Too strict in-game communication rules

[Boys]

I've been playing for 10 years and never felt the need to censor myself. There's absolutely full-on conversations in the game world depending on your server. The game's hardly failing, going to fail or whatever other sky is falling stuff I've heard since its release.

Issues builds up till critical mass, don't worry. But speaking about THE issue, the rules are the rules, they can be applied any time even if you were spared all this time.

I will be honest I am not cute speaking guy, I was issued a warning today (I undrestand how pathetic the post looks now in that backgound) and of course GM won't tell what I said wrong (I can somewhat undrestand that policy). But thenI ask you to believe me that I don't ever have intentions to offense a person individually behind computer, but I let myself use profanity words like "shit" or "fuck me" in regard of situations (without adressing to someone personally). Words, which every kindergarden kid knows and use! I am not even like that in real life, and that's why I love the game to take on another life/personality (sounds like roleplaying in roleplay game).

Then there was that situation. New controversial frontline frozen map with a lot of spawning pinatas-objectives which gives points for breaking it. The team solely focusing on objectives instead actually pvp-ing (not gaining more dps with kills-ranks and not controling the juiciest crystals) lose the game. So, in the very start of the match (chat was "sterile") I decided to bring the mood and typed in /shout "If you focus on crystals, I put them where light doesn't shine." It felt like trainer telling you not to suck this time and win. You can tell that cringe (what isn't really), but I am sure a lot of people would find that endearing and prefer that to (again) completely sterile chat for a minute. But guess what, if ONE person tell GM it made him a bit sad, BOOM - I am in trouble.

[LilimoLimomo]

I think the rules are fine and I've never had any difficulty with them. On my server, people are having conversations all the time. I think it's really a balancing act of recognizing that your words are going to be heard by people who are different than you, who think differently than you, who may misunderstand your words, etc. So it helps to be a bit cautious in your wording and what you choose to express. It's a life skill that will benefit you no matter what you do in life!

GM won't tell what I said wrong

What I don't think is fine is if GM's are punishing players but not communicating what those players are being punished for. I agree that GM's cannot and should not attempt to provide a comprehensive, black-and-white explanation of what behavior is bad vs good; that's simply not possible, as there's too much nuance and complexity. But a GM should at the very least be able to provide some sort of meaningful guidance to the offending player so that they have a better idea of how to improve. Punishment without even the most minor attempt at rehabilitation is a half-measure at best.

I say this with 100% respect, but I wonder if this might have been a language barrier issue? Boys, while your English is very good (far better than my ability to speak any non-English language) I get the impression based on your sentences that you might be a non-native speaker? And that makes me wonder if there might be some nuance that was lost in your communication with the GM. It sounds like maybe this is an area. Either way, sorry to hear you experienced this.

[Boys]

I think the rules are fine and I've never had any difficulty with them. On my server, people are having conversations all the time. I think it's really a balancing act of recognizing that your words are going to be heard by people who are different than you, who think differently than you, who may misunderstand your words, etc. So it helps to be a bit cautious in your wording and what you choose to express. It's a life skill that will benefit you no matter what you do in life!


What I don't think is fine is if GM's are punishing players but not communicating what those players are being punished for. I agree that GM's cannot and should not attempt to provide a comprehensive, black-and-white explanation of what behavior is bad vs good; that's simply not possible, as there's too much nuance and complexity. But a GM should at the very least be able to provide some sort of meaningful guidance to the offending player so that they have a better idea of how to improve. Punishment without even the most minor attempt at rehabilitation is a half-measure at best.

I say this with 100% respect, but I wonder if this might have been a language barrier issue? Boys, while your English is very good (far better than my ability to speak any non-English language) I get the impression based on your sentences that you might be a non-native speaker? And that makes me wonder if there might be some nuance that was lost in your communication with the GM. It sounds like maybe this is an area. Either way, sorry to hear you experienced this.

Yes, I am not a speaker with English. And no, GM didn't talk to me. I tried to inquire with tickets, you can guess I got very blunt replies with a spice of sorry from them.

[SieyaM]

Issues builds up till critical mass, don't worry. But speaking about THE issue, the rules are the rules, they can be applied any time even if you were spared all this time.

I will be honest I am not cute speaking guy, I was issued a warning today (I undrestand how pathetic the post looks now in that backgound) and of course GM won't tell what I said wrong (I can somewhat undrestand that policy). But thenI ask you to believe me that I don't ever have intentions to offense a person individually behind computer, but I let myself use profanity words like "shit" or "fuck me" in regard of situations (without adressing to someone personally). Words, which every kindergarden kid knows and use! I am not even like that in real life, and that's why I love the game to take on another life/personality (sounds like roleplaying in roleplay game).

Then there was that situation. New controversial frontline frozen map with a lot of spawning pinatas-objectives which gives points for breaking it. The team solely focusing on objectives instead actually pvp-ing (not gaining more dps with kills-ranks and not controling the juiciest crystals) lose the game. So, in the very start of the match (chat was "sterile") I decided to bring the mood and typed in /shout "If you focus on crystals, I put them where light doesn't shine." It felt like trainer telling you not to suck this time and win. You can tell that cringe (what isn't really), but I am sure a lot of people would find that endearing and prefer that to (again) completely sterile chat for a minute. But guess what, if ONE person tell GM it made him a bit sad, BOOM - I am in trouble.

Just so I understand the latter part of this post, you were mad that people were performing the objectives in a match that has objectives instead of ignoring them and doing what you wanted?

[Boys]

Just so I understand the latter part of this post, you were mad that people were performing the objectives in a match that has objectives instead of ignoring them and doing what you wanted?

I wasn't mad. It was the very start of the match (start countdown) to be mad at anything, I just decided to advice in that vulgar and invigorating manner. Mostly to enjoy use of that poetic phrase then advice really, but it didn't hurt to have actual meaning behind it (or so I thought). Funny thing is I can't be sure if that was the case or another instance of my performence.

[Toutatis]

I decided to bring the mood and typed in /shout "If you focus on crystals, I put them where light doesn't shine." It felt like trainer telling you not to suck this time and win. You can tell that cringe (what isn't really), but I am sure a lot of people would find that endearing and prefer that to (again) completely sterile chat for a minute..

You and I must come from completely different worlds. There’s nothing endearing to it. To me it looks like a rude vulgar person trying to bully people. There’s nothing constructive to it either (it still doesn’t say what is best to do). Besides, I’ve never had a trainer speak like that and I would not rehire such a trainer if it were to happen. While I personally would not have bothered reporting it, I would not be surprised if someone did. People from different backgrounds, languages and cultures play this game, including on the NA servers.

That might be the issue. But then why can't GM tell stop using those words instead making it such a mystery. They don't even put that as obvious examples in their guide.

Their guide is clear enough to understand where the boundaries are and I'm never afraid to help or speak in game chat.

Next time, instead of saying “you got the wrong tactic” or using scatological references such as “if you focus on crystals, I put them where light doesn't shine”, just be constructive like “have you thought of doing x instead of y? it would have z result” or in the case of pvp, “btw if you focus on crystals only we will get less points than if we do this other strat” or “for max points it’s best to…” or in a raid, “watch for x mechanic”, “when the boss does x, you have to go to y”.

"You suck" doesn't get anyone anywhere and just builds resentment; "look for the adds on the side of the arena" or "that big orange marker is a stack marker" might help get a smoother run.

[Boys]

You and I must come from completely different worlds. There’s nothing endearing to it. To me it looks like a rude vulgar person trying to bully people. There’s nothing constructive to it either (it still doesn’t say what is best to do). Besides, I’ve never had a trainer speak like that and I would not rehire such a trainer if it were to happen. While I personally would not have bothered reporting it, I would not be surprised if someone did. People from different backgrounds, languages and cultures play this game, including on the NA servers.

Your world is plain and boring, with that non-defiant spirit people would never get to that point of civilization, let alone invent computers and online games. Again, I wish there were special servers for less sensitive people. And I am saying again, EVERYONE (or at least many of those trying to seem very sensitive) would go there.

[Darkobra]

Your world is plain and boring, with that non-defiant spirit people would never get to that point of civilization, let alone invent computers and online games. Again, I wish there were special servers for less sensitive people. And I am saying again, EVERYONE (or at least many of those trying to seem very sensitive) would go there.

You've literally never heard of Alan Turing and it shows.

[PercibelTheren]

Your world is plain and boring, with that non-defiant spirit people would never get to that point of civilization, let alone invent computers and online games. Again, I wish there were special servers for less sensitive people. And I am saying again, EVERYONE (or at least many of those trying to seem very sensitive) would go there.

And there we have it, folks. As usual, the person complaining about people being thin skinned just acts like a rude jerk and doesn't like being called out for it.

You can instruct and motivate people without being a dick about it. I would know, I'm a teacher, it's my literal job.

[Darkobra]

And there we have it, folks. As usual, the person complaining about people being thin skinned just acts like a rude jerk and doesn't like being called out for it.

You can instruct and motivate people without being a dick about it. I would know, I'm a teacher, it's my literal job.

He's absolutely thin-skinned. This entire topic was an ego-stroke because a mod called him out and he wanted vindication, troops rallied to his side and to educate us on topics he paints with a vague brush, yet having no strength in the topic at hand.

Did you notice how he spends most of his time just quoting other people? He literally said that computers wouldn't have been made if people weren't defiant. It opens up a VERY interesting topic about, first of all, how wrong he is, and second of all, just how Turing was far from "defiant." The man was a victim because he was gay and took a bite out of a poisoned apple because he couldn't take it anymore. That's why the Apple logo has a bite taken out of it.

There you go, Boys. That's TWO things you've learned today.