Self-Policing the Forums

[SFCGunny313]

 

I am appealing to the forum community.

Recently, there seems to be an increase in abusive, abrasive, elitist, pretentious, and generally unhelpful comments.

 

As addressed in some other threads, the game is suffering with overall numbers for the player base.

 

If we want this game to thrive as a community, we need to be better representatives for the game, particularly when new players decide to post a question or seek assistance.

 

Referring to players as "baddies" or "tomatoes" or other similar derogatory terms will not attract new players or help retain them.

Posting snarky, sarcastic and generally unhelpful replies will not attract or retain players.  If you feel compelled to do so, please, go visit reddit.com and you'll fit right in there.

 

As a community, we need to do better.  We cannot and should not rely on the community managers to undertake this task.

[Shaka_D]

I liked your post and agree, but I do realise I am part of the problem. I can be pretty toxic when I want to be, so I'll try improve my manners and not be so vulgar ingame.

[SFCGunny313]

I liked your post and agree, but I do realise I am part of the problem. I can be pretty toxic when I want to be, so I'll try improve my manners and not be so vulgar ingame.

 

Thanks.  We can all do better.

We all need to be self-aware of how we come across in the forums, and in-game as well.

If we have an alpha or beta tester tag, or fly those flags in game, then by default, we represent the game.

[Allied_Winter]

While I like (and appreciate) such an effort, I do find it a little a hypocritical to say that we need to stop name calling and using derogatory terms, and take a view from the high horse 'down' on reddit in the next sentence. 

 

 

Greetings

[SFCGunny313]

I don't think many people would disagree with my view that reddit can be extremely toxic and abrasive.  Yes, there are some helpful people there, but seem to be outnumbered by the toxic people.

[beercrazy]

if we all act like angels and princess the forums will become dull and boring

 

manners cost nothing but I have nothing against people arguing a point if they feel they should

[SFCGunny313]

if we all act like angels and princess the forums will become dull and boring

 

manners cost nothing but I have nothing against people arguing a point if they feel they should

 

Arguing a point, engaging in debate, presenting opposing ideas - absolutely.  I wasn't referring to any of that, and people should feel free to engage in discussions.

And I'm also not referring to a need for everyone to like every post and be jolly all the time.

However, there is absolutely no need for abrasive, abusive, or demeaning comments.  What I think we need to present is a forum that is more helpful and provides valuable advise for new members.

I fear, if we continue down the path we are on, the game will suffer in the long term.  Many of us migrated away from World of Tanks precisely because of the level of toxicity and abuse present in that game.

[Allied_Winter]

I don't think many people would disagree with my view that reddit can be extremely toxic and abrasive.  Yes, there are some helpful people there, but seem to be outnumbered by the toxic people.

 

That may be true, but we shouldn't look down on others. Especially not in a thread, which goal it is to have better and friendlier discussions. But that's just my stance on this topic.

 

if we all act like angels and princess the forums will become dull and boring

 

manners cost nothing but I have nothing against people arguing a point if they feel they should

 

Arguing (or discussing hard over matters) and looking down on others are two different things. I had lots and lots of conversations on different forums. And while 99% of them were 'hard fought' it was allways civilized. No name calling, or looking down on others. At least that's what I try to achieve.

 

 

Greetings

[SFCGunny313]

 

That may be true, but we shouldn't look down on others. Especially not in a thread, which goal it is to have better and friendlier discussions. But that's just my stance on this topic.

 

 

Arguing (or discussing hard over matters) and looking down on others are two different things. I had lots and lots of conversations on different forums. And while 99% of them were 'hard fought' it was allways civilized. No name calling, or looking down on others. At least that's what I try to achieve.

 

 

Greetings

 

I believe there is a difference in coming across as pretentious or elitist, compared to recognizing abusive, abrasive and toxic comments.

[simonmd]

I once asked why it was common to have toxic chat here and in game and was basically told to STFU. From then on I have treated this place like it treats me. Vicious circle i'm afraid. 

[SFCGunny313]

@Allied_Winter

To clarify, I don't mean to insinuate all members of reddit are abusive/toxic, etc.  Nor did mean it to come across as I, or anyone else here is better than people who post on reddit.

That said, based on what I've seen on those forums, I'm hopeful we won't see that same level of toxicity appear on these forums.

[SFCGunny313]

I once asked why it was common to have toxic chat here and in game and was basically told to STFU. From then on I have treated this place like it treats me. Vicious circle i'm afraid.

 

Unfortunately, that is exactly what I'm referring to.  No player coming to an official forum of a game should have to deal with that.

[Hayashio]

 

I am appealing to the forum community.

Recently, there seems to be an increase in abusive, abrasive, elitist, pretentious, and generally unhelpful comments.

 

As addressed in some other threads, the game is suffering with overall numbers for the player base.

 

If we want this game to thrive as a community, we need to be better representatives for the game, particularly when new players decide to post a question or seek assistance.

 

Referring to players as "baddies" or "tomatoes" or other similar derogatory terms will not attract new players or help retain them.

Posting snarky, sarcastic and generally unhelpful replies will not attract or retain players.  If you feel compelled to do so, please, go visit reddit.com and you'll fit right in there.

 

 

As a community, we need to do better.  We cannot and should not rely on the community managers to undertake this task.

 

I strongly agree, furthermore, everyone here:

Don't feed the trolls. I know that's a nobrainer, but if you see a post that is quite clearly breaching the forum rules and regulations (http://forum.worldofwarships.eu/index.php?/forum-120/announcement-3-world-of-warships-forum-rules/) use the report button. Alternatively, you can advise someone about their conduct and if that doesn't work, admins are always there during the weektime.

Let's make this place a nice one to stay in.

[Krizmuz]

[edited]

[Allied_Winter]

 

I believe there is a difference in coming across as pretentious or elitist, compared to recognizing abusive, abrasive and toxic comments.

 

That's indeed true! 

 

And as long as we try our best to make it an even less toxic place, than were all good 

 

 

Greetings

[txtspeak]

sometimes I am a massive noob in WOWS as defined by jingles in one of his recent videos.

other times I am coming up with hillarious ship names (armpitz anyone)

but most of the time I am really salty, so I gotta get that cleared up metaphorically

[SFCGunny313]

go be an undersheriff somewhere else

 

Unwarranted and unhelpful.  Does not contribute to the discussion.

While you certainly have a right to disagree, coming across as toxic is not acceptable.  Report submitted.

[daki]

I of course agree that the forums can always be a nicer place, and it is clear that it is basically up to us players to make it so.

Furthermore I also agree that we can all be more helpful to new players since the game mechanics and basics, despite seeming quite simple at first glance, can be quite challenging to new players especially after the PvE to PvP switch.

 

What I tend to disagree on is the reason you state, i.e. player population. I know that my opinion is in the minority here, but I personally hope that the player population will not increase compared to current numbers. I would rather prefer having a stable, dedicated and experienced playerbase (e.g. 70-80% of the total) which would be helpful to both new players and themselves, than a high portion of "new" players.

I am mainly basing my opinion on experience from WoT. Having played since closed beta (until WoWs beta was launched), the quality of community started going down the drain once there was a strong influx of new players (i.e. basically after the EU server population exceeded 40k concurrently). Larger the population is, more are there "smartasses" who think to know it all about the game, ships... (or tanks for that matter) with very little or no experience to back it up and the usual stance of "I am great but my teammates suck, ships suck, WG sucks... yeah a lot of sucking going on ).

While not being the only reason for increased toxicity, it is an important reason nevertheless as that population tends to be very vocal and of course never accepts a different point of view. This in turn leads to even newer players getting bad advice, which over a time leads to a decline in gameplay quality, more toxicity on forums and ingame... a vicious circle.

 

Last but not least, while again I fully support a nicer WoWs community and I am strongly opposed to insults, threats or other abusive behavior, lets not be purists.

In small quantities a little bit of trolling, smart sarcasm or elitism provides some nice entertainment value

[Dampfboot]

I am guilty as charged.  Will try to do better.

[SFCGunny313]

I am guilty as charged.  Will try to do better.

 

Appreciate your support.

[Tungstonid]

While it is a right thing to say that the forum should be without toxicity so it is more welcoming for newer player, often the newer players (or people who played a while but didn't bother to look into the forums until XYZ happened) do their fair share to add a bad tone.

A rude/acidic tone is often used against players who start a thread with a rude tone themselves because they want to let out steam over cheaters, hackers, bad mm, mods, UP/OP ships and stuff like that. At least that is my experience and I can't recall a nice formulated thread with a question by a new player being bashed just because he is a new player. Well, besides the imho justified "Why didn't you use the thread just below your's that has the same topic". On the other side I don't see everything, so...

[SFCGunny313]

I of course agree that the forums can always be a nicer place, and it is clear that it is basically up to us players to make it so.

Furthermore I also agree that we can all be more helpful to new players since the game mechanics and basics, despite seeming quite simple at first glance, can be quite challenging to new players especially after the PvE to PvP switch.

 

What I tend to disagree on is the reason you state, i.e. player population. I know that my opinion is in the minority here, but I personally hope that the player population will not increase compared to current numbers. I would rather prefer having a stable, dedicated and experienced playerbase (e.g. 70-80% of the total) which would be helpful to both new players and themselves, than a high portion of "new" players.

I am mainly basing my opinion on experience from WoT. Having played since closed beta (until WoWs beta was launched), the quality of community started going down the drain once there was a strong influx of new players (i.e. basically after the EU server population exceeded 40k concurrently). Larger the population is, more are there "smartasses" who think to know it all about the game, ships... (or tanks for that matter) with very little or no experience to back it up and the usual stance of "I am great but my teammates suck, ships suck, WG sucks... yeah a lot of sucking going on ).

While not being the only reason for increased toxicity, it is an important reason nevertheless as that population tends to be very vocal and of course never accepts a different point of view. This in turn leads to even newer players getting bad advice, which over a time leads to a decline in gameplay quality, more toxicity on forums and ingame... a vicious circle.

 

Last but not least, while again I fully support a nicer WoWs community and I am strongly opposed to insults, threats or other abusive behavior, lets not be purists.

In small quantities a little bit of trolling, smart sarcasm or elitism provides some nice entertainment value

 

Partially agree.  I don't think a single member of this community would ever wish an overly large and toxic player base on the game.

However, we do have to recognize we will need new players to replace those who leave - there will always be some ebb and flow of the player base.

I'm glad to hear you support that we, as a community, should clean up our forums.

I'm not suggesting being purists, nor angels, as previously mentioned.

[SerPurr]

Great initiative. I'll try to do my part. Can we still troll a little bit sometimes though 

 

[SFCGunny313]

Great initiative. I'll try to do my part. Can we still troll a little bit sometimes though 

 

What I plan to do, as a guide for myself:

- Have I interacted with the person before?  If so, then maybe I can.

- Really, I think it will all be situational.  If someone seems to take offense, didn't get the joke, or whatever - then we should back off.

- Is the person you intend to troll being abusive/demeaning/elitist/pretentious? Then they probably deserve and can accept the trolling.

[Breadstick72]

 

Unwarranted and unhelpful.  Does not contribute to the discussion.

While you certainly have a right to disagree, coming across as toxic is not acceptable.  Report submitted.

 

What I plan to do, as a guide for myself:

- Have I interacted with the person before?  If so, then maybe I can.

- Really, I think it will all be situational.  If someone seems to take offense, didn't get the joke, or whatever - then we should back off.

- Is the person you intend to troll being abusive/demeaning/elitist/pretentious? Then they probably deserve and can accept the trolling.

-in other words

-you can only mock someone if you know them and have interacted with them

- if they are easily offended we should support that instead of telling them to man up 

(and lastly the best one)

- If we see something that is considered toxic we shouldn't stand by our own rules and deal with them responsibly, but we should instead, be hypocrites and do the exact thing we are campaigning against because we are obviously morally superior  

 

(the irony)