Community and community volunteers

[Pann 8,679]

Tomorrow will be my one-month “Panniversary” at ACE. I came in just a few days before the Kickstarter ended and had two weeks to extract as much as I could from Tully’s brain before he took it with him for his belated honeymoon to Japan. There were a lot of moving parts to master, admin tools to learn and all that jazz. I wasn’t able to spend as much time as I would have liked getting to know our community. Things are still moving at a crazy pace, but I feel like I’ve got my sea legs now and am learning how to achieve a better balance. That means I feel like we can start having some two-sided conversations rather than the reactive, quick replies many of you have gotten from me.

 

So, let’s talk about volunteers since that’s a hot topic in the community today.

 

I was a volunteer in Ultima Online. I loved it, and it’s not an exaggeration to say it changed my life. My experiences as a UO volunteer paved the way to the career I have now and introduced me not only to people who are “I’d help you move a body”-level friends but also my husband.

 

We knew from the onset that we wanted a volunteer program for EVE Online, too. It’s not a simple matter to build something like that from scratch, and we had to reboot it a couple of times, but I’m really proud of what it became. Again, the volunteer program helped me meet people who became very dear to me, and I was able to help some of them realize their goals of getting into the game industry.

 

Todd, Gordon and I all agree on the importance and value of having a corps of volunteers as part of the Crowfall community. We also recognize it can be a double-edged sword. Personally, I've had days when I wanted to throw in the towel on the whole shebang because it felt like it would be easier and less hassle to do everything myself than to have to fiddle with whatever the volunteer drama du jour happened to be.

 

Volunteers aren't employees, but they are hard workers. They aren't “official,” but they represent us. They don’t speak for us, but they help spread our message. They face a level of accountability and responsibility that other community members don’t. They are held to a higher standard. They have to be above the suspicion of impropriety, just like anyone on our team…. Except that they aren't on our team.

 

As a volunteer, there are times when you feel like you’re trying to walk the wire with your ankles tied together. It’s not for everyone. It’s definitely not for anyone who is sensitive or outspoken. If you haven’t tried it, you might wonder why any sane person would subject themselves to it. I wonder the same thing about people who sky dive or bungee jump. I guess it’s a matter of taste and what gets your adrenaline going – and who’s to say what’s sane and what isn't anyway? =)

 

So there we have our expectations for how Crowfall community volunteers should conduct themselves. In addition to following the same rules as the rest of the community, you've got all that stuff I talked about before: accountability, neutrality, held to higher standards.

 

But what about the community itself? To date, I've made some comments here and there about a few things but nothing in-depth. Very soon after I joined ACE, there was a big stink on the boards about moderation, and Tully had already shown me the language filter and acknowledged I’d probably want to revisit that and the all the forum rule-y, code of conduct-y stuff—all of which are on the To Do list that I’m slowly chipping away at each day as time allows.

 

Here’s my viewpoint on forum moderation in one easy reference I call The Will Smith Approach: “Don’t start nothing, won’t be nothing.” Follow the rules. You don’t have to get along with everyone, you don’t have to agree with everyone, but it’s not okay to be a jerk to anyone. You can argue a point, even heatedly, without getting personal.

 

And, just to be absolutely clear on this: I have ZERO tolerance for ‘hate speech’: racial slurs; insults related to religion, culture, gender or sexual orientation; or threats of violence. That’s an instant ban. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200.

 

Crowfall is a “throne war simulator”. War. Simulator. Little virtual people fighting each other in a virtual world. But the emotions and feelings are often very real. It’s not Happy Time at Barney’s Playhouse. Things are going to get hot. Sides will be chosen and lines will be drawn. That’s what keeps it exciting. Now let’s get out there and pretend to kill each other – and have fun doing it. 

[ellie 3,849]

" Little virtual people fighting each other in a virtual world. But the emotions and feelings are often very real. It’s not Happy Time at Barney’s Playhouse. Things are going to get hot. Sides will be chosen and lines will be drawn. That’s what keeps it exciting. Now let’s get out there and pretend to kill each other – and have fun doing it. "

 

Permission to pretend to kill!     Got it.    Ima do it.   Barney's first.

 

 

Thanks Pann
 

[Jihan 5,445]

Being a volunteer is definitely not a cakewalk.

[Adall 3,895]

Good luck with the work ahead of you. I hope we all learn to love you! You seem cool so far, and I understand you have to make tough decisions at times. I respect this response to the community, thank you for listening.

[FenrisDDevil 3,474]

Now let’s get out there and pretend to kill each other – and have fun doing it. 

 

Release Crowfall then.

[Kiro 790]

Text on a board should be taken with a grain of salt. Its hard to tell the tone someone is using by the key strokes they press. That said game forums are not for the faint of heart. Cavetrolls will always exist and will always do their thing on the boards.

 

 

See you in the Dreggs,

 

Happy Hunting.

Edited April 22, 2015 by kiroelmarok

[Mayhemlock 130]

/signed

 

Need mods with a degree of professionalism, a general positive attitude, and an interest in building a good community. 

[freeze 3,759]

well good luck

 

I personally never bought into the premise, that only certain people have to be held to a higher standard.

Just doesn't make sense to me, but I guess that's a cultural thing.

 

What kinda volunterr have you been in UO? Counselor or Seer?

[headlight 5,743]

Here have been my only complaints about moderation, some of which were solved, some weren't:

 

1. Doc. But we've hashed that through almost 30 pages now. I'd call that one basically solved. However, without people knowing why, they just assume that Doc was fired for having an opinion. You can call it poor representation of ACE, but I feel that if ACE didn't respond to reports for moderators in the same tone, then they are being two faced. Nonetheless, not my concern.

 

2. A certain monkey mod that went a wee bit over board. But let's face it, the first week of this place was a zoo, so someone had to be wrangler. Wrangler's gone and so is the issue. Solved.

 

3. Moderators not citing forum posts and reasons for warning points. This later turned into zero warning points, then this turned into warning points not able to be seen, etc. I've received one warning since the warning system was re-vamped and the post as well as the reason was given. Solved.

 

4. Crazy suggestion threads. It got old to tell people over, and over, and over that this isn't a PvE game to stop with the PvE suggestions. I was told to look the other way if I didn't like it. Problem is, a lot of us spent time referencing dev track and the FAQ to provide answers. Now, there is a virtual library of answers, a giant FAQ that links to pages and not individual secions or specific points, youtube videos, fan site interviews, etc. It's not even worth the time now to reference it because you couldn't find a reference if you wanted to unless it's in the FAQ. Not to mention Facebook, Twitter, Reddit and kickstarter comments. Realistically, I stopped bothering to answer questions. We were trying to alleviate some pressure on the devs, but now the KS is over, it's like -- meh.

 

5. Redundant threads. People re-hash the same ideas over and over. Let's pretend that naval warfare was a big issue. The first thread is 10 pages (hypothetically). It gets brought up again, it's 5 pages. Then again, 3 pages. Then again, 1 page. Then again, no one responds. I've linked other topics where this was already discussed and I get:

-go away

-way to contribute positively bro

-but my idea is 1% different

 

Realistically, moderators should be splicing those threads altogether. If I've already discussed boats the first 2 threads, isn't that, in itself, encouraging a toxic community? If I'm trying to learn more about the game and I see a mountain of threads, why bother? Not solved.

 

6. The idea of a "toxic" community. Shadowbane was toxic and it was heavily moderated. I've heard that the faint of heart should steer clear of the Eve Forums since they're not noob friendly, and Darkfall is infamous for being the worst of them all. Even on Week 1, it wasn't nearly as bad. yet here we are on Month 4 and there's still cry babies. I'm not sure what I'm asking you to do about this one. 99% of posts fall within the CoC. I guess I can't ask you to dry their eyes.

 

Overall, I think the moderation and the community is in a mostly good place. 9/10

[Waikikamukau 297]

Here’s my viewpoint on forum moderation in one easy reference I call The Will Smith Approach: “Don’t start nothing, won’t be nothing.” Follow the rules. You don’t have to get along with everyone, you don’t have to agree with everyone, but it’s not okay to be a jerk to anyone. You can argue a point, even heatedly, without getting personal. 

 

Well, to be fair, Tully is now the old and busted...you are the new hotness. 

[Agelmar 1,662]

9/10? We'll take it.

 

My list is very similar to yours. Why I took the job.

[meed 102]

The only problem i have seen so far with moderation (as a whole, not mods) is people getting too friendly with mods, expecting special treatment, or getting overly upset when something happens to said mod because it was their friend and not just a random mod, but i guess that cant ever be helped.

 

I just think people need to take everything on this forum with a grain of salt as mentioned, in a pvp oriented game you're always going to get big egos who all need to be the #1 voice.

 

Im just gonna continue passive aggressively voicing my opinion through memes

 

[Lastgirl 1,367]

It's really cool of you to make a post like this, Pann.

 

I appreciate your levelheadedness when there's all this white noise and chaos at times. I used to back a game before waaay before Kickstarter era, back in 2008. Essentially the second coming of FoM. Old FoM players were all excited. We really though this was it, the sandbox cyberpunk MMOFPS with economic and political drive, reputations and power to build. We had the expectation that it would be EvE 2.0 meets Deus Ex 2.0. Game quickly fell apart just as the community did, and it didn't help that the FoM forum CM was absolutely draconian and selective. It was a very early warning sign of things to come and it reflected the unprofessional standard they chose.

 

When I see your interaction with the Crowfall forums and your levelheadedness and even at a professional standard, it really makes me respect and want to be part of the community. I know it's a great sign of things to come. I think it will just take time for people from different walks to somewhat settle with each other and morph into the Crowfall community.

 

You must know that every mail you answer, every post you address it really means the world. I just hope we don't make you feel like throwing in the towel too much when the going gets rough. It's obviously a passionate community already, because they're finding a home. It's gotta be worth the time and investment. We just have to remember why we're here in the first place.

[sardoni 198]

Sounds a lot like working as an outsourcer dealing with your client's customers and being stuck in the middle.

[oridi 2,565]

Lot of words there - though that may be a bit of pot/kettle.  Not sure what they actually say above and beyond the info already in the CoC.

[Kell 728]

ACE has been candid about many things, and this is another example of being candid. You may like it or you may not. As has been said many times, this game isn't for everyone, and neither is it's community, but I can say this is the best community I have seen in a game in a long time.

[MBLiberty 90]

...  Here’s my viewpoint on forum moderation in one easy reference I call The Will Smith Approach: “Don’t start nothing, won’t be nothing.” Follow the rules.  ...

 

The first four words of the Forum Rules of Conduct say "Be respectful and courteous."

 

Come to think of it, that right there is a pretty high standard!

 

Even the Black Knight would have trouble with that.

 

Just sayin'

[Lastgirl 1,367]

Rules...more like guidelines, right?

[APE 3,036]

Sportsmanship is an aspiration or ethos that a sport or activity will be enjoyed for its own sake, with proper consideration for fairness, ethics, respect, and a sense of fellowship with one's competitors. A sore loser refers to one who does not take defeat well, whereas a good sport means being a "good winner" as well as being a "good loser"

 

While I know this doesn't mesh well with the whole forumfall thing, some will try to win at all costs (cheating included), and lack values/morals and what not while online (anonymity I blame you), I hope by the time CF releases that we'll have a very clear idea of how to conduct ourselves in and outside of the game on official channels.

 

Having employees as mods will help as well. I hope current and future Mods all the best and that we aren't too much to handle.

 

Edited April 22, 2015 by allein

[Sinij 704]

I think your unstated goals are contradictory. You are trying to make, for lack of better example, a PG porno. The game is not going to be happy-go-lucky sunshine and lollipops experience, yet you are trying to make forums into this. Plus you are also threatening people with in-game bans for not going along with your bad acid trip. Bad form all-around.