Off-topic in global chat. - Phoenix Freeshard

Where may I find the rules for public chat?
I keep seeing messages regarding off-topic in global chats, yet Phoenix rules state nothing of this except that, basically, offensive is prohibited, and that discussion of the punishments that have been enforced are strictly forbidden.
I get that what you mean by „keeping chat on-topic“ would imply that:
/advice is reserved for players asking and replying about in-game advice
/trade is reserved for players looking to trade (buy or sell)
/lfg is reserved for players looking for group or looking for members to group

The problem I see with /region is that the term is vague and simply means you can chat with everyone in the area. This makes it hard to figure out what exactly you mean by keeping /region on-topic.
As such, threatening(warning) players with mute/bans for being „off-topic“ in /region chat, while the Raison d‘être of this chat is vague, will sound more like an random land mine rather than a struggle to keep chat from becoming the cesspool of whining and degrading of fellow realmmates that we inevitably do see in chat. (I am sure your intention is the latter)
To avoid this, perhaps the rules for using each of the public chats should be updated to specify the purpose of each chat, and the punishment(s) for straying too far off-topic.

My sincere apology if this is already specified in a page somewhere and I just haven‘t found it yet.
Have a splendid day!

Wed 10 Mar 2021 10:03 AM by inoeth

funny how some ppl always want to punish others..... just turn off the chat if you dont like it

Wed 10 Mar 2021 10:06 AM by

Uthred

themaskofkoro wrote: ↑
Wed 10 Mar 2021 8:38 AM
.... begins to sound more and more like a Fascist regime .....

I strongly advice you to take some extra lessons in history and about fascism, dictatorship and such. You may realize after, how wrong you are.

To answer your question:

8. Player Rules of Conduct
Violating any of the below rules will result in disciplinary action being taken against the character that may include official warnings, muting, kicking, or banning. Multiple violations by a character or several characters associated with an account can result in any of the above-mentioned punishments.
If a staff member asks you to stop doing whatever the violation has been, this is an official warning.

Harassment is defined as any unwanted or unwelcome behavior beyond the limits of good taste, civility, and appropriate game context.

8.1 You may not use any sexually explicit, harmful, threatening, abusive, defamatory, obscene, hateful, racially or ethnically offensive language. The presence of any form of preventative filter or other game features is not license or permission, tacit or otherwise, to use such language in any form.

Wed 10 Mar 2021 2:35 PM by joshisanonymous

Has this ever happened? I've never personally witnessed a warning about staying on topic in /region on Mid.

Also, yeah, accusing the maintainers of a free gaming server of being fascists for moderating chat is extremely offensive to people who have or are living under actual fascists.

inoeth wrote: funny how some ppl always want to punish others..... just turn off the chat if you dont like it

Right. That makes sense. No one on the server should be able to make proper use of chat channels because a very small group of people can't stop themselves from talking about nonsense in them. Who is really punishing who in this scenario?

Wed 10 Mar 2021 2:41 PM by lurker

joshisanonymous wrote: ↑
Wed 10 Mar 2021 2:35 PM
Has this ever happened? I've never personally witnessed a warning about staying on topic in /region on Mid.

It happens like 3 times a day or more on Alb.

Thu 11 Mar 2021 1:50 AM by themaskofkoro

Wasn‘t accusing anyone, just saying how they will start to look like if they keep punishing players while being ambiguous. An update on how to use the chat (or what the topic should be for /region) would fix that since the rules that Uthred gave does not when you’re just talking about random stuff without using profanity, or harassing others. Just a thought.

Since the word seems to offend you I will edit the initial post that includes it. I‘m not looking to start a debate or a history lesson on what said word is or should mean. My apologies to the EUs, apparently it‘s a harsher term to use there.

Thu 11 Mar 2021 2:34 AM by themaskofkoro

inoeth wrote: ↑
Wed 10 Mar 2021 10:03 AM
funny how some ppl always want to punish others..... just turn off the chat if you dont like it

Not looking to punish anyone. If it were up to me, there would be no restrictions on chat, but devs want it to be family friendly at least, and that is very understandable given it‘s their server.
All I‘m saying is there should at least be a designated topic for there to be a yellow warning to stop the off-topic.
It‘s not even a big deal, the punishment isn‘t severe unless you actually foul-mouth a dev (I think?).

Thu 11 Mar 2021 5:34 AM by gotwqqd

themaskofkoro wrote: ↑
Thu 11 Mar 2021 2:34 AM
inoeth wrote: ↑
Wed 10 Mar 2021 10:03 AM
funny how some ppl always want to punish others..... just turn off the chat if you dont like it

Not looking to punish anyone. If it were up to me, there would be no restrictions on chat, but devs want it to be family friendly at least, and that is very understandable given it‘s their server.
All I‘m saying is there should at least be a designated topic for there to be a yellow warning to stop the off-topic.
It‘s not even a big deal, the punishment isn‘t severe unless you actually foul-mouth a dev (I think?).

The punishment is far too lenient

5+ violations and still only minor ban

Thu 11 Mar 2021 8:25 AM by easytoremember

gotwqqd wrote: ↑
Thu 11 Mar 2021 5:34 AM
The punishment is far too lenient

5+ violations and still only minor ban

imagine believing words on a screen should get you banned

Thu 11 Mar 2021 3:09 PM by joshisanonymous

easytoremember wrote: ↑
Thu 11 Mar 2021 8:25 AM
gotwqqd wrote: ↑
Thu 11 Mar 2021 5:34 AM
The punishment is far too lenient

5+ violations and still only minor ban
imagine believing words on a screen should get you banned

Imagine thinking that words have no import. Might as well just let people spam the N word and such because words are no big deal, right? I'm sure if such people are just slapped on the wrist, they'll never do it again.

Thu 11 Mar 2021 5:52 PM by easytoremember

joshisanonymous wrote: ↑
Thu 11 Mar 2021 3:09 PM
easytoremember wrote: ↑
Thu 11 Mar 2021 8:25 AM
imagine believing words on a screen should get you banned

Imagine thinking that words have no import. Might as well just let people spam the N word and such because words are no big deal, right?

yes
Mutes are due when someone is spamming as a means to make the chat impossible to read, anything else is resolved by /ignore

Thu 11 Mar 2021 7:52 PM by

Uthred

easytoremember wrote: ↑
Thu 11 Mar 2021 5:52 PM
joshisanonymous wrote: ↑
Thu 11 Mar 2021 3:09 PM
easytoremember wrote: ↑
Thu 11 Mar 2021 8:25 AM
imagine believing words on a screen should get you banned

Imagine thinking that words have no import. Might as well just let people spam the N word and such because words are no big deal, right?
yes
Mutes are due when someone is spamming as a means to make the chat impossible to read, anything else is resolved by /ignore

Which is not correct. It doesnt matter if someone is spamming a channel or just violates the rules with a single sentence. Both will be sanctioned if reported or witnessed by a staff member.

Fri 12 Mar 2021 5:33 AM by joshisanonymous

easytoremember wrote: ↑
Thu 11 Mar 2021 5:52 PM
joshisanonymous wrote: ↑
Thu 11 Mar 2021 3:09 PM
easytoremember wrote: ↑
Thu 11 Mar 2021 8:25 AM
imagine believing words on a screen should get you banned

Imagine thinking that words have no import. Might as well just let people spam the N word and such because words are no big deal, right?
yes
Mutes are due when someone is spamming as a means to make the chat impossible to read, anything else is resolved by /ignore

So let every decent person on the server ignore some toxic piece of trash one by one? Sounds like a great solution, especially if there's more than one toxic piece of trash. OR, hear me out, we could just remove toxic pieces of trash from the server in one shot and make everyone else's life easier.

Fri 12 Mar 2021 6:13 AM by easytoremember

joshisanonymous wrote: ↑
Fri 12 Mar 2021 5:33 AM
easytoremember wrote: ↑
Thu 11 Mar 2021 5:52 PM
joshisanonymous wrote: ↑
Thu 11 Mar 2021 3:09 PM
easytoremember wrote: ↑
Thu 11 Mar 2021 8:25 AM
imagine believing words on a screen should get you banned

Imagine thinking that words have no import. Might as well just let people spam the N word and such because words are no big deal, right?
yes
Mutes are due when someone is spamming as a means to make the chat impossible to read, anything else is resolved by /ignore

So let every decent person on the server ignore some toxic piece of trash one by one? Sounds like a great solution, especially if there's more than one toxic piece of trash. OR, hear me out, we could just remove toxic pieces of trash from the server in one shot and make everyone else's life easier.

Your idea of toxic is not universal. The idea that anything you deem wrong must be malicious is laughable

Fri 12 Mar 2021 8:51 AM by inoeth

isnt calling ppl toxic trash toxic itself? just sayin

well if someone actually spams or violates the CoC then punishment should be there, but there are always ppl who want to punish other when others get into some off topic here and there... for those id say: chill your nuts!

Fri 12 Mar 2021 9:53 AM by Sepplord

The tolerance paradox at work ^^

Fri 12 Mar 2021 11:40 AM by gotwqqd

easytoremember wrote: ↑
Fri 12 Mar 2021 6:13 AM
joshisanonymous wrote: ↑
Fri 12 Mar 2021 5:33 AM
easytoremember wrote: ↑
Thu 11 Mar 2021 5:52 PM
joshisanonymous wrote: ↑
Thu 11 Mar 2021 3:09 PM
easytoremember wrote: ↑
Thu 11 Mar 2021 8:25 AM
imagine believing words on a screen should get you banned

Imagine thinking that words have no import. Might as well just let people spam the N word and such because words are no big deal, right?
yes
Mutes are due when someone is spamming as a means to make the chat impossible to read, anything else is resolved by /ignore

So let every decent person on the server ignore some toxic piece of trash one by one? Sounds like a great solution, especially if there's more than one toxic piece of trash. OR, hear me out, we could just remove toxic pieces of trash from the server in one shot and make everyone else's life easier.
Your idea of toxic is not universal. The idea that anything you deem wrong must be malicious is laughable

It’s easy to brush aside simple decency when you don’t want to have to reduce adolescent behavior

Would the game really be less fun if people toned down the attacks and vulgar language?

Fri 12 Mar 2021 2:49 PM by ExcretusMaximus

gotwqqd wrote: ↑
Fri 12 Mar 2021 11:40 AM
Would the game really be less fun if people toned down the attacks and vulgar language?

For the type of person arguing against policing of public channels, yes.

Fri 12 Mar 2021 9:18 PM by easytoremember

gotwqqd wrote: ↑
Fri 12 Mar 2021 11:40 AM
easytoremember wrote: ↑
Fri 12 Mar 2021 6:13 AM
joshisanonymous wrote: ↑
Fri 12 Mar 2021 5:33 AM
easytoremember wrote: ↑
Thu 11 Mar 2021 5:52 PM
joshisanonymous wrote: ↑
Thu 11 Mar 2021 3:09 PM
easytoremember wrote: ↑
Thu 11 Mar 2021 8:25 AM
imagine believing words on a screen should get you banned

Imagine thinking that words have no import. Might as well just let people spam the N word and such because words are no big deal, right?
yes
Mutes are due when someone is spamming as a means to make the chat impossible to read, anything else is resolved by /ignore

So let every decent person on the server ignore some toxic piece of trash one by one? Sounds like a great solution, especially if there's more than one toxic piece of trash. OR, hear me out, we could just remove toxic pieces of trash from the server in one shot and make everyone else's life easier.
Your idea of toxic is not universal. The idea that anything you deem wrong must be malicious is laughable
It’s easy to brush aside simple decency when you don’t want to have to reduce adolescent behavior

Would the game really be less fun if people toned down the attacks and vulgar language?

When what you consider to be "attacks" and "vulgar" continues to expand, yes
The problem is simple decency has been replaced by a political platform, and anything straying from that platform is now evil (ie toxic, punishable, bannable). I've remained fairly consistent in my taste for what is fun and enjoyable, what goes too far, what is reasonable, shaky ground, etc for 19 years of playing online. The "morality" of now is insufferable, in part because it's full of contradiction, and in part because it is now politics. Essentially the foundation of morality is now the whims of politicians instead of sermons of clergy. One is malleable with an old-but-sturdy foundation, the other is a deer on ice being spooked by spotlights

Sat 13 Mar 2021 3:27 AM by joshisanonymous

easytoremember wrote: ↑
Fri 12 Mar 2021 9:18 PM
gotwqqd wrote: ↑
Fri 12 Mar 2021 11:40 AM
It’s easy to brush aside simple decency when you don’t want to have to reduce adolescent behavior

Would the game really be less fun if people toned down the attacks and vulgar language?
When what you consider to be "attacks" and "vulgar" continues to expand, yes
The problem is simple decency has been replaced by a political platform, and anything straying from that platform is now evil (ie toxic, punishable, bannable). I've remained fairly consistent in my taste for what is fun and enjoyable, what goes too far, what is reasonable, shaky ground, etc for 19 years of playing online. The "morality" of now is insufferable, in part because it's full of contradiction, and in part because it is now politics. Essentially the foundation of morality is now the whims of politicians instead of sermons of clergy. One is malleable with an old-but-sturdy foundation, the other is a deer on ice being spooked by spotlights

What the hell are you talking about? The rules about what is "decent" are pretty clearly laid out for this server. If someone wants to spout off racist rhetoric or harass other players, that's not decent and should be punished. Are you seriously arguing that the rules, i.e. no "sexually explicit, harmful, threatening, abusive, defamatory, obscene, hateful, racially or ethnically offensive language," are grey areas that are hard to agree on? Would you be cool with people describing sexual intercourse in public channels, spamming the N word, or going on anti-semitic rants? Are those grey areas to you?

To be frank, you sound like you just have an axe to grind because you said something indecent and someone called you on it.

Sat 13 Mar 2021 3:48 AM by easytoremember

I'll dumb it down for you then: what is acceptable to say right now will be unacceptable to say tomorrow, with zero changes to the rules.

Sat 13 Mar 2021 9:31 AM by DJ2000

easytoremember wrote: I'll dumb it down for you then: what is acceptable to say right now will be unacceptable to say tomorrow, with zero changes to the rules.

Uthred wrote: ↑
Thu 11 Mar 2021 7:52 PM
.... It doesnt matter if someone is spamming a channel or just violates the rules with a single sentence. Both will be sanctioned if reported or witnessed by a staff member.

Today you got away with crime, tomorrow you don't.
So is your conclusion that committing an act against the rules is considered ok, as it was not sanctioned the first time?

Sat 13 Mar 2021 9:49 AM by

Uthred

easytoremember wrote: ↑
Fri 12 Mar 2021 9:18 PM
When what you consider to be "attacks" and "vulgar" continues to expand, yes
The problem is simple decency has been replaced by a political platform, and anything straying from that platform is now evil (ie toxic, punishable, bannable). I've remained fairly consistent in my taste for what is fun and enjoyable, what goes too far, what is reasonable, shaky ground, etc for 19 years of playing online. The "morality" of now is insufferable, in part because it's full of contradiction, and in part because it is now politics. Essentially the foundation of morality is now the whims of politicians instead of sermons of clergy. One is malleable with an old-but-sturdy foundation, the other is a deer on ice being spooked by spotlights

Not sure how and why make a political thing out of it. Those are rules of normal human behaviour and gladly most of the people are able to agree on that. The great thing about this server is, no one forces you to play on it. Just do /q and all your Phoenix related-issues are solved.

Im also not sure how often we already stated the fact that we are not going to change the rules about public chats nor are we going to offer an offtopic channel. If you really need such a channel to have the full game experience just create a chatgroup and everyone will be happy.

Going to lock this thread now as everything has been answered.