Gentle Reminder: Community Conduct and Standards

[Seleucids]

Please can I remind the lobby players to stay calm and take a moment to reflect on the current environment.

Recently, we have observed some severe instances of toxicity and personal attacks in the lobby, especially in high level games. This is destructive to everyone. Despite being absent from the game lobby, I was able to detect the spillover aftermath. 

It’s becoming pretty clear that the sexual insults, heavy swearing, and targeting is putting new players off. When that kind of stuff happens, it signals that we aren't a welcoming or safe space - the already small player base shrinks further. Plus, we’re seeing a lot of unfounded claims about DDOS, exploits and market manipulation. Throwing these accusations around without proof just result in more disputes instead of solving anything. 

A few months ago, I introduced two of my real life colleague-friends to the game. To begin with, they really enjoyed the economy building part and cooperative strategies. However, as they started participating in high level games, the experience took a bad turn. Both of them encountered unwelcoming players, excessive swearing and long waiting times. One of them even reported being banned from a TG just because the host wanted an easy win. The other complained to me about severe sexual harassment as a part of trash talking while playing. I have also encountered all of these situations myself; it is very discomforting and discouraging to see offensive comments and accusations being thrown around as casual exchanges. Such behaviour not only damaged the image of the 0AD community but also made the real life relationship awkward between us. 

 

Some recent arguments even leaked out of the 0AD domain into my personal discord server. Let’s ensure that our discussions are respectful and contained within the appropriate space, even when we disagree.  I have not posted any specific evidence here, as the goal is not to target any individual offender but to ensure that on a global level, for both new and OP players, they are able to enjoy their time, not feeling excluded or targeted. A safe space is also where privacy is protected - recording people's voice without consent and asking for their exact home address or other personal information are not appropriate. 

This brings us to the mindset of some OP players. We understand the drive for winning and balance. However, prioritising exclusivity over respect creates a hostile feedback loop that only reduces the talent pool and weakens the community over time. High-ranking members should lead by example, not by fostering a culture where toxicity is the default. This behavior signals that the community is unwelcoming and unsustainable. We also need to stop allowing sexual insults to define the lobby, and letting the desire for victory override basic decency. 

 

Thank you to all of you who are holding the line on respect, because your good behaviour is exactly what keeps 0AD an enjoyable game. 

 

Edited 9 hours ago by Seleucids

[Dunedan]

To add to that: If you encounter toxicity or anything else which violates the Terms of Use of the multiplayer lobby, please notify one of the lobby moderators about it, so they can take action. That's best done by sending them a private message including details about the incident (screenshot, replays, ...) here in the forums. We can only act, if we are aware of such incidents.

[erictommy01]

I want to report myself for being the most toxic 0ad player alive.

[Akentas]

7 hours ago, Seleucids said:

Please can I remind the lobby players to stay calm and take a moment to reflect on the current environment.

Recently, we have observed some severe instances of toxicity and personal attacks in the lobby, especially in high level games. This is destructive to everyone. Despite being absent from the game lobby, I was able to detect the spillover aftermath. 

It’s becoming pretty clear that the sexual insults, heavy swearing, and targeting is putting new players off. When that kind of stuff happens, it signals that we aren't a welcoming or safe space - the already small player base shrinks further. Plus, we’re seeing a lot of unfounded claims about DDOS, exploits and market manipulation. Throwing these accusations around without proof just result in more disputes instead of solving anything. 

A few months ago, I introduced two of my real life colleague-friends to the game. To begin with, they really enjoyed the economy building part and cooperative strategies. However, as they started participating in high level games, the experience took a bad turn. Both of them encountered unwelcoming players, excessive swearing and long waiting times. One of them even reported being banned from a TG just because the host wanted an easy win. The other complained to me about severe sexual harassment as a part of trash talking while playing. I have also encountered all of these situations myself; it is very discomforting and discouraging to see offensive comments and accusations being thrown around as casual exchanges. Such behaviour not only damaged the image of the 0AD community but also made the real life relationship awkward between us. 

 

Some recent arguments even leaked out of the 0AD domain into my personal discord server. Let’s ensure that our discussions are respectful and contained within the appropriate space, even when we disagree.  I have not posted any specific evidence here, as the goal is not to target any individual offender but to ensure that on a global level, for both new and OP players, they are able to enjoy their time, not feeling excluded or targeted. A safe space is also where privacy is protected - recording people's voice without consent and asking for their exact home address or other personal information are not appropriate. 

This brings us to the mindset of some OP players. We understand the drive for winning and balance. However, prioritising exclusivity over respect creates a hostile feedback loop that only reduces the talent pool and weakens the community over time. High-ranking members should lead by example, not by fostering a culture where toxicity is the default. This behavior signals that the community is unwelcoming and unsustainable. We also need to stop allowing sexual insults to define the lobby, and letting the desire for victory override basic decency. 

 

Thank you to all of you who are holding the line on respect, because your good behaviour is exactly what keeps 0AD an enjoyable game. 

 

Well said @Seleucids. Completely agree. I want to remind everyone the first message you see when you join the lobby everytime you log in: 

So, if anyone getting harrasssed, take screenshots and and follow these instructions. I have heard stories and faced it myself, people trying to play victim or changing the narrative after commiting an offense for their own agenda or sometimes may be for just some quick trolling and laugh.

So, first of all, if you are facing something bad don't tackle it with firing back bad words, please don't give in to anger. Use in game settings like MUTE, KICK, BAN. Saying things bad back at harassment will muddy the situation more. BE THE BIGGER PERSON, have patience, document what's happening with Screenshots and then get in touch with the moderators.

Edited 1 hour ago by Akentas

[erictommy01]

Akentas why do you do you piece of @#$%. You act like you are the community priest and your words expose you. the BIGGER person you are. you are talking people down victimizing them and when they mute the toxic players and you don't get the drama you want you create it yourself and just make a big thing out of a random TG problem. In fact even if I got erictomy01 muted at the start of the game in question I still heard you talking about my level like I wasn't there and making fun. Then when I lost which happens esp. against the strongest player in the game when you allow champ cav in all caps at the start so you can make things more chaotic and op you blame the person loosing because a bad decision you made and ban them. The very previous game you tried goading me into quitting too and I didn't understand at first but it become clear you were in a troll mindset that day. When you then don't respond at all to what I'm saying I can see what you are up to "bro". @#$%ING PIECE OF @#$%. You have 0 engagement. you are a bully and I @#$% your mother. GO @#$% YOURSELF.

[erictommy01]

I won't let you spout your hate you piece of @#$%. everyone should know who and what you are.

first you @#$% jc and geris @#$% now this that's the kind of person you are

[erictommy01]

There were exactly 0 on topic replies to my forums post AND IF I ARE YOU STILL TRYING TO PRESSURE PEOPLE INTO KISSING YOUR FEET THEN BUDDY WHY DONT YOU JUST GO JUMP INTO A LAKE AND NEVER COME BACK HOWS THAT FOR A CHANGE.

[erictommy01]

SCREENSHOTS THIS YOU COCKSUCKER HANG IT ON YOUR WALLZ TO REMIND YOUS OF YOU GOOD DEEDS THAT YOU DID THE IN THE PAST BY BEING PASSIVE AGRESSIVE FOR NO REASON OTHER THAN DRAMA BECAUSE JUST PLAYING THE GAME LIKE A NORMAL PERSON ISNT ENOUGH

NO REPLY ?

JUST SNITCHING TO THE MODS NOW ARE WE. AKENTAS PEOPLE AN READ. THEY SEE THE GODMAN MOTD OF THE LOBBY AND THEY REPORT PEOPLE ALL THE TIME.

[erictommy01]

THIS IS DIFFERENT AND I AM BEING HONEST ABOUT MY FEEELING BECAUSE ANYTHING ELSE ENCOURGES YOUR TWISTED SENSE OF JUSTICE

[Akentas]

@Dunedan @Seleucids please read these replies both mine and his. Btw this is not Eric, reading the replies you guess who it is impersonating. 

And instead of hollow accusations, lies, show me proof, if I have done or said anything bad or wronged anyone, I will apologize for my mistakes and face the consequences. I have zero intension of making someone quit, neither I have the power to do anything since I am just a normal player. All I want is to be left alone from all the harassment and threats. And enjoy this game with my friends in peace.

Edited 55 minutes ago by Akentas

[erictommy01]

Go frivk usrld

STYopskl rhetoriucqwl qeiasdtkn

[erictommy01]

UR sense of justce is that of a roman emperor @#$%inhg his prostiotue and whipping his slavew and pretend he is a good guy

[erictommy01]

YOU ARE A DISHONEST PIECE OF @#$%.IM NOT CALLING YOU A LIER IM CALLING YOU AN OOPORTUNIST

[Seleucids]

erictommy01, please read the title of the thread again. You are doing exactly what we don't want. 

Now, I don't fully understand the context behind all this, but please stop this spam or this thread will get locked.  I don't want it to be locked. Please go vent somewhere else. Start a separate topic

[erictommy01]

U CAN SUCK THE PROOF OUT OF UR ASS FOR ALL I CARE.

YOU KNOW EXACTLY I JUST WANT TO PLAY A REAL CALM MINDED PERSON WOULD JUST MUTE ME WHICH IS BTW AN INSANE TO ASK SINCE I NEVER SAID MUCH DURING A TG UNLESS IN ALLY CHAT AND LET ME PLAY

 

[erictommy01]

YOU INSTEAD HOST GAMES ALL DAY EVERY DAY EVERY SINGLE TIME WHEN THERE COULD POSSIBLE A TG NOT HOSTED BY YOU IN ORDER TO CENTRALIZE AND EXCLUDE

 

LITERALLY DONT PLAY THE VICTIM LIKE I WOULD CREATE ALTS AND HARRASS YOU IN YOUR OWN GAME IF YOU DIDNT BECAUSE YOU COULDNT BAN ME THAT IS AGAIN JUST VICTIM BLAMING JUST TRHWOING THAT PREEMPTIVLEY OUT THERE
 

[erictommy01]

@Seleucids I see your point but in my mind you are giving Akentas platform to reaffirm things that really require no explaination with exactly 0 effort and stab me in the back whilst he is at it.

literally he only reported me because he saw I was having fun in other peoples games so I get muted from lobby

 

[Seleucids]

Just now, erictommy01 said:

@Seleucids I see your point but in my mind you are giving Akentas platform to reaffirm things that really require no explaination with exactly 0 effort and stab me in the back whilst he is at it.

You can create a new topic to explain to us what Akentas did wrong. We do want to hear from you too.

This particular thread is not the place for this discussion and the posts don't make much sense to us.

[erictommy01]

@Seleucids 

 

look at his responses not only in lobby but also in the thread beating about the bush when he decided in an instant to just ban me forever for fun or because he is a bully.

HE CAN BAN WHOEVER HE WANTS

[erictommy01]

but then also let other people host games

Edited 46 minutes ago by erictommy01

[Seleucids]

Just now, erictommy01 said:

@Seleucids 

 

Ok, so this is already one case raised by diagonalo against Akentas but was unfortunately locked. Now you can explain your story in another open thread. 

Btw Eric, if I remember correctly, you also host a lot of TG and you did get along with Akentas? What happened between you?

[erictommy01]

I'm diagonalo ...

Edited 41 minutes ago by erictommy01

[erictommy01]

the real eric is only slightly less toxic and more homophobic

[Akentas]

3 minutes ago, Seleucids said:

Ok, so this is already one case raised by diagonalo against Akentas but was unfortunately locked. Now you can explain your story in another open thread. 

Btw Eric, if I remember correctly, you also host a lot of TG and you did get along with Akentas? What happened between you?

This is not eric @Seleucids . i just talked with him in game. 

[erictommy01]

GO @#$% URSEOLF