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 12 hours ago by Akentas

[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 11 hours ago by Akentas

[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]

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 11 hours 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 11 hours 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. 

[strat0spheric]

i get the impression ... that without a real sanction system that works, there will not be a solution. There will always be impolite people with bad manners, toxic behaviour and threats. I like your initiative @Seleucids to call on the responsibility and morale of the players but you directly got an example in here, that this call is unfortunately maybe not working ... and i fear it won't work the game.

Why? Because there is no sanction on beeing mean in the game. The maximum you get for being very offensive and unacceptable so far, is maybe a discussion on a discord server or the forums, in which the offender can make himself be seen as the victim again and so forth .. it is basically just tiring.

We have 4 different chat levels in the game (main lobby, game lobby, game chat and spec chat), and the moderators only observe the main lobby. So when something bad is happening there, sometimes they react, if certain language is used, they will be removed automatically by the modbot. That is just not enough, dear community

I would really like to discuss about this topic, because recently many really bad examples took place, that again lead to someone quit playing the game after beeing insulted/threatened verbally. With all the blablablamegame fllow up.

I want to start to throw some thoughts in .... What about if two handfull of trusted people (elected by the moderators or so)  who are often around and actively playing are given admin rights and the privileges to kick or ban people based on the rules of the game from any of the aforementioned levels. So sanctions are immediate and directly implemented. No time lag, no discussions, no blame game .... just kick/ban, end of the story. 

I am quite sure, that offenses and toxicity would drop significantly. And this would help the game on the long run.

Please add some ideas ... and @Seleucids, if you think this discussion should not be takin part here, then i can also open a new thread.

I don't want to say that it is useless, to call for responsibility and raise awareness... i just doubt that this is enough!

 

Edited 4 hours ago by strat0spheric

[Akentas]

54 minutes ago, strat0spheric said:

i get the impression ... that without a real sanction system that works, there will not be a solution. There will always be impolite people with bad manners, toxic behaviour and threats. I like your initiative @Seleucids to call on the responsibility and morale of the players but you directly got an example in here, that this call is unfortunately maybe not working ... and i fear it won't work the game.

Why? Because there is no sanction on beeing mean in the game. The maximum you get for being very offensive and unacceptable so far, is maybe a discussion on a discord server or the forums, in which the offender can make himself be seen as the victim again and so forth .. it is basically just tiring.

We have 4 different chat levels in the game (main lobby, game lobby, game chat and spec chat), and the moderators only observe the main lobby. So when something bad is happening there, sometimes they react, if certain language is used, they will be removed automatically by the modbot. That is just not enough, dear community

I would really like to discuss about this topic, because recently many really bad examples took place, that again lead to someone quit playing the game after beeing insulted/threatened verbally. With all the blablablamegame fllow up.

I want to start to throw some thoughts in .... What about if two handfull of trusted people (elected by the moderators or so)  who are often around and actively playing are given admin rights and the privileges to kick or ban people based on the rules of the game from any of the aforementioned levels. So sanctions are immediate and directly implemented. No time lag, no discussions, no blame game .... just kick/ban, end of the story. 

I am quite sure, that offenses and toxicity would drop significantly. And this would help the game on the long run.

Please add some ideas ... and @Seleucids, if you think this discussion should not be takin part here, then i can also open a new thread.

I don't want to say that it is useless, to call for responsibility and raise awareness... i just doubt that this is enough!

 

Yes agreed. i can modify your idea...
1. More in game moderators pick from the regular players who spends a lot of time in the game, this way most of the time there will be someone who is playing and observing if anything bad happening.
2. They should have the power to mute form lobby, give TIMEOUT like short time 'ban' from the lobby to abusive or toxic players or alt fake accounts. But before doing that, they should always take screen shots for justification and post them in a moderator group chat. This way bias decisions or power abuse will not happen.
 

[strat0spheric]

thank you @Akentas for refining and adding some thoughts. I also think these ingame moderators should follow a clear and published Code of Conduct. And if they abuse power, there privileges should be withdrawn of course. The sanctions should have a clear response to given escalation level.  first mute.... then timeout and so on ... bans  only for repeated misbehaviour. 

[strat0spheric]

 

19 minutes ago, yadayoda said:

@strat0spheric I think you don't understand how 0ad moderation works and your view is very very shortsighted. As I understand it you are for more moderation even in-game so people like Aslaug can't spout fascist @#$% and Tania wouldn't get harassed by him. The fact of the matter is there is no direct moderation of in-game chat and moderation is lobby-only for the most part. What you are proposing is what is already happening. There effectively 2 people both toxic, the only ones hosting games and taking down the standard of 0ad single-handedly. You are saying you want more moderation but at the same time you support a version of vigilantism based on activity.

You are proposing to re-invent the wheel and your uninformed affirmations contribute nothing new. The only thing you are doing is providing people like Akentas and his dog eric with new material to foster a culture of OP players bullying people because they can. All you are doing is empty talk and virtue signaling so you can feel better about yourself. Essentially both of you just buckle around before the mods so everyone can see how you are the good bois when the time to man up has come nobody is to be seen.

if privileged from the moderators or whomever with the respective authority (i was just makin up ideas btw), they would not be normal players but admins and hence the term vigilantism won't apply.

And i think you tend to think everything is related to you or eric or Akentas. Sorry, this is a general topic and i want the language to be better in this game. Because it kills my fun. It kills the fun of many players. It hurts, it offends. And if people don'T see anything is done against this culture, they will leave the game. And this is not a good prospect, because you know, i love this game. This is my only motivation behind my post !