Roleplay/Partyfinder Discrepancies & Policy Enforcement by GM's

[NessaWyvern]

File the report and let the gm decide if you have grounds to file the report. Especially if you think you’ve been subject to harassment.

Not to mention, minors can't legally consent, so it throws the consent thing out the window.

[ZackZero]

I guess you'll have to refer to the ToS:

"3.3 Profanity and Offensive Language. You may not use profanity or any language that a reasonable person would find offensive. The Game is for players aged 13 and older. You agree to behave accordingly."

Sexual Language can be considered Offensive Language in many situations, especially in the context of which you're supposed to behave in a game where there may be those as young as 13 playing.
Combined with the "These are prohibited in all places where expressions can be made, including chat (including Quick Chat and Emote), markers, comments and names." part of the support desk, and the fact that players have to change their names if they're too sexual, despite not harassing a specific person, I think it still holds up.

You know what? I'll make a ticket asking about it and see if I get a GM response on the issue. Something along the lines of "If Sexually explicit material is said in chats, despite not being targeted at a particular person, is it still a violation of ToS?" because this probably should be clarified.

I should have known a bad-faith option would be presented here. This reads as trying to box those of us arguing for clarification into a specific situation, whereas others like JanVanding have raised critical points of consented venues (private chats where consent between the involved parties is clear, etc.)

EDIT: A number of times, things are rather quick to go towards minors. Seems there's a lot of people with an axe to grind, seeing as there's been suggestions of grooming (a serious accusation that can be considered harassment if unfounded), open attacks against unspecific "degeneracy", and even one user later claiming sarcasm over unclear posts that suggest LGBT+ groups should go next because of - again - allegations of child grooming. Not necessarily from you, mind, but scattered amongst this whole thread.

[JanVanding]

File the report and let the gm decide if you have grounds to file the report. Especially if you think you’ve been subject to harassment.

Don't quote reply me, I have zero interest in talking to you.

You're here to stir and cause trouble and therefore I withdraw consent for you addressing me in any further way.

That's how consent works.

[NessaWyvern]

I should have known a bad-faith option would be presented here. This reads as trying to box those of us arguing for clarification into a specific situation, whereas others like JanVanding have raised critical points of consented venues (private chats where consent between the involved parties is clear, etc.)

But in an online game, where minors play, and you can't easily determine if someone is actually the age they say they are, and that minors cannot legally consent, then doesn't that throw the "consent between involved parties" thing get thrown out the window a bit here?

I'm fine with ERP if you have substantial grounds for knowing what the age of a person is, in that you two can actually legally be consenting, but engaging in ERP in 18+ player houses that was advertised publicly, you can't really tell just who is coming through the door, and have to take them at their word.

[ZackZero]

But in an online game, where minors play, and you can't easily determine if someone is actually the age they say they are, and that minors cannot legally consent, then doesn't that throw the "consent between involved parties" thing get thrown out the window a bit here?

Nevermind, I think we're done here. The "think of the children"ing is too common in this thread, enough to argue that the mention itself is being used to sink peoples' arguments without merit, as a suggestion that they're advocating for unopposed interaction with minors.

Sticking to EDITs because I appear to be capped, but... it continues. A lot of insinuation that there's exploitation of minors and/or grooming, and it's going unchecked.

[IkaraGreydancer]

But in an online game, where minors play, and you can't easily determine if someone is actually the age they say they are, and that minors cannot legally consent, then doesn't that throw the "consent between involved parties" thing get thrown out the window a bit here?

No, because said age of consent is different detemined by where you love. Just because a small portion of the playerbase isnt "of age" that doesnt mean consent is thus thrown out as a whole if im understanding you correctly. (Pardon my grammar)

[NessaWyvern]

But this is a global game, so you have to take into account that people may be from areas with higher or lower ages on consent.
The age of consent is 16 in New Zealand, but I'd be uncomfortable with people from countries where the age of consent is 18 sending explicit material to those who are 16 (or potentially 13, as that's the youngest age that a person may play this game at without violating ToS)

And it's not just about "think of the children! Protect the children!", perhaps there could be a lawsuit against FFXIV or an adult if there's complaints filed about explicit material sent to a minor without the adult person realizing. It doesn't just protect the minor, it also protects the adult and the company from facing legal action.

[DreadCrow]

So to sum up my thoughts on it all now we're all the way to page 104 (might be 105 but at the time of writing it's 104)

The GM Misinterpretation is now clear and it's why people have had strikes removed, but I have to say this as someone that has been a long time member of the RP community.

18+ Brothel runners, you were warned in October to stop advertising "explicit wordings" in the PF by Senior GMs when they did the big RMT sting which involved many venues getting visited and given a verbal warning to clean up their language in the PF, you were practically taunting and challenging them to come "Do something about it" and so they did.

I have many friends in the RP community, some come from that side of things and it has to be said, Due Diligence it's time to incorporate it, some venues always have and always will, those of you that aren't you know who you are, clean up your act.

I walked into an 18+ Establishment after this situation just to gauge what the reaction to what has occurred has been, as soon as I zoned into the building I was immediately propositioned, this was the first time I've ever been in that establishment so there was no way I could have been age verified before they start asking if I want to "buy some time with someone", I won't name names, I won't name the establishment either, but this is what is giving people wood to pile on the fire.

I'm of the belief that all facets of RP should absolutely exist, but brothel runners? You really really need to get yourselves sorted out because you're encouraging situations like this from happening again and again.

Innocent RPers got caught in the crossfire this time, start showing due diligence because who knows how heavy handed it'll come next time.

Stop playing with fire, fire hot.

Out of curiosity... How are role-players supposed to tell the brothels not to post? Like do you think they would listen?

[Ashemmi]

Out of curiosity... How are role-players supposed to tell the brothels not to post? Like do you think they would listen?

Of course not. There's too much gil to be had, it a high-stakes game. There are millions getting passed around, probably billions over a week(end)? All this is in PF due to that arms race. They want the clientele.

[Kaurhz]

I should have known a bad-faith option would be presented here. This reads as trying to box those of us arguing for clarification into a specific situation, whereas others like JanVanding have raised critical points of consented venues (private chats where consent between the involved parties is clear, etc.)

EDIT: A number of times, things are rather quick to go towards minors. Seems there's a lot of people with an axe to grind, seeing as there's been suggestions of grooming (a serious accusation that can be considered harassment if unfounded), open attacks against unspecific "degeneracy", and even one user later claiming sarcasm over unclear posts that suggest LGBT+ groups should go next because of - again - allegations of child grooming. Not necessarily from you, mind, but scattered amongst this whole thread.

That is because the game has been stated to be considerate with that age range in mind and to act accordingly. Advertising this in a public space like the Party Finder creates a situation in which people not of the appropriate age of maturity can get involved in such activities, with many of them not even understanding the gravity of the decision they're making or the implication as such. Be it obscene or not. None of this is acting in accordance with that in mind.

I wouldn't even care if there were a section specifically for 18+ on the PF which states and highlights the implications in no uncertain terms of opening up such a section which by default wouldn't appear within the default category of the PF. However, there isn't, so yes people will be inclined to morally grandstand and say you should not advertise mature content on a public space such as the PF which minors will have access to such advertisements, and unsolicited. no less