Online Bullying - A Dev request for a response and discussion

[Morganna]

It's the internet, people are dicks. Enforcing anything will just make it worse.

Actually this is what GM jail is for. The one and only time I saw this happen in FFXI a GM came and threw them in jail for 3 days. This is not acceptable regardless of age, gender, nationality or any other excuse someone wants to make. Report them! Do not let them ruin this community like so many other mmos out there.

Anyone who played in FFXI remembers how enjoyable the community was and knew that the GMs reviewed each and every complaint about harassment or situations like whatever this idiot thought he was doing (can't quite think of a name for that level of idiocy). The game is still new but I for one hope that they will follow those same lines as before. It was the best community to be a part of in any of the many MMOs I played. I stopped playing WoW for 3 years because of the awful people in that game along with many others I knew. Thick skin does nothing but lets them get away with acting any way they choose. It teaches them nothing. Report and be done with it.

[Kallera]

Actually this is what GM jail is for. The one and only time I saw this happen in FFXI a GM came and threw them in jail for 3 days. This is not acceptable regardless of age, gender, nationality or any other excuse someone wants to make. Report them! Do not let them ruin this community like so many other mmos out there.

I agree with this. There are records kept of the chat logs, but GMs can't act unless it's brought to their attention(there's a lot of text) Reporting a player properly will give the GMs what to look for and act accordingly.

Also, make sure what you are reporting is an act against the rules and guidelines.

[Tecprincesself]

It's the internet, people are dicks. Enforcing anything will just make it worse.

Just don't be hurt by it and move on. Enjoy the nice people, it's just like real life, because it's the same people, except they feel safer in saying what they think.

Doing nothing bullying on the net is just as bad as being in rl... There has been people committing suicide because of online bullying. Not all people can take it. The reason people do it is because no one is doing anything about it. If you have consequences then there be less of it.

It will be less of it once people don't have free play on the game because most of them are on free time till it runs out... But it does need to be stopped. They need a report button and people reporting them on the forums and gms need to do something about it.

[kurokawa]

Glad to see a discussion has started. Talking about what the community thinks is why I posted.

I personally am a grown man, mid 30s, I've seen my fair share of bullies and can deal with them in my own way. However, it's not me I'm worried about.

It's kids bullying other kids that really troubles me, because it's often 'hidden' online. Kids won't often speak out, won't stick up for themselves, they won't tell anyone it's happening.

As a community I think we all have a responsibility to do something about it. Whilst I do agree with BrainWoodstock that 95% of the guys in DF are cool, it doesn't mean that we should let the 5% carry on.

[Rakashu]

Glad to see a discussion has started. Talking about what the community thinks is why I posted.

I personally am a grown man, mid 30s, I've seen my fair share of bullies and can deal with them in my own way. However, it's not me I'm worried about.

It's kids bullying other kids that really troubles me, because it's often 'hidden' online. Kids won't often speak out, won't stick up for themselves, they won't tell anyone it's happening.

As a community I think we all have a responsibility to do something about it. Whilst I do agree with BrainWoodstock that 95% of the guys in DF are cool, it doesn't mean that we should let the 5% carry on.

dude, there's blacklist for a reason and you can easily just leave a dungeon if people are giving you a problem. There's no need for the community to take action, people need to take responsibility for them selves.

[Scarletyoshi]

Bullying like that should not be tolerated, online or off. There should be a function allowing for the reporting of players for such harassment.

Never let anyone tell you to just tolerate bullying. That is how it survives.

[Araeya]

There should be a function allowing for the reporting of players for such harassment.

There are, as many have already stated, means to do just that in game. To be precise for those who don't look for themselves, it's this: System (round red button with XIV on it) > Support Desk > Contact Us > Report Harassment. Right click to report would be easier, but there are means to report if you feel it necessary. You can also report gold sellers using their contact tab, as well.

[Woobies]

dude, there's blacklist for a reason and you can easily just leave a dungeon if people are giving you a problem. There's no need for the community to take action, people need to take responsibility for them selves.

It's not effecting me so therefore it is not an issue syndrome has got to stop. The truth of the matter is that bullying is an issue. It is an issue in game and out of game and it has major effects on the person and the community. Ignoring it, whether it is directed at you or someone else, gives permission for it to continue. If you see it happening, call the person out. If it is happening to you, call the person out on it. Remaining silent and growing thick skin is not going to solve the problems bullying creates for the community.

[BrainWoodstock]

Glad to see a discussion has started. Talking about what the community thinks is why I posted.

I personally am a grown man, mid 30s, I've seen my fair share of bullies and can deal with them in my own way. However, it's not me I'm worried about.

It's kids bullying other kids that really troubles me, because it's often 'hidden' online. Kids won't often speak out, won't stick up for themselves, they won't tell anyone it's happening.

They problem are not the kids, more the parents that are overprotecting them, the kids dont learn how to deal witch such person and so they dont know what to do.
Its the same as tree climbing, first 10 time i did fall from the tree but than i knowed what to do and made it up. Know the parents are to afraid to let there kids climb up a tree and also there are to afraid to let them deal with there problems themself. They are growing up to adults and still cant stay for themself.