Clarification for those who are quick to caricature): legalization poses moral problems, but it does allow us to keep a framework, an overview of this type of activity. Complete prohibition, on the other hand, encourages excesses, because secrecy makes such excesses possible.

Take the example of the OP: his daughter came to see him about a term she didn't know the meaning of. This was undoubtedly embarrassing for both the child and the father, but the use of a clear term quickly put up barriers. Now, place this same young girl in an environment where the person offering her this type of activity forbids himself to use a certain term: the "recruiter" will use vague terms that won't necessarily cause alarm...... And and they could therefore attract her more easily to platforms where moderation is definitely more complex. And where excesses are potentially much more serious (photo exchanges and the like) than on FF.

That's why I doubt the effectiveness of the measures proposed by the OP, even beyond their feasibility. I hope I've made myself clear, and I'm sorry if the messages are a bit long.

As an aside, would it be possible to have a more civil discussion? I'm aiming particularly at the previous pages, where there are some pretty venomous exchanges on the subject. Of course, you're never safe from a troll on the forum, but if the OP is right, it's first and foremost a parent worried about his child. Which, it seems to me, is quite natural. As for the player who posted videos: it's true that, usually, this isn't spammed h24. But personally, I've been the "victim" of cascading offers at certain times of the day. So it depends a lot, both on the server and the timing, and it's true that if a kid is unlucky in this respect, it can become embarrassing.

[Bonoki]

Yes, but... Apart from lamenting the unfortunate fact that anonymity gives wings to a few unsavory individuals, it's hard to do anything here. I agree with you in principle, but I'm still waiting for ideas. Apart from what I said above, two other things bother me a little:

- Most people, I'm convinced, don't know that they're talking to children. There's a huge difference between someone who approaches you and proposes sexual activity on the assumption that you're 20+, and someone who approaches you because they know you're underage. I don't see any way of differentiating between the two, unless you completely ban this type of content as a prcaution....
- ... And this brings me to my second point: I'm not sure that a straight ban would be "better". As things stand, the ERP is visible. Which personally isn't too much to my taste, but so be it. Banning this type of activity won't make it disappear, it will just make ERP enthusiasts invisible. They'll move to secondary platforms, where FF moderation won't be able to do anything (discord), using FF as a transitional place to go and find the audience they're interested in. We're falling back on the good old debate between prohibition and legalization of prostitution (I'm going off-topic here to explain my point of view, I'm obviously not saying that child prostitution should be legalized. Clarification for those who are quick to caricature): legalization poses moral problems, but it does allow us to keep a framework, an overview of this type of activity. Complete prohibition, on the other hand, encourages excesses, because secrecy makes such excesses possible.

Take the example of the OP: his daughter came to see him about a term she didn't know the meaning of. This was undoubtedly embarrassing for both the child and the father, but the use of a clear term quickly put up barriers. Now, place this same young girl in an environment where the person offering her this type of activity forbids himself to use a certain term: the "recruiter" will use vague terms that won't necessarily cause alarm...... And and they could therefore attract her more easily to platforms where moderation is definitely more complex. And where excesses are potentially much more serious (photo exchanges and the like) than on FF.

That's why I doubt the effectiveness of the measures proposed by the OP, even beyond their feasibility. I hope I've made myself clear, and I'm sorry if the messages are a bit long.

As an aside, would it be possible to have a more civil discussion? I'm aiming particularly at the previous pages, where there are some pretty venomous exchanges on the subject. Of course, you're never safe from a troll on the forum, but if the OP is right, it's first and foremost a parent worried about his child. Which, it seems to me, is quite natural. As for the player who posted videos: it's true that, usually, this isn't spammed h24. But personally, I've been the "victim" of cascading offers at certain times of the day. So it depends a lot, both on the server and the timing, and it's true that if a kid is unlucky in this respect, it can become embarrassing.

This is quite possibly one of the best well-written posts I have seen on these forums. Take my kudos.

[Merrigan]

This is quite possibly one of the best well-written posts I have seen on these forums. Take my kudos.

Oh, and I wanted to tell you : when you posted that reply, I'd just had a terrible day and it really cheered me up. I know, I know, you shouldn't pay attention to the opinions of randoms people on the internet, but thanks anyway.

[strawberrycake]

I agree with you in principle, but I'm still waiting for ideas.

My idea is simple, make a chat specifically for Advertisements, in WoW Trade chat, at least on my server, is strictly used for trades now, crafters and and buyers looking and asking for work, and the Ads chat is for raiders and RPers respectively. THis solves the issue while freeing up shout chat for it's intended use, and allows people to filter out unwanted RP ads. I also think XIV needs dedicated RP servers for people to flock to. I think making servers have specific purposes will go a very long way with this community.

I will also say etiquette used to be a thing people who did RP kept in mind, such as not approaching randoms and only looking for RP when people have the LFRP sign over their heads, the icon exists for a reason. And of course making people who look for EPR invisible wouldn't help, people in this community have shown for years that they'll seek different mediums, platforms, venues, to get this gratification. But at least for me, I feel like theres also a level of respect and politeness that's so far removed from what used to be a basic concept such as, this is a random person, approaching them in a sexual manner isn't normal.

There are plenty of places where sexuality and being openly sexual is ok and fine within adult spaces, but I feel like making dedicated places and areas for that to be ok is the best solution so people who do not want to be involved can easily not be involved.

[TBerry]

My idea is simple, make a chat specifically for Advertisements, in WoW Trade chat, at least on my server, is strictly used for trades now, crafters and and buyers looking and asking for work, and the Ads chat is for raiders and RPers respectively. THis solves the issue while freeing up shout chat for it's intended use, and allows people to filter out unwanted RP ads. I also think XIV needs dedicated RP servers for people to flock to. I think making servers have specific purposes will go a very long way with this community.

I suppose it's the least one could do. But only if it has higher range than /s chat.

[strawberrycake]

I suppose it's the least one could do. But only if it has higher range than /s chat.

I think it should cover all hub areas tbh.

[TBerry]

I think it should cover all hub areas tbh.

Derpending on area, just like shout. But what about emotes? Emotes are an important tool in RP to convey what they do or feel. /em is limited to the same range as /say.

[strawberrycake]

Derpending on area, just like shout. But what about emotes? Emotes are an important tool in RP to convey what they do or feel. /em is limited to the same range as /say.

I don't think you;re getting what I mean. There would be a Seperate Chat for People to Advertise their Venues and People who don't want to see all the Ad spam from Venue Promoters can toogle it off. I'm not saying Limit RP, I'm saying give RPers more tools in the game to create a proper amount of seperation.

It's also why I think there there needs to be RP specific servers, Raid specific servers, PvP specific servers. It allows people who want to play that content to funnel together and makes it easier for people to find groups that work for them.

[TBerry]

I don't think you;re getting what I mean. There would be a Seperate Chat for People to Advertise their Venues and People who don't want to see all the Ad spam from Venue Promoters can toogle it off. I'm not saying Limit RP, I'm saying give RPers more tools in the game to create a proper amount of seperation.

It's also why I think there there needs to be RP specific servers, Raid specific servers, PvP specific servers. It allows people who want to play that content to funnel together and makes it easier for people to find groups that work for them.

Then naming it RP chat is disingeniuous, if there is nothing in it for actual roleplayers, and frankly, pointles because it's only selve-serving and makes me doubt the intention of this thread even more.
All because someone got their panties in a twist over what isn't even spam, and want to sanitize a game that has always had dark undertones and topics if you spent a milisecond in MSQ, starting in the earliest quests in ARR.

[AlexiaD]

I don't think you;re getting what I mean. There would be a Seperate Chat for People to Advertise their Venues and People who don't want to see all the Ad spam from Venue Promoters can toogle it off. I'm not saying Limit RP, I'm saying give RPers more tools in the game to create a proper amount of seperation.

It's also why I think there there needs to be RP specific servers, Raid specific servers, PvP specific servers. It allows people who want to play that content to funnel together and makes it easier for people to find groups that work for them.

or maybe we just leave it as it is because it works fine

yup that sounds good

hide your shout chat if you cant handle it and it's too hard for you to witness a single advertisement from a single venue every 30 mins to an hour, this is an MMORPG.