Wow RPGuilds hit a max of 37 players today. Not to shabby. Best part is, our community is gonna keep growing!
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REALsheaffer
New member From United States
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RPGuilds staff team is in need of Lore Candidates and Architects! Now is a great time to apply!! Just find the Staff Application Guide & Template thread! There's a copy and paste section for you there. Make a thread in the Staff Application forum and fill out the application! Hope to see more and new faces on our staff team soon!
- REAL
JUST wanted to say, since I can't really do any personal defending of anyone, being staff again. I just really wanted to get off my chest the following:
As Volunteers. The owners of RPGuilds do not owe us "long serving" staff members anything. Being a volunteer means: Doing your work, without payment. You could also call us interns. Doesn't matter, point is we do our job correctly and we do it for free.
Premium was a nice thank you that Sam was willing to give us. However in tough times, he can't afford that luxury.
But, like I said. It doesn't matter either way, because as we are owed no payment of any kind... it means that Sam / Owners do not owe us anything at all. Not premium, not anything.
Just really really really wanted to say that, atleast. Seeya folks.
Wtf is happening? Everyone is pretty much shitting themselves. Frankly, as far as drama and shit going wrong, this is not the lowest point this server has ever been at.
For the record, I think a lot of people are taking Brando's departure the wrong way. I sincerely doubt that he wanted everyone to cry and pout and start saying that the server is shit and leave. He wouldn't have gone to the trouble of writing out a 2 page essay on tips to repair this server to it's former glory, if that was his goal.
He had to move on. And he most likely wanted everyone to wave goodbye with smiles on their faces and tears in their eyes, asking him to promise to visit from time to time.
He didn't want people to go "Brando's leaving!!! Wow this server is soooooo shit that even Brando can't stand it anymore". I've known how Brando is for a while now as I've observed him and some other intellectuals on this server over the past few years. He wouldn't have stayed this long if he wasn't enjoying his time here and having fun with all of you.
He wants RPGuilds to keep living on. Not for everyone to start screaming that the server is dying and leaving like their abandoning a sinking ship. Wtf.
I know I said I'm done with rants and I am. But I am gonna (on my own time) crack down on useless criticism. Which is different from useful (constructive) criticism.
Honestly, the only thing that's worse than staff members that do nothing or do everything wrong, are people who uselessly criticize them in a way that only demotivates them and makes them do even less work than before. Like honestly wtf. You don't have to comment on things they did right. You just have to tell them ways they could do things better without being a dick. Instead of just saying. "Yeah I don't like that". Or worse when people are fucking sarcastic and snotty about it. Like ok, good job your comment is counter-productive. But no. No! Let's BLAME staff for not wanting to do work or not being able to take "criticism" well. Smh rn.
ok im done raging and ranting
Chat moderation. An important part of the job when you're a staff member. One of the most important defining factors of the relationship between the community and the staff team. Meaning it has an affect on how much the community trusts the staff team, how safe the community feels around their staff members and overall, how much the community likes the staff team. Chat moderation is a very important thing and especially on a server like this, which constantly is debating where the line should be drawn when it comes to freedom of speech, it alone has the power to make or break RPGuilds.
I suggest that all current staff members take the time to read this. I want everyone to know that I am not here to bash the staff team, however it may not be completely free of critique. My goal in writing this, is to "rant" about something constructive for a change instead of being full of constant anger. So here it goes.
What is, the correct method of chat moderation? Or more specifically, what is the correct method of chat moderation for a server like RPGuilds? If you were to check out some of RPGuilds competitors, you'd most likely find a place where staff members decide on the spot what is right and what is wrong, based off of their personal preference and morals. On a lot of servers, if you piss off a staff member you're most likely not going to have a good time on that server anymore, if you're lucky enough to not get banned.
What I like about RPGuilds more than anything is that we actually have some basic human rights, almost as if it were a country. Freedom of speech is respected to a certain degree here. And staff don't get to do as they please (for the most part). However, it's because of this that makes Chat Moderation such a touchy subject. Where do we draw the line?
Let's start with the simple stuff. Spam and Caps. The rules about spam and caps were originally created (back when minecraft servers were first popping up), to stop the aggravating ragers and spambots. However, for some reason these days, players having a good time outside of Roleplay, can be considered spam. Let me ask you this, what is so harmful about a saying "CONGRATULATIONS!" two or ever three times, to another player who just... oh idk... got engaged in REAL life? Should a thoughtful player who his happy for their friend be muted? Staff members also seem to easily forget that players like to have a little HARMLESS fun outside of RP. Usually in our global chat. A lot of times this can entail caps and even a bit a low grade spam, or some chat flooding if it's a group. What I personally don't understand is why the enjoyment of a few players seems to always warrant a stern "stop" or (when the player doesn't listen) a mute. Maybe even an official warning for 'disobeying' a noble (sarcasm) staff member.
Without getting into the /ch leave g argument. Unless other players are (within reason) bothered by others fun in global, such as to the point where they feel the need to contact a staff member either privately or through a /helpop ticket, which doesn't include those who simply want to spoil the fun of someone they have a personal problem with... I don' t see the need to take that fun away. Players often won't understand why they've been muted, when they've done very little to nothing wrong. And it's that misunderstanding that brews distrust and hatred between player and staff.
More than anything, it seems to me that (especially stewards) some staff members like the feeling of power. Or perhaps they want to feel useful and competent, so they put a stop to anything that could be angled to look like a rule breach. The worst however, is when staff members bring their own personal opinions into the matter. For example, thinking that 'yo momma' jokes are acceptable, while a little spam is a severe rule breach in their eyes.
I beg all staff members who are reading this. It is not your job to punish our community and player base, it is your job first and foremost to help them. If you're not helping the community in some way, what right do you have to decide when they should be punished? Also, you need to recognize the difference between something that is harmful and just a little silly fun.
Past Spam and Caps which tends to be the main root of the problem. I expect that what is and isn't acceptable to say in global to be mainly common sense. Sure there are close calls but at that point, if it's so hard to decide... then stewards and moderators should be bringing it to their superior Admin's.
Here's a quick guidelines list of what I think isn't okay:
1. No racism. No racial slurs. No jokes about hitler. It's pretty simple... just don't be racist.
2. Players shouldn't be arguing in global. This is even hard for me and I'll probably break it at some point. But yes, players should take their arguments somewhere private. Not has it out in global.
3. No bashing other players. This can be tough because at times, friends will make "mean" inside jokes at each other. And while it appears wrong, it's actually just a joke. Staff, depending on what is said, you should know when to confirm if someone is being insulted... and when to put an immediate stop to it.
4. Other topics that shouldn't be talked about publicly: Suicide, self harm, rape, Abusive relationships and nonchalantly talking about handicaps and illnesses like depression. If you NEED to talk about those things. Do it privately. I won't blame the staff team for giving you an official warning if you bring these topics up inappropriately.
Players for the most part don't tend to cross these lines too much, in global chat anyways. As long as everyone keeps their cool, everything should be fine.
Hopefully, RPGuilds will one day have a global chat where we can have HARMLESS fun without unnecessary punishment. After all, it's a minecraft server. We're supposed to be having fun.
P.S. I forgot to mention that all of this is my opinion. It's not fact, obviously. You have every right to disagree. However, having said that... I do know what I'm talking about when it comes to this topic.
It makes a lot of sense that I love a channel called "I Hate Everything" lately.
Why can't some of RPGuilds players, or the MCRP community for that matter, fucking understand this?
If I can get just 10 likes on this post here. I'm willing to post my Top WORST Staff Members in RPGuilds History list. This will be not just a list but I will also give a medium to short description on why each said ex-staff member received their status on my list.
Obviously this is MY opinion, but because it won't be a happy opinion where at least someone feels good about themselves, I don't feel like I have the right to post it publicly (even here) without the consent of at least 10 people. So if seeing my list even slightly peaks your interest. Please like. Thanks.
I just don't have the time, the patience or the energy to sit around and debate and argue constantly like I did before I became staff. I just can't anymore. If you've noticed my lack of replies to people who disagree with me on threads. It just feels like so many things that I tried to put a stop to when I was a Steward, Moderator and when I first became Admin, are still here to haunt me. To haunt this server.
Some people called me a troll. I wasn't "trolling" to piss people off like some of The Lads did. No, I trolled to make a point. Especially ridiculous punishments because of over-escalated rules, bothered me and bother me. Staff spent more time long ago muting those who said WOW in caps 3 times in a row. And yet others got away with practically calling others assholes in global.
Players who care more about their characters than the community, more than RPGuilds. I fucking hate you. I hate you so much. If I and your character were both falling off of a cliff (and you didn't dislike me or have anything against me) and for some reason you only had one arm to use. YOU'D FUCKING SAVE YOUR FICTIONAL, PIECE OF SHIT CHARACTER... OVER ME!!!!!!!!
People would hate each other because of IC actions. Staff members were hated because they oppressed and muted those who were simply having a good time. And then when they called bullshit they received warnings. I've had 3 different Stewards, say "You know better" to me recently. The past CS who worked with me, would never EVER say that to me. Because they understand my perception of right and wrong. Because most of them agree with me.
I was a staff member for nearly a year. All the time, I who used to be nothing but opinion, oppressed his feelings and opinions constantly the whole time. Even when I know that someone was wrong and/or guilty, I put what I thought aside and asked for evidence. To make a fair decision based off of the situation. Still, there were those who accused me of being biased shit just like the staff before me. Very few of them, but they were there.
I boasted about being unbiased, not because I was truly unbiased but because I chose to be fair to all. I probably could have changed so much more if I had just done what I felt was right. Rather than do what was truly right.
So yes, after all this time all my aggravation, disappointment, sadness, etc. Everything I feel about community members, about staff members, and about RPGuilds is coming out at one time. And yet, spite how I'm trying not to go overboard with it. I find I can't even have a good time on this server without someone shoving their foot up my ass about something that harmed no players experience, that did nothing harmful, that was barely even a breach of a rule that is interpreted by newbie staff members completely wrong almost 100% of the time.
I am so close to just making a shit-list. Posting it. And then moving on from this. And yet I feel as though I can't do it because it'll be a betrayal to those who trusted me to not blow up. Who are here to do GOOD for this server and not for themselves. That understand that when you volunteer, work comes first, fun comes second.
Sam, Tharo, Tsu, Perry, Fattest.
And those players who trusted me the same.
Sprin, Himmy, Jocuur, hihi, Lageron, Firegirl, Mega, Green, Arehian, Brando, ETC!
But I have reached that fucking limit now. You were right Kat. You were absolutely right long ago, when you said holding in my bias would result in disaster. Because I'm a fucking volcano that's already overflowing and is about to completely erupt. I can't do it anymore.
In the end. I might just end up getting myself banned.
Idk what was the worse decision. Holding it all in for so long. Or leaving staff and taking the lid off.
Fuck.
I'm still unsure about how I feel. Other than that the actions of certain people, have baffled me, bothered me and even disgusted me. I figured some people would know better than to act the way they did or make the decisions they made. :/
But I feel as though the disconnection between staff and the community, that was slowly healing, has unfortunately grown again recently.
I'm quite happy to say, that after nearly a year of decline in the happiness of our community and the quality of our server. RPGuilds has really turned it around in just a matter of days. After several months of hard work by the staff team. We finally have something to show for it! Just in the past few days, RPGuilds daily numbers have averaged and even beaten out our competitors in the MCRP community. Many old members of RPGuilds have returned once again. And! Just knowing what the staff team is only weeks or even days from releasing. I can definitely say that things for RPGuilds and it's community are only looking up and improving. For the first time in a long time, I can tell the outsiders who call RPGuilds crap, that they are dead wrong.
Congratulations Sam. You've done it! -
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