Rules for competitive multiplayer games - Do we need to set up a "code of conduct" or "community mp guidelines" ?

[MarcusAureliu#s]

Hi, i have recently noticed that there is a growing mistrust/number of arguments/accusations between players in "competitive" multiplayer games.

This is due to several concerns

 

Those are:

1) The use of not commonly used mods ( unlike autociv, community mod etc.) that arguably give an advantage to players by for example perfect unit production ( means no idle time, the automated building of houses, other features that is not even known of, so its not easy to determine wether they actually exist)

2) Pausing in critical moments in a game, to allow a faster reaction/ better decision-making

3) Misconduct within multiplayer games ( disrespectfull behaviour)

 

I think there have been efforts to handle some of these issues by technical means, but i believe as a community we should be able to agree on something like a "code of conduct" to avoid spending an endless time in lobby arguing and fighting. Ofcourse these rules can be surpassed, detection or "punishment" might not always happen, but it is more of a violation of appropriate conduct, if there doesnt need to be another argument beforehands about what misconduct actually means.

 

I suggest these following (very general) rules as guidelines:

1. The use of not commonly used mods that impact gameplay need to be anounced by players before the game starts. If a mod was not permitted by the host it can not be used. 

2. You should not pause during critical moments in the game, like during a rush/critical attack etc. if there is no serious emergency or it is needed bc players have dropped etc. In most cases, pausing can be postponed for a few seconds. There can be no pausing just for the purpose of communicating with teammates.

3. Profanity or disrespectfull behaviour within the game is not permitted. This includes things you might personally consider "very funny", but it may not be considered funny by others, and could make playing 0 AD not the fun experience that it is supposed to be. Especially sexism, racism, antisemitism etc. is to be avoided.

4. Game hosts are asked and and to be considered entiteled to warn players in case of violation, kick or ban depending on what seems to be appropriate.

 

Feel free to make suggestions or add other issues that you have found. And help to think about how something like this could be introduced.

 

Edited February 10, 2024 by MarcusAureliu#s

[Lion.Kanzen]

26 minutes ago, MarcusAureliu#s said:

3. Profanity or disrespectfull behaviour within the game is not permitted. This includes things you might personally consider "very funny", but it may not be considered funny by others, and could make playing 0 AD not the fun experience that it is supposed to be. Especially sexism, racism, antisemitism etc. is to be avoided.

The entire player base would be gone.

The best thing is that using mute or disabling the chat is more effective.

 

Communicating with preset messages would be ideal in many cases.

 

You know that you are just censorship that make the mass media the only thing they create is that people look for space where to come to say things.

 

And culturally you are not going to be able to avoid that.

 

Edited February 10, 2024 by Lion.Kanzen

[Barcodes]

I disagree with 3, restricting/banning profanity, unless its extreme like child pornography, is what ruins a game in my opinion especially on an adult game, if you get offended about what someone says on the internet then you should stop using it.

[TheCJ]

On 21/02/2024 at 12:49 PM, Barcodes said:

especially on an adult game

0ad is not an adult game. I personally know atleast two children (in the legal sense) that play this game personally.

On 21/02/2024 at 12:49 PM, Barcodes said:

get offended about what someone says on the internet then you should stop using it.

getting offended when someone insults you is conpletely normal. When he insults you in public, there are even laws against that in many countries (laws against public defamation). That everybody can behave as terribly as they wish is not a desirable state.

[Barcodes]

12 hours ago, TheCJ said:

0ad is not an adult game. I personally know atleast two children (in the legal sense) that play this game personally.

of course you do

 

12 hours ago, TheCJ said:

getting offended when someone insults you is conpletely normal. When he insults you in public, there are even laws against that in many countries (laws against public defamation). That everybody can behave as terribly as they wish is not a desirable state.

fairy lol

[TheCJ]

5 minutes ago, Barcodes said:

of course you do

if you dont believe me, join the "0ad-enjoyers" discord server, they are in the voicechat regularly (Im talking about JagsusIndia for example)

https://discord.gg/gKZkyMx46K

Edited 9 hours ago by TheCJ
added the invite link to the discord server

[Emacz]

On 10/02/2024 at 12:18 PM, MarcusAureliu#s said:

Hi, i have recently noticed that there is a growing mistrust/number of arguments/accusations between players in "competitive" multiplayer games.

This is due to several concerns

 

Those are:

1) The use of not commonly used mods ( unlike autociv, community mod etc.) that arguably give an advantage to players by for example perfect unit production ( means no idle time, the automated building of houses, other features that is not even known of, so its not easy to determine wether they actually exist)

2) Pausing in critical moments in a game, to allow a faster reaction/ better decision-making

3) Misconduct within multiplayer games ( disrespectfull behaviour)

 

I think there have been efforts to handle some of these issues by technical means, but i believe as a community we should be able to agree on something like a "code of conduct" to avoid spending an endless time in lobby arguing and fighting. Ofcourse these rules can be surpassed, detection or "punishment" might not always happen, but it is more of a violation of appropriate conduct, if there doesnt need to be another argument beforehands about what misconduct actually means.

 

I suggest these following (very general) rules as guidelines:

1. The use of not commonly used mods that impact gameplay need to be anounced by players before the game starts. If a mod was not permitted by the host it can not be used. 

2. You should not pause during critical moments in the game, like during a rush/critical attack etc. if there is no serious emergency or it is needed bc players have dropped etc. In most cases, pausing can be postponed for a few seconds. There can be no pausing just for the purpose of communicating with teammates.

3. Profanity or disrespectfull behaviour within the game is not permitted. This includes things you might personally consider "very funny", but it may not be considered funny by others, and could make playing 0 AD not the fun experience that it is supposed to be. Especially sexism, racism, antisemitism etc. is to be avoided.

4. Game hosts are asked and and to be considered entiteled to warn players in case of violation, kick or ban depending on what seems to be appropriate.

 

Feel free to make suggestions or add other issues that you have found. And help to think about how something like this could be introduced.

 

Autociv is not common? Its almost part of the game, i would say 80-90% of experienced players use it.  Maybe not a27 as much since it had to be changed and a little harder to get.  @Stan` even thinks some of its features should be added.

Other than that I agree with you a lot

[Emacz]

On 21/02/2024 at 6:49 AM, Barcodes said:

I disagree with 3, restricting/banning profanity, unless its extreme like child pornography, is what ruins a game in my opinion especially on an adult game, if you get offended about what someone says on the internet then you should stop using it.

there is a difference between trash talk and using profanity as adjectives to describe players abilities.  You can have some fun talk a little smack and still be respectful of others.

[Barcodes]

54 minutes ago, Emacz said:

there is a difference between trash talk and using profanity as adjectives to describe players abilities.  You can have some fun talk a little smack and still be respectful of others.

my friend @MarcusAureliu#sloves it really, there are some fairies that are a problem (chrstgtr being one of them) and a few others

[Seleucids]

As a frequent TG host, here are my limits:

General use of swear words - fine, but don't spam too much

Insults - if directed at a playing player, I will warn you to stop. If that player asks for ban and you still don't stop, then I will ban. 

Spam - I will kick if your messages prevent us from playing. Come again and I ban. 

Political chat: I will remind you to keep it in spec chat. I don't really care what you say in spec chat as long as it does not distract the players or jeopardise the server session. 

Cheating: I will pause and ask you to explain your cheat mechanism then ask you to turn it off. If you refuse then we will re withdraw the cheater. Although cheating is impossible in A27. 

So far I've only banned two people from my game, one for spamming, the other for insult + spam + impersonation. 

Edited 2 hours ago by Seleucids

[Emacz]

2 hours ago, Barcodes said:

my friend @MarcusAureliu#sloves it really, there are some fairies that are a problem (chrstgtr being one of them) and a few others

@Barcodes you may not know this, but in some cultures and mythology fairies ate people (like u ) they were terrifying villians

[TheCJ]

Be careful @Emacz, if you tell @Barcodes he cant spam 100 swear words per minute, you might hurt his fragile ego.